Chapter Text
Warm, golden sunlight spilled into the kitchen through the windows, a wooden carton of eggs out on the brass countertops near the stove, half empty of the brown and white ovals.
Azure hummed softly, tapping an egg on the edge of the counter before cracking it on a frying pan edge, dropping the yolk onto the sizzling metal. He dusted it with salt and pepper, and some grated cheese as well.
The floorboards whined with slight strain, and Azure looked up. Two Time peeked out from the kitchen entrance, messed up black hair and slightly squinted eyes. They were wrapped up in a soft navy blanket. Two Time shuffled over, blinking a couple times before reaching out of their blanket and wrapping their arm around Azure’s.
““May I have some?”” Their voice was soft and fresh with sleep.
Two Time’s arm felt pleasantly warm around his, and Azure smiled.
“Of course, my Nightshade.”
Two Time always knew how to turn a boring, mundane morning into something special. Just their presence is enough to brighten up Azure’s morning.
-
They ate in a gentle silence, pronounced by the sounds of eating. Two Time leaned back in his seat and stretched, before sighing and resting his arms on the table, breaking the silence after a soft yawn. ““What is the schedule today?””
Azure fished through one of his robe pockets, before taking out the folded, yellow paper. He unfolded it before smoothing out the creases and setting it on the table.
“We have about an hour of space before the auditorium, then afterwards there is more space for lunch and spawn study before the dinner preaching.”
Two Time nodded in acknowledgement, finishing the last crumbs of egg off their fork. Azure folded and tucked the yellow paper away into his robe pocket, before standing up and collecting their clay dishes. He walked over to the sink, running warm water by turning a knob, and rinsing off the plates.
“I suggest early morning gardening to spend our time.” Azure said, cleaning off the dishes with a rag. Two Time stood up, that crooked smile on his face, but his tone warm and happy.
““Sounds wonderful. Perhaps we should visit your nightshade flowers first?”” Two Time left the blanket draped on the chair, taking the clean plates from Azure’s hands and drying them off with a ragged towel before whisking them away to a cabinet.
“Perhaps!” Azure smiled, scrubbing the frying pan with a sponge.
-
The glowing pale sun rested on its lovely blue blanket, spilling light on the leaves and warmth in the air. Water was sprinkled onto star-shaped, purple flowers, before Two Time set down the watering can. Azure was knelt down, carefully tearing weeds out of the velvety brown soil, picking off extra soil before tossing it in a plastic bag.
Two Time crouched down next to Azure blinking at the soil, before smiling crookedly and pulling up a shiny string from the ground.
““Dear Azure, would you love me if I were a worm?””
Azure paused, looking up with a straight face, before lightly smacking Two Time on the head with his hand, smiling and keeping back a laugh.
“I find the current you quite wonderful as is, dear.”
Two Time chuckled, dusting off their hair before dropping the string back on the dirt and pouring a handful of soil over it. They looked at Azure while smiling crookedly. Azure can see the warmth through it, and took Two Time’s hand in his.
“I love you no matter who or what you are.” Azure said warmly, and Two Time’s crooked smile softened slightly.
““Just as the Spawn intended. I love you too, Azu.””
Azure got up, grabbing the watering can and the plastic bag, holding them in one hand and holding Two Time’s hand with his other. Azure enjoyed the cool of Two Time’s hand, frolicking away from the nightshade garden. Two Time followed behind as Azure led them to the community garden, where fresh vegetables and fruits were grown for everyone to enjoy.
Azure knew Two Time liked the strawberry plants best, since they can nab a couple fresh ripe ones while no one was looking for a quick treat. Two Time must’ve had the idea in mind, as they strode over to that section of the garden after they stepped foot past the fence. Azure stopped a couple times to kneel down and pull a stray weed or water some dry soil.
Eventually, he made it over to find Two Time with a couple of bitten strawberry tops sitting next to them.
“Save some for me, at least!” Azure chuckled. Azure crouched down next to Two Time, carefully twisting and plucking a ripened red strawberry from a stem and popping it in his mouth.
Very sweet with a tang of sourness..
“These would be great for strawberry bread, wouldn’t it?”
Two Time leaned closer to Azure with interest, nibbling a fourth berry.
““May I help? I can gather the strawberries for it, and you can make the dough.”” Azure hummed, before nodding lightly.
“That would be pleasant.”
Two Time twisted off strawberries until their hands were full, smiling. Azure rinsed off his hands using the water remaining in the watering can, before standing up. The two then walked out of the garden. Azure enjoyed the warm morning, looking up at the sky and feeling the heat on his pale, white skin. It was quite enjoyable, spending time with his dear.
The wooden door swung open, and Two Time scurried in, Azure laughing softly as he followed after them. Two Time grabbed a bowl from a cabinet, dropping the strawberries they were carrying into it. Azure dropped the strawberries he was holding into the bowl as well, before Two Time set the bowl on the counter.
There was a sudden distant ringing outside, catching Two time’s and Azure’s attention.
““Seems it’s time to go to the amphitheater.”” Two Time reminded with a smile. Azure nodded, looking at the bowl with a frown.
“Pity we do not have time to gather ingredients for dough. Perhaps we can do it later.”
Two Time laced his hand in Azure’s, and tugged on his arm.
““Well then! We would want good seats, wouldn’t we?”” Azure sighed, smiling warmly.
“I assure we will get nice seats either way, my Nightshade.” He squeezed their hand gently, before being pulled back out of their home, taking the sun bleached stone embedded path. The sun gazed down at them once again, and Azure couldn’t keep his eyes off his lover.
They headed towards the building where many others of their gracious religion were gathering, the buzz in the air full of electricity and excitement. It wasn’t often that they had a gathering such as this. Normally, it started with a prayer to their lord, the Spawn, then the head priest preached truths about them, and about the second life lying for all of them. Then, Azure’s least favorite part, the rituals.
Some of them weren't that bad, but some made him feel a sense of sorrow, or second hand guilt even. After that, there was the news, such as promotions, construction, accomplishments, and other stuff such as that.
They walked through the dark oak doors, following the crowd that flooded down the stairs, finding seats near the front of the stage that loomed in front of them, the head priest getting papers ready on the stage. Azure caught a glimpse of metal being held in an assistant priest’s hands, though it quickly disappeared among the small group of higher people there.
Two Time guided Azure to front row seats, the last few available. Azure sat in the wooden chair, shifting a bit to get comfortable before glancing at Two Time, smiling softly at the excitement on their face, their eyes on the stage.
-
The lights of the room flicked dull, the murmuring and whispers of others falling quiet as the stage lit up in a sharp white spotlight. The grand priest standing at the lectern with a grin on his face, starting with the quite usual beginning words; “May the glorious and ever forgiving Spawn enlighten us with their presence to hear my words,”...
Azure listened to the priest’s preaching, leaning back in his chair as his gaze studied the assistants moving about the stage in careful, quiet steps, moving objects around into places. Azure looked at Two Time, lightly squeezing his hand before turning his gaze away.
The priest’s words shifted as the topic changed to the next.
Azure zoned out, pondering about what sort of rituals will be held today, thinking about Two Time starting on the dough when they get back home, a light warm feeling forming in his chest, his heart. This light feeling was smothered, however, as the priest’s sharp gaze landed on him. He was thrown out of his musings as his name was called in that calm, warm-ish voice.
“Azurewrath, Two Time, you have been chosen by the divine Spawn!”