CH 51: Reconciles

(A/N: Hellooo, everyone! What's up?! It's been quite a while, hasn't it?! Well, quite a long time for me anyway, since I don't think I've ever gone this long without uploading a new chapter, even though it's just been two weeks. But I'm slowly making a comeback, or at least trying to!

Now, why haven't I been active lately? Because I've been too busy playing the Souls franchise, man! I was too busy playing Dark Souls 1, and after finishing it, jumped straight to Dark Souls 3! But had to come back to the university again, so I still haven't finished Dark Souls 3 yet. I had just killed the Dancer and progressed a bit before leaving, so I wonder how much of Dark Souls 3 I have left before I start Demon Souls, Dark Souls 2 and Bloodborne lol.

Anyways, I'll be uploading again, and will try to be more active from now on ಠ⁠◡⁠ಠ.)

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Alistair "They'll never find your body" is such a weak line!"

Maliketh "Right?! It's charming, but it doesn't have that much appeal to it anymore!"

Alistair "Right, it doesn't sound as scary as some other alternatives! Such as,"

Alistair/Maliketh "They will never stop finding your body! Hahahaha great minds think alike."

Miquella "You two sometimes worry me..."

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"So how have you been?" Trina asked while sitting next to Miquella. She was leaning against him with a gentle smile, trying to break his awkward mood. In front of them was Alistair, who was peeling some fruits for all of them.

Miquella's eyes were locked to the ground as he spoke quietly, sadly "Shouldn't you already know that? It's not like... we are separate anymore..."

Trina placed her head on his shoulder, and although her smile grew sadder at the memories, it didn't leave her "Yes, I know. But still, I want to hear it from you. I want to hear you explain it to me. Hahahaha, but actually, I just want to talk to you after so long."

Miquella's lips trembled. But he swallowed his sadness, his guilt, to appease her "I've... been fine."

"How fine?"

"Well, I... I've finally had time, had the chance to actually enjoy life."

"Hmm, is that so? I'm glad to hear that." Her smile grew brighter. She closed her eyes as gently took his hand into hers, and even though he flinched, he didn't take his hand away "After all, unfortunately, you've never had the chance to truly enjoy life.

There was the curse, then our dysfunctional family, then our constant worry for dear sister Malenia, then the plans regarding Haligtree, and many, many more things. How little you could actually enjoy life always worried me, but I guess you've finally felt what living actually feels like. And I assume I have Alistair to thank for that, right~?"

Miquella's beautiful face grew a redder shade as he finally smiled, letting out a soft chuckle "Yes, that's correct. Thanks to him, I'm finally actually living rather than constantly worrying about everything and suffering from my curse."

Alistair smiled happily as he winked "You're welcome, my love!" Before offering them the fruits he had cut "Here, have some."

Trina chuckled at his enthusiasm, looking genuinely pleased as she took a piece of the appeal from the plane "Well, I'm glad to see you're in good hands. After all, I've seen just how much he treasures you~."

Miquella's blush grew, especially when Alistair grinned smugly "Of course! He is the love of my life, after all! It would be weird if I didn't treasure him!"

The demigod smiled mischievously, brattiness basically glinting in his eyes "Well, I guess it's the least he could do after I woke to find out that all my hard work for all those years had suddenly, completely vanished."

"Uh... well..." The Tarnished looked away awkwardly, but luckily for him, Trina came to his rescue with a teasing smile of her own "Oh, please. Don't act as if you'd rather have godhood over this. Do you have any idea just how happy you have been in the short time you have been together?"

Alistair did expect him to agree, but not as boldly as he did "Hahahaha, that's true. Not only can I finally enjoy such a happy life, I have such an amazing and caring consort, and he even helped me break the curse that has haunted me all my life!

And also..." Or as lewdly as he did, as his pretty foot began to nudge against his knee and playfully climbed higher, making him twitch as Miquella smiled seductively "My consort is seriously just so amazing~. Whether it's his looks," His foot slowly climbed higher "Or his body," And higher "Or his talent and skills in combat," And even higher, until he was dangerously close to his crotch, where Alistair was desperately trying to keep his junior calm "Or his skills in bed~."

The Tarnished's face twitched, his growing excitement was easily noticeable "Miquella, you're really acting out of character here, you know? It's really hot, don't get me wrong. But don't you think you're acting way too bold when we've just met St Trina?"

"Hahahaha, oh, my beloved." The golden femboy chuckled in amusement, licking his pretty lips and making his consort gulp "Did you forget what we talked about? With Trina, my pure, innocent and respectful love for you absent, the other forms of love I have for you grow stronger~. And what stronger forms of affection do I have for you other than pure lust and absolute possessiveness~?"

"Miquella~..." He glared playfully. He couldn't and wouldn't lie, Miquella acting like this was super hot. At any other time, it would make him leap at him instantly to absolutely breed him. Heck, Miquella even existing near him motivates him to absolutely breed him until he is thoroughly filled up with his essence.

But now... now his behavior only made him sad. Because although his words weren't lies, he could see something else in his eyes as well. And he was sure Trina could too, considering the sad smile on her face.

Sadness, desperation, guilt. They were apparent in his eyes, and now Trina was right next to him, he couldn't just leave facing his regrets for later. He had to do it now, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Fear was wrecking his heart.

Although he was confident in his decision before, the fear and guilt had come back all over again, triggering the fight or flight of his body. And although he tried to hide what he was feeling with all his might, both Alistair and Trina could easily see it.

"Miquella," He spoke gently, making Miquella freeze. He knew what that tone meant. It made him tremble, knowing what was coming next. There was no chance of running from his fears anymore.

"Please don't try to ignore Trina." He gently grabbed his trembling foot, rubbing it soothingly to calm him "Do it for her, and for me. Because we both hate to see you so sad. Please, my love?"

"I... I-I..." His facade was slowly breaking. The mask he was using to hide his true feelings was crumbling like sand. And Alistair knew, he simply needed a little push "Just be honest with her, Miq. Be honest with your own feelings.

There's no need for any fancy reasons. No need for any explanations about your grand plans. She already knows and understands them more than anybody else. But you already know what must be said, no?"

Miquella bit his lip nervously. He was a brave guy, that could never be denied. Who had the guts to play the entire world? Who had the guts to actually strive for godhood? Who had the guts to basically dissect themselves into pieces, both physically and emotionally?

Miquella was such a person. The picture perfect face of bravery, someone who would do anything to achieve his goals. But even his bravery wavered when facing the one who loved him so much, and the one he loved equally as much, yet was hurt so awfully by Miquella himself.

But in the end, as his mind was running a mile an hour, he decided to finally bite the bullet "Trina, I... I'm..." Despite his body's desperate wish to close his eyes shut, he kept those tearful orbs open and looked directly at Trina's sad eyes "I'm so, so sorry...

So sorry for hurting you so much... s-so sorry for abandoning you- hic..." And finally, he couldn't hold back the tears and sobs "I-I'm so sorry for –hic– for everything that I did!" He tried to wipe the tears, but they just wouldn't stop.

One of his trembling hands was stuck to his eye, constantly wiping the tears that didn't stop "I-I know, you may never –hic– forgive me for what –hic– what I did, b-but I j-just had to back then-"

But as he was bawling his eyes out, he froze when Trina threw herself into his hold, hugging him tightly and finally letting her own cries, her own sorrows out "It's okay, Miquella, –hic– i-it's alright! P-please don't –hic– be sorry, because I –hic– I know why you put yourself through all of that! So please don't –don't– apologize, when you're the one who suffered the most!"

Miquella quit trying to wipe his tears, his arms instinctively taking Trina in instead "B-but s-still, all that you went through because of me... how could you ever forgive what I did? I-it's just impossible, the pain and sadness I put you through-"

"No, that's not true." But Trina stopped him, pulling away just enough to look at his red eyes and take his tear-stained cheek into his hand "I was sad, extremely so. But it wasn't because you locked me away. I was sad because of what you chose to put yourself through.

I never once cared about my own condition, because I was always sad and worried for what you were going through all by yourself. So please, please, I'm begging you, don't blame yourself so much. Don't feel so guilty, because that's my role to take.

I was sad and haunted by nightmares everyday. The guilt of being unreliable despite being a part of you, to the point of being viewed as a weakness that couldn't help you in achieving godhood, and would only be a burden-"

"No! No, please don't say that!" Miquella cried out, golden eyes wide in horror as he pulled her away, his trembling hands firm on her delicate shoulders "P-please, never say that again! I never, not even for once, saw you as a weakness."

He placed his hand on her soft cheek, wiping away the tears "The reason I abandoned you in that wretched place was because you were far too dear to me to put you through that hell. The mere thought of you getting hurt because of my selfish desire shook me to my very core. So please, I'm begging you, never say or think that ever again."

Trina's eyes teared up even more, but with love rather than sadness, as she chuckled through sobs "Ahahaha, just what is this situation? Both of us are blaming ourselves, while trying to ease the guilt of the other. So who's the one to blame in the end?"

Her laugh, as always, was contagious to him. He found himself chuckling through the tears as well, smiling both sadly and lovingly "Isn't it obviously me? I'm the one who orchestrated the entire plan, set out on that godforsaken journey, and hurt ourselves and even poor Malenia. I hurt everybody who trusted me, even though I ruined the chances of success step by step with every step that I took."

Trina furrowed her eyebrows in frustration "Just how do you expect me to get over my guilt when you keep adding fuel to the flame? When you talk and think like this, it only makes me feel even guiltier, because I wouldn't have let you carry all the burden all by yourself."

"No, how is that even-" But just before the golden demigod could continue blaming himself, Trina put a finger over his lips, making him stop as he saw the desperation and sadness in her purple eyes "Miquella, please, just stop this, alright? Please, if you want to make it up to me even in the slightest, then please stop blaming yourself."

He looked like he wanted to continue despite the look in her eyes, but after hearing her words, his eyes widened and stopped himself completely. Reluctantly, he nodded in defeat, gently grabbing and holding her hand against his mouth "A-alright. Alright, I will stop. I'll try to, at least. So please don't make that face anymore."

Relief finally took over her, letting her finally smile and nod "Good, thank you."

An awkward, almost fearful light took place in Miquella's eyes "So... s-so, I know that i-it's wishful thinking, but do you... would you please forgive me? Even after all I did to you?"

Trina smiled in amusement and sadness "I told you, I never harbored any resentment towards you. But if you want forgiveness from me even after hearing that, then I can only grant you forgiveness if you forgive yourself."

"Hahaha, then just say it's impossible..." He smiled in sadness, but Trina's fond smile made him falter "No, that's not true. Not when we're here, right, dear Alistair?"

"Hmph, do you even need to ask?" Miquella only noticed Alistair's movement when he hugged him from behind and smiled against his tender shoulder "How could I ever let him have time to blame himself when I'm around? He only got this chance because I didn't want to ruin your moment. But from now on, I'm having none of that."

"And there you have it." Trina's smile was both loving and mischievous "Don't even think you'll be able to blame yourself when we are here. And after not being able to help you for so long, be sure that I'm going to make up for all the time I've lost. And now that me and Al have teamed up, you stand no chance~."

Miquella could only shake his head in amusement, but his love just couldn't be hidden "Haaah, I'm completely at a loss here, aren't I?"