Can't You See It?
Loz, Kadaj, And Yazoo

“It's not finished, NOT FINISHED!” Kadaj darted out from the back room and dived behind the couch.

Loz jolted, “Jeez, d-don't scare me like that!”

Yazoo remained impassive, sipping from his mug, “Kadaj, it's hardly going to be considered late.”

“I want it to be done! Maybe it'll be seen... No matter how far away-OW!” The youngest remnant yelped from behind the couch, then jumped up, holding something that resembled a dynamite, “It's done!”

Loz looked worried, “I don't think it should actually be initiated...”

“Of course it should, come with me!” He grabbed Loz and yanked him along. The eldest remnant grasped Yazoo's arm, causing the middle brother to drop his cup and flail along behind them.

“You're going to explode us, and then where will we be?!” Yazoo cried once they were outside by the lake, a little ticked off that his hot cocoa had been wasted.

“It's all for her! You know you want to do this for her, too!” Kadaj set up the firework, eagerly striking up a match.

Loz was beginning to sniffle.

“For Mother's sake, don't cry, Loz!” Yazoo scolded.

“I'm not crying!” Loz protested, wiping his eyes, “It's just... so...”

“DUCK!” Kadaj leaped away from the burning firework and tackled his brothers to the ground just before there was a loud BANG!

“Did it work?!” Kadaj jumped back up, looking up toward the sky. It was empty, save for the stars...

Kadaj looked crestfallen before Yazoo stood, tugging his arm and pointing out toward the lake.

Loz was flat-out bawling by now.

Kadaj's smile nearly tore his face in two as he grabbed Yazoo's wrist and tugged him closer to the lake with him, “It's beautiful! Mother, can you see?!”

The lake was sparkling with the blues and reds and greens Kadaj had tried to construct the firework of... The moonlight reflecting off of it mixed with the lovely night sky made it a breathtaking sight.

Loz approached his brothers, still sniveling, “Kadaj...” He managed, speechless.

Yazoo turned his head away and Kadaj grinned, peering at his older brother, “Aw, don't cry, Yazoo!”

“It's your fault!” Yazoo accused... Then darted out into the lake.

Kadaj blinked... Then smiled and rushed after him, “C'mon, Loz!”

Lox hurried to follow the crazy youngsters.

“Happy Mother's Day, Mother!” Yazoo shouted to the sky, dancing in the water that was now past his hips.

“Happy mother's day!” Kadaj echoed, splashing the colored water upward while Loz rushed further into the water, “Can you see it?! Can you see?!”

The remnants indulged in their childish cries to a being that couldn't hear them.

Orphaned little boys calling to a mother who was no longer there.

Later, Kadaj lie awake, between his two brothers. Loz had his face buried in his pillow and Yazoo slept delicately on his side, facing Kadaj.

The youngest stared up at the ceiling, smiling proudly, “Did you see it, Mother?...” He whispered, “I made it just for you...”

“Kadaj...” Yazoo whispered sleepily, lifting a hand and resting it lazily over Kadaj's chest, “She saw it, alright?... And she loved, it, I promise...”

Kadaj's chest was hurting now and he drew a shaky breath, “.. You don't have to promise lies for me...”

Yazoo's eyes opened, glistening with dampness in the slight moonlight, “Yes, I do.”

A tear escaped Kadaj's eye and Loz shifted in his sleep, “Happy Mother's Day...” He murmured, barely even conscious.

Yazoo lifted his hand to wipe away the tear, smiling slightly, “Happy Mother's Day.”

Eventually, both older remnants were asleep again and Kadaj was still staring at the ceiling, wishing with every part of him he had to offer that maybe Mother might hear him if he was desperate enough.

And knowing she never would... Not unless...

Sephiroth...

“Mother...” Kadaj whimpered quietly, grasping at Yazoo's hand on his chest.

Can you see it?!

He wanted to say so much to her. But it would be a waste of breath. She would never... Never hear him...

It's for you, it's all for you!

So he forced a smile no one would see and spoke words no one would hear.

To a mother he'd never get to love.

“... Happy Mother's Day.”

... Can't... you see it, Mother?...