[ No matter the strain that settles in on him and causes his muscles to protest, Aymeric does not cease in his movements. She has remained patiently by his side throughout this entire ordeal thus far, and even when she begged him to stay with her, to not give up fighting, whether or not he was able to truly express it, her presence has given him hope.
So, it is quite clear in his mind that she does deserve whatever effort he can give, and more besides, no matter how much pain he winds up in because of it. Some things are worth sacrificing for, and whether he realizes it or not, he would make every sacrifice for her if that was needed.
When she pulls him close so that she might hold him, for just a moment, he stills, merely resting in her hold as the exhaustion that has been gradually rising sweeps over him once more. But he is not finished, not just yet. Although the effort causes his arms to shake and even though he cannot lift them very high, he manages to move his arms just enough so that they are resting on both sides of her hips.
Even the sound that she makes causes something to stir in the depths of his mind, and even though his thoughts are fettered by the enthrallment, a part of him recognizes it nonetheless, and he leans in somewhat awkwardly to press a light kiss to the only place he can reach given how they are positioned: the side of her neck.
It has taken some time for him to realize it, and he knows full well that his certainty may fade the moment the primal takes hold of him again, but he is resolved to keep fighting because of her and because he wishes to stay with her for the rest of their lives.
But how can he say it when he can barely speak? He shifts in her arms, nestling himself even closer to her as he tries to summon the willpower to speak just one more time.
As he rests in her arms, she might notice if she is looking closely enough that beneath the bruises decorating his skin, there is a roadmap of scars traveling across his torso and down his bared arms, marks leftover from his time as a Temple Knight waging war against the Dravanians.
Each one tells a different tale, but they are all part of the same story, and some are little more than thin white lines where claws or spines struck. Still others are larger and deeper, even though they are all fully healed by now.
Amidst the smaller scars, there is a larger one placed squarely in the center of his back, and it has not faded as much as the others. Instead, three slashes remain visible as if a dragon's claw lashed out and left deep scores on his back. The wounds have long since healed, of course, but the marks remain.
Finally, Aymeric moves once more, eyes briefly sliding shut as if responding to the feel of her fingers in his hair. But as before, they are quick to open again, and although he expended most of his strength in his desperate effort to speak to her, he still manages to tighten his hands around her hips with more strength in his grip than before.
As long as you wish for me to be... The words form in his mind, but then his voice takes over the rest. ]
I will be right here. [ Even if he has to fight off Thordan using every last bit of his strength, he has resolved to do as she has asked and stay with her.
I will not be leaving you. His eyes lock onto hers, not blinking or looking away, as if in hopes that she will somehow realize the resolve and certainty that has taken hold of him. ]
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So, it is quite clear in his mind that she does deserve whatever effort he can give, and more besides, no matter how much pain he winds up in because of it. Some things are worth sacrificing for, and whether he realizes it or not, he would make every sacrifice for her if that was needed.
When she pulls him close so that she might hold him, for just a moment, he stills, merely resting in her hold as the exhaustion that has been gradually rising sweeps over him once more. But he is not finished, not just yet. Although the effort causes his arms to shake and even though he cannot lift them very high, he manages to move his arms just enough so that they are resting on both sides of her hips.
Even the sound that she makes causes something to stir in the depths of his mind, and even though his thoughts are fettered by the enthrallment, a part of him recognizes it nonetheless, and he leans in somewhat awkwardly to press a light kiss to the only place he can reach given how they are positioned: the side of her neck.
It has taken some time for him to realize it, and he knows full well that his certainty may fade the moment the primal takes hold of him again, but he is resolved to keep fighting because of her and because he wishes to stay with her for the rest of their lives.
But how can he say it when he can barely speak? He shifts in her arms, nestling himself even closer to her as he tries to summon the willpower to speak just one more time.
As he rests in her arms, she might notice if she is looking closely enough that beneath the bruises decorating his skin, there is a roadmap of scars traveling across his torso and down his bared arms, marks leftover from his time as a Temple Knight waging war against the Dravanians.
Each one tells a different tale, but they are all part of the same story, and some are little more than thin white lines where claws or spines struck. Still others are larger and deeper, even though they are all fully healed by now.
Amidst the smaller scars, there is a larger one placed squarely in the center of his back, and it has not faded as much as the others. Instead, three slashes remain visible as if a dragon's claw lashed out and left deep scores on his back. The wounds have long since healed, of course, but the marks remain.
Finally, Aymeric moves once more, eyes briefly sliding shut as if responding to the feel of her fingers in his hair. But as before, they are quick to open again, and although he expended most of his strength in his desperate effort to speak to her, he still manages to tighten his hands around her hips with more strength in his grip than before.
As long as you wish for me to be... The words form in his mind, but then his voice takes over the rest. ]
I will be right here. [ Even if he has to fight off Thordan using every last bit of his strength, he has resolved to do as she has asked and stay with her.
I will not be leaving you. His eyes lock onto hers, not blinking or looking away, as if in hopes that she will somehow realize the resolve and certainty that has taken hold of him. ]