Chapter Text
In a room where light shines through a dome ceiling of thin glass, an alchemist and a ghost find themselves in the comforting presence of one another.
Magni Dezmond—grease pig; survivalist extraordinaire; and, of course, alchemist of guild TEMPUS—sits on his work desk, writing down simple calculations that self-respected alchemists, such as himself, should know.
Rio Minase—supernatural being afraid of supernatural beings; Minecraft expert; and an idol of UPROAR—hovers closely beside him, watching gleefully as his favorite notes endlessly.
He's doing his silly little alchemy things, Rio thinks.
Notations of listed ingredients, with numbers and symbols he could not comprehend—no matter what, he loves watching Dezmond work.
“You're a bit closer than usual,” The former speaks, cutting through Rio's thoughts. He does not stop writing. “I don't mind it, but is something up?”
Rio blinks repeatedly, “Well.” He doesn't know, really. There's something he'd like to ask, but he's afraid the other would lose his focus if he dares interrupt. He's seen what happens with a single miscalculation.
“Not really.”
“You’re lying.”
Rio gasps, “No?!”
“Sure. What’s up?” Dezmond places his pen down, turning his chair towards Rio to face him properly.
“Don’t wanna disrupt yer flow,” Rio frowns. Dezmond makes a clicking noise—tsk.
“It’s fine. I wasn't actually getting anywhere. I started writing nonsense half-way.” Typical Dezmond, Rio should've known. “So, spill.”
After getting to know his junior, Rio knows he's not the type to ignore stuff like this. Either you tell him, or he makes you.
Rio decides listening to him would be best after all.
“Fine,” he sighs despite his decision. “I’ve been curious fer a while…” He hesitates last minute, yet it drains away when Dezmond squints at him, signaling him to continue—or else. “Do ya have anythin’ t’… uh…” He clears his throat and looks away, “Bring back th’ dead…?”
Regret wells up within Rio the moment he sees Dezmond's shoulders drop. Luckily for him however, it lasts only momentarily, since the alchemist reveals he was thinking rather than grimacing.
“I make potions,” he responds after a while. “I doubt you can drink any, right?”
Defeated, Rio sighs, “guess so…” His eyes dart towards the ground, lips pursing as Dezmond's words sank in. Truthfully, Rio didn't have much hope to begin with. Afterall, Magni Dezmond is an alchemist, not a sorcerer—what Rio was asking for was quite literally the reversal of death; another shot at life, something only a god or a necromancer could do.
Even so, Dezmond does not give up so easily. He assures, “Don't lose hope yet though! Alchemists grant wishes after all.”
The way he speaks with such conviction, Rio can't decide what he's feeling—nervous, excited or driven—all at once, they collide, igniting the supernova of what remains of his soul.
“I can also do cloning!”
And just like that, the light goes out.
Rio was beyond confused. He tilts his head, his brows knotting in the process.
“...n' that's gonna help me how?”
“Hear me out,” and Rio does, albeit a bit afraid. “Cloning's so easy. Your DNA's all I need. If we can find where you were buried, pick up even just a single strand of hair, we should be good to go.”
“Dez, that’s grave robbin’,” Rio answers immediately. He was right to be afraid. Who would've thought alchemists were scarier than ghosts?
Dezmond shrugs, “Is it really though? How long have you been dead?" Rio looks at him, dumbfounded. He continues, "Time’s passed, you know. Maybe it’s been long enough to consider it archeology, yeah?”
“Yer insane,” yet Rio giggles at his own words. “Seriously though. Even if I wanted t’ help ya, I can’t. Don’t remember much of m’ past.” He sighs, “Where n’ how I died included.”
“Damn,” Dezmond curses under his breath. “That sucks.”
“Sure does,” Rio nods in agreement. “But ya didn’t answer me. How's clonin’ me gonna help? Even if ya do, that’s just gonna be another me. The me ya see right now would remain a ghost.”
“I got you covered, man,” there’s a sudden shine in Dezmond’s eyes, and it makes Rio worry—he had just learned that such an action was a gamble with Dez. “I have a great idea.”
“I don’t believe ya,” Rio responds readily. Dezmond rolls his eyes. “Hit me anyway.”
“What’s your limitation on vessels? Like, what kinda bodies can you possess? Is there a limit? And how long can you stay in?”
Like ice, Rio freezes up. To say he’s shocked was an understatement. Truthfully, he's grown used to Dezmond, so much so that when the other suggests something incredibly other-worldly—something a normal human being would not even begin to suggest—Rio’s barely ever surprised.
Even so, this seems to strike something deep within Rio; as though something that’s been tucked away for ages has suddenly been uncovered for the cosmos to see.
Rio attempts to speak, but what escapes him is a mere breath. Nervousness showers over him, then he finds he chews on his cheek and fiddles with his fingers.
The ghost wasn’t the only one who’s grown used to a certain presence. With all the time they’ve spent together, Dezmond has certainly developed a sort of fondness for the other, one enough to make him realise even the slightest things. He knows what he brought up has put Rio in unease.
Combined with the powers of concern and the need to fix what he’s done, Dezmond approaches Rio cautiously.
“Hey,” he makes sure his tone is soft and gentle. Tension visibly relieves from Rio’s shoulders. “Sorry… is it too much? We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I’m not about to force you into something you don’t like.”
It takes Rio a second to compose himself. “No, 's fine,” he clears his throat. “Just… caught me off guard, s'all. But ya got me curious now. I wanna see where yer goin' with this.”
Dezmond is in awe, pleasantly so.
Well, Rio asked for it.
“Awesome,” Dezmond answers with a smile. “Let’s go over it little by little. First, have you ever tried possessing a vessel? Can be alive or not, I don’t judge.” He lifts his arms up defensively.
“So annoyin’,” Rio scoffs. Dezmond snickers. “Only time I ever tried was with a cat. It was around the time I first became a ghost, I think. Loved the cat a lot, but…” Pain coats his words, “It passed away. Eventually. Like everythin' does.” Dezmond fits in an apology, one Rio nods at and thanks him for. “I never intended t' possess it though, kinda just happened outta shock?”
“That seems likely,” they say in sync. They both nod in acknowledgement.
Based on Rio’s response, Dezmond concludes the other hasn’t tried possession of a human vessel at all. That could change later on, if Rio’s willing to do something a little crazy with him.
“I should probably note this down,” Dezmond grabs the same notebook and pen he had used formerly, then immediately gets to writing. “Okay. Second, the duration of your stay. Is there a limit? Does the body ever try to kick you out or something? Though I won’t rid out the possibility that your own soul might try to tear away from the vessel on its own too.”
This one’s a bit of a thinker for Rio, Dezmond could tell. He's hovering a bit closer towards the ground, eyes shut and head tilted to the side. He hums.
“No idea,” he settles with the most useless yet most honest answer. Dezmond doesn't seem to mind though. He scribbles something Rio can't see.
“Third and last,” to Rio's surprise, Dezmond tosses the notebook somewhere behind without a care.
“I thought that was—”
“Nope. Anyway,” Dezmond cuts him off, making Rio pout. ”You wanna try possessing me?” His pout is short lived, being replaced with an agape jaw.
This guy's seriously insane, isn't he?
“Yer—ahaha!—yer kiddin', right?” Rio forces a smile, still laughing despite it all. Dezmond's expression does not budge. Rio feels a chill run down his spine.
“No way, yer actually serious?”
“Wouldn't joke about something like this. Even I know my limits.” At this, Rio turns to look anywhere else but Dezmond. “What the—?”
“I'll let ya believe what ya wanna,” Rio drawls. Dezmond rolls his eyes. “Thanks fer the effort, but ain't that a bit risky? What am I gonna tell yer guildmates if ya die or somethin'?”
“Tell them they're all safe except for Altare. I'm haunting his ass.” Rio shakes his head no. Dezmond ignores him. “Enough talking, cmon, try it! You'd be killing two birds with one stone if you do, cause I sure as hell am curious now too.”
“But—”
“—s are for pooping! Did you know? If not, now you do! Can we skip to the part where you get inside me?”
His wording goes unfazed with Rio. Dezmond's not gonna bother correcting himself. It's a wonder why everyone thinks Axel is the one who doesn't think before he speaks when Magni's right there.
“Ya won't stop 'til I do, won't ya?”
“Rio-senpai, I am so glad we've grown close enough for you to know that,” Dezmond says mockingly, and Rio kinda wants to punch him—not that he actually would. Unfortunately, being a ghost had way too many limits. He physically cannot hit Dezmond. His fist would merely phase through.
“Now hurry up, bring it in.” Dezmond stretches his arms open, much like he was asking for a hug. Rio wishes that's all it was.
“Hold yer breath. I dunno what this is gonna feel like, but part'a me says it ain't gonna be pleasant.”
Dezmond nods, doing as he's told and bracing himself for what's to come. Though he'd never tell Rio this, he certainly felt more excited than fearful. Honestly, it surprises him too—for someone who's supposedly so weak against the supernatural, the only thing he's weak for with Rio is how adorable he is.
A sudden surge of electricity cuts Dezmond clean of his thoughts.
The alchemist palpitates, breathes heavily, and his eyes rock backward. The collision makes him lose his footing and alas, he falls to the ground—but when his back makes contact with the floor, he realises so vividly that it does not feel completely like his own.
“...Rio?” Dezmond manages a raspy whisper. “Can you move?”
There is no response.
Dezmond feels fatigued and paralyzed all the same. He cannot move a muscle. His body feels heavy, heavier than what he usually feels when his metal helpers latch onto his back.
“Rio?” He tries again. “Rio, hey, you there?”
He is, yet again, met with more silence.
“Alright! Okay! Jokes over, that was real funny,” Dezmond fakes a laugh. “All this talk about me being gone but you're acting like you are… I get it. Time to quit the play! Answer me, cmon.”
Nothing.
“Rio…?”
Oh, Dezmond wants to cry, but how could he? His eyes refuse to listen. All he could do was wish for this sudden pang in his chest to go away somehow—if not tears, then what?
But fret not! Our dear alchemist was overreacting. After a while, Dezmond senses movement in his fingers; despite him being the owner, the motion is not his, he is sure.
“Rio? Hey, answer me if you're—I was gonna say alive but… you get my point! You almost gave me a heart attack!”
A groan escapes him, but like every speech and action he has said and done prior, it feels foreign.
“Sorry,” is spoken with his tongue. “Told ya I wasn't used t' this… gimme one second.”
“One,” it's Dezmond this time. “There's your second. Get up!”
Rio whines, “Quit rushin' me…!” Should anyone walk in right now, it'd seem like Dezmond was speaking to himself—or worse, arguing with himself.
Despite Rio's words, he follows what is asked of him and he stands, albeit shakily.
Just when Dezmond thinks he could finally see their surroundings properly, being eye-level with everything once again, his vision blurs. He hears a sniffle, then comes another—and only after that does he realize the wetness on his cheeks.
“Rio?” Dezmond speaks softly. “...Are you crying?”
Rio hesitates before answering, “S-Sorry… I just… ah…” He responds through sniffles. “Haven't felt warmth in so long… kinda missed it.”
Dezmond feels his lips curve into a frown. He's unsure whether this gesture was done by him or Rio. Perhaps both.
“There, there…” Dezmond attempts to comfort the other, wrapping himself with his own arms in an attempt of a hug. “This is… a little awkward, but it's the best I can think of.”
It seems effective, because Rio laughs.
“Thank ya, Dez,” he replies after some time.
“Hey man, I'd give you a real hug if I could.”
“I know.” Rio smiles, and Dezmond feels it.
Another pause befalls them. As expected, the silence is not at all awkward nor unpleasant. Rather, it is welcomed. The former warmth remained, even when the current circumstances may have seemed a little silly.
Even so, quiet never stays forever. Someone has to speak eventually.
“Can we…” Rio decides it could be him. “Can we split now? Don't wanna get too comfy with this… might be bad fer me in the long run.”
“Of course,” and just like that, Dezmond holds his breath again, readying himself for what's to come. Rio whispers a final silent thanks, before performing his ghostly ritual.
The ghost's soul tears away from the alchemist's body. Even with his translucent form, tears stretching from flesh to a transparent figure were so obvious and real. It seemed almost like toffee when pulled, though this one certainly more horrifying yet magnificent all the same.
Rio breaks free. The suddenness of the action causes Dezmond to fall on his ass yet again, and a worried Rio finds himself hovering at his side. Dezmond does not miss his attempt to lend a hand, then tucking it away somewhere behind once reminded that he could not touch Dez at all.
“Seemed like that hurt. Are ya good?” Rio settles with checking on him instead. Dezmond nods in response. “'Sorry ya had to experience that.”
“You kidding me? I asked.” Dezmond gets up gingerly, dusting himself off before continuing, “Don't worry about it. I'm more concerned about you,” he steps closer. “How are you feeling?”
Rio hums, “'m fine. Thank ya for lettin' me try, least I learned I don't wanna try that again. Makes me miss things.”
“I'm sorry I put you through that,” he says it as sincerely as he could, and Rio understood. “It's nice to see you still think kinda positively about it though. Like, saying you learned stuff.”
“I gotta be positive about some things in li—” Rio clears his throat, “the afterlife,” he corrects himself.
“I think I can help with that, for real this time.” Rio furrows his brows. Dezmond merely smiles, “Follow me.”
Despite Rio's doubt, he follows suit, trailing behind Dezmond curiously.
They halt at the foot of Dezmond's bed. Rio only grows more confused when Dezmond takes a pillow, fluffs it up, then props it upward onto the side of the bed. He balances it until it's able to stand on its own.
“Phase through this,” Dezmond requests. He stretches his arms out to the pillow. “It's not much, but if you do and I hold it, it'd look like we're hugging.”
An alchemist can perform miracles, after all. If they couldn't, how come Rio's able to form tears even when he's his ghostly self?
His junior is so sweet to him, sometimes, he feels he does not deserve it. However, he would never say that outloud. If he ever did and said something hurtful to and about himself, Magni would certainly remind him to think otherwise—well, maybe force.
“Goofy as ever, Dez,” Rio giggles through his sniffles. Dezmond shakes his head with a smile. “I like that thought. I'll follow ya.”
Rio, ever so true to his word, floats towards the pillow and eases himself into it. He stretches his own arms open and only wraps them around Dezmond once the former does. As expected, to a physical extent, the touch offers nothing; no skin contact nor warmth.
But Rio decides it does not matter. Because he knows: if he had a heart, it would feel so loved and warm.