My black dragon master, you are. My first Darkness. I met you when I was young and impressionable, and I was convinced you were the boy I would marry. I can recall a specific instance where we were on the phone and I had lost my second calling card. I asked you to point me in the right direction and you said, left. I said, “Okay.” And then you said down. Under the bed on my left side it sat resting on the carpet.
I knew then that we would be friends forever.

We met in a chatroom when I was eleven. We roleplayed, we conquered, we grew. The first time we talked on the phone we found a similarity that has yet to die- our love for bagels and cream cheese. I know that sounds trivial to anyone else, but a bagel and cream cheese is an important part of our lives. Nine years after we met online we finally met in person. And you were just the person I knew you’d be. You came to visit for a Christmas, the best Christmas I’ve ever had.
We were inseparable.

As we grow older, our bodies pick up the contour and shape of the choices we’ve made. Skin sags in places of neglect and tightens in area’s of use. Eyes widen less and less. Fingernails crack and bend. Your spine gradually shifts in various places.
Your body fit mine just right at that moment in time. Twin souls.
Valkyrie and the Dragon Master.

Do you remember when these photos were taken?
My first Darkness.
You always will be, too.

“Whatever I bit into, it definitely wasn’t pork chop.”