ARD
Ard did not want to go to the beach, but he also didn’t want to stay in Denocte. He just wanted to leave, but Erd, his terrible, stubborn, beautiful brother would not let him. Some would say that their level of codependency was unhealthy. Ard would tell them to ‘fuck off’, if not for the fact that he loathed talking to anyone that wasn’t his brother.
So, instead of putting up much of an argument, he had agreed to come to the beach if only for a few hours. Anything to see Erd’s face light up in joy. Lately, they’d had very little to be joyful about, what with leaving their home behind and essentially living as a refugee in a Court that was not their own. As the seasons had changed, however, and loneliness once more became their constant ally in Denocte, Ard had begun to think that maybe court-life did not suit them at all. Terrastella, Denocte… It did not matter.
Maybe they would do better on their own? Court-life required leadership, required everyone to pull their own weight, and Ard did not enjoy pulling the weight of others, Halcyon unit or not. He was the selfish one, focused only on he and his brother above all else, and if it were not for the very real fact of ‘safety in numbers’, Ard would have taken Erd away from the Courts to live their own lives elsewhere. The thought was tempting, and definitely not one that would leave him be any time soon.
Casting all thoughts of going rogue aside for the time being, the young warlock accompanied his identical twin brother towards the Terminus Sea. They landed gracefully in the sand, kicking up granules as white wings were pulled in close to their sides. Ard’s turquoise eyes scanned their surroundings, admiring the churning blues of the ocean, the peaceful tranquility of the skies, and the fresh scent of salt on the breeze. It was quiet save for the sound of the crashing waves and the occasional avian chirping overhead, and ever so slowly the tension in his petite frame began to loosen.
Nothing here would harm them. Not today at least.
Exchanging a look with his brother and allowing his own hood and cowl to drop down to rest upon his chest and around his neck, Ard fell into step with his twin. He focused on breathing, absorbing the sensation of the sand beneath his weight shift and give way. It was relaxing, and occasionally he would reach over and bump his muzzle against his brother’s shoulder, his troubled heart growing peaceful every time that Erd would turn his head and give him that dazzling smile.
This was what he wanted. Just them against the world… If only he could make Erd understand.
The peace did not last for long, unfortunately. Erd stopped, and as though pulled by an invisible cord linked only between the two of them, Ard did as well, hooves digging into the sand. His eyes followed his brother’s gaze, narrowing as pierced ears tipped backwards in displeasure. Wonderful. A dark bay stallion was currently drawing himself from the churning waves, seeming unperturbed by the buffeting force of the ocean. Already knowing that his brother would call out a greeting, Ard held his tongue, slunk closer to his twin’s side so that they were pressed flush together, and sulked.
Wonderful.
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