[closed] they told me all of my cages were mental

[ordinar]

Who: Wilhelm & miscellaneous
When: throughout October & November
Where: Thorne, Horizon
What: Catchall for dramatic bitch fall
Warnings: will adjust as needed


Closed starters to follow. Maybe some open starters eventually.

Comments

[ushiri]

Even if Wilhelm speaks around the details, what he says makes Kahlil think of the gaun'im. Blood and power meant something different to the nobles than it did the church.

And Wilhelm's older brother.

"That's a heavy burden to carry." Even without being the way that they are. He lets out a breath and closes his eyes for a moment.

"I can see what you mean about having more freedom here."

No one in Thorne cares if they're with a man or a woman. They can be with whomever they want, without fear - to a degree. There's no promises that Thorne might someday use those relationships against them.

He keeps that to himself, though. Wilhelm has enough to worry about.

[ordinar]

It's a heavy burden to carry, and yet he feels that it shouldn't be so hard. He should be capable. Erik was capable. Inside of him tangle so many things. Relief that he can set aside the weight of the crown looming over his head. Guilt for that relief, for failing his brother. Frustration that his newfound freedom comes at the cost of losing any chance he had to be with Simon.

Wilhelm hums in acknowledgement of Kyle's words, which feel something like forgiveness, then settles into silence. It's the sort of silence that follows after you've pulled yourself open for someone else, and you both sit there in your shifted perspectives of one another. You take a minute to get used to being a more honest version of yourself.

Hauling himself back up to his feet, he stretches his limbs and releases a breath.

"I think...I'm ready to try again, Kyle."

[ushiri]

It's hard to trust someone else with your secrets. With your true face.

Maybe it's in part a self-serving impulse, that he sees so much of himself in the young man and wishes to protect him. No one looked out for him when he was Wilhelm's age. He does care about him, though. And he's glad he could share this much with him.

"C'mon, then." He shifts onto his feet in one swift motion.

He'll continue drilling him for a little while longer, then nudge him toward breakfast when they're done.