#lightningofkharlan

[ninthcompanion]

[ @lightning-of-kharlan​ | Continued]

Watching Yuan lift the water, Kratos hestitated for a moment. Hesitated because he knew that he was in part to blame for the exhaustion on Yuan’s face. He had worried him - and that was perhaps something of an understatement. He had prompted Yuan to willingly spend time in what barely passed as an excuse for a hospital, when it was quite clear that it struck a significant chord with him. He couldn’t be certain, because he couldn’t recall the worst of it, but he was quite sure that Yuan had been watching him during that time he was supposed to be sleeping.

So it perhaps was in poor taste to argue. The last time he had argued with Yuan around this subject, it had ended in this. He should simply be glad that his friend was willing to accept his assistance.

Kratos moved to assist.

Except...

“Is it not hypocritical to issue a command you are not willing to follow?”

[broadswordandpistol]

Cheating at Solitary

@mithosofcruxis​ @lightning-of-kharlan​ Yggdrasill swept out of the room, but took none of Alvin’s tension with him.

Yuan.

Alvin still didn’t know how well Welgaia was bugged, whether mechanically, magically, or just by spying angels through peepholes. His thoughts raced as he automatically put on his gloves. 

No matter what, Yuan had to stay safe. Alvin had experienced what Yggdrasill could do to a mere mortal. To a fellow seraph, it didn’t bear thinking about. His friend --

No. Today Yuan was not his friend. Today the person he was about to speak to was someone who looked a hell of a lot like him and shared the same name. Alvin would misdirect and lie his ass off to him with no regrets, to protect the man who properly owned that name, and Leticia, and the Renegades. He planted that thought firmly at the front of his mind. He smoothed out his shirt and dragged a hand through his hair. For an excruciating two minutes, nothing happened. The angels waited patiently at his side.

The door swung open. 

[gentleidealist]

@lightning-of-kharlan​ @ninthcompanion​ Oh he is totally watching every second of this, silent and rapt with interest.

[heartofkharlan]

When I saw the Valentine Commissions offered by @preservedcucumbers I knew I just had to get one because @lightning-of-kharlan and Martel have discussed getting married under wisteria in several threads/asks. Not to mention Martel has an official wedding dress now in Tales of Rays!

Look how beautiful it is aaa

[daughter-of-angels]

@lightning-of-kharlan

She hesitates to approach Yuan at first, uncertain if he will even accept the notion that they could be friends. Like Regal’s crown, this one features fewer flowers, relying instead on variegated shades of green for visual effect. There are still some flowers woven in, tiny star like blossoms of blue and white, but the majority of the crown is green.

“Yuan, I made this for you” she says with a smile, offering the crown carefully. “Because you’re important to me too.”

[ninthcompanion]

[ @lightning-of-kharlan​ from here ]

Unable to meet Yuan’s gaze, Kratos continued to stare without seeing into the dark hills beyond.

“Mm. An excellent resource though they are, there are some things that are unfortunately beyond them. It... makes logical sense, Martel’s solution. Were it a standard poison perhaps the body could...”

Shaking his head, he swallowed. He’d been worrying his lip and now there was blood in his mouth. It seemed appropriate, a reminder of the truth inside that he hadn’t the courage to sit by and witness. But then, he’d witnessed it enough, hadn’t he?

He’d witness it again before too long.

He shivered again, even though if anything at all he was too warm rather than cold.

“I’d like to believe I may be wrong.”

[ninthcompanion]

[ @lightning-of-kharlan​ from here ]

Raising an eyebrow, Kratos replied, “Oh? Are you searching for variety yourself, old friend?”

“Very well.”

With that, he unclipped his own shield and made to toss it like a frisbee in Yuan’s direction, to then placidly pass it to him instead.

“If I’m to be dual wielding, you may borrow mine. Do you need preparation time?

[ninthcompanion]

[ @lightning-of-kharlan​ from here ]

Oh. Oh, it was not the fever.

It had been a joke, the teasing. The kind of jokes that his men always made that often either went over his head or, when directed at him specifically, he found unnecessary. The kind of jokes that they all seemed to enjoy and did on account of being friends. Lighthearted banter of a kind he hadn’t really been able to participate in what with his former position.

Oh, you like her?

Yuan did. Yuan did have feelings for Martel.

Well, that was interesting.

Kratos pressed his lips together in an attempt to fight back the smirk and the little tickle of laughter in the back of his throat. It came out as a surprisingly delicate cough that he muffled with his palm.

Then he added, in a totally steady and unconcerned voice and with the vaguest quirk of the corners of his lips, “Your feelings. For Martel, apparently.”

Now entirely unable to keep the smile off his face, Kratos gave Yuan a consolatory pat on the arm. “Good for you. You may keep my waterskin. It is cold and I think you may require something cool to reduce the redness of your face... unless you wish Martel to come and care for you again... Yes, perhaps I ought to take it back.”