Chapter Text
“Owen!” A voice called.
Apo?
Owen whirled around, away from a stream of water in front of him, and was met with the sight of red eyes, glistening horns and brown hair a few meters away. His best friend. Apo.
“Apo? Y-you’re here?!” Owen managed to get out of his mouth.
“Of course. I rather like being near you, Owen.” Apo stepped closer, pulling Owen into a loose hug. Owen let out a choked noise and pulled his arms tightly around Apo. He was here. The tiefling, who had started slowly moved back- paused, before returning the secure embrace. Owen buried his face in Apo’s neck and shoulder, snuggling against him.
“Apo, I’m so sorry. It was all my fault-” Owen mumbled something incoherent, “I drove you away. I’m so, so sorry.” Tears stung at Owen’s eyes. All he could feel was Apo’s arms wrapped around him, and the warmth of his body. All Owen could think about was Apo. Apo, Apo, Apo, only Apo.
The fisher looked over at his friend, his expression soft, but a little confused.
“Hey, hey. It’s okay. What’s the matter?”
“I- You-” Owen tried to speak, but his words deteriorated into strangled sobs and sniffles.
Apo pulled his head back ever so slightly, but kept Owen pressed against him, not loosening his grip on the archer. Apo’s eyes found a log laying just next to them. Carefully, as though carrying a large piece of thin glass, Apo guided Owen along with them to sit on the wood, whispering sweet nothings into Owen’s ear.
After maneuvering the two of them, Apo pulled back. Still keeping one arm around Owen, and letting him lean on the demon.
“It’s alright Owen. Can you look at me, please?” Owen lifted his head, eyes lidded and red. “Uh…” Apo may not have planned this far ahead. In his defense, he was rushing. “Breathing! Can we take some deep breaths?” Owen nodded. Apo counted as they showed Owen an example, and Owen, shakily, followed, his eyes still looking hazed.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Apo questioned, tilting his head a little.
“I don’t know.” Owen told him while shaking his head. “I just- It’s been tricky, y’know?” And Apo nodded, seeming to understand.
“Well. I’m here for you Owen, always.” Owen’s body saged, the tension easing from him as he smiled weakly.
“Thanks, Apo. That means a lot to me.”
-
The two sat in comfortable silence, Owen listening to Apo’s steady breathing. Reminding himself Apo was there.
Apo’s hand reached out to brush gently against Owen’s fingers, the touch bringing immense reassurance to Owen, who also felt as though he was on fire, but in a good way. Apo’s gaze traveled up Owen’s arms. The human was wearing a t-shirt, and Apo’s brows furrowed in concern at the scars adorning the leader’s skin.
Apo looked up, trying to catch Owen’s eye, which he soon accomplished. Owen’s focus flickered down, before moving quickly away.
“I, uh. I just missed you a lot. It wasn’t a good time.” Owen offered. The look of anguish on Apo's face was too much to bear.
“ Owen .” Apo whispered, his voice a soft caress. Owen squeezed his eyes shut. But there were no blows, or even yells of disappointment. Of course there weren’t , Owen mentally chastised himself, Apo wasn’t anything like his trainers. Instead, Apo drew Owen back into a hug, Owen flush against his chest. The human let out a breath.
“I’m so tired, Apo. We keep losing people. But I’m a leader, I have to be strong. Why does it hurt so much?”
Apo gave a response, but only scattered fragments made it past Owen’s ears. He was okay with that. Apo, it was all Apo. Owen inhaled, the demon’s mild scent filling his senses. Apo’s presence was like a soft, warm, weighted blanket enveloping him.
…
“Hey, Owen.”
“Yeah?” He murmured.
“Do you want to bake something soon, not necessarily right now. But, sometime this week, maybe?” Owen hummed.
“Actually, I’d like to do that in a little bit, if that’s okay.” Apo grinned, not bothering to hide his joy.
“Apo pie?”
“Apo pie.”
Apo took hold of the archer’s hand, the one that wasn’t wrapped around Apo’s waist for support, and interlaced their fingers.
The orange afternoon sun fell on Apo’s face, bathing it in a gentle light. The fisher’s eyes wandered toward the water, counting the little water lifeforms.
“Remember when I took you down to the pond, and taught you how to fish?” Owen laughed softly.
“Yeah. I was hopeless at it.” Apo smiled affectionately, turning back to him.
“You just needed a bit of practice. It’s normal to not be good at something when you first start. And I may not be the most skilled at teaching it.”
“You’re brilliant at teaching things Apo.” Apo raised an eyebrow, doubtful. “But if you like, we can try fishing together again at some point.”
“Mhh, I think that would be nice.”
It was Apo, all and only Apo. And he was smiling at him. The rest of the world was unfocussed, but the demon was perfectly clear. Everything else paled in comparison to Apo, the sun shining off his horns, and dancing in his eyes as they moved. Of course Apo meant everything to the human, this was Apo. Owen wouldn’t want him to be anyone else. And as for his flaws, Owen loved him for them, and for every other thing that made Apo, Apo.
Owen closed his eyes, head resting, well-supported, on Apo’s shoulder, his body leaning on Apo’s. Owen fell asleep listening to Apo’s soft breathing, and heartbeat. Signs Apo was there.
-
It took a few seconds for Owen’s world to shift into focus. The browns and greens of his roof unblurring themselves, dappled moonlight slipping through the gaps. An uncomfortable shiver crawled down Owen’s body, and his hairs stood up.
There was no more steady breathing to cling to, no sound of the voice he so desperately wanted to hear.
Wind rustled the leaves. Owen was alone.
Apo wasn’t there, because Apo was dead. Owen had been dreaming. Owen had failed him, and he hadn't even apologised. Gods, he was such a bad best friend? Did Owen really deserve to call himself Apo’s friend, let alone best friend? The thought burnt and sting at Owen’s heart. Hadn’t they been trying to find more labels, and explore…whatever it was between them? Before everything had happened?
Owen shifted further onto his back. It felt like he should be crying, like he needed to. But it just wouldn't happen. Sadness and grief had curled their way around Owen, trapping him, but no tears would come. Owen hated it, and he was so tired of feeling things.
-
Later, Magic told Owen she’d seen Apo alive, and in the maze. Owen snapped at her, hastily said sorry, and then ran off. He broke down crying in his house.
He missed Apo.