vatheon | Raise me up, up through the ashes

Entry tags:

Raise me up, up through the ashes

Who: Johnny Rayflo and Anyone~
Where: In the plaza
When: Aug. 14th
Style: Action
Status: OPEN~

[As if waking up from a nightmare, Johnny gasped, eyes shooting open and darting around as if expecting there to be danger. What his eyes found, however, was the familiar scenery of the plaza in the bubble. The island...he’d been on the island, fighting that thing with Otoha. It came back to him in a rush, the tension, the feeling of something piercing his heart and his mind shutting down as his body fell apart...]

So that’s what that feels like.

[He sighed. As his heart rate calmed, he stood from his kneeling position, and brought a hand to run through his sopping hair and worked on wringing it out. The last time he’d found himself like this was a year ago...at least, this time, he wasn’t wearing that heavy-as-hell opera costume.

As he pulled his hands away from his hair, he realized they were shaking. He was shaking.

He’d died. Really died. He was fairly certain he’d died back home in that fight against Barry...but he couldn’t remember and Chris had said he didn’t. But the fight on the island, he remembered that, every second of it, including his death. It had scared him. It was the strangest feeling, after seven hundred years of living and a part of him always looking for a way to die, he didn't want to anymore.

So this is what it felt like to want to live.]

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[Fai knows that feeling. That moment when your body dies and you are brought back. That feeling of wanting to live after spending your lifetime longing for nothing but death. He knows it all too well.

And when he walks into the plaza and sees Johnny, those feelings rush back at him as if they were yesterday. Even if he wasn't there when the vampire died, somehow he knew exactly what Johnny is feeling and thinking at that moment as he stares at his hand.

But what Fai is feeling..relief, happiness..so many emotions bundled into one as he stares at the familiar face. He doesn't realize it but tears are spilling out of that one good golden eye. He had failed to protect someone important in that fight, but hadn't realized it until much later when he had been told.

He drops the bag he was carrying but he can't move. He's rooted in place.]

Johnny..

[Johnny glanced up when he heard his name and his eyes fell on the other vampire. Immediately, he took in everything about him, checking the other man over for any sign of injury, he knew Fai had also been in that fight, but all he found where the tears...which sent a lance through his chest.

He stepped forward, reached out to Fai, and smiled as if to offer for him to come closer.]

Yo~ Fai....what's the tears for?

[Fai had healed. It had taken time and Otoha's blood to get him back to being able to even walk on his own. He had his own accelerated healing to thank for only being down for a short time in comparison to what it could have been.

Fai still couldn't move for a moment but finally he took those steps closer. He moved slow, trying not to show just how much he had worried and wondered about the other vampire and when he might return.

Just as he had held Johnny when he cried, Fai needed to be comforted by those same arms. Collapsing against him, Fai wrapped his own around Johnny and buried his face in the others chest. He was going to hit him later..he just had to collect himself.]

Welcome back..

[Welcome back to the bubble..to life..to everything.]

[Johnny wrapped his arms around Fai securely, one of his hands going to pet blonde hair.

Those tears were for him...he'd only been trying to protect Otoha, he hadn't thought about what his death might mean to someone else...and suddenly he felt really bad. Not for what he did on the island, he would always protect the people who mattered most, but for all of the times he nearly got himself killed for stupid and meaningless reasons.

What he'd deemed to be a selfish thought--that someone might miss him-- it turned out the opposite was just as selfish. It made him smile.]

Thanks. Sorry I left, I promised to look after you and then I went and vanished for...however long.

Almost a week..[Or had it been a week? Fai hadn't counted. With the fighting and then his own fatigue he hadn't been able to keep track of time.]

[Fai's voice was shaky and he found it was hard to summon up some of that old false cheer as he held his friend. How much loss had he suffered through in his lifetime? To be in a world that could make that suffering be so brief..it was a wonder.]

Otoha-san watched over me. [And gave him the unfortunate news. He had done his best to not break down like this when he had heard. He could tell that Otoha was in a fragile state as well.]

[Nearly a week....so long. He continued to run fingers through Fai's hair, hoping to soothe the younger man as best he can.]

That's good.

I'm sorry if I made you worry.

[Fai lifted a hand and balled his fist so that he could give Johnny's chest a bump. There was far less strength behind it then he would have liked but even he was still recovering.]

Idiot..You made a lot of people sad. Don't ever do that again. Don't apologize..just promise to be more careful.

[Fai knew that the creature had been tough and even he was surprised he had survived some of the attacks. He hadn't been surprised there had been casualties. He just didn't want to see Otoha upset, or anyone else..or be upset over losing someone again.]

[The second his matesprit's voice reaches his ears, Sola scrambles frantically around the coral to the other side and throws his arms around Johnny, burying his face in wet shirt and not caring in the slightest.

He's a mess. Sleep hasn't touched his mind since Minea had told him the news. How could he sleep knowing that the last time he had, Johnny had died?! No words are spoken, not yet. Sola simply hugs onto Johnny for dear life and tries hard not to cry.]

[He's surprised by the sudden arms around him but he instantly recognizes who the belong to and lays his hands on them, gently.]

Sola...Hey there...good to see you awake.

[To be honest, he'd been hoping Sola would still be asleep so he could avoid knowing what had happened to Johnny....but it didn't seem like things had worked out that way.]

[A small, shuddering sob rolls through him at the word 'awake'.]

I said I'd protect you but I fell asleep and you died a-and... I'm sorry! I was so scared you wouldn't come back!

[He clutches more tightly, as if he can anchor Johnny to life with his bare hands.]

[One of his hands slips behind him to rest on Sola's shoulder in an attempt to comfort.]

It's okay, Sola, it's not your fault; this time, I was protecting you.

That's my job as your matesprit, yes? You don't just protect me, it goes both ways.

Besides, I promised I'd never leave you, didn't I?

Protecting me...?

[Red eyes peek out from being buried against Johnny's side to look up at him. They've got dark shadows underneath, more heavily bringing out the red, but also making the Hylian look just a bit older and just a bit more careworn.]

I thought you'd been protecting Otoha or someone. Minea said you went up to fight a monster together.

[There's no trace of anger there. Fighting to protect someone, fighting for a purpose, that he understands and would never begrudge either Johnny or Otoha. It's just the punching out of nowhere he sometimes has a problem with.]

[The vampire offers a small, slightly sad, smile to those eyes. He just wanted to turn and hold Sola and promise him everything would be all right, but he was afraid to break the Hylian's hold.]

Well, yes...I might have died protecting Otoha, but why is it, do you think, that I went up there in the first place? I wanted to keep this place, and you, safe. That's why I'll always fight.

[Blush burns on his cheeks and Sola again buries his face against Johnny's side, though this time more to hide the red than any tears. To know that someone, especially someone he cares for as much as Johnny, would fight to protect him even when he isn't right there to help protect himself is overwhelming. His chest feels like it's going to burst and his grip on Johnny tightens even further as he mumbles a very quiet, very muffled "I love you" against the sopping wet shirt.

Funny how sleep deprivation brings down your defenses.]

[Johnny can hear well enough to hear a whisper across the plaza and he hears that admission.

And he knows Sola means it.

And he knows he needs to face the fact that this isn't just a phase Sola is going through; Johnny isn't a stepping stone to whoever Sola's 'supposed' to be with.

And...maybe that was okay. Would Johnny really want to let him go if that were true after all? Maybe not.

He finally turns so he's facing the Hylian and takes smaller hands into his, and leans down to kiss Sola's forehead...pauses...and then places a chaste kiss on his lips, though he lets it linger a moment longer than he might have were the circumstances different.

He knows there's a hidden motivation behind his actions. Yes, he wanted to kiss Sola, but he also hoped, perhaps unfairly, that it would distract him enough to let it slide that Johnny didn't say those words back.

He couldn't...not just yet. It was like standing at a doorway where he hadn't yet been invited in.]

You look tired...maybe we should both go take a nap.

[Despite usually needing things spelled out for him Sola takes the kiss for what he believes it to be, a return of that same feeling he'd just expressed in words. He's too tired to even blush at it harder than he was already but it makes him feel warm, safe, loved.]

That sounds good. I couldn't sleep.

[More like he wouldn't. How can you sleep when the last time you awoke your most important person had died?]

[Johnny moved his lips back to Sola's forehead and bent down a moment to slide his arms under his boyfriend's knees and shoulders, lifting him effortlessly into his arms and close to his chest.]

Well, then. Should I drop you at your home?

Don't carry me like a girl!

[Were he more awake, Sola would have mounted a serious protest, arms akimbo and legs kicking at the indignity of being carried like a princess, but the poor thing had stayed awake with worry and simply doesn't have the energy to flail about. Instead he curls one hand in Johnny's shirt, resting his cheek against his matesprit's chest.]

...do you have to take me home? Can't I go home with you?

[He doesn't seem to want to let Johnny out of his sight. Aside from the obvious reason of Johnny's death, Sola had been having flickering episodes more frequently lately. It was scary, terrifying in fact, and that too makes him want to stay as close as possible.]

[Johnny considered it only a moment before nodding and shifting his direction.

Really, he didn't want to take Sola home, he really wouldn't mind the company right now...in fact, a part of him felt he might need it.]

...Yes, you can. You're welcome to.

I just don't want Signless to worry.

I'll leave him a message later.

[With his worry subsiding at Johnny real and solid against him, Sola's eyes begin to drop closed. He struggles a bit to try and keep them open as Johnny walks them to the apartment but it's a losing battle. Before he completely drops off, he manages a small mumble, fingers still wound in his matesprit's shirt.]

Don't do that again. It's scary...

[Johnny slowed enough that he could tilt down and press his lips to Sola's forehead before entering the apartment and heading to the elevator.]

Sorry. I'll be more careful next time.

Sleep well.

[There's no reply save for a soft snore and a slight turn of Sola's face against Johnny's chest. He can finally rest now that he knows Johnny is back and not going anywhere. But even in sleep, his hand remains curled around a wrinkle in the vampire's shirt.

Just to make sure.]

[He watches from the shadows, trying to give Johnny his space. ... After a few minutes though, he deems it long enough and walks towards Johnny, a little unsteadily.]

... Hey.

[Johnny looked over at the sound, pushing his thoughts away in favor of checking Otoha over in concern, though his lips held a small smile.]

Hey yourself...good to know you didn't get yourself killed after all~

[He knew teasing probably wasn't the best thing he could have done, but his mind would come up with anything else.]

[He huffs quietly in amusement, and sits down next to him. He doesn't care if the ground's wet, whatever.]

[He's quiet for a long moment, before putting an arm around Johnny's shoulders and giving him an awkward sort of side hug.]

Do you want a status report first or a drink first?

[Johnny leaned into the hug, leaning his head on Otoha's shoulder and clung a bit to the man's side.]

I guess the status report, then the drink.

Okay.

That... thing... it kept destroying stuff up on the island for a while. Orbs started shooting out of it and hit some people - which gave them powers. I got one of them and I think I got the whole world drunk. Seriously. Everything slows down when I use it. Then that... dog... goddess... thing... someone said she was Amaterasu, I don't know - she got back up and fought the thing and beat it, I guess.

I think she's back now. Anyway, I found Fai and fed him. Other than that it's been quiet.

Edited 2012-08-14 16:55 (UTC)

[Wait...processing.]

....You got the world drunk? I know you run a bar, but really Otoha, show some restraint~ [Teasingly, he poked Otoha in the side as if getting the world drunk had been the man's idea.

The part about Fai makes him pause and look away.]

Sorry, I should have been here to help him.

[slkdfj. He elbows Johnny lightly.]

I'll have to show you, it's weird. Not right now though.

[... Ah. Awkward. He shrugs.]

It's fine. I didn't mind. It's not like I'm new to feeding people.

Okay~

Maybe, but you shouldn't have to. Besides, it makes you tired, and it couldn't have been too long after the fight. You didn't push yourself too far, did you?

[Whoops, fretting vampire mode: activated.]

I'll figure out something to do in case something like this happens again and Fai needs to feed. Those bloodpacks in the market are worthless after all..

I'll be okay, I just need to take it easy for a few days.

[Seriously. :| Stop acting like a worried mother he's so not used to that kind of thing.]

I have no idea how long that kind of thing can be kept fresh... hm.

Hmm...well, do that, then. If you don't, I'll have to sit on you~

[Get used to it, mortal man.]

Mmm....dunno, but even with it not fresh, my blood will give him the boost he'd need.

You don't strain yourself, either.

[This goes both ways, remember?]

But if you say so...

I won't. Not too much. You know me, I like playing the knight~

[He sighs and closes his eyes a moment.]

I think that drink might be good now.

Yeah. Come on.

[He punches Johnny lightly in the arm.]

Hey! Jerk. Abusing the sick and injured is mean.

[Still, he links arms with Otoha and starts off towards his bar.

[Caden had no idea what'd happened to Johnny, no clue about why it bothered him so much, no way of knowing that anything was different about him. All he knew was it was 'that guy' with the school he'd forgotten all about until now. It wasn't until later that Caden crossed paths with Johnny.]

Hey, Sensei. Is there still any room at your school for students?

[By the time Johnny was approached by Caden, he was dry and was more than ready to move past what had happened on the island.

He offered a smile to Caden and nodded, though he didn't recognize him since the last time he'd seen him he looked like Riku.]

Of course~ There's always room for anyone who wants in~ Was there something specific you were looking to take?

Probably everything, if you asked Riku - starting with people skills and defense in combat. Maybe photography, if there's a class for that.

It's... It's Cadence, by the way.

Aaaah! I didn't recognize you, sorry~ Well, you can take everything and anything you want as long as you think you can keep up and have the drive for it~

[When he'd realized during the battle that Johnny had fallen there had been nothing to do but keep fighting, and then afterwards there had been clean-up procedures and managing defense force logistics and answering network posts and praying for Johnny. But praying wasn't the same at all as thinking about him, because thinking wouldn't do any good.

Still, Ky had kept a little count of the days and the time in his head, and when it came he headed to the coral, to wait should Johnny come. He offered out a towel that he'd been turning in his hands for the last twenty minutes.]

Johnny, how can I help?

[Johnny grinned at Ky when Johnny saw him as if offering that towel was the most amazing thing in the world and took it, applying it to his hair and face.]

Thanks, Ky~ You could tell me how you are. You didn't get hurt, did you?

[He knew Ky had been in the fight, but the vampire's eyes had been on Otoha; he knew Ky was skilled and had his magic for an extra kick if need be, he hadn't been as concerned.]

It's not necessary to thank me. I'm fine, but that much is...

[He wasn't the one who died, Johnny.]

It's obvious.

[Not dead was plenty good enough to keep fighting.]

How are you?

[But he's worried.

Johnny shrugs. He doesn't feel like pretending right now.]

I've been better, for certain...but for having been recently dead, I can say I'm feeling fine.

My chest aches a tiny bit, I seem to want food, and I'm a little tired, but that's pretty much it.

Food

[Ky pauses, then presses on ahead. Johnny deserves better than his weakness, his discomfort with the idea.]

as in blood?

[Johnny smiled and shook his head.]

No, don't worry, not that kind of food. I don't think I'll need that for a little while yet. I mean I have a craving for cheesecake.

Oh!

[And now Ky tried not to look relieved.]

Perhaps you should take a nap first, then have cheesecake. Maybe I'll be able to bring one by when you wake up.

[He was sure that he could find one.]

Edited 2012-08-18 23:39 (UTC)

[If he noticed any of Ky's attempts, he doesn't act like it. He understands how unappealing the thought is. It's not his favorite thing either.]

Perhaps~ A nap does sound good as well. [A smirk.] It's tiring being resurrected.

And I certainly wouldn't mind a special Ky-delivery~

I...yes. [The smirk clearly falls a little flat on Ky.] I can imagine.

Then I'll do so.

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Raise me up, up through the ashes

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Keywords relevant for once.

Sob. Otoha.

He's a dumbass, we all know it.

But a loved dumbass <3

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