synthneon | FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

[ If not for the fact that a war was going on, he would clear his schedule for the next day so that he might spend more time with her. That is truly what he desires now, even if he has only just begun to realize it. They may not have placed a title on their relationship, and they certainly have not discussed such things aloud, but in his mind, he has already begun to consider them a couple. He will have to inquire about her thoughts on that matter before too long. ]

Perhaps I am. [ When she presses that kiss against his brow, his eyes slide closed for just a moment until she pulls away and moves over to the bed. It might as well be her side, because this bed has always been empty except for himself. He watches as she gets into the bed and makes herself comfortable, and once he is satisfied, he joins her there.

Without thought, his hand moves down to lightly twine into her hair, being careful not to pull on it. If they could remain like this even into the next morning, he would be very happy indeed.

As she glances up, he glances downwards, and again he inclines his head in a nod. This is more than he could have hoped for, and he is grateful for her presence at his side. ]

Are you comfortable?

I am.

[ Selfishly so, she adds quietly in her mind.

The arm draped over him moves to rest her hand on his chest. She would say or think that such a thing feels natural--as if it has always meant to be this way. Such thoughts, while not childish, certainly seem whimsical in nature and unrealistic in the world they live in. Her head tilts more into his chest as her gaze lowers. Her ears twitch slightly at his hand in her hair.

What should they speak of? Should they just enjoy each other's presence? She still hasn't acted on the kiss he gave her permission for. Yet, it oddly feels out of place if she does. She sighs, rubbing her cheek into the fabric of his shirt. ]

Good. So long as you are a guest in my home, I will do my best to give you anything that you need or desire to make your stay here more comfortable.

[ He has spent so long sleeping alone in this room with its bed that is large even for him that having someone to share it with is a welcome change. And when she rests her hand on his chest, his first instinct is to move in closer as if to say he welcomes her touch. This does feel right, as if it is a regular occurrence for them. And how he wishes that it was, because when the next night comes and he returns to this room and finds it empty, he knows that he will miss her presence greatly.

He would lie here like this with her until one or both of them falls asleep, but he wonders if he ought to try and fill the silence that has fallen over the room. ]

You asked me to share my burdens with you, but what of yours? I would hear of yours if the telling of them helps ease your mind.

I doubt you would be willing to provide everything I desire. [ The tone in her voice is soft and almost far away sounding. She would not ask him to attend to her whim of the idea of a future of any sort between them. What he has given her up until this point is more than enough--it should be enough.

His other query makes her tilt her head back to look at him. Her gaze softens. Her burdens? There are many she might offer up. This may not be the time or place for all of them. Instead, after a moment, her shoulders relax and she turns into him. She rests her chin on his chest to look at him properly. ]

The beastmen are attempting to actively summon their Primals again. It's why the Scions keep calling us away. [ Her eyes dart to the side for only a brief moment before returning to him. ] There is another group that has decide to pit themselves against the Scions. They call themselves the "Warriors of Darkness." They're intention is to beat us to the slaying of Primals and cause some sort of upset... although they have been quiet for some time now.

We tried to reach out to them and offer to make an alliance; we fight the same things after all. Yet, they insist we are their enemy no matter what. I believe it bothers Alphinaud more than anyone after all that has happened...

[ Then, a shake of her head. ] I wouldn't wish to weigh you down with more when you are in need of rest, Aymeric.

[ Here, he looks confused, knowing he most certainly must be not understanding her, at least not fully. ] What is the reason for your doubt? If it is something I can give you or do for you, I would do it without even a moment's hesitation. [ While he may not know the exact direction her thoughts are taking, his own thoughts are going in a certain direction as well, and what is more, it is not one he could have predicted before this night.

Before this, it was only a fool's hope that she might wish to spend time with him, getting to know him, and him getting to know her, and in doing so that the two might grow closer. Now that she is here in his house and in his bed, he realizes that he would make this permanent, if only it was what she wanted as well.

To ask her so plainly would be ungraceful and improper, but he so desperately longs to ask where her heart lies on this matter. Instead, he gives thought to her descriptions about the plight the Scions are presently facing. ]

I see. It does not need to be said that the beastmen represent a tremendous threat as it is, but if you add in these Warriors of Darkness...

For some, the goal is nothing more than causing chaos and upheaval in the world, and I gather that is the intent of these Warriors. But surely that cannot be all that drives them, and if it is, I can hardly help but wonder what or who has done them such wrong that they would desire to only cause trouble.

It is said that fools often do not hear wise counsel, or even an olive branch being extended, and while I am reluctant to deem these Warriors fools, I cannot help but think that must be so. What is their position that renders them so completely opposed to the Scions, I wonder?

[ He wishes he could understand, but there are just some things that cannot be comprehended. ]

Please, you have helped me navigate the corridors of my own mind and the thoughts that dwell within; I would do the same for you.

There is something else to them. Something... desperate, fearful. While it seems their hearts are very much set on their mission? I can't help but feel there is something that lurks behind them pushing them. Of course, I have nothing to prove it, just suspicions and hunches. Those do little without evidence to back them up.

Their leader, the Warrior of Darkness himself seems familiar somehow. Maybe it is just because they all seem to be adventurers at heart. Just as I and Thisru started out.

[ A shrug of her shoulder can be seen despite how she lays tucked beside him. As for his other statements? Her eyes close and her head cants downwards ever so slightly. How could she ever ask him? It would be asking him to forgo what his traditions and his society have taught him. While a passing flirtation or relationship would not be seen as odd, she is sure, that is not truly what she wants. She wishes to call him hers and for him to call her his.

Yet, there is no doubt in her mind she could not live up to the expectations given to one of his standing. She is an adventurer and a traveler. The Scions and Eorzean Alliance would expect her to be at their call. How could she be considered a stable partner -- let alone anything more -- when her duty would take her away from the duties he would need of her?

Her tail shifts slightly under the covers as her ears tuck down slightly. ]

... I couldn't give you everything you would need in return. [ Even saying that much makes her wish to crawl under the covers and hide from what she is certain to be a negative reaction. ] After all, I'm a Champion of Hydaelyn and Eorzea. A Savior of Ishgard, Slayer of Primals. There are far too many expectations put upon me and ask you grant me what I would ask for. Not when I could not fulfill what it would require of me.

[ His expression sobers, which is something considering he has been fairly serious this entire time. Desperation? Fear? They have been his people's companions for far too long, as well as his, although he has done his best to present a confident exterior when in public, in hopes that his confidence might put to rest at least a small portion of their fears. ]

I may not know what it is that they are facing, but I can relate to those feelings of desperation and fear. I am, however, quite confident that your suspicions and hunches may well contain some accuracy. I mean to say that I trust in your intuition, and whatever the situation with these Warriors of Darkness may be, I would hold onto that thought, in case some use comes from it.

If they are caught up in something beyond them, I do feel for them. [ Being used or manipulated, even if that is not the case with these Warriors, is not a pleasant experience.

He may not know what manner of thoughts are stirring about in her mind, and so he cannot know what words to say to address them, but he can continue to offer comfort and solace. She is already pressed quite close against him, but the arm that is around her pulls her in, closing those last few inches that separate them. ]

Everything I need? What I need is having you here beside me for as long as you can remain. I would not ask for anything more than that. [ That, and her love, if she can give it to him. Even if she can't, how things have progressed this evening has caused him to realize that he loves her far more deeply than he realized. ]

That you consent to even be present with me at all, even in this very moment, means more to me than I can put into words. [ Perhaps he shouldn't interpret this moment as a sign that she loves him. It could be that all she wishes to do is offer him comfort, nothing more. But they have shared kisses and exchanged words that go beyond merely showing care and affection, or so he thinks. Could it be that he has misinterpreted everything that has happened between them?

His eyebrows draw together as he ponders this possibility. ]

You do not have to give me anything more than what you already have. And if our time together ends after this night, then these memories will become even more meaningful to me.

It is good council. [ She nods, planning to keep his words to heart.

While the so-called Warriors of Darkness may not be on their side? Surely they can come to some sort of understanding of each other's plight. It cannot be as simple as Warriors versus Warriors. Especially not when they clearly both mean to stop the formation of primals.

She is pressed closer to him and her ears perk up slightly in surprise. Mint green eyes open enough to be able to look at him through her bangs. Her heart beats faster at his words. Her mind almost wishes to rebel at what her heart is telling her. Surely, he cannot return her feelings. At least, perhaps not in the way her heart yearns for.

Something insider her hurts at the idea of moments like these becoming merely memories; something fond to look back at without being able to look forward to others. Her ears stand further on end as her eyes widen entirely. She practically shoots up beside him, the hand on his chest moving to cup the side of his face. ]

I would never ask to end our time together! [ Her tail practically stands on end with her eyebrows turning upwards. ] I don't wish for any of this to become only memories. How--how could I ask for more of this when I can barely be here as it is? How could I ask you to wait for me and put any prospects to the side?

[ He opens his mouth to say something else, but she surprises him with her sudden movement, and he stops when her hand moves to the side of his face. ]

I do not wish for this to become only a memory either. I would- [ His eyebrows draw together and for a moment, he closes his eyes as a swirl of emotions threatens to overtake him. Another moment passes and he finds his voice again. ] It matters not to me how often you are called away or how long you may be gone. I would wait a lifetime for you to return, and if I might be so bold, I would do this because you have become so very important to me.

[ He hesitates, because part of him feared that this was premature, that it would only cause her to turn away from him, but he has realized he needs her to know how he truly feels. ]

You do not need to ask me anything either, simply because I admire you greatly and even love you, if you will allow me to say that.

[ He sees no reason to withhold his feelings, but at the same time, he does not expect her to return them. ]

Because of that, I will wait for you and be present when your duties allow you to return.

[ Her expression remains unchanged as she watches his own. He has ever been one to be in calm control of his emotions; only a slight change of how his eyes narrow or his voice tremors when some true upset has happened. The feeling of wishing to curl up and hide underneath the covers. Her gaze drops until he speaks once again, causing her eyes to raise underneath her bangs and her ears to lift slightly.

She has no idea how what they both apparently so desire could work. Part of her scolds her for such idealistic wants and dreams. How could a relationship function if both are apart for so long? Though, those thoughts come to a fierce halt the moment he speaks the one word: love.

Her fingers trail along his cheek bone and his jaw. Her heart pounds in her chest as her mind attempts to wrap around the idea of him being in love with her. There is no reason to doubt given their closeness and the fact she now rests in his bed. Her tail shifts under the covers as her mind swirls with ways to answer his own feelings.

Perhaps it would feel underwhelming, but all she can think to do is lean down and kiss him. It is far from chaste or light, being an attempt at expressing her own feelings to him through action. ]

[ Perhaps it is his exhaustion finally surfacing, or the knowledge that he has done nothing but talk her ear off this entire evening, but when her wordless response comes, he rises to meet it without question. One hand moves to twine gently in her hair even as he leans into the kiss.

It seems as though they no longer have any need for words, because their actions speak quite clearly on their own. As for himself, he refuses to allow his thoughts to stray to the morning and how they will have to separate, each going to attend to their own respective duties.

Eventually, the hand that's in her hair travels to snake around her back so that he might pull her in even closer, not that there is much space between them anymore, but he suddenly feels the need to be as close to her as he can.

And when that first kiss ends, he's quick to replace it with another, for as long as she wishes or until she pulls away. If he falls asleep with his arms around her, well, it is quite a welcome change from sleeping alone as he has done for so long. ]

[ She would listen no matter how long he wished to speak. Even if that was into the long hours of the night and into the morning. While she would not presume, she does wonder if he has had anyone in recent years to speak so candidly with. Estinien had long since been on the roam for Nidhogg, and she is still uncertain of how close Lucia and Aymeric are outside of their working relationship.

Alkaid moves with his direction to close what little gap remains between them. Her breath catches quickly in order to meet his next kiss. She feels almost as if there lost time for them to make up for after their interruption before hand and long pause before they could be together on their own. There is the temptation to lean over him and swing her leg to his other side, but, perhaps he would not like such a thing... ]

[ It has been some time since he had someone with whom he could speak in the manner that he has. While he has always been good friends with Estinien, and the relationship he has with Lucia is one of implicit trust, tonight marks the first time in a long time that he has been so forthcoming about what he deems his private struggles.

But now he is not thinking about that. He is thinking about Alkaid, the one whom he has fallen for, and how much he longs to get to know her better. When they briefly part to catch their breath, he asks: ]

There is something that I would like to do, but only if I have your permission for it.

[ He knows that some might sneer at him for this, thinking that he lacks the initiative to attempt the action he wishes to perform, but he wishes to ever be respectful of her boundaries, not wanting to offend her by doing or even saying something too forward. ]

[ There is much they still have to learn of one another, and yet her heart has already decided it belongs to him. Their full range of likes and dislikes, childhood details, even the knowledge of each other's trades. She wishes to know more of his childhood and the Borels. They, in her mind, are his true family. Thordan may have been father by blood, but surely it was not he who cared for Aymeric when he was sick or of a hesitant heart. She would know more of the two that instilled their love of Ishgard into the man she is now in bed with. A later time, for certain, but she can only wish they would have nights where they could speak endlessly.

She presses a kiss to his jaw between each breath. Her ears raise slightly at his statement. The kisses pause so she might turn her eyes upwards to him again. The mind could run wild with such a question and yet she does her best to quiet it. ]

Yes? What might that be?

[ Truthfully, if only they had the time, he knows that he would be quite content to sit with her and listen to her talk about any subject she desired for hours. The many things she has seen and people she has met would astound him, he is certain of it, and he wishes to hear anything that she would tell him. And of course, he would not withhold an ounce of anything from her. He would have no secrets from her, that much he is certain of. ]

Well, I- I wondered if I might... [ He has not felt this nervous about anything in quite some time, but he decides it is well worth the effort to push past his nerves and put forth his request. ] Knowing that it is quite a ridiculous request, I-

[ Suddenly, despite his resolve, it seems as though his nerves get the best of him and he shakes his head. ]

No, never mind, it is far too foolish of me to even ask it.

[ A tilt of her head follows his stammering. He is not one she associates with the word or even the motion. Yet, such is a time where they are learning things of one another that others may not know. His ability to stammer, her inability to say things that she wishes to. It has certainly been a time of revelations.

Her eyes narrow slightly in concern that he is unable to ask whatever it is that he desires. She moves forward to lean over him, hand beside his head, and looking down at him. The shirt far too large for her hangs off her frame with little thought of the impropriety or what exactly he might see. ]

Aymeric, [ while gentle, her tone does convey a sense that he look straight to her. ] You have me barely clothed beside you in bed. Surely, whatever it is you wish to ask for cannot be nearly as scandalous as this.

[ If he had any other request but the one he finds himself wanting to make, for reasons he feels absolutely foolish for having, he would not be so hesitant. Perhaps on some level, he is afraid of her reacting badly to his request, and that is why he stammers.

For a moment, his eyes travel to her borrowed attire, taking in the way it hangs off of her, but he wills his senses to remain as intact as possible. ]

I suppose it is not scandalous at all, in light of that, but I fear you may find it crossing a line or ridiculous enough to cause you to despise me for asking it.

[ But what is living and being in love without taking a little risk? Even if this turns out to be no real risk at all... ]

I wondered if you might permit me to touch your ears. [ He wishes to do more than merely touch them, perhaps kiss them if she allows him to, but he feels the need to ask permission first.

On some level, he feels as though this may be too intimate, because her ears are simply a part of who she is, but he would be lying if he said he has not wished for this before now. ]

[ Her head tilts to the side as she waits for his request. She has no issue with his eyes wandering or taking her in. Waiting for his request does feel like ages if only be cause she is so intent on it. What sort of line would he be afraid it crosses? In her mind, they have already crossed a fair amount of lines. Certainly those that come from his traditional background.

At the sound of his request, her ears stand on end. She is far from applaud by it -- if anything she seemingly is embarrassed. A gentle smile takes her face as she looks to the side as her cheeks turn pink. Instead of vocally answering his request? She settles back down to rest her chin on his chest. Her hand moves from beside his head to take his, gently resting them atop her head. Fingers guide his along to her ears before sliding down and resting at his wrist.

Her tail sways side to side underneath the blankets. ]

[ There is no better way to say it: when she rests her chin against his chest and takes hold of his hand, his heart leaps into his throat. Some talk about feeling as though butterflies are fluttering around in moments like these, and he can say with confidence that that is exactly what he is feeling: nerves, yes, but also more love than he can remember feeling for anyone.

His touch is brief, but he gives the ear his hand is resting upon a light stroke before he slowly withdraws it again. Why he wanted to do that, he isn't sure, but she was kind enough to let him try. ]

[ Alkaid closes her eyes at his touch and cannot help the smile that forms on her face. His touch is gentle, as always, but it causes a small thrill to run up her spine. Of course, even like this, they ought to be restrained not driven by passions. Rather... she would let her passions run if she felt he would wish to do the same thing. How could he if he was hesitant to touch her ears?

An eye opens to look at him when his hand withdraws. ]

They will not bite back if you continue, Aymeric. [ She has learned she adores saying his name over his title. Still, she gives a playful smile. ] I may give a loving bite, but my ears are very incapable of doing so. You don't need to stop.

[ He is doing his best to keep his own passions controlled, because while he wishes that the two of them could come together as they lie beside each other and become intimately acquainted as a husband and wife would. But he fears what might happen if they do cross that threshold too soon.

He opens his mouth to respond, but once again, she has managed to take him by surprise. His eyebrows lift and he stares at her, clearly not prepared for what he just heard. When he finally speaks, it is with no small amount of effort that he manages to keep his voice level. ]

I am sorry, I must have misheard or perhaps misunderstood you. [ He is still attempting to reconcile her words with the image that has suddenly formed in his mind that he resumes touching her ear once more. As strange as it would seem, he rather likes performing this particular action, and he hopes that it is comforting for her as well. ]

[ There is none other in her mind she would lie with. The knight has certainly stolen her heart and thoroughly claimed it, even if he never meant to. It only feeds the desire for him to touch her and make her his in all things he might think of. Her eyes fall shut as he soothes her ears, causing her tail to flick again. His touch is comforting as well as incredibly intimate.

With a shaking inhale and exhale she moves forward once more. This time she stops short of kissing him, looking down at him with as much restraint as she can muster. Her lips brush against his cheek instead. ]

I said, [ her voice lowers just a tick, ] that I might give a loving bite. If it pleases my sir knight.

[ Oh, Gods. She ought to stop and respect any perceived boundaries given by his status and his culture. Perhaps she is pushing too far and it is unwanted. Yet, everything inside her is screaming to move atop him and kiss him. ]

[ He certainly never intended for any of this to unfold the way that it has. While she turned his head from the moment he first met her, and while his interest in her rapidly turned into admiration and then further into love, he always imagined that she would find someone else who turned her head, and that it would never be him.

But he is truly in love with her now, and there is no going back, not that he would ever wish to. ]

I think you will find that it pleases him very much. As does being called your knight. [ In fact, his heart has leapt up again into his throat, and a sensation not unlike flying far above the ground has taken hold of him. Perhaps his heart has grown wings, as trite an expression as that may be.

He might be one who has his share of boundaries and customs due to his upbringing, but he is finding that the longer he is with her, the more those boundaries begin to lower. They do not fall, not entirely, but one by one, they begin to shift and change to account for the depth of his feelings for her.

As for this night, he could carry on like this for some time yet, if not for the fact that exhaustion has finally begun to creep up on him. She might notice that his eyes are beginning to droop at the corners, as if indicating that sleep will be pulling him under soon. Still, so long as she is beside him and awake, he will do his best to stay that way for her benefit. For as soon as they are both asleep, then the morning and their inevitable separation will come whether they like it or not. ]

FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

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we can call this one wrapped after this if you like!