PRETEND ━━ lyney ( ✓ )

𝟰𝟬

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘

the solution to a nuisance

───── ☆ ─────

𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 had passed, Y/N's brother refusing to make any progress with his condition. He was stable, yet still remained very much unconscious. His skin remained battered and bruised, no matter how many times his wounds were treated.

Y/N remained within the Fortress itself, flat out refusing to leave Rúwen's side. Because of this factor, The Duke eventually caved and provided them a small room for their (hopefully) short stay. Lyney, his siblings, and Tartaglia continued to pay their visits here and there.

"You're annoying me now, Rúwen. You don't need to keep agitating me, you can wake up now." Grumbled Y/N in a faux annoyed tone, their tired eyes trained to their brother that lay still beside them.

I do wonder what that poor excuse of a man did to you, Rúwen. Though, I suppose the thought would be better if it were not to be tampered with.

Reaching out, Y/N's battered and bruised fingers grazed against Rúwen's equally injured fingers. Though, instead of his fingers being warm and comforting like they were supposed to be, they were distant and unwelcoming. Y/N couldn't help but to chuckle at the ironic turn of unfortunate events.

"Say, Rúwen... Do you remember me telling you many years ago that not a soul would be worthy of my time? My attention, even?"

They were met with that chilling silence that they had grown used to, given that it had become part of their daily routine.

"I think that, since then, my views have slightly wavered."

Y/N lightly squeezed their brother's fingers, a fond expression coming to rest against their features.

"That magician you have met on a few occasions now..." Y/N hummed in thought, "I believe... He may be worthy of at least some of my time."

"I often wonder to myself 'what if I had declined the offer of attending his performance that one day?' I wonder if this red string of fate as some people might say would have severed into millions of pieces of fabric."

Y/N rested their head against the infirmary bed, heavy eyes peering up at Rúwen. Y/N could only pray to the Archons above that he was listening. He always adored listening to his sibling ramble about the most random topics.

"It... Terrified me at first, you know? I simply didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to believe the fact - Archons, I couldn't even fathom - the fact that there was somebody so... Similar to me. I was frightened of the fact that I related to him in many ways."

"It's no secret that he is a magician. Who am I kidding? He's known all throughout Fontaine, so he is no stranger to acts of secrecy. He's mastered the art of masking emotions; placing up a facade of false behaviour in the hopes of deceiving those who wish to perceive him."

Y/N smiled.

"It's truly a shame that I am excellent at reading people, is it not?"

"Yet..." They trailed off in thought, "The same applies to me, I suppose. I was frightened of tearing down the walls I had spent so long building around myself in order to protect me. I was terrified of showing my genuine emotions to somebody who I thought would be sure to use my vulnerability against me in the long run."