"For once in your life be selfish"
Elide was petting Abraxos in the aerie when Manon found her. Elide had found that the aerie was her safe place in war and after a fight with Manon about her safety and the war, Elide had fled her friends tent and hid out with Manon’s wyvern until she calmed down.
“Why don’t you care if you die?” Manon asks, sitting down next to her, joining her in petting Abraxos.
“Because if it was an option between me and Terrasen or Adarlan, I would give my self up in a heartbeat”
“I admire that”
“It’s not very admirable. It’s just what you have to do. You understand that people have to be sacrifices to save millions.”
“I don’t want you to die” Manon says gently laying her head on Elides bony shoulder. “I think your too selfless” She declares.
“I’d rather die than have my country be enslaved, if that’s what you mean” Elide mutters.
“Well what do you want?” Elide is stumped by the question as Manon lifts her head to stare into Elide’s eyes. Black on gold. Gold on black.
Elide sighs. “I’ve always been aware that no one cares what I want. But I want my country to be saved.” Manon arches her eyebrow.
“I care what you want. But to be honest, everyone in this army wants their country to be saved. So, for once in your life be selfish. Elide, what’s something you really want for yourself?” Elide stands and walks around Abraxos, avoiding Manon’s gaze.
“You” Elide whispers, so quietly that Manon doesn’t hear her.
“What?” Manon questions, standing and coming to stand in front of Elide.
“You, Manon. The one thing I want to myself is you” Suddenly ashamed, Elide walks away from Manon’s shocked gaze, out of the aerie and to her own tent, pushing the flaps open violently and letting them collapse violently. Elide flops onto her cot, screaming into the pillow.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid… Why would Manon want your runty ass? Her mind yells.
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Manon was surprised. Elide’s reaction was unexpected. Very unexpected. Well, at least it confirmed Manon’s feelings toward the witchling.
Abraxos’ snorting broke Manon’s shocked reverie. He gave Manon a gentle shove in the direction Elide went in, almost as if to say go get her. Running out into the camp and slowing down, she gently pushed back the opening to Elide’s tent, causing her to whip round to face Manon from where she was looking at a map.
Elide swallows. “Manon, I’m sorry, I- I just- um-“ Manon took a stride toward her, taking Elide’s face in her hands and tilting it to let their lips meet. Elide froze, but her lips were still soft and gentle against Manon’s. Elide relaxed, putting her arms around Manon’s neck, pulling her closer and moving her hands in her hair. The kiss was slow but fierce, all the witches pent up anger, frustration and passion coming out.
Pulling away from Elide for air is probably one of the hardest things Manon has down since fighting her grandmother at Morath. Elide is staring at her in wonder.
Manon clears her throat. “Don’t ever be sorry for being selfish. Don’t ever apologise for wanting what you want.” Elide rolls her eyes and pulls Manon back to her.
The two witches spend the rest of the day curled beside each other on Elide’s cot and for once, Elide is glad she was selfish.