[closed] and after all

[reenforces]

Who: Mikleo and Sorey
When: dated to after some unfortunate foresty adventures
Where: The Elysian crashpad
What: A talk they've been putting off for a while
Warnings: none yet!


[Mikleo is starting to get the hang of cooking in the little blue house they picked out, a few weeks into this. He does wish he could cook with magic but he's still on his basic spells, so... It's back to basics.

He's put together roasted chicken and potatoes with buttered greens and, after some tragic disaster toast, some plain bread from the bakery near the market. It's a good, decent dinner that he hopes will take the anxiety out of the talk he plans on having.

He starts untying his apron and leans out to call into the living room:]

Sorey! It's ready!

Comments

[reenforces]

[Mikleo is relieved. He breathes a soft sigh. Of course Sorey would want to join the Wilders, and Mikleo's doomed foray into the land beyond the Bright Wall probably didn't help with that.

He reaches out to gently lay his hand over Sorey's wrist.]

It'll keep both of us safe. It seems like people here bond with others for different reasons, and they have multiple partners. As a Witch I'd like to help as many people as possible.

But...

[Here he falters a little, cheeks pinkening.]

No matter what, it'll be different for us. You know that, don't you?

[shepherds_pie]

[It's only natural that Sorey would want to join them when it means helping out and trying to find a cure for this world's version of malevolence.

He smiles as Mikleo touches his wrist.]

I can't help feeling the same way, especially if I'm a Monster. I'd like to help any Witches out there who needs it.

[His smile goes a little wider at that confession. Sorey turns his hand so that he's touching the inside of Mikleo's wrist, too.]

I doubt anything's going to compare to what we have. And...as long as you don't get hurt, I'll support your decisions on the Bonds you have.

[reenforces]

[It seems like Sorey feels the same way about these Bonds. That's good, too. They don't have to be intimate in a romantic way, but whatever the case, Sorey is always going to be his soulmate.

He blushes even more as Sorey returns the touch. It tickles fiercely, but he manages to bite back a squeak. More important is that smile he's missed for eighty goddamn years, and he finds himself unconsciously leaning forward.]

I feel the same. We don't have to bond with the same people. I just... want you to be safe. That's all.

[He gently runs a thumb over the back of Sorey's palm.]

... Can you do something for me?

[shepherds_pie]

[Sorey understands that feeling. Mikleo's always wanted to protect him, just as much as he wants to protect the seraph. Granted, he had to be reminded of that fact when they started their journey.]

We'll keep each other from getting into a bad situation.

[The brunet, at least, trusts his best friend's judgment about other people. He'll trust Mikleo to let him know whether a Bond he's made is bad for him, if he can't see it himself.

He shivers slightly as he feels a thumb running over his palm. Still, Sorey tilts his head slightly at the question.]

What is it? I mean, I'll most likely say yes.

[JUST...BEING HONEST.]

[reenforces]

Exactly.

[Mikleo swallows, glances at their hands, and then finally back up at Sorey. It's so easy to get lost in that smile if he's not careful. He can't help but chuckle at that extremely self-aware response.]

Say my name?

[A brief pause.]

Well, it's half yours, I suppose. I did share it.

[shepherds_pie]

[Sorey looks slightly surprised by the request, but he doesn't hesitate. After Mikleo says that last part, he can't help smiling himself.]

It's definitely a gift I cherish the most.

[It's not so embarrassing saying that when Mikleo's already asking for him to say his name. He gently squeezes the water seraph's name before whispering, like it's a secret or something only the two of them should hear.]

Luzrov Rulay.

[He kind of misses that they don't armatize after he says it, but there's still a certain rush that'll never go away just by virtue of having the privilege to say it. To know it.]

[reenforces]

[Rose knows his secret name too, but it wasn't given like this. A Shepherd's pact isn't the same as two boys huddled beside a lake, hand in hand, whispering words in the ancient language to one another. Even though it's been almost a century Mikleo remembers the day as if it were yesterday. His awakening, his promise. He knew who he was from that point on and that gave him the confidence to support Sorey in everything he did.

There's no armatus, but there's still something pulling at him and calling to his core that makes him shiver. Maybe it's because his true name is his soul and therefore has that power, but more likely it's because Sorey says it. Sorey knows. A seraph's true name is their soul laid bare... he'd said, or something like it, as he tried to explain the significance to someone without getting into deeply personal detail. Sorey knows the name, knows Mikleo, knows all the good parts and the light parts and the sharp parts and the soft parts, and he accepts him wholly.

He hasn't heard that voice in a human lifetime but it brings him back. When Sorey calls that name, it brings him home.

He gets up out of his chair, not caring about the rest of his dinner. He holds Sorey's hand tight, pale fingers wrapping around it not in a death grip but for warmth, for a reminder that they're both here and very, very real. His other hand finds Sorey's cheek.

There's no hesitation. As soft as an elysalark alighting upon a branch, he brushes their lips together and closes his eyes.]