nealuchi | an 'i love you' like barbed wire

Title: an 'i love you' like barbed wire
Fandom: Fire Emblem Engage
Character(s): Alcryst, Fogado
Pairing(s): Alcryst/Fogado
Genre: Angst
Word Count: 324
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Spoilers
Summary: It doesn't get easier the second time, Alcryst realizes.
Notes:

It doesn't get easier the second time, Alcryst realizes.

In some ways it's better - he hasn't known Fogado nearly as long as he's known his father, though Fogado has rapidly become someone dear to his heart. In some ways it's worse. The Corrupted that was King Morion could barely speak, a mindless corpse lashing out at everything around him. Corrupted Fogado's smile is just close enough to the one Alcryst knows for it to make him sick. He's missing Fogado's kindness, the most important part of him.

If Alcryst doesn't put an end to him, someone else will. It could be Fogado putting an arrow in his own head, or Pandreo or Bunet striking down their lord. Or worst of all - Timerra. The feeling of killing your own family, no matter how twisted they've become, is one Alcryst wouldn't wish on anyone. In comparison, all Fogado is to him is his best friend - that's the most Alcryst could hope for, and it's already more than he deserves.

"Prince Fogado…" He swallows the lump in his throat. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you would rather have a grand climactic battle, but you'll have to settle for me instead."

"Heyyy, Alcryst!" Fogado grins, eyes sharp and cruel. "Don't be so hard on yourself! I'm sure killing you will be plenty of fun."

They pull back their bowstrings at the same moment. An arrow lodges into Alcryst's shoulder, and he grunts in pain, but Fogado-

"So this is the end…" Fogado looks from the arrow embedded in his chest to Alcryst. "You, over there - thank you. From the bottom of my heart… I love you."

-Why?

Why now, why this Fogado, why the words he's longed to hear in any other situation but this-

Ah, he understands. This Fogado must still be twisted. The real one would never say such a thing to him.

As a parting blow, it's more painful than any wound Fogado could have inflicted.