Anemoia (Over the Garden Wall x reader)

Faerie's Scythe

My words reside in a plastic box, farther from me than I can imagine. I'm far from home, stripped of my identity and my wanderlust. But I must carry on.

The Grim Reaper has hung her cloak and scythe, choosing instead to join me, a mortal, on my journey. Our journey. My brother serves as a lantern, as we try to see through the autumn mist; guided only by the milk-light of a half moon. Our keeper perches on the Reaper's shoulder-the two have grown close as of late, whispering secrets until their tongues run dry. I wish I could join them, but mine is still heavy.

We've walked a long time, through a purgatory of autumn colors. The Reaper isn't scary anymore, as she poses no threat here.

In fact, she seems to provide hope, lighting my fog far more than my brother. Her cold hands mask a warmth in her heart, but cannot mask her face. Her face warms me up just looking at it. She listens and speaks back, starting a fireworks display in my heart. She's no Aphrodite, no, she's far too humble. She's Persephone, a light in the fog, willing to warm my cold heart- Ugh, no, it sounds like I'm in love with her when I word it like that. Thank goodness no one can read my thoughts!

I shake my head clear, annoyed at how hard it is to write a poem about platonic relationships. That is...I think...yes, it's simply platonic. It has to be, because I still like Sara.

Besides, (Y/N) doesn't like me like that, so it's useless to even consider it. Honestly, if anything, I think she likes Beatrice...they've spent all day huddled close, mumbling things to each other. Which is- it's fine. I don't mind, that'd be dumb. Mostly.

Okay, maybe I'm a little annoyed. I'm just not entirely sure why.

Ugh, so many questions..I need to get out of my head for a bit.

"Hey, (Y/N)!" I greet as she walks towards me. "Isn't this a nice way to spend our last day, going to Adelaide's house...Our journey is finally over! Pretty soon we'll be home and I won't have to worry about the Beast, or the Woodsman, and you won't have to deal with me and Greg!"

"Aw Wirt..." She says, not quite meeting my eye. She paused before continuing, as though she wasn't sure what to say. "...I like dealing with you and Greg, and I certainly hope I'll get to, back home."

But her hesitation suggested otherwise. I..I hope it's just my imagination.

"Heh, right- um, sure. Yeah. I-I'm gonna stop talking now." I cringe.

(Y/N) smiles loftily and ruffles my hair-again. She keeps doing that, and I'm not sure if it makes me feel like a little kid or not.

"What if," (Y/N) starts, staring out into the water. "What if...actually, never mind. It-It's dumb."

Well now I'm curious.

"What is it? You--You can tell me, you know..."

"Wirt, I...I know. I just..." she turns, making eye contact. Her eyes are more intense than usual. "What if we never get home? What if Adelaide...isn't what we expect?"

"I mean, we'll...I don't know. I...but Adelaide will get us home...I mean, she has to."

"What if we never go home?" (Y/N)'s voice cracks as if she's on the brink of tears.

I look away. "I...don't know. I don't know, heh, I don't really know much of anything lately..."

I feel like a helpless fool- I can't even make my friend feel better, much less myself. But we're not in a hopeless situation, right? Yeah, Adelaide will fix things and we'll be safe at home....and then what? What happens then? (Y/N) will go back to her clique, dreaming about some boy in Piedmont, and I'll be...exactly where I was before. Hopelessly crushing on someone way out of my league, being embarrassed by Greg, and too pathetic to try something new...