the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out [laslow + leo, post birthright]

[chaines]

[ A feeling has settled in the pit of Laslow's stomach - made its residence there, heavy like lead and twisting his insides. It hurts more than the weapons that had pierced his body during his final battle as Lord Xander's retainer, brought him straight to death's door...

but he had been rejected then. He lives, despite nearly bleeding out on the combat room floor. And how cruel fate was, in his eyes, to not take his life instead of theirs, to let a veteran of now three wars continue to draw breath instead of the crown prince of Nohr or a girl whose past had been far too cruel to her.

Xander and Peri are dead, but Laslow is alive. Confined to a hospital bed still after over a week of rest (if he could call it that, when their faces and voices haunt his dreams and he wakes up every time crying), but undoubtedly his heart beats inside his chest. Laslow can't help but despise this fact - while Selena and Odin visit frequently, and clerics he can't bother to learn the names of were always within shouting distance, he's often left in silence, and to his thoughts. In his head he replays that day over and over again, an infinite loop in his mind: what could he have done differently? Should he have listened to Xander and stayed in the room? Should he have acted faster, drawn his blade before anyone else could've?

Why couldn't he have saved the one most near and dear to his heart again?

Realistically speaking, he's not alone: people still roam the halls of Castle Krakenburg, filling the air with as much energy and life as they could after the loss of the war, of the king, a prince, a princess. But the only companionship he feels is that of guilt and mourning, their intensity rivaled only by the grief he felt after the death of his parents.

He keeps his head lowered, knuckles white as he clutches the bedsheets, and feels the all too familiar sting of tears in his eyes. ]

Comments

[betterboy]

[The sentiment is there but Leo will drop to his knees because he wants a real kiss and to hug her so he can really bury his head in her shoulder and take her presence in while he can. He laughs again when he's properly buried.]

Do you remember when we were younger? We used to play together so much. But then I started feeling like I had to live up to Xander and impress father and I-- stopped playing with you as much. I convinced myself I didn't have time for you. And all this time I was sure you still resented me for that... I don't know how you can forgive me for all the mistakes I've made but. I believe you.

[He gives her a squeeze.] I love you, Elise. Very much. I'll do better, for you.

[erize]

[ A proper kiss he will get - as many as Elise can manage, while he's hiding his face in her. Her hands, meanwhile, find his way to his hair for a very affectionate mussing. ]

You're thinking too much again, Leo.

[ She smoothes out his hair and presses a kiss to the side of his head. ] All I want is for you to be happy, okay? You're super smart and amazing, so you're gonna become the best king ever, but if you're sad then I'll be sad, too.

[betterboy]

I couldn't bear to make you sad. [He kisses her too, while still holding her. It still feels weird, like his lips are touching something that's barely there. Not warm like he knows his sister to be, but not cold either. But he's less perturbed by it. He feels calm, content finally. All cried out.]

Thank you...

[erize]

Mmmmmmm... [ A rather forceful cheek smooch. ] You're welcome!

[ And with that, Elise keeps quiet for the rest of the night, more than content to just hold Leo and press the occasional kiss against his skin or hair. Before he wakes up, she promises to visit him in his dreams again soon - so he better have some good stories to tell her, or else!!

Hopefully, this night is better than most for him. ]