Yerlamb's Hole || The Golden Compass Fanfiction (Lyra X Will)

Two

The smell of caffeine and sweat hung beside the dull paintings in the crowded cafe. Kirjava sat on the countertop beside Will as he scrambled to take the orders of the final few customers before closing.

"William, lock up before you leave. Be here tomorrow at five o'clock sharp or you can kiss your day off Saturday goodbye," said the stout manager as he hurried out the door. Kirjava's fur stood on ends as she hissed at the man. Will had to bite his tongue to keep from hurting him.

After the final bluetooth wearing customer left, Will turned the OPEN sign on the door and sat at the booth with a sigh. He tossed his apron into a compartment behind the counter. Kirjava walked gracefully to the opposite side of the booth and licked her arm gently.

"Remind me once more why we must endure this torture," said Kirjava. Will stared at his dæmon with a monotonous sealed lip expression. Still, beneath the steel rests admiration.

"Bills don't pay themselves," mumbled Will. Kirjava walked across the table as he pulled out a picture of his mother. His opaque eyes shimmered in the dim light before he shoved the picture back into his wallet. Kirjava positioned herself atop his tight blue jeans and rested her head in his lap.

"You miss her." It was a statement; of course Kirjava knew this. Will stroked her fur as he fixed his shirt. His hands began to shake slowly before they broke into a full tremble.

"Why– why did she do it?" Will felt a deep pain in his chest that couldn't be eased by Kirjava's peaceful purring. "I could've taken care of her," said Will.

"She was in pain. You know this. She didn't want to be a burden. She is everything now," said Kirjava somberly.

Will wiped the rheum away and stood to his feet. He exited the cafe and locked the doors behind him. Outside, Mary Malone sat at a bench with a book in her hands. Her eyes scanned the words and she bit her cheek in concentration. When she saw the man glancing at her, she fixed her glasses and closed the book. The black bird beside her threw an unfixed glance at Kirjava.

The pair walked in silence to their apartment. When they entered, Will walked towards his room with plaguing thoughts.

"Will," Mary said warily. He turned in his doorway to meet her gaze. The pensive wrinkles on her face were increased in the darkness of the living room. "We need to talk."

Will knew what that meant and walked over to the couch. He leaned back cooly as Mary sat at the opposite end. "I'm dying, Will," said Mary Malone.

Will had known this for a year now. Mary was diagnosed with stage four uterine cancer and it was only a matter of time. Will's mother died a year ago, but the weight of her death was still heavy. He shook his head knowingly. "I have some money saved for you. You won't need this two bedroom apartment when I'm gone. I have a few numbers written down—"

"I'm keeping this apartment," said Will. Mary looked at him gently. She wrapped the scarf around her head a bit tighter and sat beside him. His hand twitched when her cool hand caressed his.

"It's rather expensive," cooed Mary. Mary saved money for Will in the bank but that would run out eventually. She was worried. Will gave her a hard stare as she stood up. "Will, my death is close. I can't see him but I feel him." Mary ceased speaking when a coughing fit overcame her. Kirjava watched the bird with tears in her eyes. "I've never been a person with a lot of friends. Colleagues, sure. But I've lacked in the friend field since I was a little girl," Mary stared out at the city lights below. She smiled. "I'm glad destiny brought us down the same path. I don't know how I would've survived these last five years without you, Will."

Will smiled at Mary Malone, trying his best to blink away the tears before they fell. Mary was openly crying. Her withering cheeks were stained with liquid despair. Her voice was lower when she spoke again. "What I'm trying to say is... thank you. You're the most remarkable person I've ever known. Life is cruel, god, life is cruel. You deserve a family. You deserve Lyra." Will flinched. Mary Malone sighed. "You will excel at whatever it is you wish to do in life. If I go tonight, keep that thought close. I wish you well, Will."

Mary walked to her room with her dæmon limp in her palms. He hadn't the energy to fly. Will caught her arm before she could enter. She looked shocked as he pulled her into a warm hug. Mary weakly hugged back and rubbed his back when his grip around her didn't loosen. Will's cheeks were glossy when he finally let go. Mary looked up at him and smiled.

Her smile slowly turned into something else. Mary opened her mouth as if to speak and shut it. Then she remembered. She remembered the seed oil that the mulefa gave her and ran to her room as fast as her frail body could carry her. She returned with her hand closed and stared into Will's confused eyes.

"I was saving this for a rainy day, but that may never come now. Take this."

Will stared at the simple oil in confusion.

"Cherish it, for one day," Mary broke into a coughing fit. Will looked hurt as he aided in helping her stand.

"One day, it will show you the Hole."