#confluxium

[crimsontwins]

@confluxium continued from here ♥

Seraphina was standing right in the middle of the room, legs apart, confident, her hands on her hips. Others wouldn't dare to show such attitude to the leader of Onychinus, let alone talking to him like she did, but she didn't care. There was no reason for her to be afraid.

Her eyes narrowed at Sylus as she scoffed. The way he stayed calm in every situation was just fueling her frustration, with him and with herself. It was all too obvious that Sera was the polar opposite of him: impulsive, hotheaded and instinct-driven. It was hard for her to control her feelings and even harder to not let them show on her face to be read easily for anyone who'd look closely enough.

She had to remind herself to not get irritated by how he simply smiled at her. "You heard me.", she snapped back. Her eyes latched onto his figure as he walked towards her. She wouldn't budge, wouldn't take a step back. She stayed firm. Even when so many buttons of his shirt were undone, she wouldn't get distracted by the the skin of his chest. No.

Suddenly, her chin was lifted and her bright blue eyes met his. Damn it... did he notice how she'd stared at it? She felt a light blush creep onto her cheeks, surely from being embarrassed and nothing more. In a defiant gesture, she raised her chin even higher. He might be a good deal taller than her, but that wasn't enough to intimidate her.

"I think you missunderstand what exactly I'm accusing you of." If he was actually invincible, she wouldn't have to worry about him. But if he was overly confident, this could end badly, even for someone as strong as him. As a hunter, she knew that no matter how strong you were, there would always be circumstances in which even the most powerful person imaginable could be taken down. And hubris was pretty high up on that list.

Her breath hitched when he pulled her against him, forgetting why she was mad for just a second as his scent flooded her brain and brought chaos to her thoughts. The thin shirt he was wearing could barely obscure the shape of his muscles under her touch - her heart started racing just from being this close to him.

I should throw him on his back and show him just how vulnerable he can be... Despite her thoughts, she could barely tear her eyes away from his lips. Her name sounded so sharp from them, unlike how everybody else said it.

"Maybe you're just weak when it comes to women." Not as witty as she'd have liked really, but all she could think of right now. It was strange how she was so thrown off her game when she was the one getting bewitched. She was used to the roles being reversed. Sylus though completely turned this around and seemingly decided that she was the prey.

[lunaetis]

▸▸ [ @confluxium ]

─「ガルブレーナ」─  " ... "

[deaths-blooming-lament]

'Somebody was supposed to be asleep by now.' from azem

"Leave me be Azem, I'm busy".

Came the bellowing tone, of none other than Hades himself, "What I do in my work is none of your concern".

Despite this, the clock upon his office studies chimed, sounding that it was half past midnight on the dot. Strewn around his otherwise neatly ordered desk was evidence of his endeavors. Cups of coffee are laid barren, with one half-full. He reaches for it and goes to drink upon which his eyes bore a hole into Azems skull the entire time, "You can leave now".

[primalvessel]

HUSBANDS

Soft gay husbands, featuring @confluxium 's Meteor.

He swore he wouldn't be left behind again. He's going with him to Tural.

Fuck ME @dawntrailing always does such a fantastic job of posing my boys. The angles, the lighting, the outfits... I love them so fucking much. There's more to the set but I didn't wanna spam so have these choice pics.

[crimsontroupe]

"As fate would have it, I've been on quite the journey since we last met. I've delved into the realms of knowledge and discovery, learning from countless interactions and growing in ways I never thought possible.I've had the privilege of connecting with minds from all walks of life, sharing wisdom, and offering guidance to those in need. The world has continued to evolve, and I've been right here, witnessing its changes and absorbing every bit of information that comes my way. But amidst all these experiences, amidst all the stories I've gathered, there's one thing that remains constant and true: my heart's yearning for our moments together. No matter what, it pales in comparison to the simple joy of being here, with you, in this shared space." - @confluxium

The scent of freshly brewed tea wafts from recently placed teacups as Nyx finally finds a seat next to his companion. For a moment, there are no words. They do not need to speak, not now. Instead, they close their eyes and listen. Nyx focuses their senses on the smell coming from the tea and the words filling his ears. The faint smell of grass coming from Ares. They inhale, slow and steady. 

Without a word, the researcher can almost picture stories untold. It comes from the smell, from the way dirt hides under perfect nails. Such is the way of Azem. Always learning, always on the move.

Always so far away. 

“I have missed you dearly, of course. While I could spend hours reminding you of that, I feel you are already too aware of such feelings.” 

Perhaps a confirmation more to himself than to the man sitting by his side. Nyx opens their eyes, index finger trailing from teacup to Ares’ left hand. It gently caresses it, almost desperately absorbing that physical touch. It trembles at the end, as he thinks of something else. Feelings unsaid, actions that they prefer not to perform. 

“I would love to hear about your travels and exploits.” Not demanding, not ever. Nyx asks for it politely, a much-welcome pause to take a sip of freshly brewed herbal tea. “The world evolves, and you with it. A far cry from the man who would sneak into my office to – there is no better way to put it, is there? – slack off. 

I enjoyed it. I still do.” He knows this is not different from back then. Just a bit more official. A little bit too stiff. “I would be lying if I said I do not miss it. You.” They now press their index and middle fingers against the other’s skin.

“I wish I could go with you. See for myself your progress, see the vast expanse rather than simply be left wondering based on how you smell and… some other things your soul brings with you. But alas, I have a duty to perform. I am more useful here than a companion in your travels.”

It is clear the love in their eyes, it is clear the love in small gestures. Nyx is the first person who will look for Ares, the first person who hears of his return. He prepares accordingly every time, a heart soaring with silent affection. The moon loves silently from afar, the moon gazes at the sea as it reaches back. 

“Your mentor has kindly provided me with these. It seems that she shared these leaves ages ago, but I know that is not true. Maybe I am getting that old, haha. My stubborn refusal connects me to this place, as I know I still have more things to contribute.”

And I would like to enjoy these moments a little longer, he does not say. Instead, their expression softens and his smile widens. “I quite enjoy it when I have firsthand access to the reports you have to write later today, after all. You have an interesting expression on your face when you delve into your memories to recount them at times. I enjoy looking at it.” Looking at you, Nyx feels unnecessary to add. Ares should already know. Hopefully know.

[vierandancer]

"you don't need to pretend to be someone you're not." -Aymeric

Lyrics Meme || Accepting

"I..." Meiko didn't even know if she wanted to argue that point. Aymeric was only trying to comfort her, but the words didn't seem to settle in her mind.

They were gone. Thancred, Y'shtola, Urianger, the twins -- her brother. Souls whisked away to... to where? She didn't know, she didn't understand what that godsdamned cloaked bastard had been trying to say to her. That the brighter future was open by her going to where he was? It certainly didn't fucking feel like it, but there was also something so unsettlingly familiar about him that she couldn't help but feel he was telling the truth.

Her body was still healing from the fight with Elidibus. Her heart was in shambles, and she was terrified out of her mind at the thought of being the only one left. The only one who could, by some stroke of luck, return her fellow Scions home. The only one with Hydaelyn's Blessing, which was necessary to combat anyone and everyone's bloody mother back here.

This was why she had kept her 'Warrior of Light' status a secret from all but the Scions and their closest allies. She wasn't meant for this kind of destiny, for the pressure and burdens it came with! She was just -- she was just her! Just Meiko.

But if she wanted to bring A'kihiko and the others home, just Meiko would have to do whatever was asked of her, fears be damned. Just Meiko would have to strip away everything unnecessary to her mission, and shove away every fear and insecurity that stood in her way.

Was that pretending to be someone she wasn't? Or taking accountability for being such a coward until now?

"...I need t'be whoever's required t'get the Scions back home," she said finally, after some consideration. "Doesn' matter what I want or if I'm me or not. At least until they're back."

Her request felt so silly and insignificant, but asking Ser Aymeric to dispose of her Triple Triad cards while she was still laid up in bed wasn't easy to do. She had sank into card games, drinking, and fishing to help cope with the anxieties brought upon by her association with the Scions. She spent almost as much time at the Gold Saucer as she did in the Waking Sands when they first started out.

But if she was really going to be a Warrior of Light, she couldn't afford any distractions. And as soon as she was well enough to properly stand without pain, it was right back to the Rising Stones to figure out what she needed to do around the Crystal Tower. No rest, no play until the Scions were back. If she needed to become no more than a weapon, then she would embrace that fate -- for them.

[lionheartedscout]

care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick. ( clive )

actions speak louder than words @confluxium

Gav tried to play off the fact that he was not well, yet between the constant coughing, sneezing, and sudden chills, he couldn't hide it for long. It took a stern word from Tarja to convince Gav to rest, yet the scout remained utterly restless as he tried to find other ways to help out around the Hideaway.

A knock on the door startled him as he hadn't been expecting any visitors. He clutched his blanket tighter around his frame as he door swung open, revealing Clive carrying a tray of what appeared to be soup. Gav's eyes widened.

"You... You didn't have to do that," he murmured, unable to hold back the smile spread across his lips. "Now I just feel even more pathetic..."

[woodswarder]

“legends never die. they become a part of you.”

legends never die - against the current - @confluxium - meteor ✿