Work Text:
“You’re here. Welcome.”
$$Name1 didn’t know where they were. Some sort of forest, with a lake and a man. Not much else.
Not anything else. The floor did not exist, despite $$Name1 standing on it. $$Name1 looked into the forest and saw nothing past the third tree.
The man across the lake shifted, turning their fishing rod in their hand. They tilted their head in $$Name1’s direction, almost a question in itself.
“I do wonder how you arrived here. You go too far down, $$Name1?”
$$Name1 thought. They didn’t remember. Unfortunately, they didn’t remember much of anything. Was that particularly concerning?
They didn’t feel very upset about not remembering much. $$Name1 felt unusually calm.
The man looked back to the lake, exhaling. They didn’t seem to be breathing otherwise.
“It’s alright. $$Name1. Sit here for a while. Rest your soul a moment.”
Quickly, $$Name1 began to rush over, though they did slow down at the man’s request. There wasn’t a threat here. Why would they think that?
As they got closer, they began to think about who the man could be, and why both of them were here. They wondered where they were, and they thought about what this all meant. Perhaps it meant everything. Perhaps nothing at all. Perhaps nothing.
...
The man nodded to themself as $$Name1 sat down, simply stating that resting was good. The two sat in silence for what felt to $$Name1 an eternity. Maybe it was just an eternity. Maybe it wasn’t.
Eventually, the man broke that silence, seeming to know exactly which thoughts $$Name1 was thinking.
...
“You are not in trouble, $$Name1.”
$$Name1 hesitated, looking over at the man. The man did not look away from the lake. $$Name1 nodded slowly.
“You are a good person, despite your own head. I can promise you that he doesn’t hold it against you.”
That was likely a good thing, $$Name1 should feel good about this… but who was he?
$$Name1 did not understand. He felt like what the man said was wrong. He simply nodded again.
“He may not have moved on, but it is not because of you. Undesirable circumstance. You understand, I’m sure.”
$$Name1 did understand. He wasn’t sure he understood before, but he did. He looked up at the null sky below, conflicted.
“You are not in trouble. He is not upset. He does not hold it against you. You were young and did not know what could happen. She doesn’t either.”
Complete silence. $$Name1 did not move.
...
“Perhaps I cannot convince you. I expected this. You could’ve humoured me for a moment, though. Hah.”
“It occurs to me I never told you my name, $$Name1. I know yours, but you know nothing.”
… …
“Mm. Perhaps when we next meet.” The man shifted again to look at $$Name1. $$Name1 stood up.
… … ...
The man went silent. $$Name1 knew how to leave.
The world continued, just as it had before.