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“Care for a dance, Dos-kun?”
He sighs, shakes his head. Still, there’s a fond look in his eyes as he climbs to his feet. “We dance every day, Kolya.”
They grin, wrapping a hand around his slender wrist. “Of course we do! But I still like to ask. It’s fun, isn’t it?”
He raises an eyebrow. “If you say so.”
The record player is scratched, but still, the music plays just fine. As the familiar first notes begin to play, excitement surges through them. They love this time of the day, this period between day and night where Ilene Woods’ voice flows through the room and they can just- stare, and stare and stare and stare into Dos-kun’s beautiful eyes.
They love Dos-kun. They really, really, really do.
He turns, places his hand properly into theirs. Sighs quietly. To anybody else, he would look bored, disinterested. They know better. They might be the vocal one, the enthusiastic one, but they know-
-Dos-kun looks forward to these moments, too.
“Are you enjoying this, Dos-kun?” They say brightly. “I know I am.”
Another shake of the head. Violet eyes meet yellow, and bloodless lips curl into a smile. The room seems to melt out of existence, like a canvas erasing itself, stroke by stroke. There is nothing left in the world but Dos-kun. Those violet eyes pierce their body, peering up at their very soul. They can’t help but smile back.
Dos-kun brings out their true essence. It’s wonderful.
Magnificent.
But if it’s so magnificent, then why does he need to-?
“You’ve changed your hair.” The voice that breaks the silence is accompanied by a cough, as though not used to starting conversation. Still, they find it the most beautiful voice they’ve ever heard.
“Oh, you noticed?” Delight creeps into their voice as they spin around, waltzing like well-oiled marionettes. “I had Sigma cut it for me! Just a trim, really, but I felt like it was overdue, you know? Surely you do, Dos-kun. Ivan must have cut it for you in the past, didn’t he?”
Dos-kun chuckles. It makes their heart skip a beat. “You talk so much. Does it ever get tiring, playing the part of a clown?”
“Not when I have our dancing to look forward to.” They reply earnestly. “I love you, Dos-kun. You’re really my closest friend.”
He smiles. “I’m glad, Kolya.”
They’re silent. It’s not awkward, or strange; not with Dos-kun. It could never be. The music flows around them like golden threads, weaving together to create a tapestry of love. Just two creatures, a demon and his angel, enjoying a quiet night. Dos-kun spins him around. Slow dancing is amazing. Everything is… perfect.
But even perfect days have to come to an end.
…they know that all too well.
That’s why they’re here, isn’t it? That’s why they have to do this. They have to… take the plunge. Make the cut. They don’t have a choice in the matter. Not really.
They love Dos-kun. But they crave freedom. One cannot exist with the other.
And so, they have to set him free.
“The song is almost over.” They murmur, leaning in. “Let’s just stay here, alright?” Arms envelop Dos-kun’s skinny frame. After a moment, those bony arms make their way around their waist.
It’s a lovely way to end their final dance.
In truth, I did intend to die, in order to prove the existence of true free will.
Their arms reach a tad further. Their cape is quite useful in this endeavor. The silver, glinting from beneath their sleeve, emerges. Dos-kun’s arms tighten around them, and his body stiffens up.
I didn’t believe another person could understand that motive… and truly, nobody did.
“I…see. You’ve finally done it, have- have you?” He says softly. For the first time, they hear Dos-kun stutter. Their hands move from his back, pulling the dagger out with it. Blood flecks their gloves.
But… Dos-kun was different.
“I love you, Dos-kun.” They say, smiling sincerely. He drops to a knee, coughing blood onto his white shirt. “I really, really do. That was why I had to do this. You understand, don’t you? You must understand.”
He was looking into my essence.
His hand drifts up, trembling, and cups their cheek. “Of… course I understand, Kolya. I must- must admit, though, I hadn’t seen this coming- not yet. You managed to- catch me by surprise.” The blood is staining the floor. The blood is staining his clothes, and the floor, and their cape, and the floor, and their skin, and the floor. “...congratulations.”
Dos-kun was the one person in my life who understood…
His hand drops from their cheek, hitting the marble floor with a clatter. His skin feels as cold as ice. Violet eyes flutter shut, for the final time. Tears spill down onto porcelain cheeks. And they cry, and cry, and cry , for the loss of their partner, their friend, their love. Dos-kun. The one who limited them. The one who loved them.
…my closest friend.