then i open my eyes, and it's not as nice.
the bonus solcest drabble to the ask i submitted earlier, with double bonus artwork by @dezimaton (submitted with permission!)
He is alone, like every day. Solace watches his pacing future self without expression, eyes like frozen rubies. It’s rather sad, really, the situation they’ve found themselves in - but there’s no sympathy in his eyes - there’s not much of anything. Perhaps he should say - they are alone, like every day. The fallen El Master is unaware of his past self’s presence, of course - it suits the younger Solace just fine. He’d rather the other be oblivious for as long as possible. A memory, a specter, can’t be seen unless they show themselves, after all. That might have to change today, though - his pitiable future version is tearing apart the fortress in a state of delirium, once again losing control of his temper and giving in to the failure of the past. A soft tch flows from Solace’s mouth at the sight. The older Solace would end up destroying all his progress again at this rate, and while Solace didn’t care much for his future version’s methods, they had both been fighting for the same goal at one point. Standing by and watching for the hundredth time would do nothing, apart from what it’s done the past times - which was also nothing. So he ‘steps’ into the world, grabbing the El Master’s hand, and abruptly halting his movements. The older Solace, of course, reacts violently, but Solace knows himself, and predicts his movements with ease. He’s watched this fallen Master for years and years, knows him better then he probably knows himself. The swing is stopped effortlessly, and the silly mask falls forward with the halted momentum and slides off the man’s face, hitting the ground with a clink. They stare at each other then, in mute shock and apprehension for entirely different reasons. “What…?” That was new - the ugly marks under the man’s eye. Solace narrows his eyes. The fallen Master returns the gesture, but makes no movement, still tense in the hold. “Who are you?” And that makes Solace scoff and step back, releasing his future self. “Don’t play dumb. You know who I am.” Indeed, the knowledge is already shining in the Master’s eyes, though he scowls like he’s been told a blatant lie. Solace can relate - when he’d first seen his future self, he’d been in absolute denial. “Impossible. How-” But Solace is in no mood to answer futile questions that he himself can’t even answer - why is he here, why and how does he exist? How does he end this pointless vigil over his foolish future self? He’s asked everything and everyone from the Gods to the El Lady, and has received no answer yet. He doubts he ever will. “I would get yourself together, if I were you.” The man starts to bare his teeth, shadows flickering at his feet, but Solace just moves forward smoothly and grasps his older self’s chin. They don’t blink, locked in something much deeper then a simple conversation. “At this rate, you won’t make progress at all. So snap out of it.” It’s not said with kindness, nor sympathy - but with a cold sort of understanding that works, somehow. The once El Master’s red eyes clear somewhat, and the mask is kicked away into the shadows by his younger self. Solace gentles his grip at the sight, and moves his fingers down in idle fascination. He hasn’t touched his future self before, and is surprised by how few differences there are. If he were to touch his own cheek - chin - lips - he would feel the same skin. It’s fascinating. He’s tempted to continue, wants to, but the man in his hold is getting restless. He pushes his fingers roughly into the older’s mouth, getting poked by sharp teeth. The pain barely registers - he’s much more enthralled with the darkening of his future self’s eyes. It’s like watching the sun dip down under the horizon. Solace smirks, eyes narrow with amusement. The stare is finally broken as the younger Solace fades, bringing his bleeding fingers up to his mouth and licking away the red liquid. The El Master opposite him reaches up as well, mirroring the movement, wiping his mouth with the back of his gloved hand. He says nothing. “Until next time, then.. Master of the Sun, Solace.”
