I thought I was okay, [Sorey admits. The tears still aren't hiccupping, sobbing things he'd have expected from his own emotions. The painful yearning almost feels distant, like he hasn't felt it just yet. As if he's mourning for something that's still to come.
Sorey keeps his hands to his chest, the pressure helping to keep him centered. It was...a lot, for a moment there. Even as he sniffs hard and tilts his head back in an effort to dry up the tears, it seems like it's going to take a minute.]
-hah, [he laughs, head still back, facing the sky as his eyes burn and blur the fairy lights above, his breath clouding up above them. Mikleo's flooding throughout his soul, even up to the other empty chambers, his cool spirit lapping against their metaphorical doors like a rising tide.] I really am okay. You don't have to worry so much.
[There's a glimmer of humour in Mikleo's tone, familiar, testing the waters of how they used to be. It's easier, now that he's here. He can feel every metaphorical inch of this place, the atmosphere of it suffusing across his soul. Worrying about Sorey... that was his job, wasn't it? He looked after Sorey, and Sorey looked after him. He'd spent so many years looking after himself and the world - because what else was there for him to do? - but it's not like he never worried during that time. There was plenty to fuss over. Whether the bindings would break, his protections over the ruin would fail and malevolence would seep into where Maotelus and Sorey were sealed. Whether some hellion or (heavens forbid) a new Lord of Calamity might rise and target them. Whether the Shepherds and Squires who came after could endure and build their legacy. Whether humans would ever see seraphim widespread. Whether they'd truly succeeded, whether Sorey would be okay when he woke up-
This is... different. He's worried about Sorey. He's able to worry about Sorey, and not a million other things attached. It's just him. Just them.]
How about this: I'll worry just enough. If I didn't, how would you know it's really me?
That's true. [Mikleo, always worrying while trying to make it look like he's not. He wouldn't be Mikleo at all if he wasn't considering a dozen things at a time, factoring Sorey's needs into every plan he makes. Maybe if he was a bit older Sorey might be concerned that Mikleo wraps so much of his existence up in Sorey, but for now he's just grateful.
Like how a child clings so tightly so his most beloved family member. An almost jealous love, though maybe moreso due to the separation. He hadn't been ready for that yet, and he thinks Mikleo feels very much the same. Time together will mend this, of course. It has to.]
...do you just want to stay out here together for a bit? The stars are pretty.
[Time together at least can't make things worse. Mikleo chooses to believe that they just have to... recalibrate, so to speak. They've both endured a separation of sorts. He's forgotten a lot, over time, but it's all instinct that's bringing it back. If he keeps working on it, they can figure this out. As long as they're both alive, it'll be alright.]
Yeah, I'd like that. Reminds me of that final night, right? Departing under the stars... makes sense that we'd find each other again like this.
[In a way they're fulfilling a part of their dream here, too. Humans and non-humans living in harmony just fine, here, and exploring unknown places. This world could be really good for them. Ultimately though, it doesn't matter where they are. If it's the two of them, they can handle anything.]
no subject
Sorey keeps his hands to his chest, the pressure helping to keep him centered. It was...a lot, for a moment there. Even as he sniffs hard and tilts his head back in an effort to dry up the tears, it seems like it's going to take a minute.]
-hah, [he laughs, head still back, facing the sky as his eyes burn and blur the fairy lights above, his breath clouding up above them. Mikleo's flooding throughout his soul, even up to the other empty chambers, his cool spirit lapping against their metaphorical doors like a rising tide.] I really am okay. You don't have to worry so much.
no subject
[There's a glimmer of humour in Mikleo's tone, familiar, testing the waters of how they used to be. It's easier, now that he's here. He can feel every metaphorical inch of this place, the atmosphere of it suffusing across his soul. Worrying about Sorey... that was his job, wasn't it? He looked after Sorey, and Sorey looked after him. He'd spent so many years looking after himself and the world - because what else was there for him to do? - but it's not like he never worried during that time. There was plenty to fuss over. Whether the bindings would break, his protections over the ruin would fail and malevolence would seep into where Maotelus and Sorey were sealed. Whether some hellion or (heavens forbid) a new Lord of Calamity might rise and target them. Whether the Shepherds and Squires who came after could endure and build their legacy. Whether humans would ever see seraphim widespread. Whether they'd truly succeeded, whether Sorey would be okay when he woke up-
This is... different. He's worried about Sorey. He's able to worry about Sorey, and not a million other things attached. It's just him. Just them.]
How about this: I'll worry just enough. If I didn't, how would you know it's really me?
no subject
Like how a child clings so tightly so his most beloved family member. An almost jealous love, though maybe moreso due to the separation. He hadn't been ready for that yet, and he thinks Mikleo feels very much the same. Time together will mend this, of course. It has to.]
...do you just want to stay out here together for a bit? The stars are pretty.
no subject
Yeah, I'd like that. Reminds me of that final night, right? Departing under the stars... makes sense that we'd find each other again like this.
[In a way they're fulfilling a part of their dream here, too. Humans and non-humans living in harmony just fine, here, and exploring unknown places. This world could be really good for them. Ultimately though, it doesn't matter where they are. If it's the two of them, they can handle anything.]