Oblivion | Euronymous

14 - The Change

THE COUPLES SHARED ROOM WAS SILENT as Øystein stepped in, his expression tense but determined. Ada was still Ada in bed, covered head to toe with the blanket, only the top of her blonde hair peeking out. She turned over lazily and looked up from the bed, eyes still wary from their last argument. They hadn't spoken properly in days, both too stubborn and hurt to bridge the gap.

But this time, something was different.

Øystein took a deep breath, his gaze softer than she'd seen in a long time. "Ada," he started, voice low, "I'm sorry."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she wasn't sure she'd heard him right. Øystein Aarseth didn't apologize. Not easily, at least. But there was no trace of his usual arrogance. He looked almost vulnerable standing there, hands nervously running through his dyed black hair.

"I've been an asshole," he continued, stepping closer, sitting on the edge of the bed now. "You were right about a lot of things. I got caught up in... all of it. The hype, the image... I lost sight of why we started doing this in the first place."

Ada swallowed, her chest tightening. But she nodded, making him breathe out in relief.

"And I didn't mean to come at you like that," she murmured, sitting up slowly. "I just... I thought we stood for something more, y'know? I didn't want to see it all turn to dust."

He nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "That's why I want to change things. For us. I want to start fresh." His hand moved to the back of his head, tugging lightly at the long strands of hair he'd had for years — his trademark look. "I'm thinking of cutting it off. A symbol that we're not just clinging to the past. Take it as a symbol of change if you will."

Ada blinked, surprise flashing across her face. "Your hair?" she asked, her gaze lingering on the black locks. She knew what it meant to him. It wasn't just a style — it was a part of his identity, part of the Øystein everyone knew. But the sincerity in his eyes made her pause. This wasn't about image; this was something deeper.

"Yeah," he said softly. "I want to show you that I'm serious. I don't want to be that guy anymore... the one who just manipulates everything. I want to be someone worth standing by."

For a long moment, they just looked at each other, the weight of his words settling between them. Then, slowly, Ada stepped forward, her hand brushing his cheek gently.

"Okay," she whispered, a small, tentative smile forming. "I can help with that. Elin taught me to cut hair, I'd gladly do the honors if you let me."

Øystein let out a shaky breath, his own smile breaking through. "I'd be honored!"

And for the first time in what felt like forever, the distance between them seemed to fade, replaced by something stronger, something real.

"Also I have to ask, because this is really important to me... is the necklace actually made from chicken bone?" Her voice shook, and she had to hold back the stinging sensation of tears.

"No. It's Pelle's...I promise." He took her hand in his and squeezed it lovingly, "I know how much he means erm.. Meant to you, I'd never jeopardise your trust like that."

"Alright, I believe you." Ada smiled and pressed the necklace close to her chest.

/ / /

About a week passed, and Ada came home carrying a large bag of supplies that she'd use to cut Øystein's hair. She also wanted to do something, but not as extreme as chopping off her own hair. She liked its length, and despite what many say, her hair didn't hold many memories, at least not many unpleasant ones. Maybe she'd get a tattoo, possibly of the Mayhem logo, maybe even something to remind herself of Pelle.

Placing down the bag, she gestured for Øystein to sit down on a towel she'd prepared for him. Laying out all the tools neatly, and grabbed a pair of scissors and turned towards Øystein. He was seated cross-legged on the towel, back straight, shoulders squared as if bracing himself for a battle. A small smile tugged at her lips as she gently combed through his dark strands.

"You ready?" she asked softly, meeting his gaze in the mirror's reflection.

But just as she was about to make the first snip, his expression shifted. His breath stuttered, and suddenly, the room around them seemed to blur. A memory surfaced—sharp and uninvited—of himself and Pelle in the forest, laughter and gloom mingling together. The scene hit him like a punch: Pelle's calm voice, the way his hair swayed in the wind, the empty stillness that followed.

His hand shot up to halt her, fingers trembling. Ada froze, concern flickering in her eyes.

"Øystein?" she whispered, lowering the scissors.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to take a slow, steady breath. It's just hair. This is about change. For Ada. For us.

After a tense moment, he dropped his hand, offering a tight smile. "Sorry, I—" He shook his head. "Just... memories."

Ada's gaze softened in understanding, her own heart aching for him. "It's okay," she murmured, brushing a thumb gently against his temple. "We can stop if you want."

But he shook his head again, more firmly this time. "No. I need this."

Nodding, she leaned forward, her fingers steady. "Okay," she breathed. Then, slowly, she made the first cut.

The strands fell silently to the ground, black as midnight against the white towel. With each snip, a weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. Memories of Pelle – of what they used to be, what Øystein had once hoped for had blurred, shifting into something softer. Something less painful.

By the time she finished, Ada stepped back, her smile both tentative and proud. Øystein stared at his reflection—hair cropped shorter than it had been in years. It wasn't just the look that was different; it was what it meant.

"How do you feel?" she asked quietly.

He reached up, running his fingers through the uneven strands. For a moment, he just breathed. "Free," he whispered.

The word hung in the air between them, a promise of better days to come. A promise that this time, they'd rebuild – together.

A/N

A short chapter sorry

this is a bit of a filler before the final chapter comes out

Also the final chapter won't be out tomorrow, but rather in a few days. It's a loooong one and I'm still not done with it.

So yeah, it may come out a week or so later, but I'll try my best to not keep ya'll waiting

Ily guys!

Thoughts and opinions???

(Also its unedited so sorry for the mistakes .3. )