#main v;

He attended the service they had for him, against his best judgment, and quite a few protests. He'd talked with a few others about how Lysandre had been before- but it felt empty to him. It felt like they were all talking about a man that never existed, a man they had all idealized for different reasons. For all he knew, that Lysandre was probably a lie, too, so he said nothing about how he'd missed how kind Lysandre could be, or how much love he'd shown his Pokémon, because that could have been a lie, too. Something shiny and dear to his heart to distract him from his vile nature.

Were the signs so obvious? Did everyone see the wool over his eyes except for him?

When he did break down and cry, someone rubbed his shoulders and said they would miss Lysandre too, and Augustine just buried his face in his hands.

Because no, he would not miss Lysandre.

He was crying because it was like being stabbed.

Because Lysandre had successfully lied his way into Augustine's life, into his space, into his closest-knit group of friends- all for him to nearly take it all away.

He'd introduced his students to this man. He'd told them not to judge Lysandre's harsh words, and shown his approval because he had been lied to.

He was supposed to ensure their safety - not lead them straight to the lion's mouth.

Everything that had happened to them never would have if he hadn't pressed. It felt ridiculous now. Consider the feelings of this predator.