Picking up the Pieces

by LilFingies

Summary:

They've managed to escape the Spectre's trials for good. Two Time is sat alone, away from the others. There's been no sight of Azure, despite others being reunited. This, on top of the revelation that the cult was nothing more than a lie, has them feeling hopeless.

Notes:

This is my first published thing here! I hope this little ficlet brings fellow Azuretime fans a moment of happiness!

I also don't know how to tag this relationship wise since Two Time is non biney and that's not an option so I just hit other.

Chapter 1

It was an odd feeling for all of them. The feeling of finally being free. To feel themselves back where they all belong. Many were crowded around the sight of a father now reunited with his son, the two embracing each other with what felt like multiple lifetime's worth of love, unable to control their tears, even with the comforting words of the others.

Nearby, a husband and wife sat side by side, sitting in a gentle silence together. Neither wished to speak, too exhausted by the ordeal they went through to do any more than simply enjoy the other's presence. They could live again, despite the few lingering deformities from what he had become, and that's what mattered.

Two Time sat alone, away from the others. Trembling in silence as they hugged their knees to their chest. Their devotion proved to be for naught, and their lover was absent from the scene that played out in front of them. It wasn't fair. After the life they had endured so willingly, only for them to not be spat upon by fate just one last time… They couldn't even bring themselves to maintain a smile, they simply let their tears flow in silence, the occasional choked sob escaping their quivering lips.

“... Timey?”

The familiar voice caused the trembling survivor's head to shoot up, looking over their shoulder with a wide-eyed expression of disbelief. There he stood: Azure. Far more recognizable now compared to before, they stood at the edge of the treeline, staring at their lover with teary eyes and an unsteady smile. Upon taking one step forward, Two Time picked themselves up off the ground, taking an equally slow, measured step. By the time the two of them were ready to take the next step, they practically bolted towards each other, unwilling to wait any longer. Two Time squeezed their lover now returned, feeling the scarring on their back from where those vines twisted and broke through their flesh. They pressed themselves against them hard enough they swore they could feel the markings of where they had stabbed them. It didn't matter if his limbs trailer into the blackened color his twisted form once had, it truly was Azure. They buried their face into the crook of Azure's neck, and began to wail.

Desperate, slurred apologies and the repeating of his name were all they could muster, and it was enough to make Azure to begin to cry. They returned to the embrace as tightly as they could, ecstatic to feel the warmth he had so long missed. He did his best to comfort his lover, but given the state he was in, his words were equally as unintelligible. At some point, the two of them had slumped down onto their knees, still holding on as though they would be forcefully separated if they so much as let go. It did not matter if their nails pressed painfully into the others back, or that they were staining the other with their tears. Nothing mattered to them more than the feeling of being in each other's arms again.

Eventually, the tears slowed enough that they could talk to each other once more. “My nightshade… I've returned to you…” His voice was hoarse, but unmistakably gentle. “I'm… sorry for all I've done to you-”

“Please… please don't apologize… not to me.” Two Time only barely managed to choke out their response. “You being back is enough. That's what matters.”

“I am… I won't leave your side again… I promise.”

“Please… please don't… I'm sorry… I'm sorry for-”

“Don't be, my nightshade. There is no need to apologize. I still love you.”

The declaration of the love that held on, even after everything, made Two Time begin to wail yet again, only managing to cry out “I love you too!” in response.

The two of them would stay locked in each other's embrace for as long as they could manage. Both of them knew the road to recovery would be long, to truly heal from their shared past, to get over the guilt of their own doings. Yet, as the two of them were now finally reunited, hand in hand once more, they knew it would be possible.

That's all that mattered to them. That's all they ever needed.

Chapter 2: Guilt

Summary:

Despite being back together, Two Time is struggling to forgive themselves for their past sins. Unlike before, however, they have someone to help them begin to truly move past it

Notes:

This one is another short one, but it's also a sad one! At least it ends positively!

Contains references to self harm and drug abuse, so if that's something you don't like, please turn away!

Adjusting was a lot harder than Two Time would ever have expected it to be. They thought Azure being back in their life would help, and in some places it did. He would greet them with a warm smile every morning. He made sure they took proper care of themselves in the morning, something they still neglected even now. It was impossible for them to deny how good it felt to be truly loved again…

They hated it.

It made them feel sick.

They didn't deserve any of this. To be so easily forgiven for what they'd done to him. How could they even hope to move on? Every time they gaze upon Azure's form, they're forced to witness the traces left by the Spectre's touch. Slight disfigurations and scars left on their once perfect form… All because of them. On particularly bad days, they'd catch themselves recoiling away from the warmth they so desperately craved. They knew it hurt Azure when they'd suddenly pull away, but they didn't want him to stain their hands by touching filth.

“... Two Time?” The gentle voice dragged them out of their thoughts. “What's wrong?” He sat next to him, placing their hand in his.

“O-oh, nothing! I was just… thinking… that is all.”

“About? It's clearly causing you some level of distress… You're crying.”

Two Time didn't even realize they'd even begun to cry. They didn't want to acknowledge it, they wanted to do nothing more than to push the feelings down deep within their chest and accept Azure's embrace, but…

They couldn't do that this time.

They had to be honest.

“... Why do you still… love me?” Their voice was barely above a whisper, and yet it still struck Azure all the same.

“Two Time…” A gentle, assuring hand was placed upon their shoulder by the botanist. “I love you for the same reasons I loved you back then, what could possibly have caused you to think otherwise- Oh…” He noticed where Two Time's eyes were wandering to. The very spot on his chest where they'd stabbed him. “I… I see.”

“... No matter what I've tried… nothing could lessen the pain I felt for what I'd done to you… I prayed for forgiveness, I-I pushed further into the depths of devotion, because of the foolish idea that if kept going… I could get you back! And in doing so, the pain only grew worse… I've… I've hurt people, Azure.” They wrapped their arms around themselves, hugging their trembling form as tightly as they could manage, attempting to calm down their rapid breathing. Azure sat in silence, a mournful look in his eyes and he lended his partner the comfort of his presence, of knowing someone is listening.

“I… I hurt myself… Each scar I left on my own body only serving as a painful reminder of my gravest sin…” They let out a pitiful, dry laugh, finding some humor in it all. “When that didn't work I… turned to the source of your medicine.”

The sorrow in Azure's eyes turned to shock, and his voice went from gentle to worried. “Two Time, no, y-you shouldn't have done that! I told you about how-” He stopped themselves, taking a deep breath. “Two Time… Do you understand what would have happened to you if you overdosed? If you cut too deep?”

“... Yes, that's why I did it-”

“Stop.” He stood up, moving himself in front of Two Time and placing both hands on their shoulders. “... I know you're still hurting from what you did. I… I know you can't find it in you to forgive yourself, but what I said to you in what I thought were my final moments. Those weren't just an attempt to comfort you! I love you, even through that!

“How can you forgive me so easily?! I lead you back there, I lied to you! Everything that's happened to you is because of me!” It was rare for Two Time to raise their voice, but through this sudden burst of emotions, he had opened up just enough for Azure to truly get in and help.

“... Because I knew that while you guided the knife into me… Your hands were not guided by your own… You forgave me for what I had done to you and your allies.” Two Time was stunned by this response, they couldn't keep choking back their tears. They leaned into Azure, pressing their face against their chest and embracing them. “Do you see now? We were both victims… I'm… sorry I wasn't there to comfort you.” Azure gently strokes Two Time's hair as they shook, letting them sob uninterrupted. “Please… I know it's hard to do so, but you have to move forward. We both do… Despite everything that's happened…. You're a wonderful soul, Two Time… please, don't let it rot.”

“... I… I can try… for you-” Two Time was pulled up suddenly, Azure who wasted no time in planting a kiss on their trembling lips.

“Not just for you, but for both of us, okay?” A quiet nod from Two Time got a small laugh out of Azure. “Are you feeling better, then?”

“Yeah… I think…” They sniffled, wiping the tears from their eyes.

“That's good! Even if its only a little. I'll go make us something to eat, okay? The night is young, and I plan to spend it with you in comfort.”

As Azure turned to leave, Two Time stopped them by grabbing their hand. “Ah, before you go…”

“Yes?”

“... I love you.” A smile formed on their lips, one not fueled by mania or as a way to hide their feelings. Just a genuine, warm smile.

“I love you too, Timey.”

Notes:

I'm still floored by the positive reception this has been getting! I'm glad people are enjoying it and the little glimpses into my own take on Forsaken stuff! There will be more, I have a much larger fic being cooked in the background slowly but surely!

Notes:

Did I make any mistakes? Typos, formatting issues, etc? Please let me know! I'm open to constructive feedback at all times! Just keep it (somewhat) civil!

I'm also bad at tagging so apologies there!