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“Bob, I’m home!” Yelena called out as soon as she got off the elevator and entered the penthouse. “I’ve come to amaze you again with my superhuman speed!”
There was no response. His sweet voice didn’t welcome her like usual.
Sensing that something was off, she braced herself as she began to slowly advance through the space. No one on the couch, in the kitchen, or by the window. There was nothing but complete silence, which made the situation much creepier.
Yelena finally reached the corner where Bob usually sat, reading a book or eating a snack.
“Bob?” she said, cautiously approaching the chair. She definitely did sense a presence; it was just so different from Bob’s usual soft, cloud-like aura. “You okay?”
“Welcome back.”
The voice caused her to instantly tense up and aim her Widow’s Bite at the chair. That deep, chilling tone of despair…it belonged to her beloved, but at the same time, it didn’t.
“We’ve been waiting for you,” he said, turning his pitch black head to face Yelena with his glowing white pupils.
The Void.
“What have you done with Bob?” Yelena said sharply with a piercing gaze.
“I’ve done nothing. He gave me permission to take over.”
“What…?” Yelena’s eyes widened in shock, and she lowered her fist automatically.
“He wanted me to talk to you, to feel the happiness and relief he felt while spending time with you people. Trying to convince me that I’m not necessary, I assume.”
That last part stung her in the heart, like when Bob said that he wasn’t worthy of existing, of having a fulfilling life.
“So come over here. Let’s have a talk,” the Void said, facing the window in front of him.
Yelena thought for a moment before stepping forward and sitting down beside the dark shadow, who was blankly staring out at the evening cityscape.
He finally broke the silence by asking, “How’s he holding up lately? Does he give in to my whispers often?”
“Don’t you know? You’re a part of him, aren’t you?”
“I might. I might not. Regardless, I want to hear it in your words.”
Yelena sighed and scratched her head, wondering how best to tackle this test of her psyche. Coming up with nothing, she decided to simply tell the truth.
“He does get really depressed sometimes, yeah. There are days when he feels like he can’t take it anymore, like the whole world is trying to swallow him up. But I can tell he’s changing. He’s learned to be more open with us and give himself a chance to be happy. He’s not alone.”
After another pause, the Void asked, “Does he feel loved?”
“I think so. Judging from the way he smiles whenever he’s with me.”
“You seem very confident.”
“No, not really. He just gives me good feedback.”
“What does he say?”
“That I’m his light and hope. He’s gotten better at pillow talk, you know? He says most of these things in bed.”
“I know. He gets so full of himself every night.”
“So you do know everything. What’s the point of my rambling, then?”
“I just wanted to know if he wasn’t being delusional.”
Yelena then looked up at the Void with compassionate eyes, saying softly, “You’re really worried about him, huh?”
“Of course. He’s me. If he suffers, I suffer. Not that I feel many things on my own.” He let out a deep sigh. “I think I’ve lost that ability a long time ago.”
Yelena reached for his cold, black hand and enveloped it with her own warmth, just as she always did for Bob.
“You can share his happiness. Walk side by side, enjoy the same sights, give yourself an opportunity to be free. You deserve it.”
The Void stared directly at her for a long while, examining the sparkle in her eyes, taking in her kind and sincere words.
“…You should keep holding onto him. The next time he falls, I’m not letting him go.”
“I know,” Yelena said with a smile. “I won’t let either of you down.”
A few seconds later, the shadow began to recede, and Bob’s face was revealed, his eyes closed as if he were taking a nap. He opened them and inhaled deeply like a diver who had just come out of water.
“Bob…” Yelena said in relief.
“Yelena?” He looked around with wide eyes before facing Yelena again. “Did anything happen? Please tell me the Void kept his promise.”
Before he could speak any further, his lips were captured in a gentle yet firm kiss, filled with the genuine affection of his dearest.
Yelena pulled away and said with a teary smile, “I love you, Bob. All of you.”
Bob also smiled, feeling accepted and complete.
“…I love you, too, Yelena.”
They immersed themselves in another kiss, caressing each other’s faces, illuminating each other’s souls.