Lyney's a magician, you know that. And yet it seems that everytime he seems to magically lighten the mood, you're still pleasantly suprised
Like that time you were having a really terrible day. You forgot your keys at home, you dropped your lunch on the floor and you've been on your feet for the last few hours
In short, you were exhausted. The only good part was the fact that you saw Lyney in the streets during your lunch break
At the end of your tiring afternoon, you picked up your bag only to notice a paper falling to the ground with something shiny attached to it
Curious, you open up the note to reveal Lyney's familar hand writing
To my eternal Rose in Bloom,
I noticed at you left your keys on the kitchen counter, was this on purpose so I might have the honor to return them to you? How kind~
But darling... I couldn't help but notice the gloomy clouds hanging above your head. Why don't you tell me all about over dinner tonight?
I promised to share your burdens, remember?
All the words can't describe how much I miss you,
Lyney
'What a sweet talker' You dimly think as you held up your keys. With a renewed bounce in your step, you made it back home, to a table filled with food and a attentive husband, just waiting to make you smile again.
A/N I guess I'll try and get back into writing, and finally check my inbox
"Now, look at this~!" Lyney spoke enthusiastically, twirling a card in his fingers before quickly making it disappear out of thin air, a rainbow rose now in his hand.
He offered it to you, holding the pretty flower near your hand for you to take. Lyney tilted his head, his smile widening as you took the rose. "Now, did you enjoy the show, my dear~?"
He took a step closer towards you, leaning his face towards yours, both of your lips now mere inches apart, oh so easy to just move in a bit more and...
Lyney blinks, getting out of his stupor once he hears you speaking to him.
"Lyney, are you there?"
"Oh, yes, of course." He lightly chuckles, leaning back away from you, sheepish from having been caught in a daze.
Lynette's ears lightly twitch as she hears her brother, walking towards you and Lyney. "Lyney, we have to go. We're going to be late to the magic show if you keep-"
She blinks, noticing you beside her brother, a pink shade suddenly covering her cheeks. "A-Ah... Hello."
Lyney turns back to you, leaning in again, winking with a smile on his face.
"Well, if you ever want a show next time, you know where to find me. Preferably, a... private, show. I'll gladly give it at any time."
warnings // 1.3k words. major backstory spoilers. in depth/poetically described gore, dead/rotting animal mention, overall content may be disturbing to some readers - proceed with caution. injury, main character death, angst. childhood friends trope !! ambiguous relationship (could be viewed as platonic or romantic, but pining/unsaid feelings are implied).
"now i'm here," lyney chirped, jumping out from behind a wooden crate along the sides of the wet street, before bounding back again and leaving only his voice as an indication he was there at all, "now i'm not!"
lynette looked on, unimpressed, while you clapped. of course, it was only a silly game; but you were more than willing to indulge him.
the air smelled of rain and sodden wood, and you could feel the cool moisture upon your skin. puddles and wooden planks knocked off of crates littered the streets, the post-rain painting the sky a gloomy gray. tall buildings formed of metal sheets outstretched, cradling the city paths the three of you walked. desolate as it was, it felt like home.
the steps of six boots into fresh puddles echoed alongside an otherwise quiet world. the rain had just settled, so off you went, in search of the next crowd of people for lyney and lynette to perform for. there was never any particular place the three of you stuck to; there couldn't be. so, with time, you began to see them as your home instead.
the worry of what was next to settle in your truthless maw dispersed when you were with them. in their company, neither worry nor hunger gnawed at your stomach. the taste of food was simply not as comforting when eating alone. no .. you could be in a sea of people. so, not just being alone; without them.
☽ . * ☾
"i'm here!" lyney called, turning the corner into the small alley in which you three often resided.
you and lynette glanced up, immediately filled with vigor at the sound of his voice. while lynette stayed seated, huddled in a cardboard box beside you, you wriggled your way out of her grasp and jumped up to meet lyney half-way. as he dipped his head and took off his hat with a quick bow, spare coins came tumbling into your outstretched hands. you thanked him, turning to lynette, and he waited until you two counted what you needed before he took his own spoils.
it wasn't long until you were on the move again. the three of you huddled close as you slipped through the crowd of the night market, hands held tight in a chain as to not lose each other. you stepped up to a merchant together, dirty coins scrounged together just enough to be worth something in your outstretched palms.
you ate comfortably that night, huddled next to lyney and lynette in a small alley you had decided to make home temporarily. lynette was on the left, her tail wrapped around you and lyney; he was on the right, one arm tucked between you as he ate his meal with the other. you were right in the middle, head resting on lyney's shoulder. you could hear his heartbeat, dull and faint from how far away, but there nonetheless.
you drifted off to sleep comfortably, warm between their bodies as you sheltered each other from the cold night air.
☽ . * ☾
"i'm here," you whispered, holding lyney tight. your arms wrapped around his shaking frame as he cried, burying his face in the crook of your neck as to not allow you to bear witness to his tears. "it's okay. let it out."
"i'm here," lyney said softly, tracing circles over your knuckles with his thumb as you stared, mortified, the first time you saw a rotting animal — mauled so badly the species was unrecognizable — slumped up against the wall of a building. flies buzzed in your ears, and lyney murmured soft reassurances to muffle the sounds even as the sight filled his own body with dread. "it's okay. walk with me, now. keep your eyes closed. i'll guide you."
"i'm here," you said, words only meant for lyney's ears, stepping in front of him protectively as you steeled yourself for a brawl over food scarcity. you were always the better fighter. "i won't let them hurt you."
"i'm here," lyney called, entering the small space you were currently residing in, throwing you the bigger piece of bread between the two pieces he had retrieved. "this one's for you."
"i'm here," you said, the first time he performed alone, because lynette was sick. "you did great."
"i'm here," lyney said, barely above a whisper as to not wake you, hand resting on the back of your head as you curl into him for warmth in your sleep. "i hope you're comfortable."
"i'm here," you yelled, gasping for breath, as you rushed to lyney's aid — all because he tripped and scraped a knee. "are you okay?"
"i'm here." "i'm here." "i'm here." "i'm here."
you were always there, and he was too.
you hadn't eaten, yet you still felt like you'd throw up pure acid; as if the impact of your heart plummeting into your stomach would actually cause some to splash up.
the sight was as awful as that day. you wanted to see blood flow beneath his skin, in his veins, and watch it turn his face hot when you looked at him. you didn't want to see it outside of him. it was spilling out his body much too quickly, unlike the words you wished you could've said sooner.
deep crimson laid out for the world to see, blood pouring out like heartfelt words; up-tilted smiles, and choked out apologies. the dirty street beneath lyney's limp body was beginning to turn the same color as his open wounds, blood following the imperfect curves of the rubble-littered concrete. the blood glinted in the light like a precious ruby, marred skin splayed open to reveal flesh pure and untainted.
the stream, yet to coagulate, picked up pieces of dirt and tiny dislodged rocks as it followed its path. it reminded you of how lyney found you. you were the debris, and he the blood, outstretched grasp picking you up and carrying you to all the places you wished to go — with him all the while. without him, you would be immoble .. useless.
.. but the blood did not have a care in the world; it did not have any thought as it meandered its way across the ground. it only sought the path already cut for it, where ever that may lead.
.. it .. did not have a mind of its own. blood .. it is born to sustain one person, to keep them alive. it only served one purpose; carry life to and from their heart. now, without a body to keep alive .. it had no use in the world.
.. that was quite the fitting metaphor for you, now.
you cradle him gently, letting him lean on you as he breathes. it's weak, it's fragile, and it's strained. your arms wrap around his body and his hands grasp feebly at your clothes, trying to hold you close the best he can.
stay with me, you want to say. stay with me.
but you know better than to have hope now. you've seen enough death that you can predict when it's coming.
.. is he even still conscious?
yet, regardless of your rationale, he seems to read your mind.
"i'm here," lyney murmurs, voice soft and eyes fluttering between open and shut. the last of the day's sun glints in his glassy irises, pupils shrinking and dilating as he tries his best to focus on you despite his blurred vision. he smiles softly, looking up at you with only his eyes. it would hurt too much to move anything else.
.. but, soon the pain ceases. in his final moments, he manages to glance at you once more, without the binds of wound left to mar his final memory.
you brush the stray hairs away from his face. "i know. i know."
slowly, the sun goes down. his eyes have long since stopped moving, and his final breath had drifted past your face and into the winds hours ago. yet, you're still here, his now-cold blood painting the entire front of you a glassy red, holding onto him as if trying to keep his lifeless body warm still.
