𓇢𓆸 𓆤 𖧧 𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𖧧 𓍊𓋼 𔓘

𝔸𝕊 Vign and Melody were in the library he's thoughts wondered at the question, however, Melody's voice snapped him to reality, "What's on your mind?" He looked at Melody who lays her head on his chest as they just held each other and him playing with her hair, "Just... what's gonna happen to us when the war is over?" She looked at him before looking down, "I don't know, I want us to not be over, I don't. You're like coming home. You're home to me." Vign looked at Melody who sat up, "As you know I lost a part of myself a long time ago. I tried to forget, tried to ignore the pain, but it was always there." Melody continued as tears began to collect in her eyes and Vign sat up next to her and rubbed his hand on her back and took off her coat to free her pair of wings, "Your scar." He said in a hush voice as she spoke, "It happened when I was a baby. Two years actually, that's what Philo told me. The same happened to him."

"You two are half fae," Vign uttered as he embraced Melody. The weight of the revelation settled on them, and he continued, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry that this happened to you, to you both." Gently, he guided them both to lie down, holding each other closely. As they cuddled, finding solace in each other's presence, Vign spoke softly, "Now I know why that book made such an impression on you. A child who's half fae, searching for their parents..." Melody wrapped her arms around his waist, seeking comfort. "I always wondered what their story was. An affair. A single drunken collision. I wonder whether they loved each other, whether they loved me and Philo, if love would've made a difference."

Vign kissed her head tenderly and replied, "I'm sorry, love. They must have had a reason to give you both away, but to shear you like that..." The pain and complexity of their shared past hung in the air as they grappled with the emotions stirred by this newfound knowledge.

"To understand, you have to know the Burgue. Life's hard enough for the fae. Half-bloods don't belong anywhere. To the humans, you're just another Critch. To the fae... just a reminder of the boot on their throats," Melody explained, capturing the harsh reality they faced.

Vign responded, seeking more details, "They thought that if they could pass you off, you'd have a chance at a better life. Didn't anyone at the home know you'd been shorn?" He turned to Melody for an answer.

"The headmaster knew. Maybe he was paid for his silence. Maybe he just took pity on us," Melody revealed. Vign pressed further, "He kept your secret, though?" Melody nodded, and with a trace of gratitude, she added, "He did. He taught us to hide it. Told us to steer clear of doctors, no matter what. If anyone knew we had one drop of fae blood in us or they saw my wings, we'd have been on the street or even worse. Certainly, never would have been able to become a nurse for the Army."

Vign ran his fingers through her hair, a comforting gesture. "So you never told anyone?" he asked. Melody shook her head, "No. Not in the Burgue. But then it never felt so much like home. Not like this." Melody locked eyes with Vign, and with genuine emotion, she continued, "Not like you. You make me feel not afraid to fall." Vign brought her close to him, their connection palpable, and pressed a loving kiss on her lips. In that moment, the weight of their shared history and the depth of their bond resonated.

"Darling, may you not be afraid to fall, to know that I will catch you in my arms as I will be your wings to lift you high above, but I ask for one thing," Vign tenderly spoke, his gaze filled with affection. He gently lifted Melody's chin to meet his eyes, and she inquired with curiosity, "What is it?"

Vign, a soft smile playing on his lips, tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I ask that you hold on to my heart as it beats for you, my Melody," he expressed, his words carrying a depth of emotion. Melody's warm smile deepened, and she lovingly stroked his cheek with her thumb. "I'll never let it go, even if the Gods try their might. I'll never do so, as you will never let me fall," she promised with unwavering sincerity.

Vign, captivated by her words, smiled with all the love in his heart. "Never," he vowed. With those heartfelt words, he leaned in, closing the distance between them, and sealed the promise with a tender and passionate kiss, a symbol of their shared commitment and the strength of their love.

ଓ༉‧.⭒ֶָ֢⋆.

"Where will you go?" Vign inquired, observing Aline as he donned warm clothing. Aline adjusted his coat and replied, "Oh. Down the coast to Mag Mor. It's the biggest shithole in Tirnanoc. There's nothing much to fight over, so maybe we'll be safe there." Vign smiled and wished his friend well, handing Aline a bag filled with his belongings. "Good luck," Vign said, the warmth of friendship evident in his eyes. Aline, with a teasing smile, suggested, "You should come with us. Bring the maiden." Vign rolled his eyes in response. "Goodbye, Aline," he said, and the two exchanged a familiar handshake.

"We will see each other again. I don't know how or where, but... we will," Aline declared before leaving Vign's hut.

As Aline descended to the very spot where he had first arrived, his eyes caught sight of Melody. Seated on a bench, she was engrossed in the delicate task of mending a bracelet, a radiant smile gracing her face. Approaching her with purpose, Aline inquired, "Do you love him?" Startled, Melody turned towards him, revealing a bracelet adorned with beads, each carrying its own special significance. Aline, observing the scene, quickly discerned the unspoken answer. "Never mind," he said with a knowing smile. "I think I already know. I'm sorry, I'm Aline, Vign's friend."

Melody's eyes widened, and she carefully set the bracelet aside. Rising from the bench, she extended her hand with a warm smile. "Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Melody."

Aline shook her hand and, in a chivalrous gesture, turned it upward to plant a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "It's nice to meet you, little dragonfly," he remarked, releasing her hand. Melody blushed at the unexpected display and chuckled softly. Just as the pleasant exchange unfolded, Philo approached, casting a shadow over Aline's countenance. Aline walked over to Philo to discuss the impending challenges, revealing grim news of the Burgue losing the war. "This will all be Pact territory soon. And Vign will stay by Melody's side, no matter the cost because he loves her, and she loves him."

Their gaze shifted towards Melody, still absorbed in her bracelet on the bench, oblivious to their conversation held at a distance. Aline's tone grew more serious as he implored, "They'll die for each other, if you care for them. Protect them." Aline locked eyes with Philo before turning away, his wings carrying him off into the skies alongside the other fae, leaving behind a solemn moment and a whispered plea for the safety of two intertwined fates.

As Aline soared into the distance, Melody completed the intricate mending of the bracelet just in time for a frantic soldier to rush in, desperately delivering a message to Philo. Philo, with a furrowed brow, received the note and swiftly passed it to the captain. Standing by Philo's side, Melody sensed the gravity of the situation. Mima Roosan joined the scene, her expression bearing the weight of dire news. "The Pact has taken the capital," she declared. The captain, reacting to the alarming revelation, added, "Whole bloody fronts collapsed. We're evacuating."

Philo, visibly concerned, questioned their destination: "To where?" The captain responded with a grim certainty, "Home, Sergeant." Melody clutched the mended bracelet in her hand, a sinking feeling in her heart. The captain continued, "We're to rendezvous with the fleet at Port Moradoon." His gaze shifted towards Melody as she inquired, "How long have we got?"

The captain's reply hung heavy in the air, "They'll be here by morning." With that unsettling revelation, Melody abruptly turned away, her steps quickening, as Philo called out for her. The urgency of the situation pressed upon them.

𓇢𓆸 𓆤 𖧧 𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𖧧 𓍊𓋼 𔓘

By: SilverMist707

I hope you all enjoy it <3