#a lot of character development for my ocs that weren't involved in shb happened during this period

[sealrock]

*wakes up in a cold sweat* I forgot I'm a writer

It's a bright and sunny day in Ul'dah, not a cloud in sight. A bit chilly given the time of the year, but the climes of Ul'dah are a far cry from the north, before the Calamity that is. It's Valentione's Day, and the streets are bustling with lovey-dovey overly touchy couples who don't give a fig about who's watching them trying to one-up each other on who's the most affectionate partner. Achille can almost understand Evander's distaste in the holiday, it's obnoxious. He would say Valentione's Day is nothing more than a capitalist's wet dream and a poor man's waking nightmare, and that you can show your partner love all year round. Paris was no different, as they would say that the streets filled with paper mache hearts and automated ornaments looked as if 'a bunch of moogles shat everywhere'. Paris has been to the realm of the moogles, so Achille trusts their rather nasty interpretation of the whole shindig. But this is different. This isn't about capitalism, gaudy decorations, or shallow displays of affection. Today is Patroclus' nameday, and Achille would be damned if he let this day pass without seeing him.

There he was, sitting on the edge of the impressive fountain of his grandfather's estate, unaware of Achille's presence. Patroclus' back faced Achille as he scattered around breadcrumbs for the multicolored doves to nibble at; in Achille's hands was a simple box clutched between sweaty fingers. Damn it all, if only Achille hadn't wasted his gil on rigged games down at the Coliseum. It slipped his mind that Patroclus' nameday fell on Valentione's Day, and Paris tried to be a helpful friend by 'hinting' at it the month before (more like embarrassing him in front of Patroclus himself).

So Achille had to scramble. It would take too long for Chiron to send him extra money by mail, absentminded and infuriating moogles notwithstanding, Evander was down for the count for the foreseeable future with his sickness, and Paris got flung to the far end of the realm because of important scion business or what have you. Thank Achille's lucky stars that the trio's gentle aunt was kind enough to give him a small pouch for a gift. But that led to another problem: Achille had no clue what Patroclus likes.

The gifts for Valentione's Day seemed too plain to Achille's untrained eye—lots of red and pink stuffed animals and bouquets, not Patroclus' thing. For as long as Achille had known him, Patroclus found the downright ghoulish cute—decorative skulls, pet insects as large as your head, books on the occult, and man-eating plants (with teeth and tongues!), to name a few. Achille shuddered in place at the thought of giving Patroclus a wild Mandragora… those things could scream your ears off. And they can kill you, too. Achille almost forgot about that.

Achille knew Ul'dah had its fair share of greed, and his knowledge of numbers could be better, but the prices for a day such as Valentione's were more than he could comprehend. Merchants were charging both arms and legs for their fancy imported goods, smiling in your face only to rob you blind as soon as you blink. And their wares were targeted at dumbfounded men hoping to woo the missus with last-minute gifts long enough to put off their night in the chocobo pen.

It was a miracle that Achille found someone selling chocolates within reach of his coin purse, but just about. He bought a simple box of assorted chocolates made here by a small chocolatier with an even smaller business. They seem no different from the Ishgardian or Lominsan chocolates, but Patroclus would know they're not top-of-the-line.

Achille feels like an idiot. Chocolates, not even the imported kind or fancy fruit dipped and garnished, are something a poor man would give. Patroclus isn't so vain as to flaunt his inherited wealth, but Achille wanted to gift something that would reflect Patroclus' upbringing—a gift he's used to receiving. The cogs in Achille's head started to spin:

What if Patroclus didn't like it, or if he laughed in Achille's face at this puny offering?

What if he's allergic to chocolate?

That's a thing, right? What if he accidentally makes Patroclus sick?

Evander doesn't care for it; he would spout some shite about his 'dietary needs' and how chocolate is a stimulant that makes him ill or whatever. Achille knew better, Evander just hates sweets. Maybe Achille was making a huge mistake. He should return these while there's still daylight-

"Achille? What a pleasant surprise!"

Rhalgr strike me down.

Achille was pulled from his racing thoughts by Patroclus' delighted voice, looking up just in time to get enveloped in a warm hug despite the crisp temperature, the blended scent of frankincense and myrrh flooding his nose. Oh, gods, how Achille wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole, he wasn't ready. If he didn't have such a death grip on the box of chocolates, it would've crashed on the gravel. Patroclus pulled back to reveal a beaming smile, but his eyes were tinged red… and a bit puffy.

He had been crying. Who made him cry?

"What brings you here? It's a tad airish to be enjoying a stroll—"

"H-Happy nameday. And Valentione's Day, I suppose."

Unceremoniously, Achille all but shoved the box into Patroclus' chest, his gaze suddenly transfixed on the forever green foliage of the hedge maze. He didn't realize he had been shaking, his collar moist with the sweat running down his nape. Achille was probably burning red again, his pointed ears twitching incessantly under his hair. He felt Patroclus quietly grab the chocolate box, only to hear a quick intake of breath. Achille dared himself to look head-on; Achille couldn't see his expression under the brim of his hat. But when he lifted his head, there was a watery smile spread on Patroclus' face, and his eyes crinkled at the simple gesture of gift-giving. Achille felt his mouth and throat go dry.

"Achille, you shouldn't have! I don't know what to say…"

Does he like it?

Achille couldn't find the words to ask as Patroclus quickly kissed his cheek before moving to a nearby bench to sit. Patroclus' soft lips met the wind-chafed skin of his face for just a moment. Achille felt as stiff as the artistically nude stone statue adorning the fountain. No, this doesn't prove anything. Patroclus always gave kisses to his other friends as a greeting, and Achille was no different. No matter how much he wanted to be something more to Patroclus.

His knees almost gave out from under him if Achille hadn't moved to sit next to Patroclus as he returned to his senses. His hands gripped the weathered stone of the bench as he tried to find his voice. Thankfully, Patroclus was too preoccupied with his chocolates to notice Achille having a nervous breakdown. The cooing doves moved from their earlier spot to crowd the boys, hoping for more bread. Achille fixed his eyes on them, he couldn't dare look up now.

"Oh, dear, where are my manners? Would you like some, Achille? My eyes are bigger than my stomach, and these chocolates are nice and rich."

Achille willed himself to take one and not say anything at the risk of making a fool of himself. While he's not an expert on the confectionary delights of Ul'dah, the ball of chocolate had a decent taste to it. They sat there in silence for what seemed like a long while, the flowing water of the fountain and shuffling doves keeping the din of Achille's racing heart at bay. Achille couldn't shatter the peace and ask why Patroclus had been crying, not on this special day. Not when he looked so content and relaxed.

"Thank you, Achille."

"… What for?"

"For remembering my nameday."

Achille's eyebrows raised to his hairline as he turned to look at the boy beside him. The veil of Patroclus' hat obscured his face, his hands holding onto the half-eaten box of chocolates. Achille didn't speak, he waited for Patroclus to continue. Patroclus deftly wiped away any brimming tears before they fell, swallowing them back down.

"It's silly, I know. My family is very busy, of course they wouldn't remember. We haven't celebrated my nameday since… after I turned sixteen. It wasn't a good day, that one. I have never seen my grandfather so furious, and I haven't since. But after that, my nameday came and went. It was like he couldn't care less about what this day meant. We're not the type of family to have grand celebrations, not anymore. But I enjoy them, and I miss having my family around. It gets lonely during this time of year."

Achille found himself inching closer to Patroclus when he saw his shoulders quiver, Patroclus' head dipping lower the more he talked. Achille heard bits and pieces of that day from various family members, but he doesn't want Patroclus to recount it. It pains him to remember.

"My friends from the conservatory make no mention of it either, and we just go about our daily lives and look at happy couples walk hand-in-hand down the lane. I said it doesn't bother me anymore, so I'm not sure why I'm crying over it now…"

Patroclus jumped to his feet, the box left to sit on the bench. A wry chuckle escaped his lips.

"Apologies. I must be boring you. I didn't mean to ramble—"

Achille grabbed his arm, but he didn't squeeze. It was a loose hold, enough to get Patroclus' attention.

"Please, don't go. I'll stay here and celebrate your nameday with you. Just me and you."

Patroclus looked surprised. He waited for Achille to backtrack, to catch on to the signals he was sending. Achille was steadfast.

"Are you sure?"

"Rhalgr's my witness."

Slowly, like dark clouds parting from the sun, Patroclus smiled, his freckles damp from tears. The two sat closer to each other this time, and Achille felt bold enough to wrap his arm around Patroclus' side. He prayed that Patroclus didn't feel his thundering heart as he lay against his shoulder. This is what friends do, Achille reminded himself—they comfort one another in their time of need. Achille would stay for as long as Patroclus needed him to.

"Thank you again, Achille."

"… 's all right."

too tired to make a gpose of this

but just know that achille would be sweating bullets as he gives patroclus a double nameday/valentione's day gift of chocolates because that's all he can afford. patroclus rewards him with a kiss and they eat the chocolate together :')