It's not in the Cards (O/O)

(Time skip?)

(sure! to morning?)

(Sounds good)

Aki had slept rather restlessly, Nightmare after nightmare appearing in his sleep. The one that woke him up in a cold sweat was when he faced Zephyr, his eyes sunken and filled with hatred as he raised a blood soaked hand and pointed wordlessly at Aki. When Aki woke the world was dark, the sun barely rising. But he could not see the beautiful sunrise yet to happen. He choked, sobbing into his hand. He reached desperately for Luciens warmth, but remembered he had told Lucien he would sleep on the couch. That only made him stem his noises more, knowing that they were probably still asleep.

Lucien awoke after a while, stretching and letting out a soft, lazy groan. He looked to his side for Aki, then realized that Aki wasn't next to him. René was. The young boy was still asleep, curled in a little ball. Lucien glanced over at the couch.

Aki curled in on himself, his knees to his chest, his chin on his knees. His pearly white eyes seemed to stare at the wall opposite of him, he could do nothing more then suffer in silence. He chose this. This was his consequence.

Lucien got up, walking over to Aki and crouching beside him. He put a hand on the other boy's shoulder. "You awake?" he asked softly.

(bump?)

(I apologize for my absence. My mental health wasn't in the best place.)

(it's alright. I'm so sorry, Bleu. I'm here if you need to talk or vent or metaphorically cry on my shoulder (obviously you can't literally, because…internet lmao))

(Thank you love. I'm a bit better now.)

Aki flinched before slowly turning to face the sound of Lucien's voice, slowly moving his trembling hands towards his love. "Lu-Lucien? I-It's so dark.." He whispers, "Where are you…?"

(you're welcome. And that's good. My offer is always open, tho, anytime you need)

Lucien took Aki's hands gently. "I'm right here, love." He murmured. "I'm right in front of you." He hated seeing Aki like this; so scared and alone.

Aki felt his hands grasp his own, inhaling sharply as he felt the contact. He was trembling now, scared and lost in himself. "It's you, right?" he whispers.

"It's me." He murmured gently, lacing his fingers with Aki's and looking at the man he loved. The man that had sacrificed his sight, just so that Lucien could have his brother back.

Aki whimpered sharply before slowly lifting his other hand to feel along Lucien's face with trembling fingers. His fingertips barely grazed along his skin. He pulled away, seemingly satisfied. He slowly leans forward into Lucien's warmth.

Lucien gently wrapped an arm around Aki, closing his eyes for a moment. "There has to be a way to fix this." he whispered. "To bring your sight back."

(I apologize for my disappearance.)

Aki shook his head and leaned into the other. "I- made the deal, Lucien. This is my price to pay." He whispers as he clings to the other male, his eyes shutting as he tried to focus on his breathing.

(it's alright)

Lucien swallowed. "There has to be a way…" He held Aki close. "I can't…I don't want this for you." He whispered. "I don't want you to have to rely on other people. I don't mind helping you, but…"

Aki leaned into him, clinging to him for dear life. "I…" He felt warm, salty tears fall down his cheeks. "I don't want to be a burden… But I wanted… I wanted to bring Rene back…" He whispers. "I'm paying the price, Lucien…" He murmurs, his eyes shutting.

"You're not a burden, love!" He said quickly. "I love you so much, and I really am so thankful for having my brother back, but I…I don't want you to have to pay this." He kissed Aki's forehead, holding him close.

Aki leaned into him, his eyes shutting as he cried. It made no difference of the light, it made no difference that he could not see the man that was holding onto him. "Please… Please kiss me…" he whispers as he held onto the other. "Please… I need to know… that-" his voice cracked. "I need to know this is real…" He whispered. "That I'm not in the spirit realm… or something like that…" he whispers.

Lucien nodded, and complied, pressing a kiss to Aki's mouth gently, holding the smaller male close. "I love you." He breathed, leaning his forehead against Aki's. "Is…is there any way I can help take this burden?" He asked softly. "Is there any way I can help?"

Aki quivered at the kiss, his arms wrapping around Lucien to hold him close. "I love you too…" He whispered, his eyes shutting as he leaned into the other. "J-just stay with me…" He whispered. "U-until I figure things out." He murmured. His hands feel up Luciens neck and into his hair, playing with the soft locks. He felt safe like this, wrapped in Lucien's arms.

Lucien kept holding Aki, lips brushing against the other male's again. "Okay. I will." He murmured. "I…is…is there a way we could share this?" He said slowly. "What if…what if we…" He wasn't quite sure how to articulate this. "You're blind as payment…so what if I took half of it? If we were both blind in one eye?"

Aki trembled when he felt the others lips brush his own. "I can't… I can't ask you of that, Lucien… My sight… I chose to bring your brother back. You need to be healthy… so you can rule the kingdom…" He whispered as he held on tighter. "I'm thankful for the offer…" He whispers softly. "But… But I need to decline."

"I'd still be healthy, Aki. I don't need both eyes to rule." He replied softly. "I really don't. There have been plenty of kings that weren't perfectly healthy. There was Raxamor, for example. He was paralyzed below the waist. Or king Samos. He only had one hand, and he was blind in one eye, too."

Aki nods slowly, "But… You realize it… it's permanent." He whispers as he clings to Lucien. "You… You can't take it back." He whispers as he felt the others warmth.

(I gtg now. Sorry. Bye!)

Lucien nodded a little. "Yeah. I know." He replied softly, kissing Aki. "But it'd be worth it."

(Alright!)

He kissed back slowly and gave a small sigh. "How do you know that…?" He whispered.

"Because I love you." he said simply. "And that will always make it worth it."

He bit his lip and holds onto Lucien, nuzzling into his side. "What if…" he trembled at the thought. "What if later you don't… and you regret taking my burden…" He whispered, his hand clinging to Lucien's chest.