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 Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:58 pm
Liam hadn’t been able to reach Aloysius for an hour now, and it had him pacing the house in a panic, it seemed he wasn’t the only one missing either. Apparently Lorcan’s cousin was missing as well, at least wherever his partner was he wasn’t alone or with someone who Liam didn’t know. He knew the small blond and was certain he could trust them, as could his partner, despite that incident nearly a year ago. Maybe it had been a year?
Shaking his head, to rid himself of his thoughts, he went to grab the laundry from the washer and shaking everything out he started tossing things into the dryer. Reaching for a dryer sheet Liam took a moment to reach out with the earring, again, he’d been trying every ten minutes as he paced about the house and found things to occupy his time with. He couldn’t help but keep trying, it was like a child watching a clock tick down the minutes till they could leave school for the day - they kept looking.
This time though he didn’t feel that same block. Oh god! He could pick up on his partner and maybe he sent a lot to him, all at once, but he could feel the connection again!
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:59 pm
Breathing out a sigh of relief as he was back in Destiny city, it didn’t last for long as he was immediately bombarded by multiple things at once. His tablet chirped as files came through, his head throbbed, and a string of worried pulses came through his earring.
Tackling one thing at a time, he scrolled through the files on the tablet, seeing the murals but being confused by the lack of a name for the sender or any other information. Swiping through them, he froze as the last image loaded onto his screen, causing him to drop it as that feeling of being watched set in.
Looking around, he didn’t feel any signatures or see any people, so after another moment he quickly picked up his tablet and shoved it away into subspace. Pressing his palm to his forehead, he took slow and deep breaths to try and ease the panic. He couldn’t let them know, not through the earring, not by slipping and letting them see the panic that was lingering. It wasn’t about the mission, even if the stakes were high, he was more worried about Liam.
As sure as he’d sounded in front of Benitoite, there was always that nagging lingering doubt on how much Liam would accept the way he was, even when he was considering holding back more and more things. They were too good, too kind, and too loyal. Things that in most circumstances he adored about them. But at the same time, he couldn’t be sure if that would remain if he pushed it.
Shaking his head as he took a few more breaths, he texted Desiree to cover him for teleporting home. It wasn’t long before he got a response, thankfully before his phone decided to run out of battery.
Appearing in the doorway, he powered down immediately and took a seat on the couch. The fire was crackling, which he was thankful for considering he was shivering slightly. Though it wasn’t so much due to the cold he figured. Something would have to come out, at least in part he needed to bring up just the medallion. He knew Desiree had found one too so at least it wouldn’t be unusual that he used it, and the reasoning he had ready to present worked even without considering he was talking with order and going to space.
Pressing his lips to his engagement ring as he sat with his elbows on his knees, he had so many thoughts going through his mind as he sorted out what lies and truths would have to come out, all while mentally going over the next meeting he would have this evening. First was reassuring Liam he was okay, even if he really wasn’t, and next would be going to Alexandre’s house to talk with him about the report and seeing Laurelite. She needed to know, and the more reports the better.
Finally, after another moment with his eyes squeezed shut, he leaned back up as he called out. Things had been going so well here with Liam, they had gotten to talking about more things they both wanted both in and out of the bedroom. It felt so strong and solid, giving him all the more reason to keep them and this well-deserved sanctuary he had now safe. The wedding was only five weeks away, they were so close to the things he had wanted but never had and he didn’t want to lose that.
Steadying his voice as he called out, he looked around as another spike of that being watched feeling shivered through him. He didn’t like it, but he had to ignore it for a bit if he could manage. “Darling? Everything is okay, something about the storm caused Alexandre and I to get cut off temporarily. I need to go over to speak with him about it later after he checks in with Rene.” Looking towards the stairs, he saw Desiree’s tail flick as she turned the corner.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:01 pm
With the bedding in the dryer, and it going, the blond had been heading for the kitchen to try and find something to do while he waited for Aloysius. Now that he could feel him, could contact him, Liam was more at ease and a lot less worried. That wasn’t to say he wasn’t worried at all, he was, he was worried his partner might have been hurt but they’d have told him - right?
Passing by the living room, on his way to the kitchen, when he heard the other calling out from the room he was passing by. Liam turned, nearly fell over with how quickly he turned, and his eyes found his fiance. “Aloysius!” The worry draining from him, he’d been worried they might return home hurt, he hurried over as he rounded the couch and sank to his knees in front of them.
“I was worried, I couldn’t get in touch with you. It was like a wall was there, something solid that I couldn’t get past.” Reaching up to touch the others face gently, cupping his face, as he stared up at his fiance who soon would be his husband. “You’re not hurt? I know you said it was the storm..but no senshi or knights got to you?” He hadn’t really looked, not yet anyway, but he was hoping they were ok…though they did sound tired and he worried about that. “Did you want something to eat or drink? Some tea perhaps, I know you want to see Alexandre tonight…but why not in the morning? You look tired love.” He’d even go with them in the morning, he looked tired and just a little worn out. The storm was still raging outside even.
Staring at them he sat back on his butt and shook his head, he knew the other and Aloysius was determined, he’d see Alexandre tonight. But if there was just a storm, which knocked out communications, why did he need to meet with the blond? Were they the only two affected by it? Something felt off about it all, about the need to talk to the other general, but he didn’t push. He was more worried about the other. That was what spurred his next words. “If you’re going to insist on going there we’ll go together, call Katya and have her cover us. I’ll mirror walk us over, I’m not having either of us drive in this weather.” It might not be pouring out but he did not trust drivers on the road in a storm like this.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:13 pm
Leaning his cheek into their palm, he closed his eyes and just took a moment before nodding slightly. “Perfectly unharmed, just have a lot that I need to put into a report. You may have gathered that it is no plain old storm outside, even if it has calmed since earlier.” It was a bit sad when they sat back, pulling their hand from his cheek as they went.
When another crack of lightning flashed through one of the windows, he found it hard not to tense, that prickle of paranoia itching down his spine as his breath caught in his throat for just a second. Shaking it off as quickly as it came, he looked down at them and then towards the kitchen. Tea sounded nice, as did being further from the windows and the storm’s sight.
“Yes, tea please darling.” Getting up slowly, he went to offer his hand to help them back off the floor. At least until they mentioned going with him to see Alexandre. It was the last thing he wanted.
“My phone died shortly after we got a connection back but I need to talk with Alexandre alone about things. I need to test something as well which needs us not to be covered.” He needed to make sure the medallion still worked, or if it had been damaged by how much it had headed up.
Thinking on it, as he looked at them, it was hard not to be worried. “If I told you to stay here, to keep away from the storm, would you do that? It cut off not just our devices or earring but… it cut one of those glowing senshi off from their world as well.” His voice, while soft, had a heavy weight to it as he spoke. The worry on his face for them was apparent, something that didn’t extend to his own safety as usual. His fingers tightened slightly on their hand as he pulled them up and close, leaning his head onto them as he squeezed his eyes shut at the next crack of lightning. It was the last thing he wanted, all of this was, but he wanted them to listen, to stay safe so he could have something to come home to.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:15 pm
“I’ve never seen a storm like this, I’ve never even heard of one like this.” And he was certain that if a storm this bad had happened, anywhere, it would be recorded and he’d have somehow heard of it. All the lightning from earlier would, without a doubt, be remembered but he didn’t think it would be known of outside of this city or even researched as one might think it would be. This city kept its secrets somehow. It was all magic.
Letting Aloysius help him off the ground, having noted the first time they tensed when the lightning cracked outside and lit up the inside of the house, he was holding and even enfolding his fiance in his arms the next time. Holding them tight as he stood there and sighed softly before responding to them. “You say it cut off all those things…did it cut off your weapons?” He questioned. Aloysius was a general, and he knew the strength which came with that, but his partner was not as strong as others physically and he knew it. There would be stronger people, bigger people, and apparently this was all bigger than he had originally thought. Talking of transcended senshi…so his partner had been around them, and thankfully had not been harmed, but if it could cut them off as well. But it wasn’t just a matter of the storm cutting communications, as they’d said it was.
“Whatever is that powerful, to cut off so many things, I don’t doubt it would cut off my mirror walking. It would leave me with nothing but my physical strength and whatever my wings have given me as well.” Whatever boost in strength he had from reaching eternal. “It means that you are asking to run into some sort of danger and for me to stay at home, when I’d have as much if not more strength than you.” Because without weapons or magic and just strength than he had more of that.
“If something is that strong…it could do a lot more to you than that.” It could kill, whatever this storm was…whatever had cut off so many things. It had power. Leading them to the kitchen, for tea, and to get them away from the windows he needed time to think before he spoke. This was a lot and he didn’t know what to make of it, he didn’t know much and he didn’t ask.
“If I told you not to go would you listen? I know you want to protect me, to come home to a safe home and to me. I know that, I know how it would devastate you if anything were to happen, but if you never came home…I would be in the same boat.” Or at least a very similar one. He might not fall into a bottle, like Aloysius no doubt would, but he would without a doubt spiral into depression. To have gotten so far in his life…to have found love like he had. Losing it would ruin him and he knew it. “You want me safe while you run into danger but you would not keep yourself safe and allow me to run into danger. It is a bit off love.” How to be gentle, how to understand his partner, but also nudge them and try and get them to understand?
“How can I help…and not feel useless, and weak, while also not distracting you? I might not have as many years experience but I’m not useless…my own court sits on the sidelines most of the time, uninvolved either by choice or design.” And it left him feeling close to useless in this whole war, without helping to better things and to end this conflict, like he had his wings and this power…and it was wasted and useless. He wanted to put the power to use and feel like it was well placed, and earned even. Would Aloysius even understand? Drawing back, a kiss to his cheek, as he went to find the right tea for a night like this…something calming.
“Either way I’m mirror walking you over there. I’ll leave the room, or the house, if I must but you aren’t going out into the storm. That part isn’t up for debate or negotiation, I don’t think that’s too hard of a give.” Seeing as he was willing to walk out of the room, or return home till he was needed to pick Aloysius up, he was just playing chauffeur sort to speak.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:16 pm
Being held tight helped calm some of that panic, and helped ease the slight tremor that had been present since he’d touched back down in the city, but the question of weapons had him considering things. He didn’t pull away but sighed back in response as he gripped the fabric of their shirt to keep them close. Keeping silent for a moment about the weapons he knew they were right about things related to actual strength.
“But I have the luxury of not needing to be so close, you know that and Alexandre knows that.” It was a shaky argument at best but it was hard to form a better one while mentally writing up his report. By now it was multiple pages or would be once he transcribed it, and he had it set up in neat little sections based on observations and personal or second-hand reports. It wasn’t as thorough as it could be but he always made a point to watch and listen as best as he could.
But that running little report in his head ground to a halt as they echoed his concern back at him. “I will always make it home, you know I avoid those risks, that I keep back unlike Alexandre. I…” Trailing off he pressed his face into their shoulder as he let out a shaky breath. There were still too many unknowns without reconvening with Alexandre and speaking with Laurelite. It made it hard for him to come up with an answer.
“A plan, more information, then… then we can figure that out. Neither of us need to worry your father either.” Given how close they were, he knew as a mundane civilian that things would be different for how they viewed it.
Looking at them as they pulled away, he held tight to their shirt and followed them. He didn’t want them far, didn’t want them to decide to rush off and find another avenue with which to get involved in all this. He felt defeated, and worn out, and with each crack of lightning, it sent that worry and panic running down to his core. That feeling of uselessness, being cut off from weapons and magic, hadn’t been pleasant. It wasn’t something he wanted them to experience.
He wasn’t going to argue about the mirror walk, it honestly might soothe him being in those plain white halls and feeling that odd watery feeling he still felt. “You will have to message Rene, I doubt Alexandre’s phone fared better than mine. You are far from useless, far from weak, you help so many people darling, even if it falls on the side of civilian life.” Pressing a kiss to their cheek as he stayed close and watched the kettle, he wanted nothing more than to lay down and wake up finding this had all been a nightmare.
“If things lean so that you come with me to whatever is planned… you need to trust me and not question anything I say or how I present myself.” Keeping quiet, almost whispering as he spoke seriously.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:17 pm
“And you are a distance fighter with a weapon love. Without it, as it seems you had no access to it, it means you’d have to be close in and rely on strength. It’d be better to have me at your side for that.” He knew he was stronger, they both knew it, and his partner was better working at a distance but without a weapon he wouldn’t have that option. “If it comes down to it, and you can’t use a weapon, can you fight it out with someone? Because most people who die - don’t plan on it. It just happens and while you are cautious you can’t be in a case like this, when a weapon isn’t available to you. You are right though - plan once there is more information. But I want to ensure you get home safe, that we get that wedding we’ve been planning.” Wanting to lighten the mood, to give some ease to his partner. He’d gone at him, as much as he ever would, but now to soothe his words and ease things for them.
“I didn’t break into a church with you, in the freezing cold, for nothing.” Poking at the other's cheek as they clung to him. Turning, slowly, while the water worked on boiling, and pulled the other into his arms.
“I’ll message Rene while you have your tea.” And maybe he’d pour himself a cup, he might need it really. “You say that but it feels that way when my court is uninvolved in moving this war closer to an end. I want to help end this - so we can be free of it. Every extra person can help…and it would help relationships between my court and your faction, we’re both chaos. Your side is kinder to mine because of that.” Even if some senshi and knights were on good terms with his court it wasn’t as likely, because they still felt like chaos and were still chaos. They still drained energy and that was enough for most of order.
“Of course, you have more experience. You get to be the brains and I’ll be the muscle.” A quick kiss, a n** to the bottom lip, and he was turning to check the water. “When you come back from Alexandre’s I want you in for bed, I think after everything tonight you need it. I’ll make breakfast in bed for us in the morning, and you won’t leave the bed till you’ve had your fill.” He wasn’t looking to have the other help him in the kitchen, he wanted to coddle the other a bit.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:17 pm
Getting in close wasn’t something he would do, not unless it was sprung on him like that spar in the middle of the night had been. “I doubt it is a someone we will be fighting but I really would rather you not be up close to a fight either.” There had to be something that could be done with the spikes though, which hopefully meant he was likely going to be sticking near Alexandre to make sure whatever needed to be done by them could be done but he couldn’t tell Liam that yet, Laurelite needed to know first.
At the mention of the wedding, he knew he’d lost any fight over this as he sagged into their arms. “Both of us need to be there… if I need you to get out a few of my team can teleport now so any of them can get you out faster than a mirror. I know when to fall back and can do the same.” Because he didn’t have nearly enough answers, which was why he started building a team to help gather information while providing support amongst themselves. It was shaky at best, but it was something at least.
Pouting just slightly at their joke and as they poked his cheek, he just buried his face into them more. “Alexandre already brought that point up, so I have a feeling Remarque will be reached out to.” Sighing a bit, he watched as the kettle started to whistle and leaned to sit at the small table after their kiss and n**.
Rubbing his temple, the headache that was lingering made this all the worse. “You are more than muscle, you have knowledge of the secret language of math.” Smiling slightly as he watched them pull two cups down, he also noticed Desiree lingering and peering out from down the hall. He was still perturbed over her risky actions on the last mission.
“I need the rest, badly. Hopefully, it clears this headache. Can you bring me my contact case and my glasses? I want to take them out before we head over. It might help not having them in.” Even with him wearing them more often because of the other’s preference for them, they still were sometimes irritating when he was tired or had eye strain from working on paperwork for too long.
“Tea then once Rene says things are clear you can bring me over.” Aloysius shook his head slightly before resting it on the cool tabletop, letting out a little sigh of relief as the twinge in his temple eased up just slightly. “I love you, so very much.” And maybe it was a weakness, one he was very aware of, that had been used against him before, but it was so hard to actually do anything about it when he was face to face with them and powered down.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:19 pm
“I’ll keep my distance in a fight, I don’t like to risk myself as much as some others might.” He was stronger than Aloysius, so he might be closer than they were if it came down to no weapons or magic, but he would act with caution. He did value his life, and safety, especially when he had a wedding to make and a home to return to. He had a family and he needed to return to them, and with them in the case of Aloysius, he had many things assuring he would come out of whatever this was in good shape.
“That’s fine, I’ll take your direction. We might be equal in rank but you’ve got more experience, generally speaking, and more time with things like this…as this seems like it’ll be something large scale. So I’ll trust your judgment…just trust me as well. I love you and I want you to take care of yourself in whatever fight takes place…don’t look for me or throw yourself in my way. We fight on our own…I won’t have you getting hurt because you’re distracted by me.” If he was the reason Aloysius got hurt…the guilt he’d feel. He couldn’t permit it but he also couldn’t avoid an event like this where he could help - where he could ensure the other had more help at his side.
“That might be good…if our court is involved, because this sounds big, it might do well for us to know what’s going on.” Because this wasn’t some small thing…not if they didn’t want him involved. “Though I don’t know if he’ll just come or if he’ll let the court know and have them each decide.” Because he wasn’t the sort to order them all into whatever this was, and he was sure Alexandre would tell him all about it. If he was the only dark mirror to turn up the blond wouldn’t be surprised, or if it was just himself and Remarque.
Nosing at his partner's neck Liam nodded his head, sighing. “I can get your case if you finish the tea, then we’ll head to Alexandre’s.” He’d send Rene a text while he was heading for the bedroom to get Aloysius his glasses, and the case for his contacts. “Whatever is going to happen - we’ll handle it together.” They would face it together, as cliche as it sounded.
Now finish the tea and I’ll be back down soon.” A kiss to the skin beneath his lips before he was stepping away and moving to leave the kitchen. Pulling his phone from the back pocket of his lounge pants he sent his message to Rene.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:30 pm
There really hadn’t been much opportunity to figure things out even if they mentioned risks but he couldn’t help but worry. It was frustrating him that they wouldn’t stay home but he was too tired and his head hurt too much to fight about it.
Staying silent he just nodded slightly for a moment before looking up at them. “Keeping some distance will help keep order from finding out we are connected… that and…” Sliding the medallion out from his pocket, he set it on the table. “This keeps my signature muffled so that they believe I am a captain and thus less of a threat that needs to be investigated or worried over. A few of my team know and Alexandre does, though it is very new.” Offering a small apologetic smile he sat up as they nosed at him and brought his tea.
It helped calm him a bit, even if the storm outside had him on edge. If there was any consolation to be considered, he apparently had a small army of blondes he needed to convince to keep his blonde safe. It was frustrating to have to ask for help from them but the more people he had access to, the more escape routes would be available.
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Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:37 pm
He would do as need be, after all Aloysius had more experience in these matters, he hadn’t lied about following the others orders and keeping himself safe and distant. If keeping from his partner not only ensured they didn’t risk themselves but also kept order from noticing a connection then it was even better; right? Smiling softly to himself, glad he might get to help his partner, Liam reached their bedroom and went straight for Aloysius’ bedside table in order to grab what was needed.
The item he’d pulled out was interesting, and useful, he could see how much his partner was going to keep order from noticing him and keeping them from seeing him as a threat. A captain wouldn’t be as much a threat as a General, especially one around as long as he’d been. Didn’t order find it strange or did they just think it must mean the other was a very bad officer…to be stuck as a Captain for so long.
On his way down the stairs he got the message from Rene and called out for Desiree. “Des, can you cover us? We’ll need to mirror walk over to Alexandre’s.” It was nice being friends with the Frenchman, he was helpful and good to talk to, it was nice having a friend in this as well so he didn’t feel like a third wheel sitting on the outside of things.
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