#What's obvious is WoL is the treasure

[feralkwe]

i finished the ew magical ranged dps class quest. it was a bit slower and much more socio-political than the other class quests, for reasons which are obvious given the events of hw. it was a delight to go back to ishgard and reconnect with these early characters who were so influential in the wol's journey. aymeric is such an unfailingly good man, utterly devoted to his nation, and painfully hard on himself. he remains one of my favorite characters, and this chain only served to reinforce it.

if you're a person who ships it, this quest chain gives you plenty of lovely little moments. this is aymeric at his most vulnerable and his most competent. that the wol has impacted his life and his beloved ishgard profoundly is evident in his every interaction, and he wastes no opportunity to remind them how much they've meant to him. in fact, you could almost say all of ishgard in its entirety is in love with the wol. aymeric will always be a 'what if?' for kit, but she knows her traveler's soul would never be happy in one place, and aymeric is married to democracy and healing for ishgard. it's a treasured friendship even still, and she'd cross the world to fight at his side if he called, but they both know it never could have been more.

this quest chain pales in comparison to the healer quest for me, and i found the physical ranged dps a little more engaging from a strictly gameplay perspective. it ranks well above melee dps and farther still above the tank quests for me, story-wise.

i'll move on to the final, optional quest to round it out. overall i'm glad to have done them all, even if the ability to dye my gear hadn't been held hostage until i did.

[cinnabun-faerie]

Vrtra anon!

What if... He has feelings for WoL but is worried they won't like him in his dragon form? So he uses his older Varshahn form in hopes to try to explain his feelings?

WoL loves him for him and all his dragon ness 😭

(or alternatively, he wants to be more affectionate and snuggly but he's afraid that WoL doesn't wanna snuggle a big dragon... 😭)

Ends with fluff 🥺

A/N: Hello! Ooh I'm happy to be recieving stuff for Vrtra! 💕🥺 I love him. I hope headcanon-format is okay ^-^

Warning: FFXIV endwalker spoilers

He never imagined that he would have feelings for anyone

let alone you, the Warrior of light

it's just that he was so focused on his people

love had simply been the last thing on his mind

but meeting you, knowing you

he felt such warmth in his heart that he has never experienced before

Estinien was the one to tell him point-blank what it was

he was in love with you

to Estinien, it was painfully obvious, but to you and others, it wasn't

he was eternally thankful for that

he wasn't sure he wanted you to be aware of his affections at first

he was a dragon

you were you

and so perfect and special to him

he was so sure that you would not like him in his dragon form

thus he used his older form of Varshahn

only then could he attempt to woo & court you

he was handsome and quite charming

he would ask you to take walks with him

perhaps watch the sun set

even asked you to dine with him

every moment with you, was a memory he'd like to keep close to him

almost like a treasure

he hoped that you had been as happy with him as he was with you

and he was ready to make the final move

"I know not where you stand, but I cannot keep this to myself for a moment longer. I am deeply in love with you, Y/N. I have never been so sure of anything in my entire existance."

you admired him in silence, enchanted by him

"Of course, I do not expect you to feel the same. I am a dragon after all-"

"No. Vrtra, I love you; All of you. This form and your dragon form."

he would be surprised yet evee so thankful

"May I kiss you?"

"Yes."

he's be so gentle when he kisses you for the first time

he holds you close so you can feel how his heart beats hard for you

can you feel it below your fingers?

after you start courting/dating, he would be a bit nervous to have you see him in his dragon form

it's not as if you had not seen it before, you have so many times

but it was that you were seeing his dragon form as his partner

would you not want to cuddle with him in this form?

curling up his body around you, keeping you warm and safe

he had wanted it to be a reality for so long

but worries plagued him

and if you suddenly decide to part from him, he would be hurt, but he could understand

his dragon form was a lot

but he would be pleasently surprised when you pressed a kiss to his temple and hugged him

you spoke so softly and lovingly to him as you always did

and you snuggled yourself against his side and fell asleep

that was when he truly knew that you were the one for him

he would love and cherish you forevermore

[fheythfully]

Do they lean more Tuliyollal or more Solution Nine?

Thank you for the ask! I'm excited to talk about this one. I'm going to answer it under a cut in case readers haven't made it that deep into MSQ yet.

(22 Dawntrail Inspired WoL/OC Questions)

Elle entirely leans more Tuliyollal than Solution Nine. There's the easy, obvious reasons for her: it's by the ocean, which she loves; it has a good variety of culinary options, especially spicy ones, which is great for a foodie like herself; there's sandy beaches and lovely cabanas to relax in and enjoy; there's bright flora everywhere, from the cracks in the pavement to growing out of the stone walls, and even at night the breeze smells sweet; and lastly, no one knows or recognizes her as the Warrior of Light, or any of her other titles. She can enjoy the city and be at ease in the anonymity granted to her.

Also, alpacas. They're adorable and she happily hires them to take her wherever she needs to go.

The more in-depth reasons as to why she prefers Tuliyollal all have to do with what she dislikes about Solution Nine, which in honesty, is everything. It's in a contained building where she can't see the sky, and the sheer size of the ninth floor alone - there's a network of air roads for flying cars, to get an idea for the scope! - unnerves her. The colors are bright and loud and there's advertisements everywhere she looks. The food has interesting new flavors, which she appreciates, but they all come in pills or liquids or little packets. It's great when you're on the go, but she misses the enjoyment of sitting down for a meal, alone or with others. The flora is all manicured perfectly into shape, color and size, which is pretty to look at at first glance but becomes uncanny when she realizes each tree and bush is identical to the one before. There's a lack of green spaces in general.

The people, while pleasant, have been contained in Everkeep for generation after generation after generation and their society has become so singularly focused on themselves that they have little care, curiosity or respect for anyone unlike themselves. While they don't know her as a hero or an idol like those in Eorzea and beyond do, they do treat her as something new and shiny that they watch and expect to do something strange so they can ooh and ahh over the new oddity in their midst.

Lastly, and the biggest point against Solution Nine for Elle, is that she absolutely abhors their culture of recycling souls. Being so intimately aware of the role souls play in the ecosystem of life and the Aetherial Sea as a whole, she is repulsed by their easy use of souls as energy sources. The casual disregard they have for the lives of other human beings outside of being a resource for their own lifespans sickens her.

She also can't fathom on an emotional or logical level being willing to forget the existence of a loved one the moment they die just to lift the burden of sorrow on yourself. How can you honor someone you love and treasure the time spent together when you forget them?

She has a difficult time dealing with anyone from Alexandria because their cultural differences stretch into the immoral and profane for her. So, Tuliyollal it is -- she can't bear to be in Solution Nine.

[scriberat]

7 snippets, 7 people, as tagged by @wolven-writer :D gotta provide 7 wip snippets hehehe

1. "Actually, I wanted ta ask you somethin'. See, I wrote a poem for someone special, and I need to know if it's any good in the structure, bein' a limerick an' all."

The elephant headed elezen stared at her before sighing and giving a dejected bwoop. Hilda grinned, then sat him down and cleared her throat.

"There was once was a man given laurels

Who fought like an angry ma coeurl.

Braver 'n all,

he comes to the call

And his name is Ser Aymeric d'Borel."

"How did you know it was me?" Aymeric asked, sighing. Hilda laughed loudly.

"You're bleedin' obvious, stiff-spine!"

2. jacke: hooty hoo i sure love protecting limsa lominsa from the shadows

leo: gods i love treasure. i love treasure so much and flying

rando: haha! i have taken ur treasure, now im skedaddling to my home in limsa!

leo: o no. get back here! my gold!!! my gems!!!

jacke: oboi dock information. waow someone got stuff from the sea of clouds?? cool af bro!

rando: wehehe i stole it fair n square—tf is that

jacke: is that boat flying?

leo: RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

jacke: oh jfc. uh. llymaen's dick we're all dead

leo: -lands safely bc he's Experiencedtm- wheremst the FUCK is my shit

rando: fuck

jacke: hold on there cove

leo: what. what did u call me

jacke: cove. it means. nvm. anyway. he stole that treasure fair and square—

leo: yeah from me

jacke: and weve got rules in limsa that say piracy is allowed

leo: takin it back.

jacke: not allowed

rando: go ahead and try

leo: i will cut you. where is your ship. where is his ship

jacke: i dont have that info

rando: if you try to raid it i will summon my lackeys and end ur life

leo: motherfucker. i entered some ancient ruins full of allagan bullshit and a mega fuckton of demons. i saved the goddamn warrior of light in their darkest hour. i am finding your stupid ship and i am taking my shit back

leo: fuck you.

jacke:

rando:

leo: now for my—

jacke: the warrior of light???????

leo: treasure—

jacke: as in THE wol!?

leo: can i—

jacke: that dork on the docks over there!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?

leo: -looks over- oh aye! hey!!!

wol: -waves-

3. Isa looked up from his plate, his fork stabbed into a chicken leg, concetration moved completely from the food. Both Xemnas and Xehanort watched him with curiosity.

"The moon," he murmured. "It's rising."

"And?" Xehanort asked, raising an eyebrow—just as Isa closed his eyes. In a wash of twinkling lights, his hair shifted from its cobalt blue to an icier hue. When he opened his eyes, they were gold, just as they'd been the night before.

"So that's it. I had wondered why your eyes were green," Xemnas said, smiling. "Does that transformation happen daily?"

"Yes. It only happens on the planet, however, when the moon offers its power once more," Isa explained. He tore some chicken out and ate it. "Thank you for the meal."

4. Erichthonios hiked his hood up on his shoulder and steadied himself as the railcar rocked back and forth. It wasn't as steady as he had been told, so maybe this type of car was different? As it rocked again, he thought maybe there was a first class type.

Someone bumped into him and yelped in surprise. They looked up at him with wide blue eyes and tousled, silver hair. Erichthonios stared. He wasn't sure of what to do, exactly. It didn't matter, in the end, as the person righted themself and chuckled.

"Sorry about that. I was careless," the person said, smiling. Erich thought it was a nice smile, certainly different from what he had experienced of the city so far. It wasn't overwhelming or cruel or anything of the sort.

5. "Gil for your thoughts?" Erichthonios said. Speaking of, if he didn't get that stuff from the swamp, he wouldn't get paid... It'd be a cold night in the dirt for him, then.

"I am here to help a friend, but..."

"Oh." Erich nodded. That made sense. By this time, most people had a crew they could run with and work with. Splitting the rewards of higher-risk and higher paid jobs, hanging out with each other, becoming closer as people—

"...around," Themis continued.

"Pardon? Sorry, I zoned out," Erichthonios said, rubbing his head. How embarrassing, he'd been the one to ask the question.

"Oh, I was saying my friend may not need too much help, so I doubt they'd mind if I stuck around for awhile."

"I see. Why stick around here? It's the end of the world," Erichthonios said as they approached the gate.

"The aether of this place is fascinating. Don't you think? The truth is, I'm here on a mission from Sharlayan to look into all of this," Themis said. "Maybe we can reverse it, is what my friend thinks."

Did he kiss this friend, too? Erichthonios looked up to the sky where a dome of corrupted aether hung over them all. It could make it difficult at times to see what time of day it was.

"So what were you out in The Thicket for?" Themis asked. Erichthonios jumped, making Themis giggle. "You are easily distracted."

"I just have a lot on my mind," Erich said. "As for why... I was asked to fetch some herbs from the area. I got a few of what they asked for."

"And then every Morbol from seedling to Malboro got hungry for gunbreaker?" Themis chuckled. "I have heard that they will sometimes rampage if they sense something good. Carnivorous plants are like that."

6. He ran a hand through his hair and laughed nervously.

"Was that... too much?"

"Too much what? Passion?" Amity laughed. "I see now that your passion lies in the potential of the life to be lived. It was obvious all day long, but even the words to speak it are clear to me now."

She smiled softly, watching the glow of his eyes, fussed with a curl, then looked up at the stars. "I... I wish I could be more like you again. That part of me waxes and wanes, I'd like it to fuel me so."

"You feel the same?"

"Torn in twain when someone dear dies? And so the flowers weep." Amity swept her arm around and laughed quietly. Hermes closed the last of the distance between their bodies and cupped her scaled cheek, rubbing the dark keratin.

"They shine like stars... Much like your aether," Hermes said quietly. He leaned in. Amity did the same—and pulled back just before they met.

"I can't," she said, scooting away. "I'm sorry."

7. "Help me," he said. There was no sensual feeling to it, no lust, just a command to come and assist. Ansel did so, moving inside as Strix prepared a couple cloths. He handed one, damp and warm, to Ansel, who took it in hand and started on Strix's face.

It was a delicate operation, he knew. Each feather was made of shaft and barbs and barbules, as Strix had explained one night, amidst careful preening. Ansel held the cloth over the dried cum and tried to hydrate before pulling. Then he took it off, one spot at a time.

Strix was working between his legs during the soaking process, but when Ansel started stroking his skin with the washcloth... he nearly melted on the spot, eyelids closing halfway and hand faltering. He soon regalvanized himself and set to once more, getting himself cleaned up with somewhat rougher strokes. He knew what his feathers could handle.

No one had ever been so gentle before.

if you see this, feel free to do it ^-^ tag 7 folks after

[addicted-to-darkness]

Prompt #5: Vault

Warnings: None Summary: You would become His most radiant of possessions, His Opus Magnum. Implied One-Sided Innocence x Warrior of Light

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

The moment you had first set foot into the hallowed halls of His magnificent kingdom, He had known it to be more than mere chance which had brought you before Him.

Like a dirty rag draped upon a body pristine, you wore your ill-conceived convictions, blind to their true, vile nature; Both villain by choice and victim of false pretense.

He would make you see the error in your ways. It would be Him who would bring you to your knees, voice broken by prayers and cheeks stained with tears of genuine redemption. You would plead for His forgiveness, beg Him for His blessing.

And – merciful and benevolent God that He was – He would grant it upon you.

An unpolished gem amongst the dull husks which you seemed so keen on surrounding yourself with, you would be His greatest triumph; His most prized treasure. It had been your interference which had proven the last step in His exaltation, and now it was His turn – no, His divine duty – to realize your true potential.

He would shine upon you, bask you in His virtuous light. With you in His nurturing embrace, He would rebuild His kingdom in the image of the excellency of your heavenly union.

Yes.

The moment you had first set foot into the hallowed halls of His magnificent kingdom, He had decreed it.

You would never leave again.

[captainkurosolaire]

I challenge you to pick five Tumblrs in your social circle and tell them something you admire about their blog!

Only 5? I could probably do 500. However, that's determined by what's considered my social circle. I'm often in my head being incredibly social continuously is really a challenge of mine. I'm always actively marching to something, my flame of passion when I have it, I can do some crazy stuff but it diminishes relatively quickly, so I try to cling. But I'll up your thing and list 25 of my fave people. Ask me this same thing in a Month, I'll keep doing 25, until I do all the people. How about that? (If anyone wants to be taken off mention let me know.)

@eligos-venator

- Has one of the most intelligent and sophisticated minds, I've had the pleasure to know. Literally admire all his aesthetics, work, head-cannons, ideas. It's only a benefit that the dude shares some OC characteristics to my own (Winning features). I really enjoyed the short-thread we did. It was incomplete, mainly because of my faults. I want to actually be better to give him a proper delivery and RP worth his time, but he's incredibly worth the investment of eyes.

@mischiefandmystics

- If there was a Mount Rushmoore of writers who kept me in this endeavor, encouraged me. Sun'ra is one of them. His characterization skills, writing, the delivery and how believable his character is, they're masterful acts.

@mishivymendi

- I wouldn't be nearly tamed or as creatively freed if it wasn't for this gem. She broke my shell, I really didn't at a time ever see myself being anything really beyond a smut writer, but Mishi not only saw potential in me, but brought it out. Her stories and world's she brings to life are so majestically colorful.

@asymphonyofash

- My go-to. He's another pillar individual who saw things in me past just the obvious perception, (Probably second longest XIV RPer I know.) Taught me a lot of the lore, I shot him up and he's sort of become my stapled rock. He's right aside Sun'ra met them about the same, both took me under their wing's as I quietly observed and absorbed.

@lavender-hemlock

- We're always up and front with each other, never feeling like I couldn't say anything around, extremely rare to share that these days. Her gif's are legendary, something on my own terms I want to soar in quality. The writing she does is astounding. Character has so many mysterious pages that are quite addictive to want to explore and learn them. (Encore 20 below-cut)

@under-the-blood-moonlight - Her sweetness and artwork and overall is just a friendly presence to be around. I cherish them so much. One I can jive with more darker undertones with. She's one the most hardworking and ambitiously creative people. I'd mail them infinite hugs if could. Thanks for being you! @roxinova - I owe a lot of credit to her. She's constantly OOC and everything was nudging me too be more inclusive to things and involved heavenly. It's rare for me. I'm really horrible about that my autism sets me back socially, I constantly will be drowned by the next day and be reverted back to better off alone, that's my major crux and weakness. But her thoughtfulness, these things, aren't ever foreign to me, I do pay attention probably better than any would ever give me credit. She's a beacon model to have as a friend. @corpse-dancer - Haven't ran into many words with them, but her character, screenshot game, expressiveness, they're all a marvel to constantly see, alongside her attitude and bringing life character. I do think if I were better, we would click quite splendidly. They've recently reminded and motivated me to pick-up my daily-practice, or try too. Keep being a rockstar. @fair-fae - Few who wouldn't know who she is in this community. She's been in my opinion a huge core. I'm certain she's inspired many who weren't even RPers too try it by seeing her at the Quicksands or elsewhere, a tyme ago. Making no exception, I was even one of those. I used to be in QS every-single day and was often doing my shameless stuff. Though her presence first did show me there's a lot more. I admire her in all fields. Also appreciate her adopting me to the FC and her always thinking of others and giving events, or her aesthetics and portrayal, its the epitome of swan elegance. @thorcat - One of my most treasured friends. Been RPing with them for a longtime. There's never anything complicated between us or a rift of drama, it's just let's go and have fun. We really mesh well, I've welcomed nearly ever character and got the privilege to RP with nearly all them. They always open up envelope and help me, settle on back and just laugh. Whether used to be waking up to their characters humping my afk one or use randomly having a hardcore banter between Ufah and Captain and capturing them as a voidal pet. Memories with them isn't something I'd ever want to lose. I love ya! Never stop enjoying life for anything. @lukawarrioroflight - I get in the gutter find myself lacking motivation or writing, discouraged even... But I never have felt, I could ever do any wrong with this person, they bring the light out of me. So no matter what, how many hospital-beds I yearly visit, it's because of this rare nature, that I come back, even if they're the only one's ever to read my stuff. I would do it for them alone. @scholarlybreadbun - I've only been back recently and they've so much warmth. Their presence is the sun of inviting. The couple and posing all the shipping that stuff makes me even melt. I'm not particularly talented in regards to posing couples, but I took notice of them along time ago and set on quietly improving. Really like them for them, wouldn't ever want them to change that. Ideally look forward to be in their orbit longer so I can bask in them. @seascrapes - Been mutual with them for a while. Their aesthetics and character is all S+ level. I appreciate throwing back tagged prompts with them, one of many people I really think would be enjoyable to collab with any other seafarers. The artwork and pieces of Tal Brook, are breathtaking as ever exceptionally too, not to mention. Love your stuff matey, you're a king. @mai-takeda - Is a myth. Her absolutely sheer friendliness and her attitude, are so positive influencing, I was so thrilled to be welcomed with her and boosted by them early on. I couldn't see myself, wanting to exist where they didn't have happiness like the same she always delivers by just doing so many soft-things. Not to mention her writing... She's a whole world to throw yourself gazes

under. @zhauric - It doesn't go far either without the same breath of Mai, I could say about Zhauric. He's someone worthy to look-up and also recognize they're passionate and inviting, hoisting up literally everything. Could easily find any of their characters comrades with my own, or jiving alongside. Not to mention last XIVWrite, they slaughtered it. So enjoyable to read them all. I like how organized their blog is too, motivated me recently to redux my entire thing. @cadrenebula - They have so many diverse characters and their entire roster is vibrant and is imbued with a massive flux of life. They are able to encapsulate so many character's voices and portray them so effectively too, I really admire that greatly. They've made me think bigger and try myself recently at actually undertaking a huge roster of characters too. I've taken many breaks, but I always am so graciously returned often with them close-by and that's so incredibly sacred. I've seen a lot of people get discouraged or quit, leave, departure, etc. But they always seem to have a bigger house then they had last I took a break and I enjoy peaking in. @silvernsteel - Her artist and gif-work are awe-aspiring, there's little unrecognizable by her photo-sets and edits. They helped me even tip-toe into uncharted with giving me the recipes to try incorporating gifs into my arsenal. Plus so delightfully pleasant to actually talk with and just chill. I want nothing less in life, than the beauty they give, to be returned to them for eternity in all their glorious air. If ever needed anything of me, they've got me. @spotofmummery - We talk about passion or friendliness or overall a person to even remotely try to be, I got to include them. Their web-series and writing, screen-work, everything they do is fantastic. And that's furthered back nearly any I've met showcase or immortalize how just genuine of stellar person they are. I wish them always the energy to create and sparks. @snow-covered-moon - They've never been anything less but absolutely a diamond to know. I enjoy their character, their almost always abundant of energy that's very rub inducing. Their WoL character stories, writing, screen-shots, everyday they open up a new pandora box of joy, there's no mistaken love behind their character and that's infectiously easy to also enjoy something when the author does too. Always healthy to be around, I never feel short of vitality when they're close-by. @letheofthelost - Always cheerful or least encapsulates with me, they're a carnival ride. Just pure epic story-telling and engaging equally as passionate, constantly writing characters, not looking for anything outside of RP or anything really just being their selves, they fade all others. I love their presence, them as a person. Enjoy any character they'll ever come and throw under me, or a change of pace. Always feels easily understandable between one another. @crow-iv - Together we're an unfiltered, unstoppable wake of pure passionate writers and art. But I would say they're far ahead of me, in every regard. Already able to portray multiple characters in a scene and do such in-depth thinking, alongside even sketch or draw right afterwards or a scene. They're so talented, huge reason I set-out on giving them a Crew of cast and actual stories to-tell when I'm actually caught up and if they interested and we both have the room, I really think if further myself, I can be better and supply more for them to draw and I want to see them soar. I want to give them all my improvements and effectiveness. @trishelle - They've such a reinforcing personality and aura around them that easily bolsters anything that dares thinking they're about to be depleted so energizing. Aesthetics, characters, all them are so lively that further compliment their own mun's great welcoming presence. Worth hundreds of smiles and stars, keep high. Wish I had more time to dedicate to learning you! But I do notice and appreciate you. @fracturedfantasia - One of my people, I like to retreat and just talk my full

head-cannons with or learn, share insightful and inquisitive thoughts about philosophies and multi-culture things. Or plotting and in-general, they're a well of information and brimming ideas, they are every making of what makes a quality friend. When you can generally be open-about-all that's a real one right there. Their characters and tarot readings, I always would implore if they're offering. Thanks for giving me any-time. You're truly a treasure. @violet-warder - Never have even came to words with them yet unfortunately but didn't mean as a mutual, I haven't admired all their screenies, writing, or the aesthetics they bring of their character. Glamours is real end-game, I like all what you've done and put together. I care strictly about what represent and give, I don't want to see them ever think anyone want's them gone, they are abundantly so talented and possess things only they can deliver. I think recently came back too, and I'm glad to share, hopefully, overtime I can build you better up. Or eventually even talk, but I'm certain you are a busy-body person too, so we're relatable. @layla-grey - I have a lot of underline issues that set me back as a flawed person, but I've never not been anything but someone who's open, it's why I always do include my f-list in anything or etc. I'm not here to present this facade, and really don't care to be an image crafted by another. No one as of recently or now, am I close with as an RP partner or friend with then this stunning masterpiece. I never let-up on story-telling or anything so I can eventually use my Crew or other Characters, to give them anytime a master entertaining day, they push me to not be short-changed. IC and OOC I would devote my full attention too cause they've never shed from me. Didn't ever matter how much silence or anything, they're always around. And don't expect anything out of me or pressure. Just accept me and I equally share that sentiment, I want you to have everything in this world has to offer. ----- This is just a fraction of people, I've paid attention, noticed or know. I've been around in this Community for many years. There's a lot of things I could say about it, more probably then anyone else. But what matters to me, is recognizing the people who are here, that work hard, build others up, support, constantly are a beam. I don't need to interact with everyone, to know when someone is generally out for good. Or they're out for bad I've learned inquisitiveness longtime ago, I had to survive and remain afloat. I just go out and be me, and along the way, I get to find people like these, who help bring out the best me. I am nothing without these people, creators, writers, artist. I'm a terrible friend, horrible person, I don't have the energy to interact NEARLY with as much as I'd like with you all, If I could clone myself, or if things were different, I would drop it all to be in your orbits more if could. But, do know I appreciate you. And even if you ever do depart from this whole community or anything, know that anything you share, or give, that stuff does matter, somewhere, someone was aspired, if nothing else, by me. ONLY you can give the worlds you see and I am thankful. Do love yourself.

[finalfantasyxivwritings]

Old Traditions

AO3 Version

Relationship: WoL(Illya Skawi)/Alphinaud

Rating: PG

Summary: Alphinaud is spending a few days in Ishgard, and learns about an old, peculiar tradition he can’t help but be curious about.

Note: This is a (super late) prize for @whitherliliesbloom for winning the Wondrous Tails 2019 event--at first this was supposed to be something simple and sweet for her character Illya and Alphinaud (whom are adorable together), but one thing lead to another and now I have another fic to add to the ‘lockets as engagement rings in Ishgard’ headcanon because apparently I love it too much.

-

When Alphinaud makes the purchase, it was not fueled by plan nor far-reaching intentions. It had simply been something in just the right spot in the window to catch his eye, and furthermore something beautiful enough he thought it better suited someone else--someone whom he cared about deeply. 

Suffice to say even as he held the locket in his hand and reached out to show the shopkeeper the item he had intended to purchase, it was with no greater meaning than that of a rather fanciful gift spurred only by impulse. He could already hear Tataru’s sharp chastising the moment she’d find out and realize how much he so flippantly spent on it--but it was of his own earnings, and the recipient of his own choosing.

It was beautiful, all things considered. A locket of silver, decorated with various details of twisting vines and flowers blooming around a setting of amethyst or somesuch gemstone. It glittered so vibrantly even in the dull sunlight of an overcast day in Ishgard that Alphinaud could hardly take his eyes off of it once discovered.

Though it did not compare to the beauty he oft beheld within her eyes, Alphinaud could think of only one woman who deserved such a gift. Neither could be bring himself to think about how it pleased him to think of her wearing it--something of his own effort upon her, a symbol of affection and dedication to bringing a smile onto her lips like how she brought a smile to so many others around her.

Perhaps it was from this silly, romantic notion that had left an impression upon the elder, wizened elezen woman who sold it to him. As gil exchanged hands and Alphinaud had the locket safely tucked into a small, plain-looking wooden case, he couldn’t help but notice the look in her eyes.

“Is there something the matter?” He found himself asking. “Did I not give you enough gil?”

“Oh no, there’s nothing wrong,” she said, waving a hand as if to fend off his mounting worry. “It’s not everyday a young man like yourself has his heart so set upon someone he loves.”

Between the words themselves and the tone suffused within them, Alphinaud cannot help the heat that blooms over his cheeks. He clears his throat and allows his eyes to fall downwards.

"I-...I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean."

He doesn't know quite why he feels embarrassed when he hardly knew the woman, nor would likely never see her again once the purchase was complete--he's not set to remain in Ishgard for more than a few suns before meeting with several Scions back in the heart of Eorzea proper. Still, Alphinaud found his gaze falling towards the trinket in his hand, heat blooming like sweet spring lilies over his cheeks.

“You are not from Ishgard then?” the shopkeep asks.

Alphinaud shakes his head, and the warm look falls ever so slightly from the woman’s expression.

“Ah, well then pay my silliness little thought. ‘Tis only something of a tradition, though most young folk nowadays don’t seem to pay it much mind.”

She hums to herself and turns away, as if to return to what she’d been doing mere minutes before.

For as easy as it could have been to simply let the topic be and scurry away with his purchase, Alphinaud's sense of curiosity vastly outweighed his sense of embarrassment. He purses his lips and clears his throat in a vaguely subtle attempt to show he was still standing there, and only then does the woman turn back around to look at him with one arched brow.

"I...don't mean to intrude further upon your time," Alphinaud says lightly. "but I find myself curious to this old tradition, if you would care to explain it."

The woman stares at him for a few moments, with the silence only broken by distant sounds of construction from direction of the firmament. Sounds of rebuilding and hope only made possible by the efforts of the same woman Alphinaud was purchasing the locket for. 

Through the years of life experience seemingly etched in lines and wrinkles upon her face, a glimmer of warm amusement filled her eyes. She smiles, then steps closer to the counter, so that she could perch her elbows upon the old wood and her chin upon the heel of a palm.

"When I was but a girl, many years ago mind you, it was commonplace that a suitor would gift a locket to one they were courting."

"Courting?"

"Yes," the woman nods. "Once it was a gift of engagement. Far before my time, the lockets would be made by hand of the suitor or their family--but you can imagine for many it was easier to simply commission or purchase from a craftsman."

Alphinaud's brow furrows. He understands the words perfectly well, but it takes him a few moments for the context to sink in--why she had eyed him with such gentle amusement as he purchased the locket in the first place. He looks down to the small box in his hand, and then back up, realization at last dawning on him.

For some reason, his cheeks are burning ever hotter than before, and words that should have seemed obvious in answer yet tumble awkwardly over his lips.

"Ah, I see. An engagement of...marriage, I presume?"

The woman, whether amused by Alphinaud’s embarrassment or simply happy in his genuine interest, smiles just a little brighter.

"Of course. When my mother ran this very shop, there were young men of even the highest houses who would spend hours looking at her work to find the most suiting locket for their soon-to-be betrothed. And even before that, both my mother and grandmother were oft commissioned for their craft--such beautiful works of art made for one couple’s promise of lifelong union.” 

Wizened by years of life, the woman’s soft eyes fall upon the collection of jewelry across the counter before her. And then, after a moment more, a sigh slowly escapes her lips. Alphinaud watches as soft disappointment fills where warmth had been in her eyes.

"...There is meaning to each of these pieces, you know."

As she gazes over the work before her, Alphinaud can’t help himself but to speak, as if the words take life into themselves and fall from his tongue all the same.

“And what of this one?”

Though the motion is a little jarring and it takes him several moments to do so, he opens the small box in his hand for emphasis, to reveal the glittering locket within. As he does, the shopkeeper looks at him, and the smile returns—perhaps with just a touch more mischief than before, though the young Scion is hardly able to keep his mind away from how the sentiment connects to his own feelings for the warrior he is set to gift the locket to mere days from now.

“You certainly have an eye for gems. The amethyst, set in the center and surrounded by a wreath of flowers-“ she reaches out and gently taps a gloved finger to the center of the locket. “-the one you love must be the sort who oft takes on the suffering of others as her own burden. She forges a path of goodwill, and the flowers that flourish within that path are the lives she touches with her kindness.”

As she leans back, Alphinaud can’t help but feel a little awed.

“...and how can you say all that if you don’t know her?”

Within the woman’s eyes, a glimmer of something soft. In her lips, a wry smile, one that makes her look many years before, gazing down at a young man seeking to promise his heart to the person he cares most for.

“I don’t have to know them, young sir,” she says simply. “You were the one who picked that locket from all the rest of them. And given your surprise at its meaning, it would seem your heart chose perfectly.”

Even in the sharp, cold wind of Ishgard, Alphinaud feels a genuine warmth deep within his chest, one that grows with the reminder that he would be seeing that person soon, the one for whom his heart sang. The one who truly deserved the work of art clutched within his palm, and the deep tradition behind it.

“I thank you for taking the time to explain it to me; I will properly treasure this locket, and I know the one I’m to give it to will love it all the same.”

A gentle laugh escapes from the old woman, and she reaches a hand up to gently cover her mouth.

“And might you indulge me with the name of this one so dear to you?”

Alphinaud opens his mouth to speak, but at first not a single word comes out. 

So many ways to describe her; the warrior of light, the hope of Eorzea, the savior of Ishgard, Ala Mhigo and Doma alike. The one whose smile makes everyone feel at ease, the one who makes everyone feel safe—the one who, whenever she laughs, makes Alphinaud’s heart race and his thoughts hard to place.

“Her name,” he finally says, closing the locket box and gently tucking it into a pocket, and meeting the woman’s eyes. “-is Illya.” 

[moon-lily]

Treasure Hunting

(In which an Au Ra WoL drags a certain red-haired catboy onto a hunt.)

“And where is your hero? Did she wander off when you weren’t looking,” asked Y’shtola, arms crossed as she smirked at G’raha Tia.

“I’ll have you know that she mentioned having to drop off some provisions to the Immortal Flames,” he replied, keeping in mind to be as calm as possible. He already made the mistake of letting it slip of how he looked up to the Warriors of Light, he can’t give her another.

“And what of the other two? Could they not have taken you along with them to wherever called them?” Now she wasn’t as teasing, genuinely curious instead.

“Sariel and Amaris had said they were going to the First to check on Ryne and Gaia. Apparently they had been making progress on restoring the elements to the Empty.” 

“That’s... A relief to hear,” Y’shtola muttered, smiling sincerely. “I did hold apprehensions that Norvrandt would be the only remaining inhabitable region after we left. But with their mission... The First would be restored beyond the balance of light and darkness.”

G’raha nodded in agreement, adding, “They truly bring hope where they go. It took but one look into Sariel’s eyes to know they were nearing the end in their mission for the First. There was.. resolve within them.”

Before Y’shtola could add anything further, the front door of the Rising Stones burst open as a familiar black-haired Au Ra ran in, wearing a gray urban coat, blue trousers, and black boots. Her long hair flowed behind her as she ran, holding up a piece of parchment in her hand.

“Look! Look,” she called as she approached them, waving the paper. “I found.. a treasure map!” She held the paper out to them as she caught her breath, but it was fairly obvious to the other two Scions that this map seemed... fake. The crude drawing of landmarks on it was reminiscent of a young child’s artistic work, the parchment looking fairly new and not worn out as most maps were.

“Surely you’re aware this isn’t authentic,” Y’shtola asked deadpan, gazing at the Au Ra.

“Bah, that’s just what they want you to think,” she retorted, tapping at her elegantly curved horn. “I’m sure this is a ploy to throw any would-be treasure hunter off.”

“But did you see the illustration on it,” asked G’raha, pointing at the crude attempt of drawing landmarks. “It isn’t very... ahm... well done.”

“See? You two are already dismissing this map! Well, I for one am not about to give up on this. It was fate that this map flew into my face while I was in Ul’Dah, so I’m certain there’s bound to be something at the location. If I must hunt on my own, so be it.”

“All right, I’ll see to it that you aren’t harmed should it prove to be a trap instead,” G’raha offered, earning a look from Y’shtola.

“If that’s the case, I’ll remain at the Rising Stones,” Y’shtola said with a shrug. “Personally, I was never one to be infatuated by treasure or the hunting of it. And I’m sure G’raha would prefer to have more quality time with his hero. Do take care, Lilith, on your next attempt of adventure-hosting.” She smirked as G’raha’s tail and ears perked up out of surprise, the man quickly looking away and fidgeting his hands sheepishly. Y’shtola then gave an acknowledging nod to the two before walking away to grab some tea, leaving the two alone for now.

“She’s not going to let up on that, is she,” Lilith asked, chuckling. “But I’m glad you still want to join, despite your doubts on the quality of this map.”

“Truth be told, I’ve never gone treasure hunting before,” G’raha admitted, still sheepish. “I doubt our explorations of the Crystal Tower count, considering that was done in the name of knowledge and not riches. An opportunity, really, to have that experience and ensure you won’t get harmed if the map held malicious intent behind its making.”

“Is that so? Well, I feel safer already - you’ve saved my life on more than one occasion,” she said as she lifted a finger in a matter-of-fact way. “Hm, with that in mind... would it not make sense that you’re my hero too?”

“I-I doubt it works in the same way! Compared to you, I-I haven’t - I mean, that is.. You’ve done far more than I have!” He was red in the face, hands up with his palms out as he shook his head in denial, tail raised.

“Must you be so modest? Or can you not handle some praise being thrown your way by me,” asked Lilith, rubbing her chin as a mischievous glint flashed in her blue eyes.

“The map! Let’s focus back on the treasure to be found!” He was too flustered to allow this to carry on, hoping and praying to the Twelve that the map would pull her attention away from him and onto that instead. The Au Ra would blink and then glance back down at the map in her hand, excitement filling her eyes as she was reminded of treasure.

“Oh, right! How could we get so side-tracked? Especially when we can find Gil, jewelry, or who knows what else!?” She did a twirl in place while holding the map close to herself - he wondered if that was done out of habit from being a dancer - all while she started to name several things she would buy with the newfound wealth. This was.. a side he hadn’t seen of her before, his hand coming up close to his chin as he observed her. Try as he might, he couldn’t recall a moment where she so openly admitted to wanting treasure or fortune. Or perhaps she simply hadn’t done so in front of him? There was also the possibility that he didn’t notice despite the obvious fixation on money - unlikely but still possible. 

Her hand suddenly grabbed his, surprising him out of his contemplation as she pulled him along. She certainly was a lot stronger than her petite appearance implied. “C’mon, enough wasting time here,” she said as she pointed with her free hand to the front door. “There’s treasure to be found!”

One hour later...

“This can’t possibly be right,” Lilith said with a shake of her head, eyes glancing from the map to the area before her repeatedly. “This.. this is too easy! It can’t possibly be this easy!” The location of the X on the map was fairly close to Scorpion Crossing, and even figuring out the location didn’t take too long as she recognized the area. After all, Ul’Dah was where she first started her adventuring.

“Would that make the map a hoax,” asked G’raha, half hoping she’d reach that realization soon.

“No way! Look there,” she told him, pointing to the ground near a rock. “The earth looks disturbed there, so someone definitely buried something here. At least.. this doesn’t make it a complete waste of time.” 

“It’s curious, though... You were in Ul’dah when you found the map, correct? Why is it that you went through the trouble of returning to Mor Dhona when you could have found the treasure on your own?”

“Hm,” Lilith hummed, walking over to the area where the treasure was presumably buried. “Honestly, I really was tempted to find it and keep whatever I found to myself but-” She crouched down to one knee, staring at the ground a moment before looking back up at him. “Well, it’s not about just me now, is it? The old me would have done exactly that, thinking she couldn’t rely on anyone else but herself.”

G’raha’s eyes widened slightly out of surprise, quietly chastising himself for even thinking she was infatuated with money for the sake of greed. But now this raised another concern, the Miqo’te approaching her and crouching to be eye level.

“Pray if this is prying, you need only say the word,” he started, ears lowered slightly as he hesitated to continue. “Why would you have the idea that you could not trust anyone else?”

Lilith’s gloved hands scooped some of the moved dirt, her brow furrowed, as she started to slowly dig. Silence hung in the air between them, Lilith eventually pausing and sighing.

“I suppose... It was because my parents never supported my dream,” she replied slowly, hesitating. “Their reasons made sense... They only wanted to protect me, keep me safe from the dangers of the world.” She dug more dirt off, G’raha soon following her lead to help. “Which also meant that they kept me from knowing too much about it. To keep me from getting too curious.” 

“That would explain why you were very unfamiliar with Eorzea,” he mused, Lilith nodding in response.

“Yes, exactly. All I wanted was to explore the world, see everything there was and learn what I could about it. If my own parents couldn’t support that, couldn’t let me be... myself, then I was better off on my own.” Her hands were still over the small hole she had made so far, staring hard at the earth. “I didn’t need anyone else to help me nor keep me from what I yearned to do.” G’raha’s hand reached out, palm and fingers dirty from digging, and rested it gently over hers, Lilith looking up to meet his crimson gaze.

“It’s a relief to know that your old self had grown from that, to see that there are many who support you and your dreams,” he said softly, warm smile on his lips.

“Mn, I’ve - no, we’ve come a long way. Amaris, Sariel and I... After what happened on the First, I know for a fact I have that support, and I won’t give that up.” She smiled back at him and looked back down, G’raha pulling his hand away so they could get back to digging. “Thanks for hearing me out.”

“Of course.. Any time you feel the need to share your burdens, I’ll be there to ease some of it off your shoulders. That is, if you trust me enough to do so..”

“Oh, when haven’t I? You could give yourself a bit more credit.” She chuckled as she now started to dig faster, glad that he was here with her. With her fellow Warriors of Light, of course there was an understanding between them - there were things that only they could do. For the longest time, she believed it would only be them, that no one else would truly understand what it was like to bear the weight of worlds on their shoulders. 

But he knew.

He had lived it. He bore the weight of the Crystarium’s hopes for a better tomorrow, surviving and rebelling against sin eaters and annihilation. And despite it all, he still held that inner desire to adventure, just like she always had. A kindred spirit. Perhaps that was why she found it easy to speak her mind around him? Her gloved fingertips brushed against something solid, Lilith soon realizing that it must be a coffer. 

“Ah, there it is,” she said excitedly, picking up her pace. G’raha nodded and picked up his own pace to help her. They’d dig around some more, try to lift it, dig again to loosen it, before the coffer finally became free. Though, once it was lifted out of the ground by the two, Lilith noticed that it wasn’t really a coffer. No, it looked like a sealed crate, and barely held together at that. Settling the crate down, Lilith used her gloved hands to grab the top of it and pull, slowly prying the lid free to reveal...

“Toys? It’s just toys,” she asked, staring in disbelief at the contents. G’raha dusted his hands off as best he could before reaching in and pulling out a chocobo plush toy, squeezing it to check for anything suspicious, his ears twitching to listen carefully.

“‘Twould seem so. A crate full of ordinary toys,” he muttered, setting the plush toy back and inspecting the others. “No enchantments or suspicious items within them either. Who would go through the effort of burying toys?” A snap of a twig caught their attention, both turning their heads to see a young Hyur boy peeking at them from behind a rock. Though, he looked surprised and scared that he was caught.

“You there,” Lilith called, taking a few steps forward and bending down a bit so the child wouldn’t be so intimidated. “Is this yours by any chance?” She reached into the pocket of her coat, pulling out the map.

“I-it is but... another kid was supposed to find it, not a-” He stopped and blinked, eyes widening in realization as he realized whom he was speaking to. “Y-you’re...! A Warrior of Light! The Au Ra one!” Suddenly his eyes seemed to brighten as he ran up to get a better and closer look at her, gazing in awe at her. Lilith could only smile and chuckle sheepishly, the boy taking a moment before taking the map from her. 

“You started here in Ul’Dah, right!? Helping people around before you became a  great adventurer,” he asked, looking absolutely star-stricken.

“That is her origin,” confirmed G’raha, stepping closer to them. “Helping your fellow man is what set her on the road to being a hero.”

“I-I’m trying my best on that,” the kid explained, though his downward gaze seemed solemn. “But... What if you can’t help everyone?”

G’raha and Lilith exchanged looks before turning their concerned gazes to the boy, Lilith crouching down some to be eye level with him. “When you reach a situation like that,” started Lilith, voice patient and gentle. “You look for help. Not even the most valiant heroes can stand alone.” 

“Even you?” The boy was surprised to hear this, before his eyes widened in realization. “The other Warriors... They help you too, don’t they?”

“Indeed, and we also have the help of the Scions,” she added, looking to G’raha to accentuate he was one of them. “So what is it that troubles you? Surely we can offer some assistance for whatever plight you have.”

“W-well... All those toys in the crate were supposed to be a treasure to a lucky kid,” he started, pointing at the crate they dug up. “I... I couldn’t just pick random kids to give my old toys to. It didn’t feel right to pick who gets one and who doesn’t... So I thought leaving it to chance and luck would be better.”

“I see, then you made a map to guide one to this location,” G’raha asked, glancing to the crate. “Understandable that such a decision would be difficult. I’ve made some similar decisions myself, though not in regard to toys. I digress.. Have you only made the one map? The one Lilith found?”

“No, I made more but... I don’t think that would have worked because some kids could have fought for it,” the boy sighed, shaking his head. “I didn’t.. think that through til now.”

“Well, there’s really one solution to all this,” Lilith said as she straightened up, dusting off her hands as she turned her head toward G’raha. “Get what gil we can gather and buy more toys. I’m sure I’ve saved up enough for that as is.”

“Wh-what!? Are you serious!?” The boy’s mouth was open in shock, not expecting for them to make such a generous donation.

“And why would I lie about that,” teased the Au Ra, pulling her gloves off to rest a hand on the top of his head. “Trust me - trust us. Though, I will add that I need your help to point us in the right direction of where all the kids you want us to give toys to are at. Can we trust you with this part of the mission?”

“Yes! I won’t let you down!”

“That’s the spirit, we’ll collect this crate and then head for the closest shop that sells more toys like this.” Moving her hand away, she looked at G’raha with a little smile. “I do hope you’re ready for a bit more work. Helping the less fortunate is all part of the job.” 

“I’m confident I can handle that,” he said with a chuckle, picking up the crate of toys. “Though perhaps it’d be wise to call on the other Scions and Warriors to help with carrying around all the toys?”

“Ah, good idea! I’ll give them a quick call on the linkpearl.” As she turned away to get a hold of their friends, G’raha quietly sighed and smiled. He came into this little adventure with thoughts that she was driven by a desire for wealth. Well, she did seem in love with treasure, but unlike some, she didn’t give in fully to her greed. No, there was more to her than he thought, than what he had seen. And it filled him with a curiosity to know more about her than what he already read about.

[chapitre7]

Lost & Found

Hotel Del Luna [ 호텔 델루나 ] & Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo [달의 연인-보보경심 려] fanfiction

Set in an apocryphal time in the first half of the HDL drama

Inspired by this post that compared HDL to animanga xxxHolic

Read on AO3

Happy third anniversary, Moon Lovers!

“Madam, the guest from room 704 left an item.”

 Jang Man Wol did not look up from her cellphone. Such was her concentration in whatever she was scrolling, brows slightly furrowed, lips slightly pursed, that you’d be sure she was studying an important document or even reading a curious article, but Gu Chan Seong, no ordinary man, had clearly seen a familiar glint in her eyes not ten seconds earlier, had promptly told her to stop looking at cars, and was swiftly ignored. The CEO gave manager Choi the same regard she gave her hotelier; a flick of her wrist and a displeased turn of her lips.

 “Put it with the others,” she said, the tip of her tongue suddenly rising to the corner of her mouth in obvious interest, causing Gu Chan Seong to let out an indignant “Hey!”, which was returned with a glare.

 “Oh! Me! I’ll take it!”

 The ever-cheerful receptionist waltzed in, eagerly holding out both hands to the rooms manager, and Gu Chan Seong, dedicated to his mission of saving money but accidentally distracted by the preppy offering, watched as manager Choi gave Hyun Joong a gold key-chain.

 “We keep lost items?” He asked Man Wol, eyebrows raised. “From the dead?”

 Man Wol sighed deeper than was absolutely necessary, harshly putting her phone down (he caught a glimpse of her screen and yes, he had to admit he too found the car color horrid so he couldn’t blame her for her annoyance, even if he did blame her for everything else).

 “Don’t go in there,” she said, inspecting her nails, missing the way Hyun Joong was motioning Gu Chan Seong to follow him exactly there. “You’re faint-hearted and I’m not letting you out early.”

 Faint-hearted.

 “As the hotelier of the Hotel del Luna, it is of upmost importance that I know every nook and cranny of the establishment,” Gu Chan Seong said with feeling, head held high. Man Wol, all teeth, let out a hearty, deep-throated laugh that almost made her sound all the thousand years that she truly possessed.

 “Oh, be my guest, then.”

 The man nodded, needlessly adjusting his suit jacket, and followed the receptionist through the brilliant halls of the Hotel del Luna.

 Gu Chan Seong was absolutely certain that he had been around those parts before, that he had checked every room on that floor. But every floor looked exactly the same, no matter day or night, and the higher the moon was in the sky, the more confusing the architecture became, and rooms he suspected were on higher floors could be found on lower floors instead, so he was intrigued but not surprised when Hyun Joong led him towards a door he had never seen before. The small, antique plaque above the door read Lost and Found.

 “Can the dead really leave things behind?”

 “They’re not real things,” Hyun Joong said, scratching his head. “Sometimes they’re holding something when they died but they forget it in the hotel before they board away. Or their family can give them offerings!” He added, pointing a finger in the air, but the words not real kept running through Chan Seong’s mind as the door opened.

 It was very much a storage room — but a storage room at the Hotel del Luna could hardly be called ordinary. The lights were flickering, sure, and dust rose once Gu Chan Seong stepped in, threatening to suffocate him with what could possibly be deadly bacteria (then again, there were places at Sanchez’s that had the very same effect), but the wallpaper shone like the rest of the Hotel, pearlescent, rich, speaking of glorious times long past. The shelves were littered with objects and ornate boxes, some glowing under the weak lights as if they were the most precious trophies, while here and there were empty spaces with nothing but ghosts of what once was someone’s treasure, just a clean shadow of memory speaking from its form in the dust.

 While Hyun Joong placed the key-chain on what could be only called a random place on a random shelf, Gu Chan Seong, carefully treading the room, noticed a big chest in a corner, covered with a tattered piece of red velvet cloth that failed to hide away the engraved crossed circle on the wood that he knew so well from his dreams — the symbol of the Full Moon.

 He took slow, somehow apprehensive steps towards it, bravery and fear fighting a burning fight in his blood, when his fingers — outstretched, as if he were walking on tightrope without even realizing — brushed against one of the tiny boxes on the shelves and a voice filled the room as if it came from everywhere, from the very core of the Hotel,

 “Don’t touch anything.”

 Chan Seong whipped around towards the entrance, to the omniscient image of Jang Man Wol. Arms crossed, hips tilted to the side, filling his vision, walking closer, heels against wood, loud, firm, long, purple dress scraping against the dirt like it was nothing, because everything inside was her and her own, and only her hand slapping against Chan Seong’s could break the trance he sometimes inevitably fell into when it came to the immortal CEO.

 “Ow,” was his smartest answer, retracting his hand and pressing it close to his chest, almost too dramatically; he ought to spend less time with her. “These aren’t even real things!”

 “Some of them are, Harvard,” she said, adjusting the box he had touched milliliters to the left. Chan Seong moved his lips in mute grumbling. “Mischievous objects we find and secure. Best to keep them safe from you and you from them.” To that, she added a pointed look that made him feel even more like a misbehaved child and, in turn, he cleared his throat, ready to regain the upper hand in their dynamic.

 “And what’s that?” He pointed to the center of the room.

 “Ah,” came out of Man Wol, and Chan Seong could have sworn she sounded delighted.

 The box itself looked rather simple, but its importance was betrayed by the glass case that protected it; there was no other box so meticulously kept.

 “This,” Man Wol spoke as she lifted the glass and pulled the box in her hands, the preciosity of it speaking in all of her movements, slow and deliberate, “is the oldest item in the room.”

 Gu Chan Seong would bet his entire fortune that the chest with the Full Moon symbol was the oldest thing in the room but said nothing, afraid of pushing her away and losing all the progress he had won so far. Saving that fight for another day, instead he glanced at the contents of the box she held, his eyes barely blinking.

 It looked simple enough, although not without its merits. The white jade of the flower still held its shine, the metal was purposefully faded, and none of the red berries had fallen off. It was a pretty hairpin and he nodded in approval, but nothing about it spoke of jewels of old and importance.

 “This,” Man Wol said, with blatant pride, “is the hairpin given to Gwangjong’s lover, tracing back to the 10th century.”

 “Gwangjong had a lover?” Chan Seong frowned. “Wasn’t he too busy killing his brothers?”

 “He was a pretty ruthless fellow,” Man Wol agreed with a nod. “But he was actually pretty, so I don’t doubt it. Sent his entire personal guard after me when he saw me at the palace, though, I still don’t know why.” She shrugged, as if it was of no consequence that one of the country’s most bloodthirsty emperors almost killed her (keyword being almost, he could hear in his head).

 “So... What’s keeping you from selling it?” He raised a perfectly skeptical brow.

 “It’s filled with spiritual energy,” Man Wol said simply as she put the box back in its rightful place under the glass.

 “Resentful energy?” He asked, frowning, having felt no discomfort before or after setting eyes on the hairpin.

 Jang Man Wol shook her head, turning around to face him.

 “Gu Chan Seong,” she said, enunciating every syllable of his name.

 He felt the urge to swallow, wet his lips, take a step back as Man Wol took one forward. She held his gaze as if it was her own possession, the room around them all but fading to black as she wordlessly commanded him to focus on her, her back straight, her chin lifted, her hands scheming behind her back.

 “Have you ever loved someone so much that it consumed you?” Her breath was on his face, and it smelled of wine. “Have you ever had someone be everything to you, so much that you could lose everything, even your life, as long as you still had their love?”

 His footsteps made no sound, but hers were like rumbling thunder.

 “Have you ever had someone you’d follow into the next life, and the next, and the next, that the heavens couldn’t break you apart even if it wanted to?”

 She tilted her head to the side, smiling a devil’s smile.

 “And have they ever loved you the same?”

 He said and signed nothing. The question that burned and turned to ash in his tongue was, Have you?

Hyun Joong sneezed. Chan Seong blinked and, inexplicably, Man Wol seemed to be several steps farther from him than she had been just a breath ago.

 “That kind of energy,” she concluded with a smirk.

 “Ah,” Hyun Joong called, sounding closer than Chan Seong had felt him to be. “Guests have arrived!”

 “Go greet the guests, Gu Chan Seong,” said Jang Man Wol, walking past him, the center of her gravity letting go of his peace of mind, moving away with her long, swishing hair.

 Gu Chan Seong dusted his clothes off, straightened his back and composure, and walked out of Lost and Found to greet the recently departed.

***

It was still dark when Jang Man Wol woke up and she was at a loss for a couple of seconds. Certain that she had not overslept, she held her silk robe tighter around herself and walked to the window, eyebrows rising in wonder at the solar eclipse that greeted her.

 “Is that what you had been waiting for?”

 There was no one in her room but that box. Polished, simple wood carrying a universe of lost love inside.

 “Which one is it?” She asked, a playful, lopsided smirk blossoming on her face as she opened the box and picked the hairpin up. “Is it her? Is it your master? Why today?”

 The hairpin, naturally, could not speak; it only shone in the dim light as she caressed it, lost in thought.

 “Ah,” she breathed, smiling to herself. “The homeless man, he should know. But I think I saw him walking perfectly fine the other day, organizing some sort of exhibit?”

 She tapped her lips as her eyes moved to her closet.

 “I wonder if paeha is a chaebol these days? Like in that drama?”

 She giggled, a sound that could chill Gu Chan Seong to the bone.

 “Come,” she said to herself or to the ancient love in the room, her hands pulling her hair into a bun in which she pinned the jade lotus hairpin, her companion. “Let’s see what future you’ll unfold in this lifetime.”

 And Jang Man Wol rummaged through her clothes, trying to find something befit of a queen.

[grahas-gourmet-hamburger]

4 and 15 for Aedan and G'raha?

Shadowbringers spoilers ahoy.. Also got a bit long so:

4. Their favorite physical feature on each other?

Aedan loves Raha's ears. They're adorable, they tell him how Raha is really feeling.. they're adorable.. he just loves them. He may have gushed about them whilst a bit tipsy to Viko before he figured out his feelings, a fact which Viko will never let him live down. He likes his arms/shoulders too, though (archer arms, mm); he is very sad that Raha's new outfit covers them up.

Raha likes Aedan's smile. He has lots of them, depending on who he's talking to and what kind of mood he's in, but he has a very particular, very soft one that only Raha ever sees, and he treasures it. He also likes Aedan's hands - they're very strong and callused from punching his way through the universe, but he's still very good at using them for delicate tasks (yes, including in bed~). Raha has a way of kissing each of Aedan's fingertips that is pretty much guaranteed to turn Aedan to goo.

15. Does their view of themselves differ from their partner’s view? 

Very much yes, in both directions.

Aedan, for all that he projects confidence out the wazoo, has insecurities a mile wide related to the fact that he's a farm kid surrounded by people with PhDs and he's convinced that he's not very smart*. He also worries that he's obnoxious because he flirts and plays and just generally doesn't take everything seriously (on the surface at least) - this is where he compares himself to his brother and finds himself thinking that Viko might have been a better WoL. Raha, from his perspective as someone with education, can see that Aedan simply lacks it; he's not stupid by any stretch, because no one survives all the crazy shit that Aedan has gone through without some degree of smarts. He also thinks Aedan's silly traits are cute and a reflection of his resilience, given all the trauma and just.. tragedy that he's been through. Raha knows a lot about despair, I think, and he recognizes how rare it is to find someone who can find things to laugh about even when everything is awful. Laughter is its own way of fighting back, and it can inspire hope just as easily as dramatic speeches and the typical hero schtick. And the most obvious difference is that Aedan still doesn't understand how he inspires people or why they follow him (see: he's just a farm kid), and Raha literally named him his star of hope when he left.

Now, the other way. The big one: Raha doesn't see himself as a hero. I don't know how, and Aedan doesn't know how, but he doesn't. Even though he built a city and protected it for a century in the midst of the worst kind of catastrophe imaginable. Even though he came up with a plan (albeit a terrible one, if you ask Aedan) to save the entire Shard at the cost of his own life. Even though he made it possible to defeat Hades with his badass summoning of heroes from across the rift after being tortured by Emet. Even though he did sacrifice his own life to save everyone from Elidibus, with only a slight hope that the spirit vessel might work to bring him back. I mean, yes, Aedan fought Elidibus, but it wouldn't have meant anything in the end if Raha hadn't both come up with a plan to contain him and followed through with it despite the cost to himself. Heck, even shutting himself in the Tower to begin with was pretty damn heroic. Now, Aedan has major issues with his willingness to throw his life away (and Raha certainly made some big mistakes along the way), but that doesn't change the fact that Raha is an actual hero many times over, and Aedan sees it, even if Raha doesn't.

Thanks for the ask!

*Side note: Alisaie earned his love forever when one of the first things she said to him was "You are a man of action, and I sense that we will accomplish much together." Aedan imagines that most people (especially Alphinaud) would say something like that with a bit of a sneer, because "men of action" aren't necessarily known for their ability to think, but Alisaie said it with something resembling approval or admiration (because for all that she's super smart AND educated, she's the same way), and he's loved her (platonically, if it needs to be specified) ever since.

[finalfantasyxivwritings]

Tell Me to Stay (And I Will) (3/4)

AO3 Version

Relationship: WoL!Reader/Crystal Exarch

Rating: NC-17

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Summary: After the events of Shadowbringers, the Exarch is excited to rekindle the friendship you and him once had together, though fate seems to have other plans for him. When your prolonged presence around him sets off a heat well over a century past-due, he’ll have to put those plans off until after his body is done with the feelings of yearning and lust that consume him.

When you learn of the man’s problem however, you’re far from wanting him to deal with it alone–so will this foreseen challenge break the fragments of your old friendship…

…or will it reforge them into something more?

-

Your senses are bombarded as soon as you enter the Ocular. Air is thick with the scent of arousal, hot with the feel of need, buzzing with the sound of desire–

Your desire to be specific, soft moans unbidden from behind eager lips pressing against G’raha’s own in sparse, messy kisses. It’s hard to give words to describe the simple moment of having him in your arms and feeling him yield beneath your affections, wanting and whining and absolutely burning to the touch. Words seem meaningless when compared to the great force that bubbles up from within your chest.

“Want you,”‌ the man murmurs, the words broken in between each press of lips. “I‌ want you so dearly, warrior-”

“Oh, so we’re using titles now, are we Exarch ?” You can’t help but chuckle even between each kiss, lips soon but pressing against the man’s warm cheeks and down across the gentle curve of his jaw. “I‌ certainly won’t mind if that’s what you’d like to call me while I‌ ravish you senseless.”

The man gapes for a moment, with words to say but hardly the willpower to say them, likely due to the fact that your hands have found interest in the quality of what few layers of clothes upon his body. You had grown used to seeing him wrapped in his robes of silk and adorned by gold and crystal both; it’s so intimate to see him in any less than that, like the sight itself and honor of being one to remove what last layers are upon him is something almost ceremonious in worth.

Though relinquished of his lavish layers and luxuries, you still feel a need to worship him all the same. To anoint him in your affection, crown him with kisses, embrace him against your chest as his lips shape words of pleasure against your skin. You want to treat him like a precious treasure; with how the brilliant blue crystal delicately meets with flesh across his body, you’re certain that the symbolism is far more accurate than mere words. 

It takes just a few gentle tugs of cloth and the loose ties holding it all together before the man is left bare. White cloth pools softly around his ankles, leaving him exposed enough that you can see his nakedness--and his eagerness --with one downward glance. It feels like unwrapping a present.

A very hard, flushed, delicious-looking present.

“Well,” you can’t help but purr, taking in the sight with no shortage of delight.. “Aren’t you a rather eager lad?”

“I’m hardly a lad anymore.” The Exarch’s face takes on a slightly darker shade of crimson, but he huffs all the same. “Several decades too old for that.”

His hands reach forward to grip and grasp desperately at your own clothes.

“Come on then,” the man murmurs, tugging at cloth and armor alike with a desperation edging on adorable. “Don’t leave me waiting any longer than I already have-”

You feel and see a shiver move through the Seeker’s body when he takes in a breath. Something about the touch, his touch, seems to awaken something new in the air between the two of you. It grows heavier with every moment, every heartbeat, and it leaves your brain whirling around itself to realize just how far gone the man has grown in his hormones and lust.

It certainly has an effect upon your mind and body both, exacerbating the already-great feelings of want that sit like lava in the pit of your stomach. You reach out hands to grab for G’raha’s wrists, feeling cool crystal and hot flesh beneath your fingertips that shimmer beneath the dim light of the Ocular.

The man merely lets out a soft whine instead of words, question obvious all the same when piercing ruby eyes meet with your own. But your grip doesn’t fade, and instead you use the confusion of the moment to press the man back a step, to pull his hands back around his body until you’re pressing chest-to-chest, and your lips are brushing across the tantalizing expanse of his crystal-marbled collarbone.

“I said I was going to ravish you senseless,” your words are but a gentle, warm breath over his skin. “And I mean it, Raha. Let me take care of you first.”

G’raha starts to sputter some nonsensical argument, but you silence it quickly with a kiss to his pulse that leaves your lips parted and teeth gently dragging across oddly malleable crystal. There is no taste to it against your tongue, but you can’t help but feel the faintest, aching pulse, echoing in tune to the heartbeat that you feel between your chests. 

He squirms, but doesn’t fight the restriction of your hands on his wrists. That perhaps is the most alluring of it all; feeling him willingly yield, a man of such power and prestige that many regard him akin to a king. To feel him, the Exarch, G’raha Tia, vulnerable to your will in his most carnal of moments. It sparks a burning flame between your legs, a hunger in your belly--you want more .

So more you take, your lips moving over the beautiful expanse of your new lover’s throat, until you’re gently mapping out the delicate network of gold streaking through the crystal. Each kiss gets a gasp in response, a tremble through G’raha’s body until he’s nearly starting to shake like a leaf against you.

When your lips finally lift, you can’t help but glance to his face. What you find is an expression of soft pleasure, cheeks nearly as red as his hair and eyes shut tight.

With a gentle hum, you get the man’s half-lidded attention and ask, “Too much?”

Beautiful ruby eyes look away after a few moments, falling instead gently to your lips, then off towards the floor. Somewhere in it all, however, you swear that his face seems to turn a deeper shade of red. 

Adorable .

“It-... it’s not too much,” he finally whispers, tipping his head forward until your foreheads touch. “I just… I never thought your mouth would feel so good.”

A smirk curls at the corners of your lips.

“My mouth can feel even better in other places, if you want.”

G’raha doesn’t immediately respond with words, but the sharp intake of air in his nose is hardly missed. It sends a tingle of excitement down your spine.

“Is that what you want, Raha?”

Your body presses harder against his. Lips tilt forward, ghosting once more over the delightfully, though surprisingly sensitive expanse of his throat as before. You can feel his wrists pressing against your grip, lost somewhere seemingly in the urge to move and the restraint to remain still and let you take your pleasure of him. What’s even more delightful is the ongoing shape of his cock yet pressed between your bodies, aching enough for you to feel even through your layers of clothes.

G’raha’s voice eventually breaks the hot, shaking silence.

“ Please.”

“Please what?”

Your fingers finally unwrap from his wrists, though the unspoken command leaves them bound by wavering self-restraint alone behind the small of his back. 

 Words, more beg than command, spill from his soft lips like sweet honey.

“Touch me,” he whispers, eyes finally matching with your own as another shiver moves down his form. “Put your mouth all over me.”

There was little shame in the man’s gaze from the first moment you stepped into both the Ocular and into his arms, but there is but none left now. Not an ounce of it, though that’s likely because it’s pooling in his cheeks and down his body, cock still so eager despite being so woefully neglected--is that the effect of the heat he’s enduring? Logic says it’s far from the first erection he’s had since the start of the affliction, and that train of thought in itself is rather dangerous. It makes you wonder how many times he’s found release by his own hands. 

Moreso, it makes you curious how many times you can make him find it with yours instead.

Curiosity aside, however, you’re not that sadistic as to leave the man completely untouched and ignored. You offer him a mischievous grin before wrapping your arms around him and letting the two of you unceremoniously tumble down to the ground together, a tangle of limbs until you find G’raha laying beneath you, your body hovering over his in a fantastic moment of excitement and lust--not only for the body and soul of the man himself, but also in the knowledge that you are but moments away from bringing him such great pleasures and heights of euphoria.

There is little warning and less grace to the motion as you drag yourself down the front of G’raha’s form, letting hungry lips kiss a winding road down past his chest and belly until coming to the joining of his thighs and the throbbing shape between them.

A breath escapes your parted lips, and only by the careful maneuvering of your hands to G’raha’s hips does it keep him from instinctively thrusting them forward and sinking himself into the welcoming heat of your mouth.

“You seem eager enough,” you say with amusement, moreso at how he so easily obeys the gentle restriction of your touch. “Very much like the lad you seem so keen to deny of yourself.”

For as many years of life as he’s experienced, you know well enough how strong the Exarch is--how powerful G’raha Tia has become. He could very well break your hold and send you across the room if he truly didn’t wish to be pinned, but he doesn’t . Knowing that fact alone is alluring, as there’s a beauty that comes with the unspoken words of submission. How he defers so easily to the restriction even as his flushed cock throbs, aching for attention and release.

“I am b-but an old man in comparison-” the Exarch yet manages from his trembling lips, hands free to reach and gently entwine with your hair, but restrained in doing little more than anchoring himself to you. “-and h-...hardly worthy of such selfless attention.”

You huff, and hide not the noise or stern expression that falls over your eyes.

“I respectfully disagree, all things considered.”

It doesn't take much to comfortably settle yourself between his legs--you may even go as far to say that you felt rather cozy with the man’s thighs framing either side of your face, warm thighs which tremble with such a scorching heat of arousal. Your lips even press close enough to brush down the length of his cock, each word a delicate kiss of hot breath against such sensitive nerves.

G’raha can’t help but sob .

By the time that you’ve carefully skimmed back up to the tip, the man is shaking, hands gripping with such a focused restraint in your hair that you can feel it. Arousal fills up from the depth of your belly at the notion, serving only to embolden the motions to repeat again, and then once more. You’ve traced up and down the underside of G’raha’s twitching cock several times over before his soft sobs finally start to form real words again. Words vaguely snatched from the edges of his mind, which you know is already in tatters.

“Gods above-” his hips press up, desperate for more, but you press back with careful hands to keep them pinned and motionless. “M-my warrior, p-...please… your mouth-”

The press of your tongue against the underside of G’raha’s cock serves well enough to pull the words apart into their raw syllables. A trace downward pulls them into fragmented letters, and a gentle nosing to the soft balls below render him utterly devoid of language itself.

He tastes like sweat and salt and arousal. You can feel his tail thrashing like a whip beneath him as you drag a flattened tongue back up his full, eager length. It throbs weakly against the gentle assault, but it isn’t until you decide to take the tip of G’raha between your lips that you realize just how close to the precipice he truly is--

He spills weakly into your mouth, the only warning being a tug of his hands and a messy jumble of words that you can barely hear past the blood rushing in your ears. It’s a symphony of sensations. The gentle pain of hands tugging sharply at your hair, the heat of his writhing body, the press of his soft thighs against your ears and even the bitter seed spilling onto your tongue--it’s a wondrous peak of euphoria in its own right, one which you swallow down nearly as greedily as what little liquid fills your mouth. 

But nothing is quite as beautiful as how G’raha moans your name. It sounds like a prayer, fervent and desperate in all the ways that leave your belly tight and heart thudding hard against your ribs. He continues to moan it, then whisper it, and then breathe it with heaving lungfuls of hot air as you finally release him from both mouth and hands. 

“I’m sorry,” you begin sheepishly, raising a hand to wipe off what you weren’t able to swallow from your lips and chin. “I didn’t realize you were already so close, I wouldn’t have-”

You’re hardly able to get the next word out before there’s a set of hands quite suddenly cupping your cheeks and a pair of lips so gently ghosting against your own. G’raha shifts only so that he’s sitting up, with you still settled between his spread thighs.

The man hides little mischief as his tongue darts out to lap up the half-smeared drops you were about to simply wipe away with the back of your hand. 

“Do not apologize,” he purrs, entire mouth rumbling. “That was not the first time I found my peak the last several suns, and it will be far from the last.”

The pass of his tongue across your lips feels insistent, gently so, seeking permission to slip between them. Your response comes as a gentle whisper of his name, which is so quickly swallowed by the kiss he presses against you. Hungry. Passionate. Needy. Though he’s just a handful of seconds from climaxing against your tongue, G’raha’s hunger for you is but vaguely sated; like tossing but a single bucket of water into a raging forest fire, you can still feel the surging blaze within him.

“...You are still far too dressed,” the man murmurs after the kiss breaks, leaving you in his arms and settled so comfortably between his legs. 

“Would you like to remove some layers yourself?”

For but a breath, you are sure that ruby eyes look sharper than just a moment before you had spoken. Like something instinctual and feral. So when G’raha’s lips curl just far enough to see the gentle gleam of fangs in his smile, nothing can stop your heart from nearly skipping a beat.

“If I remove something of my own accord, dearest warrior, I’m afraid you would be rather unable to put it back on.”

The seeker leans forward to nuzzle into the crook of your neck, “You tempt me so. But I can be restrained enough to help you properly, if you would like.”

The grin softens after a few moments, but his words strike deep within the ever-present haze of lust and need that surrounds you, wafting from the exarch like a thick, lazy cloud of hormones. You have a feeling that the orgasm may have something to do with it, but say nothing in favor of getting started in stripping yourself down.

Since you aren’t dressed for battle, there is luckily far fewer layers to remove. G’raha seems pleased enough to watch, though there’s something about his eyes that keep your heart racing every time you catch even a glance at his face. Hair mussed, cheeks flushed, completely naked and cock half-hard between his crossed legs. How a man could look so debauched and yet retain even a miniscule amount of composure was beyond your mind’s ability to consider, especially when you so wanted to ruin whatever composure he had left.

Your upper garments come off with relative ease, leaving you free to ask, “How long have you been like this?”

“In heat?” G’raha clarifies gently, waiting only until you nod before continuing. “I would say at least three days, though unfortunately time is hard to keep track of in this state.”

“I think I can understand as much,” you murmur, carefully slipping off your pants, pausing only when the gentle click of something falling from one of your pockets catches your ears.

It catches the exarch’s attention as well, and both of you glance towards the floor to find a small, nondescript vial of clear liquid rolling to a stop between the two of you. It takes a few moments before you recognize it as the very same vial that the Mystel merchant Keel-Sai had given you but hours before.

Oh.

You had nearly forgotten about that.

G’raha’s attention is hardly missed as you lean down to gently pick it up, examining the vial genuinely for the first time since it was handed to you, though you’re yet without an answer for its contents. Though curious, you were content to tuck it back into the pocket of your pants and continue on with the sweet debauchery between the exarch and yourself,

And yet,

When you look up to meet G’raha’s eyes,

You find them wide, awe-struck, and unblinking.

Shock and surprise leaks through the heat across his face, as if he’s just heard the words of Hydaelyn herself whispered into his attentive, forward-facing ears. Like he’s hunting something.

Like he’s ready to pounce upon you.

“Where did you… get that?” he asks at last, voice quiet and body oddly still. “That vial in your hands.”

You look between the exarch and the vial in question for a few moments, trying desperately to connect the dots of the enigma for what it contains in the first place, and if perhaps taking it from the merchant had been a mistake all along. 

“Someone gave it to me,” you relent after realizing that there’s no good way to try and spin the truth otherwise. “When I learned of your… issue. A mystel merchant told me it might be useful to have.”

G’raha is peculiarly silent for a few seconds.

The silence is a little unnerving, so you apt to fill it with the noise of your words instead, hopefully to further clarify the situation. 

“She said it would help you… ‘enjoy it proper’ I believe?” the memory of the words just several hours ago sound as clear as can be. “I’m not sure what it was when she gave it to me, but I assumed it was something that could help alleviate some discomfort in your heat.”

A few more moments of silence, but shorter than before, leaving you only enough time to lift a brow in question before G’raha finally decides to unveil the secret with a growing, mischievous grin on his lips.

“It’s a vial of pheromones, rendered into a drinkable elixir of sorts.”

You blink, but G’raha seems to grow only more amused by it, tail flicking playfully behind him in a way that makes him look all-too young and alike the very man you had seen step into the Crystal Tower but months prior to your summoning to the First. 

“It’s not very common in the Source, if I recall correctly,” he continues, bringing up a hand to his chin as if lost so genuinely in memory. “But it’s surprisingly more common here in the First--I dare say it’s because many Mystel don’t naturally have regular heats in this realm from the greatly unbalanced aether. I didn’t expect you to have the pretense to obtain it, given how I tried to hide my heat so dearly.”

After a moment, the exarch tilts his head so slightly to the side, almost imperceptible if you weren’t so acutely aware of him. Of his eyes. They peer at you like a beast, hungry and so finely aware at the same time; a mixture of the young G’raha you knew and the raw, carnal instincts that wrap tight around the man who’d lived decades to see your face again.

“And it’s not for me, so to speak . ”

Your heart races on, thumping hard against the inside of your ribcage. The words, hot and haunting, echo between your ears until all you can do is gently part your lips, letting the question flow like a trickle of water though the answer is already clear in your mind.

“Who is it for then?”

G’raha smiles wide, familiar and sweet and filled with playful mystery.

“My warrior,” his words are soaked with honest adoration, the sound of reverence echoing from how his soft lips had curled around your name in the throes of pleasure. “That elixir is to help induce a heat in my would-be mate for this season. And that very mate, whom I shall ravish and wreck until we’re exhausted-”

The exarch licks the tip of his tongue over his lips.

"-with your permission, that mate would be you.”