Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Morning. It felt like a lifetime ago when the sun's rays felt like a burden to wake up to. But for the last three days, Ziard finally felt excited to greet the dawn again. He could smell it, mmmm , that sweet sweet scent of waffles wafting under his nose. Ziard was embarrassed to admit it but he was no cook. His new housemate however, let's just say, could cook heavenly food.

Just as said person was a being born from the heavens.

Unable to resist the temptation of his growling stomach any longer, Ziard tossed aside the blanket that kept him company overnight and readied himself to head downstairs.

If only…a certain other person would keep me company at night…

Ziard quickly shook those confusing thoughts away as he sauntered down the stairs, through the living room and into the quaint kitchen where the delectable smell resided. Ziard focused intently on Aaravos’ beautiful form as he slid the now finished waffles onto two separate plates, one for each of them. Last but not least, Aaravos dug his light blue hand into the handmade woven basket that laid obediently next to him. It was full of all kinds of different Xadian fruits! The perfect final addition to go with their scrumptious breakfast. He pulled out vibrant, ripe looking strawberries and blueberries. They appeared so freshly picked!

Aaravos, finally noticing Ziard’s presence, turned slightly to face his former student.

One of the very few people he trusted in truth.

“Just a few finishing touches and it’ll be ready.” Aaravos told Ziard while adorning a gentle smile. He began elegantly chopping up the Xadian strawberries before neatly placing them on the waffles. Presentation was important after all!

“Looks delicious! I knew inviting you to live with me was the correct move.” There was a hint of playful teasing in Ziard’s voice. He hastily sat down on the dining chair, almost drooling over anticipation for his meal.

Aaravos lightly chuckled in response to Ziard’s impish joke. He brought over the tray containing their breakfast to the table and set a plate down for himself and Ziard, as well as glasses of water for the both of them. He mirrored his housemate by tucking himself in the other side of the simple, wooden table. 

“Am I your slave now?” Aaravos jokingly retorted, donning a smirk of irony on his shimmering, cerulean face.

Ziard grinned from ear to ear, puffing his chest out a little. “Now, now, slave is a strong word. More like…a housemate with benefits!”

Ziard had not realized what had accidentally come out of his mouth as Aaravos was midway through drinking a glass of water. To say he choked a little mid sipping was an understatement. But at the same time, Aaravos was trying his hardest not to fall on the floor laughing then and there.

Ziard felt a twinge of embarrassment as he suddenly cottoned on as to why Aaravos had reacted that way.

Oh.

“You have such a dirty mind.” Ziard’s voice was somewhere between half amused and completely deadpanned. 

Aaravos’ teasing manner did little diminish as he sat amused at Ziard’s complete flusteredness. With a grin as wide as a Cheshire Cat, Aaravos rested his head in his left hand while playfully holding Ziard’s gaze.

“You were thinking it too if you came to that conclusion.” Aaravos gleefully concluded, completely aware he was the victor of this particular conversation. 

Ziard couldn’t help but stare at Aaravos with an expression completely devoid of any emotion. It was like a black hole had swallowed his entire appearance whole.

Aaravos joyfully took that as a win and returned to eating his well prepared breakfast, no longer paying attention to Ziard.

This was his chance.

As discreetly as possible, Ziard slowly picked up one of the Xadian blueberries from the waffle on his plate. His golden eyes gazed at Aaravos with conviction and before he knew it, he threw the blueberry directly at his target.

Payback.

Aaravos’ faintly gasped and his golden eyes widened in surprise as he was hit by an unexpected fruity visitor.

Ziard’s eyes cried innocent and but Aaravos knew this meant war. He mimicked his former student by taking a Xadian strawberry from his plate and returning the favour back at Ziard.

At the end of the day, the fruits remained uneaten.

The fruits were just there to be a back and forth between two people who held each other dear.

At least the waffles got eaten.

But how did Aaravos end up here? Surrounded by a place where he felt a sense of comfort and security after a very long time?

It happened three days ago.

The crisp rays of sunlight were setting in to sleep for the night and making way for its harmonious, illuminated brethren.

Aaravos sat isolated on the smooth bladed grass just outside the lively city of Elarion. He silently perched under a beautiful blossomed apple tree which swayed peacefully from side to side in the fresh spring breeze. This time of the year was a delicate time for Aaravos as it consisted of many troublesome memories that plagued and burdened his hollowed blackened heart. Spring was the season of death. While so many associated winter as the season where everything ends, for Aaravos that could not be further from the truth. For starters, his precious Leola was taken from him in this vile season which people correlated with abundance and life, a twisted and ironic notion that made Aaravos sick to his core. But at the same time, he understood. No one had any idea about the beautiful girl whose life came to an end so brutally, only fables of terrors and continuous storms. But then a beautiful star laid silently in its wake as the storm subsided, leaving behind the most loveliest diamond in the sky. 

It was ironic that Leola was remembered as both a curse and a blessing to those who never knew her. 

Those who never cared to understand the truth.

Aaravos was alone in carrying memories of his beautiful girl.

But spring didn’t just clasp onto the season of despair for that reason alone. Today was April 15th. While an ordinary day for most, for Aaravos it was a constant reminder that his vibrant memories were clouded in nothing but cold shades of grey. 

It was ironic that he had finished meticulously crafting a Shadowpaw plush, because the vivid images of dawn that swirled around in his memory were as vibrant as daybreak. After all, mornings on April 15th was the only day out of the entire year Leola would ever wake up early from her slumber to greet the sun. Her birthday was always that special to her. She was always bubbly and lively but that one particular day of the year, everything was amplified tenfold. The wonder and excitement that beamed off of her was contagious. She did always seem to have that effect on people.

A somber expression was drawn onto Aaravos’ shimmering face as he reminisced about this particular spring day. Every “happy birthday!”. Every present opened. Every slice of homemade cake eaten. 

He held the soft Shadowpaw plush closer, almost as if he were hugging the inanimate object.

The memories threatened to mercilessly drown him from the inside out, but it would have been less painful then living everyday with the ache that will never fade.

It hurts to care.

It hurts to show emotion.

It hurts to love.

“There you are!” A familiar voice ripped Aaravos away from those dreaded thoughts and dragged him back to the same but just as sour reality. He slightly turned his head up to the side to look into the eyes of the man whose voice that belonged to.

Ziard.

“I was looking for you at the Elarion fair, but you weren’t there.” Ziard’s voice always felt like some kind of comfort security blanket, one that ambushed Aaravos out of nowhere and something he’d much prefer to toss to the side then to indulge himself in. But his former student’s tone was warm and nice and it brought him a sense of ease during this time of melancholy. 

“I am not a fan of being surrounded by so many people. And I do not like staying in one place for too long.” It was still the truth for the most part. Aaravos really did hate crowds and he hadn’t set his roots in Elarion. Quite frankly, he did not intend to. And it was not for the lack of wanting, if anything deep down, Aaravos yearned to call this settlement his home. But he could not bring himself to grow attached only to be heartbroken. Not again. It was easier to come and go every so often so he didn’t grow that stem of yearning for something that would eventually be smashed into a million shattered pieces.

“How did you find me anyway?” One of Aaravos’ eyebrows involuntarily lifted as it sought answers to his burning question.

“I used a tracking spell. They come in useful for something.” Ziard casually shrugged, not thinking much about the question at hand.

Ah. That should have been obvious.

“I’m pretty sure that's called stalking.” Aaravos impishly teased, a little smile began to curl onto his lips.

“I prefer to call it ‘using my initiative’.” Ziard puffed his chest out with pride and folded his arms.

“Potato, potato .” Aaravos cheekily shrugged while donning an impish smirk. Ziard lightly chuckled in amusement. He knew Aaravos was a massive bookworm but he didn’t take him for an idiom type of guy.

Ziard remained quiet for a moment afterwards, the chirping of Xadian Rosefinches being the only noise that accompanied them. But that didn’t last for long, as Ziard’s voice broke through the solitude of silence. “May I join you?”

Aaravos contemplated it for a moment, while his head was screaming at him for a mere moment of mourning privacy, another part of him really felt like he could use Ziard’s company.

He wanted Ziard’s company.

There was an immense amount of hesitation, but Aaravos nodded and gestured for Ziard to sit in the lush green space right next to him under the protection of the blossoming apple tree.

It was quiet. Silence continued to gnaw relentlessly at them until Ziard spotted a peculiar little plushie out of the corner of his golden eyes.

“That’s beautifully crafted! Did you make it?” Ziard asked with his curiosity piqued. He could see that Aaravos was attempting to hide the little Shadowpaw plush from him, but now it was out in the open, he sighed lightly and held it back into his glistening hands again.

Right in plain sight.

“I made it…for someone dear to me…” Were the only words that seemed to bubble out of Aaravos’ soft lips. But that look on his face. Ziard has seen that look before.

He was all too familiar with it.

Right there and then, he grasped an idea of what was going on.

“I had a sister, you know.” Those words caught Aaravos’ attention like a moth to a flame, and golden eyes locked with each other as Aaravos had settled to listen closely. “She was my twin. Her name was Umbra. She was my big sister, born a few minutes before I was.”

Aaravos could feel deep down that he knew where this was going, but his sensitive ears continued to listen with intent, not even faltering for one moment. “She was very smart and funny, even though we argued quite a fair bit. But hey, we were brother and sister, that was our job. When we were kids, it drove our parents mad.”

A soft nostalgic smile made its way onto Ziard’s face which seemed to be overshadowed by the brooding nature of their conversation.

“She passed away a few years ago though. She ended up with a terrible sickness that just couldn’t be cured and so I had to say goodbye, just like we had with our parents so long ago.” Aaravos could swear he could hear Ziard holding back tears as he regaled his story to him. His inner truth.
“Her room still lays empty and forgotten about since her death. I don’t like admitting it but it's sad and lonely. I miss her so much. But sometimes, talking to someone can alleviate the pain, even if just a little.”

An absurd amount of emotions rushed through Aaravos like an ocean that was hit by a heavy storm. He couldn’t even describe the feelings that was going through his mind right now. But he felt so sorry for Ziard. It was clear this was information he kept tight to his chest and locked away with a key, just like with how Aaravos would keep his stories with Leola hidden to only but a select few.

Perhaps he could trust Ziard with the sorrow he carried within?

He knew what it was like to lose someone so precious after all.

Aaravos breathed in a deep breath. Unlocking this door to another was an extremely daunting task after so many years of carrying the weight of pain alone.

“Every year, I make sure I have a present prepared for this exact day, April 15th because…” Aaravos' voice tapered off as for the first time Ziard had met him, his words were stuttering and stumbling.

From the way Aaravos was fidgeting with the handmade Shadowpaw plush, Ziard could already tell he was cracking on the inside. That even speaking about it after so long shattered him in such a way that even being stabbed relentlessly by the most well crafted blades hurt less.

Therefore, Ziard didn’t want to push, he had an idea instead. Besides, he already knew deep down that Aaravos had lost someone dear to him.

Ziard hastily rose to his feet and shared a kind and gentle smile to an uncertain Aaravos.

“Come, I have something to show you. It’s not far from here.”

Aaravos gazed into the golden eyes of his former student who carried an air of conviction with him. Aaravos could feel the ice he kept frozen over himself slowly start to melt. Much of what he wanted to say still remained dormant, but he wanted to go with Ziard. So, he too rose up from the fresh, spring grass and smiled faintly at his companion, the Shadowpaw still in hand. “Where to?”

“Follow me.” 

Majestic purple bat wings flourished from the backs of the both of them and the two of them began to soar together in the sky, flavoured with the setting sun. Aaravos wasn’t quite sure where Ziard was leading him, but he could tell it was still within the serene outer meadow area, just outside of Elarion. Miles and miles of fields draped in the most gorgeous flowers the eye could possibly see. It was truly a sight to behold. It was roughly around that corner that they reached a tiny cave where the both of them squeezed inside.

With a click of his fingers, candles lit burning bright in the cold of the dark and Ziard revealed the contents of what laid inside this dainty, remote place.

“Is this your family’s grave?” Aaravos’ voice oozed with somber curiosity. His syrupy eyes taking in every inch of meticulous gifts laid around a fairly large stone with Ziard’s mum, dad and sister’s name engraved on it.

“Sort of. They weren’t actually buried here but this place is a sacred memorial place I made for them. Sometimes, I will lay down gifts for them to let them know I’m still thinking of them.” Ziard explained to Aaravos as he slowly walked closer to the burial site and sat before it. “It’s how I keep them alive.”

Too many emotions felt like they were overflowing from Aaravos as he stared at the memorial site attentively. Aaravos knew all too well about the feeling of pain and suffering one is forced to live with after losing someone so precious.

It creates an emptiness in your heart.

Aaravos nestled the Shadowpaw plush close to his chest and sauntered over to join Ziard next to the memorial site. He took one more look at the handmade plushie before words finally began to maneuver from his soft lips. 

“Today would have been my daughter, Leola’s birthday.” Is all Aaravos managed to say. His words were shaken and frail.

Aaravos had let his guard down. 

Ziard softly gasped. He could tell Aaravos had lost someone but he was honestly not expecting it to be his child.

Ziard felt like he was just hit with 10,000 tons of bricks.

He knew it was best not to push it, after all, Aaravos would come to him if he needed him when he were ready. He already took the first step.

“I know she was wonderful.” Aaravos gently smiled at Ziard, thanking him silently for his kind words. But Ziard really wanted Aaravos to know his words came from the bottom of his heart. He meant it. He knew Aaravos’ little girl was smart and brilliant. 

And he knew she was proud of him.

“You know, there’s still some free space over there.” Ziard briskly pointed to the barren direction that was still completely left untouched. Ziard had picked up a nameless rock in his hand and delicately placed it in view of Aaravos and his curious eyes. “I’m sure Leola would love to have her Shadowpaw.”

For the first time in a very long time, Aaravos could feel the tears bubbling up from the inside. He believed they’d all been poured out and dried up after his one hundred years of mourning.

Turns out, when there’s pain inside you, your eyes will forever be drenched by the waterfall of grief.

It made way for another first in a really long time. Ziard swooped in and hugged his previous mentor tight. The situation was fragile and delicate but Ziard was sure he could read what Aaravos really needed deep inside. In truth, Aaravos didn’t even know this was what he needed. Someone he could trust and lean on. But here he was and he couldn’t thank him more. Aaravos’ arms began to mirror Ziard’s in coiling around his waist and they stayed there for a moment, just letting everything sink in. 

“Don’t you dare tell anyone about this.” Aaravos sobbed a laugh through a couple of tears in his eyes as he finally maneuvered away from the embrace. 

“Why? What are you gonna do? Deny it?” Ziard attempted a joke to lighten up the somber mood that had surrounded them. It was surprisingly well received as another light chuckle escaped Aaravos’ smooth lips.

It was a blessing to Ziard’s ears.

The two of them stared at the unnamed rock after their fragile moment. Aaravos took a glance back down to the Shadowpaw that resided in his cerulean hands and placidly stroked it with his thumb.

“Shall we?” Ziard’s words brought Aaravos out of his little thoughtful trance and nodded his head in agreement.

The duo quickly got to work meticulously carving Leola’s name into the rock, with Aaravos having added a tiny heart. Once finished, Aaravos held it delicately in his left hand and whispered, “I love you Leola. Happy birthday.” before lovingly setting the rock down. He took one last look at the Shadowpaw plushie before he placed it next to the gravestone rock, like the two were huddled together.

For the first time in a while, Aaravos felt…lighter?

He couldn’t thank Ziard enough.

The moon was gracing her luminescent presence by the time the two returned to Elarion. The duo decided that after returning to the city, they’d take a quiet moonlit stroll back to Ziard’s place. They wanted to spend more time together.

“Thank you for today.” Aaravos didn’t look at his conversation partner as he walked on. Ziard gathered Aaravos had thought maybe he saw too much underneath his mask.

“I could say the same thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to talk to anyone about this kind of thing.” Ziard openly admitted, the divine moonlit breeze brushing through his black hair tinted with white from uses of Dark Magic.

Finally, Ziard caught Aaravos’ gaze and not for the first time today, he got to see his beautiful smile. It managed to brighten even the prettiest of nightfall's. He just had that effect on people.

Ziard rapidly halted where he stood and immediately became flustered.

Did…did he really just think that?

“Hey, what’s wrong? You’ve gone all red.” Aaravos felt like making a teasing remark, but after all Ziard’s kindness towards him today, he figured he’d cut him a little slack.

“It’s…nothing. Just thinking that’s all.” The two began walking toe in toe with each other again. That was close.

“Thinking is dangerous for you. Don’t do it too much now, will you?” Okay, so maybe Aaravos did need to play with him, even if just a smidgen. He felt like he could with Ziard.

“You are so funny.” Ziard retorted in a deadpanned voice and pulled a fake wide grin at Aaravos who looked at him completely amused. The air between them was so pleasant. So natural. Ziard wished he could be in his presence for longer.

It’s a shame that Aaravos often comes and goes.

But maybe…?

“So um, I was wondering…how would you feel about moving in? With me, specifically.” Ziard wasn’t typically someone who faltered over his words but this was a pretty big thing to just randomly ask someone on the way back to his house.

Potentially their house.

“Ziard, that’s a really strange way of proposing to me.” Aaravos impishly replied, enjoying in how Ziard’s face went even redder than it had done earlier.

“Wait! That’s not what I’m saying! I just…I have a spare room and I think it’ll be good for you and…”

“Relax Ziard.” Two golden eyes met and Ziard’s heart skipped a beat as he prepared himself to be turned down. Little did he know that he was about to have a new housemate. “Are you sure? That’s your sister’s old room.”

Ziard breathed out a sigh of relief and tried his best to maintain his cool on the outside but the truth is, on the inside, he was brimming with joy. “I’m sure! I think it’s what Umbra would want.”

“Well then…” Aaravos began to say as they reached their home. “I humbly accept your invitation. I would like that.”

Ziard couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear as not only had Elarion now gained a new permanent resident, but Ziard could now try and be there for Aaravos should he ever need him.

Reality can be a burden. But I will always be by your side to lessen the agony that has put a hole in your silver heart.

Chapter Text

It was a true sight to behold. Such otherworldly views were uncommon to the naked eye, yet here they were, gracing the world with their very presence.

The spirits of those who had not been free from the curse of their life. 

Forced from the world too quickly.

Fleets of phantoms herald the new world, making way for new ‘life’. Each tormented spirit rising from the depths below, embracing their new dawn under the shield of the moon.

Aaravos waited patiently beside his adoptive daughter, Claudia, of whom he cared for very much. The Nexus held a newfound glow about it and while the aura gleamed a spooky vibe, there was an air of elegance and beauty about it. 

The likes of which many normal folk could not understand.

Finally, there he was. Aaravos gasped in awe and excitement as he gazed upon the phantom of his lover from so long ago. He looked different, but not really. He held the same Gothic aura which had made him so charming even back then. He stood out amongst the vibrant crowd in all his shadows of darkness. 

Oh, how he still loved him.

Ziard was immediately compelled to the sight of his partner. Even after all this time, they were still one. He flew straight over to him like a moth to a flame and kneeled before him, itching to hear his rich, deep voice again.

Ziard was very much rewarded as Aaravos leaned into his ear and softly whispered, “Do you know how sexy you look, even as a ghost?”

Ziard could not grin for in this form, his now giant teeth jutted out making an expression of happiness hard to convey. “Aaravos, I appreciate the compliment. And while it is hard to restrain myself from making out with you this very instant, can one even do so with a ghost?”

“One doesn’t know unless they try.” A vivid smirk painted itself on Aaravos’ pale lips, crested with lines to add onto his more gothic appearance.

Claudia grinned as her sensitive ears overheard every word, every whisper from what should have been their private conversation. “So, are you gonna introduce me to my new adoptive father in law?” 

Aaravos’ eyes suddenly widened and he spun around to gaze at his other family member, who was staring at him gleefully. 

“This is Ziard.” Aaravos maneuvered back around to his spectral partner and delicately placed the wooden, glimmering moon primal staff into his bony phantom hands. In a soft and low voice, he chuckled, adding; “You could say there were quite a few things we got up to in the first human settlement of Elarion.”

Claudia smirked widely at the implication, knowing full well what he meant. Aaravos waved off his see-through partner who was just as dashing as he was back then, watching him soar into the night on the back of a phantom wyvern.

The forgotten frozen onlookers groaned in disgust, not fully sure how to take the conversation they just overheard. 

They weren’t sure what was worse.

That Aaravos and Claudia had released the spirits of the dead.

Or the visions in their head that they now could not unsee.

“I will never be the same man I once was after overhearing that.” Soren somberly noted into the dead of the night.

Chapter Text

Everyone called the stars beautiful. They lead a vast, gleaming trail in the broad night’s sky creating a grand spectacle for all to behold. But for Aaravos? He couldn’t agree less.

The stars were despicable, disgusting creatures who held themselves above all, admiring their own self regarded vanity. They were selfish, cruel and full of nothing but disdain for nothing but what they conceive as perfection. If Aaravos had a middle finger, he would share the human tradition in giving that nice gift to his friends every night. Let them know how he really feels about them.

Therefore, Aaravos stayed bundled up in his and Ziard’s cosy bed while reading Love Amongst the Dragons. He’d only started it a few hours ago but he was getting to the good bit! He was currently on page 69 after all. 

It wasn’t that much longer later that his boyfriend came strolling into their bedroom and lazily shutting the door behind him. He was dressed and ready for bed, completely shattered by the day which had just preceded him. Aaravos could see the exhaustion in Ziard’s golden eyes.

Aaravos could relate.

He felt physically and mentally tired often, but it was easier not to show it.

Even to Ziard, the only person left in this world who he felt he could share his feelings to.

“Enjoying your book?” Ziard snapped Aaravos out of his searing deep thoughts as he set his staff aside and walked over to their delicately cosy bed, relaxing into its serenity.

“Of course! It just got to the interesting part!” Aaravos slid his slim finger slowly down the page he was on, almost in a playful, taunting manner. “I’m on the part where the dragon bangs the other dragon! It’s very fascinating.”

Ziard’s face flushed a deep pink in a mere instant, immediately turning his head away as he sank down onto the comfortable restful furniture which they may or may have not shared the same “banging” sentiment together. “Aaravos, I really don’t want the details.”

Aaravos chuckled teasingly while placing a bookmark on page 69 to make sure he remained vigilant as to where he was in the story. After doing so, he set the forgotten book to the side cabinet and curled his hands around his knees, mischievously tipping his head on them with a deliciously, impish smirk. “On the head with his tail Ziard, don’t make things dirty now.”

Ziard exhaled a long, deep sigh before finally turning his head to his boyfriend and shaking his head. He soaked in that delightful cheeky grin that was adorning his face at this specific moment. He wanted to capture each smile in his memory like a painting that he could keep in his mind gallery because each and every one of them was a masterpiece that was meant to be cherished.

He wanted to kiss those frisky, soft lips.

And so he did.

Ziard leisurely closed the gap that cursed the space between them and cupped his hand tenderly under Aaravos’ azure chin. Aaravos’ eyes went wide in contentment, gladly allowing Ziard to pull him so gently as if he were made of the most breakable of porcelain, into such a soft and tender kiss. 

It was a fragile and warm kiss, united in a loving embrace. It was actually incredible how the atmosphere could go between teasing one minute, to so slow and adoring the next.

Mesmerizing. 

The kiss ended with a gracious and satisfactory sigh which melted out of Aaravos vocal chords. Truly a delight for Ziard’s ears to listen to.

“Mmm, maybe we gotta talk about dragons pretend fornicating more often.” Aaravos cheerfully joked, the sweet taste of Ziard’s lips still freshly lingering on his.

Ziard softly laughed, playfully shoving his partner a little before hesitantly detaching himself from their delightful embrace. “Stop it you.”

Aaravos lightly giggled as he watched Ziard shift himself so he was tucked snuggly under the blankets and ready to wish the moon farewell for another night. Aaravos happily pursued the same daily task of letting the night melt away in the arms of the man he loved.

Aaravos keenly slipped under the heat of the blanket and snuggled up to his beloved. Ziard often slept shirtless which was complete heaven for Aaravos. The divine feeling of slowly moving his hand up from his smooth stomach to his chest which Aaravos constantly used as a pillow was sheer perfection. 

As Aaravos positioned himself nicely on Ziard’s chest, the Dark Mage felt it was fitting for one last playful remark for the night seeing as Aaravos had decided to curl up on him like a cat cuddling for their familiar warmth. “Using me as your pillow again, I see?”

A blissful chuckle escaped Aaravos’ soft lips in retaliation to Ziard’s impish remark. He briskly closed his eyes and lightly jabbed Ziard with his horns in retaliation before making himself even more comfy. “You have your uses.”

Ziard rolled his golden eyes, smiling as he did so and coiled his arms lovingly around Aaravos.

Aaravos’ eyes leisurely closed, surrounded by the comforting embrace of his partner.

It was lights out.

And it was dark.

Too dark.

It was strange. It was like there was a total lack of nothingness, but even in darkness, something was trying to reach out to him. 

Something…or someone?

“Daddy, I’m so scared!”

Leola?

Aaravos looked around the void of nothingness with severe tremors. Those words…her scared voice…it all came flooding back to him like a pounding tsunami tackling him under hungry waters. There wasn’t a day that went by where Aaravos didn’t think about Leola’s trial and beg that things had been different. That he could have saved his baby girl and life could have carried on the way things were.

How depressing.

“Daddy, I’m so scared!”

Where are you?

Suddenly, he was there again. In that exact moment where everything had gone completely wrong. It was like his life was a vibrant, blossoming meadow of flowers one minute, but in the very next breath, those flowers had died a cold hearted, needless death.

“Sometimes the line between mercy and cruelty can be thin.”

“DADDY!”

Aaravos was a phantom in this nightmare. A watcher. And all he could observe was the horrifying torment of the past, watching as his baby girl perished in brutal, merciless murder.

Could he reach? He couldn’t reach. She was far too astray now. But even if he wanted to wrap his loving arms around her, he was nothing more than a ghost. A fleeting void of emptiness that roamed the world looking for answers that just weren’t there.

Floating, floating, floating away. A searing light.

A fallen star.

A broken father.

Fiery tears surged down from Aaravos’ amber eyes, his startouched cheeks flooded with unrivaled, flooded sorrow. 

He called his daughter’s name. It made no difference.

Back to reality. But it was much the same. The same disturbing reality slashed Aaravos like a thunderbolt striking its victim without any thought or hesitation. 

Once again, he yelled her name in distress, but this time, he was no longer an observing phantom.

“LEOLA!”

Aaravos bolted up quicker than a raging dragon soaring through the cloudy skies, his tears devouring him just as rapidly.  

He couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. 

He couldn’t think. He could barely see.

The only excruciating thought racing through his mind was how his daughter had perished.

How he couldn’t save her.

It was traumatic. Too traumatic. 

Too hard to cope. Too hard to ingest air. 

Too hard to come to terms with reality.

“Aaravos?!” His name. It was said back then too, wasn’t it?

It was.

“You have seen as we have all seen, Aaravos.”

It was him. The Elder! It must have been! That wretched snake is here and trying to hold him hostage!  What else does he want to take from him? He already took his daughter. His happiness. His world.

He might as well just take everything else too.

Aaravos was like a withering fish in a tank, but had been given no room to breathe. He had always been a fish out of water, but now somehow, even the biggest of oceans felt too constricting. 

“Aaravos, can you hear my voice?” No. All Aaravos heard were vague, vulgar sounds from a Startouch traitor who held him in his tainted grasp. Aaravos attempted to wiggle and worm his way out of his poisoning grasp but to no avail. 

He was trapped.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!!” Aaravos continued to thrash about, his breathing uneven and shallow. Frenzied tears plagued his golden eyes and bled relentlessly down his shimmering cheeks. 

The world was moving. But everything was hollow and empty. How could these two things exist in unison?

He didn’t understand.

He didn’t understand anything.

“Aaravos, listen to me…” 

“I SAID LET GO OF ME!” He felt so sick. Nasua corrupted the very pit of his stomach. Sweat dripping down like rapid falling icicles. 

“It’s me, Ziard. Listen to my voice, Aaravos. I’m here for you.” 

…Ziard?

But 

But he’s not…

Bit by bit, reality started to return to a previously frantic Aaravos. He was only just starting to get a grip to the truth that had always been at hand, and he felt so weak and useless.

He felt so vulnerable.

Almost as if Aaravos were made of delicate glass, he could feel Ziard ever so gently stroking his snow white hair smoothly as he settled his head on his bare chest. Ziard’s sleek black and white hair danced around in Aaravos’ face at times, but he cared little.

If anything, it was comforting.

He knew there was a presence there.

A warm, familiar presence.

It was at that point that be began to settle down into the calming embrace of his loving boyfriend.

But Aaravos still felt beyond uneasy. He couldn’t afford to show weakness.

“Are you okay now?” Ziard’s voice was such a comforting bedspread to melt into. At times like these, it really did feel like a massive security blanket.

But he should be above that. He needs to be strong.

So he can tear those monsters down from the sky and avenge his beloved Leola.

“I am fine. It’s nothing to worry about.” Is all Aaravos managed to reply. Aaravos had always followed through on his life mantra to uphold the words of truth.

However, Aaravos had locked up many secrets and burdens ferociously with a key. They were never to see the light of dawn, and therefore, shadows of the other half whisper silently in truth’s shallow wake.

“You just had a panic attack, I’d say that's the very opposite of being fine.” Ziard’s voice trickled with immense worry for his partner. He continued to hold him close, hoping he could free Aaravos from the heavy weight that dragged him to the relentless depths that tortured his very soul. “You called her name.”

Aaravos said nothing. In all honesty, he was scared to say anything.

For spouting the truth would smash him into millions of tiny fragments of stardust. 

He already wept. He could not drown in those tears any longer…

He could not…

Was Aaravos sniffling again? He was. There was no point denying that fact any longer.

This time, he allowed the burning tears to corrode away at his cerulean cheeks, frantically burying his face onto the solace of Ziard’s lap.

They stayed like that for what seemed like hours. There were no words, just pouring tears and a gentle reminder…

…That Aaravos was loved.

“You can go back to sleep if you want.” Aaravos lightly rubbed his tear crusted eyes after what felt like an eternity of crying, feeling a little guilty about waking his lover up from his sleep just for what Aaravos considered a minor inconvenience.

Ziard knew that was not what it was. Far from it.

Showing your emotions and allowing others to help you is a sign of strength.

It was far from a weakness.

“No. We’re in this together. I will stay with you.” Ziard affectionately took Aaravos’ soft hands in his and held them tenderly. As though to not shatter the glass, Ziard leisurely leaned in and lovingly kissed Aaravos, his lips sealing as a promise of Ziard’s complete devotion.

Aaravos’ heart fluttered a little.

With extreme hesitance, Ziard removed his smooth lips from his partner before lightly stroking his blushing cheek, brushing away a stray part of his bangs that had seemed to fall out of place.

“Come on. I’ll go make us some tea and a bite to eat.”

Aaravos stared at his boyfriend with extreme apprehension, a serious yet teasing remark teetering at the edge of his tongue. “Do I need to pre book an appointment for the infirmary first?”

Aaravos’ mildly playful comment elicited a tiny chuckle from Ziard. He was beyond thankful that Aaravos was returning to normal again.

Well, as normal as he could possibly be in his predicament.

“Okay, I know my cooking isn’t the best, but surely it isn’t so bad that it would kill an immortal.” Ziard’s eyebrow lifted involuntarily, awaiting the inevitable piercing truth of his beloved.

“Trust me, that's debatable.”

Chapter Text

He was exceptionally tired. It had been a long and exhausting day of teaching his young students - watching them flourish into becoming the best dark mages rooted in Xadia. It was rewarding work, Ziard felt accomplished in knowing that he was doing all he could to secure the future that he and Aaravos had built for the humans. Elarion was their prospering safety zone and he was determined to keep it protected at any costs.

That isn’t to say that at times, he didn’t leave work in a sour mood - because he did. Today of all days, one of his students had wonderfully decided to add a Cappycorn’s horn to a potion Ziard was teaching them, causing an unwanted eruption to blast in his face.

There was only one person that he’d like to get an eruption from, but sadly, he could only fantasize about being his lover. 

This particular explosion left Ziard feeling nothing but sour, and thus, wallowing in the heavy hitting rain as he trudged home where his roommate would surely be waiting for him.

Roommate.

Oh how Ziard wished they were more than just two mages who shared a home, because Ziard’s feelings for the Startouch elf grew everyday. His love had started like a seed, blossoming until his chest fluttered at the very sight of the beautiful man.

Aaravos.

Ziard had fallen hard.

It didn’t matter though because the Dark Mage knew his feelings were nothing more than a fleeting fantasy - a dream that needed to be left for his lonely thoughts.

Finally, he arrived home, soaked to the bone no thanks to the rain that had slammed him. Ziard shook it off, instead announcing his return to his housemate.

“Welcome home, Ziard!” Aaravos welcomed him eagerly, though he was bent over towards the ground, looking away from the Dark Mage as though he was looking for something. “Did the pouring rain give you any grievances?” He added with a muted laugh.

Ziard desperately wanted to reply, he really did - but all he could do was stare at the Startouch’s elf’s sexy backside. 

It was on display for all of Xadia to see - every last glittery detail. He was wearing those garments. Thongs he believed they were called. Aaravos said his best friend from many, many years ago invented this piece of ‘clothing’, and Ziard couldn’t be more grateful. 

It was a light show of excellence. Beauty to behold. So captivating and glorious. Aaravos’ favourite shimmering nightgown draped so perfectly over to the side of the Startouch elf to provide Ziard better access to this marvelous view.

It was like it was intentional. It had to be, surely? 

There was no way that Aaravos was laid out so perfectly was just as a coincidence! He surely wanted…

“Ziard?” 

Reality briskly snuck in like a predator hunting down its next meal. 

The Startouch elf stared at him, donning an expression of immaculate concern. Ziard must have looked like an absolute idiot.

“Um…I was just wondering what you were doing…” Was the only smart thing Ziard could respond with. It was obviously a lie and Aaravos knew it. However, the Startouch elf did not press the Dark Mage, and instead, turned his attention back around towards the floor.

“I misplaced the special bookmark you got for me. Will you help me find it?”

Ziard so desperately wanted to say yes. But he had a growing problem that garnered his immediate attention.

“Sorry, can’t! I have my own bulge…NO UH, I mean bulk of work I must attend to.” Ziard’s calm persona was faltering. Aaravos could see through the nervous cracks the Dark Mage had formed, so he decided to leave the subject alone.

“Okay. Well goodnight th…”

By the time Aaravos turned his head around, the Dark Mage was already gone. 

Aaravos blinked once, twice before shrugging. Who put Ziard’s dick in a twist?