☆ // master of tartarus

[fionnuisce]

WHO: Waver + semi-open
WHERE: The network/his apartment
WHEN: over 5/18~5/20ish
WHAT: he might have been asleep since the bossfight
WARNINGS: None yet, will mark subject lines appropriately

[5/18 action; closed to diarmuid]

[For not the first time, the world was the black of a dreamless sleep pulsing red agony with the rhythm of a heartbeat. Burning heat--of a lessening fever, not a cataclysmic inferno. Agony, but of a deep full-body ache rather than a narrowly averted death; the kind that warned him not to move, because he still had strength enough to do that. The pull of a contract like an anchor around his neck; still there, which was all that mattered to him.]

[What was it that had happened? Somewhere between sleeping and waking, Waver tried to piece together what he could remember. A knight in silver? No...no, this wasn't the pain of mortal injury and broken bones., but the exhaustion and burn of mana deprivation. If he focused on that, he could start to recall what had transpired-]

[Hear the song of fury-]

[--The tower, the Shadows, the Black Order, that goddamned clown. Reality began to creep its way back into his head as he stirred with a quiet groan of pain, arm draped heavily over his eyes.]

...did we win?

[Early into the evening on the 18th, a quick sign of life popped up on the network:]

un: silverrose

still alive

glad to know thats settled with minimal casualties

things will get worse before they get better so be cautious

[5/20 action; closed to ritsuka]

[Once he was actually able to move safely, a little bird flew its way to Hyrule--Diarmuid had told him where to find her, and it was an easy enough path to trace from the air. Easier still where letting the curse take over meant he didn't have to walk.]

[However he got there, the small phoenix fluttered in and landed on the ground before transforming in a flash of fire, back to a worn out-looking Waver in casual clothes and with a bag hanging off his shoulder.]

Hey, kid. How're you doing?

Comments

[twofoldfury]

If you're calling me the worst, that is how I'm certain you'll return to yourself with rest.

[Not that it will stop him from fussing. But he's still himself. They won the day together and with their friends at their side, and Waver is still alive and himself. The pieces were being set back into place. And while the war was not yet over, this was still a victory. A reason to smile.

He won't force Waver to exert himself too much, but given the hard earned win he'll still lean in to give his partner a soft kiss on the lips.]

[fionnuisce]

[He returned that kiss with a hand brushing lightly against Diarmuid's face; deeply worn out but ultimately victorious. A familiar feeling, if he thought about it.]

You did wonderfully, Diarmuid. I'm proud of you.

[twofoldfury]

[Diarmuid still felt a sense that it could have gone better. Most instances where his Master was on the floor and out for a day or more made him feel a crushing, familiar guilt. Like trying frantically to set a broken leg back into place. Rushing to Irisviel to pull him away from the brink of death.

Even if this time was unavoidable and their injuries were comparatively limited. To hear that he did wonderfully from his Master, his partner, was still an incomparable feeling.]

I wouldn't have been able to do it without you... Thank you.

[fionnuisce]

You don't have anything to thank me for. You must be exhausted yourself--come here?

[Resistance is futile. There are cats and a tired boyfriend.]

[twofoldfury]

[Oh no, no the kitty cuddle pile. The as of yet unbeatable foe even for Diarmuid ua Duibhne.]

I'll be alright, but of course. [Well, it seems there's nothing for it but to climb into bed with Waver and the cats. They win the day again, oh dear! And he brushed a hand through Waver's hair as he did so.]

[fionnuisce]

Hm...yeah, I know. We'll both be fine. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't rest, too.

[He curled up against Diarmuid with only a minimal wince at the motion, arms snaking around his waist.]

You're really something, you know. I was hoping we wouldn't have to use your Noble Phantasm, but...admittedly, I'm glad I was able to see it.

[twofoldfury]

Haha, alright. If you insist that much.

[As if his arms weren't already assisting Waver in coming closer so he didn't have to strain as much. Such an inconvenience, oh me oh my.

Diarmuid admittedly wished he didn't need to use it too. He recalled his brief conversation with Shishigou that he would keep to himself until or unless Waver learned about it another way. But... it worked out. It worked out.]

Was it that marvelous of a sight for you?

[fionnuisce]

I've always liked watching you fight...I think it's spectacular. So of course I would think as much, it was absolutely magnificent.

[twofoldfury]

I'm in my element when facing a powerful opponent. No matter who they are, you are well aware that I'll give everything I have and not an inch less.

[Technique wise, at least. He's needed to hold back multiple times in terms of his sheer power. The excitement he feels when faced with someone strong tinged the edge of his tone, though he had no respect for Douman whatsoever.

No matter how Diarmuid saw himself, Waver would always see the best side of even the most aggressive. He was aware of that now. Perhaps too keenly, given how the hand brushing through his hair creeped slowly with the tips of his fingers against the back of his neck. Not strictly with intent, he was far too worn for that, but.]

[fionnuisce]

Of course I know that. You have perfect grace and control, that's a beautiful thing to witness.

[Closing his eyes with a tired but content sigh, Waver buried his face against Diarmuid's shoulder.]

...Try not to feel guilty over this, okay? We knew the risk we were taking, and I knew you would hold back only as much as you needed to. I'm just...sorry this was the best I can do as your Master.

[twofoldfury]

[And Diarmuid held him closer to it.]

You have nothing you need to apologize for. Regardless of your capacity, what will not change is that together we will overcome anything that stands to bar our path. It isn't the blade alone that grants certain victory, but our partnership that grants it.

[Punctuated with a kiss to his temple. Waver really was starting to just read him like a book, wasn't he? Easier said than done, of course, but he gave a nod.]

[fionnuisce]

You're right, I know. It's...frustrating, but we'll find a way to manage. We always have, after all.

[twofoldfury]

It's alright. We always have, yes. And we always will.

[It was only frustrating in the sense that Waver was frustrated. He was a frustrating man, but not for this reason. Diarmuid simply had faith in him. And Waver had faith in Diarmuid.

That's all he could ever want or need. And another kiss was given just to bring that point home.]

[fionnuisce]

Mm--long as we're together, we'll work something out. Even if it's difficult.

[Even if it sidelined him to this extent, that risk was always worth it as long as it was in doing what was right. Surviving anything seemed much more possible as long as Diarmuid was around.]

...really am sorry for worrying you, though.