Work Text:
“I’m probably just inching closer and closer to the end of my lifespan.”
Ah.
Right.
Momentarily, Blue Stein spares a glance at the Paragon beside him, who gazes into the distance with a melancholic look on his face. Alkarius himself is aware—most Paragons should be aware of their limited lifespans by now. It’s a topic that would inevitably make its way into their conversations somehow.
Blue Stein, a Machine, wouldn’t understand how Alkarius, a Paragon, would feel.
The hardliners have always detested the Machines, who only view them as tools that they could discard after a certain amount of time has passed. The Paragons are nothing more than disposable and replaceable tools to them- that is that.
To Alkarius, this is absurd. It sort of pains him in a way too, because then, he won’t be able to do more in his limited life after all of this is over—and even then, he isn’t sure until when the conflict between the Paragons and the ones who side with the Machines and Returnees would actually end. It could may as well end after he’s gone…but who knows, really.
“It’s a shame, really- I wanted to see the day where peace could be made between the two sides of this entire ordeal.” Alkarius continues, a bitter smile eventually decorating his features. Instead of responding to his words like usual, Blue Stein remains silent, his gaze fixated on the former Innovator. “It’s all that I’ve ever wished for—so the possibility of not being able to witness it with my own two eyes is…kind of scary. Maybe I’ll never know if peace would ever be made or not.”
Alkarius then heaves out a sigh, before glancing towards the Machine beside him, who has been watching over him the entire time. “You…you’re so lucky, y’know? Your lifespan isn’t so limited, so you can just do whatever. You’ve explored this vast world and have seen many things that just simply…captivated you. You’ve experienced so much—many things that I might not be able to experience.” He chuckles, though it sounds terribly sad. “I sort of envy you for that.”
“It was worth it, yes- but…”
“But…?”
“But it’s also better when you are not alone, I would say.”
To this, Alkarius raises an eyebrow in confusion. “...Huh? Haven’t you been rather content with being alone?” He asks, curiosity bubbling up within him. Blue Stein himself is familiar with such a feeling, and as such, he laughs at the Paragon’s question. “Well, yes, I was content with wandering around by myself. But…at times, I have felt this strange feeling of loneliness.” He explains, before adding in a slightly teasing tone, “It’s not all that fun to feel such things sometimes, Alkarius.”
Alkarius processes the man in blue’s words for a moment, before nodding. “I…get it, yeah. But- ah…I just…envy you.” His face then shows a grimace. “Not to mention the fact that you’re a Machine—you people related to that digital paradise are always a million times luckier than I am.” He then shifts his gaze back to whatever is in front of him, and silently observes.
Blue Stein only stands beside him silently, their conversation abruptly coming to an end. Thinking about it, he can only conclude that Alkarius just has a strong desire to experience many things before his inevitable demise.
Thinking about such a thing is sort of disheartening to Blue Stein too—but he doesn’t understand why either, for this instance.
For now, the two of them will just be here, as a bitter atmosphere surrounds the two of them in their time of silence.