Work Text:
Lighter, I have something great to tell you. I want to say it in person. Are you still running errands in Lumina Square? Can you meet me at the park? Wise texted Lighter.
Almost immediately, he received a reply from him. You know that I’m not going to say no to you. I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Wise leaned against the jungle gym and looked towards the parking lot, imagining Lighter arriving on his motorcycle. The sun was already setting so they should be the only two in the park when Lighter arrived. He thought only lovesick teenagers became giddy from merely waiting for their lover yet he couldn’t deny that’s how he felt in that moment.
They began dating shortly after the ordeal with Bringer. He recalled how Lighter ran to him the moment he left the Hollow, concern and fear on his face. Eous was the one to lead Section 6 to Bringer yet Lighter came to him, worried that the ether level had hurt his eyes. When he held him, Wise forgot the fear he felt after facing the Sacrifice in Eous’s small body.
The gleam of headlights illuminated the small park and Wise knew that it was Lighter. He ran to the entrance to greet him and waved to him from the top of the steps. When he parked next to him, Wise could see that he had a bag hanging on the bike handle. “Sorry that I kept you waiting. I thought I should buy us coffee for a late night rendezvous like this.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean that you were expecting one of us to get sleepy out of boredom and need coffee. But I promise you’ll love my surprise.” Wise said to tease him. He leaned over the rail to take the cup that Lighter held out to him. When he was close enough, Lighter took the chance to steal a quick kiss from him. “People in the Outer Ring are more forward than Helios Academy. My teacher would have a heart attack if she saw you walk me home and kiss me like that.”
“Should I wear something more formal when we find her and you introduce me? Most people wouldn’t want their son dating someone in a biker gang.” Life was dangerous in the Outer Ring so he wanted to cherish the time they had together. He didn’t want to leave any regrets with Wise.
“I’m not a child who needs my mother’s approval to date someone. Anyways, you don’t need to worry about things like that. You make me happy and Arna will see that.” He reassured him. Before he confessed to Lighter, he was terrified that he would reject him for being a ‘child of the guilty’. Hollow Zero had destroyed countless lives, afterall. He would never forget the love in Lighter’s eyes when he told him that his feelings would never change.
Seeing Wise’s secretive smile, he thought that he was far more dangerous than him. He was the only one who could make him feel flustered and stop his heart. He walked around the corner and climbed the stairs where Wise was waiting for him. The sunset gave his skin a beautiful glow but Lighter preferred him in the moonlight. The night sky complimented his silver hair well.
“Actually, finding my teacher is connected to why I called you.” They spent the morning together before Lighter needed to leave to buy supplies for the Sons of Calydon. He was surprised by Wise’s text because he could’ve told him that morning. What had happened in the few hours that he left? From Wise’s wide smile, it wasn’t something dangerous like he feared.
They walked to the swing set and Wise lightly pushed on his broad shoulder, prompting him to sit. Lighter allowed him to do so. He was the Undefeated Champion but Wise was his one weakness that he couldn’t fight. He placed his hands on Wise’s hips and pulled him forward so he could sit on his long legs. Their coffee spilled onto the dirt a little but neither cared.
Wise shifted on his lap to block the setting sun behind him and then slipped his sunglasses from his face. He looked into his eyes and asked, “Do you notice anything different?”
“I’m going to sound like a terrible boyfriend but I can’t tell.” A small chuckle escaped Wise and he tapped his sunglasses against his lips. Even without words, he knew that Wise was challenging him to answer or he wouldn’t return his sunglasses. He cupped his hand over his cheek and studied his face. “Are you wearing contacts? Your eyes are brighter.”
“Really? I thought my eyes looked the same after the upgrade. I wanted to surprise you but you’re able to guess that it’s my eyes.” Wise said and slipped his sunglasses over his own blue eyes. He didn’t expect Lighter to see a difference but it made him happy that he did.
He glanced around the park to check that no one would overhear them. Wise whispered, “After you left, Lycaon visited Random Play with a new commission. The sponsor of Victoria Housekeeping is actually the mayor. He asked Phaethon to help them recover the Sacrifice Core. It was stolen and being put on auction right now.”
Furrows appeared on Lighter’s face as his brows drew together. He knew that finding his teacher was important but he couldn’t help but worry. Investigating inside Hollows was dangerous but the siblings were talented Proxies. On the other hand, navigating the complex world of New Eridu’s government and hidden conspiracies could be far more dangerous. The person who stole the core from a secure military complex must have inside connection to the government and perhaps more.
Gently, Wise kissed his forehead. He stood but only for a moment. He turned so he could sit with his back against Lighter’s strong chest. Wise leaned against him and took a sip of his coffee. The cup was Tin Master’s classic blend with only milk, as Wise preferred. Lighter always tried to remember small things about Wise to make him happy, whether it was a movie or a simple cup of coffee.
“The mayor is actually a friend of my teacher. He even knew about the H.D.D system and our eye implants so we can trust him. She’ll only reveal confidential information like that with people she’s close to or involved in the project. Belle and I agreed to help him because of that.” He said and Lighter let out a small sigh. While he was worried for Wise’s safety, the mayor could give him protection and the H.D.D kept him distant from Hollows. If only he could freely help Wise find his teacher.
Wise’s next words made Lighter’s heart stop. “Our teacher left the mayor an update to our eye implants. Belle and I can go into Hollows now! Isn’t that great? We’ll be able to collect information and access data piles instead of relying on Eous. A bangboo can only do so much. Though, Belle would joke that I’m as strong as a bangboo. That’s why I wanted to talk with you. Will you train me and teach me how to fight? I know I can’t be as strong as you, Lighter, but I want to defend myself against Ethereals.”
Lighter didn’t answer him immediately. The silence that followed confused Wise since he never hesitated to offer his help before. He looked over his shoulder to Lighter. The sun had already set and the only light around them was the neon signs and the moon. That was enough to see that his face was pale and his eyes were distant. “Lighter?”
“No.” The single word was firm and held a torrent of emotions. Wise could hear the fear and desperation in his voice which confused Wise further. When he started to turn so they could face each other, Lighter tightened his arms around him and buried his face into his shoulder. He could feel his breath stutter over his skin. “You can’t go into the Hollow, Wise.”
He reached up and tenderly stroked Lighter’s dark hair. The arms around him were strong but they didn’t hurt. Wise tilted his head as much as he could to kiss the top of his head. He was so excited to tell Lighter that he could enter Hollows and he assumed he would praise how he was able to become stronger. Wise was always happy when Lighter called him strong even if he was physically weak.
“The first time we met, the ether level made you lose consciousness. Two weeks ago, you went into a Hollow and you had a heart attack! A void hunter was protecting you but you almost… I’ll teach you self defense to fight random thugs on Sixth Street but not Ethereals. It’ll be safer for you.”
“Ether corruption won’t be an issue with my upgraded eye implants. I went into the Hollow with Lycaon today and I feel perfectly fine. I know my limits so I won’t do anything reckless. You can teach me self defense if you’re worried about me fighting in a Hollow.”
“I won’t.”
“Lighter!”
They had disagreements before but it had never escalated to an argument like it did now. The refusal stabbed at Wise’s pride and he felt as though Lighter didn’t trust him to enter a Hollow. A part of him was frustrated enough to leave the park and be alone. However, Lighter’s warm arms kept him in place. His grip wasn’t painful and Wise knew that Lighter would let him go if he simply asked. It was the way his hand shook that kept him from leaving.
“Why?” Wise took his hand and laced their fingers together. He lightly traced his thumb over the scar on his palm. “When the mayor told me that I could enter the Hollow, I was excited that I was one step closer to finding the hand that took my teacher. There was another reason. I’m now able to join you on Hollow expeditions and be your proxy. Please, let me stay by your side and teach me how to fight, Lighter.”
“You saved me and the Sons of Calydon a thousand times as just Eous. There’s no need to put yourself in more danger by going into Hollows. I know that your teacher is important to you and you want to save people but think of how dangerous it is.” Lighter had always admired how kind and strong Wise was. He would help people in the Hollow even if they weren’t connected to his mission. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“How do you think I feel each time you walk into a Hollow while I’m trapped in a tiny bangboo who can’t help you fight? If you don’t want me to get in danger, you should train me like I suggested. It’s selfish but I want to be someone who can fight by your side.”
Lighter’s voice became a regretful whisper. “I’m the selfish one. I lost Dane, Nick and Ratena in a Hollow. I won’t let the same thing happen to you. I love you, Wise.”
“I love you too, Lighter.” He leaned back against him and tried to comfort him in his limited position. He lifted their hands to kiss his fingertips. The old scars on his hand were a reminder of everything he went through. Wise’s heart tightened with guilt and he wished that he could’ve met Lighter sooner and protected him from heartache.
“I’ll do everything I can to help you but promise that you won’t go into a Hollow by yourself, Wise. If it’s an emergency, you can call me and I’ll go inside for you.” Lighter offered but he knew that it was unrealistic. They both had their own lives in different cities and the drive from the Outer Ring to New Eridu was several hours.
Wise held onto Lighter’s hand tightly, afraid that his past would put a wall between them. “Do you know why I hate being so weak in a Hollow? It’s because I’m afraid that history will repeat itself and I’ll be forced to watch someone I care for be taken away by that monster. But, things are different now. I’m not that weak student. You’re stronger than you were before, Lighter. Things will be different this time.”
Lighter’s arms around him loosened enough for Wise to turn and finally face him. He took his long scarf, the symbol of the Undefeated Champion, and held it against his eyes. “I know you’re scared. I’m afraid too. We can face the Hollow together.”
“I can’t say no to you. It’s not fair.” Lighter let out a sigh. “Your first training will be tomorrow night in the Outer Ring. You’re going to be there late so stay the night.”