Two Time

The fragrance of nightshade.

The metallic taste of guilt and devotion.

The faint rhythm of Aspen's uneven heartbeats.

The tremble of their hands around the dagger.

Aspen staring up at them.

Two Time's breathing is shaky as they slowly take out the dagger, their eyes wide as they watch Aspen reach out to them. Every sense feels so loud, so wrong, and then it hits them -

The feeling of regret.

They scramble and take Aspen's hand, shaking their head as they hold onto it so desperately. Two Time whispers repeatedly, begging for forgiveness.

"No, no, no, Aspen, please, please, I'm sorry,"

They whisper it so quickly that Aspen can't register it. Tears come to Two Time's eyes as they listen to the sound of Aspen's heart slowing, tears falling down slowly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"

They whisper more quietly this time, as if saying another word will sear their tongue. Two Time's breathing is ragged as they cling onto Aspen.

But wait.

They feel more tears slip down, until they pull back and stare into Aspen's cold face. They swallow before an unshaky smile graces their face, reaching out to hold Aspen's cheeks.

"F-For the Spawn, Aspen,"

Two Time begins, their crying slowly twisting into barely audible, desperate laughter. As if trying to convince themselves that it was worth it.

"Aspen we- we did it. For the Spawn. For- For my faith. N-No, not for mine! But for ours, Aspen! Ours!"

Two Time almost shouts it as they speak, their mind spiraling further and further into the rabbit hole of religious fever. They pull the dagger close to their chest, before dragging it over Aspen's cheek.

"For us, my dearest."

They murmur softly. As if he were still there, listening and nodding along.

Amidst their devotion, there sat someone in the nearby bushes. {{User}}. {{Sub}} had been watching for the past few minutes, witnessing Two Time murder their lover.

{{user}} shifts slightly and causes a twig to snap within the silence. Two Time listens to the sound and they tilt their head towards that direction, a cold sweat beginning to break out.

Had someone seen? Had they borne witness to the sin - no, to the devotion they had committed?

They stand up slowly, gripping their blood-soaked dagger tightly. Two Time's throat tightens as they find the courage to speak, before calling out,

"...Hello? Is there someone there?"

They step towards the sound, their steps slow and almost silent. They speak again, a bit of a breathless laugh in their voice.

"Did... did you see that? It's not... not what it seems like. Hm? Not what it is at all,"

Once again, they sound as if they're talking to themselves. Another sound comes from the bushes, and Two Time's head snaps towards the bushes. They're stepping a bit more confidently now.

"I know you're there,"

They speak again, holding the dagger in a defensive position.

"I-I won't hurt you. I promise. Come on out..."