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[The first thing Sorey thinks as he falls is what Lailah said as they left Camlann; that without his domain, all of them would instantly be hellions. The ground collapses beneath his feet, the wind drake behind him snaps up his cloak in its jaws and he sees the terror on Mikleo's face just before Symonne's laughter shrieks out and he and the drake fall together.

If they're too far away from me-

He can still feel their connection. He can still feel them, even if they can't go to him, and Sorey prays that's enough.

Wind rushes past them and Sorey tries to wrench out of the drake's grip (It's gotta be a wind seraph, Zaveid had shouted as they were thrown into the thick of battle in the tight corridors of the fortress), twisting and turning, sword in his hand. They'd weakened the drake considerably as a team but he's not sure he's powerful enough on his own to purify it, not even with all the strength he's gathered. Not without the others.

Hopefully, because Rose is there, they'll be okay. Please, please, I can't lose anyone else-

They fall far but hit a collapsed spire at an angle; in the mess the drake releases Sorey (or maybe his cloak tears, he can't tell) and he tumbles, bumps against it and hits the ground hard enough to rattle his teeth in his head and jar his bones. He pushes himself up, ignoring the bruises and aches, the constant, thumping worry of his heart and puts his sword between he and the drake as it sways up to its feet.]

Don't worry, [he promises the poor thing, because thank god, thank god it's not a dragon yet. There's still hope.] I'm going to save you. Don't worry, it'll be over soon.

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[Dezel doesn't complain when Sorey relaxes. The last thing Sorey needs is a goddamned heart attack right after waking up. Everyone's been waiting for him for so long. Dezel will make sure nothing can hurt him, just as they've all guarded his ruins for the past thousand years.]

Hey...

[He reaches blindly until he finds brown hair. Rather than a ruffle, he subtly strokes it.]

I didn't do anything. You saved me, remember?

[After Sorey disappeared from the world, Dezel had nightmares every time he closed his eyes. Sometimes he was a fully-grown dragon sowing chaos and despair across the countryside. Sometimes he attacked Lafarga, stealing his sight as revenge and then finally devouring him. Sometimes Lafarga turned into a dragon himself and exacted revenge on Dezel. It was terrifying, and he almost lost his way several times.

But in the end, he was always reminded of a gentle hand reaching out to him. A boy whispering his name in the cold dark.

"Dezel?"

Like he mattered.

"Dezel."

Like he belonged.

"Dezel!"

Like he loved.]

... You saved me.

[Sorey closes his eyes at the caress, clasping his hands loosely in front of Dezel's chest and resting his head against his hair. He hums a little in response, wanting to give himself time for the emotions to fully sink in. He can't answer Dezel's feelings in haste; they weigh too much, are too precious for Sorey to do anything but show him the utmost respect.

Dezel's changed.

So Sorey listens to the near-silent whisper of his bootfalls on the stone, listens to the way the wind curls around them like an old friend. Dezel, hundreds of years older, his heart pried open for Sorey to look into as he wishes, is nothing short of wonderful. No, Sorey definitely wouldn't find it strange at all if humans had begun to worship seraphim again. Not if all the seraphim are like his friends.]

Lukeim Yurlin, [Sorey murmurs, eyes still closed, allowing himself to listen to and feel the world around him, as Dezel does. It's soothing.] You already know how I feel about that.

[Saving Dezel was saving himself, too. He couldn't have lived with it, leaving him behind twice. And he hadn't agreed to take Dezel with them just because he was afraid he'd turn into a hellion otherwise, and feared for the safety of others.

He needed Dezel to be all right.

And Dezel has paid him back with that comfort, in spades.]

[Dezel isn't expecting any affection in return. That's not how Dezel works, and that's not how kindness works, either. He gives what he can give without asking for a damned thing, except for in the case of the pact... but that was so, so long ago. And it ended up being a different sort of situation, anyway. He lets Sorey's hair be after a minute and turns his attention back to hiking up these steps. They're in no hurry, so there's no need to tire either of them out.

But the former Shepherd murmurs Dezel's name, and he feels a shiver travel through him-- a joyous, instinctual thrill. It's paired with a soft gasp he doesn't even notice. No one has called him that name in a long, long time. It's a part of himself he let die with Rose... but when Sorey says it, he feels himself come alive.]

S-- Sorey, [he stammers, a bit less composed than he'd like. He might be blushing. He has forgotten what that's like, too.

God, he's embarrassed. Time to change the subject.]

So, when we're out you'll probably need a little while to recover. Elysia's probably the best place to go... It hasn't changed in centuries and it's close.

Ohh, good idea, [he muses.] It's nice and temperate there, which is good considering how hot you feel right now. [this little fucker knows exactly what he did

...well, not exactly, but he can feel that blush and he has to try very hard not to laugh.]

Edited 2016-09-28 17:48 (UTC)

[GOD DAMN IT SHEPHERD. A thousand years and he still knows how to sass. Dezel has half a mind to just dump him and keep walking, but he won't. He just isn't that kind of person.]

S-shut up!

[He's totally blushing but he's helpless to do anything about it, so he just ducks his head and trudges on. Maybe it's a little rougher than he needs to be, but he's holding pretty tightly onto Sorey so it's not like he'll fall.]

[Sorey just barely manages to hold back a laugh; luckily for them both, he's distracted by the ruins as they pass beneath ornate arches and over ceremonial pools.]

Oh man...I've gotta come back here later. Everything in here is so beautiful and amazing. Did Edna do all the stonework?

[He huffs a bit, but he's glad when Sorey changes the subject. Any more teasing and he might just spontaneously combust like a fire seraph. KABOOM, rest in peace.]

She had a little help from Mikleo on the designs, I think. [Not like he can see them-- but he spent a good amount of time running his fingers over it when no one was around.] But it was her idea.

Mikleo did...? [Sorey pays closer attention to the embellishments in the stone, tries to follow the patterns and look for hints of Mikleo in them. They kind of feel like something Mikleo would design, though he's a little surprised Edna indulged him so much. Such intricate stonework couldn't have been easy to create.

Sorey rests his cheek on Dezel's shoulder, more warmth than he can handle bubbling up inside of him. His friends cared about him enough to build this around where he slept. It's overwhelming; he knows they don't think of him as some legend on high, that they all saved the world together and there was no one person who gave more than anybody else, but having a set of ruins dedicated to him is doing more than piquing his archaeology interest.

An entire temple was build around him.]

I...I need to go find him as soon as possible, [Sorey mumbles.] I need to see everyone. [He squeezes his arms around Dezel a little, pressing his hands into his chest.] Sorry, I'm going to ask you for something selfish, but will you come with me?

[Sorey falls silent again and Dezel can practically feel his emotion. The wind tells him a lot more than people give him credit for. Colors, shapes, heights, location, body language... It isn't necessarily perfect, and a lot of the details get lost in translation, but when someone is this close he can't help knowing what they're feeling.]

I know you do.

[Sorey's arms feel good around him, he realizes. Dezel's been detached for so long. He's forgotten what it's like to hold someone, to...]

-- What?

[That's unexpected, and he actually stops for a second before continuing on.]

... It's not selfish, [he says after a moment.] I'll come. I'm not... the best company, though.

Dezel, c'mon. [Squeezes again, with a little more strength. Walking might be out of the question, but maybe he can stand now. Sorey's really getting his strength back pretty quick for being asleep for centuries.] I know what your company's like. S'why I asked for it.

[Dezel scoffs a bit. Even after all this time, Sorey's as stubbornly cheerful as ever. Dezel is-- glad. Glad he hasn't changed. But he's also embarrassed because part of him is still very much a loner.]

You just want food, don't you.

Ahha...I can't lie! I feel like I could eat an entire Hyland steer. [Oh hey, speaking of-] Is drago stew still a thing?

Pendrago's still around, same name and everything. The original inn's burned down and been rebuilt three or four times... but they still have drago stew.

[Sorey hasn't eaten in literally forever. Of course he'd be hungry.]

Once we get out of here, I can make you something. It'll have to tide you over until we hit Elysia.

That's even better than fine! You're a great cook, Dezel. [Grins into his shoulder, squeezing a little.] Ahh...I'm going to be relying on you so much... Do people still take gald for money, at least? I think I should have some on me...

What, are you trying to pay me?

[He snorts. They're almost to the end; he can smell it on the wind, even if Sorey can't see it yet. Ah... it's nighttime now, when did that happen?]

How many times do I have to say that I owe you and not the other way around?

Dezel, you nerd. [did he just] I didn't mean pay you. You're not, like, my butler or something. But I'd like to pay for supplies and stuff, since I'm gonna be the one using most of them.

[He makes a noise that seems halfway offended.]

Save your money. The Sparrowfeathers know who I am-- they'll give us a discount.

[He breathes in deeply as they reach the other side of the last stone bridge and pass through the arched doorway. The air is crisp and cool, a sharp contrast to the dusty air inside the ruins. A thin white sliver moon watches them from above, but the stars more than make up for it; constellations and galaxies both are painted across the sky. They've shifted positions in the past thousand years but they're still recognizable, with only thin wispy ribbons of low clouds to dilute their light.

It's been long enough that Sorey probably needs to stretch his legs. Maybe he can even walk.]

How are you feeling?

[Overwhelmed, honestly; they come out under the open night sky and Sorey closes his eyes as the fresh breeze pushes his bangs back from his face and rattle his earrings. He breathes deep, relishes in the feeling of filling his lungs until they hurt before he lets it out with a whoosh.

Maybe he doesn't have a Shepherd's pact anymore, and maybe that's the reason why, but...there's no malevolence. A place that was once steeped so deeply in it that Lailah had quailed at the idea of a seraph trying to survive more than a handful of seconds, and it's all gone. Is this what it's like, do have Maotelus dwelling in a purified land?

You have my gratitude, Shepherd.

Sorey thought he'd dreamed those words, but...]

I'm... [Sorey shifts his legs and gently pushes back from Dezel.] I'm okay. You can put me down, I think I can walk if we go slow.

All right, [he says gently. He leans over a bit when he lets go of Sorey's legs, all the better to help get his feet beneath him. Dezel holds onto his arms, though, just in case Sorey is wobbly and starts to fall.]

I've got you.

[As if that extra assurance is needed-- but Dezel can't help saying it anyway.]

[Sorey would be lying if he said he wasn't glad for Dezel hanging on; his knees keep beneath him this time but he feels unsteady and weak, like he's been fighting for hours without a single scrap of food. It's reassuring, at least; he knows that his strength will come back. He just has to be patient.]

Ahahaha...I think I'm good. [He lets go of one of Dezel's arms to turn and take an unsteady step.] ...yeah, I can walk. Uh, do you mind if I hang off your arm though? Sorry for all the trouble...

[Dezel is quick to interrupt, wanting to dismiss any notion that Sorey could be a pain in the ass unintentionally. Intentionally, yes, sometimes-- but this is different.]

You're fine.

[He starts to offer his arm, then thinks better of it. First he shuffles off his jacket and drapes it over Sorey's shoulders, and then he offers his arm.]

It's the middle of the night. If you want to camp here and walk to Elysia in the morning, we can.

[Sorey blinks at the coat falling over his shoulders before grinning. Doting.

Dezel's right, of course; Sorey might not be cold now but this wind chill will probably freeze him soon enough, especially once he stops moving. So he pulls it onto his arms and hooks around Dezel's elbow as they start down the rocky path.]

We probably should, huh? That'd be the smart thing to do. Aaaaghh, but I just wanna see everyone so bad!

Can we see how far I can go first?

They can wait a few hours.

[His words seem chiding, but the tone is undeniably fond. He's not looking at Sorey, though. Eye contact, or as much eye contact as Dezel can manage, is only admitting that he is smothering the hell out of the former Shepherd.]

You never run out of energy, do you?

[Is that a bit of wind tickling Sorey's ear? It might be.]

I did just spend half an eternity sleeping, [Sorey agrees; the idea of stopping to rest when all he's been doing is laying down for centuries is not an appealing one, but he can't deny that he'll be a much bigger burden on Dezel than he needs to be if they don't stop so he can recuperate.

His earring jingles slightly and Sorey feels his cheeks go pink. Okay, fine.] But I guess you're right. What's a few more hours, huh? [an eternity] The climb will probably go quicker if I don't have to hang off you the entire time anyway.

Hmm. I'm sure there's a way we could get off this mountain and make good time.

[They don't have a pact anymore, so he can't exactly lend his windstep, but... There's no risk of falling to the death if you're with a wind seraph.]

Hey, are you afraid of heights?

Edited 2016-10-03 03:38 (UTC)