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It wasn’t often that the two heroes got a chance to party again. Through all the fighting and death these two witnessed, this was a nice change of pace.
Though Parker was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t a rave, a classical dance wasn’t too bad either. Dressing all nice was fun! They put their hair up nicely, had their makeup done and did some preening before heading out to the venue. They felt very nice for once, and they were simply giddy about seeing player here too.
The venue itself was grandiose, grand chandeliers, gorgeous floors, and impressive interior.
Parker adjusted themself quickly, getting a glass of wine to fit in. After all, their job here was to get information about the other swords locations or whatever shedletsky said. They could never remember correctly. Thinking about him would only spiral other memories and Parker was just trying to function for once.
Their eyes lit up as they saw player walking into the room wearing a dashing pink tuxedo.
“Don’t you look nice~?” They sauntered over to their knight
“I could say the same about you.” Player smirked, “you look beautiful tonight” they brought Parker’s free hand up to their mouth, pressing a soft kiss on the back of it.
“Ahaha! You tease…” they smiled, blushing before focusing. “alright— here’s the game plan. We talk to as many people here about the swords and see what we can find. Let’s meet up at the courtyard after.”
“Alright. And if anything happens, you know how to get my attention”
“Oh trust me— it’s not that hard.” They chuckled.
The two headed off in separate directions, talking to all kinds of people: rich snobby billionaires, minor and major celebrities, music composers, designers… it felt like the VIP event all over again— were they gonna be sent back another 15 years? Highly unlikely. But given their luck it wasn’t completely out of the picture.
Their interrogations concluded with very little information. Player headed out to the courtyard to wait for Parker. The air was nice, a slight breeze cooling them down. It felt stuffy in there. Like there was eyes on them everywhere. But player was used to that sensation. They felt a bit odd though.
Thinking back, it was weird to see Parker care for them so much when they had just met. And getting into their business like that? They should’ve been slapped if player was honest.
They looked down at their hands as they sat on a stone bench. Parker saw their fucked up arm— that was something they couldn’t deny. But at the same time, Parker has kept their word….not a single soul besides the two of them know. Was it a cause for concern for Parker? Did they pity them because it?
Their spiral was interrupted as Parker waved their gloved hand in front of their face.
“Yoo-hoo! Anyone home?” They giggled loosely, sitting next to player.
“Yeah, I’m here. Just got a bit in my head waiting is all” they smirked at Parker “how much wine did you have?”
“Only what was in that cup! I might regret it later tonight” they shrugged.
“Uh-huh” they chuckled teasingly “you don’t need me to keep you upright do you?”
“No, I’ll be fine…. Just…. Tired.” Their voice trailed off, sounding more slurred
“And drunk.” Player added
“And….and drunk.”they nodded, leaning back against the cold stone wall behind them. “Sooo…. Any intel?”
“Not anything that was important.” Player looked down at the floor, “they were all too caught up in their own works. How about you?”
“No luck either. Just some booze and rich snobs.” They sighed, “somehow shedletsky sending us here feels less like a-a spy thing and more like…”
“A date?”
“Yeah.”
Player nodded, looking over at Parker. They could see how close they were to falling asleep. “Do you need to lay down?”
“Nah….im… I’m okay.”
“I don’t know~ you seem really out of it….”
Parker shot a glare at their partner, but they looked like a half awake owl. “Nooo…Im fine… I prommy.”
“Snrk. I haven’t heard that one in a bit.” They turned, putting a hand on Parker’s face, “seriously though. You look like you could pass out at any moment.
Parker didn’t respond, their eyes just fluttered shut as they slumped a little more.
Player sighs, just bringing them closer and scooping them up, holding them like a princess as they walked to a secluded part of the courtyard that was shrouded in well trimmed trees. They laid Parker down on the grass, taking their tuxedo jacket off and placing it over Parker’s chest.
They got up and stood under the flower arch— the sort of entrance to this little seclusion. They stood guard in a sense, lest anything happened to them.
But why did they care so much? Sure, they helped them out and they were traveling together… and they were basically on the same job too. They should’ve seen each other as coworkers at most. But…it was hard to after they helped them in such a moment.
Parker’s eyes blearily opened as they sat up, looking down at the tuxedo jacket that had just fallen onto their lap. They then looked at player, who was once again lost in their thoughts.
“Player” they said, calling their attention which prompted their partner to whip around.
“You’re awake. Are you feeling any better?” They sat down next to them.
“For now, yeah. At least I’m not loopy anymore. I would’ve made a fool out of myself?”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah. I would’ve been all over ya.” They chuckled.
Player laughed, that’s not what they expected to hear
“I’m serious, babes. You’d be red instead of yellow because of me” they smirked
“You say that like it’s a bad thing!”
“Maybe” they shrugged, “we’re trying to keep appearances here, right?
Player nodded, their expression turning thoughtful.
“You’ve been thinking a lot tonight.” Parker lays back down, “bronze for your thoughts?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking back to when we first met.”
“Oh, yeah. The bus was taking its sweet effin time.”
“Pff… not just that…. But… the way you literally put your foot in the door. Why’d you do that? Why’d you offer to help?”
“…I’m not sure. Maybe the errand enby in me was still working.” They looked up at players face, “maybe it’s because I thought you were injured. I was almost tempted to take you to the ER from what I saw.”
“….i see.” They looked away, looking at some yellow hyacinths.
“…I’m not disgusted. Just to let you know.”
“Mhm.”
“…” Parker felt their throat tighten. “I…I don’t know. I guess…I was just… eager? No. Wrong word. Fuck. You…I….ughh.” They put their hands over their face, the wings on their head slapping the grass under them in frustration.
It was hard for them to find the words, or even communicate how they felt. If they could just be an honest partner— if they were just BETTER— none of this would have happened.
Still, they couldn’t break down. Not here. That would be pathetic. Their hands fell from their face, going limp. They were fine of course, just feeling a lot of emotions.
“…I don’t hate you.” Parker began, trying to keep themself composed. Their makeup was expensive and they’d rather not ruin it by crying— along with wanting to get over their bad feelings in a “calm” manner. “I…I think you’re really cool. And…. And when I saw you at the bus station… you had this look in your eyes.”
Player perked up, still staring at the flowers, “a look in my eyes?”
“Mhm. I saw it in my own eyes after I got out of the ghostwalker.”
“Don’t you hallucinate when you see a mirror though?”
“This was before it started. My eyes had turned red like I was a vampire.”
“They’re still red.” Player mumbled.
“They are?” Parker looks up at them, surprised
“Mhm. Like…neon red.”
“Not bad. I’ve always liked neon colors.”
Player looked back at them, how could they say that at a time like this?
Parker’s gaze remains fixed on players face, as if their eyes were the most interesting thing here. “Yeah. You’ve got that look now. It’s kind of haunted.”
“Haunted…” they repeated, looking forward again.
“Mhm. Like you saw a ghost. Well—“
“Let’s not be smartasses right now.”
“Right, sorry.” They sat up, scooting a bit closer. “Can I touch you?”
“…sure.” They sighed, closing their eyes as they felt Parker’s now ungloved hands running through their hair. It felt nice.
There was a moment of silence. Parker ran out of words, and player was simply processing. They felt useless, being upset about their arm or why Parker cared.
“Do you pity me?” They asked, their voice low and shaky.
“What? No” Parker shook their head, “your arm getting fucked up like it did is sort of like me feeling like booty cheeks because the big firebrand decided to up my fuckin temp.”
“…I see.” Player almost wanted to cry. But nothing happened. It would be embarrassing to do that literally in front of Parker.
“Yeah….” They went quiet again, braiding players hair.
“… my parents used to braid my hair like this.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Heh, they’d love you if they met you.”
“I can say the same for my own parents— they’d probably make you look at all the baby bird pictures of me…”
“Classic…”
“Hehe, yeah.”
“…I miss my parents.” They blurted out quietly. It weighed heavy on them here, where they were so far from home, so far from everything that was familiar and just theirs.
Parker finished the braid, tossing it over players shoulder and scooting around to their front. They opened their arms up, “do you…want a hug?”
Player hesitated before leaning into Parker’s shoulder, their face buried in white and reddish feathers.
Not a word was said between them as Parker held them, rubbing their back and gently rocking them back and forth.
It was unfair. For both of them! They just wanted to go to an event Roblox hosted and now….now they’re here. Neither of them were going to be the same ever again. Was it even worth it? Just to go home? Just to go back to the way things were? Did they even want that at this point…? So many questions that lingered in their minds as they ventured.
Parker let out a breath they didn’t realize they were holding, covering it up by kissing player on the forehead. “Feel better?”
“…yeah, I’m fine.”
“Okay…” they nodded, brushing players hair out of their face, looking them in the eyes, almost cupping their face with the little wings on their head.
“…what?” They looked up at Parker, noting their gaze
“…it’s probably nothin…. I just… wanted to look at you.” They flushed.
“Oh” their smirk came back as they laughed breathlessly. “You want a kiss or something?”
“Only if you want to” they smiled sheepishly.
Oh how they wanted to.. they already kissed before, many times before— what was so different about now? Their heart raced as they leaned into Parker, the two heroes sharing a kiss, a moment of vulnerability and care. They were partners, absolutely. Their hearts were frightened though, scared of the hurt they could do to each other.
Player eventually pulled away, looking down at the grass.
“…” Parker sighs, “you know…for what it’s worth… I think we’re gonna be okay.”
“You think?”
“Mhm. We got each other, right? So I think we’re doing good.” They laid back down in the grass, letting their hair down. “Let’s just stay out here. I don’t wanna go inside to that stuffy building. Not until we have to go.”
Player joined them, laying on the ground with them, looking up at the trees. “I’d like that. It’s nice out here.”
“Yeah…” they leaned their head against players “thanks for guarding me by the way.”
“It’s nothing.” They mumble leaning their head against Parker’s in return, “you would’ve done the same for me”
“Doesn’t make it any less special” they smiled
“…” player closed their eyes, “do you think things will be the same when we go back?”
“…fuck no.” They shook their head, one of their little wings patted players face, “I don’t think I’ll forget anyone as cool as you, even if my memory’s shoddy.”
A soft smile graced players expression before it shifted to their usual smirk, “really? That’s what’s not gonna be normal?”
“That and of course the swords fucking us up. And the deaths… we have a lot of flowers to buy, huh?”
“Flowers?”
“Mhm. For the graves. Cruel King and Captain trotter both gotta have some resting place I hope.”
“oh yeah…”
The two fell silent, the music from the party just barely making it to them.
“It’s nice out tonight.” Player muttered, a repeated statement, but it’s not like they could find any meaningful words to talk with.
“Yeah…” Parker whispered “I wish we had more time to be like this.”
“….me too.” They looked at Parker, taking their hand
“…you’re wearing the new gloves I got you?” they looked back at them
“Of course I did. Nothing else was gonna cover up…. This. We had to look nice right?” They smirked
“Well— yeah… obvi.” They smiled, seeing the darkness on their arms recede back to only their fingertips.
“How do you do that?” They brought Parker’s hand closer, inspecting it.
“I dunno. It just…kinda goes away when I’m around you. Or around other people I love. Like the hate I feel is going away?”
“Hm…”
“It doesn’t seem to go away completely though.”
“…does it hurt?”
“…it’s just… numb, I guess. And cold.” They watched as player took both their hands up and pressed a kiss to their cold fingers. Their heart jumped as their face was covered with their headwings.
“Pff… what’s wrong now?” Player snickered
“Nothin….”
“Oh yeah? Show me your face.”
Parker let out a huff, reluctantly showing their blushing face.
“There you are~” they leaned in and kissed the tip of their nose
“Aaugh…. You’re such a tease, yknow that?”
“Yeah, you keep telling me”
“Well it’s true!” They pout before giggling, “fuck dude, I haven’t laughed like that in a WHILE….”
“Yeah…. You wanna head back inside and eat all the rich people food?”
“Fuck yeah I do!”
They both got up, fixing themselves up and strutting back into the party more confidently, naturally to take advantage of the catering.
….
Returning to their hotel room, Parker looked through their bag of things, finding their makeup wipes and cleaning off their makeup in the bathroom.
“You hallucinating in there?”
“Nah. I can barely see myself in here.”
“Why? Did we get a fucked up mirror or something?” Player asked
“The lights are off.” Parker retorts
“…oh. Sorry, I’m hella tired…” they plopped down on the bed, changing into some spare pajamas Parker had for them
“You’re good…” Parker yawns, “we drank a lot… eughhh….”
“You good?”
“…yeah. If I’m out of bed by tomorrow morning assume I’ve made myself comfortable on the bathroom floor.”
“Oh shit…”
“Let’s hope I survive tomorrow…” they changed into some pajamas as player went to the bathroom to do their nightly routine. Laying down, they curled up almost feeling embarrassed to being sick like this in front of them— again.
It made them feel weak and useless… but it was a feeling they were used to. Being so frail everyone fussed over them, being seen as incapable or dumb because of things they couldn’t control….
They flinched, feeling players bandaged hand rub their feathered back.
“You good? You’re shaking a lot.”
“….im…I’m okay.” They breathlessly whispered, tears rolling down their face.
“…you wanna talk about it?”
“I….no… it’s fine.” They sniffled, “it’s p-probably me just being drunk.”
“You sure?” Their hand trailed up to the back of their neck where they ran their fingers through Parker’s feathers.
“I just… I’m sorry. I don’t…I’m…”
“Take your time”
“…am I useless? I mean— I can’t do as much damage… and… I’m…weak. I get sick and knocked off my ass all the time. And now I’m crying! Isn’t that draining to you!?” They look at player, their eyes locked in on each other.
The look in their eyes… they weren’t mad at Parker, it was that same sort of care Parker gave them in the beginning.
“It can be draining” player said honestly, “but for what it’s worth, you’re not too much.”
“…” their eyes overflowed with tears as they suddenly found it hard to breathe.
“Hey, hey.” Player put their hand on Parker’s face, directing their attention towards player. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
Parker nodded, taking deep, calming breaths. “S-sorry. I just…I needed to hear that.” They wiped their tears as player pressed a few kisses to their face.
“You’re all good… now let’s sleep I, for one, am exhausted.” They laid down, pulling Parker on top of them.
Parker continued calming themself down, their headwings over their eyes as they listened to players heartbeat, dozing off.
Why did either of them care? It doesn’t matter now, now that they’ve both proven how close their souls really were. How close their fates were.