READY OR NOT - Landoscar

11 - You Can't Run From Me

The night air felt charged with an unsettling energy as Lando drifted into sleep, the boundary between reality and the realm of his dreams thinning to a mere whisper. He had hoped that perhaps tonight would be different, that he might find peace in the shadows that had come to define his nights. But as the darkness settled around him, he could already feel the familiar weight of dread creeping in.

In his dream, he stood once more in the heart of the forest, the trees towering above him like ancient sentinels. The moon cast a pale light, illuminating the path ahead, but the shadows danced in erratic patterns, creating a sense of foreboding that settled heavily in his chest. A cold breeze brushed past him, carrying with it the faint sound of rustling leaves—a whisper of something lurking just beyond his sight.

"Oscar?" Lando called out, his voice trembling with uncertainty. The name slipped from his lips like an incantation, and immediately, he felt a shift in the air around him. The once-quiet forest began to stir, an unsettling rustle growing louder, more menacing.

He took a step forward, and that's when he saw it: flames erupting in the distance, bright and furious, licking at the base of the trees with wild abandon. The fire spread quickly, an inferno consuming the woodlands that had once felt like a sanctuary. It cast eerie shadows that twisted and warped the surroundings, making the forest feel alive in a way that terrified him.

"No!" Lando shouted, panic rising within him as he watched the flames dance toward him, bright and consuming. "Oscar! What's happening?" He felt an overwhelming urge to run, to escape the chaos, but the flames held him in place, rooted by a mix of fear and an unyielding curiosity.

And then, amidst the crackling of the fire, he heard it—a low growl that echoed through the trees, sharp and furious. "Do not say that name!" Pia's voice cut through the chaos, raw and filled with anguish. He emerged from the shadows, his features illuminated by the flickering flames, eyes blazing with an intensity that sent a shiver down Lando's spine.

"Oscar?" Lando repeated, his heart racing, confusion mingling with fear. The fiery glow reflected in Pia's caramel eyes, and for a fleeting moment, Lando could see the turmoil roiling beneath the surface. "Please, I—"

But before he could finish, Pia looked away, his expression hardening as if Lando had struck him. The flames crackled violently, reflecting the turmoil in Pia's demeanour. It was as if the very essence of the forest trembled with rage, the trees bowing slightly as if trying to escape the inferno.

Lando took a tentative step closer, the heat of the fire washing over him. He could feel the desperation in the air, a need to reach through the anger and find some understanding. "Pia, wait!" he said softly, careful not to raise his voice. "Please don't be angry. Can we... can we put out the fire?"

Pia's gaze remained averted, his body tense, shoulders squared as if bracing for an unseen attack. The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating, punctuated only by the ominous crackling of the flames that threatened to consume everything.

"Please," Lando continued, his heart aching for the pain he saw reflected in Pia's form. "I won't say the name again, I promise. Just... just put out the fire, okay?"

His voice held a trembling softness, a plea wrapped in vulnerability. Pia's expression softened for a brief moment, his brows furrowing as if wrestling with some inner conflict. But he remained silent, turning his back to Lando, the flickering flames casting harsh shadows across his silhouette.

Lando took a breath, the heat from the fire licking at his skin as he stepped closer, desperate to bridge the gap between them. "I know it hurts," he whispered, his heart racing with every word. "But we can face it together. You don't have to carry this alone."

Pia finally turned to face him, his expression inscrutable, the tension in his body palpable. Lando felt a pang of fear, but he pressed on, undeterred. "I'm not afraid of you, Pia. I'm here for you. Just let me help."

With a sudden, deliberate motion, Pia clenched his fists, and for a heartbeat, the air was thick with an impending storm. Then, as if a great weight had been lifted, he took a deep breath. The flames flickered momentarily, a spark of hesitation, and Lando's heart raced with hope.

Pia's gaze softened, and he nodded ever so slightly. The tension between them eased as he reached out a hand, fingers brushing through the air, and with a swift, fluid motion, the fire began to diminish. The flames curled back, retreating into themselves as if responding to an unspoken command. Smoke wafted through the air, dark and heavy, but the heat subsided, replaced by the cool breath of the forest.

Lando watched in awe as the fire was extinguished, the charred remnants flickering into nothingness, leaving behind only a few glowing embers. "Thank you," Lando breathed, relief flooding through him. He could feel the air shifting, the shadows receding slightly, allowing the moonlight to pierce through once more.

But Pia remained silent, his expression unreadable as he looked at the ground, seemingly lost in thought. Lando stepped closer, the distance between them now charged with a fragile understanding. "Pia," he murmured gently, hoping to reach the part of him that still felt burdened by unseen chains. "I know you're hurting. I want to help you carry it. You don't have to bear it all alone."

Pia finally met Lando's gaze, his eyes flickering with a mix of anger and pain that made Lando's heartache. "Oscar..." he began, the name hanging heavy in the air like a storm cloud threatening to break.

But before he could finish, Pia turned away again, his body language screaming of turmoil, as if the mere mention of the name inflicted wounds he had long buried. Lando felt a rush of determination wash over him. He refused to let the shadows consume them both.

"Please," he whispered, stepping forward, hands open and vulnerable. "I'm here for you. Whatever this is between us, I want to understand."

As the words hung in the air, Pia's gaze flickered back to Lando, the anger dissipating like mist before the sun. He hesitated, his breathing steadying, and for the first time, the raw emotion in his eyes felt less like a barrier and more like a bridge.

The forest was quiet now, the moonlight streaming through the trees as if casting a spotlight on their shared moment, illuminating the connection that pulsed between them.

And in that silence, Lando knew one thing for certain: he would not turn away. He would not run. Together, they would face the shadows that lingered in the depths of their hearts, no matter how painful or tumultuous the journey may be.