Reflective Detective One Shots!

Admiration

"You're as beautiful as I remember."

The words were quiet as Rodger spoke, but they bounced off the walls in the silence. Glisten was kneeling before him, no longer the toon he loved, but it was his darling all the same. Glisten's face rested in Rodger's hands, though the detective was careful to keep his fingers away from the jagged, splintered glass that remained of Glisten's face.

"Rodger..." Glisten whispered, reaching his hands up to wrap around the toon's wrists. His touch was gentle, despite how the ichor craved to break the bones under his fingertips, "You don't have to lie to me, I'm ruined."

"Nonsense, my dear." Rodger shook his head. There was worry in his gaze, the slightest fear, but the admiration he always had was there. Glisten could no longer reflect, but Rodger still gazed lovingly into the glass that made Glisten's face. Glisten sniffled, despite the lack of a nose. Glisten's only remaining eye focused on Rodger, fear and worry. Glisten didn't want to be alone, but the way Rodger looked at him made him feel worth something again.

"You're the most lovely toon I've ever laid my eye upon."

"Twisted..." Glisten mumbled a correction.

Rodger sighed. He settled on the floor in front of Glisten, his hands never leaving the tarnished gold frame of Glisten's face. Rodger's thumb traced over intricate details as Glisten shut his reddened eye, leaning into the touch.

"I'm so tired, Rodger. I'm so scared that when I fall asleep, you'll leave me, and then I'll be all alone again." Glisten whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere. I swear. Just... Just try to relax."

They both knew it was a lie. Somewhere on the floor, a machine sounded with its completion. Rodger winced, watching Glisten curl in on himself at the sound. It was getting too close to the final ding... Glisten's grip tightened around Rodger's wrist, nearly painful.

"Glisten, you're going to hurt me if you aren't careful. Loosen your grip."

Glisten shook his head, though a stern look from Rodger finally convinced him to obey, though reluctantly. Rodger pulled his hands away from Glisten's face, and tears immediately began to form.

"Hey... Smile for me, dear. Let me see your dashing grin."

Rodger tried to cheer Glisten up a bit. Glisten lifted his head, tears rolling down the shattered glass that remained. Ichor peeled back to show messy teeth, they shifted and slid in the ichor that corrupted him. Rodger was silent for a moment.

"Stunning as always, Glisten."

Glisten nodded. He felt calm for a moment, he didn't even notice Rodger had stood up until he few was a few feet away.

"Rodger? What are you-"

Glisten's voice was cut off by the ding of the final machine. Glisten blinked, feeling rage and grief fill him. Rodger was leaving him? He couldn't let it happen, not again! Glisten rushed to stand, but Rodger was already sprinting for the elevator.

"No, no, no! Rodger! Come back! Don't leave me!"

Glisten raced after the toon, nearly catching him, but his hands narrowly missed Rodger's jacket as he slipped into the elevator. Glisten stared at Rodger, unable to reach the toon. Sobs escaped the twisted as he stared.

The elevator door slammed shut. Rodger sighed, fighting back his own tears. Glisten's screams and cries were long gone now, though the pretty face he used to admire would never fade from his mind.