Ask Corner - Heroes Heart Day Edition
Refer to this post for context.
Lieber
As the rowboat was gently pushed down the river by a school of colorful fish, Leiber shyly took his Hero's hand.
It was unnecessary. Lieber already had the Dragon under his control when they paid for breakfast that morning. The Hero's thoughts were elsewhere, and they weren't paying attention to who they were handing their coins to.
"Proper rest would have prevented this." Lieber kissed the back of his Sovereign's hand.
His ability kept them from screaming.
Now, completely alone with their worst nightmare, the Hero inspected their surroundings.
A pair of doves were sitting across from them in the rowboat. Another pair of deer pranced along the riverside. Songbirds sang during the moonlit night, and the unnaturally colorful fish were arranging lilies into hearts.
"I thought you could only control one person at a time." The Hero glared at Lieber.
"Aw, you didn't remember. I can work several people at once. It's just that -" A drop of red slid out of the Arbiter's nose. Lieber brushed it away with his thumb. The red smear and his easy-going smile made for a truly deranged expression. "It takes a lot out of me, but animals aren't that difficult."
"I want you dead." The Hero said, and Lieber couldn't help but blush.
"I bet the rest of the Jus Divinium want me dead right now, too," Lieber held his Hero's hand tighter, and leaned in. "Being this close…it's sacrilegious."
After this, Lieber wouldn't need to eat or sleep. This moment would sustain him for years to come.
A butterfly landed on the Arbiter's hand. He crushed its head so the Hero could have something to take home later, and placed it in their hair.
"See, this is more personal to me than it is for the Hands or the Mouthpiece," Lieber didn't lump Abel in with those two. That was different. "A long time ago, you saved my life."
The Hero couldn't do anything but accept that he was edging into their breathing space.
"I was on my knees, begging for the Avatars to protect my family. When that didn't work, I asked Death to reunite us. None of them answered," Lieber's fingers trembled a little. He could practically feel the heat of their disgust. "Then, you appeared. You make miracles happen."
Closing their eyes. Lieber's Sovereign Eternal braced themselves for the worst.
"That makes you a god, and I'm just a pair of hands."
Gasping awake, the Hero found themselves back at home, safe in bed. They ran their fingers through their hair, and found the butterfly in tatters.
"Safe…as if I'll ever be safe again."
