Prompt 170 - Abuse - "Time"
Title: Time
Author: 47thlight
Series: Brotherhood
Word Count: 720
Rating: PG-13 (for blood)
Character(s): Ling Yao & Ran Fan
Summary: The time they spend together is worth every second, even if it's excruciating
Warnings: Spoilers for Episodes 22 & 23, but then again, everyone kinda already knows... XD
Notes: Totally and completely inspired by this song ("Beside you" by Marianas Trench)
Time
It was never considered punishment to serve him, and he didn’t see it as a burden to have her as his adjutant. They were friends first - distant clansmen, but one in the same. They were given time to forge a friendship, discover their strengths, and then sharpen their skills. Harmless humor in the home accompanied by strict seasoning in the sands, they were intended to be inseparable from the beginning.
Years spent as children, they played together and learned together, finding boundless joy with each other in their youth. New experiences were but the first steps on their separate paths, though both would remain at one another’s side throughout their lives. It was his responsibility and her duty, yet it would always be a regalement to look back on with gratitude.
Months spent in training, he in swordplay against her, and then her specialty in distance. They tested each other as well as provoked many a challenge to up their creativity levels. Every session they developed new tactics to try and outsmart each other, and when those were mastered, they moved on to forming plans to suit both of them in the situations their very preparations were meant for - to be of help to one another.
Weeks were spent crossing the great expanse from their empire to the strange alchemic power in the west. But their travels were far from quiet, tales of when they were children sprouting as her grandfather would chide them for their irresponsibility growing up. They shared an equal measure of pride in their roots, and as they looked to their future, they knew they would be the column that held the other up should he fall.
Days were spent trying to find out the secrets of immortality - his kingdom’s very balance hanging on this quest for the impossible. Over and over they attempted to draw out information from anyone they could, but were thwarted each time by either a question avoided or an unexplained (and uncanny) interruption. Soon, they would have their answers and thus the solution to their own country’s necessity.
Hours were spent fending off the pain long enough to stay quiet as they each escaped their predator, hoping to snatch another source instead and gain their victory. But he regretted leaving her the moment he turned the opposite direction, hearing her reassure him that she would survive her wounds and would see him when he returned with his prize. She would wait for his return, whether it be glorious or not.
Minutes were spent biting into the damp cloth as unfamiliar tools gouged out her badly torn flesh, harrowing, though muffled screams filling the abandoned house as the torture went on. She wanted to be rid of her own tongue just to distract herself, but the gag prevented her from such a drastic action, and all she could do was cry out as if being wounded all over again.
Seconds were spent opening up the very pit of her soul when the deepest incision came, striking out a yell that made him tighten his knees to his chest, shuddering with fear trying to comprehend the agony she was in. And it was for him - to aid in his escape and eventually claim what they had sought after all this time. He wanted to hate himself for such a terrible action that was taken because he was too weak to make the call, but she wouldn’t allow him the barest chance to feel such remorse. So long as he was alive and accepting the necessary sacrifices, her suffering was worth the price she willingly paid.
Moments were spent together when the dead quiet hit them, trembling arms holding her unbalanced body against his. He wanted to speak, but words couldn’t form. She wanted to cry, but her tears were used. So they sat there in silence, comforted by the other’s presence regardless of the circumstances. His grip on her couldn’t get any tighter as he wept for both of them, trying with all of his determination to sum up the courage to carry on in her wake.
One day she would return to the battlefield to be his best and most capable. She was every time.
I’m just trying to keep it together, because I could do worse and you could do better
Author: 47thlight
Series: Brotherhood
Word Count: 720
Rating: PG-13 (for blood)
Character(s): Ling Yao & Ran Fan
Summary: The time they spend together is worth every second, even if it's excruciating
Warnings: Spoilers for Episodes 22 & 23, but then again, everyone kinda already knows... XD
Notes: Totally and completely inspired by this song ("Beside you" by Marianas Trench)
Time
It was never considered punishment to serve him, and he didn’t see it as a burden to have her as his adjutant. They were friends first - distant clansmen, but one in the same. They were given time to forge a friendship, discover their strengths, and then sharpen their skills. Harmless humor in the home accompanied by strict seasoning in the sands, they were intended to be inseparable from the beginning.
Years spent as children, they played together and learned together, finding boundless joy with each other in their youth. New experiences were but the first steps on their separate paths, though both would remain at one another’s side throughout their lives. It was his responsibility and her duty, yet it would always be a regalement to look back on with gratitude.
Months spent in training, he in swordplay against her, and then her specialty in distance. They tested each other as well as provoked many a challenge to up their creativity levels. Every session they developed new tactics to try and outsmart each other, and when those were mastered, they moved on to forming plans to suit both of them in the situations their very preparations were meant for - to be of help to one another.
Weeks were spent crossing the great expanse from their empire to the strange alchemic power in the west. But their travels were far from quiet, tales of when they were children sprouting as her grandfather would chide them for their irresponsibility growing up. They shared an equal measure of pride in their roots, and as they looked to their future, they knew they would be the column that held the other up should he fall.
Days were spent trying to find out the secrets of immortality - his kingdom’s very balance hanging on this quest for the impossible. Over and over they attempted to draw out information from anyone they could, but were thwarted each time by either a question avoided or an unexplained (and uncanny) interruption. Soon, they would have their answers and thus the solution to their own country’s necessity.
Hours were spent fending off the pain long enough to stay quiet as they each escaped their predator, hoping to snatch another source instead and gain their victory. But he regretted leaving her the moment he turned the opposite direction, hearing her reassure him that she would survive her wounds and would see him when he returned with his prize. She would wait for his return, whether it be glorious or not.
Minutes were spent biting into the damp cloth as unfamiliar tools gouged out her badly torn flesh, harrowing, though muffled screams filling the abandoned house as the torture went on. She wanted to be rid of her own tongue just to distract herself, but the gag prevented her from such a drastic action, and all she could do was cry out as if being wounded all over again.
Seconds were spent opening up the very pit of her soul when the deepest incision came, striking out a yell that made him tighten his knees to his chest, shuddering with fear trying to comprehend the agony she was in. And it was for him - to aid in his escape and eventually claim what they had sought after all this time. He wanted to hate himself for such a terrible action that was taken because he was too weak to make the call, but she wouldn’t allow him the barest chance to feel such remorse. So long as he was alive and accepting the necessary sacrifices, her suffering was worth the price she willingly paid.
Moments were spent together when the dead quiet hit them, trembling arms holding her unbalanced body against his. He wanted to speak, but words couldn’t form. She wanted to cry, but her tears were used. So they sat there in silence, comforted by the other’s presence regardless of the circumstances. His grip on her couldn’t get any tighter as he wept for both of them, trying with all of his determination to sum up the courage to carry on in her wake.
One day she would return to the battlefield to be his best and most capable. She was every time.
I’m just trying to keep it together, because I could do worse and you could do better