terabient

Lake Luisa is rarely placid. The constant breeze churns the crystal clear waters into rolling waves and carries a damp chill that cuts to the bone, a chill even the heat of the afternoon sun cannot burn away.

When Luther traps Varuna at the edge of wood and shore, he supposes the setting suits them well enough.

His Master has never been one to practice restraint, but the need he displays now takes Varuna by surprise. One moment his mouth presses against Varuna's with a bruising intensity, the sound of their lips moving against each other clear even above the whistling of the wind; in the next Luther pulls back, his breath hot on Varuna's cheek, a better ward against the wind than his cloak.

***

It leaves Varuna trembling with more than simple passion. He had accepted his role as one of Luther's preferred amusements and nothing more, but the softness of Luther's gaze suggests something deeper. The reality of Omega, its impermanence, the brevity of his time here--these thoughts are never far from Varuna's mind, but in this moment, as the sole subject of Luther's interest, he could almost forget such things.

"You're so quiet," Luther says, his voice gentle. "What are you thinking of?"

Varuna hesitates. "How thankful I am to be here with you, Master," Varuna finally says.

Luther's quiet sigh tickles at Varuna's ear. The answer disappoints him, Varuna knows. A dangerous admission--I love you--dies on the tip of his tongue. What is the purpose of being in love with a dream as it nears its end, no matter how sweet? Acknowledging it would only make his fate harder to accept.

He takes Luther's hand. "Perhaps we should find a more relaxing spot than this?"

***

Luther does not protest as Varuna leads him closer to the shore, to soft grass warmed by the sun's rays. The lake's central island sits across from them, wild and beautiful, but Varuna cannot help from shivering when looking at it.

He doesn't know when the dream of Omega will end, only that it will--all Shiva needs is the immense energy surging beneath the earth to break free from her prison. The island's central location cannot be coincidence.

Luther's hand presses against his back. "It's fascinating, isn't it? Perhaps we'll make a stop there before returning to the capital. The topography of the island affects Omega's mana flow and concentration somehow, but I don't understand why that is the case. A closer look has been on my mind for a long time now..."

As Luther explains his theories, Varuna pays close attention, growing more certain each passing minute that this beautiful lake is where the fabric of the universe will rend apart, opening a path to his true Master.

Though the wind has died down, the chill in Varuna’s heart lingers for long minutes after.

***

Time melts away under the afternoon sun. Drowsiness sets upon Varuna, and he stretches out on the soft grass, resting his head in Luther's lap.

“Has my history lesson exhausted you?” Luther teases.

“No, it’s just…” Varuna nestles closer. “It’s more comfortable here.”

Luther laughs, ruffling Varuna’s hair. “Be careful. Hariette should be returning from her little woodland exploration soon.”

“Even so, can’t we can stay like this a little longer?” Varuna knows Hariette won’t mind their closeness—and he’s sure Luther knows this, too.

“Of course,” Luther says, his hand still stroking Varuna’s hair gently. The melancholy that had weighed heavy on Varuna earlier falls away, leaving only the warmth of this shared moment.

-end-

Luther:

zetchi
Varuna:

terabient