[023] Twenty-Third Fall [accidental video]

[adeptible]

[There aren't any songs this time. He's run out of them. There isn't much to say about anything, either. Empty rooms that echoed around him, and knowing what the both of them were going back to... One dead already and one getting ready to enter a world where death was waiting around every turn of the path. No, it would not end happily for

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[suaveleather]

[Seeing the video Zevran makes his way home, slipping inside quietly so as not to disturb Starwind's moment of silence. He places a hand on Starwind's shoulder, trying his best to offer comfort.]

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[Starwind doesn't say anything at first, but he does cover Zevran's hand with one of his own, without turning around. He knows that if he does, he won't be able to hold the tears back.

When he finally does speak, it's almost quietly enough to be overlooked.]

Is it better, ke'chern? For them to be gone?

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[suaveleather]

[He allows his hand to stay in place and stands still. His ears, tuned so well to even the lightest sounds, perk up and hear his love's words.]

It is. Here they were forced to watch one another be tortured. There they can continue on with their lives. Or, perhaps, with being set to a peaceful rest.

[But the thought of being separated from Starwind... Nothing good would come of it.]

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And yet we remain here.

[But his tone is more question than statement, all but asking flat out for the confirmation that he won't be left alone. It feels so selfish to want to keep people here, but...]

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[suaveleather]

We remain here together.

[He gives Starwind's shoulder a gentle squeeze in order to remind him that his lover is still with him. He is a selfish creature and will readily admit it. Starwind is his and he will fight any god or goddess who tries to take him away.]

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[He finally turns to face Zevran and, sure enough, as expected, the tears start as he meets the elf's eyes with his own. None of this is fair, and saying it again would be far too obvious. And no one knows who is leaving next. If it was him...

But he pushes that thought aside as he drops his eyes to floor off to his left. He wants to believe that they could just be left alone, left together, but...the history of this place made that unlikely. As much as he doesn't want to think about it. But he can't lose him.]

...I am glad for that, at least, ashke.

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[suaveleather]

[The tears are too much for him. His face sets into one of determination and he wraps his arms around Starwind's thin frame, holding him close.]

I refuse to let us be separated so easily, my love.

[He has waited too long for somebody such as Starwind to allow him to be taken easily. He pulls back and murmurs a soft 'I love you' before wiping away his lover's tears.]

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[With arms around him, he just...clings. Until his hands and his arms hurt from it as his shoulders shake with suppressed sobs. He simultaneously hates is here and doesn't want to leave, both conflicted and more certain than he has been in a long time.

It's a strange feeling. And it doesn't make anything any fairer.]

...I love you.

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[suaveleather]

[What does he have in his world? A person he cared for who went to the arms of another, a dead ex-lover haunting him, his comrade turned betrayer, an entire flock of assassins turned on him, and the threat of Darkspawn. No, the Underworld is heaven in comparison. So long as Starwind is by his side.]

The sentiment is returned, my love.

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I know, my ashke.

[He slides his arms around Zevran with a little less urgency this time around, not clinging quite so tightly, but still shaking a little in the fear that this could very well be their last moment together--that one or the other of them could vanish by morning and leave each other lonely. This place was cruel enough for it. He lays his head on the elf's shoulder, eyes closed but still wet.]

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[suaveleather]

[He raises a hand to stroke Starwind's hair in a reassuring gesture, pressing a soft kiss to his lover's temple. He would stay this way for the entire night if needed. Both him and Starwind were sharing the same fears it seemed and he did not plan on letting the pale man leave his sight for several days.]

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[It might have been nicer if the circumstances weren't so horrible. Still, he is comforted--if only slightly. All the more that he really could be now. Eventually, he would come to terms with it and move on, but now it hurt too much. Now he was too afraid that someone else was next.]

It feels so empty here.

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[suaveleather]

It does.

[He continues the stroking as he looks around. Being alone had never bothered him until recently and, even now, it was only bothering him because it upset Starwind.]

Perhaps we could find a pet?

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It would not be the same.

[And he attempts to make some kind of a pathetic joke.]

I believe Taree may protest.

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[A forced chuckles escapes.]

Ah, so my beloved pet shall forever remain in my other house. Hm, I suppose we can make do with the two of us.

[He takes one of Starwind hands in his, threading their fingers together.]

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[He is trying very hard not to hold on to that hand too tightly. Much as he wants to just hold on until he's sure that no one else is leaving, it wouldn't accomplish much to injure anyone over it.]

It would seem so.