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I'll have to punish you for that.
[ ignis practically purrs with pleasure, his eyes gleaming as he's pressed up against the stall, his arms coming to wrap his arms around his waist. he leans up to deepen the kiss eagerly, passionate and searing, and he swears he can smell mitsuki on him. ]
Did you have fun, my dear?
[ ignis practically purrs with pleasure, his eyes gleaming as he's pressed up against the stall, his arms coming to wrap his arms around his waist. he leans up to deepen the kiss eagerly, passionate and searing, and he swears he can smell mitsuki on him. ]
Did you have fun, my dear?
[ william has kept the lights low and conducive -- and once albert arrives, william is offering tea with a faint smile. he's in a contemplative mood, thoughtful, but pleased to see him all the same. ]
I felt you earlier. When you told me that you knew.
[ the room smells, very faintly, of cigarette smoke. ]
I felt you earlier. When you told me that you knew.
[ the room smells, very faintly, of cigarette smoke. ]
[Albert takes a seat, comfortable as he can be given everything. He loves William, wants to give him the world, and he accepts the tea with a gentle smile. The cigarette smell lingers, and Albert knows what that means, too. William has been brooding.]
Of course you would feel me, Will. We're connected, aren't we?
Of course you would feel me, Will. We're connected, aren't we?
Edited 2021-05-04 17:16 (UTC)
[He wants so, so badly to tell William that it's fine. That he should think nothing of it. Lying, however... won't work, not with the strength of their connection.]
...I can understand why you didn't tell me. It hurts, but I understand. You were thinking of my happiness, weren't you?
[A fragile smile.]
Forgetting that my happiness is tied to your own.
...I can understand why you didn't tell me. It hurts, but I understand. You were thinking of my happiness, weren't you?
[A fragile smile.]
Forgetting that my happiness is tied to your own.
[ albert is not fine. he can feel it through their connection, in the marks that they have left on each other, disguising anguish for the need to hurt, to possess each other. william knows this now. with his free hand, he comes to curl his fingers in his.
more than anything, he wants albert to be happy -- to find another path together with him. this is their chance to atone. but this is also albert's chance to live. he offers a small smile just for albert, soft but knowing. ]
Only mine?
more than anything, he wants albert to be happy -- to find another path together with him. this is their chance to atone. but this is also albert's chance to live. he offers a small smile just for albert, soft but knowing. ]
Only mine?
[Albert knows they do things in... terrible ways. By uselessly bad measures. He treasures that William trusts him enough to let him do such things.
But this is another chance. The fear of being deserted rises in Albert, a panic that he's forgotten something important.]
And dear Louis, of course.
But this is another chance. The fear of being deserted rises in Albert, a panic that he's forgotten something important.]
And dear Louis, of course.
Edited 2021-05-05 05:48 (UTC)
[ william trusts him in many things, it's true -- just as he trusts that albert will move on properly after the end of himself. it's obvious that louis hopes that william would survive the fall; but william is unfortunately ambivalent on the matter.
the reminder that albert ties his happiness to him, too, makes his heart ache. but they're here now, and he had made a promise to live, and so he will do his best.
he senses the sudden rise of fear in albert, and he squeezes his hand, brows knitting faintly. ]
Albert... what's wrong?
the reminder that albert ties his happiness to him, too, makes his heart ache. but they're here now, and he had made a promise to live, and so he will do his best.
he senses the sudden rise of fear in albert, and he squeezes his hand, brows knitting faintly. ]
Albert... what's wrong?
[He finally squeezes William's hand back.
How does he say this without sounding like an absolute wreck?]
I have never wished for anything more than I wish for your happiness, and that of Louis. While I understand you trying to protect me, please understand yourselves that I want to know everything so I can walk beside you. We are brothers, in my heart. More than.
[His fear mellows out into resignation, the cold and placid feeling he gets when he confesses a particular set of truths. There's nothing beautiful about what they became. All he can do is appeal to William's sensibilities, and hope it makes sense to someone who thinks so differently from him.]
I made you a monster. Don't leave me behind. I'll beg, if I must.
How does he say this without sounding like an absolute wreck?]
I have never wished for anything more than I wish for your happiness, and that of Louis. While I understand you trying to protect me, please understand yourselves that I want to know everything so I can walk beside you. We are brothers, in my heart. More than.
[His fear mellows out into resignation, the cold and placid feeling he gets when he confesses a particular set of truths. There's nothing beautiful about what they became. All he can do is appeal to William's sensibilities, and hope it makes sense to someone who thinks so differently from him.]
I made you a monster. Don't leave me behind. I'll beg, if I must.
[ william cannot promise him something he's already broken -- william would leave him behind, having taken on their sins and wiped the slate clean, as much as he could. he feels his heart clench at albert's distress, the tea forgotten in the wake of such honest pain, the coldness of his defense mechanism edging in.
he softens, quietly surprised by that. stepping closer, william nudges albert to look at him, frowning. ]
You didn't make me anything. We are brothers and partners, Albert. What I wanted to do was something of my own volition.
[ nobody can make william do anything he doesn't want to do, although the guilt he feels from him says otherwise. of course, there is nothing william wouldn't do for albert and louis, but that's different. he reaches up to cup his face, urging albert to meet his eyes.
don't hide from him. he knows you. ]
Albert... I cannot change what happened back in our world, but I promise you, I won't leave you behind here. All I ask, is that you stay with Louis and the others. They need you.
he softens, quietly surprised by that. stepping closer, william nudges albert to look at him, frowning. ]
You didn't make me anything. We are brothers and partners, Albert. What I wanted to do was something of my own volition.
[ nobody can make william do anything he doesn't want to do, although the guilt he feels from him says otherwise. of course, there is nothing william wouldn't do for albert and louis, but that's different. he reaches up to cup his face, urging albert to meet his eyes.
don't hide from him. he knows you. ]
Albert... I cannot change what happened back in our world, but I promise you, I won't leave you behind here. All I ask, is that you stay with Louis and the others. They need you.
[When William steps closer, Albert offers the softest of smiles. It means little, he knows, because the trepidation is still there. But he adores this man, as a man and as his brother, in every way. He wants to walk beside him still.
Nothing in that has changed. Just their actions.
He meets William's eyes, his faint smile wavering.]
Stay with them? And what of you?
[A single finger traces the outline of William's gem, then he leans in to kiss William on the corner of his lips, slow and gentle.]
You are not a monolith, William. Do you not need me?
[Now it's Albert's turn to grab William's gaze.]
I know you have Sherlock. I know he is, in certain ways, more wonderful for you than I can ever think to be. I want so dearly for you to be happy. I want you to have peace. To be able to explore this world with all of your heart and your mind. I think of the wonderful things you could do here and it lifts my spirits.
[A small sigh.]
Will, you could change this world. I want to see it. But selfishly... not at my expense.
Nothing in that has changed. Just their actions.
He meets William's eyes, his faint smile wavering.]
Stay with them? And what of you?
[A single finger traces the outline of William's gem, then he leans in to kiss William on the corner of his lips, slow and gentle.]
You are not a monolith, William. Do you not need me?
[Now it's Albert's turn to grab William's gaze.]
I know you have Sherlock. I know he is, in certain ways, more wonderful for you than I can ever think to be. I want so dearly for you to be happy. I want you to have peace. To be able to explore this world with all of your heart and your mind. I think of the wonderful things you could do here and it lifts my spirits.
[A small sigh.]
Will, you could change this world. I want to see it. But selfishly... not at my expense.
I need you. Of course I do.
[ william leans into the kiss easily, feeling albert's lips on his as his brows knit. he has always needed albert -- it was always the three of them, from their childhood till now. that albert wants his happiness makes his heart clench.
he can feel it, too, the desire to be with him, no matter what. even if the endpoint is the destruction of the moriarty name, as they've always planned, william's plan had long differed from his -- they were never going to be destroyed together. he was always the only one, and albert and louis would have the gift of seeing the new world with their own eyes.
his hand comes to rest over albert's finger, wanting his touch as his emerald gleams at the contact. ]
You were the one who gave me a new life. Without you, I would have had none of this.
[ and he means every word of it. albert has given him and louis the key -- but more importantly, they are family. he raises albert's hand in his and presses adoring kisses to the tips of his fingers. ]
Sherlock might be special to me. [ very special -- ] But I remain yours, in many ways. I wish for you to stay with them back in our world, where I cannot be.
[ his smile is soft, and he presses his cheek to his hand now, seeking him out. william loves albert, without a doubt; and he will never leave him. ] But in here... you are mine, and I am yours. And I will show you the world you want to see, wherever we are.
[ william leans into the kiss easily, feeling albert's lips on his as his brows knit. he has always needed albert -- it was always the three of them, from their childhood till now. that albert wants his happiness makes his heart clench.
he can feel it, too, the desire to be with him, no matter what. even if the endpoint is the destruction of the moriarty name, as they've always planned, william's plan had long differed from his -- they were never going to be destroyed together. he was always the only one, and albert and louis would have the gift of seeing the new world with their own eyes.
his hand comes to rest over albert's finger, wanting his touch as his emerald gleams at the contact. ]
You were the one who gave me a new life. Without you, I would have had none of this.
[ and he means every word of it. albert has given him and louis the key -- but more importantly, they are family. he raises albert's hand in his and presses adoring kisses to the tips of his fingers. ]
Sherlock might be special to me. [ very special -- ] But I remain yours, in many ways. I wish for you to stay with them back in our world, where I cannot be.
[ his smile is soft, and he presses his cheek to his hand now, seeking him out. william loves albert, without a doubt; and he will never leave him. ] But in here... you are mine, and I am yours. And I will show you the world you want to see, wherever we are.
Punish me? For having a little fun? Perish the thought.
[He smiles into the kiss, the tiniest of laughs slipping in between their lips as he's claimed. Albert's calm charm has flitted off somewhere for now, and he's mischievous, almost coy.]
He was brilliant, wasn't he? The brightest light. He makes my heart do somersaults.
[He smiles into the kiss, the tiniest of laughs slipping in between their lips as he's claimed. Albert's calm charm has flitted off somewhere for now, and he's mischievous, almost coy.]
He was brilliant, wasn't he? The brightest light. He makes my heart do somersaults.
Oh? Let me feel that.
[ ignis murmurs sweetly, his eyes alight with warm amusement at those words, even as he shamelessly unbuttons albert's shirt to slide his hand inside, resting right over his heart.
he can feel the thudding of it, but it's the intimacy of their shared moment that counts. albert's love for mitsuki is undeniable, and ignis can't blame him -- the man is absolutely electric in the spotlight, as passionate as he is gorgeous.
he presses his forehead to his now, humming softly as he steals a kiss. ]
Tell me how much you like him. I do love when you're happy like this.
[ ignis murmurs sweetly, his eyes alight with warm amusement at those words, even as he shamelessly unbuttons albert's shirt to slide his hand inside, resting right over his heart.
he can feel the thudding of it, but it's the intimacy of their shared moment that counts. albert's love for mitsuki is undeniable, and ignis can't blame him -- the man is absolutely electric in the spotlight, as passionate as he is gorgeous.
he presses his forehead to his now, humming softly as he steals a kiss. ]
Tell me how much you like him. I do love when you're happy like this.
[Albert is being manhandled, and he's not complaining. He's still a bit euphoric, honestly, and being surrounded by the men he loves gives him all the joy he could possibly hold.
A hand threads into Ignis' hair, and Albert looks keenly into those soft, dangerously intelligent eyes, his voice lowering.]
Like him? Dear Ignis, I love him. I've told him as much only recently.
[He lets a little content sound bubble up, then sighs as he steals a kiss of his own.]
He shakes me to my very core. He makes me want to be better.
A hand threads into Ignis' hair, and Albert looks keenly into those soft, dangerously intelligent eyes, his voice lowering.]
Like him? Dear Ignis, I love him. I've told him as much only recently.
[He lets a little content sound bubble up, then sighs as he steals a kiss of his own.]
He shakes me to my very core. He makes me want to be better.
[ ignis can feel it, that joy thrumming in their connection, the pleasure when he tells him he loves mitsuki, and he meets his eyes with a soft smile, allowing him to steal a kiss.
he's leaning in to press kisses to the side of his mouth, his jaw, quietly doting on him. he nips at his jaw, his hands unbuttoning his shirt all the way. ]
Mm, you confessed. Better how?
he's leaning in to press kisses to the side of his mouth, his jaw, quietly doting on him. he nips at his jaw, his hands unbuttoning his shirt all the way. ]
Mm, you confessed. Better how?
[Albert leans into the kisses, joyous. He adores Ignis, and even more than that is so glad he has someone he can share everything with. Joy and sorrow, past and present and future. Ignis is a gift.]
I did indeed confess. I was quite proud of myself for doing it properly.
[His hands hook into Ignis' belt loops at his sides, their connection shimmering with boundless optimism for once.]
Better... Kinder? More honest with myself and others, when I can be. More open. He was one of the first to welcome me when I arrived down here. I want this to be a beautiful world where he can pursue everything he loves without fear.
I did indeed confess. I was quite proud of myself for doing it properly.
[His hands hook into Ignis' belt loops at his sides, their connection shimmering with boundless optimism for once.]
Better... Kinder? More honest with myself and others, when I can be. More open. He was one of the first to welcome me when I arrived down here. I want this to be a beautiful world where he can pursue everything he loves without fear.
[ he chuckles softly at that, savouring the optimism that he feels -- he hasn't felt that from albert before, not like this, and he softens. surely mitsuki is an incredible inspiration and influence on him, which pleases ignis -- after all, albert deserves only the best.
pleased to be his confidant, he reaches to touch his cheek, lips trailing over the elegant line of his throat. ]
This is the first time I've felt you like this.
[ ignis murmurs, pressing up closer against his lover, his thumbs stroking over his nipples just to tease him. ]
I love that you want to make a beautiful world for him. But what about you? What do you want for yourself in this world?
pleased to be his confidant, he reaches to touch his cheek, lips trailing over the elegant line of his throat. ]
This is the first time I've felt you like this.
[ ignis murmurs, pressing up closer against his lover, his thumbs stroking over his nipples just to tease him. ]
I love that you want to make a beautiful world for him. But what about you? What do you want for yourself in this world?
[A content little sound comes from Albert, a thoughtful little hum. He doesn't think he deserves the best at all, but he's so captivated by these incredible people that he can't just stand still in life, even far from home, even in the face of the unknown.]
You.
[Sighing at the touches and kisses, Albert lets his weight rest against the wall.]
No, that's not all. [A slight laugh.] I want to make a difference. If I think of myself, I'll end up becoming a monster again, won't I? It isn't something I can simply stop being.
You.
[Sighing at the touches and kisses, Albert lets his weight rest against the wall.]
No, that's not all. [A slight laugh.] I want to make a difference. If I think of myself, I'll end up becoming a monster again, won't I? It isn't something I can simply stop being.
Were you thinking about yourself when you did all those things back home?
[ ignis asks quietly after a moment, holding him close as he dotes on him, lips pressing against his clavicle, trailing over smooth, flawless skin. his other hand slides possessively to settle on the small of his back.
as charmed as he is by that flirtatious banter, ignis is also concerned about him -- albert has always put everyone else first; it seems he isn't used to thinking about himself. he gently grasps his chin, making albert look at him. ]
What makes you think you haven't made a difference?
[ ignis asks quietly after a moment, holding him close as he dotes on him, lips pressing against his clavicle, trailing over smooth, flawless skin. his other hand slides possessively to settle on the small of his back.
as charmed as he is by that flirtatious banter, ignis is also concerned about him -- albert has always put everyone else first; it seems he isn't used to thinking about himself. he gently grasps his chin, making albert look at him. ]
What makes you think you haven't made a difference?
[ A letter is delivered by a shady-looking gem, who looks to be one of the gems that live in the Underground that Aranea and Albert have helped a few times, to the manor addressed to Albert, and attached to it is a single red rose. ]
Albert,
If you get this letter, then my house has been repurposed because I was taken back to my world. Didn't want you to wonder why I'm suddenly not around, so here's a last letter for your eyes only. Don't cry your eyes out or anything — you'll be fine, and so will I. I will be back to a world that'll be enveloped in darkness soon enough, and will need my help.
And you'll be here, living. See, you're already fine :)
Don't feel guilty that we never had a chance to talk about me — there's nothing too special about a woman that made a lot of impulsive decisions only to regret many of them at the last possible second. Maybe you'll understand how it feels — Niflheim Empire was where I was born, and I love my home more than anything else in the world. What I love was left in shambles instead, because one man got greedy and decided he'd wanted to play god, so I stepped away from all that to spend the rest of my life atoning by helping others instead. If you were to speak to Gladio and Cor, and ask them about what I'd be up to when I get back, they'd tell you I spend plenty of time kicking ass, but mostly saving as many refugees as I could, and cleaning up after a disastrous war I helped kickstart.
What I'm trying to say is, if you want to atone for your sins, you can. You always can, even when you think you're too late to. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to see you do it. I would've always been there to support you.
This letter's getting a little too long, and there are a couple more secrets I've never shared, but maybe if I ever return, we can pick up where we left off. Next time, ask me about Biggs and Wedge, but also about Loqi and Sol.
And hey... I know you think I'm the bravest gal you've ever met, but I'm a scaredy-cat just like everyone else. I was afraid of telling you that I love you, so unfortunately, you'll just have to settle for this letter instead of hearing it from me.
I love you.
- AH.
Albert,
If you get this letter, then my house has been repurposed because I was taken back to my world. Didn't want you to wonder why I'm suddenly not around, so here's a last letter for your eyes only. Don't cry your eyes out or anything — you'll be fine, and so will I. I will be back to a world that'll be enveloped in darkness soon enough, and will need my help.
And you'll be here, living. See, you're already fine :)
Don't feel guilty that we never had a chance to talk about me — there's nothing too special about a woman that made a lot of impulsive decisions only to regret many of them at the last possible second. Maybe you'll understand how it feels — Niflheim Empire was where I was born, and I love my home more than anything else in the world. What I love was left in shambles instead, because one man got greedy and decided he'd wanted to play god, so I stepped away from all that to spend the rest of my life atoning by helping others instead. If you were to speak to Gladio and Cor, and ask them about what I'd be up to when I get back, they'd tell you I spend plenty of time kicking ass, but mostly saving as many refugees as I could, and cleaning up after a disastrous war I helped kickstart.
What I'm trying to say is, if you want to atone for your sins, you can. You always can, even when you think you're too late to. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to see you do it. I would've always been there to support you.
This letter's getting a little too long, and there are a couple more secrets I've never shared, but maybe if I ever return, we can pick up where we left off. Next time, ask me about Biggs and Wedge, but also about Loqi and Sol.
And hey... I know you think I'm the bravest gal you've ever met, but I'm a scaredy-cat just like everyone else. I was afraid of telling you that I love you, so unfortunately, you'll just have to settle for this letter instead of hearing it from me.
I love you.
- AH.
Edited (not me finding mistakes in a goodbye letter aldnfknf) 2021-05-13 18:26 (UTC)
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