Last Night Under The Stars
With their fates about to take them new directions, the last members of the draconic Clan Tandem take one last night to themselves.
"...is he asleep?"
Wrylarys didn't turn to move. She didn't have to look, after all. She had felt Reiandyl's breathing slow down as Taz'hazar monologued, and the gentle movements of his body against her shoulder told her everything she needed to know. She met the blue and green dragon's curious gaze and smiled at him. "For a little while now. I didn't want to interrupt your little speech." She contained her laughter as he narrowed his eyes at her. In the day it would have been an intense stare, but in the flickering light of a dying fire it just looked silly. Besides, she knew he wasn't mad. Words were a resource that came easily to the dragon. Even when loosing them upon on a half-deaf audience, it was no matter.
Even tonight.
"...awfully rude of him. I thought it was one of my better ones." He didn't bother feigning indignance this time, instead crumpling to a soft patch of moss across from her with a heavy sigh. Like it had the last few weeks, his voice had a waver to it. "I just thought..." He clenched his fist, face a mask of frustration. She let him gather his thoughts, tilting her head up to stare at the stars. "I just thought it would be fitting and all." He wouldn't cry tonight - she knew that well. While not as intensely devoted to stoicism, or posturing, or pretending himself unbreakable as Rei so often did, he wouldn't let himself drop his guard. Not even now. It had been so long since the three of them had expressed their vulnerabilities like that.
Perhaps that's how they all knew it was time to move on.
As if responding to her thoughts, she felt Rei stir for a moment, shifting position to lean more of his body against hers. Damnable drake was heavy - she was forced to adjust her position on the ground. Across from them, she made out a faint chuckle only barely audible over the sounds of the night. She let herself share it for a moment, head still pointed towards the heavens.
"...it was a lovely speech, Taz. And I mean that honestly." And accurate, as always. The moon's waning has seemingly reversed; a wave of silvery illumination touched the lake and trees around them with a far greater intensity than it had when merely a half-crescent the night before. There was something happening there, some sign or boon to show from the very gods, and she felt some offense to its touch. The darkest nights had been the only times when she felt true peace anymore, their spurned goddess's reflection unable to find them. But she knew she alone harbored such beliefs. Silvery threads of moonlight reflected of Rei's golden mask, the armor as always resting within arm's reach. Taz's eyes had watched the celestial body with reverence throughout his monologue; even after these years running from it, faith remained steadfast in his heart.
The green and blue drake nodded his thanks, and pulled himself back up to sit properly again. The impromptu sermon had taken nearly the last strength from him as well - he'd have to sleep in that armor he wore tonight. She was never able to get either of the boys out of their gear, and he was quite obviously too tired to do it himself. He met her eyes, reading her thoughts, and...smiled. A wide grin split his lips and he had to raise a hand to his face to stifle his laugh for fear of waking the last third of their group.
"Fuck, ha! I was hoping he'd help...bah." He snickered quite loudly, and she found herself on the verge of joining him. Reiandyl had gotten one last jab at his green striped lover, and in typical fashion, had done so inadvertently. She feared what chaos she'd wake up to in the morning herself. It wouldn't be fair to only mess with half of his mates, after all. "He's in his armor too, and I can promise you he's very soundly out. You'll be fine." She stuck her tongue out at him, then reached out an arm. "Get over here, by the way. I'm getting cold, and if you lay against me right it may help balance out the little bastard."
He obliged, moving to join her. He laid his own head against her shoulder, careful to maneuver his horns out of the way. A difficult task given their inconvenient shape in comparison to either hers or Rei's, but the three of them had more than enough practice getting it right. He shook gently, some combination of cold and anticipation that she hadn't noticed before. Careful, she trapped his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. It was a good feeling, comfortable, and one she hadn't realized that she needed as much as he had. Minutes passed, and within the hour he too stilled and joined Rei in rest.
The quiet gave her time to think, though that was the last thing she truly felt she wanted to do. Plans swirled in her head like the clouds did above. Stars flickered as they were obscured and uncovered, winds rustled leaves in the canopy above them, and the moon slowly fell through the sky until light began to trickle across the distant horizon. It was beautiful, in a way she hadn't ever known until they had freed themselves. A freedom only two of them now were able to sustain, and one was able to live with.
She could no longer deny how knowledge called to her. Arcane whispers in the night, formulae written on the fabric of the world. She had to seek it. Taz'hazar had to run from it. And Reiandyl...he had to learn to listen to it. This she knew. This they knew. And so tomorrow had to come.
But for now? This serenity was enough.
I have been wanting to commission Drawing_Sofa on FA again, ever since the first piece I got a while ago. There's something...special about the style, that just makes me feel nostalgic. For that, I cannot thank her enough!