“What is that draws you to me, Valden?”
Solnaer peered down at the other Vadya, his hands lingering just around Valden’s throat. His red eyes bore into Valden’s gold ones, pinning him where he had fallen in their spar. As always, Solnaer put him on his back. And just as always, he was teasing him. Teasing him in the way only the two of them could; with the hint of violence. Their breaths echoed in the upper levels of the dome. The two suns shown brightly through the clear window and beyond their home, a field of magnificent purple flowers. Serenity despite their existence.
Valden the Judgment and his Iron Fist of Destruction.
“Maybe you ought to ask yourself the same, Sol.”
He didn’t move. Valden remained splayed out beneath the victor. Both of them knew, Valden could remove himself if he wanted. Solnaer leaned his weight forward, kneeling almost onto the other’s chest. The strands of his obsidian hair ticked Valden’s jaw. Solnaer studied him, wanting to squeeze on that throat and maybe... maybe...
Killing him would release him from the chains that bound him to their infernal duty. Even as he wanted to agree with it, Solnaer felt every step forward was three, four, five steps back. A losing battle. But it wasn’t Valden’s fault. No, he did his duty as Solnaer did his own. He eased back, saw Valden’s intake of breath, knew he had been thinking it too.
Did he want it? Did he want it also to end?
“I know why. I don’t think you do.” Solnaer hummed, dragging his thumb along the jugular vein. “You pass judgment. I am your consequence. But who punishes you for your actions? Who is judgment?”
He felt Valden swallow. Felt the tension beneath him. Those gold eyes slipped away. It wasn’t so much teasing now, was it? Solnaer drew his hands away from Valden’s throat. He swiped a lock of hair from Valden’s brow and smirked. He got to his feet and held his hand out.
“It’s okay. It’ll be our secret. I won’t even tell Eleste.” The smirk lingered
Valden took his hand and rose with a grunt. He dusted off his dark blue sparring robes. A faint scoff.
“Sol, why would you be fit to judge me? Only the Spirits can judge our actions.” Valden stepped away now, putting distance between them. Feeling self conscious, perhaps. Solnaer let him put that distance. He stared out at the flowers.
“Don’t be foolish, Valden. I am the only one fit to judge you.”