𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑻𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑶𝑹

⟡                           this  𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃'𝐒  fragile  𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐘  must  be  preserved  .  shake  the  pillars  of  heaven  ,  &  wither  in  my  radiance  .

⟢  a  𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄  𝐎𝐅  𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒  interpretation  of  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  [  ;  ]  proclaimed  the  protector  ,  the  shield  of  valoran  .  expanded  upon  &  is  close  to  his  canon  -  compliance  .  written  by  jojo  .

“C’mon, Taric!” Ezreal groaned, head lulling back slightly to add to his dramatics before dipping back forward. It was still so cute to see the other like this—Ezreal got flustered easily himself from signs of affection; and despite seeing Taric like this before, it still surprised him. A sigh left the blonde as he moved a hand to scratch at the edge of his own jaw, only to move that hand to the Aspect’s shoulder and patting it lightly. “Hey, I’ve gotten pretty good at running, y’know! Into danger, out of danger…But I’m alive right? I couldn’t get this thing without going into the tomb! I wasn’t just gonna leave it there after all that decoding work!”

It wasn’t that difficult—His knowledge of the Shuriman language and history was what had helped him with decoding the glyphs. “How was I gonna know the place was gonna collapse, anyway? Don’t answer that—“ this wasn’t the first time he had been in a collapsing tomb. No; the Gauntlet he wore was proof of that, for the Tomb of Ne’Zuk had also nearly collapsed on him when he had obtained the artifact. But he was alive! That’s what mattered, right? “Anyway, I think telling you what the glyphs said would worry you more, but it doesn’t matter, it’s the same old same old! The Scarab is gonna look great on my mantle.”

Humble as ever. He paused when Taric returned his sentiments; something fluttering in his chest when the other told him that he missed him too. A kiss was placed upon the Aspect’s jaw before Ezreal finally managed to wiggle out of his grasp and his feet once again met the ground. Goggles on top of his head made a soft ‘clink’ as he patted his jacket as if he were dusting himself off; bright gaze looking back up at the other as he held up his gauntlet clad hand. “Besides! I got this, remember? My good old gauntlet gets me out of trouble all the time! Totally safe!”

“…You worry too much, y’know. Is this ‘cause I was only able to send you one letter this time around? I really tried to send more but uh, I got busy!” Hands moved to search for one of Taric’s own, squeezing lightly as a grin spread upon his features once more, only to stop for him to give out a loud yawn by accident.

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  slowly  loosened  the  strength  in  powerful  hands  oft  grasping  the  weight  of  his  massive  limbed  mace  ,  allowing  the  smaller  male  to  maneuver  out  of  his  warm  embrace  without  much  effort  .  ❝  i  do  believe  i  have  the  obligation  to  inquire  .  you  &  the  world  are  my  responsibility  .  goodness  ,  dearest  —  you  are  about  as  hard  to  break  as  the  golden  sister  .  ❞  mostly  in  relation  to  dear  leona’s  exuberant  stubbornness  .  at  truth  ,  the  protector  wouldn’t  need  to  worry  over  ezreal  ,  at  least  not  fret  over  the  reservation  of  life  .  or  what  ezreal  had  caused  to  end  an  unneeded  life  .  he  will  hold  all  to  the  rules  that  beget  the  birth  &  continuation  of  all  things  …  having  defended  a  single  flower  amongst  the  burly  clashing  of  armor  &  lengthened  sword  tips  .

beauty  was  worth  dying  for  &  ezreal  would  unknowingly  encapsulate  it  .  then  again  …  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  found  beauty  in  the  mundane  .  the  ugly  …  the  dull  .  every  fiber  of  matter  held  a  sensual  curve  of  beauty  that  the  protector  would  feel  &  wrap  strong  digits  around  in  its  physicality  —  its  most  manifested  form  above  all  .

it  wasn’t  just  about  ezreal’s  appearance  .  far  from  it  .  it  was  the  glimmer  in  the  other’s  eyes  when  newfound  treasure  had  been  procured  in  some  bizarre  method  .  it  was  the  smile  as  the  last  prance  of  a  troubadour  echoed  the  earnest  excitement  of  adventures  bellowing  from  sun  kissed  lips  .  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  would  never  allow  such  beauties  of  life  to  go  unnoticed  or  denied  .  it  was  life’s  intended  purpose  &  he  wanted  to  feel  it  all  .  he  did  feel  it  all  .  nothing  but  love  sweltered  his  heart  beyond  the  thick  barricade  of  glimmering  gems  ,  shimmering  in  complex  facets  ,  broken  &  revealing  anew  .

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  allowed  his  hands  to  be  taken  ahold  of  once  again  ,  his  charm  had  not  faltering  .  despite  having  a  faint  pink  glisten  atop  his  cheeks  ,  it  hadn’t  removed  any  of  his  bravado  either  .  ❝  i  would  want  nothing  more  than  to  cherish  every  moment  with  you  ,  ezreal  .  for  however  long  shall  fate  have  us  together  .  wherever  you  are  ,  the  protector  always  listens  .  ❞  it  was  passionate  honesty  .  ❝  i  never  doubt  your  promises  to  visit  me  whenever  you  can  .  ships  hardly  ever  travel  this  far  into  terrain  not  so  laden  by  government  or  civilization  …  but  it  would  be  a  dream  if  the  stars  allowed  me  to  depart  from  my  beloved  mountain  .  ❞

it  wasn’t  that  he  didn’t  want  to  leave  .  he  had  obligations  &  duties  held  &  ordained  by  his  superiors  .  he  had  a  calling  &  intended  to  honor  it  until  his  final  breath  .  no  matter  how  long  he  slept  upon  the  cold  encased  in  a  glimmering  barrier  .  no  matter  how  long  he  stared  out  into  Runeterra’s  cosmic  horizon  .  no  matter  how  long  the  days  became  months  .  years  even  .  his  mind  never  strayed  or  became  disarrayed  by  loneliness  .  he  was  comforted  &  had  companions  atop  the  mountain  .  cosmic  beings  &  travelers  daring  to  travel  targon’s  peak  &  witness  ascension  .

he  never  blamed  ezreal  for  not  visiting  him  often  .  he  cherished  &  valued  when  he  did  come  .

❝  tell  me  all  about  it  .  what  this  scarab  has  to  offer  ?  ❞ 

𓆩 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂 , 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐍 — [ . . . ] ❛ there is great POWER in the stars . great DANGER as well .

[ wipe ] sender wipes away receiver's tears [ hurt ] sender hurts receiver with words [ lonely ] sender finds receiver alone in a dark room [ wounded ] sender patches up receiver's wounds [ crying ] sender finds receiver crying [ help ] sender runs to receiver when they scream for help [ nightmare ] sender wakes receiver up from a nightmare [ dying breath ] sender talks to receiver before dying [ hold on ] sender pulls receiver into their arms [ anger ] sender takes their anger out on receiver [ argue ] sender gets into a heated argument with receiver [ scared ] sender scares receiver [ sick ] sender cares for receiver while they are sick [ palm ] sender places a hand on receiver to stop them from doing something [ fight ] sender gets into a physical fight with receiver [ comfort ] sender tries to comfort receiver [ blood ] sender notices that receiver is bleeding [ collapse ] sender collapses into receiver's arms [ pressure ] sender puts pressure on receiver's wound [ slap ] sender slaps receiver in the face [ panic ] sender helps receiver through a panic attack [ lie ] sender catches receiver in a lie [ sobs ] sender sobs uncontrollably while receiver holds them [ hiding ] sender finds out that receiver has hidden an injury from them [ death ] sender just died, receiver finds out [ chin up ] sender lifts receiver's chin to stop them from hiding their tears [ fears ] sender talks to receiver about their fears [ scream ] sender screams at receiver [ coping ] sender teaches receiver some coping mechanisms [ loss ] sender is there for receiver after they've lost someone important to them [ needs ] sender asks receiver what they need [ bullet ] sender takes a bullet for receiver [ bruises ] sender finds bruises of unknown origin on receiver [ rainfall ] sender finds receiver out alone in the rain [ hospital ] sender wakes up in a hospital bed and finds receiver sitting by their bedside [ intrude ] sender walks in on receiver treating their wounds [ calming ] sender tries to calm down receiver [ inspection ] sender holds receiver's face while inspecting an injury they got [ rescue ] sender carries receiver to safety [ clean ] sender cleans blood off of receiver's body

The stars in the sky shined brightly; Ezreal’s gaze focused on the night sky; the movement of the water calm against the body of the ship he had been traversing on. He had just finished another expedition in Shurima; not without a few cuts and scars and bruises—but his excitement for his next destination was on the forefront of his mind rather then the minor injuries he had acquired. Sleeping was far out of the question—with the sun on the horizon as the ship got closer to the Targonian docks; hands gripped onto the boat’s ledge, propping himself up so he could see better; catching a glimpse of sparkling gems in the distance and a wide grin spreading upon his features.

“Excuuuse me! Sorry, well known adventurer, coming through!” Ezreal grunted between his words as he squished himself through and between the other passengers and started to unload themselves from the ship; being returned with shouts from said passengers, attempts to grab at him for being such a pest—but he managed to escape the ire of the others; shoes thunking loudly against the wooden ramp that lead him off of the ship as his excitement continued to bubble.

“Taric!” Laughter rumbled out of him; expression bright despite the tiredness in his eyes from not getting any sleep on his way here. In a blink of an eye, magic engulfed the blonde; the blue runes on his cheeks lighting up brightly, teleporting him from where he stood and closer to the bigger man; using the momentum to jump into Taric’s arms; caught by strong hands as Ezreal gave him little time to speak, lips pressing against those of the Aspect’s; gingerly, but flooding with the joyous emotions of a reunion between them and mixed with the longing Ezreal had for seeing Taric again. Gloved hands held onto the chiseled features of Taric’s face; grinning into the kiss that the adventurer had bestowed, pulling back several moments after; cheeks tinted hues of pink and red and arms moving to loosely wrap around his neck.

Ezreal could feel the gentle press against a small, yet noticeable scar on his jaw ( that was from nearly escaping a falling rob—he’d tell Taric about that one later ) blue gaze blinking as nervous laughter erupted from him; cheeks flushing deeper as his gaze flickered back to the aspect, Ezreal swallowing thickly—suddenly a little embarrassed from his own sudden actions. But he was excited to see him. He missed Taric while he had been off doing his own thing—despite the winds of adventure taking him from place to place; he always had a need to come back home.

And his home, now—was Taric.

time  was  a  foreign  concept  in  targon  .  his  wounds  were  mended  ,  his  fatigue  ,  drained  from  his  body  by  the  pulsating  ebb  &  flow  of  the  water  —  permeating  his  very  soul,  the  waves  brought  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  to  the  edge  of  life’s  finest  pleasures  as  he  walked  along  the  dock  awaiting  the  ship  to  coast  towards  .  crows-feet  mends  into  sweet  crescents  as  the  aspect  watched  men  stomp  upon  the  bridge  &  drag  fraying  rope  &  tightly  secure  the  wadding  barque  .  although  smaller  in  size  it  acclimated  for  its  passengers  for  travel  from  shurima.  certainly  faster  than  trying  to  secure  a  wagon  &  even  the  extended  transport  from  shurima  .

his  limpid  crystalline  eyes  watched  as  masts  were  drawn  back  &  people  began  to  depart  from  the  ship  .  some  recognized  to  be  people  of  nearby  villages  .  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  minded  his  step  exchanging  brief  glances  with  those  that  would  brush  his  shoulder  .  he  did  his  best  to  blend  in  as  he  could  ;  not  quite  carrying  the  weight  of  his  mace  or  his  gems  hovering  like  a  symbolized  bastion  abreast  of  him  .  his  smile  ever  the  more  graced  his  statuesque  face  when  he  spotted  the  blond  try  to  maneuver  his  body  through  others  .

he  would  wince  at  the  shouting  of  other  passengers  .

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  took  a  voluntary  step  back  as  he  watched  him  teleport  &  reappear  before  him  ,  his  burly  arms  lifting  instinctively  to  catch  the  smaller  male  in  his  embrace  .  he  had  opened  his  mouth  to  speak  in  fashioned  targonian  greeting  ;  thwarted  by  a  pair  of  lips  against  his  own  .  his  cheeks  bloomed  &  he  could’ve  sworn  a  subterfuge  of  magic  began  burning  his  fingertips  as  fingers  dug  into  the  fabric  of  the  other  male  .

he  felt  incredibly  happy  when  he  realized  the  kiss  was  pure  love  &  he  returned  it  with  equal  fervor  .  he  felt  warm  &  the  delicate  brush  of  ezreal's  lashes  tickling  his  face  .  it  certainly  was  provoking  his  magic  &  his  teeth  felt  equivocally  sensitive  .  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  was  almost  thankful  ezreal  had  pulled  away  ,  fearing  he'd  might've  clung  the  smaller  male  to  him  in  a  desperate  attempt  to  prolong  it  .

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  swallowed  hard  ,  nodding  softly  as  he  palmed  the  vestige  of  hair  back  ,  feeling  lone  thick  hair  pooling  across  his  broad  chest  .  breathing  as  he  adjusted  himself  .  ❝  i  -  i  ehm  ...  ❞  his  face  probably  mimicked  an  endless  series  of  colors  at  this  point  .

❝  a  ruby  ...  scarab  .  ❞  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  repeated  ,  shaking  his  head  softly  as  he  refocused  his  attention  now  .  he  needn't  get  distracted  ,  it  was  dangerous  given  his  duties  .  ❝  ezreal  ,  how  often  must  i  ask  you  be  more  careful  ?  the  ruins  of  shurima  is  not  something  to  carelessly  waltz  into  .  ❞  he  tried  to  manifest  a  smile  ,  although  much  sheepish  &  embarrassed  .  ❝  i  ...  missed  you  too  .  ❞

they literally ditched their entire friendship altogether. i refuse to believe Taric woud just abandon his homeland.

“Well, yeah, but I haven’t even seen much of Targon! What’s wrong with a little adventure, huh? Buuuut…I guess I should dressed warmer.” There’s a soft sigh of relief as he felt warm hands grip gently onto his shoulders, Ezreal keeping himself from leaning into the touch far too much as he felt the warmth seem through cold leather to his skin. He doesn’t question it, allowing Taric to guide him from the cliff side and to safety ( god forbid he falls off the cliff and breaks something—or worse. You know, if he doesn’t blink in time). He remains close in hopes to keep warm, a soft sigh leaving his nose as he looks out into the distance for a brief moment before bringing his focus back to the taller man, perhaps staring a little too long before snapping out of it and a grin breaking out into his features again.

“Besides! When have I ever turned my nose up at an adventure, huh? I thought I’d do some sight seeing and…you’re not that hard to find, anyway—y’know?” Lying through his teeth—he had nearly gotten lost in the snow; and if it weren’t for Taric finding him ( lucky for Ezreal, he was who he was looking for, anyway ), he probably would have been dead. Maybe? He’s been through worse ( sort of ).

Gloved hand pats one of the warm hands on his shoulders but stays—not moving away so it could suck up any warmth from the taller, head leaning back to look at Taric; blue eyes peering from his hood and his cheeks tinted red from the cold. Too bad he couldn’t be an Aspect like Taric—but that thought did remind him of something he had heard in Ixtal before…He’d ask about it later.

it  was  a  funny  thing  ,  he  would  think  .  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  was  accustomed  to  the  silence  &  delicate  whispers  of  the  stars  .  he  was  used  to  being  the  paragon  of  a  man  who  once  stood  tall  as  a  beacon  of  excitement  &  zeal  —  now  reduced  to  a  state  of  idle  guard  ,  mace  in  hand  &  commanding  the  spiraling  of  gems  to  do  his  bidding  .  a  sigh  fell  from  parted  lips  ,  harmonizing  with  the  delicate  ,  repetitive  pelting  of  snow  against  stone  .  as  much  as  the  aspect  desired  to  walk  among  nature  as  he  used  to  ;  cosmic  superiors  much  hindered  that  desire  .

the  protector  within  him  can  sense  his  unrest  ,  oft  plaguing  his  mind  with  ways  to  combat  this  mortal  boredom  .  monotony  truly  wasn’t  his  style  ,  nor  was  simply  sitting  around  &  waiting  for  something  to  happen  or  someone  .  his  state  of  mind’s  shift  brought  along  an  insatiable  urge  to  explore  ,  one  that  came  on  as  suddenly  as  the  gust  of  wind  which  blew  a  lock  of  hair  into  his  line  of  sight  .  brown  delicate  strands  brush  against  high  cheekbones  ,  long  &  even  licking  against  lashes  as  he  heard  something  different  .  hand  hurriedly  gowns  upon  the  lush  pool  of  hair  ;  his  eyes  were  freed  from  the  sightless  prison  of  his  hair  &  the  last  vestiges  of  his  hand  passed  alongside  it  .  his  vision  was  now  redirected  to  quite  a  welcoming  sight  of  an  old  friend  before  him  -  to  which  is  currently  fitted  comfortably  within  his  hands  upon  shoulders  .

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  could  smell  the  scintillating  &  enchanting  aroma  of  the  passing  rain  intoxicated  him  .  it  clung  to  ezreal’s  clothes  like  a  damp  blanket  .  the  smells  of  regions  beyond  the  mountain  ;  beyond  its  watchful  gaze  .  there  was  even  a  tinge  of  salt  &  residual  pine  .  sound  being  another  critical  component  to  his  ascended  abilities  .  each  subtle  sound  that  the  world  threw  his  way  was  heard  ;  each  rustle  of  a  leaf  ,  each  gust  of  wind  ,  they  all  fell  upon  willing  ears  .  even  the  prayers  which  spoke  his  name  .

he  felt  …  happy  .  &  he  was  certainly  glad  ezreal  had  been  among  them  .

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  would  laugh  in  amusement  ,  detaching  hands  from  the  male’s  shoulders  &  leaving  a  crystallized  barrier  that  appeared  like  a  violet  veil  if  anything  .  keeping  the  other  warm  &  protected  effortlessly  .  ❝  your  teeth  are  chattering  ,  ezreal  .  i’ll  do  everything  in  my  power  to  keep  you  safely  accommodated  .  all  i  ask  is  that  you  stay  on  this  side  of  the  stalagmites  ,  please  .  ❞

his  only  conditions  —  knowing  the  other’s  clumsiness  from  time  to  time  .  despite  life’s  finest  pleasures  &  a  permitted  nuanced  glance  into  the  cosmos  from  time  to  time  …  it  was  a  pleasure  not  matched  when  met  with  life’s  creations  &  subtle  habits  of  those  born  of  it  .  the  little  ticks  in  the  male’s  face  &  the  eyes  that  perceive  him  .  it  was  endearing  to  watch  him  try  &  hide  the  admiration  for  one  like  himself  .

head  tilts  &  his  smile  never  wavering  .  the  violet  stardust  clinging  to  his  skin  like  a  sheen  of  linen  caressed  every  furrow  of  the  brow  &  hardness  of  his  face  as  the  aspect  tried  to  make  sense  of  his  statement  .  gems  ?  was  that  what  this  was  all  about  ?  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  lightly  grasped  the  cleft  of  his  strong  brick  chin  ,  briefly  considering  ezreal’s  words  .  ❝  the  type  of  gemstone  that  you  speak  of  …  they  are  not  something  you  just  mine  from  the  orifices  of  rock  ,  my  friend  .  unless  you  bargain  the  common  gem  from  merchants  at  the  summit  …  those  are  usually  closer  to  where  mountain  climbers  will  often  find  in  cave  systems  .  ❞  he  spoke  honestly  .  ❝  i  would  assume  you  speak  in  regards  to  something  similar  to  what  follows  my  being  .  these  gems  …  ❞  a  light  feathery  laugh  .  ❝  they  are  not  gemstones  —  no  …  rather  energy  held  in  a  tight  space  mimicking  the  appearance  of  beauty’s  finest  facets  .  ❞

⟡                           this  𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃'𝐒  fragile  𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐘  must  be  preserved  .  shake  the  pillars  of  heaven  ,  &  wither  in  my  radiance  .

⟢  a  𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄  𝐎𝐅  𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒  interpretation  of  𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂  [  ;  ]  proclaimed  the  protector  ,  the  shield  of  valoran  .  expanded  upon  &  is  close  to  his  canon  -  compliance  .  written  by  jojo  .