This Earthly Blade

It’s something they’d discussed at the end of the worlds, when stars shone brighter to thank them for their service.

But he’d run from it, then. Of course he had – a young boy of only eighteen, something like marriage had been something that still seemed so far away. It hadn’t affected their relationship, and hadn’t been brought up too terribly much since, if at all –and Riku couldn’t have been more grateful for the fact it hadn’t been pressed.

But recently, now, that they’re older – he’s been thinking on it again.

What is he afraid of? Commitment? Perhaps. Something like marriage seems so terrifying. But at the same time–  Everyone had commitments ; and sometimes, they were scarier in thought than in reality.

Maybe this was one of those.

A low hum, vibrating in the back of his throat, the sound of the waves soothing ; and he’s silent for a little while more, fingers tightly clasping those against his own.

“…. I’ve been thinking about that…”

Words are hard, sometimes, even now, sometimes harder than others ; but the sea-salt on the breeze, a deep breath into his lungs, has never failed to soothe him,

“Some other things, like…. being back…. being home…. being normal….”

‘Normal’ – would any of them really be that again? Probably not – but for the sake of the worlds, their Islands, they had to at least try to be. Years later, it’s gotten a bit easier – but they’re still themselves, too. When it comes to Terra - he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“What’ve you been thinking about—?”

He waits patiently while Riku gathers his thoughts, more than used to that contemplative silence over the years. He can’t see his face properly from this angle, but he can so easily imagine the thoughtful expression the other male must be wearing. 

It makes sense that Riku would still be thinking about those things, even years later. Even now, Terra is still followed by what he went through, how close to Riku he truly was, every step of the way. There are days where he wakes up and still can’t believe it’s real.

“Lots of things,” he replies, holding Riku a little closer to his chest. It’s a difficult feat, considering how closely they’re already pressed together, but he tries. “I’ve been thinking about everything we went through together, what we lost and what we gained. It feels like it all happened yesterday, not years ago, you know?” He finally turns away from the sunset, nuzzling into Riku’s hair with closed eyes.

“But more than that, I’ve been thinking about how much I love waking up beside you every day. How full my heart feels getting to be with you after waiting for so long. How I love seeing the way you smile, and making you laugh. How I love grocery shopping, of all things.” He laughs faintly and gives Riku a gentle squeeze. “I’ve been thinking about how right all of this feels, how incredibly proud I am of the person you’ve become, how lucky I feel to have you, and most importantly, how I can’t imagine my life with anyone else.”

@panacaeus

For a moment he says nothing, breath catching in his throat as he watches her. Her touches are so soft, so gentle, and Terra doesn’t think he’s ever been handled with this level of care in his life. Each kiss burns into his skin in the best way. He makes a soft sound and strokes his thumb over her cheek, smiling back at her. 

He loves her so much it aches.

Love that good boy | @thegaleandlance

Terra would never not be utterly delighted by the fact that Dilan could lift him like he weighed nothing at all. He hooked his legs around Dilan’s hips and tilted his head this way and that, letting Dilan kiss wherever he pleased. He smiled so hard his cheeks hurt.

Confessing in Threes

Blab: Three secrets they’re keeping.

“I don’t really keep secrets. But… I tend to try and hide my pain, especially about things I’ve done. I don’t want people to know how badly it hurts because I don’t want anyone to blame themselves. There are times when it all becomes too much, of course, but for the most part I like to spare them if I can.”

“Aside from that? There are a few proposals I’m keeping quietly tucked up my sleeve for now. Waiting for the right time, and for people to be ready. I mean, they know I want that with them, but they don’t know when. It’s quite fun, actually.”

Shh: Three things they wouldn’t want their parents to know.

“I wouldn’t want them to know how much destruction I caused. That their home was taken away because of me, that people died because of me. I know parents are forgiving and all, but I don’t know if I could stand to see the disappointment in their eyes.”

“I wouldn’t want them to know about what I get up to in the bedroom, that’s for sure. They can’t expect a man in his twenties to not be sexually active, and I think they know that. But I’m not about to pull out a list of my favourite kinks and start explaining them.”

“I wouldn’t want them to know how weak I was. How I let myself be tricked, manipulated. How I turned on the people I loved and didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late. They would have wanted better for me, would have thought I was better. I’ll never not regret that weakness.”

Dream: Three wishes they have.

“I wish that the people I care about are safe, happy, and healthy. After everything we’ve been through, they deserve that.”

“I wish for the chance to make up for past mistakes. I really want to get out there and do some good, you know? Instead of stumbling blindly under the thumb of someone I really didn’t know. I want to see the worlds with fresh eyes, and to experience it all in a better light, in my own time.”