OTA

[willysilver]

It was a lovely night by all accounts. The weather was just cool enough for a jacket, the breeze making the leaves flutter and twitch. The moon hung bright in the sky, nearly full, and in the park there were people enjoying the night.

Willy was out busking tonight, though he had no heart for it. No joy, no enchantment. Tonight, as for the past nights, he sat on the edge of a fountain and he played sorrowful songs of lost love. He understood them now. He had never truly understood love, that much he had come to realise since Fin had departed. He knew desire and passion, he knew friendship, he knew possession, but he had never understood partnership or equality or even the necessity of respect. He knew now, though.

It was a hard learned lesson. His music wasn't the only thing lacking enchantment. His own visage was ashy grey, his luxurious hair drooped flat, the curls dull and limp. There was no light in his green eyes, they were flat and dull and dark.

His fingers strummed the strings mournfully.

I've stolen all the stars to make a wish we can fly
Away, away up high to that old place in time
Where our pictures never fade and our hearts don't lie
Won't you stay a while and watch our world go by
I'll keep holding on to you and your Saturday smile

Has our Autumn died
Help me find you again

I think it's love
I think it's love
That gets us through
All our goodbyes
So when we die
Think of love
I'll think of love
And thoughts of you
To lay me down
I think it's love
That keeps us new

If only it could be the very first time
Kiss me like it means something inside
I don't want to leave and I'm afraid to find
Our fate die in a dream and let me know you're not mine
Lie a little longer, my Saturday smile

Has our Autumn died
Help me find you again

I think it's love
I think it's love
That gets us through
All our goodbyes
So when we die
Think of love
I'll think of love
And thoughts of you
To lay me down
I think it's love
That keeps us new

The people who passed nearby were struck by the power of the fae's melancholy. He mourned not only his lost love, but the fact that he couldn't find him. He had visited the hotel many times but now the Phouka and Winter had gone off to make a home of their own and Fin did not come or go from the hotel anymore. And the longer he was gone the harder it became to feel him with any specificity in the city of millions. He knew he needed to find Fin to speak to him, do make what repairs he could, but he could hardly find the energy to even strum the stings tonight.

Comments

[willysilver]

Willy reeled from the pain that flooded through him. Physical, mental, it was pure torture. When Fin broke the kiss Willy still felt it, an ache that soaked into his very bones.

"You will never forgive me," he said quietly. "I am so sorry, Fin."

His heart beat slower and his skin went pale grey as he turned from Fin to leave him. Perhaps if he allowed himself to succumb to the changes that were happening then Fin could move on and find happiness.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was trembling, but a few deep breaths had him still again, his eyes fixed on Will's back.

"What a shock, you'd rather run and hide than face this down. ...Coward," he accused, his voice a soft hiss.

What Will seemed to forget was that this wasn't a one way street. They were linked, deeply, spiritually, physically. As Will gave up, Fin started to wilt, his power retreating and his skin going slightly grey.

"Coward," he said again, his voice cracking now as he tried to keep himself steady. "So like you- You'd rather we both fade away than face what's happened. ...How can you be so unkind to me? How can you say you love me, ask me to bind myself to you, and then throw yourself into the river to sink like a stone?"

[willysilver]

He grew weaker with every step he took away, but before he lost all strength he turned back to face Fin. The wind began to blow as the remaining power he had surged.

"Coward," he repeated. "Coward? Would you have me fight, then? Are you looking to beat me down even more? Kiss me again and shrivel my insides and stop my heart? What will make you happy, Fin? I will grovel. I will beg. I will drag you home by your hair and reign over you. Or I could stand here, bare and weak and humble, and tell you I am sorry. That I understand your pain. Would I rather caoine until I turn to vapor and wind? No. Would I rather you die in your own way? Of course not. I want to be with you. Forever. I love you beyond measure and I understand now what that means. I did not before. Not truly. But your kiss...would you even have me back? Would you ever trust me? Love me? Or would you only be with me because you must to live?" he asked.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I don't want you to fight me, I want you to fight for me," Fin snarled, though the power and anger wasn't there anymore, and it was more a whimper than a growl really.

"I told you I'd give this a try, but that pain needed to be shared as much as we share everything else. ...I can't carry it alone if we're going to try and repair this."

[willysilver]

"Then kiss me again," he said softly. "Give it to me again and I will be your champion. Until the end of time, I pledge."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Not fight for me in battle, fight to keep me, Will," Fin said softly, though for all he was hurting and angry, he couldn't help smiling just a bit. Will was just... So very different from him. From everyone.

"Only you would mistake love for an excuse to get your sword out- And I don't mean that in a cheeky way," he added, rubbing his face a little, then stepping closer, cupping Will's face with his hands and kissing him softly. This time there was no pain in the kiss. ...It was just a kiss, nothing more.

[willysilver]

The sweetness of the kiss hurt just as much, but differently. Willy took hold of Fin's shoulders and held him, unwilling to let go.

"Come home to me," he pleaded against the fae's mouth.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I... I just moved in with Pippa, she wont approve of me rushing back to you," Fin said softly. "I need some time, but- I'm willing to come home in time. I miss you, I miss waking up beside you, but- Things have to change. More importantly, things have already changed. ...I'm changed. I'm more fae now than before I left. I feel it. I- I am something new. Are you sure you want me still? I'm not some fragile human anymore after all."

[willysilver]

"That you were fragile was never what attracted me to you, evermore. I am drawn to you like a moth to the moon. Mortal, fae, weak, powerful, it matters not. I love you, all of you, as you are. however you are."

He bent again and this time pressed a kiss to Fin's brow.

"I shall fight for you. Not with my blade but with my heart. I will woo you back to me. And we will be stronger for it."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin closed his eyes at the kiss, allowing himself to enjoy it, even though part of him felt weak for being so quick to return to Will's side.

"Yes," he agreed quietly. "I believe that. I believe you."