Work Text:
Jokes is what they used to call hopeful wishes of a better tomorrow, unwavering in their bitterness, yet still persistent, as if secretly dressing naive hope in sarcasm.
Evenings became just a normal part of the day, slowly obscuring the view of the sky, threatening that it will never return, until the first glimmers of stars reassured the view isn't going anywhere and the sky will be there to greet them, to greet her, in the morning.
Late was the ship designated to take her to Pier Point, but she didn't mind as her lungs didn't hurt and her eyes didn't water, she could breathe, she could see, soon, even beyond the sky.
Earnest, maybe too earnest, but earnest non the less, became a frequent way to describe her, her work ethic and even personality, never an insult but not quite a compliment either.
Never ending list of tasks, scratched out and refilled by her own hands, adorable snoring of the warm creature on her lap, a tray of treats she grew used to posses an abundance of, comfortable in keeping past bitterness tucked away in the far corner of memory.
Another job, another risk, another possible gain, but most importantly another hope, another chance, another world changed for the better even if by a small bit.
Kind, and brave, and strong, oh! and pretty! even in the simple, worn out dress, that's what Big Sis was, and what he planned to become.
Antagonistically hot, so hot, his birthday was barely a week ago, why is it so hot again, why has the rain become this cruel teasing joke, prolonging this useless hope on this doomed planet.
Keep your blood eternally pulsing, let your journey be forever peaceful, and your schemes forever concealed, always, throughout the lightning and sandstorm and screams, keep your blood eternally pulsing, let your journey be forever peaceful, and your schemes forever concealed...
As long as you are alive, the blood of the Avigin will never run dry, so run, do not be afraid, don't look back, the rain will be with you and it will bless you, her last words to him, but what after the rain and it's blessing, how can the Avigin blood not run dry with only him left as the dessert re-emerges?
Victorious that night, like many previous, dried blood splattered randomly, breath in his gullet, heart paralysed, but this time the intention was there, the most morbid success so far.
A punishment was in place, execution actually, he had nothing to lose, and yet he bet with what long wasn't his, and somehow instead of a death sentence, he got a title and another blessing.
Slave was what he knew he became, yet what no one dared to call him, choosing more creative insults like best employee, faithful Stoneheart or more honesty, lucky dog, where the dog part was not the insult.
High risk-high reward, the gambler was worth as much as his facade, a facade he was a slave to, so obviously he invested in the it, dressing the pitiful chip in gold, and leather, and stones, and confidence.
Another chip, another chance, another gamble, another risk, another insultbearing-worthy gain, another accessory, another fragrance, another smile and another friend.
A crash of opinions and approaches, irritatingly complex, infringingly stubborn... yet impossibly ending with a success.
Venting session that went far, delightfully so, an effect of multiple clashes filled with growing tension, cut suddenly short - open heart on the table, clutching hand under the board.
Exchanging looks and messages, sometimes even talking still, yet never daring to nudge the border of a unfulfilled wish.
Never would he expect her to offer her own...he asked for her assistance only because she was reliable...and maybe for selfish reasons, but now...now this mission became way more difficult for vastly different reasons.
Parting that should not wrench at the heart so, so, so painfully, because not much was exchanged, but pieces of hearts.
Arms uncontrollably open, shakiness of breath, unexplainable relief met with a smile and a change in those eyes, a glimmer of a wishing star finally gracing the sky after nearly meeting it's demise, a real warm embrace at last.
Zesty piece of cake, two cups of coffee, loud purring from every corner, amber of the dawn, turquoise of the sheets, preservation of the hunt.