Work Text:
Two stars dancing, always pulling close but never quite touching. Both were beautiful stars, one shining with glory and the other with hope. In the wings, hidden by the shadows of the curtains, Throné watched as Agnea and Dolcinaea danced together on the dazzling stage.
The two biggest stars in Solistia dancing together in New Delsta had certainly drawn a crowd, and as Agnea's bodyguard, Throné had been busier than ever. Often she wondered if she would be able to keep up with the hectic pace of Agnea's newfound stardom, but to see Agnea shine brightly on the stage was worth any hardship.
"They're both beautiful, aren't they?" Veronica said as she came beside Throné.
"Mm," was Throné's only reply. Veronica, Dolcinaea's bodyguard, was tall with impressive toned muscles. Their paths had crossed a few times as Agnea and Dolcinaea continued their respective tours, but it was rare for them to exchange words.
Veronica chuckled softly as she watched Agnea and Dolcinaea dance together upon the stage. "Ever since the Grand Gala, Dolcinaea's smile has grown brighter." She turned toward Throné. "That Agnea certainly is an interesting girl, isn't she?"
Throné's hand went to her throat, where that poisoned collar used to lay. "Yes, she really is," she murmured.
After killing Claude, she had felt both restless and hollow, uncertain of the unknown future ahead of her. Now that she was free, a freedom soaked in blood, what could she do next? But when Agnea danced at the Grand Gala and shared her "Song of Hope" with all those who watched her, Throné thought to herself that if the world could give birth to one as bright as Agnea, then it truly was beautiful. She could never fully escape the scent of blood and knew too much of humanity's darkness, but no longer was she a member of the Blacksnakes or a vessel of Vide. With Agnea by her side, she would never turn away from the dawn.
Veronica watched Throné out of the corner of her eye as her lips curled into a faint smile. "Do you love her?"
"Of course," Throné answered without hesitation, and with a smirk she added, "Perhaps even more than you love Dolcinaea."
"Such a bold claim." Veronica returned Throné's teasing smirk. "But if we began competing, the only ones who'd win would be Dolcinaea and Agnea."
A gentle silence fell over the two of them as they continued to watch Agnea and Dolcinaea dance together. Apparently such duets were uncommon, and that Dolcinaea had been the one to approach Agnea with this idea. Throné's first impression of Dolcinaea had been that she was a cold woman, but a part of Throné could understand Dolcinaea's bitterness and shame toward her improvised roots. Now, dancing beside Agnea, Dolcinaea's own smile was as bright and warm.
"Dolcinaea told me something once," Veronica said, carefully breaking the silence. "On that long night, she dreamed of Agnea and her friends bringing back the dawn."
Throné folded her hand over her heart; the memory of that endless night felt much like a nightmare these days, but she would never forget the sight of Agnea standing in the glow of that hard-earned dawn. "Agnea is… much like the sun herself."
On the stage, Agnea and Dolcinaea joined hands, singing the final stanza together. Every eye was focused only on them, as if they were the only two in the world. For a moment, Throné would've given anything to trade places with Dolcinaea. Their song ended, and as the curtain fell, the audience erupted into thunderous applause. The spell was now broken, but Agnea and Dolcinaea were still radiant as they approached Throné and Veronica.
Dolcinaea reached them first, almost leaping into Veronica's strong arms and kissing her deeply. Agnea was no less eager, throwing her arms around Throné for a tight embrace. Her smile was bright, and she pressed her lips against Throné's.
"Oh my, it seems we dancers have a type," Dolcinaea said, giving Agnea and Throné a knowing, playful look.
While Throné felt her cheeks flush under Dolcinaea's teasing gaze, Agnea's smile remained bright. "Thank you, Dolcinaea!" she exclaimed breathlessly, and still she held Throné close. "This was a wonderful opportunity!"
"Of course it was." Dolcinaea's smile was both proud and adoring. "Miss Throné, was it? You hold in your arms a most precious treasure, so I expect great things of you too."
Throné nodded. "I will protect Agnea, I swear."
Eventually the excitement settled, and Dolcinaea and Veronica bid Agnea and Throné farewell. After Agnea changed out of her costume for the duet and into her regular dress, she and Throné left the theater, their fingers laced together. Night had fallen, but the lights of New Delsta lit their path. These days, Throné thought to herself, the streetlights seemed just a little brighter.
"You were beautiful," Throné said as she and Agnea walked. That seemed too simple a statement for what she had just witnessed, but she had never been good with those kinds of words.
"Eheh, thanks!" Agnea hugged Throné's arm. "Dolcinaea's really changed, hasn't she? I never thought she'd be the one to suggest a duet!"
"I'm not surprised. You're a wonderful person, Agnea."
"Oh, Throné, now you're embarassin' me…"
They soon came to the inn, a place that had become increasingly familiar to the both of them. Once they were inside their room, they lay in bed together, simply holding each other. Throné threaded her fingers through Agnea's soft hair; she would never love New Delsta the way Agnea did, knowing too much of its ugly underside, but more and more she could see the beauty of this city.
"Agnea," Throné said, her voice a whisper, "what do you plan to do next?"
Agnea's arms tightened around Throné. "Mm, I love performing, I really do, but I think I'll head home for a bit, and then maybe visit Sai to see Laila and the others."
"That's a good idea. You need to take time for yourself too," Throné replied, remembering Garud's request that she watch over Agnea and ensure she didn't overexert herself. When she told Agnea about that request, Agnea explained to her what had happened to her mother.
Agnea let out a quiet giggle. "Will you come with me?"
"Of course." Throné brushed her lips against Agnea's forehead. "Always."