Love Never Dies

Freedom

(Part three of Memories.)

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-In Bill's Mind-

We stayed like this for what felt like hours, though I'm sure it couldn't have been more than one at most. Not once did I let go of Will, nor did he let go of me, keeping his arms around my shoulders while his hands gripped the fabric of my jacket. I was still combing through his light blue hair with one hand while the other rubbed small circles into his back. I could tell my actions were calming him- his tears had faded, and so had his sniffles and hiccups.

I didn't want to break the comfortable silence, but I knew I would need more answers before I could free Will. I didn't want to risk hurting him depending on how he was bound to those assholes.

"Will...?" I asked quietly, not wanting to startle him.

I heard my brother hum softly in response, gently nuzzling into my neck from where his head lay on my left shoulder.

"I need to know the exact terms of the deal and the full extension of your binding before I can free you."

I could feel Will's shame as I saw him frown and cast his gaze to the floor, his grip on my jacket tightening slightly. I kissed the top of his head in an affectionate and reassuring gesture, holding him closer.

"Hey, it's alright, blue. This isn't your fault, and I'm not mad or upset with you in the slightest, okay?" My voice remained quiet, and I saw him relax once again in relief at my words.

"W-Well...I'm techn-nichally only bound to M-Master Gleeful-" I interrupted him here, frowning slightly.

"You don't have to refer to that brat like that around me, Will. And after tonight, you won't have to ever again."

Will looked somewhat surprised for a moment before nodding hesitantly. I could see the instinctual nervous flash in his blue eye at the thought of going against what was clearly one of their damn rules, but a small stubborn flare of determination replaced it soon enough. I felt pride rush through my veins at this,  giving my brother a genuine smile.

He returned the gesture, seeming more determined as he continued on,

"I m-made the deal with h-him. I was s-supposed to help th-them find a couple of j-journals. I d-didn't really w-want anything in return."

I nodded slightly, showing that I understood and waiting for him to continue.

"I w-wasn't aw-ware that they knew h-how to tr-trap our kind...their m-magic didn't come o-off as being strong en-nough f-for a feat like th-that. B-But they w-were..." He took a breath, seeming to steady himself before saying anything more.

"I-I found the j-journals within a f-few days, it w-wasn't hard. B-But wh-when the contract ended, th-they decided to u-use o-one of the sp-spells in the book..." Will paused here, gesturing to his neck and wrists where the teal shackles remained, glowing harshly in the dim light.

So that's what happened. I knew Will would never go into a deal that he even suspected could turn out like this. These fuckers got him the moment the contract ended. Ohoho blood was going to be shed.

"Th-They kept m-me in a D-Devil's Circle until they h-had dr-drained most of m-my p-power so I w-wouldn't be able t-to esc-cape. They n-never let m-me get even cl-close to half of m-my power. I tr-tried everything I kn-knew to r-regain it or br-break the sh-shackles- I even tr-tried to c-contact you several t-times, but I could n-never get p-passed all the barriers th-they had up. The l-last t-time I tried was a f-few months ag-go." Will fell quiet here, holding onto me tighter- I could feel the guilt and shame in his aura, holding my brother closer to myself.