Chapter Text
Poisonous, deadly and toxic to the skin.
Azure stared at the potted plant on his desk, scattered notes and drawings in beautiful dark green ink surrounding it like some sort of dance. The plant had a special label on it: “DO NOT TOUCH. YOU WILL BE POISONED.”
Azure chuckled at a morbid thought. He almost ate the berries once.
Then Azure stood and moved to his bedroom, window covered in various succulents and unlit lamps. His bed was simple, draped in cotton sheets stitched with embroidery. Tucked under his pillow, stuck out a letter. He had read it multiple times already. He just couldn’t stop staring at it.
He sat on the edge of the bed, feet dragging across the cold wooden floor as he reached for the letter, folded neatly and pressed by the old church candle wax.
In the corner was the symbol for spawn, and Azure’s smile faltered a little.
He held the piece of parchment close to his chest, as if he could tell it all his secrets and it would keep them safe. Then he gently opened it, heart fluttering at the sight of those words again.
Dear Azurewrath,
I was wondering if you would like to meet together in the flower field near your home? It has been a while since we have seen or spoken to each other outside of sermons. Amarah even allowed it. Perhaps we could meet after Monday preachings in the afternoon? I do hope the weather doesn’t antagonise us that day.
I have been wondering too, how have you been? It’s been far too long since we spoke properly, and we haven’t quite had a proper conversation in a while.
There was a blotch of ink in what was supposed to be neat handwriting. Azure paused, and made a note. Was Two Time doing okay?
I cannot wait to see you again, my love. I want you to know that I cherish you deeply, no matter what may come, and that you are my blessing from the Spawn. I feel like this for no other.
If I ever have, or will, forsake you, then condemn me. Tell me my sins over and over again until it breaks me. You can hate me for as long as you must if I do, but never forget. I have loved you eternally. I will never stop loving you, and I hope you feel the same.
Your nightshade,
Two Time.
Azure stared at it for a couple of minutes, before folding it again. That last part… that was not normal. Something was wrong, and he aimed to fish it out of Two Time. Their pain was his pain.
***
The sun was low in the sky, clouds rolling in the distance. Azure sat upright in a patch of grass, watching the grass sway in the breeze that blew past, gentle as a whisper. A foreboding one. He adjusted his hat, fraying at the edges. Just like his scarf. Just like his patience with the church.
Hurried footsteps echoed behind him, speeding up as they got closer, and Azure stood, turning around to see Two Time, a smile on their face, eyes a little puffy, voice like harmony strung from a harp, just tired, almost scared.
“Azure!”
“Hello, my love. I’ve missed you.” Azure took them in his arms and embraced them with a little spin, a smile creeping onto his face.
“I’ve missed you too,” Two Time looked up, searching for something in Azure’s eyes. He didn’t know what, but he didn’t care. He kissed the top of their head and took their hands in his own. They were bony, pale and trembling.
“What do you have planned today, my nightshade?”
“Oh, uhm, just flower picking! I hope it’s not too much or too little…”
“I think it’s perfect. Thank you, Timey.”
Two Time smiled back, and led the way forward. Azure watched them. Inquisitive eyes like his did not miss anything.
Two Time was acting very, very strange.
The sun slowly set, golden light peaking out through the treetops and clouds above in the sky. Azure’s pockets were stuffed full of peculiar flowers he had found, and at the moment he sat on the ground, Two Time resting in his lap, almost dream-like. Their black tufts of hair hid their face in shadow, and they held desperately onto Azure’s hand. It was like they were terrified he would slip away.
“Timey, love, get up. We have to head back soon.”
“A little longer please…”
“Timey…” He ran a hand through Two Time’s hair, strands soft and full of the scent of daffodils, “It’s getting cold, love. The rain will start soon. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”
Two Time froze, looked up at the sky, and wiped their eyes. It didn’t help. Their tears were too much, too painful, but they said nothing. They didn’t cry loudly, just let it out, then wiped their eyes and smiled.
“T-two Time? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine Azure. My eyes were just really dry.”
“Don’t lie to me. What’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange the whole day.”
Two Time went quiet and sat up, not daring to meet Azure’s gaze.
“Two Time–”
“D–did you read my letter? Would you still love me even if I hurt you? Or at least, forgive me eventually…”
“What are you talking about?”
“We can finally get our second life!” They laughed, echo shrill and manic. What had gotten into them?
“Timey, what–”
“Amarah has told me the last true test in proving our faith! I must sacrifice you in order to complete the ritual. The Spawn will be pleased and grant us our second life! We will have proved our undying devotion…”
Azure said nothing. He only scowled. Of course, Two Time had been part of this longer. They had not seen much of the real world. All they knew was the church, the Spawn and Azure. What a pitiful life. What a stupid lie.
“You’re conflicted. You know you don’t want this.”
“Oh but surely anything done in Spawn’s name is holy. To believe in Spawn is enough. It is all one needs.”
“Don’t do this, Two Time.” Azure’s voice was low, disappointed. Full of pity and disdain. Not for Two Time, but for the lies they’ve been fed.
They paused, eyes watering again, and then reached for a dagger behind their back, and struck.
***
“How foolish.”
Two Time sat on the ground, collapsed in a heap of sobbing and mumblings on how they were sorry.
“You were willing to sacrifice me? For a god we don’t even know exists? I… I don’t know what to say.”
Azure threw the dagger he held in his hand as far as he possibly could out of sight, and sighed, bending down to Two Time’s level.
“Was my love not enough? You had to seek appreciation from something you cannot see. Was my love not enough to shield you?”
“I’m scared, Azure.” they mumbled brokenly, reaching for Azure’s hands, scarf, anything.
“Explain yourself.” he scoffed, recoiling from Two Time’s touch, no matter how much it hurt.
“Amarah told me to. He told me about the ritual, how it would help us both. I said no, and he threatened to do it himself. That the sacrifice of someone you care deeply about proves devotion, and if I did not bring back the dagger covered in your blood he would do it himself. I’m scared, Azure.”
Azure lifted them off the ground, watching as they sobbed, wiping their eyes, nose runny.
“I cannot forgive you entirely, but I can help you. Just… come with me, Two Time.”
Azure outstretched a hand, and Two Time held onto it hesitantly.
“No more hiding, Two Time.”
They didn’t answer verbally, but they nodded and there the grass was left untouched, not a single drop of scarlet tainting its damp green.