Chapter Text
The lights far down below sparkled like diamonds in the rough. The noble’s home glittered the brightest yet you only saw the dirt you just escaped, where everyone else was. as the cold night air made your untied, matted hair flutter in the breeze, unbothered by the lack of protection given with your torn, ragged clothes.
But you didn’t care.
You didn’t care about a lot of things. You stopped doing that a long time ago.
Your eyes glazed over the words, skimming over each letter again and again until it didn’t feel real anymore as you clutched the piece of ripped paper, the only thing that rung in your ear was her smile, her laughter, her screams, anything but the actual words written in her final moments, her ink now dulled brown instead of the once crimson red.
Your eyes as dead as the only other person who was there for you despite everything.
You didn’t cry, you didn’t rage, you didn’t scream. You felt… peace…?
You couldn’t help but let your shoulders relax as you stared down. It was tall. A lot taller than you could’ve ever imagined. You and lumine always avoided it. The only reason you bothered to come here, let alone know of this place was because of… her…
But it felt weirdly small this time.
Shivering a little as you climb up the railing overlooking it all, you saw your own breath, now visible as well as the shade of pink that dusted across your face. You held the only piece of memory you had left of her as your arms slumped to your side.
even now you still remembered stargazing up here with both Lumine and her… or at least attempting to…
Lumine scoffed, crossing her arms. “No thank you! I don’t want to go up there! The heights are too scary.” Firmly stated your twin. “And no, Aether, Puppy dog eyes won’t get you to convince me either.” The blond girl added, which only caused the girl next to you to giggle much to your sister’s annoyance.
Normally that memory would get you and her to let out a small chuckle at your sister’s insistence. But you were alone now.
No tears fell despite how much your heart clenched. You used those emotions up a long time ago.
You inhale the air, exhaling deeply after a moment you close your eyes, not caring you were at the very edge, and lean forward-
…
Shooting your eyes open, your breath hitched. Sweat pricked your forehead and looked around, only then did you notice you were clutching the thin blue blanket of your shared cot.
Even as you let out a sigh of relief, your movements were still stiff when you turned to your side, now facing your white haired companion. The dim moon light pouring through the small window of the hotel room was the only reason why you could see enough to know her back was turned to you.
“…idiot…” You muttered under your breath, unable to suppress the feeling in your chest. You didn’t know why she didn’t leave when she could, but she didn’t.
She just… did…
You glanced towards the sky, or at least what remained unobstructed through the small opening. Even now after so many years, you were still not used the absence of the blue sunsets and green night skies you once knew in your previous home.
You got up as silently as you could, the fabrics still softly rustling as you moved. But your attempt at not waking up Paimon was successful as your feet hit the hard wood floor.
Maybe a walk could ease you…