Chapter Text
The last thing Taako remembered was the Hunger's army descending upon him and Angus as they desperately tried to fight a losing battle. This was it, the end. There was nothing after this, the Hunger had finally won. It had taken 100 years, but it had managed to defeat them. Or at least, that's what he thought happened. Right before he opened his eyes to a sickeningly familiar sight.
Standing before him was his family. The one he had spent 100 years getting to know, and a few seconds forgetting. His sister, his twin sister, his sister who he thought he had lost forever, his sister who he had forgotten ever existed, was back at his side holding tightly onto his hand like he would disappear if she were to let go. For a second, he felt relieved. They hadn't lost yet. The hunger hadn't won.
But then he remembered, and as he did, he fell to the ground. He remembered Angus, the boy detective who, despite everything, he had managed to let into his heart. He remembered Kravitz, oh God Kravitz. His loving boyfriend who he hadn't planned on finding, but was so glad he decided to get to know. His stomach twisted and ached, nausea overcoming him entirely.
When he was finally able to look up again, he saw the rest of them in similar states of shock. Magnus's face was surprisingly blank, though his eyes betrayed his troubled thoughts. Merle had moved to sit on a chair over in a corner of the room, his face pointed towards the ground where no one could catch a glimpse of his emotions, his loss. Barry and Lup hadn't left his side, Lup still holding on to him for dear life and Barry holding Lup in a similar fashion. Davenport had seated himself at the wheel, facing forward and refusing to look upon his crew, his family. And, Lucretia. She looked, absolutely devastated. She was the only one other than Magnus still standing, though she looked as if she would collapse at any moment.
Taako took a shaky breath and then stood. He had to get out, he couldn't stay here, not while they were like this. Not while Lucretia looked like that, the same Lucretia he was supposed to be mad at right now, the same Lucretia he just wanted to hold close and comfort, despite everything she had done.
Quickly, before his legs had a chance to give out again, he ran towards his room. Was it even still his room? He hadn't used it in a long time. He didn't know. He wasn't sure of anything anymore. He wasn't even sure of himself, his mind was jumbled and nothing felt real. He vaguely heard Lup say something to him as he left, but her voice felt thousands of miles away.
When he got to the room, he entered swiftly and locked the door. He didn't want to be alone right now. But he couldn't be in there. He couldn't act like nothing was different. He couldn't be around her.
Laying down on the familiar bed, Taako closed his eyes and sighed.