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 Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:18 pm
It was a nice little place, the location Tyndareus had picked for their energy exchanges. Pyrrhus had gardens and fountains back when it was a living world, sure—but they had tended towards a more untamed style than the parks on Earth, with their nice paths and trimmed bushes.
This particular fountain sat under a tree Pyrrhus understood to be called a “weeping cherry,” and it was in elegant full bloom, vibrantly pink blossoms shading the spot in the edge of the fountain where Pyrrhus had chosen to wait, and fallen petals floating on the water.
Picturesque, though it was fully possible Tyndareus hadn’t chosen it for the aesthetics, since it was far down a random side path and set well away from the main areas of the park. Perfect for a clandestine meeting between two people who should not be meeting in peace.
He’d arrived before the appointed time with the aim of scouting the place out—but it seemed safe enough, and there wasn’t anyone close enough to alarm him, best he could tell.
He was ready for things to go wrong, of course. But this time, they seemed relatively okay.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:19 pm
Tyndareus very cautiously made his way to the meeting spot, every muscle coiled in anticipation to flee if necessary. Just because he didn't sense any auras but the one he was growing too familiar with didn't mean that there weren't people waiting in their civilian forms, ready to change and attack. He trusted Pyrrhus, of course. But he didn't trust that other people trusted Pyrrhus, especially with…
Whatever it was the two of them were doing now.
He knew exactly what it was, but privately, he feared thinking the words to himself. Just in case. In case of what, he didn't know.
He approached the fountain under the weeping cherry tree, watching the branches flutter in the small breeze and reveal the alien he was entrusting so much of his life to in little glimpses. It was like something out of the third act of a cheesy rom-com, and the part of Tyndareus that hadn't moved past being an edgelord teenager recoiled at the thought, but the part of him that was falling in love with Pyrrhus and quite a bit more grown-up than that had his heart fluttering at the sight. Cheesy it may have been, but it worked for a reason.
Sitting down beside Pyrrhus, he gave a slight smile, crossing one leg over the other and folding his hands in his lap.
"Good evening," he said pleasantly.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:19 pm
Good. Tyndareus had shown up. Pyrerhus hadn’t really doubted it—stupid as it was, given that this was not the man he’d known, he still…it was hard to break the habit of trusting someone with your life.
This Tyndareus wasn’t Bernard, no. But there were echoes. Things that were similar enough that Pyrrhus was willing to let himself believe that maybe, he could let one more person in without fearing a knife in his back. That had been such a rare thing, over all his time alive…
He treasured the possibility.
And, yes, okay, he smiled when Tyndareus approached. It was subdued, but his real, genuine smiles usually were; a small upturn of lips and a little, playful wave.
“Good evening,” he said. “It really is nice. I like this part of your world. And this season. It’s…good to see things so alive.” After a thousand years of being surrounded by misery and death.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:20 pm
Tyndareus nodded.
"It's something I've thought about ever since you showed me your planet," he murmured, bushing his hand against Pyrrhus's without the nerve to follow through on taking it. "Every time I look at the way life blooms on Earth, I think about your barren planet and how it must have looked in its heyday. How grateful I am to live on a planet that's thriving. How worried I am about what Chaos is truly doing to it."
Sighing, he shifted to face Pyrrhus better. "Spring is nice, but summer is better. Once I…" He hesitated for a moment. "Once we can spend time together as ourselves, rather than this, I would enjoy taking you to the beach. I don't suppose you've ever been parasailing?"
Jesus Christ, that sounded like he was inviting the man on a date. They barely knew each other. And yet, Tyndareus could not deny the yearning in his heart. He wondered if his heart knew something he didn't. Or rather, his starseed. He wondered if the previous Tyndareus had felt the same things about Pyrrhus, and now he felt an echo of it. If the answer to that question were yes... He didn't think that would change much.
He wanted this.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:20 pm
Pyrrhus exhaled, briefly. He was not used to the possibility of…changing someone’s thinking like that. Usually if he made people appreciate life, it was because he’d brought them close to death, not because he’d…opened their eyes to a new way of seeing the world, or whatever.
“It’s worth appreciating,” he said, and he meant it; he hadn’t thought much of his own world, of the things he loved about it that made it home, until those things were gone. But they would come back, someday. If he could just…make it long enough to kill the Chaos.
“Oh, I miss beaches, there were some incredible tropical worlds back in the day,” Pyrrhus sighed, dramatically. “I don’t think I’ve ever done that, but I’d be glad to try.” With you, went unspoken, because if Pyrrhus said it, he feared he would say too much.
This was not Bernard. No matter how much of Bernard Pyrrhus saw in him—it wouldn’t be fair to chase him when Pyrrhus wasn’t sure who he was seeing. Especially since the man beside him might be totally different in a few months. Who knew how purification might change him.
“I’m sure there’s a lot you can show me. And probably things I can show you, too, but that’ll take a little longer.”
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:21 pm
Tyndareus nodded casually, trying not to appear too eager. He needed to be able to get through… all of this… without anyone suspecting a thing, and allowing himself to think too deeply about it would ensure his nerves got to him after all.
"I'd like that," he said softly. "Alright then. Let's get on with it."
He took Pyrrhus's hand this time and began the draining process. Could he have done this in a less intimate manner? Definitely. But he'd been thinking about holding Pyrrhus's hand nearly the entire time, and he couldn't… He'd needed to allow himself just that little bit of confidence. Of action that spoke louder than words.
He needed it.
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