[For a long time, Ion only watches Luke in turn, their green eyes meeting. He pulls his legs up to his chest and leans his head against his knees, poised and relaxed despite all that had happened in the past several days.
He's thinking it, too.
Ion smiles at Luke, but his eyes are so, so terribly sad. A void of longing and regret--would it be easier if this had never happened? Should they be thankful for the chance to see each other now, to know that somewhere out there, each of them is safe, or is it going to hurt too much knowing they'll never see each other again. That this reunion has a very real, very soon expiration date.
Without thinking, he reaches on hand over and carefully brushes Luke's bangs out of his face.]
[It wasn't like Ion would've turned it down without a good reason, but his acceptance still fills Luke with genuine elation. He huffs another smile, and lays back in the sand.]
So, how does it feel to be a god? Better or worse than being the Fon Master?
[Underneath it all, after all, Ion is still just a kid. It's hard not to act like one when he's with Luke. He feels more like himself than he ever knew he should have been. Taking a deep breath, Ion backs away until there's plenty of space between them, and closing his eyes, raises one arm in the air. All around his hand, brilliant, white light explodes, and when he kneels, palm down against the sand, the circular arte expands out in that frighteningly wide radius, swirling and forcing sand into the air.
As it all settles, Ion stares at the back of his hand, seeming to expect himself to grow dizzy, to faint. But the spell of weakness never reaches him, and when he finally stands, the shaking in his knees is more from exhilaration than anything else.]
[As the arte fires, Luke is on his feet, too, pumping the air and laughing out loud in triumph—it really was cool, after all. As soon as it starts to die away, he's running across the sand towards him.]
[And before he knows it, Ion is half-running half-stumbling toward Luke in return. He still practically falls, but laughs as he catches himself on Luke's arms for support.]
It felt incredible. I'm not...lightheaded, or anything! I can...I can breathe!
[the sudden blast of compliments mid-spin catches him off-guard, and Luke finds himself already shaking his head, laughter coming in short, embarrassed breaths.]
[Focus suddenly elsewhere, he missteps mid-reply—and they both start to go down. Twisting his body, Luke slams his shoulder into the sand, collapsing on his back—with Ion falling safely on top of him.
Wind knocked completely out, looks up, brushing sand off of his face, expression smilingly woozy—but still clearly concerned for Ion's wellbeing.]
[Ion gasps as they sway, realizing too quickly that his feet are in the air...but never feeling totally upended with Luke still within his reach. Still, the gentle shock of his body hitting a surface is too familiar, and before he can stop to process he props himself up on his hands, scanning Luke for scrapes.]
No, no, that was my fault. Are you alright? I'm so sorry!
Ha ha, how about we just call it even? [He's still smiling as he pushes himself up on to his right elbow, brushing sand off Ion's robes with his left hand.
For a second, he pauses, looks at Ion—looks away, and resumes sand dusting duty, cheeks still colored from their spin.]
...You really are incredible, you know. I think about it all the time. I mean, you learned a hundred times more than me in only a couple years!
Compared to you, I'm kinda... [lame. stupid. an idiot.]
[Noticing a few grains of strands on his cheek that he missed, Ion carefully reaches forward to brush them away, his smile softening--but then almost desperately grasps for Luke's hands, stopping them in their apologetic dusting.]
You're warm and caring and earnest. Our circumstances were different, so of course they shaped us in very different ways. The way that you see the world, it's motivated me for a long time. I learned friendship and trust, because you showed me what it was like when I'd never experienced it before. At least not in any way that I truly knew or understood. There were so many things that I learned very quickly, you're right. But they were just concepts with no meaning or feeling.
[More insistently, he squeezes onto those bigger, warmer hands.]
Don't ever doubt how inspiring you are, the effect that you have on the people around you.
[Hands caught in Ion's, unable to do anything to distract himself from his friend's second onslaught of kindness in so many minutes, Luke just bows his head, trying to ignore the heat rising to his ears. His expression isn't quite a smile—it seems more like he just doesn't know how to react, much less handle such a wash of praise.
Or maybe, it was just because it was Ion. Hadn't he felt similar when they'd first met? Even back then, Ion had managed to stop him in his tracks with a simple kindness. And every time after... every time.]
I-Ion...
[Slowly, he pulls his hands loose from their smaller counterparts--
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He's thinking it, too.
Ion smiles at Luke, but his eyes are so, so terribly sad. A void of longing and regret--would it be easier if this had never happened? Should they be thankful for the chance to see each other now, to know that somewhere out there, each of them is safe, or is it going to hurt too much knowing they'll never see each other again. That this reunion has a very real, very soon expiration date.
Without thinking, he reaches on hand over and carefully brushes Luke's bangs out of his face.]
Don't think about it. Not yet.
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[Shifting in the sand, he props himself up on an elbow, letting a sigh loose.]
We really messed up, today. [Especially him.] ...I probably need to apologize to Ambition. I'm just lucky she didn't know it was me at the time.
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[As...he might have noticed.]
I just want to make sure that she doesn't mistake the gesture--if you want, I can come with you.
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...You'd come with me? I'd really appreciate that. [More time with Ion, too.]
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[More time! With Luke!]
No matter where that was, or who it was with, or why.
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--and is quashed, just as quickly, at the idea that Ion can't quite fulfill them.
All the more reason to make use of their time together, here, now.
Scratching his cheek, he nods, and before he can stop himself, asks:]
Then... do you want to come eat dinner with me and Guy next week?
[It was a weird question to ask a god. But since it was Ion, it was fine... right?]
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[You know, before it's too late. But we're not! Talking about that!]
Since Guy knows I'm here, as well, I'll be able to take my mask off.
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[It wasn't like Ion would've turned it down without a good reason, but his acceptance still fills Luke with genuine elation. He huffs another smile, and lays back in the sand.]
So, how does it feel to be a god? Better or worse than being the Fon Master?
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[I mean, he doesn't have Mohs trying to puppet his every move and ultimately lead him straight to his untimely demise, so that's a perk.]
Oh! But I don't faint anymore! I'm still...pretty weak, compared to the average person, but I can use Daathic Fonic Artes without hurting myself!
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[This is something to genuinely be happy about, and he's making the most of it.]
Did you try yet?
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[He can't help being excited--it's infectious, and Ion clasps his hands together, beaming.]
I've never felt so...healthy, before.
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You should do the one you did in the Cheagle Woods and show me!
[the COOLEST attack]
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[performance anxiety]
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[he's cheering him on!]
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[Underneath it all, after all, Ion is still just a kid. It's hard not to act like one when he's with Luke. He feels more like himself than he ever knew he should have been. Taking a deep breath, Ion backs away until there's plenty of space between them, and closing his eyes, raises one arm in the air. All around his hand, brilliant, white light explodes, and when he kneels, palm down against the sand, the circular arte expands out in that frighteningly wide radius, swirling and forcing sand into the air.
As it all settles, Ion stares at the back of his hand, seeming to expect himself to grow dizzy, to faint. But the spell of weakness never reaches him, and when he finally stands, the shaking in his knees is more from exhilaration than anything else.]
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Awesome! That was incredible, Ion!
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It felt incredible. I'm not...lightheaded, or anything! I can...I can breathe!
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Yeah you can! You're the best!
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[Ion laughs as they spin, dizzy but comfortable, feeling flushed and elated.]
I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for you. No matter where you are, just the thought of you gives me strength.
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No way! You don't need me to--w-woah!
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Wind knocked completely out, looks up, brushing sand off of his face, expression smilingly woozy—but still clearly concerned for Ion's wellbeing.]
You okay? Sorry about that.
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No, no, that was my fault. Are you alright? I'm so sorry!
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For a second, he pauses, looks at Ion—looks away, and resumes sand dusting duty, cheeks still colored from their spin.]
...You really are incredible, you know. I think about it all the time. I mean, you learned a hundred times more than me in only a couple years!
Compared to you, I'm kinda... [lame. stupid. an idiot.]
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[Noticing a few grains of strands on his cheek that he missed, Ion carefully reaches forward to brush them away, his smile softening--but then almost desperately grasps for Luke's hands, stopping them in their apologetic dusting.]
You're warm and caring and earnest. Our circumstances were different, so of course they shaped us in very different ways. The way that you see the world, it's motivated me for a long time. I learned friendship and trust, because you showed me what it was like when I'd never experienced it before. At least not in any way that I truly knew or understood. There were so many things that I learned very quickly, you're right. But they were just concepts with no meaning or feeling.
[More insistently, he squeezes onto those bigger, warmer hands.]
Don't ever doubt how inspiring you are, the effect that you have on the people around you.
these icon keywords have never been more correct
Or maybe, it was just because it was Ion. Hadn't he felt similar when they'd first met? Even back then, Ion had managed to stop him in his tracks with a simple kindness. And every time after... every time.]
I-Ion...
[Slowly, he pulls his hands loose from their smaller counterparts--
--and wraps them around Ion, instead.]
...Thanks.
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