#I didn't even address how Ingo would deal with it

[unovanhunny]

Ooooh poor Ingo, Emmet really flubbed this one, how would he show Ingo that he actually does care, does Emmet beg for forgiveness? Who confesses first?

The silence that sat between them was heavy and thick, the tension weighing on them both. Ingo couldn't look at Emmet. He couldn't stand to see his expression, to hear his words that confirmed his fears. His eyes burned with tears, his cheeks burned with anger and anxiety. He just wished Emmet would leave so he could finish packing.

"Ingo...?"

The sound of his name made him flinch. Why did Emmet sound confused, concerned? He clearly hadn't shown that he cared, so why did he sound like he did? Ingo still didn't look at him, wiping his eyes and turning his body away instead.

"No, really, Ingo. What? Do... You honestly think I hate you?" No, no, he wasn't allowed to sound pained at that. Ingo should be the only one hurt here.

"What else am I supposed to think? I know how you treat Nobori. I have seen it... and we have spoken. He is so much like me in so many ways and you... you were willing to be that cruel to him..." Ingo knew that there was a strange and twisted set up of them taking out their desires on the demons who were more than happy to fulfil them. Of course Emmet's rough demeanor and aggressive behavior towards Nobori would reflect his feelings on Ingo.

Emmet's jaw clenched at Ingo's words. Did he think that he would treat a poor reflection - a poor replacement - for Ingo the same way he would treat the genuine article? That anger that he may show was far more directed at himself. He knew he was doing something terrible all this time, that his actions were only hurting Ingo, but the only hate Emmet held in his heart was for himself. But before he could try and form his thoughts into words, Ingo continued.

"And things have been... Terrible between us. Regardless of whether you deny hating me or not. I haven't had a full decent conversation with you in so long. Every time we're together, there is this tension that neither of us is eager to address. Since I am leaving, we can finally bring it out into the open. We have been engaging in sexual intimacy with demons. Demons who resemble the two of us. And... Whatever this has been, the fantasy is over. I am leaving and it is over and we never have to deal with this or each other again. I'm sure you will agree it's for the best."

"No! I do not agree!"

Unlike the aggressive tug from when Emmet first saw him in the process of packing, the embrace from behind was gentle, warm. Emmet wasn't trying to turn him to face him or anything. Just the warmth of Emmet's body against his back. Ingo's breath caught in his lungs and a sudden and surprising sob left him. This wasn't fair. Why did a single embrace crumble the resolve Ingo had to leave? His trembling hands rested on the modest pile of clothing in the suitcase while his sobs became more frequent and consistent. He could hear the quiet words from his brother's voice from behind his ear. Streams of "sorry, I am so sorry" barely audible over his loud pained breathing and tears.

For a few still moments, Emmet held Ingo in his arms, letting him cry it out, his heart clenching in his chest. This was all his fault. Ingo thought he hated him and he wanted to leave and he was crying and it was all His Fault. He needed to be honest. He needed Ingo to know why things have been this way, at least why he has been this way. If he still needed to leave then... Well, he wouldn't stop him.

As Ingo's breaths evened out, his shoulders still shaking slightly with each inhale, Emmet found his resolve to say the things he couldn't say for so long.

"You... Do not have to look at me, but please let me explain myself..." A nod and Emmet breathed deeply through his nose before speaking again. "I... Need to start with an apology. I have been acting terribly and have not spoken to you properly or tried to even let you in on my thoughts. You, of course, know that I was the first to give in to the demons-" Ingo flinched at the words. "- and that I was not exactly... Kind. To Nobori. You think that is because I hate you-" And now he heard a sharp intake of breath. "- but that could not be further from the truth. I took the fall to temptation as a punishment. And I took out my frustration and resentment on the demon. But this frustration and resentment was aimed at myself."

Emmet released his hold on Ingo and took a couple of steps back, gaze falling to the ground between them. Feeling as vast now as it always had, practically insurmountable. "I have been sinful since the beginning, since before the demons made their home in our church. It was not you, so I did not have to treat him gently, preciously. He was not the one I loved, but looked enough like you that I could still find myself falling to physical attraction."

Emmet heard the rustle of clothing and he knew that Ingo had turned sharply to look at him. He still didn't look up. This time, Ingo was the one gripping his shoulders. His eyes met his twins face and he could see the splotchy red on his face, his eyes wet and red and looking very much like someone who had just been crying his heart out. That had been his fault... his eyes fell back to the floor.

"Em... Emmet. Are you trying to tell me that you... Love me? Like, genuinely... Romantically? Even... Sexually?" Ingo's words were broken with uncertainty and uneven breaths. His grip tightened and he gently shook Emmet to make him look at him. His expression was a mix of hopeful and scared and sad and excited. Neutral to anyone who didn't know him, but to Emmet, every nuance was pronounced and obvious.

The answer was obvious. Emmet nodded slowly. "I have loved you and had these sinful thoughts since we first decided to dedicate our lives to the cloth. How could I tell you that my love for God could never surpass my love for you? You were excited and I wanted to stay by your side. Better we should be in a position where no one expects us to find partners and would not hound us to do so."

So Ingo's fear was partially true, that he had dragged Emmet into a life he wouldn't have chosen for himself had he had that choice. He followed so willingly, but was it worth it? "I'm sorry... You followed this life just for me despite knowing what it would mean."

"I could not know you felt the same, so I do not regret the path we chose. I got to stay with you and it was only us and it was wonderful, even if it could not be what I dreamed of." This felt like it was leading to something. Something that would make all of this pain worth it.

"I never meant to hurt you, only myself. I am sorry that I failed in that. Whatever way I can make it up to you, I will. But that means that you cannot leave. Please."

Ingo was silent as he processed. He was certainly canceling his leave now. He would apologise, but his work here clearly wasn't done. Finally he spoke, to assuage Emmet's anxious gaze.

"I don't want you to hurt either, Emmet. I don't want you to hate yourself and I don't want you to find some form of punishment with our own personal demons. This is something we can figure out together, but from now on, we have to be honest with each other. Can you promise that?"

"Yes! I can promise to be more honest!" He could not promise not to hate himself, but that was something they could work on. "And if I am being honest, I would like very much to kiss you now. It is something I have wanted for a very long time."

Ingo seemed to consider this for a moment, and though his eyes were bloodshot with tears and his face was ruddy from various levels of sorrow and affection, Emmet could have sworn that he had never looked so beautiful as he did when be uttered the words "Kiss me."

[windalchemist001]

It was early in the morning and the perfect of ramshackle and the feline known as grim arrived near the front of the mirror hall. Though said place was less of a hall and more of a room. But none the less everything was going well.

The two managing to meet up with the the ones who were originally going though the mirror. The perfect ingoing the taller male greated kailim with a a friendly tone , and thanked him for inviting them to his homeland. Again ingoring his advisor unless she had to address him in which case glares and cold and curt response were all he got.

The perfect would also roll her eyes and click her tounge at a point or two. Treating the advicer as nothing more than benth her. And had it not been for kailim and grim twisted her arm behind her back (metaphorical that is) she wouldn't have even bothered to come, since the perfect made it clear she would rather deal with anyone but the adviser.

Soon though the four were joined by Carter, and the perfect try not to again show discomfort and while she wonder if maybe she should try to get out of this again

Carter and grim interacted with one another while the perfect wasn't really paying attention at least till Carter's plus one made his appearance. And to those who had a decirning eye, could visible see the change in the perfect as the cold annoyance quickly faded from their expression and replaced with affection

"Hey Trey!" The perfect who had been a bit feather from everyone seemed to not only quickly waves the second she saw the male, but than quickly moved to get closer clearly giving full attention to the second vice on this trip.

Shifting slightly in her spot, she Kept glancing at him and than away, as a soft (almost unnoticeable behind bagie skin) blush cover her cheeks. "So you're coming along? Cause that's like super cool!"

The male that was getting the attention chuckled. "Yeah, when Carter invited me, I figured it would be an interesting experience, since I heard about several unique confection there, and I'll never pass up on the chance to seek out new inspiration for my unbrithday party desserts."

"Ah!" The girl was about to say something else to the male only for the advicer to cut the perfect off. Which only the darkest of glares to be shot his way as the conversation was between her and trey had been interpreted.

After a bit more talk from the guy and more dark glares at Jamil the group headed to the mirror chamber, where the headmaster was waiting, and he not so slyly slip in how he wanted a reward for allowing the wealthy kailim and his servant Jamil to return home for their cultural celebration.

Though once he was done asking for his reward. The headmaster decided to remark that the last of their group was waiting for them.

At first everyone had expected the third vice warden that would join their group was informed no, and their second guess was also incorrect for they had thought it to be the second year silver. But from the shadows of the mirror step out the prince of the fae and current head of Diasomnia: Malleus Draconia.

"Good morning!" The fae smiled at the group rather excited to be invited to something since he was left out a lot.

Though before anyone else could say anything the perfect practical shouted "Horton!!!" and ran past everyone once again. But unlike with trey where the feeling were shy and more reserved almost afraid to be pushed away.

With the fae it was diffeent as the perfect practical attempted to tackle the male. But that was mostly because in an attempt to run had them tripping over their own feet and falling forward.

Though that didn't bother either as the perfect was easily caught and malleus only laughed while moving to wrap his arms around the perfect. Who while clearly small looked even tinier when compared with malleus massive frame.

In fact while the two talking about things that only they both seemed to know about. With soft touches. Like the perfect lightly brushing her hand against his hand or arm, and malleus moving hair from the perfect's face or moving to lightly kiss the perfect's hand, which made her giggle and look away.

The both of them seeming to be speaking to one another as if they forgot about the rest of them. And while it might seem odd to most. the two had gotten to be rather close over the months that despite how odd or crazy it seemed to outsiders, to the perfect and prince, it seemed perfectly normal for them.

It would be noted how polar opposite they were. The heir apparent was over six feet, with pail almost porsalin skin. And eare green eyes that reminded you of a prediter ready to strike at any moment.

The perfect on the other hand was small and while most in the room would compare her to Heartslabyul housewarden, stating she was smaller than him. didn't perfectly describe her height, rather the perfect was only slightly taller than the robotic child that acts as idia's (the house warden of ignihyde) little brother. With a more warm binge color to her skin tone and dark brown eyes while not round, like a pray animal, would still remind you of one when they would widen in fear.

But despite this rather comical size difference and the overall friendly atmosphere the two seemed to have. After a moment the perfect seemed to recall that lila was meant to join them and asked if his vice warden was just running late. In which malleus mention he had gotten sick and that he would be joining the alone.

Which seemed to be the trigger that seemed to snap out Jamil (and sort of everyone else to a lesser extent) of what ever shock he had been under and decided to that it would be wise to protest that the most powerful mage in all of twisted wonderland could not go. This would pause the happy atmosphere and both figures who had been lost with each other would turn to glare at Jamil.

Jamil would try to point out that since Malleus was in fact royalty, that should something happy it could be devastating on an international level.

Malleus glared darkly before speaking "someone of your magical ability need not worry about me. I'm hardly fragile."

The perfected nodded in agreement to malleus's stament and gave a small response. "Yeah~!"

Jamil glance to the side stating he did see the fae's point, since he did agree that malleus was powerful. But still he tried to protest before being cut off by the fae again.

"Than what's your issue viper? Judging by the look on your face, you seem to think I'm a nuisance." Malleus kept glaring as the perfect beside him, deciding to make things worse for Jamil nodded.

"Yeah! Whats your problem? Horton really wants to come, I mean shit he was here before us! Obviously he woke up earlier than us so he can come, and it's sort of a dick thing to play take backs. And sure if you did it to me I would get it, but don't do it to him!" The perfect was glaring more.

And while the sounds or thunder were heard before it seemed thay the did quieted a bit while the perfect had been defending mallues. And it seemed even the headmaster wanted to dig Jamil a grave as the man mention the fae having waited for three hours.

Honestly that shocked everyone. And while the perfect lightly and playfully scolded malleus. Carter and kalim convinced Jamil to agree to taking mallues along.

And so with his arm twisted behind his back Jamil agreed to it. And grim who had been quiet for most of all this decided to say his peice already wanting to head out for all the food he can eat. And this begin the trip to a different land for what will hopefully be a fun time.

Entering the mirror they group would soon end up in the very sunny nation of scalding sands. Which shouldn't be surprised when the sound of an umbrella sounded and glancing to the perfect was doing her best to stay shielded from the sun. Despite not needing to worry about a sun burn to badly.

Though while at first cater spoke about wish he had thought to bring something or having an sun screen.

"Yeah. I should've worn a hat. Yeesh.." those words had only just left trey's mouth before he would find himself under some shade the perfect struggling to try and keep him shaded with her umbrella before giving up as she held it out to him.

"You can borrow it, I've got other ways to handle the heat, since I'm rather use to deal with it, since while not desert, my home was close enough to the equator that our summers were always hot while our winters were normal to hot that snow was once a generation thing." Trying to push the umbrella more to him.

"I'm fine, I wouldn't want to take something from you." Trey politely refused. But clearly those words effected the perfect who looked hurt.

So with a sigh trey wiped some sweat from his forehead and nodded. "But if you insist I guess I have no choice."

The perfect would smile brightly clearly truly happy to have helped the male not noticing that the prince behind her was unamused with how close she seemed to be with the vice warden from Heartslabyul.

At this point everyone listing to Jamil talk about the lands while the perfect put a white bandana on her head to help keep the sun's rays away from her head. While this was going on grim being him made his way closer to the canal, and it was only realized when try noticed him.

Which in turn had the perfect looking up to see the feline to close to the waterway. Whicj caused her to panic and ask grim to step away from the waterway.

Unfortunately for the perfect's heart grim who just gloating about find ended up slipping into he water way and not caring that she couldn't swim the perfect almost jump in after him had it not been for trey who grab her and pulled her close so she wouldn't do something out of panic. They might have had two to save.

As the perfect yelled for grim seeming to be hyper focused on the feline escpaslly when a boat was coming near the feline. Though as the fear grew worse it seemed the man in the boat didn't run over the cat, but rather lifted him from the water and return him to land.

In between sobs as trey let go of the perfect who scooped up grim and hug him close. She thanked the man, cuddling the cat closely

The man on the boat would scold the group about not keeping an eye on their pet. And grim would protest being called a pet, but the perfect would quickly smother him and thank the man before moving to try and dry grim, the panic was slowly starting to fade but was still there but once it was fully gone it would be annoyance and anger at grim for doing such a reckless thing.

Though as she took of her coat in an attempt to draw the feline Jamil offered a towel. Which for a moment the perfect had paused shooting the male a dark glare and quickly snatched the towel with a huff and soften looking at grim to dry him.

Carter frowned at how harsh the perfect was towards the male but than again he was the only one in the group that didn't know what happened over the winter brake since the perfect did in fact complain a lot about what happened to those she was close too. Though the guys she talked to kept that to themselves.

Once grim was dry to a point kailim always a braker of tension distracted everyone pointing out his house and than everyone was getting in the car or rather a limio which for most of the group was at awe to be in such a thing.

Thus everyone moved to get in and with a bit of luck and slight ploting, the perfect ended up between trey and malleus. Content to be next to both the perfect tened to grim with pets and head scratches as the guys talked among one another. Quietly listing to everything being said since she didn't need to comment on anything.

After the ride they all would get out and walk though the zoo/park/front yard of the al-asim estate. Grim made a few comments here and there and the guys continued to speak to each other, while the perfect was rather quiet still eyes with an almost far away look.

It would be kailim who would notice the perfect silence and ask if she was ok. Who would nod and smile saying she was fine, which wasn't actually true. But kailim knew that burying ones feeling was the best for most people, after all he did it all the time. Bad emotions nope locked away deep inside, nothing bad about that!

So while still a bit worried he decided to take the perfect for her words, so long as she doesn't suffer everything is fine.

For the perfect it was just one of those painful headaches she's only gotten here in this world, only when something seems to trigger something like a forbidden memory, and thus her head rejects the thought.

None the less just something to try and hide and pertented didn't happen after all the best thing to do in moments like these is lock it away, cause nothing bad will happen. Nothing at all.

Now despite the concerning thoughts of the two outwardly vocal and happy people they along with the others manged to make it to the fount of what kailim calls home.

The day seemed at this point seemed a simple affair with everyone getting outfits, well not grim or kailim anyway. And than after a bit of talking Jamil would lead the party around the city to look about and buy suverners. Again nothing seemed to wrong.

Though they did end up meeting Jamil's sister which the perfect spun a tail about being part of a trail run to determine if nrc could hand being co-ed or not, which was believed, but she also was ploting since she seemed to ask for more info along the way that the girl was with them.

So basically everyone was just hanging out though when they were at the stand to buy coconut water drinks. And while the perfect, had been rather reluctant had accepted the drink. Grim had decided to try and eat it by biting the out side of the fruit.

Which had the perfect worried about the feline and Jamil scolding said feline for doing so after all a coconut is meant to be broken with a tool as to get into the inside.

"Then we'll just get a clever from the stand" trey motion to said stand since they thankfully hadn't walked to far away.

"... allow me, clover." Malleus held out his hand for the fruit.

"What? Um, ok..." trey moved to pass over the coconut to the fae prince.

Meanwhile watching the exchange the perfect was trying to keep her inner pterodactyl inside as to not look like a crazy woman just because the two guys she loves are interacting.

"You just need to split it open, yes?" The prince seemed smug as he than used his hands to snap open the fruit.

"Oh!" The words slip out of the perfect was breathy in nature, as her eyes widen softly and it was clear the action was /very/ much appreciated.

"There" the fae actually looked rather smug like a peacock that was finished dancing, as he held out the peices of the snapped coconut to trey. The younger male moved to take it with some hesitant.

"Uh... thanks." Trey than took a bite from the flesh of the coconut his eyes closed as to increase his sense of taste, since he planned on getting the full experience of the ingredients.

After a moment trey begin discussing the taste in a more detail depth. Which honestly even if she didn't fully understand the perfect knew she could listin to trey's voice for ever (she also felt the same about malleus and was super giddy about them interacting with one another.

Though he mind was pulled from.her thoughts when both nijma (Jamil's sister) and grim (the trouble maker) begin trying to get malleus to snap their fruit as well and thougj malleus seemed ok with it the perfect apologized for the inconvenience they were causing. Making malleus laugh and informed her that he wasn't and wouldn't be for maters involving her.

Honestly those words made the perfect feel happy and a bit or rather a lot giddy as she had to move some hair out of her face suddenly feeling a bit warmer than before.

Though this wasn't the end of the trip, so once fruit had been broken apart it was off to the next thing on the list. Sighing the perfect hoped for the best, though mildly wonder if they left the boy alone for a few minutes, would everything stay ok or would it get messed up and she would end up feeling like the meme with the room on fire and the guy just holding the pizza box.

[unovanhunny]

I know you said you were interested in expanding on the frozen au more, so maybe something from that?

Unfortunately, this wasn't some fairytale where an apology would fix everything and everyone had a happily ever after. No matter how sincere or heartfelt the apology was, it didn't make up for the damage done. It didn't fix the damaged crops, it didn't fix the damaged trust of his people, and it didn't fix the damaged reputation that chased away some of their allies.

The consequences of a tantrum-fueled eternal winter were ones Ingo had to seriously deal with as King now. Him and his trusted advisors and international representatives, the ones who had stuck around despite the harm caused. It wasn't an easy problem to solve, nor was it cheap. They would have to take heavily from the royal coffers, as not a single person would be willing to deal with having to pay for the mistakes made by the crown. They would have to work with the allies they had left to import crops to replace the ruined ones, and soil, labor and tools to break through the permafrost and revitalize the top soil so the farmers could continue their livelihood. Even then, that did not rebuild the trust in the royal family. No matter how he insisted he had control of his powers now, that didn't inspire confidence and he would have to work hard to get the trust of his people back.

It was as he was mulling over this thought, standing idly in the hall, where the sweetest sound reached him and pulled him from his thoughts, even if he had to fight his own instinct to run away.

"Ingo? Are you busy?" He must have been too preoccupied to hear Emmet's footsteps since he was now only a few feet away. Emmet's nervous smile and hesitant voice revealed how unsure he was in how to approach Ingo. Reconnecting was still very new for the both of them.

"No, not at all!" Any moment he could spend now with his brother was a blessing. He had spent so long pushing him away, running away, pushing down his own feelings. Now speaking with Emmet felt like breathing after holding his breath for far too long. "Did you need me for something?"

"Well, if you were not doing anything, I was wondering if you would... Just like to spend some time with me! I understand if you have other things you need to take care of though."

The thinly veiled disappointment in that last sentence made Ingo's chest tighten. Poor Emmet was so used to him running away, he was already steeling himself to be let down. But there was nothing else in the whole world Ingo would rather do than spend time with Emmet. Truth be told, after earlier events had reached their breaking point and had been resolved, before having to face the real consequences, they had shared a kiss. A blissful release of all of Ingo's pent up anxiety, the feelings he had to keep under control for all those years. Emmet loved him as Ingo loved Emmet and nothing could be more cathartic than that kiss. But they had yet to address it. Ingo had to throw himself immediately into restoration efforts. And there was no better way to reaffirm their feelings than by getting a moment alone.

"I would love nothing better! And I can always make time for you." Emmet's excited smile made Ingo's heart skip a beat. His wonderful, beautiful brother. The distance closed between them in short order and he felt Emmet's hand in his. Ingo never expected a gentle hand squeeze to be the most affectionate gesture he'd ever encountered; a gesture that until recently he would have been terrified of. Even now there was a moment of apprehension, but no frost formed. "Would you like to go to the garden? There is a private spot I know where we can go to be alone."

Emmet brought Ingo's hand up to his lips to press a sweet kiss there and Ingo could feel his face burn. With a quiet laugh, Emmet spoke. "I would love to go to the garden with you. I do not remember the last time we ventured in together! Lead the way."

As the fluster settled into a warmth in his cheeks, Ingo began to lead the way into the garden, rambling about how lovely the spot was, with a fountain and surrounded by rose hedges and was perfectly placed to obscure the view of the fountain from afar. The implication was clear and the two shared a knowing look.

One kiss, while infinitely meaningful, could be dismissed. Two kisses, however, would solidify things.

And as they made it to the corner of the garden with the fountain, Ingo sat on the marble edge and waited for Emmet to join him. "Didn't I say this was the best corner of the garden?"

"I would have to agree." Sitting beside Ingo, hands still clasped, Emmet turned his face towards his brother.

They were both hesitant, awkward. Strangers in ways still, but undeniably drawn to each other, hearts beating in sync. "Ingo, you know, I have only ever been in love twice and both times it was you."

Ingo felt the heat in his face that had just calmed, flare up again and he could hear Emmet's quiet laugh. "And I have only ever loved you since the beginning."

There was a palpable tension. Not a bad one, but one that could only be broken in a specific way, and they both knew it. There was no more time for hesitation.

Hands held, the distance closed, the sweet warmth that came from their lips touching. Without a doubt, this was the best consequence Ingo had faced yet.