The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Zevran]

Zevran hums softly, studying Cedric's face until he suddenly frowns. "It occurs to me," he says, "that I-- Well, I am--" He makes a face at himself. "What are we to each other? What am I to Noire? Cindy? Little... One?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I suppose... whatever you want to be, now. I can hardly say, husband, when that was just Varisia doing her bullshit again."

[Zevran]

"I cannot argue with not allowing that... being to decide who or what I am to others," he agrees with a snort. "But... Well, perhaps I should first ask; how much of what time we spent together was you?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Very little. The first half of last-- the last night, I was the one who retrieved the bloodstone."

[Zevran]

"Were you, ah, present but not... in control for any other times?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"On occasion. When you threatened Cindi, for example."

[Zevran]

"Threatened..? Oh! The dagger. That was not--" He frowns, looking more apologetic than displeased. "That was not meant to be a threat, it was mostly just... needing to use a weapon." He averts his gaze briefly, making Cedric realize he's gotten more eye contact, more glimpses of Zevran's open eyes, than he normally gets in a dozen conversations. "It had been a lifetime since I'd had the means to fight back, to defend myself. Proper means anyway."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"My role is to protect the system. When there's danger, I'm summoned. Often quite quickly; I don't recall what led up to it, but I recall suddenly being very aware you were close to me and had a knife." 

[Zevran]

Zevran blinks a few times, eyes returning to Cedric's face. "That must be... disorienting. And a little sad. Defending your, ah, family I suppose, is a noble and worthy duty, but to be just that?" He slowly, carefully, lifts his hand to rest his hand on the side of Cedric's jaw, a motionless caress. "You deserve more."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Oddly enough he tenses, breath catching a moment. "I had more," he says, and his voice is rough. "I had Bull."

[Zevran]

Zevran flinches, guilt and sorrow flooding his face. "My heart grieves with yours," he whispers, not moving his hand. "I would listen, gladly, if you wish to... to remember him."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I can't," he says, his voice breaking just a little. "I failed him. I swore I'd protect him from Varisia and I failed. I was helpless in the end. How can I ever atone for repaying his love, his kindness, his gentle spirit with that? I should have left him in the pits rather than drag him into this den of vipers."

[Zevran]

"No," Zevran snaps, fire suddenly blazing in his entire being. "No. Do not do that to him. Do not spit on his sacrifice, on that very love you spoke of, by taking that from him. Just as you swore to him, he swore to you." He leans in, their faces only inches apart. "If you had died or been taken for him, he would be feeling what you are now. That is what you protected him from. You gave him a decade of love, of family and belonging. Grieve, gods yes, grieve, but do not do this to yourself nor to him."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I'm the protector," whispers Cedric. "It's Cindy who gave him family, home."

[Zevran]

"A home can't be a home if it isn't safe," Zevran says simply.