(this isn’t right. he knows that. why does he know that? he doesn’t know what isn’t right.)

meme.

mouth goes dry when leo speaks; jaw tensing as his grip of his brother tightens ever so slightly. though his voice is half muffled against his shoulder, the words ring loud and clear in his ears, and if not for the seven years spent building up his composure, he’s sure he would have broken down then and there. beckendorf pulled away from the embrace, palms moving up to rest on leo’s shoulders —— the older gazing grimly at the vald.ez. his blood felt cold in his veins as he stared, and he realized, with a gut-twisting pang, that this might be the last time he gets such an opportunity.

❛ i’m coming back, ❜ he promised, stern, unwavering. the sad thing was, he didn’t believe himself in the slightest; knowing full well the dangers that lie ahead, and the fact that he was pretty much diving head-first into the shallow end of the swimming pool, here. ❛ i am coming back, little brother. you just have to believe in me, ❜ beckendorf said softly after a moment, hesitating before reeling him back in for another hug. it was stronger this time. he didn’t want to let him go.

charlie was, in short, exhausted.

he’s not entirely sure what transpired that night. in a haze of panic and confusion, it was sort of difficult, sifting around for the right words to describe what happened. all he could recall was being chased by something —— he didn’t know what; didn’t bother to ask for its name —— and accidentally dragging somebody —— again, names weren’t really his main concern at the moment —— along with him. but that was it. there was no context for it, no memories hinting as to why some monster was practically ripping up trees to get him; it just happened, and that was, apparently, it.

legs felt oddly sore from running, even though he couldn’t remember going that far (not like he could remember much to begin with), and everything felt heavy, tired, as he leaned against the cool wall of the narrow cave. the smell in the air was beginning to annoy him, but he forced himself to take deep breaths and breathe steadily. he nearly forgets the girl beside him, tensing slightly as he considers how awkward this must be. scary, even (he knows he’s terrified). shifting anxiously, he brought his knees up, hoping to look semi-casual in the dimness as he spoke up, voice strained.