These two are one of my favorites. They're so silly together.
Also fun fact, Lowell being really warm but quite small compared to Archemorus makes it easy for him to lay on his face. It's quite therapeutic to Archemorus! :D
Been replaying End of Dragons with @rag-gw2 (Shiro), @legendary-alliance-stance (Viktor), and @legendary-assassin-stance (Archemorus). We've been having a blast.
(for the sake of my sanity, pls gloss over how supremely self-indulgent this all sounds / is written. i’m here for a good time not a long time, if you want to argue ooc characterization, i’ll have to refer you to the CEO of Ghostly Grandpas, @legendary-alliance-stance
edit; taking el’s tags for context cus i didn’t think to explain it: #also for context yes they are still ghosts. they just manifest in a semi-physical way about orion (and noriaki) during their downtime lmao)
The muffled bustling from the floors below floated up through the hallways of the Arborstone inn, settling a low buzz to the background. Noriaki was busy watching the fledglings today, so Orion and his ancestors had the room to themselves, without Shiro grumping and grumbling about nothing and ruining the otherwise boisterous mood.
Viktor had settled himself into a chair in the corner of the room hours ago, his attention taken by a book from the library that Orion had fetched for him. Orion himself was lounging on the bed, arms crossed underneath his head. Archemorus was leaning against the wall, arms and legs crossed casually as he and Orion chatted enthusiastically about the fishing trip they’d all taken to the Jade Sea a few days ago.
Despite his reading, Archemorus could tell that Viktor was listening to their conversation with far more interest than he was outwardly letting on, and it was only when Orion lightly cleared his throat that Archemorus realized he’d allowed their back-and-forth to drop suddenly in favor of watching Viktor flip through book pages.
“So…” Orion started, clearly trying to sound as casual as possible and failing spectacularly for multiple different reasons. “What’s up with you two anyway? I mean, are you guys…?”
That prompted Viktor to finally raise his eyes up from the pages, giving Orion an uncomprehending look.“You are going to have to be a bit more specific, Orion.”
The younger man huffed, shifting on the bed to sit up, draping his legs over the edge. He swung the limbs idly for a moment before speaking up once more. “Are you guys fucking or what?”
That, evidently, was not what Viktor was expecting for a response, if the sharp inhalation followed by choked noise was any indication. “I– Excuse you–?!”
Archemorus barked out a laugh at Viktor’s reaction, as well as the mildly bemused expression on Orion’s face. He turned his attention to the still-flabbergasted (and affronted-looking) Viktor, gesturing towards him with a hand. “You did ask him to be more specific, Vikky,” he rumbled, unable to keep the grin off his face.
Viktor’s expression grew more flustered, obviously not expecting to be ganged up on by the both of them; he stood, book held tightly against his chest as he wheeled towards the doorway and moved quickly. “I– I need to go do something, if you would please excuse me.”
Orion’s gaze followed the man until he rounded the corner of the doorway, eyes flickering to land on Archemorus once Viktor vanished. “So…?” he prompted again, interest piqued.
Archemorus felt the phantom feeling of his face flushing, coughing lightly. “Well…” His gaze wandered the room for a moment before he sighed, letting it land back on Orion.”Me and Viktor, we’re… just friends.”
Orion snorted in surprise, the noise seeming involuntary. “Wait, really? I genuinely thought there was something going on between you two!” Archemorus shifted awkwardly where he was standing, his gaze wandering around the room again – he’d been content…. to an extent… to let the matter fall to the wayside, and having it suddenly under scrutiny by his very stubborn descendant wasn’t how he’d expected to talk about it. Or at all, really.
“It’s, ah… complicated.”
Orion tilted his head, staring at the other man for a handful of seconds before he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together. “Wanna talk about it?”
Archemorus couldn’t stop the grimace that pulled at the corner of his mouth, but he blustered out a sigh before moving across the room to sit heavily on the bed next to Orion. “Sure, why not. I suppose we can.” He inhaled, leaning back on his hands to stare resolutely up at the ceiling, feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious. “I’m just not sure how to talk to him about it.”
“So you are into him, huh.” He couldn’t see Orion’s face, but he could hear the smirk in his voice, and Archemorus huffed out a chuckle, shaking his head slightly.
“That’s one way to put it.” Archemorus flexed his fingers against the bed, exhaling slowly. “I’ve been in love with him for… a long time, honestly. I mean, how could I not be?” He shifted his weight so he could gesture helplessly with his hand towards the door that Viktor had fled through minutes before. “He’s not actually as much of a stick-in-the-mud as you’d think, once he loosened up a bit; he’s a bit snooty, yea, but he’s also brilliantly skillful, kind, gorgeous–” He stopped himself, flustering slightly at how he carried on, and coughed. “It doesn’t matter, I can’t tell him.”
Orion hummed, finally drawing Archemorus’ gaze towards him. “Too nervous?”
“Not… exactly. It’s more.. I wouldn’t want to scare him off, you know?” Orion tilted his head, questioning eyebrow arched, so Archemorus elaborated. “We’ve been together for so long now, since finding each other in the Mists. I’ve gotten used to having him there all the time. If I tell him everything I told you, and he doesn’t feel similar, it would most definitely make things… strained. Or worse, he’d just outright leave.” He didn't mean to let the hint of bitterness slip into his voice, but it did all the same, causing Orion to frown.
“You really think he’d just leave?”
“I… I don’t know.” Archemorus sighed, letting his head fall back so he could stare up at the ceiling again. “It’s not something I’m willing to risk; it’s not like I’m unhappy! I treasure the friendship we have as it stands, so why risk ruining that?” He gave a shrug of his shoulders, and his next words resonated lowly with the true, discontented feeling in his heart, despite the sentiment they held. “I can live with what I have now.”
Orion exhaled a noise that didn’t sound convinced by Archemorus’ words, and the bed creaked underneath his weight as he shifted to get more comfortable, and to prod a finger against Archemorus’ shoulder. “I dunno… I really don’t think he’s the type to just leave over something like that, y’know? You should tell him.”
That drew an involuntary laugh from Archemorus; he straightened up and partially turned to look over at Orion. “Since when did you become an expert on relationships, anyhow? You had a rough time coming to terms with how you felt about Noriaki, after all.”
The tiniest of pouts crossed Orion’s face, and he huffed indignantly. “Doesn’t mean I can’t have an opinion on your situation, old man. You agreed to talk to me, after all.”
Archemorus rolled his eyes, though his expression was amused. “Watch yourself, kid. Just because I’m dead doesn’t mean I can’t still kick your clever ass.”
Orion barked out a jubilant, challenging laugh that was so similar to Archemorus’ that it made his heart ache. “Uh-huh, yeah, I’d like to see you try, Gramps, I’ll–” Orion’s voice faltered as his eyes snapped to stare at the doorway, and Archemorus felt his stomach drop as Viktor’s voice spoke up.
“Archemorus, please refrain from battering our descendant. Even if he does agree to it.”
Even despite knowing he was there, Archemorus’ entire body jolted, and he whipped his head around to look at the other man, who was seemingly making a concentrated effort to not look in his direction, gaze planted firmly on Orion.. “Viktor! I, ah…” he tried to speak, but his tongue felt like unwieldy steel in his mouth.
“Orion.” The young man’s spine stiffened and he straightened his posture, Viktor’s gaze never wavering. “Would you mind giving… Archemorus and I a moment alone to speak, please?”
“Yea, sure! I don’t mind, I need to go find Noriaki anyhow,” Orion’s voice was chipper as he quickly got to his feet, but his posture was still held stiffly, and through their bond, Archemorus could feel a small twinge of guilt – he could only assume that the young man felt bad for bringing the topic up when it was very likely that Viktor could overhear them at any point. Orion turned his head to give Archemorus an encouraging look before he moved to slip past Viktor.
Viktor kept his silence until Orion’s footsteps faded entirely, only turning his attention to Archemorus once it was obvious the man was gone. “I…” Viktor cleared his throat and crossed his arms, shifting on his feet in an uncharacteristically sheepish manner.
Archemorus felt anxiety prickle up his spine, already knowing where this conversation was going to go, and he got to his feet slowly. “How much did you overhear?”
The other man flinched slightly, his usual mask of poise and indifference slipping the further they strayed into uncomfortable territory. “... Enough.”
“Ah.” Damn it, this was exactly what he didn’t want happening–
“Archemorus.”
“I’m sorry, Viktor, I– fuck, I was trying to avoid this–”
“Archemorus…”
“I don’t want to lose our friendship over this, really, I don’t, but I understand if you–”
“Archemorus!”
His words died in his throat as Viktor snapped his name, and he simply stood there, staring at the other as the anxiety moved to squeeze his heart. He’d faced battles with only fire and excitement drumming in his veins, faced certain death with nothing but conviction, charged at Shiro Tagachi with nothing but resolution and a prayer.
But this? Facing Viktor, right now, with the man knowing a secret he’d kept smothered close to his heart?
Archemorus’ ceaseless bravery faltered.
He watched as Viktor sighed, walking forward so there was a little more than an arm’s length between them. “It is okay, Archemorus. I am not angry.”
“I– you’re not?”
“No.” Viktor inhaled a measured breath, eyes falling closed as he seemed to center himself. “I am… a little frustrated, perhaps. But no, I am not angry.”
“Frustrated…?”
“Somewhat. But not at you.”
Archemorus slowly let his tensed shoulders relax, though he couldn’t erase the concerned expression from his face as Viktor opened his eyes once more to meet his gaze. “Okay. But… you did hear what I said to Orion, then. About how I… feel.”
The other man’s composure faltered again and his attention flickered around the room. “I– well, not quite the exact words, but–” His voice trailed off, and he seemed to take a moment to collect his calm and meet Archemorus’ gaze once more. “Yes, I did.”
“And you’re not upset by it?”
“No.” Despite the tenseness in the air, Viktor laughed as if he couldn’t help himself, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair; Archemorus couldn’t help but be enraptured by the movement and Viktor’s voice, losing his own for a moment as he stared. “Dwayna above, I am far from upset by it.”
Archemorus’ heart flipped, and he managed a quiet, “Does that mean–” before Viktor interrupted him, having fallen back into his crossed-arms stance.
“Archemorus.” Viktor stood as still as a statue, the only signs that he was not as steady as he seemed being the slight shake to his hand resting on his arm and the restless flickering of his gaze.
“Yes?”
“All this time…” Viktor sighed, fingers tapping lightly against his bicep. “I could never… tell the nature of your feelings towards me.”
Archemorus felt the incredulous look crawl onto his face at those words. How could he have made it clearer? Between the endearing pet names, and talking about the man like he hung the moon in the sky–
Viktor’s expression seemed to soften at the look he got from Archemorus and he offered a small gesture with his hand. “I do suppose, in hindsight, it is a little… silly that I did not realize, but, in my defense, I had assumed that because you never said anything to the contrary, your… affectionate behavior towards me was merely platonic.”
Archemorus was silent for a handful of seconds as he chewed that new information over in his mind. Exhaling through his nose finally snapped something in his control and a chuckle escaped him, soon turning into uproarious laughter. The expression of Viktor’s face was startled by the change in demeanor, and he kept silent as the other man’s laughter flustered his stoic expression. He waited as Archemorus attempted a few times to speak, only to fall victim to his laughter once again each time.
Finally, after a minute, Archemorus calmed himself enough to finally breathe out a coherent sentence. “By the Three Queens, you’re telling me that we’ve both been dancing around this for… what, how long now? Hundreds of years?”
“I–” Viktor huffed with a small bit of indignance, though his expression betrayed how off-kilter all of this was making him feel; after a moment, he also laughed, though far lighter than the booming of Archemorus’. “Yes, I believe we both have been.”
Archemorus shook his head, running his hands through his hair much like Viktor had minutes before. “Wow.”
“It is a touch embarrassing, isn’t it?”
Archemorus snorted lightly. “A little bit. But…” He took a step forward, closing the distance between them in a single stride and reaching out a hand to Viktor, startling the man slightly as Archemorus’ fingers grazed his cheek; he leaned into the contact, and Archemorus grinned lightly.
“Yes?”
“Even if it did take us this long to finally figure things out, I’m… glad we finally talked about this.”
Viktor’s eyes scanned Archemorus’ face for a moment before the smallest hint of a smile tilted the corner of his mouth upwards. “So am I.” He lifted his head away from the man’s touch, stepping forward to close what little distance was left between them, to the point that Viktor was brushing against Archemorus’ chest. “I… I love you, Archemorus.”
The grin on Archemorus’ face grew, and he moved to wrap his arms around Viktor, pulling the man into a tight hug, leaning back seconds later to press an angle-awkward, but passionate, kiss against Viktor’s lips, which the man returned after a tiny bit of blustering. Unwilling to break the contact, Archemorus rumbled a gentle, “I love you too, Vikky,” against Viktor’s mouth, chuckling when the other man gently flicked his ear in response to the pet name.
