Chapter Text
“Your beauty and kindness for others know no bounds, but yet you are secretive, mysterious… possibly even deadly if others are not careful… A symbol of complexity… You fascinate me, my Nightshade.”
His voice would move around Two Time’s head, like an echo chamber, incapable of being silent. It was another restless night for Two Time, their mind riddled with endless thoughts and countless regrets of the past. Their mind felt like a pit with no end, a void of endless horrors caused only by them, yet who were they to not let themselves fall deeper into the darkness? They were their own demise; they caused this. Azure’s face flooded his memories like venom to an open wound, the kindness in his eyes, the smile always plastered across his lips every time he saw Two Time enter the Greenhouse, or perhaps the cheerful attitude he’d gain every time they sat together during a commune.
Droplets fell from Two Time’s cheeks and onto the sheets of their worn-down mattress, hands shaking and arms trembling as they felt every wave of regret wash over them. For a moment, they wished they had never taken that dagger. They wished they could erase those memories of Azure, his blood seeping out onto the grass under the moon that night. Shining so bright above them both, forcing Two Time to see just what they had done, forcing them to see what they did to their beloved Azure. The horrible memories of that night flooded back to Two Time, struggling to keep up with the overwhelming feelings once again. They curled up in their bed, sobbing silently yet uncontrollably.
“Lady Spawn, please, I beg of you, rid me of these awful memories so I may never question your guidance and your teachings again. Please rid me of these memories of the one I once loved, for it is too much for me to handle. I know I have done wrong, I know I have hurt him more than I’ll ever comprehend, but Spawn…” Two Time would shake as though they were sitting through a blizzard frost.
“Please… It was meant to be for you. I would have never purposefully hurt him without a reason. Please, I beg you, Lady Spawn, to head my prayer; I do not wish to bear this guilt any longer. It’s too suffocating for one mortal to handle.” Their words becoming more frantic than ever, their hands moving from around them and clenching tightly against one another, hoping that maybe if they prayed hard enough, this so-called “Lady Spawn” would answer them and grant them the pleasure and freedom of forgetting. Yet, just like every other night they’ve prayed to this degree, no one has ever responded. Forever cursed with these memories, and forever tormented by what has happened.
Yet in the midst of their torment, a sound would echo from the other side of their room. Two Time’s mind was rushing so fast, yet he’d still jolt at the sound, pressing his backside to the headboard of his bedframe. Every inhale and exhale felt like needles to his lungs, moving rapidly through his body as if they would die if they stopped now. Their chest heavy with what felt like the weight of the world leaning against and crushing Two Time’s ribcage. The sound would echo again, this time more gently than the first. A voice would seep into the room, stopping Two Time’s violently emotional rollercoaster to a screeching halt.
“Two Time? Are you in here?” His voice… gentle and kind, but there was no way it could’ve been him-
“Nightshade, it’s me!” That nickname, it was Two Time’s worst fears. Their body was frozen, trying to compute if what they were hearing was real. Slowly and cautiously, Two Time would dangle their legs off their bed and push themselves up. Two Time’s body would move on its own to the door of his bedroom, their fears and self-disgust mixing into one. Could he really be here now? They’ve never told the other survivors about Azure; they couldn’t bring themselves to retell anything that’s ever happened. Their hand would grip the doorknob, turning it and gently pushing open a small crack for Two Time to look out of.
His gaze met with theirs as Two Time would inhale sharply, swinging open the door to look at him. Azure would lean away ever so slightly as Two Time moved to look at him, and that same familiar smile was painted onto his face.
“So those guys weren’t lying! It is you, Two Time!” Azure’s voice was so gentle that Two Time couldn’t even find the words to respond with. They could only look at him, as Azure would look back with a smile, a small patch of flowers now adorned a small location on his chest. As they looked at each other, Two Time would feel himself move, his arms wrapping so tightly around Azure’s shoulders as they would sob silently, melting into Azure as the male would cling just as tightly around Two Time. How could he be here? Why wasn’t he mad? Who told him they were up here? Why would Spawn do this to them?
“No..nonono..” Two Time would begin to mutter, moving himself up and off of Azure. The male would still gently hold Two Time’s arms as they spoke up, but he’d feel them forcefully move away, seeing the tears glistening on their cheeks.
“You’re not Azure, h-He’s dead…” Two Time would blurt out with a nervous chuckle, as Azure would step back.
“Nightshade-”
“NO- Don’t you dare use that name on me, you aren’t him! Only he can say that name!!!” Two Time would cut off Azure as he tried to speak up to calm them down. They weren’t convinced; they didn’t WANT to be convinced.
“Two Time I promise you it’s me-” Azure would try to talk once more to Two Time, but they’d respond harshly to it.
“I don’t believe you! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU, because Azure DIED in my ARMS. HE CAN’T BE HERE!” Two Time would shout, his voice trembling as the situation would escalate.
Two Time’s body was trembling so badly, they could barely focus on who was in front of them. Their anger, their regret, their grief, it was fighting against them. If you were to ask Two Time, they couldn’t give any proof that this wasn’t Azure, because it was, and that’s what made it all the worse. They’d recognize him anywhere if asked to, they knew his scent, his physique, his hair, those eyes, that smile... It haunted their every waking moment after all, but not just that. Two Time still knew they loved him. They loved Azure with every fiber of their being, but they wanted to prove they loved Spawn just as much, if not more. Spawn was everything for Two Time, but if they had the choice… They’d pick Azure over Spawn… So why were they so convinced that this was not Azure?
“JUST- Please- Leave me alone..” Two Time’s voice would calm down, defeat in their words as Azure would reach his hand out to them.
“Nightshade, please, just hear me out for a moment-” One final plea, and Two Time would shove themselves past Azure and run down the stairs of the log cabin. As Two Time was speed walking to the front door, Elliot and Dusekkar would look up, seeing them and Azure rushing down the stairs.
“Two Time, where are you going-?” Azure would call, as he himself would sprint down the stairs after Two Time, who would turn back around and yell.
“ANYWHERE BUT HERE, AND FOR THE LAST TIME, LEAVE ME ALONE!” Two Time would cry out before slamming the door behind them and running off to find somewhere to hide. Leaving Azure on the staircase, and with several curious survivors looking to him for answers.