onlythans: (💔 'cause their girlfriends do)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
...Rynlan, come here.

[And for one brief, shining moment, all thoughts and notions of insecurity appear to have fled, because he sits up and wraps his arms around Ryn, and guides him back down to lie in the sand with him, all but inviting him to sprawl on top of him.

He makes a very nice cushion, actually. Warm. Strong. Pressed close like that, the smooth steady beat of his heart is unmistakable.]


You don't have to live for him. You don't. Your life is not a debtor's gaol. Take it from a hypocrite who has spent his life trying desperately to redress balances I'll never repay — you'll miss the chance to be happy by not letting yourself. And then one day those things you loved from afar will be gone, and you'll regret not walking into that warmth and light when you had the chance.

Let him go, Ryn. You can let him go. You'll never forget him, but he wouldn't want to be the cage crushing welts into your heart. Let him rest, so you can rest too. And mayhap if you find you can do that...then mayhap someday I'll find the breath to sing that girl of mine her song, too.
onlythans: (💔 i am through with this)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Shhh. I know. I wish I could promise you won't.

[And he lets them stay that way awhile, just holding him, before finally the blue and yellow drink rears its ugly head one last time.]

I could take a cue from Nav and sing horrible bawdy sea shanties at you until you're more than happy to be rid of me.
onlythans: (💔 she's mine)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
He mentioned something of that to me as well. His people live as long as a Viera, or longer.

[...]

Suggesting we both run off to his galaxy, are you?
onlythans: (💔 it's not your fault you)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
I've never thought about what I would do with a life as long as yours. I barely even thought I'd survive to see the end of the long road I was on before this. To see the star achieve peace.

[He considers a long minute.]

...I don't suppose you've any suggestions?
onlythans: (💔 i am through with this)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
...Well. I — hm. I suppose...there is one thing, yes.

[He smiles faintly, but it's no less genuine for how slight it is.]

I'd like to live long enough to see one of my comrades have a child of their own, and play favorite uncle to the little hellion.
onlythans: (💔 let me explain the situation)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
Well, the thought of having one of my own fills me with a dread beyond most mortal comprehension. But to claim all the fun parts and none of the work? I could see fit to do that.

[He chuckles too, but before long his attention turns to the fact that, and so they come back to this again. Could Ryn live without his void? Could he live without his friends?]

...There is someone I need to see again, yes. Not quite on my own star, but on one of the shards surrounding it. She knows Urianger and the others already. She should meet you, too, someday.
onlythans: (💔 you can ride it)

[personal profile] onlythans 2023-03-10 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Careful, now. That almost sounds like hope you're kindling.

[Hope worthy of a kiss, in fact, and thus Ryn is rewarded with one.]

It's funny. Usually I'm the cynic among my comrades, but here I am, the bright-eyed idealist by comparison. Such an unusual change of pace.