Work Text:
Will is back on that rooftop.
The moon is full. The north wind blows; it carries a chill and the scent of copper.
No. No. No.
He can’t be here again.
Copper smells stronger. It’s putrid and invasive, coating his tongue.
Will turns his head wildly.
Mage? Warrior? Knight? Anyone?
A cello’s strings are plucked, breath is blown through a tuba, and violins play cold notes. Shuffling in seats.
…Tyrant?
Arms wrap tightly around Will. An embrace so suffocating. A soundless scream; he thrashes, flails, and scratches at nothing. Their hold only tightens. Let go! Let go!
Crack!
Glass shatters from the weight, and air whips past Will. Piano descends the scale. His hand flung out, grasping for another, but no one came.
He’s falling.
They’re falling.
Feallende.
F
A
L
L
I
N
G
Will kicks— a wheezing cackle rings like a bell answers him— he twists. Drums beat along to the motion of their descent.
The walls blur past him and spin into tunnels. Biting hard on white leather to peel away, Will pries the hands off of him.
S
P
I
R
A
L
I
N
G
Wolfish grin, teeth baring in a smile far too wide. The lion moves his lips, and Will doesn’t need to hear to know what he says to him.
All for nothing.
Blood beneath the carpet.
War without reason.
9/8
8/8
7/8
4/4
9/8
8/8
7/8
4/4
The world is spinning. The piano keys play out their plummeting waltz.
Vertigo.
3/4
6/4
3/4
Achieving nothing.
All for nothing!
What then?
What then?
6/4
6/4
2/4
Tyrant looks at Will with pride; it eats away at him, and he’ll suffocate in that blue. The music hasn’t ended. Their dance continues; they’ll keep falling together.
Where is the ending?
The conclusion?
The music swells and-
Will is on stage— all the lights flicker on, one by one — he stands in perfect view of the man falling.
3
2
1
Climax!
The drums roll, the strings and percussion sing as the lance pierces Louis. His blood pools at Will’s feet, and the audience roars with applause. They cheer and whistle at him, howling in exhilaration. The copper is now putrid.
Sweat drips down Will’s face as he turns to face the crowd of an empty auditorium. A fully booked venue of zero, yet Will is their star performer.
No sound comes from his mouth. There is no one to hear, so…
Will bows.
When he woke, Will’s sheets were tossed off the mattress. His chest heaves for breath—lungs begging to be filled— while his eyes dart around.
The fading firelight gives way to the slumbering forms of his companions, soft snores and faint breathing breaking the stillness. A small comfort, enough to stop Will’s quivering, but he won’t find sleep again.
He’ll draw the curtains close and refuse to let the universe be entertained.
At least for the rest of tonight.