#sb.001

"Dad, come on! Can we go to the s'mores station now? Please?" Fionn looked up at him with wide, imploring eyes― dragging out his plea in a way that made Ruairi bite back a laugh almost immediately. "We will, buddy, but we're waiting for Simon, hey? You'll get all the sugar you can stomach once he gets here." Fionn sighed deeply and seemed to slump down a full inch― earning another lazy smile and a low laugh from his father before Ruairi returned his attention to scanning the crowd in search of his friend.

Fionn seemed almost to be vibrating at his side and Ruairi wondered what the over-under was on the boy simply bolting for the s'mores area, consequences be damned, right as he caught sight of Simon and raised a hand to catch the older man's attention. He glanced back at his son and smiled, "Alright, Speed Racer. You're clear for takeoff ― you stay within yelling distance, alright? If I lose sight of you I'll be cross." Ruairi schooled his expression into something stern and Fionn nodded so hard and so rapidly his beanie nearly came tumbling off the back of his head before he hurried away. Ruairi turned to greet Simon as he approached, "Mornin'! I'm afraid the mini-me was itchin' to get as much sugar into his body as humanly possible so he's already sprinted off. If we hurry we might catch him. How's it goin'?"

          as the king that reigns over the land of punishment, the place where torment and despair lingers, there are not many words that can pierce aides’ heart. for eons now, the mortals fear him as he embodies torment itself, and the sinners blame their crimes on him as if he had coaxed them into committing said sins. this has been his life for so long, that he has long accepted the prejudice, enough that he has developed an armor against the pain certain words and insults bring. but right then, as he stands, his heart aching at the mere deed of having to ask what is wrong with him, why hatred is the only emotion lokelani can ever feel for him, the words that fall from her lips are jagged knives that strike his heart. thousands of years have passed ; from hades to aides and from persephone to lokelani ; and still, such short words from her can still slay him.

          ❛ i’ve never destroyed anything, kelani. the destruction that stays in the underworld came to me already as debris. the only harm i ever inflict is my punishment to the souls that deserve it. i thought you knew that. i thought... that you could look past this, past everything they say i am, to at least see me, not what they say i am.  ❜     long ago, he has promised he would not hand anyone else the satisfaction of having him defend himself when he does not even need to. and yet, here he is, a plea ringing in his voice, desperation shining in his dark eyes.