Kit recalled when, some hours ago, Vincent had spoken the same word to him in the stairwell. Had that not been the start of some ultimatum after all?
He knew now just by listening to what followed that the message being shared had not originally been intended for his ears. Whatever the other boy was saying had the sound of something that had been conveyed to him a long time ago, by someone full of regret, and obviously not alone. Or perhaps...they hadn't been speaking to him, but to someone who shared his face?
The visions! Like the one he'd had about the man with the mask.
Hours after he'd set out to discover the truth his companion had finally confirmed his suspicions, but following his subtle confession, Vincent slumped against the arm of the bench. And Kit knew why that was, too. Attempting to speak about certain things seemed to invite a most savage pain or, worse, the invisible shadow that had made him feel like his spine might liquefy on the spot.
Was there nothing he could do?
He hesitated. Fear reminding him to be sure-footed. One careless mistake and it wouldn't be just him who suffered...but why should he care? He'd gotten what he came for. That was all that mattered, wasn't it? The otherworldly something wouldn't bother him if he walked away right now and never spoke of this again.
...but could he live with himself if again he turned away from someone in very obvious need?
Much as he was tempted to stand and leave, his hand found Vincent's shoulder instead, his grip strong but careful, the sort that steadied and reassured at the same time.]
Don't say anything more.
[Demons might have been made to obey specific sets of rules, but in the northeast corner of Eddan, in the northeast corner of the Leviathan Habitat, both Vincent and he were in their domain. Clever risks reaped rewards, but for the foolish, the only prize was death.]
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Kit recalled when, some hours ago, Vincent had spoken the same word to him in the stairwell. Had that not been the start of some ultimatum after all?
He knew now just by listening to what followed that the message being shared had not originally been intended for his ears. Whatever the other boy was saying had the sound of something that had been conveyed to him a long time ago, by someone full of regret, and obviously not alone. Or perhaps...they hadn't been speaking to him, but to someone who shared his face?
The visions! Like the one he'd had about the man with the mask.
Hours after he'd set out to discover the truth his companion had finally confirmed his suspicions, but following his subtle confession, Vincent slumped against the arm of the bench. And Kit knew why that was, too. Attempting to speak about certain things seemed to invite a most savage pain or, worse, the invisible shadow that had made him feel like his spine might liquefy on the spot.
Was there nothing he could do?
He hesitated. Fear reminding him to be sure-footed. One careless mistake and it wouldn't be just him who suffered...but why should he care? He'd gotten what he came for. That was all that mattered, wasn't it? The otherworldly something wouldn't bother him if he walked away right now and never spoke of this again.
...but could he live with himself if again he turned away from someone in very obvious need?
Much as he was tempted to stand and leave, his hand found Vincent's shoulder instead, his grip strong but careful, the sort that steadied and reassured at the same time.]
Don't say anything more.
[Demons might have been made to obey specific sets of rules, but in the northeast corner of Eddan, in the northeast corner of the Leviathan Habitat, both Vincent and he were in their domain. Clever risks reaped rewards, but for the foolish, the only prize was death.]