Hunter's Moon 500 word ficlet challenge
Prompt : Forgot
Title : A chance at us
Rating : Gen
Pairing : Jonathan Morgenstern/Sebastian Verlac
Summary : Jonathan has several things to fix before he can be pardonned by the Enclave. This one job is harder but easier because the target is someone he knows... but doesn't remember him.
Tags : Temporary Amnesia, redemption arc, Fix-It, Past Relationship(s), Dark Past, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, If someone had given Jonathan a chance then maybe he could have been saved
Absolution takes time, it takes work. It takes more than a bit of studying or just a bit of community service. It's though a dedication of heart and soul, of deeds and not words, it's something he dedicates the rest of his existence to. Selling out his father isn't enough, wouldn't be enough and he agrees. He's a Morgenstern, he's proud. He would elevate his stature from enemy to nobody, with his sister at his side, with a family, even if it's rather small, even if solitude is the only company he can have at times. Even if he still snaps, gets angry, is averse to emotional and physical touch.
There is a way out.
Even if there are days where he doesn't see the end; or he doesn't see the point. When he cries he rarely does it alone. When he bleeds there is always someone to help him patch up the wounds. He still frenezies, he still rages. He still walks around with a collar and leash. But it is okay, it is alright. There is nothing and nowhere better he could be. The tracking rune on his body bleeds and itches. But his freedom lies in being tolerated, in having a sense of belonging while being an outsider, in making right of his wrongs.
He's done good. So much good. He's helped, he's done his best and so much more. He can fix this. He can fix this as well.
He enters the café, it's like stepping into a dream, a déjà-vu, following his thoughts and his presence. Jonathan spots him immediately : he sits at the corner of the café, at the window. He has tea with milk, no sugar. He's lost in thought while reading a book. His hand is caressing the back of his neck and ruffling his own blond hair. It reminds Jonathan that he used to do the same, caress blond hairs and touch a trusted face. The only one who could keep the panic down, and keep the feeling of sickness at bay.
His former lover looks up, his eyes are still blue, reminding Jonathan of stormy weather at sea. Jonathan is beyond hope, beyond pain and regret. There are only consequences.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
The question echoes inside the cavity of Jonathan's chest. It doesn't sting, it can't sting if what's already there is the rotten dead flesh of an open gash.
Jonathan will never get used to the intensity of the emotion of regret.
"We'll see about that." His throat doesn't even lock up. Things are different now. There is a past, and if he does this right, there may yet be a future. "What is your name?"
"Sebastian Verlac, and you are ?" He sits down. A flutter in the bottom of his stomach. It's not desire, excitement, it's attachment and… Love, the memory of being in love and being in love still.
"Jonathan, Jonathan Morgenstern."
Hopefully he can fix this as well.