Work Text:
Barry Bluejeans, you are a rational man. You know that after almost a decade of searching, your wife is gone forever. Even when you’re in your body again, it’s just like you can still remember her. You constantly find yourself doing things you don't understand. You always wake up cold. You go to find her to help light the fire, but the tavern room is empty. The coffee isn’t ready, but she would’ve started the pot before you woke. You talk to her over breakfast, but it’s just Gundren plotting out the route to Phandalin. You gather supplies in town for the journey, and the streets are so much different from what you remember. When did Neverwinter get a weekly farmer’s market? She might enjoy it. You drive the cart while Gundren sits in the wagon, probably planning his riches. You hum a tune to yourself over the campfire, but you can’t remember the words. Your fingers dance across your knees. Man, do you miss your piano. If you heard the piano part, the lyrics would probably come to you. You sleep by the fire, and wake up cold again.
You set out on another day’s journey. Halfway to Phandalin. You practice Burning Hands, just to get back in the groove of it. You did say that it took time for magic to return to your flesh body. And, distracted by your attempts at the spell, you lose consciousness.
You wake up cold, in a cave. Not your cave, different cave. But it’s close, right? Three strangers return your shirt, your belt, your pants. The jean jacket is gone. Didn’t she give that to you? On the road back to Phandalin, the elf hums a song. Your song. He doesn’t know the lyrics either. You hum together.
The next day, Gundren blazes a path through the town, and you’re filled with an ocean of regret. She wouldn’t want this, not at all. You rush out to stop this mad dance. You die, again.
You rise from the devastation and spot Lup’s gauntlet. Your hands just pass through it, losing their fixity. Your wife’s masterpiece once again takes the lives of thousands of people. And there’s nothing you can do. You hear the boys start to climb out of the well. Thank god they're safe. But you need to return home before Lucretia finds you.
A body grows in the tank, half formed. It'll be over a year until you get another shot at this. And you sit down at your piano. Love solidifies in your fingers, allowing one final performance. The violin is missing, the other voice is missing, but you still remember the lyrics.
Oh, necromancer,
put a spell on me.
With kisses so sweet, they rot my teeth.
Oh, necromancer,
why are you so far away?
Another day rolls by without me kissing your face.
Oh, girl, won't you meet me in the city?
The streetlights and corner store signs make you look so pretty.
But when will you just be with me?
I'm so infatuated, I'd swim across the sea.
I guess you're just fading all away.
And I guess I have
nothing much to say
And you can call me,
and tell me if you're okay.
I just wish I could
see you every day.