[ME] save forever for me

THE FLOOD

// take my heart and make it feel,
take my soul and make it real

Infinitely pleased to be back in Torchline without the overwhelming sense of Starfall in the distance as an uncomfortable weight, the Flood’s dressed up comfortably — not too fancy obviously, but dressed up enough to ensure that everyone knew this was a party. The shirt clings to him and his muscles, deep navy that’s rolled up at the sleeves and unbuttoned at least two buttons down with scars and a few tattoos on display, Sunjata squeezes Hotaru’s arm as they reach the party from their lovely sunset walk on the beach.

“Ten years, huh?” He hums with a soft laugh to his fiancee, his crooked smile aimed at her in an almost exhausted way of saying fuck, we’re old. But he waves at Melita and then to Flora and Deimos and Mateo before catching a glimpse of Enzo yet again and loosens his hold on Hotaru’s arm in case she wished to go and mingle once Flora was likely done telling her brother about all the drama.

Instead, Sunjata turns toward Remi and Ronin and offers an accented shout. “Congrats! Happy anniversary!”

'cause i was bright, yeah I was pale and blue,
starry eyed by every thought of you //

Isla

The party has already begun to bubble into life by the time Isla arrives, her feet bare and her dress the colour of seafoam and sapphire as she pads across the sand. Grinning at the sight of so many gathered - both dearly departed and very much alive - she manages a wave towards Remi and Ronin before, as the greeting is about to leave her lips, she spots her.

"Edrei Launceleyn, is that you?" she calls brightly, her mouth falling open as she approaches, her arms spreading automatically for a hug. "And are you talking about your dick?" Again, she hesitates to say, because honestly it's been so long that Isla is unsure whether she'd been aware of it before the other woman had unfortunately met a fiery end. But, you know, it seems like something Edy would enjoy. 

"Say your hellos and come and get a drink with me?" she asks, joy glittering in her blue eyes as she gazes back to the Taliesins. Remi has given an impossible gift to much, much more than his husband tonight, and she has a feeling that he knows it. If he doesn't know, she'll be sure to tell him by the time the night is through.

passing by, you light up my darkest skies
you take only seconds to draw me in

Vanya

HALI

even the sky and sea cannot contain me

Bare toes sink into Torchline’s warm sand, and the sea hushes against the shore like a lullaby I’ve never quite forgotten. I lean my brow to Aoife ’s, her sun‑dusted curls tickling my cheeks. “This is very special. You see him?” I whisper, nodding toward Remi and Ronin beneath their garlands. She wriggles in my arms, bright‑eyed and already bubbling with delight.

I stride forward—bare‑skinned as any Hali, chest wraps knotted tight, loose teal skirt licking my calves—until we’re close enough for the torches to gild Aoife’s face. Setting her down, I watch her break into a sand‑kicking sprint, laughter trailing behind as she barrels toward the men who loved her into the stars.

Joy flares in my ribs—hot, sudden, irresistible. It bursts into feathers and talons before I can think to tame it. One wingbeat, two, and I’m an osprey carving moonlit air, soaring low between Remi and Ronin so close my primaries brush their shoulders. I bank sharply, salt spray on my wingtips, and wheel back. The moment my shadow crosses them again I shift in mid‑arc, bare feet thudding into the sand.

Arms outstretched, I gather them both into a fierce hug, the scent of cedar and ozone and everything I’ve missed flooding my senses. I kiss Remi’s cheek, then Ronin’s, and keep a palm cupped to Ronin’s jaw, thumb brushing the hint of stubble there. “I’ve missed you,” I murmur, voice bright with a happiness that aches. “Both of you.”

My grin crooks, teasing and tender all at once as I search Ronin’s face. I love him differently now, but it's love all the same. “You finally got that boat.”

for i am endlessly free

Vervain

even the darkest night
will end

This isn't her first time parting the veil to visit the land of the living, but it is the first time she's had to stand in line for it. Knowing only that this must be something special, Vai waits until Vanya and Aoife have stepped through before she finally arrives on the sunset-warmed sands of Torchline. Even the air smells the same - salt sweet and freeing in a way the woods had never been able to replicate, despite her bone deep love for the trees, and she shades her eyes against the light to gaze at all those gathered.

Unable to stifle the smile that spreads across her freckled cheeks, she's just in time to see the osprey embrace both Remi and Ronin, Aoife kicking sand and flinging herself towards her fathers with a toddler's chaotic joy. She won't steal that moment from them for the world, and so Vai turns instead to the next most obvious part of the party: the drinks SunjataTall and scarred enough to be a beacon among the rest of those gathered, she does visit the drinks table at least before approaching him, offering him out something sweet and very alcoholic, her skirts whispering at her heels.

"Hey, Sunny," she greets. "You're looking well."

and the sun
will rise

Maea

And from the dark

"I knew Remi was planning something, but never would I have expected this," Maea mumbled. Her arm tightened around Liam's as she took in the scene, wide eyed at the sight of individuals she'd never expected to see again. It would seem that even the dead had been invited to share this moment where two of her best and oldest living friends celebrated ten years together. Awed and with a prickling of tears behind her eyelids she spotted one familiar face after the other. Cheerful greetings filled the air, followed by warm embraces - and already her cheeks were aching from the wide smile that wouldn't leave her face.

"Congratulations!" she greeted both Ronin and Remi some time later, by the time she made it over to them through the onslaught of lost family. Dressed for the occasion in a simple lavender dress that enhanced her ethereal colors, a soft flush of color in her cheeks betrayed her shyness over showing up arm in arm with her partner. "Have you met?" she asked, after introducing Liam to Ronin - keeping Remi's caution about Leafchange hormones in mind as she addressed the White Knight.

Something new will come on through
and rise again

Ashetta

And I know you're down and out now, but I need you to be brave
Hidin' from the truth ain't gonna make this all okay

There's a tremble in my chest, watching from where none can see. My arms are crossed, hiding the shaking. I tried to look like myself again—I cut my hair, I dug out my old clothes. Percy stands further back behind me, and Soot is clinging to him, the wine spider properly drunk as usual. I’m tempted to mount my unicorn, to gallop far from here, to safety, to where I can’t make shit decisions that hurt people.

But Remi and Ronin want me to come home. I brush the feathers I tied to my belt, throat tightening.

I spot Theea, and my heart lurches like every time I see her from wherever I’ve hidden. Glimpses of her smiling, meeting people, learning things. She’s supposed to be fourteen, and my heart aches at how much we missed her aging—but I love who she is now.

I scan the crowd, and I can’t help but smile when I see Vanya and their baby girl, embracing for the first time since her death.

And then I’m frozen.

Vervain .

Tears well hot and fast, breath trembling, and there’s nothing that can hold me back from seeing my mother again. I break from the shadows for what feels like the first time in a decade, the light spilling across pale skin, lighting up bright eyes, now glassy.

I wasn’t there when she died. I hadn’t seen her in years.

I try to slip through without anyone noticing—maybe… maybe I’ll go to Remi and Ronin. But first—

I stop behind her, scarred hands held close to my chest.

”Mom?” I say, the word shaking.

I see your pain
If you don't feel our grace
and you've lost your way

REMI

"I promise, you’ll see," Remi murmurs with a crooked grin, just as the lantern flares—far brighter than expected—and the barrier between realms stretches open with a pop and a declaration that is...not quite what he imagined. His eyes squint against the flash, and then widen as Edrei Launceleyn comes barrelling through reality with all the grace and subtlety of a storm. Remi blinks. Once. Twice. Then turns slowly to glance at Ronin, one brow arched, smile twitching hard enough to have his dimples appearing.

Whatever wry follow-up he might have offered is washed away by the next arrival. Seren steps into view like the night sky come alive, and Remi softens instantly. He offers her a warm, open smile, full of quiet pride and unspoken welcome. But before he can say anything, a familiar voice cuts through the noise like sunlight through mist, and Remi turns without hesitation. "Rex." The name escapes him on a breath, and in the next moment Rexanna is wrapped in his arms. He holds her tightly, the embrace long and full of unspoken history. "You look incredible," he murmurs against her shoulder, pressing his hands briefly to her back before easing away, eyes bright. They're soon to be swallowed by more of the dead arriving, so as he releases her, he whispers, "I'll find you for a drink and a dance?"

Theea ’s voice is next—gentle, hopeful—and he turns to meet her smile with one of his own, squeezing her hand in brief thanks before nodding to Sunjata with fondness, lifting a hand in warm appreciation. 'Thanks," he calls. s[ay]"Glad you made it."

Isla receives a grin as well, and the moment his eyes land on her, it’s obvious how deeply he values her presence, and her wisdom not to try and crowd it all at once. Similar thoughts go to Deimos, Evie, and Melita, but all of that fades in an instant.

Because then—"Aoife," Remi breathes.

She’s already tearing toward them on bare feet, laughter rising like music as she barrels across the sand. Remi drops instinctively into a crouch, catching her under the arms and sweeping her into the air with a delighted whoop. Her giggles ring out clear and bright, and Remi throws his head back with a laugh, spinning once before pressing a fierce kiss to her cheek and nestling her close.

The next breath brings Vanya ’s scent—salt and sun and something soft beneath it—and Remi leans into her kiss with a hum, the moment tender and grounding. "Gods, it’s good to see you," he says leaning into her, before blowing a raspberry into Aoife’s neck, earning another peal of giggles.

Still holding Aoife snug against his side, Remi straightens as Maea arrives, her presence soft but sure. She’s not alone. His gaze touches briefly on Liam, who Remi might have waited to introduce in a quieter moment, but alas. "Thank you," he says simply, his voice low and sincere, before offering Maea a faint smile, one hand unconsciously smoothing down the back of Aoife’s curls where they’ve gone windswept in his arms.

He misses Ashetta and Vervain, which, given the fragile state of everything just now might be a blessing, especially with a wiggly toddler in his arms.

Table by sky!

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

With Danta back in the Grounds, the Harpy doesn’t feel quite as bad for not being there for the night that she takes her trip to the anniversary party. Dressed up nicely and arriving amongst the mingle of bodies, it’s only when the crowd seems to part that Kiada notices the arrival of so many faces long since passed. She perks up immediately, spotting Rexanna beside Remi, and while the rest of them indulge in their greetings, she finds she can wait aside from the passing wave toward them. She’d be able to offer her congratulations later.

So instead, Kiada picks up her pace, her tail low and wound around her leg to keep from anyone stepping on it as she sidles up beside Deimos and Evie with a bright fanged grin of greeting. “Hey guys, mind if I hang around you two for a bit?” She teases, despite knowing they wouldn’t be bothered.

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

A machine where your heart once was
Slowly takes the place of you

Thrilled to be asked to accompany Maea to this party, Liam nevertheless did not expect to see many people he knew. When they arrived to find a number of guests already in attendance - some of whom Maea seemed surprised to see - he felt even more out of place. But Maea had made sure that it was alright for him to be here, and he was content to stay at her side rather than to mix and mingle.

He had indeed met Ronin, and he offered a smile to both he and Remi as they approached. ”We have,” he said to Maea. It had been a while since they’d seen each other, but Ronin had been a familiar enough face once upon a time. ”Congratulations,” he told the pair. Ten years, after all, was quite the accomplishment. ”And may you have many more years together to celebrate.”

Only hold the memories now
Of a love I thought I knew

Liam

I shouldn't laugh, but I know I'm a failure in your eyes

Ronin doesn't know what he's waiting for as the lantern starts to flare - but he's got an inkling, given the symbolism of Remi lighting it and his husband's patron deity. Whatever sweet and emotional visit he's expecting, though, jaw set and throat already tight, in its place comes the woman, the myth, the penis legend, and it's Edrei fucking Launceleyn. "Edy?" Ronin blurts, her name rough in his throat but his expression quickly becoming hijacked by delight. "Edrei, we're all welcome and you know it."

Quickly stepping forward to clasp her shoulders with a warm squeeze, he pointedly does not take the bait of whatever Frey has blessed her with south of her waistline, too busy grinning besides. "You're a sight for sore eyes," he tells her earnestly, and now the emotion is starting to creep in despite himself. He thinks this is it, of course, and his lips part to say something else when a voice, heartbreakingly familiar, calls for him.

Seren.

Turning towards it like a compass needle towards north, Ronin gazes disbelievingly towards his daughter, then helplessly at Remi for a second as if he might have answers, before he huffs out an unsteady breath. "I - sorry, Edy, I'll... I'll be back in just a sec..."

His feet take him across the sand to Seren quite without his permission, and his arms are around her in a bear hug tight enough to lift her from the ground. "It's so good to see you," Ronin whispers, pressing kiss after kiss to her raven hair as he sets her back down, cupping her cheeks to check if what he's seeing is real. "I'm so sorry," he blurts before he can help himself, smiling and shaking his head. "And I know. I know what you'll say, but I'm sorry all the same."

But more are arriving still - Remi embracing Rexanna, Deimos and Evie and Melita on the sand, Enzo appearing among his siblings, and gods only now does Ronin realise the scale of his husband's gift. "I'll find you later?" He smiles to Seren. "Go - enjoy yourself. Your brothers and sister would love to see you too."

He steps back just in time for Theea to appear, and though his eyes are already lined with silver and his composure is more like a tightrope, he offers her a warm nod in return. "You haven't seen us first thing in the morning," he points out with a quiet laugh, before his gaze is drawn towards Sunjata, the Flood's voice ringing out across the proceedings. He doesn't have a drink to hold up in a toast yet (but he's really starting to wish he'd gotten one), so he instead waves in return with a broad grin and retreats back towards Remi.

Unsure whether there's chastisement or gratitude locked and loaded on his tongue, the Bastion is saved - not for the first time, and in so many more ways than one - by the sound of Aoife's delighted laughter. Ronin's breath catches in his throat as he glances up, expecting to see her with Vai, but no. Not Vai - Vanya.

The feathers that brush their shoulders are soft and warm and familiar in a way that makes Ronin want to crush them to his chest, and by the time Aoife is in Remi's arms and they, in turn, are folded into Vanya's embrace, the Knight is no longer able to keep his tears at bay. "I missed you too," he whispers, leaning into her touch - both familiar and not, by now - and reaching instinctively for Remi's free hand, clutching it tight.

Scoffing out a laugh at the comment about their boat, Ronin shrugs sheepishly. "It's our second one, if you believe it," he says. "She's called The Northaven. We named the first one after a sandwich." Cue no one being surprised.

Parting from Vanya in time to see Maea, Ronin's smile of greeting is short-lived as he glances - all too fleetingly, unfortunately - towards Liam. He stiffens, though it's the flash of too many eyes and teeth where they shouldn't be that does it, and his fingers flinch around Remi's hand. "Once, yeah," he says quickly. "Thank you. Enjoy yourselves."

Turning to his husband once they finally have a breath to themselves - with Aoife, of course - he draws the Bastion close enough to murmur into his ear. "You are wicked," he tells him softly, "and I love you, and you will pay dearly for this. Thank you." Smiling a purposefully chaste kiss against Remi's lips, then dropping another (or three) against their daughter's hair until she's giggling and swatting at him, Ronin steps back.

RONIN

Mateo

Should'a seen what I wore
I had a cane and a party hat

"I could hardly say no," Mateo says with a faux-exaggerated sigh belied by the warm amusement sparkling in his eyes. "Especially not when I was asked in person. On purpose. By our father." He shrugs. "Besides, if they had tried to get anyone else to do living decor, I might have never spoken to them ever again." All of which is to say that no, he hadn't planned on missing this - and based on what happens next, the botanist is very, very glad he'd decided to show up.

Having spotted Enzo creeping up nearby, Mateo of course is a picture perfect example of neutrality, and his lips have just parted to answer Flora's question when up she goes, the botanist left grinning hard enough to show his dimples as the twins are reunited. "We are on sale. Buy one, get this free," he tells his brother, gesturing to himself with a casual shrug. 

As for trying, based on the crowd of people - alive for a night and permanently so - starting to flood the proceedings, his eyes are drawn in particular to a woman who demands nothing less than full attention. Leather, check. Thigh high boots, check. Possibly a penis?

Edrei Launceleyn, say no more. 

"Sorellina, you take your sweet time," he croons to Flora, grinning to both his siblings before he peels away from them to go and approach what he doesn't know - or care - is a very old friend of his fathers'.

"Do I have to be this tall to ride?" he wonders as he slips into Edrei's orbit. "Because I can get a stepladder if I have to."

I was the king of this hologram
where there's no such thing as getting out of hand

EDREI

Edy’s grin widens when Ronin ’s hands clasp her shoulders, the soft torch‑light sliding off his twilight suit and catching the silver that curls up his lapel like a naughty thought. "Captain," she purrs, voice all velvet and mischief, "if I’m a sight for sore eyes, that makes two of us. You keep dressin’ like a star‑kissed snack and I’m gonna start rumours you won’t be able to kill, even with that sword of yours." She winks, flashing him a too-white wicked smile, but before she can start an ode to his cufflinks he’s already turning toward the voice that shatters her reunion. "Yeah, yeah, I'll catcha later."

Blue eyes catch hers, and as Isla ’s seafoam dress swirls closer on bare feet, Edy stretches her arms wide, curls bounding around her face like an untamed halo. "Doc! If it isn’t my favourite reason to fake medical emergencies." She sweeps Isla into a hug that smells of leather, salt, and trouble, pressing a scandalous kiss to the other woman’s cheek and just maybe thrusting her hips forward significantly more than is necessary. "Damn right I’m talkin’ about my dick," she murmurs against Isla’s ear, low enough for polite company to pretend they didn’t hear. "Frey’s finest aftermarket accessory. Actually, you should take a look. For, y'know, medical reasons."

But then, y'know, a crowd begins to form and Edy can't properly flirt with the Remedy. "I’ll hunt you down before sunrise—treat that as both a promise and a threat." She punctuates it with a playful snap of her teeth and pivots straight into the orbit of Mateo. Edy eyes him up and down, taking in his height (three inches shorter, nearly six when her heels are factored in), before she plants a hand on one hip, leather squeaking, and lets her other hand measure an invisible line above his head.  "Those height requirements?" she drawls. "Purely for your safety. Long legs, long drop. But tell you what" her brows bounce, dark eyes glittering with invitation "—I won’t tell if you don’t."

"Go fuck yourself."
"Fuck me yourself, you coward."

Hotaru

It’s a party as grand as the web of people Remi and Ronin have woven around themselves in their ten years. Hotaru squeezes Sunjata’s arm just to have an outlet for the warmth that fills her. It’s hard not to feel all the stronger when the emotion is so thick in the air.

Her eyes are drawn back to Sunjata the moment he speaks though, the allure of the scenery and the return of so many departed souls unable to compete. “Gods, how many are we even at?” With a collage of imperfect, non-sequential years to count it’s hard to know. Maybe their hopeful ten years started when they agreed to try again.

Her eyes catch on Flora and then - behind her a moment later, Enzo - but when Sunjata loosens his hold she shakes her head a touch and leans closer without a word. She knows he’ll find her before the call from Mort’s halls returns the gathered souls to their rest once more. It’s a comfort that helps ease the ache of the time between his visits.

Lifting the drink she freshly snags from a table they walk past toward Remi and Ronin when his lifted voice snags their attention, Hotaru beams their way to lend her heart to her fiancé’s voiced sentiment. She intends to say something too but - “Rex,” she chokes instead when she sees Rexanna move to Remi’s side. She hadn’t given into envy in the least when Kiada’s lantern had been answered but here and now, when there is unfettered access for one night, her heart cries for her best friend so loudly that her hand tightens around the Flood’s elbow.

Only Sunjata at her side and Ronin at Remi’s keeps her rooted, trying to breathe, to find her smile again. Because she really is happy that everyone lost gets what Enzo does every year - tonight isn’t about the Valkyrie in any way. She can manage to be selfless for a single night out of the goodness of her heart. Maybe even patient, because maybe she’ll get her chance later.

through her, in a rush of musk and saffron
beauty falls into disarray

Amalia

the archangel

Amalia is characteristically late, having waffled on whether or not to accept Remi's invitation, to leave her sanctuary of warmth and ease and step back into a world in which she never quite seemed to fit. Ultimately, of course, she decides to go through with it, to follow that golden tug and pass beneath the veil that separates life and death. She has always been a curious creature, and the opportunity to see the her friends and family - that is a gift she cannot pass up, even if it wasn't designed for her.

Barefoot and clad in a thin white dress, the Archangel steps across the threshold of Mort, back to her Father's realm. Senses she has not needed to use in years are flooded at once; the stimulus is nearly overwhelming, and she throws up an arm to defend against the burst of sunlight, toes curling into the coarse sand. Blinking black eyes to clear away the afterburn, Amalia forces herself to inhale, the crisp sea air filling ill-used lungs. Only when she's steady does she at last look around.

The sight that meets her makes her faint.

Joy - everywhere, vibrant and unfurling and unabashed, radiating off of all of them, as clear and warm as the sun. She gasps, hands lifting to her lips, a choked laugh bubbling in her chest as she casts wide eyes around the crowd. There is Sunjata, impossible to miss given his stature. There is Seren, beautiful as she'd been when Amalia had first met her as a young starchild. There are more, too, some she knows and some she does not, but her attention snags and stops as it hits her hosts, a brilliant smile suffusing her angular face.

"Remi! Ronin!" The pair is clearly having a moment, but Amalia doesn't care. She flings herself upon them, slim arms aiming to sweep the pair and their wild-haired toddler into a tight hug. "This is incredible! Congratulations!" Coral lips press kisses on each of their cheeks, with a third pressed into Aoife's curls.

Breathless and beaming, she releases the pair, turning to once more survey their guests. There are even more familiar faces, and among them, to the side, a group of figures she would recognize with her eyes shut, knows by smell and touch and sound alone--

"Deimos," Amalia gasps, onyx eyes widening, taking a tentative step forward as heart begins to race. "Evie." Her footsteps quicken, drawing her nearer, a moth to the flame they represent. And standing among them, radiant and glorious and oh-so-incredibly alive---

"Kiada," the one-time-Shield breathes, halting a stride from the Harpy. She'd known, of course, from her place in Mort's halls, but to see it, to see her as flesh and blood and breath and bone, tangible and close enough to touch as she lifts a shaking hand toward her face--.

Her voice catches, tears gleam in her eyes as she smiles up at the beautiful girl. "Kia. You're alive."

you drew memories in my mind

i could never erase

you painted colors in my heart

i could never replace