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[bearshermark]

eleven

missives | encounters

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[bearshermark]

[His heart dropped as it always did when he thought about their inevitable separation. Eleven's voice softened]

Of course I'll keep it. I'll miss you for quite some time.

[He shifted against her and wound an arm around her in turn]

Yggdrasil, too.

[lancifolium]

[ She turned her head slightly, obviously confused by the implication that he'd need a reminder of the tree. ]

What do you mean? I thought you could see her from everywhere.

[ Lily frowned, wondering if there was something she had missed. Settling against him, she brushed a hand through his hair and pushed it back. ]

Did something happen?

[bearshermark]

[Eleven hummed short confirmation in the space between them. He spoke with an air of confession]

She fell, some months before I arrived here. Erdrea is covered in darkness. I've heard.. a few things about the future, so I know all is not lost, but it'll be a difficult path to restore Her.

[lancifolium]

[ Not expecting to hear any of what he said about the tree her eyes went progressively wider with shock. ]

Oh El, that's awful. But, if there's hope.

[ Searching his face she attempted a smile before moving closer to kiss him. ]

[bearshermark]

[He managed a smile for her, and sighed softly into the kiss that followed. Eleven's fingers drifted through her hair as they were wont to]

There is. But it's why I want to stay a little while longer. My power hasn't fully recovered, and Erdrea is going to need it.

hurting my own feelings with foreshadowing oops

[lancifolium]

[ Things must have been dire back in his world. Knowing what they both knew now about the reason for Taravast's peace and prosperity, lingering after the Beacon was activated seemed less like the leisurely holiday they once discussed back in that shadowy alcove and more like an uncomfortable arrangement born out of necessity. ]

I wish I could send you back home with some of mine.

[ Unfortunately that was not only impossible, but something she didn't think she could do even if it weren't. There was a war waiting back home for Lily too, and she would need everything she had. With a sigh she reached up, gently pushing his hair off of his forehead before stretching out comfortably against him. ]

I think I'll spend the rest of my life wondering after you. I know you'll make it.

[ Even if she had known that in truth, she wouldn't have much time to wonder at all, Lily was sure his fate was something she would spend a lot of time thinking about. ]

How very dare

[bearshermark]

[His heart clenched, holding Lily tighter to him- as though he never wanted to let her go again]

I'm sorry. I wish I could do something to help your world, too.

[Perhaps they'd been naive to think the stolen happiness they found together now would be worth the stretch of longing that would come later]

Maybe we shouldn't have..

Gptkfifgjgf shots fired

[lancifolium]

[ Her heart stilled in her chest at his suggestion that this had been a bad idea. For a moment she felt a flair of concern, wondering if this was his way of telling her he wanted to end this involvement. ]

But, we did.

[ Lily brushed his cheek with her hand, shaking her head slowly. Whatever it was that was unfurling between them, she didn't regret it, and she didn't want to stop. ]

And I'm not sorry we did. You make me happy.

[bearshermark]

[They did. Ending it now wouldn't make it hurt any less.

Eleven swallowed and met her eyes, already a touch forlorn at the thought of returning without her. He heaved a soft breath beneath her touch]

I'm glad for that. I just wish there was a way..

[lancifolium]

[ Not for the first time her thoughts turned to the outlandish idea of never returning home, but the idea had sprung from cowardice and a desire to avoid the war waiting for her. She wouldn't have been able to live with herself, backing down from a challenge wasn't something Lily knew how to do. ]

El– [ She breathed his name before kissing him. ]

We're here now and it's wonderful. It's more than I could have asked for. No amount of missing you will ever diminish that for me.

[ It was like he was a gift she wouldn't be able to keep, and while the concept was rough to grapple with, it would be what it would be - and to her it was very worth it. ]

[bearshermark]

[The words were terribly sweet. Eleven nodded and worked to push away the thought of the inevitable. He had her here now; they should enjoy it while they can.

His hold on her eased as he let his eyes rove over her in an attempt to commit the moment to memory]

I wasn't thinking about anything like this, before. It's nice to be able to enjoy it now. I'm starting to understand why there are so many songs about- about finding someone.

[lancifolium]

[ She met his gaze with a smile, wrapping her arm around his middle loosely while they looked each other over. Flushing light pink at the mention of songs about this sort of thing she laughed. It was good to know some things, like love songs, were universal. ]

This isn't like anything I've ever been involved in. I've gone on dates before, but you're–

[ Lily trailed off tilting her head to the side as she tried to pin down the right word. ]

Different. Special. Wonderful.

[ And despite the fact that none of those words were incorrect for the situation, they still didn't seem to do it proper justice. ]

[bearshermark]

[While a part of him is flattered she's found him better company than her previous dates, a part of him regrets that, too]

That's.. well, we've taking things a little quickly for courting by my world's standards, but I can't say as I have objections.

[lancifolium]

[ The term wasn't foreign but it was just old fashioned enough to get a light giggle out of her. ]

Courting? Is that what we're doing? I've certainly never been courted before.

[ It sounded very polite and nice, and if it entailed any of the things she and Eleven had taken to doing Lily decided she was very much a fan of the concept. It certainly trumped dating as she knew it. ]

[bearshermark]

[He grins]

It wasn't very traditional. Usually I'd have to win your favor through gifts and such first before you ever deigned to kiss me.

[lancifolium]

[ Humming thoughtfully about the more traditional approach to courtship Lily toyed with the ends of his hair. ]

I suppose I have made this easy for you. I could leave and make you send me love letters? Or perhaps next time you can push me against a tree.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven's arm curled more solidly around her waist. His brows quirked]

Is that how you'd like to be courted? Though I'll admit it was rather effective on me..

[lancifolium]

[ Chuckling at the question she raised an eyebrow at him. ]

I'm not sure, nobody's ever tried. How else do you intend to court me? We seem to be quite bad at decorum and restraint.

[bearshermark]

[They were. But it was just so thrilling to be so close whenever they became involved. He colored faintly]

Well.. we've already exchanged gifts to good results.. Perhaps we're allowed to involve trees at this point.

[lancifolium]

Our past experiences with trees have been overwhelmingly positive.

[ Looking over at him she narrowed her eyes, tilting her head towards the door. ]

I hope you don't mean right now, I'm quite comfortable as is. You'll have to–

[ She stopped herself before she finished that sentence with the request that he press her into things nearby instead. Thankfully. ]

Wait til tomorrow.

[bearshermark]

[He laughed, unaware of her near slip]

Yes. Unfortunately, I don't have any trees in my room. So tomorrow it is.

[He couldn't be sure she was entirely serious, but if the opportunity arose, he could try- gently]

[lancifolium]

You'll have to settle for sleeping with me like this for now.

[ She tilted her head enough to bump her nose lightly against his. ]

But I'll find a good reason to spend some time in the gardens tomorrow.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven smiled]

That sounds nice.

[He leaned in for a kiss just because he could]

For now I think I'll manage.

[lancifolium]

[ With a soft laugh Lily hummed against his lips, slipping an arm around him to pull him closer to her while they kissed. ]

I'll try to help you make the experience as tolerable as I can.

[ She was making a conscious effort not to make any accidental innuendos, but everything sounded like such an innuendo.

Trying not to think about all the stupid things she was doing her best not to say she stole another kiss before turning her head to brush her lips against his jaw. ]

You are making this gallant effort appear very easy, by the by.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven broke off to laugh, color deepening. The implications there certainly held his attention for a few moments, but neither was he bold enough to voice anything he thought of]

Sorry. [That sheepish smile] I'd like to think my Mum raised me properly despite how non-traditional this all has been. Besides which-

[He colored further, not quite able to hold her gaze] I know if you wanted to be more improper, you aren't likely to subtle about it.