The Crepuscules

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ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔉𝔬𝔲𝔯

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Dust particles dance in the rays of the sun. As the rays peek through the windows of an abandoned shed, Amaris watches in silence, her good arm playing with the lights. Distracting her from the faint breaths beside her. 

Ellis laid close, his arm still possessing her injury and his head supported by his shoulder, his body was restless. The tears from before dampened his cheeks, and his face relaxed in a much lighter tone. She wondered if his dreams were treating him well. 

She would have woken him. Get a dose of his absurd reactions or probably watch him be frantic. But she let those desires go, he had a rough night already. 

Her arm is partially useless and she can't predict how fast it will heal. Most likely, she’ll have to think of other ways to be of use. Either possessing a body or being a decoy. Like how she manipulated Ellis's arm if she captured a shadow she can use the vessel as her puppet. But she didn't know how convincing Ellis would be if she used his body. Otherwise being a distraction is all she could do. They need to find out how to change their dynamic further on in the journey. 

Even though she believes standing on the sideline would be better, she knew Ellis would voice his disagreement, and she couldn't gain the patience to debate about that. 

Her finger pokes his nose. "Why are you so stubborn?" 

"The same could be said about you." 

Her dark eyes reflected in his brown ones. Ellis slips his hand into hers before shutting his eyes again. "You should rest a little longer." 

"Do you mind me sleeping with you?"

"I don't mind." Amaris' heart twists. "What I do mind is that you aren't taking the time to heal."

Her eyes narrow. "When did you become so cautious?" 

"When did you become so impulsive?"

Amaris thought back to the cave. How he attempted to do something, before thinking of anything else. Jumping in before thinking twice. She might've underestimated his intellect or thought there was another meaning to it. Whatever it was, she needed him to crack. 

"I've slept long enough for it to be noon," she began, playing with his fingers. "Do we need to waste a day because of me?"

"I put you in that state, I'm taking care of you. I don't see the problem." 

"What if it stops us from finding Lars? Each minute is precious, and we can't predict if the creatures have slaughtered a village by now." 

"If my concern was every life form, I would've dragged you out of this shed when you fell asleep." 

An eyebrow rose. "Isn't it your duty to vanquish evil and protect the lives of others?"

"My 'duty'," his lids flutter open to dazed eyes, "is to ensure no more harm is done by killing the Crepuscules. My purpose is to protect humanity from a genocide waiting to happen.  I've decided to take on Lars because he is a threat. He makes much quicker progress and it frightens me that I can't catch up. I've tried to shift my attention to the people, but it was a waste when I lost lives to his creatures. While there are more roaming around. It was only when I met you that I could save a  life and eliminate a beast." 

Amaris stops brushing his knuckles, feeling sweaty suddenly when he meets her eyes. "I need you, Amaris. you've helped me this far, why to stop now?" 

She should've expected much – being a tool in another grand scheme – but his eyes held something else. "You treat me to use me?" 

"I treated you because you were hurt. I want you to live because you still have things to do. Things to look forward to." 

Baffled, or maybe she was hopeful. His ears must've been clogged last night when she admitted she didn't care. If she was at death's door, what's the point of pulling her back? She can't do what he expects, she'll most likely be dead weight before she drops dead. He'll be dragging a corpse around then. 

A malicious smile appeared on her face. "I thought you were gaining a brain, but I was sadly mistaken." 

Whatever it was, she wanted to rattle him but it didn't work. It felt like they'd switched roles suddenly; he bears this attentive appearance,  while her heart thunder against her ribcage. 

She drops the smile entirely, feeling uneasy. "Why do you care?"

"Because you started to care when you wanted to protect me. Why can't I share the same intention?" 

She's overdramatic. She's being overdramatic when her chest aches to those words. When her palm felt heavy, she wanted to look away. She wanted him to release her hand. Stay in the corner of the shed till the next day, or probably sink the shadows till the next sunrise. But it was Ellis keeping her still enough. Amaris is being overdramatic about it, and it irritates her. 

He closes his eyes. "Please rest, we can deal with everything the next day." 

She sighs, letting herself relax and giving up this battle. "Alright." 

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Author's Note: can't write angst without hurt comfort. 
But anyway what do you think? Thoughts opinion?
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