His voice had been expended, the opportunity to listen given freely by Alys as she made her explanation. Stifled screams cut short echoed through his mind, dark shadows behind lantern-lit coins. Yes, wings were sensitive, and reactive. Alys’s wings told stories he could only begin to imagine. Leo watched her as she attempted to work through his story, his knees pulled up with his arms wrapped around them and chin resting on top.
She didn’t try to kill him, a good sign as far he was concerned. She even acknowledged his reasons for his crimes, something no one had ever done before. He was prepared for far worse, and time seemed a little thing to pay her. Cautiously he reached out for the necklace, sliding it a little closer to Alys. There was a reluctance, a curve to his fingers that suggested he might snatch it up. Why offer a gift to someone disgusted by you? His hand came away empty.
”Time I can give you. Understanding I cannot. I don’t have wings, no fangs or scales, feathers or a large body or magic or money. I don’t understand most things and I have never had a friend before.” Leo drew a deep, slow breath. ”This is for your friendship these past several days. Even if- even if you ultimately decide you can’t be friend’s with a monster like me, maybe you can wear it to remember the man you encouraged me to be.
With a small grimace he levered himself to his feet, straightening his coat and fidgeting with the collar to cover the awkward tension in the air. ”I would never hurt you, Starbird. Perhaps you can rest easier knowing that this monster is on your side.”
The flash of colour clattered softly against the wooden surface beneath them, slowly pushed closer towards her. Alys paused, her gaze fixated on the item as she listened to his words, to his explanation. Gingerly, she reached forward and lifted the necklace into the air, watching as the warm light from the flame cast tiny reflections of colourful light between them. Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and blues, even the occasional violet. Seaglass, meticulously wrapped in wire, each chunk contributing to the final product. She didn't want to, she really didn't, but the smallest of smiles appeared upon her lips. Made from materials with no value - a treasure created just for her.
"I- it's beautiful Leo, thank you," she whispered, lowering the necklace into her lap.
I would never hurt you, Starbird. Perhaps you can rest easier knowing that this monster is on your side.
Perhaps she would. But not now, not in this moment.
Unable to provide any further reassurance, Alys merely nodded, her way of showing that she heard and understood. But first, time.
The fae rose unsteadily, one hand clutching the necklace, the other reaching for her lantern. "Goodnight Leo," she said, blue gaze fixated on him. And then she left, leaving the man - her friend - behind in the cool, dead night. Wondering whether she'd place his gift into the deepest, darkest corner of her chest, where the rest of her treasures laid, or whether she'd toss it beneath her bed, to collect dust.