Archive of Our Own ^beta

Alger didn't meet Herman Sparrow often. The sea separated them for long months and on different sides of the world.

However, Alger cherished every meeting or every task they undertook together.

Herman Sparrow was someone who made Alger's spirituality calm, like a gentle river, rather than the turbulent sea it usually was. Herman was highly experienced, and when you were around him, there was nothing to worry about.

And yet...

When Herman fell into a dream to help Mr. Fool in his struggle, Alger felt an overwhelming loneliness. Even though he joined the Tarot Club for unknown reasons, Mr. World became a kind of stronghold of peace and unbreakable.

When they held the Tarot Club meetings without Mr. Fool and Mr. World Herman Sparrow, Alger looked at the farthest place at the end of the bronze table and imagined that Herman was there.

However, he was here somewhere, in Sephira's Castle, protected from everyone and everyone. It even seemed to Alger that he could hear quiet, ragged breathing in the depths of the halls and corridors, among the many columns.

Herman's safe house in Bayam did not remain untouched - Alger tried to visit it at least once a month and monitor the welfare of the house. He slept there for several nights while he was in the City of Generosity, in his guest bedroom. The master bedroom was silent, but not as peaceful as it had been before.

It was a place of clear melancholy, a lifeless space where time stood still and nothing changed. Only the dust accumulated until it was wiped away.

Alger remembered living here with Mr. World, sharing breakfast and dinner together. Herman even allowed him to help with cleaning and washing dishes when Alger was feeling better.

The world continued to live and rotate on its axis, the sun rose above the sky every day, and the Gods and their Angels took care of the world and its people.

The world hasn't changed at all, but the Angel continues to sleep. And he's been sleeping for a very long time.

Alger sighed softly, feeling a weight on his chest as he lay down in his bed. He closed his eyes, counted from one to ten, and tried to clear his mind. Suddenly, he felt a familiar sensation of being pulled up by a strong, unwavering energy, causing his body to tremble.

Has Mr. Fool woken up?!

When Alger managed to open his eyes and look around, his breath caught in his throat and words stuck in his mouth.

It was a bedroom. With a king-sized bed, the delicate silk surrounded Mr. World, curled up and tightly holding his folded arms to his chest. The fetal position, Alger had often seen Herman sleeping in this position.

He approached very slowly and carefully, trying not to disturb the peace, and sat on the edge of the bed. Alger's fingers gently removed the long black strands from his familiar and pale face. Mr. World had lost weight, and his waist was so narrow that Alger could easily break it with one hand.

Lines of life support, reading the state of the body, were connected to his body, which was wrapped in black clothes with silver embroidery and Mr. Fool's symbolism.

His hair, which had been short, had grown down to his waist and was very soft.

Alger breathed out in awe as he gently touched Mr. World. He caressed his hands, thighs, cheeks, and kissed his cold lips affectionately.

- To see you even for a moment... Mr. Fool heard my prayer. How I miss you...

And although tomorrow Alger will wake up in that house, this fleeting meeting will warm the soul until the next meeting.

Alger slowly lay down next to Herman, interlacing their fingers of the palm. Cold, so cold. And silk does not warm.

He tried not to touch the wires, for fear that something would be broken. The main thing is to stay close to him while the merciful Mr. Fool gives him the opportunity.

Mr. Hanged embraced Herman and finally felt Herman warming up and becoming more alive in his arms.

- I hope you're having good dreams.

The irises of his eyes did not move behind his closed eyelids, and his thin lips did not exhale, and his heart beat only slightly. His spirituality indicated a state of complete peace.

Alger heard a soft ringing sound, like a signal. He stroked Herman's cheek and quietly left the bedroom.

In the morning, Alger opened his eyes and exhaled, smiling slightly.

- Please accept my gratitude, Mr. Fool. Thank you very much.