too good to say goodbye {venus/sun}

It was too easy to call it a night.

There was an infection of diligence in the veins of a Gamemaker; hard work meant late nights, early mornings, and a startling amount of caffeine. To achieve success, Venus required all of the above components. He had enough tools in his kit to maximize his time efficiently, even if it sacrificed his time with others. When the kings of the Capitol hierarchy forcibly announced his return to the Gamemaker throne – without his twin brother – he knew what it meant. A chance to redeem himself, but at the cost of stepping out of his comfort zone to work with newcomers. This meant no collaborating with his brother’s equally brilliant mind.

It felt like turning his back on a past life. Closing old doors, opening new ones. He would rather stay put, but the Capitol did not offer a choice this time around.

They didn’t speak the words, but their eyes signaled a warning. Redeem yourself. There was no room for disappointment.

It was in the dead of night, after the songs of crickets ceased, when he started packing his suitcase. Spare clothes and toothbrushes for the nights he would spend in the training center, eyes aching from the constant flickering of monitors. Coffee would keep him awake but water would soothe his headaches, and a balance would hardly be reached. He didn’t look forward to the nights of anticipation, thinking about what could be done and what should’ve been done. The risk was higher than the reward.

He folded the last of his dress pants and turned around to finish his chore. Silent as a cat, Sun was suddenly there, perched upon his neat stacks of clothes. It didn’t surprise him, but he hadn’t anticipated a visit. ”Hey there,” he said quietly, ”Trying to sneak into my luggage?”

[ dars ]