[Valen pov]
Backstage smelled like sweat, perfume, and fish. Literally fish. I mean... they are fish, right?
Young sirens crowded the waiting area, tuning their voices, their outfits glittering, elders whispered frantic last-minute advice, and Stagehands running like their lives depended on it, shouting names and numbers.
But I ignored all of them. I wasn't here to count gills.
The organizing committee walked up to me with their clipboards, asked some questions, and handed me my number card.
The show had already begun, and even the youngest sirens performed with terrifying elegance. I'll admit it, sirens really are the epitome of celebrities. They've got the looks, the influence, the dangerous charm… what more do you need to rule the spotlight?
And then… Bianca took the stage.
She looked every bit the queen bee from the show, chin up, radiating that hollow confidence. As if the disaster earlier had never even happened. But the moment she opened her mouth... hoo boy.
Her voice cracked. It wasn't awful, but compared to the others? It didn't even graze the border of decent.
Skill issue... or confidence issue... Stage issue? haha.
And the crowd didn't just dislike it.
They laughed. Jeers, chuckles, actual dolphin noises... okay maybe not, but close enough.
She came back minutes later, face redder than a ripe tomato. Stormed past, throwing me a glare like I'd been the one who roasted her alive. I mean… yeah, I nudged the dominoes, but you know what they say, the dildo of consequence never comes lubed.
I chuckled. What? I wasn't about to waste such free entertainment.
Then the MC announced my name.
And suddenly, my chest tightened...
...Wait. Am I nervous?
My heart thumped like a marching band was practicing in my ribcage. Hands sweaty, throat dry. Damn.
Behind me, the sirens snickered, whispering behind their fucking fins.
"Look, he's shaking."
"Half-blood can't handle it."
Blah blah blah.
Yeah, laugh while you can. You'll choke on it soon enough.
I stepped out.
And froze.
Thousands. Literal thousands of people staring at me. Lights blinding, atmosphere heavy enough to crush a weak performer into paste.
Adrenaline surged. A smile tugged at my lips… even with the nerves buzzing under my skin. My fingers clenched around the guitar.
I dragged the chair to the center of the stage. The scraping echoed across the arena. I sat down and silence followed, heavy, expectant.
And weirdly… it felt good. Like the silence wasn't scary at all but so thrilling. Like the whole world was holding its breath just for me. Terrifying, yes... but also very addictive.
Stagehands scurried over, fixed the mic, checked the sound. I thanked them softly, then lifted my head to the sea of eyes.
"Hey guys. This is Valen. And this song… is for my parents."
Polite applause. Then silence again.
I strummed the first chord.
[ 🎵 For the full experience, play "If This Is The Last Time" by LANY while reading. 🎵 And through their official pages! ]
[Narrator Pov]
Hey mom, I know we're gettin' old...
Valen's voice carried softly at first, the melody weaving through the hushed auditorium.
And the lines on our hands have changed
But you still look at me the same
As he sang, the image of his past life's mother slammed into him like a wave. He saw her tired smile, her wrinkled hands, the way she never stopped believing in him no matter how much time passed.
Sorry for the fights and the tone of my voice
Sorry for the nights when I made the wrong choice
Life is flyin' by and it's hittin' me now
I hope it's not, but...
The memories clawed their way up, memories he had buried so deep, convinced they would never breach the surface again. But here, under blinding lights and a thousand strangers' eyes, they came flooding back. And it hurt. God, it hurt.
Hey dad, what's up?
Miss you so much
Yeah, the shade of your hair has changed
But I look up to you the same...
His voice trembled when he shifted to his father. A man rough on the outside, but fragile where it truly mattered.
If this is the last time
Then let's do the things we always do
Like go for a drive or watch the news
I don't wanna cry, I'm bad at goodbye
If this is the last time
Valen remembered a simple moment, how his father once heard him mention he liked mangoes, and the next day came home with bags full, pretending it was no big deal. That small act of love hit harder than any words.
Hey you, sit back
Don't go, so fast
If this is the last time, please come close
I love you with all my heart, you know
I don't wanna cry, I'm bad at goodbye
If this is the last time
As the song built, so did the ache in his chest. Did they cry when I left them behind? Do they eat well? Are they still healthy? The questions gnawed at him, each one heavier than the last. He would never be there to shoulder their burdens, never see them grow old. Never be the son they deserved. That guilt was unbearable.
If this is the last time
If this is the last time
Oh, if this is the last time
By the time the final notes faded, Valen's tears had blurred the stage lights. He hadn't even realized he was crying until his hand instinctively rubbed at his eyes.
Silence.
The crowd didn't move. Didn't cheer. Didn't breathe. The performance had pressed down on every single heart in that arena, leaving them stunned. Some faces were wet with tears, others buried in their hands.
Mom, Dad… I'm sorry I left you. I love you more than anything, but I can't go back. Please… let me go. Live your lives without carrying my shadow. Don't cry for me anymore.
Valen lifted his head. He looked up, and in the sea of faces, his eyes found the deck where his mother sat. She was crying, tears streaming freely as she covered her mouth with trembling hands.
A broken smile curved his lips.I have parents here who love me too. So please… don't worry about me. Don't cry anymore. Eat well. Stay healthy. Be happy. That's all I'll ever ask of you… as your son.
"Mom… Dad… I love you. And… thank you", For a heartbeat, his voice cracked. Then he straightened, lifted his head high, and spoke with a quiet strength that carried through the arena, raw but calm.
And as if those words broke a spell, the silence shattered.
The entire hall erupted- cheers, screams, applause crashing over him in a tidal wave. It was literal Chaos.
With a smile and a small wave, Valen stepped offstage.
Applause still roared behind him, echoing like thunder, but here, backstage, he was met with quiet praise.
A few adults and fellow competitors praised him as he passed, while most of them were from rival siren clans, a few of the Barclay adults dipped their heads ever so slightly in acknowledgment.
Well… not all of them are rotten, it seems.
On the way back, people stopped him with nods, pats on the shoulder, and words of praise.
He barely made it to the deck, and before he could take another step, his mother came running.
Sarenya's arms wrapped around him with a force that nearly knocked the air from his lungs. She buried her face against his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
She had never known her son carried such thoughts in his heart, that behind his strength and sharp tongue lay such raw, aching love for them. The realization broke her, even as it filled her chest with pride.
Valen hugged her back, tears still hot on his cheeks.
Off to the side, the Addams family watched. Morticia's pale lips curved into her signature, relaxed smile.
"Ah… such tender anguish," she murmured in her velvety tone, each word stretched like silk. "Our little Viper would have adored this performance. A tragedy she missed it… though she would never admit to the tears it would have drawn."
Beside her, Gomez's chest swelled with emotion. He clasped his hands dramatically to his heart, eyes glittering.
"¡Caramba! Such passion, such sorrow, yet such beauty! A boy who sings not with his voice, but with his very soul! Bravísimo!"
And Lurch, towering as always, simply hummed.
A long, guttural "hmmmm…", like a washing machine on the verge of collapse.
Around them, the other guests also applauded.
All around, other guests applauded, not with the frenzy of the crowd outside, but with something gentler. Respectful. Genuine.
They were outcasts, not monsters, they too understood the bond of family. They too knew what it was to love, and to ache.
Meanwhile,
Bianca seethed. Rage burned hotter with every clap, every cheer that thundered in Valen's honor. She wanted to deny it, to sneer, to laugh it off... but she couldn't. She knew. That performance… it had been flawless.
Grinding her teeth, Bianca forced herself to breathe. Slowly. Deeply. Just like William [1]had told her. Control yourself. Stick to the plan.
She closed her eyes, rehearsed the words in her mind, played the scene out over and over. Each step, each motion, each venom-laced syllable he had instructed her to say.
And when her nerves steadied, a smirk tugged at her lips.
With this… you won't be a thorn in my way anymore, Valen.
Her heels clicked against the floor as she strode forward. The cacophony of applause still echoed, but she cut through it with a sharp, venomous voice.
"Hey, motherfucker-!"
----
A/N:
This chapter meant a lot to me personally. While writing it, I really felt how much my parents have sacrificed, the tired smiles, the way my father always puts us first. The little "mango part" actually came from real life, so I wanted to slip it in here.
I didn't plan to end on a cliffhanger, but the chapter got long enough and that moment just felt like the perfect place to cut. Hehe.
Now, about the harem question a few of you keep asking, right now I'm only set on Enid and Wednesday. A possible third might or might not happen. I don't want to make this one of those stories where the MC catches girls like Pokémon and then forgets them the next chapter.
That said, since I know my readers are a pretty diverse fanbase (can I call you that? Please?), I've been thinking of starting two new projects:
One will be a full-on harem, gotta catch 'em all style.
The other will focus on just a single female lead.
Haven't decided on which universe, anime, or movie world to dive into yet, so drop your suggestions in the comments!
[1] (The present Barclay Heir, First in line)