Chapter Text
You. Yes, you. Reading this.
Yes, I’m breaking the fourth wall right now — there is no fourth wall, anyway, I’m referring to you throughout this entire story.
Are you procrastinating on something? Pushing off a thing, a note, a reminder, shoving it away all the way to the deadline? Then stop. Get up, go do it. Right now. Because you know where doing that leaves you in this story?
Lost. Insanely lost in some random hardware store you don’t visit enough to know the name of, tip-toeing on the edge of your deadline while you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.
For such a small store on the outside, there sure was a whole lot in the gardening section. Especially with the pots. Clay, self-watering, terracotta, fiberglass, pots with handles to be hung — so many labels and brands and details and variations that it just left you… stumped.
You had no time to be stumped, however. You’ve pushed this task up to the wall as far as it’ll go, and now you need to get these pots lest you risk the fate of disappointing your friend.
Speaking of whom… this was partially his fault, too. The fiend left you with little to no details on what he needed. “Just buy some pots”, he said. “They’re just about everywhere,” he said. In no way, shape, or form did he decide to warn you about the plethora of options there were.
Although, you can’t really blame him. It’s unfortunately easy to forget to give details that might seem obvious to you but not to others. It’s why you can’t really be mad at him.
Your hand twitches towards your phone before pausing and nestling back into your pocket. Not for the first time the thought of simply calling Azure crosses your mind, but it leaves as swiftly as it came — that man has the reaction time of an elderly grandmother when it comes to his phone. Far too many times, even if it hasn’t been all that much, have you desperately texted and called him only to get a response several hours later.
Although, again, to be fair, reception is awful out in the countryside. You’ve been to Azure’s greenhouse before— speaking of which, snaps you back into reality as you cave in and grab a random stack of pots that looks good enough,— and trying to use your phone was proven to be fruitless. Azure doesn’t have a wifi box or anything of the sort, he barely uses his phone anyway — if anything, finding out about his poor reception was the same day you found out he had somehow managed to set his phone language to Chinese.
You, to this day, still have no clue how Azure managed to do that, and neither does he.
Rushing to the self check-out section, you finally pull your phone out of your pocket and check the time. Nearing evening, and way past the time you agreed on. As you scan your items and skim your eyes over the ‘16 Pcs Plastic Plant Pot…’, you can’t help but wonder if your friend was going to be disappointed.
He’s sweet. He won’t admit that, but you can tell he has a kind soul. Sometimes, it feels as though Azure’s kindness is the reason his flowers flourish in the gorgeous colors that they do, that his love and devotion to his craft has more to do with his results than just his caretaking. He hides himself, though, not only behind that large scarf of his but behind his passive demeanor. He won’t accept your help, won’t let you deny his help, and insists that everything will be okay. You didn’t want to disappoint him because was a wonderful friend. Yep. Just that.
So, now, being given the opportunity to finally help him — you can’t mess this up. I mean, you already have, but there’s still hope. You’ve got the pots, you’re speedwalking back to your car, praying your keys won’t slip between your fingers, and you’re getting ready. You’ve got a shot to set things right. Don’t mess that up, either.
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It was getting dark out. Well, no, it’s been dark for a while now. It’s just that going from a city road with streetlights and other cars surrounding you, to a desolate barely-a-road in the middle of nowhere is a jarring change and one that makes you thankful for the strength of your car’s headlights. The road was bumpy, uncomfortable, but with occasional glances at your GPS you at least knew your way around.
Keeping both eyes ahead you can’t help but notice as thin, black gates appear off to your right. Despite yourself, you slow the car, driving off to the grassy side and quickly parking. Getting out only wracks a shiver through you, the cold wind being no kinder to you than the road. You push on, heading towards what you recognized as a graveyard.
You’ve met… interesting people here. Well, ‘people’ is a bit of a stretch — it was only one person, but with their interesting characteristics they may as well have filled up your adventure calendar for the rest of the year. The fact that anyone was roaming about a cemetery was interesting in itself, let alone their curious appearance and manner of speech. Honestly, the first time around you were visiting this place, the chances of you just ignoring the stranger and leaving as quickly as possible were solid. Until it initiated conversation.
It spoke of cryptic names you didn’t recognize and pointed to graves you did not know of. The chances of this person being a drunk lunatic only rose with every sentence they’d seethe in utter hatred, and leaving was becoming more and more prominent of an option until it suddenly turned to you. And, without warning, you and your lifestyle were under the line of fire. Criticism, petty insults, empty words of dislike all tumbled out of the stranger even though you two have never met before.
Mama didn’t raise a wimp— she’d argue, but she’s not here right now,— and you stood your ground. It wasn’t pretty, it thankfully wasn’t violent, but at least eventually it was over.
Until you met them again.
This time, in the city you lived in. At a park, staring down the ducks swimming about in a pond as though they owed it something personally. It recognized you,— because of course, why wouldn’t it?— and stormed over to you immediately. They wanted to throw hands, you could tell by them balling their hands into fists every time you’d say something they didn’t like, with the way they had to look away every few seconds and take a deep breath (every time staring down the ducks for some reason).
You’re still not sure why they came up to you that day. Why didn't they hurt you as much as they looked like they wanted to. Why were they bewildered when you wouldn’t know who they were.
On your third meeting, it was, what you call, a ‘breakthrough’. It was winter. Cold, and dark out. Walking home with no light to illuminate your way but street lamps during the evening was far from a good idea, but you were left with no choice. Seeing the familiar black and green silhouette staring at a random building gave you half a mind to just turn right back around and take a longer route, but you were freezing. And also on the verge of soiling yourself. There was no way you were making a detour now, even if the one threat to your life is in the way.
You didn’t say anything. Just like your first two meetings, you silently walked by to do your own thing — and just like your first two meetings, it saw and it followed.
It was… calmer. You both were. Granted, you were too tired to give a rat’s ass if they started ranting again, but either the stranger shared the sentiment or they noticed you weren’t up to yourself today because they were uncharacteristically silent, too. Under better circumstances, you might even feel like they were walking you home. Somewhere amidst it all, you finally started talking. About work, about rent, about your landlord, about all the little things that gnaw at your bones each day. And they just listened. Silent. They had objections from time to time, solutions that feel so obvious but just had to be inapplicable to you one way or another. That seemed to shut them up each time.
Of course, you didn’t walk home entirely that day, instead stopping at the nearest convenience store and parting ways. Catching you by surprise, they ask you for your name, and you in turn theirs.
1x1x1x1. Wow, what a mouthful. You tried so hard to ignore how they searched your face for any change when they told you this information, only to sag slightly when you gave away nothing. Despite how much you nagged, 1x1x1x1 was as much of an answer as you would get, although it was hard to believe that was their actual username. Surely, a nickname, or a display name of some kind — you were too tired to check the player list and find them to check if they’re true to their word. So, you caved in, and agreed to their name of 1x1x1x1.
Even now, whenever you drive to Azure’s residencw or just by this road, you occasionally visit the graveyard where you met this peculiar individual. Maybe in hopes you’ll see them again, maybe in hopes you’ll see someone like them. Rarely ever to visit who you originally intended to visit, though. Seeing that the cemetery is as barren as it should be, though, with a shrug you turn back around and head to your car again.
—————————
His greenhouse has changed. Of course it has, it's been quite a while since you last visited -- a week, maybe a few? Maybe a month, no longer than that. From pulling up at his garage-- which only really had room for your car per visit, Azure didn't own one himself and mostly used that area for his own utilities. And you two have learned the hard way the consequences of leaving your car parked nilly-willy-- you could see bits of the outside, only for your view to be obstructed as you finally park.
Grabbing the pots from the back seat, you can't help but... pause. Breathe. First of all, Azure wasn't there to greet you, if anything you weren't even certain if he saw you pull up. Guilt pulled you away from checking the time, no doubt you arrived into deep hours of the night and definitely way later than he probably expected you to arrive. A pang of regret hits you as you suddenly feel like an ass. He was probably asleep at this hour, and the thought completely slipped your mind. Wonderful.
You shift the pots in your arms and rest your chin atop the packaging as you evaluate your options here. One, you could turn right back around and pretend you didn't arrive and bring the pots in the morning, but you had a feeling one way or another Azure would know and you didn't want to face those consequences. Two, you could leave the pots here in the garage and drive out, so technically speaking you delivered what you were asked for but weren't there to greet your friend. That option would also probably leave him a hassle to deal with, carrying them back to the greenhouse. Sure, he's far stronger than you, but you just didn't want him to overwork himself more than he already does 24/7.
Or, three -- you could sneakily enter and at least leave the pots inside the greenhouse. You knew your way around, however, that meant you'd have to take a longer route to get in without causing a ruckus. Going through the garage and the courtyard and, through the technically-speaking main entrance of the courtyard, would require you to open a lot of doors and probably trip over something in the dark. Going outside, however, and walking around the whole building would leave the most dangerous part to be stepping on a twig or something silly. You could go through the second entrance on the opposite side, the door of which squeaks far less than of the main entrance, put the pots down, and leave swiftly.
Genius plan. Flawless, even.
And you were confident that it was a good plan until you finally started walking around. You thought the moon was illuminating your path just enough to see where you're going, or maybe that you just knew the general area all that well. You were confident in yourself until you saw a light from the greenhouse you were trying to sneak into.
Great.
Now, faced with the second entrance, you hesitate. What if Azure has guests over? First off, that's incredibly unlikely unless he's finally made friends with the bears around the area, and second off just implausible overall. Would you be interrupting? Should you just place the pots here and leave? What if Azure was just generally awake at this hour, hell, what if you woke him up with your car? It was too late to turn back now, wasn't it?
So, taking note of the wide open doors and the cargo net hanging from the frame, you push past it and go inside.
—————————
It smelled like compost when you walked in. It always did. The greenhouse was large, too big and held too much in variety for you to notice if anything had changed -- Azure could have changed an entire row of plants for a different one and you simply would not know unless he points it out. Speaking of whom...
You were right. Despite your doubts, you were right -- your isolated-from-the-world friend did, in fact, have visitors over. You couldn't exactly see who it was, as from your point of view they were hidden by the shrubs and various plants, but in the corner of the greenhouse stood the table with three chairs that you and Azure often sat at for tea. Except this time, you weren't the second person to occupy that seat, and you didn't know how to feel about that.
Azure looked surprised to see you. Guess he didn't hear your car after all. He was halfway to getting up from his chair, a cup with a steaming aroma in one hand and the other against his chair. His scarf did very little to hide his wide eyes and raised brows, hat tilting upwards as he assessed you and your delivery. You just kind of froze in place for a moment -- both of you did.
Then, to your surprise, Azure only laughed as he stood up, cup now left forgotten. He immediately walked over to you, wrapping both arms tightly and pulling you into a hug. He smells like rosemary… was your first thought before, as best as you could with the pots still in your grasp, you snake one of your arms around him and hug him back. Despite the extra leverage, you still couldn't see the individual occupying your seat, but considering how you could feel two holes being drilled into your face you could freely assume they could see you.
"You're late." His words held no true distaste, they were more bemused than anything. You felt your shoulders relax a notch. He wasn't mad, hell, if anything it sounded as though he was glad to see you. You were incredibly glad to hear. Parting a heartbeat too late, Azure looks over your face as you do the same. There was a faint sweet smell off him that you couldn't quite pinpoint, his eyes crinkled and sparkling with a mild smile on his face.
"Am I?" You make a show out of looking outside into the pitch-darkness outside and checking a watch that wasn't there. Azure only chuckled and shook his head, eyes landing on the pots you were still holding.
"Let me help with that."
"No, no, I'm fine." You weren't. Your arms were starting to ache, more out of the uncomfortable position rather than the weight. Azure didn't listen-- because of course he didn't-- and took the packaging anyway, walking back to his seat and motioning you to follow. Your gaze was immediately redirected to the other guest and you two immediately locked eyes the moment they were in view.
And you just kind of short-circuited for a moment.
Green and black attire. Hateful glare, now swapped out for a surprised one. Slumped posture and yet still towering over you a significant amount.
Holy shit, it was the weirdo. Or, okay, 1x1x1x1 as they've asked you to call them. Still a mouthful.
"I'm quite glad you came, even if your arrival was quite late. And unexpected. Although I can't say it wasn't welcome." Too occupied was your friend with the pots to notice the silent stare-down you and his other guest were having.
"Please, do sit." So you did. Not breaking eye contact once, you drag the third chair away and plant yourself firmly on it, all too aware of how 1x1x1x1 stared you down. You wanted to say something but the words were stuck in your throat, whether out of fear or just a general lack of knowing what to say. You weren't sure if 1x1x1x1 felt the same or if they thought you didn't deserve the grace of their speech.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, 1x1x1x1 is the first to breach eye contact and turns to face Azure, hiking a thumb in your direction.
"...you know this mortal?"
'Mortal' was not an uncommon name that they'd use to refer to you or others, but that didn't mean you liked it. And the way they emphasized the sentence didn't sit quite right with you, either. You, not to be outdone, point an accusatory finger at them back.
"You know this guy?"
Azure finally turns to the both of you, facial expression once more bewildered. Hands how free, he points two fingers at both of you -- you could see how he opened his mouth to ask something before probably realizing it'd be parroting what the two of you have already said, instead opting to tug his scarf tighter around himself.
"...I see."
He sits down back in his seat, taking his cup from before in both his hands and swirling around its contents. 1x1x1x1 does the same with their respective cups as you just stare at your hands.
"...I assume you two have... a negative relationship?" Even though you were expecting small talk, you weren't expecting that kind of question. It gave you pause. Did you? You two had a negative start, maybe, but you wouldn't say you hated them, especially after seeing that they did, indeed, have a normal side to them. You sneak a glance at your green companion only for them to immediately dart their gaze away from yours.
"I'd say a rough start." You finally break the silence with a shrug, averting your gaze back to Azure. His expression was doubtful. He tried to read your face for any clues or hints, before switching over to try and read 1x1x1x1 with the same scrutiny. It didn't respond, at least not with anything that reached your ears, but whatever it did seemed to appease Azure as he leaned back and motions to a teapot in the middle of the table.
"Tea?"
With a nod you watch as a similar cup to the other two is slid over to you, this time empty. Before your friend could move to leave, though, the lump in your throat finally moved upwards and tumbled out into words before you could stop them.
"How do you two know each other?"
"That shouldn't be of interest to you."
You shoot 1x1x1x1 a sharp glance as fast as the remark leaves their mouth. They were glaring, but it felt weaker than their previous ill-wishing stares. It felt more like a warning than a threat. Azure paid no mind, humming instead.
"Curious circumstances, if you'll allow me to leave it at that." Sure. Whatever man. Azure was a man of secrets, you knew this far too well -- people don't live in the middle of nowhere in a greenhouse without garnering some secrets of their own. You weren't going to push to ask, your efforts would be fruitless anyway.
"That could mean just about anything."
"You'd be surprised at the things I've been doing." Azure smiles, taking a sip of his tea, with 1x1x1x1 following through with the same motion out of the corner of your eye.
"I just tend to visit on occasion. We've found... a mutual interest." The green fellow suddenly piped up. Ah, you suppose that checks out. You did first meet them at the cemetery not far from here at all. You also found it hard to believe that your dear friend and someone by the likes of 1x1x1x1 could find something in common. Although, like I said, Azure was a man of his secrets.
"We," you tilt your head in the stranger's-- can you even call them a stranger anymore?-- direction. "met at that graveyard nearby."
"Really now? What were either of you doing there?"
Silence takes over you three. You were expecting 1x1x1x1 to give some kind of curt answer, to bite back with something equally vague as Azure's been so far, but as it turns out they were looking at you as expectantly as your friend was. Chin propped up on their hands, elbows on the table, eyes boring into yours.
"What?"
"What do you mean, what? Go on. I'd like to know as well." 1x1x1x1 motions vaguely with its hands towards you. Well, if they weren't going to explain their ominous presence, then neither were you.
"That shouldn't be of interest to you." Parroting. A perfect defense system. Your remark was much less snappy, more... a jest? Or, at least, it came across as so to the green figure as their lips twitched. Upwards, for once.
"Wow, that might just be the most positive emotion I've seen you express, 1x." Azure's chuckle cuts in, and you can't help but smile along as well. Truly, he has that kind of charm. Your smile quickly turns into a half-baked frown, though. The nickname, the implication that they've hung out before in the past. You weren't opposed to him having more friends, but holy shit, this felt something like a friendship betrayal.
"Okay, different question. How long have you two known each other?"
"That's essentially the same question."
"Is it though?"
"Not really." Azure intercepts. "I'd reckon a few months. Somewhere around the beginning of winter." You raise your brow at that. It was nearing summer already. That's definitely more than a few months.
Silence takes over the three of you again, but rather than being stiff and hollow it felt like a cool blanket enveloping you. You still had chances of warming it up. Still with no tea to your name to drink and not wanting to bother with reminding Azure about the pots, you wrack your brain for conversation topics. Oh, right!
“What’s with the netting?”
All eyes on you again. The two exchanged glances before Azure chuckled.
“Ah, I forgot about that. I’m glad you didn’t get caught up in it while getting here.”
“The net was my idea.” 1x1x1x1 cut in, leaning forward and nearly glowing… out of what? Pride? Smugness?
“Truly. During the hotter days of spring, it was hard to stay indoors thanks to the humidity. So I figured, you know, to open around the doors to let the airflow in.” Azure smiled and shook his head, eyes drifting over to the glass of the greenhouse. Despite the darkness outside – yikes, how late is it by now? You might have to call in late for work at this rate – his gaze seemed to be locked on a specific spot.
“Bested by a deer. A particularly agile fellow took the opportunity to make my garden its buffet.”
“I would’ve taken care of it.” 1x1x1x1’s voice took on a sharper tone. With nowhere else to redirect with their gaze, they stare down the cup in their hands. It reminded you of how they stared down those ducks in the parks various months ago.
“...and so could have I.” Azure objects, a beat too late. “So I did.”
You and 1x1x1x1 now swap glances. Except this time, instead of being filled with confusion or sharpness, it was a mutual understanding. He just really wouldn’t let any excess help sneak into his life, huh?
To be quite honest, you were expecting 1x1x1x1 to throw an off-handed remark about the foolish mistake or the lazy approach to deal with it, but they remained silent. And also still staring, mind you, expression unreadable. Stomach churning at the attention, you look back at Azure, whose expression sombered as he still stared out of the glass.
“It’s why I needed those pots from you, as well. Thank you for those, by the way.” You swear, you look away only for a moment when his hand is suddenly on your own. You freeze, heart lurching to your throat. From being surprised! From being surprised. His gloves were off, too, and you could feel how warm and calloused his hands were. Your thumb wants to glide over his knuckles, to feel a little more, before you realize you haven’t answered yet.
“Oh, right, it’s no problem.” I’m sorry for crashing your night tea party and barely arriving on time, you wanted to add but bit your tongue. As fast as it appeared, his hand was off, and you didn’t have time to mourn before he asked another question, directed at both you and 1x1x1x1, and another discussion started before you realized.
—————————
Many hours had passed already. You’d definitely have to call in late for work, because not even sleep could deter you from these conversations. Switching from one topic to another, from personal experiences to high tales (the latter being more common with 1x1x1x1 than the former), simply to content silence. You were fighting off the urge to sleep like it was the plague, and so far you were winning.
Although, now, it was silent. In the end, Azure ended up going to actually deal with the pots you brought over. He said plastic wasn’t the best option but for the temporary replanting it’d be useful. I mean, hey, considering you had about a one in twelve chance to get the right material, you’d count that as a win.
You could hardly see outside anymore, yet you continued to stare into the window. It was better than the alternative of observing 1x1x1x1 and potentially coming off as a creep. The silence was comfortable, a breather from the conversations. You’d finally gotten used to the earthy scent, that added with the aroma of the tea really lulled you into slumber. Nay! You must persist!
Speaking of which… your gaze trails over to your still empty cup. Amidst all the chaos, your dear host must’ve forgotten to pour you a drink, and you must’ve forgotten to ask. Before you realize it, you were eyeing 1x1x1x1’s cup. It wasn’t steaming anymore, but it was still half full.
Then, to your surprise, it slid right over to you.
You snap your head up to look at 1x1x1x1, the culprit to your surprise. They were avoiding your gaze, red eyes flicking from their cup, very very briefly to you, and then away to observe the greenhouse. Their face was propped up against their arm, fingers effectively covering most of their lower face — it was hard to tell in the dim lighting, but their fingers seemed to be adorned with claws — and leaving their expression unreadable.
You sputter, something of a rejection that never quite ended; no thank you—s and you shouldn’t—s and
“Take it. You can have mine. Don’t dirty the cups, you’ll only give more for Azure to deal with.” Cause 2x2 knows he’d never accept help if it shoved itself down his throat. 1x1x1x1 waved their hand dismissively, almost as though shooing away the drink.
“I’ve had my fair share.”
Hesitantly, you wrap your fingers around the cup. It was still warm, surprisingly. You glance at 1x1x1x1 again and, opting to ignore their muttering about regretting and taking it back, you take a sip before they could get any funny ideas.
It tasted… interesting. Wasn’t quite like black tea or any of the more popular flavors; you suspected this was one of Azure’s personal blends. Man, he really ought to start a tea business along with his flower one… granted, getting customers might prove to be a challenge. Despite being sweet, you couldn’t see any sugar on the relatively small table.
Taking another sip, you finally pinpoint the flavor – it tasted almost acidic. Though, in a tolerable amount. If anything it felt as though it enhanced the flavor. Wow, these must be some fancy herbs. If 1x1x1x1’s earlier statement about their love for all things sour was of any substance, then it made sense as to why they drank this down like there was no tomorrow.
On the topic of whom… it was staring. Again. You still couldn’t pinpoint as to why, but after finishing your tea you decided to follow your previous strategy – sit in silence until Azure came back.
It took maybe a minute for you to realize how unpleasant the light was.
At first, you tried to look away from the single flashlight illuminating the area. It wasn’t a strong light by any means, but Telamon above did it make your eyes ache. God, was it getting to your head too? Maybe lying your head on the table would help block it out. You were on the verge of just reaching over and turning it off, but you didn’t want to plunge the two of you into darkness.
Hearing your name snapped you out of your thoughts. It should’ve made you stir, raise your head and address 1x1x1x1, yet you found no energy to do so. It wasn’t until a sharp claw poked your shoulder that you finally took your head off the– frankly incredibly comfortable– table. You had to shield your eyes from the light again, squinting up at who was disturbing your sleep.
Shit, were they bright too? It was surprisingly difficult to look at your companion, although more manageable. You think you heard your name being called a second time, but it was hard to tell past the ringing. It wasn’t easy to tell what face they were pulling, either.
(You had missed how they stared. How they immediately noticed something was wrong but, against themselves, stayed quiet. How their brows furrowed and their expression softened and how their tone was just a little quieter. They hardly noticed, either.)
“...hnnmmm? ‘Mm finee…” your words felt uncharacteristically drawn out, tongue feeling heavier than before and not cooperating. A dull throb penetrated your skull, like a drumset and there was a toddler playing with it. Or, rather, your brain was being played by a drummer. An angry toddler drummer on your skull. None of that makes sense!
No amount of fancy herbs or sleep deprivation should make you act like this. Despite how hard it was to think, trudge through the fog that made your mind waver, you managed to scrape up some remaining strength to mutter,
“...whut was… in that tea?” You thought you were very clear, but seeing how 1x1x1x1 stared at you like you grew a third head that was far from the case. If anything, it took them a solid second to process not only your question but the answer, leaning over to take the teapot from which Azure would pour the blend, spinning it over in their hands while trying to recall their conversation with him prior to your arrival.
"..er... nightshades..?"
What.
Nightshades. As in, the deadly-poisonous flower that Azure prohibited you to even get near to? Nightshade, as in a single berry could kill an adult man? Nightshade, as in, one of the deadliest flowers?? Forget the flower, the stem itself was more poisonous than the rest of the thing! Azure told you to never touch these, not to even walk near them without his presence, he told you--
Azure also told you not to stand up too suddenly, and yet you still did. Your vision spun, the painful light finally being blocked out as everything goes black and you can't help but feel like the air around you has turned into pillows. Velvety and silken blankets, lulling you to stop standing upright -- the last thing you feel before it all faded were a pair of arms gripping you far too tightly.
—————————
Now, I would say you spent the next twenty minutes with a terrible stomachache, but that would be the understatement of the century. Maybe, amidst the three hours you were unconscious, you were awake for twenty minutes and barely aware of your surroundings, but a stomachache was putting it far too lightly.
In those brief moments you were awake, however, it was different every time. Bits and pieces of conversation. Hands. There were hands everywhere on you. Gentle and soft, placing it against your forehead, your neck, your cheek. Occasionally, it felt as though they had claws, but not a single time did you feel a rip or tear in your skin.
"...you were unaffected when consuming it throughout our entire conversation, I assumed..."
Whatever weight on you was re-adjusted and shifted various times. You were already warm, too warm, and you tried to kick it off with whatever remaining strength you had in your body. But each time, you'd be tucked right back in. (Azure contemplated wrapping you up like a burrito to stop you from thrashing so much.)
"...mortals, so fragile, so easy to break. You weren't meant to break. You've told me about your life, your troubles, all that you've endured... Come on, get up. Tea cannot be the thing to put you out of your misery..."
Hands on you. Again. This time, hesitating near your face. For the umpteenth time, you try to open your eyes, squinting and bleary against the minimal light, and yet it still hurts like a bitch. You try to raise your head to look at who it was, but a gentle weight on your forehead pushes you back down into your fetal position. The hand shifts to press the back of it against your forehead, and you'd try to keep it there just because of how cold it was if it weren't for the lack of coordination in your limbs. It moves again, this time brushing a piece of hair from your face.
From your bleary vision, you could barely just make out a tint of green on the figure. Even in your tired state, putting two and two together was(n't) easy. They were silent. With nothing else to occupy your foggy mind, you drift back out again.
"...shhh, you'll be okay. I've got you."
When you finally awake for longer than a minute, you realize your head is elevated. Better yet, it was placed upon something moving -- trying to get up only caused a weight to be pressed down onto your shoulder as someone said something above you.
Azure. You may not have heard what he said, but you recognized his voice. It only got you to try and get up even more but to no avail. Were you really that weak, or is your friend showing an Incredible Hulk side of himself? You suddenly realized there was something prodding at your mouth, cold and liquidy. He was trying to make you drink water, potentially what woke you up. Only then did it hit you just how parched you were, throat dry and sore despite how much you tried to swallow.
He pushes the glass against your lips again and you oblige, letting the fluid go down your throttle, nearly choking on it in the process. Despite the water almost scraping against the inside of your throat, making you cringe, you feel a little bit better. Your vision blurs and flickers again, trying to get a better view of Azure only makes your eyelids feel heavier than before. You were out like a light.
“Sleep now. I’ll stay at your side.”
You start waking up more and more. Most of the time, it’s dark, and even if someone’s there they remain silent. You don’t make an effort to move, though, feeling as though your body was made out of pure steel. You drifted in and out of consciousness, but sometimes, you’d just lie there in silence. Especially when it came to observing whoever else was in the room with you. The headaches didn’t get any better, piercing through your skull, but the silence and the darkness did help.
Although, at some points, it wasn’t quiet. At one point you zoned back in when there was someone… talking. Excessively so, actually.
"...inconvenience, inconvenient, a nuisance. You," The weight next to you shifts, making your blanket slip off just a little. "you just kept coming back. Again and again. Anywhere I'd go, you'd be there.
You retaliated. You weren't the first, far from it, there was nothing exceptionally interesting about you or unique... or... or... anything. You were just another mortal. You are just another mortal. As are you, as is Azure. And yet? You've captivated me." The blanket gets pulled back up, tucked in around your form gently.
"Your life is mundane. It is next to nothing when standing next to what is out there. In and out of this world, as much as I hate to say it."
They sigh. It doesn't take a genius for you to figure out it was 1x1x1x1 talking by now. They were chewing over their own words, glancing at your peaceful face, not once noticing how your breathing stopped hitching and how your eyelids fluttered.
"And yet.
I want to destroy this world and everything in it. I wish this realm of existence never came to be. It's excessive. Ridiculous. I would’ve wiped out any flicker of hope for this place to exist, dug it out from the roots, if it weren’t for—“
The claw on your blanket tightens and you contemplate letting them know you’re awake. Your pulse races, fingers twitch, but it goes by unnoticed as they continue talking after a short pause.
“And yet You both. You’ve given me… insight, dare I say. On the mundane things that I fear I’ll never get to experience. On the exciting ones. I do not care for living here, cursed how I am to—“ Their rambling suddenly cuts off as their claws graze your forehead. Again, no cuts, not even a scrape, they were treating you as though you were made of glass.
Because that’s how it felt like. That’s when it hit them, even if multiple hours after they should have. They could touch you. They grabbed you, they’re stroking you oh-so uncharacteristically gently, their barely-a-physical form could interact with yours.
It was nice.
“…Don’t die on me now. For Azure’s sake more than mine. I’ll be on this plane of existence for a long, long time. Doesn’t mean I want to lose you early.”
That might just be the most amount of affection they’ve ever shown. Hell, just kind words in general. A smile tugged at the corners of your lips; weak and barely present, but their words spread a warmth through your body anyway. A warmth different from the fever. You wanted to spring up and confront them, or even just surprise them with your presence, but you went against it. Besides, your own body was anchoring you down like there was no tomorrow.
1x1x1x1 didn’t leave until you were asleep.
You wake up fully and for the final time, queasy and sweating buckets. You felt your hands shake, body still wrapped tightly around a blanket, but for the first time you found enough strength to move, kicking off the comforter frantically and trying to get up. Your whole body hurt and you wanted to curl back into a shrimp position, but there was something hot and spiky lodged in your throat and it was only climbing upwards.
Possibly stirred by the commotion, someone almost immediately runs into your room, the only source of light being from the doorway. You didn’t need much light to recognize Azure’s scarf, though. As you hunched over the bed, he reached under it and brought out something akin to a plastic bucket. A tub? You couldn’t tell and it didn’t matter, all you could focus on was the fact that it was right in front of you and you were about to vomit.
It wasn’t pleasant, it never was, but Azure somehow made it easier. He pushed back what hair he could from your face, put his other hand against your forehead and kept whispering reassuring words. “I’ve got you,” “Hold on to me if you need to,” “You’re doing so well.” If it weren’t for the circumstances, your stomach would be doing kickflips and somersaults (even more than it is right now).
“You have to throw the toxins up. I’m surprised you’ve got more in you.” When you were finally done, you just heaved above the bucket, eyes screwing shut not to look at the remains of what you just let out of your mouth. As per a mumbled request of Azure’s, you move your hand up to hold your own hair back as he departs briefly, coming back into your line of vision very soon.
A wet towel was placed upon your face gently, wiping away excess bits of vomit as Azure helped you into a sitting position. Your guts felt hollow and yet surprisingly, you felt much better. There was another glass of water at your fingertips before you realized, but you were too grossed out by the taste in your mouth to drink it.
Azure persisted. You denied. He put the glass closer to your mouth, so you just turned away and he sighed.
“Come on. You don’t have a toothbrush with you, you’ll feel terrible later on. At least rinse out.” Oh. Right. He wanted you to rinse. That made more sense. “Please?”
How could you say no to that?
—————————
Your head was in his lap. Again. You’d say you were too weak to protest, but you both knew that was a lie. Azure’s fingers were treading through your hair, untangling any knots, oh-so-gentle ans slow in his ministrations. He had no reason to do this, you were honestly feeling much better now. Most of the symptoms have already cleared out, and in a few hours and after some non-feverish naps you could get back on the road and head home.
But he persisted that you stayed.
“…You were incredibly lucky, you know.”
“Hmm?”
“Nightshades are incredibly poisonous. Or, at least, the ones I grow here. They have the most beautiful bloom I’ve ever seen, although dangerous to the touch. Did you know non-poisonous nightshade berries taste like tomatoes?”
You did not. Wait. How did he know that
“Oh, don’t give me that look. I was foolish as a teenager. Regardless, I have an incredibly high poison tolerance… if you couldn’t tell by now.” He was smiling. Despite being a nervous wreck over almost losing you, despite watching your unconscious body and praying you’d be alright, he was smiling.
“…where’s 1x?” Huh. When’d you pick that nickname up?
“They left a while back. To be quite honest with you, I’m surprised they stuck around for as long as they did.” Azure shook his head, pausing his hairplay for a moment before resuming. You contemplated telling him what you heard, what you were told, but on one hand you felt like you’d be in trouble for that. And on the other, you had a feeling he already knew somehow.
“Don’t scare me like that again, okay?” He really, really needs to stop tracing your face like that, touch as light as a feather’s before stopping right at your cheek. He just stared at you, observing your eyes, your face, darting around. You were almost sure he could feel your pulse quickening somehow.
“You mean a lot to me. I don’t know if you know that, but you do. So, please.”
He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to. You knew what he wanted to say. You closed your eyes and exhaled.
“…okay.”
His smile was the sweetest you’ve seen of him before.
“Thank you.”