#i just needed to get the estinien ones out of the way since i took the nap one earlier this week

[coldshrugs]

can't stop thinking about io and estinien raising havi, so have some gentle and proud dad!estinien. i think he might miss her when she leaves home. just a little.

#azia gposes #ffxiv #havi laithe-varlineau #io is next for a set like this #i just needed to get the estinien ones out of the way since i took the nap one earlier this week #but ough i just think they'd be inseparable !! equally like #'that's my dad!' 'that's my daughter!' #i love havi so much. they are precious to me #i was gonna give them a little brother because i think estinio would have 2-3 kids but idk!!! #there's something so sweet about her being their only kid and their literal pride and joy!! #okay byeeeee.

[headcanons-n-shit]

since there was already a prompt abt pining can i ask for hcs on how the ffxiv boys (+leofard?) would go about expressing their interest in a particularly dense wol? 😊

We do love a dense motherfuker

Thancred is fucjing suffering over here. He cannot possibly make his intentions any more obvious. The problem is that hes accidentally played himself-- hes spent so long disguising his feelings as jokes, or as ploys on missions, and now you just assume that his flirting and holding your hand and wanting to be in your space all the time is just what the two of you do. He ends up having to go all rose petals and sappy love confession under the moonlight like some kind of storybook love interest. Its so sappy, embarrassing, but its also so, so sweet.

Urianger is, unfortunately, painfully Sharlyan about the whole thing. He gives you nice paper, expensive ink, masterwork tools, intricate glasswear for your alchemy lab. Practical, highquality armor. A delicately embroidered handkerchief. He thinks hes being overly forward with his affections, you think hes just being a really good friend, yshtola would rather drown herself than watch the rest of this soap opera play out.

Literally what else does G'raha need to do to prove his devotion to you??? The man unwound time and unraveled space just to be by your side. He was practically your sugardaddy your entire time on the First. He almost, almost thought you were flirting back with him when you brought him food from the Last Stand, and then Alphinaud and alisae and krile trotted in behind you and it took every ounce of his Exarch discipline not to retreat with his tail between his legs. Pls this man is suffering.

Estinien literally can not. Look me in the eyes. This stinky dragoon has spent a good half his life behind an armet. He is a horrible mix of country bumpkin, career soldier, aymeric's half-assed attempts to pound courtly decorum into estiniens dumb empty head, and Nidhoggs instincts. He wants to cook you food, drag you into a corner and kiss you silly, send you flowers, and bring you something he killed with his bare hands. He ends up doing all four. Not necessarily in that order.

Aymeric is dying. You are going to be the death of him. He has gone through great pains to discover your favorite flower and have them always displayed in your room. He has written you letters full of poetry. He has showered you with gifts. He has invited you to dine with him. At this point the other nobles are asking whether its going to be a spring or summer wedding, and he doesnt know how to explain how you are still woefully oblivious bc he cant explain it himself.

Haurchefant gave you a LITERAL DOWRY. He handed you the reins to an extremely expensive war-trained black de chocobo in front of everyone whos ever mattered to him and also half of ishgard, and then he had to stand there dying internally while you praised him for being a "good friend". There are bets not on whether hes going to throw you over his shoulder and carry you to his room to. Ahem. Prove his devotions. But rather on how long it will take him to break.

Sidurgu. Barely has memories of the Orl traditions around courtship. His mother had often regaled him with stories of how she had courted his father. Food, presense and friendship, proofs of skill. And yes, it frustrates him that you seem to brush off his attempts, but. Well. It took almost five years for his mother and father to get together, from the way they told it. Hes learned a lot for your sake, and for rielles. He can learn patience too.

Leofard is a pirate. He doesnt dance around the bush, he strikes when the metal is hot and takes what he wants. It works well with garlean airships and the odd unfortunate merchant. Not. So much with you. One, because your consent and emotions are important to him. Two, because you are so. Fucking. Dense. He steals silks and jewels and fancy foods for you, spends time with you, saved your life from diabolos, told you his sad life story. Hes one step from throwing himself at you like some fainting dame, and its embarrassing.

(Hes not gonns stop tho)

#ff14 #ff14 headcanons #thancred waters #graha tia #urianger augurelt #estinien wyrmblood #estinien varlineau #aymeric de borel #haurchefant greystone #sidurgu orl #leofard myste #wolcred #wolianger #grahawol #wolstinien #wolmeric #haurchewol #sidwol #leofard/wol

[e-dragoons]

“I like your hair like this.”

Lehna’s gaze went from her face, where she had just smeared some lotion across her cheeks, and met Estinien’s eyes in the mirror. “What do you mean?”

His expression was thoughtful as he reached out and twirled a finger around a lock of her hair, climbing up slowly to her scalp as he did so. The closer he got to her scalp, the more it sent shivers down her spine. 

“Long,” he said after a moment. “When you leave it down.”

In the time they had known each other, Lehna had gone through so many different hairstyles. It had been long when they had first met, though not nearly as long as it was now. Between how busy they had all been since returning from the First and the injuries she had sustained in Ultima Thule knocking her out for several weeks… It was one of those things she had not really considered, falling to the wayside as more important things became pressing matters they needed to take care of.

Only now during the long, warm nights spent in Thavnair–and only after Estinien had pointed it out–had she realized just how long it had gotten. 

It flowed down in long, beachy waves down the entirety of her back–the only part she had trimmed regularly was her bangs, so they did not get in the way of her daily life. More often than not, her hair was thrown up with a ribbon to get it out of her way–something Estinien did with his own hair, too.

But when she looked in the mirror back to herself, all she saw was the weariness that filled her aching bones–enough of it to spread to her dull eyes, her knotted hair. She still required the assistance of a brace to walk, the injuries to her knees taking so long to heal that the healers warned her that she may not ever fully recover. 

She tried not to think about that part.

“I am glad you like it,” she said after a moment, tearing her eyes away from her reflection. Lehna had never been a vain person–at least she did not think so–but seeing herself now just filled her with an overwhelming sense of disgust. It was not her.

As Lehna swept across the room to their bed, Estinien followed not far behind. His hand rested on her lower back–a supportive gesture he had grown quite fond of after her first few stumbles with trying to walk after their return. It was not a gesture she minded–no one had ever comforted her the way Estinien tried to.

She sat down on the bed and winced as the familiar pain jolted through her. That, at least, was meant to be temporary.

Estinien slid into the bed next to her, pulling the thin sheet over both of them. Radz-at-Han was simply too hot for much more than that.

“I have always liked your hair,” Estinien said after a long silence. 

“Is that so?” A smile played at her lips, though it was not genuine–and sure enough, Estinien gave her a knowing look.

“It is,” he said.

Lehna tried hard to think of a time Estinien had given her a physical compliment that was not about her form or how strong she was. She could not think of one. “Well, thank you I suppose.”

“You…” He hesitated, stumbling over his words for a moment. “You truly are beautiful. You know that, right?”

She did–she was no fool. Even before she became the Warrior of Light, it was a rarity for her to leave the bar alone at night. She took excellent care of her skin when she was able to do so. Her eyes were a jeweled tourmaline unique to her Keeper clan that made people curious–one of the only things she would ever think about thanking her father for. 

And yet to hear Estinien say it… Her cheeks warmed, tinging a shade darker. “Thank you,” she repeated, this time her voice soft and gentle. Vulnerable.

But with Estinien, that was alright. She snaked her arms around his torso as he placed his own hand on the small of her back again, his other positioned so he could run his fingers through the fringes of her hair that fell across his chest as Lehna placed her head there. Eyes closed, she took in a breath of him–a musky aroma with the faintest hint of spice. Her shoulders relaxed and she allowed herself to sink into his side. 

Her own hand wandered across his chest–across scars of all shapes and sizes, the bumps on his shoulder from where Nidhogg’s eye had fused with him feeling much like the scars of a burn. Estinien used to suck in a breath and flinch away from her touch in surprise when she did that–but no longer. Now, he brushed his lips across the top of her head, pressing his nose into her hair. 

“I mean the scars too, you know,” he said. “The ones I can see and the ones I cannot.”

Tears stung at the corners of her eyes at that, but she dare not move–the last thing she wanted was for Estinien to see her cry, even if he had already seen her at her worst so many times before. 

She clung to him as she let out a small sniffle, and in turn he pulled her in tighter. “Get some rest, mon chaton.”

As Lehna allowed herself to drift off to sleep, she laced her fingers through Estinien’s. Her knight.

#was working on a wip mashup and was inspired by janzoo's wolstinien week prompt from yesterday #so i wrote a lil thing and decided to take a picture to show off the hair wip i am making #even tho you cant see shit lmfao #ffxiv #oc: lehna #otp: wyrmwind romance #my writing

[iarynkate]

Distraction

Estinien x WOL one shot F/M

18+ up only

“Y/n? Are you awake?” A voice called out from the other side of the warrior of light’s door. She’d been sitting on the bed, having just awoken from a nightmare. Feeling the light crawling around inside her, trying to break free, to take over and consume.

“Yes I am, come in,” she called back. She knew from the depth of the voice, Estinien was on the other side. The door slowly opened and the tall dragoon walked through, closing and locking the door behind him. Her turned to her slowly and stopped for a moment. She nearly caved under the intensity of his gaze.

“Nightmares?” He asked as he started over towards her. She simply nodded and looked down. She put her hand to her head, feeling the dampness there. As she pulled her hand down, she felt his thumb and forefinger lifting her chin so she was looking up at him. Her breath caught for a moment at the concern etched on his face. He kneeled in front of her and placed a cool rag on her forehead.

“You carry a burden no one person should ever carry alone. Don’t be so reluctant to ask for help,” he scolded her lightly as he wiped her face. Y/N couldn’t help but huff out a laugh.

“You’re one to talk, always jumping off alone,” she whispered. He smirked.

“Yes well, perhaps it’s advice for myself as well,” he answered and put the rag on the bedside table.

“Would you like me to help you get your mind off of things,” he offered, his voice dropping an octave. Y/n could feel shivers shoot down her spine, and warmth build in her core. She nodded. It had been too long it felt, since she’d been in his arms. A smile ghosted his lips as he lifted his hand and put it on her neck, tracing her jaw slowly. Goosebumps followed behind. He brought her head closer to his and their lips met. Slow and torturous at first, but passion began to build before he moved back and stood. He removed his cotton shirt, tossing it to the side as he gestured for her to move further back on the bed. She removed her shirt as well, leaving her small clothes and spread her legs. His left knee came down between her legs as his arms caged in her head when she laid back.

“You’re stunning,” he breathed out as his mouth began tracing her jaw and slowly down her neck, biting and sucking at the sensitive spot by her collar bone. She couldn’t help but let out a little moan, and felt him smile against her skin. He brought his hands to her hips and began to pull her pants down and off.

“Estinien…” she breathed out as his hands moved up her thighs, making their way to her core. Nimble fingers ghosted over her underwear, teasing her bud beneath the cloth. Wet slick had built up already, no doubt pleasing him she thought. And soon after, he groaned as he felt the wetness underneath.

“Always so ready for me, love,” he grumbled. Y/n sat up a little and removed her bra as he began to pull off her underwear. She lay bear beneath him, his intense gaze drinking her up. She began to put her arm in front of her face when she felt his hand wrap around her wrist.

“No hiding, you’re beautiful and I’ll not have you hide from that,” he spoke slowly. He grabbed up her other wrist with his large hand and held them above her head. His lips met hers again and they danced before she opened up, moaning beneath him. He took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth, exploring every crevice. His free hand moved down her body and gripped her breast, kneading and pinching her bud between his fingers. He released her hands as his other hand went to grab her other breast, his mouth moving down her jaw and neck again.

“Estinien please,” she begged.

“Patience, my little warrior,” he whispered against her skin, his hands moving down her body to her hips as he took the bud of her left breast in his mouth, sucking and licking. The stimulation was too much, she needed him to touch her. He expertly rubbed her sides before moving his hands closer to her core, it wasn’t long before he granted her wish, his dexterous finger moving over her bud and rubbing. She felt lightning shooting up from her core. Oh gods she had missed him. He removed his mouth from her breast with a pop and looked down at her. Her face flushed, and he smiled. He put his thumb to her bud and inserted his index finger inside her. She yelped and her hands reached for him. He moved his finger inside and rubbed her bud before moving back down to kiss her, he inserted another finger and already she felt so full.

“Estinien please, I need you inside me,” she begged again.

“Then you’ll have me,” he groaned and bent back down to take her mouth before standing and removing his trousers. His long and thick cock caused her eyes to widen as always. He pumped himself a few times before bending over her and rubbing the tip against her folds.

“Halone, you feel amazing,” he said to himself, and she couldn’t but moan at the compliment. He slowly began pushing inside her and instinctively her legs went up to wrap around his hips trying to pull him in quicker. He smirked.

“Hungry tonight are we?” He asked mockingly before he pushed in to the hilt. She put her hand to her mouth in time before she screamed out. Gods she felt so full, his length so deep inside. He stilled and put his lips to hers, kissing her slow and deep. She brought her arms around his neck and pulled his body into her. There was no better comfort than feeling his body completely against her while they were joined in this way. The shadows of her mind fluttered away, replaced with nothing but heat and passion. He began to pull out slowly, his cock rubbing the inside of her walls. It was agonizingly incredible. She felt every inch as it rubbed against her, slowly building the pressure. She moaned into his mouth as he pulled out to the tip and slammed back in. He smirked against her mouth as he pulled his head back and began nibbling and biting at her neck, setting a brutal and slow pace. Each time he slammed back in, it felt like he went deeper, hitting every nerve and sensitive spot inside of her. Their moans filled the room and it was now that she was so grateful her room was at the end of the opposite hall from everyone else’s.

“Estinien…I’m…so close,” she moaned out and he picked up his pace. He lifted up, grabbing her hips and slammed in and out of her, there were sure to be bruises on her hips in the morning but she couldn’t care less. He put his left hand over her bud and rubbed as he moved in and out of her and the stimulation reached its breaking point when her walls tightened around him and she saw stars.

“Fuck, yes oh gods Estinien,” she cried out. His pace picked up to a bruising and sloppy pace, indicating he was close as well and before too long he came inside her, filling her up before he dropped his head back to her neck, both of them breathing hard. He rolled over to the side and pulled her with him, her laying against his side and head on his chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“I should be thanking you,” he laughed a little, but tightened his arm around her, “sleep, we’ll clean up in the morning.” And with that, her eyes closed and the nightmares were no where to be found.

#final fantasy xiv #estinien varlineau #estinien wyrmblood #estinien x wol #ffxiv #warrior of light #wolstinien

[ferrocyan]

6.55 thoughts I LIKE WUK LAMAT :D they made her for me. they know i've been missing my wife yda ("yda") since arr and went we got you man. here's a genki girl for you. thank you writers i love you

the justification for our coming to tural and meddling in politics is . it smacks of "we're sidestepping the problematic aspects now no need to think abt this too deeply" in my opinion. but i'm not.. opposed to it? it succeeds in making me not feel dread for dawntrail, i guess. i'm actually pretty excited to see where the story will go

like straight up going "we're not the colonizer here, we're stopping a potential colonizer from gaining power so it's ok to meddle in this foreign nation's politics!" is. lol. "these people like it when foreigners meddle bc it means their leader knows how to do international relations" lmao even. well i am a stormblood lover at heart and my instinct is to go ok cool let's go on the adventure then

back to wuk lamat. she's not really all that, is she? despite all the bluster and her status. i think the devs have put a lot more effort in the cutscenes this patch and you really get the sense that she's in over her head here. i like that tbh. a weakling who nevertheless chooses to tank is a novel concept for me, i'm so into it. wuk lamat feels like a synthesis btwn "yda" the false identity and lyse the real person underneath, they took the traits between these two and made them into one girl. my perfect waifu. there will definitely be differences btwn wuk lamat and lyse (the lack of her immigrant narrative, for one) and i'm excited to have another flavor of my favorite girl

and then there's... the scions. i am beyond happy to see that estinien's journey to tural is just him having seen the east and north and south.. ok let's go west. KING. my beloved hobo i'm so happy for him. urianger and thancred also look to be having a good time, good for them, have a great time with your thing fellas. y'shtola has been unseen? at all? is she sitting this expansion out without a word, damn unexpected for the poster girl innit? though as for the one who is sitting out with a word. hmm. hmmfhphfhgfhdgshfh sorry. sorry for my schadenfreude. but this is a very, very funny way to go for g'raha. i thought the funniest thing the devs could do was "somehow zenos has returned" but this is so much fucking funnier. oh my sides. g'raha doesn't deserve this, probably (though i have been feeling that he's a bit redundant now, sorry to his fans) but if i'm getting krile in his place i sure as fuck won't complain lol. but then there's the twins. yeah i guess they do have to join us. for the first time ever i'm not happy about alphinaud being included. his character being turned into a garlemald simp is just. ugh. i have nothing objective to say abt that i just do not want it

well whatever. with this setup i'm hyped to see the scions divided and possibly fighting each other. my prediction is that the miqo'te machinist in the poster is koana-niisan and he's the one who hired thancred and urianger. which might leave the mamool ja guy as the one with imperial ambitions whom we must stop. err that would be a bad look... i sure hope not. my dread for dawntrail might be coming back

#ffxiv #putting the spoilers under the cut #for only 3 quests worth of setup this was pretty good i think. quite effective #so hype to have girls again tho. just like in stormblood!!

[nuclearanomaly]

Sugar is Sweet

Is it a date if you both agree to go out and it just so happens to be Valentione’s Day and you both happen to really like each other but neither of you do anything to acknowledge that? [Modern | Bookshop AU. | wc 7046 ]

Estinien checked his coat pocket again, for the millionth time since leaving his apartment earlier that afternoon. He didn’t need to check. The box that was tucked into his coat was still there. As it had been the time before, and the time before that. His breath clouded his view momentarily as he exhaled, nervously. 

He stood just outside the entrance to Page 64, shifting slightly in the cold, eyeing the warm light that spilled out of the cluttered windows and poster plastered door. He checked his pocket again. Still there. 

Maybe he should text first, a casual message about being in the neighbourhood before stopping in. Or maybe—he jumped as the door abruptly opened and a rare customer started to exit the store. They gave Estinien a perplexed look as he shuffled out of the way before stepping aside and holding the door for him. 

Shit.

“Thanks.” He mumbled as he slipped past and into the store. 

The comforting smell of old paper greeted him, accompanied by the overfilled shelves and stacks of books and as he made his way further into the store, Ninira. She sat at her usual spot at the counter, busy at her computer after the departure of her customer. He smiled, she hadn’t noticed him yet. The light from the laptop screen reflected in her glasses, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration. As he drew closer she must have sensed his presence as she started to look up a greeting halfway formed before she realized who she was talking to.

“Hel–oh! Estinien! What are you doing here?” She blinked, shocked. “It’s Tuesday, don’t you have band practice?”

“Cancelled.” He fished the stool tucked under the side of the counter out and took a seat. His stool. Going through the motions of taking it out and sitting on it was second nature by this point. “Some of the others have plans tonight.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. I’m sorry.”

He shrugged, “it’s no big deal. Our next show isn’t until the end of the month. Besides, I was able to get some work shit done instead. Thought I’d stop in since I was dropping stuff off at the store.” A small lie. She didn’t need to know that all he had done in the back room of his own store was kill time, pacing nervously while watching the clock tick closer to Page 64’s closing time.

Ninira smiled in a way that made Estinien’s gut flutter stupidly. “You know that you’re always welcome to.” She lifted a couple books stacked beside her laptop before sliding off her stool. “Make yourself comfortable, I’m just going to put these back.”

It was a bold statement considering it felt like a majority of the store had little to no organization to begin with. Ninira did claim that some parts had more order than others, and perhaps these books were from one such section as it wasn’t too long before she returned empty handed. 

“You’re closing soon right?” 

“Yep.” Ninira hopped back up onto her seat, turning her head to glance at the time as she did so. “In about twenty minutes.”

Estinien nodded, but under the counter his leg trembled anxiously. “Want to grab something to eat when you’re done?”

Ninira’s expression fell. “I’m sorry. I can’t…”

It was as if his heart had plummeted. “Oh… you have plans?” He fought to keep his face neutral. 

“W–what? No!” She laughed in disbelief, “not at all. It’s just…”

Estinien watched, frowning, as her shoulders sagged. “Money’s tight this month. Foot traffic is already slow being winter, but with how cold it’s been recently it’s just been… hard.”

“How hard?” The fact that Ninira didn’t have it easy balancing the cost of her store wasn’t news to him, but the thought of her skimping on essential things to do so…

She blinked, as if surprised he cared. “I’m fine!” His furrowed brow obviously didn’t convince her as she tried to give him what was probably supposed to be a reassuring smile. “I promise! I just have to watch what I’m spending… so I can’t really splurge on dinner. I’m sorry. Maybe when things pick back up again?”

“Or, how about, I buy you dinner?”

“Estinien… I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not. I’m offering.” He was aware that his leg had begun to shake nervously under the counter once more. “Nothing fancy, we can get Hingan, or there’s that new Hannish place that opened that we talked about trying.”

Still Ninira squirmed, noncommittal. 

“Well, think about it, at least.” This wasn’t exactly going as planned. “Do you need help with anything before closing?”

She jumped at the change of subject, “yes! If you don’t mind…” 

Estinein shook his head as he rose from his stool, shrugging out of his jacket as he did so. “I offered.” He draped his jacket over the stool, careful to make it seem nonchalant but while also taking care not to jostle it too much less he disturb the contents tucked away inside. “What do you need?”

Ninira sheepishly tapped a large cardboard box that he had failed to notice sitting on the counter. “Can you take that to the back office? I’ll need to go through it later.”

Walking around and peeking into the top, Estinien was unsurprised to find it full of books. “Are these new?” 

“Mmm… they were brought in this afternoon by a very nice old man.”

He sighed before rapping Ninira, lightly, on the top of her head with his knuckle. “You have to stop accepting this shit.” 

“I–I know!” She rubbed her head. “But he was so passionate about them and I couldn’t say no!”

“If he was passionate about them, he would have kept them.” Estinien grunted as he lifted the box into his arms, it was heavier than it looked. “The fuck is in here? Weighs a ton.”

“I think he said something about encyclopedias. I haven’t had a chance to really look.” 

Of course it was. Some old geezer’s dusty out of date encyclopedias that no one in their right mind would want. He hefted the box higher in his arms as he started through the shelves towards the back of the store. She better not have paid for them. On top of all her other expenses the last thing she needed was to be made to feel sympathetic towards buying some old trash books. Perhaps he should have come over sooner, at last he could have been an intimidating presence. 

Between helping to move items and cleaning around the store it wasn’t long before Ninira was switching over the open sign and locking the door. Estinien watched as she sighed, stretching her arms above her head as she made her way back towards where he was leaning against the counter. 

“Thanks again for helping.”

He shrugged. “It’s no problem.” 

She continued past him, as she worked through the motions of closing up for the night. 

“Don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” Out of the corner of his eye he watched as she froze in place while he continued. “I could go for a big plate of biryani, maybe some samosas, fresh naan.”

He was sure he heard Ninira whine faintly. 

“Papadums and tikka masala, or perhaps vindaloo.”

Ninira snorted. “You can’t handle vindaloo.”

Estinien turned, “that’s what you think.”

“Last time we went for ramen you got one labeled mild and almost died.”

Almost died was definitely an exaggeration. Yes, the broth had been much hotter than he had expected. Yes, the server had warned him. Yes, he’d destroyed napkin after napkin trying to mop up the endless tears and snot streaming down his face while Ninira had wheezed into her far spicier bowl of soup. It had been agony, but also—he thought fondly of Ninira sitting across the table from him, her own tears in her eyes from laughing—a very good night. “I’ve improved my tolerance since then.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

He raised his eyebrows at her, “well…” and watched as her expression fell and she started to retreat back into the version of herself that worried about stupid things like, bothering him.

“Come on, Nini. At the very least it will be better than whatever the fuck you have waiting upstairs.”

That earned him a sheepish grin, “I don’t know… half a can of tinned soup is hard to beat.”

Estinien frowned. She was skimping on necessities. “Don’t make me physically carry you to the restaurant, because I will. You deserve a good meal.” As if on queue Ninira’s stomach let out a growl loud enough that even he could hear. “Sounds like your stomach agrees.”

She sighed, before raising her hands in defeat. “Fine, I’ll go.”

Estinien grinned. Success. 

“Just give me a minute and I’ll go get my stuff.”

Estinien snatched his jacket off his stool, pulling it back on as he followed her through the shelves to the back of the store. Here he waited at the base of the stairs that led up to Ninira’s apartment for her return, his fingers drumming against his leg as his nerves returned in full force. It wasn’t long until Ninira reappeared bundled in her winter gear. Cute. Estinien caught himself thinking at the sight of her; though, he pretty much always thought of her as cute in anything she wore. “Ready?” He asked, and Ninira nodded. 

The restaurant Estinien had in mind was further into the city. A short ride on the subway got them most of the way there and despite the cold and now falling snow, they opted to walk the rest of the way. Also despite the fact that they were now arriving past what Estinien would have considered dinner time there was a line of people, mostly couples, waiting on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant doors. 

“It’s busy,” Ninira observed. 

“That must mean the food is good, at least.” He glanced down at her. “If you’re cold and don’t want to wait we can try somewhere else though.”

“It’s okay,” they shuffled forward as the line moved. “The line is moving. Besides, it seems like everywhere has been busy tonight.” 

Estinien watched as Ninira eyed the waiting couples and passing crowds. Watched as she pieced together the thing he was hoping she wouldn’t have noticed. 

“Wait,” She looked up at him, “isn’t today Valentione’s Day?”

It was. There was a reason band practice had been cancelled, as the majority of the other’s plans had involved their desire to spend time with their significant others. Understandable, though he could have done without their bonus desire to bother him about doing something himself. Despite knowing this, Estinien shrugged before making a show of fishing his phone out of his pocket to check the date. “Huh, so it is…”

Ninira chuckled, “No wonder everywhere is packed. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky that the line isn’t longer.”

“Well isn’t it supposed to be all stuffy candle lit dinners? Going for Hannish probably isn’t considered very romantic.”

“People who think that are missing out then. This is way better, in my opinion.”

Estinien smiled, pleased. “You’re just biased because you like the food.”

“Maybe so.”

“What if the candle lit dinner was exclusively dessert?”

She gasped. “Well that would be completely different!”

With their conversation helping to pass the time they eventually made their way off the street and into the restaurant. Inside was a bustling din of noise. The bright array of colours and textures that covered both the walls and the furniture made for an authentic Hannish atmosphere. And then there was the mouth-watering smell. Estinien was glad that they were getting seated next as he was definitely starting to get hungry. It wasn’t long before a server led them to a small table tucked away near the back of the room, positioned under a large graphic mural on the wall and lit by a glass lamp hanging from the ceiling above them. Estinien shrugged out of his coat, draping it over the back of his chair and taking a seat as Ninira did the same. 

“Can I grab you drinks to start?” Their server asked, to which Estinien nodded, flipping over his menu to check out the selection of beers as Ninira replied.

“Just water, thank you.”

Estinien furrowed his brow.

“Of course! And for you.”

“I’ll have a Cedarwood,” Estinien replied. “And a cream soda.”

The server’s mouth twitched with the hint of an amused grin at this combination, but nodded before leaving their table. As they did, Estinien levelled his gaze on Ninira. “Thirsty?” She asked, though she was unable to keep the waiver out of her voice.

“I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to order inexpensive things because I’m covering the bill.” 

She slumped her shoulders. 

“Well too bad, because you’re having a soda. And,” he reached across the table and plucked her menu away from her. “I already know what we’re ordering.”

“But we’ve never been here before!”

It pleased him that she didn’t seem to consider the possibility of him having come without her. “They have a menu online. I’ve done my research.”

Ninira pulled a face but resigned to her defeat. “Fine, you win… again.”

Estinien smirked, “I’m sure you’ll find some way to enact revenge.”

This made her smile. “When you least expect it.”

Their server returned shortly with their drinks, placing the water down in front of Nini and the beer and soda in front of Estinien. Tucking the serving tray under their arm they then asked “are you both ready to order?”

Estinien nodded at this. “We’re going to share,” He explained before beginning to list off items. Papadums and chutney to start, then a chicken tikka, lamb vindaloo, and paneer. An order of rice—of course—as well as a side of naan and raita. With each item he added Ninira’s brows rose further. It was for her own good, not only was she going to have a good meal but hopefully also some leftovers to take home as well. If she got at least one additional meal from tonight’s order Estinien would be happy. 

As the server left their table Ninira stared at him wide eyed. “That’s a lot…”

“I’m starving.” Estinien replied, matter-of-fact, as he pushed the cream soda across the table towards her.

Carefully she took the drink in both her hands, the glass too big for her to hold it in just one. She studied the soda, an expression of sad longing on her face. “You really didn’t have to order this for me.”

He sighed, “well you weren’t going to, so someone had to.” He gave her chair a nudge under the table with his foot. “Enjoy it.”

She hesitated briefly before taking a sip, unable to keep the pure bliss off her face as the sweet drink hit her tongue. Estinien masked his own pleased smile by raising his glass to his lips. 

“You mentioned practice being cancelled because the others had plans.” Ninira commented, having recovered from the ecstasy that was her drink. “I suppose that’s because it’s Valentione’s Day, huh?”

Estinien shrugged. The thought of their conversation returning to the holiday was less than ideal. After all the more they talked about it the more there was a chance that Ninira might begin to worry that he was implying that this was more than just friends just so happening to hang out on Valentione’s Day. Because, regardless of how he felt, that was all they were. Friends. “I guess that would make sense.” He tried to sound as non committal to the idea as possible. “Hilda’s been out of town since Friday. She and Lucia went to some ski resort in Coerthas, extended weekend.”

“Oh, that sounds really nice!” Estinien had never put Ninira down as a skier before but with the way she lit up at the mention of it… “The perfect opportunity for cozy evenings curled up by the fire with hot cocoa.” She sighed.

Ah, that made much more sense. Of course she would focus on the possibility of hot chocolate over anything else. Though perhaps she had the right idea. The thought of a rustic cabin in the mountains, surrounded by snow, lit and warmed by a roaring fire didn’t sound too bad at all. His stomach fluttered stupidly, helplessly, as the scene he was now forming in his mind came with the very vivid addition of Ninira in his arms. If he kissed her he would taste the cocoa.

“Estinien?”

He came crashing back to reality, the restaurant with its ambient din and smells of Hannish food, and Ninira across the table.

Shit. “Sorry, what was that?” He tried, as smoothly as possible, to take a sip of his drink. Hoping beyond hope that he was not visibly blushing.

“I asked if you knew if the others were busy as well.”

He shrugged, “no idea.” It was true enough. He was sure Ysayle had plans of some kind but also knew she was more likely to run him over with her car than share the details. As for Fray he genuinely did not know, and honestly wasn’t about to ask. His business was his own, and Estinien appreciated the fact that the respect for privacy was mutual. Hilda and Ysayle could do with learning a thing or two in that regard.

“I know you said your next show wasn’t until the end of the month, but that’s not that far away really.” Ninira continued. If she’d been bothered at all by his sudden lapse in attention she didn’t show it. “Will you need to do another make-up practice before then, since you’re missing today?”

She was at the very least doing better than him at keeping up the small talk. 

“Maybe, we still have practice next week. If we feel like we need another one before the show I’m sure we can squeeze one in.” Estinien wasn’t worried about it. The band knew what they were doing, were comfortable with the planned setlist, and it was a venue they’d played at before. If he was worried about anything it was… “Speaking of, you’re coming to the show, right?”

She fidgeted with her glass, “I’m… not sure. I mean, I would like to, just…”

Right. Money was tight, and concert tickets sure didn’t fall into essential items. 

“I’ll see how things look closer to the date.”

“You know, if you do want to go. Me, or anyone else in the band, can get you in no problem.” She opened her mouth to protest but he continued. “We know you support us. Hell, you sell some of our merch at your place now.” At what could only be the slowest turnover rate ever. He couldn’t imagine that old men that came in to drop off dusty encyclopedias cared much for the local punk scene “We can cover you for a show or two sometimes, you don’t always have to buy a ticket.” 

“But I want too.”

“I know, we all know. That’s why it’s no big deal.”

Any further objections from Ninira were put on hold, and ultimately forgotten, by the arrival of their Papadums. Thank the gods. While he’d mostly said it to save face earlier, he really was starving. Still, he nudged the basket towards Ninira allowing her to take the top most Papadum before helping himself.

“So,” he watched amused as Ninira snapped off a piece of the fried lentil chip and ladened it with mango chutney. “What’s the book club reading these days?”

The book club in question was less of an actual organized club and more just whatever novel she and Aymeric had decided to read at any given time. Though recently Lucia had also joined their ranks and, from what Estinien could gather, they had started to all read the same book simultaneously.

Ninira looked at him, shocked, as she worked around her mouthful of food before responding. “You don’t really want to hear about that… Do you?”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t interested.” He popped his own bite of Papadum and chutney into his mouth. Unlike Ninira he had not drowned his in the mango sauce, not that he was opposed to the flavour; it was sweet and contrasted well with the salt of the papadum. He simply knew how much Ninira liked it and wanted her to have as much of it as possible. Swallowing, he continued, “besides, you can spoil things you might not be able to with the others yet. It’s not like I’m going to mind.”

“Well…” 

He sat back, listening while Ninira started to describe the novel they were reading. Hesitantly at first, but with more vigour after it became apparent that he was still listening. He did his best to follow the plot she was describing. After all, he wanted to be able to contribute back, to prompt her to describe something further, or explain how something was connected. The more she talked the more he got to listen and watch; because when she did talk about her passions and the things that made her happy she was captivating… radiant. Since walking into her store that evening very few people had existed outside of his bubble of attention that was Ninira, now it was as if the restaurant had ceased to exist around him. His focus belonged to her, and her alone. 

Even the arrival of their order did little to distract either of them. The array of food was presented on a large platter, the dishes of curries framing the larger bowl of rice and the basket of naan. Between all the food, their drinks, and their individual plates their little table had become quite cramped. 

“So, Aymeric is convinced that the main character is going to end up with the childhood friend, but Lucia is sure she’s ending up with the glamorous famous guy that’s taken notice of her.” Ninira explained as she dished herself out a portion of rice.

“And who do you think she will end up with?” Estinien asked as he tore off a piece of naan, the still warm bread practically flaking apart.

“As much as I’d like to say I support Aymeric’s choice, Lucia has the whole story nailed down. She’s one hundred percent ending up with the famous guy. They’re both about as compelling as wet cardboard, though.” 

“Do the others agree with that statement at least?”

“Oh yeah! I don’t think Aymeric’s trying to advocate that the childhood friend guy is actually attractive but he’s at least a little nicer than the other option.” Ninira scooped curry and rice up onto her fork. “The thing is, the main character is also terribly dull and way too drawn to the glamorous lifestyle the other guy offers.” She paused. “I’m sorry. I’ve been talking about this for way too long, you've got to be bored out of your mind.”

He wasn’t. He’d listen to her talk about the stupid love triangle romance novel for hours if she wanted to tell him about it. “It’s fine.” He smiled. “But if you’re not careful, I will eat your naan.”

She gasped and quickly snatched her own piece of bread out of the basket, tearing off a piece and adding it to her mouthful of food with a defiant look. 

Estinien chuckled and lifted his own forkful of food about to take a bite–

“Wait, Estinien!”

He paused.

“Is that the vindaloo?”

He glanced at his fork, “yeah.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Ninira hurried to stab her own piece of lamb and pop it into her mouth. Her eyebrows shot up and she looked at him in earnest, lifting a hand to cover her mouth so she could speak around her food. “Estinien it’s hot. Like really hot. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I told you, my tolerance is way better.” Her eyes widened as he continued to lift his fork to his mouth. “I’ll be fine.”

He was not fine. 

He had expected to feel the heat slowly build as he took the mouthful of vindaloo. Instead the spice of sauce seemed to erupt as soon as it hit his tongue. It was so potent that it was as if his throat and nose were full of it. He erupted into a fit of coughing, while desperately trying to keep his mouth shut. He could barely breathe, barely see, his eyes were already watering. He should have listened, this shit was hot. 

Vaguely he was aware of Ninira loading up some naan with raita and holding it out across the table towards him. He forced his way through the rest of the vindaloo, his mouth screaming in protest, before taking the offered naan and shoving it into his mouth. The relief from the cool yogurt sauce was unparalleled, gods, he even moaned. 

“I warned you.” Ninira chided him. 

Despite the fact that he was clearly still suffering he tried to counter that he was fine but the spice still had a hold of his throat resulting in a second fit of coughing.

“Here,” Ninira pushed her untouched water towards him. “Drink.”

He chugged the entire glass which made her chuckle. Slowly he started to feel like he was no longer in the grips of hell, though he still had to wipe undignified tears from his eyes with the back of his sleeve. “Fuck,” he wheezed, finally able to speak again. 

“What was all that about built up tolerance?” Ninira wasn’t even trying to hide her smirk now that it was clear he was no longer dying. 

Estinien scowled in return. “I’m suffering, and you’re laughing.” She raised an eyebrow at this and he continued. “I obviously just got the sauce stuck in my throat, it had nothing to do with how spicy it was.”

“Oh? So you’re going to have more, then?” 

“No.”

“That’s too bad!” She made a show of popping more vindaloo into her own mouth. “It’s delicious!”

Vindaloo aside—in Estinien’s case—the rest of the food was delicious. And, despite the fact that between them they had made quite the dent in all the food he had ordered, Estinien was relieved to see that there were still some left over for Ninira to take home. 

With the end of their meal came the arrival of their bill and the return of Ninira’s guilt. The price of the dinner didn’t phase him. Estinien had decided—long before his arrival at Ninira’s store—that he didn’t care how much the events of this evening cost. Unfortunately there was no way to translate this to her without making it evident that he’d been planning the possibility of this entire night for a while. Instead he simply went through the process of paying and leaving the restaurant as quick but nonchalant as possible, giving Ninira very few opportunities to fuss. 

Now, standing outside on the still snowy sidewalk Estinien exhaled, his breath hanging in the air momentarily before him. Aware that they were now barreling towards the end of their outing he found himself grasping at ideas to extend their time together. He did have a few, it was just a case of executing them…

“The snow’s almost stopped.” He noted. Ninira was preoccupied beside him, adjusting her scarf so it came up near her ears. “Want to take the long way back? We can cut through the park and catch the train from there instead of going back the way we came.”

“Oh!” She looked up at him. “That’s a good idea! I heard they put up a light display there this week. It’s supposed to be really well done.”

So she had heard about that, at least it would give them a reason to take their time. 

“Well we can check it out on our way through, then.” He started down the sidewalk, Ninira hurrying to fall into step beside him. 

They were a block or so from the park, waiting at a crosswalk, when the coffee shop across the road caught Estinien’s eye. He nudged Ninira lightly, getting her attention before nodding with his head across the road. “Want a drink?”

She followed his gaze, her mouth twisting with uncertainty. “Ummm.”

“To have while we walk through the park.” He added, in case she found the idea of another sit down situation unappealing.

“I shouldn’t… so it’s okay, I don’t need one.” The light changed and they started across the road. “But if you would like one, then by all means.”

Of course, he should have known better. Asking her was pointless. In that case… “Yeah, I think I’m going to grab one.”

“Alright!” She eyed the line visible through the coffee shop window. “I think I’ll wait outside.” 

“Okay. I won’t be long.” That suited him fine, after all she couldn’t stop him from buying her a drink if she wasn't there. 

Entering the shop any frets he’d had over what exactly to order Ninira left him as soon as he looked at the menu board. Right in the middle was a large display advertising their Sweetheart drink. A special Valentione’s Day exclusive; white hot chocolate, coloured pink for gods only knew what reason, topped with whipped cream, as well as an obscene amount of marshmallows and sprinkles. It had Ninira’s name written all over it (the implication of her being his sweetheart aside). 

He tried not to feel foolish while he ordered it—having to ask for one Sweetheart made him extra grateful Ninira had not followed him into the store after all—and tried not to fidget too much while waiting for it to be brought to him. The impact of the drink was lost a little by the fact that it needed to be in a take-out cup, but the barista did put a domed lid on it so that the cream, sprinkles and marshmallows were on display. 

His coffee in one hand, hot chocolate in the other, he made his way back out onto the street. Ninira was waiting where he had left her, near the door, pressed up close to the wall so that she was out of the way of the passers by. As he approached her she looked up at him, the faintest hint of uneasy surprise on her face as she quickly took in the two drinks in his hands. 

“Thirsty?” She asked, again, the waiver in her voice, again. 

He answered by simply holding the hot chocolate out towards her, while taking a sip from his own drink at the same time. When she didn’t take it he added, “that one is yours.” 

She started to reach for it but stopped herself. “I can’t pay you back…”

“You don’t have to.” He pushed the drink into her hands. “It’s part of the dinner… dessert.” He added. “It probably has enough sugar in it to kill a man so that basically makes it a dessert.” 

Ninira didn’t laugh. She did take the cup but rather than take a sip just gazed forlornly down at it. “I appreciate it but… I would have been okay not having one. You’ve already spent so much on me tonight, I can’t imagine why you would want to spend more.”

To Estinien the answer was simple, obvious. Because I like you. Because I really like you. Because I would buy you anything. Because you deserve it. Because I want to see the way your face lights up when you taste something you enjoy. Because I want you to be happy. Because I want to give you things, anything. Because I like you.

He, of course, said none of those things. “We’re friends, Nini. Do I need a reason besides that?”

She exhaled, her breath shaking as she did so. “No… you’re right. I’m sorry. I promise I am thankful, really! I just… feel like I’ve been a burden, making you pay for all this.”

“You’re not a burden.” He reassured her quietly. 

She nodded, “right.” He didn’t miss the way her voice cracked, or how she turned to try and discreetly wipe at her eyes under her glasses. Shit. He was pretty sure making your crush cry on Valentione’s Day was the last thing you were supposed to do. 

He started to reach for her but stopped himself. What comfort could he truly offer her?

She let out another long breath, “sorry. I didn���t mean to bring down the mood. Like I said back at my place, it’s been a hard month.” 

“I know. I’m also sorry, I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.” He stepped up beside her and she looked up at him. Blessedly her eyes were free of further tears. 

“No. No, you haven't.” She sighed, “ I just need to remind myself I am allowed to, you know, get given things by my friends. Like this.” She held up her drink a little and Estinien smiled. “What is it?”

“Ah,” he couldn’t bring him to tell her the name of the drink. “Some kind of hot chocolate. It was their special today, apparently.”

“Oh! Well that explains all the toppings.” 

“I have no idea how you can drink that. Just looking at it is enough to make me feel like I’m going to go into a coma.” Estinien admitted as they started down the sidewalk once more. 

This did make her laugh, “but it’s so good!” she insisted after taking a sip.

Warmth flooded through his chest, the origin of which had nothing to do with his own drink.

The city park was not far from the coffee shop. It was decent sized, and functioned as a popular gathering place and often hosted events year round. As Ninira has said the trees along the main thoroughfare had been done up with lights. Whether this had been done intentionally for Valentione’s Day or not Estinien didn’t know. It didn’t matter either as it was clearly a popular destination for those celebrating the holiday regardless.

They fell in with the crowd, following the stream of people as they made their way along the path of lights. Ninira was content to look up at them with wonder, Estinien however found his attention drawn by other things. The way the couple in front of them walked with their hands entwined. People with arms around waists, arms linked. He even went as far as to turn his head to watch as another lalafell rode past on their partner’s shoulders. Would Ninira like that? He glanced down at her, she was still looking at the lights, absently sipping her drink as she did so. It would have at least offered her a better view. 

Lost in his thoughts the walk through the park ended far quicker than Estinien would have liked. At least Ninira seemed pleased, her mood having lightened considerably as they walked. 

“That was really pretty!” She commented as they walked back out onto the city street. “I’m glad we did that. I didn’t think I’d have a chance to come see it before they took it down.”

“Oh?” From his knowledge, and text message history, Ninira spent most of her uneventful evenings in her apartment.

“It’s been too cold!” She made a face. 

Perhaps it had been, though he personally didn’t think it was that bad. And as much as he longed to find some way to drag their last remaining moments together even further, Ninira did look cold. Her ears and nose were visibly red and she shook, ever so subtly. “Let's get you home then,” he offered. “Less you freeze here and now, on the night you decided to actually brave the weather.”

A subway ride, a short walk, and Estinein found himself standing in the small alley that led to Ninira’s back door while she flipped through her keys; their evening officially over. At least the light above her door worked now. 

Her key clicked in the lock but she turned to look at him before opening the door. “Thank you, Estinien, for everything. I know I was a bit of a downer at times, but I really appreciate everything that you did for me tonight.”

He shrugged, “it’s no problem. If you need anything, ever, just let me know.” 

She gave him a weak smile. “I’ll try.”

It was all he could ask for. “Here.” He held out the bag containing the leftover Hannish food that he had been carrying since leaving the restaurant. “You should have this.” He added.

Ninira blinked, “but you bought that, it’s yours. Are you sure you don’t want it?”

“Well, most of it is the Vindaloo. And anything that isn’t has probably been contaminated by it so…”

She laughed. “Okay, maybe it is best I take it then.” 

Relief, Estinien hadn’t really wanted to work around another instance of her trying to refuse his generosity. She took the bag from his outstretched hand peeking in as she did so. 

“I don’t remember it looking like there was this much left back at the restaurant. This will last me a while… thank you.”

“Again, it’s no problem”

“Well,” she turned a little back towards her door. “Goodnight, then.”

“Night,” He smiled, and tucked his now free hands into his pockets. Or at least, attempted to. One pocket was full, as it had been all night, and before his arrival so many hours ago. 

Fucking shit! God damnit!!

He’d forgotten all about the stupid thing! His plan initially had been to leave the box on Ninira’s front counter when she wasn’t looking, after she was finished wrapping up for the night. That way she would have found it the next day and, despite the fact that it would have been painfully obvious he’d been the one to leave it there, he could act none the wiser. So wrapped up in trying to get Ninira to agree to dinner, and then the euphoria of his success he’d neglected to ever take the box out of his pocket. 

Now he was faced with a dilemma, he could hold onto it, try and sneak it into her shop on another day. Attempt to do what he had planned to initially, or he could just… give it to her now. A terrifying idea, but he was running out of time to debate the possibilities, Ninira was already opening her door, already starting to step inside.

Just do it you idiot!!

“Hey, Nini, hang on.” 

She froze.

“I forgot something.”

Slowly she turned, her eyes wide behind her glasses. “O–oh?”

He stepped closer, Ninira’s eyes widening even further as he did so. He didn’t know why she looked so startled, he was the one who felt like his heart was about to beat out of his chest with how nervous he was. Producing the box from his pocket he thrust it out in her direction. “Here.”

She stared at him and at the box before slowly piecing together that he wanted her to take it. “O–oh! Um…”

“I was at the store earlier and, I don’t know, they gave it to me for free. I guess I spent enough to get it or something. I don’t want it though, so you can have it.” Considering he hadn’t planned on any of this he was pleased with his story. It must have sounded convincing enough because she took the box with no extra prompting. “I uh, meant to give it to you earlier, but like I said… I forgot.”

“T–thank you.”

“Yeah, well,” He tucked his hands properly into his pockets now that he was able. “Goodnight.”

“G–Goodnight!” For some reason, Ninira still looked stunned. 

“Talk to you later?”

She nodded, “y–yeah.” 

Estinien watched as she turned, fumbling her way inside with her now full hands. She gave him one last glance over her shoulder before the door shut and he was left alone. He scuffed his boot in the snow, watching her door for a moment longer before tuning away to start making his own way home.

—

Ninira leaned back against her door, heart pounding in her chest, trying to catch her breath and still her nerves. The Hannish leftovers settled lightly on the ground beside her as she slowly released the death like grip she had on the bag’s handle. She was such an idiot. She couldn’t believe she’d actually thought he was going to kiss her. 

Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!

Of course he hadn’t! Why would he?

So caught off guard by the entire moment she hadn’t even looked at what it was he’d given her. She did so now, turning the box in her hand so she could read its lid. Chocolates. Not only was it a decently sized box but they looked like they would be good quality too. Estinien had clearly gotten a really good deal to get them for free. Intrigued, she turned the box over, hoping for a list of the types of chocolates on the rear. There was none. There was, however, a patch in the corner, the remnants of a torn off sticker, one that would have contained the barcode… and price. She ran a thumb over the spot. Give-away items were not normally priced… 

She straightened, still staring down at the box in her hands. The implications of being gifted chocolates on Valentione’s Day of all days… But she would have sworn that Estinien, of all people, would not have cared or given a damn about the holiday to begin with. Even if he for some reason did like her, surely he would be opposed to doing something so… stereotypically cheesy.

Perhaps it was all just a fluke. The store was just getting rid of old stock and had dumped it in Estinien’s lap as he had said.

Her head swam. This was all too much and she was definitely overthinking it. 

Picking up the leftovers she started up the stairs to her apartment. Despite the hot chocolate she had had earlier that evening she longed for a cup of tea. It would help clear her head and warm her up. She supposed she could also indulge in one, or maybe two, of the stupidly confusing chcolates. Regardless of the implication she wasn’t about to let the gift go to waste.

#Bookshop AU #Ninira Nira #Estinien Varlineau #estinien x wol #uhhhhhhhhhh idk #here's a thing I have thought about since you know... february #you know... the month most people normally produce vday content #not july #anyway I have been working at this for a month #which is like the longest I think I have ever devoted to a piece of writing #and a bitch really wrote 7k words?? #It's got no descriptions! it's got the same conflict multiple times! it's got a shoddy conclusion!! #but I don't care!! #I must... embrace cringe be free #and boy howdy this is cringe #if you sit through 7k of pining for my ship in my modern au... thanks?? idk why you would but wheezes #anyway gotta go find things to reblog to hide this now... #writing: mine

[imperial-nuisance-rudje]

Time to start a series of EW effortposts, i guess.

Note that I got sick (AGAIN) and had pretty bad weather-based connectivity issues since i took the earliest of these screenshots, so my memory will be pretty shoddy.

Anyway, postin'.

I've already hollered about the twins' shitty dad so I won't reprise that, instead skipping forward to when you pick who visits you. I've been too busy moving MSQ forward to re-check everything, but given my faves it's probably not shocking that i chose...

Estinien.

I didn't get most of his little speech, but he just wanted to express support and a desire to protect in his cute, awkward way.

Also, jfc if a character as pale as Shayun is nearly invisible due to the cutscene lighting, anyone with darker skin is just going to be a shadowy blob.

Anyway, Estinien flees.

Out the window. You know, as you do.

Also if I hadn't established that Shayun and Estinien are just utterly incompatible this cutscene would have had me making jokes, but no it's just more autism to autism communication.

There's a couple cutscenes I didn't grab establishing both what people are thinking about the Garlean prisoners as well as setting up ominous shadow effects on people.

Which Erenville seems to be able to sense? Not sure if it's a nod to how Viera are typically very magically sensitive in other FFs or just Erenville being sensitive to changes in his environment, since the former hasn't really been established in 14.

Anyway!

So Thavnair has a mild case of the Armageddons (as in, the weather is literally "Apocalypse")! I'm sure it's fine, says the dog sitting in a burning house.

The dungeon wasn't anything special, but the final boss is incredibly fucking rude to the photosensitive--one of its attacks causes the whole screen to pulse red or blue as the tell, and it's really bad to look at. Not quite Paradigm's Breach tier, but at least on the level of World of Darkness. Very nasty.

I still murdered the fuck out of it, of course.

Ahewann trying to convince Vrtra that his fears are unfounded and revealing himself as the true leader of Thavnair would only help.

I can't remember the lead-up to this, but Estinien refuses to let a troubled member of the First Brood pass by without getting into position for Dragon Therapy.

I think investigation into why people were transforming into monsters happens after this? Which, uh, leads me to a major issue I had.

So. Ahewann's death.

Besides being another victim of the two-for-one deal that is Endwalker (if we'd had an expansion+patches to come to know and care deeply for him, his death would have hit MUCH harder--as it is it feels like he jobbed), it's also just really badly blocked out. The last time the WoL has a case of the Glueboots this severe is when Asahi is beating the shit out of Yotsuyu, and it feels just as bad now as it did then. If they didn't want to have the WoL have to pause and attack bc of job reasons (tbf the correct distance for one job to feel right is different from another, so i don't blame them), they at least should have put them further back.

It's just way too obvious that Ahewann died entirely due to authorial decree. It doesn't feel like a natural outgrowth of the events of the cutscene. Given how little time we've had with Ahewann, it also feels like a cheap move for free emotions!

I do not like Ahewann's death.

Oh yeah, and afterward catboy proves that he is also the Crystal Exarch so anyone who thinks i should chill over things the Exarch did can shut it, the game itself says they're the same person now.

Final WoLshot for this post, bc the next post is a behemoth and will need every last bit of image space I can give

that's right it's time for

DRAGON THERAPY WITH DR ESTINIEN (vrtra edition)

#rudje plays ffxiv #final fantasy #endwalker spoilers

[paintedscales]

My WoLstinien family.

Drabble thought vomit under the read more.

Turns out that not only could Nomin and Estinien conceive, they had twins. Honestly, took both of them by surprise, Nomin more so since she had given consideration that she had never heard of a half-auri anything aside from a half-Raen / half-Xaela -- but normally cases within the Malaguld or the Kha if anywhere.

Though both girls are trained in the ways of the lance and the way of the Red Mage, they have their preferences. The one that takes after Nomin prefers the balance of aether and aetherflow, and the one that takes after Estinien is more competitive and enjoys physical activity in general.

Both girls have two names: one of Xaelic origin and the other of Ishgardian origin. It was discussed at length between the two of them since starting a family was not necessarily in the long term, but something that ended up happening. Bayarmaa / Cyrielle is named for Nomin's elder sister -- a person who took her in on the Steppe alongside her brother, Esenaij (who would have been the namesake should Bayarmaa / Cyrielle been born male; and should she decide upon it at a later time, is a name that Nomin hopes she would take); as for the Cyrielle part, it was chosen for Estinien's memories of his mother -- whatever fragments he can recollect from so long a time ago. Chotan / Fleurette was named for one of Nomin's first real friends on the Steppe who often shared flowers with her, and taught her about a myriad of flowers; as a result, Estinien was just, "then I shall call her 'Fleurette' on my side." Because let's face it, the man is not creative.

Bayarmaa / Cyrielle and Chotan / Fleurette were hard to tell apart at first being identical twins, though Nomin changed this through magical means so she and Estinien could be spared the headache -- Estinien more than she because the Echo works in mysterious ways. Bayarmaa / Cyrielle's limbal rings were done so she only had one visible whereas Chotan / Fleurette's limbal rings were applied to both eyes.

Bayarmaa / Cyrielle was the only one of the two that started showing signs of silver hair developing in her teens, giving an additional indicator of which twin was which.

The girls were born with less scales than their mother, and lack both horns and tail (much to Nomin's surprise and perhaps dismay in some aspect). Also unlike their mother, they do not have blue markings, but instead have lustrous black scales, which does give Nomin a sense of pride and relief both. Like their father, however, they have elezen ears.

Both girls stand taller than their mother (who most likely has Olkund blood in her to have her stand at 5 fulms, 7 ilms; fuck the Olkund flavor text that says 'the females, for whatever reason, remain of an average height.' My nuts they do.) Both girls are shorter than their father, however, and stand at a height of 5 fulms, 11 ilms.

These two were absolutely menaces as toddlers, but let's also consider that to retain a sense of privacy and actual rest and peace for their parents, they were raised upon the Island Sanctuary. They probably destroyed a number of mammets (not that Nomin or Estinien mind; while Nomin doesn't mind mammets as a whole, she doesn't need them to help her run her island, and Estinien just hates them). They were brought to the Steppe and Ishgard on occasion, and of course the various locations around Eorzea to visit with friends and family (Nomin's only surviving family is her elder sister, Bayarmaa, her husband, Kuzhuk, and their son, Ankhbayar; and you can bet she is happy to see the girls and their cousin get along so well).

#wolstinien #estinien varlineau #ffxiv estinien #ffxiv oc #oc: nomin tal kheeriin #estinien #estinien x wol #ffxiv gpose #ffxiv screenshots #gposers #oc: bayarmaa / cyrielle varlineau #oc: chotan / fleurette varlineau #cinnamon ship

[the-fortemps-hare]

Fluffvember Day 8 -Thought I lost you

It had been several days, possibly a week since Azra had appeared out of nowhere late at night to crash in the room they always kept ready for him. Then early the next morning he had disappeared again without a word, the Fortemps shield on his back alongside his bow, that Artoirel had given him so long ago.

Since then Artoirel had felt restless, an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. So he found himself at the place he often came nowadays to think. Haurchefant's memorial.

For a while the young Count knelt in front of his brother's memorial, saying his prayers and just telling him about the developments in Ishgard. Then his mind fell silent and for a long moment there was no sound but the whispers of the wind.

You need to go.

A sudden warmth spread from his shoulder, almost like a gentle touch.

He needs you.

Artoirel didn't know if it was divine providence or simply his own mind playing tricks on him, but the tight feeling in his stomach grew stronger and as much as his upbringing dictated that he had to stay and take care of family affairs, Artoirel still began to run.

Run run run. Run to the next Aetheryte, the next opportunity to get to Limsa Lominsa and buy his way onto a boat heading for Old Sharlayan.

Every time he looked over the vast seas he prayed to Halone that he was not to late. That he would see Azra again and finally find the courage to tell him. Please let that deary morning not have been his last missed chance. How should he ever stand before Haurchefant again if he truly managed to miss his final opportunity to tell Azra that he loved him? ~~~

One thing Azra was very aware of since he had regained consciousness, was the pain in every single muscle of his body. Sure Alphinaud and Urianger had done their best to mend the worst of his wounds, but still his body was exhausted beyond believe.

All he wanted was to go home and see the smiling faces of his friends. It wouldn't feel real until he could see with his own eyes, that they were still save and sound. And then there was another thing. Artoirel's face flashed in his mind again as he thought back to those lonely moments as he had thought that his life was forfeit. That in exchange for saving his friends and family, he would be destined to take his last breaths at the edge of reality.

As he had looked back on his life in these moments, he had quickly realized that there was only one regret in his heart. His childish fear of telling Artoirel of his feelings. After causing Haurchefant's death, Azra had been terrified to let anybody too close, too worried that they would get pulled into the crossfire just like Haurchefant had. How could he show his face to Count Edmont if he managed to kill another of his children? He could never bear the pain that would cause the older Elezen.

„Come now. Let's get you to into a proper bed.“ Thancred spoke softly, a lopsided smile playing around his lips as he took Azra's right arm to place around his neck and support the Viera as they stepped out of the Ragnarok. Dacien was one of the first to welcome them home, immediately going in to embrace Estinien, partially to congratulate him and partially to make sure that his part time boyfriend was not hurt overly much.

Before they could move much farther they heard fast steps clanking on the metal floor and as Azra looked up to the entrance of the hangar, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Artoirel.

Heavily gasping for air and his hands on his knees, there was indeed Artoirel, looking straight at him.

Without another thought, Azra ran, his gaze fixed on the dark haired Elezen and his arms outstretched towards him he ran up the ramp, right into Artoirel's open arms. „I was afraid I had lost you.“ Artoirel spoke quietly, his voice heavy with emotion as he pressed his face against Azra's hair, his arms wrapped tightly around the Viera. „I love you.“

Tears ran silently along Azra's cheeks at those words. He had known, ever since he had witnessed an Echo of Artoirel and Haurchefant discussing the young Count's feelings for him, but to actually hear them, meant for his ears. It was different, something special.

„I love you too.“ He whispered almost reverently, the pain and exhaustion melting away for this one moment. Etheirys' future was safe, and he would make sure to kep it that way. So he could always return to Artoirel in his quiet moments.

#ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #gpose #artoirel de fortemps #azra skagem #woltoirel #fluffvember #elezen #viera #male viera #endwalker spoilers #fluffvember Azra

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

Reunion

Set post-5.1 Agi and Estinien reunite. And reunite again. And once more. NSFW.

“Oh. You’re back. And none the worse for wear, I see.”

 Agnes nearly spontaneously combusted when she heard Estinien say that as he entered the Rising Stones. It took everything she had not to leap into his arms and kiss him. Oh gods, the last we actually, in real life, saw each other was the morning I left Ishgard after…that emotional night. And after we only met in dreams thanks to Feo Ul. But he’s here! In front of me! And I can’t…he wants his privacy.

 After hearing about his foray into Garlemald with Gaius Baelsar (fuck off, bitch) and then the Echo vision (ouch), Krile asked Estinien if he would consider staying.

 “Sorry, but I'm not inclined to extend my contract. Gaius isn't the only one with business to attend to.”

 Not surprising, but still!!!!! He’s just going to walk out of here…fuck, remember, he likes his privacy. Doesn’t want everyone in our business. Deep breaths. Don’t chase after him just yet…

 “Farewell, my friend. See that you don't make a habit of dozing off in battle.” It should be “MY LOVE” not “my friend!!!!” Okay, he’s exited. Krile is speaking. Yes good, awesome. See you ladies later. I’m going to give chase in one second…

 “Well, I think I may head out. See you two!” Agnes said with the sweetest smile she could conjure and tried to not be too obvious that she was going after Estinien as she left. He couldn’t have teleported right away, could he? She wandered through Revenant’s Toll for a few minutes when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into an alleyway. The man whose hand took her kissed her soundly and moaned into her mouth, his arms wrapping around her. Oh love, I never should doubt you. Never. Of course you waited for me. Of course you did. Agnes broke the kiss and gasped for air. “Hello to you too.”

 He chuckled, brushing a strand of her dark red hair out of her face. “Agi, I’ve missed you so much. Are you well?” Estinien peered into his lady’s bespectacled eyes. “I only got a dream from that little shit faerie that you had saved the First but naught since.”

 Oops. Agnes blushed as tears filled her eyes. “Well, um, it’s been a crazy few…several…days? Time is a bit different on the First, so I’m not sure just how long it’s been here.” Upon seeing the worry in his eyes, Agnes hugged him. “I’m well. We all are. There’s so much I need to tell you.” And so much I…I need you. I need you right now. And I think I can feel that you need me too, love! “‘Stinien, love…want you…”

 The worry in his pale blue eyes quickly filled with lust. “My sweet, we must leave this place if we are to—"

 NOPE! Agnes shoved him against the stone wall. His eyes widened in a mixture of shock and more lust “Here. Now.” NOW!!!!! She reached for his trousers and palmed the hardness within. He hissed at the contact.

 “If this is the way of it, Agi, then you shall get what you want. Turn around! Spread your legs!” Estinien growled, gripping her hips and spinning her to face the stone wall. He pulled her leggings and smalls down. Agnes could hear him undoing his trousers and groaning when he pulled out his length. With a knee, he spread her legs. “You want this? You want to be fucked in an alley?” Estinien harshly whispered in her ear.

 “Y-yes! Yes! Please, love!” She gasped; hands flat against the wall to give her some stability. His fingers…fucking hells! Right in!

 “You are so fucking wet. How needy have you been? How much have you missed me?” He whispered, the fingers inside now rubbing her clit. His other hand reached under her top and squeezed a breast through her bra. “How the fuck do you feel so damn good?”

 I don’t know but so do you!!!! Agnes’s fingers flexed against the rough stone, little gasps escaping her mouth. “Ah, love…please…please…” I can feel him. He’s so close, but so far. Get in me already! She pushed her ass as much as she could into his front. “Please…”

 Estinien sucked a mark into her neck, still squeezing the breast. “You beg so prettily, my love,” he groaned. “I’ll give you what you want.” He grunted and entered her with one thrust. “Fucking hells, woman…I’ll give you a fuck you’ll never forget!” He whispered, his fingers pinching her clit. Gods, he’s too much. Too much. Not enough. More. I want more! Estinien, I want…

 Agnes was quickly reduced to a softly babbling mess, begging for more from her lover. She could feel sweat trickling down her brow. His hips are going harder than they ever have. How I’ve missed this and him…

 “I can’t wait to get you into a bed so I can fuck you into the mattress. Leave you a quivering mess. Wanting more. Wanting me and me alone…” His calloused fingers continued to pinch and rub her clit. Each little moan that came from her mouth he drank greedily. “Come for me, my love. Come for me!”

 Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods, oh gods… Agnes restrained herself from yelling as she came. As always, Estinien soon followed, moaning into her shoulder. Agnes herself moaned a little as Estinien removed his fingers from her and heard him licking and sucking them. He quite literally can’t get enough of me. Oh love, you’re too much. Although still leaning against the wall, Agnes wobbled a bit as she moved a little.

 “Easy, easy.” Estinien chuckled, gripping her waist. “Be careful, my sweet girl.”

 “Oh dear, sorry. I’ll get my bearings in a moment. You weren’t kidding when you said a fuck I’ll never forget.” Agnes said breathily. “Though, if you do want me in a bed, love, then perhaps we should head somewhere private?” And not in an alley!

 “No need for a bed just yet, but mayhap a swim or shower to clean.”

 “Costa del Sol? I know a secluded spot for a…naked swim.” And not at the nude beaches! Secluded spot away from everyone!

 “Good idea.” He finally pulled himself out and wiped his cock on his shirt!!!!?!? NO! “Teleport soon?”

 Agnes hummed in assent as she yanked her leggings and smalls.

 Within a moment, they disappeared from the alley.

 ***

Perfect. Agnes grinned as she lay in the water at her secluded spot further north along the Bloodshore. When they arrived at the Costa del Sol aetheryte, she penned a quick note to her Mum saying that she and Estinien were in the area and would come by later. And knowing her, she’s already stocking the pantry and making my bed, so we can be alone. She’s the best!

 Then she remembered something important.

 …oh dear.

 “Erm, love?”

 Estinien swam back towards her. “Hmm?”

 “I haven’t been taking my contraceptive potion.”

 His eyes widened. “Oh?”

 She felt her cheeks grow hot. “Well, I was on the First, so there was no need. Only just remembered.” But… “Though, I’m happy with not taking it and seeing how things go, if you’re…”

 Estinien thought for a moment and then smiled softly. “If that’s what you want to do, then sure. If something happens, wonderful. If not, fine.”

 Agnes wrinkled her nose, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Perfect. We’ll play it by ear, though…I wish…I hope…something will happen. A baby. Our baby.

 Estinien’s arms lifted Agnes’s legs, which she enclosed around his narrow waist. He ended the kiss and rubbed his nose against hers. “So we are in agreement.”

 “I’d say so, love.”

 “While we both dream of the times to come, I have a particular need.” A wicked grin appeared suddenly on his face. “A need that you can only satisfy, Agi.”

 “Oh really? Is it a need emanating from your big fat cock?” She winked and laughed. “Because I have a funny feeling it’s that.”

 Estinien chuckled, his grip on her thick thighs getting tighter. “My lady is so smart. However did you guess?”

 Her hands moved to his shoulders with her fingers dancing on one of the gnarled scars from the Eyes. “Just luck, I think.” She said sweetly, kissing him again. Luck somehow led us to each other, and I’ll forever be grateful.

 “Heh, a bit of luck and a lot of…” Estinien squeezed her thighs. “You being so irresistible, my pretty. Here or back at the cottage. Lady’s choice.”

 The lady in question raised an eyebrow. “Normally I’d say bed, but I’m feeling…adventurous today.”

 Estinien then raised his eyebrow.

 Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh. Don’t…

 Agnes let out a decidedly unladylike snort.

 “Agi, you’re something else.” Estinien groaned with an eye roll.

 “Something else that’s all yours, love.” Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

 “Aye, that you are. Now, where were we?” Estinien adjusted Agnes and entered her with a loud groan. “I missed you…I missed you so much…fantasized about you. Twas so cold in Garlemald, my love, and I longed for your warm soft body with mine.”

 “Did you now?” She smirked and licked one of his ears. That always gets him. Always. “Pray tell me the specifics, love. I would hear it all.”

 “We were in a cabin with a hearty fire going…I arrived to find you on a pile of expensive furs wearing naught but gems. Such an alluring sight…” His grip on her tightened, and Agnes moaned as she felt his cock twitch inside her. “You beckoned me with only a smile…before I knew it mine clothes were off, and I was on top of you…”

 Furs and gems? Okay. Sure. Maybe that’s an Ishgardian thing? “Maybe we can make that a reality, love, erm minus all the gems. One or two-ooooooooooooo…” She squealed as Estinien sucked a mark into her neck. “Fake jewelry maybe…oh gods, love…”

 “We don’t have to, my angel. Twas only a fantasy.” Estinien groaned. “One that kept me warm so many nights…”

 “W-willing to try, love. I’m sure we could procure a cozy cabin for a night…ahhhh, love please…” Her arms hugged him tighter. Need more friction. Need more of him. Want him all the time…I hate leaving him…don’t think about that. Don’t think about leaving. Enjoy the time...don’t think about the last time we were together. I’m here. I’m here. I don’t want to leave you like that ever again. I want us together all the time. Always. “Don’t ever leave me.” Agnes whispered. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

 “Never. I’m forever yours as you are mine.” His forehead touched hers, and his eyes poured into hers. “Look at me, sweetheart. Look at me. I’m never leaving you. Never, my sweet.” He adjusted his grip once more and thrust harder. “Come for me, Agi. Need you to come.”

 A few moments later, Agnes felt the bowstring inside her snap. Her nails dug into his back as she gasped. Another few moments, and he came. Not as loud as he normally is, but he’s so beautiful when he comes. So beautiful my handsome, grumpy man is… Agnes was not entirely sure when or how they made it back to their blanket on the beach, only that they did and he wrapped her in a towel. “I meant it, you know.” She said quietly. “About finding a cozy little cabin in the snow for you…for us.”

 Estinien wrapped a towel around his narrow waist and sat next to Agnes, pulling her into an embrace. “There’s one person I know with a cabin such as that…and I’d chew off my arm than speak to Aymeric at the moment.” He muttered, causing Agnes to giggle.

 “Oh dear, how should I begin this letter? ‘Dear Aymeric, how are you? Estinien and I want to fuck in your cabin, is that alright? I swear we’ll clean—' YOU NAUGHTY MAN!” Agnes squeaked as Estinien tickled her. I’ve felt lighter in the past few bells than I have in at least two moons. I’m happiest when I’m with him. Happiest when I’m kissing him. Happiest when I’m watching him train. Happiest when we’re together. “Hey! Hey, you!” She lightly smacked his arm and kissed him. “I love you.” She whispered and giving him yet another peck.

 With that crooked grin that never failed to make her heart soar, Estinien squeezed her shoulder. “And I love you, sweetheart.”

 Reunions are lovely but how I wish I could stay with you always.

#agnes currai #estinien x wol #estinien wyrmblood #estinien varlineau #wolstinien #agi cracks up at her own jokes #these two dorks #ffxiv smut #smut and fluff #they fuck a lot okay #with cameos by tataru and krile

[shivasdarknight]

what was your WoL’s love interest’s first impression of them?  What about the second time they met?  How long was it between their meeting and their first date?  First kiss?

THIS IS GENUINELY SO FUNNY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEN VS NOW BUT LIKE

Ooohh god I’m just going to break it down by partner in chronological order of meeting them, and hitting every point with each person.

Which means first up is:

Estinien

Surkukteni is a canon dragoon, so she and Estinien met first.  And genuinely the funniest out of these, because he didn’t think much of her and the absolute most was she was obnoxious.  There is an 8 year age difference between them - 24 vs 32 in ARR - and it’s a 30yo guy dealing with a plucky, obnoxious and power hungry 20-something.  But it wasn’t just that it was a 20-something, Surkukteni’s canon has two potential candidates for that title: Lillith, as well!  It was really unsure who would get the eye, so the two worked together and he just saw them as sort of a joint headache.

But the more it became clear that the Eye chose Surkukteni, the more it forced them to deal with each other.  A few times during the timeline of DRG30-50, Surkukteni actually tried to reach out to him a few times because despite having her own allies in the other eventual Warriors of Light, she’s without many connections and really wayward.  Her allies are Eorzeans, she’s Othardian. So even if it was yet another Eorzean, she still wanted to at least try to make that connection - especially because if she could make it a good one, she’d at least have someone powerful in Ishgard that wouldn’t go after her the way the See went after the Orl.  He’s one of the first people she even tells about her auri nature, as this was when she was running around in that hyuran glamour of hers.  And I have a fic about that exact exchange!  But basically, it was just the start of a slow building friendship and rivalry that took a while to figure out the back and forth with.

So with that in mind, the timespan between first meeting and first date (technically) was almost five years.  None of this happened until Post-Shadowbringers.  Part of that is because they had a major falling out in Heavensward because of how he is during that, and they didn’t reconcile until the DRG70 quests in Stormblood, but at that point they were already in a friends-with-benefits arrangement!  They didn’t start properly seeing each other until literally right before the Seat of Sacrifice.  First kiss was during Stormblood, so two-three years, something like that.  And that was a drunk kiss while traveling together which....also happened to be their first time because fucking oops.  That’s a draft I’m working on, so I’m just going to leave it at that.

But I need you to understand that since DRG50, Estinien has had major feelings for Surkukteni.  The whole fucking time.  So even though it took them until Stormblood to get touchy-feely, and Post-Shadowbringers to get feelsy - he had it bad the whole time.  And he was in major denial over it because this was the first time he’d had strong feelings for a woman as he’s really masc-leaning and had only ever been interested in men prior to that.  Traveling together helped nothing, and he just wound up completely head over heels and a fucking mess.  Yet, he refused to say anything unless she said something first due to the severe trauma she has around this kind of thing.  So, he resolved himself to stay quiet until she confessed in 5.3.

Ysayle

This one’s also funny because they started off as enemies.  Truly, a wonderful enemies-to-lovers outcome.  It’s the canon stuff of course, but Ysayle was always kind of intrigued by the Warriors of Light - Surkukteni, especially.  Part of this is because Ysayle knew about the tragedy of the Orl tribe and wondered why a Xaela would willingly ally herself not only with the Eorzean Alliance, but the See as well?  And so far as to become an Azure Dragoon?  It was curious to say the least, but it did leave her extremely interested - especially after the confrontation at Akh Afah.  But she’d be lying if she denied the fact that her interest came from the fact that Surkukteni was and still remains a very vocal supporter of the Eorzean tribes and frequently took matters into her own hands when it concerned the fair treatment of the many peoples of Aldenard, and were it not for her affiliation with Ishgard, Ysayle got the (correct) idea that the two would be aligned ideologically and was interested in swaying her to her side.

And that actually happens.  Not just in this heretic AU I have (lmfao i love that one), but once the two re-meet during Heavensward!  The more the two talked, the closer they got - and more and more of Ysayle’s suspicions were correct, but she also found herself quickly falling for Surkukteni.  They were history buffs and deeply invested in what was right - a strong morality even in spite of forces that’d try to stop them.  Ysayle found herself falling for Surkukteni - her voice, her mannerisms, her convictions - and was really hoping to convince her to abandon her plight with the Alliance and Ishgard to work with her.

And then 3.0 happened.

It wasn’t until the end of 5.3 that the two were reunited, feelings left unspoken.  For Ysayle, it was a perilous recovery process.  For Surkukteni, it was four years of grieving and heartache.  And wouldn’t you know it, I wrote about this reunion :)  Their first kiss technically happens in a dream during Shadowbringers, but their first in person kiss is right after that reunion scene in Mor Dhona - which is outlined in that fic.  And immediately after is technically their first date - Surkukteni showing Ysayle around Kugane - which is another draft I’m working on.  The two were inevitably going to be together though, because they’re literally soulmates who are destined to run into each other one way or another and fall for each other - yet they’re the first cycle in many years to break the trend of tragedy they were immersed in, and just barely.

Aymeric

I genuinely think he’s the most normal out of the bunch, and that alone is very funny to me considering the circumstances.  When the two first met, this was during Post-ARR and post “Surkukteni discarding the hyuran glamour now that no one could touch her”.  He’d heard about her from Estinien and obvious word about the defacto leader of the Warriors of Light, but to meet her during political talks was surprising, to say the least.  He could see the cockiness and pridefulness Estinien had described, yet he didn’t expect her to be intimidatingly quiet - that is, until the matter of the tribes came up and she immediately interrupted Alphinaud to assert her position on the matter.  Needless to say, Aymeric was extremely intrigued and excited to see what would come of this.  Working with her felt like an inevitability - as a Warrior of Light, and Azure Dragoon - but the true circumstances would eventually morph.

Their meetings were mostly professional at first, but he soon discovered that she was the one to take up the mantle of the new Dark Knight.  But he also knew that if he played his hand too soon, she’d get skittish and stop trusting him.  So began the long game of a back and forth through vague, cryptic letters to ascertain a working relationship where Surkukteni would act as a hitman for him - dealing with problematic Temple Knights that had time and time again evaded punishment for their awful behavior despite his repeated orders to have something done with them thanks to meddling down the chain of command.  ...And transphobes.  She killed a lot of transphobes for him.

I’d say their “second meeting” is not so much literal second, but when he properly invites her to his house to discuss the job in more frank detail in person.  And now that she was honest with herself - and importantly, alone - it gave him a better idea of who she was and that just was all the more enticing and exciting.  Not necessarily enticing in a sexual way, just the prospect of working with someone such as her and getting to know her as layer after layer of nonsense decorum was peeled off and he got to see her for herself.  The dry wit, the sarcasm, an intelligence she kept reined in from too many folks belittling her.  It was definitely a newfound respect that was earned, and the absolute beginnings of feelings he’d develop later.

Their first kiss would happen soon after he confessed, but it wasn’t really a nice one.  Him confessing right after his attempted assassination and Ysayle’s seeming death set Surkukteni into a panic attack - as she was convinced she was cursed to have bad things happen to those she cared about.  To be with Aymeric, she felt, was to sentence him to a fate similar to Ysayle’s.  While she did show that she reciprocated his feelings - hence the kiss - it was more begging him to give her time to think on it and sort through her issues.  She didn’t want to be with him considering how fucked up she was, and wanted time to work on herself before committing to anything.  And to his credit, Aymeric was very graceful in letting her have the time that she needed.  The two still met up to talk and do stuff together - that undercurrent of mutual feelings coloring everything - and....well, maybe stuff happens, but it’s not until 5.4 that they actually get together.  And that also ropes in him and Estinien, so that’s fun.  She’s definitely ripped him out of the office countless times before they were together as sort-of dates, but it was nothing super official as they didn’t want to risk hurting her again and reopening that trauma.

Venat

And this one’s funny because it’s totally backwards in the XIV game timeline.  So Surkukteni meeting Venat for the first time isn’t the first time Venat’s met Surkukteni.  So let’s just start with Elpis.

Beyond the fact it’s just Elpis, there were many things that struck Venat about Surkukteni upon meeting her - most notably, how much Surkukteni was like her then-partner, Charon.  There was that fire, there was that passion - yet it tempered less in the sardonic fashion like Charon, and more tempered from repeated hurt.  Even through all the turmoil that was clearly held within her, Venat still found it fascinating that Surkukteni kept going.  More fascinating to find out that Surkukteni was Charon, just them reincarnated.

And then, everything.  Venat - as Hydaelyn - watched for thousands of years as Charon’s soul (and Khione’s, by the way - her other lover) reincarnated over, and over, and over again - each time meeting worse and worse fates.  The tipping point, truly, was Allag when they were known as Ammut, and Khione was known as Macchi.  To watch those two suffer at the hands of the Empire, executed so cruelly by Ammut’s brother, Amon (worse: Charon and Hermes were siblings), it spurred Venat to do something the next time around.  She kept the souls of them both with her for 3,000 years until the anger that fueled them finally died down, letting them reincarnate into Surkukteni and Ysayle.  And it was then that it struck Venat that things would only grow worse - as this was the woman she’d met all those years ago, who carried such terrible burdens and grief.  And even though Charon’s soul was split in twain - into Surkukteni and Katsuro - Venat would still do what she could to protect them and Khione.  Thus, Surkukteni and Ysayle had her traveler’s sigil placed upon them in an attempt to keep the both of them safe (Katsuro got his by accident, as he and Surkukteni are Literally two halves of the same person).

It’s only until after Endwalker while Venat is slowly recovering from everything - as her soul was fucked nearly beyond repair, placed into an auracite, and had a body built around it by the Great Work alchemists - that the two actually pursue anything.  There is a lot of reconciling the fact that Surkukteni is not Charon - as much as Venat misses them - but among the first things they do is something Surkukteni promised her during their fight: to personally show her around the world she fought so hard to protect.  That gap between 6.0 and 6.1 is mostly that, as they’re both recovering from 6.0 and need a break.  And it’s during this that things begin to build between Surkukteni and Venat - and Ysayle! - and they establish a relationship based on the present and not who they were formerly.  First kiss?  6.2.  Venat went to see the group off as they headed to the Void and gave Surkukteni a conjured scythe for her to use while in there (as this is the start of her shift to RPR).  Completely taken aback and unsure how to thank her with words, Surkukteni surprises everyone - including Venat - by grabbing her and kissing her deeply.  Estinien and Y’shtola don’t let her live that down.

#original #ff #ffxiv #final fantasy #final fantasy xiv #wol #answered wol questions #surkukteni #surkie #venat #estinien #aymeric #ysayle #wolysayle #wolestinien #wolaymeric #wolmeric #wolvenat #surkysayle #see doing this on tumblr is fun because i get to RAMBLE and also throw pictures in better #anyways waves vaguely at this #gposes under the cut if you're interested #all of these scenarios are fics/being written/are planned so im gonna have fun #surkiestinien #surkaymeric #surkuvenat

[meowww-ffxiv]

Thinking about Estinien and Liios like:

.

No pet names from Estinien’s end. Liios said “Estinien” like his heart was in every syllable though. He called him “love” in bed. He called him “sir knight” when he teased. Estinien had memorized the pitch and the inflections in Liios’s voice for each term of endearment.

He wondered sometimes if he should reciprocate in this way. Being Estinien, he simply asked.

Liios said there was no need. “Just say my name like you always do. That’s enough.”

.

In general Liios was explicit about how he liked Estinien to coddle him. Touches on his face, his hair. “I like it when you lean into my pampering.”

He isn’t like this with past lovers. He tells Estinien exactly because he knows the man’s observant but also hesitant. Even now he holds onto Liios not too roughly, even when he asked, even when he begged. Afraid that he was going to hurt him.

Nidhogg scarred Estinien’s perception of himself, what he was capable of. How swiftly and absolutely his self-control could get away from him. And he didn’t say but Liios understood, that sometimes when pushed to the very edge where ecstasy and savagery blurred, Estinien was afraid he would mistake one for the other and hurt Liios.

He never pushed Estinien too far. But he did push him. They were both warriors. Riding that edge was a common joy. Liios held Estinien in the after, coming down off that high, as he shook in his arms. Kissed his hair, murmured sweet reassurances into his ear. Sometimes Estinien held him so tightly that it left bruises on Liios’s arms and hips, but he healed them before they got up for the morning.

He left the ones Estinien kissed into his skin though. Especially the ones on his neck. :)

.

They weren’t a talkative pair. When they were alone they enjoyed each other’s company in silence for the most part.

Talking would dredge up the past, after all. There weren’t a lot of joy in that part of their lives, though there was still joy. Liios had learned to articulate them. And Estinien, slowly, was responding in kind.

But they liked the present. The unspoken reassurance of the other’s company, come hells or high water. Who knows what tomorrow might bring. So they sat in the here together, doing their own things, well within each other’s sight.

.

When Estinien learned that Liios was Cid nan Garlond’s caliber of genius with machines (though his was skill born mostly of hard work and experience, not sheer talented…) he admitted — a little bemusedly — that he never figured him to be that type.

“I like making things work,” Liios had replied, as he was fine-tuning Estinien’s manacutter. “Machines are fairly simple. Even if they break you can usually replace some parts. You can go back over the process and identify problems then come up with a logical solution. Failing that you can invent your way out of it. It’s a simplicity I took refuge in when nothing else felt within my control.”

They hadn’t known each other very well back then. Sure, they knew each other intimately — this was the conversation before they flew to the Aery — and Liios was probably distracted and not paying attention to what he was saying.

But Estinien knew Liios enough to know he never let his guard down. The Warrior of Light, smiling and carefree, always had a vigilance in his eyes like he was expecting a blade in his back. For something to go wrong.

It was a gesture of trust that Liios told Estinien, even just insinuated, that things were not always in his control. That he had to seek relief in something at all. That he wasn’t unbeatable.

Liios cracking after Haurchefant’s death rattled Alphinaud and Tataru badly, but it did not rattle Estinien, because of this. He had only wished these weren’t the circumstances. But he was also relieved, that the dam actually broke for Liios even if only for a night or two. The alternative would’ve been far more damaging in the long run. Estinien would know. He had lived it.

.

Ptolemy treated Estinien like family since he heard he was a friend. He treated any friend like family, honestly. He also treated Estinien like he was a much younger man which was what prompted Estinien to ask how old he thought he was and Ptolemy said, “In your thirties?”

“And you?” Estinien asked.

“I will be ninety in a few summers.”

Silence.

“You are Liios’s twin, correct?” Estinien said. It was a stupid question; of course they were twins. Estinien had seen Liios’s face from every angle, wearing every mask and sometimes without. But just…it stupefied him.

“Younger, yes. By ten minutes, not that he will ever stop lording it over me.” Thankfully Ptolemy had realized what was wrong by then. “Oh, we Viera are exceptionally long-living compared to other spoken races. The pure-blooded can live upwards of a century and a half or two hundred.”

Oh.

.

Liios also didn’t like complex trades and such. He complained to Estinien after being nearly scalped by a merchant in Thavnair that he sometimes wished he could go live in the mountains again and barter a rabbit for some root vegetables at the farmer’s market in a nearby village.

Estinien had been thinking on and off about a cabin in the woods somewhere in Coerthas ever since. Just musings of course. Liios liked the convenience of civilization and he did too. But maybe when they could leave their adventures behind… Maybe some karakuls, and a yak…

#liiostinien #liios suvali

[rowanul-tyr]

lev wrote about their wol lysander and the background about his jobs and now im. poking at it a little bit for rowan. under a cut i suppose. (i'll do another post for bronagh and ellone bc this will be long)

rowan and his jobs

so rowan starts off as an arcanist. he'd been interested in the practice since the extended period he lived in the sharlayan colony with his parents as a child. (hilarious side note for lev, it's possible he overheard valerian talking about it) as he got older and began considering his options in life, the interest came back to the front of his mind and he eventually decided to join the guild in limsa when he struck out on his own as an adventurer. he took to it surprisingly well, and chalked it up to really retaining the information about arcanima as a kid. he hoped he might be able to find some way to use arcanima for healing, to follow his initial goal for himself.

eventually when he made it to gridania, he followed his guildmaster's advice and tried a new discipline--lances. a physical, in-your-face kind of combat to be in contrast with the magic he was learning. he was startled to find that he also took to it rather easily, and appreciated gawain (iirc thats the guildmaster's name?) giving out the advice he did. he tried his best to stick to that mostly, and (maybe unpopular opinion) but he actually really disliked folques? the guy was intentionally putting others in pretty real danger, rowan didn't like that in the least.

and then the scions and primals happen. i've tapped it before, but rowan kind of. gave up arcanima at this point. lances were more useful against the primals at first, so he kind of. stopped doing magic. he'd also just gotten into contact with y'mitra at this point, too, and becoming an allagan summoner seemed...dangerous, given his new line of work? he didn't want to make the scions doubt him at all--he liked the security being one of them and didnt want to hurt his position. minfilia didn't seem to notice anything different, and he'd eventually confide in her about it and she gave her blessing for him to pick it back up, but he doesn't really get back to arcanima until after the vault/3.0 because of....reasons.

so anyway. he's a lancer now, primarily. maybe dragoon at this point. he likes alberic well enough, and estinien actually has good intentions, so it could be worse. and rowan actually likes the acrobatics he does as a dragoon. and he gets complimented a lot on how easily he's taking to the skills, and gets some heated looks from other fellow dragoons and it's clear they dislike him for wandering in one day and being a natural. it's disconcerting, so he just. focuses really, really hard on honing his skills so he actually deserves to be that skilled.

eventually, the vault happens. end of heavensward happens. and rowan kind of...breaks down. he regrets having stopped learning arcanima. so he pours his grief into preparing to face nid-stinien and makes sure that there wouldn't be another haurchefant. he keeps beocming a summoner a secret from the scions, because that old worry kicks back in in spite of the evidence to dispute the fear of being kicked out of the scions. he needs to be useful, he needs to save people, because that's what he's done this whole time. saving people from the primal threat, saving them from nidhogg, saving them from whatever might try to destroy them. so he has to be better! he has to be the best.

and he picks up other jobs, too, because i'm going to chew on him actually being the Omni-WOL here. and he realizes now that he picks things up way too easily, and so he throws himself into really paying attention to what he is being taught, and practicing. it's both horrifying and a little bit incredible that he's suddenly so diverse when it comes to combat, both magical and physical. some discipline she likes less (the tanks) and some he likes more, but overall...it's strange. but he trains and trains and trains so he feels worthy of the knack he has. some he trains more than others, but it's all to just...be good enough to destroy whatever might try to harm those he cares about.

(in truth, the reason rowan picks things up easily is bc his azem was also an omni-wol type. venat inspired ikarós with how she had mastered several combat arts, and liked learning from the people they encountered in their duties as azem. so they learned everything they could bc they were insatiable for ways to connect with people bc they had trouble connecting with people verbally or emotionally, and that meant that rowan and others before him just had a pseudo-muscle memory of it all)

and then one day he comes across a woman who says rowan appears to be graceful, and could have the makings of a dancer. it's nothing he hasn't heard before, but when he picks up the chakrams, it's not jealousy he sees in the troupe members--it's excitement. they're all so thrilled that he's picking it up easily, and it's different from other jobs because rowan can always tell that while people have been excited he's learning from them so well, there's always something in their eyes that gives away the jealousy, the disbelief.

but anyway. rowan enjoys learning from troupe falsaim, and finds enjoyment in what he's learning there. for the first time since dragoon and summoner, really.

after he merges with ardbert, he discovers that while he'd set aside the axe for other jobs, he's feeling like he knows so much more than before. part of it is how he remembers ardbert so well, meaning ardbert's soul is still like...slightly intact? i'll write it eventually but ardbert still technically is around, just sometimes dormant. but ardbert's mastery of warrior was added to rowan's arsenal, so to speak. and he was baffled by it, at least a little.

post 5.3, rowan has come to terms with it, and he's not really bothered by how people marvel and kind of despise how quickly he picks up and masters techniques others spend their entire lives learning. he also is happy to focus more on summoning and dancing, since no one else knows those fields and he doesn't have to deal with alisaie being upset that he's "further along" than she is.

post 5.3 rowan finally tells the other scions about being a summoner. it just hadn't been ideal to say something during STB or SHB, so after 5.3 just. worked out. yshtola and graha were the most interested, both for the mechanics of it and its relation to allagan history.

so. fun thoughts. i hadnt ever considered in depth what being an omni-wol could be like so this was fun!! :D

#rowan #rowan lore #being an omni-wol is fun i think #in some ways more than others mostly

[miss-littevi]

~ Thoughts ~

She looked up to the Meteia’s Nest and thought about everything that happened afterwards. The long way through the Dead Ends, the sudden appearance of Zenos – in the form of Shinryu-, the final confrontation with the Endsinger and finally, when she was already tired, the last fight with Zenos. This long fight, at the end of creation, that seemed to never end. Later, after she had returned to the Ragnarök, her companions told her, that it took almost 10 hours until she returned. 10 hours she fought against Zenos until they both lay down on the ground.

Her thoughts circled around the memories of this fight and the time between closing her eyes there and opening them again on board the Ragnarök, while her eyes kept looking towards the nest without really seeing it.

(cont under the cut. cut because length)

The weight of a gauntlet on her shoulder, followed by the noise of plate armor hitting the ground next to her, interrupted her thoughts. She turned her head towards the noise and looked into a familiar face. It was Estinien. She just looked him in the eyes, said nothing.

“Hey.” He broke the silence.

“Hey.” Was her short answer, but it shouldn’t stay that short. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Radz-at-Han? Vrtra could use your guidance, no?”

“Vrtra ruled over this city longer than I am even alive. I am sure he can handle it a few days without me.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Yorina turned one corner of her mouth into a grin. “So, and you have nothing better to do, than a vacation trip to the end of the universe when you don’t have to babysit one of the old Dragons, hm?”

Estinien smirked. “Half of Hraesvelgr’s powers live in you since the confrontation on the Steps of Faith. Basically, you are half an old dragon yourself, so I just exchange one for another.”

“You don’t have to babysit me.” Her answer was fast and strict.

He brushed her cold tone off. “Might be true, yes. You seem lost in thoughts. Do you want to talk about it?”

He could sense, even at great distances, when she needed someone to talk to, and he gladly offered an open ear. Yorina knew that, even though she didn’t even know she needed someone to talk to right now. But if he felt like that, it was possibly true.

“Just thought about the Dead Ends, the Endsinger and my following confrontation with Zenos.”

“Did the burnings hurt again?”

“They always do. The question is just, how much they hurt. Don’t make a big deal out of it. No, that’s not it. I was thinking about the time, when I lay there. Every single fiber of my body ached, breathing was hard. But I made it. Zenos was defeated, once and for all. At least, I hope so. And while I lay there, my eyelids heavily falling down, somewhere in the distance I hear Zenos mumbling some last words about his life and how he envied me and my life. And while his words blured together, hundreds, millions of images flashed before my eyes. I saw my whole life and sometimes I ask myself: did I die there? People say, the moment before your death, your life flashes before your eyes. It felt like that. And I can’t help but wonder: Was I gone? Was it the Dynamis that brought me back? Or was I there all the time? Am I nothing but a ghost of who I once was?”

Estinien listended carefully to every word she had to say. “Do you wish you would have died there?”

She shock her head. “No, I have so many things to live for. My friends, my family. I can’t leave anyone of you behind. But… it feels like I left some part of me there. And I wonder, if I will ever get this part back.”

Estinien didn’t have an answer and Yorina spoke into the short moment of silence: “You don’t have to answer. But you wanted to know what I was thinking about. Now you know.”

He nodded. “Yes. Thank you for trusting me and telling me what’s on your mind. You know, while being one of Ishgard’s Dragoons, later the Azure Dragoon, I fought dragons, was too close to death more than once. But trying to compare it to what you have been through in those endless hours we waited for you, just doesn’t work. It isn’t comparable.”

“Maybe it’s more comparable than you think. Same thing, just on a different level. But believe me: the feeling of coldness, emptiness I felt there… I don’t wish that to anyone. Noone should have to fell that. But I’ll recover from it. Don’t worry. And please, not a single word to Aymeric.”

“As ever: not a single word. Promised” He never passed on the things she had told him in confidence. And he wouldn’t change that now or ever.

#elezen #oc: yorianna limai #InDragonsight #littevi on etheirys #ffxiv endwalker #ffxiv endwalker spoilers

[wtf-amiru]

please tell me how amiru/thancred/graha came to be i need to know

OH BOY

Explaining these three is gonna be basically explaining the whole damn thing so buckle up, lets gooo

So this game doesn't let you start as a rogue huh

Thancred's known A'miru since pre-ARR stuff, he caught her pick pocketing as and young teenager and after a fairly lengthy chase he let her go with a few coins and told it'd be bad if he caught her again. Well guess who made a habit of pissing off the one and only person who ever gave her a second chance. After a hat debacle he was tired of her shit so he dragged her to Jacke in Limsa and finally got her out of his hair...until she came back a while later for the ARR stuff. Done and dusted for those two for a while, aside from being someone she knew she could trust he was like a big brother figure to her for a long time.

A'miru was extremely cold and distant for most of ARR and probably would have stayed that way for a good long while if it hadn't been for a prank playing archer.

Wanna know how to piss off og A'miru? Pull a fucking G'raha and prank her ass in the middle of a job. But then turn around and be an innocent little baby with big dreams. G'raha was the complete opposite of A'miru at the time; full of passion and a hunger for adventure, A'miru was there because it was her job. Her crystal tower prog happened over a long period of time for me so she had plenty of time to reason away her feelings, get pissed off when oop there they are again as soon as she was back and such. G'raha bullied her into her first real love, but like in a nice way.

When he left she fully broke and that was when I started fully inhaling the game lmao so it was a rapid spiral from that into the banquet and over to Ishgard where things got real dark for a while. Without anyone around to direct her outside of poor Alphinaud she spiraled hard into alcohol and it was just a real bad time for everyone involved. There's a lot of drama that happens here with Aymeric and Estinien but that's for another time.

She finally finds Thancred out camping and once he's back it's not long before he knows something is up with her. She's not sleeping, not eating right, drinks all the time, is never home; it's a bad time and she has to admit she might have a problem. Thancred becomes captain of the keep a'miru clean squad followed up closely by Estinien, who has, on several occasions, literally thrown her back in the house (he's the mean dad).

After that and getting clean she kinda threw herself at the liberation in a way that was probably not very healthy either? With little regard for her own well-being. And then the scions started getting called away and BOY OH BOY was she starting to panic bc oh no not again.

You cannot tell me A'miru wouldn't have recognized that voice calling her, you just can't. We didn't hear him talk during the crystal tower quests but he still is talking in game, by that last time she had to have been absolutely sure that was his voice. Exactly none of it made sense though but after all the bullshit with Ishgard and the liberation I think she was ready to just fucking bulldoze through to figure it out and BOY OH BOY was that ever a wild ride.

yadda yadda she got her cat back and inflicted more chaos than usual with him back much to everyone's dismay.

It took her coming back from Elpis and G'raha straight up asking her if she had feelings for Thancred for her to realize that yeah, she probably (read: definitely) did and hadn't recognized them bc they were so different than her feelings for G'raha. There's a whole paragraph in the fic relating to this where G'raha straight up put money on her having feelings for Thancred bc he's a very attentive boy and A'miru maybe gets a little caught up in her job sometimes lol They're kinda just figuring shit out together

Anyways these are my children and I love them very much haha

#a'miru #thancred surprisingly took a lot of talking to before he signed on #baby boy gets a little caught up in his head sometimes

[elfyourmother]

For the ask meme: 8 for Gisele & Haurche, 15 for Gisele & Thancred

8. What are their most prominent memories of each other?

This is a really tough call because they each factor so heavily in each other’s memories, big ones and small, but if I had to narrow it down to just one:

For Haurche, it’s probably still Gisele standing in that audience he granted her in his office, the night she fled there after escaping the Bloody Banquet in Ul’dah. The woman he had come to see as so vivacious and charming and clever was such a hollow shell of herself, disheveled and in shock--her gown was torn and still covered in Raubahn’s blood, from when Ilberd took his arm. Her voice, normally so vibrant and self-assured, was trembling, and her eyes were deathly haunted. It took everything in Haurchefant not to crush her in his arms the moment she walked in that way. (That came later.)

The reason it stands out so strongly in his memory is because it was such a turning point for them. Until then, he had been infatuated with her, and knew that he had feelings for her; the way he reacted when he’d heard she ran off to fight Shiva and his first instinct to go flying after her required him being held back by like 6 grown knights after all. But seeing her that way that night, so vulnerable and hurt and traumatized, was the precise moment he realized he wanted to protect her for the rest of their lives.

For Gisele, it was seeing him descend upon the Steps of Faith with Ysayle, when she was frantically trying to pull Nidhogg’s Eye from Estinien’s corrupted armor. She was in so much excruciating pain because the Eye was burning not just her hands but her whole body, essentially revolting against being pried out, and she was growing so weak and unable to carry on...and then she looks up and the clouds literally part and in the suddenly blazing sunshine she sees Haurchefant on Vidofnir’s back. It’s the sort of thing bards sing about when recounting legends of heroes (Far, far into the future when these lot are made saints, that’s the iconic image of Saint Haurchefant in stained glass.). If Gisele closes her eyes she can still feel how warm and strong he was with his arms wrapped around her, lending her his strength--such that it was, with his injury. But it was enough to save Estinien. 

So many times when Gisele was in trouble, Haurche was there to save her, almost from the very beginning of knowing each other--like in battle against the false Inquisitor at Witchdrop, or that time he came charging up the hill to rescue her and Emm from the Vanu Vanu. But this one stands out the most to her. He has rarely left her side since, only when it’s a low spoon day and he just Can’t.

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

Oh definitely; Thancred doesn’t see himself as a hero at all, rather someone who gets things done, by necessity. But Gisele sees him as every bit the knight in shining armor that Haurchefant and Aymeric are, and despairs that sometimes Thancred seems to define himself only by his perceived failures. She wishes more than anything that he could see himself through her eyes. He’s been her protector as much as Haurche has, and for longer even--doesn’t mean any less that he didn’t take an archaic Halonic oath to do so.

Meanwhile so much of Gisele’s identity after she gets her memory back is wrapped up in grandiose notions of fate and her chronic hero syndrome that post 6.0 she actually sinks into depression, because what happens to the world’s savior when it doesn’t need saving anymore? Her entire life, going back to when Irving told her she had the potential to be the greatest Circle Mage in a generation, she’s largely been valued for what she does, and not who she is as a person outside of The Sorceress(tm). She couldn’t help but internalize that to a degree, it was probably inevitable.

But for all her accomplishments and fancy titles, for all of the remarkable things he’s seen her do, Thancred has never especially seen her as The Warrior of Light. That’s not to say that he diminishes those other things, far from it--he admires her greatly, the basis of his love for her is a truly profound respect--but he’s known her longer than anyone in Eorzea, and to him she’s still just Gisele, that pretty Elezen adventurer he found near the Sultantree, with the sweet smile and the sharp wit. And he’s determined to keep reminding her of that, that her worth is not in how many times she’s saved the world. But just for being herself.

#gisele surana #lord baestone #thancred tag #otp: silver dove #otp: desert heat #oc memes #ship memes #askbox memes #mirateski #ask bisho