Work Text:
“Right, we can do this everyone.”
Rean spoke the words of encouragement, but in his heart of hearts he was starting to doubt them. His mind kept reliving the battle on the Pantagruel, the resurrection of lost comrades, and the declaration of the apocalypse. Everything felt so overwhelming and suffocating. They had six days to try and stop an ancient curse and prevent millions of unnecessary deaths. The walls were closing in, and for once Rean was starting to feel them. He was on autopilot as everyone said goodbye upon exiting the conference room. A certain detective lingered behind a little longer noticing Rean’s shell like demeanor before he too left the room. When he was finally alone, Rean let out the deep breath he had been holding, and yet he still couldn’t breathe.
Being on the Courageous II was surreal. He’d spent so long believing his ‘wings’ were clipped, and that Prince Olivert was truly gone. He should’ve known better, Olivert wasn’t the type of man to be taken down that easily. Amongst all the horrors that transpired that day, seeing his friends alive and well had lifted his spirits, if only slightly. He was still shocked over Victor Arseid and Mrs. Reinford. Everyone Alisa had ever cared about had betrayed her. He made a note to check in on her later.
He wandered through the halls watching everyone say goodbye to new and old friends. It truly was miraculous what Musse had pulled off. So many legends, heroes and stories had converged today, they truly were living in epic times. He should feel relieved knowing that so many talented warriors stood with him in this fight, and yet.... He couldn’t quell this ache in his chest. It kept growing outwards, consuming all the confidence he’d gained over the years.
Rean managed to find his room, without being stopped to much, which he was thankful for. Everything had been overwhelming, with lots of new information, he hadn’t been given a solitary moment to digest any of it. He knew time wasn’t on their side, the doom clock was already ticking; still as he closed the door everything that had been circling him came crashing down like buckets of rain. His chest heaved as he clutched at his chest. The darkness swirled behind his eyes, clouding his mind, he could feel his anger and hate growing. The feeling was similar to what he experienced during the battle in the Gral of Erebos. He was going to lose control.
“Rean.”
The simple sound of his name pulled him back. He took three deep breaths trying to steel himself before meeting with the person at his door. And yet, his resolve was crackled. He was still doubting himself, which was all the darkness needed to wrap it’s hands around his throat. Despite this, he opened the door, and blinked as before him stood Detective Lloyd Bannings.
“Seems my instincts were correct.” Lloyd hovered in the doorway analyzing Rean. He seemed pale, and his eyes held contempt. He slowly pushed into the room and closed the door.
“Huh?” Rean had wanted to say goodbye to Lloyd before he left, seems the detective beat him to it. Though he was confused on what his words meant.
“I noticed something was wrong, I was worried about you Rean.” Lloyd found himself a chair and promptly sat down, he had no intention of leaving.
“I’m okay, just taking a moment to process, everything.” Rean found himself mimicking the actions and siting down on his bed.
“Word of advice Rean, you can’t lie to a detective.” He chuckled and crossed his arms, giving Rean a firm stare.
“Ah I suppose you are correct.” Now he just felt foolish. He knew all the stories about Lloyd, he should’ve predicted he’d catch a lie easily. He really was out of it.
“Frankly, if I was in your shoes, not sure I’d be as composed. Being the sacrifice, herald of the Great Twilight and hold the fate of millions in your hands. Whoo boy, that’s quite the grim bucket to carry.” Everyone heard what Osbourne said to Rean. Sure, he’d proven to be a strong and resilient man, but every man could break. However, Lloyd did not want to see that happen to Rean, he was here to prevent that if he could.
Rean didn’t answer at first, he simply folded his hands in his lap and looked down. Lloyd hit the nail on the head. He’d pulled out everything that Rean was thinking about, everything that was suffocating him and allowing the darkness to break through. He truly was a remarkable detective.
“It is okay Rean, it’s just us.” Lloyd reassured him, he liked to think they had a strong bond, even though their face-to-face encounters were limited. He also somewhat could relate to how Rean was feeling in this moment.
“If I’m being honest, I’m struggling to see a way out of this situation. Everything seems so dire, six days is not enough time, then again, how much time would be enough.” He pondered and slowly raised his face to look at Lloyd across from him.
“We do seem to be in a big pickle huh.” He chuckled incapable of being completely serious about anything. “Though I don’t think time is your issue, that can be overcome.”
“Oh?” Rean watched Lloyd curiously, what was he trying to hint at.
“Diminished trust and dwindling hope are the more pressing concerns plaguing you. Lose both of those and you will fail.” Lloyd sighed, as he spoke from experience.
“How did you....” Rean would never stop being amazed by how seamlessly Lloyd could read people and simply just figure out what was wrong. He’d heard about the detective’s abilities but witnessing them firsthand was another thing.
“You are in the same emotional state, I was in during Operation Birdcage.” Lloyd admitted, but only to Rean. Even Elie and KeA hadn’t discovered how close Lloyd had been to giving up. “My city was occupied, my comrades kept from me by the Erebonian Empire, I was a wanted fugitive in my own homeland, and mercilessly trapped.”
“I—” Rean remembered that situation well. He’d been angry himself upon hearing it, he could only imagine how Lloyd had felt living through it. Even worse, he’d helped create that scenario during the civil war. Lloyd might have forgiven Rean for his actions, but he struggled to forgive himself.
“I struggled Rean, big time, I battled against the weakness in my mind at the situation, and it only drove me insane. It is not easy to accept your own vulnerability, to admit there is nothing you can do, but that’s when you need hope the most.” Lloyd was trying not to get emotional as he spoke, but it was cracking through. Operation Birdcage had been a huge personal trial for him, at the time he couldn’t see a way out. But having survived, he could look back on it and learn. It gave him the chance to give Rean this wisdom and help his wavering conviction.
“Lloyd…” Rean nodded at the story. He could see how the situation was similar. He felt the same, helplessness, and uncertainty about how to stop the Great Twilight. The acceptance of his own weakness, especially after everything he’d overcome, was debilitating. “How did you....”
“You Rean. Accepting your own weakness is easier when you have hope in your friends. I couldn’t protect Crossbell, but I had faith you would. You didn’t let me down Rean, and I won’t let you down either.” He stood up and crossed the distance between them. He placed a firm gloved hand on Rean’s shoulder and offered up a confident smile.
“I only did what was right.” Rean couldn’t believe anyone could give uplifting speeches better then him. He sighed again and found himself leaning forward into the detective. His forehead pressed against his stomach.
“You might not be able to see a way out now, but trust in your comrades, in all those bonds you’ve made at Thors, and in me.” Lloyd happily wrapped his arms around Rean’s shoulders to provide the comfort he needed.
“You are right. We’re come this far together, and I intend to go even further.” He could feel the darkness regressing back into the corners of his mind. The burden on his heart was lighter, the weight on his mind lifting. He simply needed to remember he wasn’t alone, even if that darkness tried to tell him otherwise.
“It’s our time to shine Rean.” He gave the man a quicky squeeze before letting go and stepping back, with a big grin.
“Yes!” Rean stood up, filled with vigor and newfound hope. “The Great Twilight has no idea who it’s messing with.” He held out his fist towards Lloyd.
“Let’s obliterate it. Together.” Lloyd bumped his fist against Rean’s and they both shared a good laugh. Lloyd felt a lot better leaving for Crossbell now that Rean was going to be okay.
“So this is where you’re hiding.” Randy opened the door, just as the two shared a brofist moment. He was delighted to see two of the most important people in his life could get along so well. He’d be worried briefly during their mission in Crossbell, but their friendship had survived. “Thought you were avoiding me.”
“What? Never! I was coming for you next.” Lloyd turned away from Rean and headed towards the door, he was saddened to part ways with Randy once again but respected his resolve. They both had paths they needed to see to the end.
“Lloyd.” Rean called just as the pair was about to leave together. “Thank you.”
“You’d do the same for me, Rean.” Lloyd said with a wave over his shoulder, as Randy’s arm snaked around his waist.
“I would.” Rean watched them leave before turning towards the window in his room. The sun was rising, dawn was breaking on this terrible day. They had survived, and would continue to do so with everything that had.