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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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That's right. ...wait, so that means you thought that lowly of me? [Sorey pouts in mock offense before reaching up to smooth Dezel's hair back from his face. Nice try hiding those tears buddy, but Sorey sees them, and that smile, too. It feels like he'd just seen Dezel moments ago, but at the same time Sorey could swear he hadn't seen him in entire lifetimes. He feels the weight of time between them like one of Edna's artes, the trembling of Dezel's arms around him, his fist around the back of Sorey's cloak. He really has been waiting all this time.

Seraphim...they're amazing. His friends are amazing.

Sorey drops his hand more out of respect for Dezel's privacy than anything else, though his arm is starting to shake. Seems like his strength isn't going to come back within a few hours after all.] Could I ask you a favor? I, uh, I might need some help standing up.

[Dezel isn't expecting the hand in his hair; it makes his light lashes flutter against Sorey's palm like the wings of a tiny bird, but the rest of him is motionless. He doesn't want to shove Sorey away though he knows, logically, he would be within his rights to. He feels like-- like he doesn't want to ruin the moment. If Dezel does something, anything wrong... he'll wake up, and Sorey will still be asleep, and he'll be alone all over again.

Then Sorey lowers his hand. Dezel breathes out shakily. He feels like his heart has been released from some grip he wasn't aware of.]

I'm not surprised. You haven't stood up for a while. [That's an understatement. He shifts his arms beneath Sorey's properly, bracing him.] Let's see if you can stand. One, two... three. [And he lifts his friend off the altar and tugs him forward. This way, Sorey can lean on Dezel's arms as much as he needs. And if he can't do it, if he can't stand, then--

-- then Dezel will just have to carry him out.]

[Forgive him for being such a Touchy-Feeleo, he's still not quite sure he's actually awake and in his own body. Especially since his body won't let him walk around, despite him walking around just fine minutes (ages??) ago.

Dezel counts and that helps; he can recognize how gentle Dezel's being with him as a comfort for both of them, so when his knees buckle and refuse to hold him up he tries not to be too embarrassed, clutching Dezel's arms, face burning.] ...guess that's a no-go.

[Dezel doesn't hesitate to catch him. He holds him up without complaint, just a soft grunt as he adds more support. Sorey's body really does need some work... Hopefully, Dezel can take him somewhere to recover.]

Here, I have an idea.

[He gently sets Sorey back down on the altar. It's okay to use it for a seat, right? Especially if he's been sleeping there. Ugh, whatever, details. Dezel turns around and drops to a crouch. Remember that one time with Rose?]

You're a little big for piggyback rides, but we don't have much of a choice.

[Sorey has a feeling that if he suggests Dezel just leave him here until he's recovered he'll get his behind kicked all the way to Gododdin, so he obediently slides his arms over Dezel's shoulders and tries not to feel too infantalized when Dezel hefts him up onto his back like he weighs nothing. They're not too different in size; Dezel is a scant handful of inches taller and a corresponding few pounds heavier, but he's strong and it shows.

Hopefully it's not too childish for him to hide his face against Dezel's shoulder. Mikleo's carried him before, there's no reason for this...]

Dezel, [he starts haltingly. It's the most obvious question he should've asked first that he hadn't, because he'd been half-afraid of the answer.] Are any of the others...?

[It's familiar, having someone's face shoved in his shoulder. He'd... carried Rose like this. More than a few times. She'd been asleep for all of that, of course, except for that first time when she was a kid. He blinks the memories away. He doesn't need to revisit them right now.

Instead, he tightens his grip on Sorey's feet and begins to march.]

A lot has changed. Us seraphim, though... we're all pretty much the same.

[It's gonna be a long hike out of here.]

Mikleo's off exploring ruins like this one. He still hasn't been able to write a complete history. Drives him crazy. Edna and Lailah are traveling with the current Shepherd. And... Zaveid...

[There's a trace of hesitation, but none of the anger that usually follows that name. A thousand years is a long time to hold a grudge-- even for Dezel. They've figured things out, now.]

He looks after the Sparrowfeathers, with me. He's probably wondering what the hell is taking so long.

[The sound of his boots echoes off columns and remaining bits of walls. It sounds lonely.]

When you're recovered, we can visit the others. [The humans, he means.]

[Dezel mentions Mikleo and it's like all the tension goes out of Sorey's body. It probably makes him a little heavier, and he's sorry for that, but...Mikleo, he's all right. And he's frustrated about not being able to write a comprehensive text, of course he is, that perfectionist...

Sorey can't stop the tears but he can at least keep himself from sobbing into Dezel's coat, concentrating on keeping his breathing even and not sniffing too loudly. Wouldn't want to worry him any more than he already is.

Lailah is still guiding Shepherds...it's surprising that Edna is with her, although maybe it isn't really, at all. And Zaveid and Dezel are traveling together? It's wonderful. Even if Alisha and Rose, and Sergei and the first Sparrowfeathers are gone, at least their memories continue to live on.]

Thank you, [Sorey whispers, not just for the ride, not just for finding him. For being here. For being alive.]

[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.