#hyperia x sanji

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What if...we kissed in the Crystal Tower?

Based on the "She tanks, he heals" meme.

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Moon and Sun

To shine a beacon through the darkest night....

To blaze fiercely through the coldest day....

My Nhaama

My Azim

(Added the horizontal version as well since it shows the moon/sun better.)

My headcanon is that they've gender-swapped the traditional Nhaama/Azim roles for themselves due to their personalities aligning better with it that way. Their wedding is going to be sun/moon-themed on the equinox (day and night being equal on that day).

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Kisses by Moonlight....🌙

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A Flame Kindled

(Sanji's first kiss and my first published FFXIV ficlet. Please be gentle!)

“Are you cold, Sanji?”

The red-haired woman’s query was cast over her shoulder on a puff of icy breath as she leaned against the railing that surrounded the compound of the place the Garleans called “Victor’s Spoils”. The foreboding building overlooked the icy plains of Cerulea Ingens in one direction and the looming tower dominating the city of Garlemald in the other. Hyperia kir Quinntus, however, seemed quite unbothered by the frigid temperatures and the snow flurries that swirled upon gusts of wind that seemed to constantly blow across the icy landscape, her form clad in an Imperial-issued coat, thick pants, snug fur-lined gloves and boots.

Of course, she wouldn't be cold, Sanji Oronir thought with no small amount of jealousy as the Xaela huddled upon one of the worn metal chairs set up upon the raised deck overlooking the icy wastes, the frigid winds ruffling his shoulder-length black hair. She was born and raised here. This is probably a mild spring day to her.

As Sanji curled even further upon himself, almost as though to burrow within the heavy coat he’d been issued, he fought to keep his teeth from chattering as he managed to mumble out petulantly, “Of course I am. It’s freezing out here.”

Hyperia turned to furrow her brows at his snappish tone. Sanji had always been one to try and keep up a cheery demeanor, no matter the hardship. For such obvious irritation to slip through in his tone, he must have been truly suffering. Offering a sympathetic smile, she gestured to the faint path worn in the snow that led back to the Ilsabard contingent’s home camp, the border gateway town that had been had deemed “Camp Broken Glass”, but that she knew as Laterum.

“You could’ve gone back with the others, you know.”

Sanji’s gaze followed her gesture to fix briefly on the faint welcoming glow of the distant aetheryte…and the reminder of the warm cots and hot food that awaited them there.

“I didn’t want to leave you alone here”, he murmured quietly, regretting the words even as he uttered them. He knew how much she hated feeling “coddled”, but instead of offering a brusque retort, Hyperia pushed from the railing to settle in next to him on the bench, leaning her back against his arm.

It took every ounce of willpower for Sanji not to slide an arm around her, wanting to avail himself of the added warmth she offered, instead choosing to rub his hands together briskly, silently appreciating the thickness of the fur-lined gloves they had been issued.

For several long moments they remained this way, together just watching the faint hazy glow of the sun as it began to settle behind the rugged peaks of the Magna Glacies, until Hyperia’s voice quietly broke the calm, “What’s wrong? Aside from the cold, that is.”

Another long stretch of silence drew out between them as Sanji mulled over the answer. Ever since they had departed Ala Mhigo and headed into the icy wastes of Garlemald, they had been forced into close quarters, nearly everyone huddled together for warmth, during the first few days here before Hyperia and the other technicians could get the heaters working again. Not that he was complaining, but he knew there was a part of her that still mourned her failed relationship with her former betrothed. A relationship that he’d had a hand…though inadvertently…in ending. Though he was astute enough to realize at the time that her former lover had written her off long before Sanji had ever entered the picture, the younger Xaela's presence had apparently offered him the perfect excuse to finally cut her off for good. It mattered not that Sanji had saved her from a fiery death and had done everything in his power to deliver her safe and whole back into the man's arms...only to have him accuse her of running away to have some illicit secret affair with him. He had watched her heart shatter at the rejection and the accusation...and felt his own twist in sympathy even as she had thanked him before sending him away. Though he would not admit it to himself at the time, he had come to admire her deeply…her strength, her stubbornness, and her intelligence. She didn’t deserve to have all of that crushed and tossed aside by someone who had found those qualities to be a threat to his ego. And so, when they had found themselves unexpectedly reunited for this expedition into her homeland, Sanji had vowed to do whatever he could to support and help her nurture those qualities again. But how could he tell her that what had once just been “friendly support” had begun to bloom into more? He knew she’d always thought of him as more of a “little brother” than anything else. Did she still feel that way? He really didn’t know.

“Sanji?”

Her gentle query stirred him from his thoughts, and he turned to see her eyeing him with a mix of concern and faint amusement. Even in the bitter cold, Sanji could feel his cheeks warming under her scrutiny. “I…I’m um…sorry”, was all he could manage to stammer out as he flicked his gaze away from hers, feeling the weight of that golden-hued stare upon him.

“For what?”

“For everything”, Sanjit muttered as he began picking at a stray thread that had begun to unravel from the forefinger of his left glove. “It’s all a mess and it’s my fault. You should be back home, planning a wedding, not here in the freezing cold, dealing with all of this.” As he felt her tense against him, then abruptly pull away, Sanji couldn’t help but wonder if she’d sensed the lie in his words…that he was glad she was away from all that and here with him. But was it where she wanted to be?

“Sanji…”, he turned as she spoke his name once more, an unexpected tenderness underlying the firm tone that forced his gaze back to hers, to find she’d shifted to face him, a gentle smile upon her lips as she lifted a gloved hand to lay upon his cheek. “That is not something for you to be sorry for. Is it your ‘fault’ that I escaped a relationship that was falling further into ruin by the day? Is it your ‘fault’ that I am finally able to return to my homeland and offer what aid I can to them? Is it your ‘fault’ that, despite everything, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in many moons? If so, then accept the blame…and my thanks. Because you are honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Sanji felt a numbness take over his body…and not from the cold, his tongue thick as he tried to form a reply only to have the words stick in his throat. For a long moment all he could do was stare incredulously at the woman who had unexpectedly taken over his life and heart, as he tried to reconcile the affection he saw reflected in her eyes. “Truly?”, he finally managed to utter, the word a faint whisper, “You mean that?”

“Every word”, she replied in a tone that was somehow both tender and fierce before she closed the distance between them, her lips claiming his.

At the unexpected kiss, Sanji froze, his mind awhirl. She was kissing him…and not the chaste kiss of a friend or “big sister”, but something passionate and almost desperate. Though kisses were not a normal part of Xaelic affections, he had witnessed enough of them between the other races to understand this. However, never having been kissed...or having initiatied one himself…Sanji had no idea what he was supposed to do. There was a puckering of lips, he knew this, but Hyperia’s seemed to cling and move softly against his in a manner his mind raced to understand the subtleties of.

But as soon as he’d finally mustered the courage to try and replicate it, he felt her pulling back, leaving a sort of void that he ached to fill. Blinking as he fought to catch his breath, he noted the flush that colored her cheeks and the defeated look that flickered across her face before she turned away.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”, Hyperia murmured, now her own hand dropping from his face to clasp with the other upon her lap, her demeanor seeming to crumple beneath the weight of her…disappointment? Embarrassment?

“Oh Nhaama, does she think because I didn’t return it, that I don’t feel the same?”, Sanji’s mind raced in panic. She’d been hurt so much…faced so much heartache and disappointment. To see her starting to sink back into that again, he just couldn’t…

“Hyperia…”, this time he did slide an arm around her, drawing her back to him, though the tension in her body was still there, no doubt interpreting the gesture as merely a friendly one to comfort her. “Hey…”, gently he cupped her cheek in his palm, turning her to face him once more”, “Maybe you shouldn’t have, but…I’m very glad that you did.

He saw her eyes go wide in surprise for a split second before he closed his mouth upon hers, hoping to imitate the passion and need that she had conveyed through her kiss. Though most of his concentration was focused on the softness of her lips against his and the electric sensations that seemed to shiver up his spine at the way they clung to his, he thrilled at how her body seemed to meld against his, and the quiet moan that vibrated from her. As his hand dropped from her cheek to entwine around her waist and pull her even closer, Sanji felt the tip of her tongue gently probing at his lips. Almost as through pure instinct, his lips parted to allow her in, his own tongue lightly dancing with hers, a soft, contented rumble echoing in his chest.

He had no idea how long they remained like this…it seemed both a blessed eternity and an all-too-fleeting instant before they eventually parted, their breath misting in the cold and mingling together before dissipating into the chill air. As Sanji’s eyes finally opened and found her face once more, a surge of relief and joy overtook him to see that the defeat that had clouded her features before had since fled, replaced with eyes shining with affection and unshed tears.

Considering Hyperia’s aversion to showing any form of weakness, Sanji never ceased to be amazed at how many times he had seen the seemingly-indomitable woman cry. Though initially it was mainly from frustration, rage, and despair, she had slowly started to allow herself to open up a bit more in his presence and Sanji couldn’t help but be honored by her trust. While the rest of the world saw her as a stubborn, callous, often-abrasive woman, he had begun to see the vulnerabilities that laid beneath the mask she had forced herself to don to protect her wounded heart, mind, and body.

As a single tear slipped free, he caught it on his thumb, tracing it gently over the line of her cheekbone. When Hyperia leaned into the touch with a quiet sigh of contentment, Sanji pulled her closer, resting his forehead to hers. “Are you…was it okay?”, he murmured hesitantly.

Hyperia brows shot up, mirroring the amused, yet surprised expression she wore at his query. Taking his hand in hers, she chuckled quietly, “Was that…the first time you’d ever kissed someone?”

Sanji’s face went bright scarlet, his eyes flicking to their conjoined hands, “Was it that obvious?”

“No…well, maybe a little. I just…when you didn’t return it, I thought maybe I’d…overstepped.” As she spoke, her thumb slid lightly over his knuckles, her lips pursed.

Lifting her hand to his lips to press a light kiss upon her fingers, Sanji sighed, “I’m sorry. It just…it took me by surprise. I never realized you felt this way. I always thought I was just a friend…a ‘little brother' to you’”

Hyperia let out a quiet snort of laughter before nestling against him, her head coming to rest upon his shoulder, “That’s what I told myself…told everyone. You were…are a friend, probably the first and only true friend I’ve ever had. But after that day…when you saved my life”, she sighed, eyes closing at the memory, “you just…it’s like you opened my eyes to what friendship, caring and love was supposed to be. Not what I’d been settling for all that time. But after everything that had happened before, I...I was scared to open my heart again. So I thought I could convince myself that what I felt was just a...platonic affection and nothing more.”

With a sigh, Sanji settled his chin atop her head, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, “I’m sorry. I hate that my presence made things difficult for you.”

There was a sudden tug on his horn as Hyperia fixed him with a stern glare, “Stop it. Your presence is the very reason I'm here, alive and breathing. I was a stupid, lovesick fool back then, but still not so much of one that I would've rather died than go through all of that. Besides, all of that just served to show me what his true colors really were.” As Sanji’s expression fell with contrition, her own demeanor softened, “And how many times have you told me to stop dwelling on the past? So maybe…take your own advice, eh?”

“Yes ma’am!” Grinning, Sanji pressed a kiss to the crown of her head before turning at the sound of footsteps crunching on the icy ground. Both tensed, attempting to untangle themselves from each other as the familiar figure of Maxima quo Priscus and a pair of soldiers from the contingent, all bundled against the cold and looking about the area warily, climbed the stairs onto the deck.

“Ah, there you are…”, the Garlean Populares breathed in obvious relief, “When you didn’t return with the others, we began to worry. But…”, Maxima smiled, his lavender eyes twinkling with knowing amusement at the pairs flustered state, “I see we needn’t have done so. However, night is falling, as are the temperatures, so you’ll want to start heading back sooner rather than later.”

Sanji blinked, turning his attention the horizon where the sun had finally sunk beyond the mountains, “Oh Azim…I was supposed to help with the dinner this evening! Esugen is going to have my hide!”

Laughter echoed through the gathered group as Hyperia offered Sanji a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll understand, Love.”

A little thrill raced down Sanji’s spine at the endearment, his arm sliding over her shoulders to guide her towards the trio awaiting them, “We received a shipment of rolanberries in from over the border and I was going to make pie. I suppose I still have time if we hurry.”

“And if not, that’s all the more for you, right?”, Hyperia winked as the younger Xaela let out an indignant huff, swatting her lightly in the rear with his tail. “I wouldn’t be that selfish…maybe.”

Once more, laughter ran out across the icy plains as the group made their way back towards the relative warmth and shelter of the camp, whilst Hyperia and Sanji basked in the warmth their newfound relationship had kindled….

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Au Ra August Day 1: Home

"Home is where love resides, memories are made, friends and family belong, and laughter never ends."

Sanji: "Jaya! Why are you eating donuts? Dinner's about ready!"

Jaya: "I can't help it---" *sounds of chewing* "Khaishan made me!"

Sanji: "Mmmhmm..."

Khaishan: "Hey mate, don't put a whole basket of donuts out on the counter where anyone can get to them if you don't want people eating them!"

Jaya: "Besides...dinner's taking forever since you spend more time making dzo-eyes at Hyperia than you do actually cooking!"

Hyperia: *Turns bright red* "Oh hush!"

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A Magic Moment

“Why…is…this…not…WORKING?!”

Despite the cool afternoon breeze that blew off the Ruby Sea, Hyperia’s cheeks flushed a heated scarlet as, once more, she flung her hands out in the gesture Sanji had taught her. And once more, not a single spark of magic was brought forth.

“You’re trying too hard, love. Relax, just let it happen”, Sanji fought to keep the frustration from his own tone. While the young Xaela considered himself a very patient and forgiving teacher, they had been at this all day and every failure had only served to increase Hyperia’s frustration…which was counterproductive to what he was trying to teach her.

“I’m TRYING. It just feels…stuck. Like it’s right there, but I can’t get it to come out.” With an irritated huff, she kicked at the sand at her feet.

“Hyperia, this isn’t one of your machines. You can’t just beat on it until it works.” Sanji breathed a quiet sigh as he came to rest his hands upon her shoulders, fingers beginning a slow kneading as his voice dropped to a near-whisper.

“Close your eyes…breathe. Aether isn’t a weapon, it isn’t a tool. It is life itself. It’s in you…in me…in the sand beneath your feet and the soft breezes through your hair. It is in the depths of the sea and the depths of our love. It’s more than just energy…more than just magic…it is everything and everywhere. Feel it, embrace it, nurture it.”

Hyperia drew in a long breath, then slowly released it, feeling the tension gradually dissipate from her muscles as Sanji’s fingers continued their gentle massage. As her eyes fluttered closed, she let her thoughts still, letting her senses take over...the faint slap of the waves against the shoreline, the feel of his breath caressing her cheek as he leaned in, the sand beneath her feet warm and damp. Eventually all of this seemed to subtly shift from the physical to…something more. She could feel a warm tingle of energy spreading from her lover’s hands, intertwining with her own aether. With every heartbeat, it seemed to grow, mingling with the rhythm of her pulse until they were one. She had felt his healing magic before, but this was not the same. He was not channeling his aether into her. It was just…there.

Another breath…in and out…and a subtle mental push as she went through the gesture one more time. Her eyes remained closed, for she could not bear to witness yet one more failure, but then…a quiet delighted gasp from behind her had her eyes flying open on pure instinct to see a perfect orb of azure cradled within the palm of her hand.

“I—ohmygod…I did it! Sanji, look!” Hyperia was practically bouncing on her heels, though her hands kept perfectly still as though afraid that the slightest movement might dispel the orb.

“I knew you could…”, he murmured, pride shining through his voice as he gave her shoulders another squeeze and leaned in to press a kiss into her hair.

For several more seconds, Hyperia kept the orb burning softly in her palm, her gaze filled with pride and wonder, before curling her fingers around it, silently snuffing it out. As she turned to face him, Sanji could see unshed tears shining in her eyes.

“I can’t believe…I finally….”, her words trailed off as she rose to tiptoe, placing her hands against his cheeks. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to do that? And you…you made it happen.”

Sanji smiled, laying his hands atop hers, head shaking, “You made it happen. I just helped guide you along the path you needed to get there.

Without another word, Hyperia leapt into his arms, her own wrapping around his neck, as she tipped her head back to the evening sky and let out a whoop of laughter…the likes of which Sanji had rarely heard from her.

“I can use magic!”

Feeling her joy wash over him, Sanji spun her in his arms, laughing along with her, until they both sank onto the sand, entangled in a warm embrace.

“I think this calls for a celebration”, Sanji murmured, gently nudging Hyperia’s cheek affectionately with his horn. “And I’m pretty sure I have just the thing.”

“Mmm…and what might that be?”, Hyperia hummed, her fingers sifting through Sanji’s hair.

“The rather large carton of mango sorbet I have stashed in the icebox”, he purred, knowing how the frozen concoction had almost instantly become Hyperia’s favorite food, “and…”, he paused dramatically before leaning in to whisper something in her ear, causing Hyperia’s eyes to go very wide.

“Before or after the sorbet?”

“Perhaps both…”, a sly grin tugged at the Xaela’s lips, “Maybe even during. This is a celebration, after all.”

“Oh…oh my”, Hyperia’s cheeks flushed bright crimson even as she began hastily extricating herself from his arms, “In that case…what are we waiting for?”

“Not a thing, my dear…not a thing…”, Sanji grinned as he took her hand and led her back towards their home.

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--==[ Unauthorized Entry ]==--

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No Regrets

I will never regret the choices I have made, the paths I have taken...because they all led me to you.

(Working on getting my posing mojo back...and remembering how everything works in FFXIV again since I've been binging BG3 for so long! I promise I'll get to the screenshot asks very soon!)

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Domestic Bliss....

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Dang covid, I had a little scare recently, guy on Tuesday that I met tested positive... Hope you feel better soon ❤️

But pictures!

🍭 - something associated with treats or small pleasures, and

🪩 - something associated with parties or revelry

Something to maybe help brighten your mood ❤️

Sweet Tooth!

Sanji has a seemingly-endless sweet tooth, but Hyperia doesn't mind indulging him....

A Night to Remember

When friends and family gather under a Moonfire sky to celebrate the approaching end of summer and their favorite couple's betrothal.

Thank you so much for these asks!

(And sorry they took a bit. Finally getting over the plague and getting my posing energy back!)

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Taking a quick break from the fun and sun outside to relax with her sweetie.

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Forever Mine

Yes, it's time for a new pose...actually two, sort of!

But first...a little story (because I can do this here) of how this pose has kicked my ass for almost two years now....

I first came across the reference for this pose several years ago while playing SWTOR. I wanted to comm some fan art of my OC and her ship and thought it would be perfect for them. And so I did...and it became the very first fan art I ever commed (by AlstonNovak on Twitter)....

So...fast-forward to my FFXIV days. I'd just started playing around with CMT and decided that I wanted to try to make my own poses from scratch...and picked this one as a starter. Oh boy...big mistake.

I no longer have the pics of my attempts, but...probably a good thing because they were...not good. So fine, I set it aside for awhile. Fast-forward again to after I'd started using Anamnesis. Figured "Okay, this should make it a bit easier" and I gave it another go. And...again, It just never came out looking right.

Soo...this past weekend, I'm going through my Pinterest board of references, looking for some inspiration and come across a sheet that has that pose along with a bunch more. Oh no....it was calling to me again. After finishing up "Personal Space", I decided I might as well give it one more try.

Loaded up Khaishan and Jaya (because I couldn't bear to put Hyperia and Sanji through those horrors again), started fiddling and...within 15 minutes, I had an actually decent-looking pose (aside from having to float Jaya a bit because height differences are so much fun)!

And so today, I figured I might as well test it on my babes and, after a little tweaking, I had a second decent-looking pose! The monster has been defeated at last!

And so, without further ado (sorry this turned into one of those recipe posts where the author has to ramble for ten pages about their life experiences before actually getting to the recipe).....

Enjoy!

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I did not believe because I could not see Though you came to me in the night When the dawn seemed forever lost You showed me your love in the light of the stars

"Dante's Prayer - Loreena McKennitt

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"Our entire lives, we did not know who we were. For years, we did not know where we belonged. But now we do. Now we fight to keep it." --from "Lady of Starfire" by Melissa Roehrich

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Dredging up some older pics today....

A little training montage from back when Sanji had started his hand-to-hand training and Hyperia decided to give him a little "help" with his workouts.😉

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Sanji was finally able to upgrade the cabin on their island...but Hyperia had some "renovations" of her own to take care of before they could settle in....😈