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Word Count: 621
Created for the Tropetember Event - Break Their Heart to Save Them
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I hope I got the prompt right? I ended up rewriting it multiple times so- ;-;
“You really thought I loved you?” The god’s hushed but imposing voice echoed across the vacant temple, the only sound aside of the faint dripping coming from the roof, the final remnants of the storm. Despite Charlie’s usual sombre demeanour, now they showed only cold disgust; sending an insulting look of pity directed at Rue who knelt before them. “You? Look at you. You’re beneath me. Your body is withered, your mind scarred. What could you possibly offer me?"
Rue blinked widely, unable to look away from his lover standing before him, the once comforting look in their eyes turned distant and cold. This couldn’t be them, not really. Something had to be wrong with them. This wasn’t the same Charlie they had sacrificed everything for just a few weeks ago. This couldn’t be them.
“Charlie—” He whispered, reaching a trembling hand out for them only to be frozen in place when the god screamed, his hand flinching back with a shallow gasp.
“Don’t call me that! I’ve always hated that damn name!" Charlie's words carried heavily across the space, lined with a bitter distaste. They hesitated, the words struggling to come out of their lips as they spoke "It’s... It's ludicrous and pathetic. Unfitted for a god”
“But you… You said you liked it…” his voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, trembling with every word.
Charlie remained silently, staring the mortal down before letting out a low scoff, their lips straining with a smile. “I lied. Just like with everything else.” Their voice quieted and they crouched down in front of him, reaching a clawed hand for him, brushing their fingers lightly over his cheek; a gentle touch to follow the heart wrenching words they spoke. “You really think someone like me could ever love someone like you…?” Despite the cruelty of their words, their eyes were devoid of the usual glimmer that came with their threats, instead showing nothing but their uncanny blank colour.
Tears gathered in Rue’s eyes, quickly slipping down his face as he stared at his god, unable to even find the words to say; simply frozen in place, too scared to move. “You promised…”
“I was using you.” the words slipped from Charlie’s tongue like venom, seeping into Rue’s very soul and crushing it under their weight. “I needed someone reliable to summon me back and that someone was you. Humans are easy. They love and form attachment and that makes them loyal.”
“How could you…” despite wanting nothing more than to scream out in anger, the looming figure of war itself before him convinced him otherwise so he kept quiet, speaking softly. “I- I trusted you”
“Your mistake” Charlie retorted as they rose back to their feet. And with a swish of their cloak, they turned away, leaving Rue behind to watch as the person he loves walked away from him, never even as much as glancing back. His body sank further onto the ground, too weak to move any more but his eyes never faltered from Charlie’s parting figure, locked on it until they vanished from his sight, deserting him to the empty temple.
A sharp sigh fell from Charlie’s lips as soon as they shut the doors, a shiver coursing through them as their shoulders slumped, head resting against the cool surface of the door. “I’m sorry Rue… You don’t know the forces at play, it's too dangerous, my love. But it's all for you…”
“Zyone? Did you…” the disciple fell silent upon finding Charlie alone, taking a moment to correct herself before speaking once again. “I’ll ensure the mortal is well taken care of, master”
The god turned to her, their vacant white eyes locking on the woman. “You better”