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On one side of the bridge, a speck of light.
Is it after dusk that the urge unravels itself? Does it begin to shine at the break of dawn? Or is it always brewing, – inside, a cauldron, everheated by an infernal heart, caged behind the iron bars of the ribs?
Unsettling uncertainty, it is, while is most familiar.
On the other – a flame, slowly putting itself out by burning too bright.
Here, no questions are asked, yet many statements are made. If not me, then nobody else. If not as soon as possible, then never. If not successful, yet again, a failure. Yet again, a failure.
Mangled mantra, it is, while is most fresh.
It is impossible, at least for now, – to close one's eyes and not think of one's own demons.
Her hooves hopped on and chopped in half all the unfortunate twigs on the ground as she skipped through the forest clearing. To a stranger, a hunter, perhaps, the sounds would most likely appear as ones of a deer, yet very scarce game had been seen in these parts lately, so it would, inevitably, raise concern more than any desire to hunt or simply admire the local fauna. A fiendish giggle or two that followed after would, undeniably, dispel any wish to stay in the proximity altogether.
For all but a couple of trusted ears, albeit tiny ones.
— Holy smokes, how I lo-o-ove a good glade! – A heartfelt cheer filled the air, as Tyranny spinned and spinned, throwing her hands up into the air. – Especially since we've been on the worst kinds of roads for so long! Though they do have their charm, I can't lie.
— I don't mean to sound rude, but… Many, quite different things seem to excite you sometimes... – A questioning interest peeked out the branches above, as Thimble rustled through the leaves to look at the swirling, chaotic yet weirdly charming funnel of blue and pink below. – At the same time.
— Ah, but isn't that so freeing? In the world where “one must be pure, everpure, and nothing pureless,” – almost spewed out Tyranny, most likely incorrectly remembering the quote of her friend, for so many of them are pronounced day-to-day, it's easy to get lost or mix them up, – I like gross stuff, sweet stuff, pretty stuff, ugly stuff! Equally so and unevenly not!
She twirled one last time, then fell backwards with her arms and legs outstretched, making her iconic “grass demon.”
“No snow exactly, nor am I an angel, quite the opposite.” – She always said.
— But doesn't that get sort of… confusing? – Thimble lowered herself now, floating just a few feet above the figure on the ground, to continue the conversation more closely, as if treading a dangerous, sensitive perhaps, territory. – Does that not make you mix up, well… good and evil? Black and white?
— Everything's all kinds of colors. – Tyranny shrugged, smiling tenderly at the bits of sunlight passing through the bending trees. – It's for me to choose what shade I treat it with.
The pixie, hands behind her back, as if not to appear judgmental, didn't find anything to say to that, but the way her eyebrows raised – it's safe to assume that if they could speak, they would've said “wow.”
The birth of the firelings from the scorching wood flew up into the air like a swarm of tiny phoenixes. Many of them ended their journey just as fast as it had started.
With each passing day, more and more things that reflected in her own eyes made Thimble remember what and who she had lost. It's almost as if she stopped feeding her mind with consecutive distractions, it's all she could think about. But she knew better than to let it burn herself alight.
And so she urged to extinguish the inextinguishable, throwing ever more kindling into the fire.
— Teor is on the watch, y’know? You don't have to sit here all gloomy like that. – The giggly one from earlier today entered the scene, tail swinging slowly side to side, maybe in a fleeting attempt to soothe. – He's fearsome enough to scare off the bad guys, so with this vibe you have going on right now, at the camp’s backlines, it's surely an overkill.
Particularly since Wicander had cast a protection ward around the area, granting them more privacy to rest.
— Hello, Tyranny. – Was her only, dreary answer.
— Oh wow. See what I mean? – Tyranny wanted to add: “Like, are we at a funeral or something?”, but quickly stopped herself, since they quite literally were attending one just a couple of days ago.
Thimble, sitting on a small rock and hugging her legs, looked up from under her eyebrows, as she watched the other settle down by the fire. The pixie started, suddenly, in a trembling whisper:
— I don't think I could ever understand you. And it… – she stopped for a moment, breathing in to collect herself and not break into crying, – it… sucks! It sucks so much-
Ending with a squeak more than a yelp, Thimble practically tossed her head to the side, turning away and staring at her shoulder. It felt weak. She felt weak.
— Hey! Hey-hey-hey! – Tyranny’s reaction was almost instantaneous, though truly surprised she was, lowering her hand towards the pixie, offering the tip of her index finger as a brush for her hair. – Thimble, girl, what's wrong? Did I say somethi-
— No! What? No! Of course not!? – Thimble suddenly straightened out her back, both surprised at the touch, and at Tyranny's words. Her own words were fired so distinctly, like arrows, so they truly hit what they meant. – I'm so sorry, I…
And then she buried her face back in between her knees as she curled up once more, like a little hedgehog under the rain.
— I am so… jealous at how confident you are. How fine with being free you are. How… – she couldn't continue, once again, stopping herself not to spring into tears.
— Thimble, let me see you. Look at me?
The request, a command almost, tone demanding yet sweet, grounded the pixie, and she raised her head to meet the demon's eyes, for the first time this night.
The paint of concern and genuine care made it ever so harder to keep the tears at bay.
— I don't recognize the strong, badass pixie I've known all these… few days, – a soft laugh escaped Tyranny, but she came back to her initial thought straight away, – listen, in no way am I saying that crying isn't badass, but, y'know… Do you want to talk about it?
After a few moments of a silent exchange and an eventual nod, Tyranny was permitted to continue:
— You said just then, if I heard right, how you envy my confidence… Well, – another giggle escaped Tyranny, this time a more nervous one than anything else, – I guess it's as good a time as any to spill the truth.
Before Thimble could even utter a “Huh?”, Tyranny breathed in as much air as she could, eyes shut, and said as fast as she could, in a loud whisper:
— I’m not actually confident at all and I’m constantly scared of so many things like what I’m supposed to do in this life and what is too much and what isn’t is so confusing and how I’m probably the biggest burden to everyone around me and the only thing I can do with certainty is fuck around and find out which truly means nothing to anyone including myself!
As she finished, she reluctantly yet quickly opened one eye to witness Thimble’s reaction. When none that could be deemed certain came, Tyranny dropped her shoulders and rolled her head in self-inflicted embarrassment.
— Please tell me you caught at least some of that. I do not want to repeat it.
— Tyranny, I… – Thimble finally spoke, her voice way less raspy as it was a few minutes before, – I had no idea that…
— Yeah, well, why would you? Well, – a gulp interrupted her speech, as Tyranny realized how rude she must've come out just now, shaking her head slightly either in apology, in self-discipline, or both, – I'm sorry, it's just… Like, of course you would think that me, a demon, is just like that, as if I want to be like that. Run around, curse somebody out, give a half-assed apology, move on with my life, not a care in the world…
There was a moment of hesitation. The wind rustled the leaves of the dark blue trees around them, corners of which were lit up ever so slightly by the fire.
If the presence of a spark meant there's more burning to be had, what is one demon to do? Tyranny hugged herself subconsciously, hiding her hooves under the skirt. Guess nothing, but talk about it. And so she continued:
— Not at all. I beat myself up about it, every time. And to mask… As a lot of it sits on the surface, I play the drums and dance on it, to distract others from.
By the time Tyranny finished her part, the air between them became warmer. Not a damaging type of warmth, but a healing one.
She couldn't recall the last time she was so extremely vulnerable with someone about herself. Of course, she acknowledges her imperfections out loud quite often, but never did it feel this… intimate.
— You know, I take my words back, I think, – Thimble finally pronounced, a touch of a smile on her weary expression, – I could understand you. I understand you. And… I'm sorry, I actually had no idea…
— Hey, it's no biggie, – said Tyranny with a gentle grin, straightening out of the unconfident posture into a more relaxed one, – like I said, well… Just not something that's expected from my kind. More importantly…
She leaned in to lie down on her stomach and face Thimble, laying her chin on crossed arms. To make the gesture even clearer, she raised her finger and booped the pixie’s nose gently with a message that read loosely: “Your turn to spill the beans.”
— It's something new to me, actually, in comparison to yours, I think… That's why it's so hard to word, to talk about, I haven't really… – and as Thimble saw the grimace Tyranny gave her, she got startled, and cleared her throat, – I just… feel like, along with the people I lost, I've been losing myself in the process. And… Thjazi, that really was the last straw. He made me what I am today, and he is. Gone. And if I don't…
She had to stop to think. To collect herself. To rationalize.
Tyranny gave her the time to word it.
— If I don't kill every last one who was involved in his death, – the fire suddenly burned brighter, though the kindle hadn't been added in a minute, – then all is pointless. Me being here is pointless.
— Unrelated, but…
— …What?
— You're so shiny in the dim light.
The most tender smile in front broke down the last brick of Thimble’s walls.
— I'm… – she didn't know what to say, and she had to say something quickly, or appear even sillier than anything about this night so far, – I'm always shiny… It's the dust?
After a few moments of silence, a profound, deep laughter filled the air.
— Girl, if I knew you were so goddamn amusing, I would've approached you day one!
— What- what are you on about?! Tyranny, I just-
— Spilled your beans? Well, so did I. Doesn't it feel better? We're really bonding, aren't we.
And before Thimble could object, or complain about Tyranny’s light-heartedness, a thought hit her like a lightning bolt. She does, truly does feel better, if just a little. But a little is already quite significant for a pixie her size.
— Nobody is perfect, you know. I think I already made that point pretty clear about myself. And since we're on the topic of sharing… – Tyranny rolled her eyes, looking around, mimicking deep reflection when there's little, for what she was about to share has been on her mind for an eternity already. – These urges I get? Like, the most embarrassing shit I know. You have no idea.
— What, – for some reason, Thimble giggled, although she was feeling so welcome and happy right now, she didn't even notice, – like the knife you stole from the old man?
— Yeah, that! – Tyranny quickly nodded her head, sitting up on her knees. – Sheesh! Just hearing you say that makes it sound ten times worse than it already does in my head!
— Okay, but I must admit, the fact that nobody noticed, even me? that was kind of hot, – the words escaped Thimble’s mouth before she could process it. But being a thief herself, could she really judge Tyranny for that act? Not really. “Nobody is perfect,” nor is everyone this striking of a person.
— Ha-ha, yeah, – laughed the demon, although… nervously?
An instance passed between them. A glance. Tyranny continued, for better or worse:
— Well, there are also… other urges I get.
At that, Thimble twitched her wing, and looked up, rising from the ground slightly.
— Yeah? – She said, already reading the situation all too well, teasing, still rising up to her. – Like what?
Tyranny froze as Thimble stopped right in front of her face.
— Uh, – the nervousness was now impossible to hide, and Tyranny leaned back, holding herself up by her arms, hands grasping the ground for at least some support, if not emotional, – when I feel like being with someone… Like…
— Sex? – Thimble cut her off, hands on her sides, leaning in.
Out of all things, Tyranny didn't expect to be outmatched in horniness. Especially not by Thimble. But when life throws pixie dust at you, you bet she takes it.
— Yeah, that one I get… very often. – Tyranny was about to look away, ashamed, masks fully off now, but was pulled back by Thimble’s words once again.
— Tyranny, I can assure you, this is, like, one of the most natural “urges” one can get. What, am I an irredeemable demon for having them too? A pixie-demon? – she then adds offhandedly, to herself, – is that a thing?..
— That's… insane to hear, actually.
— Well… – Thimble started nervously, but gathered up some confidence in the end. The two of them turned out to be not so different after all. – How about… some urge-indulging?
— Holy shit. Yes.
Cheeks burning up with excitement, Thimble looked around before proceeding, and finally flew up close and personal to Tyranny’s face. After a simple half-nod from the demon, the pixie left a small peck on her cheek, before continuing placing a few more all around. It made the other giggle – that soft, yet strong, genuine giggle Thimble heard just earlier today, oh how sweet it is, how intoxicating it is.
Tyranny raised her hands to her chest, in vain trying to stay still and quiet, but the kisses tickled so tenderly, it was overwhelming in the best way possible. Then, she leaned in, lifting up one of her hands some more, for Thimble to stand on, as she continued to smooch her whole face, before finally arriving at her lips. But before she could kiss them, something appeared in-between her small legs, as Tyranny folded a middle finger of her open palm where Thimble was staying, and curled it from below in-between her shorts, making her practically sit on it. The sudden touch sent a shudder down Thimble’s spine. At that, the demon slowly started to move her finger back and forth, as the pixie subconsciously started to apply first pressure, then friction, herself.
Tyranny never thought she would ever have a pixie straddling her nail for release, but oh, what a sight for sore eyes that was. If Thimble wasn't too distracted right now, she would probably be blinded by how bright the demon's eyes were shining at the view.
Not having any more self-restraint left, Tyranny raised her skirt with her free hand, and pressed on the spot that has been burning hot for a solid minute now.
A silent sound escaped her at her own touch, but audible nonetheless, and that attracted Thimble’s attention so well that it sprung her to grind on Tyranny if not faster, but harder. That made the latter bite her lip, eyes barely staying open now, but she would burn her eyelids if she had to, just to watch Thimble for a moment more.
The fabric of the pixie’s pants grew hotter with each rubbing thrust, and she couldn't help but start shaking as she was already nearing her peak. She opened her eyes to meet Tyranny’s face, and just the sight alone almost did it for her. The face in front of her was shining, burning up like the brightest fire she has ever seen, cheeks such vibrant, deep pink color, like the ripest peaches. She wanted to kiss them again so badly. Bite into them, if she was allowed.
— Fuck, Thimble. You should see yourself right now. You're amazing, – whispered Tyranny, a shudder running down her back as the pixie, sweaty and shaky, gave her a smirk.
— Says the most drop dead gorgeous demon I know.
With the words, the motion under the skirt simultaneously became faster.
But not only that, as Tyranny noticed Thimble grinning, being too satisfied at her quip, she raised her own chin to keep her face horizontal, then raised her palm, and let Thimble and her legs slide right onto her nose.
That really made Thimble let out an audible moan. Tyranny couldn't help but breathe in, smelling the pixie’s wet shorts, which brought her ever closer to her release, if not pure descent into insanity. Just like that, as if a monument to something truly unholy in someone's eyes, but never theirs, the two let out their last moans as both shook uncontrollably, and spilled into their garments. Along with the pixie’s natural release soaking through, some glitter-like dust spread around Tyranny’s nose, dripping onto her lip, and she couldn't help but lick it, as if it was the sweetest, forbidden nectar.
The labored breaths and exchanged stares that followed brought another urge of a similar kind soon after.
There sure would be many conversations to be held in the morning. But as the moonlight shone on them sharing each other's bodies and souls, it never crossed their mind, it didn't matter. For they truly saw each other in that burning moment – of pleasure, comfort, recognition.
And if before it was impossible for Thimble to close her eyes and not think of her own demons, tonight her mind was occupied by only one.
And what a truly wonderful demon that was.