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The cheering could be heard from Bizville probably, Player was in hell.
What was that hell, you might ask?
A party.
Now that the Korblox were basically nothing and Trinity was once again secured. Its citizens were finally celebrating their new queen.
Player was expected to slip under the radar, get back to the helipad and back to Shedletsky. To their surprise, Shedletsky was here. He showed up fashionably late. That meant the excuse of “Shedletsky needs me” wasn’t gonna work.
Player was sitting against a pillar at the front of the throne room, patching their wounds from the fight with Frostmaw and Arg’il. They could hear the noise outside die out as Cassie gave some sort of speech. The throne room was empty, thankfully.
Player knew they were gonna have to make some sort of appearance, as the savior of Trinity or whatever the crowd was calling them now.
“N33D S0M3 H3LP?”
Player jolted and looked up from their shoulder they were wrapping up. It was Griefer. All the sword guardians had gathered here for Cassie’s coronation.
Griefer crouched down next to Player and took the gauze from their hand. Player gave them a thankful smile. They didn’t have the energy to speak.
Griefer could see the exhaustion in their eyes. He didn’t say anything, just continued to patch them up.
Player leaned back against the pillar behind them and closed their eyes. Their wings going limp against the stone.
“TH4T C4NT B3 C0MF0RT4BL3” Griefer tugged them forward to lean against him. They nuzzled against his shoulder. He took their hat off and ran a hand through their hair. They let out a little trill.
Their hair was a mess, some strands frozen solid from the fight with Frostmaw. The ends of their hair splattered with blood. Equal parts human and Korbloxian. They could definitely use a shower.
The massive doors to the creaked open slightly as someone slipped inside. It was Cassie. She was subtly shaking from nervousness and excitement. She took a deep breath before she noticed Griefer and Player sitting there on the floor.
“Hey Mr. Thaniyel, is Player alright?” Cassie asked. Lowering herself onto the floor slowly, this royal cape was heavy.
“1TS GR13F3R, 0R BR4D, Y0U D0NT N33D T0 B3 F0RM4L, 4ND Y34H. TH3YR3 F1N3, JUST 3XH4UST3D.”
Cassie nodded with a tired smile, “I can imagine”
Player cracked an eye open and looked at Cassie. She smiled at them.
Player gave her a thumbs up before they closed their eyes again.
“I hate to ask for anything else, but the council would like to see you outside. Just for a little,” Cassie scratched the back of her neck, “I’m really sorry, it’s just that they want to celebrate you as a hero. I’m sure you get that a lot”
Player sighed before slowly lifting their head off of Griefer’s shoulders and rubbing their eyes.
“You don’t have to say anything, it’s just for a few seconds, and after I can bring you to the guest hall of the castle and you can get a real place to sleep” Cassie said. She felt really bad about waking them up, but she had to be transparent with her people. Player was the temporary guardian of the Windforce now. She had to show them they were trustworthy.
Player nodded and stood up. Griefer made sure they didn’t fall on their ass. They shook their head to wake up some and threw their hat back on.
“Y0U W4NT 4 P3P T4LK?” Griefer teased. Player shoved him.
Cassie and Player walked outside. Griefer followed further behind and slipped out next to his dad. Watching Robur give some speech about how great Trinity is and how the Korbloxians can suck it or something.
Griefer kept his eyes on Player. They stood next to Cassie, swaying ever so slightly. Player could feel the thousands of eyes burning into their skin. Robur thanked them in front of the crowd, Azuri and Reginald said a few words about Player and Cassie before they officially let the festivities begin.
The crowd dispersed slowly. Robur approached Player, “Hero,” he said.
They glanced over at him, half expecting to be scolded for something or put on trial again.
Robur did none of that though, “May I ask you something?” He said.
Player looked at the ground and then back to Robur before looking away once more and nodding. They were really trying to get better at this whole eye contact thing.
“Did Shedletsky train you in combat?” Robur said. “Your fighting style is similar to his.”
Player blinked in surprise, they shook their head.
“Really?” Robur tilted his head to the side. Player couldn’t see his face, but clearly he was surprised. “Pray tell who taught you your tricks?”
Player scratched the back of their neck, “uh… I’m not trained…”
Robur was probably staring behind his helmet. “You aren’t trained in combat? Not even a little?!”
Player shook their head, “I just… I dunno… I’m good at adapting I guess?” They weren’t really sure why they took to combat so easily. They didn’t think they were any good, but they’ve made it this far. That means something. Maybe it’s all the trees they climbed as a kid.
“That is… remarkable…” Robur was lost for words.
“Uhm, thank you?” Player picked at their nails unconsciously. Trying to stop their wings from puffing up with pride.
“I’m not surprised,” Reginald grunted with a roll of his eyes. Robur shook his head with good natured exasperation. “You fight like a maniac, outsider.” Reginald eyed them through his helmet.
Eye contact suddenly got a whole lot harder for Player when it came to Reginald, they just nodded.
Azuri joined them beside Robur. She was partly using her staff as a walking stick, they all had injuries that were fresh from the Korblox invasion. Most of the three councilmens’ injuries were from Player themself. “You’ve got quite the affinity for combat and sword energy” Azuri eyed the 5 swords on their back, the Windforce resting comfortably on their person, “I can see why Shedletsky chose you”
Player was overwhelmed by their words. Just hours ago, these three were ready to kill Player. Now they were complimenting their skills.
Azuri smiled knowingly at Player’s expression, “we’ll get out of your hair now. Get some rest, hero, and thank you again.”
Player glanced up at her for a moment and nodded. “Don’t mention it…” they murmured humbly.
Robur, Azuri, and Reginald retreated inside the throne room while Cassie led all the sword guardians (and Player) to the guest wing of the castle.
It was all a blur to Player. The last thing they remember was their head hitting the pillow, they didn’t even bother taking their shoes off. Disrespectful? Probably. But after the shit they did for this city? They didn’t care.
—
Player jolted awake from a series of loud pops coming from outside. They instinctively reached for their sword. They realized they didn’t have their belt on. It was discarded on the floor with the rest of their stuff.
They didn’t remember taking it off. Regardless, they reached for it, trying not to get out of bed. Unfortunately, it ended in them falling off the bed with a loud thud.
They hoped nobody heard that.
They contemplated just laying there, whatever the hell was going on outside wasn’t their problem if they never heard it.
There was a knock on the door to their room. Someone must’ve heard them fall.
Whoops.
Player slowly stood up. They rubbed where their forehead slammed against the hardwood as they walked to the door and opened it.
“Y0U G00D BR0?”
It was Griefer. He was still fully dressed for some reason, what time was it?
Player nodded. Their eyes half closed.
“D1D Y0U H1T Y0UR H34D?” Griefer grabbed the wrist of their hand that was rubbing their forehead. Player was flaccid in his grip, too tired to fight back on his fussing.
There didn’t seem to be a visible bump or bruise, that’s good.
More loud crackles and booms came from outside. Player jumped. Once again reaching for where their sword would be if they had their belt on.
Griefer grinned, “DUD3, R3L4X. 1TS JUST FIR3W0RKS”
Player blinked before their face began to burn with embarrassment. How could they forget that fireworks are a thing? They were reminded that Griefer’s hand was still wrapped around their wrist when he tightened his grip slightly. He slid his hand down from their wrist to interlock fingers.
Griefer laughed, “WH4T? D0NT H4V3 FIR3W0RKS 1N TH3 FUTUR3?” His voice still had its teasing edge, but it was softer. He could see the exhaustion in their eyes, and he knew the future was a touchy subject at times.
Player huffed, “We do…” they mumbled. Their voice rough from sleep.
Griefer felt his face get hot when they spoke. He decided not to open that can of worms right now. “D0 Y0U W4NN4… C0M3 W4TCH 3M?”
Player was blushing for a different reason now. They looked over their shoulder, their room had a balcony. They gestured to it.
Griefer closed the door behind him.
—
“1F Y0U L34N F0RW4RD 4NY M0R3 Y0UR3 G0NN4 F4LL” Griefer was holding the back of their shirt as they stared at the fireworks above. Their wings fully extended in the windy night air. They were on their tip toes to get as close as possible to the sky. They hadn’t seen fireworks since they were a kid.
Griefer wasn’t looking at the fireworks. His eyes were locked onto Player. Their soft features lit up by the colorful lights. He hadn’t seen them like this ever.
When they first met, both of them had short tempers and were fighting over the Venomshank. Once he was cured they were just… empty. Griefer was told later that it was all thanks to that damn Ghostwalker. Thankfully, its effects were temporary. And they seemed to be loosening more and more everyday.
The light was slowly returning to their dull eyes. Well, eye, since one was burned shut by scar tissue.
Griefer would never admit it, but he was so scared. Every time Player went to get a new sword, they game back with a myriad of new scars. Both physical and mental. He was so afraid that one day, they wouldn’t be able to bounce back from it all. What would happen if the next sword completely blinded them? Or permanently lobotomized them emotionally like the Ghostwalker almost did? The hundreds of possibilities made him sick.
That’s why he gave them his call card. If it meant he could soften any blow, he would do it in a heartbeat. Crack open the heads of whoever dares pick a fight with Player with his crowbar. He’d do it all.
“Griefer?”
Griefer blinked back into reality, “HUH? WH4? S0RRY, 1 Z0N3D 0UT…”
“You were staring at me like I hung the sky” Player raised an eyebrow. Griefer couldn’t tell if it was the pink fireworks bursting in the air or actual blush that was making Player’s face so pink.
“D1D Y0U?” Griefer grinned.
“What do you think?” Player teased.
Griefer stepped closer, leaning his side against the railing. “Y0U L00K L1K3 4N 4NG3L W1TH TH0S3 W1NGS, S0 M4YB3 Y0U D1D”
Player wasn’t expecting that, then again they didn’t know what they were expecting at all.
Griefer saw the flustered expression on their face and flashed a toothy grin. Player turned away. Wrapping their wings around themselves and rubbing their face to regain their composure.
Griefer stepped closer and ran a hand through their messy wings from behind. He straightened out some feathers before his arms moved to slide around Player’s waist, his chin finding perch on their shoulder. Player leaned back against him. Neither of them spoke.
After a while of watching the fireworks while both of their minds were lost in their own thoughts, Player eventually turned to look at Griefer. Their noses brushed each other, Player hadn’t expected him to be so close. Despite the fact that his chin was resting on their shoulder.
Neither of them moved. They just stared at each other while their breaths mingled. Player’s lips parted like they were going to say something but quickly closed again as they decided against speaking.
Griefer’s hands moved from around their waist to their hips, he physically turned them so they were facing him fully.
Player let out a chirp involuntary and braced themselves against the railing behind them. Griefer took his time closing the gap between their lips. Player was shaking with anticipation by the time Griefer’s lips even ghosted theirs.
Player melted against Griefer when they finally kissed. Griefer’s lips were surprisingly soft. Their hands went from the railing to grab the collar of his jacket.
One of Griefer’s hands stayed on Player’s hip, while the other moved to their cheek. It was a surface level kiss, he knew they were still exhausted. Probably shouldn’t be making out on a balcony with a crowd below them. (Though that would be kinda hot)
When they both pulled back for air, neither of them said anything. Player rested their forehead on Griefer’s shoulder. Griefer ran a hand through their messy bed head.
When Player lifted their head back up they had a loopy grin on their face. Griefer couldn’t help but smile too. “Y0U SH0ULD G0 B4CK T0 B3D”
Player glanced behind them, the fireworks were slowing down. They returned to looking at Griefer and nodded. They stepped back from him before grabbing his hand. “…thanks”
Griefer raised an eyebrow, “F0R WH4T?”
Player went from holding his hand to wrapping their arms around his arm, “Y’know… watching the fireworks with me… patching me up earlier… just, being there?”
Griefer smiled at their bashful expression, “D0NT SW34T 1T, PUNK”
They both walked back inside from the balcony. Griefer crashed in Player’s bed, even though his room was literally next door. Player had no complaints.
Griefer splayed out on the bed. Player found a spot against his side, their wings draped across the bed. They were like another blanket over them both, just a little more feathery.
Griefer didn’t go to bed just yet, he just watched the slow rise and fall of Player’s chest. They were out like a light. Was he a creep? Maybe just a little. Watching your friend (that you sometimes kiss) sleep isn’t that weird, right?
Griefer’s hand went to their cheek. He traced the burn scar that marred the left side of their face. Okay, now he was definitely a creep.
Player unconsciously nuzzled into his hand. Blush bloomed across Griefer’s face. He felt like a school girl after their crush grazed their hand on accident in the hallways.
Player cracked an eye open, they moved to lay on top of Griefer completely. “PL4Y3R—“
Player shushed him and buried their face in the crook of his neck. “Go to bed…” they mumbled.
Griefer took a deep breath, “Y-Y34H… SUR3…” it was like he had a weighted blanket on him. It was actually pretty comfortable. They weren’t too heavy.
Griefer rested his hands on their lower lumbar, he traced their scars and felt their scars and felt their slow breathing for a while before sleep eventually found him as well.