Work Text:
“Niko? Damn it!” Sage bangs on the wooden door, one hand still grasping the now empty jar.
The cold is bitter. His heart races as he pulls away from the door, screaming, “Niko, hang on!”
Using a burst of magic, the door slams open and his legs move on their own. He almost trips over himself as he runs down the hall.
”No, no, no, no, no—“ The right. “Niko?!” The left, “Where are you?!” His head keeps turning, running past closed doors.
“Niko, answer me! Hey!”
An open door.
His eyes sting.
“Niko?!”
His throat burns.
”Are you in h—“
His eyes widen and he almost drops the jar.
His throat lets out a choked sob.
”NIKO!” His whole world spins.
He almost doesn’t want to believe it, but he knows what he’s done. What has happened. Was it inevitable?
His legs move forward before kneeling down next to the blonde. His hands are trembling as he grabs his shoulder, bringing him close.
Tears well in his eyes as he sees his face. So lifeless, so—
“Niko…” He cries, leaning down and holding him close. What had he done?
”Im sorry, Im sorry, Im so sorry…Niko, please…I…” Its not enough. His words fall. They’re empty, meant for Nikolai, now dead in his arms.
Sage’s hand reaches his own cheek. His bruise throbs and he clutches onto Niko. He should’ve gotten here sooner, he should have apologized, he should have known things would end this way…
People are warm.
Sage’s hands have become frigid from the cold outside. Niko’s body emits no warmth, just a bitter reminder.
His vision is blurred. His glasses become stained as the tears continue to stream down his cheeks and onto Niko’s clothes.
His throat continues to burn, he wants to throw up.
Its all so surreal. Can he really be here, holding his friend’s lifeless body? Just a while ago they had argued. Just a while ago had he said all those hurtful things. Had he had known Niko would die so abruptly, he would have never said anything.
He looks up.
”Goddess, I…”
The words die in his throat.
His thumb brushes over Niko’s face.
This was a consequence.
”Niko.”
His lip trembles.
”I still needed you…”