And Now I’m Crying, And Want To Write Fix-it For Something That Didn’t Happen

And now I’m crying, and want to write fix-it for something that didn’t happen

“Do it,” Josef says, as Eli stands poised with the Hunter’s seed in hand, hesitation showing painfully clear on his face. “Before I change my mind, Eli!” 

And Eli nods, and swallows what he was about to say, and pushes the hand clutching the brilliant-white pearl into Josef’s chest. He’s in up to the wrist before he checks himself and pulls back, but by that point Josef has gone stock-still, his expression a combination of shock and determination. 

—

When the world ceases being brilliant-white, Nico finds Josef again. She shouldn’t be so surprised to see him bright-white and at odds with the suddenly-dingy landscape, but she is, because Josef has always been quietly ominous rather than blinding opposition. 

Looking at him hurts. 

She’s almost convinced herself that it’s because he’s practically shining, rather than because she is a demon, when he tears a hole in the Veil with a swing of the Heart. 

There’s work to be done, he says. The Heart and I will hold off the demons. I’ll leave the rest to you, Eli.

He steps through the hole, and Nico waits for it to close, and chokes on the words that she does not want to say. She has never wanted to bid Josef Liechten goodbye. 

She is just about to try when she steps halfway back through the hole. 

Are you coming or not?

—

“You know what this means, right?” 

It’s a question that has to be asked, because she’s never completely sure if Eli knows exactly what he’s getting himself into when he takes the first leap. 

This time, though, he knows, and he is still just as determined.

“Of course. Go save the world.” When she doesn’t move, he adds, “Can’t get my bounty to a million standards if there’s no world to set the bounty, after all,” and manages a smile. 

“A hundred years is a long time.”

“Please. I’m Eli Monpress, greatest thief in the world, and I will steal time itself if I have to.” 

He pushes her through the portal after Josef, and it closes of its own volition. 

The last time they see Eli Monpress alive, he is giving them his trademark cheeky grin, and he is trying desperately to hide the fact that his blue eyes are filled with tears. 

———

a/n: Eli’s original plan, before the Lord of Storms provided another out, was to make Josef the Hunter. He must have known that Josef would never have done it without Nico out there at his side. 

He was ready to give up everything he loved for the sake of the world. 

Tell me that’s not sacrifice.