[ The idea of blood bonds has been something that's come up in conversation over the last few weeks. Ever since bringing Peter back from depths of Corruption (although how deep those depth truly are, she doesn't know), Luna has been looking for ways to avoid such a thing happening again. Things became... too close. Too close to losing Peter for good, even Paimon too. And if there was ever one thing she'd promise to do, it would be to fight to keep Peter with her. She can't allow something like that to happen again. And surely, much like with other things in the universes: if there is something in a world that curses, there is something close by that cures it.
After some research, she finds something that might work but the subject is brought up with a great deal of solemnity and care. It's no easy thing to talk about. Both Luna and Peter understand the weights of bonds and pacts only too well. And perhaps if it had been another Patron, Luna might have hesitated more on putting her trust in a being akin to a god in a world still so strange to her. But for whatever reason, Doorway chose her. And there has to be trust in that relationship. She trusts her Patron with this.
But the decision is not only hers, it rests with Peter too. There's been a great deal of time spend thinking, talking about undergoing such a thing. She's never pressed it too much; let Peter have the time and space to consider it. It's certainly been playing on her mind more as the month goes on but they're a team; they work on it together. Even if Luna believes it to be the correct course to take, Peter needs to come to his own decision.
But perhaps the answer was given on her birthday β a delicate ring that sits on her finger; a promise. A symbol of a bond. Something incredibly, beautifully human. A reminder than beneath magic and darkness and horror, they're just two young people who love one another, who just want to keep one another safe. And maybe it's an answer that came in good timing, too: it is said that rituals done under the full moon are meant to be most powerful and successful, and blood bonds done under the height of the Egg Moon even more so. It's Doorway's month, after all. If there were the right time to do this, this would certainly be it.
Most of the prep work is left in Luna's hands. The day before, she leaves a shallow silver bowl out in the moonlight. She directs Peter ahead of time to gather his parts of potion: his blood, some part of him as 'essence', asks him to consider something to say. As evening shifts into night, she places the ingredients she's gathered down on a little tray on a side-table in the living room. Roses; a pouch of ashes from the fireplace; a vial of her blood that she's held out in the moonlight, allowing the colour to shift from red to pearlescent; and a single stand of her hair.
The anticipation is more of a heavy thing than a kind of buzzing excitement when she goes to collect Peter. For a romantic bond, it's not something done out of romance even if it's done out of love. If it means they keep one another safe, if it means neither of them will slip from the other too far, or if something happens β they can bring the other back again. If it means they get to keep one another. She knocks gently on his bedroom door to announce herself before quietly opening it to poke her head in after a few seconds. She does her best to smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. Even with her birthday and valentine's day, which had still been wonderful β a welcomed break β the last week has been... quite trying, all things considered. ]
Ready whenever you are. [ She opens the door a little more, steps into his bedroom then. There's a long pause, a silent hesitation. Of course she understands that this isn't something Peter isn't comfortable with. It's not even something that's her kind of magic. This is magic of the Pthumerians, blood magic β even if it might be powered by Sleepers themselves. And a blood pact at that. This is... something huge.
Finally, she pulls in a soft breath, moves to speak. He still doesn't have to do this, if he doesn't want to. Maybe she can find something else for them. And certainly she's not going to begrudge him for backing out. ]
Listenβ [ She wants to at least offer him the out if he wants it. ] ... If you're still not sure, we don't have to do this. It's not too late to stop it. I know this is... it's quite a lot. ... An understatement, really. But I just want to let you know, if it's too muchβ I'm alright with not doing it.
( Peter's sitting on the side of his bed when the knock comes. It's where he's been for the past couple hours, quiet, unsure what to do with himself. It's a strange feeling but not an unfamiliar one β it actually feels a lot like those final days in Deerington. The waiting for something to happen, something he knew would change his life forever, one way or another.
Back then, it had felt like an ending. The town crumbling in around them, friends stepping through that Door.... He and Luna had known it was an ending. They were facing it together, spending their remaining time with only one another, fixing meals and watching the last sunsets. Curled up in bed together for entire days, heads tilted against each other's.
This time it's not an ending but a beginning of something, maybe. A next step, something that's just as life-changing, but in different ways. Still, it's been that same odd sensation of waiting; he'd puttered around his room listlessly, feeling like a stranger here even if, ironically, it's looking a lot more like his room again. Paimon's things are all up in the attic now, his personal belongings and things collected over time. Everything except for the crafting materials, which are in the little arts corner Luna helped the demon establish. ...And the fish. It's too cold up in the attic for something small and alive; Peter lets those stay in his room. It. Them? Something with one body and two minds; there's a clear irony to that.
There's also the fact he and Luna are house-ridden for the unforeseeable future, thanks to Maul's threats. Like back in Deerington, they've just been staying inside, tucked into their own little safe space with one another. It's almost surreal how things have lined up this way, to feel so similar.
His head lifts when she comes in, and that faint shadow of something that isn't quite a smile is returned. It's... been a lot; they're both tired. Worn. In all honesty, Peter's been on the brink of a nervous breakdown ever since Maul's post, but the business of the bond has at least managed to kind of... ground him a little. It's something to focus on, and it's some way to actually do something. Something to help. To protect. He's pretty sure Paimon's also been taking measures over the past days to try to calm him down, make him go to sleep, no doubt spending time conversing with Luna about things in those interims and watching over her. Peter's let it happen when it does, doesn't fight it at all when the demon does whatever it thinks is best with him. It's not that he trusts Paimon blindly now, but... he does trust the demon to keep Luna safe. It's become the single most important thing to both of them.
As Luna speaks, the boy's watching her, listening quietly, eyes softening. He's prepared his things as she told him to, a little vial of his blood and a strand of his own hair in a bag next to him. They're both ready for this. And still, Luna's offering for him to say no if he wants to. Letting him know it's okay if he needs to. She knows how difficult and strange and scary this is for him; she's trying to protect him, as she always has.
Peter's arms lift and his hands reach, silently calling her to him where he sits on the edge of the bed, spreading his legs a little so she can stand inbetween them. When she's close, his hands holding hers, is when he finally speaks.
I'm pretty nervous, not going to lie. ( There's a soft sound, not quite a laugh, but something gentle. He knows he doesn't have to elaborate why; they've been over it again and again. The worries and concerns, what this means. What it could mean. The fact she won't only be tethering herself to him but also to Paimon β even more deeply than she already has. The fact that to make a bond, especially in a place like this, is..... such a huge thing. Trench is so... different. So strange. Peter still feels like some alien here, out of place, surrounded by unknowns. )
But this is what I want. ( His fingerpad finds the band of the promise ring he'd made for her, gently brushing against it, and he swallows, expression sobering. There was once a time Peter was sure he could never have a future with Luna. Now it's what he'll fight for however he can. In that way, making the decision is actually almost easy and maybe he's known from the moment it was brought up that it's what he'd want to do. If it meant keeping each other safe, being closer to each other.... and after what's happened with Corruption, with Maul... )
It's you and me. ( Peter's eyes meet hers, voice quiet. He's nervous, but not reluctant; it's some.... noticeable difference in Peter. There's a resolve, even if it's soft. But he has to take a moment to check on her, too. Luna may be a bit more equipped for things like this, but he still has to check, dark eyes searching the lighter pair. )
[ It's almost painful for her to see how worn he looks. The calm, at ease way he seemed to be with himself feels like a far cry now. Of course she knows she probably doesn't look much better herself; the fact Maul may soon come for her is still an ever-present threat in her mind. It's not even been a week since he made his intentions known, made clear he'll be coming for revenge against her. She's been on high alert ever since, never quite completely able to relax, or sleep. At least her birthday and Valentine's day has been a slight reprieve.
But it's Peter she's been more worried about; his nerves are precarious things and there's only guessing to how deep his fear and horror runs in him for her. Paimon's made it clear about Peter's worries, his own too. They're both worried for her β even if she's not afraid of someone like Maul. And if Maul comes for her, then he comes for her; she's not holding back with him.
She crosses his bedroom floor silently when he lifts his hands to her, reaching to hold onto them as she moves to stand between his knees. She's quiet as he speaks, a softness in her expression in amongst the sombreness. He has plenty to be nervous about, plenty of reasons to not do this. She understands: it might be a bond with him, but it means a bond that will extend to Paimon too. Having the demon in her head again, being in Peter's head with the demon. That in itself is something huge, something practically ineffable. Of course she would let him walk away from doing this, considering that.
But no, Luna lets out a gentle breath, her head tilting slightly to one side to look at him: But this is what I want. Even with all the reasons to reconsider, there's reasons to do this. Another way to keep one another safe. The most important reason. There's a little smile at her lips: It's you and me. It's something warmer, a little less tired-looking. There's love in it. It doesn't slip away, even when he asks her if she's still alright with doing all of this. She pauses, considering her words for a moment. ]
I understand the weight of this, I... know it's a lot. [ She squeezes his hands gently, nodding slowly as she meets his gaze. What it's going to mean for her, for them. And how... big this is. Even in terms of life in Trench. But she came to this place with him; she's not going to just end up losing him to Corruption and Beasthood so easily. She refuses.
At least it's not the first time she's ever had the two of them in her head. This isn't completely foreign territory for them. She's certainly not forgotten the red thread they'd had down in Rapture, how that had allowed one another in their minds for a time. And they've even spoke at the fact they can choose to keep their minds from another at times, too. The book had warned that want for privacy could drive the other insane, but it's... oddly not something Luna's really been worried about with Peter. They're good at giving one another the space they need at times.
Really, she just.... hopes that Paimon realises to be more gentle with her this time β considering how... excitable he was last time. Especially the first time they'd interacted with one another, before she even knew who or what he was. It had been... a bit too much. But things are different now, even with him. They're not strangers to one another; and while she knows Paimon's likely equally excited about this bond, she suspects he'll be a lot better about it all this time. ]
Even with all of that, I'm still in this together with you. Like you said, it's me and you. [ Yes. She's sure. This is what she wants, too. If it means being able to keep him, if it means they have some way of fighting back Corruption and Beasthood then this is what she wants. She bends gently downwards to him with that; lowers her head to his to press a soft kiss against his forehead.
There's a brief pause when she pulls away but remains bent down. She thinks of something else, the barest hint of amusement in her smile. It's admittedly a little funny, in a way. And it does kind of make sense, in terms of creating bonds. She shrugs a little, peering at him with raised eyebrows. ]
And I mean, it makes sense, really. I already have a bond with the demon, I suppose I should make one with the boy. I'm keeping you double safe.
( It's among the biggest of his concerns β the fact of Paimon. Peter may be experiencing a certain trust in the demon these days out of necessity, but it doesn't mean he... trusts him. In so many ways, Paimon is still such an unknown. And after learning what Corruption could do to them, how it twists them into something like that... Peter's so very afraid. Having Luna so close to something so huge and alien and strange, and the... permanence of it. If something goes wrong... she'll be stuck with him. Them.
These are all concerns he's expressed with her in the days leading up to this. But it's become very clear, very quickly, that there are going to have to be shifts in certain things. Peter is going to have to... try harder. To stay well, to learn how to control certain things, to have a relationship with the demon. That concept has been building and growing over time, and now it's here, and he can't resist it anymore. He's going to have to get closer to Paimon, too. Learn how to truly co-exist with him, how to find balance, because this thing that exists between the three of them is going to depend on it.
And maybe that's already begun. With the conjuration of the ring, with the connection between himself and Paimon truly felt. Some door's been opened, and as afraid as Peter is, as much as he still wants to hide from it, he can't. Not anymore. He'll have to try as hard as he can to make this work, to make it as easy for Luna as possible. She'll be connected to his mind, so he'll have to try to make it a better place for her.
Because that really is the biggest concern. Other things β having one another so close, privacy, he's truly not worried about those things; he knows they'll sort that much out. Even Paimon has proven to be much better behaved than he once was, so long as nothing's affecting him in a bad way. They may have to establish some specific rules for him, but they've done that before, too. Inevitably, Peter will still worry about that part of it, but when it comes to the other things.... well. He trusts Luna with every single piece of himself; he's entrusted the safety of his soul to her once before, after all. So he's closing his eyes for a brief moment as she presses that little kiss to his forehead, a smile finally properly touching through, and then opens them again to look up at her. )
My hero. ( He says, with more warmth than playfulness, eyes softening all over again for her. He means it β she's kept him safe all this time. Luna's done so much for him, time and time again. Peter's heart flutters with love for her, hands drawing her smaller pair up to his mouth to press a soft kiss to her knuckles. It's true; he'll have his own bond with Luna, and perhaps the timing of it all really is ideal. In the past, Paimon might have fought such an idea, but now... the demon is nothing but supportive towards it. (Which is, admittedly, quite a bit creepy for Peter, but... he supposes ultimately this is better than the alternative.) )
I'm going to keep you safe, too. ( He hopes with everything inside of him that he can. The threat of Beasthood is certainly something that looms, but in the more immediate moment is Maul.... and the closer Peter is to Luna, the better he can hopefully protect her. With that, he lets go of one of the girl's hands to reach for the little bag of items, drawing it to himself. )
[ Granted she's well aware of the gravity of the situation, of how serious this all is. But for a very brief moment, she'll allow herself to be a little flustered at that. Her cheeks growing pink and lips pursing into a small smile as he brings her hand to his mouth, brushes a gentle kiss to her knuckles. It's nice to think she's someone's hero, even if she's not doing this to be a hero β more for the simple fact she would like to do as much as she can for someone she cares about.
And yes, more might need to be put in place after it's done β for moving forward, for the very fact she won't just be sharing her mind with Peter but with Paimon too. But in some ways she doesn't feel so worried about it all? They're both trusting one another with this. And she suspects (hopes) that Paimon will also cope well with it; that if there's rules for him with this, he'll comply easily enough. ]
I know. [ She very much believes him with that. That he'll do all he can to keep her safe, too. It's what they've always tried to do for one another, isn't it? With all the frightening and dangerous things of the world, they just try to keep one another safe, and loved.
With that, she steps back β tugging on his hand gently to pull him onto his feet before turning to lead him out of his room, down the corridor and back down stairs. Nothing looks particularly out of the ordinary, perhaps its a small mercy for Peter's sake. The lights cast a low light over the living room and Luna stops under the large open doorframe that connects the living room and hallway. She lets go of his hand and motions for him to stay where he is while she goes to retrieve the tray where she's placed the rest of the ingredients needed. ]
The spell's best done under a doorway or an arch. It allows Doorway themselves to bless the pact. [ The clue is in their name, it seems. But then as she's read up on her Patron, Doorway is also the Patron of connections and passageways. A doorframe is a connection from one room to another, she supposes. So it makes sense for a kind of their particular magic to be done underneath one.
Luna moves to kneel down on the floor under the doorway, directing Peter to do the same. She sets the tray to one side before reaching for the little silver bowl she'd gotten; left out for a night under the moonlight. Placing it between them, she takes a long, deep breath. She's admittedly a little jittery about all of this; it's still a different form of magic than she's used to. Pthumerians and their magic are still quite intimidating, and perhaps that's just something she'll get more confident with in time. But she's been partly thinking of it a bit like potions, it doesn't make it so bad when she thinks of it like that. ]
Alright. I'm going to put all the other ingredients firstβ [ The ashes, the roses. ] Then we add essences together, and do the blood last before mixing it together. It's just like making a potion.
[ Waiting for Peter to reply, she then reaches for the pouch of ashes and carefully tips it into the bowl, trying her best not to let them cloud upwards. Then she takes red rose first and carefully crushes the petals between her fingers to let them fall in after before doing the same with the two white ones. She takes her time with it, doesn't rush it. Relatively straight forward, she thinks. She lets out a soft breath with a slight smile before she goes for the long, pale strand of blonde hair and holds it up β ready to add it to the bowl as Peter does.
Lastly, the picks up the vial of her blood, pale and shimmery from its time under the moonlight to activate it. She pulls the stopper from the vial and gently lowers it to the bowl to add it into the mixture. Once they're done, all that's left is to mix it β with the shard of antler bone. She holds it over the bowl, pointing downwards. ]
Put your hand over mine. It should smell like fresh roses when it's ready.
( Despite everything, the moment is soft and nice and familiar β those doses of reassurance in the face of something new and frightening have become so common for them, by now. Through Deerington and on into Trench. Peter's slowly standing, taking his bag with him and casting a final glance around his room β the fish giving them a wide stare β before leaving the room with Luna to head down the stairs.
As they're nearing the designated spot, that anxiety returns to flicker within him with renewed vigor, and Peter's giving slow inhales and exhales, trying to keep himself steady. Though it's true that the display isn't anything compared to the last time they partook in a ritual together, with the circle and triangle drawn over Luna's floorboards, and Paimon's sigil and all the candlelight.... The thought of it still catches against a certain panic within Peter, that memory of his family's attic on the final night of his life.
And even though this is far less of a daunting display than that, the idea of what this all represents still frightens him in that same place. Magic, ritual... Intentional spots, intentional movements and gestures. He draws to a halt under the doorway, giving a nod at her instruction as he waits there awkwardly, looking around.
Then he's following her to a kneeled position, his heart pounding, relentless. He wonders if Paimon's awake β surely he must be, anticipating this all day long the way he has been, not to mention how powerful and important it is, this act of ritual. But the demon remains deathly quiet within him, not a single movement or sound. Unbeknownst to Peter, it's because the demon knows that the importance of this belongs to Luna and Peter. He's here by default, he's a part of it too, but the ritual is between his vessel and his witch. He stays in shadow, cleared from Peter's thoughts, not directly touching upon his consciousness with his spirit. Things need to be left untouched for the ritual's magic to work and take hold as it needs to. )
I'm glad you can remember all the steps. I didn't do so well in Chemistry. ( A small smile; some science is pretty reminiscent of what Luna's familiar with, potion-making, though Peter had a hard time with it... generally leaving it up to his lab partner to make sure nothing got blown to pieces.
He watches her put things in, eyes following the movements into the bowl. Then he's reaching for his own strand of hair, holding the single curly piece carefully inbetween two fingers. In it goes with hers, before his blood is tipped in with trembling fingers. This is the scary part; it always is. The blood. He watches it mingle in with hers, that unnaturally dark blood of his with the odd red streak to it.
Then he's sitting back on his heels as Luna mixes everything. His throat feels slick with nerves, but he nods again and gently reaches his hand out as directed. Slowly, he inhales, and thenβ )
βI smell it. ( Voice a hushed whisper, a little hoarse around the edges. ) It does smell like roses. You did it.
( Despite his anxiety, there's some little dose of pride in her. The steps may seem simple, but he knows from watching Luna at work before that it's of utmost importance that everything be done and followed exactly. If the slightest thing is wrong... it'll fail. The fact she's memorised everything, that they've succeeded this far thanks to her... he is proud of her.
Peter looks up at her, dark eyes finding her pale pair in the dim lighting. He can't help the little human fears popping up β will this hurt? Will it make them feel sick? He's afraid of pain, afraid of discomfort, of consequences. But more than any of those things, he's afraid to lose Luna or her well-being in any capacity. No matter if things like Beasthood and even death may be temporary; that doesn't matter to him. If he can keep her safe from more pain and hurt and loss.... if he can keep closer to her, be more of hers and her more of his.... that's what he wants.
And soβ it's him to voice soft reassurance aloud, a rarity for Peter, at least in such a moment like this where he's trembling softly, where his heart is pounding. )
It's going to be okay. ( Another little smile like a secret shared between them. ) We got this.
I recall you generally looking like you were going to nap during the practicals whenever I looked across the classroom. [ It's a light tease, the corners of her mouth curling up into a small smile. She is... also right, considering he would be leaving the work to whoever he'd be partnered up with in those lessons. But it's also spoken to distract him somewhat, to try to ease the tension. Of course this isn't going to be something easy for him to be present for, let alone take part in. She's mindful of that. A little light humour is best needed.
As the mixture starts to shift into a black paste, she's quiet β waiting with baited breath as she stares down at it. And then Peter utters it as soon as she realises, the heavy scent of fresh roses hitting her nose. It worked.
Luna lets out a breath, a smile forming with it. There's relief, considering the time spent working on this and the possibility of it going wrong and having to start all over again β but mostly she's just very pleased that she's done it right. Much like when one does well in a class, or on a test β a quiet kind of pride in herself and her hard work. Her gaze shifts back up to Peter to find him smiling back at her, and the smile widens a little more. She feels confident with that smile, nodding softly at his words, assured by them. They've got this, it'll be alright. ]
I'll go first. [ This is it. There's a little pause as she carefully moves her hair back, moving it out of the way to make sure it's free from her face. She's been reading the instructions, so she can show Peter what to do and have him copy her over explaining everything to him. Explaining things in the midst of a ritual itself might be a little, disruptive.
She takes her right hand and carefully lowers it into the paste, taking a couple of moments to cover it before she nods for Peter to do the same. Once he's covered his own hand in the paste, she takes another steadying breath to calm herself before slowly raising her hand to Peter's face. Very carefully, she places it against his cheek; cups it gently much like any time she might do when she'd hold his face in her hands, her fingers curling slightly at his jaw.
Holding it there for a moment, she swallows. Vows aren't needed, necessarily. But they're customary, and add extra power to the spellwork. Considering guests aren't easy due the current circumstances, it'd be a good idea to use vows instead. ]
I never thought I'd find someone I'd want to do a blood ritual bond withβ [ But here she is. There's a little smile as she continues. ] And out of all the people, I'm very glad it's you. You're my best friend, the person I love most. The person I get to share myself with. And even if this is something... huge, it's not really all scary since I get to do it with you, and I glad it's something you want with me, too.
I choose you to be the person to trust the most; to keep me safe, and I promise I will do whatever I can to keep you safe, in return. I want you, Peter. And I want to keep you, for as long as I possibly can. [ It's all she's ever wanted. She just wanted to keep him, all this time. For him to stay with her, to not disappear. And she'd do anything she could to do that. There's a short pause before she repeats the words he'd said just before, their words: ]
It's you and me.
[ With that, the paste on Peter's skin begins to glow a soft silver-gold beneath her hand. Luna inhales softly, quietly mesmerized by the sight β it's working. She keeps her hand there as she waits for Peter to follow her, it feels pleasantly warm. ]
( .....Luna's not wrong. It's a wonder Peter didn't actually fall asleep in the middle of Chemistry Experiments. Not that he didn't do plenty of mid-class snoozing in other subjects....
The little bout of lightheartedness does help, and comes with a soft laugh on his part. It's also a nice thing to share with her, one of their many memories together. Classes back in Deerington, times that felt... not quite like the average high school experience, but perhaps as close to it as the pair of them could ever have.
Now here they are facing the next unknown. And the moment's sobering again; this thing is building. Peter doesn't dare move at all as he watches Luna go first, eyes wide and focused. He wants to do well with this, too; he doesn't want to mess it up somehow. She's relying on him, so he sits very still until Luna directs him what to do, and then he's slowly lowering his hand in as well. There's a jolt of his heart, an anxious response he can't help. But he's letting the paste ease over his hand like she does, as his eyes move back up to catch Luna's, as she gently places her hand against his cheek.
Peter stares, heart fluttering relentlessly, wondering if he's going to feel something strange β some surge of magic, spellwork. Wondering if it will hurt, or how they'll know it worked. Wondering a million things in those few seconds. Then Luna starts speaking, and he stops wondering everything.
His eyes, already a little wet around the corners from the intensity of it all, swell more, but he doesn't blink, not at first. He just listens, a wavery little smile appearing on his face, one that barely moves his lips. There's a soft laugh, and a tear escaping down the other side of his face, and he swallows as he watches her. All of it has been there from the beginning. Their beginning. Ways to help each other, to keep each other. Ways to make sure each other stays safe... to protect each other. That's what she's saying to him now. The reason why she's doing this for, with him. And as Luna's words draw to a close, Peter feels something glowing, quiet. He isn't afraid, though. He thinks it feels like the shape of his love for Luna: something soft and warm and safe.
Slowly, he lifts his own hand to her face, gently framing it, feeling the wet of the paste between his palm and her cheek. He couldn't be more gentle with the gesture, biting on his lower lip for a moment before he begins to speak, too. He's never really good with saying how he feels, expressing it, but it comes from the most honest place of himself. A place that's just Peter, that's just his own heart. )
I've never had anyone like you before. Someone who lovβ ( Already he's choking up; the word catches in his throat, and he swallows. ) βloves me like this.
( So genuinely, and fiercely, and gently, and protectively. Someone who would do whatever they could to keep him safe. )
And I think, for a really long time, I've been... really scared, because I never knew how to protect someone like that. But nowβ ( Peter swallows again, mouth trembling a little at the corners. )
βnow I'm not scared of that anymore. Because I know I'm going to do whatever I can to protect you, too. I'd do anything I could. I'mβ going to keep doing whatever I can to make you safe. To keep you. Because I love you. ( He inhales, slow and soft. ) I love you.
( He sniffles a little wetly, fingertips gently curving against Luna's skin, and watches as the paste glows soft and ethereal. It's... beautiful. This doesn't hurt at all. They've made sacrifices for one another, but it doesn't feel like being made less, in that process. It feels like becoming more.
For a long moment, Peter just sits there in hushed stun, and thenβ they appear, dreamlike, that tall and statuesque figure. His wet eyes are widening as he stares up at them, and he still stays unafraid, because that soft warmth is spreading. It makes him feel safe and held, loved. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
β blood bond time (16/2)
After some research, she finds something that might work but the subject is brought up with a great deal of solemnity and care. It's no easy thing to talk about. Both Luna and Peter understand the weights of bonds and pacts only too well. And perhaps if it had been another Patron, Luna might have hesitated more on putting her trust in a being akin to a god in a world still so strange to her. But for whatever reason, Doorway chose her. And there has to be trust in that relationship. She trusts her Patron with this.
But the decision is not only hers, it rests with Peter too. There's been a great deal of time spend thinking, talking about undergoing such a thing. She's never pressed it too much; let Peter have the time and space to consider it. It's certainly been playing on her mind more as the month goes on but they're a team; they work on it together. Even if Luna believes it to be the correct course to take, Peter needs to come to his own decision.
But perhaps the answer was given on her birthday β a delicate ring that sits on her finger; a promise. A symbol of a bond. Something incredibly, beautifully human. A reminder than beneath magic and darkness and horror, they're just two young people who love one another, who just want to keep one another safe. And maybe it's an answer that came in good timing, too: it is said that rituals done under the full moon are meant to be most powerful and successful, and blood bonds done under the height of the Egg Moon even more so. It's Doorway's month, after all. If there were the right time to do this, this would certainly be it.
Most of the prep work is left in Luna's hands. The day before, she leaves a shallow silver bowl out in the moonlight. She directs Peter ahead of time to gather his parts of potion: his blood, some part of him as 'essence', asks him to consider something to say. As evening shifts into night, she places the ingredients she's gathered down on a little tray on a side-table in the living room. Roses; a pouch of ashes from the fireplace; a vial of her blood that she's held out in the moonlight, allowing the colour to shift from red to pearlescent; and a single stand of her hair.
The anticipation is more of a heavy thing than a kind of buzzing excitement when she goes to collect Peter. For a romantic bond, it's not something done out of romance even if it's done out of love. If it means they keep one another safe, if it means neither of them will slip from the other too far, or if something happens β they can bring the other back again. If it means they get to keep one another. She knocks gently on his bedroom door to announce herself before quietly opening it to poke her head in after a few seconds. She does her best to smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. Even with her birthday and valentine's day, which had still been wonderful β a welcomed break β the last week has been... quite trying, all things considered. ]
Ready whenever you are. [ She opens the door a little more, steps into his bedroom then. There's a long pause, a silent hesitation. Of course she understands that this isn't something Peter isn't comfortable with. It's not even something that's her kind of magic. This is magic of the Pthumerians, blood magic β even if it might be powered by Sleepers themselves. And a blood pact at that. This is... something huge.
Finally, she pulls in a soft breath, moves to speak. He still doesn't have to do this, if he doesn't want to. Maybe she can find something else for them. And certainly she's not going to begrudge him for backing out. ]
Listenβ [ She wants to at least offer him the out if he wants it. ] ... If you're still not sure, we don't have to do this. It's not too late to stop it. I know this is... it's quite a lot. ... An understatement, really. But I just want to let you know, if it's too muchβ I'm alright with not doing it.
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Back then, it had felt like an ending. The town crumbling in around them, friends stepping through that Door.... He and Luna had known it was an ending. They were facing it together, spending their remaining time with only one another, fixing meals and watching the last sunsets. Curled up in bed together for entire days, heads tilted against each other's.
This time it's not an ending but a beginning of something, maybe. A next step, something that's just as life-changing, but in different ways. Still, it's been that same odd sensation of waiting; he'd puttered around his room listlessly, feeling like a stranger here even if, ironically, it's looking a lot more like his room again. Paimon's things are all up in the attic now, his personal belongings and things collected over time. Everything except for the crafting materials, which are in the little arts corner Luna helped the demon establish. ...And the fish. It's too cold up in the attic for something small and alive; Peter lets those stay in his room. It. Them? Something with one body and two minds; there's a clear irony to that.
There's also the fact he and Luna are house-ridden for the unforeseeable future, thanks to Maul's threats. Like back in Deerington, they've just been staying inside, tucked into their own little safe space with one another. It's almost surreal how things have lined up this way, to feel so similar.
His head lifts when she comes in, and that faint shadow of something that isn't quite a smile is returned. It's... been a lot; they're both tired. Worn. In all honesty, Peter's been on the brink of a nervous breakdown ever since Maul's post, but the business of the bond has at least managed to kind of... ground him a little. It's something to focus on, and it's some way to actually do something. Something to help. To protect. He's pretty sure Paimon's also been taking measures over the past days to try to calm him down, make him go to sleep, no doubt spending time conversing with Luna about things in those interims and watching over her. Peter's let it happen when it does, doesn't fight it at all when the demon does whatever it thinks is best with him. It's not that he trusts Paimon blindly now, but... he does trust the demon to keep Luna safe. It's become the single most important thing to both of them.
As Luna speaks, the boy's watching her, listening quietly, eyes softening. He's prepared his things as she told him to, a little vial of his blood and a strand of his own hair in a bag next to him. They're both ready for this. And still, Luna's offering for him to say no if he wants to. Letting him know it's okay if he needs to. She knows how difficult and strange and scary this is for him; she's trying to protect him, as she always has.
Peter's arms lift and his hands reach, silently calling her to him where he sits on the edge of the bed, spreading his legs a little so she can stand inbetween them. When she's close, his hands holding hers, is when he finally speaks.
I'm pretty nervous, not going to lie. ( There's a soft sound, not quite a laugh, but something gentle. He knows he doesn't have to elaborate why; they've been over it again and again. The worries and concerns, what this means. What it could mean. The fact she won't only be tethering herself to him but also to Paimon β even more deeply than she already has. The fact that to make a bond, especially in a place like this, is..... such a huge thing. Trench is so... different. So strange. Peter still feels like some alien here, out of place, surrounded by unknowns. )
But this is what I want. ( His fingerpad finds the band of the promise ring he'd made for her, gently brushing against it, and he swallows, expression sobering. There was once a time Peter was sure he could never have a future with Luna. Now it's what he'll fight for however he can. In that way, making the decision is actually almost easy and maybe he's known from the moment it was brought up that it's what he'd want to do. If it meant keeping each other safe, being closer to each other.... and after what's happened with Corruption, with Maul... )
It's you and me. ( Peter's eyes meet hers, voice quiet. He's nervous, but not reluctant; it's some.... noticeable difference in Peter. There's a resolve, even if it's soft. But he has to take a moment to check on her, too. Luna may be a bit more equipped for things like this, but he still has to check, dark eyes searching the lighter pair. )
But what about you? Are you sure?
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But it's Peter she's been more worried about; his nerves are precarious things and there's only guessing to how deep his fear and horror runs in him for her. Paimon's made it clear about Peter's worries, his own too. They're both worried for her β even if she's not afraid of someone like Maul. And if Maul comes for her, then he comes for her; she's not holding back with him.
She crosses his bedroom floor silently when he lifts his hands to her, reaching to hold onto them as she moves to stand between his knees. She's quiet as he speaks, a softness in her expression in amongst the sombreness. He has plenty to be nervous about, plenty of reasons to not do this. She understands: it might be a bond with him, but it means a bond that will extend to Paimon too. Having the demon in her head again, being in Peter's head with the demon. That in itself is something huge, something practically ineffable. Of course she would let him walk away from doing this, considering that.
But no, Luna lets out a gentle breath, her head tilting slightly to one side to look at him: But this is what I want. Even with all the reasons to reconsider, there's reasons to do this. Another way to keep one another safe. The most important reason. There's a little smile at her lips: It's you and me. It's something warmer, a little less tired-looking. There's love in it. It doesn't slip away, even when he asks her if she's still alright with doing all of this. She pauses, considering her words for a moment. ]
I understand the weight of this, I... know it's a lot. [ She squeezes his hands gently, nodding slowly as she meets his gaze. What it's going to mean for her, for them. And how... big this is. Even in terms of life in Trench. But she came to this place with him; she's not going to just end up losing him to Corruption and Beasthood so easily. She refuses.
At least it's not the first time she's ever had the two of them in her head. This isn't completely foreign territory for them. She's certainly not forgotten the red thread they'd had down in Rapture, how that had allowed one another in their minds for a time. And they've even spoke at the fact they can choose to keep their minds from another at times, too. The book had warned that want for privacy could drive the other insane, but it's... oddly not something Luna's really been worried about with Peter. They're good at giving one another the space they need at times.
Really, she just.... hopes that Paimon realises to be more gentle with her this time β considering how... excitable he was last time. Especially the first time they'd interacted with one another, before she even knew who or what he was. It had been... a bit too much. But things are different now, even with him. They're not strangers to one another; and while she knows Paimon's likely equally excited about this bond, she suspects he'll be a lot better about it all this time. ]
Even with all of that, I'm still in this together with you. Like you said, it's me and you. [ Yes. She's sure. This is what she wants, too. If it means being able to keep him, if it means they have some way of fighting back Corruption and Beasthood then this is what she wants. She bends gently downwards to him with that; lowers her head to his to press a soft kiss against his forehead.
There's a brief pause when she pulls away but remains bent down. She thinks of something else, the barest hint of amusement in her smile. It's admittedly a little funny, in a way. And it does kind of make sense, in terms of creating bonds. She shrugs a little, peering at him with raised eyebrows. ]
And I mean, it makes sense, really. I already have a bond with the demon, I suppose I should make one with the boy. I'm keeping you double safe.
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These are all concerns he's expressed with her in the days leading up to this. But it's become very clear, very quickly, that there are going to have to be shifts in certain things. Peter is going to have to... try harder. To stay well, to learn how to control certain things, to have a relationship with the demon. That concept has been building and growing over time, and now it's here, and he can't resist it anymore. He's going to have to get closer to Paimon, too. Learn how to truly co-exist with him, how to find balance, because this thing that exists between the three of them is going to depend on it.
And maybe that's already begun. With the conjuration of the ring, with the connection between himself and Paimon truly felt. Some door's been opened, and as afraid as Peter is, as much as he still wants to hide from it, he can't. Not anymore. He'll have to try as hard as he can to make this work, to make it as easy for Luna as possible. She'll be connected to his mind, so he'll have to try to make it a better place for her.
Because that really is the biggest concern. Other things β having one another so close, privacy, he's truly not worried about those things; he knows they'll sort that much out. Even Paimon has proven to be much better behaved than he once was, so long as nothing's affecting him in a bad way. They may have to establish some specific rules for him, but they've done that before, too. Inevitably, Peter will still worry about that part of it, but when it comes to the other things.... well. He trusts Luna with every single piece of himself; he's entrusted the safety of his soul to her once before, after all. So he's closing his eyes for a brief moment as she presses that little kiss to his forehead, a smile finally properly touching through, and then opens them again to look up at her. )
My hero. ( He says, with more warmth than playfulness, eyes softening all over again for her. He means it β she's kept him safe all this time. Luna's done so much for him, time and time again. Peter's heart flutters with love for her, hands drawing her smaller pair up to his mouth to press a soft kiss to her knuckles. It's true; he'll have his own bond with Luna, and perhaps the timing of it all really is ideal. In the past, Paimon might have fought such an idea, but now... the demon is nothing but supportive towards it. (Which is, admittedly, quite a bit creepy for Peter, but... he supposes ultimately this is better than the alternative.) )
I'm going to keep you safe, too. ( He hopes with everything inside of him that he can. The threat of Beasthood is certainly something that looms, but in the more immediate moment is Maul.... and the closer Peter is to Luna, the better he can hopefully protect her. With that, he lets go of one of the girl's hands to reach for the little bag of items, drawing it to himself. )
I'm ready.
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And yes, more might need to be put in place after it's done β for moving forward, for the very fact she won't just be sharing her mind with Peter but with Paimon too. But in some ways she doesn't feel so worried about it all? They're both trusting one another with this. And she suspects (hopes) that Paimon will also cope well with it; that if there's rules for him with this, he'll comply easily enough. ]
I know. [ She very much believes him with that. That he'll do all he can to keep her safe, too. It's what they've always tried to do for one another, isn't it? With all the frightening and dangerous things of the world, they just try to keep one another safe, and loved.
With that, she steps back β tugging on his hand gently to pull him onto his feet before turning to lead him out of his room, down the corridor and back down stairs. Nothing looks particularly out of the ordinary, perhaps its a small mercy for Peter's sake. The lights cast a low light over the living room and Luna stops under the large open doorframe that connects the living room and hallway. She lets go of his hand and motions for him to stay where he is while she goes to retrieve the tray where she's placed the rest of the ingredients needed. ]
The spell's best done under a doorway or an arch. It allows Doorway themselves to bless the pact. [ The clue is in their name, it seems. But then as she's read up on her Patron, Doorway is also the Patron of connections and passageways. A doorframe is a connection from one room to another, she supposes. So it makes sense for a kind of their particular magic to be done underneath one.
Luna moves to kneel down on the floor under the doorway, directing Peter to do the same. She sets the tray to one side before reaching for the little silver bowl she'd gotten; left out for a night under the moonlight. Placing it between them, she takes a long, deep breath. She's admittedly a little jittery about all of this; it's still a different form of magic than she's used to. Pthumerians and their magic are still quite intimidating, and perhaps that's just something she'll get more confident with in time. But she's been partly thinking of it a bit like potions, it doesn't make it so bad when she thinks of it like that. ]
Alright. I'm going to put all the other ingredients firstβ [ The ashes, the roses. ] Then we add essences together, and do the blood last before mixing it together. It's just like making a potion.
[ Waiting for Peter to reply, she then reaches for the pouch of ashes and carefully tips it into the bowl, trying her best not to let them cloud upwards. Then she takes red rose first and carefully crushes the petals between her fingers to let them fall in after before doing the same with the two white ones. She takes her time with it, doesn't rush it. Relatively straight forward, she thinks. She lets out a soft breath with a slight smile before she goes for the long, pale strand of blonde hair and holds it up β ready to add it to the bowl as Peter does.
Lastly, the picks up the vial of her blood, pale and shimmery from its time under the moonlight to activate it. She pulls the stopper from the vial and gently lowers it to the bowl to add it into the mixture. Once they're done, all that's left is to mix it β with the shard of antler bone. She holds it over the bowl, pointing downwards. ]
Put your hand over mine. It should smell like fresh roses when it's ready.
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As they're nearing the designated spot, that anxiety returns to flicker within him with renewed vigor, and Peter's giving slow inhales and exhales, trying to keep himself steady. Though it's true that the display isn't anything compared to the last time they partook in a ritual together, with the circle and triangle drawn over Luna's floorboards, and Paimon's sigil and all the candlelight.... The thought of it still catches against a certain panic within Peter, that memory of his family's attic on the final night of his life.
And even though this is far less of a daunting display than that, the idea of what this all represents still frightens him in that same place. Magic, ritual... Intentional spots, intentional movements and gestures. He draws to a halt under the doorway, giving a nod at her instruction as he waits there awkwardly, looking around.
Then he's following her to a kneeled position, his heart pounding, relentless. He wonders if Paimon's awake β surely he must be, anticipating this all day long the way he has been, not to mention how powerful and important it is, this act of ritual. But the demon remains deathly quiet within him, not a single movement or sound. Unbeknownst to Peter, it's because the demon knows that the importance of this belongs to Luna and Peter. He's here by default, he's a part of it too, but the ritual is between his vessel and his witch. He stays in shadow, cleared from Peter's thoughts, not directly touching upon his consciousness with his spirit. Things need to be left untouched for the ritual's magic to work and take hold as it needs to. )
I'm glad you can remember all the steps. I didn't do so well in Chemistry. ( A small smile; some science is pretty reminiscent of what Luna's familiar with, potion-making, though Peter had a hard time with it... generally leaving it up to his lab partner to make sure nothing got blown to pieces.
He watches her put things in, eyes following the movements into the bowl. Then he's reaching for his own strand of hair, holding the single curly piece carefully inbetween two fingers. In it goes with hers, before his blood is tipped in with trembling fingers. This is the scary part; it always is. The blood. He watches it mingle in with hers, that unnaturally dark blood of his with the odd red streak to it.
Then he's sitting back on his heels as Luna mixes everything. His throat feels slick with nerves, but he nods again and gently reaches his hand out as directed. Slowly, he inhales, and thenβ )
βI smell it. ( Voice a hushed whisper, a little hoarse around the edges. ) It does smell like roses. You did it.
( Despite his anxiety, there's some little dose of pride in her. The steps may seem simple, but he knows from watching Luna at work before that it's of utmost importance that everything be done and followed exactly. If the slightest thing is wrong... it'll fail. The fact she's memorised everything, that they've succeeded this far thanks to her... he is proud of her.
Peter looks up at her, dark eyes finding her pale pair in the dim lighting. He can't help the little human fears popping up β will this hurt? Will it make them feel sick? He's afraid of pain, afraid of discomfort, of consequences. But more than any of those things, he's afraid to lose Luna or her well-being in any capacity. No matter if things like Beasthood and even death may be temporary; that doesn't matter to him. If he can keep her safe from more pain and hurt and loss.... if he can keep closer to her, be more of hers and her more of his.... that's what he wants.
And soβ it's him to voice soft reassurance aloud, a rarity for Peter, at least in such a moment like this where he's trembling softly, where his heart is pounding. )
It's going to be okay. ( Another little smile like a secret shared between them. ) We got this.
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As the mixture starts to shift into a black paste, she's quiet β waiting with baited breath as she stares down at it. And then Peter utters it as soon as she realises, the heavy scent of fresh roses hitting her nose. It worked.
Luna lets out a breath, a smile forming with it. There's relief, considering the time spent working on this and the possibility of it going wrong and having to start all over again β but mostly she's just very pleased that she's done it right. Much like when one does well in a class, or on a test β a quiet kind of pride in herself and her hard work. Her gaze shifts back up to Peter to find him smiling back at her, and the smile widens a little more. She feels confident with that smile, nodding softly at his words, assured by them. They've got this, it'll be alright. ]
I'll go first. [ This is it. There's a little pause as she carefully moves her hair back, moving it out of the way to make sure it's free from her face. She's been reading the instructions, so she can show Peter what to do and have him copy her over explaining everything to him. Explaining things in the midst of a ritual itself might be a little, disruptive.
She takes her right hand and carefully lowers it into the paste, taking a couple of moments to cover it before she nods for Peter to do the same. Once he's covered his own hand in the paste, she takes another steadying breath to calm herself before slowly raising her hand to Peter's face. Very carefully, she places it against his cheek; cups it gently much like any time she might do when she'd hold his face in her hands, her fingers curling slightly at his jaw.
Holding it there for a moment, she swallows. Vows aren't needed, necessarily. But they're customary, and add extra power to the spellwork. Considering guests aren't easy due the current circumstances, it'd be a good idea to use vows instead. ]
I never thought I'd find someone I'd want to do a blood ritual bond withβ [ But here she is. There's a little smile as she continues. ] And out of all the people, I'm very glad it's you. You're my best friend, the person I love most. The person I get to share myself with. And even if this is something... huge, it's not really all scary since I get to do it with you, and I glad it's something you want with me, too.
I choose you to be the person to trust the most; to keep me safe, and I promise I will do whatever I can to keep you safe, in return. I want you, Peter. And I want to keep you, for as long as I possibly can. [ It's all she's ever wanted. She just wanted to keep him, all this time. For him to stay with her, to not disappear. And she'd do anything she could to do that. There's a short pause before she repeats the words he'd said just before, their words: ]
It's you and me.
[ With that, the paste on Peter's skin begins to glow a soft silver-gold beneath her hand. Luna inhales softly, quietly mesmerized by the sight β it's working. She keeps her hand there as she waits for Peter to follow her, it feels pleasantly warm. ]
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The little bout of lightheartedness does help, and comes with a soft laugh on his part. It's also a nice thing to share with her, one of their many memories together. Classes back in Deerington, times that felt... not quite like the average high school experience, but perhaps as close to it as the pair of them could ever have.
Now here they are facing the next unknown. And the moment's sobering again; this thing is building. Peter doesn't dare move at all as he watches Luna go first, eyes wide and focused. He wants to do well with this, too; he doesn't want to mess it up somehow. She's relying on him, so he sits very still until Luna directs him what to do, and then he's slowly lowering his hand in as well. There's a jolt of his heart, an anxious response he can't help. But he's letting the paste ease over his hand like she does, as his eyes move back up to catch Luna's, as she gently places her hand against his cheek.
Peter stares, heart fluttering relentlessly, wondering if he's going to feel something strange β some surge of magic, spellwork. Wondering if it will hurt, or how they'll know it worked. Wondering a million things in those few seconds. Then Luna starts speaking, and he stops wondering everything.
His eyes, already a little wet around the corners from the intensity of it all, swell more, but he doesn't blink, not at first. He just listens, a wavery little smile appearing on his face, one that barely moves his lips. There's a soft laugh, and a tear escaping down the other side of his face, and he swallows as he watches her. All of it has been there from the beginning. Their beginning. Ways to help each other, to keep each other. Ways to make sure each other stays safe... to protect each other. That's what she's saying to him now. The reason why she's doing this for, with him. And as Luna's words draw to a close, Peter feels something glowing, quiet. He isn't afraid, though. He thinks it feels like the shape of his love for Luna: something soft and warm and safe.
Slowly, he lifts his own hand to her face, gently framing it, feeling the wet of the paste between his palm and her cheek. He couldn't be more gentle with the gesture, biting on his lower lip for a moment before he begins to speak, too. He's never really good with saying how he feels, expressing it, but it comes from the most honest place of himself. A place that's just Peter, that's just his own heart. )
I've never had anyone like you before. Someone who lovβ ( Already he's choking up; the word catches in his throat, and he swallows. ) βloves me like this.
( So genuinely, and fiercely, and gently, and protectively. Someone who would do whatever they could to keep him safe. )
And I think, for a really long time, I've been... really scared, because I never knew how to protect someone like that. But nowβ ( Peter swallows again, mouth trembling a little at the corners. )
βnow I'm not scared of that anymore. Because I know I'm going to do whatever I can to protect you, too. I'd do anything I could. I'mβ going to keep doing whatever I can to make you safe. To keep you. Because I love you. ( He inhales, slow and soft. ) I love you.
( He sniffles a little wetly, fingertips gently curving against Luna's skin, and watches as the paste glows soft and ethereal. It's... beautiful. This doesn't hurt at all. They've made sacrifices for one another, but it doesn't feel like being made less, in that process. It feels like becoming more.
For a long moment, Peter just sits there in hushed stun, and thenβ they appear, dreamlike, that tall and statuesque figure. His wet eyes are widening as he stares up at them, and he still stays unafraid, because that soft warmth is spreading. It makes him feel safe and held, loved. )