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 Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:36 am
The stay at the hospital had been draining but Arias understood the necessity of it. He and Nick rested and slept for much of it, watched television in complacent silence, listened to the nurses giving advice on how to recover and heal. Ultimately, it was fairly uneventful. The Bakery was maintained, and while things weren't bad--they were still in the hospital.
Arias was eager to go home as soon as they gave Nick the all clear.
They'd been careful for a few days more at home; Arias was still insistent that Nick focus on recovery before pushing himself too much. They had spoken some, but out of concern that Nick would get worked up and hurt himself and ruin all the patient healing he'd gotten so far ensured that anything too important or emotional was put off for later.
When Nick suggested he power up and go to his Wonder, Arias had been reluctant. That was the opposite of resting.
But, when confronted with the fact that Nick would probably heal quicker while powered up--and on his Wonder--and he had his whole Transcendence to think about, Arias was fairly easily persuaded.
They had taken a short walk away from the house and powered up discreetly. It had been a long time since he was at Whisler's wonder, and a bit of guilt passed through him when he realized he hadn't gone to his own in a while. Aldwyn was insistent on his training, and it seemed like he was only able to open up while they were doing so. He used to go every week, every other week--and now, it had been a few months.
He had talked about Nick enough; Aldwyn knew everything about their relationship--like a sentient journal. Only, he spoke back. And didn't always say nice things. But things had been good for a while. He had been convinced Nick had changed. Even Aldwyn seemed to have forgiven him, if only because Arias was so insistent.
Aldwyn might not have been so aware of the passing of time, if only because he had been alone for so long, but Arias worried that perhaps he would have worried that something had happened to him. The guilt, again, but he dismissed it. It could wait for another day; today was about Whisler.
He kept one arm hooked around Whisler as they arrived on his Wonder and, worriedly, Newgrange asked, "Are you all right? ...I still have the first aid kit, it's ready if anything happens. Just let me know. Don't push yourself. I can still carry you if you're hurting at all."
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Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 10:10 am
Whisler looked to Newgrange and gave a small smile. “I’m not hurting too badly. You know I loaded up on the pain medicine before we left…and honestly, being here had gotten rid of the worst of the dizziness and nausea that has been plaguing me. I had wondered if that was part of the issue…”
He took the male’s hand and drew him over to the bed, laying down on it and sighing softly, soaking in the warmth of the room. “…I don’t suppose you think I would be able to go into the hot spring, do you? I guess…that wouldn’t be too good for the bandages and stitches…”
But it would feel so nice. He was sure of that.
Quietly, the male closed his eyes, moving to make room for Arias to sit down, or lay next to him if he were so inclined. “…Why is it that this place makes me feel so much better? It’s…so stupid. But I come up here and it feels…safe. Like I’m coming home.” He sighed and closed his eyes, burrowing into one of the pillows. “…Do you think it’s because of the transcendence? Or just…because this place is a part of me?”
He was trying so hard to be more open. To share everything going through his mind with Arias. He wanted this relationship to work. He wanted to be the best that he could be.
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Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:13 am
Newgrange moved to the bed and sat down next to him, his back pressed against Whisler's side so he could still hold his hand. His eyes continued to scan the area, just taking in the details. "It might be both," he admitted. "I'm not Transcended," he said, contemplating the subject, "But...I know it feels like home when I go up, too. In a bit of an odd way. At first, I felt like I was intruding. Like it didn't want me there. But then I realized it was just Aldwyn. He's very protective of that place. It was hard for him to open up. But, now I go up, and it feels peaceful."
He flashed a little smile. "I will take you, one day. I've wanted to, for a while. But he's such a stickler for training, he expects me to practice the whole time I'm up there. It's like pulling teeth to get him to tell me about Newgrange. Like..." He tapped his foot thoughtfully. "...Like there's things he doesn't think I'm ready for. Or, maybe. Things he's not ready for. I don't know. He's lonely, though. He might like the company. You are very charismatic, he might warm up to you."
...Or chew him out, it could go either way. He knew not to mistake thinking he knew his ancestor.
"You can dip your feet in the hot springs, but no baths. Not yet." He leaned over to kiss his forehead. "We can come back and soak here when the doctor says it's all right. If you're desperate..."
He was quiet, though, because a part of him had expected that Whisler might be tempted--and he had wanted to be prepared for anything.
"...I packed some saran wrap and medical tape. If we wrap you carefully, the water won't get in." Begrudgingly, he admitted, "I watched some tutorials on it, so I think I can do it."
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2020 4:31 pm
Whisler paused and chuckled softly, shaking his head. “No I…I don’t actually…I’m not some Thanksgiving leftovers…I don’t need to go in the springs that badly.” He laughed again, imagining himself as a plate full of turkey, wrapped up and shoved into the back of the fridge. “Ah…you know I really do want to go. Up to Newgrange…I have for a while but…I always felt like I was making you uncomfortable when I asked…”
He still idly thought that the real reason he had never gone to Newgrange was that Arias didn’t want him there, but he kept that to himself.
He had enough secrets of his own, didn’t he? Why shouldn’t his fiancé keep his own? The male closed his eyes and held Newgrange’s hand just a little tighter. “Next time we can go in the springs together…maybe make another weekend trip out of it? Be fancy and cook some hotdogs over the fire…make some smores…? Just…have a nice date?”
Hopefully it wouldn’t take him too long to heal, he already felt a lot better just from being here.
“…The whole Transcendence is so…complicated…I hate how I get sick from not being on my wonder…what happens if I’m on vacation or get hit by a car and go into a coma? It’s very inconvenient…”
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2020 6:43 pm
Newgrange couldn't help but laugh. "Your idea of fancy is cooking hot dogs and s'mores?" He leaned over and kissed him tenderly. "A nice date sounds wonderful. If we're being fancy, I want to bring some eggs and see if we can't boil them in the springs."
He held Whisler's hand, wanting to keep that connection. "If you don't want to come up here alone, I could always come with you. We could just make it date nights for us. I mean...it's nice to get away from the city," he admitted. "...And I've hardly been anywhere but Destiny City. So this..." he looked around.
"...It's one of my favorite places, you know. Because...I know that if I'm here, you're here. And it's a part of you that you don't share with everyone." He stroked the back of his hand. "If you start feeling a little sick, we could always just pop up here. I mean, I can pack us a picnic or something. There's no rule that there's anything you have to be doing up here. And we can go to my wonder and talk to Aldwynn. He..."
He sighed. "...He's not friendly. He's so slow to warm up to anyone. I'm afraid he's going to be rude to you. But. He knows about you. I've told him all about you. Whenever I've mentioned bringing anyone up with me, he's always gotten moody. But. If you're going to be in my life--for the rest of my life--I think...he should get used to it. There's something that he's trying to preserve there. I think...he tries to pretend that he's not dead. That things are like they were when he was still alive. I can't put my finger on it. But..."
He sighed. "...He's the only person I can think of to go to for answers. We should go." He glanced over at Whisler. "I owe him apology for not visiting for so long. But...there's so much I want to show you. It took me forever to get him to help me open up the other places. I'd...I'd like to take you. Not just to talk to him. So that...I can show you that part of me. No one's been to Newgrange but me. Apparently, before, people weren't even really allowed to visit. He's very strict on that rule--no visitors--but. I don't want there to be something this important to me that I do without you. Or, at least, without you knowing where I'm going and what I'm doing."
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:05 pm
“You don’t think hot dogs and s’mores are sexy? Gosh, Arias.” He gave a soft smile, feeling better by the moment and snuggling closer to the male.
“If you really don’t think he’ll like me, I’ll stop pressuring you to take me…I mean…I’ve really tried to stop but…I truly would love to go with you…I feel like…” Whisler hesitated and shook his head slowly. “…Our Wonders are parts of us that…should be shown…I mean…we go around wearing our badges from them, the colors and the symbols…we give the name of what we protect as our own and…I don’t know…”
He shrugged and kissed the male’s cheek, squeezing his hand. “…I want to share Newgrange with you…I want to see what it’s like. I want to see what gives you the power that I love so much. What gives you the magic that shakes the earth...”
Biting his lip, the knight shrugged. “…I feel like…I’m whining…I’m sorry.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 9:17 am
A small smile lingered on his face and he laughed softly at Whisler's 'Gosh'.
"That's not whining, love," he said, leaning over to give him a kiss on the forehead. "It's sharing your feelings. That's the thing we were going to try and work on." He smiled. "So you're doing a good job. I want to share Newgrange with you. So we'll schedule something. I might suggest waiting until you heal a bit more, of course, but...I'll head up there and tell him you're coming. I won't ask."
He seemed somewhat determined about this. "I won't give him a chance to say no. I'll tell him I'm bringing you up, and if he doesn't want to meet you or doesn't want someone in his area, he can just stick to the shadows like he used to do when I first got there."
Newgrange squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"I'll show you around. If he doesn't want to meet you this time, maybe next time. And if not then, maybe the time afterwards. But, if I tell him I need help--if you have questions about your Transcendence--I'm sure he would make time. I've worked hard to help him clean up my Wonder--done things he can't do. There's a lot to go but..."
He seemed to consider this. "...Two hands are better than one. He can't complain if you're helping me restore my wonder. His wonder."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 6:57 pm
Whisler smiled at that, looking happier than he had since he had been attacked and nodded slowly. “…I would really love that, Arias…I…wish there were some way that we could…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “…I don’t know. Bind our wonders together…I…I know that sounds so silly but…I would love to have you here whenever you want to come…and I’d love to know that you’re as much a part of this place as I am…I…”
He shrugged, his face suddenly turning a little pink. “…I don’t think it’s possible…but I’ve thought about it a lot…I…I mean. I know I’m really bound up with my wonder…and I’ve thought…that when I marry you…I want…I don’t know…this doesn’t make any sense, and I don’t even know if it’s possible but…I just…wanted to symbolize that…you’re as important to me as Whisler is…I…I guess…”
He couldn’t quite meet the other Knight’s eyes and finally just closed his own, not wanting to see whatever rejection might come from his declaration.
It sometimes felt that he shouldn’t say anything about their future…it felt almost on the verge of taboo but…
He wanted it so badly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:33 pm
Newgrange seemed genuinely thoughtful and then nodded slowly. "Let's ask that, too. Just because we haven't heard of things like that happening doesn't mean it's not possible. There's a lot we don't know."
For a while, recently, he didn't even know if he and Nick were going to make it. If Nick was serious about him, about their life together. But here he was, talking about binding their worlds, about getting married.
A part of Newgrange had just gone numb, afraid of disappointment and hurt. Afraid of being caught in one of Nick's well-intentioned lies. Afraid of hoping so hard and wanting so much and watching everything fall through.
But, he hadn't given up. Even if he was just going through the motions until he could figure out what made sense.
"You're silly, though. I don't know why you would think that doesn't make sense. It's beautiful. Maybe while you're helping me clean up Newgrange we can find something over there to bring here to Whisler. And we can take something of yours over there. That way we're connected, at least by that. Or, perhaps, we can find a Mauvian to help us make something. I haven't seen many, but I've heard they're very good at creating things. If we can't find something, maybe we should ask them. I mean," he seemed thoughtful. "...If a ring is powerful enough to get you to your world, and me to mine, there has to be some way to link our worlds."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:25 pm
Whisler breathed just a little easier when Arias didn’t gently scold him or say that he should focus on healing rather than the future…it…made him feel just a bit more hopeful and he opened his eyes again. “…There really is a lot that we don’t know…but…I think I’d like to learn it…Asking your ancestor…I wish…” He hesitated and sighed. “…Wish I had someone to ask about stuff. That would make things a hell of a lot easier, I bet. But…at the same time…”
He gave a sudden, almost shy grin. “…Your guy sounds like a complete butt so…maybe I am better off.” He moved a little closer to Arias and relaxed. “…I feel a lot better being up here with you. You’ve been amazing to me…and I know that…I don’t deserve it a lot but, thank you for taking care of me, Arias…You do it so well, honestly.”
Whisler knew that he would be dead without the male, and he hated the idea. Though…nobody liked the idea of dying…still.
“I uh. If you ever get stabbed, I’ll do the same, I promise. But…maybe don’t do the whole…getting stabbed thing. It sucks. Or better yet…just stay healthy, okay? Life is so much nicer that way.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:41 pm
Newgrange laughed softly and shook his head. "I'm going to do my best to try and not get stabbed, Nick. But you know I don't live that dangerous, exciting life. I don't even think I have any enemies. No one really has any reason to want to hurt me, I don't think. I stay out of people's way, I mind my own business. Chase away some youma. I've hardly even seen any Negaverse Agents when I power up. But I'll do my best to stay safe. One of us has to." He squeezed Whisler's hand.
"You'll be better soon enough. I can't help but think that being here on your Wonder might be a little therapeutic. You look like you're relaxing a bit. It's probably just been a lot of stress building up, being away from it. I hope that when we go back you'll be a little more at peace. And I know I...cautious...against my Ancestor like I do, but...he's not a bad guy. He's been so helpful since I met him. I can't really say that he's been opening up to me, but...it's a start. I wish you had someone up here to talk to, though. Someone...someone safe. Who cared about you in a way that you knew didn't come with ulterior motives. Someone who wanted the best for you, who had all of the answers about your Wonder. About Whisler. Do you still get flashbacks of your past life, though? --I mean. I'd think you'd notice if a ghost was wandering about after this long, right?"
He glanced around and hummed thoughtfully after only a second. "...Although, I suppose there are a lot of places to hide around here..."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:57 pm
Whisler squeezed back, giving a little laugh. “…It makes me sick when I can’t be up here…getting rid of all of that stress makes me feel like I can do anything, honestly…and…yeah, I seriously wish that I had someone too…it would make things easier. And…” He hesitated and forced himself into a sitting position, hissing softly and resting against the wall, closing his eyes as he caught his breath. “…There’s a lot of this place that I haven’t even explored. I don’t really…go any further than this room. I’ve been down that hallway a little, you know, lit the fireplace…but. Everything’s blocked off by rubble and rock…I don’t know. I keep wanting to explore but.”
…But truth to tell, it was a little creepy. And the idea of exploring alone…made him uncomfortable.
“…But this room is pretty perfect as it is…so I uh. See no reason to go anywhere else. I have my perma freezer outside…and the hotsprings here…a nice soft bed…the fireplace over there that never goes out, which, by the way is utterly fantastic.”
He shrugged and took in a breath, letting it out slowly. “Maybe…when I’m better…you and I could explore together…? Maybe I do have a ghost hidden here…and, no. I don’t have memories often, it’s only happened once or twice…kind of sad, to be honest.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 9:06 pm
Newgrange gave him a look, like he was silently chastising him for moving and hurting himself. He sighed, knowing it was unavoidable; Nick seemed to have a hard time asking for help or taking it easy and didn't seem to understand that Arias was willing to do whatever he needed to just to keep him comfortable.
"When you heal, yes. If you can stay still for long enough to do so." He patted his leg reassuringly but shook his head just a bit. "There's a lot that I haven't explored, too. For similar reasons. That, and whenever I get close to certain paths, Aldwynn seems to find a way to distract me. I can't help but wonder if they are dangerous, or if there are just things he's not ready to explain yet. Things he doesn't want to confront. But, I've still got that itch to explore."
He sighed but the smile returned to his face and he had a glimmer of excitement and curiosity. "We should explore your Wonder. I'll chase away anything scary for you. This room might be perfect, but...at the very least, I can help you clean. Maybe if your Wonder is doing a little better, you won't have to come back as often? But. I mean, really, if I'm being honest, I like the idea of spending a few hours here with you every week or so. It's not work if it's a date, right? And it's private. I don't have to worry about someone walking in on us, or about sharing you. We can just relax up here, surrounded by all your magic, and talk. It could be good for us."
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 1:05 pm
“I’ll stay still, I’ll stay still, I promise. And, yes please. I’d love if you’d explore this place with me…it would be pretty amazing to find out whatever secrets are hidden…and…that sounds like a good bit of reasoning too. If it’s feeling better…maybe I will too when I’m away from here…”
It was at least something that he could understand.
He wore a small smile and reached for the male’s hand, tugging him a little closer. “…Do you think…I mean. The whole, putting something of ours on each of our Wonders…could…”
He looked almost embarrassed again, as though he wasn’t sure quite how to ask. “…Do you think…I should ask your ancestor—Aldwynn…should I ask for his permission to marry you? Should we have some kind of a ceremony on Newgrange? Just…you know. So he doesn’t get mad that you just show up…married.”
Whisler really wanted this ghost or whatever he was to like him…the thought made life seem so much easier when he thought about it…and if…if he could do right by the ghost…why couldn’t he do right by Arias?
“And if there is anyone haunting this place…we’ll have to do something for him took, don’t you think?”
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 2:17 pm
Newgrange smiled a bit more, seeming both reassured and a bit rejuvenated at the idea of exploring something so new and unknown.
That Whisler wanted to ask for permission from Aldwynn to marry him made him soften a bit, and he managed a small smile. "I won't stop you from asking him. But don't make any big plans until you meet him," he laughed. "But...to be honest...it might nice to have some sort of ceremony together. I do still want to get married on Earth, with everyone that I love. But. We could do something special up here. For us. I mean, on Earth, a marriage for Nick and Arias. And then...up here, for Whisler and Newgrange. Maybe a special ceremony both places. I'd...I'd like that. I mean, not just to have multiple ceremonies, but...to make it official in all of our...special places. Home, and...our Wonders. Which...are a big part of us. The idea of doing that...it just feels right, I think."
He considered it for a moment later and then nodded. "...I'd really like that, I think. I hope you heal soon. I'm kind of excited about taking you to Newgrange. I'll have to plan something special. And we'll do something special here on Whisler, too. Who knows--down one of those hidden hallways, there might be some special ceremony room. Might be perfect to say an oath to each other, no?"
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