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Ryker Dublin, a Frenchie, was asked, or more or so convinced by Accardi if Ryker could Just for one night at least. Ryker agrees reluctantly and decides to stay just for one night, Accardi not having any other rooms for people to stay at Ryker just decides on the couch again. The spot where they woke up for the first time in Accardi’s house and the first time in Accardi’s home, funny enough. Almost like going back in a moment but making it newer.
The two decided to talk in the kitchen. ”So… Still on about your plans?” The more, well-dressed and calm-natured one asked, cleaning something in hand as he stood there. Awaiting a response back. Passing time.
Ryker looked at Accardi with that same look as always to everyone, ”... Yeah…?” The small confusion on their face as they replied. “Yes, I am. Thanks for asking… I guess.” Ryker’s unsure expression of how to fully respond to that question. Of course, they were going to continue with the plan. Why would they not?
Accardi finished cleaning up some more things in the kitchen, whatever it was. Dishes maybe, Mainly a cup or two. There is not much at all. It’s not like he often has guests over at all. Just plants and mirrors in this home of his with all the pretty smells from such plants.
“I don’t have an Extra for you to stay in exactly, so very sorry. I thought I should mention that.“ Accardi turned a bit to face Ryker, a small warm smile on his face like always. Comforting at this point for Ryker, who needs anything for comfort.
They looked up at the Accountant and shrugged in response. “I don’t mind, The last time I was in your home I woke up on your couch.“ Ryker yawned again after they finished speaking. The small eyebags under those purple eyes of theirs. Accardi walked over to them seemingly done with whatever they were doing before. “I think a nice sleep sounds nice right about now.“
…
Accardi decided not to sleep and do some work in his office. Accountant stuff, who truly knows? Maybe something else behind the scenes. Ryker on the other hand, was for a fact going to sleep. Well, try. staying on the couch for the night. It was normal so far, Ryker, laying there on the couch before suddenly shooting up for a second. They forgot to take their hat off! Same with putting the bag down and not carrying it around their shoulder anymore. Not thinking entirely. They must be really tired for sure.
They put their hat on the table along with the bag and are finally able to lie down again, Accardi comes out again suddenly, Seemingly holding something folded in his hands. “Forgot to give you something, a blanket! Don’t want you getting cold while you sleep. My apologies.” Accardi said as he walked over, holding a nice fluffy blanket and then handing it to Ryker. It was a nice blue and purple color, Solid color. No patterns. It was a nice sort of cotton material, Cotton usually being nice and soft anyway. Ideal to sleep with. Ryker got up once more. Hopefully for the last time tonight until morning struck. Accardi was slightly staring, Ryker had no hat on, and also just how Ryker looked nice. Pretty much like before to Accardi.
“It’s fine, It happens,” Ryker replied, Grabbing the blanket and feeling it. Soft, fluffy. Ryker hasn't felt anything like this in a while. It was nice. They held it close to their face for a moment, like a child. Not realizing their actions, holding it tightly almost. Accardi stared at Ryker for some moments standing there staring. It was interesting to him. Almost observed them cuddling the blanket, Felt some pity over it. They have gone through a lot of stuff while being here in Rosso so far, Accardi being a part of drunk driving one faithful night.
He cleared his throat suddenly causing Ryker to finally look up and put the blanket in their lap finally. “You can put the blanket overtop of you and sleep like that, you know that right?” Accardi jokingly said as he chuckled softly. He found it almost adorable.
“Yeah yeah, I know.” The priest said as they felt a bit embarrassed, to say the least. Ryker looked up at Accardi again and stared. ”Is there anything else?” Asking in curiosity, adjust how they sat for a moment.
Accardi only now realizing his staring, cleared his throat, once more, And spoke again. ”No sorry, You just don’t have your hat on. Never thought you would have a buzz cut.” Accardi gave some small chuckles, Still slightly starting. “Well, I best say you should get to bed now. You look tired as ever.” Accardi’s little jokes go on more in a light-hearted tone. He slowly turned around to let the priest sleep finally. Leaving Ryker to softly chuckle to themself.
”What’s wrong with a buzz cut?” Ryker said as they yawned, Small stretching as they did so. It felt to just be somewhere nice and not worry about some grotesque creature, ghost whatever the hell to haunt at all.
“Nothing, you look very pretty with a buzz cut.” The accountant stopped in his tracks for a moment before turning slightly to face Ryker again. ”Oh, Goodnight, and sweet dreams. Think you'll need it.” That soft smile planted on his face, that kind and warm look he always gives to people, especially Ryker it felt. Accardi gave a small wave before finally vanishing and turning most of the lights off for tonight. Leaving the small lamp nearby that was by Ryker, for Ryker to turn off themselves when they felt tired and ready and so they did. Turning that lamp off, leaving only very little light in the kitchen. Was enough to light some path in the living room and hall.
Ryker laid down gently, putting the blanket over top. Re-thinking that thought of being called pretty felt… nice. For fucks sake, Accardi asked if he could kiss Ryker in FRENCH at a bar. Of course, Accardi might say that kind of stuff to Ryker. At least made sense in Accardi’s mind. Anyways, They lay there as all the feelings of being tense went away. A small wave came to shore to take away all the built-up things on the sand, Leaving nothing but smooth and soft sand from being blanketed with warm water. I guess instead that wave stayed, it didn’t leave at all. It felt nice. Very nice. The last dream they had about water in any way didn’t go so well.
That priest finally started to feel sleepy even more as the seconds went by, eyes getting droopy and yawning again. Their body just wobbles, as they now lay there to sleep.
Goodnight. Seemingly.
…
They are met with a weird hallway. Nice gold colors with blank canvases and photo frames. White. Blank. They walked forward, Maybe it’s one of those times again, a small adventure to try and let this nightmare end. They started to step forward and walk. Walking.
Each frame and canvas they passed it’s like they got filled with something. Harsh sounds of paint hitting the canvases from one and each one they passed. Causing Ryker to jump, none of the canvas has exact shapes or a picture—more of an abstract way, with random colors and splashes and such but being nicely colored together. One canvas would have purples and golds, another canvas would have yellows and greens, another with pinks and blues, One was simply just yellowed, You know it. Mainly two colors, shades of, or just two solid colors of whatever it was. Oh, Another one likes it with a Seafoam-like color and some orange-yellow color to it.
The frames didn’t make a sound when Ryker passed any of them. Not once. They just appeared simple, Yet they noticed they were filled with some kind of photo when they passed or were about to. Different photos that just felt like memories being put into a frame. Like Ryker’s teeth being ripped out, the larger body on top of them, Shattering their ribs more and blocking out a breathing hatch. How the blood went down their throat, that warm blood. Horrible moment of course. It was weird, Why? Same with other memories of course, Like that time when they first entered the Basilica, Passing out from being hit in the head by Glass.
They found some books, like a journal. Picking it up and open to some random page very carefully. Read an entry only to see two clocks melt suddenly, not noticing them from just a second ago, and see someone in the small reflection of those blocks. The book melting too right in Ryker’s hands. Unsure exactly of what they saw still. Most of these memories are like memories where Ryker either passed out in some way, Blacked out, Trying to figure out what they saw or did and what not. Never the exact clears. Yet that’s barely any memories, every memory that they have had almost while in the Basilica or just in Rosso in general are blurry feelings in one way or another. It’s weird.
All the memories had some weird effect on them, it was hard to describe. Yet still describable, still able to be told what exactly it is. Everything was weird with them, but at this point why try and question everything that’s been happening with Ryker?
The more and more Ryker walked down the hall, Eventually met with a dead end. But, there was one Framed photo and a Canvas underneath. The canvas was blank yet not the Framed photo. They walked closer and closer until they could see it. Observing it like it was a new species of animal, wild. They stared. It was a picture of Leon. Leon. Ryker Dublin stood there for a second, why was it weird this time? Why did everything feel weird? It felt weird. Hated it. It felt weird the second they realized it was a photo of Leon. A weird one filled with strong negative feelings. Like they could cry.
Ryker walked closer and closer until eventually in front of it. Closer by.
It was silence for a bit. Too silent. Deafening almost, It was horrible yet Ryker didn’t bother with it. They only bothered and cared about the photo of Leon they saw. It was Leon happily smiling, His warm and caring smile he would always give to Ryker and so many others. The kind nature of this man in a little frame behind some glass. His jacket, His headpiece, everything. It was just Leon. It felt normal, reassuring, and nice. It’s like Ryker forgot everything around them, The hallway and other frame photos they saw before.
“Leon?..”
Silence…. More silence…
“I miss you so much…. I don’t care what happened at all I just… Christ, I Miss you….” Ryker stared at the photo more, Their little frown as they stared. Like the frame was alive. This is a…. Horrible feeling. Why were they feeling Horrible?
“Leo-” The Harsh sound of paint hitting a canvas is suddenly heard. They jumped back a bit out of surprise and quickly looked around, Surprised. Shock even. Sudden Panic it felt, this wasn’t whatever happens when they sleep anymore. Ryker felt unsure of what was happening, was this real? They should have asked themself that so long ago anyway. Where are they anymore? They looked down. Why was everything feeling so much more stress-inducing? That’s not normal. Usually Ryker just… hugely questions everything around. Maybe panic at times but hell this felt so much more different.
The Canvas had paint on it now though but this time it wasn’t nonsense of just colors being splashed on, It was a picture. Picture for sure. It was a picture of… Leon again but it was….
Was of his death. That image was burned into the mind of Ryker Dublin from that night of Trauma. It hurt to see. It felt too real like it wasn’t even a painting yet at the same time it was a painting so clearly. It just didn’t feel like it at all. Not one bit. Suddenly the photo frame shattered without a second thought going by after seeing that painting.
The glass shattered into many pieces, the photo broke into pieces too weirdly. Like the photo itself was also glass underneath that glass. The frame then fell to the ground gracefully like it was a feather. Everything felt so weird, not making sense. Why was everything being questioned? Everything felt so overstimulating, Why? Barely nothing was happening? Oh my god wait this was a nightmare. A dream, it isn’t real it isn’t real.
Can’t be. A strike of realization is like lighting hitting tin foil on their head to Ryker.
Everything is just dead silent now. It’s unnerving. They hate it. It’s the kind of silence that you know something is going to happen. Yet nothing happened, Think that made things worse though. Finally, after this long-awaited silence of a newfound hell, Ryker turned around. It was a void. Darkness. It was a scary and sudden feeling. All those canvases of color and frames of memories, along with the entire hallway were just gone like that. Stolen it felt, stripped away from Ryker.
Ryker turned around again and again yet met with nothing but darkness once more. It scared Ryker, the thoughts and feelings like they were going to be alone forever struck them so suddenly. ”I’m so sorry…” Those two words spill out of them like an unexpected bloody nose. Followed without much reason at all. Headache inducing. ”God please don’t let me stay alone forever.” A small beg almost like they ask for forgiveness despite not happening ever again after all this. Abandoned almost.
They sat down on the ground suddenly and just sat there in that void, they felt so stressed. Maybe all the emotions built up inside too much and just need to be released now. I didn’t realize it affected them so much still but it did. It's been a year since Leon died yet, They still feel ever so attached like he is here sometimes. Maybe because they are doing actions figuring out what happened truly, about the Basilica, murders, Dante, everything. Just everything.
Arms wrapped around Ryker suddenly, Causing slight panic before it felt nice. Being held close. They looked down at the around their body and it was Leon’s. A hug of comfort. Comfort when in despair. God how they miss the comfort from him.
They held their arms around them momentarily before finally pulling away for a second. Turning their body to Face the arms’ owner. Looking at Leon for a bit, Staring with such guilt. That guilt like Ryker could’ve done something to save Leon that night. Christ, they are all over the place. This sucks.
That same French Klepto then hugged Leon, a Tight hug. The feeling of tears started to arise in them, that feeling in the back of your throat like such. Finally closing their eyes and met with true darkness.
How this dream was horrible and stress-inducing.
After what felt like forever they shot up from that same couch they fell asleep now waking up again. Instead, tears filled their eyes, hands shaking. Body in general shaking. Holy hell. Ryker suddenly let out small choked sobs from their throat and out. Holy shit. Ryker sat there for a good long minute trying to calm themselves down, Yet they could not do so. Cradling themself. Anything to try and do so. Anything yet it all felt useless to do it all.
Ryker sat there for some good time, their eyes pouring tears out like a stream almost. Suddenly hearing footsteps causing a small stop and pause of their sniffle and sobs. Ryker looked up, That soft blanket still held close to them. They had only a realization once Ryker was knocked out of their senses. Trying to now knock themself out of sobbing.
Awaiting and hoping to god they weren’t too loud while sobbing, surely they were quiet, right? Not too loud, Surely Ryker thought they weren’t too loud. They sat there trying to wipe their face of tears, yet they kept coming like a hole in a dam. Everything felt so overstimulating. Yet this soft blanket was the only thing keeping them from fully losing it. Why though? Now suddenly without Ryker even realizing, here comes Accardi. He walks into the living room finally, clothing looks a bit of a mess. The tie was loose and all like he was about to change out of everything. Accardi slightly yawned as he walked closer trying to figure out what was up with Ryker. It clicked in his head suddenly as he walked closer and closer, it was prominent on his face he realized.
Ryker’s eyes widened and wandered everywhere in the room like they were trying to make sense of everything still like a madman. This is reality, right? This isn’t a nightmare that is tricking them right? Why is their nose so dry, felt like it was gonna bleed yet nothing. Vision was wet and blurry from tears and just lightheadedness of sobbing. Waking up suddenly could have weirdly helped with this too, jolting up from said thing.
He came up and in front of Ryker before he crouched down slightly. How his expression grew more and more worried for this little priest. ”Ryker? Ryker, are you okay?” He asked with concern. Suddenly reaching to gently grab their shoulder. A nice firm hold on them as he stared a bit longer before speaking. Being cautious not to trigger anything more but less. ”Take a deep breath, it's ok, take your time.”
They stared at him. They stare with just full despair in their eyes. Their face was slightly red from crying. Dry tears are being covered up by newer tears. Accardi just stared a bit longer, He tried to be reassuring with just a smile and a shoulder grab but eventually, he just decided to sit on the couch beside Ryker and grab them close. A hug. Wrapping his arms around the other. Hand to the back of their head and the other at Ryker’s back. Not often Accardi does do this sort of thing or give comfort at all. At least not in a while. Ryker went still for some moments. The hug was weird at first. It was so unfamiliar yet so comforting in that way. Ryker’s little sobs as they sat there for some more time. Accardi didn’t want to let go for not even a second, didn't want Ryker to think he wasn’t there for them. Not once. Not a chance.
”It’s ok... It’s ok I’m here for you. I’m here.” He spoke with reassurance and calmness. That concern he had was still there but now more hiding. He was there. He wasn’t going to leave them alone. He can’t, not in such a state like this. Ryker hugged back tightly. Their arms held Accardi close. Their tight grasp, holding their head down and buried into Accardi’s chest. Ryker seemed calmer now but not yet exactly. The dry tears on Ryker’s face are left alone by new tears. Their body was shaking and their face was red for sure. The accountant sighed softly and brought their head up, the left hand at Ryker’s head was now brought to their chin. Holding nice and firmly. Those gloves still resided on his hands. ”Did you have a nightmare, Ryker?”
Ryker nodded. A small slow nod. They didn’t speak or say a word, anytime they tried only the sound of silence came out. Stutters if they were lucky enough. A hand was brought up to Ryker’s face to hold them for a moment and wipe away those dry tears that resided on their cheeks. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. You are struggling to speak anyway.” Accardi gave another soft smile to Ryker. Ryker nodded again to Accardi. They put their head down again and went back to holding Accardi close and tightly. Yeah, this was starting to feel better doing. More comforting by the second to do.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry I-” Ryker was finally able to blurt out, yet more stuttering only to come out after. More small tears. They ached with pain like their head was bashed against a hard floor again, concrete. ”I- I don’t mean t- to sob in front of you-”
”It’s ok, shhh… It’s ok, Ryker.” Accardi is quick to cut Ryker off from talking more, only knowing they will make themselves cry more and more. Knowing Ryker can’t get their words out of their mouth. Unable to express any feelings properly. “You don’t have to be sorry, You are just fine. It’s ok… It’s alright…” He holds them tightly. Gently laying back on the couch.
They held each other closely for sure. Christ, how Ryker didn’t want to pull away for even a second. Keep him close. Arms tight, But after some time Ryker’s tense, tense body was slowly becoming more and more just gentle feeling. Untensing as they were held close. They laid on Accardi for some good minutes. A hand, Accardi’s hand, moved to gently rub at Ryker’s head. The short hair bristles brushed on Accardi’s gloved hand.
Hand on their head, Then gently resting his head on Ryker’s. Little sniffles and sobs from time to time come to Ryker. They were keeping their head down. The crying priest gets little small forehead kisses from the taller man. His arms wrapped around Ryker in a nice and comforting hold. They sunk more and more into Accardi’s hold, the arms felt nice despite that messy look he held like a man about to sleep after a long day of work.
Accardi had a very protective feeling over the sobbing person like a mother would be almost butt I guess more different. ”Do you wanna talk about what happened? Was it a sort of Nightmare?” Accardi asking Ryker. They felt more at peace, well most peace you can be at when you were just sobbing almost to hell and back.
“.. I miss… my... My friend.” Basically a yes to Accardi, Ryker’s words felt so sorrowful. Raspy and whispery almost. The voice cracks appeared in their voice now and then as they spoke more and more. Yet they felt more calm now than before. That feeling of dread slowly faded away like shore water taking away the rocks in the sand. Accardi gave some more little kisses on their forehead as they rubbed their head.
He held him close, Feeling each other breath slowly from their chests. “It’s ok… It’s alright… I’m here for you right now… You don’t have to be sorry about anything, Let me mention. It happens, let your feelings out. Don’t hold them in, ok?” Accardi’s reassurance as he talked faintly yet loud enough for Ryker to hear. Loud enough for Ryker to hear those words of comfort needed at such a time.
Ryker taking those words reminds him of Wankou sometime ago mentioning how they shouldn’t let their feelings in, Yeah he’s right. Both of them are right. It isn’t good, they need to let it out. They need to just accept this grief, If not then it will continue in small and eventually bigger ways.
“... Are you sure...?” Ryker sniffled a bit as they spoke a full sentence finally. At least a clear understandable one.
Accardi’s eyes were about to close but Ryker's asking made him open them again. “Sure about what?”
“.. Sure about.. About it being ok..”
“Of course, Ryker. Of course, it’s ok. You can’t let his death get to you. Plus, especially if you are planning to murder the one who killed him.”
Ryker softly chuckled with Accardi. Ryker feels the slight rumble of Accardi’s chest moving a bit from small chuckles. Even breathing as they rested their head. They lay there for some moments. The moment of just comfort and need, It felt nice it felt like something they needed since forever ago. They never got comfort from feeling this way about Leon’s death. Even if Accardi doesn’t know who they are talking about completely it still just feels nice to hear those words come from him.
Comfort. The feeling of being held, and physical actions always felt nice to Ryker. The more kinder ones at least, like this. Ryker’s eyes started to feel more and more tired again. That droopy feeling returned like before at the start of this night. Accardi felt Ryker’s body start to feel that tense feeling now completely gone. That was relieving to Accardi, giving even a small deep breath out. Almost as if he was holding his breath the whole time for Ryker. Not in any bad way, just a way of concern and fear even for them.
“You need to sleep, It’s around 1 AM. Well.. almost 1.” Ryker just gave a small little whine in response.
Ryker then looked up at Accardi, Giving a small yawn as they talked. “You technically said the same thing twice… Just- Just worded differently.” Ryker gave another small yawn giving a small smile. Eyes more and more droopy and heavy feeling.
”Yeah well… It’s late.” Accardi yawned as he spoke, Both of their voices had become more and more whisper-like before eventually Ryker fell asleep peacefully holding Accardi close. Their head was still on his chest.
Small silence for a bit as Ryker let out another small whine. Raspy voice from being a drowsy to now asleep, broken wreck. ”Goodnight Ryker. Always here for you, you pretty little priest…” Accardi gave Ryker little forehead kisses again before his own eyes finally started to close. His hands were still through Ryker’s buzzcut hair. He fell asleep peacefully on the couch with Ryker on top of him.
Ryker had no further nightmares that’s for sure, they barely twist and turn in their sleep. The whole time those arms just started wrapped around Accardi while Accardi’s did the same.
Goodnight.