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mimisempai · 12 hours

Text

It's invisible but it's there

Summary

A funny accident between him and Aziraphale, leads Crowley to a moving discovery and causes them to discuss their relationship.

Notes

50 Types of Kisses - Writing Prompts

Kiss #48: One person has to bend down in order to kiss their partner, who is standing on their tip-toes to reach their partner’s.

Completely inspired by one of Neil's recent answer on tumblr

On Ao3

Rating G - 1098 words

"Muriel, would you be so kind as to hand me the book I left on the sideboard by the door?"

Aziraphale, perched on a stepladder, stretched his arm back without turning around.

"I'm not Muriel, but I'm happy to bring you the book."

The angel shook his head and turned to see Crowley approaching, book in hand. When the demon was close, Aziraphale reached out to grab the book, but Crowley, a mischievous smile on his lips, shook his head and said, "No, no, Mr. Fell, if you want this book, you'll have to pay first."

Crowley tucked the book behind his back and, standing on tiptoe, held his face toward Aziraphale, leaving no doubt as to the currency required.

The angel rolled his eyes at his lover's antics, but leaned over to the demon and dropped a fleeting kiss on his lips. Then, just as he was about to pull away, the demon held him back with one hand and said playfully, "Angel, I'm sure this is a valuable book, so you'll have to put the money in."

"Idiot..." the angel grumbled before pressing his lips to the demon's again, making the kiss last a little longer this time.

They soon had to stop, however, as Aziraphale leaned a little too far and the stepladder tipped dangerously, causing the angel to fall.

Crowley dropped the book and caught the angel, but not fast enough to keep his own balance, so they both ended up on the ground.

Trying to right himself, Aziraphale panicked, "Crowley, are you okay, are you in pain?"

He knelt down beside Crowley, who was holding his face in his hands, and now, the angel, genuinely concerned, grabbed the demon's hands to see that he was laughing.

Aziraphale nudged him gently and said, "Idiot, I really thought you were hurt."

Between laughs, the demon replied, "Sorry, Angel, but I'm fine, I swear."

He reached behind him and brought his hand back in front of him, holding the book, and continued, "But I'm not sure your book is undamaged."

The demon looked at it more closely and frowned, "Oh, I think a page is torn."

He opened the book and added, "Ah no, it's a note."

Aziraphale panicked and reached for the book, saying, "Oh, it's nothing. Give it to me-"

But Crowley had put the book out of reach and, looking serious, asked Aziraphale, "This is your handwriting. This note is about me. What does it mean?"

The angel shook his head and replied, "I told you, it's nothing, it was a long time ago and I..."

"Does Crowley feel that connection too? If we stay away too long, will that bond break?"

Crowley held the note out to Aziraphale and asked softly,"What did you mean when you wrote that, Angel?"

Aziraphale grabbed the book and replied, his throat slightly tight with emotion, "It's Jane Eyre."

"Yes, I've seen it."

The angel opened the book, searched for a page, and turning the book to Crowley, showed him a paragraph, "Read this."

Crowley read aloud, “I have a strange feeling with regard to you. As if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you. And if you were to leave I’m afraid that cord of communion would snap. And I have a notion that I’d take to bleeding inwardly. As for you, you’d forget me.”

Crowley murmured, "I see..."

Then he read the note again before placing it in the book, closing it and setting it down beside him. Still sitting on the floor, he leaned against one of the bookshelves and motioned for the angel to come and sit between his spread legs.

Aziraphale slid down and once his back was pressed against the demon's chest, Crowley wrapped his arms around him and, resting his chin on the angel's head, asked softly, "When did you write this, Angel?"

Aziraphale placed his hands on the demon's intertwined hands on his stomach and replied, "In 1941, I had just realized my feelings for you, and we had never been as close as we were that day, so when you left, I began to wonder if I was the only one who had imagined this bond between us. If I was the only one who thought about you all the time when we were apart."

He felt the demon shake his head before he said with an emotional tone, "You weren't the only one."

Aziraphale took one of Crowley's hands and brought it to his lips as Crowley continued, "And lately, you seemed to be thriving, and I felt like I was treading water, and I was afraid that one day that bond would be gone."

He felt the angel about to protest, but pressed a light kiss to the fluffy hair to calm him and continued, "Let me finish, Angel. That's how I felt, but not anymore. Now, this invisible bond, I'm firmly convinced that nothing can break it. I mean, even Metatron tried, and he couldn't. In fact, looking back, I'm even sure that if you had followed him, it wouldn't have broken."

He couldn't help but smile as he felt the angel nod repeatedly to show that he shared the same conviction.

Crowley leaned forward and said in his lover's ear, "Then you can throw away this little note."

Aziraphale replied, "Yes, I now have the answer to both questions. This bond is real and here and unbreakable."

He turned his head and their lips met in a tender kiss that lasted until a slight cough caused them to part and look up.

Muriel, hands on hips, one eyebrow raised, asked them, "What are you doing?"

Crowley grabbed Jane Eyre and held it up, saying, "We're just arranging books."

Muriel shook their head and replied, "And to think I'm the one who's supposed to be learning from you."

Crowley and Aziraphale looked at each other before breaking into a chorus of laughter, then the demon stood and reached out to help the angel to his feet.

Then he put his arm around Muriel's shoulders and said, "Come on, my little bee, I'll buy you a hot chocolate at Nina's to celebrate."

The angel asked, confused, "To celebrate what?"

Crowley took Aziraphale's hand with his other hand and as their fingers intertwined, he said in a softer tone, "To celebrate an unbreakable bond."

"A bond? But I don't see anything."

Aziraphale replied to Muriel with a smile, "It's invisible, but it's there."

Muriel thought to themself that they did indeed have a lot to learn.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story 🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Ineffable kisses series : here

Ineffable Husbands masterlist : here

Ineffable Growing Love - Series post S2

Part 1 Story 1-99

Part 2 Story 100-?

#good omens #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #ineffable boyfriends #aziraphale #crowley #good omens fanfiction #aziraphale x crowley #crowley x aziraphale #50 kisses

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calico-heart · 5 months

Note

For the kiss ask: Thancred/Tsimh with #46, "out of envy or jealousy"

I want to watch the fireworks lol.

Thanks so much for the ask! :D This didn't take quite the direction I'd expected, but I'm pretty happy with how it came out :3

(Ask me for a kiss!)

----

Cold the night beyond the tavern door was, and unfit for travel. As winter set in, Coerthan fury found its way south and blanketed Mor Dhona in snow. Adventurers and travelers alike coalesced in The Seventh Heaven, which could always be rowdy given its usual clientele, but was especially rambunctious now.

Thancred had done what any practical man would do, and found himself a girl for the evening. She was bonnie enough, with bright brown eyes and an endowment worthy of a lingering stare.

She just hadn’t been his first choice.

By the time he’d blown in with the storm, Tsimh had already made her selection for the evening. An Elezen from the Sons of Saint Coinach, with soft eyes and pale cheeks that emphasized his blushing.

Which was… fine. Thancred told himself. He and Tsimh enjoyed rousing carnality together when the mood struck, and indulged elsewhere when it did not. She made, and expected, no promises. It was not the way of Moonkeepers to do otherwise.

He hadn’t misunderstood in any way the sort of relationship – or rather lack thereof – they were engaged in.

What did it matter if her fingers brushed that stranger’s chin oh-so-deliciously?

…It didn’t.

She was entitled to her fun. Just as he was.

Honestly, he wasn’t exactly a swan. He had company tonight, and could’ve picked between a great many others. Few men could say the same of their options. And his tryst was certainly showing him off; making the most of the opportunity to inspire jealousy in other girls. Or at least, most of them.

Mmm, you must tell me what happens next, Thancred urged his tablemate to continue her story. He was only half listening.

Most Eorzean girls were simple. They wanted to be made to feel special. Like they stood apart from all the rest. Offer up a few charming words and rougish touches, and they’d flock to him in eager desperation, ready to lavish him with attentions. He couldn’t pretend that hadn’t been part of the excitement, each time he made the same promises to a different pretty face.

Tsimh… really was different. There was nothing he, or anyone else, could offer her that she could not find in her own self. It was an unwavering level of confidence usually reserved for fools. And she was anything but a fool. She’d even toasted him across the room, when she’d seen his selection. Not an onze of jealousy. Or regret.

No, he’d never tried that drink before, he preferred a good ale.

The games he’d played with the others, he’d played a hundred times or more. Tsimh took him down trails he’d never mapped. And her utter lack of concern over where his eyes wandered was supposed to be liberating.

But here his gaze went, wandering back to her. And a writhing, unfriendly twist in his gut pulled tighter each time she smiled at another man.

Oh yes, they were so lucky for the storm, for the chance to meet here tonight. It must be kismet.

He didn’t mind. She’d be back. A night in the arms of another would divert her just a short while. It didn’t mean anything. To either of them. Thancred couldn’t help being held by the weather, and the only reason she’d draped herself across some stranger, instead of waiting, was because…

Because…

Wet lips pushed across his without warning, startling him. Thancred jolted back. But of course it was Kaia, fair further into her cups than him. He shouldn't be surprised. He ought to be glad.

“You taste better than I thought you would.” She cooed, “Which is saying a lot, frankly.”

Thancred offered back a debonair smile, “And you, darling, kiss better than I could have imagined.”

As if to prove it to them both, he took the reckless approach, and tugged her back for a second helping. This time, with more enthusiasm. A few nearby adventurers whooped and banged their tables. Kaia pushed into it eagerly.

The hungry stirring in his gut never woke, though. Whatever queasiness had come over him this evening stole that excitement, too. When they parted, she was breathless, and flushed from more than just her fruity drinks. He was… telling himself it’d been good.

“Well. I daresay you’re sweet enough to give me a toothache.” Thancred teased with a grin.

Tsimh wouldn’t have been satisfied by the limp banter. She’d have reparted a clever quip, folded in double meaning, and they’d have sparred over it until one or the other could no longer hold back a genuine laugh. He already had half-a-dozen comebacks in mind. Maybe Kaia could surprise him with cleverness of her own.

But he hadn’t picked her to be clever. And couldn’t even really be disappointed when Kaia put a hand on his forearm and replied, blinking over long lashes, “Aren’t you the silver tongue. I’ll rot your teeth right out, if you want me to, sweetheart.”

If he kept telling himself he wanted this, eventually it would become true.

The night wore on slowly, and no amount of ale seemed to make Kaia pretty or charming enough to compete with the fire in his gut over Tsimh’s attentions to that – that dhalmel of a man.

Thancred became rowdy. As if sound would drown out what his eyes perceived so clearly. It did work – a little – because others rose up to match his energy, and sometimes they blocked the table in the far corner of the room from view.

Kaia grew more and more handsy, making it clear enough who he belonged to, tonight.

And for a while, it seemed all combined enough to dull his frustration, even if not deafen it.

Until the strum of the lute. The baudiest tavern in Eorzea would have silenced in an instant for that serenade. Here was no exception.

He really had had too much to drink. Thancred swallowed back a wave of bile. All heads turned to Tsimh. Her eyes were fixed on the rosy-cheeked scholar, as she sang.

Many times past she’d wooed Thancred in similar fashion. He didn’t know if what she lilted now was poetry from another source, or a fancy bit of improv all for her dalliance tonight. But she trilled of chance meetings and beautiful faces wreathed in winter snow, and Kaia leaned up against Thancred with an awestruck sigh.

“I’ve never seen that bard before! I wonder who she is?”

His lip twisted.

“It’s like she wrote this song for us, isn’t it?” Kaia cooed, nuzzling under his jaw.

Before realizing it, Thancred had pulled himself free and raised to his feet.

Kaia scrambled for balance, brow furrowed, attention unsteady, “Wha’s wrong?”

“I’ll only be a moment.” He answered, the first, least controversial cover to make it through the murky swirl of his mind. Thancred took his coat off the rack, but didn’t stop to put it on.

“It’s a blizzard out there –”, she protested as he made for the exit. “Thancred–”

Kaia, and the music, vanished into the wind as he shut the heavy oak behind him. Bitter cold stung with instant venom, bracing muddled thoughts and offering much needed clarity through the haze of a night spent indulging.

He would not be going back tonight.

#ffxiv #ff14 #thancred waters #thancred x wol #wolcred #fanfic #jealousy #pining #my writing #tsimh/thancred #tsimh ffxiv #tsimh #50 kisses

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bobaandasiandramas · 9 months

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I decided to choose one for the 50 kisses challenge. Enjoy!

1. Small kisses littered across the other’s face. - Hoseok

She sat outside under the giant tree in the middle of the garden, the sun kissing her skin warm. Her notes were strewn around her - red markings decorated the sides of the sheets. Thankfully it wasn’t a windy day or her pages would be all over the yard. A frown graced her features as she found yet another grammatical error. She needed to stop letting the boys distract her while she was writing up her work.

The temptation of ripping up her work was starting to get the best of her. At this rate it was almost better to just restart the entire proposal. She felt the tears start to well up in her eyes and she used her hand to wipe any threats of spillage away. Quickly she gathered her pages and put them in a pile next to her before laying down in the grass. Maybe a small nap would have her brain refreshed.

The warm rays made her feel cozy in the soft grass, the tree above her giving just enough shade to make a nap easier for her. Breathing deeply she allowed her body to relax fully and turned her mind off. All her racing thoughts could bother her later when she was more well-rested.

He spied her from his balcony, a smile gracing his face as he finally found her. She must have needed to get away from the ruckus of them. He almost felt bad knowing that they constantly distracted her from her job but couldn’t help it, knowing that every time they did she was shining her brightest smile at them all.

He took his time making his way to the gardens, checking in on each of his brothers first. Once he was satisfied with his curiosity, he stopped in the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. His leisurely stroll from his room to the giant tree in the garden took him about forty minutes total.

She was peacefully sleeping in front of him. He stared at her for a few moments, soaking in the beauty of her. It was rare that she wasn’t bouncing around busy with work. To see her relaxed like this made him happy. He was often worried about her well-being.

He decided to let her rest a little while longer and took the spot next to her. The wind blew gently against his cheek and he turned to face her. A piece of her hair brushed over her face in the breeze and he took the opportunity to move it for her. He enjoyed the view in front of him; she looked so peaceful. He couldn’t help it, a moment later he was pressing soft kisses to her cheeks and chin, then to her forehead.

She crinkled her nose at the feeling of light brushing on her face and opened her eyes to see Hoseok centimeters away, his lips brushing her face all over. Her cheeks heated as she tried to turn away. “Hosseeeok, stop that tickles a little.” She giggled out.

He pulled back and looked at her. “I’m highly enjoying it.” Diving back in he rolled his body over hers and attacked with more kisses.

#50 kisses #BTS #Hoseok x female OC #hoseok x reader

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pharawee · 6 months

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raccoonwxrks · 3 months

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The new outfits made me insane

I HAD TO DRAW THEM BEGIN WIVES C'MON

#bungo stray dogs fanart #digital art #bungou gay dogs #bsd kouyou #ozaki kouyou #bsd yosano #yosano akiko #kousano #yosano x kouyou #I love drawing them like two wives in the 40s/50s #the lesbians ever #let them dance and kiss while soft jazz music plays in the background

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k-wame · 11 months

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NEIL PATRICK HARRIS as Michael & PETER PORTE as Josh 2022 • UNCOUPLED • S1·EP5

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luzzarm · 2 months

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୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊"— who keeps score?" —`🤍

Dean Martin is kissed by Jerry Lewis at a golf tournament in aid of the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund in Eastchester, New York

May 25th, 1953

⛳️

In the golf club bag right next to Jerry you can read "Jer, I love you, Dino" ♡

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recurring-polynya · 10 days

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It has been 14 hours since I found out that, according to Kubo, Byakuya calls Renji by his given name "because Rukia does" and I am obsessed with this information.

This is both the best and worst possible answer to this question. I feel like if you asked Byakuya, this is exactly the reason he would give. However, if Rukia were present, she would lose her damn mind. While I do think Rukia's assertion that Byakuya didn't look at her even once in 40 years is hyperbole, over that time I can imagine Renji's name coming up in conversation once, maybe twice tops.

Like, two weeks before she goes on her fateful mission to the Living World, B's been shortlisting Vice-Captain candidates, and over dinner, real casual:

B: Rukia. You know your friend?

Rukia: My who now?

B: That friend of yours who shouts too much. The boorishly tall one. With the red hair. Is he in Squad Eleven now?

Rukia (wracking her brain frantically for people Byakuya would consider 'her friend'): You mean Renji?

B: Yes, him.

Rukia: What about him?

B: Is he in Squad Eleven? The Sixth Seat?

Rukia: ...maybe? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The next day, Byakuya's office, Renji shows up for his job interview.

B: You must be Renji.

Renji: uhhhhhhhh sure why not?

#byakuya kuchiki #renji abarai #rukia kuchiki #i have spent over 5 years intensely thinking about the circumstances of renji's hiring and it just keeps getting stranger in my mind #i do think b was very excited about having a vice captain who was not picked by his grandpa and he genuinely like renji for an entire 5 min #like he was probably in the best mental state he'd be in for 50 years #'oh yeah me and this rowdy squad 11 guy are gonna have so many good swordfights' byakuya is thinking #'maybe i can even get him to have a conversation with my sister so i don't have to'#and then ::gestures vaguely at soul society arc::#thank you kubo #and thank you especially to whomever sent this question in #i am kissing you on the lips we will have a spring wedding

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echofades · 1 year

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Everything fades. Nothing lasts. We’re just a snake eating its own tail. BEEF (2023)

#beef #beefedit #beef netflix #ali wong #steven yeun #tvedit #netflixedit #cinematv #usertvfilm #tvandfilm #graphics #beef spoilers #this show was just visually chef's kiss #beautiful #I started this with about 50 screenshots and struggled to narrow it down

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mimisempai · 3 days

Text

Not the same goodbye anymore

Summary

Aziraphale and Crowley have said goodbye many times in the past, but today, as he watches the Bentley drive away, the angel realises that now every goodbye will be different.

Notes

50 Types of Kisses - Writing Prompts

Kiss #46: A lingering kiss before a (long) trip apart.

On Ao3

Rating G - 902 words

Crowley glanced at his watch and sighed. There was no point in putting it off, it was time for him to go.

He said quietly, "Angel..."

Aziraphale nodded and replied, "Say no more, it's time for you to go, isn't it?"

They stood up at the same time and walked side by side to the door of the bookshop.

The demon turned to the angel and, taking her face between his hands, said softly, "The longer I delay, the harder it will be. Don't be sad, it's only a few days, you won't even have time to miss me".

Aziraphale replied in a slightly wry tone, "I know, you're only leaving for three days and yet it feels like a trip around the world."

Crowley stroked the angel's cheek with his thumb and replied softly, "I know, Angel, believe me, I know. I feel like I'm going away for a long time too."

Aziraphale had done his best not to show the melancholy he had felt at the thought of the demon's absence. He had told himself that he should be happy that Crowley was so passionate about his work at the planetarium.

It was just for some days.

They'd been apart for much longer, with no certainty of seeing each other again, which was not the case now.

But despite all this good reasoning, now that Crowley was about to leave in a few seconds, the angel found it hard to put up a front.

He wanted to put his hand over his mouth to stop the words coming out, but Crowley still held his face in his hands and the Angel's mouth was running faster than his brain so he couldn't help but blurt out, "Will you miss me?"

The demon gave a small smile and replied in a low voice, "I miss you already, Angel.

Then he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the angel's in a tender kiss.

When he tried to pull away a fraction of a second later, he could not because Aziraphale's hands had caught his face and were pressing against him to make the kiss last. The demon didn't struggle, of course, and the kiss lasted a few more seconds.

When they finally broke apart, Crowley ran his thumb over the Angel's lips and said sheepishly, "I really have to go now, Angel.

Aziraphale, his throat tightening, nodded and walked out with the demon to accompany him to the car.

Once in front of the Bentley, Crowley planted a light kiss on the Angel's temple before getting behind the wheel.

Aziraphale waved at him through the window and, seeing his sad little smile, the demon couldn't resist and rolled down the window.

Poking his head out, he said to the angel with a half-smile on his lips, "One last one for the road?”

Smiling, Aziraphale leaned over and, after one last kiss on the demon's lips, said softly, "Have a good time, my love."

They looked at each other in silence for a few moments before the Bentley decided to take matters into its own hands and sped away.

Aziraphale, chuckling slightly, followed the car with his eyes until it disappeared around the corner.

"Hard to let him go, isn't it?"

The angel, who didn't really have the heart to deflect, replied softly to Nina, who had just arrived beside him, "You have no idea."

Nina nudged him with her shoulder and replied, "Oh, I think I have a little idea, you know, when Maggie decides to go on one of her trips in search of rare records. I may know she'll be back, I may know it'll only be for a short time, this little place she's got here..."

Nina tapped her chest before continuing, "remains empty, and the emptiness is felt until she's back. So, knowing your story, I can imagine... how it is for you."

Aziraphale nodded without answering, for Nina couldn't have described what he was feeling more accurately.

But at the same time, today was different from all the times he'd watched Crowley leave, not knowing when or if he'd see him again, not being able to say how he felt, never knowing how the demon felt.

Everything was different.

Crowley loved him and he loved Crowley.

They both knew it.

He knew that Crowley would be back in three days.

He knew the demon would miss him, just as he had made no secret of the fact that he would miss the demon.

So, sure, that little void Nina was talking about was there, in his chest, but it was bearable because he knew Crowley would be back soon to fill it again.

So instead of focusing on that void, he decided to focus on the perspective of the demon's return.

He turned to Nina and asked with a smile on his face, "So, Nina, what sweet treats are you serving at the cafe today?"

Nina threw on that little smile she always had when she understood a situation, put her arm around Aziraphale and led him to the coffee shop, giving him a detailed list of the day's pastries.

Three days later, when she saw the Bentley parked outside the bookshop, she thought that it was unlikely that the bookseller would be coming in for a pastry today, as he probably didn't need any comfort food.

His beloved was back.

The emptiness would be filled again.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story 🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Ineffable kisses series : here

Ineffable Husbands masterlist : here

Ineffable Growing Love - Series post S2

Part 1 Story 1-99

Part 2 Story 100-?

#good omens #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #ineffable boyfriends #aziraphale #crowley #good omens fanfiction #aziraphale x crowley #crowley x aziraphale #50 kisses

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calico-heart · 3 months

Note

And how about something for Nahte and Naago, because she seems to be a new addition to the polycule? "In joy", please!

Thanks so much for the request! :3 I really enjoyed writing it! Sorry this took so long! 🙏

(Ask me for a kiss! Help me get all 50!)

---

Nahte came in on a midnight wind – and that might have been very romantic anywhere but Gyr Abania, where the sand stirred into desert blizzards, blotting out the moon and stars, and even the keenest dryland hunters took shelter to wait out the storm.

The stablemaster dared not berate a Warrior of Light, but Nahte saved them the trouble of stewing on it and apologized nonetheless once he’d tucked into the relative safety of Rhalgr’s Reach. “It was a foolish risk. I’ll take the aetheryte next time.”

“Would be an unfortunate way to lose you, Master Vhia.” They replied, “Especially after what all else tried and failed.”

He smiled and nodded. Grani nudged him, and Nahte gave its plated hide an absent pat. A Familiar spun from the fabric of an old reality needn’t fear the desert like mortals, and there’d been no real danger astride such a fearsome beast not bound to the laws that governed spoken races. But that, like many other things, had become difficult to talk about of late.

“Do you think she’ll be happy to see us?” He asked.

Grani blinked.

Nahte shrugged, and started walking. “I have time to think of what to say.” As if he hadn’t spent the entire ride out rehearsing. “She’ll be well asleep at this bell.”

Tail twitching, he kicked at a stone. Wind whistled through the rocks high above, scattering the waterfall before it made landing in the oasis at the center of the camp. Now so close to his nebulous goal, he felt the weight of it too keenly. “I should have written ahead. This was a silly impulse. She might feel pressured, she could be busy." A grimace. "She’ll definitely be busy.”

Grani snorted, eerie gaze following a few soldiers as they trotted in a line on the opposite shore. The clink of its metal claws rattled softly on the stone beneath its feet.

“I could leave. Save us both the trouble.”

“Grnnnn…”

“You’re right. The scouts will mention I came by, and she’ll know I was here. It’d be worse not to say hello. I’m sure I can find some excuse, something – that won’t look desperate. We saved the world, didn’t we? And all the Reflections. What have we got to be insecure about?” A scoff.

Grani blinked twice.

“I just – I don’t want her to feel like an afterthought.” Nahte sighed, a slow sound against the race of his thoughts that darted like dragonflies between a myriad of half-baked potential failures, each at odds with the last. “But I’m a damn Warrior of Light, aren’t I?” A smile that showed teeth, as the Moonkeeper rolled his shoulders and scoffed. “Disbanding the Scions won’t make me stand out any less. I’ll never just be an Adventurer again. The others – even her – all have homes, callings, to return to, or chase, and I’m…”

Nahte drug a palm across his face, growling quietly deep in his throat. “What am I without all the rest of it?”

He stopped, and Grani stopped with him.

The pit in Nahte’s stomach grew cold. He had saved the world. He was supposed to be strong, stable, proud of his success and confident in his own future. The people who stopped him in the streets wanted inspiration. Something to look up to. A man to live up to his own legend. She deserved at least as much as them – more, even.

And here he was pacing himself into a nervous wreck, there would be no hiding it from the keenness of her gaze. “No, this was a mistake. She won’t want to see me like this. I’ll tell the gatekeeper something came up, apologize, and – OW!”

With a hiss, Grani coiled back its head, prepared to nip him again.

Nahte checked his shoulder for blood. “Do you have any idea what a hassle that jacket is to stitch?”

Snort.

“Well, it would be, if I couldn’t weave with aether. So.”

Huff.

Splatters of light gathered around Nahte’s palm as he lifted the savaged elbow to mend torn fabric. “What’s gotten into yo–”

Hissing, Nahte jumped back in time to avoid another wardrobe-dismantling strike from his steed. “Hey!”

Grani galloped forward, and, not entirely sure how to counteract it without causing more of a scene, Nahte pitched backward to stay out of reach of the metallic fangs so suddenly eager to change his wardrobe. And possibly eat him.

“Willyoustopit”, he scolded, ears pinned as they danced like matador and bull.

Grani did not ‘stopit’, and instead lunged with sudden swiftness. Jaws clamped down on Nahte’s cape as it trailed behind and yanked him, hard.

“Ghuck!”

The beast sat, just as suddenly immobile, while its master struggled in vain to pull free.

“Did Emet let you get away with this?” Nahte snarked, tail lashing as he tugged the thick wool. He ears flicked against his skull, “Did Azem teach you how to do it?”

Snort.

Grani lifted its head, attention shifting to something behind Nahte.

“Oh no, I’m not falling for that one.” He growled, releasing his hold to put both hands on his hips.

“Domestic squabble?” Teased a familiar voice at his back.

Nahte turned, too fast because his cape was still taut in Grani’s mouth, and staggered ungracefully into the realization that M’naago had waylaid them.

Grani released him, and no amount of Miqo’te grace could spare the Warrior of Light an accelerated meeting with the ground at her feet. “Shit.”

She giggled, squatting down to pull his hood up and see his face. “I thought the scouts were mistaken. Why didn’t you write ahead?”

Pushing up on his knees, Nahte met her gaze and smiled weakly, ears drooping. “Naago.” He purred, reaching for a hand to hold in his lap. “You’re up late. Or – early?”

She indulged him, eyes wide and pupils round in the gathered dark. “Lucky for me. It’s not every day you get to see someone best the fabled Crimson Liberator. They’ll write songs about this, I’ll make sure of it.”

“Anything’s better than the one about the gigantoads.” He threw a scathing glower of mock-scorn in Grani’s direction. “I thought I might trade him in for a griffin.”

“They’re no better.” She lamented. “At least Grani doesn’t leave smelly little gifts on your bags when its cross about something.”

“Eugh. Don’t give him ideas.” Nahte rolled his eyes, smiling a little softer. Then, “...I’m sorry I didn’t give you fair warning. I’m sure you’re busy, I won't waylay your time. It was… I’m glad I got to see you, at least.”

“Fair warning?” M’naago’s ears flicked with amusement, but something went taut in her smile. A little crease appeared between her brows. Nahte felt suddenly very conscious of the sleepless lines beneath his eyes, and the fact he hadn’t had a chance to groom properly before facing her.

She chuffed. “I ask for warning regarding storms, bandits, and sisters. You are always a welcome surprise.”

Something jagged in his heart clenched, and Nahte turned his gaze to the side to hide the tears welling there so inappropriately. He only needed some seconds to blink them back, and come up with a clever retort.

M’naago tugged him to his feet, and her free hand put affectionate, insistent pressure at his jaw, urging him to look at her. “It’s good to see you, Nahte. We have a lot to catch up on, eh? But first – and foremost,” her nose pressed gently to his and she purred, eyes half lidded. “Can I kiss you?”

He staggered out a quiet laugh. “I’d like tha–mngh–”

A soft mouth pressed to his, tugging at a lip before he could shut his mouth and dragging a reciprocal purr out of him, as she ran calloused fingers through dusty hair.

Grani had the decency to cover its eyes with a tassel of barding. But truthfully Nahte didn’t care who watched. He was just happy to be held.

#ffxiv #m'naago #grani #wolnaago #wol x m'naago #fanfic #my fanfic #silver linings #nate #nate ffxiv #endwalker spoilers #50 kisses

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presleysgirl6 · 6 months

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