Chapter Text
When Two Time saw Azure's room for the first time, they were nothing but shocked. The mountains of books and comics were astronomical to them, yet seemed so mundane to Azure. Every time they'd bring it up, he would always look at them weird, as if the possibility that they weren't allowed too many belongings in the cult was more insane than any other idea in the world.
He'd sometimes bring them a book or two, talking about how much he loved it back when he was still lost and thought his life was meaningless, adding that they could borrow it if they wanted, because after all, he just had so much to discover about the Spawn, he didn't have the time to read them again, and they just looked so silly when they were in awe of those new stories !
They didn't accept, at first. Would the Spawn approve of them getting distracted, or giving the time dedicated for prayers to such simple, non religious literature ?
But of course, after a few days of Azure insisting on them taking one to readfor the day (mostly because he was getting tired of them following him around like a lost puppy), they reluctantly accepted.
Azure wasn't sure if he should've been worried when he found them alone the next day, still reading that book in the corner of the church.
"Heyyy Timeyyy... So.. How's that book ? You like it ?"
He was trying really, really hard to ignore their fucked up posture. Shrimps could get jealous. He also ignored the way they got startled at the very second he spoke, like they had just been caught red handed.
"A-Ah ! Azure, it's... I quite enjoyed it, to say the least. Would you... Happen to have any more of it to share ?"
Their usual awkward smile was a little more genuine than usual, at least. Azure checked the cover, thinking about which one it was and if it was even that good. Who knows, maybe if was Two Time's first time reading ever, by how nervous they were. Probably not. But the thought of an illiterate Two Time speaking like a starving victorian orphan did bring a smile on his face.
"Yeah, sure. I think this one has a sequel... Oh, and by the way, who's your favorite character ? I gotta know if we can be friends or not."
Azure leaned over to see at what page they were. They must've liked it a lot, because the book was opened about halfway through, so they were probably going through it a second time. He took note of the way they immediately looked away, raising an eyebrow at their nervousness suddenly getting worse at such a question.
"... I have taken a... liking to the protagonist's enemy."
He thought really hard about which character that was, exactly.
"Er.. Oh, yeah... The evil one or the loser one ?"
Not the right thing to say, apparently, because there's a shimmer worthy of a wet kitten in their eyes when he calls you that.
"...They're most likely not the evil one ! But they aren't a loser, as much as the hero makes them out to be-" "Alright, yup, got it. At least I know it's the latter. I... Why is that, exactly ?"
Azure didn't plan to get stuck with their rambling for so long. Oh, dear Spawn... Please remind him to never ever ask them that again. Those ten minutes felt like hell. He wasn't very fond of lectures, as his college dropout title proved, and this didn't really feel like Two Time was explaining why they liked you out of all characters. More like... More like they were describing their partner. The giddy look on their face and the way they twirled their hair reminded him of his younger fanboy phase, actually.
"...You know," He interrupted them as soon as they stopped talking for a split second, feeling like his brain might turn into a puddle if he didn't get them to shut up about you. "I'm still waiting for you to ask for the sequel. I'm pretty sure your little... Blorbo is in there, too."
Two Time beamed at this newfound information, practically hugging the book with their frail arms as they got up, wayyy too close to his face for comfort.
"You do ? Oh, I would simply be delighted to read it ! May I borrow this one another day, please ? I will be extremely careful with your belongings, I promise."
He shrugged, stepping back and pretending he was totally cool with having to deal with more of their rambling about you after they read that too, but that's a problem for future him. The ceremony would start soon and they'd at least shut up for a while until then.
That was the second worst mistake of his life. After letting them get their hands on the first book.
His oversized hat was near ripping with the way he gripped it in frustration, half an hour in Two Time's lecture. They didn't even bother to listen to his groaning when they repeated how beautiful you were - even though you were a character from a BOOK, mind you - and they eyes were as dilated as ever. He could've sworn he didn't see that much passion in their eyes when they preached to the lord, and they might be the most devoted believer he knows.
They were even shaking from what he could tell, and for his case, he was shaking from exhaustion. They called him to come to their chamber way past the usual time simply to TALK. and TALK. and TALK. They started by drawing you, describing to him the features mentioned whenever you'd appear in their favorite chapters - because each of their favorite chapters was about you. He didn't even remember the way your eyes looked, let alone pick on the hints about your inner thoughts when the point of view literally wasn't yours. But Two Time did. They scratched their arms like a lunatic when your flaws and past experiences were mentioned, as if the way you turned out hurt was their own personal fault for not being there for you. They always had their hands resting on their cheeks when they pointed out everything they liked about the way you looked, imagining your hands holding them as they spoke. They just. Wouldn't. Shut. Up.
He did manage to get a few words in, every once in a while ; after all, they did say to come here to talk about the story, not just you.
But they slowly shifted the conversation to you no matter what the subject was. You were all they had in their thoughts, it seemed. They even slipped some words of gratitude to the Spawn for bringing you to them - Azure did not appreciate them bothering their god for a few words on a paper, but what did he know ? he wasn't anywhere near understanding the Spawn as well as they did.
He managed to figure out the papers they drew you in were originally from their diary, previously filled with prayers and affirmations. You filled the blank of the pages, items that belonged to you now filling the empty space between your portraits.
Asking them about their feelings for you, a fictional character, at least made them shut up for a whole minute as their face gets inhumanely red.
That is before they go back to their speech about your complexity and how much love you deserve and how if you were real they would understand you so much better than anyone else because all you needed was to be loved after all ! Maybe you'd find purpose in the Spawn as well and they'd just treat you so good, you would never have to hide or run or have to deal with any evil again because you'd have them ! And the Spawn too. They guess.
Azure didn't have a choice but to keep listening. He enjoyed reading your chapters, sure. You were certainly an interesting character, even through the lenses of someone who didn't like you. But he CLEARLY didn't have the same bond as they did when it came to you.
It was clear they loved you. So, so much. Real or not. Oh, how happy it would make them if they had known that somewhere, you were real. And you loved them. Just as much as they loved you. Unfortunately for them, as real as you were there, they weren't.
Maybe there, Azure wouldn't have to listen to them. Thank the fucking Spawn.