lancifolium | inbox for eastbound

[Eleven bowed his head, frowning and wishing against everything that it were possible]

If I thought for a moment I could be certain..

If I thought telling you I'd chance it anyway would do any good.

[ Lily kissed his temple, lifting the hand that held the bracer and smiling at it again. ]

We're here now, it's enough. [ It would have to be. ]

[He swallowed, nodding]

You could be lost to time. ..I could be lost to time..

[Eleven breathed]

I don't know how I'm going to manage any of it, anymore.

[ Lily drew back enough to slip the bracer onto her wrist before she looped both arms around him again. ]

The gamekeeper at my old school used to say that what's coming will come and we'll meet it when it does. It's rather alarming to consider how well-suited that is to so many things, especially now, coming here.

[ Pausing, she looked over his face thoughtfully. ]

I've never cared for anyone like I care for you.

[He met her eyes with a subdued, searching look. He should be happy and flattered to hear such a sentiment, but it fills him with a pained sadness instead]

It's the same for me. ..Goddess, I hope that isn't any time soon.

We'll stay a little longer, right?

[ They had batted the idea around between them once in the alcove, and the thought that it meant she wouldn't have to let go of him quite so quickly, meant a lot. ]

I know we have to go, I'd just rather not, yet.

[He took in a deep breath, nodding]

We will. My power still hasn't fully recovered yet..

[And even after it does, he's not sure he'll have the strength to say so. Until their combined worried compel them into leaving.]

[ She didn't want to let herself think about whether or not he would want to go back to Erdrea as soon as he had recovered enough and the way home was available. As committed as she was to helping the cause back home, Lily knew herself to know she would linger on for longer than she ought to when the time came. ]

And I'm staying the night, right?

[ Which didn't need to be asked, and was a little bit loaded to ask in and of itself, but - they were both going away eventually. It could be a little loaded. ]

Of course.

[He held her close and sighed] ..So long as you want to, anyway.

[ Letting him pull her closer she leaned into him, her head returning to his shoulder. ]

As many nights– [ 'As we have left' hung on the top of her tongue, but she stopped herself. ]

As many nights as you want.

[Eleven had never considered himself a particularly selfish person, but holding Lily like this, thinking about them together, he suddenly yearned to be]

..All of them.

[ Humming in agreement Lily took a step sideways towards his bed, tugging him along with her gently. ]

I hope there turns out to be a lot of them then.

[ Because she was already beginning to miss him just thinking about it. ]

[He nodded, moving with her. He settled onto the bed and tugged her down to hold her close again. It was the only thing able to soothe the ache in his chest]

Mm. I wish everyone else well in returning. I know I need to, but.. I'll be relieved if the beacon doesn't work.

[ Following as she was tugged Lily situated herself on her side keeping most of herself draped across him as she propped her chin up in her hand. ]

It's a weird city run by proper arseholes, and I wouldn't say it to anyone but you but– [ She frowned. ]

Me too. [ Guilt was written all over her face as she continued. ] I don't want to fight in a war. I wanted to travel the world, study magic, write books about it.

[It was a guilt he well understood. Eleven traced a hand down her arm with a soft sigh]

You deserve it. I pray that the war ends swiftly and you have many years to do just that.

[ Smiling sadly, she reached up to push his hair back from his face. ]

Me too, and then I fall in a hole and end up in the middle of a field somewhere in Erdrea, and miraculously you haven't met anybody new.

[ Before her arrival that would have sounded insane, now it seemed just impossible enough that it made her heart hurt. ]

[He couldn't help but chuckle a bit at that, how ever wryly]

I don't imagine you would have anything to worry about for some time. The world is dark, and then I.. go back in time..

[Eleven frowned shortly. Said aloud, it sounded even more strange. He shook his head]

I told Archeval I want to retire, after. Go to Lonalulu and fish, live simply on my own for a few years until I feel ready to return to the world..

If you go back in time, does that mean this might not happen?

[ Would he even remember any of it after? It was a terrible thought that knotted her stomach instantly, making her hug him a little tighter. ]

Lonalulu? I hope the hole I fall into takes me close. I was meant to go to Egypt first, and see about a course in Curse Breaking. There were a few things I wanted to try and take an apprenticeship doing, come to think of it. There was so much I wanted to learn about.

[ The war had ruined that for her, but, she hoped there was time after. ]

[Eleven shrugged and shifted that slightly bit closer. He didn't understand much better than she did and it gave him a headache to consider for too long]

Well, if you ever did find yourself in Erdrea and need to find me, follow rumors for the whereabouts of the Luminary.

[Goddess, what he wouldn't give for that reality]

Brilliant, since you're proper famous before long rumors will reach you that a daft redhead with a funny accent is asking after your whereabouts, and if you're seeing anybody.

[ She bumped his shin with her foot affectionately before draping her legs over his, trying to get closer and push aside the thought that time travel would undo all of this for him. ]

[He smiled. It was nice to just imagine for a few moments that it was possible]

After coming all that way for me, how could I refuse? Even if I did happen to be with someone, they might be in for a bit of a shock.

[ The thought made her snicker, though her arms went just a bit tighter around him as the notion of him with someone else passed through her mind. Given the circumstances it was an eventuality for both of them, she knew - but that didn't mean she wanted to think about it. ]

I'd hate to ruin anybody's day but for you, I'm afraid I would have to.

[ She paused, smiling at him fondly. ]

It's for a very important cause. [ Possibly the most important, come to think of it. ]

[He nods, shifting his hold on her to something more secure. His smile fades as he speaks]

We are very well-suited, after all. ..I only sometimes wish we weren't. Then it could be that I wouldn't fear the end of it so much.

[ What he said took the smile off her face as she continued to look at him, aware that she would not have all the time she would have wanted to do even something as simple as enjoying the sight of him here with her. ]

It's not worth being afraid of the end. [ She looked down, prodding at the fabric of his shirt with a finger as she did her best to look resolute and not sad. ]

There's likely going to be more nights apart than together. [ That hurt to say, but she cleared her throat and forced her way through her thought, her forehead wrinkling as her eyes flicked back up to his face. ]

I'll try to wait to miss you until then if you do the same? Our being here now is nothing to be sad about.

I know. You're right.

[But it was a difficult thing to promise; his thoughts strayed to Erdrea often. He leaned in to press a kiss to her lips]

I'll try.

(no subject)

lancifolium - 2021-10-19 05:40 (UTC) - Expand