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“Two Time, Azure! Come down here at once! There’s somebody I would like you to meet!”
Two Time stirred as they heard Amarah’s voice calling for them from downstairs. They whined, wanting more time to sleep alongside their beloved Azure with nothing to disturb the two of them.
Azure seemed just as disgruntled at the fact that they had to wake up, but he was always the more responsible one out of them, and wasted no time sitting up and encouraging Two Time to do the same.
“Two Time… you heard Amarah, we have to get up.” He shook them gently, “I’m sure it won’t take any more than a few minutes.. you know how Amarah is.”
Two Time groaned, but still reluctantly sat up, rubbing their eyes and murmuring, “Fine..”
“That’s the spirit.” Azure smiled, and Two Time felt their heart skip a beat at the sight.
Azure got off the bed, and extended his hand for Two Time to hold, which they did so without a moment’s hesitation.
“What do you think Amarah has to show us?” Two Time asked.
“I don’t know.. I recall him saying something about us meeting someone?” Azure replied, clearly just as in the dark as Two Time was.
“Hm. Well, they surely must be important if he wanted us to wake up at 7 in the morning..” Two Time commented.
“I’d hope so.” Azure agreed.
—
When they did finally walk down all the winding hallways that made up the compound in which they lived, they were greeted by Amarah.. who was talking to… a young teenage boy.
He had pale white skin and hair of the same ivory shade, his eyes were a dark black and almost.. worryingly dull. The left eye, Two Time noted, had the symbol of The Spawn carved around it. His hand was outstretched to cover his torso, and he shuffled around frequently, his eyes shifting anxiously.
Two Time frowned. Just who was this child? Why did he seem so afraid? And just why was he deemed so important in Amarah’s eyes that there was a need for him to be formally introduced to them and Azure?
“Ah! There you two are!” Amarah spoke, “I am happy to see you are both well. I assume you had a good night?”
“Mhm. Blessed by the Spawn.” Two Time assured Amarah. The unnamed child’s brow began to furrow for some unforeseen reason. Huh. Two Time would’ve thought that he would have at least heard of The Spawn, given where he was and the fact that The Spawn ring was quite literally engraved into his skin.
“Excellent to hear.” Amarah beamed before clearing his throat, “As you two know, I have called you down here for a reason.”
He stepped to the side, putting the teenager into their view.
“This is Broken Spawn,” Amarah told them, “He has recently decided to join us. I have reason to believe he may have a.. special connection with The Spawn for a multitude of reasons. In any case, I ask that you please treat him with respect and care for him well.”
…Broken. Spawn.
That… was his actual name??
Two Time almost laughed out loud. Not because of anything humorous happening, but out of sheer shock.
It felt inherently sacrilegious to name one’s child such a thing. Almost as if they were mocking The Great Spawn.
But… Amarah had also mentioned that the Broken Spawn may have some deeper links with their God, and if he was presumably born with the holy symbol on his body, then..
“Broken Spawn, this is Two Time, my most devoted disciple. I found them when they were still very young, and practically raised them from the ground up.” Amarah giggled, and Two Time barely resisted the urge to roll their eyes. “Azure is their partner.”
“…” Broken Spawn was silent for a moment, before slowly raising his hand and greeting them, “H-Hello..”
Two Time tilted their head. Inside, they felt a very odd sensation begin to fill them. It was like when they had first found a stray cat hovering outside the compound.. or when Azure did something particularly stupid on accident. Both of those times, Two Time had one very simple thought in their mind: “Cute”.
“Greetings. As Amarah informed you before, I am Two Time.” They gave him their earnest smile, “I am very happy another has been enlightened and shown the ways of The Spawn.”
They lightly shoved Azure in the shoulder, telling him to introduce himself as well.
Azure glared at them playfully before shaking his head in exasperation, “It is very nice to meet you, Broken Spawn. My name is Azurewrath, though everyone here calls me Azure. I hope we can become close.”
Broken Spawn nodded.
“Two Time.” Amarah addressed them, “May you be so kind as to let Broken Spawn here stay in your room for a few nights? I do still have some things to figure out..”
“Of course.” Two Time spoke without hesitation, ignoring the fact that they felt Azure’s gaze on them, “Come now, child. I will show you to where you will be staying for the time being..”
“‘Kay..” Broken Spawn murmured, approaching Two Time. They held their free hand out for him to take, and it took a concerning amount of seconds of indecision before he took it.
“Spawn be with you, Amarah!”
Two Time and Azure spoke in unison before leaving.
“Spawn be with you.” Amarah said back, chuckling lightly.
—-
Once they did finally arrive to the room, Two Time and Azure gently led Broken Spawn to their bed.
The teenager did still seem noticeably fidgety and nervous, even as Two Time told him of all the wonders of The Spawn, and how it chose only the most special of people to worship it, and how good fortune came to those who devoted itself to it.
“Once, Azure here-“ Two Time paused as they took a look at Broken Spawn, whom was currently hugging himself tightly and shivering. They stole a glance with Azure, “…On second thought, how about we focus on getting you more comfortable first? I can tell you all about The Great Spawn later.”
“Are you hungry? I could borrow some food from downstairs.” Azure offered, as Two Time moved to gather a few blankets they had strewn about (their room was quite cold, after all) and lay them over Broken Spawn.
“I… don’t remember… eating all week…” He bit his lip as he looked to the side, “Just… wasn’t hungry…”
Azure winced at his admission. Two Time’s smile twitched.
“Well… how about I get you something and you eat as much as you can stomach?” Azure asked.
Broken Spawn thought about it for a moment before he timidly nodded, snuggling into the blankets that had been placed on him.
Azure sighed in relief and exited the room.
Two Time and Broken Spawn sat together in the room, a weird silence beginning to fill it as they waited for Azure to return.
Two Time normally considered themselves to be a very chatty person, but for some reason, they couldn’t quite think of anything to say.
“So. Is there anything you would like to ask of me?” Two Time questioned, trying to make their voice as soft as possible.
Broken Spawn’s eyes flicked back and forth for a bit, clearly hesitant, before suddenly-
Two Time flinched, caught off guard as they felt a sudden weight in their arms.
Broken Spawn held onto them almost desperately.
“‘M sorry for acting like a kid..” He choked out, his voice shaky and raspy, “It’s just.. I miss him. I miss him so much-“
Broken Spawn’s voice broke, and Two Time felt their heart ache, “…I know I don’t mean anything to anyone, but maybe with you guys I can finally-“
He went quiet, all of a sudden.
Two Time cautiously brought their hand up and began to pat at the younger’s hair carefully and slowly.
“Now then, calm down..” They whispered, “You’re safe now. Whatever might have occurred in your prior life has been rendered null. The Spawn shall guide you and protect you from all of life’s sorrows and woes as long as you remain loyal to it. I can promise you that.”
“Besides..” They were reluctant to continue with what they were saying, “Azure and I will care for you the best we can. Okay?”
“Y-you really..” Spawn stared up at them with watery eyes, and Two Time resisted the urge to say ‘Aw’, “Thank you. You all are so nice.. I really don’t deserve it.”
“…Please don’t say such things about yourself.” Two Time frowned, “…Azure should’ve been back by now. Why is he taking so long?”
As if on cue, Azure suddenly burst through the door, a plate of food in tow.
“Sorry about that- Amarah held up me up.” Azure explained walking over to where he previously sat.
“Amarah? Why would he-“ Two Time began before shaking their head, “Nevermind. Eat up, my dear.”
Broken Spawn ate so very slowly, and it made Two Time worry. Especially when the teenager fell asleep mid bite of food.
“Well, that’s not good..” Azure muttered, taking the plate away from the now-slumbering child.
“I wonder what happened before he joined us..” Two Time pondered out loud, “He told me a few things before you came in, but.. nothing conclusive.”
“Well… I’m sure we’ll find out eventually, right?” Azure reassured them, leaning in to give them a kiss on the cheek.
“Yeah. You’re right.” Two Time laughed softly.
“…I’m getting tired.” Azure stated, “Do you want to go back to sleep..?”
“That sounds nice.” Two Time shuffled Broken Spawn around to be beside Azure instead of in the middle like he was before, so they could peacefully cuddle with Azure.
Despite their claims of being tired, Two Time and Azure quietly talked for a bit instead of drifting off, careful not to wake up Broken Spawn.
“…I hope we’re together forever…” Two Time sleepily uttered, planting a kiss on Azure’s forehead.
“Me too.” Azure yawned, cuddling closer to them and closing his eyes.
Broken Spawn began to stir in his sleep, subconsciously leaning into the warmth Azure and Two Time offered.
Two Time paid no mind to it, and went to sleep.
—