Now we’re both casualties in this

It was silent as she spoke, a resounding vibration of her voice as it bounced from the cavern walls, muffled and hardly heard from beyond the opening with the storm that rang outside. Thranduil had nothing to add for the moment, and perhaps that was for the better as she explained her experience, as she tore open the stitches that covered her chest and offered him her secrets and reasons why she was like she was, laying them on a golden platter for only him to see. There was tension in the air, an almost tangible feeling as she spoke to him, but it wasn’t the gut wrenching horrible tension (at least not for her), it was more of a feeling of making sure she said the right things. Though as her gaze raked over his exhausted gilded body, she figured he’d have no energy to dispel in arguing with her.

She spoke his ex-lovers name and let her eyes trail over his weathered body. They were able to share in this, to share the experience of lost love and long forgotten dreams. Of when their plans had been entirely revolved around the Kingdom and Palaces they hailed from – only doing the best they could do to create change. As it turned out, they both had managed to ruin something that could have been so great. Perhaps they were the same in this, broken forgotten souls gluing themselves up time and time again after the weight of the burden they bore grew too much and cracked the surface. Perhaps they needed each other more than they had thought. Thranduil had been the one to inadvertently protect her when she truly needed it most. And Rexanna was, and continued to be, the one that cared too much about others.

Maybe that’s what Thranduil needed, though. Someone that wouldn’t judge him and instead care for him and join him in the dark pit that seemed to envelope his heart and mind. Someone to bear the weight through it. The heavy burden displaced upon two backs was a far easier load than on the shoulders of one. And as she looked upon the Laurelin, she began to see the cracks from where the burden had begun to break him. Her eyes softened as her body lay beside him. His words began, slowly and broken as her pale ears swung to him, soft ocean eyes watching him as he attempted to continue on with the façade he had created. “I don’t know if I-” She stayed silent as he figured out what to say, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she hoped he wouldn’t say that he didn’t need her. As far as she was concerned, he needed her just as much as she needed him – to be the weight to even out the burdens they both faced.

“I need you…”

It was only a whisper but it felt so loud. Sympathy spread through her face, creasing along her eyes ever so slightly as she began to nod slowly. “I need you too.” She wanted to say, but as she closed her eyes all she could see were those familiar earthen eyes, strong and hardened burning into her soul as his head dropped to her knees. She allowed him to rest there, reaching her own head over his and placing it gently along his neck. Her eyes found the familiar darkened corners of the cavern as the thunder raged outside, as Thranduil’s next words broke the heavy and loud silence. “I’ll try.” She smiled, then, for the first time since her encounter with the Laurelin. Those two words were all she asked of him – to try and give himself some happiness among a life lived in anger, resentment, and broken pride. And she’d try and find herself there with him – never allowing the faces from the past, from another life, to die. Yet, the thought of being able to speak of them freely without the overbearing shadow that loomed behind each thought was going to be a challenge, an adventure; one she hoped they could both be successful with.

"Shhh. Rest." She whispered back, aiming to softly rub her head against his neck in a light motion. It was only for a few seconds, but enough of an endearing notion, hoping the gilded man would be able to get a decent amount of sleep without being trapped in the clutches of his nightmares.

And just like that, the Thief allowed Thranduil to sleep as she watched over him, sharing warmth in their offside embrace. Marembo danced between the cavern opening and the trio, keeping an extra eye on the events of the outside. He’d be the first to tell Rex when light would appear, though as Thranduil slept he was sure to show the mental images of the electrified world outside clearing up. It was the calm after the storm, and as Rexanna quietly enjoyed the Laurelin’s openness she knew it would only last so long. She’d enjoy every moment of it, of sharing quiet words and tenderness without peering eyes and regret from what others might think. It would be those little secrets the Siren would keep with her as long as she lived.

"Talk."

Every kiss and every word—

They were bullets spraying hazardly from lips.

Rexanna