ARD
They were both sopping wet, huddled together with their wings wrapped tight about their bodies in a pathetic attempt to ward off the chill.
Ard had his face pressed against the chilled dampness of Erd’s shoulder, his eyes closed, concentrating on simply breathing. There were too many bodies packed into one place for him to be comfortable with, and he was on the verge of panic. With the nonstop rain, creatures of all manner had sought refuge within the dry capitol, and he hated being around so many people, but the alternative was to be out in the frigid, freezing rain.
He hated it, absolutely and positively… Yet what could they do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. At least not yet. Since the storms, the rains, and the flooding had started, there was very little that they could do to assist. Everyone was busy, doing their best to contain the worst of the damage all while searching for the missing members of their Court. Ard hadn’t seen Florentine nor Marisol in far too long, but he was far too much of an anxious mess to even attempt to seek them out.
What a great fucking way to spend their third birthday.
Ears pinned flat against his skull, Ard remained bristled and tense as he kept his face hidden within his twin’s shoulder. Face hidden by dripping taupe hair, he focused on his breathing, his heartbeat, and the soothing pulse that he could feel beating beneath his brother’s skin. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out… Erd was a steadfast support by his side, a beacon amidst the uncertain chaos of his heart. Warm, beautiful, and strong.
Slowly, the younger warlock began to relax, his posture gradually losing tension. So long as he could drown out the sound of the rushing rain and the world around him by the sound of Erd’s pulse and the soothing staccato of his beating heart, he would be fine. He had to be. Over and over Erd’s soothing words came over him, a repeated mantra of ’we’ll be okay, we’ll be okay’ doing wonders to soothe his frayed nerves.
Eventually, however, the mantra trailed off, and his brother’s bleeding heart made itself known by his following suggestions;
”We should help. Try and find Marisol, or Miss Florentine. I’m sure they would appreciate our help.”
Ard found the strength and confidence to wrench his face away from his brother’s shoulder, and shot him the most deviant, defying glare he could muster. There was no reason to speak, not when Erd knew him so intimately, but instead he allowed their bond to flow with a fiercely disagreeing emotion. No. Hell no. He had no intention on seeking them out, on getting themselves killed, even if he was growing fond of Marisol.
She hadn’t killed them. She hadn’t harmed them. Ard found that he appreciated her brash personality and brunt approach. It showed that she had no hidden agenda. With Marisol, you knew what she was thinking. Ard liked that… But he was still uncertain of putting himself, of putting Erd at risk. Even for her.
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