#ㅤ𓆩✦𓆪 ㅤ: ㅤ❛ㅤ𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐄𝐒 / apocryphis + lyney.

[viaetor]

@apocryphis ㅤ/ㅤ for lyney, based on our convos. ♡

ㅤㅤstars danced in a deadly fashion. when one extended their hand in a half-bow to another, it was a silent invitation to flirt with doom: their star cores would tug and pull against their chests, a gravity field creating a black hole under their feet as they waltzed elegantly with their chins up, offering no fear in their eyes or pressed mouths, for that was an affliction reserved only for the soft and mortal. in such custom, the starborn that held better strength and power would then choose to consume the weakest of the pair or wield them like their own weapon—a sadistic ritual to which every star paid close attention. dances were offered rarely, and they were denied even more sparsely. it was a matter of pride. arrogance, really. the caeling knew that first-hand. too many times had he been invited to dance by greedy gods and others of his kind, and too many times, he had consumed them or made himself their temporary sword. gruesome. to dance was to wage war. to become an instrument in another’s embrace… or so he thought until recently.

ㅤㅤlyney held him like he was no instrument or blade; on the contrary, he seemed to be holding something—someone—delicate. the way fair left hand rested on his waist, sheepishly rubbing his thumb along the curve of his torso when he thought aether wasn’t looking, how those lilacs stared at him with fondness, following his every tilt and step, and how his tone mellowed in celebration to finally be sharing a gala together. at first, the traveller almost thought about denying the invitation when they met in the busy ballroom. with too many eyes following their movements and, knowing the magician, the spotlight would soon be bathing their heads. a lazy excuse: he said he didn’t know how to waltz the way fontainians did. he had no sense of rhythm. he didn’t want to embarrass him in such an important event. he came only to watch, to admire how the suits and dresses twirled and touched the ground with grace. he was shut down every time, sharp fatui tongue always knowing what to say as a remedy to every poison posed; it was impossible not to be tangled by his charms. and aether was glad. for once, dancing felt…

ㅤㅤ“warm.” he declared out loud, almost as if expecting lyney to be able to read his thoughts. the traveller knew he couldn’t, but the thought made him smile anyway. he intertwined his gloved fingers with his o so eager dance partner, heeding every suggestion his body made, step after step, taking on his lead with worries flying away from his mind. “i never knew dancing could be like this.” intimate, tranquil, simply sensing the violins and piano that a passionate orchestra played from a baroque stage as the smell of rainbow roses in porcelain vases perfumed the dancing floor. the old morning star leaned closer, letting his scarred cheek brush against lyney’s soft one, purring in his ear: “what other tricks can you show me tonight?”

[viaetor]

@apocryphis ㅤ/ㅤ based on our convos. ♡

ㅤㅤ“you’re planning something. with my hair, of all things.”

ㅤㅤlyney was a trickster; that much aether knew—he had been on both receiving ends of his schemes. thankfully for the magician, star-borne beings had a somewhat forgiving memory, for the raised brow on aether’s visage came not from dissatisfaction or disapproval but from genuine interest. a verdict, yes, but also an underlying question. 

ㅤㅤthey had spent their day checking in on poisson’s structure, delivering some merchandise and playing diplomatic roles. working together felt… a bit odd sometimes, but not for the reasons one might think. truth be told, the traveller immensely enjoyed lyney’s company: his sweetened words were pleasant to listen to, the street card acts he put on to cheer up a few children stole grins from within, and he enjoyed how lyney would catch him up on the latest occurrences in fontaine and with his siblings. virtually, there was no tension between the two anymore. it was something else that made aether inquisitive. at first, the traveller wondered if he was imagining things. he was not.

ㅤㅤlingering eyes on how golden locks moved during their stroll, sneaky caresses on the edges of his braid, body movements that leaned closer as if looking for something hidden within. he had turned to face his companion and ask of probably unimportant matters, but whatever the matter was, the caeling soon forgot once he caught the “criminal” in the act. lyney held golden wavy hair like someone would have admired a precious cloth or curtain before buying it. aether’s frown deepened, and he tilted his head, sizing him up and down, trying to understand what was happening. what could interest him in something so mundane? “lyney”, the sound of his name carried a promise: he wasn’t mad. just extremely confused. “what is it?”