To see a Darkened Sun
chapter 13
Gwyndolin watched Arias' back as he walked off down the hall. His heart beat faster and faster with each step Arias took. Until something snapped, maybe it was the sight of Arias' back as he walked away, maybe it was the build up of emotions or maybe just the fear of being alone again. Whatever it was, it broke something deep within the fragile god's soul.
On the floor, tears poured from his eyes, and it was cold, so cold. His cold tears and the sounds of his sorrowful wails flooded his senses to the point he wasn't even able to notice as his crown clattered to the floor. He'd deafened himself to the world, and to the sound of Arias calling out and rushing over to his side. It was only when Arias placed his hand on his shoulder that he was forcefully pulled back to reality.
Opening his eyes he was finally able to notice his crown had fallen off, so he tried desperately to hide his face from Arias, tears and panic making him fumble over himself.
"D-Do not look at me!" He cried out, lifting his arm above his head to cover his face with his robe, though the magnificent white of the robe soon tuned soggy grey as it was soaked with tears.
Arias tried to reach over but Gywndolin batted him away with his free hand, afraid. After a moment Arias reached over again and managed to wrap his arms around Gwyndolin quick enough to pull his close in an embrace, causing the wailing god to go almost silent in a mere second. His voice quietened to a low whimper, lowering his arm slightly too look Arias in the eyes. Then he dropped his arm from his face altogether and wrapped both of them around Arias, letting his tears freely flow down his cheeks once more. Though this time there was a warmth that he'd never felt before, a warmth that, though strange, he clutched to as if would disappear within moments if he did not.
He buried his face in Arias' shoulder as he wept like an infant, tears running down Arias' beaten metal armor. He just kept crying and crying, crying about the world, his circumstance, his damn feelings. Crying about everything. But Arias still held him in his embrace, gently squeezing him and occasionally patting him on the back with his right hand. As their hug went on, Arias eventually developed the courage to raise his left hand and gently run it through Gwyndolin's white hair.
It was soft, so soft. Like silk in his hand, so small and fragile, yet beautiful and elegant, just like Gwyndolin himself. He soon found himself gently petting him, his white hair still so soft against his rugged hand. In time Gwyndolin's wailing slowly settled into a light whimpering. Head still buried in Arias' shoulder he refused to let go, even as the room gradually fell silent.
It was warm now, so warm, but not too warm. It was just perfect. Arias' hand gradually slowed and he soon stopped petting him. Cautiously, he brought his hand down to Gwyndolin's chin, there was a brief pause before he lifted his head up gently. Gwyndolin resisted the motion for a moment, but quickly loosened up and let it happen.
Arias was soon able to see his tear soaked face with his own eyes. The first thing he noticed was Gwyndolin's eyes, though more serpent-like than human, their golden irises gleamed brilliantly in the dim lighting of the hall. They incurred a certain sense of wonder, almost taking him into a trance. He'd never seen eyes so wondrously beautiful.
Gwyndolin's skin was incredibly pale, the sort of color seen on a long dead corpse, or an old hollow, but in truth it wasn't old, withered and wrinkled, it was smooth and gentle. So soft to touch and full of life, and yet somehow the color matched it perfectly. His lips were soft and full, and a slightly darker pale than the rest of his skin. His nose was so small and looked just as soft as the rest of him.
Arias wiped away the remaining tears with his other hand as Gwyndolin still clutched desperately to him with his own arms. Arias couldn't help but gaze at him for a little longer. Indeed, everything about the young god looked so gentle and soft, so elegant and fragile. So very beautiful.
They both felt their hearts beating together again as their eyes stayed locked on one another. They both felt something deep down, something that drove them to do something they never would have done otherwise. They both, at once, leaned in and pressed their lips together, in a perfect, long awaited first kiss.
They embraced each other tighter as they finally shared this moment they'd both been dreaming of. They broke away and panted for a short moment, staring each other in the eyes before going in for another kiss. There was intense feeling every time their lips met, something rising in their hearts but this time it wasn't overflowing and causing them stress, but seemed to be coolly simmering in their chests.
In this moment all else faded away. All their troubles, the concepts of good and bad, there was nothing but the gentle warmth of each other and embrace they were sharing. All they wanted was each other, all they needed was each other.
Pulling away once again, they panted as they relaxed for a moment, taking a minute to adjust and process what just happened. Arias was the first to speak.
"... Do you... Want to go somewhere else? The floor isn't really... the best place for this... That and, you look a bit uncomfortable there..." Gwyndolin was confused about this before realizing that he was indeed incredibly uncomfortable, not only was his bottom sore due to the hard marble floor, but he'd slumped into an awkward position that hurt his back and made his insides feel a little off. He hadn't noticed before since it felt like so much was happening at once, his entire focus was on his own self pity, and then on Arias.
"Ah, yes... of course... P-Perhaps we sho-should go..." He trailed off, his voice getting quieter and quieter until he could no longer be heard, though his lips still moved.
"The bed?" Arias butted in, smiling at Gwyndolin who's cheeks were now bright red. Gwyndolin looked shyly away for a moment, stuttering and stammering, struggling to find words, eventually he looked timidly back into Arias' eyes before giving him a quick nod. Arias nodded back and they both started getting up, but Gwyndolin was surprised when Arias quickly picked him up bridal style. Gwyndolin almost fell back before horridly wrapping his arms around Arias so he wouldn't fall again. His snakes also coiled around him in a slithery embrace.
Arias smiled at Gwyndolin who smiled back timidly. He carried him over to the bed before gently placing him down on the soft mattress. Both Gwyndolin and his snakes were hesitant to let go of Arias, but upon reassurance that he wouldn't go anywhere, Gwyndolin reluctantly let go of him.
Arias undid the belts over his surcoat, careful to not drop it lest the pouches open and his belongings go everywhere. He then removed his surcoat, neatly placing it on the floor he moved onto his breastplate. Unfastening the straps and carefully taking it off, leaving him in just his shirt again. The iron tended to dig into his side when he leaned too far in certain angles so he wanted to get that out of the way before he laid down. He placed the armor down on the floor next to the surcoat and belts. He then looked back up to see Gwyndolin looking back at him impatiently.
"Sorry, you can never be too careful with these things. Last thing I want is to have to search the whole room for my belongings" He chuckled nervously.
"Hmph, I suppose. But now no such thing hinders thee, so wouldst thou... hold me again? Please?" Gwyndolin asked, his cheeks growing bright red once again.
"Of course." Arias nodded, dropping his greatsword to the ground and laying down next to Gwyndolin who was careful to not get in his way. It wasn't long before they were in each other's arms again, kissing tenderly and basking in the golden warmth of their embrace. For once there was no worry, no despair.
For the first time ever, they were both able to find peace, and happiness. Gwyndolin held onto Arias firmly, he felt as if he had to, otherwise he would fade away, disappear and leave him alone. It was like he needed him to survive, he could no longer imagine a world in which Arias did not reside and if such a world were to exist he didn't want to live in it.
It was like Arias filled a void within his very soul, one that'd been left there since a very young age, one that he'd sought to fill with his father's approval, ever pursuing the seemingly insurmountable task. The void grew larger with his sister's abandonment and his brother's betrayal, sure they weren't exactly what one would refer to as caring siblings but they were company.
He now realized just how hollow his life was all along.
A/N This took a long while to get right, it's a very important chapter after all. But I'm happy with how it's turned out and I hope you are too. Next one's gonna be even harder to write I can already tell. See you all then.