Chapter Text
Billie sat, her arms wrapped around her legs as she rested her chin on her knees.
She sat, letting the wind blow against her cheeks, watching leaves fall from trees and get taken away into the sky.
She sat, watching the sun set over the horizon as clouds above them showed their large brilliance, casting rays of sunlight over the sky.
She finally closed her eyes, only focusing on the pull of her hair as shaky hands braided it from behind her. She used it to ground herself, she knew well that she always got embarrassingly emotional during these visits.
It’s been a few months since the party – or what was left of it – met up. Months since they’ve seen each other, having all been swept up in their own personal lives after saving Solaire’s ass over and over again.
She knew she was different. She knew that both she and Pyeiaytbyie were different from their friends, she’s seen it first hand, watched as they were buried, one after another.
First, it was Peter and his little crusade of fucked up buddies. Having finally been rid of their cursed binds, they didn’t survive long after that. There were some theoretical effects from their curse that Kairon had explained, but none of it made sense to her. What she did remember was Caspian's face as they lowered the casket. She couldn’t read him – she was never too good at reading people in the first place – but if she were to guess, it was a mixture of frustration, grief, and anger.
Next, it was Mr. Binsgly, whose magical properties of existence didn’t extend too far with the factor of the fruit genes he had. Fruit went bad pretty quickly. Ansel was crushed, he was quiet for a long time. He paid for all the funeral arrangements.
Decades later, Caspian seemed to have trouble accepting he wasn’t his rambunctious young self anymore, always getting into trouble. By then, the party had split up, and she could tell he was hurt by it. She knew that he was clutching onto them like a lifeline, finding a new family within them. So when they all went their separate ways, she couldn’t help but feel they were betraying him.
That didn’t stop him from going on his own adventures, trying to live like they used to during the early years of their journeys together. But adventurers don’t have retirement funds, it is the profession with the highest mortality rate for a reason.
It was only a few months ago did Ansel meet his end. He was lucky – or she should say responsible – enough to simply die of old age, but that was another kind of torture for those around him. Billie watched as the once glowing, bright man wrinkle with time, his golden aura dampening with his strength, but that didn’t affect his wide smile.
Billie’s never had to say goodbye to someone like that before. At least, not for a long while she thinks. It was hard to watch her friend wither away, so you can only imagine what she’s feeling with Kairon reaching the end of his lifespan.
She was blessed to be able to watch Ani grow up into the strong, independent woman she is today, and she’s proudly guilty of playing a part in Ani’s feisty nature. But if only it didn’t mean Kairon, as Ani’s father, wouldn’t be able to watch her live her own life much longer.
Billie felt wrong for being able to exist in a world with Ani, but without Kairon.
“Stop that.” A gravely yet familiar wingy voice spoke up from behind her, a yank of her hair pulling her from her spiral.
“Stop what?” She asked with an annoyed tone.
“Stop thinking about all this. It’s not your fault you’re living your elf lifespan as you're supposed to.” Kairon said, finishing with his braid.
Billie pulled the finished piece over her shoulder to look at it. She must admit, he’s way better than he was when she first met him. Taking back custody of Ani all those years ago forced him to get good with long hair, and Billie may or may not have taken advantage of that whenever she visited the family of two.
She sighed, resting her chin back on her knees, taking notice of Kairon shuffling to sit next to her. She winced at his grunts of exhaustion, the change in position having taken a lot out of his weak joints.
Billie hid her face in her arms. She couldn’t bear to see Kairon’s aged face, let alone hear his raspy voice.
“It’s not like I can’t not think about it. You’re all just dropping like flies and I’m supposed to be ok with it, is that what you mean?” She huffed, her voice muffled throughher arms.
“Hey, that’s a pretty vulgar way to put it, don’t you think?” He let out a weak chuckle.
Billie didn’t reply to that, only letting the soft rustle of leaves against the wind occupy the space between them.
Kairon sighed.
“You know you’re not the only one struggling from all of this. Right?”
She rolled her eyes even though he wouldn’t be able to see them. “I know that.”
“I don’t think you do.” Kairon said stiffly. “Here I am, shrivling away, and here you are sitting next to me. Your skin is still soft and clear, no wrinkles, no back pain, nothin. You get to see a world in the far future I won’t be able to. You will be there and watch Ani grow up, walk her down the aisle, watch her make her own life. Soon, you’ll be sitting right here, but with her next to you instead of me. And she’ll be wondering the same thing I am.”
Billie finally looked up at him, the sight of his old face almost making her break. “Wondering what?” She whispered.
“...How unfair it is.” He stated, turning to look at the now dark horizon.
She kept quiet at that, staring at him a moment longer, catalogueing his smile lines, the wrinkles next to his eyes, his cracking horns, his drooping ears. She found a new desperation to memorise his features, fearing she’d forget.
Billie was pulled out of her surveying by the chipper voice walking up the hill.
“I brought snacks!” Pyeiaytbyie cheered as he walked up with a basket looped through his arm.
“Took yah long enough.” Kairon jeered, already reaching for food.
Pyeiaytbyie rolled his eyes, a fond smile on his face. “It’s not my fault, the baker kept slapping his lamp.”
“What?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Pyeiaytbyie dismissed. “What does is this view! Shame I missed the sunset though.” He sighed, plopping down on Kairons other side, passing the basket to share in the middle.
Billie fished out a paper bag with still warm hashbrowns, nibbling on the crust as they all stared as the final shades of orange retreated into dark blue.
“Dyah think anyone would mind if I busk outside the new fountain?” Pyeiaytbyie asked through a mouthful of cake.
“Why would anyone care?” Kairon asked.
“Why would we care?” Billie added on.
Pyeiaytbyie shrugged. “I’m not sure if there’s some kind of time limit on new decor before it's socially acceptable to set up in front of it.” He shoved another piece of cake in his mouth. “Like, what if you need to give people time to take in the new street monument before you go ahead and stand in front of it?”
“I don’t think it matters that much.” Billie said.
Sometimes she was astonished at how casual Pyeiaytbyie could be during what should be sentimental moments like this, but then she’s brought back to all the nights he’s cried to her about their – what he deems – ‘affliction’ of long lives.
“Cool. Then expect to see me around the new fountain in Mulhem for the next few days, that is if you guys are in town.” He smiled over at them.
“I suppose I have nothing better to do.” Kairon smirked.
“You’re acting cool about it but I know you’ve always liked my songs.” Pyeiaytbyie nudged him.
“It sure did help drown out Vi-Be’s beeps, or Ansels preaching.” He replied.
Billie was expecting to feel the familiar pang of mourning come at the mention of her fallen friends, but instead a feeling of nostalgic comfort swept over her. It was a sad kind of nostalgia, but that was part of the package, wasn’t it? A feeling of grief wrapped with the happiness that you got to experience what you did.
She liked it. At least, she liked it better than only feeling the first part.
Billie held the short Teifling close, partly for the young girl's comfort as much as her own. Ani cried silently, a stern look on her face as they watched the stone coffin get buried under the ghusts of sand.
She felt a tight grip on her shoulder, not needing to look to know it was Pyeiaytbyie. She knew he was also only holding it together for Ani’s sake, but like her, he was on the brink of falling apart.
And with that, three left turned into two, and unless from outside interference, they had a long time together before only stood one left.
She sure as hell was going to make the most of it, but first came her top priority. The only thing Kairon charged her with before he slept in his bed for his final night.
To watch over Ani.