Work Text:
He watched Lloyds face, as if staring at it long enough would cause his eyes to suddenly open and that mischievous grin to make itself known, just as it had done during the giant ant incident so long ago.
He had been worried then, too.
This time, however, his worry bloomed and mixed into guilt as he recalled Lloyd’s words.
“Running away is the rational thing to do!”
At the time, Javier had assumed he was only running out of cowardice, and maybe that was part of the reason, but…
His tired eyes shifted, watching Lloyd’s chest slowly rise and fall. In the end, no matter how much Javier hated to admit it, he was right to run.
At the very least, it would have meant he never got hurt, and Javier wouldn’t have had to be consumed by this dark tar, because, really, no matter how he looked at it, it was his fault, wasn’t it?
If he was just… if he was a little stronger…
Maybe Lloyd would still be awake, bickering with him about being too reckless, and how this could get him even more money if he helped repair the damages.
Absentmindedly, Javier rubbed at his tired eyes, and as if on cue, a familiar teasing tone pulled at the back of his mind.
“Looks like someone misses my lullaby serves!”
Despite himself, Javier smiled faintly, “You would say something like that, wouldn’t you?” he quietly muttered to the air around him, unable to hold back the pleading look in his eyes as he focused on the used-to-be hooligan’s face.
His stomach churned, remembering just how many days had passed since he last heard that sometimes-grating voice, “You will wake up,” Javier muttered, as if to reassure himself, “You have to wake up…”
“I’ve sent word to the Baron,” Count Cremo’s gruff voice suddenly filled the room, almost startling Javier. He’d been so focused on Lloyd, he hadn’t bothered to pay attention to his surroundings.
“Thank you,” Javier stood from his chair, bowing his head slightly.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Cremo reassured, placing a hand on the knight’s shoulder, “If anything, I should be thanking you,” he smiled, “After all, if it weren’t for you and Lloyd, I’m not sure what would have become of my people.”
Javier fought back a grimace. He knew the Count had meant well by the comment, but he still couldn’t help feeling hollow.
He hadn’t done anything. He really hadn’t. It was Lloyd who killed the Gigatitan; Lloyd, who had a plan to defeat the monster.
No, in the end, Javier hadn’t done half as much as his Master had.
“Why don’t you try to get some sleep?” Cremo’s suggestion pulled him from his thoughts.
Javier simply nodded and made his way out of the room, knowing full well that he wouldn’t get any sleep. Not until Lloyd woke up.
A frown pulled at the knights face as a realization washed over him.
“I’ve been taking you for granted…” it came out so quiet and faint, and with those words Javier felt himself drowning.