Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hey Guys!
I’m starting up a oneshot book focused around the Spawn Cult/AzureTime. I really want to explore some of the dynamics involved, culty shenanigans, and of course, the lovely yaouri!

RULES:

Will Do ✅:
Angst
Fluff
Hurt/Comfort and Hurt/No Comfort
Gore & Injury
SICKFICSSS AUGHHH
QUEER THEMES… (Gender Dysphoria, Internalized Homophobia, etc)
Hanahaki/Nightshade Two Time
Alternate Universes/Canon Divergence (Survivor Azure, Ghost Azure, Swap AU, Escape AU… honestly anything as long as you give me around a paragraph of bg info !!)
ANYTHING exploring the Spawn Cult itself

Maybe/It Depends:
Self-Harm
OCs

NOPEEE ❌:
Rape/Noncon/Dubcon
Smut
Kinks/Fetish Content
Minor x Adult + Minor x Minor
Cannibalism
Anything that makes me uncomfortable.

To request, comment under this chapter explaining what you want me to write, basic plot and bg info, and just anything you want me to know about your request. I’ll try to have them written relatively quickly :D

Happy Requesting/Reading!

~Violetmoss

Chapter Text

“Glory to the Spawn, for His steadfast love endures forever.” The devotees uttered concertedly as the morning sermon came to an end. Many exited shortly thereafter, leaving only the inner circle remaining in the church. Azure never found out what the high disciples did after the morning oration, but he wasn’t fond of how the gathering often left his partner waiting for their mentor to reemerge.

Ah, Two Time. Azure’s beloved partner. Usually, they would be found by his side by now. It was rare that the other cultists community members would ever find them separated, which only made it more strange that they weren’t at his side by now.

Have they gotten tired of him already? He must have done something wrong. —Were they mad at him? He shudders at the thought, attempting to shake it off, taking a deep breath, in, and out. Everything’s fine, Amarah just has them hung up with duties, he assumes.

Now that he thinks of it, he didn’t see them at the sermon in the first place. That was odd, especially for them. Two Time wouldn’t risk doing anything that would displease the Spawn, and they most definitely would not skip the morning prayers just if they were upset with him.

Azure should pay them a visit, in that case. Something must be wrong. By Spawn, he hopes they’re alright. The few times he has found them after skipping an event, it was never for a playful or unserious reason.

He adjusts his hat, the chatter of the other disciples growing distant as he heads for Two Time’s cabin. Surely they won’t mind, right?

⋆༺❀༻⋆

Two Time isn’t happy about missing sermons. Especially without even alerting their mentor! By Spawn, Amarah is going to have them personally sacrificed for this. They groan, shifting their position on their mattress. The last thing they want to do right now is be lectured about ‘punctuality’, Spawn knows they feel bad enough already.

They can hear the distant chattering of cultists, signifying the end of the sermon. They have so many duties they should be attending to right now—! They’ve already disappointed the Spawn, they dare not displease the other acolytes as well. Their muscles weigh heavy, as if compelling them to be confined to the mattress. Any thoughts of escaping their fluffy prison are ceased when they’re hit with another coughing fit.

They curl up, instinctually raising their legs up to their chest, reaching for their Spawn-shaped plush, clutching it tightly despite the abnormal strain the action puts on them. Every follower was given the item upon completing their coming-of-age ceremony, a constant symbol of their ever benevolent god to reside in their home. It wasn’t cultish at all, what?

They mutter another prayer to the Spawn under their breath, but they can’t help their thoughts from drifting during it. They want Azure. Blasphemous, blasphemous, Two Time! Get it together, for Spawn’s sake!

Their focus was, and will always be, on the Spawn’s teachings, of course! Being sick was a test— they must have done something to displease Spawn. Suffering is devotion, and enduring alone only proves their intent to repent for whatever they may have done to displease the god. They can only hope that it’s listening.

Their thoughts blur together, much too tired to continue this internal debate. They mentally brace themself. They were supposed to, and will endure alone, no matter how much they wanted the company of others. Their body sinks into the mattress, preparing for the long day ahead.

Knock, Knock.

⋆༺❀༻⋆
Azure trudges through the greenery on the path to Two Time’s cabin, his leather boots tapping against the overgrown stone pathway.

Their door grows closer with every step until Azure pauses in front of it, hesitating for a moment.

“What if they just don’t want to see me? They could be upset— By Spawn, Azure pull yourself together!’

He takes a long breath, rolling his shoulders back before knocking on their door. Once, then twice… to no response. He knocks again, just in case, waiting, as worry seeps through him again.

What if they’re avoiding him? Not even what if— surely they do— Oh Spawn, what if they’re hurt? His worry for them only increases as seconds tick by, and he soon reaches into his pocket, clasping a spare key they gave him long ago.

He pushes the key into the lock, twisting it, the pins within the door clicking into place. With a turn of the knob, Azure swings the door open, returning the key to his pocket.

Their cottage feels strangely empty. By now, usually Two Time would be shuffling around, doing Spawn knows what. It was strangely quiet. “Two Time?” Azure calls out, entering the cabin. No response, odd.

Azure looks around, searching for a sign of them. He can see a faint light coming from the end of the hall, the door to their bedroom left slightly ajar. He approaches, knocking first before entering, receiving a weak “mmph…” coming from the other side of the door. Which is… mildly worrying to him, but at least that’s confirmation that they’re home, which is better than nothing.

He takes a deep breath, straightening his posture before twisting the door handle, —to the sight of Two Time curled up, sniffling and hugging a pillow, their body leaving an indent in their mattress.

Azure’s expression softens, internally sighing in relief. ‘Oh, they’re just sick… poor thing.’ He approaches them, sitting himself on the left side of their bed.

“Two Time?” Azure asks.

Two Time shifts, slowly moving their body to face him. They reach towards him, the blankets rustling above them. Azure smiles fondly. “Awh… petal, c’mere.” he states affectionately, moving them to lay on him, tucking their neck underneath his arm.

Two Time happily rests against him, nuzzling their head into his chest in search of warmth. No matter how much they’ve hiked up the blankets, they’re still cold. Faint shivers travel through their body. They weren’t expecting company, but they couldn’t deny how much they needed it right now. Azure was warm.

And, of course, Azure picked up on their discomfort. He moves his free hand to their forehead, cringing at how warm they are. He lifts himself out of bed, setting them gingerly back onto the pillows, eliciting a whine from them.

“I’ll go make something for the fever, Times. Wait here, dear.” Azure explains.

Two Time shakes their head slightly in rejection. “Azu, the Spawn is just testing me, you know that,” they objected. “You shouldn’t feel the need to care for me in this time of struggle, dearest…”

“But I want to, Times. The Spawn will understand.” Azure assured, that sickeningly sweet tone lacing his every word.

“But I’ll anger the Spawn— I’ve already missed service without informing anyone, and I have yet to even pray yet, Azu! …I don’t deserve your care.”

“You don’t have to earn my care, Two. You’ll always deserve it.” He cups their cheeks. “Let me care for you, dearest. Who am I not to dote on such an angel?”

Two Time doesn’t have a response to that, a faint coat of pink dusting their cheeks as their face contorts to hold back the smile tracing the edges of their lips. They nod, laying their head back on the pillows.

Azure smiles fondly, ruffling their hair before exiting off to the kitchen. He enters, flitting around the counters to prepare them some tea. He hums absentmindedly as he sets the kettle to boil.

The Church of the Spawn was strictly against use of modern medicine, which left the group finding unique ways to deal with ailments. In Azure’s case, his love for botany made him quick to pick up on medicinal properties of herbs and flowers.

It’s such a shame he can’t use nightshades in his medicinal endeavors. Maybe one day he’ll find a use for them.

Azure ground leaves into a metal tea steeper, recalling his notes on them from one of his many botany journals. Sage leaves for fever reduction, Echinacea for respiratory health and inflammation reduction, and ginger for nausea. A perfect blend for a cold.

He set the contraption down, retrieving a lilac mug from the cabinet above him, embellished with symbols of the spawn, and floral detailing Two Time had painted on a few months prior. Azure smiles at the memory.

He poured the steaming water from the kettle into the mug, steam rising from it as he set the mixture of leaves inside to steep.

It would take a few moments to steep, so in the meantime, Azure grabbed a small rag, running it under the cold water of the sink. Azure wanted them to be as comfortable as possible, especially considering how they were overheating. While he waited, he paced around the kitchen.

He was definitely missing his duties today. Not like he cared much, though.

Upon another glance into the mug, it was brandishing a reddish-gold hue, ready to be brought to Two Time. Azure lifted the steeper out of the mug, discarding the leaves and setting the metal holder in the sink to be cleaned later.

He lifted the mug, sauntering back to Two Time’s bedroom. He hopes he hasn’t had them waiting for too long.

He reopened the door, waving at Two Time before walking over to their bedside, setting the tea on their nightstand. He gave them a small smile, shuffling back onto the bed, resting against the headboard.

Before he could do so much as get a word in, they were grappling onto him, nuzzling his torso, fatigue present in their expression and body language. They mumbled incoherently, presumably a greeting, sniffling shortly after.

Azure chuckled, eyes flicking down at them with something between fondness and concern. “Hello to you too, Nightshade.” He breathed, wrapping an arm around them to rub gentle circles into their back.

With his free hand, he took the cold rag, moving it to their neck. They jolted as it made contact with their skin, but it soon became soothing as Azure drew it in circles on the side of their neck. He hummed, watching his partner melt in his arms. He’s glad that he can at least bring them some comfort, it was the least they deserve.

Azure set the rag on their neck, knowing that he would need a hand free to grab them their tea. He reached over to the nightstand, gripping the mug with two fingers and bringing it closer to them.

“I made you tea for the cold, Times. Are you up to drink right now? It’ll help, promise” He assured. They smiled groggily. “Mmh… mhm..” they mumbled, lifting their head up from Azure to look up at him. Despite their current exhaustion and sickness, they couldn’t deny just how much Azure’s presence alone aided them. They adored him. What have they done to deserve someone so wonderful? They’d be sure to thank the Spawn for blessing them with him soon.

Azure nodded, lifting the cup to their mouth, letting them drink, and setting the cup back down when they were done. He hoped the tea would help. “That should help with the fever,” Azure explained. “Good job, thank you for drinking, darling.” he praised.

After setting the cup down, hearing it make a clink! against the table. Lifting the covers back over them both, he snaked his arms around Two Time.

“You must be exhausted,” he mumbled, scratching at their hair. “Get some rest, Times. You deserve it.”

Two Time nodded, cozying up against Azure. “Mm… love you.” they professed tiredly.

Azure chuckled under his breath. “I love you too. Goodnight, my love.” he muttered, finishing his statement with a kiss to their forehead.

“Mm… night, Azu.”

⋆༺❀༻⋆

They felt mildly guilty for accepting help in a time meant to endure and prove their devotion. They considered getting up, to at least repent, the Spawn would not be pleased with their behavior today.

But they were brought back to Azure, arms around them, a half-asleep smile donning his face. So caring towards them, a glimpse of heaven on Earth.

The Spawn could wait.

Chapter Text

As days passed, everything only got fuzzier for Two Time. Flowers constricted their lungs, blooming from their veins, allowing poison to freely migrate through their body. They haven’t attended a sermon in weeks. Under normal circumstances, that fact would leave them repenting and begging for the Spawn’s forgiveness. As of late, something had been… different, about them. Meals were left unfinished. They didn’t go outside anymore. No one bothered to check in. 

Amarah was worried, but the most he was ever able to do was watch from the background. Thus was the duty of a mentor. He told himself that they were strong enough to come back to the light of the Spawn. He refused to accept how concerning the current state they were in was. 

Two Time knows how weak they’ve gotten. With every new drop of blood coughed up, the worse their vision got, and the more sight they lost, they knew their end was near. As much as it rattled them to depart from this world, maybe at least then they could reunite with their lovely Azure.

They must have messed up the ritual; that’s the only explanation for the Spawn to punish them like this. 

With what little remaining strength they have, they want to fulfill one last wish. They don’t want to die in their now dilapidated cabin. As they hack up a few more petals, soaked in their own blood and spit, they know what they have to do.

If they’re going to die, they at least want to die by his side.

They know he isn’t going to come back. They know it’s their fault. They’ll never forgive themself, even if he would have. Tears pricked at their eye, but they were far too delirious to notice them.

They got out of bed, despite how their body jolted with pain when their feet hit the floor. The vines and petals now stuck to their body like a parasite rustled uncomfortably with every stride they took.

They swung the door to their cabin open, not bothering to close it. Thank Spawn. It was the middle of the night. That way, no one could see their pitiful state. No one would be around to mourn them when they were gone. They knew that was the fate they deserved.

Two Time took careful, slow steps away from their cabin and towards the forest. They began to think.

Azure. Oh, how they missed him. His laugh, his smile, his sweet words… they would never recover from him, and most certainly never move on. And yet— they can’t picture his face. It morphs into an amorphous blob every time. They’re unsure if the cause is from the poison thrumming deep in their veins, or from forgetting him. They shudder at the thought.

They don’t want to remember him. The thought of him, and what they did to him, hurt more than being strangled from the inside out. But they can’t bear to forget him, either. He was their world. And now, without him, they’re a shell of what they used to be.

Finally, they approached the field of nightshades. Awfully familiar. And there, in the middle of the clearing, a gravestone.

‘AZURƎWRATH’. That same little lettering quirk of his was etched into the stone. Stone Two Time etched themselves, not long after the sacrifice.

The scene brought back so many horrible memories. They collapsed to the floor, openly sobbing in front of the grave.

Their sobs quickly turned into another coughing fit. They can feel something forcing its way up their esophagus again. It hurts. It hurts. It burns. Make it stop—

They struggled to breathe, eventually hacking up an awfully familiar vine. Nightshades sprouted on it, another piece of evidence to remind themself of their awfully ironic incoming death. The flowers beneath them are now soaked in blood. Their throat burns. They wouldn’t be surprised if they tore open their esophagus. They kept coughing, petal by petal, dusting the purple field in magenta accents.

They don’t know what has turned their blood such a color, but they cannot bear to care.

Eventually, their body gives way, and they give up. They collapsed onto the flowers. They wanted to die knowing they may find him in the next life, if they were even worthy of such a fate. Their body hurts. Everything hurts. Their body shivers involuntarily from hunger. Their eyes are tired. They deserve this. He isn’t coming back, and they know it. 

The moon casts a beautiful blue light on the clearing, doesn’t it? They smiled. They don’t want to live anymore. In fact, they haven’t for a long time. Yet they’ve been holding on by a thread with only the hope of Azure’s revival.

They don’t deserve to live anymore. They’re nothing but a burden now, and their only solace was murdered in cold blood in the name of the Spawn. Their lungs burn. Everything hurts. They’re tired. They hate themself. They hate their body. Vines coiled around their veins, constricting their blood flow. They can feel something blooming in their chest.

They close their eye for one final time.

“Timey..?”

Two Time flinched instinctually at the nickname. They opened their eye for a faint moment.

“TWO TIME!” Azure shouted, rushing through the trees to their side. His heart was pounding. He dropped to their side, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself, despite how thoroughly shaken he was.

Two Time barely shifted, turning to face the man kneeling next to them. Their eye blew wide the instant they saw him. They’re much too weak to be giddy, but they’re so incredibly happy to see him. “Azu..?” they mumbled weakly.

“Yes, yes it’s me, honey— what in Spawn’s name happened to you..?” Azure staggered worriedly.

Two Time couldn’t muster the energy to answer, coughing up more petals when they opened their mouth to speak.

Azure could easily recognize the flowers by this point. Nightshades? Oh Spawn— someone must have poisoned them. Oh, Two Time, you poor thing— Azure fumbled around with his satchel, managing to find a homemade vial of physostigmine, an antidote to belladonna poisoning. 

He swiftly opened it, lowering it to their lips and making them drink before tossing the vial aside. “Hey, hey- honey everything is going to be okay. I’ve got you,” he reassured, but it was more for himself than for them.

Azure pulled Two Time into an embrace, lifting them from what they thought would be their grave mere minutes ago. They hugged back almost instantly, clinging to him like their life depended on it.

“Azure, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry I—” Two Time frantically apologized. Azure shushed them, rubbing his thumb across the back of their head. He whispered reassurances to them.

“My love, everything’s going to be alright.”

“I’m not mad at you, I promise.”

“I don’t blame you, shhh…”

“I still love you.”

They clung to him tighter. Something in their chest loosened.

They began coughing again, expelling more petals from their throat. Far more… loosening than binding, but that didn’t erase the hurt.

Azure is thoroughly terrified now. ‘Are they dying? Did I do something? Azure, they need you right now pull yourself together—’

Azure held them through it, and wouldn’t think of letting go, despite how his back was now coated in blood-soaked vines and petals.

Eventually, when their body settles, Azure takes their chin, looking down at Two Time. He sucked in a breath before he asked, “Two Time, did someone do this to you?”

Two Time shook their head, somehow managing to bring that slightly crazed, trembling smile to their face. “I deserve it.”

“No– no Two Time, you don’t. I don’t know what happened while I was gone, but—” He took another breath, bringing his hand on their chin to caress their cheek. “Two Time, you’re still my partner.”

“I don’t know how, but— I’m okay. Now, please, let me help you.” He pleaded, voice breaking.

Two Time’s eye watered with tears, curling their body into his. They nodded. “I love you, Azu…” they muttered with slurred speech.

Azure smiled, an expression somewhere between fondness and concern. “I love you more. Now, let’s go home, darling.”

Two Time nodded, adjusting themselves to be carried. They could hear his heartbeat, quickly pounding in his chest.

Azure swiftly hoisted them up, ensuring that they were comfortable before beginning to walk towards their cabin. He started slowly, to ensure that he wasn’t hurting them, but he picked up the pace as they began walking out of the forest and through the village. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched when he walked by the church.

It didn’t take long for Azure to reach their cabin. He shifted Two Time to hold in one arm, so he could open the door.

—It was already open? Alright then. 

Azure pushed the door open, walking inside and kicking it shut. It was in a very similar state to how it was when he left. It was like they were trying to preserve evidence of Azure’s existence.

The house was anything but orderly inside, though— it was clear that Two Time wasn’t able to clean after Azure’s death.

The kitchen was empty. They stopped trying to eat weeks ago. Going out for food would be too much work— it’s not like they deserved, or could stomach, much food anyway.

A small memorial was set by the windowsill, on the assumption that he wouldn’t come back. The few pictures Two Time placed on it were stained with tears, the candles were well-used, leaving the table stained with candlewax. A bouquet of nightshades.

The sight of the house hurt Azure. Not because he needed everything to be perfect, but because of the evidence of the pain inflicted on his partner while he was gone. The memorial hit him like a dagger. He instinctively tightened his grip on them.

He walked through the cabin, floorboards creaking beneath them. Sometimes when he took steps, he could hear Two Time whimper in pain. Spawn, what happened to them?

Azure reached their bedroom door, opening it. His mask of calm faltered when he walked in.

Their brown sheets were stained with purple blood, some dry, some fresh. Azure took a shaky breath, attempting to steady himself. He set Two Time down next to the bed, kissing their forehead before moving to change the sheets to a spare black set left in the closet.

Two Time looked up at him, smiling faintly with tired eyes.

Azure walked back over to them after changing the sheets, kneeling next to them, then picking them up. Azure moved up to the front of their bed, gingerly placing them in bed and placing the covers over them.

He began to walk away until he felt Two Time gripping at his sleeve. Their grip was weak. He turned his head back over to them.

“Please don’t go,” they pleaded. “I can’t lose you again.”

Azure couldn’t say no to that. Especially not after everything the two of them had been through. He sighed fondly, “Of course, love.”

Azure climbed into bed, not quite touching, unsure if it would hurt for him to touch them.

Two Time shifted closer to him. The sound of vines rustling as they moved was grotesque.

Azure wrapped his arms around them, hiking the blankets over them both. He wanted to ease their pain as much as he could. 

“You have no idea how much I missed you, my blessing,” Two Time professed, nuzzling into his chest.

The effects of the poison were still wearing off, and they were most definitely still delirious, but they were clearly more conscious by now.

Azure nodded, running his hand over their hair and around their woodlike horns. (It was far too matted for him to run his hands through it by now. The thought hurt.) “I know, I know…” he comforted. “I’m here. Everything’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m sorry. I can only pray that you’ll forgive me, my blessing.” Two Time lamented. They weren’t expecting forgiveness, surely Azure was just pitying them—

“I forgive you.”

…Huh?

“It’s not your fault. It wasn’t your fault. I don't blame you.” Azure forgave, with little room for questioning.

“But I—”

“Two Time.” Azure interrupted, stopping them from going on whatever spiral that sentence would leave them going towards. “They manipulated you into killing me. I know you regret it. How could I guilt you for falling for that? You were hurting. You are hurting, love.” Azure explained. He was genuine in his forgiveness and didn’t want to leave a single doubt in their mind.

Two Time was in pure shock, frozen, looking up at him until they were hit with more petals climbing up their throat. They seemed to cough more the more Azure professed his love for them. These coughs seemed to loosen whatever plant systems had been developing inside their body, but that didn’t make them any easier.

They choked on root systems and petals, falling out of their throat at an agonizing pace. They coughed and heaved until they were completely out of breath, clinging onto Azure with what little strength they had, eyes watering with unshed tears and emotions.

Azure didn’t know what in the world was driving them to cough up flowers, nor know how such a thing could happen. It’s not like the cult was particularly adept in education, anyway. But that didn’t mean he was going to give up on helping them— it was just… an unforeseen complication. It left him alarmed, though. 

Two Time collapsed onto Azure not long after, whimpering in pain. “Azure, it hurts—”

“Shhh, shhh, I know… It’s gonna get better, I promise. I’ve got you.” Azure comforted, rubbing their back in whatever shapes came to mind. 

Two Time, with what little remaining strength they could muster, slotted their arms and legs around Azure. They were thoroughly exhausted, and the least they could say was that tonight was an emotional rollercoaster for them. But thank Spawn Azure had returned to them…

Azure hesitated before wrapping his arms back around them, adjusting for both of their comfort. He sets one hand in their hair, and his other on their back, gently rubbing it.

Two Time’s eyes are still wide open, as if afraid closing them would reveal that this was all a dream, or their seven minutes.

“You can rest, honey,” Azure reassured. It’s late. They’re both going to need sleep.

“...You won’t go anywhere?” They questioned, tightening their grip for a moment.

“I’ll be right here when you wake.”

“You promise?” they muttered worriedly.

“I swear on Spawn. Not going anywhere unless you ask me to, Two.”

They nodded, a soft smile forming on their face. “You know I wouldn’t,” they cooed sleepily, finally shutting their eyes. Everything felt calm, comforting, and even. They wouldn’t have ever thought that they’d have this feeling back. 

They fell asleep not long after, their chest softly rising and falling, much different from the pain they clearly endured during waking hours.

Azure tightened his grip on them once he was sure that they were asleep, allowing himself to cry. He couldn’t bear to show weakness in such a vulnerable time for his partner. They deserved someone who could handle everything that they were enduring. Someone who cared and wouldn’t stop because of their own emotions.

It would take both of them a lot of healing to recover. While he doesn’t blame them, being stabbed by your lover as they mutter prayers would certainly leave him traumatized. One of the many reasons why he wouldn’t want them around knives anymore.

Seeing his partner in such a state, emaciated, pained, and embracing death with open arms, left him shaken. In fact, the whole day had. Witnessing them in such a state after what he could only assume was months of suffering pierced his heart more than that dagger ever could have. 

It would be a long road to their healing, but they would get better. Two Time would get better. He would get better— even if that meant leaving this cult behind for a new life, (and an actual therapist).

⋆༺❀༻⋆

Morning light seeped its way into their shared bedroom. Two Time was first to wake up, scrunching their face and fluttering their eyes open. Some of the flowers covering their body had fallen off. Some were wilting. Maybe they could go back to normal, after all.

The first thing that they noticed was the fact that they weren’t so alone this time. They had Azure with them. And they wouldn’t dare even think of letting go.