Work Text:
Dandy sighed as he walked out of the broken down train, with Dyle trailing behind him. He could hear his boots make a 'crunch' sound whenever he took a step. The current blizzard did not seem to be calming down anytime soon, as thick snow covered the train tracks, it almost reaching his ankles... it was a rough day. Especially because---a crew member had died.
Dandy stopped near the tunnel where the train was supposed to head, the cold not bothering him. There were bigger matters at hand rather than being 'cold'. Dyle soon caught up with Dandy, stopping in his tracks to stand close to him.
They both stayed quiet. It seemed like their tension followed them everywhere they went, even outside in this weather. They had both just come to an agreement after an argument, but oh, the tension was still there. And it hurt Dandy.
Dandy kept his gaze turned away from Dyle, looking down at the icy ground. His feelings for Dyle... God. He hated how he casually brung it up in their argument. Dandy couldn't stop thinking about it.
Dandy heard a fire crackling, and turned his head up to Dyle, finding him lighting a cigarette.
Dyle let out a huff as he finally managed to light it, the cold winds having no mercy. He placed the lighter and pack of cigarettes back in his pocket, holding the cylinder between his fingers with a tight grip as he took a drag, letting out a fast exhale, leaning the smoke downwards. Dyle wasn't in the right mind either, knowing he was going to take the blame for the death. Rightfully so, not complaining---but... Dandy didn't want to admit that, nor think about it. And Dyle knew that.
Dyle looked down at Dandy, his expression softening at the sight of the dull look in Dandy's eyes.
" ...What? " Dyle muttered, the tone of his voice quiet. " Do you... want one? " He forced himself to ask, gesturing to his cigarette.
" Yeah. " Dandy answered, his voice hoarse. He watched as Dyle pull out a cigarette from his pack and the lighter again, getting closer to eachother. Dandy took the unlit cigarette from Dyle, waiting for him to light it...
As Dyle brought the lighter up, Dandy held Dyle's wrist, stopping him from using the lighter. He leaned in, the ends of their cigarettes meeting---the burning tip of Dyles' cigarette lighting up Dandy's own. Dandy pulled away after with that same look on his face, acting as if that didn't just happen. Dyle froze, the sudden action making him pause in thinking, everything, really.
It felt... intimate. Personal. It made him feel... flustered.
But all thought of that disappeared as Dandy began violently coughing, after taking a particularly deep drag from his cigarette, his lungs not made for the heavy kind that Dyle was using, anyway.
" Why did i even offer you one... " Dyle whispered, as Dandy shot him a glare that couldn't be any less not threatening. Soon, they went back to their awkward stances, eyes turned away from eachother---especially after that... thing, that Dandy did.
Dandy felt his mouth dry, swallowing hard. He couldn't believe he gave up, regretting on not continuing to put up a fight. But nothing else was to be said between the two of them, that was that. And he just couldn't bring himself to understand---didn't Dyle feel it too? Feel the same way? Have a strong attachment? He acted as if he didn't. Shouldn't he be saddened that he was going to be likely imprisoned---be separated from eachother---or worse? Dandy just did not understand. As thoughts raced in his mind, he could feel his hands curl up into fists, the cigarette between his fingers almost crumbling into two.
" ...Dyle, are you sure--- "
" Yes, Dandicus. I am sure. Didn't we talk about this? " Dyle cut him off, his words flowing firmly, tense with annoyance, as if sick of Dandy. And he was, truly sick of Dandy.
Silence broke out again after that. Dandy turned his head back down, as if he was a dog getting dismissed.
Dyle watched snowflakes fall from the sky, as they flew in fast winds, the chill in the air making him shiver. Dyle took another drag, much more slower this time, almost considerate, pondering about his actions. He can't lie to himself---he felt immense guilt. But this had to be done.
As if on cue, Dandy spoke:
" Dyle. I.. "
love you? Hate you? Fuck, Dandy didn't know. It's as if a chain on his neck was choking him, strangling him---stopping him from saying anything emotional.
" Would you miss me? " Dandy asked. The question made Dyle hesitate to answer, made his mind stop in it's tracks. He let out a sigh, unsure on how to respond to that. It made his guilt for Dandy fester even more---his heart clenching.
....
" .. Of course i would. "
Dyle choked a response out, his grip on his cigarette tightening. For once, he had admitted to taking a liking to Dandy, even if indirectly. And he was being geniune, too. But that only made Dandy wonder even more...
" But, why...? "
'Why would you want this?' Dandy thought. Wouldn't Dyle want to stay with him? His voice was pained, shaky---sounding as if he was on the verge of tears.
Dyle was about to answer---but realized his reason was the exact same as Dandy's own. He didn't want anything bad to happen to Dandy, and Dandy didn't want that for him too.
It would be unfair, atleast to Dandy. He stood quiet, knowing the answer in mind wouldn't make him look any better.
" ..... It's for your own good. "
Dyle mustered up a response, just so he could give an answer. He couldn't stay quiet. God, how Dandy broke him apart, even if unintentionally.
" But- I said i'd be fine. Why don't you believe me--? "
Dandy clutched onto Dyles arm---pulling him close. Dyle's cigarette fell from his hand, diving headfirst into the snow and going out in seconds.
" Dandy-- "
Dyle didn't have the heart to pull away from Dandy, not with the way he was acting. He gulped, having no idea on what he could do to knock some sense into that flower.
" Look who's speaking. Stop trying to convince yourself that---we've already made an agreement, Dandicus. " With that, Dyle gently nudged Dandy away, closing himself off. If this turned into another argument---
" I don't want to let you go, Dyle. " Dandy finally admitted, his need to fight back rising again. At this point---Dyle didn't say a word, not even bothering to light another cigarette. What a waste...
But, truthfully---deep down, Dyle didn't want to, either. If either one of them got separated---they would grieve till the end of their days, and that was a fact. But this is Dyle's fault. The one who put ichor in the train---the one who indirectly murdered Glisten. He needed to be put at blame. Not just stay in the shadows for any longer.
" I... don't want to. I don't want to end this on bad terms--- "
" Stop acting like I will disappear into thin air right this moment, will you? "
Dyle blurted out, keeping his head turned from Dandy. He's always known Dandy to be at his worst when stressed, always overthinking---being impulsive. But couldn't he just not do it? At least, not today. Not when someone died.
" ... It feels like you will. " Dandy whispered. He took a sharp drag from his cigarette---before throwing it at the ground, coughing once again as he did.
" Well, What do you want me to do, Dandy? Do you want us to just not say anything---and continue living in 'harmony'? "
a pause.
" That'd be better than having to live without you. " Dandy said, his voice even more hoarse and shaky from how hard he's coughed.
Dyle suddenly turned to grab onto Dandy's forearms, holding him with a death grip. His gaze was intense---unwavering. Filled with reluctant anger and guilt.
" Stop it. "
Dyle muttered. He glared into Dandy's eyes, seeing them widen at the sudden... closeness.
Dyle huffed, before leaning in---
God, what was he doing...?
Dyle kissed Dandy. It wasn't gentle, no---it was aggressive. As if Dandy had made him do this, for him. Their lips pressed firmly together, their icy cold breaths mingling with the air. It didn't last long, as Dyle pulled away, both of their chests heaving, panting softly.
But before Dandy could even think about speaking---Dyle pulled him in for seconds, moving one of his hands to Dandy's cheek. Dyle could feel his skin burn, despite the cold weather. Dyle made this one last much longer, lasting for a minute or two, most likely. His lips were so soft---Dyle almost couldn't stop himself.
Dyle ripped their lips apart from eachother, stumbling back, dizzy from what he'd done.
" T-There. Are you happy now...? "
Dyle stammered out, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand on instinct.
He watched as Dandy stood frozen, in complete shock. Did that just happen? What even happened? It was like he couldn't remember.
Dandy scoffed, a toothy grin soon coming after. He didn't look at Dyle in the eye---feeling like if he would, he would pass out.
Dyle reached out for Dandy's hand, grasping it and pulling him into a hug, almost as if he was checking a list off, a list of what he had wanted to do to Dandy for ages. They've barely hugged before---none of them memorable. But this? This moment was going to be engraved into their minds for years.
" ...I know you're worried. Just don't be. " Dyle tried to reassure Dandy, but failing miserably at it. At least Dandy was in his arms.
" ... Love you. "