Erythreus could barely remember a time before Dom had became his personal guard. Almost all aliwards had at least one specially assigned to them, and his had been Dominic for a long while. Eryhtreus hadn’t always been as hard to be around as he was now. Before the celestials had fallen and the isle of Sky had become their prison he had actually been pleasant to be around. Funny even. He had enjoyed his duties and exploring the world. His heart hadn’t been shattered time after time by different blondes. Still it had taken a while for him to find his person. He wasn’t the light kind personality that embraced everyone with love and made everyone comfortable as his sister Argent and he wasn’t positive as Virindeus. Even in his happier eras he was sarcastic and not very chatty. He didn’t need to fill out all the silence and he needed his personal space and secrets.

When Dominic had joined the guard it had come naturally for him to be offered the position as the ruler of deaths protector and right hand. The two had always gotten along well and Erythreus had over the years started to seen him as one of his only true friends. Dom didn’t need to know everything shady he was up to he came to the rescue if needed, and cleaned up his messes when needed. Their partnership had run smoothly for decades until they both pursued the same woman. The same woman Dom still had a complicated relationship with. More and more secrets and mission had decided them and now they hadn’t spoken for months a long time for people who had spent most days together. The aspect of death knew that the split was mostly on him. He couldn’t imagine devoting his life to protecting and supporting another person full heartedly as the guards swore. His world had ben egocentric for so long it was hard to shift focus. He tried to see it from the guards point of view with different interests and promises pulling him in different directions, but still a childish part of him felt neglected.

”Didn’t know it was part of your duties to endure couples therapy” Erythreus said sourly staring back at his guard. ”I am sorry the pay aint good but I guess seeing the aliwards being a total mess and coming to your faction for guidance is reward enough” he joked glancing back at Lucien for a moment before turning the heat back to Dominic. ”Oh I am so sorry I am such a disappointment as an aspect” the aspect blurted voicing his inner thoughts something they both should’ve been better at to avoid this mess. ”You have too high thoughts of me old pal” Erythreus sighed a bit of sadness tainting his voice. On the battlefield during his time as a walker he’d been ruthless never backing down from a fight. That wasn’t courage though he’d learned a lot the millennium he had lived through since then. Courage was making hard decisions and standing by them but also being able to see once mistakes. Being brave was sharing your feelings and dare to show weakness even when it could end in heartbreak. The aspect of death had always run from that kind of bravery. Showing feelings and risk being hurt, which he had been either way, was nothing he had preformed. Wasn’t that cowardly if anything? 

Erythreus stood there silent looking at Dom didn´t now what to say. Maybe this was where their ways parted? He knew the guard was disappointed with him, hell he was disappointed with himself. Still he couldn´t reveal all his concerns and self doubt giving him even more reasons to doubt him and he couldn´t bare that. Not with everything else going shit lately.

Dominic was quiet for a few moments as he stared back to Erythreus and let his words really process. "Is that it? Is that what it is?" he prodded, his voice lowering, the anger dissipating if what he was picking up on was truly the cause for the shut down the aspect was going through. He truly looked at his friend for another few heartbeats before straightening up from his leaned position over the table, relaxing his hands at his sides as the residual sting from slamming his fist on the table ebbed and the white that had been clouding his normal hues diminished. Dom knew Erythreus had been hurting. It was the obvious reason for the destructive behavior, but hearing the other say it aloud was making it more fact. He just needed Ery to also own that shit.

Dom kept his eyes on the aspect as he spoke. "Can you give us a moment, Lucien?"

"Of course," was the sentry's reply as he stood from the chair and exited out of the kitchen.

Another few silent moments stretched between the pair. "You think you're a disappointment?" Dom questioned with a scoff as if it was the most absurd thing he'd ever heard. "Man, all of your siblings are being affected in one way or the other, and for sure through their abilities. Why are you being so goddamn hard on yourself?" He tried searching Ery for the answer as if it would be written somewhere over his face. "You can't be perfect. You know that better than most with the shit we've been through. This has nothing to do with you as the person you are. It's an outside force that's causing this to happen. It's not because you aren't fit for your position as the aspect of Death, Ery." 

He folded his arms over his chest, his accessing gaze still on his friend. "And yeah, I have high thoughts of you because they are fucking deserved, Ery. We've known each other for years and the bar has been set high for others because you've proven time and time again what it is to be a hero, brother, mentor, and damn good friend." Dominic paused and sighed, letting the words settle around them in the quiet. "Now tell me what is going on. Please. Don't make me beg. It's unbecoming of my normally badass persona." A slight smirk formed in an effort to break the tension.

The aspect of death watched one of his oldest friend processed his words. He saw that he was mesmerized by them. Something he hadn’t expected. To him it had been crystal clear that everyone had watched him with pity and disgust for what he had done to his powers and himself. Letting it get this far and his realm collapse and hiding behind the booze. Maybe he had been wrong. Perhaps the others hadn’t seen his full struggle, his self doubt. To caught up in their own problems and sorrows and just letting it slide when he pushed their helping hands away and not pushing until he cracked. Something he realized now he had needed even tho he hadnt been a great friend or leader himself.

Ery saw Lucien leave the kitchen, the person who with the actually most right to be there, and  then his eyes focused on the guard again. ”I know I am” he said his eyes not budging from Dominics. ”The others still function” Erythreus stated. It had been a while since he had interacted with any of his siblings. He had heard that some of them had struggled with their powers but none of them had struggled like he had. ”Well I should’ve been able to fight it, find a solution but I have not” he said ashamed ”The ghosts are devastated they are driven crazy when they can’t find peace on the other side, I see them everywhere reminding me of my faliures. They blame me for their misfortune for their deaths driving me crazy too” it was hard for him to admit how far it had gone. No one could see the ghosts for him and a few other spiritual people. The aspect of death hated to be the weak person, the problem needed solving.

”I hadn’t been anywhere without you having my back, I am sorry I’ve been a bad friend” Ery sighed. Remembering all their good times together, all their dangerous stupid adventures, their flirting during a time where the were both single ladies men. He had missed the man he considered his best friend. His ride or die. The man who had always been more than just his guard to him. He didn’t know when they had drifted appart. Did it start when they fought over they same girl? Dom and Ery had always been able to share everything even feelings. They used to laugh together over catastrophic dates and mishaps when had that stoped? Hopefully it wasn’t too late to save it. This was one step forward.