Chapter Text
The keys stepped onto the table with the drawn wish circle. One by one they got into their positions, some said goodbye to the humans who kindly brought them to their home. Prunella said bye to patina before she went to her place in the circle.
Goldie, Bronze, and Silver looked up to the humans who were once their keyholders. Goldie spoke first “My thanks to you for welcoming us into your home, and tending to us with such kindness. You have my sincere gratitude.” He smiled and turned to Prunella. “I am confident you will make many friends! and remember that this is a skill you will soon grow great at.” Prunella was crying and sobbed out “I’ll miss you Goldie and you're always gonna be my— my best friend” she sniffles, and tried to hold a smile. Goldie returned the favor and walked over to his spot in the circle, poofing into his key form.
Bronze smiled at them “I appreciate what you guys have done for us. Thank you for not taking advantage of us.” He took the tooth pick from his mouth and let out a chuckle. “Do what you want, kid and don’t let your parents control you forever. I believe you can do it on your own with a little self confidence.” Bronze said, pointing his tooth pick at Deacon. Deacon smiled at him, rubbing the tears from his eyes “Yea, you are always right aren’t you?” Bronze laughed, “you know it. Well, goodbye and remember being the helper is important!” Bronze says before he poofs into his key form.
Silver at last walks forward. She smiles “Thank you Chase, you helped me get my wish.” She said putting her hand on her chest. “This has been fun, I will never forget all that we have done together. You gave me hope through all the hard times and for that I am forever grateful.” Chase has tears streaming down his face but is trying to stay strong. He leans closer to silver for a hug. “I will miss you so much Sil. I promised I would reunite you and your family.” He leaned back, and tried to smile. “Thank you for making my summer less boring and helping me save my mom.” Silver's eyes softened and smiled “I hope you get everything you dream of Chase. Goodbye.” She walks off to her spot and with a poof she is just how Chase had found her in the library that one day, only now she wasn’t cracked.
Buddy and Violet stood back in the corner. Violet went up to Chase “You know what to say right? wish that we all go back to Ex libris on the day Nox had stolen us. Don’t forget to wish we all get out safely and unnoticed.” Chase nodded, holding back tears. Violet turns to go to her place in the circle.
She pauses “Thank you, hu—..Chase.” Then Violet too turns into her key form with a poof.
Finally now that everyone is in their key form Buddy steps forward and up to Chase. Deacon and Prunella are behind him. Deacon is trying to comfort Prunella as she continues to cry, saying she will miss them and going into books together. “Freckles, kid.” Buddy speaks up "Thank you. For the summer and accompanying me in books.. It was.. fun.” Deacon and Prunella smiled “Don’t become soft on us now, mall goth.” Deacon smiled. “Heh, as if freckles we all know you’ll miss me.” He rolls his eyes “yea whatever buddy.” Deacon says arms crossed. Prunella walks up to Buddy “take care of them all and be good! Or Goldie will have to sit on you again!” she said mockingly, giggling and sniffing. Buddy rolled his eyes, “I forgot Goldie told you about that.” She walked back to Deacon who whispered something to her, making her giggle. Deacon said “we’ll be over.. by the window look at the awesome view” he said smiling at chase then pointing in the corner. Chase rolled his eyes. *gosh dorkin is such a dork*
Chase turned back to Buddy. “I’ll miss you,” Chase said. He couldn’t hold his tears back this time. He would never see Buddy again after this. All the dumb arguments they had, the stupid teasing, even their first meeting would be gone as if it never happened. Chase was going to miss going into books and finding Buddy trying his best to stay in character.
“I’ll miss you too Chase.” Buddy said. If he were still human he would be crying with Chase and probably hugging him and giving him a goodbye kiss.
“Buddy… I want you to know I love you. I really truly do.”
“I- I love you too.. so so much.. and I’m so sorry things had to turn out this way-.. I-” Buddy’s voice cracked. He couldn’t do this, he didn’t know it would hurt this bad. “I can’t believe you don’t hate me after everything..”
“Everyone makes mistakes, okay? It’s okay.” Chase gives a weak smile.
“Thank you for teaching me what it’s like to be cared for, and showing me kindness...” He smiled.
They were both quiet for a second, silence stretching. Neither of them wanted to move, didn’t want this to continue. But they had to. This was happening.
“I guess this is goodbye?” Buddy said walking closer to Chase. He motioned for Chase to lean down. He stopped close to Buddy. Buddy closed the space between them and put his cold metallic lips to Chases’. Once he pulled away he gave Chase an unsure smile. As Buddy walked over to his space Chase spoke up.
“Buddy.” He said. “I want you to know that.. you were my first love..” Buddy stood and stared at him. His eyes softened, “and you were mine..” And with that buddy closed his eyes.
Chase stood up and walked back towards Deacon and Prunella. They walked forward so they were all a few feet from the table. “We said our goodbyes” Chase said crying, but they all were. He grabbed the jar of narratonin from the corner of the table and put it in the middle.
“I wish”—the circle and keys lit up with the same green-teal glow as the narratonin— “For bud-nox and all the keys to go back to the night Nox broke into ex libris, make sure he never turned into a key but instead he takes the keys and gets out unnoticed and safely.. and to make sure that Buddy always knows that I love him..” Chase whispered the last part. With that there’s a bright glow before the table is empty. No markings, nothing.
This leaves Chase, Deacon, and Prunella standing there together.