Archive of Our Own

Edmond sinks into his bed, the comfort of his covers and pillows do nothing to soothe the pain in his heart, and it only grows the more he thinks about it. He closes his eyes and it only highlights his senses. He can hear the footsteps running throughout Aster’s mansion. He can hear the murmurs that sound like they’re right by his ear. Edmond holds onto himself, why is he here? He should return home. He dealt fine with his essence even before the fraudulent Grand Sorcerer made his appearance. 

But the night is unforgiving. And Edmond knows better than to travel back to his family home in the dead of the night. He isn’t cruel like that. He won’t disturb the maids or the butlers. He won’t risk waking his parents up from a good night’s sleep just because he can’t stand to be here anymore. It hurts.

And it’s not like Eiden needs him here either.

His own thoughts are poison for his heart. There’s a thorny vine that grips around his heart, and the thorns press ever so deeper with every breath he takes.

Edmond falls asleep wishing he was anywhere else but here.

He wakes up hacking, immediately he sits up and he digs his fingers into the nightdress over his chest, his other hand digging into the mattress as he coughs and coughs. It ripples throughout his body and his back bends violently with each cough. His throat burns as though he had just drunk liquid fire. Tears prick at his eyes and his cheeks are flushed. The coughs ramp up and the tears stream down his cheeks reflexively. His burning throat feels coarser than sand paper as he finally finds relief.

Relief comes as a lone blue petal tumbles out of Edmond’s mouth and onto the white bed cover.

Edmond wants to cry out in distress and horror but nothing escapes his lips as he stares at the single blue petal that had come out of him. He knows what it means. After all, his great aunt had passed from this condition.

Hanahaki .

The diseased dies from an unrequited love. The heartache forms flowers to grow from within, starting in the lungs, roots holding the lungs hostage as it grows, using the hosts’ unrequited feelings as nutrients for its growth. Eventually, it’ll be too much and petals will start tumbling up the throat and falling from one’s lips. And not long after, whole flowers will be coughed up, a sure sign that one will most certainly succumb to this condition.

Edmond feels his essence tingle. He wonders how much longer he has left. It hadn’t even felt that long since he was promoted to the position fo Vice-Captain of the Knights of Klein.

It hadn’t even been that long since he had met Eiden. For him to fall in such a deep unrequited love… Edmond sobs. Hot tears rolled down his cheeks. His chest feels heavy, it feels strained and it burns. His vision blurs as he keeps staring at the lone blue petal his body had created. But no matter how long he stares at it, the blue petal remains, it doesn’t change, it only appears blurrier. 

Edmond’s thoughts run amok. He doesn’t know what he feels. Forlorn. Sad. Frustrated. Disappointed. Ashamed. Perhaps all of the above.

Scared.

Even though he knows what his future is. He can’t help but let fear grip him. As a knight, it is not uncommon to die on duty. But. Hanahaki is… something he had only learnt about because of his family history, he read about it, and had not at all thought that it could ever happen to him. That he could ever be in a love so unrequited that it would end his life and take everything from him.

His pride. His dignity. His thoughts. His emotions. His love.

A series of short sharp knocks sound through the room. Immediately, Edmond stops sobbing. He tilts his head to the wooden door, it is of course, closed and locked. Edmond wipes his tears with the back of his right hand and tries to speak. His voice is hoarse. “Who-who is it?”

“Open up Vice-Captain.”

Edmond immediately furrows as he recognises that voice. “Sun Lord Dante?” He gets off the bed and walks towards the door. But he doesn’t open it.

“If you know who I am, hurry up and open the door.” Dante’s voice sounds annoyed.

“I can’t, I’m not presentable.” Edmond speaks, his voice still hoarse. He stands in the middle of the room, feeling extra small.

“Are you upset or sick?” Dante’s voice comes through, surprisingly soft.

“N-no.” Edmond swallows thickly as he lies, he holds onto his throat and his long blue hair cascades down his shoulders.

Dante’s sigh can be heard through the door. “I’ll go ask Yakumo to come check on you. Maybe he can prepare you some of those sweets you’re so fond of.”

“N-No!” Edmond says louder and subconsciously goes towards the door. He doesn’t want to see anyone right now. He thinks… he doesn’t want to see any of the clan members. After all, it’s not like he can tell Eiden to fall in love with him to simply save him. The wellbeing of all the other clan members are important too. It’s not just Dante and Yakumo… Edmond looks at his toes and his heart aches again. Why is he in this situation?

Dante’s footsteps walking down the corridor can be heard.

Edmond panics. It’s more difficult for him to refuse Yakumo, because Yakumo is so… sensitive. Grabbing his own chest tightly, Edmond tries to calm himself down. He will make himself presentable. And head to breakfast. He had missed morning training already - not that he thinks he can go back to training anymore, in fact, he will have to hand in his resignation soon. And speak to his parents about his imminent demise.

Slowly, Edmond massages his chest, where his lungs are sitting, and he finds that for now, he feels alright. He turns around to look at the blue petal, still sitting on the silk sheets. He knows it’s only a matter of time before he won’t even remember what it was like to be pain free or to not find it difficult to breathe.

So whilst he is still able, Edmond knows that he needs to do what he must, what he should.

He washes his face. And stares at his own reflection. His fingers lightly touch his lips and his heart responds before he even touches them, in longing, in pain, in a love unrequited. He remembers the taste of his first kiss. And he knows that the significance it held for himself. And how little it meant to Eiden. He isn’t stupid. He just thought that maybe… perhaps. Edmond sighs and looks away from the mirror. He’s naive. He knew what he was getting into. It’s not like he was blindsided. He just went and fell in love, all by himself.

“Get a grip…” Edmond whispers to himself. 

Edmond fixes his face, and takes a couple of throat lozenges for his sore throat. It’s late, so breakfast will be finished already. He clears his throat and straightens his uniform before he walks out. He is surprised to see Yakumo fumbling outside the room door.

“Sir Edmond…” Yakumo greets Edmond meekly.

“Yakumo…” Edmond clears his throat again. He can’t believe Dante actually sent Yakumo to come check up on him.

“Sun Lord Dante mentioned that you might be… not quite yourself?” Yakumo holds onto his arm and gives Edmond a concerned look. “Could you have perhaps, caught a cold?”

Edmond shakes his head. “Thank you for your concern, I am fine.” After all, he can’t be any better than right now. His condition will only deteriorate, it won’t improve. He knows of this fact.

Yakumo frowns for a moment and then nods, mostly reassured. “I saved you breakfast.”

“That is most kind of you.” Edmond offers Yakumo a polite smile. Yakumo has always been one of the kindest clan members. It’s true that it took Edmond time to warm up to Yakumo. But… at the very start, when it was just them, Aster, Morvay and Eiden… it was… Edmond stops his thoughts. He can’t. He knows that he should not be comparing himself with Yakumo. Their love for Eiden should not be compared. Edmond follows Yakumo to the kitchen, thoughts swirling in his head, the fear of his disease surfacing leaves him feeling uneasy.

Blade and Garu are still running around the kitchen, chaotic, but Edmond looks on with fondness. He helps set up the table for himself and gratefully thanks Yakumo for the food. He has to stop Garu and Blade from hastily picking at his food, instead, asking the two nicely to grab a plate and he will be more than happy to share.

It feels like just another normal morning at Aster’s mansion.

But Edmond knows better than that.

“Where is Eiden?” Edmond asks curiously, “And the Sun Lord?”

“Master has gone into the woods for business and Sun Lord Dante is on his way back to Solaria” Aster waltzes cheerily and looks at Edmond with mischievous eyes. “Did you have fun last night, Vice-Captain?”

Edmond remembers that lone blue petal, he schools his expression and decides to ignore Aster’s question. Why is he living at Aster’s mansion when he can be at home? It’s not like he greatly increases his chance of seeing Eiden… Edmond feels his chest twitch in pain and again he stops his thoughts before they spiral more. “I will take my leave after breakfast.”

“A late breakfast for Ed-Ed!~” Blade sings as he twirls around the room.

“And I will return next week for Eiden’s birthday party.” Edmond tells Aster.

Aster smiles mischievously, “Sure! I will let you know how you can help!”

Edmond nods. After breakfast, he returns to his room in Aster’s mansion and he takes what he can, books and scrolls before he hops into his carriage and heads home . First, he needs to inform his parents… and Edmond dreads it. He knows how hurt they will be. But he doesn’t regret it. He places a hand over his chest. He is happy to have met Eiden. Perhaps that’s what it’s like to be in love.

It’s an understatement to say that Edmond’s parents are distraught. The sight of his parents sobbing makes Edmond weep. They hold onto him and apologise over and over. Edmond feels like a child again for the first time in a long time. 

Edmond’s parents hold him and tells him that it’s unfair. Edmond lets them hold him, he isn’t quite use to it. His parents have not held him for a very long time. These days, the warmth of another human being is always Eiden . But Edmond knows, the thought of Eiden will only hasten his disease and gouge at his heart more. Edmond feels sorry for his parents, to have to watch their child die first. He doesn’t think any parent should ever have to go through something like that.

But here he is, a fully grown adult, whose life is limited, who is very, highly likely to pass before both his parents.

“I’m so sorry.” Edmond is filled with apologies. He is filled with grief and shame. “I’m really, so sorry.” He lowers his head as hot tears come running down his cheeks. 

“It’s alright Edmond.”

“Mum and dad are here for you.”

The thing is, Edmond is sorry to cause grief to his parents. He is sorry to succumb to death so early. He is sorry that their family line is likely to end here if his father doesn’t produce a new heir. But he doesn’t regret falling in love. Unrequited as it may be.

That night, Edmond sleeps in between his parents, and he most definitely still feels like a young child, still in need of comfort from family.

The next morning, Edmond is whisked away by his parents to see the best healers in town. None of them have anything encouraging to say. One even describes the excruciating pain and Edmond had to walk his parents out of the consultation room after watching them cry hot tears at the healer’s descriptions. After the fifth healer, Edmond has to put a stop to it. “I need to return to work.” And he does return to work, acting like nothing is amiss. This isn’t a new disease. He knows that it's incurable. And though he may have quickly accepted his fate, it is clear his parents are having a much more difficult time to come to terms with it all.

At dinner, Edmond tells his parents that he will try to continue living the life he wants. After supper, Edmond pens his will. He tries to start writing a letter to his mother, but he finds it difficult to continue so he starts one for his father, and likewise, he comes to a stop and can't write more. Edmond holds his ink pen and decides to start a letter to Eiden. It stops after the words Dearest Eiden in his cursive writing. He doesn’t know how to best put his thoughts into words. And what is there to say? He has so much he wants to say to his parents and to Eiden, but he can’t form them into words that he can trace.

And the thought of Eiden makes Edmond’s lungs tighten. It hurts.

There’s another blue petal that tumbles out of Edmond’s soft lips the next morning. It’s covered in saliva that drips down Edmond’s chin. He holds his own throat and stares at the petal. He swallows hard and finds his throat scratchy and uncomfortable.

Edmond takes the petal and flushes it down the toilet. He washes up and gets ready for training. It leaves him feeling content when he gets through training with no issues. It’s like he does have control of his life still. And it keeps his heart beating steady.

He sees a different healer at the end of the day, and he takes the painkillers they prescribe. He holds it in his hands and wants to ask how much longer he has. But realistically, he knows it isn’t long, and that he should make the most of each day. There aren’t many unfortunate enough to contract hanahaki. Edmond thinks that it runs in his family.

That night, he drops by Aster’s Mansion. Aster greets him with a cheerful smile. “Vice-Captain, are you staying the night? You didn’t send a message~”

Edmond shakes his head, “No… I’m not.” He doesn’t think he ever will again… 

“Oh I see, do I need to tell Yakumo to make dinner for you too?” Aster tilts his head side to side, watching Edmond.

“No need. Thank you.” Edmond clears his throat, “Is Eiden in?”

“Master is in, but he’s busy~ ” Aster smiles gleefully. “He’s so popular, isn’t he?”

Edmond flushes, his lips purse into a thin line and he tries to ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach. “I see. I-I will be taking my leave. Thank you Aster.” He stammers and hastily turns around and walks out without waiting for Aster’s reply. He hops into his carriage and he tries to calm his breathing.

It aches.

He should’ve known better than to try his luck .

Edmond doesn't sleep that night. He stares at the ceiling in his own bedroom and thinks about all the what ifs that will never happen. They all start with what if Eiden loves me back and I live? Even Edmond thinks himself a fool.

His parents become increasingly touchy. Edmond lets them, but at the same time, he wants them to not become more attached than they are, because it makes losing Edmond that much more difficult. But will let them hold his face, trace his eyelids and commit his face to their memory. He wishes them a long life. He doesn’t want them to go through any hardship.

A few days later, Edmond doesn’t finish training. He looks at his own hands in horror and he drops to his knees as a coughing fit takes over him. A servant quickly runs to aid him. But all Edmond can hear are his coughs and the sound of his blood pumping. He coughs out another blue petal and he hides it in his palm, not wanting the servant to see.

“Maybe we should go ask advice from the God of Klein?” Edmond’s mother suggests.

Edmond thinks of Olivine. He doesn’t want to let Olivine know yet. In fact, he wants to talk to Eiden about it first before the rest of the clan… “No.” Edmond shakes his head, “It’s incurable, mother. We should not bother His Holiness with a matter that can not be solved.” And realistically, Edmond knows that the God of Klein is often sought after for comfort. Not for a solution.

Edmond’s mother looks away and bites her bottom lip, she tries to hold in her tears.

“How about asking if the Grand Sorcerer can heal you?” Edmond’s father suggests, “He’s a great magic wielder, so maybe he can help?”

Edmond stares at his father with big eyes and then smiles gently, “No.” Edmond shakes his head. “The current Grand Sorcerer actually has no magic… you could say, in that aspect, he’s a fraud.”

“Oh…” Edmond’s father looks conflicted, “But don’t you always go to aid in his missions?”

Edmond nods. “His duty to Klein requires no grand magic on his part. He has other skill sets which make him the Grand Sorcerer.”

Sleep rarely comes to Edmond now. He often finds himself staring at the ceiling and he can hear the sobs of his parents echo through the halls. He’s broken his family. When he is sick of staring at the ceiling, he’ll toss and turn in his bed, wondering if anyone else will cry at his funeral. He thinks, Yakumo definitely would, he’s a cry baby. Edmond blinks into his dark room, he doesn’t know whether he wants the clan members to know. Are they even… that close? If he does have a funeral, would they even attend?

Aster might, if it means he can make money out of it. And he’d probably drag Morvay with him.

Edmond remembers Lucien’s funeral like it was yesterday, it brings a swirl of negative thoughts into him. He misses his friend. He would’ve loved to have him here so he could just talk to the other and ask for advice. But soon, he will be joining Lucien, and maybe that thought isn’t too bad after all.

If things will stop hurting.

Later that week, Edmond hands in his resignation to the King of Klein. He then attends Eiden’s birthday party with heavy steps and no longer dressed in his knight uniform that he had grown so attached to in a short amount of time. He had taken some painkillers beforehand, as a precautionary measure. If he has chest pains every time he thinks of Eiden, he isn’t sure how his body will react when he sees the other.

It’s been a little over a week since Edmond last saw Eiden.

Edmond was correct in assuming that seeing Eiden will hasten the progression of his disease. But Edmond can’t help but stare at Eiden, a soft smile gracing his features as he watches Eiden smile and laugh as he interacts with all the clan members at Aster’s Mansion.

Eiden is all dressed up, hair slicked, clothes perfect on him. His skin glows warmly. In comparison, Edmond feels underdressed, and he rarely does when he’s in uniform. Though with his resignation, he had handed back his uniform and is in a suit from his personal wardrobe.

“Vice-Captain!” Aster calls and hurries over with his wings fluttering happily.

Edmond opens his mouth to speak and thinks before settling with, “Good evening Aster. Please just call me Edmond.” After all, he is no longer Vice Captain of the Knights of Klein. Just Edmond now.

Aster looks surprised, but not displeased, he claps his hands together and says, “Edmond~” He takes the birthday present in Edmond’s hands and adds it to the massive pile of other wrapped gifts, all for Eiden.

Edmond offers a small smile. Albeit bashful at being addressed with his first name by the little vampire.

“Come, you will have to change.” Aster ushers Edmond into a different room. Edmond takes one longing look at Eiden before he lets Aster pull him away.

Aster hums happily and works his magic and fixes Edmond’s hair after he changes into a tight fitting suit which leaves little to the imagination. Aster smiles wickedly and takes some photos and mutters a quiet thanks for your help before he lets Edmond go. Edmond swears he can hear gold coins cashing in already.

The night passes quickly and Edmond finds himself surrounded by clan members and servants. Just like how hanahaki is incurable, it was impossible to get Eiden by himself. Though Edmond should’ve known better to think he could get Eiden alone on a day when he is the main star.

Or any day really.

Edmond’s footsteps feel heavier as the second tick by. His chest feels tight. And Edmond is thankful that the painkillers are doing their job.

Garu bounds along excitedly and his tail is wagging as he asks Edmond nicely if he’s going to finish his meal. When Edmond says he isn’t, but is happy to order more for Garu, Karu laughs wickedly and loudly as he takes Edmond’s plate before running off, almost bumping into Quincy, but his quick reflex helps him dodge so that he can go pester Rei and see if Rei still wants his plate of food.

It’s a welcome distraction. Karu is boisterous and helps cut out Eiden’s laughter.

Edmond makes the mistake of making eye contact with Kuya, and Edmond swears the other knows everything and reads him like an open book. He always feels like he wants to hide himself from Kuya’s gaze.

He tries to talk to Eiden. To him, he feels awkward as Eiden smiles at him encouragingly, he has so much patience for Edmond, happy to wait and read between the lines of Edmond’s words. But a loud distraction from Morvay in the kitchen is enough to pull Eiden away in a hurry.

In the end, Edmond fails to get Eiden alone by the end of the night to talk about Edmond’s latest health development or to simply ask for some time to talk after Eiden’s birthday party. The guests retire to their rooms after learning that the Grand Sorcerer needs to go on a journey to the dead lands early the next day. And Edmond finds himself standing solemnly in front of Eiden’s bedroom door. Eiden isn’t behind his bedroom doors. Edmond wants to curl up to himself and hold his knees. But he doesn’t. His chest pains are hammering and Edmond decides to pen a letter to Eiden.

Dearest Eiden,

I have something important I would like to discuss with you, please, when you have time, let me know.

Yours,

Edmond.

Edmond slips the parchment in an envelope and slides it under Eiden’s bedroom door. He thought that maybe he could catch Eiden before he journeys off tomorrow to fulfil his duty as the Grand Sorcerer. But the chest pains are making it difficult for Edmond to even breathe when his pace hastens.

He won’t last the night in Aster’s Mansion without his painkillers. He has to return home of he wants to continue to live for a little longer with minimal pain.

Eventually, Edmond settles with slowly walking back towards his carriage. He holds onto his chest and winces every so often. He passes by Kuya who is smoking his pipe as he sits by an open window in the mansion. The moon reflects gently off his skin. Whether it’s a mutual understanding or not, they glance at each other and continue to ignore each other’s presence.

At least, that’s what Edmond had hoped.

“Isn’t your gem a little dull, Vice-Captain?” Kuya’s sultry voice sends shivers down Edmond’s spine.

Edmond pauses in his steps and looks at Kuya with a frown, his arm shakes a little as he holds up his left arm to examine the sapphire embedded on the back of his left hand. It does look a little different. But he won’t admit it. “It’s the lighting from the moon.” Edmond replies, partly to convince himself. He doesn't bother to correct Kuya on his title - or lack thereof, like how he had corrected Aster earlier that night.

Kuya spits out a puff of smoke from his pipe and hums. He eyes Edmond with narrowed eyes and a smirk. “If you say so, Vice-Captain.”

Edmond feels uncomfortable with Kuya. It’s unlike the other to ever agree with Edmond too. “Have a good night.” Edmond nods and continues to walk down the corridor, away from Kuya. Away.

By the time he makes it to his own carriage, he notes that the Sun Lord’s carriage and Olivine’s carriage are already gone. It makes sense. They’re busy people, they have places to be. And… even though Edmond sometimes enjoys a cuppa with Olivine, he wouldn’t exactly call them friends. In fact, Edmond would be unsure to call any of the clan members good friends. He might care for them… but… Edmond convinces himself that it’s all in the name of his duty. Perhaps he would be getting ahead of himself to even assume that the clan members would even consider himself a friend.

Edmond can’t sleep. It’s late at night and all that lights up his room is his bedside lamp. He picks up a book and starts reading. Initially, he was studying the book to try and become closer with Eiden by taking the initiative. But now… Edmond sits and waits for Eiden to return so that they can talk. Edmond holds onto his chest and coughs. Nothing tumbles out. But he heaves. He feels useless just sitting here and waiting for his own death.

“Ara ara~” A teasing voice rings throughout Edmond’s dimly lit room, “And here I was wondering which one of the awful clan members is dying, it’s you.”

Edmond’s eyes widen, he drops his book and he immediately draws his sword. His chest tightens in pain. “Y-you!” Edmond wavers, he still can’t believe how much Rin looks like Eiden. Sure, they are apparently related, but the resemblance is uncanny, not just physically, but the voice - sounds just like Eiden. Edmond would believe it if he was told that they were the same person from different parallel worlds. In fact, a part of Edmond believes that to be the case.

Rin holds up both his hands and wears a mischievous smile, “I’m not here to fight today.”

Edmond narrows his eyes, his grip on his sword tightens. “How did you get past the guards?” He doesn’t forget the threats Rin spat at him.

“Child’s play.” Rin replies easily and then sticks out his tongue, the stud on his tongue catches the light in the room and glimmers lightly.

Edmond swallows thickly. He has always wondered about the decorations on Rin’s tongue. It’s… different.

“Well then, farewell, I hope your death comes faster!” Rin cackles and then opens up Edmond’s window and jumps out.

Edmond stares with wide eyes, and it’s only when he can no longer hear Rin’s cackle that he realises he’s shaking. Carefully, he sheathes his sword and places it next to him. He gets up, knees still wobbly and goes over to his window to close it. He can hear blood pump in his ear and his breathing feels irregular. He knows that he needs to meditate to calm down.

His book lies forgotten for the rest of the night. And beside it, are three blue petals Edmond had choked up.

“Gees you’re looking awfully pale today.” Rin’s voice rings out.

Except he sounds just like Eiden, it momentarily gives Edmond hope. But as soon as his eyes land on Rin, he realises, it’s not Eiden. The thought of Eiden makes Edmond’s chest lurch in pain, he clutches on and hopes that Rin won’t comment on it.

“You’re still not dead.” Rin points out the very obvious with a smirk on his lips.

Edmond narrows his eyes. “Why are you here?”

Rin ignores Edmond and looks around the dimly lit bedroom.

“Are you looking for something?” Edmond asks, curious, “You won’t find what you’re looking for in this room.”

“So it seems.” Rin cackles and walks around the room, ignoring that Edmond is still sitting in his bed. “Nii-san isn’t here…”

“Eiden?” Edmond winces, his heart is excited at the thought of Eiden, but his chest is dripped in stabbing pain.

Rin hums and then finally turns to look at Edmond. He lifts up his blindfold.

Edmond suppresses his gasp when he looks into the other’s golden eyes.

“Seems like it is you.” Rin steps closer to Edmond, ignoring the way Edmond immediately draws his sword. “Why are you emitting such a large source of essence when you’re dying ?”

Edmond doesn’t know what to say to that. He hadn’t noticed. Maybe Rin is just pulling his leg.

“Have you…” Rin stares at Edmond’s face and scrutinises the other, “...not been fucked in a while?”

“You scoundrel!” Edmond goes beet red and his sword shakes in his arm. 

Rin laughs loudly as he hops out of the window and into the darkness of the night.

Edmond coughs violently, his sword drops on his bed and rolls off to clatter on the floor. He holds his mouth and chest as he continues to hack, trying to dislodge the irritation in his throat. A small handful of blue petals end up in Edmond’s palm. He looks at it with disdain. It fuels his anxiety.

The next morning, Edmond greets his parents with as much normality as he can muster. He doesn't miss their worried looks. They gently ask him his plans for the day.

“I will be stopping by Aster’s mansion…” Edmond tries to calm himself down. 

His parents join him to Aster’s mansion. They don’t sit in the carriage to wait, they join him, acting as support when Edmond needs it.

“Welcome back, Sir Edmond.” A butler greets Edmond at the entrance to the mansion.

Sir Edmond . The reminder that he’s a noble. “Just Edmond is fine.” Edmond lets his eyes roam the gardens before he turns his attention back to the butler, “Is the Grand Sorcerer in?”

“The Grand Sorcerer is out on an expedition.” The butler responds.

That, Edmond thought, was very likely to be the case. He came prepared. Edmond takes out an off-white envelope with simple gold embellishments on it and hands it to the butler. “Could you please help me hand this to the Grand Sorcerer once he has returned?” The back of the envelope has a wax seal on it with Edmond’s family’s coat of arms on it. It’s just a formality. Because to Edmond, this should just be a formality, to inform the Grand Sorcerer that since he’s no longer the Vice-Captain of the Knights of Klein, he no longer has duty to assist the Grand Sorcerer. He no longer has a reason to see Eiden.

The butler takes the envelope and promises to do just that.

Edmond leaves with a heavier heart. His parents make small talk on the way to the carriage and even whilst they’re in the carriage. Even stopping by Edmond’s favourite sweets store was only a small distraction. Because most of it had reminded Edmond of Eiden.

It’s a store they’ve been to together before. They’re desserts he’s shared with Eiden before. And the sweetness, it doesn't even hold a candle to Edmond’s memories of Eiden’s kisses.

Edmond hunches over in the carriage as a strong tickle crawls up his throat. He coughs, and coughs, his lungs burn and the thought of his parent’s patting his back and exclaiming worries is the last of Edmond’s worries as he finally coughs up sapphire blue petals coated in blood.

It doesn’t stop there, his coughs increase in frequency, and the amount of petals that make its way out of Edmond’s lungs also increases exponentially.

The end is drawing near.

There’s a basket full of blue petals in every room Edmond spends any time in. He doesn’t know why they’re not thrown out. Is it not a cruel reminder to his parents and everyone else who works for them to see that Edmond is dying from an incurable disease? He used to flush the petals down the toilet, but not anymore.

If it weren’t for hanahaki… Edmond would find the colouring of the blue rather alluring. Each petal was slightly different in hue and saturation, and Edmond finds that rather, hauntingly beautiful. That he can create something so pleasing to look at. Though he does think that it’s all thanks to the sapphire and the essence within him.

His relative, who passed from hanahaki, passed away quickly. They didn’t have an abundance of essence like Edmond does… If… in another world, perhaps Edmond without an ocean of essence would’ve also passed just as quickly.

“What is this?” Rin opens up Edmond’s tin box of cookies and sniffs. His nose wrinkles and he picks up a cookie.

“And now you’re stealing?” Edmond asks unhappily from his bed as he eyes the enigma warily. As he eyes the other taking a bite from his favourite chocolate chip cookies.

“Sweet.” Rin mutters and looks at the cookie strangely, and then looks at Edmond. “Is this medicated?”

This time, Edmond’s frown deepens significantly, “No, why would you say that?” He thinks of all the scenarios in which his cookies can taste odd , that batch is specially made just for him by his mother’s favourite chef -

“It’s just… extremely sweet.” Rin takes another bite to confirm, and his face says it all.

Edmond clicks his tongue in annoyance. Another oddball who can’t understand the deliciousness and exquisiteness of his cookies.

And then Rin places his half eaten cookie back into the tin and doesn’t even bother to pop the lid back on.

Edmond is so shocked from the action, the lack of manners, the absurdity that he can only stare wide eyed at Rin. “Wh-what!?” He eventually screams.

Rin takes a step towards Edmond and sniffs, “Maybe that’s why your essence is so sweet.”

Edmond blushes completely and screams even louder, “WHAT!!?”

Voices of Master Edmond ring through the walls, putting a smirk back on Rin’s face as he nods at Edmond, “I hope you die soon!” Rin then jumps out of the window he is now so frequently coming in from and leaves before the household staff discovers his presence.

Edmond is left flabbergasted. The shock leaves him coughing up more petals than before. His lung burn more than before and in that moment, Edmond wishes he could just cough his lungs out. He has to remember to throw out that batch of cookies, such a waste, but it has now been contaminated… though, he’s going to die soon anyway… does it really matter if he catches other strange diseases.

Edmond eyes the parchment paper and his ink quill. He hasn’t heard from Eiden, and it’s only been a little more than a week since he last visited Aster’s Mansion. He wonders if he should pen another letter to Eiden. Edmond is hesitant. He is scared of the response. Though the lack of response right now is leaving him on edge. The last letter he left was very simple and to the point, maybe it doesn’t warrant a reply. It fuels Edmond’s anxiety. And only makes Edmond hack up more lone petals.

The window to his bedroom bursts open and immediately, Edmond feels the breeze blow in. He has a hunch who it is, no one else enters through his window, but regardless, he still looks, and confirms with his eyes.

Rin stands there with a basket filled with blue rose petals Edmond had coughed up. He lifts his eye mask off and looks at Edmond with piercing golden eyes. The shape of Rin’s eyes looks just like Eiden’s. It makes Edmond swallow thickly.

His heart hurts. His lungs hurt just as much.

“What are you doing here?” Edmond asks, voice quiet.

Rin looks around the room and then grabs fistfuls of the petals and starts throwing them around Edmond’s bedroom, he throws them at Edmond too, not caring that he’s disturbing the other, not caring that Edmond can no longer write on his petal covered parchment.

“Rin!” Edmond growls angrily, “What are you doing?” Edmond hisses as he tries to pull at Rin and get him to stop.

“Celebrating your death.” Rin smiles happily as he empties the basket onto Edmond’s bed and then carelessly throws the basket to the other end of the bedroom.

“What…” Edmond watches with furrowed brows as his bedroom is now covered unevenly with blue rose petals.

Rin twirls, making sure his feet don’t touch any of the petals and then jumps out of Edmond’s window and disappears into the night again.

Edmond tearfully picks up every individual petal and places it back into the basket. He might’ve coughed a few more hundreds to add to the collection. He swears that the thorns of the roses must be digging into his lungs, because, how can it otherwise hurt this much?

That night, Edmond dreams of Eiden. He wakes up before the sun rises and finishes writing his letter to Eiden. But he doesn’t send it. He wants to believe that if he can hold out for just a bit longer, Eiden will hopefully write back, or maybe he might summon Edmond’s presence, and if Edmond is very lucky, maybe Eiden will come see him. If he can hold on for just a little longer.

Rin is most possibly the last person Edmond expects to see. But there he is, invading his space, this time, with his back leaning against Edmond’s bookshelf as he flips through the pages of one of Edmond’s books.

Edmond feels so tired he doesn’t even have it in him to casually tell the other off.

“Eiden’s not in my books, if you’re looking for him there.” Edmond says, still on edge as he sits in his bed and watches Rin warily.

Rin shrugs, “I can’t read anyway.”

“Oh.” Edmond feels conflicted. “Then why are you flipping through my books?”

Rin throws the book he was flipping through on to the bed and then looks at Edmond, “Why do you like these books? There’s so many~♫”

“That’s none of your business.” Edmond responds as stoic as he can, trying to fight down the blush on his cheeks.

It makes him think of Eiden and Edmond ends up coughing up more blood coated sapphire blue rose petals in front of Rin. The taste of his metallic blood floods his senses.

Rin watches quietly with glimmers in his eyes.

There’s tears in Edmond’s eyes as his coughing fit ends, he looks up and glares at Rin. He bites his lips and the taste of blood increases. His hands form fists around the petals that spill out of his hand, he feels hot and angry .

“You…” Rin tilts his head and for once is at a loss for words.

“Leave.” Edmond says quietly as he wipes his lips with a white handkerchief. “Just leave.” He reaches over to his painkillers and with a shake down his arms, he takes his painkillers, hoping that they’d work instantly. They don’t. They never did work straight away.

Rin will say he wasn’t listening to Edmond’s orders if asked, but he does leave, this time, much quieter as he jumps out the window. The small slam of the window shut rings sharply through Edmond’s bedroom.

Edmond tries to clear his throat, but he finds it scratchy. He picks up the book Rin had thrown onto his bed. It’s that nasty book Eiden had read out aloud to him. The thought of Eiden makes Edmond go into another coughing frenzy, he barely had enough time to cover the book with his bed cover before he felt like he was choking on the petals again.

He must really find a way to try and not activate his coughs every time he thinks of Eiden.

It sort of works, when he tries to swallow down his coughs instead of letting it escape through his lips.

“Read this for me.” Rin demands as he chooses a random book from Edmond’s shelf and throws it at Edmond. It lands just beside Edmond’s lap with a thump.

“...Why?” Edmond is confused but he takes the book from his bed and looks at Rin with careful suspicions.

“I can’t read.” Rin reminds Edmond as he shrugs his shoulders and turns to look at Edmond.

Edmond’s expression drops. He can’t imagine what kind of life Rin lived for him to not be able to read. Was he perhaps like Garu? He speaks before he really thinks about it thoroughly, “Would you like me to teach you how to read?”

Rin stiffens and looks at Edmond. And then he makes a very obvious look at Edmond’s paling sapphire gem on his hand. “Can a dead man teach?” Rin asks as he looks back up at Edmond’s face.

Edmond flushes. It’s not like he has forgotten that he will soon pass. How can he forget? It’s basically all he thinks about since that first petal crawled up his throat. His room is now littered in blue petals. There is no way he doesn’t think about it.

Rin tilts his head and motions for Edmond to start reading.

Edmond grimaces.

“Or, if you don’t want to read, I could kill you now?” Rin offers, he looks out the window, “The darkness of the night is the perfect crime scene.”

Edmond scowls and then opens the book Rin had thrown at him. He stops and stares at the book. This is the book he was studying so that he could try to get physically closer to Eiden. But… “Why did you choose this book?” Edmond asks Rin with wide eyes, he tries to search for an answer on Rin’s face, but he hasn’t known Rin for long enough, he hasn’t spent much time with the other, he doesn’t know if he is reading the other correctly.

Rin hums, this time, he does answer Edmond properly, “There’s a coloured strip of paper in it, and there’s almost no dust on it, it means you read it frequently.”

Edmond blushes in embarrassment to be caught. And then remembers that Rin can’t read, so it’s not like Rin knows what the contents of the book is anyway. He flips to the bookmark in which Rin referred to.

“This might actually be educational for you…” Edmond eyes Rin warily, after all, Rin is even more awkward with Eiden than Edmond himself. Edmond starts reading and Rin lowers his eye mask and listens quietly.

That is until he can’t keep his mouth shut and he asks, “Have you and nii-chan held hands before?”

Edmond stammers and flushes deeply. He nods and doesn’t know why he’s even answering Rin’s question. He directs his attention back to the book and continues reading.

Rin hums, deeply in thought and tilts his head as he observes Edmond. “What did it feel like?”

“H-huh?” Edmond stammers and is flustered, “What did what feel like?”

Rin wears a wicked grin on his face. He says slowly and teasingly “Sex-”

“Y-you!!” Edmond is embarrassed and ends up throwing the book he was holding towards Rin.

Rin easily catches the book hurled at him and gives Edmond a wide grin, “Go on, tell me, I want to know what it feels like to take nii-chan deep inside of you.”

Edmond covers his face and looks at Rin with shock. “You scoundrel!”

“Maybe if I do you, I’ll find out what it feels like.” Rin licks his lips and takes a step closer towards Edmond.

“Get out! Get out!” Edmond yells at Rin, throwing whatever he can reach at Rin angrily at the mere insinuation.

Rin cackles and throws the book back at Edmond before he leaves through the window again.

It turns out, Rin does want to read, he visits frequently, looming over Edmond as he reads slowly to Rin, occasionally pausing to teach Rin who words are pronounced.

Rin is a quick learner. He picks it up quickly, but he doesn’t tell Edmond, liking the way he can make the other read to him.

“Are you listening?” Edmond asks Rin, he frowns and looks at the other.

Rin hums, a cheeky smile on his face.

“You should listen to this part, it’s important for you if you ever want to gain Eiden’s favour.” Edmond sighs.

Rin looks around the room. “I don’t see nii-chan in this room, wouldn’t you agree that you’re the one who needs this advice?” Rin places his index finger on the book and taps it a few times.

Edmond scowls. He knows that. That’s why he has this book in the first place. He had wanted to change , to become a man who can sometimes take the initiative with Eiden. To become someone that Eiden would prefer more… someone who isn’t really Edmond. His heart constricts tightly and Edmond coughs, his whole body shudders, petals come tumbling out of him like a waterfall, doused in his blood, smelling like his essence.

Rin watches Edmond and his heart feels strange.

“What was your name again?” Rin asks as he sits at the foot of Edmond’s bed.

Edmond frowns and looks up from his book to stare at Rin. “It’s Edmond.”

“Edmond.” Rin repeats the name and a smile spreads on his face. “Edmond.”

“You… seriously have been visiting me without knowing my name?” Edmond looks at the other in disbelief.

Rin shrugs, “Wasn’t important.”

Edmond raises one eyebrow, “And… is it important now-” His chest acts up and Edmond coughs violently again, he hunches over, holding his chest as he coughs into his palm. The smell of blood invades his senses and his eyes squeeze all the tears out of him.

This time, instead of a jumble of petals causing Edmond to hack up, it’s a whole rose. A whole blue rose coated in blood. The distinct stench of sweet essence feels the room as Edmond roughly coughs it up, he holds onto his chest and hates the way his tears sting his eyes. 

It hurts.

It burns.

The end is coming. His end is coming.

Edmond stares at the whole rose in his palm. He’s scared. His body reacts before his mind can even catch up. And all Edmond wants is for this to be all better. No. He just wants Eiden to love him as much as Edmond loves him.

He still hasn’t heard from Eiden at all.

Perhaps he should have sent that last letter he wrote to Eiden. But, now that he’s throwing up roses, would the letter even make it to Eiden in time?

Gingerly, Edmond touches the sapphire gem on the back of his left hand. It is cold to touch, its colour, dull. Rin has mentioned before that there is an abundant amount of essence emanating from Edmond… Edmond likes to think that perhaps that’s why Eiden hasn’t contacted him, because his essence is fine . The more he thinks about it, the dizzier Edmond becomes.

Eiden is so kind.

And Edmond is so greedy for more.

A part of him wonders if he just writes to Eiden and lets the other know he’s dying , whether Eiden will come to him at the drop of a hat. Edmond closes his eyes. Such selfish, fickle and absurd thoughts. Eiden has a role to fulfil as the Grand Sorcerer, there are priorities much greater than a measly individual.

“Edmond?” Rin’s voice breaks Edmond’s thoughts.

Having forgotten that he has an audience, Edmond whips his head up towards Rin. For a moment, he had thought it was Eiden calling out to him. “Why…” Edmond frowns and looks at Rin, “Why are you still here? Just leave!”

Rin places his eye mask back on and silently leaves Edmond to continue sobbing in his bed. His heart feels heavy. And he isn’t sure why .

Edmond’s legs are wobbly and his vision is starting to fade as he gets out of bed. He squints, hoping it’ll improve his vision, it does, but only slightly. He is thankful that he can still make out his parents face as they dine together.

What he was not prepared to hear was that his father is going to take in a second wife. A younger one. Someone who can produce him an heir. He can’t see his mother’s expression, but he knows it can’t look good. Edmond apologises to his parents and he feels bile rise up in him and he excuses him to empty his stomach in the privacy of his bathroom. It’s littered with blue roses.

He has failed his family. He has not only ruined his own life, he has managed to ruin his mother’s life as well.

Edmond sobs quietly, holding onto the toilet bowl.

Rin nudges Edmond with his foot. Edmond doesn’t budge. But Rin can hear him breathe. He sniffs the air and he can’t smell Eiden… there’s no one else but the usual staff and occupants of the residence. He wonders how Edmond ended up sleeping here of all places.

“You’re going to get a sore neck if you sleep on your bathroom floor.” Rin chastises Edmond.

Edmond doesn’t respond.

Rin shrugs. Edmond is dying anyway, a sore neck and back shouldn’t be any pain compared to the thorns digging in his lungs… Rin pauses and stares at Edmond. He huffs and then decides to drag Edmond back into bed. He won’t carry the other. He’ll just drag him. Rin pretends he can’t see all the blue roses littered along the marble tiles.

“You should eat more.” Rin murmurs as he clumsily tucks Edmond back into bed. He examines his work and wonders if he did the right thing. He’s never had to tuck someone into bed before. He’s never had to drag another person either. He’s never had to tuck someone’s hair back either. And he never knew that Edmond’s hair is that soft. That silky. It feels nice against his fingers.

Edmond stirs and immediately Rin backs away, scared. He holds his breath as he watches the other.

Slowly, Edmond wakes. He blinks a few times as he obviously uses effort to sit up, he rubs his eyes and looks around his room. Until they land on Rin.

“E-Eiden?” Edmond frowns and stares at Rin.

“I’m not nii-chan.” Rin replies quietly.

Edmond tilts his head, “Eiden?” He asks again.

“I’m not Eiden.” Rin says, louder, when he realsies Edmond can’t hear him well, and clearly can’t see him well either.

“Oh, Rin…” Edmond’s shoulders drop, but the ghost of a smile graces his lips, but it disappears as soon as it appears.

Rin wants to ask if something happened. But he can’t get the words out. So he stands there and just looks at Edmond, not knowing what to do.

“I apologise, I won’t be able to read to you tonight, or well, not anymore.” Edmond says gently.

Rin swallows thickly. “You’re dying.”

Edmond tilts his head in acknowledgement, “Yes, I know, you know… are you here to congratulate me again on my impending death?”

Rin doesn’t move. He whispers, “Why aren’t you dead yet?”

Edmond’s lack of a response is proof enough that he didn’t hear what Rin had said.

Rin turns his head away from Edmond. “Stay warm and take your painkillers.” And then he runs towards Edmond’s window and takes his leave.

When Rin learns shortly after that Edmond’s father is taking in a second wife, Rin sees red, and before he knows it, he’s standing in a pool of blood, the head of every occupant at Edmond’s residence, except Edmond, lies at his feet.

He counts the heads, making sure it matches the number of servants and owners of the residence. Rin laughs, its volume increases in a quick crescendo.

Rin takes the steps two at a time as he walks along the marble tiles, leaving behind blood footprints. It excites him to see the blood. To see them helpless up against him, to take their heads before they can even scream. It was thrilling. He can feel his heart rate, he hasn’t felt this exhilarated in a long time.

And then the sweet, sweet scent of essence hits him.

Edmond.

Right. Rin pushes open Edmond’s door like he owns it, looking around for the dying clan member. The smell of his essence is so potent, surely that means he’s still alive if his body is still producing essence. Right?

It’s easy to find Edmond these days. He lies in bed even moreso than before. His hearing and sight deteriorates with every visit Rin makes.

“Edmond.” Rin calls and shakes a sleeping Edmond gently. He’s so pale and he looks so thin. Rin is thankful that Edmond’s sense of smell has deteriorated, he isn’t sure he can explain the very strong smell of blood on him right now. He had just murdered Edmond’s entire household after all. And he’d rejoiced in their death. And laughed at their demise.

Edmond frowns as he wakes up, his eyes blinking a few times, his hand comes up to rub at his eyes and Rin notices that Edmond’s sapphire looks closer to transparent than translucent. Its blue hue so pale it almost looks colourless. Edmond takes in a shaky breath and then says, “Eiden?”

Rin is about to correct Edmond but decides not to. “Hi Edmond.”

The smile that breaks Edmond’s face is a smile Rin has never seen before. His heart tugs strangely.

“Ei-Eiden, how have you been?” Edmond tries to sit up. He can’t. Rin naturally goes to help Edmond sit up. He can’t stop staring at how grateful Edmond looks at him. He can’t stop staring at how much affection Edmond holds in his eyes.

Rin swallows thickly. “I’ve been…”

“Busy.” Edmond finishes the sentence. “You’re the Grand Sorcerer, of course you are busy.” He coughs and Rin immediately takes a seat on Edmond’s bed and places what he hopes is a soothing hand on Edmond’s back.

Edmond places a hand over his mouth as he continues to cough, his back hunched. Several fully bloomed roses push pass Edmond’s lips and fall onto Edmond’s bed. They’re covered in blood. The sweet scent of essence intensifies.

“Edmond…” Rin bites his bottom lip as his attention turns to the roses.

Politely, Edmond wipes his mouth with a handkerchief. He heaves, breathing deeply. “Eiden, thank you for taking time to come see me today.”

Rin nods. His throat feels dry.

“I know you are busy.” Edmond closes his eyes and pauses, he massages his throat and chest, it’s something that Rin has seen Edmond occasionally do. “But I, just… do you remember the young man Rin? He calls you nii-chan .”

Rin’s jaw clenches tightly. “I remember.” He had wished for the death of all the clan members at that time. And honestly, he still does.

“I have been given the chance to talk to him more.” Edmond looks at Rin with pleading eyes, his cough comes in waves, after every sentence, forcing more roses out of him, forcing more blood to spill from his lips.

Rin nods. “I see.” 

“He is… very lonely.” Edmond manages to say, his eyes blink a few times. “I am concerned that he is by himself.”

Rin’s throat constricts at Edmond’s words.

“Eiden, please.” Edmond pleads, “If you can hold out your hand to him, and show him that this world has so much more to offer, like you did for me.”

“Why… do you care?” Rin asks. His heart is hammering. Edmond is dying. Why is he saying these things to Eiden ? It doesn’t even concern him. Hadn’t he waited all this time for Eiden to come? Does he not have more to say? More important things? Things like this disease that’s killing him? Things like how much he loves Eiden? To the point where he is dying from this one-sided love?

Edmond blinks slowly at Eiden, a small frown decorates his features. “Eiden? Rin is curious, he’s just awkward.” Like me . “Please, help him.”

Rin thinks he is beyond help. “I… don’t want you to die.” Rin says quietly.

Edmond’s expression doesn’t change. He hadn’t heard Rin’s words.

Rin clears his throat. He can lie. If it might make Edmond feel better. “Alright.”

Edmond’s smile beams brightly. Only to be broken by a swarm of coughs. Rose after rose falls from Edmond’s lips, some missing petals, some already in full bloom, some coming out with thorny stems.

Rin’s heart clenches even more. He boldly wraps his arms around Edmond, patting Edmond’s back. Eventually Edmond’s coughs calm down. But Rin doesn’t let him go. “I love you, Edmond.” It’s not a lie.

Edmond lets out a strained sound, a cross between a cough and a laugh. “It’s alright Eiden, you don’t have to lie to me.”

Rin’s gaze falls. Edmond doesn’t believe him. No, it’s more accurate to say that Edmond doesn’t believe that Eiden can ever love him. Rin holds Edmond a little tighter. He buries his face into Edmond’s hair, hoping that the other can’t tell that he’s crying. Hoping that it’s all in his mind when he notices that Edmond’s breathing is more shallow, hoping that it’s a lie when Edmond’s light grasp on him falls.

He had originally come to watch one of Eiden’s clan members die. But now, he’s holding that same clan member, hoping that he’d live, call him by his name, and read to him again.

Rin takes Edmond in the dead of the night and buries him close to what he calls home, away from the Light Territory, away from the Grand Sorcerer and his clan. He takes with him a basket filled with blue petals and roses that Edmond’s body had produced with his essence. Rin gathers the books Edmond had read to him. He gathers the letters, finished and unfinished Edmond had written to his parents and to Eiden.

There isn’t one for Rin.

But he doesn’t need one. He has Edmond’s last words. And that is all he needs as he plots the death of the rest of the clan.

The loud ringing of an alarm wakes Rin from his slumber. Lazily, he reaches out to grab his mobile phone to turn his alarm off. He is for once, glad that his alarm woke him up. The dream he had felt so vivid. He swallows thickly and immediately goes to check whether the other person sharing his bed is alive .

Edmond breathes in a stable rhythm in Rin’s arms.

Rin’s arms tremble as he holds onto Edmond. Still alive. Just a bad dream. He repeats those words to himself over and over.

“Rin?” Edmond’s sleepy voice interrupts Rin’s thoughts.

Rin swallows thickly and then answers, “Good morning Edmond.”

“Are you alright?” Edmond’s eyes open and he gazes lovingly at Rin. “You’re shaking. Are you cold?”

“N-no, I just had a bad dream, it was odd…” Rin blinks slowly, finding solace in looking at Edmond’s face, hearing his voice, seeing those beautiful eyes directed at him.

Edmond gives Rin a soft smile, encouraging the other to continue if he so wishes.

“It was a dream in a fantasy land, you…” Rin bites his bottom lip briefly, “in that dream you were in love with Eiden.”

Edmond frowns, “Your twin brother?” He wants to laugh at the absurdity, but he doesn’t, choosing to listen to Rin speak instead.

Rin nods, “And I, I came to visit you who was dying from an incurable disease. You taught me how to read.”

Edmond’s eyes crinkle into a wider smile, mirth in those clear eyes.

“I know, I know.” Rin sighs, “I’m an editor, and here I am dreaming of myself not being able to read a single word, I know it’s funny.”

“Imagine my books selling with an editor who can’t read.” Edmond tries to find some humour, tries to lift the mood.

Rin returns the smile. The images of Edmond, hunched over, coughing out blood coated rose petals feels so fresh in his mind. It makes his stomach lurch uncomfortably, it makes his heart feel pain.

“Shall I pinch you to see if you’re still dreaming?” Edmond holds onto Rin, drawing circles on Rin’s back with his palm.

“No.” Rin’s eyes linger on Edmond’s lips. “I’ll take a morning kiss or two though.”

Edmond smiles at Rin, closes his eyes and tilts his head back, presenting his plump lips for Rin to take.

Rin holds tightly onto Edmond. That’s right, it’s just a dream. Edmond is safe here in his arms, no disease, no looming angel of death waiting to take and take and take. Rin presses his lips against Edmond’s, loving the curl of Edmond’s lips as he smiles into their kiss. It’s so sweet. Sweeter than the essence from his dream. It sings to him, a melody that feels like it has always been engraved in his soul.

Later that day, Rin decides to get a tongue piercing. It was worth it, just to see Edmond blush. And when they meet up with Eiden for a movie night, Rin has to remind himself that he shouldn’t be socking his own brother. He reminds himself that what he saw was just a dream. Nothing more than that.

Some nights, Rin will wake up to check whether Edmond is still breathing. Other nights, he will cage Edmond in his arms and kiss him until their lips bruise.

Rin does discover a new dislike towards azure coloured roses. He also learns that he rather likes listening to Edmond read out aloud to him before bed. It soothes his soul, and Rin swears he falls in love with Edmond all over again.

Whether in reality, or in a dream, Rin vows to never let Edmond feel like he’s unloved.