Chapter Text
To let a plant die you need to neglect it. You need to carelessly drown it’s soil bed in water and kill it. To leave a patch of disturbed soil where something beautiful once bloomed.
Azure wasn’t sure how much longer he could prune these flowers. They’re dying. And he just has to accept that. Things die all the time. It’s apart of nature. Even if nature is cruel and unforgiving.
They placed down the silver watering can, giving up hope on saving the precious things. This is just the karma they’re receiving from neglecting them for so long.
The Spawn has punished him for not being good enough.
The Spawn took Two Time away from him.
Amarah kept saying they were too busy too talk, far too busy to glance and too preoccupied to notice he’s deteriorating again.
They crave their warmth, and they feel greedy.
Because they have their focus on something more important than him.
Just like he wished for.
Just like he wanted.
And it hurts. Sure, but it’s what they wanted isn’t it? They want the best for them and if being away from him is the best, he’ll do the right thing.
He’ll help get rid of the distraction.
-
It’s been a long while..
About 4 days?
Two Time doesn’t even want to know how long he’s been buried inside those sheets for. They don’t want to know how long he’s been rotting from the inside out.
They don’t want to admit they didn’t notice their state.
They wish they can just pretend that Azure opened the door when they knocked the first time.
But of course, he didn’t.
Two Time hesitated before rethinking over the situation.
Azure hadn’t been outside in a long while.
They knock again but,
he doesn’t say anything, and there’s no sound of movement.
Silence.
Silence was supposed to be well quiet. But this kind was the loudest of all.
They could feel their heart in their ears as they grasped the door.
Then the soft creak of the old wood opening. Light from the hallway seeping into the dark room.
They quietly stepped towards the bed and slowly sitting on the bed.
Azure was turned around in the bed, facing away from them.
They laid down behind them, hugging their back, pressing their face against their neck.
"I overheard Amarah talking to someone about how you haven’t been outside in a while…"
Two Time whispered to Azure.
He didn’t turn to look, they continued talking.
"My love? I want to know what’s going on… I’m sorry I’ve been busy.."
Still no response, leaving Two Time to furrow their eyebrows.
"Azure..please turn around, I’m worried for you.."
Nothing
"Azure?"
They shifted, lifting their hands to shake him.
Only to realise it was cold..
..
No.
They couldn’t believe it..
That just a few weeks ago he had been crying into their arms.
Now they wouldn’t get that rare vulnerability again.
Never again.
They couldn’t control the shaky gasp that ripped itself from their throat as they trembled, hands grasping onto the cold body. The cold body that shouldn’t be their lover. That should be a random person.
That’s what their head told them. He’s okay. They’re just sleeping. Resting.
Getting the much needed rest from last week.
Was what they thought first, before they noticing the nightshade petals discarded on the bed, berries squashed as the familiar juice of them dribbled from Azure’s cold lips. The liquid dripped to the mattress staining the white a vivid dark purple.
It looked like blood.
Two time let out a shrill shriek. In horror, they started crying. Full fledged crying. Wanting to feel disbelief but it didn’t feel appropriate. They’re shocked. Scared.
Tears splattered onto the bed sheets as they continued to grab at his body. Trying to feel warmth. Trying to find something that wouldn’t be there. Not anymore.
They tried to be delicate, but with how frantic they felt they couldn’t even help it. They tugged his head, tilting it to look up at them as they weeped. Shaking the body’s shoulders, making it slump further.
Two Time didn’t remember the last time they held them.
And that was terrifying.
They didn’t want to let go.
They wanted to hold. Grasp.
Latch onto.
But they can no longer grab.
No longer hug no longer touch that warmth that loved them.
That very warmth that held them through the tough moments.
Even when He, himself was struggling.
He was strong for them both.
He was enough
More than enough
They couldn’t help but think
What else could I have done?
Why did you do this, Azure?
What was your last thought?
Did you think of me?
What I’d think of you doing this?
Did your mind wonder if I’d be disappointed?
Did it wonder if I’d be mad?
Did it wonder if I’d forgive you?
Because Azure, I’d forgive you, if you come back.
Please.
But that wouldn’t do anything would it?
Without an actual ritual, Azure wouldn’t come back.
Death was permanent, without Spawn in mind.
Death was sinister and cruel.
Death doesn’t care who you are.
Death doesn’t care who will miss you when you’re gone.
But life is as evil.
Something so beautiful can be as deadly.
Just like those nightshades he once held. Cupped in his hand.
Only to now be consumed by Azure.
The same juice that dribbled from his cold chin, was the very same juice they’d prepare in a tea for Two Time. Of course not the deadly nightshade variant, rather the edible one. Well if it was prepared right.
The same tea they’d drink as he talks to them. So brightly. Like the sun. He always gave that shine. Now it’s dull and dead. Nothing anymore.
Goodbye was always the hard part for them.
They would always grip onto his shirt, after Azure whispered that they needed to go to the garden.
He would whisper ‘goodbye for now’, lovingly with that warm look in his eyes that always said ‘I’ll see you soon, I know I will’. And he’d kiss their forehead.
..
But this goodbye, there was no kiss.
And there was no warmth.
And there was no love.
And there was no see you soon.
No ‘for now.’
Just goodbye.