Dec 1st - “Aurora” (Andy/Noriko, Andy/Achilles, Andy/Nile)

[delphi]

Title: Aurora
Canon: Comics
Ships: Andy/Noriko, Andy/Achilles, Andy/Nile
Rating: General
Word Count: 3 x 100
Content Info: n/a
Summary: A drabble series: three loves, three lives, three nights under the aurora.
Notes: Written for the_old_guard's 2020 Holiday Calendar.


i

She lies with Noriko under the heavenly lights, wrapped in bearskin and reindeer hide.

"We're going to freeze to death," she says, her breath turning to crystal the instant it finds the air.

Noriko squeezes her tighter, cold hands pitilessly finding warm places to rest. "There are worse ways to go. Live dangerously, my heart."

Above, the green fire shimmers like silk veils. If she ever trembled at the sight, in fear or wonder, the memory has long since left her body. But Noriko sighs softly against her skin, warm in her arms, and she has to admit: it's beautiful.


ii

"You ever seen a thing like that?"

It’s a cool, clear night on the trail, and Achilles’ voice is hushed. For a moment it almost looks as if the sun has changed its mind, riding back from dusk bearing pink and yellow banners over the horizon. Then, a familiar glimmer of green. A ripple like curtains in the breeze.

I’ve seen everything, she almost says, but stops herself.

"No."

It isn’t exactly a lie. Never here. Never so bright. Never with him.

She rests her head on his shoulder, wanting to believe for tonight that time really can move backwards.


iii

"Damn," Nile says, grinning at the sky. Then, "Are we going to freeze to death?"

"Probably."

"Worth it. One hundred percent."

"That good, huh?"

Nile laughs, bumping their shoulders together. "I know, it's dumb. I've seen it online, high-res and no freezing your ass off required. But the real thing is just..."

She gestures up in delight, her eyes so bright that for a second it's impossible not to look through them. To see how breathtaking and strange the world can be. How unfathomably big the universe is beyond it.

Andy sighs and to her annoyance has to smile. "...damn."

Comments

[static_abyss]

this is so beautiful and breathtaking. thank you so much for sharing this lovely piece ♥

[delphi]

Thank you for reading it - I'm so glad you liked it!

[vaysh]

Intensely beautiful. I love the shift of tone in each drabble, with each of Andy's lovers. I am sitting in an office, with repair people milling around, and I had shivers run down my back. Andy/Achilles - now there's a pairing I never thought of before. But yes, instant headcanon. This is all and more than what I'd expect from The Old Guard fanfic. Thank you for sharing this with us. Happy Holidays!

[delphi]

Thank you so much! And my bad, I probably should have clarified in the notes, since the name can be misleading - Achilles is Andy's canonical 18th century husband from the comics. (He shows up only as an Easter egg in the movie, in that portrait in the cave scene.) sockich has a nice edited compression of their storyline here, for anyone who's interested: https://sockich.tumblr.com/post/622633720939167744/ive-forgotten-so-many-people-ive-loved-so-many

[vaysh]

Ah, thanks for the canon explanation. I am not familiar with comics canon. (But I was wondering about that portrait.) Obviously the Greek Achilles, too, belongs with Patroclus, but I can totally see him and Andromache having an affair. :)

[nyctanthes]

These are fabulous.

For a moment it almost looks as if the sun has changed its mind, riding back from dusk bearing pink and yellow banners over the horizon.

A fantastic image.

[delphi]

Thank you! (And I love your icon, by the way.)

[mific]

Lovely! They're very visual.

[delphi]

Thank you very much!

[walgesang]

These are all so lovely! So very IC and I love how they all find their sense of wonder despite all that's been seen.

[delphi]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked them. :)