izunia lucis callout

[founderinglight]

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

Comments

[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.

[founderinglight]

[He makes a hiccuping sob and finally buries his face into Ardyn's shoulder, letting it all out.

This Ardyn can only offer him comfort, not forgiveness, but even comfort is something that Izunia has been denied - has denied himself - for far too long.]

...I love you. Even if - even if this changes nothing, if you remember none of this - I love you. I would tear down the very stars themselves to make you happy. I would tear down the sun and usher in that eternal night myself if it eased your pain for even a day, I would destroy the kingdom with my own two hands for you, I...

I would bear it all in your place if I could.

[scourgingstars]

You know I would want none of that. Least of all to have you stand where I do and bear what I carry. I love you dearly and would gladly be crushed beneath the endless night if it means that you should avoid such suffering. You are and shall ever be part of my heart, and there is nothing I would turn from if it meant protecting you.

[founderinglight]

And I suffer far more for having harmed you by mistake than I would under the weight of ten thousand daemons and here we go again.

[Tiniest laugh. They just keep getting caught in this circular discussion.]

[scourgingstars]

I’m sorry. But we could have worse problems than caring too much for each other.