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Broken branches messily thrown about framed the tiny forest path before Clover as they patted their jeans clean of snow and debris. Their gloves were messy and their heart was racing in their chest, breathless and exhausted, causing them to lean onto a nearby tree for support. With a deep breath, Clover stood up straight on their own two legs, and began following the laid out path.
And there they were. With a soft smile on their pale face, their eyes looked like they were glowing; The same bloody red Clover got so used to seeing. Chara reached their hand out toward them with a gentle gaze.
“There you are,” Chara spoke out as Clover took their hand into their own. “Shall we go now?”
Clover nodded, wiping their forehead of sweat. “Of course. Let’s go.”
Lights of the city disappeared further and further into the back of Clover’s mind as the two of them made their way deep into the dark forest. Not even a snap of the branch or howling of wolves could distract them from this little peace they’ve found themselves in, walking side by side with Chara, who merrily strolled forward, their thumb gently stroking the back of Clover’s hand. Clover felt they could simply close their eyes and just follow them along to the edge of the world, or perhaps off the edge of a cliff.
Time felt frozen as they walked together, so lost but found in the impenetrable darkness of the night forest, with wet hands and a stained shirt. Clover’s eyes looked nowhere else but at their hand wrapped around Chara’s. Silence sorrounded them, as if even the forest itself was unwilling to interrupt their time together with its disruptions.
Soft zephyr guided them deeper into the darkness, away from everything Clover knew; Away from the church, their shack, the meadows and the fields they grew to care about, and farther into the deep dark forest, closer to Chara than they ever were before.
The cold winds didn’t bother them anymore, nor did the pathetic squelching of their wet boots. They simply watched as Chara’s hair flowed with the breeze, and the smile on their face, and the barely visible rosy cheeks.
And finally, they made it to the clearing, and finally, Clover’s heart felt at peace.
Pink stained snow at the very center of the field, like a massive target from above, their boots disturbed the otherwise untouched snow as Chara pulled them into the very middle.
Clover smiled back, feeling the coldness of their hands against their own; Like that of a blade left outside in the winter, they pressed their hands against Clover’s now bare skin and Clover held them back. They could feel their heart picking up pace again, and by no doubt, Chara could feel it too. Their bright red eyes stared deep into Clover’s, and Clover felt they could do nothing but stare back as they wrapped their arms around each other.
By all gods, it felt like holding a marble statue; Coldness surrounding them through and through, not even their clothes could help in keeping them warm, but Chara was smiling, smiling so softly and gently, Clover could not pull away even if they wanted.
And so, smiling back at them, Clover hugged them back. Their hands pressed tight against the vampire’s spine, like they were counting vertibraes with their
fingers, Clover felt the nerves settle in.
Chara rested their head upon their shoulders, burying their face into Clover’s scarf, feeling their warmth through the fabric and clothing with their bodies pressed together.
A sharp exhale escaped their lips.
And then, a crack as wood broke through bone.
With their hands shaking, Clover looked down, watching what little life there was escape Chara’s eyes.
“There, there,” Clover spoke in hushed whispers. Their hand was still pressed up against Chara’s back as they were still holding them up from collapsing. “You had it coming.”
Their voice was quiet and weak, as if they were trying to justify their actions to themself.
“I had no choice.”