Chapter Text
It's just the three of them in this room, working, but Welt knew the other two were paying attention to him.
Their investigation into the Kira case had been fruitless today, but that was expected. After all, his main suspect was sitting right next to him, three feet apart, typing into his computer.
And the lead was the lack of lead itself. It's not something he wanted to talk about in front of Void, though.
Luocha's fingers stilled as soon as he sensed attention on him. He looked away from the screen and sent Welt a smile. "Is it time to retire for the night?"
Welt thanked Luocha in his head—for making it seem like it was Luocha's idea and not his—as he grabbed his things, including the laptop he was working on. Luocha mirrored his actions, gathering his items without complaint. The chain between them clinked softly as Luocha followed Welt to their bedroom. Welt felt Void's eyes on him and did his best to ignore them.
Their bedroom and the king size bed were shared because they were chained together. The room was simple. There was a bed, two nightstands, two closets, and a built-in bathroom. There was a small balcony which was useless for now since the rain outside was nonstop.
Welt closed the door behind them, the click of the latch echoing in the quiet room. Now, they were truly alone.
Everywhere else in the building was lined with surveillance cameras, all the feeds were available for Void's people to check. But this room's records were stored in a private system that only Welt can access. Sure, it was inconvenient for the investigation, but it was one thing left in all this he could control, and he wanted that control desperately.
Welt waited, any second now, for Luocha to hit him.
This blonde man chained to him, regardless of the name he currently preferred, was Otto Apocalypse, and Otto suffered at his hand even now. After all, who would want a twenty four hour surveillance on them? Or to be chained to another adult? Or to be accused of mass murder? Welt wasn't too naive to think that this man couldn't hold a grudge just because the person in front of him was once his idol.
Luocha hadn't said a word since they walked in. He sat on their bed and eyed him, his face questioning why Welt would not join him. It felt like a taunt, too casual for their situation. Inside, Welt was going insane.
"Come sit, Mr. Welt. There're no tables around here, are there?" Luocha gestured around him with both hands. As if Welt didn't know that. After a moment, Luocha gave up trying to get his reaction and let his arms drop. "You have something to talk to me about, don't you?"
Welt left his things left on the nightstand, untouched, as he settled on his side of the bed—funny that there was now a Welt side and a Luocha side—he would rather be focused. "We didn't learn anything new today."
Luocha parroted back, "No we didn't."
"But, there is something strange I noticed." Welt paused, then leaned forward. "The killings have stopped. Do you know when?"
Luocha answered with a polite smile, "I wouldn't know the exact time that Kira had stopped fulfilling his request, since he doesn't leave any name card or physical evidence behind."
Welt reached over to Luocha's laptop, the tab opening is precisely the revenge website forum's latest page, full of complaints and worried questions asking for Kira's return. "Not everyone thanks Kira for their completed request, but by now, at least someone should have said 'thank you'. It's been weeks."
Welt looked at Luocha. "Not long after you arrived here."
Luocha met his gaze, smiling still. "What a coincidence."
Welt sighed. Weeks ago had felt like this. Yesterday was like this, and tomorrow? Would be the same. They were trapped in this routine of half-answers and circling each other, never fully revealing their hand.
He needed Luocha to trust him, so that Luocha would crack and give a hint of being Otto from that day—a total maniac, obsessed with his own ideals, offering divine intervention in the form of revenge, a fallen messiah.
But to do that, Welt would need more than just a slip of the tongue.
"Gratitude," Welt said in a low voice. "That's what's missing. Is Kira taking a break, or is he working on something that takes longer to fulfill?" He paused, humming. "Maybe Kira isn't even out there anymore."
"Well, I wouldn't know," Luocha shrugged. "I'm a med student. I don't make a habit of surfing the dark web, and I'm definitely not part of a cult."
"Who knows. Maybe you were."
Luocha cringed. "I don't appreciate that joke, Mr. Welt."
"I promise you, it's not."
Luocha's face returned to neutral. "I'll be taking a shower now."
Welt was about to respond, maybe to reassure him, but Luocha had already moved toward the closet, forcing Welt to follow him. The mood shifted, and they were back to silence.
Welt didn't want Luocha to be Otto. Not really.
No, who would want to see it? Otto in his purest form, a man who had twisted justice into something unrecognizable. He very much preferred Luocha.
Fake as it may be, Luocha was polite. Cooperative. Since Void had chained them together, Welt hadn't had much chance to talk to his other colleagues. And Welt had found that Luocha was an excellent conversation partner.
Luocha went into the bathroom. As usual, Welt waited by the door.
Welt didn't talk to many people at all. His small circle consisted of Void, Himeko—and by extension, the orphanage kids she cared for—and some selected trusted specialists in the criminal world. If they had a chance, Luocha could join that group of specialists Welt kept around, or perhaps even find a place in the orphanage as a worker there.
Luocha was quickly becoming someone that Welt felt a connection with.
The sound of the shower stopped as Luocha began to apply soap on himself.
That's a dangerous thought.
The case hadn't been going on for that long. And his time knowing Luocha, even shorter. It's too soon to truly know someone. This wasn't the best circumstance to form any real bonds.
Letting Luocha be part of his team, however distant, was a risk. Void wouldn't like that. The most lenient thing to do was to rehab him first, then let him join their team. Void would add at least five torture sessions, and maybe another year of prison time, followed with a few magical items of theirs just to make sure.
While Void was certain Luocha was Kira, Welt hadn't thought of what to do with Luocha yet after all this was over. Void would expect his answer soon, something along the lines of a life sentence—or worse.
Chapter Text
Welt couldn't sleep. He had slept alone for so long that another warm body under the blanket was distracting. Not like that, no. It's just that he's always reminded Luocha was there, then he couldn't stop thinking about the situation itself.
Every time he started relaxing, he remembered that Luocha's fate was resting on his verdict, because to call it an investigation would be a joke. They acted like they knew a lot, but the truth was simply that Void and Welt had enough influence to damn someone if they so wished. And Void wished.
Welt himself couldn't say he's eager to call someone guilty if the consequences weren't pretty.
"You're thinking too loud," Luocha said. "It does nothing."
Welt collected himself. "And do you not?"
"... Of course I do, Mr. Welt." Luocha's vulnerability could be heard clearly.
Welt tried to think of the most neutral statement possible. "As long as you work hard with me, I will help clear your name."
Luocha let out a frustrated noise. "Do you think I'm a child? That's bullshit and you know it."
Tensed silence followed, the kind where both parties were waiting for a sorry to be said. No one said it.
Welt did want to say sorry in the morning, but Luocha was already acting like nothing happened. Instead of making him feel better, it pained him.
He decided they both needed a bit of morale. "Luocha?"
"Yes?" Luocha stopped at the bathroom door, about to step in.
Welt carried the laptop over and balanced it on his lap, sitting next to the door. "Can you stay in the bathroom for a little longer than usual?"
Luocha blinked at him. "You always say I shower for too long even when I don't wash my hair. Mr. Void is waiting—"
"Ah, yes. Wash your hair too. Thank you."
"We'll be late—"
"Enjoy the bathtub while at it," Welt gestured his hand to shoo Luocha away while he set up his laptop. "You deserve it, I think."
Luocha stared at him for a while, then smiled. The door closed.
Welt waited for the sound of running water. Then, he video called Himeko. She told him Dang Heng's detective skill had improved. March had scored higher in her archer training, and Stelle had invented more redundant inventions to prank her friends. All in all, they were growing fast and in high spirits.
"What about you?" Himeko asked. "Growing fast?"
Welt huffed. "Didn't bother asking about my spirit?"
"It's pretty low, isn't it. You have bags under your eyes, though I'm not sure if that's from insomnia or old age."
"No mercy at all." Welt chuckled. "No matter which, I can feel them getting better now. It is nice talking to you."
"Me too." Himeko hummed. "I know you always have difficult choices to deal with, but you must have good company recently."
"Wha- really?" Welt was surprised. "Why do you think that?"
"Your spirit isn't too bad, all things considered. So I assume you have support." Himeko sighed wistfully. "Cherish that one, but don't forget about me, alright?"
"Of course not, Himeko. I will keep in touch."
Soon after Welt was done, Luocha stepped outside with a towel wrapped around his hips. Welt averted his eyes. He was still not used to Luocha's carefree attitude about his nakedness. He mumbled a thanks and prepared his own set of clothes.
Welt stepped under the shower and let his mind wander.
Welt was allowed some time away from Luocha when they were working in the main room, since there was enough surveillance around to monitor Luocha. Welt sat at a chair in a corner with his laptop, waiting for the conversation.
"You came down late." There it was.
Welt had already prepared his answer. "I was checking up on the orphanage while he's in the shower."
"Why not here?" Void remained standing. "You would rather catch up in your personal life in the same private room as Otto instead of here, with me?"
"It's Luocha," Welt corrected without thinking.
The silence was loud. Welt felt judged.
"... Your focus should be on catching Kira, not raising children," Void said, sounding deceptively lighthearted. "You're not getting replaced anytime soon."
Welt raised his eyebrow.
Welt was in both the safest and the most dangerous place. Many people wanted him dead, but his identity, his existence, was so well protected that no one could reach him—not without risking it all.
The cage is gilded, and Welt was a wooden cuckoo clock.
"Excuse me," Luocha's voice interrupted them. He was right behind Void. Welt blinked. When did he get here?
Void dismissed him, "We're having a private conversation."
"Is that so? Seems one sided to me."
Void did regard Luocha this time. "What is it?"
"I have a thought on this fruitless investigation," Luocha said. "It is recorded that Kira's killing method is unknown."
"And?"
"Perhaps it is... magical?"
Void was startled while Welt almost fell off the chair. Void collected himself quicker and asked, "Do you know anything about that?"
"No," Luocha smiled again, which Welt had now learned was the fake one. A happy Luocha did not smile like this. "After all, I'm just a medical student."
"Why did you do that?" Welt asked as soon as they reached their private bedroom.
Luocha was tucking himself into bed, or rather, hiding himself under the blanket. Normally, Welt would scold him for getting in the bed before showering, but now wasn't the time.
Luocha shrugged. "I gave you guys my opinion. It's not a big deal."
Welt wanted to laugh at the despair in it. He whispered, "You of all people know it's so much more than that."
Luocha didn't reply. Welt decided to join him in bed and walked over. He lifted the blanket up.
Luocha was hugging his own knees, arms shaking. Welt wordlessly slipped under.
Welt knew Luocha had saved him from the situation, and he had to thank him for that, but it was too much. Luocha's words could be seen as a nonsensical remark by anyone else, but not them. Void and Welt, together with some selected people, had been studying about magic and magical items for a while now. It wasn't a well known fact that magic existed, but they had encountered them enough to believe in it.
Luocha revealing that he knew about magic would only hasten his demise.
As a detective, Welt should be happy for a case coming to a close quicker. Again, he only felt pain, but he couldn't openly show that. In an off chance that this was Otto pretending, and all of Luocha's kindness was an act, Welt had to stay strong. "You might as well confess."
"So that, what? You will torture me to wipe my memory off then send me to an orphanage to rehab?" Luocha rolled his eyes. He retreated back further into the blanket.
Welt swallowed his words about how that would be exactly something Void would make him do, if it were to happen. "Fair. I understand completely," Welt said. "But you must admit, it is nicer than an execution, isn't it?"
"If my current self is dead, is that not an execution?"
Welt went quiet.
"According to your set of morals, if I had died once, was that already a repent of my crimes?" Luocha asked. "If you insist I were Otto, am I now a free man?"
Welt wasn't sure how to answer him. Didn't know if he could. He would first need to admit to himself that he liked the sound of that. He liked the idea of Luocha being free, absolved of all crimes.
If only it was that easy. Void was even more suspicious of Luocha now and they wouldn't let this slide. Technically, Welt could go against Void's decision, but it would be messy all around.
"Void isn't here," Luocha said.
Welt realized belatedly that he had been quiet for far too long. He tried his best to be neutral once more. He couldn't show weakness for Luocha to exploit, to show that there might be a discord between Void and him.
And there wasn't. Welt was only considering the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a game for Luocha. And that he was innocent, and struggling, and Welt was his only hope, and his kindness was not out of malice but rather desperation.
"Void isn't here," Luocha repeated.
Welt let that sentence ring and repeat in his head. Let it wrap around him and give him warmth, however fickle. He was scared, but he wanted to trust in it.
And he was tired. He was so, so tired.
"If... you are," Welt began, and the part of him still loyal to Void was screaming. He shutted it out. "Even if you are free, I am not."
There was a glint of something in Luocha's eyes. "I understand."
Welt felt that they were okay again. But at what cost?
Chapter Text
When Welt and Luocha arrived at the main room, Luocha glanced around and frowned. "Void isn't here?"
Welt shrugged. "Looks like they're doing their own research today."
"Ah." Luocha tilted his head. "Let me guess. Reviewing magic, trying to connect it to Kira's methods?" Because of me left unsaid. He glanced down at the handcuffs chaining them together. "In that case, can we go back to our room instead?"
Welt hesitated. Letting more people monitor Luocha was always encouraged. But with Void absent, there was no one to question his decisions. So he nodded. "Sure."
They had an unspoken truce going on. As long as Welt trusted Luocha, Luocha would keep revealing more. Welt knew he was careless and illogical, and Void would say exactly that—but that's precisely why Void wasn't in this room.
When they arrived, Luocha threw himself on the foot of the bed and stretched his body. "I don't actually remember much," he said. "I mean, I have hints, but I'm as separated from the whole thing as I could be."
"You forget everything? Is it all... blank?" Welt asked, the chain long enough for him to lean against the wall.
Luocha shook his head. "Not blank. Just... so mundane. With a friend like mine, that life was unrealistic. It made more sense that my memories were fake."
"And that friend is...?"
"If you haven't noticed her yet, then she must not have done anything illegal. Why should I put her on the radar?"
Welt hummed. He understood Luocha's hesitation. If Luocha had a partner in crime with her memory intact, he wasn't sure how much of her crime can be pardoned.
No one said her name, but they both knew who it was. Sushang. Drama major, Otto's best friend—perhaps his only friend. Not much else was on record.
For now, Welt didn't want to put the attention on her, either. "We could talk about that later," he said, keeping the tone casual.
Luocha visibly relaxed and returned right to teasing. "You sure love these one on one sessions with me, Mr. Welt."
Welt averted his eyes. Something between them had changed since Luocha had helped him, and Welt still wasn't sure how to act. "I respect your privacy?" The rising pitch made it sound like a question.
"Ah yes, you don't want Void in on these." Luocha stood up and leaned forward. He's grinning. "You don't want to share."
Welt tried to take a deep breath, but it came out as a gasp. Nowhere to hide his face, he looked at the ground. "Get to bed."
"My, how aggressive." Luocha's smirk was heard loud and clear. "Unfortunately, I need a shower first."
Welt managed to take a deep breath this time. "Off you go."
After Luocha went into the bathroom, Welt did crack a smile.
The next day, Luocha was left in the main room to spend time at his leisure. Meanwhile, Void dragged Welt into their office. It was filled with computers and wires everywhere. Welt didn't like this. Conversations with Void were necessary, but they weren't pleasant to have.
"What have you learned about Kira's methods?" Welt decided to get straight to the point. If it stopped them from asking about his day, that's a bonus.
"Death manipulation," Void said. They weren't looking at any screens, but were writing something on paper. "Most likely."
Welt had been working with them for years, and hearing about these things still felt surreal. He tried hard not to fidget with the chain still connected to his handcuff. "And his amnesia?"
"I don't know for sure, but I have speculation."
Welt thought about his past conversation with Luocha. He wanted to help Luocha find a better fate, but investigation was still his job. "Then, it depends on what the definition of 'death' is. If Kira does have the power of death manipulation, is it possible to use it on a part of themselves?"
Void raised an eyebrow. "Didn't take you for the philosophical type."
"I've also had time to think."
Void twirled the pen in their hand. "I know I can be harsh, but I do have faith in you, Welt." And Welt never doubted that for a second. "Even if you can be a bit idealistic."
He winced. "Is that so?"
"Death by Kira is absolute. There never was an exception," Void continued, tapping the pen to the table. "And they all served the same purpose."
Welt nodded. "Liberation. Every request fulfilled was so the requester could live more freely."
"Assuming it's possible, why would Otto—assuming he is Kira—kill the 'Kira' part of himself after confessing? It's counterproductive." Void paused. "Also, magical items have to exist somewhere. They can't destroy themselves."
"You're saying," Welt swallowed. "that Kira was pretending to be amnesiac. That he's waiting for the right moment to get his hands back on his magical item once all suspicion is off him."
"Mmhm. My faith in you still holds true. You're starting to understand why I can't afford to be lenient, aren't you?" Void smiled at him. "Come here."
Welt walked toward Void's desk, the chain dragging across the floor. When he was within reach, Void took hold of his wrist with the handcuff on.
With a faint click, the cuff fell away. It clattered to the floor along with the chain.
"Don't disappoint me."
Welt flexed his now freed wrist. He didn't feel any lighter.
Welt lay on his side of the bed. The room was dark, save for the lights of the city. He could hear running water. Luocha was showering.
Luocha must have been as confused as Welt at their sudden freedom from each other. He felt off kilter. It's strange. Welt was used to being right outside of the bathroom, and Luocha must be used to waiting for Welt gathering his items before they leave the room. They knew how to gauge the distance between them so not to accidentally yank each other. None of that mattered now.
Luocha could do his own thing. Welt could do his own thing.
Welt felt like a dog first time out of a leash, dropped at a random park as his owner drives away. The first instinct, of course, was to run after the owner's car. Since it was impossible to chase a moving car forever, he would wait at the park until his owner came back to pick him up. If that didn't happen, then he supposed he would be a stray.
He heard Luocha’s quiet footsteps across the room. Each step was deliberate but soft, as though Luocha was checking if Welt was awake. Welt stayed still and pretended to be asleep.
The mattress dipped as Luocha joined him in bed. Welt waited in silence to see what Luocha would do. Breathe in. Breathe out. Long hair tickled his cheek. He felt the ghost of Luocha’s presence before anything else, the faint warmth radiating from his body, the soft sound of his breathing.
Then, a gentle kiss pressed against his temple. It was fleeting, but it burned into his mind.
“I will save you,” Luocha whispered, and retreated.
Welt’s heart twisted and he wanted to scream. Save him from what? Void? Himself? How could someone like Luocha, in this situation, offer salvation to anyone?
Welt stayed still, his breaths measured, even as the storm inside him raged on.
Chapter 4
Notes:
1. surgery rotation is now behind me
2. I may have been partially responsible for the death of 11 koi fish. sad day.
Chapter Text
Turned out magic was more versatile than Welt had thought. He already knew about magic, sure, but not as in depth as Void. There's always undiscovered magic out there, and Void's job was to gather them into his archive. No magical item would be used without the highest authorization.
While Welt was browsing said archive, he wondered if there's any items that could help Luocha. It's so easy to use one. And it's right there. Welt was a fast learner. Surely he could smash the glass panes, grab one, and figure it out—No, Void would notice if he took anything. He also didn't want to be a wanted man just yet. No matter how much Welt want to do something, this wasn't it. Welt shook his head. What was he thinking?
Welt returned to their bedroom. As usual, Luocha was using his laptop. He was reading an article with a lot of text and few pictures. At first Welt thought he was reading an autopsy, but then he recognized it as a medical academic paper.
It's... a whiplash.
Luocha didn't belong here, didn't deserve to rot away in a glorified prison while trying to prove himself to people that wouldn't listen or couldn't help. Luocha should be studying, because he was a student .
"It's about the physiology of the heart in certain circumstances," Luocha said, looking guilty as if he was caught. "I only want to check the cause of death in some cases, but I got carried away."
Before Welt could say Luocha could continue, Luocha had closed the file and stared at his desktop. Welt sat next to him. "Do you miss university?"
Luocha laughed. "With the amount of lectures, I always thought I wanted a break from it, but now... yeah, I miss it a little bit." He shrugged. "At least I was doing something before. Now, I'm sitting duck."
An idea had been bouncing around Welt's mind for many hours now. He decided it could be worth the risk, and slid over his laptop with the intended file opened.
Luocha took it from him. "This is...?" His eyes went wide. "Welt! Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Welt pushed down the part of him that wanted to back down. "This is the only thing I can think of that will give you an edge." He gestured at the file onscreen: Otto's criminal profile that Welt had written.
Welt was startled when Luocha began to cry. It was silent and unassuming, like the man himself.
They read.
"... He really was me," Luocha whispered, the admission ringing in Welt's ear since he was leaning on Luocha's shoulder.
Welt didn't feel like moving away yet but he had to ask, "How do you feel?"
From this angle Welt could barely see Luocha frown. "Betrayed. Resigned." He sighed. " And if I guess correctly, perhaps feeling a little self pity. Because Otto must be desperate to do the things he did, but I can't help but feel he was selfish in that he had to involve me."
"You're talking like..."
"Otto is dead," Luocha said. "He is not coming back. Took the easy way out and left me with burdens."
That's all Welt could get out of Luocha for now. Welt sent Void a quick message.
The next day, Void touched his back when they met in a corridor. Welt knew that Void's patience was running thin. He also suspected that his clothes were now bugged. "Follow me," they said, and pushed him forward.
The interrogation room had an observation deck with a one way mirror. Void and Welt entered the observation deck. On the other side was a brown haired woman, Sushang, sitting at the interrogation table. She seemed relatively calm.
"Welt," Void snapped him into attention. "You went into the archive."
Welt crossed his arms. "I did. So?"
"Why."
"To put myself in Kira's perspective," he answered, not quite sure if it was completely honest. Void had seen the footage for sure, and they would know that Welt didn't steal any, but Welt wasn't known for being irrational and aimless.
Void hummed. "Then you now know his perspective. You aren't hurt?"
Welt was confused. Those magical items were behind glass panes. They couldn't do anything and all Welt felt was that he really, really wanted to—oh. "No, I'm fine."
"Good." If he didn't know any better, he would even say Void sounded caring. Void gestured to their men standing around in both rooms. Those people wore blackout helmets with none of their skin shown. Welt always tried to ignore they existed. "Keep your distance from Kira's magical item. Let me handle it." And with that, Void wore his own golden mask and went inside the interrogation room.
Sushang was young, a few years younger than Luocha. Void interrogated her themself. Luocha of course wasn't allowed here, but Welt stayed behind the one way glass. He was willing to be Luocha's eyes.
So Welt observed her, not for any lying tics or something like that, but for her every shift in posture, every hand movement. She was a drama major, after all. Every movement had intentions. At least, he hoped so.
That evening, Welt dragged a chair to the foot of their bed, imitating the setup of the interrogation room. Luocha sat at the edge, about to be his only audience.
Welt felt silly acting out what he saw, but Luocha gave him rapt attention even when Welt made a vague gesture of throwing something with a small flick of his wrist, or his other hand with fingers spread out, palm facing down to the imaginary table, or his index finger scratching his thigh.
Luocha's eyes followed. It was bordering on too much attention, and Welt was more self conscious from it. He felt hot under his collars and hoped his embarrassment wasn't noticeable, if it even was embarrassment.
Eventually, Welt couldn’t help but meet Luocha’s amused eyes. "Did you get anything out of that?"
Luocha chuckled. "And if I said I wasn't sure and wanted a repeat of this dance?"
"Luocha, please ." Welt was going to die of shame.
Before he could retreat, Luocha offered his hand. Welt gladly took it and let himself be pulled onto the bed. Luocha didn't let go. "Oh, I did get something, alright." His eyes darkened. "I wonder where you get this info?"
Welt swallowed. He had expected that Luocha wouldn't be happy. "Interrogation."
Luocha gasped. "And you're not forbidden to talk?"
Welt gave a wry smile. "Did I talk?"
"Hm, no." Luocha pulled him closer to his lap. "I changed my mind. I didn't pay attention. Could you demonstrate closer— stop —"
Welt attacked Luocha's sides with his fingers. Luocha was ticklish.
Not for long. Welt had mercy on the poor blonde.
When it's time to shower, Welt lingered at the bathroom door until Luocha noticed him and met his gaze. Welt glanced inside the bathroom and tilted his head towards it before entering. He left the door slightly ajar. The message was clear.
Welt was already in the bathtub, facing the wall, when Luocha followed him inside. He heard Luocha turning on the faucet and side stepping the water.
"Can you talk openly now?" Luocha asked.
Welt felt immense relief that Luocha understood his intention. "Yes, and you too."
Luocha took a deep breath. "I knew immediately it was from Sushang. She hinted to me about a place. I think we should check it out."
Welt blinked. That was huge. He hadn't expected an indirect communication between the two to convey so much information with literally zero words.
"But why so sudden?" There was something else in Luocha's tone that scared him. "Is Void focusing on her instead of me? Is this why we are no longer handcuffed together?" Sounds of water splashing. Footsteps on water. Luocha's distressed voice circling like a drone. "Because if she is—I think I—I'll confess—"
"It was me."
Droplets hitting the tiles, never ending. A mini rainstorm. A deep breath in—
Fingers on his carotid. A deep breath out, beside his ear. " What did you say? "
Welt gasped, because he could, but soon he would feel lightheaded. His head was already throbbing from his pulse. "I had to. Void was halfway through approving your execution—"
"You didn't ask me," Luocha whispered sharply. "You didn't—I would gladly give up my life if people important to me are free... You didn't ask me."
Luocha let go of his neck. Welt sucked in air, but felt like he deserved some more. Hidden in Luocha's words was that Welt was an important person to him, but Welt wasn't the only one. Don't think so highly of yourself.
"I'm selfish. I'm sorry."
Luocha had left the bathroom long ago. No more sound of water drops. The water was cold. Welt had not gotten up from the bathtub yet. He blamed it on his bad knees.
Chapter 5
Notes:
Enjoy Luocha's only pov.
Chapter Text
Much later, Welt was asleep on his side of the bed. Luocha lay beside him, only pretending to do so.
Welt must have believed that Luocha either hated him or was angry with him, but Luocha was neither. Those emotions were small in the grand scheme of things. Luocha was more worried about the place Sushang had mentioned, and what came afterward.
The place—It's a big tree in the forest, a little bit out of town. The clearing around it was wide enough to throw paper planes. It's the soil that's soft, perfect for hiding treasures you don't want your parents to find. It's where he first met Sushang and asked for a name to call his own.
Luocha couldn't... remember... the details, or any reasoning behind his choices, but his feelings were real. Those memories weren't faulty. As far as he was concerned, Luocha was born under that tree. No last name. No reputation. Nothing.
Luocha wondered what Jesus thought about when he carried his cross out of the city. And what of Simon's, the man who helped him carry it.
Luocha wasn't trying to compare himself to Jesus, but he did wonder how a death row inmate should feel. If the person were aware of their own crimes, would that make them any less scared, make this any easier?
Luocha hadn't breathed fresh air in weeks, a month, two? Or seen anyone who only had good intentions for him. He had sin behind his back, thorns binding his hands, and wool over his eyes. No guarantee that what Welt or Luocha tried to do would amount to something. If what Otto had started would do anything.
Was Luocha his own tool? Existing in a brief time to carve a place for himself and buy time, only to step away for something greater than him to fill the role.
Then, did any of his actions mean anything?
His suffering, did it mean anything?
Did Luocha mean anything?
All this, and he didn't even know if Welt would help him, or agree to what comes next. A weirdo, that one. Welt spoke what fitted the situation best, acted in ways which placated everyone, yet his own opinions were locked tight—perhaps even from himself.
Where did Welt stand? Did he believe Luocha existed at all? Welt could very well think he was Otto pretending. What exactly was that, anyway? Luocha regarded Otto as a deadname. So if he were to be Otto, then that's the man who agreed to that name and everything that entailed.
Wasn't it Kira's job to set people free? Luocha hadn't felt that way, not ever since he had opened his eyes to see Welt for the first time. Perhaps this was what Otto would consider freedom: to be with a handsome older man he admired, away from his old life. To spend his little time in good company before he dies.
Luocha hadn't asked for any of ths. In every direction, he saw death.
"... What are you thinking about?" Welt whispered.
Luocha blinked, surprised not only by the voice but by the resemblance to their early nights. Luocha had asked something similar before. It didn't end well. He hoped they were closer now. "Do you think I exist?"
"Of course you do," Welt replied. "It hasn't been a long time that we know each other, but I know you to be real. If you can't trust yourself, trust me. I've been looking at you."
Luocha basked in the certainty in Welt's voice, and in the feeling of being seen. "How kind of you to carry the cross for me."
Welt was quiet for a moment. "Luocha, you're not dying."
Sounded more like a plea now, less assured. "Am I not?"
"I will do what it takes to help," Welt swore. "The only reason I haven't gotten you out of here is that it was not a permanent solution. We don't have any advantages. Void would find me in no time, and if you run, then they would chase you to the end of the Earth. I couldn't be there to help you. I also think it would be against your wish."
"My wish, huh?" Luocha acted coy. He only felt bitter that his current predicament was a result of someone's ambition. "Do you know it?"
"I'm not sure exactly what you want to do and why, but I have the idea." Welt sighed. "If you really think you can make me leave my job, then you're even more idealistic than I am."
"But do you want to?"
A beat. "I can't."
"Not what I asked, Welt." Luocha was still scared, but he's determined to see it through. "I want to leave here. Take me to the place, and leave the rest to me."
Welt hummed. Luocha expected the other to take more time deciding, but Welt soon nodded. "Consider it done. We leave tomorrow morning."
Luocha smiled, "I could kiss you right now."
Another silence. Luocha's smile dropped as he realised what had slipped. He heard his own heartbeat in his ears and hoped that he could take a break from this suffocating metronome.
Then he felt a thumb brush lightly against his lips. Luocha stilled, and waited.
Welt shifted closer, and his hands and his body heat and his breath were all so, so sweet on Luocha's skin. Welt murmured, "I wouldn't be opposed."
Luocha was too happy kissing this man that his own heartbeat was forgotten for now.
When the kiss finally broke, Welt didn’t pull away completely. His forehead rested against Luocha’s, both breathless but satisfied.
“Are you sure about this?” Welt whispered, his voice low.
“I’m sure,” Luocha said. His voice was steadier than he’d expected. “Now take me.”
Welt exhaled a soft laugh, "To the place?"
“And in other ways.” He heard Welt choking on air. "I'm serious! I don't think we have... much time." Luocha didn't want to ruin the mood, but it had to be said.
Welt's hands cradled the sides of Luocha’s face, framed him in the middle, like a precious thing. “You’re… brave.”
Luocha swallowed hard, suddenly overwhelmed. He wanted to tell Welt that he wasn’t brave, that he was terrified, but then Welt kissed his forehead and he thought—he could feel both, if he also felt loved.
Luocha started talking about the tree, and the clearing, and the soil. And when he had calmed down, he decided that his mouth had other uses.
Luocha didn't know Welt had kids. He had surely misheard, or he would blame it on the sedatives, because blaming it on a very satisfying night would be too embarrassing. Anyway, Luocha couldn't think clearly. He was in the dark. He was either in a very small truck or a very big luggage. Wait, was he in a trashcan? Would Welt's kids do that...?
Luocha must have fallen asleep. When he came to, he was on the grass. Under tree shades, but he could feel the sun. He missed the sun. He was outside. Luocha scrambled up but immediately felt lightheaded.
"Easy now," Welt propped him against the tree trunk.
"Where am I...?" When Luocha's eyes had adjusted, he looked around. It was the forest. His forest. That place shouldn't be too far from here. Welt had only gotten vague descriptions of the place and he could pinpoint it so. "You really did it."
Welt had a small smile. "We should have the entire morning to ourselves before Void gets suspicious. Do what you gotta do."
Right. He had to find the place. Birnam Wood was already at Dunsinane.
Chapter 6
Notes:
I am so sorry
Chapter Text
Welt really missed his old coat. He didn't know how exactly Void had put tabs on him yesterday, so the whole coat had to go. Would this put him in a bad position with Void? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. Did he really miss that grey coat with white patterns and an absurd amount of black buttons? Yes.
For now, his other grey coat would do. It's plain in comparison. Welt preferred this over something that further showed his connection to Void. Welt had been disobeying them a lot lately, at least in thoughts, now in action. It's not like Void could do anything to Welt himself, but it was the safety of people around him that made him worry. The orphanage could be blasted to pieces—unlikely but possible—or one of the kids, if not all, would be replacing his position as the world's greatest detective.
Welt inwardly scoff. It's a title for someone willing and pliant, nothing more. Welt's intellect might be above average, but so are many others.
Luocha led him through the forest. Few minutes had passed. They should arrive soon. Welt had lied to put Luocha at ease earlier, but he wondered if Luocha had figured it out, that Void would've already noticed their absence and the lack of information from Welt. They could not sneak back in or ask for forgiveness or pretend it's part of Welt's investigation like he had hoped.
Without the bug, it would have gone off without a hitch. Welt was too late. Either that, or him suggesting Sushang to be interrogated raised suspicions instead of disarming Void. No helping it, then. It's a trade off.
They stopped under a big tree. Luocha crouched down and started to dig. Himeko was kind enough to let them borrow a shovel this morning.
Soon Luocha pulled out a wooden box and placed it on the ground between them. "This is it."
Welt wasn't sure what he had expected from this hiding place. He knew the most likely scenario was for them to find Kira's magical item in its hiding place. But to feel the... thrall in person—It was powerful and persuasive. Maddening.
Welt crouched beside him, placing a hand on the wooden lid, as if it could stop Luocha from opening it. "Are you sure about this?"
Luocha's lips twitched into a self deprecating smile. "Does it matter? If I were to die, I'd rather die by my own hands than at the mercy of fate."
"You're not dying," Welt repeated in vain.
Luocha shook his head. "You know as well as I do that we can't keep stalling. Whatever this item is, I'm reclaiming it." He took a shaky breath. "I also don't know how this works exactly, but I have a feeling that Otto will return, and I wouldn't be myself anymore—if I will ever be myself again."
Welt knew he had lost the fight. Luocha pried his weak hands away and took off the lid. Inside lay a black notebook. Both of them stared at it, surreal to see the mass murder weapon that had killed at least a hundred.
"It's strange," Luocha murmured. "I feel that it is my duty to return this to its owner. I must do this. You can't stop me, and I'm sorry."
"I'm going to miss you," Welt heard himself say, because indeed, he couldn't stop Luocha at all.
Luocha smiled at him one last time. "Thank you for witnessing my existence. See you on the other side, I guess."
Luocha touched the notebook.
His face was blank, and he remained in that position for a minute or two.
Just when Welt was about to check if the blonde still had a pulse, his fingers twitched, and he stood up, brushing dirt from his pants with one hand. The other was clutching on the notebook held close to his chest.
Soon the blonde turned toward him, and Welt was now face to face with the man who sold the world.
His mind supplied, that's Kira, serial killer of dozens of people. That's no longer Luocha. His heart broke a little at that. He ignored it. "Otto?"
His heart broke further when the man tilted his head and gave him a little grin. "At your service."
Otto pouted when Welt told him to leave the notebook behind. Void might be able to sense the magic and Otto would surely be executed the same day. If they returned without the murder weapon, at least they had deniability.
For a moment, Otto said nothing, He seemed thoughtful. Then without warning, he ripped out a page from the notebook and ate it.
Welt was too dumbfounded to react. He missed Luocha already.
The notebook was buried in its hiding place. Otto sprinkled some seeds he found nearby over the area and covered it with leaves.
They headed to his car while Welt patiently told Otto that no, he really didn't need Otto to come back later to write Void's name down to kill them immediately, or to control them for the rest of their life while they slowly die of terminal sickness.
As soon as Welt sat down on the driver's seat, he sighed and closed his eyes.
"You must be tired, Mr. Welt," Otto said from the passenger seat. "But this isn't the time to rest. We have to figure out how to save you. That's why I'm here, after all."
Welt opened one eye to regard him. "Why do you care?"
"You know why." Otto huffed. His tone became teasing. "Your criminal profile of me was on point. Quite a flattering piece, I might add."
His words confirmed what Welt had feared most, that Otto retained all of Luocha's memories. Welt would sort out his own feelings later, when he was safe, in bed, and alone. "You admired me."
"Very much so, Mr. Welt of humanity. And I adore you even more in person." Otto turned to gaze out the window. "Drive the car and tell me what's next. I'm all ears."
Welt did as told and started driving back to the headquarters. "You will most likely be subjected to a few interrogation tactics by Void themself. Then, I will reassign you to a place where I have more authority over and where you can be observed."
"Torture and imprisonment. I see it coming." Otto propped his chin on one hand, and played with his hair using the other. "Top it off with prison labor. How nice."
Welt winced. He couldn't say it would be better than that. He purposely slowed down the car. "You could jump out of the window."
Otto chuckled. "I appreciate the offer but I have to decline. Luocha pushed me forward for this. I'll see it through. Besides," there was a break. "I intend to keep my promise."
Welt winced harder.
"Oh dear."
Welt felt Otto's eyes on him. Just like Luocha, those green eyes saw through him. He never stood a chance.
"He broke your heart. What a mess."
Welt refused to react. He drove on in silence, listening half heartedly to Otto's plans.
Chapter Text
Welt handcuffed Otto before they got out of the car and headed to the building entrance. Welt pulled him by the chains. It was a mockery of what Welt and Luocha had. That one was an inconvenient to both of them. This one left a bad taste in his mouth.
“Mr. Welt,” Otto said, just before he was dragged away by Void's men. “Don’t look so sad. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Welt watched Otto disappear down the corridor. He would be sent to the underground floor for something awful, yet Otto still wanted to comfort him.
Welt inhaled, exhaled, and turned on his heel. He should use the rest of the day to clear his head. Void would summon him soon. He had to get his story straight. Welt walked to their bedroom. His bedroom now.
Luocha.
The name alone sent a pang through his chest.
Welt closed the door behind him, the click loud in the stillness. He glanced around his room. Traces of Luocha’s presence from the morning remained: a book left on the nightstand, his spare laptop, the blanket he hadn't folded.
Welt sat on the edge of the bed—his side, he noticed—and ran a hand through his hair. He had thought being alone would help him collect his thoughts, but now he wasn’t sure he wanted to be alone at all.
It was disorienting. Loneliness was something he had grown up with. Now, as absurd as it felt, even Otto’s presence might have been preferable.
Welt frowned at the thought. He should have resented Otto, or at least kept him at a distance. But what's the point? If Void went too far in his interrogation, there wouldn't be an Otto left to hate. He tried not to think that way, because Otto had promised to come back. That guy's Kira , with a trace of magic in his body from his silly stunt. He would be fine. He would.
Void's desk was empty. The screens were dark. Welt doubted that those computers were turned off. It was more likely that those were camera feeds on Otto's holding cell, and they didn't want Welt to see.
Welt stood across from them, his hands clasped behind his back. He braced himself for what's coming. The disappointment.
“So,” Void began. They were sitting in their chair. “You’ve done it. Kira is caught. He confessed. Of course, it only happened after some... persuasion."
Welt said nothing, waiting for Void to continue. He wasn't sure what emotion he's allowed to show. He disapproved a lot of Void's method. It's nothing new, but he didn't want Void to think he was too biased.
Void noticed his silence and continued, "I don't know what to do with you, Welt. You are a fool that falls for a killer pretending to be innocent, and where did that take you?"
Welt forgot himself for a moment. "He's not pretending ."
"If he's not, how did he manipulated your kids into helping him escape right under your nose?" Void drummed their fingers on the table. They were wearing that metal gloves today, with golden claws. "Or are you insinuating he did all that with amnesia? He couldn't have done that without help. I wonder who could have helped him, in that case."
Welt kept quiet.
"And you. You couldn't have waited for him to show you the hiding place first?"
"You told me not to involve myself with magical items," Welt replied. "Besides, I think he was only trying to run. I apprehended him as fast as I could."
Void breathed loudly and rubbed his temple. “No murder weapon,” they said, voice rising slightly. “No physical evidence. All we have is your word on his escape, and his own confession under pressure. Do you realize how flimsy this is?”
Welt gritted his teeth. “You have no trouble punishing people before. If you don't have solid evidence, then don't execute him and do it my way. You're already doing as you please with him right now.”
Void leaned back in their chair, their gaze piercing. “Because you would continue to coddle him until he slipped. And he did slip, so I took over." Void raised his eyebrows. "As soon as I'm done with him, you can do it your way."
“Kira wasn’t a person,” Welt said quietly. “It was a set of circumstances, power in the hand of someone unchecked, and a nudge in the wrong direction. Remove the power, remove the ideology, and what’s left is just... a man. That's who I try to save. That's all.”
Void snorted. “Spare me the philosophy. The only reason I’m letting this go is because you’ve promised to keep him trapped in that orphanage forever. If he is ever spotted outside of those walls, it’ll be on you.”
Welt inclined his head. “It won’t happen.”
Void studied him for a long moment, then sighed. “I can’t control you, Welt. That much is clear. It’s infuriating, really. You’re supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and yet you keep chasing after impossible ideals like some romantic hero from a novel.” Void leaned forward. “But fine. If you’re so confident, I’ll allow it. Kira will be forgotten by the world. And you... you’re free of this case. Congratulations.”
What Welt felt wasn't relief just yet, but it was one burden off his shoulder.
"You can start your next case whenever you’d like. Though if I were you, I’d take some time off. A little vacation, I don't care." Void looked him up and down, lips curled into a faint smirk. "You’ve lost quite a lot recently, haven’t you?”
Welt stiffened. He gave a curt nod.
Void dismissed him with a hand wave.
Since his cell to Welt's car, the blonde was quiet and subdued. Welt feared the worst. As soon as his car door closed, he faced the man next to him. "Otto?"
The blonde managed a smile. "At your service."
Welt felt immensely relieved.
Chapter Text
Everyone at the orphanage was loyal to Welt. If he didn't tell them to report to Void, then they wouldn't. So Otto would have freedom to leave the orphanage at a reasonable range. Welt was not sure if Kira's notebook was in the range or not, but it wasn't buried too far from the walls.
That was one thing he didn't tell Otto. Both when Welt had driven from the buried notebook to the headquarters, and when Welt was driving them to the orphanage, he had used the long ways with multiple redirections to minimize being trailed. It was also a precaution in driving suspects to places. Void would prefer if he put a blindfold on his passengers, but in this case Welt didn't want to.
Arriving at the orphanage was anticlimactic. The kids were out in the garden. The building was empty. Otto only had a backpack, things inside were what Welt had gathered from their bedroom—things Luocha had used when he was... with him. There weren't many, notably consisted of a laptop, a few dress shirts, and all the hair care products.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Otto straightened, and his spirit was back. “I assume you have something for me to do, yes?”
"You can rest first and settle in. We can talk about that later." Welt gestured at the open room. “For now, don't leave the walls. Eat at the table there, three times a day. Do some house chores. Take care of the children. Arguably, that's the hardest part. You think you’ll fit in here?”
Otto smirked. “I’ve charmed worse company than children. Give me a few days.” He paused. "Where do I sleep?"
Otto must be tired to ask for it right away. "Any unlocked rooms are yours to choose from."
"No, no." The blonde shook his head. "I mean, do you want me in your room?"
"Wha—" Welt was stunned by that question. It never crossed his mind that Otto would want that. "Not really? I thought you would prefer your own space after everything you went through. You can visit my room at night if you need company."
Otto nodded.
He never visited.
After Otto was settled, Welt tried to return the blonde's life to normalcy. He called Otto into his study room.
"There's an online course on medicine you can enroll in to further your studies. You were almost done with your medicine degree anyway. I could fake a document for you and you'd essentially be someone with a doctor degree."
Otto, who had been listening quietly so far, said, "What name would be on that certificate? And all of my new documents?"
Welt froze. "Ah, right." He frowned. "You can't use Otto or Apocalypse or any part of your old name in your new one."
Otto tilted his head, considering it for a moment. “It would need some adjustment, but I wouldn't mind.”
“You're okay with that?”
“Of course,” Otto replied. “I don't care for my name, and I’ve used Luocha in Chinatown before. It's not new.” He paused before adding, “But are you?”
Welt furrowed his brows. “Am I what?”
“Are you okay if you have to call me Luocha?” Otto clarified.
Welt regarded him. Calling the man in front of him as Luocha... didn't feel right yet. "Perhaps not."
Otto smiled faintly. "Then you can call me whatever you want."
It never occured to Welt that this smile of his was similar to what Luocha had early on, the one he had used to placate people.
With Otto's education settled, now was the subject of his future occupation. Welt would ask Himeko if Kafka needed any specialists in the near future.
As Welt approached Himeko's favorite tea time spot, the murmur of voices made him hesitate just outside the doorway.
“You’ll get used to the noise,” Himeko was saying. “Eventually, it’s almost comforting.”
There was a pause, a clink of a cup hitting the saucer, and then Otto’s voice, “I grew up with a lot of noises."
Welt lingered, leaning against the wall just out of sight.
Otto didn't elaborate.
“You’re not much of a talker, are you?” Himeko asked.
“On the contrary, I can be one,” Otto replied. "Mr. Welt—how long have you known him?"
“Long enough to know he is lonely," Himeko said after a pause. "I'm sure the kids had weaved their little magic. It's a miracle that they managed to lead you to us."
Welt stiffened. No one here knew about magic as a concrete concept. Himeko was only using metaphors, surely.
“I owe them,” Otto said. “How can I repay that debt?”
Himeko chuckled. “Oh, they’ll make you pay it back whether you want to or not. They can be a handful, and they’re very curious."
The cup hitting the saucer. "Are you and Mr. Welt..."
Welt prepared to leave. He didn't want to overhear this. And It seemed Otto and Himeko got along just fine.
"Oh, no. You misunderstand. Like I said, Welt is lonely..."
Otto hadn't introduced himself with a name to anyone.
He was not supposed to leave this place, so the lack of a name wouldn’t matter too much. People avoided calling the blonde by name, and he seemed perfectly happy. March 7th started calling him Mr. Nameless, and the rest followed her lead.
Welt avoided calling him by name in public—the name Otto would match a case of a missing med student from a prestigious university—but in private he was still Otto. That's the name Welt had called him since he regained ownership of the notebook. Welt had no problem seeing the man as Otto. Sometimes it saddened him, but overall, it was better than not calling him by name at all.
Welt wondered if Otto had misunderstood. Welt wasn't against Otto calling himself Luocha. He just personally didn't want to use it yet.
"They call you Mr. Yang," Otto said one day when both of them were alone in the kitchen.
"Ah, that's my fake surname," Welt said, surprised at the sudden topic. It might be a strategic move by Otto to ask him a question while he was washing dishes. Welt couldn't escape the conversation, but Otto seemed genuinely curious about who Welt was anyway. It wouldn't hurt to answer this. "I've told the kids they can call me Welt, but they never listened."
"That's a fake name, too," Otto said. "Welt of Humanity."
"Correct. Otherwise, my life would be more trouble than it is now." Welt placed one dish on the rack. "But I don't exactly consider it fake. These people know me by it."
"What happened to your old one?" Otto asked.
Another dish. "I let them go when I take this job."
Welt should have known Otto wouldn't ask pointless questions. He only realised his mistake when one morning, March called Otto as Mr. Yang when she asked him to pass the salt.
Welt's voice was flat. "March..."
"He finally told us his name! I have to honor it." March was always the dramatic one. "I'm March 7th. Why can't he be Mr. Yang 2nd?"
"That would be confusing," Welt argued in vain. "Don't you find it confusing? Anyone?"
Himeko was too busy laughing to help him.
Dan Heng shrugged. "Sometimes, common surnames have the same pronunciation."
March was spurred on by her friend. "Mr. Yang! Don't be jealous. You can be Mr. Yang the First."
"No thank you." Welt grumbled. He pointed at the blonde sitting next to him, the start of all his troubles, and didn't have any polite words to call him names, not even names. "You."
Stelle from across the table gave him a disapproving stare. "Don't call Mr. Yang 2nd like that. It's rude."
March joined in on the stares. Dan Heng was less of a stare and more a curious glance, waiting for Welt to call the blonde by his rightful name.
Welt sighed. He suddenly could think of a few ways to call Otto, but it was too late now. "Mr... Yang, my partner in business, my neighbor, my favorite blonde acquaintance."
Otto beamed at him. "Yes?"
Very begrudgingly, Welt forged Otto's new documents and had to put the name Luocha Yang on it.
Welt couldn't identify Otto's expression upon seeing his new name. He hoped it was more positive than not.
Chapter 9
Notes:
not to praise my voidottoluowelt playlist but I love my voidottoluowelt playlist
Chapter Text
Himeko and Welt sat at the small tea table. Outside, the children darted around the yard swinging their makeshift weapons. Otto was among them, reading a book nearby. Once in a while, one of the kids took a break and sat next to him, then asked him to read out loud. Otto complied.
“He's settling in well,” Himeko said, setting down her cup. “I was wondering how that would go. He’s an odd one, but he seems decent.”
“More decent than I expected.” Welt’s brow furrowed. “It’s strange."
"Did you expect otherwise?" Himeko asked.
Welt hesitated. The kids had called Otto as Mr. Yang 2nd at first, but it was Stelle that demanded him to give out his real name. Otto had relented and told them to call him Luocha. Himeko, noticing Welt never called him that, hadn't used it either. In their conversation, Otto was a vague he .
"You know that person you said was good company? He's that person: Luocha.” Welt's fingers tightened around his cup. “He has... conditions regarding himself. Now he's not quite the same. He was a criminal, but he had been so nice."
Himeko leaned back, studying him. “You love him.”
“I—” Welt stiffened. “... Why does everyone say that?”
“Because it's obvious? I don't know, Welt,” she said gently. "You tell me."
Welt’s shoulders sagged. Then, quietly, “I did." He didn't say more. He hadn't really processed it. That Welt truly loved him, but Luocha was... gone.
“I don't think your feelings have dried up yet, Welt. People change, not always for the worse. It doesn’t mean you can’t get to know him again.”
"The thing is... there is a way to restore him. Both he and I know of it." Welt thought back on the buried notebook. "I'm not sure how I feel about this version of him if it's temporary."
Himeko gave him a judgmental stare. "So you want to kill the part of him you don't like?"
That question hurt.
"That's not what I..." Welt exhale sharply, and reflected on her words. "It's a bit more complicated than that. I think he hasn't reconciled with himself either. I don’t think I ever understood him.”
“Maybe not,” Himeko swirled her coffee, “but you don’t have to understand someone completely to care about them.” Himeko's voice turned serious. "Whether he wanted his cure is his choice alone, and in no way should you interfere with it."
"I won't! I swear." Welt put his face in his hands and breathe. "That's why I worry. I don't know how to talk. I don't want to give him the wrong idea."
"So it's easier to not talk at all, hm?" Himeko sipped her coffee. “Perhaps he feels the same way? He might be made up of pieces, but he's still a whole person, with a collective responsibility of himself. He doesn't know what to do with you."
Welt thought about it way into the night.
Welt's strategy so far had been treating Otto as different and letting him live on his own. Welt wanted to give Otto space to deal with his own trauma. And to give himself time to deal with heartbreak.
He knew who Otto had been, somewhat. Luocha did say his criminal profile was accurate enough, but it was now outdated. Otto had changed by a lot.
Earlier, Welt had asked her, “And you won't consider it immoral? Me, courting an ex criminal? Taking advantage? Cheating?"
Himeko had laughed. "I have no right to judge you in that case. As for the rest, that's something you would have to clear with him, not me. His condition is unique to him. He would know best."
It would explain many of Otto's weird actions. Sometimes he acted too familiar, and then he would act distant. Welt guessed that his change in mannerism was a direct reaction to how Welt treated him. So, like he had told Himeko, he had stopped interacting with Otto, removing himself from the variable and hoping Otto would find himself that way.
Otto felt like he had been asleep for a very long time. And dreaming. And the thing with dreaming was that it was like watching nonsensical movies. You walked out of the theater and already forgot half of it.
What did Otto get out of it? A feeling that Luocha really wasn't a bad name at all, and that his hatred for the authorities had increased by a lot. And some new faces he should get to know. They were Welt's people, but Welt was avoiding him, because Welt must hate him. If Welt didn't, he would have... done something.
Otto wondered if it had all been pointless for him, as Luocha, to go through all that. He could have been subtler at hinting his guilt, and got into Welt's care somehow, some other way.
Unless that wouldn't buy time and Welt's heart... what a mess.
No, this was necessary. There was no other way they could have met. Otto was right where he wanted to be. Everything else was collateral damage.
Everything considering, Welt was nice to him. Amicable if a bit distant. Did he not know that Otto had done more harm than good to him? Otto didn't feel like a hero. Shouldn't have involved himself in Welt's life.
But Welt was the one who involved himself in Otto's life first, making that last request on his website. Welt of Humanity, asking to be free! It could very well be one of Welt's tactics to lure him out, but he couldn't care less. Deep down, Welt must have meant it. Kira never failed. Otto never failed.
What's done is done. Now Otto had to seduce him and convince him to leave. If only Welt gave him the time of day.
Otto decided to take Welt up on the offer and visited his room at night. "I'm surprised you didn't start pursuing me," he said as soon as he sat on a chair Welt had offered.
Welt blinked from his bed. "Why do you think that?"
"You know I admire you," Otto said, and it wasn't necessarily a lie. "I thought you would be chasing me by now. I almost feel insulted."
When Welt understood him, he covered his own mouth and muttered, "Not once did you do anything romantic to me, either. I thought you weren't interested."
"And if I am?" Otto asked. "I know it's hard, restraining yourself like this. You are very proper—but I'm telling you, you can have me. We were dating. You may continue from there."
Something like regret and guilt settled on Welt's face. Otto hated to see it. "We... weren't. So no. It's not that simple."
"We shared a bed," Otto pointed out. "Shared the bathroom, once. You liked me. How is that not dating?"
Welt said the following sentences slowly. "We agreed to nothing. If I confused you while you were at your worst, I'm sorry. I must have given you the wrong idea." He sighed. "As the older person, I should have been clearer."
Otto dug into his own memories, trying to disprove Welt—but the more he did, the more confused he became. Truth was, Otto did not know if they were truly dating, but he knew Welt and Luocha loved each other. They were too domesticated for it not to go both ways. But there was something in how Welt phrased his sentences that made it sound like the topic was heavier than simply dating... wait.
"Did we sleep together? " Otto squeaked out.
"You... have established that," Welt said.
Otto felt himself blushing but forced it out, "No, I mean sex."
Welt was more alert now. "Yes." He seemed even more confused. "It was nothing long termed. You're not obligated to act in any way with me."
"We really did?"
Welt went quiet. Then, he asked the next question carefully, "Don't you remember?"
And that was the question of the day. Otto started to panic. His mind wasn't his own. There were gaps in his memories. When he reclaimed the notebook, he hadn't reclaimed Luocha. Luocha had functioned as another person, and Otto only saw a glimpse into it.
Perhaps the damage from giving the notebook up was more permanent. He was a fool to think it could have been easy.
"Otto?" Welt asked.
"I understand now. I don't have what you love," Otto said.
"Otto," Welt began. "I was talking about something else, but this is true here as well. I'm the older one. I feel responsible for this. These things take time. You need time."
He shook his head. "I thought I'm real. But no—to you, I'm not. I'm an intruder to myself, and it's the consequences of my own actions." He laughed. "The dream was nice, but I thought the dream was mine."
Welt swallowed. "You have been through a lot. You don't know what you wan—"
"I do. I know that much." He stood up and started pacing. "But I can't have you like this. You can't have me like this. I've killed it, haven't I? Buried it alive. Perhaps I should dig it up and set it aflame—"
"Whoa there." Welt, now also standing up, was steadying him with hands on his shoulder. God, he felt drunk. He wished he was actually drunk. Then he wouldn't have to think about whether he was still pretending or if his hurt was real. "Otto—"
"Don't call me that."
Welt tried again, "Luocha—"
"Don't call me that either," the blonde hissed. He didn't know why nothing satisfied him. "If you don't mean it, how about not calling me at all? You had no problem with that before."
Welt was starting to seem frustrated as well. Good. "You're giving me mixed messages."
"So are you, Welt Yang."
They were at an impasse. Why had he come here at all? Right, to seduce Welt. He failed terribly. Everything was so pointless.
Eventually, Welt—the epitome of patience that bordered on denial—nudged him oh so gently to the doorway. "Get to your bed."
The blonde made a bitter smile Welt couldn't see. "My, how aggressive."
Chapter Text
Welt really was terrible with conversations. He's more suited to work behind the stage, or literally the screen, and let others such as Void do the talking. One conversation with Otto, who seeked him out himself, and Otto was left more broken than before.
Their situation didn’t go unnoticed. Himeko had started shooting him questioning looks whenever Otto was in the room. The children weren’t oblivious either, though most of them were too polite to ask.
(Stelle asked if he and Luocha had a divorce and if Luocha still went by Mr. Yang. Welt had no idea if she was sarcastic or not.)
Welt started taking in cases again to distract himself, those kinds he could do from his study room in his personal computer. Otto didn't have anything much to do except further his study. Welt hadn't even asked for his progress. He's a bad friend.
Welt observed Otto interacting with the kids. Sometimes he felt like Otto fitted in perfectly. As Luocha, that is. The children already knew Luocha. They had helped him escape, and Otto retold a heavily edited version of his own adventure after. Himeko had only ever known Luocha too, back when Welt and Luocha shared a room. Welt never told her any sensitive information, but she's smart enough to notice what mattered.
So Welt tested the water by calling him Luocha in front of others.
And Otto didn’t mind. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it. He played the role effortlessly. He wasn’t pretending, not exactly, but Welt could see it in the way Otto let himself be Luocha when it suited him. A convenient identity. A comfortable one.
Welt's feeling on it was complicated, but if Otto enjoyed himself and it brought no harm, perhaps Welt shouldn't assume what's best for him and let him be.
Welt wasn’t sure what he was expecting when he invited Otto into his study, but he knew that if he let things continue as they were, they would never feel natural around each other again.
Welt had spent plenty of time in this room, solving cases alone behind the screen and with pencil and paper in hand. It suited him just fine. He figured that maybe spending some time alone with Otto would do both of them some good. It wasn’t much different from when they shared the room, typing on his laptop with Luocha by his side, except Otto was no longer Luocha—Not the Luocha Welt knew, and not the Luocha that the orphanage was getting to know.
Still, Otto was helpful, fun to bounce ideas and theories to. Welt enjoyed their working dynamic. It was a lot less stressful than with Void, and more casual than with people like Kafka.
Welt was doodling anthropomorphic robots when he noticed Otto's eyes on his page, not his notes but the sketches beside them.
Otto also noticed he was caught and smiled. "They're well drawn. A bit on the fantasy side, but some of these have potential."
It didn't feel mocking. Welt could feel that he was genuine. He placed the page down on the table and slid it toward him. "How so?"
"You placed the correct placements for the joints and motors, and this area would be perfect to add the computer." Otto dragged his index fingers over Welt's sketches. "They seem well balanced but wouldn't have a lot of mobility."
Welt mentally noted the critiques while appreciating that Otto was engaging with him outside of work. It was the closest they’d come to something normal in a while. It's not often that Otto would share about himself. He also didn't have the chance to see this side of Luocha back then. They were in a stressful situation after all.
And was this Otto without stress? No weight of committing crimes, being investigated and suspected, a punishment on his head? No, this was Otto without the expectation to perform. Welt asked as he organized the files, "Why do you study medicine?"
"Because it's difficult," was Otto's immediate reply. "People have to rely on the ones capable of the job. They're willing to pay for it."
"Isn't that the same for any profession?" Welt asked. "You could have been an artist, engineer, programmer. Even an actor would suit you."
Otto laughed, then he sobered up. "I haven't seen Sushang in months."
"A few months," Welt confirmed.
"Right."
Void had set some restrictions for allowing Otto to live outside of prison, and for living at all. By now Otto was already declared missing, and functionally he was as good as dead. He was not allowed to have a presence both in person and on the internet.
"She's safe," Welt assured him. "Many aspects of the Kira case were a mystery, but it had officially ended. The media is losing interest. It moves on." Welt could ask about those so called mysteries at a later date, but not today.
He wondered if Otto himself had moved on. It couldn't have been so simple for him. He was a culprit and a victim. He was serving his sentences. Otto, who seemed to have read his mind, shook his head. No, not that simple.
It was a few nights later that Welt recalled requesting a service on Otto's website. Welt felt something sink in his chest. Right. That had happened.
He had told himself it was to move the case along, but if he were honest with himself, he had hoped it would have worked its mysterious way. If somehow, Welt would be out of Void's crutches. No greatest detective role to fill. No Welt of Humanity. No kids lining up to replace him after a worst case scenario.
Maybe in his moment of weakness, he had hoped to be Joachim again.
Welt exhaled slowly. It was his fault, wasn’t it? That and everything after. Welt had indulged Otto—Luocha—whoever he was—and he had destroyed himself for nothing.
Chapter 11
Notes:
otto comes with a tag. just in case, proceed with caution if you're sensitive to suicidal themes
Chapter Text
Welt had known this conversation was coming. It was inevitable—a moth to flame, and Otto Apocalypse to his goal.
Otto appeared in his office without knocking. The case files on his desk were a perfect excuse not to meet Otto's eyes. A simple missing persons case, half-solved, waiting for a final report. An easy distraction.
“You’ve been ignoring me,” Otto said, slipping into his chair next to Welt.
Welt didn’t look up. “I’ve been busy.”
“Are you?” Otto gestured vaguely at the papers. “You’re back to your usual work. The great detective, solver of all the little crimes. Have you decided you can live like this?”
Welt frowned at the wording but said nothing.
He waited for Otto to make his request. True enough, soon Otto leaned forward. “Mr. Welt, I want my notebook back.”
Welt finally looked at him. “No.”
Otto grinned. “You knew I would ask.”
Welt’s fingers curled around the edge of the paper. “And my answer is no. I've already told you I don't need you to kill Void. It wouldn't even work. They are... let's say, an enigma.”
"Oh? A challenge." Otto took a moment to think up his speech. Welt observed him. This was the broken monster he had enabled, his responsibility. "In that case, making Void own it then relinquish it should do the trick. They'll forget everything about the Kira case, including any deal you may have done with them to keep me here. Destroying it after they have owned it would have the same effect."
Something in Welt twisted and stirred. It's an ugly thing. “That's not happening.”
Otto tilted his head. “You're stopping me, why?”
“You know what,” Welt snapped. “You've suffered through that. You’ll have to give it up again. You—" Welt tried to phrase it in the simplest way. "After all this time recovering, you're going through it again?"
"About that, I have a piece of the notebook in me. I'm hoping it would help tether me to this body." Otto tapped his chest. He talked like he had planned this from the start. It scared Welt deeply. “Think of it this way—it's like I'm going to sleep. And then Luocha is free too. Don't you want that, hm?”
Welt’s fingers dug into his sleeve. “What if Luocha doesn’t remember me? What if no one wakes up? It would be all for nothing." He shook his head. He should know better. Otto was distracting him. "You would be gone. I'm not letting you do it, not on my watch."
Otto raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought you didn’t like me.”
“That’s not—” Welt exhaled. “I don’t hate you, Otto.”
“But you don’t love me either.”
Welt didn’t respond right away. “I can’t just leave,” he said instead. “I have a life here. People who rely on me.”
"Of course, if you insist, I can't change your mind." Otto crossed his arms. “But unlike you, I don’t have a life here. Luocha didn’t either, even if he had you.”
Welt said without thinking, “You have me too.”
Otto scoffed. “Have you how?”
As a friend, at least, would be Welt's answer if he was calm and collected. He wasn't. Before Welt could stop himself, he leaned in for a kiss, and Otto bridged the gap.
It was more desperation than love, Welt told himself. It wasn’t careful. It wasn’t something he had planned. Welt had kissed Luocha before—hesitantly, gently, like something fragile. But Otto wasn’t fragile. Otto could handle it. Welt could kiss him until he was breathless, gasp for air, then do it all over again. And Welt thought—Maybe. Maybe this was enough.
When they backed off from each other, Otto stared at him for a long time. Then, slowly, he looked away.
Welt hated himself for using such blatant manipulation. He didn't know where his desperation came from. Despite what he insisted, he did want to leave, didn't he? Otto was serving himself and freedom on a silver platter. What's stopping Welt from taking it?
If Welt had time to think, he would answer that it's because he can sense Otto wasn't confident about his plan of surviving and hoping for the best. He very much was prepared to die.
Otto didn't thank him for sparing him. Didn't agree that dying to save Welt would be a pointless death. Otto sighed dramatically like Welt was being slow. "And we all wish that love would solve everything." Otto played with his hair. "If we love each other, and it's the two of us facing the world. That I could bear anything as long as I have you with me."
Eventually, Otto met his eyes again. Welt felt his heart break a little.
"But I can't, Welt. I can't. And I've tried."
At this moment, Otto truly looked like Luocha—depressed, trapped, and beautiful.
"If you're not letting me frame this as my great sacrifice to save you, then I'll be direct... I'm leaving." A pause. "With or without you. With or without your permission. Alive or dead. I don't care." Otto's eyes bore into him. Those were the eyes of someone who had made up his mind. "I'm leaving. I could relinquish the notebook right here and now."
Now, Welt saw this for what it was. "You can't do that."
"I can. In fact, I never planned to still be here right in front of you!"
All was silent. The fight had left both of them. Welt's plan to threaten Otto with his authority, or to beg on his knees, perharps—they've all gone up in flame.
"One way or the other..." Otto said, quieter now. "Please, let me do it properly. Let me go."
On this chair that Welt had sat on to work miracles many times, he closed his eyes and thought of a solution. His mind betrayed him.
Let him do it, Welt Yang.
It's not even about you, or your heroism, or anyone's desire to help you.
He asked for it. Let him do it.
Even if it breaks your heart into little pieces for the second time.
Let him.
Chapter Text
Welt reached the place under the tree.
Grass had grown over the notebook's hiding place. If Welt hadn't been here when Luocha dug it up, he wouldn't have recognized it either. Welt grabbed the shovel he had borrowed, started digging, and thought of Luocha.
Soon enough, the wooden box was on the ground with the lid opened. The notebook lay there. It called for him to pick it up. Welt wondered if Luocha also had this feeling as he knelt down and picked it up.
His hands moved on their own, flipping through the pages. He recognized names from the case, the exact manner of their deaths written in there, and Otto's handwriting.
Welt felt the notebook in his mind. It's alive, talking to him without words. This thrall was easier to handle than back then. Maybe long exposure to Otto had made him more resistant to it? That's right. The notebook knew him. If he wanted, he could test it. Right now.
Welt took a deep breath. He forced himself to focus and shifted through the book's intent.
The name of the person written in this notebook shall die.
You must know the name and face of the target.
Details of death may be specified.
Welt lingered on the topic of names.
When he got the answer he wanted, Welt shut the notebook flat with his palm. He sighed. It had come to this.
Otto felt Welt's footsteps before he felt the thrall. Both were impossible to ignore. Both stopped in front of his room before the knocks resounded.
When he answered, Welt came into his bedroom with the notebook in his arms, a dry leaf stuck in his scarf, and specks of dirt on his knees. Otto had never imagined the concept of a death god, but this would be the closest to it.
Otto was sitting on the floor with his back against the bed. He needed the grounding. Welt sat down across from him and flipped open the notebook, reading through it. Otto felt weirdly exposed at that. He could feel the notebook's presence in the back of his mind, but all this time away from it, it felt less like his.
"We have it. Now what?" Otto spoke up because he couldn't bear this silence. "You could send this to Void, then I relinquish the notebook. And you can let your people destroy it completely. That's the plan, yes?"
"You had the feeling you had to accomplish something even if you didn't remember why," Welt said.
Otto furrowed his brows. He meant back when he was Luocha. "Yes?"
"Void will have the feeling that we are dead."
Otto shrugged. "Wouldn't be a lie—wait—we?"
Welt was writing.
Otto barely had time to react. He snatched the notebook from Welt’s hands, his heart pounding.
On the page, Welt Yang.
“You—What the hell have you done?” Otto cried. “You—You—” Otto wanted to yell, wanted to rip the page out and burn it. He knew the notebook was absolute. Even if Welt Yang was a fake name, it was a risk. If Welt did consider it his identity, it might have worked.
Otto panted. He had counted at least fifteen seconds.
"I know it's not enough to really test the hypothesis, and it's not fair to you," Welt said. That's eight seconds. "But mine is half of the plan... I'm no longer Welt Yang."
Another seven. Otto decided to play along. "If not, then who are you?"
"Just Joachim, at first. I met someone from Chinatown and took a liking to him. I couldn't help myself. I want to follow him to the end of the Earth. Might even take his last name."
"Romantic." Otto breathed in relief when the man in front of him was still alive after the countdown. "And who is this lucky person?"
Joachim leaned in. Not to kiss, but to press their forehead together and whisper, "Whoever you want to be."
Otto chuckled. It sounded wet. He's crying. Of all times.
"Unfortunately, I'm a mess." At least he could admit that. For all the pretending and keeping on a brave face, he's not cut neatly at the edges. He's not a coin with two faces, no, even worse than that. His sense of self was such a mess that he wasn't sure where Luocha ended and Otto began anymore.
Isn't that how other people live? Different sides were shown, but all sides were connected. He's no longer confident he had all the sides, and now he had to lose even more. His only reassurance was that he had time to heal.
People sleep and forget everyday. It could really be like sleeping, losing a bit of everything equally instead of one whole side of him. That couldn't have happened if Welt, no, Joachim wasn't there to pick up the pieces.
"I think," he began. "I also want to be by your side."
He kissed Joachim, and picked up the pen.
For a moment, he held it. The pen felt heavy in his hand. It wouldn't feel as heavy tomorrow. It's like sleeping. Just... sleeping, trusting that he would wake up, even if changed.
He breathed. He tightened his grip. Then, he wrote.
"Himeko, I have one last request for you as a superior... and as a friend."
"Well, it's about damn time."
"Himeko..."
"If you're about to say sorry, I swear you'll regret it."
"..."
"For what it's worth, I give you my blessing. We'll handle the rest. We're not helpless here, okay?"
"... Thank you."
"Godspeed, friend."
Chapter 13
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Joachim had spent years being watched. It would take time to shake off the feeling of eyes on him. Luocha reassured him. No one was looking. No one that mattered. Not for longer than usual.
The counter called his name. Joachim went to pick up the drinks. They headed for the next hotel. Joachim made sure the scarf covered his mouth. Luocha enjoyed his milk tea during the walk.
Luocha had cut his hair short. It's unfortunate that a man with long hair is more noticeable than a man with blonde hair, so the long hair had to go. Joachim couldn't bear to look at it directly and Luocha ended up having to wear a hoodie. It's ironic. Appearance wise, Luocha didn't look much different, only more covered.
It's not that Joachim couldn't appreciate Luocha with a short hair. He knew hair would grow. Luocha himself didn't even seemed too bothered. So Joachim would argue he's grieving for the hair for both of them. Luocha did joke that now Joachim should totally let his hair grow out.
They rented a room with their new ID cards and cash. Luocha led them to the room. He's eager to slip into a new bed to judge how long they should stay.
"This one is soft... a week? Pretty please?" Luocha said, snuggling into the blanket. Joachim wanted to complain that Luocha hadn't changed his clothes before getting on the bed, but it always fell on deaf ears, so he gave up.
Luocha took freelance programming jobs. Joachim found out he quite like being an editor. This meant they had a lot of free time and no set schedule. Their routine was a mess, but they liked it just fine.
They visited the coffeeshop at night. No other customers nearby. It was one of the branches that Himeko and her acquaintances owned. It's not related to the orphanage directly enough to increase the chance of Luocha and Joachim being found, but it was also their safe space.
Joachim looked a lot. He knew. He couldn't helped his eyes from taking in Luocha's appearance, his mannerism, everything. Joachim was not an innocent man. In his line of work, he had made impossible choices that cost lives. Luocha may not remember all he had done, but amnesia didn't absolve people of crimes. They would still have the same mental capacity for evil, and the act would still had been done. And what of him? Was Joachim a man who had killed his lover twice, or had he killed two lovers?
“You know,” Luocha mused, stirring his tea. He had a knack for guessing what Joachim was thinking. He wondered if his expression was that open. If Luocha also read him like a book this time. “Killing someone who wants to die wouldn’t count as murder, would it?”
Joachim nearly dropped his spoon that was about to cut cake. He stared at him, searching his face for—what? Luocha only raised an eyebrow. He then had his little smirk.
Joachim set the spoon down, carefully. “Don't do that.”
"Don't overthink during our date," Luocha shot back and took a sip of his tea. Him and his tea. He would taste every variation of it across the world, Joachim was sure. "But if you must, do it with me."
Joachim smiled. His lover knew him well. He didn't feel like talking.
“I don’t remember everything,” Luocha began, setting his cup down. “But I think I was a fool."
Joachim didn't ask for clarification. "You did your best with what you got."
"Sometimes I had nothing. Sometimes, too many.” Luocha rested his chin on one hand. "Right now, I have you." A pause. "And myself." Luocha reached forward and rubbed inbetween Joachim's brows. "Murder or not, you haven't forgiven yourself. You always remember too much."
The greatest detective was gone from the world. People had speculations, that maybe Kira had briefly returned, striked back, and they both died for it. No one stepped up to be the next greatest detective. Media was on it for a while, but eventually police hired other detectives, and higher ups stopped expecting a single person to solve all their problems. If the world didn't feel the impact of a position gone, then maybe it wasn't as needed as people had thought.
Freedom was relative, and Joachim was freer than ever. Freedom was that Luocha would ask him where to travel to next, and he could answer the place with the best food, or the place with the good architecture, instead of where he thought crime would likely occured.
Freedom was relative, and that's why Joachim worried for Luocha a lot. Luocha was a man who moved from one prison to the next. Even now, Joachim worried if he was a cage. If he was, he wanted to at least be a comfortable one.
"You're not the cage. You're the bird," Luocha would say. "I know what a cage feels like. You're not it."
Joachim would still think they were two birds inside a large cage, currently larger than the eye can see. He didn't see the restriction, but he felt it in his soul, the sense of wrongness. What if he's not meant to be free? If people found them and drag them back? He's not where he belong, out here.
On days like that, Luocha would hug him tight and kiss his forehead and cover them in a large blanket. Joachim would remind himself that home was a person, and he was at home.
Notes:
^_^
CryingFORSYTHIA on Chapter 1 Fri 04 Oct 2024 11:46AM UTC
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