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They probably woulda had an easier time of it on the space station because they woulda known to expect it by then. Down here, they just kinda had to lock down and wait it out until the leader of the city could talk to the kid god and sort it out.
[Which gives her hope that it's not going to go that wild again the next time it happens, but who knows with this sort of thing.]
[Which gives her hope that it's not going to go that wild again the next time it happens, but who knows with this sort of thing.]
I think the locals were all fine. Not sure about the other Gembonded, but I didn't hear about anyone gettin' seriously injured, at least.
[Not everyone is going to talk about that in public, especially when whoever did it might not have been in full control of themselves, but still.]
[Not everyone is going to talk about that in public, especially when whoever did it might not have been in full control of themselves, but still.]
Better than I woulda expected, with how much Malachite's messin' around seems to bother 'em. They locked down durin' the actual transformations since there was also some sky burnin' shit goin' on, but once they came out it all turned into this.
[She gestures broadly around them, referring to the boutique's sales going on at the moment to help out Gembonded.]
All this cheap sellin' or givin' away stuff to try and get us back on our feet again.
[She gestures broadly around them, referring to the boutique's sales going on at the moment to help out Gembonded.]
All this cheap sellin' or givin' away stuff to try and get us back on our feet again.
Ah, is this treatment abnormal, then? I simply thought they were generous.
[No, he suspected something deeper, but isn't better to play up being kind of uselessly foppish for the moment?]
I'll still take advantage of it, but if they don't extend this to others who may come along... It's unfair, isn't it?
[No, he suspected something deeper, but isn't better to play up being kind of uselessly foppish for the moment?]
I'll still take advantage of it, but if they don't extend this to others who may come along... It's unfair, isn't it?
They have been pretty generous, this is just a little more generous than usual.
[It's not like they can have Gembonded sales all the time, or it'd probably look like preferential treatment to the locals.]
Guess it depends on your outlook. If somethin' else catastrophic happens before the next group arrives, they might do it again, but I think it's mostly meant to be makin' up for the transformations and feral states and whatever else.
[It's not like they can have Gembonded sales all the time, or it'd probably look like preferential treatment to the locals.]
Guess it depends on your outlook. If somethin' else catastrophic happens before the next group arrives, they might do it again, but I think it's mostly meant to be makin' up for the transformations and feral states and whatever else.
[ are you awake, nii-san? william knows. he can feel the sadness in their bond, profound and melancholy.
and so tonight, he quietly pads into albert's silent, dark room, slipping under his covers with a cat-like grace.
he comes up behind him now, arms wrapping around his waist to hold him. there are no words necessary between them -- his beloved albert is grieving, and william will tend to him. ]
I'm sorry, nii-san.
and so tonight, he quietly pads into albert's silent, dark room, slipping under his covers with a cat-like grace.
he comes up behind him now, arms wrapping around his waist to hold him. there are no words necessary between them -- his beloved albert is grieving, and william will tend to him. ]
I'm sorry, nii-san.
[Albert instinctively slides a hand down William's arm and grips one of his hands gently.]
I never thought to grieve so soon.
[A moment's silence, and he turns his head slightly toward his pillow. There's a recently opened letter on the nightstand, precariously on the edge.]
I wonder if I've made a grave error.
I never thought to grieve so soon.
[A moment's silence, and he turns his head slightly toward his pillow. There's a recently opened letter on the nightstand, precariously on the edge.]
I wonder if I've made a grave error.
With?
[ there is no pleasure to be gleaned from his brother's grief and misery, and william is quiet as he takes in the opened letter, his fingers threading with his in a show of support.
it's one of the few times albert is this vulnerable and sad, and all the more, william yearns to protect him. ]
[ there is no pleasure to be gleaned from his brother's grief and misery, and william is quiet as he takes in the opened letter, his fingers threading with his in a show of support.
it's one of the few times albert is this vulnerable and sad, and all the more, william yearns to protect him. ]
[His shoulders shake slightly with a self-deprecating sort of scoff.
There's a rose beside him on the pillow, which he moves to the nightstand at that question. It falls to the floor. He doesn't bother retrieving it.]
Love. It isn't to be so freely given, is it? I'm an absolute fool.
[A pause, then:] Do you think of me as a strong person, Will?
There's a rose beside him on the pillow, which he moves to the nightstand at that question. It falls to the floor. He doesn't bother retrieving it.]
Love. It isn't to be so freely given, is it? I'm an absolute fool.
[A pause, then:] Do you think of me as a strong person, Will?
[ william watches the rose fall from the nightstand for a few moments, absorbing his brother's pain -- of all the things he could do, delivering him from heartbreak isn't something even william can plan to pull off.
so he noses briefly against the back of his neck, listening to the rawness in his voice. ]
Yes. [ he says after a moment. ] I think you are a man who loves deeply and fiercely.
[ he shifts to head off the bed, going around to pick up the rose for him and set it carefully on the nightstand so that he can study him in the dim light properly, quietly concerned. ]
so he noses briefly against the back of his neck, listening to the rawness in his voice. ]
Yes. [ he says after a moment. ] I think you are a man who loves deeply and fiercely.
[ he shifts to head off the bed, going around to pick up the rose for him and set it carefully on the nightstand so that he can study him in the dim light properly, quietly concerned. ]
[Albert looks back at him for a moment before offering a pained smile. The fact that this wasn't even the strongest pull he feels here is terrifying. If he were to lose more than this, he wonders if he might not be able to endure it at all.]
That's never been good for me, has it? I lost you, as well.
That's never been good for me, has it? I lost you, as well.
[ william's eyes widen briefly -- of all the things he had expected albert to say, it isn't this. but this is albert at his most raw, his most honest. instead of stepping away, however, he goes down on one knee by the side of his bed, reaching out to cup that handsome face. ]
You have not lost me, Albert.
[ even if william had ultimately wanted to choose his own death, to escape. even if he had lied to albert for years -- that it wouldn't be all of them destroying the moriarty name. he leans forward, brows knitting. ]
My dear brother. I am still yours.
You have not lost me, Albert.
[ even if william had ultimately wanted to choose his own death, to escape. even if he had lied to albert for years -- that it wouldn't be all of them destroying the moriarty name. he leans forward, brows knitting. ]
My dear brother. I am still yours.
[Albert looks at him, or maybe through him, for a few moments, trying to find the words for what he wants to say. He can't, ultimately. His silence surely speaks volumes, though.]
Will, you know... you were my first love. I couldn't bear to lose you. I fear my very soul would shatter into a thousand pieces, and my heart would give up entirely.
[He closes his eyes.]
Come back to bed. Stay for a while, please.
[The last word is hoarse, pleading.]
I always thought I was prepared for loss, but we were so... infallible. I never learned how to grieve, did I?
Will, you know... you were my first love. I couldn't bear to lose you. I fear my very soul would shatter into a thousand pieces, and my heart would give up entirely.
[He closes his eyes.]
Come back to bed. Stay for a while, please.
[The last word is hoarse, pleading.]
I always thought I was prepared for loss, but we were so... infallible. I never learned how to grieve, did I?
[ william can read him, the things he doesn't say, even if there are no words for it. he wonders, then, if that was what happened -- that in william's absence, albert's heart had given up. after all, william's machinations were meant to absolve albert and louis of wrongdoing and bloodshed; that louis seems much more self-sufficient and independent now, polished, sturdy and commanding, points to a clear absence of albert, as well.
his brows knit as his chest tightens, and this time william doesn't hesitate as he rises and acquiesces, albert's words imprinted in his heart, his mind. first love, he had said, and he remembers the church, the first time they had met.
he regrets, now, the pain he will inevitably cause him. he says nothing as he joins him in bed, this time from the front as he climbs in, taking care to keep the covers properly over them both. he leans forward now, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, the first of a thousand quiet apologies. ]
We have never lost anyone that mattered.
[ he says quietly, acknowledging -- and how this first cut must be the deepest for him, the bitter taste of grief. he tucks himself into his brother's arms as his own comes to wind around him, sharing his own body heat, his comfort, the best way he knows how. william doesn't want to think about how he, too, will be gone from albert. ]
I love you. [ he nuzzles him, closing his eyes. ] I'm sorry.
his brows knit as his chest tightens, and this time william doesn't hesitate as he rises and acquiesces, albert's words imprinted in his heart, his mind. first love, he had said, and he remembers the church, the first time they had met.
he regrets, now, the pain he will inevitably cause him. he says nothing as he joins him in bed, this time from the front as he climbs in, taking care to keep the covers properly over them both. he leans forward now, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, the first of a thousand quiet apologies. ]
We have never lost anyone that mattered.
[ he says quietly, acknowledging -- and how this first cut must be the deepest for him, the bitter taste of grief. he tucks himself into his brother's arms as his own comes to wind around him, sharing his own body heat, his comfort, the best way he knows how. william doesn't want to think about how he, too, will be gone from albert. ]
I love you. [ he nuzzles him, closing his eyes. ] I'm sorry.
[His breathing steadies as William climbs back into bed, and he holds him close, pushing thoughts of loss as far from his mind as he can.
He thinks fondly of all they've weathered together, of things that would have torn weaker, less dedicated men apart. He thinks of the first time he held William like this, the first time their lips met. He takes comfort in knowing that at least as long as he is here, he is whole.
No matter what is taken from him, surely William won't be. Fate can't possibly be that cruel.]
No. I'm the one who's sorry, Will. I'm worrying you. I love you more than words can say, as I long have and always shall.
[A hand brushes William's hair back for a moment as Albert looks deep into scarlet eyes.]
Thank you. For giving me this life. For making me strong enough to fight.
He thinks fondly of all they've weathered together, of things that would have torn weaker, less dedicated men apart. He thinks of the first time he held William like this, the first time their lips met. He takes comfort in knowing that at least as long as he is here, he is whole.
No matter what is taken from him, surely William won't be. Fate can't possibly be that cruel.]
No. I'm the one who's sorry, Will. I'm worrying you. I love you more than words can say, as I long have and always shall.
[A hand brushes William's hair back for a moment as Albert looks deep into scarlet eyes.]
Thank you. For giving me this life. For making me strong enough to fight.
Ridiculous man.
[ william says fondly, lovingly, his eyes warm as he regards him. they have been through the best and worst of times together -- if they are not brothers by blood, then they are by virtue of all they have endured, tightly bonded no matter what. he curls into his arms and wraps his own around albert. he's leaning up to press a soft kiss to the side of his mouth, too.
william cannot promise that he will be with him forever, but he can promise him -- ]
I'll be here for you.
[ here, in this world, with this second chance given to him. ]
You gave Louis and I a second life, too. [ he nuzzles into him, wanting to offer what comfort he can, feeling the weight of his own heartache and pain. his hand comes to rest over his heart, and he meets his eyes. ]
And we have seen the best and worst of each other. Let me hold you tonight, dearest Albert.
[ william says fondly, lovingly, his eyes warm as he regards him. they have been through the best and worst of times together -- if they are not brothers by blood, then they are by virtue of all they have endured, tightly bonded no matter what. he curls into his arms and wraps his own around albert. he's leaning up to press a soft kiss to the side of his mouth, too.
william cannot promise that he will be with him forever, but he can promise him -- ]
I'll be here for you.
[ here, in this world, with this second chance given to him. ]
You gave Louis and I a second life, too. [ he nuzzles into him, wanting to offer what comfort he can, feeling the weight of his own heartache and pain. his hand comes to rest over his heart, and he meets his eyes. ]
And we have seen the best and worst of each other. Let me hold you tonight, dearest Albert.
[He's grown sick of these nightmares. They aren't a regular occurrence, but the building stress of the elections made them more frequent of late, and he struggles with them silently. At night, it must be easy for his partners and brothers to feel his unease, the times he wakes frequently, the times he gives up and stays awake until dawn...
Tonight is a special night, six months since he met and fell for Mitsuki almost immediately, and he cleared his entire schedule for another night on the town. It went swimmingly, though he's not quite sure about karaoke, really, but as he laid down to sleep, he was so satisfied that he was certain there wouldn't be any sort of ill omens tonight.
He was wrong.
Some time in the single-digit hours of the night, Albert tenses. His arms tighten slightly around Mitsuki's smaller form, and the black nothingness behind his eyelids resolves into...
Flames. Tall flames licking up the sides of a taller building, a grand mansion with fire and smoke pouring out of every window and door. Everyone around has run to safety except the lone figure in a tweed suit and cravat standing in the middle of the building. He's surrounded by two bodies, one smaller, young, one older, and in his hand he holds what looks like a stake or some errant piece of wood.
It's covered in blood, from its jagged tip all the way up to the hand that clutches the wood, that shakes incessantly. But the figure doesn't move from the flames. He simply stands there, shoulders square, back tall, blood creeping up from his hand to his sleeve and higher still until he grips the shaking arm. That seems to stop the blood from its unnatural spreading.
But something steps out of the flame toward him. It resolves into a figure as well, with no distinguishing features, but that seems somehow familiar to the man in the suit. He rushes toward the featureless something and drives the stake into its side, just as it takes the form of a woman in a Victorian evening dress. She slumps, gripping his coat feebly before falling to his feet and being swallowed by the flames.
The stake shifts forms, and so does the man's clothing, a tuxedo now, and the stake becomes a large, fearsome knife. He raises his hand to his mouth, a handkerchief there, as if to stop himself from retching.
The handkerchief turns into a wine glass full of deep red wine, and with a shaking hand, he takes a sip.]
Tonight is a special night, six months since he met and fell for Mitsuki almost immediately, and he cleared his entire schedule for another night on the town. It went swimmingly, though he's not quite sure about karaoke, really, but as he laid down to sleep, he was so satisfied that he was certain there wouldn't be any sort of ill omens tonight.
He was wrong.
Some time in the single-digit hours of the night, Albert tenses. His arms tighten slightly around Mitsuki's smaller form, and the black nothingness behind his eyelids resolves into...
Flames. Tall flames licking up the sides of a taller building, a grand mansion with fire and smoke pouring out of every window and door. Everyone around has run to safety except the lone figure in a tweed suit and cravat standing in the middle of the building. He's surrounded by two bodies, one smaller, young, one older, and in his hand he holds what looks like a stake or some errant piece of wood.
It's covered in blood, from its jagged tip all the way up to the hand that clutches the wood, that shakes incessantly. But the figure doesn't move from the flames. He simply stands there, shoulders square, back tall, blood creeping up from his hand to his sleeve and higher still until he grips the shaking arm. That seems to stop the blood from its unnatural spreading.
But something steps out of the flame toward him. It resolves into a figure as well, with no distinguishing features, but that seems somehow familiar to the man in the suit. He rushes toward the featureless something and drives the stake into its side, just as it takes the form of a woman in a Victorian evening dress. She slumps, gripping his coat feebly before falling to his feet and being swallowed by the flames.
The stake shifts forms, and so does the man's clothing, a tuxedo now, and the stake becomes a large, fearsome knife. He raises his hand to his mouth, a handkerchief there, as if to stop himself from retching.
The handkerchief turns into a wine glass full of deep red wine, and with a shaking hand, he takes a sip.]
[It’s been a wonderful day - celebrating half a year with Albert. Six wonderful months with him, and he’s loved every moment of it. He’s never been so happy to know someone, and he just wants to enjoy it. He’s glad to spend the night with him, curled up against the man. His tails make everything so warm, but this transformation is much easier to deal with then being half a snake.
He’s happy. Content.
He’s standing in a burning building.
Mitsuki startles, looking around as everything around him goes up in flames. He doesn’t recognize it - the architecture is old and Western, and it’s out of place. Then his eyes fall on Albert, on the bodies, and he feels his heart leap into his throat with horror. He runs towards him, stumbling, reaching forward.]
Albert!
[He grabs the man’s arm, distress plain on his face.]
Albert, what’s going on?
He’s happy. Content.
He’s standing in a burning building.
Mitsuki startles, looking around as everything around him goes up in flames. He doesn’t recognize it - the architecture is old and Western, and it’s out of place. Then his eyes fall on Albert, on the bodies, and he feels his heart leap into his throat with horror. He runs towards him, stumbling, reaching forward.]
Albert!
[He grabs the man’s arm, distress plain on his face.]
Albert, what’s going on?
[Albert stops, the wine glass at his lips, and his eyes slowly move to Mitsuki. He doesn't seem to see him at first, but it's obvious once he registers just what's going on.
The wine glass drops from his hand, and the knife falls from his other as well, clattering to the ground by Mitsuki's feet. Albert's eyes lack the light they usually have around Mitsuki, and his expression is a grim, false smile that makes it look like Albert is more distressed than remotely happy.
The flames roar, reaching higher, towering over them both.]
Oh, God. Now I'm dreaming about you being here, too?
[One shaking, blood-drenched hand raises up to stroke Mitsuki's cheek.]
I don't want you to see this. This isn't where you belong.
The wine glass drops from his hand, and the knife falls from his other as well, clattering to the ground by Mitsuki's feet. Albert's eyes lack the light they usually have around Mitsuki, and his expression is a grim, false smile that makes it look like Albert is more distressed than remotely happy.
The flames roar, reaching higher, towering over them both.]
Oh, God. Now I'm dreaming about you being here, too?
[One shaking, blood-drenched hand raises up to stroke Mitsuki's cheek.]
I don't want you to see this. This isn't where you belong.
Albert…
[He knows it’s a dream, that they’re not in danger, but none of this… None of this is right. He’s afraid to look down, to see the bodies and the knife and - ]
Albert… It’s just a dream, right?
[It has to be. It’s just a nightmare, some… Twisted manifestation. Not something based in reality or memories.
But he’s still afraid.
He can barely hear himself think over the sound of the flames, and he wonders how this is going to end.]
[He knows it’s a dream, that they’re not in danger, but none of this… None of this is right. He’s afraid to look down, to see the bodies and the knife and - ]
Albert… It’s just a dream, right?
[It has to be. It’s just a nightmare, some… Twisted manifestation. Not something based in reality or memories.
But he’s still afraid.
He can barely hear himself think over the sound of the flames, and he wonders how this is going to end.]
Yes, it's just--
[No. He stops dead in the middle of his sentence, eyes going wide with fear.
This isn't some dream manifestation of Mitsuki. Louis has done this before. Albert has been through this. And his heart wrenches so hard in his chest that he gasps aloud and clutches at the cloth of his now bright blue suit before sinking to his knees in the fire.
Mitsuki has seen it. This. The nightmare he has, the recreation of his sins. His voice shakes as he speaks quietly beneath the crackling and roaring of the fire.]
You need to wake up, Mitsuki. You need to wake up and leave me.
[Albert can't even look at him. He plants his hands on the burning floor, hands landing in shattered glass and at the edge of the knife, but he doesn't seem to care.]
You were never supposed to see this...
[No. He stops dead in the middle of his sentence, eyes going wide with fear.
This isn't some dream manifestation of Mitsuki. Louis has done this before. Albert has been through this. And his heart wrenches so hard in his chest that he gasps aloud and clutches at the cloth of his now bright blue suit before sinking to his knees in the fire.
Mitsuki has seen it. This. The nightmare he has, the recreation of his sins. His voice shakes as he speaks quietly beneath the crackling and roaring of the fire.]
You need to wake up, Mitsuki. You need to wake up and leave me.
[Albert can't even look at him. He plants his hands on the burning floor, hands landing in shattered glass and at the edge of the knife, but he doesn't seem to care.]
You were never supposed to see this...
[He’s quiet for a moment, watching Albert. He doesn’t know what to say, what to think of all this.
He’s afraid. He’s so very, very afraid.
He crouches down next to Albert, but he’s too scared to reach out to him. He doesn’t know what would happen.]
I’m not going to leave you. I…
[The flames are so loud, and he thinks that if this were real they would have both burned alive, ruby immunity to flames be damned.]
You need to talk to me, Albert.
[He reaches out, finally, fingers brushing his arms.]
We’ll wake up, and we’ll talk, but I’m not leaving.
He’s afraid. He’s so very, very afraid.
He crouches down next to Albert, but he’s too scared to reach out to him. He doesn’t know what would happen.]
I’m not going to leave you. I…
[The flames are so loud, and he thinks that if this were real they would have both burned alive, ruby immunity to flames be damned.]
You need to talk to me, Albert.
[He reaches out, finally, fingers brushing his arms.]
We’ll wake up, and we’ll talk, but I’m not leaving.
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