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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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You're going to work for our fare? Dezel- [Punches his arm! Lightly.] I'll go see if there's anything I can do too. Enough is enough, you've spoiled me plenty. [MARCHES OFF TO FIND THE CAPTAIN]

[Oh Lords, there he goes. Dezel goes after him, equal parts embarrassed and mortified.] You don't have to-- I'm not spoiling you, it's just faster if--

[oh my god]

[SPINS AROUND and presses his fingertips to Dezel's mouth. Shash.] I appreciate it, I really do, but you're definitely spoiling me. I'm not going to live in this world coasting off of your hospitality, okay?

[Sorey drops his hand and smiles.] Relax. I want to learn more about this world anyway. And maybe the captain will let me do something fun!

[there he go]

[Dezel looks like he's about to protest again, but it's hard to be strong when faced with Sorey's smile. And he's actually very, very right. Dezel's been spoiling him this whole time.]

You don't even have your feet yet.

[But then the captain's coming out, apparently looking for Dezel-- though Sorey gets there first. A little help around the ship is always nice and Sorey is terribly persuasive when he's like this, so the captain relents. Sorey gets assigned to some sweeping, nothing terribly laborious. He's dressed as a Shepherd, after all.

And Dezel might drop them all into the ocean if he gets pissed off. That too.

Then a horn goes off. The captain begins barking orders, which are echoed by his first mate. Everyone who isn't staff hurries below deck.]

Hey, c'mere. [He gestures to the bow of the ship. It's less fancy than that of a seabound one, but still recognizable as the front.] If you've never been on one of these before, this is the best place to stand.

[It's also horribly dangerous, but Dezel won't let him fall.]

[Sweeping is a pretty easy task, but it's better than nothing and it's something Sorey can do so he takes it. However, when that horn sounds and the crew begin to man the various mechanisms alongside the railings of the ship, Sorey eagerly follows Dezel over to the bow. He's never even been on a seafaring ship, so all of this is new to him; and as the ship retracts its tether and takes to the skies, Sorey feels that familiar swooping sensation he always had when he was in the armatus with Dezel or Zaveid.

They're really, actually flying.]

This- This is easily the coolest thing I've ever done, [Sorey breathes excitedly, leaning over the railing probably a touch further than what Dezel's comfortable with.]

[Dezel comes up behind him. Sorey's enthusiasm is absolutely contagious. With everyone else out of sight manning their stations, there's nothing but the wind around them and a hollow bird below. The seraph tucks his head into Sorey's shoulder and takes a deep breath, his warmth and wind all around them--

-- and then the ship begins to really fly. It's true that wind seraphim can give the ships a boost and that's what he's doing. But it doesn't feel like work. It feels like his awareness is spreading below Sorey's arms, carrying both the former Shepherd and the ship on gentle, invisible wings.

They sure are going fast, though. It isn't long before they begin to enter the clouds and the city is just a speck behind them. While the air is thin up here, some kind of seraphic arte forms a very faint barrier that keeps it breathable. It's still pretty cold-- but Dezel keeps the air warm, so long as he's concentrating.]

Whoa, [Sorey startles as they suddenly pick up in speed and altitude, a joyful laugh bubbling out of his throat. He can't be sure without the pact, but he thinks he can feel Dezel's wind all around them, specific and telling in its sharpness, in the way it lifts them so neatly, so perfectly.

Sorey leans back against Dezel, hanging onto the rails as he watches them approach the clouds, heart pounding even as he finds a peace so intimately quiet that he drops his tone to a murmur out of reverence. Dezel is carrying thisc whole ship, and Sorey can hear the people cheering and calling out their thanks behind them for it.]

You're so incredible.

[Even with the wind around them, Dezel can feel Sorey's heartbeat through his back. He feels it like he feels the bulkiness of the ship, the air sliding across various panels and around the windows and through the rudders. He feels so aware of everything when he does this. It's almost like the armatus, but not quite. Not... quite.]

Any wind seraph could do this. I'm nothing special.

[With the ship on its course, Dezel can finally lower his arms. He finds Sorey's waist. It feels so easy to wrap his arms around the younger man, so he does, and it reminds him of this morning. Gods, he's such a mess. Someone looks at him and suddenly he's crushing like a teenager... it's terrible.]

This is all because of you, Sorey. [His fingers hook into the familiar blue shirt, subtle but still there.] You gave the world your time and your resonance. You gave me time.

[He hasn't wasted a minute. Right here, with his arms wrapped around the only thing from his past, he realizes he doesn't want to let go. He realizes, too, that he's hopelessly attached... and probably in love. He hasn't-- he doesn't know how, not anymore. He hasn't known anything serious since Rose pulled him by the ear that one night and told him to stop keeping secrets.

He pulls back a little. He has more he wants to say, but...]

[Sorey laughs incredulously, hands going to the rails as Dezel pulls away.] Always so quick to pass on the praise, [he murmurs with a grin. It's so like Dezel. For myriad reasons, he never lets anyone just admire him.]

This is just the result of my own selfish endeavor. I didn't do a single thing I didn't want to do. [He glances back over his shoulder at Dezel, sobering.] I even left you and Rose behind for it.

[He turns back around.] ...maybe it's wrong, but when you shouted at me in the castle about valuing my life, I was so happy. The others, they didn't try to talk me out of it. I think they knew if I wavered that we'd all fall to malevolence, but you... [He chuckles and rubs at his nose.] You didn't care about that. And it made me happy. I am only human, after all.

You were... happy?

[Sometimes Dezel thinks he understands, and sometimes Sorey seems like a creature from another planet. How could anyone be happy with Dezel yelling at them and being so, so selfish? And yet Sorey claims he was the selfish one-- well, maybe. Maybe a little, if he was so stubborn. But Dezel had forgiven him. It had taken a while for him and Rose both, but eventually, Dezel came to appreciate the gift he'd been given... and Sorey's sacrifice.

Occasionally it still made him mad, though. For like, a couple years. And then he'd get over it.]

... You're impossible, [he says, ducking his head briefly. But Sorey might be able to catch a glimpse of a smile. They're so close now, with Dezel's hands just barely touching the railing. They're flying high, and safe, and Sorey is brimming with happiness. Something closes up in Dezel's chest, tightens painfully, but he finds himself leaning in anyway; there's a soft touch of wind on Sorey's lips, not unlike Dezel's thumb, just so he knows where they are.]

[Dezel freezes, apparently losing all his gusto. His sharp teeth find his own bottom lip as his resolve completely crumbles.]

S-- sorry. Sorry. [He's not sure why he's apologizing. Maybe he's apologizing to himself. He starts to pull away, his hand going for his hat.]

[For all his book smarts, Sorey is a creature of compulsion. So t makes total sense for him to turn suddenly, grab for Dezel's coat lapels and pull him into a hasty misaligned kiss. He misses his mouth because he didn't check first, and when Sorey realizes that he'd just kissed Dezel's chin (that he'd just KISSED DEZEL even) he goes a bright, brilliant red.]

Oh my gosh, [he exclaims, back against the rails as he sinks into a crouch and pulls his cloak up over his head.] What am I doing! I'm so sorry!!

[Dezel makes a noise of surprise as he's suddenly yanked into a kiss that... completely misses his lips. It's over as fast as it began, though it leaves Dezel red-faced and stunned and Sorey curled up at his feet.

Did that really just happen? He touches his chin, silver eyes wide beneath his hair.]

... Hey. Sorey, it's-- it's fine.

[He drops to his knees and tries to tug the Shepherd's cloak back down.]

Come on, look at me. [He isn't going to take no for an answer. Sure, Sorey can look elsewhere and Dezel probably won't notice, but mostly, he's just trying to find the younger man's cheeks. It's cold up here so Dezel warms them with his palms, thumbs brushing at errant bits of brown hair.

Sorey is truly a wonderful, special human. Dezel owes him everything. They need to talk about this, that's for sure, but... for now, this is all right.

He isn't sure Sorey wants a proper peck on the lips so he settles for a kiss on the nose. Sorey is kind of a sap. He probably likes stupid little gestures like that.

Dezel does, too.]

[It takes some coaxing but finally Sorey looks at Dezel, still red-faced and bashful but at little comforted that Dezel didn't laugh or just run off. The hands on his face are a comfort too and Sorey reaches up to hang onto Dezel's wrists, heart up in his throat.

That kiss on the nose is...a little less comforting, but at least he's not telling him no, you read that wrong, I'm sorry. Heck, Sorey doesn't even know what he wants, if he just wants to be close to someone after being so long alone, if this is some...some sick compensation he's giving himself for not having Mikleo. No, it can't be that, Sorey was genuinely happy to see Dezel's face when he woke a few weeks ago.

Sorey pulls his own lip between his teeth and worries at it, closing his eyes before squeezing Dezel's wrists hopefully.] Is this...weird? Am I being weird?

No. [His voice is soft, yet his tone is still firm. He wouldn't lie to Sorey. Not about this. And really, Dezel isn't the type to flat out lie; he'd rather just be blunt or not say anything at all.] No, you're not.

[He gently takes Sorey's hands in his, warm despite the cold air around them.]

I just... [It isn't about the pain he'll eventually feel when Sorey passes. Rose and the others prepared him for that, at least. It isn't about humans and seraphim, or ages, or anything like that.] I don't want to take advantage of you. Because you just woke up, and... you're still grieving. Adjusting. [He can think of at least one person Sorey should be with instead, but the thing about seraphim is they understand life is transient; he's not going to be jealous of someone who was there all along.]

I don't want to force you into anything.

[There's a lot unsaid there, and it doesn't take a genius to see it. Sorey frowns, pulling Dezel's hands into his lap and holding onto them tight, concerned.]

You're worrying about Mikleo. Aren't you?

[He's surprised to hear that name dropped so openly, but now that it's there, well. Yeah. They have to talk about it.]

You're important to each other. I'm not gonna make assumptions about what that means.

[Neither of them have said no. It's a question yet unasked. For now, at least, Dezel is letting Sorey make his own decisions.]

If you want something, or you don't want something, or you just want to be casual-- that's fine. It doesn't really matter to me.

[That's the truth-- the wisdom gained by loving, and losing, a human life. He closes his eyes again.]

I'm fine just being here.

Dezel, I don't think I could have something casual with you in a million years, [Sorey laughs, pulling up his hands to kiss his knuckles on impulse. It makes him go red in the face but hey, they're already here, already talking about it.

And he should confront this. Before it gets worse.]

...I'm excited to meet up with Mikleo, but...I'm also scared. I don't know if he'll be the same Mikleo I remember. ...I don't know if he'll see me as the same Sorey. [He squeezes Dezel's hands tightly.] And I'm not saying that because I think you're- you're some kind of replacement for him; what's between us is separate from what's between me and Mikleo. I just...could... [Sorey bows his head.] ...I don't want to just have something with you and move on. It's selfish of me...I wish I could be with all of you guys again, forever, like we were supposed to be.

[Dezel has something of a mental keysmash moment as his knuckles are kissed. Usually he's the one to do that to-- ah. He's going to have to get used to that if he's with someone. The... embarrassment. The flashbacks. The reawakening of a piece of him he'd sealed off until, if ever, another person came into his life and cast a shadow over all that he was.

Sorey has always loomed so large in his mind's eye. Even now, laughing and smiling, he's still a Shepherd who supports the world.]

... Yeah. I think I get it.

[He's waited all this time. They all have. It's not surprising that they've all changed in their little ways. It's true that Mikleo's was very dramatic, but Mikleo lost half of himself when Sorey left. Even if it was inevitable. Dezel and Mikleo have a few things in common.]

It's not selfish. Those were... good memories. [He releases one of Sorey's hands so that he can take off the black hat he's worn for a millennium... and he drops it on the brunet's head lightly, playfully almost.] I've never really been able to let go, or maybe it's never let go of me.

But-- I'll tell you something. [He tilts the brim of the hat up so it's easier for Sorey to see.] This world is what we make of it. If you only think about the past, what'll happen to tomorrow?

[Sorey toys with the brim of Dezel's had as he mulls that over, squeezing their hands still clasped in his lap. It's true; dwelling on the past wouldn't just be terrible for his relationships with everyone from here on out, it'll be terrible for him, for his soul, for his heart. He would be depriving everyone of a future with him as well.

Letting go of the past feels like a betrayal to Rose and Alisha's memories, but even as he thinks that he knows that's not what they'd say at all. They would be right there, shoving him forward with everybody else, demanding he live a life as full and happy as theirs had been.]

...is this what you do now? Dispense useful life advice to confused Shepherds? [Sorey grins, swinging their hands a bit, paying attention to the way the wind brushes over his hair, his face, his arms like a second embrace.]

[Dezel is smiling, really smiling, and it seems like such things were few and far between, at least until Sorey got here.] Like a Prime Lord? Not gonna happen.

[The wind tugs a little at Sorey's hair. He looks like the hat is swallowing him up, honestly, but it's kind of cute all the same. Lafarga would have liked him.

Dezel leans in again, hoping to actually complete the kiss this time-- but he bonks his nose on the hat's brim as Sorey moves, and he makes an offended noise.]

Ah, hell.

[Sorey laughs, light and full, and removes Dezel's hat to rest that in his lap too.] That's what you get for trying to be all cool, [he teases, before shyly leaning in and tilting his head up for a real, proper kiss. His first one in one thousand and seventeen years.]

[It's the laughter that gets him. They can discuss things like mortality, like human impermanence, and Sorey understands. But he was raised around seraphim, keenly aware of his limited time. Maybe that's why...

He'll think about it later. Sorey looks so cute like that, all expectant and hopeful. Even a blind man can tell. Dezel obliges and this time he only hesitates a moment. Their lips touch properly, soft and sweet. The knot that coiled up tight inside his chest finally begins to loosen and it feels wonderful.

Sure, it's not the most romantic kiss in the world. It's rather chaste, really, and it's cold up here, and the angle isn't really right-- but for Dezel, there's no comparison. He's as free as the wind in his hair right now and completely, utterly elated for the first time in centuries.]

[There's something about the way Dezel's mouth is so soft, completely gentle but not entirely out of consideration. Sorey's eyes are closed so he doesn't know what Dezel's expression looks like but it's almost like he can feel it on the wind, an element that was a part of himself as surely as Dezel was a thousand years ago. It tickles over his hair, hesitant, unsure, joyous as it ruffles his clothes, lifts the feathers of his earrings to dance.

Sorey reaches up to cup Dezel's jaw, wanting that extra point of contact to really, truly confirm what's happening. It's true that Sorey's always regarded seraphim as beautiful and Dezel is no exception; just by appearance, smooth skin, soft lips, full eyes and long lashes but also in soul. Dezel has suffered, and even caused others to suffer but that was so long ago. Even when it wasn't Dezel's heart was still filled to the brim with care and concern and love, twisted by the crimes forced upon him, further soured by his own mistakes but Dezel's accepted those scars as part of himself and has built upon them a stronger muscle, beating hard enough for two, judging by the pulse against his fingers as Sorey slips his fingers down Dezel's neck to rest on his shoulder. This is such new territory, but it's so, so welcome. Sorey has always been and always will be an adventurer.

He wants to see where this path will take him.]

[Dezel is full to bursting. He's sure the wind is picking it up; he can feel his mirth leaking through the edges of his armor, surrounding them both and reminding Dezel that a part of him is not yet dead. He feels like the first time he flew, when he found the wind again after losing his sight and realized that the world was dark but no less colorful.

His half-gloved fingertips slip beneath Sorey's messy hair, callouses against his scalp, thumbs toying with his feathers. He isn't sure how he ended up so fortunate. He's bad luck incarnate, a cursed seraph. He's bad news. Yet, Sorey loves him unconditionally. Sorey saved his life and burned away all the darkness in his heart. Once he was thrust into the darkness, Dezel gave up hope of ever finding his way out.

But here, his view is full of light-- so much light. He doesn't feel worthy.

He loops his arms about Sorey's middle and holds him as close as he dares. The kiss gains a bit of pressure and insistence, at least until Dezel remembers that humans have to breathe. He breaks it with reluctance, his cheeks a dark red as a contrast to his silver-green eyes.]

I... [What can he even say?] I wouldn't mind doing that a little more.

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