I always understand that people are making me smaller than what is real about me
He lowers his head, guilt flooding through him. He had pushed them away, had kept his distance, thinking it was for the best.
But it had never been.
“I’m sorry,” They continued, voice raw and aching. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you sooner. The only reason I found you here... is because I came to watch the sea. I remembered we... spoke about it once. I thought... Maybe, if I came here, I’d find some way to remember it all. To remember you.”
His heart twists in his chest. He can’t stop the tears now. They spill down his cheeks, hot and desperate. "I thought... I thought you would never remember. I thought I would always be alone in this, always be trapped in the pain of the loop with no one to—"
“No,” They breathe gently, stepping closer, reaching out to him. They pull back just enough to look into his eyes, their hands holding his face gently. “You’re not alone anymore, Azure. No matter what happens, I’ll be with you—we’ll always face things together.”
He can't meet their gaze now. "I’m… I'm sorry," he mumbles, "It's all my fault."
“Don't say that, Azure. I—I’m so sorry I didn’t find you sooner, that I couldn’t remember you in time.”
“I… I love you so much…”
He closes his eyes, his shoulders shaking with the weight of it all. “I love you too,” he breathes. “I’ve always loved you.”
In that moment, all the pain, all the regret, fades into the background. It’s just them, here, in this moment, the world around them quiet, the waves still crashing on the shore.
As they hold each other, a warm light begins to glow around them, gentle and steady. The fear he’s carried for so long, the weight of the unknown, it begins to lift. He feels safe—finally, truly safe.
“No matter what,” Two Time murmurs, “we’ll always be together. I promise.”
The words hang in the air like a promise, fragile and delicate, but they are real.
At that moment, nothing else matters. The loops, the pain, the endless dying—none of it matters, because they are here. And they are together.
“I trust you,” He repeats, finally understanding. “And I believe you.”
He smiles through his tears, feeling a peace he hasn’t known in so long settled over him. “Thank you,” he whispers, his voice trembling, words filled with relief.
“Thank you for saving me.”
And with that, he closes his eyes. The world begins to fade away, but this time, Azure isn't afraid. He feels the warmth of their promise, and the feeling that no matter what, things will ultimately be alright.
The light envelopes them both, and everything else disappears.
Dear Azure ,
I'm aware this letter will never reach you , but I write this regardless . Perhaps as a method to manage my stress , my grief ; though , I have no right to mourn you after all I've done .
Looking back as far into my mind as I can , there is not a single moment I can think of where I am not with you . We were always so close , inseparable ; so much so that even Amarah - the strict man he is allowed me to sleepover in your cabin for just a few nights a week rather than in my own quarters . That's what makes living without you so much harder.
I can't exactly remember how we met , but I do remember the very moment I fell in love with you . We were walking together to the nightshade field , our nightshade field . We were side by side and our hands brushed together , instead of pulling away , you intertwined your fingers in mine and gave my hand a gentle squeeze .
You likely meant nothing by it at the time , but I found my heart beating ever so slightly faster when I saw you , my cheeks just a little bit hotter , myself much more nervous ...
Azure , the man you are .
You were always so considerate , empathetic , kind ; I was envious of you . Though , I've come to terms with the fact that maybe— just maybe I wasn't made to be loved . That I was put on this earth to hand out more love than I could ever receive .
You were the closest thing to proving me wrong . I suppose a part of me was in denial , there was no way someone like me was deserving of someone like you , maybe that's why I did what I did . But , even now , I don't know my true intentions .
I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me , Even when I still cannot forgive myself .
I love you more than anything , if the Spawn is kind enough , may we reunite in my second life .
- Forever yours , Timey