can never reach, where we can live and die as humans, as lovers.
it tightens its grip, as if he could truly * feel the warmth tartaglia exuded, how the other seemed to want the same.
it remains quiet, conflicted, as jointed fingers find their home in curled hair. it does not respond, merely listens, affection too heavy for him to fully accept, or even understand, for that matter.
the voices grow louder, drowning out
" my only regret, balladeer, was losing you, "
it breathes in, and out. the great battle in sumeru, the loss of something he desperately tried to hold, gone, in an instant.
yet tartaglia did not speak the whole truth. come another life,
and what then﹖ will he die to bring back a king﹖ will he live and suffer for the rest of time﹖ no. that is not what * should happen.
" run away with me, ajax. "
to a place where we can be safe. to a place her holiness
back of its throat, the tip of its tongue.
" it would not be out of place for you to return late. "
at once, the balladeer feels the scorching gaze of tartaglia's stare, blank, yet thoughtful, words that neither dared to speak hanging