Ancient Pasts - Tbate

What have I done?

A/N: What have you made me do, Noah? You got what you wanted, you horny bastards. It's my first time writing shit like this, so don't judge too hard.

Thank you @Burakku_Herufaia for letting me use their fanfic as a basic structure.

Smut/Lemon warning. Progress at your own risk.

***

Arthur Leywin Pov

'Let's get this over with quickly. I need some scythes or retainers or any Alacryan soldier to kill,' I conveyed, hopping off my bond.

Surprisingly, the landing dock, usually filled with activity and noise, was completely empty aside from the lone figure by the door. It was Virion. It took me a moment to realize who it was because of how different he looked.

The powerful confidence the old elf usually radiated alongside his lighthearted smirk was gone, replaced by a grim expression complimented by the layers of bags weighing down his eyes.

His silver hair was unbound, and the robes he wore looked a tad too big on him. Still, seeing Sylvie and me, his face softened into what I assumed was a smile of relief.

Walking up to me in a graceful gait that couldn't diminish with just age, he immediately wrapped his arms around me. I was stunned. My body flinched from the sudden hug, and for a while, my mind went blank.

"Welcome back. You did everything you could, Arthur. You did great," he said softly, in a voice that seemed unfamiliar yet so familiar at the same time.

It could've been the warmth of his embrace or the warmth of his words, but I found myself crying once more. Tears streamed down my cheeks, unabated and warm.

Sylvie remained silent, but I felt her soft touch conveying just as much emotion as Virion's embrace. Commander, lance, and asura. The three of us stood there alone in the large empty room, forgetting for a moment what we were.

My shoulders trembled as I tried all I could to keep myself from breaking down once again, but Cathan's reaction to what happened kept playing in my mind. It was his first time losing someone he loved or cared about in two lives.

***

I held my fist just in front of the door, reluctant to knock.

'I don't think I can do this by myself right now. Are you sure you don't want to see Tess with me?' I asked my bond, who was in another part of the castle.

'She needs you right now. Just you,' she replied coolly before intentionally blocking off our mental connection, leaving me stranded.

Virion had said the same thing after hours of trying to comfort his granddaughter. She had closed the door of her room and didn't leave, refusing to see everyone that wanted to help.

If her own parents and grandfather couldn't get to her, how could I?

That was my excuse, anyway. I couldn't call myself the most empathetic individual, and my emotional mindset wasn't any better than hers right now. It was just that having almost two lifetimes of experience kept me at least functioning.

But still, she needed my help, just like I had needed Sylvie and Virion. I pushed down all of the dark thoughts and put them away for now. I'd deal with my losses in my own time. For now, Tess needed me. Holding my breath, I knocked on the door. No answer.