middaeg | [closed] Freeze the arrow in the air

[His first reaction is to lean into the touch, and Archer does so. If not for Caster he'd have much worse reaction to the changes forced upon him. It's touch like that, like nothing is wrong with him, that helps him to accept it all.

Caster's face is so close he can't help as he focuses on his lips. It takes a lot of willpower to not kiss him breathless. Only something important can make Caster act seriously, and Archer prefers to know what happens.]

No. I suppose it's time for you to tell me.

No guesses, or a suspicion? [ Caster cocks his eyebrow, tilts his head and teases a bit. His lips form into a curious smile, and yes he notices where Archer is looking. But if the other man hasn't even thought about it, then maybe the idea goes from just crazy to straight insane.

What is the plan if the answer is "no", had he really thought about it? Of course, he didn't, he never does. ]

[Damn that smile for making Archer crave what he should never have.]

A Bond. [that much is obvious. He's pretty sure that whoever the lucky gal or guy is he's going to meet them in due time. It never crosses his mind that he's the one.] It's what the festivities are about, the importance and worth. Am I right?

Good you got this.[ Archer's train of thought is different than how Caster can (and does) read his words. He assumes the simplest, that they are on the very same page. He might be here for a surprise

Well, they both are ]

Bond with me you fool, this is a perfect night for that. [ The insult is veiled in playful veil rather than venom. ]

[It's— no, it's definitely not what Archer expects to hear. What's worse - or better - the playfulness and feeling behind it is genuine. His eyes widen as he tries to think of something to say or to react. There's slight hope underneath the surprise and the sharp realization that he doesn't deserve—

So Archer does the first thing he can think of.]

[He pulls Caster closer for a kiss. It's desperate and needy, to get rid of thoughts and feelings threatening to overwhelm him. Archer has to make sure it's not a dream, that he won't suddenly wake up. Somehow Cú Chulainn gets too close, makes him want things that he should never have. Companionship alone isn't enough. No matter if this world forces him to rely on someone as much as they rely on him. No matter that what he becomes is a perfect counterpoint to Caster.

If he gets elbow to the ribs then be it. A proof it's anything but a dream.

Caster feels warm and real in his embrace. Too warm and too real to be a dream.]

[ That there are feral mind to soothe, magic to keep in check, in a sense a debt to be paid because Caster is not blind, and Archer has been giving way more than he had received back (at first taken as an attempt to win the trust, with time realized to be far more genuine). Hey, look this is all just pure practicality, look how pragmatic they are— now it's even harder to explain this choice like that.

It's not just pragmatism, it's not just logic— and that makes Caster kiss back with matched intensity, lips curling into a smile as he again treats it a bit as a playful fight. He takes to nip on Archer's lower lip when given a chance and laughs when they finally part only to kiss again slightly more gentle than before ]

If you dare to say "no" after this, I swear I'm going to kill you.

[ It's more than just pragmatism and than just logic, maybe there can be meaning found in that. ]

[Such response makes Archer chuckle. Only Caster can make a serious threat playful and actually mean it. He's still surprised but calmer now, as the reality sinks in. Gently leaning forward he rests his forehead against Caster's and allows himself to relax.]

I won't. [he says simply. While his loyalties may be different, there's no backing out on his word.] We need to talk first, though.

[Scathach is here, even if she's not the only reason.]

[ The threat was more playful, but yes, the possibility of it being carried through... is quite real. What a nice man he is... Caster leans closer, could use some relax too ]

Then talk, I'm listening. [ Not everyone is just living in the moment, making decisions as the ideas come. He's curious what Archer has to say and then realizes—

—yeah, he should bring up Lex as well. Bonding was never hailed as this big exclusive thing (like marriages) but it is pretty important, and that is something that should be out in the open. ] Wanna set some important ground rules... like no cleaning before 6 in the morning?

[Archer gives himself a moment to gather his thoughts. For a moment he wonders if it's a good moment to say what he really is, and hesitates. His origin doesn't matter. Another topic is more important.]

I don't start so early. [his protest is half-hearted at best, followed by a sigh.]

Let's start with Lancer that appeared yesterday.

[ His protest is met with a very doubtful gaze. Caster could swear there were times when Archer was doing something before that hour. Very rarely, of course, because he was careful to not wake-up his guest.

"Guest" ]

If you're worried that she would test you mercilessly, you are most likely right. [ He knows he will get judged for it, but it's likely he'd get judged for any choice, aside maybe several few. ] But it seems you've made a kind of impression.

[ Of course, that was just by knowing they have an alliance, not—— this ]

[That much is obvious, and Archer shows it with a shrug. It's not himself he's concerned about; Aefenglom has not been kind to Caster at all, despite his carefree attitude.]

She already did, but it doesn't matter. It's how her presence affects you. [knowing Cú Chulainn tales and his mentor's wish he's not sure how will it play out. They're all mortal here, without any of the boons of spirit origins. It's entirely possible that she will want to pursue her wish.]

Word of advice, never lower your guard around her.

[ Like it wouldn't be obvious at first glance, but he buys himself some time with that light-hearted warning. Just enough to figure out how to answer what Archer just said. What is it, is it... worry? That's how concern looks like.

He doesn't want to see it so he sneaks out of the embrace, his smile fade but that could be easily missed as he turns to the view of the city below them. ]

I probably wouldn't invite here anyone on purpose, but if this world is looking for the strongest warriors, she is one of its best bet. You can't find a warrior just as unstoppable— [ True honest admiration right there. ] I would leave it at this normally, but I can see you want to know the answer to an unsaid part of the question.

[ If they talked about Bonding just a minute before, it would make no sense to start omitting information now. So yeah, great timing. He takes out a cigarette, still using the same box that signaled the official— truce? alliance? —so many moons ago. Along with smoke, he lets out a small, airy complaint. ]

Sheesh, you just had to choose a moment like this.

[It is concern. How can there be none when it's Caster's favourite weapon that took lives of those dearest to him. Archer understands duty, understands how bloody and merciless it is. He wishes to spare him the weight of one more life, perhaps the heaviest of all.

Archer rests warm hand on Caster's back. What he's able to do is to give him all that he needs.]

Are you going to fulfill her wish if she asks you to do it. [it's not really phrased as a question. There's no need to.]

[ Seems that Archer already knows the answer. ]

Of course, it would be an honor to— but does death in a place like this really count, or is it just a fantasy?

[ The wish for swift and beautiful death on the battlefield, can it be delivered here? Her mortality here is certain, and there is a battlefield, but— Are they truly gone from their Worlds, or just reflections, like in a mirror. Can anything that happens here affect the real world? ]

Although, there is someone else here that unlike me, does have the spear.

[ The other Cú Chulainn and seems she had her sights on him. Not a time to have an identity crisis, but it certainly means Caster has his work cut out for him before he can catch-up.

And yes, it's just like Caster, to casually talk about killing someone dear to him, but that's true— it's been a pattern. There is a reason why Gáe Bolg is called a cursed spear. Still, it's also an unmistakable part of the identity of a hero known as Cú Chulainn. Does it mean he would enjoy killing his mentor? That's a completely different matter. But in fulfilling wishes, you should put your own feelings aside. Maybe that's why he failed the first time it happened, maybe because he wasn't able to truly put his feelings aside... ]

Does it bother you? [ Different places, different times. ]

It does—

[Yet Archer isn't sure if he can explain why it does. Each time Cú Chulainn killed someone close to him it seems it's been killing him inside. Not being given time to mourn or to move on the hero's been pushed onto another battlefield. His way of ignoring the problems until they explode into his face has been proven ineffective. See the whole Medb fiasco.]

What bothers me is not that you consider it as your duty, or are willing to bloody your hands. [he clarifies after a moment, choosing his words carefully. Archer's hand is still resting on Caster's back firmly as he struggles with suitable phrasing.]

What does is how willing you are to do so even if it weights on you heavily afterwards. [there's ages old bitterness resurfacing that taints his voice.]

[ Duties, promises or just hand of fate, it all makes into those unavoidable moments. All those times to struggle without a way out, and also... a resignation attached to it. In the end every day must lose to night, he walked into this by his own choice. Even if the spear taking lives of his loved ones might be the closest to what is "regret"

But you know what he didn't sign himself for? For questions like this. It was supposed to be a merry night, enjoyment of festivities, of companionship and forging something delayed for too long. What is woven in the fabric of this place that makes people ask those question? First Berserker, now Archer...

In reality, those are some very good questions, but questions, he doesn't want to face and answer. It's way too late to complain about fate, that's hardly stylish. ]

Know what, Emiya? [ Another drag of the cigarette, but as he exhales the whisper at the end of his breath makes the smoke dance. The first sign of him starting to use wind magic ] Call it a hunch, but I'm almost certain you very well know the answer to that question.

[ 'That's where that bitterness in your voice is coming from'

So time to change the game. Is this how they are going to draw all the rules and boundaries in this Bond? What is allowed, what is not. Honesty would be a hard rule, and yet Archer tests it right from the start. Caster's not going to lie, but that doesn't mean he wants to delve deeper into matters raised. If they're going to prod the oldest, but still hurting wounds it should be mutual, that's for starters. Or—

Or he can take a few steps back and fall off the roof in a very cinematic fashion, with another spell on his lips. ]

[It's not a topic anyone wishes to talk about, not during the celebration. Not Caster, intent on ignoring the issue, at least for as long as it doesn't bite him in the ass. Archer is expecting avoidance, is prepared to deal with denial or flippancy. What he doesn't expect is this.

For a second breath catches in his throat. Archer knows that Caster's a witch, that he uses spells for the most mundane tasks. He knows that the reckless son of Erin isn't foolish enough to fall without some kind of a safeguard. But still—

He's not prepared either for the sudden spike of anger and protectiveness. How dare Cú Chulainn offer a Bond and then do something so foolish!

All takes no longer than a heartbeat, and then Archer leaps after his Witch, reaching out to catch him. The leap carries him, and additional ~~feather~~weight, to a lower roof that he uses as a spring board for another leap, and another, and another, each landing point taking them lower and lower until he lands on the ground. Several passerbyes cheer and applause with good-natured laugh.]

[ The plan was to land on the ground and then make a chase. Long enough to cool off the frustration that was there, laugh it off, and change the subject. Maybe go back to the original one, heck he could have even led them right under one of those places that were offering Bonding ceremonies right here right there.

But that was not given, he's caught in the flight. The spell focused mainly on him, doesn't lessen the impact when he's being held in the Dragon arms... for the second time this day. Another leap follows and the sudden reaction around confuses him— until he remembers what kind of festival it is, and how the hell their stunt looks like.

The stormy expression on Archer's face is the only thing that disrupts this impression. Caster suddenly laughs and throws his arms around his neck and pulls him down into a kiss.

Sure, part of it is simply - losing their cool and starting to yell at each other, when they got an audience... probably not the best idea. But that's a smaller part, the bigger part is that this combination — adrenaline coursing through veins from the flight, closeness, and warmth of another body, the atmosphere of the festival — it all just made him feel like doing this. ]

[Damn you, Caster.

It's the unpredictable happening again. Archer doesn't expect laugh or the kiss, it takes him by surprise. He growls low in his throat and kisses back with force. It's no less desperate than their previous kiss, with additional anger making it rough. He keeps kissing Caster util he finally has to catch his breath.]

You fool. [is the only thing he can say.]

[ Anger counts as passion, doesn't it? And getting anything so passionate out of this bowman should count as a victory. Even if the victory is marked by clanking teeth, bitten lip and eventual shortness of breath caused by the bruising kiss. He might be panting a little once they part.

The goal was reached, the topic changed, and as such Caster felt as if most of the energy was sapped out of him. Enough so that he didn't even attempt to free himself and fight to be let down onto the ground. Quite opposite even. ]

Wanna do it now? Or should we set up a date later? [ The Bonding is what he means. ]

[It's just as good that he does, because Archer isn't too willing to release him immediately. Now that blood isn't roaring loudly in his ears he can consider Caster's proposition.]

Now.

[It's better if neither of them has a chance to think or ask unnecessary questions.]

[ Caster didn't expect to get scot-free for his stunt, but then it might be too soon to think that he did. ]

The whole city is one big Bonding ceremony, we shall easily find someone who can lead it. [ There are even Coven stands for those who want to celebrate with the crowd, but good old Coven building is there for those preferring more private ceremony.

Going back to the Coven would buy them a bit of time, for the vows. Right, there are vows. ]

[Good, because Archer isn't going to forget it. It has to wait until they're somewhere no one can overhear. As he decides to stand up he hoists Caster up, the additional weight not bothering him much. He's quite unwilling to let him go.]

Did you think about the vows?

[It makes him uneasy to omit the truth about himself, the knowledge how much he differs from a Heroic Spirit. It makes him uneasy for too many reasons that have nothing to do with honesty. If he's choosing to be bound using his True Name, the last thing tying him to the past that he didn't discard, he ought to say it.]

[ Chances to get back onto the ground just got lowered. Ha, ha, lowered, get the pun? ~~Stop~~ ]

Who do you take me for? I wouldn't offer if I didn't think about it seriously.

[ Some might compare Bonds to marriages and the like, but it's also close to an oath, a different kind of connection. Not strictly romantic, an alliance beneficient to both sides. ~~Though the marriage comparison is still the strongest, given they are also celebrated during this holiday~~

Alright they move best the original crowd, left to the dancing party, right to the stalls with food and one thing has not changed— ]

Are you planning to carry me all the way?

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1/?

2/2

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are they going to have the mom talk?

I'm afraid they will xD

potatoh potatoh...

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time to pop that disengage C

too bad that Archer ignores the class disadvantage as much as skills

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