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Vikare yawned and stretched out his arms. It was an unusually quiet night, it seemed that most other trolls were content to stay in their hives. He had just awoken to a text message from his best friend and matesprit, Tegiri, asking to meet in the forest just outside of his neighborhood. He said that he wanted to explore and hang out as partners, but Vikare could sense that something was slightly off. This particular forest wasn’t very safe. In fact, it was very unsafe, a fact that both Tegiri and Vikare were very aware of. In spite of this, Vikare was optimistic about this adventure he had been presented with.
When he arrived, he was delighted to see the face of his beloved. The glasses, the smile, the horns, the ever so slight scent of birds, it was perfect. He took a moment to bask in his boyfriend’s beauty, before Tegiri spoke up.
“Ah, you’re already awake.” Tegiri smiled, walking up to Vikare.
“Of course I am.” Vikare smiled back, gently taking Tegiri’s hand. “I would never miss a chance to take a pleasant evening jaunt with my matesprit.”
Tegiri led him into the woods. It was slightly louder here, on account of the natural sounds of the forest, but something was wrong. Vikare could sense it, but he chose to keep quiet for now, taking in the scenery. Vikare felt Tegiri’s hand tense up, squeezing his.
“Tegiri, are you doing alright?” Vikare asked, wincing slightly.
Tegiri did not respond, but he did loosen his grip. Vikare tugged at his arm, to which he stopped.
“I’m…” He paused, contemplating his answer.
Vikare waited for him to answer before speaking up.
“Picking up a package.” He said. Vikare frowned, he figured that it was something to do with the rebellion.
“Tegiri, I implore you to be more careful with your…activities.” He said, concerned.
Tegiri turned to face his matesprit. He looked into his goggles. He couldn’t see through them, but he knew the look. He was one of the few to ever see Vikare’s eyes.
“It’ll be fine, Vik.” Tegiri smirked, gently taking Vikare’s other hand. “It always ends up going my way.”
Vikare raised an eyebrow, Tegiri frowned. “Okay, it USUALLY goes my way.” He grumbled.
The pair continued walking down the forest trail, until Tegiri raised an interesting question.
“Vikare, are you lonely?” He asked, still walking.
Vikare stumbled over his words. What kind of question was that? Of course he wasn’t lonely! Just think of all of the friends they have, Skylla, Charun, Cirava…
Tegiri shrugged and simply said, “Never mind that.”
Vikare hesitantly followed Tegiri through the woods. A cool breeze gently brushed past his cheeks as the gentle sound of crunching leaves echoed through the area. There was something surreal about this place. He had never entered this forest, but it was familiar somehow.
“It’s truly remarkable, but… I can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this place.” Vikare spoke up.
“What’s the matter?” Tegiri asked.
“I’m…I don’t know. I’m feeling a hodgepodge of differing emotions! I’m a bit frazzled at the moment.” He scratched the top of his hat. “It’s like I’m forgetting something important.”
Tegiri let go of Vikare’s hand. “Ah, this should be the place.”
“The place for what?” Vikare asked.
Tegiri looked around. “The package I wanted to retrieve. Grifit should have brought it here.”
Vikare scanned the trees for any signs of their familiar avian companion. “I don’t see him anywhere. Are you sure this is the correct location? These woods are quite ludicrous in scope.” Vikare asked with the slightest amount of fear rising in his throat.
Tegiri suddenly stopped pacing and began staring off into the horizon. A slight sprinkle of acid rain could be felt from overhead, the tiniest droplets faintly stinging Vikare’s skin.
“Love?” Tegiri began.
“Yes, dear?” Vikare responded, gently grabbing Tegiri’s hand and rubbing his thumb.
Tegiri was looking down into a box of some sort, Vikare couldn’t tell what was inside.
He continued, “Are you lonely?”
“Why, I have no clue what you mean!” Vikare chuckled nervously, “I have you, don’t I? Not to mention so many wonderful compatriots of ours!” Vikare spoke as if he were attempting to hold something back.
Tegiri clenched his free hand into a fist. “Did you forget?” He asked somberly.
“Did I forget what?” Vikare asked.
Tegiri slowly turned around, and presented the box. Vikare hesitantly reached his arm forward to open it.
Inside the box were faded dark-teal stains, and a pair of broken glasses. Vikare looked back up to Tegiri, seeing that his eyes were completely white and pupil-less.
“Tegiri…?” Vikare gasped and shuddered, he placed both of his hands on Tegiri’s cheeks, pulling him closer.
Tegiri pulled back slightly, somewhat ashamed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be reaching out like this…”
“Tegiri, what happened?” Vikare sniffled.
“I just wanted to see you again.” Tegiri gently pulled the goggles off of Vikare’s face, wiping away his bronze hued tears. He placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. “I love you so much.”
Vikare pulled Tegiri into a tight embrace, sobbing into Tegiri’s shoulder. Tegiri gently ran his fingers through Vikare’s hair.
“I wish I could stay with you, I really do.” Tegiri sniffled slightly, “But I don’t have much time before you wake up.”
Vikare pulled away, still holding Tegiri. “How…” He sniffled, “How long will it be until I see you again?” He asked with shaky breath.
Tegiri seemed unsure himself, but he placed a reassuring hand on Vikare’s shoulder.
“I will always strive to find you. In life and death, my love.” Tegiri smiled and kissed Vikare once more on the cheek before fading away. But Vikare could still feel someone holding his hand.
Vikare turned to his left, and down a little, to see a young troll just under a sweep younger than him. She was wearing a large, oversized olive green jacket and had small horns resembling a meowbeast’s ears.
“You are lonely, Vikare.” She said calmly. “But you don’t have to be.”
“Wh-huh?” Vikare was utterly flabbergasted by the sudden appearance of the girl. “Who might you be?” He said, choking down his tears.
“I’m a friend, we’ve only talked a few times though.” She smiled. “I want to help you.”
“But how?” Vikare sat down, leaning against a tree. The girl stood over him. “He’s really gone, isn’t he?”
The girl knelt down in front of him. “Nobody truly dies, not as long as their memories leave a lasting impact on the world and people around them.”
Vikare sniffled and smiled slightly. The words of this stranger brought him some amount of comfort.
“Thank you.” He wiped the tears off his eyes and put his goggles back on.
“Aw, shoot.” The girl frowned.
“Hm? What’s the matter?” He asked, taking the girl’s hand to stand up.
“We’re both waking up soon.” She answered.
“Ah. I should have figured as much.” He sighed.
Vikare looked down at her, “...Will I remember this?”
She nodded again, “Purrobably.”
Vikare sighed, smiling. “At least I got to see him again, one last time.”
“Maybe it won’t be the last time.” She smiled hopefully.
Vikare took a deep breath. “I certainly hope not. …Can we stay here a little bit longer?”
“It’s peaceful here.”
The two sat on opposite sides of the tree, waiting for the moment when they would wake up.