story In Another Life

[Flynnigan 267]

 

 

A Ulisses de Alencar and Inti Leomonte Story

 

Spoiler

Do not metagame this information please <3 This was done over the course of Temp Map and this post is purely writing for fun and to explain what happened over the course of temp map for Inti and Ulisses!

 

Big thanks to @LiliumDell for the awesome rp that is Inti x Ulisses that has started since we first started playing our characters by pure happenstance! (They're my little guys. I love Ulinti so much,,,,)

 

 

The boats landed along the Isles of Kalldur. A place away from Aevos, the sailors could rest from their journey of searching for a new place to call home for some time. The Isles were too small to call home permanently, so the nations regrouped; restocking their provisions and recounting all who made it. It was a long few years for many, but for some; it wasn’t long enough.

Two of these souls had sailed on individual vessels, of different nations, and separate vassals, but they wouldn’t be apart for long. The first few days were filled with nothing but searching. Cutting through woods and vines, climbing through the mountains and trudging through snow. The days were lonely, but the two knew that soon, they’d be together. A shared promise, a secret in the night under the stars before the boats sailed… a whisper that they’d find each other on land, and live a life they’d never truly get to live.

Footsteps made Xiomora turn, eyes widening as she caught sight of the familiar chocolate locks framing emerald green eyes. His lopsided smile infected her own; the woman’s smile lighting up her face as she ran forwards, throwing her arms around Ulisses. Shared laughter mingled together as he lifted her into the air, twirling her around. As her feet touched the ground once more, their lips met in a sweet kiss, arms holding the other tightly.

“Meu anjo,” The words came out softer than the summer breeze that carries the dandelions. His eyes gazed dreamily over her dark, sunkissed skin and fiery curls tied back into their usual large braids.

Inti laced her fingers with Ulisses’, pressing their foreheads together as the strawberry blush blossomed on her cheeks. “Quyllurniy,” she breathed back, before pressing their lips together for a moment more. “I missed you,”

“And I you,” smiled Ulisses, brushing the hair from her face. “Were you worried we would not find each other? I told you I will never break a promise,” he hummed, thumb rubbing over the ring on her hand. Inti smiled warmly at the touch.

“I never doubted you for a moment,” she replied.

 

 

 

 

The following months, Ulisses and Inti worked. Though side by side, it hardly felt like work. Pillars went up; then walls and floors. The ceiling was last, followed by the windows and then the door as a small wood cabin took shape near the mountain in the spot the two met; secluded from everyone else. They had no duties, no one to care for, no appearances to keep. All the two had to worry about was each other. 

Ulisses worked on planting crops while Inti went out to hunt, bringing them roast as the two lived off the land, their hands held tight together as they went through the days, slowly turning the house into a home. When they took breaks, Inti would play her flute in the setting sun, sitting on the porch of their home, keeping the worries of their old life far behind them. 

Putting his arm around her, Ulisses pulled Inti close as the two of them stared up at the finally finished home. The woman’s head tilted, resting on his shoulder as her hand rested on his, soaking in the view.

“We did good,” she said gently, a small smile on her face. “It looks perfect.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Ulisses hummed approvingly, pulling Inti in front of him as his arms wrapped around her, chin resting on her shoulder. “And a perfect view of the setting sun.” A smile tugged at his lips as the flowers in front of the windows swayed, each lovingly planted by the two of them a few days prior. “I couldn’t wish for anything better,” he said. “Not even a mansion could compare to something we’ve made ourselves–together.”

With a light laugh, Inti leaned back into Ulisses, tilting her head. “You are a sap,” she cooed softly, voice glowing with affection. “The corniest of things come from your lips,”

“Not that you mind,” Ulisses interjected, pressing a kiss to the Leomonte's cheek. 

Inti smiled at the warmth he gave, before turning to return a proper kiss. “No,” she told the Alencar, eyes closing as she let herself be held in his arms. “I do not,”

 

 

 

 

With their home made, the two resigned to domestic life. Their days filled with reading and cooking. No meetings, no paperwork, no worries. As Inti worked in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and kneading dough, Ulisses watched as he stirred eggs, eyes drifting from the bowl to her concentrated face as the knife flew, chopping up the vegetables in a swift movement. When Ulisses sat reading on the porch, Inti’s eyes would flicker up as he withdrew his hand from hers to flip a page, smiling softly at his furrowed eyebrows, Ulisses’ eyes jumping back and forth across the page. 

“You’re doing wonderfully!” Inti laughed, sitting on the porch as she watched Ulisses in front of the house, moving his hands slowly as the flames of his magic followed him around his body, trailing after his hands. Inti’s knitting needles rubbed together as she looped around the yarn, the winter scarf slowly growing longer through her efforts.

“Of course I am!” called Ulisses, eyes wide as he blinked in concentration. “But it is still training! I don’t want to make a mistake!” Hands moving in a smooth rhythm, Ulisses guided the flames up and down as he stepped back, slowly growing the flames as his eyebrows narrowed, gnawing on his lip. 

Tilting her head, Inti smiled gently as her eyes looked on in fondness; her heart swelling at the sight. Ulisses’ eyes flickered over, face turning red at her loving gaze. In his broken concentration, Ulisses stumbled backwards, falling backwards over the fence and into their growing crops. Inti leapt to her feet as the flames followed, alighting the growing food ablaze when Ulisses hit the ground. 

“Quyllurniy!” Inti exclaimed, lifting her skirts as she ran over to the animal trough to fill a bucket with water in order to douse the spreading flames. Ulisses sputtered as he dismissed the magic, rolling around to ensure he was not alight as well, sitting up as Inti dropped to her knees next to him, inspecting the man for injuries.

“Well,” Ulisses coughed out. “Not my… best work,” he said, clearing his throat. Looking back to the scorched crops, his eyes widened in guilt, before slowly looking back to Inti with his head bowed. “Ah… I’ve… made quite the mess of things, haven’t I?” 

As she struggled to keep her lips pressed into a thin line, Inti’s shoulders shook lightly, before bursting into laughter, covering her mouth as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. “You idiot,” she said, the words overwhelmed with affection as she grinned behind her hand, giggles still straining her words. “You went right over the fence!” 

Ulisses’ face flushed a vivid red, a wide grin spreading across his lips as he began to laugh as well. “Aren’t you worried for the wheat?” he asked, sitting up straighter as he watched Inti continue to laugh. 

With a lean forward, Inti pressed a kiss to Ulisses’ forehead, eyes sparkling in amusement. “We’ve still got our other crops,” she smiled gently as she cupped her face. “You’re quite the hazard, aren’t you?”

“Only when you’re here to distract me, meu anjo,” quipped Ulisses back, pulling her closer with a smile. 

Inti shook her head, smirking at Ulisses. “You’re terrible,” she hummed, lacing their fingers together as they held their hands tightly together, sitting in the soot of the extinguished flames. “How about another picnic tonight?” she asked. “While it’s still warm out,” she whispered. “Winter is coming soon; I don’t wish to mistakenly fall asleep outside when that happens.”

A dramatic sigh sounded from Ulisses’ lips. “I would keep you warm,” he retorted easily, earning a grin from the woman.

“Would you?” she chuckled. “Apologies, my love, but I’m not jumping at the opportunity for you to prove yourself,” Inti drawled in a playful tone. “You lived in a desert, and I always did terribly in the Norland winds,” she said. “I don’t need to wake up to find out you’ve become an icicle.

Their nighttime picnics were another common occurrence. With a blanket on the grass by the river, Ulisses and Inti found themselves under the stars, staring up at the glimmering night sky. A basket was packed with desserts and baked goods so they could spoil themselves, sharing a glass of (for Inti’s culture) non-alcoholic drinks. With a smile, their glasses clinked together under red-turning leaves and a gentle fall breeze; no clouds in the sky to interrupt their view. 

Leaning closer, their lips met again, sharing a kiss after their toast of whispered promises, a secret in the hearts of only the two. Inti’s eyes turned to the sky, smiling at the moon watching down at them. She relaxed as Ulisses set out the food they’d worked on together in the kitchen, closing her eyes in the comfort of the dark. 

“The tears,” she whispered, the stars glimmering in her eyes. “They are beautiful. As always.” 

Ulisses’ eyes turned towards the stars as well; though not those in the sky. Slowly, a gentle smile grew on his face, hand moving to slip over hers, resting on it. “As always,” he agreed, Inti looking down at him with a smile. Their eyes returned to the sky as she moved closer, resting her head atop his shoulder as he put an arm behind her to lean on. 

“Do you remember how we met?” she asked quietly, her eyes never moving from the shining moon.

Ulisses took a moment. “The flower festival,” he said. “Your aunt invited me,” the man reminisced, tilting his head. “Quite an event,”

“I’ll say,” she chuckled. “I was so frightened; watching as that man…” Inti closed her eyes. “Seeing my family, injured from the explosion—I was so frightened.” she muttered. Ulisses looked down to her, gently brushing the hair from her face.

“We were barely five,” he said. “Of course you were frightened…” he mumbled quietly. Her eyes moved to him as Ulisses watched her closely. “Though I am glad you were unharmed,”

Inti smiled at his words. “You made it better,” she whispered. “I remembered crying in the clinic… my parents, aunt and uncles, my brother… all bedridden…” Inti leaned closer. And you came to sit with me,” she said. “We talked for hours about what we loved.”

A chuckle sounded from Ulisses’ chest. “You gave me a star jar,” he said. “I remember.” His thumb brushed over her ring absentmindedly as he recalled the memory; two small children huddled up in a clinic cot, whispering excitedly about stars, flowers, and fossils. “We spoke until we fell asleep,” he hummed thoughtfully. “I remember holding you in my arms like a pillow. You were so small, then. Since you were a year younger…”

With a flushed face, Inti ducked her head shyly with a small laugh. “I barely remember that part,” confessed the woman. “I was too tired from all the crying.” she explained. Ulisses laughed. 

“Understandable,” he smiled. “I don’t blame you for that. It was… a stressful day for the most part,” he muttered.

“That’s putting it lightly.”

Resting back on the blanket as it grew later in the night, their hands intertwined as the two lay side-by-side, gazing up at the stars. “You’ve always been there for me, haven’t you?” she asked softly, squeezing his hand tightly. “No matter what it was, you were there to comfort me,” she said.

Ulisses’ cheeks slowly turned red as he squeezed her hand. “Of course,” he admitted. “I always will be. Just as you’ve been there for me,” 

Raising their hands, Ulisses pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, gaze moving over to her as his dark hair fell slightly in his face. Inti met his gaze, the two sharing a lifetime between their eyes. The silence stretched a mile, eyes softening in care. Ulisses’ breathing wavered slightly as he stared, a whirlwind of emotions moving like waves on an ocean shore. Inti’s hand squeezed his slightly as his words came out softer than silk.

“I love you, meu anjo,” breathed Ulisses.

Inti’s throat tightened at the admission. She’d heard it before. The two had exchanged those heavy words plenty of times in the past, but each time never failed to make her heart flutter like a butterfly in an open meadow. Moving closer, she put her forehead against his, bringing their hands to her heart. 

“I love you too, quyllurniy,” she replied, almost quieter. 

Ulisses smiled, sitting up as he rummaged through the picnic basket. Inti sat up curiously watching as the man lifted an ornate music box, placing it on the grass. Ulisses lifted the top, rising to his feet as he took a bow, extending his hand towards Inti. 

“My lady,” Ulisses spoke properly. “May I… have this dance?” he asked. 

Inti smiled, taking Ulisses’ hand as she was pulled to her feet, other hand resting on his shoulder. Ulisses gave a dashing smile, hand resting on her waist as the two moved slowly around the grass in perfect step. Inti laughed as they danced, a soft glow of magic surrounding the two. Stars sparkled around them, a warm light blossoming the two as they spun around, Ulisses lifting his arm to twirl Inti once around. 

Stardust shimmered off of her dress as she spun around, seemingly following the two’s path as they danced slow circles around the chiming music box under the stagelights of the stars, feet moving on the soft grass. They held each other close; the way lovers do before they have to say goodbye, cherishing the last touch, the last moment. They danced like they were dreaming, knowing that any second now, they would wake up and leave the other behind. Like a gentle breeze would blow it all away.

 

 

 

As autumn went, winter came with frost-painted windows and warm drinks. Extra blankets on the bed and scarves wrapped tightly to keep away the bite of the cold. 

When the sun came through the windows into the bedroom, Inti’s eyes fluttered open, the woman snuggled in warm sleepwear and cozy blankets. Turning in the bed, she faced Ulisses, who lay peacefully next to her, hand on his chest as he snored quietly. She smiled softly, taking in the sunlight resting on his features like a butterfly drying its wings. 

The longer she watched, however, the more her smile faded. Inti’s throat burned, and she didn’t realize she had been crying until Ulisses woke slowly, eyes widening in surprise as he saw the tears streaming down her face. 

“Inti?” asked the man, moving the blankets aside as he moved to draw her closer, worry washing over his expression. “What is it? What is wrong?”

As the sobs shook her body gently, Inti’s head rested against his chest. She closed her eyes tightly, curling into him for comfort. “This is nothing more than a dream,” she whispered. “Nothing but a fleeting moment of playing pretend. Of living a life we will never have,” she wept, tears soaking Ulisses’ nightshirt. 

Ulisses’ heart clenched tight as his breathing seemed to stop, a hand lifting to caress her hair in a soothing touch. “What do you mean? This is real,” he said. “I am right here with you,”

“But you will disappear,” she trembled. “Our responsibilities will return, and we will be pulled away from each other once again,” Ulisses’ hold on her tightened as Inti spoke, his own throat beginning to burn with a sorrow of truth. “We can never truly live like this. We cannot rest by the river, cook pastries and pies all day and end the night with a book in bed.” Inti said. “We will never watch the stars with nothing on our minds except for what we see…” Her breathing shook as she drew in a desperate breath. “We will never live with each other like this. At peace.”

Moving a hand down, Ulisses cupped Inti’s cheek gently, moving her head so she may meet his eyes. His own had begun to harbor tears that threatened to stream down his cheeks like rain on a window. “Maybe not,” he said. “But that does not make what we have now merely a dream,” Ulisses whispered. Inti sniffled, doing her best to steady her breathing as Ulisses calmed her down. “We get to have these years. We get to have this time…” he muttered, holding her close. “I don’t want it to end either, but…” 

Inti swallowed as she let out a slow breath. “It’s… better than not having it at all…” she finished, pushing her hand into his as she laced her fingers with his. 

Ulisses’ heart ached, but he smiled, watching their fingers intertwine. “...yes,” he said gently. “Better than not having it at all,” Moving her head to look back up at him, Inti watched as Ulisses took a deep, heavy breath. “Let’s not worry about goodbyes yet, meu anjo,” he suggested. “Let that time come as slow as it wishes.” 

With a slow nod of her head, Inti’s gaze softened. “You’re right,” she said. “You’re right… there’s no sense in wasting the time we have now worrying about it,” Inti gave a small smile. “The future will come when it comes,” she said. “For now, we have the present.” Inti held Ulisses’ hand to her chest as they snuggled back up together. “And it certainly is a gift.”

A smile blossomed on his face, taking in the warmth of the bed in contrast to the cold winter air. “I suppose that’s why they call it that,” he hummed, staring up at the ceiling, taking in the moment slowly. His head then tilted to look at Inti. “How about… a day in? It’s quite cold. We can make breakfast later. For now… You’re nice and warm.”

Smiling, Inti let out a soft laugh, moving closer to him. “Sounds like a good idea,” she mumbled, her tears already drying from her eyes as the two took in the silent moment together, alone in each other's arms with nothing a witness except for the sun peeking through the frosty windows.

 

 

 

[Sonybut7 530]

A deceased Nord seethes as he views upon Ulisses...
 
Oblivion come for all who tempt the Long Dark,
Foul Voidal Mage.

[Sir_Senti 41]

IM SO PROUD OF ULI

[LiliumDell 112]

The scarred man stood in silence, meditating in between the trees. 

In the midst of his meditative state, his hands start to creep into an embrace, enveloping himself in his own arms. 

And he smiled.

The memories and smells and sensations were overflowing him; the cold snow, the smell of burned crops, Inti's voice, Inti's touch...Inti.

His mind could only replay the moments she was present, still feeling her touch. 

 

And for a second, he almost wept.

Knowing this would never happen again. 

 

Not on this life.