izunia lucis callout

[founderinglight]

you will pry twinzunia from my cold dead hands let's do this

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[scourgingstars]

It is not my wish to burden him with something like that. So much is uncertain, and he worries for all of it--the elder brother's role is to carry what the younger can not.

[founderinglight]

Ardyn, I beg of you - stuff that elder brother complex up your ass for once and share your burdens.

[Izunia only ever swears when he's serious, when it's something like this.]

If you love me, then be honest and so prevent me from doing something that I will regret for literally the rest of eternity.

[scourgingstars]

If the alternative is hurting you this way, you know I will do anything to see another outcome. I'm the one who should apologize--I never would have wished for things to come to this.

[founderinglight]

You get to apologize for nothing because you did nothing to deserve what happened.

[Now shut up and accept him crying on you while squeezing you half to death.]

You didn't hurt me. I destroyed myself with my own foolishness, along with you.

[scourgingstars]

But you’re in pain all the same. So I should apologize for failing you, when I should have protected you from any such unhappiness.

[founderinglight]

I'm hardly your baby brother anymore, Ardyn. I haven't been for a long time. Even back then...

[Even back then, he had wanted to support Ardyn. He'd simply been at a loss for how.]

Five minutes means less than nothing at even your age. Let me stand with you, for once, and support you when you falter.

[scourgingstars]

I can look after myself, contrary to popular belief. Is it so terrible that I should wish to protect you?

[founderinglight]

It's very frustrating that you won't let me return the favor.

[scourgingstars]

I already have Gilgamesh looking after me, and even that tends towards being unnecessary. I don’t want you burdened by worrying over me.

[founderinglight]

One: Previously established Starscourge related side effects of healing are a damn good reason to worry.

Two: I will worry anyway, no matter what it is you do.

Three: It's not a burden to care for you, you bloody doornail, it never has been.

[He's two thousand years old and has finally learned to use his words!]

[scourgingstars]

... [Ardyn laughed under his breath, pulling Izunia a little closer and leaning against him.]

I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you of consequences that none had any power to change. I thought...if I could save people, if I could make this a world you could live in happily, then whatever became of me would be a fair price to pay.

I love you and always have. There is nothing I would hesitate to risk for an outcome that would see you alive and safe.

[founderinglight]

And because of that, I did not live happily. Living happily for me... Would be you by my side, even as a monster.

[He leans against Ardyn. This young, innocent version of his brother... Already bearing such a burden.]

My love goes with you wherever you go. But that can't replace having you there.

[scourgingstars]

Oh, Izunia... [Ardyn carded a light hand through his brother's hair, even now sounding as comforting as he possibly could.] You've been terribly alone all these long ages, haven't you? I'm so sorry.

[founderinglight]

Not so alone as you.

[He had the company of the other kings, in a way, all the way down the line. And Gilgamesh at his crag still had the souls of his men around him... All three of them, persisting for thousands of years, in their separate ways. But only Ardyn was truly alone.]

[scourgingstars]

It's not me that I'm concerned with right now.

[founderinglight]

Too bad, because then we'll just be going in a circle of concern that ends in me smacking you for being a fool.

[scourgingstars]

Brother dearest, I care not at all how old you might be, you smack me and you’ll be getting as much right back.

[founderinglight]

You can try. You'll find I've gotten quite a bit better at phasing, though, I'm afraid.

[scourgingstars]

Brat. You’re just the same as ever.

[founderinglight]

I can only hope that some things haven't changed too much.

[scourgingstars]

Some things, no. You're still my brother, after all.

[founderinglight]

[Ah, the warmth that gives him - ]

Always. Yours alone.

[scourgingstars]

That’s right. [Ardyn leaned his head against his brother’s, smiling faintly.] We’re two halves never meant to be split apart, my beloved little brother.

[founderinglight]

[And that -

Yeah he's just gonna. Decay into crying now.

Because he is loved, by at least this Ardyn, who can't even seem to believe that anything can go wrong, and -

It hurts so much, to know that that belief is misplaced. That things go so, so very wrong.]

The sun and the stars are the - the same thing, after all.

[scourgingstars]

Exactly. [Ardyn kept running a gentle hand through his twin’s hair, holding him tightly and just...letting him work out endless ages that the would-be Chosen hadn’t even begun to live through.] You’re alright—I’m here, I’ll not leave you.