What have I done to deserve a gift from yourself? I-
[But he freezes, words dying on his lips as he opens and gingerly holds the scarf in his arms.
Slowly, gingerly, he inspects the entire length, eyes fixated on every detail. They devour hungrily, and for several long minutes he runs his hands over its length.
When he finally meets Obsidian's gaze, he looks...
Lost. Stricken.]
You... made this. For me?
[It is all he can do to take his eyes off of it, but the longer he holds it, the closer he cradles it to his heart.]
What could I ever have done to earn something so special? [He whispers.]
[For a moment, he pauses, considering how to phrase this as he gazes at Themis. The way he seems so uncertain as to the purpose of the present. Whereas Hythlodaeus had been entertained by his clothing and Emet-Selch touched by the canvas, this is an entirely different reaction than he'd been expecting.
And explaining suddenly feels that much harder.]
I am not always so very... eloquent with my words. [Often why he tends to simply nod in most situations when he can help it, but without Alphinaud speaking on his behalf more often than naught he's had to fill in with his own voice. Not that he could ask his young friend to participate in romance in such a way, but the point still stands.] So I thought to do action. To show you how you are remembered. How you are beloved, and cared for. To know what you cherish as well.
I will always wish that the end of our story together had been different. But at the same time, I am glad that we had a chance to reunite on more than one occasion.
[Themis is overcome with emotion, but rather than attempt to stem what he is feeling, to show control and an even demeanor... He allows it to flow freely. Not in tears, no.
It instead is the breaking of dawn. The rising sun over a glittering sea, colors overtaking a bland sky. He is here, he will be remembered, and that feeling washes over him in a technicolor storm of emotion.
Time for another truth.]
The end of our story... where I spoke to you, there at the shallows of the aetherial sea. Where I told you how I enjoyed the name, how I had no regrets. And wished you the best of journeys - in that world and beyond.
[He clutches the scarf to him, stepping close to Obsidian, a radiant smile stealing onto his face.]
With all that has recently happened... I experienced another timeline. I delved into Pandaemonium with you. Saw those sights with you. Felt the warmth of your aether as you kept me with you, told me I was still needed.
[One hand unwinds itself from the gift, reaching to caress Obsidian's face.]
I hold those memories now, of you - and now you truly are my falling star.
[There is something so beautifully bright in Themis' smile. When he had first witnessed it, Obsidian could feel his warmth then, and he feels now as well, yet so much more vibrantly.
But that last part does genuinely surprise him. Themis experienced that, with Obsidian as his Warrior of Light? There's a mixed emotion with that. Mostly in the joy of being known, but also...
Also.
Obsidian places his hand over Themis', pressing his cheek into the palm there.]
Even so, I would loathe for my face to haunt you.
[Though they have already more or less discussed this, he worries regardless. That with those memories now, they were friends and enemies both once.
He is a hero to many, just as much as he is a monster to be feared to others. Warrior of Light, Weapon of Light.]
In my nightmares you shine brighter than the sun, such paltry light a pale imitation of your brilliance. In them, it is not with you whom I clash. Should we fight, it is side by side.
You haunt me, but not in the way you fear. My waking dreams turn to you, turn to how I feel for you. But they are sweet, not bitter, never bitter.
[He steps closer, invading Obsidian's space.]
I consider these memories a blessing, as now I have seen how magnificent you truly are with my own eyes. I care for you by choice, not by these memories, but I will not give you the falsehood that I am unaffected. My affections, my admiration of you, has grown.
My fallen star.
[He leans in to rest his head in the crook of Obsidian's neck, cradling the scarf even more closely.]
Suddenly, he embraces Themis fiercely, letting out a slow breath as if to release his fears. It's all he needs to hear to know he can lay those concerns to rest.]
...See, when you speak like that, tis why I have to make you things. You sound poetic.
[More warmly, he adds:] Then I am ever gladdened, to truly be yours. To be known. I shall not question again how I might linger in your mind.
[The embrace is returned just as fiercely, only the briefest moments of hesitation to ensure that his precious gift remains unharmed.]
Eloquence comes naturally to me, and I shall serenade you with my words at every opportunity. Such poetry do you deserve.
It gladdens me more than you know that your doubts are laid to rest.
[He pulls back, beaming up at Obsidian.]
Would you like to hear of them? Those you have stitched so lovingly - there are lifetimes of tales I could spin for you, since you enjoy my words so keenly.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[But he freezes, words dying on his lips as he opens and gingerly holds the scarf in his arms.
Slowly, gingerly, he inspects the entire length, eyes fixated on every detail. They devour hungrily, and for several long minutes he runs his hands over its length.
When he finally meets Obsidian's gaze, he looks...
Lost. Stricken.]
You... made this. For me?
[It is all he can do to take his eyes off of it, but the longer he holds it, the closer he cradles it to his heart.]
What could I ever have done to earn something so special? [He whispers.]
no subject
[For a moment, he pauses, considering how to phrase this as he gazes at Themis. The way he seems so uncertain as to the purpose of the present. Whereas Hythlodaeus had been entertained by his clothing and Emet-Selch touched by the canvas, this is an entirely different reaction than he'd been expecting.
And explaining suddenly feels that much harder.]
I am not always so very... eloquent with my words. [Often why he tends to simply nod in most situations when he can help it, but without Alphinaud speaking on his behalf more often than naught he's had to fill in with his own voice. Not that he could ask his young friend to participate in romance in such a way, but the point still stands.] So I thought to do action. To show you how you are remembered. How you are beloved, and cared for. To know what you cherish as well.
I will always wish that the end of our story together had been different. But at the same time, I am glad that we had a chance to reunite on more than one occasion.
Especially here.
no subject
It instead is the breaking of dawn. The rising sun over a glittering sea, colors overtaking a bland sky. He is here, he will be remembered, and that feeling washes over him in a technicolor storm of emotion.
Time for another truth.]
The end of our story... where I spoke to you, there at the shallows of the aetherial sea. Where I told you how I enjoyed the name, how I had no regrets. And wished you the best of journeys - in that world and beyond.
[He clutches the scarf to him, stepping close to Obsidian, a radiant smile stealing onto his face.]
With all that has recently happened... I experienced another timeline. I delved into Pandaemonium with you. Saw those sights with you. Felt the warmth of your aether as you kept me with you, told me I was still needed.
[One hand unwinds itself from the gift, reaching to caress Obsidian's face.]
I hold those memories now, of you - and now you truly are my falling star.
no subject
But that last part does genuinely surprise him. Themis experienced that, with Obsidian as his Warrior of Light? There's a mixed emotion with that. Mostly in the joy of being known, but also...
Also.
Obsidian places his hand over Themis', pressing his cheek into the palm there.]
Even so, I would loathe for my face to haunt you.
[Though they have already more or less discussed this, he worries regardless. That with those memories now, they were friends and enemies both once.
He is a hero to many, just as much as he is a monster to be feared to others. Warrior of Light, Weapon of Light.]
no subject
A confession.]
In my nightmares you shine brighter than the sun, such paltry light a pale imitation of your brilliance. In them, it is not with you whom I clash. Should we fight, it is side by side.
You haunt me, but not in the way you fear. My waking dreams turn to you, turn to how I feel for you. But they are sweet, not bitter, never bitter.
[He steps closer, invading Obsidian's space.]
I consider these memories a blessing, as now I have seen how magnificent you truly are with my own eyes. I care for you by choice, not by these memories, but I will not give you the falsehood that I am unaffected. My affections, my admiration of you, has grown.
My fallen star.
[He leans in to rest his head in the crook of Obsidian's neck, cradling the scarf even more closely.]
My fallen star.
no subject
Suddenly, he embraces Themis fiercely, letting out a slow breath as if to release his fears. It's all he needs to hear to know he can lay those concerns to rest.]
...See, when you speak like that, tis why I have to make you things. You sound poetic.
[More warmly, he adds:] Then I am ever gladdened, to truly be yours. To be known. I shall not question again how I might linger in your mind.
no subject
Eloquence comes naturally to me, and I shall serenade you with my words at every opportunity. Such poetry do you deserve.
It gladdens me more than you know that your doubts are laid to rest.
[He pulls back, beaming up at Obsidian.]
Would you like to hear of them? Those you have stitched so lovingly - there are lifetimes of tales I could spin for you, since you enjoy my words so keenly.