Home. Home was here, enveloped in Amaranth's scent, listening to the sound of her voice like an ethereal whisper uttering words that would only ever be shared between them. Valeska did not consider herself particularly possessive as a whole, believing all good things should be spread amongst themselves with openness and impartiality, but she would never share Amaranth. The mere thought of any lifetime where they did not meet was incomprehensible.

Valeska belonged to Amaranth as much as she did her.

Afraid? she mumbled back, surprised. It wasn't like Amaranth to talk about her feelings, much less fear. Searching her face with hungry eyes, she found it almost as painful as much as it was flattering for the Augur to be frightened on her behalf. I am sorry - I would never wish to bring you worry. It seems in my self-punishment I have hurt more than I have helped.

Lowering her gaze, she felt a strange sensation flutter in her chest as they pressed silently against each other. The pink flame was beautiful, she thought, and so warm; she took a deep, bracing breath and felt its hazy smoke enter her lungs, and somehow the feeling in her chest seemed to spread throughout her entire body. Her heart hammered in her chest.

Valeska blinked.

Did she hear that correctly?

Run away together? From the Respite, their family, their friends?

The heady sweet-scent filled her lungs again and answered, yes.

Just the two of them. Had it ever been just the two of them? They had always been a part of something greater together, key components of a collective where it had been their duty for so many years to watch over them all and give and guide and protect...

That sounds wonderful, she breathed without thinking, every moment feeling that strange warmth from earlier saturating her senses. The truest bliss she would ever know, she felt in her heart, was Amaranth. Running away together to spend the rest of their lives selfishly enveloped in the love they shared for each other was as close to a heaven as she could ever imagine, especially in this moment.

But...

What of the others? That nagging voice at the back of her mind managed to rasp through the haze.

It would be... cruel to leave them, with no one to guide what remains of Elysium. We have been a home, a haven for so long...

Valeska fell silent, watching the crackling flame.

We could... step down. We are not as young as we were, and we are both so tired. Pass the care of Elysium on to the next generation.

Her expression was, for once, unreadable. It had been a distant thought for many moons, but the reality of their situation and the effects of the smoke seemed to peel back the layers of her hesitation and allowed it to be spoken at last.

It would give us freedom and the peace we crave.