𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐮𝐬 !!

     OH HOW WRONG NEFERTARI was. Everything about her was to be placed on a pedestal by Ozymandias. Her laughter, her beauty, her smile, the color of her eyes – everything that made up who she was had been a treasure to him. His palace and all that it contained meant little in comparison. Alas, though he could put that into words, it would never cover the grand scale of his feelings. Words in general would never be enough to him. Just as he had been about to speak, her hand effectively silenced him, although no doubt his eyes were still filled with amusement. He should not tease his wife so much, but she was always fun to give a gentle poke to every now and then just to see this flustered image she presented to him right now. A soft chuckle left him, warm breath brushing against the delicate palm of her hand as smirk grew only larger beneath it.

     Not wishing to speak with muffled words, he waited until her hand was removed. ❝Perhaps I should make up for lost time and embrace you in that light later on,❞ he replied, moving to stand straighter once more. He stopped, though, for but a moment as her fingers drifted along his cheek and lips came to brush over his own. She lingered just as he had, the warmth and softness of her lips forever seared into his memory. It was something that he had recalled on days of loneliness among other things. And then just like that, it was broken as just slight distance was put between them. Nefertari’s sheepishness was endearing. ❝Not bold enough. I forgive you, though. Not everyone can be like me, and someone must be the responsible one between us.❞ Ozymandias grinned at his own tease, that playfulness always right near the surface when it came to those he cared for.

     He stood straighter then, the back of his fingers brushing against her cheek and carefully moving stray locks of hair from her face. Nothing was said from him for a moment, golden eyes simply lingering upon her features as if trying to memorize it once more until he realized his staring and cleared his throat. ❝A-Ah…do not mind me. It has just been so long.❞ He was still reeling from the fact that all of this was real.

───  Had she any form of cup on hand , or object in general then it would have slipped from her fingers the moment those words left him. Eyes widen as cheeks flare the tinted dusting of red on the apples of her cheeks. He’s always been forward , there’s never a time she can’t recall him be as such however even then surprises do happen & leave her a sputtering mess. How bold & in the hallways as well yet that’s another reminder why she cared for him so much as well. Hands cupped over she own cheeks it’s a battle to cease the rising heat against them & while it’s pointless it was the thought that counted the most. He’s correct not everyone could be like him because he’s the only one she’d love even if it means she’d picked on occasionally. It’s always a reminder that it’s a charm point that she loved … sometimes at least when she wasn't on the receiving end of it.

❛ Why say that ? I don’t mind you looking at me , just as I don’t mind looking at you. It’s been a long time as you’ve said so it’s nice to just engrave this into our mind.  ❜Clearing of her throat & while forward actions are something she’s used to from both herself & him that doesn’t mean she’ll leave things as is. No , no if he could pick on her then she could certainly do something in return to fluster him couldn’t shed ? She’s caught those smoldering eyes brimming with amusement & she knew , she didn’t even need to guess that there’d been a smirk possible brewing under her hand when she’d placed it over his mouth.

❛ Bold enough now ? ❜Mind racing with a flood of ideas she can’t help but want to maybe , if only just a little bit pick at him back. Usually she’d leave things alone sometimes , but now not so much. Hands that once brushed over warm cheeks move down to lightly graze over the middle of his chest before moving downwards to idly trace patterns before stepping closer.

     Oh? Nefertari was quick to catch up and smiled despite the fact that it was evident that he had no good intentions. Perhaps, if he hadn’t been friends with Emer, he would’ve been more surprised by the Queen’s serenity. Really, women like them could be awfully dangerous if one got on their bad side. So, for once, the Berserker decided to behave.

     Her offer made the Berserker lift an eyebrow in confusion. He didn’t mind sharing tales of his own, but he couldn’t see what she would gain from them. “If that’s what you want, then, sure, I won’t oppose. But, are you sure? What is there to gain for you from the tales of a stranger?” He would rather keep things so that he wouldn’t need to own anything for a later time. Still, after listening to the Queen, Conall simply snorted, crimson eyes gleaming as the the corner of his mouth lifted into a grin. “Unless there’s somewhere you need to go soon, I think we both have plenty of time in our hands so… how about we start from the beginning? Since I don’t think Ozymandias will ever willingly share the embarrassing tales of his youth.”

───  Fondness seeps into her voice as eyes flicker with unstoppable amusement as recollections come to mind. While she certainly needn’task to know about the man in front of her , her curiosities were peeked. Nothing to gain , nothing to lose just chatter amongst two people that were within Rameses life from past & present. She’d seen the grin & gestures towards the empty seat nearby. While Rameses wouldn’t wish to speak about past childhood stories she was more then willing , only she’d keep a select few to herself to at least give the man a chance to save face.

❛ To what do I owe this honor Father of Kings ? ❜

───  Attention held in silence as eyes watch the taller of the two tilt his head before a seat is taken shortly there after. She would be nothing short of oblivious if she hadn’t caught the hinting of a smile that graces what she considers slightly wild features. Charming in his own way she’s sure especially once the real reason why he took to sitting in front of her comes to light. There’s only so much she knows about the other Servant , but she’s heard some tales that he likes to poke at Ramses when possible so that only fuels that tiny mischievous side that she keeps dormant to life.

             he had fidgeted as he raised his head slowly from clasped hands , back straightening and head turning so slow one could almost hear his neck creak.  air inhaled sharp and he stared at the ruler all wide eyed like a deer caught in headlights.  “  you…you are jeanne d’arc?  ” there is a distance in his voice , that quivering voice that slips from clamoring teeth. snapping teeth in between sharp breaths like he had walked through a blistering , freezing blizzard , and gawked like he was in the presence of something real , something divine and it ensnares him. makes his knees weak , but his legs buck as he slowly approaches her ,  “  …it was another rageful fit.  ”  he began hypnotically , gingerly. careful to brush her away. 

❛❛        Hyon  ,        ❜❜                 THE  NICKNAME  DEPARTS  ,  as  naturally  as  breath  itself────────────────a  smile  woven  ‘pon  lips  &  palms  held  behind  herself.  A  TRUTH  SHE  HAS  LONG  KNOWN  ,  it  does  not  die  ‘pon  her  ears    (    it  embeds  ,  interweaves  ,  a  truth  she  found  herself.    )    HER  OWN  INTENTION  could  so  easily  be  claimed  as  selfish    (    born  of  a  desire  to  not  see  humanity’s  tears  any  longer    /    to  burn  their  ceaseless  agonies    /    to  slaughter  the  cruel  to  stop  the  fading  of  young  flames.    )

                                SHE  THINKS  ONTO  DAYS  OF  A  TIME  AGO  ,  when  she  walked  into  a  simple  house  ,  when  corpses  shown  themselves  &  a  beast  flew  at  her  with  the  intent  of  devouring    (    &  she  ,  of  young  blood  &  bone  ,  spilled  from  the  residence.    )    NO  LONGER  DID  SHE  WISH  TO  SEE  ,  the  death  of  laughter.

                                LONG  LASHES  GATHER  ,  she  hums  in  her  thoughts  before  stepping  forth  ,  steady  &  gaze  interlocked  with  the  Nurarihyon    (    she  has  heard  old  tales  &  he  is  nothing  akin  to  them  ,  youthful  &  well  ,  he  might  bear  the  slightest  semblance  in  his  actions  to  the  ancient  stories.    )    A  GIGGLE  FLIES  FORTH  FROM  HER  TIERS  AS  SHE  STOPS  BEFORE  HIM  ,  tilting  her  head  up  to  meet  his  gaze.                ❛❛        If  you  tell  me  your  reason  for  protecting  ,  I’ll  tell  you  mine.  I  don’t  mind  doing  it  first  if  you’d  like  ,  I  just  wanna  know  your  reason.        ❜❜

❛ Hyon ? ❜───  amusement twangs at him the moment the shortening of his name arises & there’s little attempt to correct it. fondness towards her bold tone of speech is enough to even make him experience a moment of surprise briefly once hearing it. while the words echoed in his mind eyes keenly watch her taking in her stride & even corners of her mouth that offered him a visage of her smile. a beauty by all means when he’d witnessed how she goes about her business that like any other person he’d flocked towards her like a moth to a flame. dangerous & yet she still holds laughter that reminds him the sound of wind - chimes when brushed by the wind gently. lovely & always welcoming to his ears.

     OZYMANDIAS WAS NOT SURE whether to continue being embarrassed or laugh as his wife attempted to ‘blend in’ by stating words she had heard while she mingled with those in Chaldea. It was all truly endearing, which, of course, was to be expected when it came to her. ❝I am glad that I have proven an excellent teacher, then.❞ The color that had burned his cheeks soon began to fade away little by little as composure was collected. Where expression had been solemn at one time, smile had taken to his lips once more as his hands lifted to cup her cheeks within a gentle hold; holding her the way one would a butterfly or the petals of a flower – delicate, and soft. ❝Oh how I missed hearing that laughter of yours.❞ That fact that it was him who was making her laugh had him practically glowing with pride. ❝Then again, I missed everything about you, so I suppose that is but a small aspect in the grand scheme of things.❞

     He leaned close, kisses brushing against her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then against her lips soon after. He lingered, tempted to press deeper, although he fought against that desire for the time being and pulled away. His greed could wait. ❝Do not forget that I know exactly how to make your cheeks turn red just as much.❞ His lips curled into a smirk – teasing as he leaned close to whisper. ❝Surely you have not forgotten that during our time apart?❞ Laughing softly, his hands slid away from her skin, warmth still lingering upon calloused roughened palms as he stood straight once more. ❝That aside, forgive your husband for presenting such a poor sight before you. My light is not meant to dim in your presence. It is meant to shine at its absolute brightest, especially since it has been so long.❞ Ozymandias wished to present his best before the one who he loved the most, after all.

     Anything else was unacceptable.

❛ My laughter ? It’s nothing special though , yours however is far better , especially when you take to the softer ones to show amusement. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy any manner of laughter but those ones always remind me of those care – free times we shared. ❜───  Affection never foreign to her when it comes to him, there is a moment where words are stalled in her mind as lips brush over the skin of her forehead.

 She missed this , missed him & one small thing is more then enough to make her heart race wildly even more so. Warmth of the Sun , no rather it’s warmth from the one person she truly loved in life& death. Dusting of red comes over her before eyes widen & the need to cover either of their faces comes to mind. It’s a thought one moment , & the next she's placed her hand over his mouth to stop herself from seeing that smirk or letting him smooth talk his way even more.

❛ You’ll always be forgiven , although you don’t dim my presence. You've always made me grow even with the more simple of things & I enjoy being embraced  by your light so I take no offense ever. ❜  Now that she thinks back to what she'd spoken earlier & adding onto what he’s said & herself it’s enough to make even her feel a little embarrassed. However , even she knows there’s no issue in speaking freely like this & while a smile is offered in shyness it’snot enough to stall her from making her own move in return. While she’s said to be soft – spoken & gentle that doesn’t mean there isn’t that slight spark of forwardness hidden away from others. 

if  the  light  of  Artoria  was  so  bright  to  blind  the  truth  of  her  heroism’s  pain ,   then  Arthur’s  light  is  more  akin  to  the  gentle  hand  kindness  chooses  to  wield .   no  words  could  come  from  your  own  mouth  out  of  pure  astonishment  seeing  The  King  of  Knights  before  you .   although  human  grace  returned  to  your  side  as  the  sound  of  his  voice  filled  the  air  long  enough .

                ❝    i  —   uh .   i .   am  —    ❞

a  scattered  soul .   a  mistaken  identity  lucky  enough  to  have  been  saved  before  the  damage  became  too  painful  to  bare .   a  mere  child  who  was  robbed  of  her  own  life  to  which  someone  else  had  given  it  back  to  you  and  taught  you  how  to  live .

      ❝    i   am   Gray ,   your   Majesty .   but   —   i   did   not   inherit   the   Pendragon   name   properly ,   so   i’m   not   a   real   descendant   if   that’s   what   you   were   hoping   for  …    ❞

❛ even if you don’t hold the same last name , nor blood as myself does not mean that you’re not a proper Pendragon in some regard. ❜───  nostalgia fills him as the title reminds him of a time that’s long since passed by him. regardless of if she’s connected by blood or not doesn’t bother him in the slightest. had he known her circumstances then perhaps then he wouldn’t have said those words so care – free even if there was no ill -will intended. almost , if not a look alike as himself although there are difference but still he remains soft – spoken as curiosity continues to grip him.

❛ hoh ? HAVE I been ? how amusing to see you paying so much attention to what I do & do not do. ❜───  Lips twitch upwards as his unfiltered amusement arises towards those words. oh he’d been waiting to see just who would call him out for being ‘ good ‘ for once rather then loud & brash about everything. shifting upon his seat there’s no shock nor surprised expression as golden eyes meet ruby red ones. he could admit that he missed the sound of the other King speaking even though the times where nothing short of tease or just simple conversation.

  his heel has dug itself firmly.  he had to make sure the pulse of this pesky thing has slowed and ceased. the tip of his sword drags , steel meeting hardened soil makes a dull metallic rumble.  the vice commander turns casting an icy dagger ,  “  fool of owari.  ” to return the favor , though he would surmise it has little affect onto him as ‘mibu wolf’ did to him. both are used to being called nasty names ,  “  whatever — i’ve confirmed it’s dead , so we’re moving on.  ”  he brandishes his izuminokami , cleaning the blood off in the crevice of his elbow letting the cloth absorb the filth.  he strides on over whilst sheathing the blade and tilts his head so , a insipid musing , “  worried about the rookie , eh?  ”

───  most curious to say the least as silence reigns over the two all the while. little need for hostilities at all he can’t help but glance the young girl over. almost looks like him , perhaps in some comedic way she’d fall under being as some of the others have said ‘ his daughter from another timeline.’ what an interesting thought in itself that a noise is the only thing that leaves him rather then words. ❛ you are ? &❜

───  weapon resting upon his shoulders eyes briefly gaze about to see if the whelp of a Master is still kicking. satisficed with confirmation attention turns towards the other one that’s on the team for this expedition. those words remain calm , even a hint of tease sparking briefly before all is said & done. ❛ oi , mibu wolf get moving we don’t enough light to stand here idlily. take in the sight of your kill & be done with it  ❜   

❛ Are you alright ? ❜  ───  She can’t recall having ran into this man too many times , always hearing that he’s one that preferred being away from others. If such claims were true then so be it , although she can’t help but feel that something was off. Rather than invading his space to gratify the curiosity that shone within her as always. Kindness always present eyes don’t glance away from the Avenger.

───  amusement shines through his eyes towards such bold declaration & it makes bittersweet memories arise all at once. he did , although didn’t need a reason to save someone at least when it came to wanting to protect those that he’d come to take a liking to. approving hum escapes lips that once remained tightly closed before he allows a sigh to leave. truly he’s limited on what he knows about her , but at the same time she holds the air of someone that would be more selfless than anything.

a woman with good intent was hard to find sometimes , & it seems that Lady Luck shined on him in that moment when running into her. again she’s interesting always interesting with each word that leaves her. it’s warming to him fanning that low burning kindle of hope that lost it’s luster long ago. yet here it was once more being fanned & slow & steadily that fire sparks up all over.