REQUESTED: FLUFF! (˶ˆᗜˆ˵)
(as much as i LOVE being a wiki glazer and a completionist, i genuinely don’t know SHIT about lumen🥹✌🏽)
「 The clearing was quiet save for the whisper of wind through the flowers. The air smelled faintly sweet, petals scattered like fallen stars across the meadow. Lumen drifted along the edge, his pillow-like head turned downward, that black sword jutting through his torso a constant, heavy reminder. His hands ghosted over the hilt as if he were afraid of forgetting it was there.」
「 Perched comfortably in the middle of the clearing was Never-Ending Love, their body folding with elegance despite its strange, chimera-like form. Their fluffy wings shifted idly, a halo glinting faintly where it twined around one horn. With every delicate strum of the harp at their waist, the air seemed to bend toward them, pulling attention as easily as a flame drew moths. 」
「 NEL 」: “Ah, there you are.~ My little specter wandering at the edge again. Hiding in the shadows won’t keep me from noticing you.”
「 The teasing lilt in their voice made Lumen tense. He hovered a few feet away, as though distance alone might shield him. 」
「 LUMEN 」: “…I wasn’t hiding.”
「 NEL chuckled, the sound rich and oddly affectionate, though it carried an undercurrent of amusement that stung. They tilted their head, letting their halo spin lazily like a trinket toyed with. 」
「 NEL 」: “Oh, of course not.~ You were simply… sulking, then? You wear your silence like a robe, dear ghost, and it fits you almost too well.”
「 Lumen’s form flickered faintly, his translucent hands brushing once more against the sword in his chest. His voice wavered, quiet but firm. 」
「 LUMEN 」: “…You don’t understand. This isn’t sulking. It’s… penance.”
「 NEL let out a dramatic sigh, plucking a note from their harp that echoed sweet and mocking. 」
「 NEL 」: “Penance? How dreary.~ You think martyrdom will make the guilt lighter? Tsk, tsk. How boring, Lumen… You could be so much more fun if you let yourself play.”
「 They leaned forward, their mouth curling in a playful grin, voice dipping into something like a whisper meant to sneak under the skin. 」
「 NEL 」: “I could show you how to turn that wound into a song. Into something beautiful. Instead you clutch it like a child holding onto a broken toy.”
「 Lumen’s pillow-face tilted downward, shoulders shrinking at the words. His tone was defensive, but lacked sharpness. 」
「 LUMEN 」: “…If I let go… if I do what you say… I’ll hurt him again.”
「 NEL gasped softly, theatrically, lifting a clawed hand to their mouth as though scandalized. 」
「 NEL 」: “Oh, poor Engel.~ Always at the center of your fear. You hurt him once, so you believe you’re cursed to repeat it. Silly ghost. Don’t you see? Doubt grows heavier the more you smother it. Play pretend all you like, it’ll only strangle you in the end.”
「 They let the words drip slowly, like honey laced with venom. Another strum of the harp, a playful flourish this time, and they leaned close enough for their feathers to brush lightly against Lumen’s arm. 」
「 NEL 」: “Why not… trust me instead? I can carry your doubts, twist them into something that won’t bite you back.~ You’d only have to listen to me.”
「 Lumen flinched at the touch, pulling back slightly though not entirely. His ghostly figure flickered faintly in the twilight, hands clutching the sword tight as though anchoring himself. 」
「 LUMEN 」: “…You make it sound so easy.”
「 NEL’s grin widened, playful and knowing, their halo glinting mischievously as they tilted their head. 」
「 NEL 」: “Because it is easy.~ The hardest part is convincing yourself you deserve to let go. And between us…” Their voice lowered, teasing, coaxing. “I think you already want to.”
「 Lumen’s form trembled, the silence stretching heavy around him. He tried to turn his face away, but the pull of NEL’s voice lingered like a hook in his chest. 」