All's well that ends well

[thecastle]

[ So you've wished the dead back to life, but there's still 2 wishes you have to make. Ultimately what happens from here is entirely in your hands, but for the first time in eight weeks everyone is alive and whole again (even that pesky merman). There is that corruption you should deal with, but surely you know what to do about that.

Once you've settled and wound down a bit, maybe you should relax a bit before going your separate ways. You've earned it.

Comments

[godinsolitude]

I know. And if you were by my side, I'd be too happy to convincingly do what I must do.

[His smile grows a little stronger.]

But I promise, I'm going to fight with everything I have. Everything we've done.... it won't go to waste. I promise, I won't betray your belief in me.

[And he steps forward, and if she does nothing to stop him.... well, he'll be pulling her into a hug.]

I was too much of a coward to say it last time, but.... Thank you. For everything.

[pseudoregelia]

[...Ah.

When he pulls her into that hug, her expression changes to one of surprise, and then...

Her eyes water up. It's a pity her hands aren't free, because it means she can't cover her eyes when she begins to cry.

Instead, she buries her head in his shoulder - he's still so much taller than her - and her voice comes out muffled.]

...It was an honor to work by your side. Truly.

[Except now, after all this, she won't be able to be there anymore. They'll have to walk their own paths, and she knows that, logically. She has her job, and he needs to remain as a symbol for the Blade Children, even as the life is slowly, and so, so unfairly choked from his body.

That unfairness causes her heart to clench even now. After all he's been through, after everything he's endured, and she can't even--]

[godinsolitude]

[He holds her a little tighter as she begins to cry, one hand coming up to stroke her hair. His throat is a little tight, and for once, there's a hint of moisture in his own eyes.

How many years had it been since he cried....? She really was encouraging so many firsts for him....]

Thank you. For being there for me.... for being you. I honestly--

[His voice hitches a little on the words, but he continues.]

...Knowing you has been a blessing I don't think I could ever thank you enough for.

[pseudoregelia]

[She sniffles, which is - embarrassing, Ayumu is sixteen and she's a grown woman, crying on his shoulder. Still, she takes a breath, calming herself, steadying her voice.]

...I hate... that man, and what he made me do to you.

[After everything, that betrayal was just too much, even if she went along with it anyway.]

I'm glad that, even if it was here, I was able to make it up to you a little.

[godinsolitude]

You never had to make it up to me. You were just as much manipulated by my brother as any of us.

[Said firmly, because regardless of her actions, he didn't think she deserved any blame in this.]

Honestly, because of you.... I was able to beat him, in the end.

[pseudoregelia]

This is my job, Ayumu. Betrayal is part of it by nature.

[But... Even she hadn't expected that betrayal to hurt as much as it did.]

...I'm glad, though. Even when I handed over the earring, I believed you would make the right choice.

You're so much stronger than you think, Ayumu.