Chapter Text
Blood drips down his wrist, droplets falling onto the floor. The rain pattering against the window creates a peaceful sound despite the tense atmosphere. The Recluse stood upon a chair rope tightly around his neck. These centuries had been horrible. The only good thing in his life was the Sage. But he couldn't stay anymore. Not with this guilt. Even now as he's ready to feel the glimpse of peace that guilt remains for one reason.
He's leaving his Sage.
Would Sage forgive him?
Everything was ready, the spire, the letter. The thought of leaving the Sage hurt him deeply, yet he can't keep leaving like this. The Sage deserves better. Better than him, someone who can actually give him the love and affection he desires. Why love someone else when he can't even love himself?
Even if things were different, he doesn't deserve Sage, that sweet smile, the way he talks and talks about his students, his work. That habit of his of always doing paperwork late despite being exhausted. He notices every little thing about him, yet he doesn't know how to show that love back.
He wants things to be different… but he can't keep living like this anymore. He'll make this quick, before Sage sees. He doesn't want to see that look he hates on his face. That look pains him more than any cuts he inflicts on himself.
Sage yawns as he sets down a piece of finished paperwork the last one of the day. Oh how he was anticipating seeing his Recluse. The thought of him makes his face flushed. He loves him so much the thought of leaving him everyday to spread his truth deeply pain him. On his days off he always showers the hermit in kisses and hugs making sure he feels loved despite never receiving that affection back. He knows it's hard for the recluse to show affection and he doesn't push.
When the hermit does give affection it's better then any prize he's ever won and will cherish it. As Sage gets ready to leave he feels this horrible gut feeling. He quickly packs and starts heading towards the Peak of Truth. He doesn't like this feeling, this horrible gut feeling that makes him nervous. Is the recluse okay? Is he hurt? He was overthinking this, the recluse seemed normal today despite giving him a few kisses there was nothing wrong with him.
As the Sage approaches his domain, he immediately notices the coldness, the way everything is silent. It added more to his worries. As he entered it was eerie quiet, was it always quiet, yes, but usually the recluse would appear and scare him. He was probably asleep right?
"Truthless? My Recluse? I'm back! I have more stories to share!"
Silence. That worried Sage more. "Truthless?" He called out once more hoping for a response, yet his hopes were quickly lost. Sage went back to walking to his bed chambers, he picked up his paces when he heard slight shuffling and the sound of something knocking over. "Truthless!"
Sage uses his portal quickly, appearing in the room, the sight making him horrified. There was his Recluse, hanging by a rope, alive yes, but there in the air. Sage acted quickly using his magic to cut the rope letting the Recluse fall to the ground.
Sage stared at him, tears streaming down his face as the Recluse just sat on the floor panting. Sage snapped out of it and ran towards him. "Truthless…" Sage said softly, he reached his hand out then quickly pulled back unsure if he'll allow him.
Truthless stared at the floor refusing to make eye contact. He couldn't bear to see his face, the disappointment, the sadness. The tears streamed down his face. He loved the Sage too much to see that.
Sage noticed his wrist, the blood trickling down. He gently grabs his arm examining it. "Oh my love… why didn't you tell me?" He knew talking was pointless, but still did however. He cups his face slowly lifting it. He stares at Truthless, his Truthless, his other half. Seeing those empty eyes broke something in him.
"I'm sorry…" Were the only words able to come out. He didn't have the courage to say more from the fear of crying, yet didn't notice the tears already falling. Sage quickly pulled him into his arms, a soft yet firm embrace. "It's not your fault, please don't ever say that again." Sage buries his face into his hair inhaling his vanilla scent. He could've lost him if he wasn't earlier.
Truthless cried it went unnoticed at first until the Sage felt wetness on his chest. He gently rubs his back, giving him a soft kiss. Truthless mutter apologies over and over again. It had been minutes that felt like hours, after he finished crying he sat there blankly. Sage gently lifts him up cradling him against his chest.
Sage sets him down on the bed, rolling up his sleeves to travel the freshly cut scars. The sight pained him but he knew he had to focus on him not himself. He quickly leaves to get some bandages, he knows the Recluse won't heal himself. He returns to find him in the same spot. He was relieved he didn't move.
The Sage sat next to him pausing for a moment unsure if he had permission to touch him. "May I see your arm?" He asked cautiously. The hermit gave a simple nod, then Sage grabbed his arm. He gently wrapped it, careful not to irritate them.
Once he finished the Sage pressed a gentle kiss to each of the bandages and let it linger before pulling away. He laid down next to him, immediately the hermit buried his face into his chest, desperately gripping Sage as if he'd disappear.
Sage held him protectively giving him kisses that linger. He needs to let him know he's loved, despite the scars, his past, the pain. He loves him so much the thought of losing him physically pains him. He thought it'll never happen, but today proved him wrong. He doesn't know what he'll do if he loses his other half.
His soulmate.
The recluse was silent tears threatening to fall. He felt more despair then ever before. He felt selfish, for making everything about himself. Especially when his Sage was more important than anything. The guilt only grew more as the Sage quietly sobbed into his hair gripping him tightly afraid he'll slip away if he lets go.
The Sage sobbed quietly tears falling onto the other's blond hair. Rubbing his back, in an attempt to comfort the Recluse instead of himself, he was so close to losing him. He can't lose him, the hermit is the only cookie he loves with his heart, and no one will replace that.
The Sage forced himself to calm down, stroking the other's hair. "Go to sleep , my love. I love you so much. Don't ever forget that, okay?" The Sage states softly, giving him gentle kisses. Despite this tears still came back down flowing freely.
"I love you too… I'm sorry my Sage, my Truth." The Recluse whispered back drifting off to sleep. The Sage sobbed quietly holding him tightly. Eventually he exhausted himself out. Whispering one last thing.
I love you, my love…"