forum Opportunistic Omnivore: Scavenging the Remains of the Divine || OxO || Closed || 18+

Started March 15, 2023 by @ElderGod-kirky group

tune

Eurion clinked their glasses together at Sláine's private toast and took a sip of his drink once more. His stubbornness pulled through and everything was working out. He had his mate, he had Skyfall and their night together and nothing was going to go wrong. At least not for the next few hours. It was only a matter of time before the Eclipse started, Eurion could tell from the way that more and more people were gathering around them and inclining their heads up at the space above. The stars glittered and twinkled, a few brighter than others, and the moon was beginning to move into position. Soon, the stars would start falling, and he would hold his lover close and experience the beauty of the festival with him.

"I waited far too long for our paths to cross," Eurion said, wrapping his free arm around Sláine's waist to hold them close. He took another swig of his drink and felt the freshness wash down his throat and into his stomach, "I gave up on finding you, Sláine. For a long time, I thought I would never find you. And yet against everything, I found you, and I wasn't going to let you get away from me that easily."

Not after all he had been through to get to that point. Gods be damned, fate could fuck itself. Whatever stars had alined to finally put the prince in his life he silently thanked but Eurion had needed a stroke of luck and had found it in Sláine. In the prince that had comforted him that first night at the palace, checked on his wounds and saved his life by making sure he made it to his friends alive enough to be healed and to be cared for. Without him, Eurion would no doubt still be wandering alone. At least now he had someone. Whether or not they wandered together was up for debate. Whatever happened after Aideen's little scavenger hunt for the Old Gods was up in the air but he couldn't bring himself to care more than a few thoughts at the moment. Right now, he had the most handsome man in his arms, smiling up at him as if he were the only person in the whole world that mattered, and Eurion knew he was giving Sláine much of a similar look.

Two halves of a whole now found and fitted together. The torture of the past week of not being able to hold and talk had proven that they were one in the same, that they completed each other. He hadn't known what he was missing until he had found Sláine. Now that they had each other, Eurion was going to do everything he could to stay with him.

They could've been the only people in the world, and Sláine wouldn't have known. His brother and friend were keeping close enough to not get lost, but were far enough away that the two couples had their own privacy—and he didn't care. The increasing crowd and their ruckus as the time of the Eclipse drew near hardly registered to him when he had Eurion looking at him like that, saying those words that went beyond his simple toast, but matched everything he had left unsaid. The prince was easy to grab and move, and it took nothing to get him closer to Eurion. He snuggled into the man's side, careful of both their drinks, and reached with his free hand to hold Eurion's wrist as a way to embrace his mate back beyond his obvious snuggling.

Eyes slipping closed, Sláine nudged his assassin's shoulder with his nose and breathed in his scent. This was the most important thing to him right then. Skyfall would have his attention when it arrived. "I never thought I'd ever find someone meant for forever. Didn't think it was in the cards for me, like some sort of divine punishment for whatever wrong I had done in life." He took another sip and snuggled even further into his mate, soaking in the other's warmth and comfort. "Then you showed up, and it all made sense. I was stupid once—never again." He had missed his assassin far too much, and it was just a week. It might've been better if he had known that they'd be together once again, but he hadn't, and it made the week all the more agonizing. Not knowing if he could kiss or hug or even talk to his mate again? Torture.

Sláine had been figuratively alone for ages. He might've been a twin, but it wasn't the same as having a partner, the completion of his soul. Even with partners, it hadn't been quite right. He still hadn't felt at home. With Eurion, he felt lighter and more accepted than he had ever felt. He wasn't alone. Even if he stood by himself in an open field, separated from everyone, Eurion would be there with him through the bond. All it would take would be a simple thought, and his assassin would send a barrage of thoughts and emotions down the bond just to make Sláine feel better. Having Eurion in his life would be the best thing he'd ever wish to have in a lifetime, he knew that without a doubt. Nothing else would match him in any capacity.

His eyes opened back up, casting up to the sky to not miss the incoming Skyfall. "Lots of people think being a twin means you're automatically a half of a whole," he murmured, thinking out loud but just loud enough for Eurion to hear him. "But I think I was missing more of my soul without you than what Caoimhe takes up."

The assassin couldn't help the soft chuckle that escaped him at Sláine's murmured comments, and he pressed a kiss to the top of his head only a moment later, "I don't know how pleased Caoimhe would be to hear that," He said, "Skyfall represents the fresh start of the new season. Consider this a fresh start for us, too."

No matter what challenges they had faced on the way to get to this point, they were in the past. They had made it this far and reached a point where they were once again okay and neither of them was going to let them go back to that place where they weren't talking. Neither of them deserved that. The assassin and the prince. Eurion would have never imagined his mate being someone of such importance, let alone someone that wasn't even Fae, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He wouldn't change a single thing about Sláine, or their meeting because otherwise they would be where they were now. Together in a sea of Fae waiting for the event of the season and for the first time in over a century, Eurion was happy.

Almost as if on cue, a silence washed over the crowd and Eurion nudged the other as he inclined his head up towards the canopy.

The moon had moved its way into position, central over the city and had been casting the space in bright light, illuminating the beauty of the city itself. But in the minutes that were passing the sun had nearly aligned itself. Time stilled as the two cosmic entities moved together until they were flush with one another and suddenly the light disappeared and the moon turned dark and black. There was a rim of light from behind that still kept that glowing luminescence but in a flash of bright white, that rim almost exploded. An audible gasp rippled throughout the crowd as the alignment and the flash took place, but what followed was even more impressive. The light that had exploded sent shock waves of light spilling out from behind the Eclipse and as it did so, the stars started falling.

Colour of white and gold, deep blues and greens as stars of all kinds began their descent from the heavens. The Eclipse started to fade but that only increased the amount of falling light, and others leaped across the sky from behind. But it was the ones that started falling down through the canopy that were the most beautiful. They glistened and danced and weaved their way through the trees - first, they were in a few small groups, and then they increased in number and started to fall onto the crowd and the Fae itself. The silence disappeared into cheers and cries of happiness as the stars kept falling and falling. It was obvious why the festival got the name Skyfall, considering that was exactly what it looked like.

Eurion couldn't help he way his eyes widened and his mouth practically dropped open, a smile dancing on his lips as he pulled Sláine closer if all possible as he watched the event. It was just as beautiful and extraordinary as he had imagined.

A fresh start. Sláine couldn't think of any times he's had a fresh start that ended any differently than how the first start had. Seiger was taken out of the picture, dead and gone with the throne left bloody and in need of aggressive scrubbing—and the prince's nightmares had increased since then. Several attempts at sweet-talking nobles into doing what he asked had only backfired and gotten him nowhere but where he had started. So many times, he had told himself it was a fresh start, and it was just as stagnant and rotten, if not worse.

But being with Eurion was completely different. Already, their fresh start was different from the beginning. They weren't strangers, they weren't questioning what they were to one another or where their relationship would progress; and most importantly, they weren't ignoring one another or terrified of their relationship going down in the gutter. No, they were smiling and cuddling and making promises of never again. Eurion was holding the prince close and kissing the top of his head and standing in his homeland sharing a moment he hadn't gotten to experience before. Sláine was beyond convinced that their fresh start would be entirely different from the others. They were meant to be together, meant to last. If he could help it, he refused to let anything take that happiness away. Not only would it devastate him if he lost his assassin, but Eurion would as well—and he couldn't allow that to happen. The man deserved all the happiness in the world.

There were word he should probably say, a returned feeling of that fresh start between them, but Sláine couldn't conjure anything. His tongue was tied. But it didn't matter, because then he was being nudged, and the sky erupted.

From somewhere around them, Aideen's whoop was heard as the stars began their descent. After a quick scan of the crowd, he found her on her toes, leaning on Caoimhe to get a better view over everyone's heads despite the stars falling from above. But Sláine understood her enthusiasm. He'd seen plenty of unique phenomenons in his lifetime, but this? This was easily his favorite, even if it was his first (and perhaps only) time seeing it. His mouth hung open on silent awe, and Eurion pulling him closer was hardly registered even if he leaned into the touch. Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. The prince wanted to reach out and catch one, like that was possible, and hoard it to himself for eternity, like that would make his life brighter if he did. Happier. But if he did, he'd give it to Eurion, who was gorgeous and smiling and so happy right in that moment. Even without his ulterior motive, Sláine didn't regret pushing for this detour. It was beyond worth seeing, and he mourned the rarity of it. But perhaps that was the beauty of it, the rareness of both events—let alone both together.

Squeezing Eurion in return, Sláine couldn't pull his gaze away from the rainfall of stars.

The stars continued to fall and more and more erupted from the Eclipse above until the sky was filled with the lights of the cosmic entities making their way into the crowd. They fell slow enough for the Fae below to catch and hold, and it only made the event all the more special. Some fell faster, practically hitting the Fae instead of floating down into their hands and the laughter that followed from those that were hit by the stars was loud and joyous. The Eclipse above lasted longer than what was probably regular, but a part of that was because the stars falling and erupting around them didn't usually happen at the same time. But it was beautiful nonetheless, and there was definitely no complaints from anyone in the crowd.

Eurion's smile only grew as the stars came closer and closer to them. Never in his life had he looked so happy. As a child, maybe, but nothing that he may have felt as a kid compared to the beauty of what he was experiencing right then and there. His mate was tucked into his side, squeezing him back and they were in the middle of an event that Eurion had never believed he would ever have the opportunity to see.

It was a magic like no other. A magic that was special and rare and exciting and his smile, a real, genuine smile, was wider than it had ever been.

And then there was a star falling in front of them both. There were many that had reached that stage by now, some by Aideen and Caoimhe, many in the centre of the crowd, but one floated down in front of the couple. Eurion removed his hand from around Sláine and let the star float into his hand and come to rest. The star pulsed at the connection, warm in his hand and glowed a soft, pale green, shimmering and calling to him. It was strange to touch, and the light of it felt odd considering his own magic but it was unlike that of the usual light that would have his shadows withering away. It felt weird, but just as right as his prince's magic felt when they were connected in that way.

Eurion moved so his hand was in between the two of them, keeping the star protected from anyone around them that may accidentally knock the thing to the ground or potentially try and snatch it up for someone else. The assassin couldn't help but mutter a prayer of thanks in his native tongue, "Thank you, Eclipse, for the blessing of the star. Your beauty and love is felt deep within, and it does not go without gratefulness. You bring love and prosperity that I wish to extend to my mate. Bless him, too, for he deserves your love more than I."

Sláine couldn't take his eyes off of the stars as they fell to the crowd below. They were just so beautiful, and mesmerizing; so much so that he basically got put into a hypnotized state watching them make their trek down to the ground. The ones that barreled into the people at full speed pulled a snort from him as he imagined how it must feel being assaulted by falling stars. But it was just so bizarre to him that it was an actual thought he had that came naturally. Because there were stars actually falling from the sky and falling to the ground where people were reaching out and catching them. They were in people's hands right before his eyes.

Off to the side, Caoimhe hoisted Aideen into his arms for her to catch one. Now that he thought about it, the guard had never really experienced something like this either. Her childhood had been robbed from her, and her adult life was spent training with the knights and guarding her lover prince. Now as the perfect time for her to have that childish dreams and instances, like sitting up high and catching falling stars. Watching her had him relaxing and realizing that this wasn't just something for Eurion to experience and enjoy. Sure, he had known they'd all enjoy it because it was a festival, but she was laughing and giggling and hugging a star to her chest as she turned to Caoimhe with the biggest grin on her face. And his twin looked the most in love and the most relaxed he had been in a long while. This was good for them.

Sláine plastered himself closer to Eurion when a star floated down towards them. He wasn't afraid, per se, but it felt like they were something otherworldly, and that he'd break it if he reached out. It didn't matter, though, because Eurion was letting go of him to hold out a hand, and the star floated harmlessly into the man's palm. Glowing and beautiful and so very real. It pulsed its light against Eurion's pale skin, and the prince no longer noticed the absence of the arm around him. Then Eurion started muttering in his mother tongue, and Sláine watched closely to the jumping magic working to translate for him. He loved it when the assassin made an attempt to mimic his language, learning the prince's response to 'thank you's after just a few times. Sláine wanted to give that feeling back in return.

Reaching out, the prince ran a thumb over Eurion's wrist, as close to the star as he dared. Then he whispered to himself just loud enough for the assassin to hear him, careful with his pronunciation and refusing to let his accent hinder him too much. "Thank you, Eclipse, for the blessing of the star. Your beauty and love is felt deep within, and it does not go without gratefulness. You bring love and prosperity that I wish to extend to my mate. Bless him, too, for he deserves your love more than I." Sláine glanced up at Eurion with a glint in his eye that was a mixture of the star and his own intentions. The Fae wasn't getting out of it that easily. "Even if he doesn't think so," he added.

Eurion's eyes flickered from the star, to his lover, back to the star and then once again back to Sláine as his mate repeated back his words, even if the pronunciation wasn't perfect and the man's accent seemed to make it worse. Eurion knew that was probably how his prince felt whenever he repeated his own words back at him. But it was word for word and that added comment at the end was proof that Sláine had understood what he was saying. Since when had he been able to understand his language?

"How did-" The assassin let his confusion mare his features as much as his smile didn't fade away. His eyes conveyed it from how his gaze flickered across his lover's face and that star in his palm kept pulsing and warming. It had begun to hover just a little above his skin, that glow ever increasing just as those around it did the same. But as if the Eclipse had heard their prayer and their words to one another, one more star landed in Eurion's palm, glowing a soft blue to compliment that pale green glow that already lay there.

Two stars, one for each of them. It seemed unreal, almost unbelievable, that there were now two of those beautiful stars in his palm. One was blessing enough, but two? Maybe this really was a fresh start. A good omen for the two of them that they were on the right track and that they were going to be more than okay, better than they had hoped they would be. It meant more than Eurion could express. From having his mate repeat those words back at him, even if Sláine's accent and pronunciation had been just as bad as when he had attempted to mimic his lover's language over a week ago, to being able to experience the event with him, and being blessed by the Eclipse herself. Beauty and awe and wonder weren't enough to describe how he was feeling. Pure happiness wasn't even enough at this stage.

Words failed him, even though Eurion wanted to make a comment on Sláine's last words because there was no need to call him out on such a thing - as much as it was correct. How his prince knew what he was saying could be asked about another time. Right now he had two, perfect stars in his hand. Two stars that complimented one another just as the assassin and the prince did. It wasn't a coincidence, Eurion was more than aware. But the fact that it had happened to him, too them made everything feel like a dream. A far too real dream, one he didn't deserve from the happiness he was feeling, but a dream he never wanted to end, not when he held out his palm for Sláine to take one of those delicate balls of light.

Humor danced in Sláine's eyes when Eurion looked between him and the star, his confusion and excitement clear as day on his face as they battled for precedence. Maybe he should've waited until Eurion wasn't bursting with emotion ready, because the man looked like he couldn't contain much else beyond his happiness. But, it also felt like the perfect time to repeat back those words, to show that he understood the blessing, because he wanted his mate to have that knowledge. Sláine wasn't just standing there, he was listening and watching and wanted to get the most out of this experience. And, Eurion also deserved to have a blessing despite thinking otherwise, and the prince refused to let that slide without a rebuttal of his own.

So, he let it go and didn't bother explaining, because Eurion could focus on it later. Right now, he had a star in his hands, a blessing from the Eclipse, and a special occasion to enjoy. Sláine wasn't going anywhere, and neither was his magic. He smiled up at Eurion and stayed close, pressed into the other as much as possible to soak in the glow of the star and to have the warmth of his mate engulfing him. If he could pause time, he'd do so right then.

At least, he would, until a second star floated down and landed in Eurion's palm. That sufficiently distracted the assassin from his confusion, and Sláine watched as his mind practically imploded from the single occurrence. Though he wasn't completely fluent in the Fae language, he sent a silent thanks to the Eclipse. Eurion deserved this more than anything. This, he decided, was a sign that they were going to be fine. More than fine, actually. They were meant for each other, built to fit perfectly, and the two stars floating in Eurion's hand just solidified that knowledge. Their glows radiated out towards one another, mingled in the middle, and intertwined the colors into a mixture of blue and green. Perfect. Beautiful.

Sláine hesitantly reached out when Eurion held out his hand in offering. His fingers slipped beneath the newest blue one, delicately scooping it into his palm, and he held it close to his chest and heart for safety. Blessed. They'd make it out okay. Him and Eurion, Aideen and Caoimhe—they'd all be okay if this was anything to go by. A soft, wondrous smile etched into his lips, eyes bright and awe-filled. Even he couldn't believe their luck, despite being the one to repeat the prayer.

Eurion was grinning A proper, full on giddy grin that over took his features at that second star. If his drink hadn’t been in his other hand he would have held the star with both hands and cradled it as softly as new how. It was as if he were a child once again, experiencing that joy that came with being oblivious to the dangers of the world and only expecting what was good. Because this was more than good, it was brilliant and beautiful and Eurion didn’t quite know what to do with himself.

The assassin was practically bouncing on his feet at that point as he watched Sláine take his own star, and when he did, Eurion he couldn’t help the way he rocked back on his heels. He couldn’t contain his excitement, his happiness. It made things better knowing that Sláine had his own star, that they really were being blessing tonight. The chances of two stars falling into his palm had to have been rare, he had no doubt about it. They fell at random and spun through the air with no care on who they hit or who they found, but the way theirs had fallen to them? It wasn’t random, especially not with the way the stars interacted with each other. They fed other each others energy and moved and danced and flickered like they, too, were made for each other.

“Sláine,” Eurion’s voice was full of that same childlike wonder he was radiating, “Sláine look! Look we’ve been blessed by the Eclipse we-“ Eurion didn’t really know what to say, couldn’t explain how important it was.

None of the stories could have ever compared to the real life event. It was the entire reason it had been his dream for so long to visit at least once, even if the Eclipse didn’t occur on the same evening. Being blessing by the Eclipse was something else. Yes, the event signified the new year for the Fae, blessed them with prosperity for a good year, but to be blessed by a star itself, to be personally blessed was a whole other thing. A whole different meaning. It showed in the other couples around them, and other Fae with their friends, were just as excited to see the stars that had fallen on them or in their hands.

Eurion paid them no notice, however, not when he had one of his own, when Sláine had one of his own. When their stars quite literally aligned for them to be in that moment, to have those stars specifically. Eurion took a step closer to his mate and held his hand flush next to his mate’s and watched as the two stars interacted with each other. His eyes couldn’t look away, he refused to let them look anywhere else but their hands.

As much as he was excited and awed by the star, Sláine didn't care half as much about it as he did about Eurion right in that moment. Nothing, not even the stars in their hands, was as beautiful or bright as the grin on his mate's face and the child-like joy he finally let himself feel and express. Even just watching him had the prince nearly forgetting all about the star as he focused solely on Eurion.

The man was adorable. Grinning and bouncing in place, calling for Sláine to look as he focused on the stars with wonder and got so fucking happy about being blessed. Sláine couldn't take his eyes off of him, couldn't even hope to guard himself from the contagious and addictive joy and giddiness. He found himself smiling even wider without realizing, shuffling close to his mate to get a good look at both him and the stars they held, and the bouncy excitement eventually wore off enough on him that he practically vibrated with his own energy. But Eurion was the cutest, most alluring thing right there, and as much as Sláine wanted to focus on the stars and the moment and the significance of the blessing, he just couldn't tear his attention away from his precious assassin.

When Eurion moved to put their hands side by side and intently watched the two interact, Sláine ducked his head to kiss him, still all smiles and happiness. "We are," he agreed, tilting his hand towards Eurion's so that the stars were close together once more and cupped between both of their hands. Their heads nearly knocked together with how they were both hunched over the stars. He didn't care, though. A warmth had settled within his chest, heavy and comforting and not unlike that of the warmth he felt from Eurion when the man was cuddled up against him. There was a certainty that they were it. They were the ones for each other. The stars danced between their palms like long-lasting lovers, and Sláine believed it was meant for them. Fae or not, it didn't matter. His mate was the happiest the prince had ever seen, and that was a blessing all on its own.

Sláine watched, transfixed in his own right, as the combined lights and colors swirled against their skin. The stars were ethereal, beyond magic, and almost seemed like entities in their own right in how they interacted with one another. If they had been truly blessed, which he wholeheartedly believed, then Sláine silently thanked the Eclipse once more. Whatever happened to them, it would be alright.

With a soft and cheeky smile, Sláine glanced up at his adorable mate. "I told you, you deserve it."

Eurion didn't have the heart or energy to argue because it didn't matter in his mind. If Sláine thought he deserved this then maybe he did, but the assassin was to enraptured with the stars and the blessing as a whole to fight the man on the matter. Even if he didn't believe it, the Eclipse had given him a sign regardless of what his mind told him was true. He was deserving of a blessing, that much was true, and clear and very, very real if the stars in their hands were. If he was dreaming then he never wanted to wake.

His expectations for Skyfall had been high considering it was the most important event of the year, but they hadn't been high enough to have him believing that he would ever get a chance to hold one of those stars in his hands. Let alone have two within inches from each other. It made everything better, more exciting and wonderful than he ever could have imagined. The Eclipse herself had deemed him deserving, "She blessed me," His voice was so soft, still not quite believing, "She blessed us."

As if the stars could hear his words, which Eurion didn't doubt at that point, the two in their palms warmed. Then, they were hovering just above their skin as they spun round one another in a dance of their own, warming and burning brighter and brighter until they merged in a flash of soft light. The assassin didn't know that was normal or not, but then again, he hadn't seen anyone with two stars together like their own. Those blues and greens mixed together, that warmth fading only a touch now that they were one. And then, in some weird way, it almost seemed look at the two of them. Practically spinning on the spot as if to see the men that were keeping it protected from the world around them.

In another small flash of light, a two kernels of the stars essence were expelled from the main body. For a moment, they simply hovered there, in front of the two, before they made their way to the lovers and very softly, hovered over their hearts before fading into their skin. It was a strange feeling, weird but not unpleasant, warming and almost comforting, as if the heart was excepting the light into it, into their souls.

Eurion's wonder was something else, but the disbelief was still there, and Sláine wanted to fix that. What was that wonder worth if he still didn't believe it was real? The prince wanted Eurion to really believe that the blessing was real, and that he absolutely deserved something like that.

So when the stars combined into one, then settled into their hearts and warmed them from their very souls, Sláine took his assassin's face in his hands and pressed their foreheads together. His smile was gentle, and still so wide and sparkling from the excitement from everything. "Now you're not allowed to say you don't deserve anything good," he said, trying to be stern, but it failed from the pure affection and happiness flowing through him. "You were blessed by the Eclipse. Don't discount that. You deserve everything in the world. Even she thinks so." Because he might not understand just what it meant, but he knew it was important, and special, and that Eurion absolutely deserved to have that one of a kind experience with not just one, but two stars floating down into his palm.

Their combined warmth still radiated from his heart, a reminder of what they had been given, but also their very connection. The bond was alight with both of their overwhelming emotions, swirling between the two of them until it was a cocktail of everything, and he couldn't tell whose were whose, just that he felt them all. There was something there, something unnamed and a mystery to him, and it had sparked after watching Eurion become the cutest and most open he had ever been. Maybe it was his mate's childish wonder and excitement, maybe it was simply his reaction to the event and the blessings. He didn't know. But it settled there, right in a comfortable nook within the rest of his emotions, and it made itself home right there, there to stay forever.

Sláine kissed Eurion's cheek and grinned against his skin, then settled his forehead against the man's shoulder while looking down at the other's chest. If he stared long enough, he could almost see the glow of the stars where Eurion's heart was. "It's real," he murmured, gentle and in awe. The words were at once for the stubborn assassin and himself. "You've been blessed. We have. She believes in us enough to send us those stars and give them to us." And it was insane to think about given the ups and downs and initial confusion between them.

The drink in his hand was discarded to one side, whatever happened with that didn't matter because Eurion wanted, needed both his hands so he could wrap Sláine up in his arms. So he could tug his waist against his body in a nearly crushing hug, and nudge his prince's forehead away from his shoulder so he could kiss him. He probably would have let himself cry if they had not been in public. A very rare occurrence but this wasn't just any random festival, and what just happened to them wasn't just nothing.

Not everyone received a star to begin with. Half of the people around them, fuck, the majority of the city probably hadn't been granted the blessing of even being able to hold the star. That was a blessing in itself. Even then, half the people around them had been splattered with stars that had fallen too fast for them to catch or hold, leaving them with a small mark of residue from where the star had hit but it wasn't the same. But what happened with him and Sláine? It was another level of good luck, of good blessing, and from the brief moment where the assassin had looked around before the second star had fallen into his palm, it seemed the same blessing had been given to Caoimhe and Aideen, too.

All four of them. All four had been blessed beyond anything Eurion could hope for. Maybe later he could explain just how important, just how rare, it was, to be gifted the star itself and have a piece of the Eclipse inside them. She didn't simply hand out those stars, those beautiful balls of light, to just no one.

The Eclipse was an entity in herself, a Goddess to the Fae, and only in years said to bring the most luck and goodwill did Skyfall occur on the same evening as her presence. This new year would be a good one if this meant anything, and the fact that she had given Eurion, the assassin entrapped in the arms and bonds of Gods that couldn't even compare to her, meant more than he could say.

It was why all he could do was kiss Sláine, both to hide his eyes from how close they had been to tears and to pour all those emotions into it. He had no doubt that what he felt inside, the mixing and swirling of emotions weren't just his own, but he couldn't do much else. When he pulled back from the kiss, it was only far enough to rest their foreheads together, "Sláine this-" What were words again? "It means so much."

The sound of Eurion's drink hitting something it probably shouldn't startled Sláine, but he didn't have enough time to react because then he had an arm around his waist pulling him into the assassin's chest and crushing their bodies together. The prince let himself be nudged away, mostly out of surprise than compliance, and his hands moved from Eurion's face to around his neck to return the hug with a tight embrace of his own. Then they were kissing, and he had a feeling Eurion was hiding from the refusal to move apart as he spoke, and Sláine wouldn't doubt the man was emotional with how he was currently reacting—and everything he could feel through the bond.

"Mo ghaisgeach rionnag." The prince kissed his mate again, making sure that every emotion and every drop of pride he felt towards Eurion was conveyed. "Being blessed by a god is not something small or unimportant. I should know." A kiss to the man's cheek, because he couldn't stop smiling. This whole encounter was surreal, but he knew he'd remember the look on Eurion's face at receiving the stars forever. Sláine would cherish that memory for as long as he lived, and would never stop thinking about it in times that he needed his day brightened, or times when he needed to remind his mate that he mattered so much, that he was worthy and beloved and special. "Embrace it, acushla. She chose you, and I imagine for no small reason."

Blessed are the stars that choose their champions. Something his mother would say when he was a child looking up at the night sky. Maybe she had seen the Fae lands before, witnessed Skyfall. It seemed fitting, and she was much older than the both of them combined—Clíodhna had become a mother much later in life than most—so maybe she had been talking about this moment right here. She wasn't a prophet by any means, just a Mhic Arthfael, but sometimes he wondered just what she got up to in her youth to have so many tidbids of wisdom and comfort, so many sayings. But either way, regardless of if she had visited Skyfall before, it was fitting for this moment. His star champion, Eurion Beddoe. His mate.

He didn't care that he had gotten one as well. Not as much as Eurion's gift, because his mate had gone through life feeling undeserving of anything remotely good. Sláine said the man was perfect for him, and the assassin hid away while denying such thing as a truth. It was fitting, though, that he be blessed by the Eclipse, to catch two stars on a day he had never been around to witness. The prince idly wondered if the Eclipse had been waiting for this day, waiting until Eurion showed up to witness her shower of stars so she could bestow one onto him. The stars and constellations on both their robes were entirely too coincidental for him to thing this wasn't something meant to be. The assassin was night himself—ethereal, shrouded in shadows, and decorated with the most beautiful features. Even when scary and daunting, he was a helping hand with his light, a comfort for those who needed his calm. Sláine had always loved the night; mystery and wonder and magic lived there.

There were too many emotions pouring through him for Eurion to think straight. Too many thoughts in his already clouded brain. He had been so determined to make tonight perfect for his companions that he hadn't cared, really, if the night was to be perfect for him, too. This was more than he ever could have hoped for or imagined. More than he could have dreamed of. Nothing would ever be able to compare, not really. He was sure that he would have other beautiful moments like this with his mate further down the line, in fact, he was going to make sure that they more of these moments, whatever happened to them. Deserving or not, blessing or not, Eurion wanted this, for them. More than he could find the words to express, he wanted to go through life with Sláine from here on out.

After being alone for so long, it was an overwhelming feeling. The want to spend a life with someone. Eurion didn't know if he was able to do it, but from how they had interacted so far, he was sure that they would be. At least he hoped, as long as they didn't have any more hiccups along the way caused by witches and Gods.

Well, the Gods were always going to be an issue in his mind. The assassin couldn't see a way out of the bonds and chains that they had placed on him but he would work around it. He wouldn't let them fuck up his mind again and cause them any more issues. Whatever they manipulated in his mind when it came to Sláine he would take with a grain of salt from here on out and go to his prince first. He would endure that pain over and over again if it meant staying with him. Eurion had decided over the last week, but it was only solidified now that they were together, in this moment, that he would take all the pain that they gave him a hundred times over if it meant keeping Sláine safe. The man in his arms deserved someone protecting, and Eurion wasn't going to let the Gods get to him.

"She chose us." The assassin said. Had chosen not only them, but Aideen and Caoimhe, too. All of them had been chosen by the Eclipse, and the fact that it hadn't just been him almost made it all the more special. They all had something to bond over now, something that connected them all to one another, "All four of us. Sláine, my star-" Eurion pressed another kiss to his mate's lips, and in one swift move, was picking the man up in his arms, hooking his hands under his legs to hoist him upwards with a grin that was incredibly light and cheeky, "You were right to say we should visit."

Sláine hadn't noticed the other two get their stars, but with a quick tug of magic from Caoimhe, he looked in their direction just in time to see their stars combining and entering their hearts. Even from that quick moment he managed to glean, they looked so happy and full of childish wonder. Caoimhe was crushing Aideen to his chest and she had her arms wrapped tightly around him. They all deserved this, all deserved to have this happy moment filled with blessings and promises of a better future. Hope. If they hadn't gone to Skyfall like Sláine had proposed, they wouldn't have this. Maybe him and Eurion wouldn't even be this happy together or sure of their relationship.

He was broken from his thoughts and attention on his family when Eurion spoke. The prince grinned and tightened his grip, just as thrilled that they had all been chosen in that way. Just as he was about to make a comment on the 'my star' addition, Eurion was kissing him quiet, then had hands on his thighs and was hoisting him into the air. Sláine made a noise of surprise, not expecting the movement, but then he was laughing and holding onto his mate's face, his legs hooking around Eurion's waist for added support. "I basically bullied you into coming, and now you're saying I'm right?" he teased, "I'm almost offended." But not offended enough to not swoop in and steal another kiss, too happy right now to not want to celebrate with his lover. His assassin. His.

The Eclipse had blessed them all, but Sláine was blessed way before this moment. He had been given to the best man he could've ever hoped to meet. An assassin tasked with killing him, but in reality, the sweetest, cuddliest, and kindest man to ever exist. Eurion was perfect for the prince. He'd say that he couldn't tell which one felt better to receive, but it would be a lie. He'd always choose his mate over anything, especially when he had the man holding him like he was and had that cheeky little grin.

Kissing the assassin again, Sláine nudged his nose against the man's and brought their foreheads together. His smile never faltered, that happy and content expression never leaving his face. He was comfortable in Eurion's grasp and never wanted to lose this man again. The chains that dug into his skin were hardly a bother, but they were a major reminder of what was to come later. If Eurion was looking at him like that now? He'd never survive the night. "She might've blessed us," Sláine whispered, just for his mate to hear and no one else, "but there will be more blessings to come. Just as you've gifted me with your presence already, which won't top anything else. Baby," he tacked on, just because he could.

Eurion couldn't help the laugh that escaped him, light and airy and so different to how they had been when they first met. It was strange to think that in such a short amount of time, they had become so close, even after everything that had happened with the Gods. But in the same sense, maybe if what had happened, hadn't occurred, they wouldn't be where they were now. Anything could have stopped them from having this moment, but against the odds so far, they made it. He had his mate in his arms, wrapped around him and Eurion had never been happier.

There was an overflow of emotions pouring through him. From happiness to awe, hope and wonder and disbelief. Miracles were never granted to someone like him, but yet he had two. He had Sláine, a prince, his prince, the man he had been sent to kill and yet had turned out to be his mate, and then the Eclipse had blessed them with their own stars. Stars and blessings and beauty and She had chosen them for a reason. Not just everyone was granted such a gift. Her stars didn't just end up with anyone, they didn't just pick at random and decide to stay with those on the ground simply because they wanted, they chose them for a reason, She had deemed them worthy. If he ended up with any more blessings from Skyfall then Eurion knew he might explode into stars himself.

Sláine calling him baby, however, pulled him out of his thoughts and had the assassin blushing in an instant. After not hearing it for so long, and the way the man said it, how could he not? He wasn't exactly the type to be called baby on a regular basis for it to be normal, or for him to react in any other way. It made his heart flutter and dance in his chest just as it had done that very first time his prince had called him that. A tease that would never end, from the way his prince was looking at him. And those chains that Eurion could feel under his hands from where they rested on his lover's thighs only added to that blush. Knowing what was there was what was to come, what they would undoubtedly be getting up to later with or without them, the assassin was losing his mind from it all.

But, no matter what happened, no matter what they ended up getting up to back at their temporary home, as long as Eurion was with Sláine, he didn't care. As long as they were together and they weren't separated again, it didn't matter. All he wanted was to spend time with him, to be in his presence and never leave. Without him, it was as if a piece of himself was missing, and he wasn't about to experience that feeling unless he had to, "You are everything I could ever let myself dream of and so much more, Sláine. You are the gift."

Sláine might've been the one in Eurion's arms, suspended by just the hands on his thighs and his own grip around the man's waist, but there was a sort of power trip at being able to cause the assassin to blush so cutely practically on command. All he had to say was one little word. and Eurion would crumble right there. And his grin showed just how accomplished he felt about that ability he held. Sláine nuzzled his nose against Eurion's, feeling that delicate heat, and reveled in it.

"If you refuse to believe you are my gift," the prince said, still intent on making the man blush and crumble, "then believe you are still my acushla. My baby. I could never ask for a better man to make my life complete than you. You've made me feel like the luckiest man in the world. No title or any of the privileges it can give would ever match your worth." Sláine kissed down Eurion's cheek, then down his jaw and neck. In the privacy of his mate's neck, he let the mask over his teeth drop, and gently teased a bite with a light press of his canines. Just enough to give the idea. His own neck still occasionally reminded him of the ache from all the bruises left from Eurion's attack, and now that he was close enough where no one would see, he wanted to tease a little.

"I'm glad you enjoyed Skyfall, though." Sláine tilted his head enough to peer up at Eurion, but kept himself hidden away. "I wanted to give you that experience and see you happy, and got even more than I could've asked for. If only you could've seen yourself. I don't think you'd recognize the man I saw. Still see." Because even though Eurion was calmer, he was still beaming and pouring all sorts of emotions into the bond. But Sláine would've been able to feel them regardless because it all poured off the assassin like a waterfall. The only times he had seen Eurion so happy, so unguarded, it had been times when it was only them; and the prince was behind proud and happy to see his mate like this at this kind of event.

"You're so beautiful," Sláine whispered. It was more of a soft exclamation to himself, not meant to be heard, but Eurion could hear it from how close they were. The prince was just simply in awe of how gorgeous and adorable and amazing his mate was when he had the chance to be happy. The entire week, he had missed out on that. He hadn't realized just how much he missed seeing Eurion light up.

The pet name only had Eurion darkening further, had his blush turning a deep red and stood out against his pale skin. He had never felt so much heat in his cheeks until Sláine came along. Just one word and he was putting in his hands, typical, considering he was currently the one holding his prince up. It only added to the overflow of emotions. Happiness had always been fleeting until now, until Sláine. He hadn't had anything to be happy about, really, other than a place to sleep and something warm to eat. Now he had a whole person. A man who could make him fold in every sense of the word. A man he was dedicating and giving himself too willingly, no matter what happened between them, he would always be Sláine's.

When his prince bit down on his neck Eurion couldn't help the very soft groan that tumbled from his lips, or the way his grip tightened around Sláine's thighs. Those chains were almost hot under his hands, a reminder of what he wanted to do later, when they got back. The promise he had made in that first inn when they had stalled for time. At least tonight, they had all the time in the world. No expectations as to when they had to get up the next morning, no worry of having to flee and hide away from the world in case someone was to barge in. Just them, for as long as they wished, and all the time they had been hoping for that first night.

But it was quickly counteracted by his prince calling him beautiful and it was as if whatever switch Sláine was in control over couldn't decide whether it wanted to be on or off. He couldn't go biting his neck and then calling him beautiful, of all things, because Eurion wasn't able to focus on both at the same time. Entirely unfair, but he supposed it was payback for what they had done earlier. What he had done earlier to his prince, because those marks on Sláine's neck was far more beautiful than him. It was almost a funny compliment, but from the way he spoke Eurion knew he was being serious, and most of his functions stopped working. Sláine was saying there was no one else for him, calling him beautiful and baby and biting at his neck and Eurion? Eurion had far too many emotions coursing through him to be able to differentiate what was being brought up from what word or sensation.

"You're more beautiful than I," He managed to get out. Because he was. Sláine was fire and amber and autumn leaves and the gentle touch of light to counteract his dark and shadow, "So much more. I hope you enjoyed Skyfall just as much as I did."

The next bite was unplanned but necessary. This one was harder, more at chance of bruising this time than last. "This isn't a competition. Or a suggestion. I said what I said and what I said was true." Sláine wasn't having it with Eurion downplaying himself, even if it gave him so many chances to compliment his assassin. "For even just one night, do me the favor of making me enjoy Skyfall even more than I already have. Because I have absolutely enjoyed Skyfall as much as you." Maybe not quite as much as Eurion, given the overwhelming excitement that his mate was riding high on, but damn near close. Mostly because of how much he had enjoyed watching Eurion experience it.

Sláine loosely held his assassin's neck, brushing a thumb over the hollow of his throat. "You are the stars we were blessed with, Eurion. You'll always be beautiful to me, in heart and soul, and in beauty." A kiss to Eurion's neck, and he tucked his head back against the other's shoulder and neck. The words he spoke were soft and meant for only Eurion, and his care and affection for the was clear in his tone. Even if was a low purr to keep on teasing. His newest goal was to fluster his mate to the point of accepting whatever was said just to have the prince shut up, either by telling him or making him in some way. "You are as perfect as this night. And as your prince, I'm declaring it our truth."

Content. Right here, in his mate's arms in the middle of an incredible moment, Sláine was content. Even with the fire simmering low within him from the feel of the chains and his mate's skin beneath his lips and teeth, he was comfortable and steady and humming from the perfection of everything. The night, Eurion, what was to come later, their relationship and how it was only more solidified. It was all so perfect.

The prince nuzzled into Eurion's neck and nipped at his skin, now just playing with him at this point because he could. He still remembered that groan he had pulled from his first bite. Feel that tightened grip on his thighs. Eurion was feeling so many things, Sláine knew, all because of the prince he was holding up. Vaguely, he wondered if he'd end up dropped from accidentally pushing Eurion to the point of a cute meltdown, where he'd hide in Sláine's chest and go quiet in the face of everything—just like that time in the inn, when the assassin had to hide away when told he was perfect for the prince. An unlikely duo, but perfect in every way for one another.

It wasn't fair that Sláine was able to hold and touch in other places when Eurion wasn't able to. Even though he had done this to himself, since he had picked him up to begin with, it had been a good idea at the time, less so now when he wanted to touch more. But, he also didn't want to put his prince down. Having him wrapped around his middle like he was, being more or less as close as he was able to get him at the moment, was far better, in all honestly. They were only going to get closer later, and the more Sláine touched and kissed, the closer that time drew near.

Because that harder bite to his neck had another groan escaping him before he was able to stop it. Every weak spot, his prince seemed to know, and every bite and kiss sent shivers down his spine, his hands tightening, and that blush darkening. Those chains, even though the robes, were hot under his hands. Sent his thoughts once again spiralling down a path that had been tucked away with the excitement of Skyfall, and had arisen once more now that he was focusing his attention on his prince, "Sure, whatever you say," He managed to mutter, dropping his own head back into the crook of his mate's neck.

Eurion didn't believe his mate when he said all those things. They felt, as much as he could tell from Sláine's voice, the gentleness, the softness, that he was speaking the truth and not lying, but he couldn't bring himself to believe them. But, for the sake of not wanting to ruin the night, of making things take a different direction into something sad and upsetting, he would let up for the evening. Just for the evening. Tomorrow he could fight about it all they wanted, but he wasn't going to argue when he had his prince nipping at his throat and his legs around his waist.

"You're my star, just as much as I am yours." His prince was more of an angel and a gift from the Eclipse than the God herself. He was everything and more, and words would never be enough to express just how true he felt that was. Eurion wanted the world with Sláine, the good, the bad, and wanted to share and express secrets he had kept hidden for so long. The only person who would truly know him the best, would be his prince, and tonight was just the start of that.

Sláine laughed into Eurion's skin and licked the spot he had bitten, just as an excuse to keep riling up his mate under the impression of soothing the bite—regardless of the fact that it wouldn't bruise at all. But, it had still been pressure. If Eurion liked being bitten, to the point of groaning while still in public, and holding the prince even tighter and tighter with every added tease, then Sláine was going to take advantage of that. He could feel his assassin's steady mental slide into other thoughts, could hear it in the hasty acceptance of the prince's words like he wanted to get the conversation done and over with. Sláine found exactly where he had bitten last time, and clamped his teeth back down with more force yet again.

He was needy. The excitement of the night wasn't anything to forget or look past as insignificant, because it wasn't, but it had only given him more excuses to want Eurion for himself. Him happy, full of joy and child-like wonder, smiling more than he had ever been—it had sparked that innate need to be close to him, to have him near and satisfied. Sláine wanted him more than he had before, because it wasn't just pure lust, it was something else. A deep-rooted care and affection that he didn't know how else to express besides teasing and tormenting, in kisses and touches and the tightening of his thighs around Eurion's waist. And with the way that the man was giving into his plea to accept the compliments for now and holding him so tightly, the slight signal from the bond, Eurion was feeling something similar. Perhaps just the thought of later.

It wasn't important, though. What was important was tonight, Skyfall, Eurion, all of the good that came out of this trip that the prince had pushed for. It was the start of a better path for them all, with hope for more to come. Sláine didn't respond to Eurion's declaration, but he did lick his latest bite and kiss it in acknowledgement. They were both each other's star. Their hope and blessing and incredible things in the world. Eurion shone brighter than anything in the world when he was happy and comfortable and in his element. He was Sláine's first instinct to turn to when in need of guidance or light. Wherever they were, he always knew where to look to find him.

As much as he wanted to drag Eurion back to their room and make that first promise fulfilled, Sláine was hesitant. Eurion might be thinking about those things and reacting to the bites, but this was still Skyfall. They were still enjoying the moment of the blessings and reveling in the importance of the moment. Eurion most of all, knowing just how significant it was to be blessed by the stars. But the innate need was there, especially with all the reminders. And staying respectful was difficult when pressed tight against the man he was currently thinking about.

Sláine may have been staying respectful, but Eurion certainly was starting not to care about that. The main event, the most important event, was over. The Eclipse had faded away and all that was left was the moon in the wake of it all, and the glimmering stars that remained in the sky that hadn't fallen. The music had started up once more. Eurion didn't know when it had stopped, but it was just another thing that he didn't care about. It was loud and distantly had him swaying with Sláine in his arms, but there was no more acknowledgement than that. He had his prince, he had those stars and he had spent the most important moment of the year with his mate. There was nothing else that he needed or wanted.

Every tease and bite had his attention moving further and further away from Skyfall to his prince. The crowd around them was beginning to disperse from the mass that it was, with some Fae heading home, others continuing on to party, and some staying to enjoy the music in the centre of the city. The festivities would continue on for days. It really didn't matter if they spent all of tonight partying, drinking away or whether they did that tomorrow. Realistically, Eurion knew that they couldn't afford more than a day or a night to spare and have fun, not with the Gods pressing down on him and in the back of his mind constantly. They were here to have fun, yes, but they also were here for a more important matter than Skyfall. It had been that event that Eurion had come to see, and even though he was still riding high from watching, experiencing and receiving those stars, all he wanted was Sláine.

Because there would always be another festival. There would always be another event to go to that was similar to Skyfall with extravagant outfits, music, dancing and flashiness. That wasn't the special part about this. It had been watching the sky erupt in light and fall to the ground like it was raining from the heavens, and being under the Eclipse in all her beauty. That was what had been the most important, and Eurion had finally been able to live that moment, live that dream.

But with Sláine kissing and nipping at his neck the way he was, Eurion wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the night with him. It would be the perfect end to a perfect event. After having to wait back at that inn, then being ignored when they could have easily had at least something to satisfy one another, how could he not be desperate? He had a man, a prince, as his mate, and the most beautiful prince at that, in his arms, had those chains and his mark and bruises underneath his skin. Eurion had the most perfect man teasing him, knowing exactly where his mind was headed, and the assassin almost couldn't wait any longer to finally take the other as his, all the way, "Sláine," Eurion's voice was breathy, low and more of a rumble than anything else, and his hands moved from the man's thighs to his ass in a sow, calculated move with an added squeeze.

Sláine squeezed his legs tighter around Eurion when he heard his name said like that. And then with that slow transfer from his thighs to his ass, and an added squeeze? The prince groaned into his mate's throat and clung on tight, pressed as close as he could get while being held up. Eurion wasn't allowed to do that to him, wasn't allowed to just hold his ass and say his name like that, when Sláine was trying to not instigate too much. Weren't they supposed to dance and drink and enjoy their night? They could—should—wait to have their fun later, after enjoying the festival that they all had wanted to be a part of to begin with. Somewhere in the crowd, he could hear Aideen's laughter and squeals as Caoimhe twirled her about, both of them getting steadily drunker by the minute.

But Sláine was quickly losing the desire to get down and dance and replacing it with the need to squirm and go back to their room to have their own version of fun. To take off the robes, have nothing but the chains against his skin and Eurion's hand as a necklace, to know nothing but the touch and voice of the man holding him. His mate, his assassin, his gentle giant who could be so rough with the prince when he wanted to be. Eurion was absolutely perfect and fit Sláine in every way, down to the grip he had on his ass and how comfortable he was buried away in his neck.

The prince warred with himself. Did he encourage it, get Eurion to drag him back to their room to get a head start on their evening? Resign himself to not fully experiencing the festival because he was too horny and desperate for his assassin, had missed him too much to say no? He had barely had even a single drink, and the closest he was getting to a dance was Eurion swaying with him to the music. But… if he did say yes, he could claw all he wanted at Eurion, could submit himself to the assassin's every whim and boiling need simmering beneath his skin. Sláine could get everything he had been craving a week ago, all alone in the bedroom with nothing but Eurion's thoughts and fantasies and his own hand. Could get even more. If he said no, he would have to wait for all of that, while remembering the feel of the hands on his ass, those groans, and that breathy rumble of his name. He'd get to experience more of the festival, get to drink and dance, but he did that at any event with music and drinks. The most special part of the festival was over.

Sláine panted against the assassin's skin and squirmed in his grasp, releasing a soft whine that may have had 'please' tossed in there. Fuck it. He had missed this man too much to not pass up on the opportunity to have more time with him, alone and without Aideen and Caoimhe. He wanted to be greedy.

Considering that Sláine had been the one that had been teasing Eurion only a few moments ago, now it was his turn to revel in the fact that he had drawn a whine out of his prince. He had always known that he had a thing when it came to noise, especially when it came to drawing them out of his partner, it only made it better when they were coming from Slàine. It made him needier, hornier, desperate. Now he had the opportunity to draw them from his prince and have him be louder, with no care who heard because he was planning on making the man scream and he finally was able to so.

He couldn't help the way he smirked, the way his hands once again squeezed only this time it was harder, with more purpose, "Please what?"

Eurion's voice was just as silky as the robes they were wearing. Even though they were a rumble, well, a purr, honestly, they were laced with honey and silk and seduction and he wanted nothing more than to take his prince back to their room, slam that door shut and not let them out until neither of them could move or go another round. But he wanted to hear it from his prince first. He had waited far too long and Eurion was determined to drag it out for as long as possible, make Sláine beg until he was nothing more than a desperate puddle under his hands and Eurion could do whatever he wanted to the man with little to no complaints.

If Sláine hadn't spent the week ignoring him, then they might have at least had something to keep them distracted, keep them satisfied even if they couldn't go all the way like they wanted. But they hadn't had that. They had been separate and ignored and Eurion was wanted to make Sláine work for it. He could give the assassin that much. Eurion would give his prince everything that he wanted and more, make good on all those promises, but only if he heard the man beg for it, first. In that crowd, where if someone listened just a little harder they would definitely hear. People could definitely see where his hands were, but that wasn't enough.