#mentioned past estimeric

[lilbittymonster]

Day 6: Halcyon

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It was approaching the fifth moon since Estinien had left. The original assignment was only supposed to last for three. Hardly any word from the contingent since they had passed the ruins of the Dusk Vigil had come into Ishgard, and Aymeric was beginning to worry. Even if it was not from Estinien himself, it was rare for this length of time to pass without hearing from one of the Temple Knights that accompanied him.

The box of letters sat before him on the floor. Closing his eyes, he reached into the jumbled pile of well worn envelopes and withdrew. The seal had long been broken, the edges worn soft with time. Delicately the letter within slid into his hand, and he unfolded it with care. The ink was only just starting to fade on the scrawling letters.

Aymeric,

I am beginning to think that the reported sightings of the Horde in the lowlands were fabricated. Nothing more dangerous than a hornbill has been encountered thus far. Most of our days have been spent idly milling about the woods. Someone had the bright idea to bring a deck of playing cards.

I’m sure the highlands are still frozen over, but winter is beginning to withdraw this far south, and spring has pushed her way from the soil. By the time this will reach you they may have faded some, but I would send you a small piece of joy to liven those dull stone walls of yours.

-E

Stains dotted the page from blossoms long since pressed between its folds. The flowers, of course, had dutifully been pressed in Estinien’s favourite book of poems, and preserved between two panes of glass and proudly displayed on a shelf. That is, until Aymeric had shoved the frame into a drawer in a fit of wine-fuelled bitter longing several years later.

Gone were the days when Estinien would spend his evenings resting his head in Aymeric’s lap upon returning to Ishgard. Gone were the days of waking up next to one another after another too-late night. The rare mornings when he was home and Estinien awake early enough to have breakfast together. The emptiness of the manor weighed on him more and more these days and Arienne could only do so much to ease that ache.

Aymeric closed his eyes once more, pressing the paper gently to his lips. In the privacy of his own bed chambers he would allow himself these small indulgences. And should the worst ever come to pass, as he feared in the back of his mind every time his friend left the Holy See, he would still always have these few cherished mementos.

[estimericweek]

Estimeric Week will be August 9 — August 15 again this year!

Prompts: Day 1: Dreams | Firsts Day 2: Duty | Alternate Universe Day 3: Flashback/Past | Hurt/comfort Day 4: Devotion | Protection Day 5: Domesticity | Reunion Day 6: Heat of the Moment | Yearning Day 7: Free day (no prompts)

These prompts are intended only as a guideline, you can create anything you'd like.

Please use the tags "estimeric week 2023" and/or "estimeric week" when posting works during the event!

Further info under the cut!

These rules are elaborated on further in our carrd.

For eastern fans, reverse is OK. Either Aymeric x Estinien or Estinien x Aymeric is accepted.

The purpose of this event is to create works focused on the relationship between Estinien and Aymeric, so please keep mentions of other ships in the background.

For the most part, any content is allowed provided there are adequate content warnings used, save for the following: bestiality, incest, or sexual content featuring characters under the age of 18.

If you have questions, our DMs are open! Most importantly, have fun! We look forward to seeing everyone's creative works!

Links and contact:

Discord server

AO3 Collection

Carrd

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Moderated by @eemamminy-art