#vikkarue

"I didn't want to intrude," she said. "I know how you get when you're packing." There was a note of sadness on the words.

"I want to be sure I have everything." The shirt went in his pack. "And you're never intruding, love."

Arueshalae smiled but it didn't completely reach her eyes. She joined him by the bed, running slim fingers over some of the items that remained, silent for a long moment. "...How long will this one be, again?"

It made his heart squeeze when her voice shook like that. He reached to still her hand, take it in his. "I'm not sure," Vikkari admitted. He had a loose plan, but it was mostly the road calling him, if less insistently that years past. "A month? Maybe half that again?"

Arueshalae pulled a deep breath and nodded. "And then you'll come back?"

Come home. He tipped her chin up with his free hand. "Promise." Kissed her forehead. "As fast as my feet can carry me."

His wanderer's soul might hear the call of the road, but knowing she was here, waiting, was almost more tantalizing. It had taken.... Desna, almost six months before even part of him wanted to leave this time. And he was already anticipating the promise of her at the end of the road before setting foot on it.

Why leave at all, then? his thoughts whispered, an Elysian butterfly brushing her cheek.

But the road did still call. and he would come back. He'd promised, after all.

"I'll watch for you," Arueshalae whispered, her fingers warm as they squeezed his, pulling him from his reverie. "And brew the blackberry tea when I see you."

Vikkari smiled. "One more thing to look forward to," he murmured, and kissed her.

Her fingers clenched in his hair to hold him close as she kissed back.

They parted, and she helped him finish packing, and then the satchel went in the corner so they could enjoy the night together.

"Yes and no," he hemmed. "It does also need to be done... not for fun. We know we're going to die at some point, so if there's something really special you don't want getting lost in the shuffle, we'll pick someone to take care of it when we die. Parents leave things to their children, but you can also trust siblings or friends. Especially if it's something they'll also treasure. For example, Desna forbid something happens to me, Lann gets my whittling knife, Seelah gets my recipe notes, and you get whatever carvings I didn't give away." He kissed her forehead. "Except the smilodon and blackbird, those are for my brother and sister."

"You've thought this through," Arueshalae murmured, fingers tracing across his chest where a scar used to be but was no longer.

"There was a while I had to," Vikkari said softly. "But, even if it is a heavy subject, people do sometimes figure it out for fun. A way of seeing what's special and why you want it preserved. It can tell you about what a person values."

She hummed understanding, then was quiet a moment. "In that case, I would give the butterfly you carved me, because it's a reminder you trusted and cared for me from the beginning, and the tea set I bought when I settled here." Her tail curled, wrapping around both her calf and his. "As a reminder of starting the life I'd dreamed of for so long."

He couldn't stop the swell of emotion that stung his eyes and caught in his throat. "Those are good choices," he managed, squeezing her hand. I'm so proud of you, dearest.

They lay silently enjoying each other's company for a while before Arueshalae asked, "What brought this on? It's not something you've wondered before."

"Oh." Vikkari laughed. It was an out of pocket question, to be fair. "Letter from Titus. Mother's on a cleaning spree to 'make space' again, so there's a flurry of wondering if the three of us still want the things we're supposed to inherit."

"I've seen the house, she has plenty of space," Arueshalae's confused frown was adorable.

"She does, but she also doesn't like unnecessary clutter. So every few years she goes through and gets rid of anything--furniture, clothes, decor--that is no longer used or wanted." He chuckled. "Mush to her chagrin, two of the three of us have wandering souls. Which means Titus, as the eldest, tracking down me and Priya to confirm we still want what's meant for us. Usually we say yes, but sometimes... There was a mirror Priya was supposed to get she decided she didn't like anymore, so Ma sold it to a new neighbor. At least I was easy to find this time," he mused, "Last time I was in Tian Xia and she almost gave away some things I do still very much want. Titus talked her down, thank the gods."

Arueshalae giggled. "If she wants it out of her house that badly, it could come to mine," she offered.

He arched a brow. "Really?"

"Mmhm." She craned her neck to kiss his jaw. "If it's important to you, it's important to me, and this way she'll have 'more space'."

"You're a treasure, Arue," Vikkari said, pulling her close. "I'll let her know."

This was not where he'd expected a simple hypothetical to go, but the quiet intimacy of 'store your things at my place' warmed him.

"I love you," he murmured into Arueshalae's hair.

She hummed happily, wings twitching. "And I love you, Vikkari."

Something was wrong, because of course it was. Maggy could have told you that even before before Halsin spoke the words just by the vacancy of Thaniel's eyes in the soft golden glow of the butterfly spirits around her. She did agree this was better discussed somewhere safer than the shores of a cursed lake, and couldn't blame Halsin for his hasty departure with Thaniel ahead of the rest of them.

It was an awkward descent from the ledge that had held the portal. The drop was slightly more than her height, which hadn't even registered when she climbed up to play protector.

"Allow me." An extended hand accompanied the words, though Wyll's smile was slightly lopsided under a cut across his cheek.

"Oh, thank you, good sir Ravengard," Maggy grinned back. The lower precipice was higher than the first. She paused before accepting, however. "And thank you for your heroic defense, as well."

Smoke still curled and steamed from some of the casualties of said defense.

"Shirk from defending the innocent from monsters? The Blade of Frontiers would never," Wyll said drolly.

Maggy giggled at the glint of teasing in his eye, placed her hand in his, and leaned over to kiss the center of his forehead. "I can't see Wyll Ravengard doing any different," she said, arching a brow as she hopped down with his help.

He laughed softly. "You do know me well, Mags." He squeezed her hand before letting go, trailing his fingers through the golden butterflies circling her. "I don't think you need these anymore, much as they suit you."

"Maybe I like seeing things in the more flattering light," Maggy said, tilting her head to look at him, all bathed in gold that accented his cheekbones and made him look something of a saint, horns and all.

Wyll smiled again, faintly wry, and knelt to reciprocate the kiss on her forehead. "And I hope you never stop," he murmured, before straightening and following the others back toward Last Light.

--- ---- ---

✿ Vikkari/Arueshalae ✿

Several things in Vikkari's life had given him a sense of contentment or satisfaction. When Priya was born and he wasn't the youngest any more. The first time he whittled something good, not just recognizable. His first solo adventure, freeing Kenabres and Drezen, rescuing the slaves in the Fleshmarkets, defeating Deskari, helping Arueshalae realize her true dream, convincing Areelu to seal the Worldwound. But great as all of those were, none equaled his contentment now.

Trapped in bed with Arue's head on his chest, her breath coming in small, soft, adorable little snores and her wings twitching slightly as she dreamed, Her arm was still around him from the way they'd drifted off last night, his resting across the small of her back.

Vikkari smiled as he watched her sleep. The ache of his most recent absence still lingered. He'd been away from her too long. It was only two weeks, his thoughts scoffed, you've done twice that and more.

And all of them were too long, he retorted to shush the remnants of his wandering spirit. An opinion Arueshalae clearly shared from how tightly she'd held him last night, as if afraid he'd leave again when she let go.

No chance of that. He had no inclination to so much as stir from the bed for a good long while. He shifted, leaning in to brush a kiss to her forehead, and Arueshalae hummed.

"You 'wake?" she mumbled, not opening her eyes.

Vikkari bit back a smile. "No."

"Good, me n'ther." She burrowed closer, her legs twining with his.

His shoulders shook with silent laughter, his hand running absently over her back as he watched an Elysian butterfly flutter lazy circles near the ceiling. He kissed her forehead again and spoke softly in hopes of not alerting the havoc dragon theoretically asleep outside the window they were awake just yet. "If we get up I can make you breakfast."

"Don' need br'kfast, just need you," Arue protested, groping with eyes still closed to cup his jaw and steal a sleepy kiss.

"Well," vikkari murmured after obliging. "I'm not going to argue with that.

"So," she began, hiding her grin behind the rim of her tankard, "does Vikkari come here often?"

"Every few days, when we're in the city," Arueshalae said, fingers absently circling the edge of her own drink. "He says hello to... whoever's here, sees if Fye needs anything, sometimes sits in the corner to whittle. He..." She bit her lip, smiling softly, still looking at the Commander rather than Seelah. "...he likes to be around his people."

"Sounds like him," Seelah said, struggling to keep her tone innocent. She watched Vikkari chat with Fye as the young tavernkeep fixed his drink. "Does he somehow manage to miss you glowing like a lantern in the deep watches when he talks to you?"

Arueshalae made a choked noise, cheeks going bright pink. "Seelah! I'm not-- He wouldn't-- We're friends, that's all." She took a sip of her drink, still pink, still looking at Vikkari. "We're friends."

"Mm-hm." Seelah gave the smitten succubus a look that she hoped conveyed how little she believed that, then stuck her hand in the air and waved. "Hey! Vikkari!"

He turned at the sound of his name, a smile splitting his face when he saw them.

Seelah wasn't an idiot--the smile might be for them both, but she was not part of why his golden eyes beamed twice as bright as he made his way over.

"Seelah." Vikkari tipped his head in greeting. "Having a good day?"

Best ever, watching you two. "Keepin' busy," she said instead. "Decided it was time for a break, came hopin' I'd run into a friend." She grinned at Arueshalae, then him. "Two's a bonus."

"Thanks," he laughed, then turned. "And you, Arueshalae? I hope your day's been good as well."

Seelah gulped a drink to hide her smirk at how soft his voice had gotten. Does she really think he doesn't like her?

Arueshalae nodded, eyes bright but lowered to stare into her drink. "I helped Arsinoe restock. She got a large supply of healing poultices and such in the delivery that came while we were out. It was a lot to sort and I felt bad watching her do it alone."

"Kind of you," Vikkari said, eyes still glowing. "I'm sure she's grateful."

Arueshalae nodded, ears faintly pink and eyes madly sparkling when she looked up. "I was happy to do it. She's always been kind to me, I don't mind returning the favor." She tilted her head. "And how has your day been?"

"I had a little bit of time for myself this morning, otherwise it's been end to end meetings so far," Vikkari said with a rueful laugh. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I told them I needed a break from talking strategy and diplomacy and..." it trailed off and he sighed before flashing another smile. "I'm perfectly happy, though, talking to you two."

"Actually," Seelah began innocently, pretending she hadn't caught the near-imperceptible stumble between the last couple words, "I need to track down Lann, so it can be you two carrying on." She drained her beer, thumped the tankard down on the table, and waved cheerfully as she departed.

---

They both watched her make her way to the door, a definite shift to the atmosphere of conversation with her absent.

"Seelah's a good friend," Vikkari commented, which Arueshalae agreed on, "Just not subtle."

"She was trying to be subtle?" Arueshalae blurted with a frown. "When and why would Seelah be subtle?" The paladin had been all boisterous joy and whole-hearted smiles since they'd met. She never held anything back.

"Exactly," Vikkari said. One hand had dropped below the table. "Though I am grateful for the chance to talk to you alone."

"Oh? Why?"

His hand came back into view, cradling something small and wooden. "This is for you. I finished it this morning, before the meetings. But thanks to them I've been busy up until now."

"That's al-" The intended assurance died on Arueshalae's lips as his fingers uncurled and she gave a delighted gasp. "Oh, it's lovely!"

The carved butterfly was half the size of her palm, maybe slightly less. The beautiful light wood was smooth to the touch. He'd even included simplified celestial symbols on the wings. Desna's butterfly. Just the right size to hold without being bulky.

"Thank you so much!" Arueshalae murmured, remembering proper manners. She took the butterfly, trying not to dwell on the way it was still warm from his hand.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it." He was beaming, even if his smile had gone shy. She didn't know why he would be about this, but she never wanted to stop looking at it. Wanted to run her fingers through the soft purple hair, wanted to keep his eyes glowing so bright, wanted-- well, things she couldn't have and shouldn't hope for, she reminded herself.

"I wish I had something for you," she said, face warm. That's how it worked for mortals, wasn't it? Even exchange, the quartermaster called it?

Vikkari shook his head, "It's a gift, Arueshalae. I'm not expecting anything back." That smile went brighter, and he touched the back of her hand, just for a moment. "Just keep shooting things that try to kill me and we're more than even."

She laughed. "I can do that." She would anyway. she mused as she tucked the butterfly safely in her pocket; the last thing she wanted was for anything of the Abyss to harm him.

---

Lann was busy sharpening and repairing arrow when Seelah found him.

"We need to come up with something to say we talked about," she announced without preamble.

"Rather than listen to my instincts," he drawled, not looking up from his task, "I'm gonna ask something I might regret: why?"

"B'cause I used needin' to talk to you as an excuse to leave the Commander and Arueshalae to their own devices in the tavern. Just in case one of 'em asks later, we need to give the same answer."

At that he looked up, running one hand down the curve of his horn. "Guess we should come up with something good then."

Eyes locked with hers as he mouthed a heartbroken "I'm sorry".

No!

He tore his gaze away, shoulder squared, and plunged into the rift.

Desna, please-!

But the Worldwound sealed, her heart broken by the dying gasp of wind and the shimmer of a rainbow where he once stood.

The wind howled, the air smelled burnt, and the vision faded from before her eyes.

Arueshalae caught a breath, swallowed a sob of relief. They were in Threshold, the Wound was still there, ugly, hungry. But here Areelu stood on the precipice of that void with Vikkari, something akin to respect in her eyes as he spoke.

There was a weight at her side, Arueshalae realized, as the real world came more into focus. Seelah, she was supporting Seelah, heavily battered, blood and cinders staining her armor as they watched together with bated breath.

Desna, please... Her free hand sought the small carved butterfly, squeezing it so hard it was a marvel it didn't crack.

Areelu inclined her head respectfully and stepped away from Vikkari.

Seelah's fingers dug into her shoulder, a hopeful gasp the echo of Arueshalae's own escaping the paladin.

The Architect of the Worldwound turned toward her creation, head held high, ragged and smoldering wings tucked close at her back. The wind howled, keening to a nigh-unbearable fever pitch, the magic churned in resistance before surrendering to its dismissal, there was a brilliant red-hot flash--

And then everything was ringing, breathless silence.

She barely noticed Sosiel helping Woljif to his feet, or Lann moving in to take over supporting Seelah. Her focus was on Vikkari, still standing though exhausted, smudges of soot on his armor and blood running down his face.

Arueshalae moved toward him and he smiled as he welcomed her, his arms circling her waist, burying his face against the curve of her neck. "Arue."

"We did it," she murmured, scarcely believing, matching smile just starting to tug her lips as it sank in.

"We did," Vikkari confirmed, his voice shaking with relief, pulling back so his gaze could drink in her face.

"You're... you're still here." Her hands trembled as she reached for his cheek, smearing away blood from the cut above his brow. One more nightmare to push away, this one never to be dwelt on again.

"I am." His smile bloomed full. Elysian butterflies whirled around them, a kaleidoscope of blue and teal. "So, Arueshalae..." one hand rose, cool and comforting, to cradle her jaw, "...how does it feel to save the world?"

Her heart was too full, her joy overwhelming at the thought it was truly done, and she had to surge forward and kiss him. Her fingers dug into his hair, emotion leaking hot from the corners of her eyes.

"It feels like a dream," she laughed when she pulled back. Just far enough to see his golden eyes. Still warm, still glowing, still hers. She leaned into it when his thumb wiped away her tears. "It feels like hope."

Vikkari kissed her again, holding her close.

The Worldwound was sealed, her heart soaring at what the future held and the beating of his heart in time with hers.