Nightshade

Shavronne - unpleasant and pleasant alliances

Shavronne walked briskly to his room, Luka hurrying along to keep up. He felt like schieße for making his lover hurry, but he felt it, the familiar panic and darkness closing in. Eri's words echoed in his head '... you have lived in sin... it would be easier...' he got to his room and pushed open the doors, gasping in pain as it felt his heart was being wrenched from his chest, the blood of his victims threatening to drown him in darkness and hate again. He sobbed as Luka finally caught up, wrapping his arms around him. He covered his face, wanting to tear at his cursed white hair, an awful reminder every day, of that first unforgivable sin. He let Luka guide him to the shower, holding his hand and humming softly, comfortingly. He felt himself begin to calm from the panic as the water began to run. Luka stepped in front of him, reaching up and cupping his face "Shavronne... look at me" he chewed his cheek as he looked at Luka, trying to hold back more tears. "I told Cody this already. You don't owe anyone strength. You're healing. Doing better every day. Every day, you get back up, and fight. Fight to improve the world you damaged. Fight to improve a world that would condemn you if they knew the real you. But I see you. The real you." Shavronne felt more hot tears spill down his cheeks "who is that? You seem to know him better than i... Libelle... I don't know who I am, without the fight... without you..." Luka kissed him softly on his tiptoes as he began to undress Shavronne slowly. "You... are a kind, noble man. You let the world break you, and so you lashed out... but then... you did what nobody would've guessed. You put yourself back together. With the help of people who saw the real you. Don't let the words of those who don't know you bring you back to where you were before..." Luka finished undressing him, and just held him, laying his lovely sandy blonde head on shavronnes scarred chest, listening to his heart beat. Shavronne spoke after a moment, his voice raspy. "Luka... my Libelle... my guiding star... where would I be without you... there isn't any other world where I am truly as happy and whole as I am when you are by my side. I could have my eyes put out, my legs blown away, I could have everything ripped away from me, all that I cherish... but if I heard your voice... I'd claw back to it, with every last bit of life in me... because you are my home, luka." He felt wetness against his chest, and realized Luka was crying as well. He gently lifted Luka and set him on the counter, undressing him and kissing him softly. "Thank you Libelle..." Luka looked up at him with wet eyes, and... the most genuine, lovely smile he'd ever seen. "Thank you, Shavronne... you taught me to open my heart again. To accept myself and still help others where I could. You taught me that recovery and survival aren't linear, nor are they always a lonesome journey... you're the steady torch in my hand, the warm fire I sit by on a cold night... never leave my side, Shavronne." He nodded, kissing his lover again. "I'll never leave your side again. " They embraced, and got in the shower, taking the night to themselves, making love for the first time, and reminding themselves that despite it all, life always can get better, if you just take the next step, holding those you trust close.

In the morning, Shavronne awoke to the warm sunlight on his face and neck, the light highlighting the gorgeous color of luka's eyes and hair, who was laying by his side silently, watching him. He smiled and rolled over, cupping his partners face. "Did you sleep well, Libelle?" He nodded "did you shav?" He nodded as well, scooping his best friend up and hugging him tightly. "Eri said she had something to reveal to us all today, we had better get going." Luka got up, stretching and getting himself dressed in the new suit a maid had put on the dresser for him, and Shavronne watched from bed for a moment before joining him. He felt so much better after yesterday, he was glad he'd been able to finally open up so completely. He headed over to the door once they were dressed, and held luka's hand as they walked to the dining room, where his angelic and magical guests were already beginning breakfast. Cody came in with Kelli soon after. "The reports all came back clear. Kellians only sin is being young and foolish. Kelli blushed and hera laughed "hey, we all can relate to that!" The angels looked at her, at first seeming to judge, but eri smiled "you aren't entirely wrong. And however foolish, it was in service of an attempted rescue. Certainly worth consideration." Kelli nodded and slipped into the chair beside luka, quietly apologizing one last time. Shavronne and the others finished breakfast, then slid aside their chairs, mirral rolling out several ancient looking scrolls, depicting various places and a majestic looking sword. Jophiel looked to eri for permission, and at her slight nod, began to speak. He pointed at several places on the map. "Here, here, and here. These are the places that we need to search for the shards of durandal. Contrary to popular belief, the sword is not indestructible, nor is it embedded in a rock. Th-" Uriel cut in "what the hell is durandal, and why do we need it?" Eri sighed long sufferingly and eyed Uriel. "You bear one of our names young vampire, but you do not share our patience, nor our knowledge. You'd do well to learn both." Uriel huffed and folded his arms. Shavronne was a bit amused, though he was careful not to let it show. "Please, jophiel, continue, I too would like to know about why we need the fabled blade. " jophiel began to speak again. "No common blade on earth or in heaven would do to eliminate aeris and her corruption. Durandal is an ancient blade, made with various holy artifacts, and was quenched in the holy, freely given blood of angels. It is sharper than any other blade, and contains the might of the heavens. He who would wield it must be pure of heart, and true to himself, or he will be struck down by the heavens themselves. However, while wielding the blade, they will find themselves immune to all the worldly temptations and mental assaults that aeris or any Lesser demon could throw at them. We will decide upon a wielder along the journey, the first step is gathering the pieces. Next comes the reforging, which we angels will handle. Lastly, we will track down the evil festering somewhere deep in this earth, and cleanse it." Shavronne nodded, and they began the planning of the first journey. Coming along would be hera, Luka, himself, the three angels, and uriel.