Chapter Text
“You’ve… never seen the leaves change color like this?”
“... No, never.”
And that was just the truth.
Staring at the leaves, seeing them in their autumn hues of scarlet, vermilion, and gold whilst dancing along the winds as they fell, Wriothesley could remember seeing them like this in ages past, but he’d never lingered on it then. Those days, after all, did not grant him the time to witness the beauty of the world, only its cruelty. He could remember those colors as just accents in the background in the bright yet gloomy days and chilling nights, and those days ended up blurred together. The changing seasons then only meant he had to divide his attention between warmth and food more, and trust that his shelter held up to the more frequent rain and rare bouts of snow. With his foster family, it would be another day - another child being ‘adopted’ with another being brought inside from the cold and to supposed ‘warmth’. Then, once sentenced to the Fortress, leaving had only become a priority for work that again, staring at the natural wonders of the Overworld was not an inclination - he’d rather get his business done and return to his depths.
But, Lyney had insisted.
Funny, how things turn out this way.
Mention once to a guy you don’t partake in the usual fall activities and suddenly, in the efforts of ‘helping’ their collaboration, they insist on taking one above ground to try such things. Of course, not that Wriothesley completely objected to the idea; if anything, it did give him some reason mentally to go above. Still, it didn’t change that feeling of…
Sighing, he shook his head, and watched Lyney walk ahead towards the Fountain of Lucine. There weren’t many trees within the Court that changed colors, but there were enough here - hah, just close enough to feel like he wasn’t that far from the Underground. And yet, this was letting him see enough - much more than he had considered a long time ago. There certainly was something… pleasant to it when one wasn’t focused on survival, and what it all meant. Another turning of the world, another year ending, but also, another year having gotten to live unlike those lost, watching the leaves drift upon the air at sunset, almost like burning sparks that could summon one home. Some of his siblings who would’ve loved seeing the leaves this color and probably would’ve gathered them; not that they knew the process of drying and preserving leaves, but it was the thought.
It made him wonder, why did Lyney bother?
Sure, Wriothesley supposed this was still within their meeting hours, but so far as he recalled, Lyney didn’t enjoy his company last they were around each other. Yes, that had been the Film Festival and they managed to be civil, but they had been in mixed company then. Had he missed something? He doesn’t think the Damselette - er, Miss Columbina - had put in any word about him. Even if she had, why would she bother when they had only recently become acquainted? Things that had transpired between himself and Lyney shouldn’t matter, but Wriothesley still couldn’t grasp what changed. He didn’t think he deserved it either all things considered because he certainly never forgave the people that hurt his once family.
… Instead of speculating, it could be easier to ask.
“So, what prompted the sudden invite? I’m sure there are others who’d make better company viewing the changing leaves.”
“Hm, perhaps… However, we’ll not always conduct business in the Fortress. I may as well… introduce you to some proper sights in the Overworld. As a way to extend my ‘peace’ regarding certain past matters.”
“Oh, whew… and here I thought you might’ve forgiven me or something.”
Lyney paused, turning, and his expression was a mixture of surprise yet somewhat unreadable. Wriothesley gave a wry grin back.
“I don’t expect forgiveness for my actions then. We can make ‘peace’, but I know what I did. If I were you and had to negotiate with a once enemy that threatened me like that, that would be my extent as well. It’s how we protect ourselves, isn’t it?”
Cold eyes tracking several more leaves as the wind whipped them away, he hummed. He didn’t mean to completely bring the mood down, but with Lyney, there didn’t seem to be the usual need to be ‘polite’, in a sense. There was no performance when the two of them interacted these days; not that it meant there were no playful jabs, but moments just seemed to come up where masks and walls were non-existent. Nodding to the still stunned Lyney, he at least offered more of a smile. “So, thanks for the peace offering. Guess I should do something for you in return.”
“Oh…? You, a peace offering? Let me take a guess and say it involves tea.”
“Well, if you want it to involve tea it can. Hurry up…”
He did appreciate the offering, but the Overworld was still not a place he belonged - and maybe he would never belong here again. It was nice witnessing the leaves, but there was one thing that would truly put him at peace again. Wriothesley knew Lyney followed out of curiosity, but he would keep the cat comments to himself for now. He led the way beyond where most still feared to go - even more than death sometimes, it seemed. Because with death, at least there’s no suffering, he supposed; and here he was, going on living somehow like a stubborn bastard.
“Where are we going?”
Blinking, Wriothesley knew how it looked, taking Lyney so far down into the Fortress. Fortunately, their destination was here, by the Wingalet’s maintenance zone as it could be called. No one was around anymore - working hours had ended some point between their descent and he preferred it that way.
“Right here…”
“... ‘Here’? For what? To admire your ship?”
That got a chuckle from Wriothesley before he shook his head. “No, but you could say we’re admiring where it launches.”
“Huh…? What’s to admire about–?”
But Lyney’s voice trailed and Wriothesley, well, he was already staring. Down this far, much had to be left natural. Far less moaning metal and hissing pipes, and more muted murmurs of underwater currents as it passed and flowed around stone. This far into the ocean, it should almost be pitch black to the human eye; and yet, gazing out the thick sheet into that ‘would be’ darkness were myriads of twinkling lights and gently illuminated creatures that could just faintly be discerned. Drifting to-and-fro, sinking beyond sight; Wriothesley would stare at this for hours upon end if he could, and let himself be taken by the black tranquility.
“My ‘peace offering’... consider it stargazing,” he said quietly. “Perhaps not in the traditional sense, but this is for the Underworld. I’m sure you think this might be more suited for someone else’s taste, but the trade is ‘peace’. This is the most I can really offer.”
He doesn’t mind if Lyney rejected such a sign - okay, maybe he would take some offense, but it wouldn’t surprise him either. Why accept something that even Wriothesley was aware could be incomparable to the night sky for most; and for once, that wouldn’t just be a dichotomy between being individuals by the Overworld and Underworld? Or, maybe - just maybe - a sliver of him wanted… ugh, he doesn’t know. Lyney was giving him a chance and that should be enough. Rubbing his face, Wriothesley’s hand rested on his chin, and both brows rose a bit as Lyney walked closer to the glass and raised a hand to rest on it.
“Stargazing, hm? I don’t think I can make out a constellation with the stars constantly in motion…” Lyney commented, his back remaining towards Wriothesley as he spoke. “... but, it’s quite peaceful as you said. I’ll accept the offering... if you allow me to visit again.”
Raising his head slightly, Wriothesley stared, but Lyney kept looking out into the stars that flowed just out of reach.