(no subject)
To: All members of the community,
Hello! I am a new member, and it was mentioned in the community profile that it would be good to post an introduction post. So this would be it. My name is…*glances to the side and points* - that, and I don’t really have a favourite pairing in ToA; in fact, anything goes for me. Don’t even have a favourite character because they are all equally lovable.
And um…I write fanfics, so…for my first posting, I have an offering. XD It’s nothing too well done, and it’s written for rizuka:
Title: Viva la Vida
Author: sinamour
Rating: OT?
Characters: Um, the usual gang, Peony, Florian, and one nameless OC
Pairing: Luke/Tear
Genre: Romance/Comfort
Spoilers: None, I should think
Summary: I live my life for two persons now.
It’s not a grave. It’s a memorial. He’s alive. He’s me.
When Luke came back to them nearly half a year ago, it was at the Tataroo Valley, and it was a time of gladness and relief for all who knew him. Sure, some had toned it down; masked the joy, even - Jade had said, Oh please, he did promise that he’ll come back, didn’t he?, but he still secretly wiped a tear or two when he thought no one was looking - but hearts were considerably lighter and the world suddenly seemed a lot brighter than before.
Amidst the selenia flowers, the night wind, and the flurry of arms and tears that greeted him, Luke had smiled a quiet smile and shone as the nocturnal flowers had. It was acceptance and confidence, relief and regret, serenity and sorrow; it was Luke and Asch - all embodied in a curl and a lilt of his curving lips.
The return of the Light of the Sacred Flame was everything the moonlit night was, and they all knew it.
-
“Erm, Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“I think you may want to stop now before His Majesty finds out that you’re overfeeding little Jade?”
Luke took a moment to blink and stare down at the task at hand before he looked back up to reply his childhood friend.
“...I think you might want to stop calling it little Jade before Jade hears you.”
Guy gawped for a moment, and then looked away resignedly.
“...not my fault His Majesty named it little Jade.”
“...I think that’s His Majesty’s privilege, not ours.”
“...Ooookay. But that’s beside the point! Luke, that’s the fourth time you’re feeding that rappig already.”
Luke shrugged matter-of-factly, digging a little more into the bag of food that he carried, much to little Jade’s pleasure who snorted contentedly.
“They get hungry easily?”
Guy gave him a bland look and crossed his arms across his chest, looking a mixture of annoyed, exasperated and bemused.
“Really? Right after breakfast and before lunch?”
“People have brunch, don’t they?”
“...Luke. People don’t have four brunches before lunch.”
“...Jade’s a rappig, not a person.”
“But you just - gah!” Guy threw his arms into the air in defeat, not sure what he found to be more ridiculous - the fact that Luke kept bringing up such a stupid line of argument, or the fact that he was actually involving himself in said stupid argument.
From his crouch at the ground, the redhead chuckled and gave an affectionate rub to the rappig’s head before standing up. Tying up the sack of rappig food, he walked to a nearby stone bench and sat down, inclining his head to urge his friend to join him when Guy remained severely indignant.
“Oh, come on. Don’t be like that,” Luke cajoled easily, jiggling the pouch a little. Guy huffed, and then consented, lowering himself beside his friend, “You’re just lucky I like you, or else you’d get it.”
To which Luke answered with a quiet scoff and a smile.
“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”
Guy grinned and reached over to give Luke an awkward noogie.
“Come on, let’s go get ready. The fest is about to begin anyway. Tear is probably looking for you too, and it’d suck to be late,” Guy humphed, getting to his feet and walking over to pick the royal rappig up.
A wisp of wind-breath snorted, and Luke nodded complacently, following his friend towards the castle.
“Indeed, it’d suck to be late. It’s a celebration after all.”
-
It was because of New Year that the fest was held, and in the Malkuth Empire, New Years were celebrated in street fests. Drinks flowed without stop; food was supplied in abundance; and entertainment - what would a fest be without entertainment?
Everywhere one turned, there were colourfully-attired musicians, bell-attached dancers, fire-breathing performers, games and trinket-selling stalls. People were constantly being tugged into bizarre and unexpected bonfire gatherings or dances or promotional talks, and it felt like the entire nation had spilt out into the streets with songs and chanting and greetings and merriments.
“This. This is the reason why I’d much prefer to be out here than in there,” declared Peony the IX, emperor of the Malkuth Empire, now disguised in faded commoner attire. He threw his arms up into the air before throwing them around Jade in an affectionate hug.
“And I’m glad the lot of you are here this year too! What’s the whole point of sneaking out if I’m alone. I just find it a little sad that little Jade has to be cooped up back there,” he jumped a little, tugging the taller Jade into a slight bow to accommodate his height. Guy and Luke sniggered from the side, but the flash that glinted from Jade’s glasses quickly melting them into whispering puddles (“How the hell can his glasses glint like that?! It’s not even bright enough here!” “How the hell do I know?!”).
“I’m glad too! I like this place. A lot!” quipped Florian very abruptly, eyes large with amazement as he peered at everything taking place around him. The excitement of the entire fest was reflected in the enthusiastic glitter in his forest green eyes. Anise had to keep an arm around him to make sure that he was not lost or left behind in his tendency to stop and stare at almost everything.
The world was still very new to him even after all this time, and everything - everything! - was a novelty.
They all found it very endearing.
“Do you want to go and try that game then?” Natalia smiled, pretty and soft in the glow of the night. She was still the strong-headed, eager-to-get-going girl that she used to be, but being the ambassador of the kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear had infused her with a certain level-headed quality that gave her the ability to remain calm and to see things from all facets possible.
Florian smiled shyly, still a little bashful around the ladies, but looked at Anise hopefully for permission. Anise looked doubtful for a moment, and all of them - except Florian - knew that it was just for show.
“I...dunno. It looks kinda dan - ”
“Well, I think that Florian should go ahead,” Tear chimed in kindly, which made the girl frown.
“Hey, I’m the Guardian - ”
“And I’m the ahem,” coughed Peony suddenly, already at Florian’s side and tugging at the delighted boy, “so when I say he plays, he plays. Get it, guardian?”
Anise pouted.
“Oh, and you too, Jade,” Peony conveniently plucked Colonel away from his quiet corner of the group without even a decent how-do-you-do, and ran off, totting the impassive Colonel under one arm and the eager Fon Master under the other arm.
Of course, Anise gave chase with a deafening war-cry, and Natalia went off after them to watch.
“Some things never change, do they?” Guy sighed, amused when Luke and Tear looked at each other and blushed, “And of course, others do.”
“Shut up,” Luke muttered quietly, although he shifted noticeably closer to the Yulia City representative.
But that was exactly when a big, alcohol-and-sweat-reeking body suddenly shoved itself between them, slinging beefy arm around Tear and throwing Luke right into Guy, the both of them stumbling to catch themselves.
“Huu...pretty,” he boozed even as he spoke, eyes blearily peering into Tear’s disgusted face, and it was instantly clear what this man’s intention was. It was also very clear that this man now all over Tear was a very well-to-do man and was very used to getting things his way. And they could understand why - he was not all that bad looking at all. In fact, he was quite the pretty boy: dark, black, shoulder-length hair, tanned skin and all lean muscles. Luke could easily see that had he been sober, the guy would have carried Guy’s kind of easygoing charm, and he wouldn’t hesitate in setting it against the ladies either.
But that was if he were sober.
Now, though, he was drunk.
And he was a bad drunk.
Hair of the darkest shade fell into his eyes as he leaned over to whisper-yell-slur huskily, “Yuu won’t reglet spending deh night wif meh, ladeh.”
It was the worst insult possible, and Tear was ready to kick him where it hurts the most, but suddenly Luke was right there, before she could even begin to think that he had abandoned her, and had tugged her behind him protectively.
“Beg pardon, sir, but the lady will regret spending the night with you,” and Tear simultaneously blushed at Luke’s blatant declaration. Not even Guy could stop the smirk spreading across his lips.
The man, forced to straighten up to his full height - he was a whole head taller than Luke - and sneered at the fon Fabre heir even as he tottered helplessly like a child just learning how to walk.
“Like deh ladeh likes twerps like yuu,” not even the snide sounded very convincing with the way he was glaring at the tree near Luke instead of the man himself.
Luke blinked.
“Erm...I’d like to think that she does?”
Almost instantly there was a loud smack of palm to forehead and a hiss of you conceited idiot, you!, but Luke could hear the fondness in Tear’s voice. Somewhere further away, Guy was rolling on the ground with laughter shrieking at the cheesiness of Luke’s reply.
And right in front of him, the drunk was frowning, as if he was quite uncertain of himself and did not know what to make of the scene in front of him. When Luke tried to offer him a hand though, the man refused, frowned again, and cleared his throat.
“Mah countreee,” he slurred more, still addressing the tree instead of Luke, “we f-fight for ‘em.”
“For…what?”
“F’em. ‘em ladehs,” the man whacked around stupidly, trying to clap a hand on Luke’s shoulder, but nearly knocked Luke off his feet again when it connected with the side of his head heavily.
“O-oh. Really?” Luke squinted, trying to shake off the stars in front of his eyes as he grappled with the man now leaning against him. If Guy had not quickly caught the man’s other side, Luke would have toppled over a second time.
“Yeep. So I am…” he paused for a moment and looked around as if he were lost and could not remember what he was supposed to do, but when he saw Tear standing to the side again, arms crossed with an amused smile, his dazed eyes flickered with recognition once more, “Yep, I am gunna fight you fer her!”
The drunk tried to point again - knocked Luke’s head off again - and pointed at a tree…again.
Luke grimaced.
“Oookay. What kinda fight are you proposing?”
“Swordfight,” the reply was surprisingly lucid.
But of course, a drunk’s lucidity is only temporary; right after that, the man stumbled.
And out flashed his sword.
Never had Luke or Guy dropped a man faster than they did in that moment.
“Coooome! Fight meh!”
Common understanding between Luke and Guy made the both of them glance at each other for a brief period of consultation.
“What do we do?”
“Well, he’s after your girl - you fight him!”
“What?!”
End of consultation, and that was how Luke was left facing his opponent with no weapons but a sweatdrop down the back of his head.
He sighed and looked over to the eager man once more.
“Alright. Let’s fight then,” Luke conceded, much to the surprise of Tear and Guy, and to the delight of his tipsy challenger. Before any of them had the chance to make a comment, however, Luke began picking his steps towards the man, arms drawn out in a peaceful gesture.
“Not a swordfight, however.”
When the man continued to point the wavering metal tip at him, his eyes more alert now, Luke straightened up and gazed straight at the man, “Tear likes plushies, if you’re interested in knowing.”
The man blinked in confusion, but lowered his sword a little.
“I respect your country’s tradition, but since this is New Year, I think a little less violence would do everyone good, don’t you think? If you really do want to compete for Tear’s hand, then I suggest we do something that can both help us settle our argument and please her at the same time.”
His opponent was intrigued in his intoxication.
“How?”
Luke closed the gap between them and slung a friendly arm around the man.
“See that game stall? See that big bear plushie?”
Somewhere behind them, Tear’s face flared up again, suddenly very conscious and very aware of her weakness for soft toys.
-
Midnight had fallen a long time ago, and all of them were camped out beneath a tree. Of the eight of them, only the two of them - Luke and Mystearica - were still awake; they had volunteered to stay up for first watch of the night. The world was safe from the miasma now, but it did not necessarily mean that burglaries and robberies did not happen.
The small bonfire was threatening to wink out, yawning with a sleepy little curl of fire, and Luke threw in a few more pieces of dry wood. Tear sat to his right, the cloak he had wore out that night winded around her shoulders. Within her tight hug was a cheagle plushie that she hugged to death, affection clearly in her eyes.
“Thank you.”
Luke looked over from poking at the fire and smiled.
“I’m glad you liked it. I wasn’t sure if I should get you the cheagle plushie or the bear one, but in the end I settle for this.”
Tear lowered her head, blissful smile lingering around her lips.
“Either would have been fine. But I was especially proud of how you handled the situation earlier. With the drunkard, you know.”
Luke looked her over with a small smile - the same smile that he sported the night he returned. Tear knew, because she was now so aware of him - so afraid of losing him again - that she could not help but to remember every action and every expression that he made.
Behind them, Florian sneezed and shuffled, curling in a little more and snuggling further into the warmth of his makeshift blanket (Jade’s coat).
“You didn’t just run into a fight with him,” Tear continued when it became clear that Luke was not going to answer.
Luke took a deep breath and looked away, his green eyes a little less green and a little more murky in the fire - in the wallow of reflection. At length, he raised his head and tipped his longer bangs over his shoulder, staring at the night sky, starless and moonless.
“I know. I can’t afford to do that though, you know.”
Tear’s grasp on the cheagle plushie loosened as she turned to face this person she had come to care beyond her wildest dreams, and she laid a hand gently atop his.
It was a wordless urge for him to continue, and Luke did not need words to understand Tear anymore.
He smiled his smile again - that painful, heart-wrenching one - the one that Tear wanted very badly to wipe away from Luke’s curved lips because it sat there like a puzzle piece that just does not fit into the jigsaw that was Luke fon Fabre.
“You know I can’t,” the redhead took a deep breath.
“This isn’t just my life anymore. I don’t just live for Luke fon Fabre anymore. I carry the burden of living the life for Asch and Luke now. That is why…that is why I can’t be reckless anymore.”
Tear wanted to blame the tears running down her face on dust or sand, but she knew that she would never lie to herself anymore when it comes to Luke. And so she buried her face into his sleeves and allowed the warm arms to pull her in.
“Then I’ll have the honour of loving you enough for two persons.”
And this time, it was Luke’s turn to tear up.
Oh, and of course - nice to meet all of you.
Hello! I am a new member, and it was mentioned in the community profile that it would be good to post an introduction post. So this would be it. My name is…*glances to the side and points* - that, and I don’t really have a favourite pairing in ToA; in fact, anything goes for me. Don’t even have a favourite character because they are all equally lovable.
And um…I write fanfics, so…for my first posting, I have an offering. XD It’s nothing too well done, and it’s written for rizuka:
Title: Viva la Vida
Author: sinamour
Rating: OT?
Characters: Um, the usual gang, Peony, Florian, and one nameless OC
Pairing: Luke/Tear
Genre: Romance/Comfort
Spoilers: None, I should think
Summary: I live my life for two persons now.
It’s not a grave. It’s a memorial. He’s alive. He’s me.
When Luke came back to them nearly half a year ago, it was at the Tataroo Valley, and it was a time of gladness and relief for all who knew him. Sure, some had toned it down; masked the joy, even - Jade had said, Oh please, he did promise that he’ll come back, didn’t he?, but he still secretly wiped a tear or two when he thought no one was looking - but hearts were considerably lighter and the world suddenly seemed a lot brighter than before.
Amidst the selenia flowers, the night wind, and the flurry of arms and tears that greeted him, Luke had smiled a quiet smile and shone as the nocturnal flowers had. It was acceptance and confidence, relief and regret, serenity and sorrow; it was Luke and Asch - all embodied in a curl and a lilt of his curving lips.
The return of the Light of the Sacred Flame was everything the moonlit night was, and they all knew it.
-
“Erm, Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“I think you may want to stop now before His Majesty finds out that you’re overfeeding little Jade?”
Luke took a moment to blink and stare down at the task at hand before he looked back up to reply his childhood friend.
“...I think you might want to stop calling it little Jade before Jade hears you.”
Guy gawped for a moment, and then looked away resignedly.
“...not my fault His Majesty named it little Jade.”
“...I think that’s His Majesty’s privilege, not ours.”
“...Ooookay. But that’s beside the point! Luke, that’s the fourth time you’re feeding that rappig already.”
Luke shrugged matter-of-factly, digging a little more into the bag of food that he carried, much to little Jade’s pleasure who snorted contentedly.
“They get hungry easily?”
Guy gave him a bland look and crossed his arms across his chest, looking a mixture of annoyed, exasperated and bemused.
“Really? Right after breakfast and before lunch?”
“People have brunch, don’t they?”
“...Luke. People don’t have four brunches before lunch.”
“...Jade’s a rappig, not a person.”
“But you just - gah!” Guy threw his arms into the air in defeat, not sure what he found to be more ridiculous - the fact that Luke kept bringing up such a stupid line of argument, or the fact that he was actually involving himself in said stupid argument.
From his crouch at the ground, the redhead chuckled and gave an affectionate rub to the rappig’s head before standing up. Tying up the sack of rappig food, he walked to a nearby stone bench and sat down, inclining his head to urge his friend to join him when Guy remained severely indignant.
“Oh, come on. Don’t be like that,” Luke cajoled easily, jiggling the pouch a little. Guy huffed, and then consented, lowering himself beside his friend, “You’re just lucky I like you, or else you’d get it.”
To which Luke answered with a quiet scoff and a smile.
“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”
Guy grinned and reached over to give Luke an awkward noogie.
“Come on, let’s go get ready. The fest is about to begin anyway. Tear is probably looking for you too, and it’d suck to be late,” Guy humphed, getting to his feet and walking over to pick the royal rappig up.
A wisp of wind-breath snorted, and Luke nodded complacently, following his friend towards the castle.
“Indeed, it’d suck to be late. It’s a celebration after all.”
-
It was because of New Year that the fest was held, and in the Malkuth Empire, New Years were celebrated in street fests. Drinks flowed without stop; food was supplied in abundance; and entertainment - what would a fest be without entertainment?
Everywhere one turned, there were colourfully-attired musicians, bell-attached dancers, fire-breathing performers, games and trinket-selling stalls. People were constantly being tugged into bizarre and unexpected bonfire gatherings or dances or promotional talks, and it felt like the entire nation had spilt out into the streets with songs and chanting and greetings and merriments.
“This. This is the reason why I’d much prefer to be out here than in there,” declared Peony the IX, emperor of the Malkuth Empire, now disguised in faded commoner attire. He threw his arms up into the air before throwing them around Jade in an affectionate hug.
“And I’m glad the lot of you are here this year too! What’s the whole point of sneaking out if I’m alone. I just find it a little sad that little Jade has to be cooped up back there,” he jumped a little, tugging the taller Jade into a slight bow to accommodate his height. Guy and Luke sniggered from the side, but the flash that glinted from Jade’s glasses quickly melting them into whispering puddles (“How the hell can his glasses glint like that?! It’s not even bright enough here!” “How the hell do I know?!”).
“I’m glad too! I like this place. A lot!” quipped Florian very abruptly, eyes large with amazement as he peered at everything taking place around him. The excitement of the entire fest was reflected in the enthusiastic glitter in his forest green eyes. Anise had to keep an arm around him to make sure that he was not lost or left behind in his tendency to stop and stare at almost everything.
The world was still very new to him even after all this time, and everything - everything! - was a novelty.
They all found it very endearing.
“Do you want to go and try that game then?” Natalia smiled, pretty and soft in the glow of the night. She was still the strong-headed, eager-to-get-going girl that she used to be, but being the ambassador of the kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear had infused her with a certain level-headed quality that gave her the ability to remain calm and to see things from all facets possible.
Florian smiled shyly, still a little bashful around the ladies, but looked at Anise hopefully for permission. Anise looked doubtful for a moment, and all of them - except Florian - knew that it was just for show.
“I...dunno. It looks kinda dan - ”
“Well, I think that Florian should go ahead,” Tear chimed in kindly, which made the girl frown.
“Hey, I’m the Guardian - ”
“And I’m the ahem,” coughed Peony suddenly, already at Florian’s side and tugging at the delighted boy, “so when I say he plays, he plays. Get it, guardian?”
Anise pouted.
“Oh, and you too, Jade,” Peony conveniently plucked Colonel away from his quiet corner of the group without even a decent how-do-you-do, and ran off, totting the impassive Colonel under one arm and the eager Fon Master under the other arm.
Of course, Anise gave chase with a deafening war-cry, and Natalia went off after them to watch.
“Some things never change, do they?” Guy sighed, amused when Luke and Tear looked at each other and blushed, “And of course, others do.”
“Shut up,” Luke muttered quietly, although he shifted noticeably closer to the Yulia City representative.
But that was exactly when a big, alcohol-and-sweat-reeking body suddenly shoved itself between them, slinging beefy arm around Tear and throwing Luke right into Guy, the both of them stumbling to catch themselves.
“Huu...pretty,” he boozed even as he spoke, eyes blearily peering into Tear’s disgusted face, and it was instantly clear what this man’s intention was. It was also very clear that this man now all over Tear was a very well-to-do man and was very used to getting things his way. And they could understand why - he was not all that bad looking at all. In fact, he was quite the pretty boy: dark, black, shoulder-length hair, tanned skin and all lean muscles. Luke could easily see that had he been sober, the guy would have carried Guy’s kind of easygoing charm, and he wouldn’t hesitate in setting it against the ladies either.
But that was if he were sober.
Now, though, he was drunk.
And he was a bad drunk.
Hair of the darkest shade fell into his eyes as he leaned over to whisper-yell-slur huskily, “Yuu won’t reglet spending deh night wif meh, ladeh.”
It was the worst insult possible, and Tear was ready to kick him where it hurts the most, but suddenly Luke was right there, before she could even begin to think that he had abandoned her, and had tugged her behind him protectively.
“Beg pardon, sir, but the lady will regret spending the night with you,” and Tear simultaneously blushed at Luke’s blatant declaration. Not even Guy could stop the smirk spreading across his lips.
The man, forced to straighten up to his full height - he was a whole head taller than Luke - and sneered at the fon Fabre heir even as he tottered helplessly like a child just learning how to walk.
“Like deh ladeh likes twerps like yuu,” not even the snide sounded very convincing with the way he was glaring at the tree near Luke instead of the man himself.
Luke blinked.
“Erm...I’d like to think that she does?”
Almost instantly there was a loud smack of palm to forehead and a hiss of you conceited idiot, you!, but Luke could hear the fondness in Tear’s voice. Somewhere further away, Guy was rolling on the ground with laughter shrieking at the cheesiness of Luke’s reply.
And right in front of him, the drunk was frowning, as if he was quite uncertain of himself and did not know what to make of the scene in front of him. When Luke tried to offer him a hand though, the man refused, frowned again, and cleared his throat.
“Mah countreee,” he slurred more, still addressing the tree instead of Luke, “we f-fight for ‘em.”
“For…what?”
“F’em. ‘em ladehs,” the man whacked around stupidly, trying to clap a hand on Luke’s shoulder, but nearly knocked Luke off his feet again when it connected with the side of his head heavily.
“O-oh. Really?” Luke squinted, trying to shake off the stars in front of his eyes as he grappled with the man now leaning against him. If Guy had not quickly caught the man’s other side, Luke would have toppled over a second time.
“Yeep. So I am…” he paused for a moment and looked around as if he were lost and could not remember what he was supposed to do, but when he saw Tear standing to the side again, arms crossed with an amused smile, his dazed eyes flickered with recognition once more, “Yep, I am gunna fight you fer her!”
The drunk tried to point again - knocked Luke’s head off again - and pointed at a tree…again.
Luke grimaced.
“Oookay. What kinda fight are you proposing?”
“Swordfight,” the reply was surprisingly lucid.
But of course, a drunk’s lucidity is only temporary; right after that, the man stumbled.
And out flashed his sword.
Never had Luke or Guy dropped a man faster than they did in that moment.
“Coooome! Fight meh!”
Common understanding between Luke and Guy made the both of them glance at each other for a brief period of consultation.
“What do we do?”
“Well, he’s after your girl - you fight him!”
“What?!”
End of consultation, and that was how Luke was left facing his opponent with no weapons but a sweatdrop down the back of his head.
He sighed and looked over to the eager man once more.
“Alright. Let’s fight then,” Luke conceded, much to the surprise of Tear and Guy, and to the delight of his tipsy challenger. Before any of them had the chance to make a comment, however, Luke began picking his steps towards the man, arms drawn out in a peaceful gesture.
“Not a swordfight, however.”
When the man continued to point the wavering metal tip at him, his eyes more alert now, Luke straightened up and gazed straight at the man, “Tear likes plushies, if you’re interested in knowing.”
The man blinked in confusion, but lowered his sword a little.
“I respect your country’s tradition, but since this is New Year, I think a little less violence would do everyone good, don’t you think? If you really do want to compete for Tear’s hand, then I suggest we do something that can both help us settle our argument and please her at the same time.”
His opponent was intrigued in his intoxication.
“How?”
Luke closed the gap between them and slung a friendly arm around the man.
“See that game stall? See that big bear plushie?”
Somewhere behind them, Tear’s face flared up again, suddenly very conscious and very aware of her weakness for soft toys.
-
Midnight had fallen a long time ago, and all of them were camped out beneath a tree. Of the eight of them, only the two of them - Luke and Mystearica - were still awake; they had volunteered to stay up for first watch of the night. The world was safe from the miasma now, but it did not necessarily mean that burglaries and robberies did not happen.
The small bonfire was threatening to wink out, yawning with a sleepy little curl of fire, and Luke threw in a few more pieces of dry wood. Tear sat to his right, the cloak he had wore out that night winded around her shoulders. Within her tight hug was a cheagle plushie that she hugged to death, affection clearly in her eyes.
“Thank you.”
Luke looked over from poking at the fire and smiled.
“I’m glad you liked it. I wasn’t sure if I should get you the cheagle plushie or the bear one, but in the end I settle for this.”
Tear lowered her head, blissful smile lingering around her lips.
“Either would have been fine. But I was especially proud of how you handled the situation earlier. With the drunkard, you know.”
Luke looked her over with a small smile - the same smile that he sported the night he returned. Tear knew, because she was now so aware of him - so afraid of losing him again - that she could not help but to remember every action and every expression that he made.
Behind them, Florian sneezed and shuffled, curling in a little more and snuggling further into the warmth of his makeshift blanket (Jade’s coat).
“You didn’t just run into a fight with him,” Tear continued when it became clear that Luke was not going to answer.
Luke took a deep breath and looked away, his green eyes a little less green and a little more murky in the fire - in the wallow of reflection. At length, he raised his head and tipped his longer bangs over his shoulder, staring at the night sky, starless and moonless.
“I know. I can’t afford to do that though, you know.”
Tear’s grasp on the cheagle plushie loosened as she turned to face this person she had come to care beyond her wildest dreams, and she laid a hand gently atop his.
It was a wordless urge for him to continue, and Luke did not need words to understand Tear anymore.
He smiled his smile again - that painful, heart-wrenching one - the one that Tear wanted very badly to wipe away from Luke’s curved lips because it sat there like a puzzle piece that just does not fit into the jigsaw that was Luke fon Fabre.
“You know I can’t,” the redhead took a deep breath.
“This isn’t just my life anymore. I don’t just live for Luke fon Fabre anymore. I carry the burden of living the life for Asch and Luke now. That is why…that is why I can’t be reckless anymore.”
Tear wanted to blame the tears running down her face on dust or sand, but she knew that she would never lie to herself anymore when it comes to Luke. And so she buried her face into his sleeves and allowed the warm arms to pull her in.
“Then I’ll have the honour of loving you enough for two persons.”
And this time, it was Luke’s turn to tear up.
Oh, and of course - nice to meet all of you.