[attr="class","matias"]his grip slides along noivern's fur, coming dangerously close to slipping free, but he persists, stubborn in his determination to win. his other hand reaches up to curl around its fur, entangling within the thick mess. it's enough to see him through to the end, even as noivern sloppily jerks to the side to avoid the strike of lightning.

finally, they braek through.

and the sight around them is beautiful. he lets out a laugh as he peers around, grip and body relaxing as he shifts on noivern's back. he keeps a hand tight as he leans his body outwards, now able to peer down without much resistance.

it's only then that he looks to eva, grin wide on his features, and like earlier in the day, he reaches a hand up to his chin, then pulls it forward to sign a thank you.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

It’s still compared to the chaos they just experienced. Mehira finds a wind current to float in. Despite the mega evolution, she can feel the dragons breathing deeply beneath her, recovering from the exertion. Eva herself breaths deeply in an effort to tame her racing heart. She folds forward, lying against the Salamence’s neck as she peers out over the horizon. A hand strokes the dragons scales in praise. The sky burns orange and yellow as the sun threatens to set. It’s cold way up here, but the liquor and wetsuit do a good job of sheltering her from it.

Matias rises into view. His grin his familiar. Eva sits up slightly and smiles as he signs thank you. She returns it the only way she knows how: With two finger guns.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]two finger guns. he chuckles, though he doesn't return them this time. instead, he tugs on noivern's fur, causing them to drift closer.

"that was close."

his voice still carries despite the wind that flows all around them, silencing. but it's nothing compared to the chaos of the storm below them. here, he peers out at the setting sun as noivern settles almost against the salamence, the two dragons simply floating in air, side by side.

for the first time since he arrived, he feels safe.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

She remains slumped over the dragon’s neck, but props herself up on one hand while the other continues to stroke the Salamence’s emerald scales, “Yeah, you almost got us there,” she’s obviously impressed by the way her gaze drifts down Matias and to the Noivern, approving.

Mehira eyes the Noivern curious as it creeps closer. She doesn’t move, not without a command from Eva. As the adrenaline fades, so does the Mega Evolution. The Salamence’s body morphs, wings shrinking and pulling closer. Here, Eva lies in silence, content on enjoying the view for a little while longer.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]noivern hovers in the air with its wings stretched wide. it brings it down every now and again, keeping it somewhat steady, but nowhere near as steady as the salamence is. it threatens another roar, another BOOMBURST, but it quickly relents under matias' command.

here, they float together, watching the sun dip just below the horizon. when it eventually does, matias tugs, shifting closer while remaining mindful of the salamence.

"eva."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Mehira is steady, secure. There’s not a moment Eva falters or feels the need to hang on. They simply rest together on the chosen current of wind alongside Matias and his Noivern. It’s all strangely comforting. She imagines this is what heaven must be like, if such a place exists. She hopes this is where the souls she couldn’t save found their peace.

The sun disappears. It gets colder. She sits up as Noivern creeps even closer. Her gaze turns towards Matias at the sound of her name, “Yeah?”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]they're close enough now that he can just reach out. his mind considers something he had already long decided on. his arm crosses the threshold between them, reaching for her.

the cold dissipates, not even lingering as he finds her, and should she allow it, he'll pull her close to meet her lips.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

He doesn’t answer in words. It’s a touch she isn’t expecting and a pull that surprises her. There’s warmth. She sees what’s coming. There’s been too many things unsaid and too much pain shared. Kindred spirits, reunited. She shouldn’t allow it, but she does. Their lips meet, and she kisses him back. Her heart races for reasons other than a cheap thrill. It’s still reckless and giving in is dangerous, but it’s hard to smother old flames.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]when they finally break, his hand lingers, caressing her cheek. he brushes strands of hair that move with the wind, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone known for being so hardened.

he chuckles, finding his breath. unsure of what to do, he simply holds his gaze, admiring, reminiscing.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

He pulls away, but not far. His touch lingers on her cheek and her hands remain gently resting on his chest. He’s gentle, she’s timid and wary. Both are caught off guard it seems.

A small laugh accompanies his chuckle along with a small smile. She too is at a loss for words, unsure where to go from here. She’s conflicted. That much is clear in the way she lowers her gaze, but she doesn’t move. She doesn’t want to.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]he doesn't want to either.

so they don't. he makes no notion to leave, no desire, and simply floats next to her, drifting close as he shifts his gaze out at the setting sun.

up here, it becomes easy to ignore and forget, and even if they only had minutes, an hour if they're lucky, he'll still take it.

somewhere in between, he asks:

"are you cold?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

The distant growl of thunder below them breaks the pleasant silence. It reminds her they can’t stay up here forever, no matter how pleasant it may be.

Her gaze looks back towards him when he speaks. Her shoulders shrug and she doesn’t lie, “A little, yeah” she uses it as an excuse to lean closer.

Eva isn’t one to waste a moment in life. One of the many things she’s learned is that sometimes life doesn’t give you many of those. She’s watched too many people die young. No regrets. So she gives in, leaning close enough to rest her head on his chest.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]he reaches an arm out when she leans close, falling around her body into a half-embrace. noivern stays surprisingly steady despite the odd position it's forced into. the TAILWIND that flows right under it must be helping to keep it afloat.

he feels her head against his chest and leans into jt. his heartbeat remains steady, aided by the comfort of her warmth, and though thunders sound from below threaten to pull him away, he remains in the moment with her.

"better?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales