Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Welt thought of the man that haunted him.

To regard him as a soul, or a face, or a hand—would not be enough to describe his entire influence over Welt's life. It has not stopped even now. It absolutely should have. His soul was cut under his own hand, but a man named Otto was nothing if not perseverant. Welt could think of many metaphors: a weed, a cancer, a wildfire... and once again, he settled for a ghost.

He was not stupid. Smart enough to be aware, but not enough to stop himself from willingly being led.

Welt was walking side by side with this blonde man, Luocha was it? And still felt like he was being led.

He was not sure of the force that drove him to invite this stranger for a coffee. Except, he probably knew if he looked inward for a second longer.

Luocha ordered tea, and it was one difference from the usual. Welt wanted to focus on that, or else he would slip into his own memories and be a bad host. Luocha, his name was Luocha, and he preferred tea over coffee.

"You aren't much of a talker, are you, Mr. Welt?" Luocha picked up his tea. 

Welt startled out of his thoughts and drank his coffee, saying his apologies. He tried to smile but couldn't make himself look in Luocha's direction. Welt felt Luocha's eye on him.

He knows, Welt's mind screamed at him. He knows, he knows. That's Otto. Who else could it be?

"Mr. Welt, may I ask about the symbol on your scarf?"

Welt didn't know what Luocha was playing at, but he answered him anyway. The reaction he got was bizarre. He thought it was a symbol relating to the medical field. How could anyone mistake that? There's something wrong with Luocha. Is this a case like Void? Has Otto made another clone he didn't know about?

"I wish to learn from you so that someday I will reach my goal," Luocha said with a small smile. And it was such an Otto thing to say. So pragmatic, so polite, unassuming.

Welt had to keep this man near him at all times.

Was it smart to give away Otto's room? Probably not.

Was it smart to give Luocha books on healing? Probably not.

Luocha claimed to have amnesia, which explained the lack of reaction to the many keywords Welt threw at him. He explained things anyway, waiting for at least a flicker of recognition, but Luocha's face remained blank. "How do I find my Path?"

At that, Welt slowly looked him over, his gaze scanning him from head to toe. Luocha squirmed under the scrutiny. Otto would not squirm. Otto would bask in his attention, encourage it, grow like a plant under sunlight.

When Welt guessed that Luocha might walk the same Path as Otto—and why would Welt even say that—Luocha smiled and asked, "If you're not on the Path of Abundance yourself, why do you have so many books on the subject?"

Welt froze. 

Why, indeed.

Why had he not thrown them away, burned them to ashes? Cut Otto from his life?

The conclusion, as always, was that it was impossible. Otto's grip on him was a thorned vine. His invisible hands still had Welt in a chokehold to this day. Otto never went away, even now, he came back for his throne.

Welt collected himself while he cooked his comfort food. Otto was dead. Welt killed him. How many times does he have to remind himself? Otto was dead. Welt killed him. 

During dinner, Welt tried to act normal. But Luocha—Welt couldn't help but see Otto's soul in him. His ambition burning bright, so bright it burned himself and even then it would only shine brighter.

Luocha smiled, always smiling when he asked a question Welt didn't want to hear. "Is there healing magic that pushes the limit of natural healing, such as healing severe wounds instantly?"

No, no.

This must be Otto. Somehow, in some shape or form, this was Otto. 

"Do not repeat those questions to anyone else. I don't want to hear them," Welt bit out.

That would protect Luocha. Welt had seen Otto's fall and he didn't want to see it on anyone else. He would keep Luocha safe.

Luocha paraded around the house wearing Otto's clothes and the rosary. That's Otto, his mind told him, again.

Welt blinked once. No, he had rented the room, and Luocha didn't have any new clothes. That's all. There was nothing sinister going on.

Welt distracted himself by guiding Luocha through potion making. Maybe this would help, he thought. It would keep Luocha's mind off healing. 

Luocha was a quick learner. Just like Otto.

Otto was but a young man when they first met in the library. He was full of dreams, but without the support of his family. Feeling a kinship, Welt had invited him to live together so they could work on their careers. The presence of Otto in his house had chased away the emptiness. The house felt lived in, slowly becoming a home.

Despite everything, the memory was fond.

Luocha was staring. "... Mr. Welt? What do I do with the pot?"

Welt snapped back to the present, his heart heavy. "You're excused for the day. I'll handle the rest myself."

Welt escaped to his room as soon as possible.

There was a reason why Welt locked his room. The reason wasn't to prevent Luocha from barging in. It was to stop Void from reaching the rest of the house.

Such as today, they invited themself in through the window and currently sat in his chair.

"You're quick." Welt said as he sat on his bed.

"I have my ways," Void replied. "The church has heard of him."

Welt sucked in a breath. "That soon?"

"Mmhm, but don't you worry. Keep locking him in your house and he will be safe from harm."

Welt was offended. "I would never do that."

"Just a suggestion." Void leaned forward and then placed a hand on his shoulder. "What about you, hm? Are you well?"

Welt could feel something from that question. It wasn't specific, and he could answer in any way he wanted.

He knew it was about seeing Otto's face again. Too many feelings involved.

He wished he was confident enough to say he was handling it. He wished for a release, but not by crying. everything else could be crying for him. His heart, for one. He could rip it open, let it bleed. He wanted someone who knew what he had been through to look inside his gut. He wanted to lie down and be taken care of.

Any of his answers would hold no weight. Welt leaned into the touch.

Void’s hand on him slid lower, trailing a path that left Welt’s skin tingling. It was terribly easy to imagine the hand somewhere else on his body. For a brief moment, Welt considered the proposition.

But Void was too different. They had made it clear they didn't want to be seen as the same. Different hairstyle, different mannerisms. 

Welt slapped Void’s hand away, the sound sharp in the quiet room. “I don’t want to sleep with you.”

Void’s expression remained calm, perhaps even slightly amused. "I think you’re delusional," Void said, their tone light. It sounded like mockery.

Welt’s eyes narrowed. "I’m not."

"Then why won't you tell him about Otto?"

"Why should I?"

Void leaned back, studying him. "Because you owe it to him. Because keeping secrets doesn’t protect anyone."

Welt’s jaw tightened. "Some things are better left buried."

"And some things need to be taken out, for everyone’s sake." Void’s gaze was unwavering, piercing through Welt’s defenses. They had inherited some of Otto's mind. They knew his past.

Welt looked away. "He doesn’t need to know anything."

Void sighed, a mix of exasperation and resignation. "You’re making a mistake. You know it. You know the true reason why you do the things you do." Void backed off. "It's never about doing the right thing when he's involved."

As Void slipped out through the window, Welt couldn’t shake the lingering sensation of the hand on his arm.

He didn’t want to sleep with Void. That much was true. As for Luocha—not yet. As if there should be a time where it would be okay to indulge. Indulging always ended in disaster.

Welt was struck by a realization: that he was incredibly lonely, and worst of all, it was his own doing.

He pulled his knees to his chest and hugged them tight. And when he felt too tired, he rested his head on them.

And he thought of nothing at all.

Chapter Text

Luocha was quiet and didn't occupy much space. Sometimes Welt almost forgot he was there. It only motivated Welt to keep a closer eye on him, to make sure Luocha was a human and not a ghost haunting the house.

Luocha didn't ask for much. Yes, Welt cooked for him and brewed his tea, but those were part of Welt's morning routine and didn't feel like a burden. Aside from books, Luocha never told him what he needed or wanted, if he preferred any type of food in particular, if he wanted to go outside.

Welt observed him more. Luocha sometimes eyed the hallways, but he never strayed from the path that connected Otto's—Luocha's room, to the kitchen, to the living room, to the front door and the potion shop. Nothing else but the essential. He acted like this house wasn't his and he was not allowed to exist in it.

Since Welt had decided that Luocha needed new clothes and his own belongings, and to spite Void on top of that, he took Luocha outside. Void must be wrong. As long as Luocha stayed by his side, going out was fine.

Luocha did stay by his side closely, albeit a bit quiet.

Welt was wondering why Luocha didn't seem as happy, and was so absentminded that he ordered the usual for two. When the food was served, Luocha looked at him weirdly, and he had been for a while.

Welt was hit with shame. How could he order for a grown man as if Luocha couldn't take care of himself? "If you want to order something else, it's on me. Or you could have my steak–"

"It's fine," Luocha said, and took a bite of his tofu meal. His eyes lit up and a corner of his mouth curved upward.

Welt wished the fact that Luocha enjoyed Otto's favorite meal would lighten his guilt. It did not.

They were sitting at Otto's spot in the corner. It was the most secluded table in the tavern and Otto felt safest here. They had talked about many topics over the meal.

"You always pick the best wine, but not the best glass," Otto had said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I trust your taste completely. Now you have to trust my methods. Won't you indulge me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Just say yes."

"Mmhm, sure. Yes, yes."

Welt blinked, and frowned.

"Mr. Welt?" Luocha's voice brought him back. He looked concerned, his brows furrowed. "Where are we going next?"

Welt didn't know for how long he had spaced out. He appreciated that Luocha didn't ask. They talked and ate. Food felt wrong in his mouth. He shouldn't have ordered the usual.

Welt and Luocha walked side by side through the market. Welt bought the groceries for the week, checking items off his mental list. As they moved on, he led Luocha to the section of the market with random trinkets and tools. Here, Luocha brightened up at the sight.

Luocha picked up a paper flower, examining it with curiosity, before heading over to a pile of writing implements, namely the pens and ink. He noticed something else and started choosing... metal tools? They were too rusty for Welt to identify, but Luocha seemed to recognize them.

On the way out, they passed by the food stalls. Luocha didn't get anything for himself, but when Welt saw a tanghulu stand, he decided to buy two sticks. He handed one to Luocha, who looked surprised but soon smiled and took the stick.

Luocha ate the sugar-coated strawberries with joy. And Welt was happy in turn. It was nice to see Luocha relaxed and enjoying his life.

Otto had asked him, "All I see you do is pursue your career. Do you ever wish for anything?"

Welt glanced at ingredients he had bought, all intended for work and research, and nothing of his hobby. "Not much. I could continue living like this." Then he looked at Otto walking beside him, munching on various sugar-coated fruits on a stick. "I want to see you happy."

Otto smiled. Without warning, he placed a strawberry into Welt's mouth. 

"I normally don't share." Otto retracted his hands. "Never received one, either."

Welt savored the sweetness on his tongue. 

But when he bit down, the sugar cracked into pieces.

This was not a test. This was torment. Otto's name lingered on his lips the whole way home, but Welt didn't let it come out.

When they stepped past the front door into their house, Luocha let out a loud sigh, startling Welt, before hurrying to his room.

"Luocha," Welt called out, stopping him before he reached the door. Luocha looked back at him with tired eyes. Was he also tired of the outside? Welt was full of so much guilt that he could only let it grow inward. "I'm sorry."

Welt didn't linger around to see Luocha's expression. 

Once he was certain Luocha had settled into his own room and wouldn't come out, Welt walked to the front door and raised his cane. He applied his ward magic. Now the door could not be opened without permission. Welt would only do this outside of their working hours. 

And his traitorous heart only felt a sense of relief after locking Otto outside. 

Welt shook his head. No, this wasn't about him. Luocha should not be outside. He should be safe, inside, away from danger. It's for his own good. 

Luocha wasn't lying when he said he didn't mean to burn Otto's closet—or rather, its contents. It was a shame, really. He hadn't even tried on all the clothes yet. They were quite fashionable, and he felt closer to the truth trying to figure out the owner of these belongings.

It was a magic practice gone wrong. Luocha was ecstatic that he managed to create another element beside Imaginary and that it was Fire. Wasn't fire important in alchemy? Luocha had pushed his limits, and the rest was history.

Now, Luocha expected Welt to get mad, to assume he had done it intentionally, that he wanted to erase the past and have all of Welt's attention. But it wasn't true. Of course not. Welt could like him, sure, but he could never love him. Not like this.

Welt... was not mad. After the initial panic had subsided and he had checked that Luocha was safe, Welt shifted his attention away from Luocha and to the flames currently licking at Otto's belongings. Luocha watched as Welt's shoulders relaxed, as he closed his eyes and whispered a personal prayer, a serene expression softening his serious face.

It was peaceful.

And in that moment, Luocha realized he had fallen in love with this man.

Chapter Text

Welt and Otto often shared a drink together, especially since they had enough money to afford alcohol and the bartender no longer asked for their age.

Otto hummed a tune as he set a wine glass in front of him, but Welt was wondering how he should feel. He wasn't religious, not that he didn't believe—Aeons have a lot of evidence of being real, but he believed no one should follow the path of Aeons too closely. Aeons could not care for them, and chasing their gaze was a pointless endeavor. Nothing good ever came out of it.

"Have some spirits for me, Welt." Otto poured red wine into their glasses, effectively stopping his overthinking. "It's my treat. Won't you have a drink?"

"Congratulations," Welt said and took a sip after Otto did. "How does Abundance's gaze feel?"

"Good," Otto smiled at him. "I wish you could feel it too."

Welt wasn't bitter, but it must have come out that way, "What good would it do?"

Otto looked at Welt like he was the most insufferable man ever existed instead of the other way around. "A lot, considering what you've told me. Your skill, career, social standing, family. The list goes on."

Welt swirled the red wine in his glass. "I have given up on getting any outside approval. I'm glad you got yours, but there's really no need for me."

"Hmph." Otto frowned. "I can't tell if this is your altruism or lack of ambition."

"You know who I am, Otto. I like to think I'm quite simple." Welt really meant it. He had a career as an alchemist which allowed him to help people, even if he wasn't the best at it. He had a place to stay, and he had someone by his side. That was already a lot more than he had asked for. 

Otto stared at him for a few moments more before flashing him a grin. Welt mentally prepared himself for Otto's future antics.

Welt woke up slowly, his mind sluggish and confused about the date and time. He sat up and balanced himself with his arms before he could fall to the side. Oh.

Welt grabbed the prosthetic leg next to the bed and put it on. It had been a while since his dream was so coherent.

At the shop, Luocha practiced his potion making today while Welt sat nearby. He enjoyed being able to observe Luocha when the attention wasn't on him, since Luocha tended to hide his own emotions around people. But when focused on a task, Luocha showed his frustration and joy openly.

Welt knew he shouldn't, but he had also tried helping Luocha's magic with a more hands-on method. Luocha's confusion was too funny to resist. It was proof of his humanity.

Overall, their relationship was pleasant enough, but Welt knew it was temporary. He had been waiting for Luocha to realize something was wrong—with how he was treated, with Welt, with the house, everything—but Luocha never mentioned it. A deep, dark part of Welt wondered if Luocha would be kept here forever without ever learning the truth.

He would let him go, Welt told himself. When Luocha gave up on studying Abundance, Welt would let him go. This was only him buying time.

When Luocha's work was done and he had transferred the potions into their containers, it's time for them to rest. Pain shot through Welt as he stood, making him hit the table nearby with both hands to stabilize himself. He reached out instinctively for his cane, only to realize he'd left it in his bedroom. 

"Here, use these," Luocha said, appearing beside him with a pair of wooden crutches. 

Welt was surprised at the offer. The crutches were not hidden or anything. It was kept at the back of the shop. He was more surprised that Luocha noticed it and got involved, since he seemed so self absorbed most of the time. Welt glanced down just to make sure his legs were still hidden.

He must have stayed silent too long, because Luocha started looking between the crutches in his hands and Welt, seemingly confused. "You’re more used to these, aren’t you? It seems like you haven't adapted to using a cane yet—which is in your room, I assume."

Welt’s breath caught in his throat. He took the crutches. 

Luocha's perception was sharp, and he had been watching him.

As Welt adjusted the crutches to his forearms, he couldn’t help but think. "You know a lot about the human body. How much do you actually know?"

Luocha had that smile again. "I read quickly."

Luocha was hiding something from him. That, Welt already knew.

Welt was more used to crutches. It was true, but they had been untouched since Luocha moved in, so Welt stumbled a little when he tried to take a step. 

"Are you alright?" Luocha was no longer calm in moments like these. Panic shone through his being as he rushed to help. The soft touches of the hands supporting him. The fretting. The breath of relief when he found out Welt was fine. The worried green eyes watching over him.

It was all too familiar.

Welt shrugged Luocha's hands off him as if they burned, doing his best to ignore the hurt on Luocha's face. "... Welt?"

"I'm fine," Welt muttered as he turned and exited the potion shop. Thankfully, Luocha didn't follow.

His bedroom door creaked, mocking him when he entered. Welt knew he escaped his problems a lot. Maybe it was the only way he knew how to deal with them: turn away, lock them out, defining the line of his event horizon.

"You're an idiot," Void's voice came from outside the window.

Welt closed the window. He flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. In the privacy of his room, he finally let himself feel his own emotions—on the forefront of it all was fear.

Welt knew what he saw. Without a doubt, Luocha had fallen for him. Whether it was an accident or a deliberate leap, it didn't matter. What mattered was that Luocha had fallen, and someone else was already in the pit, six feet deep. 

All healing was the same, Otto had told him. Because it all led to the Path of Abundance. 

Abundance. He called this Abundance? The man himself, dead, with his creation outside the window, his lookalike in his home, and his ghost in the air? 

How dare Otto think that this is what he wanted?

Welt muffled a sniffle. He hadn't realize he was crying. He wasn't sure what he had done wrong. He just wished... 

Maybe Welt himself was the problem. He allowed himself to wallow in despair. He was a pit that good people fell into. 

Chapter Text

Luocha seemed happier. Either that, or Welt had finally noticed that Luocha's happiness came from him. It was a weird thought. Welt wasn't sure how to act, but if seeing him happy made Luocha happy, then he would try to be happy.

He didn't even have to try hard. Spending time with Luocha was enjoyable in itself. Luocha was actually caring and attentive, especially when his health was involved, but he had his sweet tooth moments. Welt would buy sugary snacks for him whenever he could, and Luocha's eyes would lit up when Welt handed it to him.

One day, Luocha handed him the old rusty tools. Welt repaired them, but he couldn't stay quiet about it. And he should have, because Luocha used it as an opportunity to request more books.

Surgery tools on the alchemy table. Welt felt like there was symbolism in it, that it was meant to happen... No, who said so? Welt could always say no.

Luocha didn't take it well. "You don't understand healing at all, do you?" He scoffed. "Give me your friend's old notes. Surely he studied it as well."

Welt frowned at the mention of Otto. Luocha didn't do that often. "I can't. It's dangerous."

"That doesn't matter."

Welt groaned inwardly. "So you would sacrifice yourself for this?"

"I would lay down my life for it." 

Luocha's confidence scared Welt to his core. That, and his emotionless eyes staring back. It was the kind of confidence only acquired through repetition, as if Luocha had chosen time and time again that his career came before his well being.

It's not even about wants. It's about duty, some form of obligation, a safe choice to fall back on even when you felt nothing.

"Medicine is my life, Welt. They make me feel whole, and you're in the way." 

It left him reeling. Welt couldn't remember what he said next or how he replied. He only knew he said no. It was a blur, lost to the sound of his own heartbeat and rushing blood.

Luocha's fists clenched at his sides. Welt braced himself for a punch, but his next words hurt more than a punch could ever be. "If you enjoy me this way, so be it. Cut and put me in your vase, stop watering me and let me die."

Luocha stormed out, leaving Welt alone in the shop. His voice still echoed off the walls.

You're in the way.

Welt let the words sink into him, then he headed to the kitchen. He needed a drink.

Blood loss messes with your thinking capabilities. Welt knew this as a fact, but he had never experienced it firsthand until now.

He woke to the sound of… digging? And rain in his eyes, and pain muddied by adrenaline and dizziness, and the cold, wet dirt beneath him, mixed with the smell of blood.

Welt jolted up at the thought that he was about to be buried alive, lost his balance, and collapsed back onto the dirt. The disorientation confused him enough to distract him from the pain. 

“Shh, hey! Don’t move.” The digging stopped. Someone came into his field of vision and pressed his shoulders down. This person's body blocked out the rain so Welt could see clearer.

He squinted. “Otto…?” Welt was met with a face that couldn’t be anyone else, except they're naked and with a wild nest of hair. While a naked Otto wasn’t new, he would never let his hair be ruined like this—with rain and mud, and other things.

“I’m not...” The blonde person sighed. “No use reasoning with a delirious man. Welt, you’re an absolutely foolish self-sacrificing idiot with messed up priorities.”

This was uncharacteristic enough of Otto that Welt realized this couldn’t be him.

“I’m going to take you home,” the person hovering above him said, softer this time. They backed off. The rain hit Welt's face once more, and the digging resumed. “But I have to deal with the… evidence. Now, just lie back and relax.”

Welt shivered. It started to feel even colder. Must be from the blood loss, or the rain. The rhythmic sound of digging and pouring rain eventually lulled him to sleep.

"Dear, are you getting sober?"

Welt woke up with a terrible headache and a terrible company. He felt the telltale signs of a hangover and closed his eyes again. "Leave me alone..."

"No." Void slapped his cheek. "Get up. Drink your water." 

Welt groaned but did as told, forcing himself to sit up and drinking from a glass of water that Void had brought for him.

"So what made you drink without me? Problem with the blonde boy?" Once again, Void had invited themself in and stolen his chair. "Trouble in paradise? This is tragic."

"Trouble in—no." Welt set the empty glass down a bit too harshly. His nightstand would survive. "I'm keeping an eye on him, but he's still interested in the Path of Abundance. Of course I worry."

Void smirked but said nothing.

"What?"

"It would be more fun if I don't say it." Void looked at him for a moment and relented. Welt had no idea what they saw in him. "But I will warn you, Luocha's not the type to back down or fall behind. He had waited long enough and will start to act. I'm sure you know that."

Welt huffed. "What can he do? He barely knows any magic without the help of the rosary. He knows nothing of this world without me. He..." Welt didn't want to tell Void about his latest revelation, but it seemed Void could already guess.

Void had their little smirk again. "So you're not aware your control is loosing up or acknowledge your own weakness. Dear Welt, you underestimate him. The only things left you can do is prepare your reparations and pray."

"What do you... mean?"

"The cancer has won. You are overrun without ever realizing it."

And then Void left through the windows. It was raining outside.

Welt just sat there, thinking about what Void had implied, because they had implied that Welt didn't know his own heart. He was not confident that he could deny it.

Closing his eyes, Welt replayed moments with Luocha in his mind—Luocha's request, could it really have been genuine and coexist with Luocha's admiration for him anyway? He could say that Luocha loved him, but it didn't mean no ill intentions weren't involved. Heck, it could be good intentions and Welt would still be scared.

That's how Welt would always feel—scared... and... affected, and... weak. And never once walked away from any of it.

Physically, yes he did. Emotionally? Never.

With a sigh, Welt admitted that Void had struck a nerve. His control was slipping, and Welt was not aware of his own feelings as much as he would've liked.

He wanted to protect Luocha, but if the safety was enforced, if he was in the way, and if this wasn't what makes Luocha happy, should he still insist on it?

Welt's willing heart was giving up, and his flesh really wasn't that strong. 

Chapter Text

When he saw Luocha at the front door about to break out of the house, Welt acted with the plan he had made a long time ago. He sneaked up behind Luocha and aimed the magic at him.

When Luocha escaped Welt's imprisonment magic, the blonde was understandably mad. Luocha stared at the empty space between them, then looked at him and chuckled. "So was this how you treated your old friend?"

"I- you-," that's not true. Welt had never stopped Otto from doing what he wanted. He wanted to argue, but he reminded himself that it was a taunt. Luocha was trying to mess with him and make him change his mind. Welt took a deep breath to compose himself. "This isn't right. Stop it, Luocha."

Luocha still acted clueless. "Stop what?"

Welt frowned. "I'm serious. Don't go look into healing magic on your own. It's dangerous."

"Dangerous how?" Luocha smirked. Welt's breath caught in his throat as he watched Luocha hook a finger around his necklace, the familiar rosary.

The chains rolled between Luocha's fingers slowly. He even outright stroked the necklace. Welt could feel the heat in his stomach condensed into a pit. It was unmistakably sensual. It was also a slap in the face, a knife in his gut twisting, a something that stroked his fire and drowned him and made him mad.

"Like how your healer friend disappeared?" Luocha's smirk deepened, His accusation sounded mocking but it came out like a purr. "Or was it because you controlled him so much that he wished to leave you?"

Before he could think, before he could remind himself that he was human, Welt lunged forward. He wanted to wipe that smirk off Luocha's face, to silence him, bury him. Welt vaguely realized that he wasn't even making a fist.

His claws grazed Luocha's cheek, leaving a thin trail of blood. The element of surprise helped him, but soon Luocha's self-preservation kicked in and dodged and blocked, never attacking back but tried his best to restrain him. Welt wasn't sure why he was attacking either. He only knew he needed to put his hand on Luocha's face. He needed to—

Welt lost his balance. He was falling. He grabbed what was in front of him.

They crumbled into a heap on the floor. Welt registered pain, but the more important thing was that he couldn't breathe well. His torso was squeezed by the thighs bracketing him, and Luocha's hands were on his shirt, right above his pounding heart. It was caused by a mix of anger, hurt, and a shameful flicker of arousal. Welt wondered if his heartbeat was strong enough for Luocha to feel it in his palms. 

Then Luocha's eyes were on him, and Welt was so sure his heart had been stripped bare and exposed, lay there for the taking. If only Luocha would take it. He could take it. He had already taken it.

And Welt... wanted to return to his room, except that he couldn't. His prosthetic leg skidded off when they fell, and the throbbing pain was back now.

As soon as Luocha realized the situation, he was cooperative. Professional, even. Luocha carried him bridal style, which Welt didn't expect he could do. Not like he had imagined it before, no. 

Welt unlocked his bedroom door for them to enter, and he was placed on his bed.

When the cabinet was opened, Luocha eyed the painkiller potions weirdly. Not disgusted, more like guilt. Welt pondered this as he drank his medicine. To be honest, Welt wasn't mad at Luocha's action. If his guilt came from provoking the fight, well, they're both responsible anyway. 

Welt placed the bottle on the nightstand then settled back against the pillows, trying to ease the pain in his leg. Luocha was still tense and said nothing, standing to the side. Welt decided to fill the silence with mindless talk. "Drinking this always reminds me of him. Otto. He used to make these potions—"

The clank of glass cut him off as Luocha returned the bottle to the cabinet. The cabinet doors were slammed shut. That seemed to surprise even Luoca himself, who stared at the shut doors silently.

Then Luocha straightened up, still said nothing but was even more tense and ready to leave the room at any minute. Welt realized that he had badly miscalculated. "Wait, Luocha—"

"I don't want to listen to you," Luocha snapped. 

Welt flinched. This was the sight he did not want to see most, genuine frustration and contempt. He didn't know he had upsetted Luocha this badly. This was no longer about Welt's comment ealier. It was about their entire situation. Had Luocha been feeling this way? 

Soon Luocha's face melted into indifference, which was objectively worse. Welt quickly thought of a way to make amends. There was only one way. He hated to do it. He must. "Just a moment, please. Trust me, you want this. Come closer." 

Tentatively, Luocha approached him, and Welt dropped a key into his hands. "This is for my personal library.There are textbooks on surgery in there, among other things." He hoped it served well enough as an apology. Welt hated himself a little more that he couldn't even apologize out loud. It would mean that he had done something wrong, that protecting Luocha was wrong.

Luocha looked at the key in his hand as if they're precious. His expression was complicated but eventually he settled for a smile. 

Welt felt the same pit in his stomach growing wider. He could no longer bear to look at him, instead staring down at his own hands and waited for Luocha to leave.

Welt couldn't look up. He couldn't let himself get attached. His hands made fists on the blanket on his lap. He would not let himself change his mind on this. If studying was what Luocha wanted, then Welt would let him study. Pursue it until the end of his life. If only it would make him smile.

If Luocha turned into something he shouldn't, Welt would deal with it, but for now... he let him go.

Letting go was a slow arching process that didn't end as neatly as he had thought. Deep down, Welt still hadn't. All the time he waited and waited outside and Luocha wouldn't come out for his meal, a little bit of him broke inside. Worried that the Luocha that came out of this room wouldn't be the Luocha that he knew.

But Luocha proved himself when he did surgery on that patient. He didn't use any dangerous magic. It was not a lack of skills. He had Otto's rosary for that and if he wished to do it, it would happen. It didn't.

When the work was done and dealt with, the incident earlier looped back in his head: Luocha throwing him against the wall and almost confessing. Welt groaned inwardly. He could not let that deter him. Luocha was set for greatness. If he couldn't be corrupted by it, perhaps joining them might do him good? Would that be better for Luocha, for him to be free instead of stuck here in this house?

After all, Welt knew this kind of man. Their love for their goal greatly outweighs their love for a person.

It appeared Luocha was in his healer mode as he followed Welt to his room. Just like that night. No matter how many personal issues were between them, Luocha would still take care of other people's health. They needed to talk, so Welt patted the space next to him, and Luocha sat. Welt then apologized for overstepping. He didn't want to part ways on bad terms.

Luocha looked at him in that way, and Welt thought that maybe he could enjoy this while it lasted.

When they kissed, Welt’s mind wandered. Would Luocha miss him after he leaves? Luocha had taken root where Welt's heart was still bleeding and torn. He wasn't sure if he could survive another farewell so soon. 

Luocha touched his cheek, and only then did Welt realize he was crying. He had full intention to ignore it, but Luocha pulled back. "Welt, you're crying."

"It's nothing."

His answer stopped Luocha in his tracks, who looked him in the eye. His eyes were green like Otto but dimmer, as if he had seen death. What was Welt in Luocha's eyes—a stepping stone, just another patient? Someone to tend to before moving on.

Luocha leaned in to press a gentle kiss on his forehead. "It's not nothing. Tell me, what's on your mind?"

"You," Welt nuzzled into his shoulder. 

Luocha was contemplative. He rubbed his tears around as if deciding what to do with them. Then he said, "Does it hurt so much to have me in your arms?"

Welt was startled by the question. He should deny it. He didn't. Welt couldn't gather his thoughts right now. He was a mess. He shook his head way too late to be the answer for the question. Welt leaned into him and returned to kissing at Luocha's neck. He felt Luocha's arms go around him. 

"I don't know what's hurting you," Luocha said as he traced random circles into his back. "But I hope you do something that will make you happy."

Welt closed his eyes and relaxed into the embrace. Tried his best to remember the weight and warmth of him. The way his torso rises up and down from each breath. Commit them to memory.

When Luocha tried to leave, Welt tugged him back. Luocha sighed and crawled back into bed. He's selfish, he knew, but Luocha told him to be happy, so Welt would try.

Chapter Text

The next day passed in a blur. Luocha was burying his necklace in Otto's grave, and Welt was still in shock. Today there was so much revelation one after another.

Firstly, Welt had decided to lead Luocha to the church to let him join them, and Luocha... didn't want to. It broke every expectation Welt had of him. Then what was all that love for? What was all that pain? Why would Luocha strive toward knowledge when he didn't take it in the end? It's all contradictory. Welt couldn't understand.

Secondly, Luocha was not of this world. Of course it surprised him, but if Aeons were involved, then Welt could come to believe it. He had seen enough surreal things.

Thirdly, Luocha chose him. He could lump this up with the first point, but Welt preferred to keep it distinct. The former two confused him, but this point made him happy.

As they walked home together, lovers now, Welt squeezed Luocha's hand constantly. This was real. It was happening, and Welt was scared. Aeons, he was scared. He's a mess of emotions. He didn't even know he was in love.

They had decided to sleep separately for now. They didn't want to take it too quickly, considering how messy their situation was.

When Welt entered the bedroom that night, he braced himself for the person he knew he would meet.

"You really have gone and done it," Void sat on the floor today, arm crossed, like a dissatisfied cat.

Welt frowned. He decided to remain standing. "What?"

"You didn't think to discuss it with me first?"

"It's not your business who I date."

As expected, Void rolled their eyes at him. "You are so damn easy to please, because any ounce of kindness will dissolve you." They ruffled their hair, which didn't change the already messy hairstyle much. "Look, it's too sudden. You know nothing of him. And with the way he's been treating you, and the way you've been treating him—can't you see it's a bad idea?"

Welt gave a wry smile. "I am overrun, aren't I?"

"I did not mean you have to jump into it. Ugh, where is your self preservation? You're impossible."

"It will be fine. Luocha told me about himself today, and he loves me—"

"That doesn't matter."

"He loves me, unlike—"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Void, like the other two blonde men, did not raise their voice a lot. Even if Welt didn't know what he had said wrong, he preferred not to argue. Eventually, Void sighed, sounding more sad than upset. "... Do you not learn?"

Welt didn't reply.

Void didn't outright curl up into a ball, but it was something close to it.

They added a small clinic section to the potion shop. It was unheard of, but it worked. Welt hoped it would give Luocha a purpose in life. Perhaps Luocha's lack of a career was what distressed him. However, it turned out it didn't solve the problem.

And Luocha had a lot of them. Welt could see that even more clearly now. Luocha was overworking, stressed, obsessed—and it's not because he was chasing a specific goal. Rather, it seemed to be built into his personality. This clinic had awakened something in him and made his obsession worse. Today was one of those days where Luocha refused to leave it, having made the clinic his personal study. He sat at his cluttered desk surrounded by books. 

Welt walked up behind him. The pages Luocha was reading were about the making of a homunculus. Welt felt a little pain inside him at the reminder of his argument with Void. They hadn't visited him as often, surely preferring to observe from afar, and would only come back if something went terribly wrong so they could mock him for it. Welt chased the thought away for now.

Welt leaned against Luocha and hugged him from behind, feeling the warmth of his body. He inhaled the scent of Luocha's hair, always so well taken care of. "Join me in bed," Welt murmured.

Luocha didn't look up. "As in?"

Welt had no idea if Luocha was being difficult on purpose or not. "I know the separate bedrooms were my idea, and we both like our privacy. It's just that, since we have dated, we haven't..."

"Ah." The implication was enough to make Luocha put his pen down. "I apologize. It truly slipped my mind that it would be one of my duties."

Welt raised a brow. "Duty? Sorry to be crass, but do you not have desire?"

"I do, but clearly not as much as others." Luocha tilted his head. "Not as much as you."

Welt blushed. He knew Luocha didn't intend it to be a dig at him, but still. "I don't want you to do what you don't want."

"You needn't worry." Luocha turned around and smirked. He reached up to caress Welt's face. "There are a lot of things I would like to try, and I know I would enjoy it very much."

Welt tugged his arm. "Then come."

Luocha hesitated, glancing back at his book for a moment. Then he sighed, a small smile at his lips. "Alright, let's go."

It was easier to track how much sleep Luocha got when they shared a bedroom. It was a bonus that Luocha was decent in bed—who was Welt kidding? Luocha was great. He was methodical with it, like with everything else in his life. He claimed he didn't have much experience but had studied and observed it—where? How? Welt shuddered trying to imagine the society Luocha came from.

It also made it harder to meet up with Void, but that couldn't be helped. Sharing a bedroom was important to Welt. It's not just about sleeping or sex. It was about the closeness, the intimacy, to be assured that Luocha was there in the morning. And he was always there in the morning.

Chapter Text

"So, a doctor?"

"Yes, Neurosurgeon." Luocha added.

"And you've worked for..."

Luocha counted with his fingers. "It depends on when you start counting, either seven years or thirteen."

On some days where Welt didn't feel well enough to work, either he let Luocha manage their potion shop, or he assists Luocha's clinic instead. Welt didn't study medicine directly, but Otto's rambles had given him some ideas. Luocha didn't ask him to do much. Right now, he was helping Luocha cut and fold some clean pieces of cloth. It's a perfect time for conversation.

Welt still felt slightly bitter about Luocha hiding his profession from him. It hit too close to home, with Otto's sudden change in his studies. Things kept happening around him and no one told him what's going on. He knew it was so they could drag him along.

While cleaning his tools, Luocha admitted that Otto's notes seemed incomplete. "We all know of the Abundance's part of it, but there's no basics in here. Of course it could mean he is already advanced in it, but the whole thing was... clean. Sterile. And the grostique parts were carefully crafted into a dramatic retelling, as if it's intentional he wanted you to hate the idea of healers after you read it."

That stood out to Welt as wrong. "I don't think..."

"You do have misconceptions on healers, Welt."

Welt admitted it, but he still shook his head. "Otto had no reasons to make me hate it. Opposite, in fact."

Luocha hummed. "That's weird. His notebook felt like a personal hate letter to Abundance itself."

Welt turned in Luocha's direction. "Truly?"

Luocha was surprised by his reaction as well. "You haven't read it?"

"No. I never touched any of his things."

Luocha went quiet. Welt badly wanted to follow his train of thought.

Welt met Void in a secluded corner of the town library. "It's nice to see you outside for once."

"You're the one cooped up." Void gestured at a stack of books on the table. "Take those home."

From the titles, it was obviously for Luocha. Welt was confused but said his thanks anyway.

"You're not as cheerful as I thought you would be."

Welt gathered the books into his arms. "Is this the part where you start lecturing me and then convince me to break up?"

Void made a, really now? face. "He does settle you. I expected you to be more upbeat about it, that's all."

Welt took a seat at the table and sighed. "Luocha, he... always seems like something's on his mind. I don't know what he's planning. I can't make him rest."

"Sounds familiar doesn't it?"

"Void."

They shrugged. "You can't deny it. I know him as well."

"What do you know? No matter all this Aeon doings, Luocha is still his own person. And he doesn't seem to want to make my life hell."

There was a long pause before Void asked, "What do you want, Welt?"

"Huh?"

"What do you want? What did you want?"

The answer came naturally, "I want to see Luocha happy."

Void looked him in the eye and asked, "What do you think I want?"

Welt snorted. "You want to torment me. Isn't that what you do?"

Void's smile disappeared, and that's how Welt knew he messed up. Void sounded genuinely hurt, "Have you always thought this badly of us?"

Us. Otto and Void. 

They shared the memories, and to some extent, their wishes. Void was their own person as well, but they were only one year old. Otto's wants would reflect on them strongly. And Void—they cared about him? Welt knew that no matter how much they berated him, if they truly didn't care, they wouldn't bother. But it meant—that meant— "I have always thought—"

"If he truly had ill intent, you would be dead." The reply felt like a slap to Welt's face. Void closed his eyes and breathed. "Who do you think took your left leg?"

Of course it's Otto's wish that damned him, would've been his answer, but with the recent conversation, Welt was no longer certain. If not Otto, then... Void? For what purpose? Void was born then and there, and helped in Welt's recovery. Aeons, they don't act without an incentive, so it wouldn't be an answer. Anything else would be ridiculous, but there were no more options. It felt like a trick question. Welt whined, "Why can't you just be direct?"

"I don't want to." Void's flat tone scared him. Welt wished they returned back to shouting. He would prefer it. "You've always been a selfless person, until you're not, and then it's all about you."

Welt looked at the books in his arms as he walked home. Why would Void give Luocha the books, if not to show that they would try to accept him at least? An olive branch they handed to Luocha even though he didn't know about it yet.

Luocha didn't know about Void yet. Welt sighed mentally. He would have to introduce them soon, and he should've done that sooner, shouldn't he?

Welt didn't get to, since Luocha's obsession got worse. He kept delaying his sleep and after a while, simply didn't come to bed. Their library happened to have a couch, and Luocha made good use of it.

"Do you love me?"

"I do." Welt gasped, "Luocha."

"Say it again."

"Luocha."

... Luocha was really good at distracting him, but eventually, Welt managed to drag Luocha from his books and into his bed. Not like that, mind you.

Luocha had been speaking nonsense for days before this, insinuating something Welt didn't want to think about, because it's not possible, until Luocha told him this.

Otto's body was gone.

It was a shock enough that Welt's logic was thrown out the window. He didn't have his wits with him to answer Luocha's question, if Luocha was in Otto's body, or worse, if Luocha was Otto himself without memories, or something to that extent.

Why did Otto have to give him trouble even in death? Welt had no idea what Otto may have done during their confrontation that day, what kind of outlandish wishes he had made Aeons listened, and which Aeons even endorsed them? Even if Void knew, they would respect Otto's death wish too much to tell him that. Welt accepted the fact that he would never know the truth.

As for Welt, he only ever wanted to see Otto happy.

Chapter Text

Welt had been in the personal library for almost the whole day. All that's left was to join Luocha outside for dinner. It would be an awkward conversation and Welt didn't look forward to it. Sure, what Luocha accused him of doing—resurrection and some space time shenanigans—couldn't be right. Seriously, Luocha overestimated his ability. Welt was but a man practicing magic in his humble home. If he had done something that impressive, he would have noticed.

However, somehow that accusation felt... it felt close to the truth. Or perhaps, it felt like a possibility in an alternate universe. He didn't want to ponder it right now.

Welt groaned into the table as he heard footsteps approaching. "Can't you just leave me alone." Luocha never barged in, so it can't be anyone else but Void.

"Abandoning you is not part of my character, I'm afraid." See? That's Void, because Luocha would. Abandon him, he meant... Except he didn't. Luocha chose him instead of the church while Otto didn't—but if Void was a reflection of him, then Otto had chosen him in his own messed up way. Welt was still afraid to think about that implication.

Void stopped behind his chair, so reminiscent of all the instants when Welt came to fetch Luocha to bed. "Now I would say to snap out of it, but perhaps we need to dive into your head instead, hm?"

Welt felt hands hovering the sides of his face, and he briefly wondered if Void would start doing something inappropriate. He wouldn't, his mind supplied. It was an irrational fear.

"So answer me, why are you locking yourself in the library?" Void sounded like they were smirking, which was his default greeting voice: overly familiar, trying to extract information from him. "Are you heartbroken all over again?"

"Don't," Welt snapped.

The hands backed off. Welt listened to the footsteps as Void went around him and took a seat across the table. He had no idea what their facial expression was. Still smug? He would have assumed that, but lately his view had been proven wrong a few times too much. Welt lifted his head to get his answer.

Void gave him a sad look as soon as their eyes met. "Ignore that last part."

They both sat in silence.

Welt had to admit to himself, he was glad that the last conversation didn't ruin their friendship entirely. He almost felt pretentious to claim that label. Friendship. Welt didn't have many close relationships, and all of them were a mess in one way or the other.

And Luocha was his boyfriend. Welt knew he had also been messing this one up. "I'm... researching..." That didn't sound convincing even to his own ears.

"Sure, Mister Alchemist. Surely a healer knows more about it than you do."

Welt hid a wince. He knew he was just hiding here, and his research so far had been half-hearted. But if Welt was afraid, how would Luocha—a complete stranger of this world—feel in comparison?

"I shouldn't be here," Welt murmured. "I should be with Luocha right now, reassuring him. Answering his questions."

"And hug and kiss and all that," Void added. "Now go. Shoo." They patted his shoulder, and then they left.

Welt made up his mind. He would get his story straight and answer the questions. As for what he's afraid of... that's to be dealt with later.

It went okay. Probably.

That night in their bed, Welt came clean about killing Otto. That proved Otto and Luocha didn't share a body. Luocha... didn't seem to hate him for it, but definitely shocked, and started thinking about it.

Welt's hand lingered on top of Luocha's chest during the silence. He needed the reassurance that Luocha was alive, that this was not the torso which he had stabbed. That thought made Welt realize that it might not be the best idea for his hand to be on Luocha's chest, considering what they just talked about.

He backed off, but Luocha still hadn't said anything else, and it started worrying him. Welt touched his face to get his attention. "Are you alright?"

Luocha blinked. "That should have been my question. I'm... grateful for you, and everything you have done for me. How about you?"

Welt kissed his forehead and reassured him some more, but that reply thoroughly perplexed him. Grateful? Grateful? Welt was not the best host, he knew. He was distant, controlling, an embodiment of mixed messages in a person, and so incredibly selfish.

And he's tired of controlling things, or trying to be proper. Ah, he didn't know. The point of being lovers was to be equal, a clean slate. They both needed that. 

Luocha was happy to be his own person. Welt had given him answers. He had given him everything. If there's anything else that slipped his mind, Luocha only needed to ask.

And since Luocha was kissing him and pushing him down into this bed, Welt would let him have his way, too.

Something did slip his mind, and that thing was called Void Archives.

In other words, Welt forgot to introduce Luocha to Void. It wasn't an intentional ploy to have an advantage over Luocha or to keep a secret of his past. It really wasn't, but it's understandable that Luocha might feel that way.

Welt did have an excuse. Void had not visited at all after that day in the personal library. Out of sight, out of mind. It was all about Luocha and him in domestic bliss.

But one day when Welt took a break from work, Luocha entered their living area after closing the store and stared intently at the crutches next to him. "I didn't make these. Someone else got them for me early in my recovery," Welt told him. 

"Did you get them from a blonde man?" Luocha asked, sitting next to him. He sounded nonchalant but was anything but. Welt knew this tone. Luocha was upset. "A man named Void, perhaps."

And that's how the topic of Void and Welt's past came up. Luocha was waiting for him to talk. And Welt tried, many times, but nothing could come past his mouth. Frustrated, he ruffled his own hair. "What are you most curious about?"

Luocha's expression was guarded. "Do you know how I ended up in this world?"

"If I knew, I would've told you." Good job, Welt. You're making him hate you more. "That came out wrong. I'm not saying that to be aggressive. I truly would have. Do you remember when we first met?" Luocha nodded. "I was surprised. I didn't expect to see another one who looked like—you know."

If Luocha seemed defensive then, now his expression was just... gone. Blank. And it scared Welt that perhaps Luocha's happiness and confidence lately weren't that permanent after all.

Maybe Welt really was subconsciously keeping Void away from Luocha, since Void was a tangible, living proof that this mess was real. And Luocha was realizing that in real time. 

"Do you think it has anything to do with... Otto's passing."

That's something Welt couldn't answer himself. "You would have to hear from Void Archives, not from me. That day, when Otto died and I lost my leg—I wasn't sure what happened, either."

"So it was the same day?"

"Pretty much."

Luocha frowned. He wouldn't start speaking anytime soon, so Welt finally gathered his courage and pointed out the obvious, "You're upset with me."

Luocha sighed, and the dam broke.

Welt listened to Luocha admitting to his negative thoughts. Luocha's hands were shaking on his lap. His anger was to hide his fear of the unknown.

It was Welt's fault for keeping him in the dark. "I'm sorry."

Luocha slumped into the sofa, anger visibly drained out of him. "I know."

They had a bath together and relaxed. It helped.

When he felt Luocha's arms around him in the warm water, Welt thought to himself, no such things as a clean slate, after all.

Chapter Text

After Welt felt better, they went back to their routine. Luocha started showing interest in the transmutation side of alchemy, and he tried his best to practice it, but soon went back to the cauldron. Welt couldn't blame him. These things take decades to master.

Welt should have known that when Luocha started asking questions, Welt would need to dig deeper into himself more than he thought he would.

Welt was observing Luocha's potion in the making while answering questions about his past. The potion was orange with a yellow shimmer.

"I didn't know I was heading in that direction either," Welt replied. Not everyone headed into a Path consciously or were actively chasing a gaze. "yet the Aeon of Nihility gazed at me when..." 

The liquid—yellow like a flash of Imaginary on a rainy day, reflecting on green eyes.

Like an experimentation gone wrong, or right. A mob of blonde hair dragging across his vision in a blur before everything faded to intrinsic grey.

When a soul is gone, a soul is born. Welt only felt like he had lost though—his honor, integrity, friendship, love, will. Nothing to gain. The world lost its balance—or was it him?

Equilibrium? There are no such things here. Only a pit, and Welt went down, down, down.

There's a cane in his hands. Welt passed it between his hands, back and forth. He was on a chair, because Luocha had placed this chair here, because Welt was still recovering. 

They were in the potion shop.

He would ask.

Luocha calmed him down with kisses on his forehead, his temple, everywhere Luocha could reach. There's nothing sexual about them. The kisses felt like apologies, especially the one on his knuckles.

Is he not going to...?

When minutes had passed and Luocha didn't start prying him for answers, Welt started relaxing and enjoyed the company.

Their dinner with Void went well, which was great, because Welt had been really stressed out about it. Void had been against Welt and Luocha dating after all. Perhaps the things they were concerned about were now unfounded.

But that creature didn't have to put the idea of marriage into their heads. How dare they—now Luocha teased him about buying matching items, and which cultures they prefer their reunion to be. Whether it be red or white, to cut a cake or do the three bows. It's bold of Luocha to assume a marriage will happen. He hadn't been here for a year... but Luocha was right. Welt wouldn't look for anybody else.

They kept in touch ever since. Having someone else to talk to other than Welt must be good for Luocha. He's happy again, actually happy. Comfortable in his skin. Considering Void's knowledge, they must be a good teacher for Luocha.

They wandered the night market together. Both of them preferred being indoors, but it was nice to be outside knowing that it's safe to do so, and that they would be seen together.

Welt held Luocha's hand. It never failed to make him happy. Sure, they had been together for a while, but now there was no rush, no uncertainty. It was solid. "I think... I think my wish really did come true."

Luocha looked up from the sticks of tanghulu he's munching on, eyes questioning.

"I want you to be happy," Welt said this as a fact. "And don't take this the wrong way, but I had wanted Otto to be happy, as well." He forced the rest out in a whisper, "It must have been the same wish that brought you to me."

Luocha popped another strawberry into his mouth and chewed, slowly. He swallowed. "Okay."

Welt gasped. "Okay?"

Luocha handed him a stick. "Do you expect me to be mad? I'm not mad."

Welt accepted the snack in a daze. He didn't know what he expected but it wasn't that. "I took you from your own home—"

"Not you." Luocha gestured vaguely at the sky above, then shrugged. "I don't mind being here." He pressed his cheek on Welt's shoulder. "Since that's how we met."

The night was cold but Luocha truly warmed his heart.

They found a bench and sat down. Luocha pressed against his side again even though he wasn't very touchy in general. It could be because winter was coming soon and he got cold, but Welt was sure it's because Luocha liked hearing him talk about his past. 

Luocha seemed cold and distant at first—smiling at his tools and books but frowned when he looked up to meet his eyes—but he craved human connection like any other. He's simply awkward and preferred to keep to himself.

"If we have established that that's how I'm here, then you agree with us that I took your leg."

Welt almost fell over. "What?"

Luocha kept going as if what he said didn't matter, but Welt knew it's all pretend. "Void. We've been talking a lot about the areas where alchemy and healing are intertwined—"

"No, I mean... my leg?" Welt asked gently. Luocha confused him so much today, but that's just how it was living with the man. He's seemingly calm but oh so eccentric. 

Luocha studied Welt's face for a moment before side-hugging him. Welt couldn't see his face from this angle. "Even now, I'm glad to see that you didn't intentionally lose your leg to bring me here."

It took a while for Welt to understand. Luocha was really worried about that, wasn't he? That Welt wanted someone else, and Luocha was the byproduct. "Kidnapping you without asking first would be rather rude, don't you think?"

"I said I wasn't mad—" Luocha snorted as he caught up. "So you would if I asked?"

Welt hummed. There's still a lot about the whole situation that was unknown and forever lost, but Welt wanted to let it rest. 

Luocha seemed to share the idea. He stood up, dragging Welt with him. "Come on, the night's still young. The merchants need to clear their stock before winter comes, and I saw a lot of discounts..."

Welt let Luocha lead the way.