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 Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 2:46 pm
Another week had rolled around, and Aegirine was still a mess.
Her black eye was spectacular, yellowing slightly at the edges, but at least her eye could open fully now, so that was good. It still hurt, but it was better than it had been.
Her lip was healing, but it looked gross, and she always ended up knocking the scab off on accident.
To put it plainly, there was no way that Carterhaugh would be able to say she was beautiful tonight. And…
Truthfully, when she thought of it, it made her almost sad. But more determined that she would get what she wanted. And what she wanted was for the Page to make the right decision…and he would. She would make sure of it…
She settled on their bench and leaned back against it, waiting for them to show up.
If Carterhaugh didn’t make the right choice. Then this would be the last meeting that they would have…and Carterhaugh would not live to see another day. That was just how it had to be.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 3:14 pm
Carterhaugh arrived, with a takeout bag from a local Italian restaurant--pasta, they figured, was always a winner, and they hoped that if Aegirine had any allergies or strong preferences, she would have told them. So, clam linguine in white sauce for her, and shrimp alfredo for them, plus garlic bread and a salad to share. It would have been a very nice dinner, they thought; something to sit and cuddle and share, and they could tell her that they had decided, they just needed some time to finish getting their affairs in order.
All thoughts of food, though, disappeared from their mind when they saw Aegirine's face. She was bruised--battered, practically--and it made their heart twist up, made them feel deeply furious.
They set the bag down, strode the rest of the way to the bench, and sat next to her, reaching out to gently cup her face--mindful of the damage.
"Who did this to you," they asked, a tense fury in their voice. It wasn't as if Carterhaugh couldn't imagine what might drive someone to attack an officer--the feeling of a hand int heir chest was never going to leave them,t hey were pretty sure--but anyone with half a brain to think about it would be able to tell that Aegirine was more of a threat to herself than anyone else. "What happened?"
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 3:53 pm
For a moment, Aegirine tried to keep her anger fueled, but…the anger in the Page’s voice was akin to a bucket of water being thrown over it, and before she had realized it, her eyes were filling with sudden, bitter tears. “...One of your Page friends. I was taking energy. There was a drunk man. He was already asleep, I didn’t do any harm. And he comes up and punches me. And that’s why…”
She gestured at the black eye and then drew in a breath, working hard to keep herself from just breaking into sobs like she wanted to but…it was a losing battle.
And I told him that he was a jackass, which was true…and he just spat back another round of insults. I don’t have a good weapon. You know that but. I remembered about starseeds, so I reached and held his for a moment, and just. Let him know that I could end him if I wanted, and then I told him to leave. So then he punched me and kicked me and just. I hate him. I hate all order. If this. Has taught me anything it’s that. You can’t trust them.”
Aegirine swallowed, drawing away from Cargerhaugh, drawing in a breath and lightly laid her hand over their chest. “...What’s your decision, Carterhaugh? …I’m afraid that I no longer want to give you the benefit of thinking about it…”
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 4:30 pm
Their fingers were gentle as they brushed the tears away from her cheeks. "No friend of mine, if they would hurt you without even talking to you," they said, firmly. How many of their fellows simply engaged, without pause or thought?
The rest of her story made them inhale sharply. They didn't like it, to think of her grabbing someone's starseed--but as an act of self-defense, when she had been assaulted first....
Ugh. Already justifying the things they would have to do. Because it was clear that there were two choices before them: do what they had already committed to, or back out. And if they backed out, with Aegirine's hand on their chest....they would die.
"I need one week," they said. "To finish getting my affairs in order. I have money, and my dissertation research--I'll lose my progress on my degree, but I can at least retain what work I've done." They could figure the rest out later. "And then I will join you. I'll be yours."
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 4:45 pm
Aegirine swallowed, her eyes flashing for a moment, the tips of her fingers gently dipping into his chest. “...Prove it. How do I know that you’ll keep your word? How do I know? She hesitated, hope rising, despite the alarms screaming that this was a trick.
“I apologize, but I don’t trust you. I don’t think I could trust anyone in white right now, and I need to know that you’ll be mine…you…”
She drew in a breath, closing her eyes for a moment and then withdrew her fingers, and slid her hand down their chest.
“...Show me who you are. Come and stay with me. We’ll…get to know one another. And you can get your affairs in order…no matter how long it takes.” That…was something that sounded sane, didn’t it? She thought it did but…
“Show me your true face. And I’ll believe you.”
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 4:53 pm
The pain--and the violation--of her fingers in their chest made Carterhaugh tense. They inhaled sharply--under other circumstances, they might have trusted that Aegirine meant them no harm, but having been battered around? Of course she didn't trust them. Of course she was scared. Of course she thought they were lying.
They took a breath. Dropped the guise of Carterhaugh. In place of the Page was Asher, long hair in a high ponytail, wearing a cute sweater and scarf and skinny jeans tucked into mid-calf-high boots.
"We can get my affairs in order together, then," they said. "My name is Asher. It's nice to meet you, like this."
Even if they were very distinctly afraid. This peace offering could be a trap, and they knew it--but what other choice did they have, now? Even if they weren't committed before, they would have to be now in order to save their own life.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 5:02 pm
Aegirine drew in a sharp breath, confused and…rather amazed. “...You…truly…you…”
They actually meant it?
She was quiet for a long, long moment and then let her own powered form fade, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. “...Kayden. I’m Kayden. And yes…It is very nice to meet you…I…”
Forcing herself to look up, Kayden looked them over, the light of hope now burning fiercely, and when she grabbed his face in her hands, kissing their…Asher’s lips with a reckless need.
She honestly thought that perhaps she could fly. Which was. A stupid thought.
But.
Asher. Carterhaugh.
They meant it.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 5:22 pm
Kayden. Her name was Kayden, and she knew them in both forms, and--and they were going to do this.
Whens he surged forward to kiss them, they slung an arm around her waist, pulling her close and sighing against her lips. Kissing her felt good, felt soft and warm and a little like making a home.
And if all went well, it would be a home they shared for a long, long time to come.
They pulled back from the kiss, but didn't go far, smiling at her.
"I love you," they said. "And I will be yours."
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