Work Text:
He hasn’t slept in two days. Too much planning, and when he makes it to the private tent he’s actually using, for once, all he does is read.
A book of what could be, what has been, and what must be. To destroy this timeline. To fix everything.
Bring it all back to ground zero.
He has no choice. He has no time. Nonetheless, he is still tired.
Of course he is. He’s still human enough. Still gets hungry enough one could probably see his ribs under the new green jacket the Quartzers have given him. Still gets tired.
He doesn’t think he is human.
And being on watch, when he is tired, is less than ideal. Nonetheless, he doesn’t want to skip out on such important duties as though he is special, as though he is anything more than a man longing for a better future, just like the rest.
But oh, he longs for his bed. For rest.
Soon, he will be far away from everyone he cares for. He will be forced to betray them, to help his plan succeed. He will spy. First on Ohma Zi-O, for his squad. Then on his Squad, for Ohma Zi-O.
And finally, on all of them.
For all of them. For the Quartzers. For a future better than this.
“You look exhausted.”
Were Woz not so genuinely exhausted, he would jump. Instead, he just turns from his post to see Geiz leaning on the beam of the guard post, arms crossed. He tries to hard to be cool, now. It sometimes even works. Woz sighs.
“How can I help you, Geiz?” He asks. “Is something the matter?”
“Maybe,” Geiz replies. “I just want to know why my hyper alert boyfriend is half asleep on duty.”
Because I will soon sacrifice all we know for a chance at a better future. Because I must get it right, or I will have become a monster for naught. Because soon, you will hate me. And so will Tsukuyomi.
And anyone else left alive who knew me.
“I will admit, I have not slept well, of late,” Woz says. It hurts, to lie to the people he trusts. “I’m working on… a big plan. It might be difficult.”
“Have you slept?” Geiz asks.
“…”
Geiz huffs a laugh.
“Yeah, I figured,” he says. He walks over, to stand next to Woz. “How long do you think you can stay awake.”
“Long enough,” Woz says. “You should rest as well, Geiz.”
He take’s the younger boy’s hand. It had just kind of happened, in the aftermath of Shu’s death. He wishes it hadn’t, guilt running rampant that they are doomed, that Woz will seem to have betrayed him for a warm meal and possibly power.
“I can’t,” Geiz says. “Not if you won’t. We’re worried, you know.”
“I know,” Woz replies. “I am sorry. I will strive to be more straightforward with you, Geiz.”
Geiz blushes. He’s so awkward about some things.
“Alright,” he says. “You can sleep if you’d like. I’m here.”
“You do not need—”
“Whatever is on your mind,” Geiz says. “I’d not going to get better if you pass out and get us all killed. Just sleep in here.”
Woz sighs. He can be annoyingly stubborn, can’t he? Well, that’s why they fought so much, before. Their little group of four, now three.
“Are you very sure?” He asks. But it feels like permission is making exhaustion settle in even heavier.
“Of course,” Geiz says, “I’ll wake you if anything happens.”
Woz sigh, and does in fact sit down.
“Very well,” he says, “I trust you.”
He’s so tired.
(The guilt remains.)