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[sankureddo]

❝ happy nameday, thancred. ❞ the lady smiles. her fingers gently tug on the ribbon of her present, letting him watch as she reveals her gift for him: a small, thin silver bangle, with a braided pattern on the metal. ❝ i know you often wear gloves, but... i thought this would suit you. ❞ she takes his hand in hers, gently placing the bracelet onto his wrist before looking back up to meet his eyes. ❝ i-if you have no plans... perhaps we could spend the day together? ❞

"-- Ah, so I knew I was forgetting something. That time of year, isn't it?"

When was the last time he really celebrated his nameday? Even before a certain Astrologian landed in his life, most namedays of his just passed by without much of a second thought. And really, his self-worth about himself and whether or not he should still live while Minfilia had died certainly didn't make celebrating his nameday all the more pleasant.

But that was neither here nor there. His gaze cast down towards the bangle that Lyra held in her hand, before feeling his breath slightly hitch when he feels her hand on him - not from pain, but somehow his breath seems to catch itself every time she touches him. He pulls his wrist back just a tad, only to admire the bangle on his wrist.

"To think you'd remember my nameday... 'tis a lovely gift, from an ever lovely lady." Thancred leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. A genuine, soft smile on his face. His heart felt full. "And I couldn't think of a better way to end today than to spend it with you."

[sankureddo]

"A day where father's are celebrated warrants expressing my gratitude to you...you stepped up to care for Ryne when she needed it most. However, Ryne was not the only one who had the pleasure of knowing your kindness. You have my utmost gratitude, Thancred."

Oh... Well, he wasn't expecting that.

He wasn't the best father, surely. He had baggage that he unfortunately placed on a young girl's shoulder, and made her think that he hated her. For Thancred, he thought it was best that perhaps the young girl should hate him, so that leaving her would have been easier on his heart.

So he wouldn't have to bear the thought of losing another daughter.

But Thancred knew in the end, he couldn't do that. Too softhearted for his good sometimes, he couldn't stand the thought of her thinking that she hated him. Ryne was a wonderful girl, a wonderful daughter, and she would surely do wonderful things for the First.

And she would be a better person than he was. He was certain of that. Thankfully, she won't be a heartbreaker like him when she reaches his age.

But it's good to be reminded, sometimes, that he wasn't a complete disappointment. That no matter what, he would give the world something back - because the world that was their home was the world Minfilia loved, and the world back on the First was the world Ryne loved.

And even if he had trouble loving it personally, he would not forsake the worlds that his daughters fought so hard for.

"To hear those words from you, Exarch..." A little teasing from Thancred because of course he has to tease the Miqo'te a little. Still, a gentle and genuine smile crosses his features.

"Thank you. Truly. You're a good man, G'raha. Perhaps one day you'll experience the joys of being a father once you have a little bundle of joy with our favorite White Mage." Some teasing here, some genuineness there.

[sankureddo]

Thancred...? By the Twelve, 'tis you! Well come, my friend. I pray you have been fairing well since your arrival.

"Well, look what the cat's dragged in."

"Had I been a foolish man, I would have assumed a certain Warrior of Light dragged you here. I'm guessing you must have been here longer than I have. But not to worry, I've had worse luck than this, so I've been fairing well."

[sankureddo]

tag dump! i'll think of the rest later