Chapter Text
The air was crisp.
The grass carried Two-Time's delicate figure. The moonlight cradled their form, soft and alluring. If they didn't know any better, they would think they escaped this hellscape. They would think so if not for the lingering presence just right under their nose. A set of eyes, one that they couldn't quite catch no matter how they twisted and turned.
Clouds were gathering.
Two-Time didn't like the rain. Well. not as much as before. He used to dance in the rain, frolicking and indulging in it, barely sparing the thought of catching a cold. He'd missed it. He'd longed for the feeling of the rain beating against his skin, hips swaying and hands interlocked with someone special, dancing in a tune of a non existent melody-
But those days were over.
Instead, he was stuck here. Repairing tedious generators, wires that contorted with no end. Running in an endless loop, pointlessly dying for the sick entertainment of a sadistic spectre. He also endured the agonizing process of being ripped away from death's peace. Wings sprouted from the confines of his skin, flesh tearing and severed, bone dissolving, crystallized and remade again.
Yet, the feeling of pure energy coursing through his veins was orphic, intoxicating in a way. It was invigorating. It was the only thing that made him happy in this forsaken land. It was a thing they cherished other than..
Azure.
It was a name that always stuck at the back of his head. That wretched and cursed name. The name of a broken memory with pieces that he never bothered to pick up. The name of someone whose hand he was never holding again. He loved him, and no one, not even death itself could change that. Two-Time could never get enough of him. The peppered kisses late at night, nor their nightly introspective thoughts. Azure dug deep into his mind. He was like a stain that he could never erase.
He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt crash upon him, his heart anchored down from the alien feeling. He wasn't used to the feeling of remorse, guilt, nor empathy. He sank all the way down, inside the depths of his mind. Two time tried to catch a breath of peace but-
He never could. This place had no room for relaxation.
The moment kept replaying over and over in his mind.
Over.
Over.
Over.
It was exhausting. He could remember every detail. How Azure’s eyes were tainted with betrayal and terror, how the knife named hatred called his name. How crimson rolled down his clothes and how the skies weeped. How Azure held his hand for the very last time. He could hear his flesh tearing open as if it was yesterday.
He’d rather stab himself and twist the knife than face him. He never could face the results of his actions. Always running away like a lamb running from a butcher.
Azure does not recognize Two-Time as the man he once was. Amiable. A person who was worth millions of words, yet only needed one to describe themselves. Yet he ruined it all by falling into a rabbit hole of twisted devotion and worship.
Two-time noticed the colors in the sky blend together. A hue of purples, whites and blacks all dancing together like watercolors. The trees that once stood tall, bent to the wind's will. The stars gleamed in the night, lighting up even the darkest of places. But the flowers?
Oh the flowers..
The nightshades grew steady on the field’s surface, they were entrancing, mixing into the colors of the lush grass. They drank in the moonlight proudly, their petals reflecting the moon’s silvery glow. They hid poison behind their petals, death behind their shimmering glow, stinging anyone who comes near. One could hope to love them enough so that their petals could fall off to even reveal a semblance of humanity.
That’s how Azure was. One could call him persistent, even going as far to drag Two-Time into one of his daily mischief. He always tended to his flowers, nightshade being his favorite. He’d even called Two-Time nightshade. His nightshade.
He’d remember the days when they used to dance in the rain, with no care in the world.
In the distance, there was nobody else but him. Observing the green fields dotted with purple lines. Of course, with peace, there was danger. He was sure the Spectre wouldn’t let Two-Time off so easily. Everything is to be expected, as it had everything under its thumb.
There, deep beneath the grass, lay a head of black and a set of white pupils, barely sticking out from the field. Two-Time knew it, he expected this. Their eyes locked together, gaze hardened like a brick. The figure cautiously rose, their eyes still stuck to Two-Time like glue.
Two-Time was the first to step up and leave the cradle they made. He stepped in the grass, wary of what might be hidden, and most importantly, waiting in the grass.
“I thought we’d never meet again.”
The figure hissed, voice dripping with hatred. A growl escaped from the witch hat the figure bore. Their hat was mumbling, with it wearing a crooked smile and eyes that screamed evil. Black tentacles stood behind them with pride, falsely largening as to scare Two-Time.
“And you made sure of it..”
The figure rattled, bearing a zipper-like mouth that surely wanted to slaughter Two-Time.
“I'm sorry.”
Two-Time’s throat tightened, struggling to say the words. He shamefully replied, their tail swinging behind them with ignominy. They knew that this wouldn't work, but he had nothing else to say.
They both sat in silence, with Two-Time occasionally glancing at the figure with worry, disbelief and wonder. He thought the figure was beautiful, as he observed every crevice and imperfection they had. He watched as the figure’s eyes traced the stars, as if the gods graced him with something he did not deserve.
He didn’t deserve the figure at all.
“Azure?’’ Two-Time called, his tongue barely twisting the words out. The distasteful smell of passerby nightshades harassed his nose, breathing it all in.
The figure blinked twice, reading his every move.
“Did you ever wish I were different?’’ He asked, hope glinting in his eyes, hesitation strewn on his eyes.
“Everyday.”
Azure spat bitterly, his voice breaking yet grim. Ever since that very day, hatred consumed him, burning everything else away. Hate was the only word he ever knew since then.
Anger always took hold of Azure, sometimes even controlling his every move.. He always felt the need to scream. He polished his anger time and time again, eventually forming a dagger that he was never supposed to wield.
“I’ll spare you the need to lay a finger on me. I’ll just hurt myself over and over and pray to Spawn that I'll be whole again.” Two-Time pleaded pathetically, hands tied into a prayer. The harsh wind blew upon their faces, singing a song of dismay.
Azure just looked down at him with pity, he thought that this man was truly pathetic. His eyes showed a clear contempt for the other.
He watched as his tail fidgeted, moving in a rhythmical pattern. As his hands unconsciously pressed into a prayer, and how his eyes shone with false hope. Surely this man can’t be serious right?
“You’re forgiven. I think you’ve suffered enough.” Azure grunted, kneeling down in front of Two-Time to make himself a little less frightening. His hands held his shoulder, a gentle yet firm grasp.
“No- what are you saying? Can’t you see? I’ve sinned horribly. I need to pay, especially to you.” Two-Time argued, his voice crumpling into shock.
Azure stood there, his words stuck in his throat. “Yo- you are pathetic Two-Time.” He hissed bitterly, his hands fading away from the touch of the latter’s shoulders. “I already made myself clear. Why do you keep doing this?.” He scowled, fists clenching.
“I just didn’t want to make it worse. I truly forgive you Two-Time, but I don’t want you anymore. I just can’t stand you.” Azure muttered, defeat emerging in his voice. Two-Time stood in silence, their eyes manifesting sorrow.
“One day, your doings will catch you in danger.”
“I don’t need you anymore.”
Azure sighed, a blank expression forming upon him. He was lost in thought, care absent in his eyes. It was as if every emotion in his soul drained, mangled and skewed by the past. His shoulders drooped, weighed down by disappointment.
He thought Two-Time's heart was in the wrong place.
Two-Time felt a deep sadness welling up inside him, but to his dismay, no tears came to comfort him, only a hollow sense of yearning.
“I'm a sinner, aren't I?” Two-Time uttered, grief behind his voice. He felt as if Azure's sight could cut him whole.
“Aren't we all?” Azure replied, gaze travelling away from Two-Time. He observed the bleak and lonely lands in the distance. It would seem the wildlife was scarce in these areas.
Nothing could measure how much he wanted to rip his skin off and throw it away.
He just wanted Azure to care, not be some apathetic being. He’d do anything for him, even sacrifice his body to him, let alone add scars to his body to pay for his sins.
Sometimes, he’d think about what could've been.
If he didn't twist the knife.
If he didn't gain a second life.
If he wasn't so selfish.
Of course, those are just “what-ifs.” Two -Time can't change the past. He needed to change the future, something that will be complicated to do so.
The rain fell from the heavens, with the moonshine reflecting their drops. The grass drank in its cool waters, reveling in its newfound energy. The flowers bathed in its waters, overjoyed.
The two rushed below the trees, sheltering them from the harsh rain. They went below a giant oak tree, its large frame supporting the leaves that were sheltering them. They both sat agonizing awkwardness, both of them merely a few inches away from each other.
Azure promptly crawled away, hoping to lower the tension.
Yet, Two-Time looked at him with timid eyes, not noticing how Azure inched away slowly.
“Care for a dance?” Two-Time offered his hand, voice straining.
Azure’s expression laid brittle. Two-Time's boldness caught him off-guard, his eyes doused in astonishment.
But of course, for the very last time, he held his hand, And decided to entertain him.
What harm could it do?
They gently stepped away from the confines of the oak tree, with the rain catching up on them. They strode upon the muddy grass, carefully treading waters.
Two-Time stepped up first, his hips swaying as he held Azure’s hand, the rain kissing his skin.
Surely, Azure followed, twirling as they danced with a nonexistent tune.
The smell of petrichor waded through the air, an earthy and musky scent mixing with the smell of the nightshades. The raindrops also followed, seeming to dance along with the two.
The flowers all gathered around for a song of freedom, as the rain liberated them from all their worries.
Two-Time was swallowed by a name of nostalgia drowning out the quiet sounds of the rain. He imagined as if the incident never happened, and time had been suspended in the fabric of space, holding only the two of them, as the world outside was muted by this sense of newfound peace.
Yet a spring of sadness still lingered, knowing that Azure didn't feel the same.
Azure's eyes had a shard of bliss hiding beneath it, albeit very little. Behind those brittle eyes was a man who wondered.
Their gazes locked together, and they inched closer to each other while the rain pelted against their bodies. A feeling of tranquility settled between them, causing their concerns to slip away, carried by the cool breeze that swept against their face.
They danced in the rain without a sound, meticulous and graceful steps, enjoying the downpour. The scene was tranquil, as they both enjoyed the soothing sounds of the rain.
The moon oversaw this point, knowing there will never be a time where they will be graced with something like this again.
The moon could do nothing except watch in tragedy.