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Spirit Songfic - Too Bad by Nickelback
Part one

Night approached and the last rays of the sleepy sun clung to the Earth ever so slowly loosing their grip and sinking below the Horizon. The sky was an orangey yellow hue that gradually faded into a soft peachy pink. The few clouds that hung in the atmosphere had a purple tinge to them. Two men walked side by side, their shadows were long, narrow, and deformed from the angle of the sun, but moved smoothly along with them. One was much younger than the other; probably youthful enough to be considered the elder’s son. Although his hair was a beautiful curly blonde; his eyes a empty blue, where as the other’s hair was a straight and unnatural shade of red with an almost teal color to his eyes leaving no evidence that the two could possibly be related.
The boy, Justin Law; only the age of seventeen was dressed, like he was always, with the best quality of a Priest’s black and grey robe. Buttons were precisely placed in two columns paralleling each other in vertical lines over his stomach and chest. It fit faultlessly to his form, showing off his growing and still rather womanly appearing frame. Over his shoulders rest a pure white mantle what had a small black cross on the back. On his head an ecelestial hat sat steadily. And to top it all off, a carefully carved cross with the skull mask of one of his beloved Gods, Shinigami-sama, on it dangled from his neck by a small chain.
The man, Spirit Albarn, also known as Deathscythe-Sama, dragged his feet along slowly behind the energized appearing Priest. His lazy hands made their home within the pockets of his black slacks, while his shoulders hunched making him seem, while still taller than Justin, sorter than he really was. He wore a grey dress shirt that had a minor green tint to it. Over that was a suit Jacket. A tie that resembled an upside down cross adorned his outfit, making him give the impression that he was some sort of serious business man. In many ways he might as well be considered one, but in many more others he probably couldn’t be.
“Oi, Justin!” Mr. Albarn called, but received no reply.
He peaked around, with one of his eyebrows raised, to get a look at the boy’s visage that faced directly ahead as they walked. His eyes were closed and a small smile rested on the teenager’s lips. Spirit sighed realizing that yet again the young Priest had popped in his ear buds leaving behind the world along with everyone in it to listen to his tunes and be carried off into spacey day dreams. The man reached over hooking a finger around a cord that snaked from Justin’s ear then disappeared into his clothing. He yanked it from its position making it fall and the Priest to turn and look at Spirit oddly before realizing what that was for and blushing a bit. “Oh, Did I zone off again? Sorry, Spirit-Senpai.” He shrugged.
“Right…” He mumbled then continued what he was wanted to ask, “Where are we going anyway?”
“To my place,” Justin simply replied.
“Your place? Why your place?” Mr. Deathscythe asked.
The young man laughed silently to himself, “Well, Have you already forgotten where I found you? What would you tell Maka if she asked you where you have been?”
Spirit glanced away his eyes narrowing a bit and his face flushing a bright red. Having the boy find him enjoying himself a little too much at the hostess club, Chupa Cabras, was rather embarrassing. Although most people around Death City would check for him there first if he happened gone missing, it still caused him to become ill at ease if the fact that he was there was brought up. Then there was Maka, his daughter who already hated him as it was, almost specifically for the reason of him going to that club. Spirit had recently gone through a divorce because he was apparently cheating, leaving Maka to side with her mother and think he was just some romantically desperate old man. Oh, But how Spirit loved his daughter and ex-wife so much, if only they’d listen to all his apologies, if only he could change his actions and resist the temptations when he saw a pretty girl with an attractive body. “Thank you,” Spirit replied suddenly becoming ashamed of his self.
“Not a problem, just looking out for my fellow Deathscythes.” Justin answered with a small grin.
The Priest continued on until the shadow of an ancient cathedral consumed the two males. They had at last reached there destination, although it was unknown to Spirit. “Here we are.” The boy announced.
Deathscythe glanced around, “A… Church? This is your home?” He couldn’t help but laugh a bit at the fact of the Priest lived within the holy structure; it wasn’t a surprise he just didn’t really put two and two together.
A shade of red caused by his elder’s laughter colored the boy’s cheeks. “W-Well not exactly, the Father and Nuns have agreed that while I am in Death City, I could stay here. I sleep in a little guest room in the back. It’s a spare one they use for travelers who are in need a place to settle, or a visiting Priest or Nun.”
Glancing back at the towering building, Albarn nodded letting Justin see that he heard and understood while he examined the stone built church. The younger man stepped further into the shadow and closer to the lofty and broad double doors. They were made of wood, and appeared to have been engraved with perfection giving some shape to them instead of just plain and flat. The handles, one on each door and both as far to the middle of the entry were rings that were made of iron, iron that had probably seen better days. There were nicks and scratches covering the handles surfaces. Law gave a forceful heave causing one door to slowly swing open while groaning all the way. The older man stood back and watched the door as it sounded like it was making a fuss. At last once it was fully open he stepped inside after Justin and pulled the door shut. When it latched it made a loud thud, and a clank as the heavy iron rings bumped into the iron that held them to the door. After the reverberation ended, there was nothing but an almost uncomfortable silence. The only other person in the building was a man sweeping the aisles that kept quietly to his self.
Justin started forward passing one aisle after another; his shoes creating a tap that echoed as he walked. He came to a halt once realizing Spirit was not following. Instead the older man still stood at the entrance glancing all around taking in the overwhelming amount of magnificent detail. His expression showed the amazement and impression he felt. A total of six stain glass windows, each looking like they could tell a story all on there own, were built into the Church. Three on the right side, and three on the left. Every column that held up the holy building was unique and striking with carvings of vines and holy beings etched into them. The benches that made up the aisles were a lovely dark alder, beaten and wore but almost in a way of beauty. They faced forward toward a podium that was made of an ornate Cross. Behind that on the wall were statues and figures of various sacred characters, in the center of the elaborate display was Jesus Christ hanging from a cross, nails driven through his palms attaching him to his place. He looked beaten and hurt, and only a small sculpted cloth concealed his lower half. It was a brutal sight but at the same time stunning and touching as well.
At last Spirit’s gaze fell back to Justin; he slowly closed his mouth that had parted as a reaction to the amazement. He smirked, “It must be obvious that I am not used to being in a church.”
“Just a bit,” Law replied crossing his arms and waiting for Deathscythe to catch up to him.
Once side by side they continued further past the aisles and toward the back of the church, “When was the last time?” The boy inquired.
“The last time?” Spirit replied unsure about his question.
Justin nodded, “Yes, the last time you went to church?”
Silence. Mr. Albarn blinked, when was the last time? He remained standing for a long moment, the boy beside him still seeming to remain curious. Taking a seat on the nearest bench Spirit reached out his arm and rested it along the back on the seat then stared up at the Jesus Christ statue on the wall that loomed over him. Dust particles hung and drifted in the air, visible by the colorful light that streamed in through the stain glass windows. “When was the last time I went to church?” He asked his self still unsure.
Justin tilted his head, but remained hushed and waited for more words to come from Spirit. Carefully he sat down next to the man.
“Well, I can tell you it wasn’t any time recently.”


----

It was a lovely spring day, the sun shone brightly as cherry blossoms rode the soft breeze eventually landing in the lush green grass. As a gentle gust picked up, it caressed the foliage of flowering trees creating a hushed whisper. Cherry trees lined a gravel road where on one side was a vast open field of knee high grass that swayed and moved as if alive, on the other side was an orchard of more blossoming trees, these ones appearing to be apples. A white fence ran along on both sides of the road dividing it along with the cherry trees from and the orchard. Light streamed through the leaves casting odd patterns across the rural road.
A young boy, no older than the age of five, skipped along the middle of the street humming a tune to his self as his unnaturally red locks bounced with every prance. He was dressed in a clean and neat white shirt that was tucked in his blue jeans which were held up with a black belt. On his feet were shiny black dress shoes that looked to be fairly new. Not far behind him walked a young woman, she wore a white sun dress that flowed gently in the spring breeze. On her head was a tan sunhat with a fresh light purple flower that was tied on next to the white ribbon that acted as the hatband. Her light brown hair tumbled just past her shoulder blades, and her bangs swooped over to the side with a few stray strands falling in front of her gorgeous almost teal colored eyes. She smiled happily her eyes sparkling, seeing her son so happy filled her heart with joy. The woman picked up her pace easily catching up to the child, and once recognizing the song he was humming was one she had taught him, she joined in. The Mother and son walked happily down the road and towards town where they planned to attend church that Sunday morning.
The young boy sat beside his mother in the small town chapel, his feet were unable to touch the ground so he kicked them back and forth but made sure not to disrupt the people that sat around him by letting his feet hit the wooden benches. When everyone stood to join in the hymns he slid from the edge of his seat and stood beside his mother, carefully and to the best of his ability singing along, however saying several of the words wrong due to still being a little boy and not quite yet knowing and understanding them. Church went by fast, and afterwards he and a couple of his friends ran outside to play on the front lawn. They chased each other around playing tag and giggling while there parents stood off to the side and caught up with each other. “Spirit!” The lady in the sundress called.
He stopped abruptly making a kid that was chasing him run smack dab into his back and ended up with both of them falling to the ground laughing. “Comin’ mama,” After helping his friend up and brushing his self off he ran to her side grabbing onto her hand ready to take the walk home.
Soon the old farm house they lived in was with in view. In the drive way chickens pecked at the ground, while a man in a work shirt, dirty ripped jeans, and boots was hunched over focused on the motor of an old beaten pick-up truck. “PAPA!” The boy cheered happily before breaking into a sprint for the man. He glanced up and grinned revealing that the boy was a spitting image of the older Albarn. His oddly colored red hair, the down turned slope to his eyes, the long face. The only inheritable difference was the eye color, which was a gold like hazel and the larger size of the adult’s ears. Other than that the older man had his hair cut shorter but still a bit shaggy where as the boys hair came down to just a bit before his shoulders.
“How ya doin’, boy?” The older man returned back to his work, his smile slowly fading as he concentrated.
“I’m gewd Papa! Todway at church we swang songs and we learned about Jesus Chwist a-and how he sacwificed himself for us!” The child continued to talk but his father now seemed to pay no mind. “P-Papa…? Are you listening?”
But the man’s only reply was a nod.
“What dwid you do while we were gwone?”
“Mhhmm, sounds fun. Good to know you had fun, son.”
Spirit stared up at his father, his heart sinking a bit, he wasn’t listening. However it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise. “I’m gonna go help Mama…”
With that the boy walked off following his Mother’s footsteps into the house and to the tiny kitchen. He remained silent as he helped her, thoughts of his father filling his mind. D-Did Papa always not listen?
“Something wrong, Spirit?” A sweet but concerned tone asked, he looked up at saw his mother looking at him.
“N-Nufin, Mama.” The small boy got up on his tiptoes grabbing the three stacked plates off the counter and taking them to the dining table for lunch.