#yukioujo; angel.

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To this day, this one art of my son manifesting Fujin is probably my most favorite commission.

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Excited to share this absolutely wonderful art piece I commissioned from this great artist (who you should check out!) of my son and @yukioujo's Ayaka with my son's wind spirit getting infused with Ayaka's cryo element.

Headcanon about the wind spirit can be found here!

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You're (I'm) too proud to say that you (I) made a mistake. You're (I'm) a coward 'til the end.

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Literally the only two crumbs @yukioujo and I live off of our ship.

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@yukioujo​ said:

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing you.”

He attempts not to and yet his thoughts still go astray, he wonders how the traveler has introduced him to her. If he had known it was Ayaka who was accompanying the traveler in their most recent expedition of Sumeru then Tetsuya would have told Buer that he would take up any other task she wanted him to take for the day and not go with helping out the traveler with theirs, but of course this is just his luck. It isn’t that Ayaka is some sort of plague or that he’s scared of her, it is simply that he wasn’t counting on her to be here. He is unprepared, but there is little point in complaining about it since facing her is something he has in his list of things to face, things he would have tackled eventually once he found the wit to do so.

He is quite unsure of what he feels when it comes to her approach. She’s greeting him like he’s some sort of stranger and, technically, he is, he unintentionally made it so he was. Her greeting is a genuine one, one filled with manners and delightful courtesy, perhaps... even some excitement. An excitement he knows all too well that she harbors when it comes to new faces since people she can call her friends are so rare, the prospect of that being a possibility is something worth getting excited for her. He knows her a little too well and that’s a problem because as it stands now she does not know him at all. Would she really be greeting him like this if she remembered him? If she recalled? Would it be genuine? Would it be drowned in a sarcastic snark? A dismissive gaze? A mere nod of acknowledgement that he simply exists in her space due to their mutual connection with the traveler? He is personally familiar with the gentleness of her Spring, but he is also so very familiar with the frigidness of her Winter. That cryo vision she wields... is not just in mere ability and for show.

Would you really be looking forward to seeing me if you remembered me? Is the question he finds himself stuck on. 

He dwells.

He dwells.

And... he dwells.

(Why do I dwell?)

Irminsul... got him good, that’s for sure, and perhaps in the back of his mind he deserved it. Irminsul looked at him, took his most raw and heartfelt wish, and spat on it. How is that not so pathetically laughable...

He smiles at her and bows his head respectfully before straightening himself up once more.

“So have I.” And that is the truth. How long has it been? “I have heard many wonderful things about you, Kamisato Ayaka.” He’s not lying about that, many a wonderful things about her and her clan to which he almost indirectly ruined and her father who he indirectly took to his own deathbed. “My name is Tetsuya,” he introduces himself even if he wishes that the traveler wasn’t introducing him as some good friend, but at this point so many things haven’t gone his way and will probably continue not to, there is little point in him to bitch about them now. “It is a great pleasure to finally meet you.”

Would you really be looking forward to seeing me if you remembered me?  Is the question.

(... Probably not.) Is his honest answer.

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Oh, angel sent from up above...

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@yukioujo said:

❃ = dancing with them .

Fontaine is so... exhausting. At least that's the only clear conclusion Tetsuya can come up with as he stares at those in the dancing floor moving along to a waltz. Apparently there's some sort of performance, a huge event that's going to be taking place at the end of the upcoming week in which the hydro archon and a hefty number of VIPs from Fontaine and other nations will be present. Tch... nice to see that as far as how spoiled the nobles were back when is still pretty much the same today. One of those foreign VIPs happens to be right next to him, Ayaka and her brother were invited, having been sent a letter overseas in hopes that they would attend. That with the lockdown that was once in place in Inazuma being lifted apparently said invitation was accepted. At least that much is obvious with Ayaka being here, Ayato did not tag along though, at least for now. Chances are he will be here, these two tend to be a packaged deal after all. The traveler is here as well, though out and about in Fontaine, something about having to get more information on their sibling, those details were neither here nor there for Tetsuya. They do plan on returning eventually.

His gaze shifts towards Ayaka who is by his side, not in her usual garbs either in fact its some sort of traveling outfit she specifically picked out for this nation. If anything, the hat she's got on gives that away. She is all smiles and starlight in those winter-glazed eyes of hers watching the people move about on the dance floor upon the dance choreographer's instruction. Though she is a beauty to behold it is not that what has him staring beyond what perhaps would be appropriate. It is those eyes of hers, how so lit up they seem to be and what she's seeing. He recalls a young heiress who dreamed about what was beyond her sea, what was beyond her island of a home. The books she'd read, filled with adventure, filled with what lied beyond, heh... even some with romance if only slightly. How her heart was sore for what her home would deny her, what her status bound her to. Tetsuya also recalls a boy so terribly misguided who would speak to her about the wonders of what was beyond the sea with a thin veil of deception, how the world beyond Inazuma was beyond that she would ever come to imagine, how they would both see it one day together. Her eyes lit up the same way they are now, but there was also love in them, love that isn't there anymore, it is missing because that love was just for him.

(Why am I even thinking about this?) He chastises himself, putting his own fair judgment into question. He knows why truly, it's because she's always wanted to come down here and the fact that he's here witnessing it now it is... stirring something in him, and he does not like it.

"No, no, no, you're all doing it wrong!" The sudden outburst of the one in charge of making sure the waltz goes well breaks Tetsuya out of his thoughts, almost like popping a thought bubble from the top of his head, his attention going towards the man who's seemingly losing his patience with those who are dancing. "You all look too robotic, it is meant to flow!" The man criticizes with a flary wave of his hand as if that needed to be added for extra emphasis and effect. The gesture makes Tetsuya cross his arms over his chest and raise an annoyed eyebrow at him. Are the theatrics really necessary? He's the one to judge about theatrics honestly...

"You two!" The Fontainian man snaps his fingers to get both his and Ayaka's attention. "Come, come, perhaps what I need is fresh meat on these floors."

"I don't think so," Tetsuya snaps back, not appreciating the way he's being addressed. He didn't come here to dance and it seems like Ayaka is just as surprised by the idea.

"I didn't ask what you thought, young man, I said to come over here." The man repeats annoyingly, pacing over to both Ayaka and Tetsuya. "There is no such thing as coming into my studio and not dancing, first of all. And, secondly, you two have been standing there like statues simply staring away so I am left to assume you caught a step or two surely!" He rationalizes, gently shoving them both towards the dance floor.

"H-Hey!" The wanderer protests.

"Now dear, you stand right here," he instructs Ayaka, having her stand before Tetsuya. "And you, young man, right here," he drags the wanderer slightly forward and adjusts their form, having Ayaka rest her hand on one of his shoulders, his on her back, whilst their free hands are no longer free and are instead clasped together. "Perfect!" He praises, "perfect form, bravo!" He claps excitedly with a smile, narrowing his eyes at Tetsuya who's glaring at him. "Young man, eyes forward, you are meant to be looking at your dancing partner, not sending me silent death threats with your gaze, hmph!" So he claims, pacing away and shooing everybody off the floor, leaving it for the two of them. "Now, from the top shall we?" He asks, but it's definitely not up to them at this point.

Tetsuya sighs and shakes his head, turning his head so that he's facing Ayaka instead. "Was this a set up of yours?" He questions if only to lightly tease and chuck a bit at the ice, the gentle tune of the waltz beginning, signaling them to start moving. Truth be told, Tetsuya was paying some attention to the dancing, entertained by it enough to where his attention remained on it long enough, so when he leads and begins to move he does so with confidence, keeping in mind that the annoying man that's watching them had a huge problem with the others looking far too rigid while moving. "Try to relax now," he encourages her, having her follow his steps. "Just like-" he's about to give an example, but he bites back his tongue, hesitating. He was about to say like back then, back when she used to dance to the sound and tunes of the ballads of his shamisen. "... A crane," he says instead, picking off where he paused but for a moment, "just like a white crane."

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Tag fix + new main tag.

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Pide lo que sea y se te va a dar Sí, sí, se te va a dar

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@yukioujo - caress cheek ~

"H... Hey," he just about almost flinches away from her unexpected caress. "What's wrong?" It isn't that her touch will harm him, it's the implication of why she does it that's making him slightly anxious.

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@yukioujo said:

a joyous day indeed , why , it warms the young lady's heart to see adoration in all shapes and forms celebrated , and though she knew naught a great love herself outside of family , friendliness , and fond regard , she wished to participate as well , even if it is something as miniscule as the making of snacks . passing it around towards the traveler and her other allies , one in particular nearly escapes her heedful gaze — but she sees him in the corner of her eye …

the ever elusive wanderer .

❝ ah ! tetsuya-san ! one moment , please ! ❞

he drifts from the festivities instinctively , as if any close proximity might sear flesh and burn skin . he always seems to be do that , and always around her , as if a single word or gesture might cause the shirasagi himegimi harm in some fashion . it is strange to be treated so delicately by one who scarcely knows her outside of her station … yet she cannot help but feel he is being almost kind , in his own way .

gently , she smiles . ❝ today is a special day , so i made snacks for everyone — and that includes you . i heard you aren't inclined to sweets , so i brewed tea as an alternative . won't you try some ? ❞

she does not know why her eyes linger where his path treads . perhaps it is kindness , perhaps it is pity . perhaps it is something else . regardless , even if it is only for one moment longer …

… she hopes he will stay .

He's been reading books of yore.

Their mortal legends and silly myths.

Vennessa and her fearless feats.

Kasala and his deeds.

The blue oni and red oni's bond.

And the yakshas with their relentless fight.

Yet still Tetsuya fails to see why they glorify that in history they'll exist.

Reading to waste some time has been something he just recently picked up on a whim and though fiction has its ups, he finds himself leaning more towards books that claim to record a piece of the history of Teyvat. He can only assume it is an unintentional influence from Kusanali's part, always seeming like a spring of knowledge and she always seems to be happy to learn something new. Will he say that though? No of course not and in fact at this moment he might be looking more out of place, reading away at a book whilst everybody enjoys the festivities of what today entails around him. It isn't that he does not know, he simply wishes not to participate and has no reason to acknowledge it. It's a silly thing anyway and this place is progressively getting louder and it's making him put a lot more effort in focusing rather than indulge in the literature before him. He sighs, snapping the book close as he gets to his feet with the intention to leave, find an area far more quiet for himself and besides that would be what he would prefer anyway. He puts the book away in his kimono and paces onward until a voice he recognizes instantly calls out to him, requesting that he wait.

He did take notice of her earlier, she was handing out snacks and gifts, no doubt homemade snacks. It was a sight for him, he recalls times lost now when she would give to do such things for her friends since back then seldom did she have any, for the longest time it seemed like it was just him... but now it isn't. "No need for such formalities. Tetsuya is fine." He chastises lightly, turning around to regard her properly. He takes no such offense, but it is an oddity to him to have that suffix added to his name... it is unsettling so because she used to do that a lot back when they just so recently got acquainted. "What is it that you need?" He prompts her to continue, resting his hands on his hips. His brows rise slightly at the fact that she seems to have even made him something for today. Seldom the times they actually get to interact, mainly because of Tetsuya avoiding her and keeping his distance. It isn't that he hates her, it is simply that he is still attempting to figure out how to tell her everything, everything she deserves to know. He has a hard time looking at her in the face when he's yet to figure out how to address that, it is of great importance... or at least he believes it to be so. It weighs heavy on his chest and he needs it off. He stares at her for a moment, apparently having even taken his inclinations into consideration, seeing the tea she has brewed herself. "... You didn't have to." He says, feeling slightly out of place all of a sudden even if from the beginning he's been out of place from the start.

He sighs, suddenly feeling a need to make sure his hat is on properly. It isn't really that, he's simply trying to find a way to hide. "Thanks," he expresses finally, reaching for the tea and taking it. By the aroma alone he can tell already that he's going to enjoy the drink without a doubt. "It's very thoughtful of you." He nods at her, taking an indulgent sniff of the brewed tea. Seems like her tea brewing got better... he wonders if her cooking has gotten better as well. "It smells nice." Not that he didn't have plans to already, but now he has an entire month to consider what to get her for White day.

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Tag check.

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@yukioujo​ said: 

❝ I have come to protect my investment, thank you very much. ❞

“Oi bastard, you’ve got a visitor.”

“From ex-harbinger trash to bastard? My, my, you must have taken quite a liking to me to have come up with so many nicknames for me,” the wanderer chuckles, “I’m touched, dear.” 

The guard glares daggers at the bound ex-harbinger from outside his cell. “Don’t call me dear, you damn weirdo.” The high ranked Shogunate soldier-guard disses in return.

Kunikuzushi only smiles in return, watching the guard dismiss himself, he assumes to go fetch his surprise visitor. He’s fairly useless as he is, life came at him fast he could say. He’s bound entirely, rope meant to seal off elemental energy wrapped tightly around his upper body, hands shackled behind him as he sits in his dark cell, in the dirty floor. Picking on the guards and giving them a hard time is honestly his favorite pass time... the only pass time he’s ever given ever since he’s turned himself in in an act of good faith. Naturally the moment Inazuma, his homeland, got hold of him he was incarcerated and charged with many things, too many to count truly. Truth be told in his sentencing he only half-listened through the entire thing, he was pleasantly surprised that he got no sort of death sentence but he supposes getting rid of someone deemed immortal isn’t an easy task. He always assumed it was because they didn’t know how to kill him, he didn’t look too much into it. He’s all too aware of the harm he caused on his homeland. If it was in his best interest to do it again would he? Of course, undoubtedly so. But, at this time, he’s going through certain stages he has to come to terms with.

He was put in the lowest cell in their jail, deep underground, tightly shut, restraint, security every corner outside of his little isolated room. He was offered food, one meal a day. The most blandest of meals and honestly it isn’t something he needs to have to survive either. The wanderer could go years without eating and he’d still live, be as strong as he always is when he’s not sealed shut, he needs no sustenance like the mortals do. He only eats because he wants, because the option to do is there. He eats just to eat, for his enjoyment. He humored the meal once or twice here, but when it was the same thing over and over and over again he simply allowed the rats and headless cockroaches keeping him company in his cell to eat it for him. Besides the flavor’s too bland, too boring, just like the guards taking turns keeping watch of him outside. This little isolated room he’s in is also apparently really cold, he’s taken notice because the guards switching shifts would wear some sort of winter-coat. Kunikuzushi is also unaffected by things such as temperature. He can not feel cold, he can not feel warmth. He can see that it’ll snow and he can walk through it with his sleeveless tight undershirt. He’ll see that the rays of the sun are blazing down on earth and the coldest of ice will melt under its might and yet still he will be caught wearing a coat if he so felt like it. Without growing thirsty, breaking a sweat, a chill, or shiver, it is all the same. Stale and boring. It’ll remain the same, just like every single day that drags inside this cursed cell.

So, imagine his peaked interest when he’s told he’s got a surprise visit. He gets no visitors, he hasn’t since he’s gotten locked in here months ago. He doesn’t keep track of time either since time doesn’t apply to him. He will always have enough time, it is infinite.

He straightens his sitting position, pushing himself off the hard brick wall behind him so that he sits up straight, legs crossed over each other as if he’s in the middle of meditating. He hears footsteps approaching and what a bigger surprise to him it is to see just who this surprise visitor is. His surprise evident in his eyes as they widen a fraction and then his brows furrow in confusion, his mouth slightly agape like the words got caught in his throat, unable to get them out nor be given the chance to see the light of day. 

Ayaka? He’s rather perplexed. What is she... “What-?” He’s about to ask, but she seems to be slightly amused by his deer in headlights stay and so she speaks. Her words initially go over his head, he misses her point and it has plenty to do with the fact that it has been... so long since he’s last seen her beautiful angelic face. It’s like she hasn’t aged a day. She is the Spring hidden amidst Winter’s cloak, sun-kissed skin and a beating gentle heart that he’s always taken a comfort on. How is that like... that heart of hers. Gentle, firm, strong in its resolve, how it manages to encompass such a woman. A woman once upon a time he was blessed to embrace, to kiss, to make love to, before they’ve made their choices, namely more so him than her, but that’s neither here nor there now in this cell. He’s never going to say this out loud obviously. Those days are bygone days, they are past them now and still he wonders how they always manage to cross paths anew.

“...” He swallows his words so he can break his fast. His brain stitches her words into place where he failed to do it the first time. “... Are you the reason they haven’t killed me yet?” He asks, realization hitting him at last as his surprise and shock whisks by. Investment, she calls him... does that mean she has plans for him in this land? “Why?” He wonders, he’d like to know why. After all he’s done to so many people, to Inazuma, and... to her and her family. Why?

prompt.

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@yukioujo​ said:

“ don’t be what they made you… “

“What they made me?” He questions as if he needs clarification, pressing the blade of the dagger with much more intention against the pulse of her neck and tightening the hold he has on her wrists, pinned on top of her head, when he feels her struggle. “Bad, my darling angel,” he says in a sickening sweet and soft tone, “don’t move, I’d hate to draw blood from you.” He’s being sincere and honest with her, he really would detest to see such beauty go to waste so soon. His beautiful season of winter under the spring’s glow. “Relax,” he encourages softly making the blade of his dagger nick some of the flesh to where it’ll only scratch but not draw blood. He waits patiently to see that small little patch of flesh shift into an irritated pink and crimson shade. “Good girl.”

A little memory of him, it brings a smile to his face. A gift from him to her. She should feel moved. 

“I’m not here to kill you, just to warn you, so relax.” He encourages, seeing as her choice of words were only said with the intention to throw his balance off. “They made nothing of me,” he answers her statement nevertheless, finding it no loss if he does so. “You’ve made your choice, love. Don’t be mad only because things didn’t work out your way.” He’s being spiteful, but what was she expecting after that stunt she pulled that while ago. Betraying him how she did...

“Anyway,” he says as if bored, letting up a bit on the threat of the blade against her pulse, but still holding it against her neck, “to my warning. Don’t think about paying Yashiori island a visit any time soon, alright? It won’t be safe.”

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@yukioujo​ said: “please just go.”

The culmination of this chapter wasn’t smooth, it wasn’t graceful, or always going according to plan, but it got done and oh how satisfying it is to see that damn statue start to crumble and fall apart, even if he can’t precisely focus his vision, the image of those eyes sealing shut one by one and its foundation crumbling a blur, but oh how he can envision it perfectly. The earth quakes along with its ungraceful downfall, the roaring of a power far more malicious than his own overwhelming the senses of any living being that was near it. In the end it wasn’t Scaramouche who faced Baal, but the traveler while the traveler entrusted Ayaka and the harbinger in destroying the statue. A peculiar turn of events surely that in the end, though he did most of the planning, his role was more supportive. The mere fact that he cooperated was surely mind-blowing to some, but the lesser of two evils and the Tsartitsa’s orders are absolute in the end so whatever means to meet those ends.  That damn statue had a life of its own, but he and Ayaka managed to pull through... not unscathed of course.

The harbinger removes his delusion, his breathing labored by the exhaustion overwhelming his bones after this merciless encounter. He struggles to get on one knee, not even attempting to get on his feet, at least not yet. The very foundation of this place is falling apart, crumbling from above and all the way to the bottom. It’s going to sink in on itself and it’ll take whatever’s near it along with it to the depths.

“... Rot in hell,” he damns the statue, he’ll see it down there at some later time but right now is not his time. Even in such a state the win is still theirs-... theirs? That’s right! His eyes scan his surroundings, forcing himself to get to his feet. “Ayaka!” He calls out, tripping over a foot, one far more damaged than the other. The power the statue exudes only intensifies by the second, almost indicating that it’ll blow up at any minute. They need to get out of here! Limping a couple of steps forward does Ayaka come into view. His eyes are burning, but he forces his sight to focus and when it does he spots her. In a silent rush of panic he rushes to her, especially when the quaking worsens that even he’s having issues standing on his own two feet. “Come, we need to leave now! This place is going to sink in.” Kneeling before her he notices a part of a fallen pillar had fallen over her legs, she’s not agonizing in any manner to indicate that she’s lost them, but is instead struggling to get herself out of it. Without wasting precious and sensitive time he rushes over to what has her stuck and attempts to lift some of it to where she can slide her legs from under it. “Be... q-quiet. Don’t... tell me what to do.” He shoots down what sounds like a plea of hers. Truthfully he could just leave, he could leave her here to die, and let Inazuma mourn for its fallen angel, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t have the energy to argue with himself or to ponder on the why he’s so adamant on getting her out, that she will come out of this alive with him—he simply settles with accepting that’s what he wants and that’s good enough for now. 

Move damn it, move! Whatever strength his delusion didn’t suck out of him when he used it last is used for this haul. When he feels it rise along with the demand of his grip he relays his order, “there, move!” When she does he lets it go, falling back as he does so given how much strain he went through to get it to move enough to where she could get herself out of it. The cries of the soil cracking at its center makes the harbinger drag himself back to his feet. “Come on,” with her permission or not he doesn’t care, they need to leave. He loops her arm around the back of his neck, anchoring her to his weight while stabling her with an arm firm around her form. “This is no place to die.” Perhaps for him it’s fitting, violent and loud, chaotic and destructive, but not for her and with him, well... if he’s going to die someday it’ll be on his own terms, not at the whim of others.

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@yukioujo​ said: ❝ i did what i had to. for you. ❞

“How noble of you. Does it make you feel better to see it that way?” He asks, pacing over to her with his hands on his back. There’s a tone of sincerity in his voice that even he didn’t expect. Perhaps he’s bored... tired. “I don’t need you or anybody to do anything for me.” He lets her know, because it’s the truth. He will live and continue to live a long life, unchanging, unaffected by anything, this body will continue to remain as it is, divine and holy; he will stay in place, stuck in a pocket of space and time specifically reserved for him while everything around him continues to change and fade. “I will continue to do what I want and what I need because I’m able to... forever.” He shrugs his shoulders and ceases his approach once he’s standing before her. With how in shambles the commission is currently it isn’t as easy for him to come and see her, or get her to be on her own to spare her a word or two. He’s actually pleasantly surprised to see that she’ll even allow them to be alone, especially after the situation with the vision hunt decree and its much awaited abolishment, because before her stands its maker. “You, like the rest, are temporary. Fleeting. You will age and I’ll remain the same.” For what her archon chased so desperately is what he’s made of, he is the closest to heaven. He is forged of the desires of many different things, wishes that will last an eternity. Manufactured and tinkered with to meet the demands of those who he allowed to lay their hands on him. Like him to take advantage of their delusional wants for his own gain. Since they take him as such a puppet, he simply makes an example of what a puppet is through them.

“You will age and still you’ll see me as I am right now.” He reaches for her face to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. Her angelic-like face will wrinkle, her bones will weaken, her strength will deplete to a point where she would have to become dependent on something or someone else to sustain her, and he’ll remain unchanging as he has for so long now. He is the last individual in this earth anybody should be attempting to make favors for because time he has plenty of. She, like the rest of the humans, has a life expectancy of no more than a hundred years, she will live only for a while, and in their nature to keep their race afloat they reproduce given how short of a life span they have... or at least that’s why he thinks they do it. Why they do things for others, because they’re always running out of time and opportunities for themselves are one in a million. Such a sad existence he can not comprehend and yet still they smile and laugh, Kunikuzushi doesn’t understand. They were going to die anyway, he remembers saying those words to the traveler and he wasn’t being mean or harsh, it was just the truth, but implementing those words here with her before him... it stings. Something in his chest stirs unpleasantly when he tells himself that she too will die and he’ll be left here as he always is, again. He retracts his hand, shoving it behind his back again refusing to fall into a pit of his own design. 

He’ll always remember the feelings, whether he’ll face them or not. 

“I don’t need favors from anybody.” As life continues to go on, as time continues with its course, he will not budge, he will never be moved. Eternally stubborn and in place. How beautiful is eternity, isn’t it?