Wilting Light (Vaati x reader)

Veil of Lies

Gently, Vila shook her friend awake. "Agnan. Agnan, wake up," she whispered.

The blonde opened his eyes briefly, gazing at her a moment before closing them again.

"Agnan, please. I want to show you something. I found it."

Agnan sat up, yawning. "What is it...?"

"(Y/n) just went to bed. She threw something in the fire, though."

The muscular man swung his legs over the side of the messy bed eagerly. "She did?"

"Yeah, come on."

Vila left the bedroom as Agnan stepped onto his aching feet and stumbled into the living room after her. She was kneeling in front of the fireplace, an empty bucket beside her. The fire was out, leaving the only light to be the lamp on the wall. He watched as she sifted through the ashes and carefully pulled out a crumpled piece of old paper.

"She's hiding something," Vila said, frowning at the paper. "Why else would she lie about Vaati?"

Agnan furrowed a brow, trying to think of something that proved Vila wrong. "I don't know. I don't even want to think such a thing, but..." He took a deep breath. "She hasn't been herself since she got on the Ghost Ship. She's more...depressed? And she snapped at me when I wouldn't shut up about Vaati. But Vaati has to be hiding something, too. There has to be a reason why he won't show himself."

Vila turned her gaze towards the fireplace. "Something had to have happened on the Ghost Ship. No normal person, even one who is skilled in magic, could make that monster screech and run away with its tail between its legs." Agnan's eyes followed hers. The days had become warmer, but it was still too cold for there not to be a fire. Both of them shivered. After a long, tense silence, Vila handed him the paper she had pulled out of the fireplace.

"I was about to tell you." Vila picked up the book she had given the woman and held it up. She looked at it, her eyebrows furrowed. "She ripped it out of this."

Agnan's hand trembled as he stared at the paper in his hand. He had yet to open it and see what was on it. "I really don't want to think so..." he whispered.

"I don't think anyone does." Vila stared at him sympathetically. "I know you were starting to like her. I can't imagine how this must feel."

"What are we going to do? If whatever she's hiding has something to do with that book, then it can't be anything little."

Vila looked down at the book in her hands. "Really... I don't know. Just as easily something in this could have just scared her. Especially with the Ghost Ship around. I still wonder what's going on with her and Vaati."

Agnan shrugged as he carefully pushed the paper into his pocket. "I'll tell Mom in the morning. Maybe she can help us figure something out."

--

His eye rolled to the back of his head just before his legs gave way. Utter terror and confusion left you paralyzed so that you could only stare as he fell. He shook as his hands balled into fists so tight that you could see the blood trailing down his wrist. Your mouth hung open, making your throat dry. It was a long moment before you could speak, and even then your words failed you.

When you noticed tears building in his eyes, you looked away. It was odd seeing him in such a state, on the ground and made helpless by some unknown force. You could only guess that he would be in a horrible mood afterwards. He fell silent after the first scream. He was still trying to make himself look strong.

"(Y/n)," he said breathlessly. When you looked back down at him, he grabbed your shirt and yanked himself to his feet. When he tried to let go, he almost fell down. "Go get...something. Something to make this stop..." He grit his teeth.