Ice to Fire, equals Fate
I admit, I just... liked Senri too much to leave him on a sad note.
Hope you'll enjoy :3
G'raha Tia prided himself on being observant – even if he didn't really have much experience interacting with his peers. Not by choice, but his freaky eyes and reputation around the Old Sharlayan… Yeah, they signed his fate long before he grew big enough to understand why the students and professors seemed uncomfortable around him.
He was twenty-four when he arrived in Eorzea, beyond excited at the mystery of the Crystal Tower – glad to finally put his fascination with Allagan Empire to use. Even if the engineers around their camp on the edge of Mor Dhona quickly caught on to the scholars' attitude and weren't shy with expressing their disdain for G'raha's 'eccentric' behavior. With years of experience in that, he hid his hurt behind the usual mask of rash, dramatic attitude – focusing on his studies of the ancient tomes to further their goals instead of paying attention to others.
That is until the Warrior of Light arrived.
At first, watching the unusually tall Seeker through the thick foliage in Urth's Gift, he seemed… almost unreal. Extremely handsome, with inky-black hair and almost too-bright icy blue eyes surrounded by the thick veil of long, jet-black lashes, he carried himself with an air of confidence that brought in G'raha's head the thoughts of the heroes of legends he was so fond of reading. Later, watching him fight the Ixal with the grace of the lethal dancer, swinging his sword and bashing the unfortunate bird-people with his shield – only solidified that idea.
Maybe that was what led him to make a fool of himself, jumping off from that scaffolding and pretending more confidence than he ever really felt. But the sparks of amusement in those icy eyes and the kind of goofy grin he was welcomed with somehow made it… worth it.
T'senri Tia, the Warrior of Light, seemed like many, many things – yet he didn't seem disturbed by his eyes or 'eccentricities'.
He spent the rest of the day stumbling around the camp and pestering the natives of Eorzea for anything he could learn of their Champion – involuntarily instantly fascinated with the man.
Which was strange, really. He never before found himself interested in another male – so he put his… interest up to his fascination with the idea of the Warrior. He was an alive example of the heroes he only ever read about, after all!
But as the reluctant engineers spun the stories of his great many deeds and feats of bravery, for some reason he grew bothered that no one seemed to know… more than the man's title and bound to it fame. And as his inborn curiosity wouldn't leave him alone, he decided to go to the source – and break through his uncertainty to ask the man himself.
What could it hurt, really?
Or so he thought until in the late evening he finally dared to leave his tent to look for the Warrior – quickly finding him sitting by one of the campfires with his sword in hand – but before he approached him, the sight of the expression in the icy-blue eyes made him hesitate.
G'raha once as a kit – maybe ten at most then – stumbled upon a hurt nagxian kitten while traversing the corners of the Tranquility. He knew then that the Students who took care of him, didn't tolerate pets around their compound, but anyway he carefully stuffed the kitten under his shirt and sneaked him inside his room. He nursed him back to health, learning everything he could about his needs from the books and sneaking behind the Students' backs. Not that it was difficult, as unsure as they seemingly were what to do with the Seekers' kit they were saddled with, they left him alone – caring only about his basic needs and not much else.
Once the kitten, Azem, as he named him – from the patron goddess he read that his people worshipped – grew to his full size, G'raha reluctantly released him back into the Tranquility – making sure to visit him and when he could bring along snacks. For years, whenever the weather allowed, he would study his books in his corner of the park, and more often than not, Azem would find him, curl in his lap and graciously accept the tribute in form of his favorite snacks, then allow him to pet his soft fur as he read, falling asleep with near-deafening purrs.
G'raha was an adult by then, his endless loneliness soothed by friendship with Krile, but one day when he arrived at his spot and settled against the tree and his feline friend didn't show up, or any of the following days… he cried like a kit. He didn't know what happened, but the certainty that his best friend was gone broke his heart.
And now, the distinctive hint of hurt in the icy-blue eyes of the Warrior as he stared with unseeing eyes at the flaring flames in front of him… brought back the image of Azem, on the day he found him and that made his heart ache. Also made him certain that there was more behind the easy-going attitude of the Champion that he showed to the world. And despite his uncertainty and inexperience in dealing with his peers… and the hesitation to dare to approach someone so… perfect, it made him determined to become his friend.
And it sort of… quickly blew up in his face.
G'raha chuckled, putting one hand under his head as the fingers of the other ran fondly through the incredibly soft strands of the inky-black hair of the Warrior as the man napped with his head resting against his chest and his muscular arm coiled possessively around G'raha's waist.
After that talk they shared the first night at the campfire, it was beyond heady to from the next day have the famed hero follow him around the camp nearly like… a lost kit. G'raha quickly learned that the Warrior despite the mask he showed to the world was an extremely intelligent man, with an endless craving for knowledge and a snarky sense of humor that made G'raha snort inelegantly at the worst possible times. They quickly became inseparable, younger Seeker swallowing his lectures about the long-dead empire with bright, fascinated eyes – to later lure him into playing pranks on the scholars and the engineers who made a mistake of earning the Warrior's ire – suspiciously often by making snide remarks of the hero's new friend.
And as their expedition got stuck – a massive gate they had no idea how to open after the Warrior cleared the labyrinth guarding the base of the Tower – the lull of the lazy days as the man would accompany him while he searched the tomes for a way to open the gate and the nights spend sharing stories and anecdotes from their lives… somehow soon turned into exchanging heated kisses and bells spend making out.
They were both beyond unsure at first, awkwardly dancing around each other as the tension between them grew. To his surprise, with growing frequency, he caught himself watching the curve of the Warrior's pretty lips with more interest than the tomes he should be studying. Sometimes T'senri would catch his gaze and look away hastily with such a beautiful blush on his pale skin it sent G'raha's heart aflutter.
Finally, one night he broke and openly asked the younger Seeker if he wanted G'raha to kiss him. And judging by his expression – the mix of uncertainty and curiosity, with no small amount of terror – he almost gave the brave Warrior a stroke with that question. He escaped his tent quickly and avoided him for days after that, finding excuses to never stay with him alone again. Until G'raha grew fed up with that, and… truly scared that he ruined their friendship with his senseless inquiry. He cornered the Warrior one night in his tent, intending to apologize and beg him to forgive and forget his slip of sanity – only to have the man blow his mind with an awkward, uncertain kiss.
Only later… much, much later after drowning in his addictive favor and intoxicating tiny noises T'senri would utter as he devoured his mouth, pushing him down atop his bedroll and climbing into his lap as he fisted his hands in the almost too-soft inky-black hair, tilting his head for easier access… Only when they broke apart, panting harshly and his Warrior was again blushing beautifully as he finally shared with him the reason behind the hurt in his icy-blue eyes that first day they met. And once G'raha got over the shock of his own desire… quickly going back to his new, favorite pastime and blowing both of their minds with the addictive kisses… he couldn't help but be grateful to the unfamiliar Scion that was stupid enough to let go of this perfect man feelings.
"I can almost hear you thinking, Raha," his Warrior chuckled, the lovely sound disturbed by a wide yawn as he soon shifted and moved on top of him, purring loudly as he nuzzled against his throat affectionately. "What's on your mind?"
"Just how lucky I am," he said with humor, wrapping his arms around his lover's wide shoulders and stifling an embarrassing mewl of bliss while he nipped delicately along the line of the tattoo on his throat.
"That's my line," Senri snarked and G'raha grinned involuntarily, then simply pulled his Warrior in a kiss, and while their blissed-out purrs mixed on their tongues, setting his blood aflame… he thanked all the possible gods for his luck.
"You… c-can't, please, Raha…" T'senri didn't care at this point that his voice was shaking and he was begging, while his eyes filled with tears. Because the hard glint of determination in the now crimson eyes already told him that it was useless.
He could face monsters, Primals, and whatever else fate tossed at him… He could take the responsibility for his failures and mistakes… But faced with the loss of the only man he ever loved and would ever love… turned the brave Warrior of Light into a terrified kit as his heart stuttered unevenly inside his chest.
"I have to, Senri," uncaring of Cid and the others gathered around them at the gate, Raha wrapped his hands around his cheeks and pulled him down until their foreheads met, closing his eyes when T'senri returned the tender gesture with a choked whimper. "I'm the only one left who can do t-this… and Tower needs the Keeper, love. And if I would shake off this responsibility… how could I ever deserve you, my Warrior?"
At some level… he knew this was coming. Not because he had any idea of the 'wish of the ancients' Raha mentioned when they met him at the gate… but because all of this… was just too good to be true. And wasn't that just… his luck?
His destiny seemed to be the endless strife, so of course, the moment he fell madly in love with Raha – the only person who really knew and understood him, accepted and loved him – he signed his fate. As uncaring of their audience, he wrapped his arms around his lover and buried his face against his throat, trying to choke down his sobs as he committed his wonderful cinnamon-almond scent to his memory.
"I love you, you selfless idiot," he whimpered, closing his eyes as the tears spilled.
"I love you too, Snark," Raha chuckled wetly, clinging to him for dear life. Then he sighed softly and pulled back reluctantly, his face as wet as T'senri's when he put his hand against his cheek once he straightened. "Do something for me, Senri?"
"Anything," he whispered, again resting his forehead against his and closing his eyes.
"Be… happy. Once I wake up… Whenever it might be, love… Promise me you won't close yourself off. You have so much to offer to the world, Senri… as you, not as the Warrior. As much as it hurts now… Someday…" he trailed off, then took a deep, steadying breath. "Someday… you'll move on. Promise me?"
"For you… anything," he said softly, fully aware he was lying. But as hard as it already was, for both of them… Raha didn't deserve this… All their plans and hopes, his lover's dreams… gone to dust for the hopes of the ancients. Because he was simply too good and selfless to reach for what he wanted, no matter how much it hurt both of them. And when he finally opened his eyes, he saw in his love's trembling smile that he knew he was lying… but there was nothing they could do about it.
He was the Warrior of Light, so greatly needed all around Eorzea. And his lover was the last living representative of lost Allagan royalty. If it wasn't the cruelest joke of his fate – to let them meet and fall in love… just to break them apart like this – he didn't know how else to call it.
"Sleep well, my prince," he whispered, not even bothering anymore to stop his tears as his heart broke and his soul withered.
Raha pulled back without a word – the same heartbreak in the depths of his crimson irises – then said his goodbyes to the rest of their friends, their eyes suspiciously shiny and voices thick. T'senri didn't care – fighting to stay still and not curse their fate, toss his lover over his shoulder and carry him off from this Twelve-forsaken Tower… rendering his bravery and selfless sacrifice meaningless.
Even after he watched in a numb stupor as his love walked off inside the Tower and the massive gate slowly drifted close behind him – their gazes meeting one last time when Raha looked back over his shoulder, his eyes as teary – did he fought not to move a muscle.
As his friends whispered their regrets and assurances that they'll strive to further their achievements until it was safe to reopen the Allagan structure – he didn't move or looked away from the massive gate.
Only after they left him to his grief, did he close his eyes and tilted his head back… and the corridors of the ancient labyrinth echoed with his mournful howl.
Crystal Exarch – the name he carried for almost a century now – let his lips tilt into a polite, gentle smile when the Warrior of Light rejoined him inside the Ocular after he sent him on the tour around the Crystarium.
Even as his heart ached to see the uncharacteristically fake grin on the handsome face of the love of his life… he had a role to play in this farce.
Earlier, at Excedra, when his Warrior with such a wistful smile looked up at the Tower and almost… shyly asked him if he found 'someone' inside it when he summoned the structure – he almost broke down. But if it saved his life… No matter how much his heart broke at the sight of Senri's expression when he denied it – he couldn't endanger his plans by slipping in his act.
The outcome was simply… too important. Not only for the Source and the First – but for him as well. If his sacrifice could stop the fate waiting for his Warrior… he couldn't mind. He simply couldn't – as no matter how many years of his lonely vigil passed… no matter the hardships and suffering he had to face… His love for his Warrior never waned, never faded – his man's bravery and determination to save others as always served as his guiding star. And beyond that… his Senri deserved better than to have the flame of his bright, caring soul quenched by his unfair destiny.
And if at the end of this play, his disguise could spare his Warrior's feelings…
His train of thoughts was cut short when the icy-blue eyes narrowed at him dangerously and handsome – if slightly too sharp – features pulled into a scowl as the Warrior strode up to him with a confident, determined step. Exarch instinctively backed away, crimson eyes under the glamour, and the cowl widened impossibly and his jaw dropped when his back hit the surface of the crystalline mirror behind him.
"Now, that we're alone and far from the prying eyes, " the Warrior drawled through his teeth, bracing his hands around the Exarch's shoulders and leaning in from his impressive height. "You'll tell me why are you trying to hide from me, Raha."
"W-Wha…" G'raha stammered, then swallowed thickly as this close, Senri's maddening scent filled his sensitive nose. Just like his never-fading memory, the strongly unfitting of such a masculine man scent - eerily reminding him of fresh apples - had his mouth water instantly. He closed his eyes, struggling to regain his composure as he involuntarily took a deep breath and almost expired as that delicious smell filled his lungs. "I have… no idea what are t-talking about, Warrior."
"Azeyma, but you always sucked at lying, Raha," his Warrior snarked and G'raha's stupid heart stuttered nervously – even as his mind raced, trying to come up with something… anything that could… fix this problem. Uselessly, really, because… "You honestly believe I would ever forget your scent?" Senri whispered and G'raha gasped when he pulled the edge of his cowl back slightly and buried his nose against his crystallized throat, taking a deep, shaky breath. "G-gods… I missed you."
He almost whimpered when much taller Seeker wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in a tight, possessive embrace, purring loudly and oh, sooo happily as he nuzzled against his jaw, right above the edge of crystallization.
"I'm sure you have some important reason for this… masquerade," his Warrior chuckled wetly, tightening his arms around him almost painfully. "But… I'm so happy you're back, Raha."
G'raha sighed with resignation, letting his forehead rest against Senri's collarbone as his arms almost… involuntarily wrapped tightly around his waist.
"I missed you too… Snark," he whispered, and despite his uncertainty and the snag, this put in his plans… When his Warrior laughed with delight at his old nickname, he could only tighten his arms around him possessively and let himself drown in his heat, uttering a barely audible, relieved sigh.
Alisaie was about to knock on the door of her best friend's bedroom, intending to ask Senri if he wished to join her and Alphinaud for breakfast when the muffled voices coming from inside had her still mid-move, frowning with confusion.
"Get back here, already!" her best friend sounded at least… irritated.
"Don't be ridiculous, Snark," the voice of the newest official member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn followed, sounding no less annoyed than her friend's. She almost grinned involuntarily, still amused at the fact that it was G'raha from whom Senri picked up the habit of addressing her and their friends by carefully picked nicknames – even if some found them beyond childish. After the Warrior brought back newly rejoined with his old body Seeker – after a strangely long time it took him to get to the Tower from the Rising Stones and back – despite how he dashed from Dawn's Respite… The two Seekers were pretty much inseparable, seemingly making up for the years they spend apart that put a pause on their friendship. She would maybe mind it – G'raha stealing all the attention of her best friend – if Senri didn't look so deliriously happy to have him back. And not that she could blame him – after the scare the 'Exarch' gave them on the First… "You can just get up, you beast."
Alisaie blinked, her frown deepened as she dropped her arm to her side. Huh?
"Don't be like that," her best friend almost whined, then a strange, loud thud followed, ending with G'raha's muffled squeak of protest… to turn into a deep, breathy groan. "That's better, my prince."
"You're… insatiable…" the newest Scion laughed shakily, which quickly dropped into another sound… that had Alisaie flush up to her hairline and back away from the door with a quiet gasp.
"So, did you ask?" she almost jumped at the sudden voice of her twin behind her, then twirled around and marched past him, glaring at the floor to cover her dark blush.
"He's… busy," she murmured, hoping he doesn't ask… with what.
"Oh, a shame," Alphinaud said calmly, soon falling in step with her. "Are you okay, Alisaie? You seem… flushed. Do you maybe have a fever?"
"I'm fine!" she almost squeaked, then cleared her throat awkwardly and looked straight ahead, trying to fight off her blush.
But this, as embarrassing as it was… explained so much! Oh... She stopped suddenly, narrowing her eyes at the door leading to the common area of the Rising Stones. Did that mean that G'raha was the 'asshole' she swore to have some words with before all this… adventure on a different Reflection started…?
A sharp, maybe a slightly mean smirk tilted her lips as she resumed her movement and headed for the door, with her confused twin in tow.
She couldn't wait to make the usually stoic new Scion squirm!
Mindful of the thin walls in the compound and his lover's sensibilities, T'senri carefully wrapped his hand over Raha's mouth once he turned into a whimpering, writhing mess under him, clawing desperately at the crumbled sheet on his bed while the Warrior took his sweet time driving him completely out of his mind.
He could only blame himself, he reasoned, hiding his smirk against Raha's neck, then biting down with a possessive snarl when his own whimpers threatened to tear out from his throat. As determined as he seemed to keep their real relationship a secret, his lover should have known better than trying to sneak out from his bed without a 'proper' payment for his… silence. As amusing as he found sneaking behind his friends' backs… he didn't really mind if they find out about them. As insecure as he used to be with his sexuality – as ashamed… Getting the love of his life back shook him out of that quickly.
If his Raha wasn't so adorably determined to prove himself by his own skill as the new Scion – before their friends and everyone else dare think he was recruited just because of his relationship with him… Azeyma, but his lover was just too cute for his own good sometimes!
"I love you," he rasped against his shoulder, then choked down a breathy whimper when his lover's tail coiled almost painfully around his waist, and Raha mewled breathlessly under his palm when he bit him again to stifle his noises, then redoubled his rhythm, making sure to hit right onto the spot that so very quickly had his lover spill with choked whines and mindless gasps, that sent T'senri's heart aflutter. Once his beautiful Raha sagged under him with a groan, shuddering violently in aftershocks, T'senri chuckled, completely out of breath, then let go of his mouth to brace his arms against the edge of the mattress around his lover's hips, the with near-brutal thrusts set off for his own bliss. He wasn't even surprised when before he came, Raha was whimpering and gasping again, now biting on the sheet to muffle his noises as he fisted his hands in the sheets until his knuckles went white.
Before long they sagged against the edge of the mattress into a messy, blissed-out heap, and T'senri nuzzled against his lover's neck with near-deafening, vibrating purrs and spreading affectionate little bites across his shoulders. His ears twitched with pleasure at Raha's loud, sated purrs in turn and he couldn't help but wrap around him possessively, thanking all the possible gods for letting him have him again in his life.
"I love you too, Snark," his lover sighed with bliss, moving his hand back to delicately scratch at the back of his ear, then chuckled when it only worked to make T'senri's purrs sooo much louder. "Now… am I allowed to leave, my Warrior?"
He instantly coiled around him even tighter - squeezing a quiet gasp from his lover, whining petulantly and hiding his goofy grin in soft, red hair at the back of Raha's neck.
"I thought so," his lover sighed with exaggerated resignation, then chuckled fondly. "Okay, five more minutes…"
"Ten," he demanded immediately, nipping on his shoulder delicately.
"Five," Raha replied, judging by his voice surely rolling his eyes at this point.
"Teeeen, T'senri drawled, making sure his next bite was sharper and grinning again as a noticeable shudder ran through his lover, and his red tail tightened around his waist ever-so-slightly.
"Okay, okay… ten," he finally gave in, with another exaggerated sigh, but seemed utterly content when T'senri pulled him back against him, and when he leaned back against his chest, he could see the tiny grin tilting Raha's plush lips. When he tilted his head and crimson eyes peered at him through the dark-red lashes, sparks of love and amusement in their depths had T'senri grinning like a fool, until his cheeks ached from it.
Everything they went through to get here – his lover safe and happy in the circle of his arms – was more than worth it, he thought, melting under that gaze.
And whatever awaits them in now uncertain future, they'll face together – as they were always meant to – fate be damned.