Jaspar One-Shots

Fall Into Infinity

Summary: Joe and Caspar are thieves running from guards when they realize they've hit a dead end.

Author's Note: Happy? Sad? We shall see. Perhaps the guards forgive them??

They were catching up, fast. Joe could hear the heavy pattering of feet behind him through his racing heartbeat. His muscles were burning, aching, but the steady and warm hand wrapped around his, tugging him forward, to run, kept him upright. His breathing grew heavier as he scaled the barricade of rocks that blocked their narrow path. His foot felt mangled beyond all hope, without protection, stepping on broken glass, rocks, and all.

His breath caught in his throat as he almost fell over, had it not been for the hand catching him yet again. He squeezed the hand in thanks.

They were closer. There was no hope. He sighed as another blockage of rocks came in sight.

And---there!

He ran, chest heaving, and sweat practically streaming from his pores, to the end of the tunnel, to the light. He felt himself inwardly jump with joy at the sight of light, never again did he think he would feel the light on his skin once more.

"We're almost there, Caspar," he said, breathlessly.

The hand on his tightened.

He could hear shouting from behind, and the familiar sound of swords unsheathing. They echoed through the tunnel continually, mocking the both of them. But they were almost there, just a few more steps-

Joe's breath was knocked out from him as a swift and steady arm collided with his chest. He froze and fisted his hands in defense, when he realized that it was only Caspar.

"Caspar, what..??"

Caspar looked at him, blue earnest eyes, something a thief shouldn't have. After all, thieves were liars, deceivers, but the honesty in those eyes would say otherwise.

"There's no way out, Joe," Caspar said, hopelessness clear in his voice.

Joe's chest tightened, as he looked out, and down. There was no ground. Just a drop, long down. It seemed never ending. As if they would fall into infinity. That was what they had fallen into anyways, a never ending cycle of trickery and deceit, but perhaps it was time to end it.

The footsteps stopped, and Joe turned around to see a dozen men, armed to the teeth, whose only purpose was to kill him and Caspar.

"Thieves," a young, scrawny man bellowed, "today, we will get our payment."

The men with him laughed, and Joe too felt laughter bubbling up in his throat. Hysterical. Funny, he never imagined it would end this way.

Caspar turned Joe to face the light, the exit of the tunnel, away from the men. Ignoring the noise behind them, Caspar took Joe's face in his hands, and looked him in the eye.

"I'm sorry," Caspar said, pitifully, his voice breaking. Joe's heart broke, for never had he seen Caspar so pitiful before. Caspar was a poor man, yet rich was he in bravery and kindness of the heart, and to see him reduced to this made Joe's heart ache.

Joe smiled at Caspar and slowly removed his hands from his face, facing the light. "No need to apologize." His hand found its way inside Caspar's, and he found comfort in the familiar warmth.

He felt time slow down, as he took a step forward, the edge of the rock crumbling beneath his feet.

"Together?"

He felt a presence beside him, strong and calming, and it gave him the strength to answer back.

"Together."

His voice rang through the tunnel, sharp and clear, and he had felt braver than he had ever felt in his life.
At his death.

And so, they plunged into infinity.

Author's Note: and the sad fanfics are back.