Work Text:
As soon as Odward saw Key release giant blue flames that engulfed the stadium and even melted the golden cage, he knew something bad was going to happen. And to make it worse, Casper was the one closest to Key.
His heart was about to pop out of his chest for how worried he was about his ex-boyfriend’s safety. They might have broken up, but that didn't mean he didn't love him anymore, on the contrary, every single time they crossed paths or their eyes met during this game, his heart ached for how much he missed him. He wanted to properly talk with Casper after the game, put aside his pride and ego to get back the guy he loved, but now it could be too late, and the anxiety of not knowing what happened to Casper was consuming him.
When the fire started to dissipate and it was safer to walk on the court, Odward ran to find Casper, until he found him. Laying down in front of Key. Burnt. Half of his face and upper body were burnt. His heart stopped and he felt a cold sweat invade his body, even with all the heat around, he was cold.
The air was heavy and smelled like ashes, it was difficult to breathe with such heavy air, and his shallow breathing didn’t make the situation any better. He ran as fast as he could to get on his side, throwing his glasses aside and kneeling in front of him. His hands trembled, too shocked to do something, staring at him for a few seconds that felt like ages, until he snapped out and held him. One of his hands carefully lifted his head while the other softly grabbed his waist to give him a point of support. Casper grunted in pain at the touch, but he locked eyes with Odward, wondering why he was helping him even when they weren't dating anymore. Even if he still loved him, he was sure Odward didn't anymore, but if he didn’t, why would he run through the fire to get by his side? He was holding him with fear in his eyes, like if he was afraid of losing him.
—WHAT DID YOU DO?! —Odward yelled to Key, who, horrified, fled the scene.
More people arrived at the scene, the second one to arrive being Callista, and then the rest of the Bards and the Knights.
—O-Odward… —Casper pronounced with difficulty.
The mentioned quickly looked at him with tears in his eyes and shifted one of his hands holding his back to hold his hand. —I’m here. I'm here, Casper.
—I’m… I-I’m sorry… —He hissed because of the pain and the grip on Odward’s hand tightened.
Odward cried and returned the squeeze on his hand. —I’m sorry too, I'm so sorry! I… I still-!
—This is all your fault! —Callista yelled at Odward, interrupting him. —If you hadn't left the Bards, those nobodies wouldn't have a team and-! —She tried so hard not to cry and punched the floor. —And my brother wouldn't be like this!
Callista gave in and started crying, trying to hide her face in an attempt to not show weakness. —Casper… Brother…
At that moment, the medical team arrived with a gurney and first aid equipment to treat him. One of the nurses grabbed Odward's hand to separate him from Casper, but Odward just didn't want to let him go. —The first minutes of treatment are crucial, you need to let go.
—NO! —Odward clung harder to Casper's body, to which he grunted in pain. He loosened his grip when he noticed he had hurt him. —Don’t go… Casper don't go… Please, I don't know what to do without you.
—I’m scared… —Casper sobbed.
—I’m… I… —Odward was in absolute shock, trying so hard not to break. But his chest was tight, his hands were trembling and he was short of breath. His eyes were watery but his tears couldn't fall.
Casper grabbed Odward’s shirt, clinging to him in fear. —It hurts… —He cried.
—Y-You’ll be fine, please hang o-! —But suddenly, someone pulled Odward away, causing him to forcefully let go of Casper's body. —Wait, no! CASPER!
Odward looked at Casper's pained expression as he was being taken away by the medical team, trying to reach for him.
Even more shocked than he already was, he turned around to see who dared separate them, only to see Callista. —Let go, Odward. Didn't you hear? The first minutes are crucial. —She wasn't angry or over-expressive as she always was. She seemed defeated, so hurt that her emotions couldn't show.
He snapped at Callista in despair. —Why did you do that?! He was scared! He…!
—And whose fault is that? —She coldly replied, giving him a silent stare to then stand up and walk away. —Traitor.
Odward’s world fell apart and his heart sank. Was it really his fault? Callista was right, if he had never left the team this wouldn't have happened. This could be the last time they see each other and he didn't get to tell him that, even through all, he still loved him.
Milo and Ameline got closer to Odward, who was on the floor, silently crying with his eyes wide open, fixated in one drop of blood that stained the grass. Casper's blood.
—A-Are you ok? —Milo asked his brother, unsure of what to do.
Ameline just made worried noises, trying to get closer to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
Odward rejected the contact, terrified. —Leave me alone! —He cried, then stood up and ran away in the direction of the nurse's office.
Milo clenched his fist on his heart. —I’ve never seen him like this…
As Odward ran, he allowed himself to sob and scream. Memories of the good times he had with Casper invaded his thoughts, when he confessed to him, when they had their first date in the city and his father discovered them and congratulate them, his warm hugs after games, his cold hands on winter and freezed him when he put them on his neck to mess with him, his lovely messy laugh. He could honestly go on forever, but he just wanted to hug him again, to kiss him again. But all those memories were burnt down by blue flames, but a spark of hatred towards Key and what he’d done to Casper ignited. He wished he never joined the Knights.
After desperately running through all the school grounds, Odward reached the infirmary. He took a few minutes to catch his breath, overthinking. What if Casper resented him? What if he didn't want to see him? What if he was…? He preferred not to think about that…
He was in front of the door, with his hand trying to reach for the handle, but he couldn't move. He just stared at the golden handle of the door, being unable to do anything except blame himself. His head couldn't stop spinning with a phrase repeating over and over in his head.
“It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault.”
Odward gave up and sat on the floor hugging his knees, too scared to open that door and face Casper. He tried to cry as silently as possible, but small sobs and sniffs came out.
“So embarrassing.” Odward thought, scared of someone seeing him in such a vulnerable and pathetic state.
The door’s handle rattled and Odward was quick to stand up and try to dry his tears, but his eyes were red and puffy, it could be as clear as water to anyone who saw him that he was crying. When the door opened, the nurse jumped in surprise.
—Oh my! You scared me there, Stonegarden. I didn’t know the Ferreiro boy was getting any visitors this soon, and to be honest I expected his sister to come first.
Odward cleared his throat. —Is it… Ok if I see him? —His voice slightly broke even after clearing his throat, he damned himself.
—Of course, dear. —Her expression changed from sweet to concerned. —I just have to warn you, he’s in a bad state.
Odward’s heart stopped again and he felt that same cold sweat in his body from when he found Casper on the field.
—I put some ointment and bandages over his burns, —she continued —but he’s currently unconscious. He needs to rest. —She touched his shoulder and gave Odward a soft smile. —I’ll be back in an hour, take good care of him.
The nurse walked away, leaving the door half open. Odward’s heart went from stopping to beating really loud and fast in just a few minutes. The fear and anxiety of going through that door invaded him again. All his what ifs haunted him and he had no idea what to do except stare at the ray of light that slipped through the gap of the door. The warmth of the light reminded him of Casper’s warmth and that made him calm down a bit, putting a hand on his chest and taking deep breaths with his eyes closed. Casper’s face flashed through his mind, his honest smile, his lovely eyes, his soft lips, his handsome mole… Everything about him was perfect and Odward couldn’t stop blaming himself for letting him go over something they could’ve solved.
A gust of wind took Odward by surprise, opening the door and giving him a clear sight of Casper, laying down in the infirmary bed. Half of his face was covered with bandages, as well as his torso. He was unconscious like the nurse told him, but he expected Casper to look more in pain, even while sleeping. But his face was calm, peaceful. Getting the proper rest he needed. The sunset was visible through the window, with that warm light touching his skin, framing him in the room.
“Always the center of attention, even in this situation…” Odward jokingly thought with a small sad smirk on his face to try to lighten up his own mood.
He gulped and took a deep breath before nervously walking towards Casper’s bed. Each step hurt. Not physically, but because he was getting closer and closer to discover which one of his what ifs was going to be true, and to be honest, none of them were good.
Before he could notice, he was beside Casper’s bed. He wanted to caress his hair, to hold his hand, but he hesitated and just sat by his side.
Odward clenched his fists and couldn't stop moving his foot because of the anxiety, but also anger. Seeing Casper’s health condition so close hit him differently. He was frustrated and sad, but he didn’t know where to redirect it, if to Key or himself.
But just how can you be in the same team with someone that hurt this much the person you love the most in the world? How can you forgive someone after his inability to control his Tama almost killed someone so precious to you? How can you face your loved one’s sister after every decision you made lead to her brother being in this state? And how can you forgive yourself when you know this could’ve been avoided if you only talked things through instead of snapping and breaking up in the first place?
Odward started crying again, this time holding Casper’s hand and making it cup his face, just to feel his touch again.
—What do you think you’re doing here? —A feminine voice echoed through the room. Callista. She slowly walked towards Casper and Odward. —I don’t know who let you enter, but you’re going to leave right now.
Odward bit his lip. Leaving would be the most obvious thing to do, he didn’t want to listen to Callista blaming him for everything, it messed with his head more than he could handle. But he just tightened his grip on Casper’s hand and looked up at Callista. Both of them had tired eyes from crying too much. They shared the same pain.
—I won’t leave Casper’s side again.
Callista growled. —I think it’s too late for that, look what you leaving did to Casper. —She got in front of Odward and grabbed the neck of his shirt, yanking him towards her face. —If you have any respect and love left for my brother, you’re going to leave him alone. He doesn’t need more of you, he’s tired of you. Do you know how much he cried every night since you left him? How unfocused he is during practice because he missed you? EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT, CAN’T YOU SEE?! —Callista finally snapped, throwing Odward against a shelf.
Casper grunted and Callista stopped everything to get to Casper’s side. He slowly recovered consciousness and tried to sit.
—Wait, Casper, don’t sit yet, let me call the nurse. —Callista said worriedly while putting her hand on Casper’s shoulder, with a knot of tears in her throat.
But Casper rejected the touch and took his sister’s hand off. —I heard you Callista. —He weakly looked at her, but his anger was evident. —You have no right to speak for me. Get out.
Callista cried. —B-But… Brother, please, I was just trying to-!
—I won’t say it again.
A grunt of frustration came out of her throat. —FINE! If you want to change your own family, your own TWIN SISTER for your stupid boyfriend, GO AHEAD! —Neither Odward or Casper had heard her so hurt before. She took off her matching earring and ran away sobbing.
Casper wanted to cry, but he was too weak to do it. He just looked at Odward who was recovering from being thrown and standing up. —Are you ok?
Odward looked at his ex-boyfriend with pity and sadness, walking to be by his side. —I am, but are you? Does it hurt too much? How are you holding up?
Casper looked down, ashamed and hurt. —The burn is the least of my concerns now. I hurt Callista… I didn’t mean to…
Odward sat on the bed and caressed Casper’s hair. Being slow and soft, just how he liked it. He leaned into the touch and finally allowed himself to cry. —I know you didn’t mean to. I didn’t mean to… —Odward paused. —I didn’t mean to hurt you either, and of course I never wanted this to happen.
—How am I going to get her back? She’s so stubborn, I don’t want her to resent me for the rest of our lives. —He clung to Odward.
—I think everyone is tired and hurt. —Odward said with a monotone voice, too tired to put any more effort into it. —We said things, thought things and did things we regret, but because something horrible happened to you and we’re just… On edge. —He paused for a minute to choose his words. —Callista loves you, she was protecting you all this time, crying and suffering because she was afraid to lose you. She thinks it’s my fault… —His hands trembled and his voice broke. —And maybe it is… So I think it’s natural she’s furious at me.
Casper looked him in the eyes. —Odward, no…
—Do you…? —He cried. —Do you also think it’s my fault?
Casper suddenly hugged him with all the strength he could get out of his weak body. The burns stung and his body felt limp, but he needed to express his feelings to Odward. —Not for a second I thought this was your fault.
Odward was shocked. His tears ran freely down his face and a feeling of relief completely and instantly replaced all the guilt that was consuming his heart. He broke out of his initial shock and hugged Casper back tightly, but still being careful of his injuries. —I… I was so scared! —He cried like a baby. —I was so scared of losing you! I’m sorry, Casper!
—I’m sorry too, Odward. —Casper also cried with all the strength he had, which wasn’t much. —If only I’d been willing to talk things through… If only I didn’t say we could replace you… I could never replace you, Odward.
Odward sobbed harder. —So you don’t hate me?
—Hate you? —Casper smiled with relief. —I love you!
—I love you too! —Odward laughed between his tears.
They broke the hug to stare into each other’s eyes, both smiling, admiring everything about the other’s face and very slowly getting closer. Casper’s arms found a place on Odward’s neck, and Odward’s hands delicately grabbed Casper’s waist. They wanted that moment to last forever, just the two of them alone in the universe where nothing else mattered. Being heated by the warmth of the sun through the window, feeling the soft breeze on their skin and enjoying this precious moment even with all the despair surrounding them. Their breaths interlocked and their eyes were fixated in the other’s lips.
—I never stopped loving you, Cas.
And with that last phrase, their lips softly met. A soft and slow kiss that made them ignore everything and just concentrate on how much they loved each other. The kiss was short, but it communicated everything it needed to.
—Oddie, I don’t want you to blame yourself, but don’t blame Key either. Please.
Odward looked at his boyfriend confused. His anger towards Key ignited a small flame on his heart again. —What do you mean? He burnt half of…! —He stopped himself, he didn’t want to remind Casper or himself of the event.
—I know but… —Casper looked aside, ashamed. —I provoked him. Goyan Sunspear made me say something hurtful to him… He wanted us to injure Key to take him out of the game and… I said something I regret.
Odward stayed in silence.
—I just want to apologize to him. I don’t fully blame him for… —He touched his bandaged face. —This…
Odward held Casper’s hand that rested on his face. —I support you if you feel that way, but I don’t think I’m ready to forgive Key yet. I think he has to forgive himself first.
—Just promise me you’ll try.
Odward bit his lip. —As long as you’re ok.
Casper smiled and leaned once again against his boyfriend’s touch, melting Odward with the act. But he got suddenly lightheaded and lost the strength to keep himself seated, collapsing on Odward’s arms.
—Cas! Are you ok?!
Casper hissed. —I’m… Ok… Just tired…
Odward helped him to slowly lay down again. —I’ll go get the nurse, she’ll know what to do. —He panicked and stood up to quickly walk to the door, but Casper grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
—No… Please, stay…
—But-!
—She’ll come back eventually. Please.
Odward calmed down and sat by Casper’s side again. A long but comfortable silence invaded the room, just the two of them. Side by side holding hands.
—Do you think I can join the Knights? —Casper interrupted the silence.
Odward scoffed. —Why would you want to do that?
—To play with you again. —He looked into Odward’s eyes, who blushed instantly.
—We’ll sort everything out later, but… —Odward broke eye contact. —It would be very nice… To play with you again.
Casper laughed softly and Odward smiled at him.
As long as they were together, everything would be alright.