Chapter Text
Please.
I don't want this life...
I don't want this life...
I don't want this life...
I don't want this life...
Help me...
Help me...
The first thing he felt was the sun hitting his face, interrupting the peaceful, quiet nothingness he had sought for so long. For a moment, he wanted just to lie there and bask in its warmth, surrounded by soft grass and a light breeze.
Then his memories rushed back, flooding his mind with an overwhelming sense of dread. Next came the voices, all echoing the same thing. He had failed.
You failed Aline.
You failed Alicia.
You failed Verso.
As quickly as he could, he scrambled to his feet, opening his eyes to the all-too-familiar sight of that damned monolith in the distance.
"Fuck," Verso muttered, shaking his head.
"Verso," a voice softly called out from behind him.
He turned around and there she was. White hair and an apologetic, unscarred smile.
"Fuck," Verso exhaled.
"Verso, it's alright."
She took small steps toward him, hands raised as if placating a pet.
"You're alright, Verso. You're alright," she repeated.
She'd brought him back. Ignored his dying wishes and painted breath back into him. It was so cruel and yet so predictable that he almost laughed. Instead, his legs gave out and he collapsed on his behind.
"No, no, no," was all he could mutter.
Maelle crouched down, wrapping her arms around him and laying her head on his shoulder.
"It's OK. You're OK," she said. "We're at our old campsite. You're OK."
He pushed her away and put distance between them. She didn't stop him, but he could tell by the look on her face that she didn't appreciate it. He watched as she took a moment to compose herself.
"Why?" he asked.
She knew what he was asking, but didn't answer.
"Why?" he repeated. "Why Alicia?!"
At the mention of her name, she stood up and made her way towards him again, bringing her face to his.
"Maelle," she corrected calmly, before her eyes softened. "I'm sorry, Verso."
She reached out slowly, resting her hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I did try to move on. I swear. I recreated Lumière. I brought everyone back. I tried to live my life, but no matter what I did, I still felt that something was missing. That you were missing."
He didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure how to.
"Every day, I regret what happened. How things ended that day. I don't want that to be our last memories of each other."
"So what? You bring me back and force me to live out your fantasy with you?"
She sighed and stood up.
"No, Verso. All I want is to show you this world. This beautiful world Verso had originally painted, full of life and free from the destruction and chaos brought on by Maman and Papa."
"And then..." she continued, "and then I want you to choose."
"Choose? Choose what?"
She smiled softly at him.
"Whether you want to continue living."