10/30: Book

During the weeks of Lucio’s recovery, and my recovery from the hurt his recklessness caused, I decided to try out reading a book to him.

“A book?” he tilts his head at me, “It’s been a while since I even read one of those, Ery. I mean, I guess it’s good for putting me to sleep and all, but I don’t think that’s what you want?”

“Well, no, it is not,” I state with a bit of a sigh, “But, it is at least helpful as you should be resting, given your injuries. That, and if you rest, it’ll help the healing spell Julien-kos and Asra-miir put you on work more efficiently.”

I open the book in my lap, skimming the pages, “I think you’d like this, too. It’s a simple folktale that was told in my tribe. I am unsure where this book originated from, but it seems whatever culture it was based off of was similar to mine.”

I look over at him, “So, would you like to give it a try?”

Lucio’s lips purse in thought for a long while before he finally answers me, “Yeah, we can try it, but I’m not being mean if I do fall asleep, it really is accidental, Ery, I promise.”

I nod, “Then, let us begin.”

Surprisingly, Lucio was actually awake for the rest of the folktale. I think it was an appropriate choice; the short story was about a tribesman granted everything the Arcana could grant to man--a wife, children, a hunting dog, the position of chief, and power amongst his tribemates. However, he was forever unhappy, stuck in a hellish loop as, at the end of the day, he could never bring himself to realize that his quest for power pushed away the people most important to him. The story ended on a tragic note, the tribesman losing everything he ever cared about by the time he realizes the error of his ways. I’ll always remember the scene as the wife told him that no amount of love in the world could aid him, that it was up to him to resist the issues that tormented him.

″...He really didn’t know ’til it was too late huh?” Lucio finally speaks after another heavy silence between us.

“Yes, that is true,” I confirm, “I think most people do minor forms of this, but it’s not always the case.”

″...Ery, gimme your hand?”

Tentatively, I reach my hand out towards his and Lucio firmly clasps it, ”...I won’t go that far, Ery, I promise. Not with you, I can’t afford to ever go that far down and lose you. I really mean it, Ery, it was an oopsie and it’s an oopsie I’m never going to do again--just like all the other oopsies I’ve done. So, don’t worry okay? I’m not gonna be like the tribesman, I really promise it.”

“I’m...” I choke up, opting for a gentle kiss on his lips instead, I’m glad to hear that, Lushiyo.