"Were you ever in love, Senri?" Alisaie asked easily her best friend, with curiosity leaning toward him over the table between them inside the common area of the Rising Stones. As the conflict with the Garlemald Empire heated up, the rare moments of serenity like this, as they relaxed inside their base, came few and far between, and maybe because of that felt so much more… precious.
A slight shadow passed over the usually cheery expression of the handsome face of the Seeker of the Sun, his ice-blue eyes darkened for a fraction of a second and that made her blink with surprise. She honestly expected him to laugh at her inquiry, all of their friends more than aware that the Seeker seemed… above such notions despite his easy-going attitude.
T'senri Tia was brave, fun to be around, and snarked near-constantly, driving some of their friends to either laugh or grind their teeth – his goofy grins inviting others in on the joke, even if they didn't want to. He was a big brother she always wanted, even if sometimes he got slightly… overprotective. Or maybe… because of that, if she was inclined to admit that.
"Once," he whispered softly, dropping his almost too-bright eyes to his hands folded around his cup, then rising it to sip on his coffee carefully. "But… it ended badly," he said with a sigh, setting the cup down again, but not looking up, as his longish, inky-black hair surrounded his face and his expressive ears lowered slightly against his head.
"Oh?" she hummed, clearing her throat a bit awkwardly as she sat back in her chair and watched him carefully. It felt… like she involuntarily stumbled upon a touchy subject, and maybe it would be better if she left it well alone… "What happened?"
"He left me… for the future," her friend whispered cryptically, and old hurt rang in his low, deep voice, making her smile wobble as her heart stuttered. Then he cleared his throat awkwardly and looked up with a slightly… stiff grin, even as his bright, vertically slit eyes cooled to shards of ice. "It's an old story, Ali…"
On impulse ignoring his clear deflection, before he could back away behind his usual, easy-going mask, her hand shot up across the table and wrapped around his - a much bigger one and rough from years of sword-wielding - squeezing delicately.
"Then he didn't deserve you," she said with confidence, catching his stunned gaze as she didn't care that he never before mentioned his preferences, her only worry in such… obvious glint of heartbreak in his blue eyes. Then she grinned crookedly and lifted her chin pointedly while falling back into her seat. "No one is good enough for my best friend!" she said and bit back a grin when his eyes warmed, melting some of the ice.
"Is that so?" he drawled, leaning back in his seat with his typical, goofy grin that looked a bit… strained, but she rewarded his effort with a smug smirk and a meaningful wiggle of her eyebrows as she defiantly brushed her white fringe back.
"Of course!" she scoffed, then winked at him, and pushing her seat back and raising to her feet, she sent him another, knowing smirk. "Now… ready to smash some faces in, Senri?"
"Always," he chuckled, lifting to his impressive height and smashing his closed fist into his open palm. "Lead the way, Firecracker."
Alisaie snorted a laugh at his nickname for her, then turned toward the exit and waved for him to follow, happy to see the sudden sadness gone from his expression.
Whoever was the person who broke her best friend's heart… She hoped she'll someday get a chance to give the asshole a piece of her mind! Until then… she was happy to distract him from the dark thoughts, finding a target for his boundless energy.
Alisaie Levellieur was one of the veeery few people around the Warrior of Light who was fully aware of his temper… and what spiking it could lead to.
Most of the others – even most of the Scions – let themselves get lulled into the safety of knowing their hero as a happy-go-lucky kind of man – always there to offer a helping hand with his wide, goofy grin.
Growing up in Old Sharlayan – in the shadow of her twin brother's famous genius in discourse – before arriving in Eorzea and splitting from him, Alisaie grew to have a temper of her own, hot and violent like a storm. But what Senri was capable of when provoked… was shocking, to say the least.
She found that out accidentally – as it sometimes happens – when they already grew to be quite close. Sharing a similar sense of humor and fighting through Doma and Ala Mhigo made them spend quite a bit of time together and she came to really like the Warrior. He snarked constantly, making those around him either snort a laugh or roll their eyes in annoyance – and she definitely belonged to the first group.
Senri as well gave those close to him a nickname he would use to address them and hers – Firecracker – she genuinely liked. It fit her temper and if she was being honest, the fact that for the longest time he would address her twin brother as Brat – she found too amusing. Alphinaud certainly didn't appreciate that – and that made it even sweeter.
'You know, I used to really despise him,' admitted to her Senri once with a sheepish grin. 'Hence the Brat, really. Before Ishgard… well, he was annoying the seven hells out of me – and any time Minfilia would design him as my company for whatever reason… well, trust me, he could use someone putting some pins in his overinflated ego.'
She knew… And even though her twin got much better after that… whole ordeal, and eventually both of them grew closer which changed Senri's nickname for Alphinaud to what it was now, she was quite… proud that the Warrior seemed to regard her as one of his closest friends.
They grew to be a family – the inner circle of the Scions, put together by the common goal and circumstances – but she couldn't help but see Senri as especially dear to her – not that she would admit that out loud most of the time – even if sometimes he could be quite… overbearing. Though, maybe overprotective was a better word to call it.
And extremely sensitive to unwanted advances – not necessarily directed at him.
That's how she discovered the vicious bite of his temper, really. Before whole this mess in the First happened, they went shopping once, just the two of them, in Kugane. Joking around and looking through the stalls on the market. While they both leaned over the stall with weapons and after Senri admitted sheepishly he was considering picking up the Samurai class (because it looked cool, he admitted with a slight – adorable – blush) she was trying to help him pick up fitting katana… when she suddenly felt a swat on her bottom. Honestly more shocked than offended – she twirled around to see walking off two laughing mercenaries – obviously one of them using her distraction to get a feel… and she was ready to simply roll her eyes and forget about it – if not for the absolutely animalistic snarl of her best friend as he went after those mercenaries with vengeance.
Alisaie could only watch with her mouth wide open in astonishment as he simply… dragged them into the nearest alley and tore them apart. Even without a weapon – and really, a few could hold their own against the Warrior of Light – there was not much left of them after he was done. And even though she was shocked by it, afterward she simply carefully grabbed his hand and led him toward the city's baths to wash off the… gore. And considering he didn't look remorseful at all – only fuming and cursing loudly the whole way there… in the end, she couldn't help but snort a laugh, which finally snapped him out of rage. Only once in one of the pools, he told her – shamefully and utterly subdued – of the reason why he left his tribe. Of the females – that used to be his playmates or even half-sisters – that would try to touch him against his will or even try to sneak into his bedroll and climb him when asleep and defenseless.
And he told her – shyly and almost breaking her heart with it – that he considered her a little sister, one he could feel safe with… and that seeing someone treat her like those men did – well, the outcome was quite obvious. After that, she couldn't help but truly love him for that – like an older brother she always wanted – and they only grew closer when she didn't scorn him for that… overreaction.
This eventually as well led to her hearing a story of G'raha Tia, as the only of their friends – though she honestly doubted Senri remembered telling her of that.
After they were the only two Scions left standing – right before the battle of Gimlyth Dark – at the camp of the Alliance, some soldiers talked the Warrior into joining them in a drinking competition… and predictably – with his low alcohol tolerance she already had a chance to witness more than once – she ended up supporting the stumbling Senri back to his tent. Giggling madly while he slurred apologies at her every time he almost made them fall on their faces – after all, the Warrior was usually tall and well-build for a Miqo'te – it took them a ridiculously long time to get there, but knowing of his aversion to touch of the strangers she carefully refused any offers of help.
When they finally get there and her friend tumbled into his nest – as he aptly tended to call it – she tried to carefully help him get at least his armor off to get comfortable… and got her wrist broken for her effort when he snarled at her furiously while she accidentally brushed her hand against the waistband of his pants.
Honestly more shocked than in pain, and quickly used her magic to heal the damage – because she knew he would really freak out if he realized he hurt her in his inebriated state – and… understanding, truly, that she overstepped… she was even more surprised to hear his slurred statement that he 'belonged' to someone.
Then as she kneeled by his nest, she remembered the talk they had once over breakfast at Rising Stones – when she as accidentally stumbled upon a clearly touchy subject of her best friend's love life. The hurt in ice-blue irises when he admitted to loving once, but that person leaving him – and his maybe a bit unintentional slip with his real preferences. She didn't care about that part – growing up in Old Sharlayan where it wasn't that uncommon – but in that tent… she used her best friend's state to pull his tongue about that.
It wasn't very nice of her, she knew… but after all, if they ever stumbled upon the man who broke her best friend's heart, she more than intended to have some words with the asshole!
But after hearing the slurred, stuttering story… she felt really bad about doing that – especially after learning that this… 'asshole' didn't leave her friend out of his own will, not really. And seeing in how much pain Senri was to even talk about that – even as drunk as he was at the time – she truly understood why he never talked about it before, even to her.
And she remembered hearing that name – G'raha – before, but it took her some time to place it. Only maybe a day before she passed out and found herself in the First, it came back to her out of nowhere. Sitting by the side of the training area at dawn and watching Senri practice on one of the dummies – her thoughts drifted back to that night and the fact that the next morning – hilariously hangover – he didn't seem to remember their talk… it just clicked.
She remembered hearing rumors of 'Baldesion's protégé' back in Old Sharlayan… and her father's annoyance at the fact that he couldn't overrule the other member of the Forum and get rid of troublesome Seeker. She normally wouldn't care – but hearing from clearly bemused Alphinaud about the reason behind their father's scoff with the boy – the fact that this 'G'raha' got in trouble with Forum because he actually glued one of the professor's arse to a privy… had her cackle for days and afterward she would carefully listen to any incoming gossip about the Seeker – simply hoping for something as hilarious.
Alisaie even thought that she spotted him at least once before living the city of scholars – sitting by a tree in Tranquility and seemingly consumed by lecture, with a nagxian cat in his lap – but she wasn't sure… and she honestly was in too much hurry at the time to check.
And considering that outside of the few funny rumors she heard of him after that first one… the others weren't so… pleasant, maybe that was the biggest reason that had her hesitant to approach him. But that morning, watching Senri practice… she honestly regretted that. Because what she heard of G'raha was just so… disturbing, she found it hard to comprehend that he could be the same man who seemed to completely take the Warrior of Light's heart by storm. And she wondered more than a bit curiously if Senri was aware of his… friend's history. Or if it was all just made up… but then, why?
G'raha was seemingly a few years older than her and Alphinaud but for unknown reasons a resident of Old Sharlayan since childhood – like them. That's where the similarities between them ended – according to what she heard. Some snidely theorized that the reason behind his presence under Baldesion's care was his eyes – famously one cyan and one red – but she thought it more than a bit absurd at the time. She couldn't argue that – her knowledge of the Seeker's tribes was spotty at best – but it just sounded honestly ridiculous. After all… why the Old Sharlayan out of all places...? If his tribe really considered him… a jinx, as some said, wouldn't they just send him basically anywhere else – or to be more precise, maybe even smother him at birth…? As brutal as it sounded… it made more sense that someone going through all the trouble of placing the boy in Baldesion's protection. And maybe not many truly knew of that – but she, knowing her father's influence in the Forum and his annoyance with the Seeker's occasional pranks – and the fact that even despite that the boy – man by then, really – seemed untouchable even for him, for her it spoke volumes.
Though Gulaf Baldesion mostly resided in the Isle of Val, leaving his protégé in the care of his Students – he clearly seemed quite invested in the Seeker – despite the boy's seemingly being determined to test Forum's and her father's patience.
But the less… pleasant things she heard once she grew older – both she and Alphinaud were sixteen when they left Old Sharlayan to join the Scions of the Seventh Dawn in Eorzea – had her honestly… discouraged from ever nearing the man, despite her curiosity. Because even though most would hesitate to share rumors like that with someone her age, she was nothing if not inquisitive by nature – and apparently the man 'enjoyed' not much better reputation in the city than a… whore.
Older female students would giggle and have a truly… nasty look in their eyes whenever G'raha Tia would come up in the conversations – and considering how truly small was the community of students in Old Sharlayan – he did come up often, sort of… curiosity to spice up the conversation if nothing else.
She had no idea if it was true and if not, who would spread rumors like that… Or even if the Seeker was aware of his… reputation – but now, knowing her best friend – she couldn't help but regret she was never actually brave enough to find out. She was rebellious by nature, true… but she as well loved her parents and knew her father would be truly furious if he ever found out about her interest in the boy he… dreamed of getting rid of.
And later, after arriving in Eorzea and splitting from Alphinaud and the Scions for a time at first, she was too busy and simply forgot about the whole thing. She didn't even know that he seemingly arrived in Eorzea sometime after them, and somehow ended up stumbling upon Senri – and though from her best friend's slurred, barely coherent woes that night she understood that he was quite enamored with the Seeker even five years later… She had no idea how it looked from the other side.
After all, even though the drunk off his ass Senri stubbornly insisted that 'his' Raha loved him – who knew…? Considering the man's reputation – even as confusing as it was – maybe he simply… played the Warrior?
Senri was famous around Eorzea – even back then – and even she would have to be blind and stupid not to see what had many, many females (and not only females) simply swoon when faced with the Warrior's purely male beauty. That he never truly showed a real interest in anyone – only sometimes spiking his admirers' speculations into overdrive with the way he would… joke around with Y'shtola most often – only made him that much more appealing for many… sort of like an unreachable fantasy. Alisaie happened to snicker more than once when hearing behind his back many, many girls fantasize about being 'the one' to catch the Warrior's attention – or downright fume if any of them would actually dare to try to put their dirty paws on her best friend. Knowing of his aversion – and honestly… his temper after the whole thing in Kugane – she quite quickly made her temper quite famously spiked whenever someone would dare to get too forward with Senri.
More than once that led to her dragging by the hair women who would think it a genius idea to sneak into Warrior's room – if they happened to stay at the inn – and try to wait in his bed for him to retire. The first time this happened, her stumbling upon the moron who would attempt that was an accident. Knowing Senri never minded, she developed a habit to walk into his room - when she needed to borrow something - without knocking. And considering his lack of interest in anything sexual – she never had to worry about stumbling upon something she didn't want to see. Mostly because of that, finding a naked girl in his bed was quite… a shock. Especially since all of the Scions knew of Tataru's famous frustration with Warrior's aversion to beds. Alisaie more than once witnessed sniggering Senri put out the latest bed Tataru would supply his bedroom in Rising Stones to make space for his customary nest. Traveling as much as they did together, she as well many times had an occasion to see him pile up leathers and blankets whenever going to sleep and use that.
Anyway, after cursing the girl – a waitress at the inn they stayed that night – and dragging her out of the Warrior's room, in thought thanking the Twelve that she saw her before the idiot could bite off more than she thought and it was actually Senri who found her… and it could end really bad – the bloody type of bad – she quickly went to Y'shtola for advice how to remove the girl's scent out of the room. Y'shtola, as aware of Senri's aversion to touch and Seeker as well, helped her – and soon they developed a sort of… conspiracy going.
Whenever they could – and forced to stay with Senri outside of the safety of the Rising Stones where no one would dare to be this… idiotic – one of them would distract Senri when it was time to retire while the other swiftly checked the room he was supposed to stay at. The way they saw it – considering how much and how many times the Warrior cared for them – they could at least assure his rest without the need to worry about the suicidal morons who imagined that the warm body was all it took to catch his attention. And a few times that something similar would happen outside of the bedroom – someone getting brave or stupid enough to try – she would be the one to snap or hiss at the person before anything… worse could happen. And despite being quite uncertain at first – seeing the grateful look in ice-blue irises after the first time she openly slapped the hand of the woman who at the party they were attending tried to touch him – she grew confident in her protection of him.
He was her best friend and a man she truly admired – and if he didn't like to be touched – she was more than happy to make damn sure that no one touched him.
And that – in a way – tipped her off about the strange situation with the Exarch.
By accident, true – but before she left for Ahm Areang to uselessly search for the area's Lightwarden – she saw the mysterious man in his customary cowl rest his crystalized hand on Senri's forearm almost like… without a thought – and when her best friend didn't even flinch or backed away as he would usually do if something like that happened – someone getting too familiar with him for his liking – was the first clue that had her eyebrows twitch with surprise, but she held her tongue.
But then when after the whole ordeal with Vauthry in Eulmore he decided that he has to go back to Crystarium and report the situation to Exarch despite it being late enough that the rest of them decided to settle in Eulmore for the night… and Y'shtola of all people agreed with him and quickly turned the other attention to something else while he left – made her sure that something was up. She wasn't sure what – and she was honestly offended that whatever that was, Senri would obviously clue in Y'shtola and have her cover for him instead of her – but she was determined to find out!
But hearing that name again as they settled in a booth in Beehive and he told her that the Crystal Exarch that summoned all of them here across the rift was in fact G'raha Tia – and hearing her best friend lie to her and insist the man was simply his best friend from before Senri knew her… Though it had her fume internally, she didn't let it show that she knew that the man was obviously more to her friend than that – but she swore to herself to from now on watch the 'Exarch' carefully and – considering 'those' rumors she used to hear – figure out if he was worth her best friend's… attention.
Yeah, he might have proven himself quite… skilled by running the Crystarium for more than a hundred years and all… but that was definitely different! Loving Senri as she did – she found it hard to believe that there was a person alive that was worthy of his enormous heart.
And the fact that her best friend would hide – from her! – his relationship with the man… made her even more suspicious. Because… why? The only reasonable conclusion she arrived at was that G'raha himself asked him to – and that was already a big warning sign for her. Because if the man dared to be ashamed of being someone… special for her Senri – well, he will have another thing coming, that's for sure! And if he didn't realize the gift that was – oh, but she was more than eager to teach him a proper lesson about what honor it was to have her friend consider him worthy of his feelings.
The occasion to find out for herself what exactly was going on between Senri and the Exarch presented herself quite quickly after that… revelation. To everyone's surprise, the same day after she cornered Senri in Eulmore, the Exarch decided to join them at Amity, the village near Mt. Gulg and the place of the Talon's construction. Under Warrior's warning glare toward her – she held her tongue simply observing the situation. She didn't even say a word when it was Exarch whom Senri took with him on an errand into the Dwarf's village. But when at the sunset she accidentally heard her friend ask the barkeep at Amity's tavern if she saw the man – then clearly follow the direction when hearing that someone saw him heading out of the village – she smirked and silently, trying not to get noticed by him – followed behind him – as wary as… curious.
"Here you are," T'senri grinned triumphantly, spotting the figure of his lover slumped behind the massive rock behind the Amity. Then he scowled, not receiving an answer. "…Raha?"
Still, no answer or a movement… and his heart jumped in his throat, pounding furiously as he rushed and fell to his knees by his mate – suddenly realizing why he couldn't feel him and needed to ask the barkeep in the first place – quickly pulling the unconscious Seeker against him and instantly pressing his fingers against his throat. He almost sobbed with relief when his lover flinched harshly, then murmured something barely coherent.
"…the future is where my destiny awaits…" Raha mumbled, then sighed softly and flinched again, then tilted his head. "…wha…? Snark…?"
"Oh, Azeyma, you scared me," T'senri exhaled slowly, resting his cheek against the cowled head as he pulled his lover in his lap and sagged against the rock, trying to calm his insanely pounding heart. Coiling his arms around the other Seeker almost desperately, he took deep, steadying breaths, trying to regain his composure. "What happened…? Is it because you're so far from the Tower?"
"Yeah…" his lover chuckled, then looked around carefully – judging by the movement of his head – and slowly pushed back the cowl of his robes. Done with that, he rested his head against T'senri's shoulder with a quiet, tired sigh and relaxed in his arms. "I thought… I have more time – but I really… enjoyed joining you at least for a bit," he admitted a bit sheepishly, then sighed again. "But I guess… I should go back to the city."
"Mhmm," the Warrior hummed with amusement, then delicately pressed his fingers under his lover's chin and tilted his face toward him. "But for the record… I enjoyed having you at my side as well, my heart," he whispered, placing a delicate kiss on the corner of his plush lips and more than… enjoying Raha's instant blush and obvious pleasure in his crimson eyes at the admission. Oh, his silly mate… "Even your healing spells feel… delicious, love," he purred teasingly, tenderly rubbing the tip of his nose against his lover's.
"Oh, yeah…?" a devious spark in Raha's eyes had him rock-hard instantly when those pretty, pretty lips tilted into a mischievous smirk. "I thought you like my… lightning spells better," and his tease of a mate had the gall to wiggle his dark-red eyebrows playfully when T'senri blinked… twice then flushed up to his hairline and gasped at the shameless reminder. And seeing the effect of his words… Raha grinned widely, triumphantly… just like his historian would after he got him especially flustered with his teasing back then – and Warrior's throat suddenly tightened painfully as his heart stuttered to a stop. "…Snark? Something wrong?" his lover frowned slightly, then pressed his crystalized hand against his cheek.
I love you, I love you, I love you… his heartbeat sang with elation but he cleared his throat slightly and smirked – as teasingly.
"I do enjoy all of your spells," he purred, moving his hand to his lover's calf, slowly letting it climb up his leg pulling the edge of his robes along – and when Raha didn't stop him, but his hand drifted to the back of his head and pulled him in a slow, hungry kiss… he almost literally expired, groaning quietly in delight at his lover's… unusual daring.
But what really had him whine helplessly in painful arousal, was when his mate hissed impatiently against his lips, then shifted in his lap, sitting astride his waist and fisting both of his hands in his hair almost brutally as he soon simply… devoured his mouth, swallowing his breathless whimpers. Definitely not the one to waste his lover's generously brave attitude, he eagerly and almost violently pushed his hands under his lover's robes, wrapping them around Raha's hips and mewling in bliss while his lover used that to rut against his clothed – painful – erection slowly, robbing his mind of any sane thoughts in the process.
"G-gods… Raha…" he whimpered needily when his lover broke the kiss with a growl rumbling in the back of his throat, then tilted his head roughly and trailed small, sharp bites along his jaw and down his throat, still rutting against his more than eager cock insistently. "…f-fuck… Azeyma, if I know… f-fight gets you so… riled up, I would… " he arched with a breathless whine of submission when he bit him – hard and with a choked snarl – clawing at his sides almost painfully.
"I can't… h-help it, Snark," his mate hissed, breaking his bite to nuzzle against his throat affectionately with rumbling purrs. "You look so… hot in the battle – so unbearably fierce," he chuckled breathlessly, his shaky fingers pushing between them to eagerly pull and push at his vest, opening it and pulling it off his shoulders. "If not for that… silly dwarfs…" he trailed off meaningfully, shifting in his lap and pushing his normal hand under the waistband of his pants. T'senri arched under him with a choked groan when his lover's fingers coiled around his cock, pumping up and down its length slowly while his Raha took his mouth again with a quiet snicker, biting his lips and slamming his tongue inside Warrior's mouth hungrily… and simply the fact that he – his beautiful, bashful mate – would do that, out in the open where pretty much anyone could stumble upon them – had T'senri almost come instantly, helplessly clawing at his lover's ass under the heavy material, kneading the tight muscles impatiently and whining his need under Raha's devouring kiss.
He almost expired when suddenly his lover pulled his hand back without a warning, instead fisting it in his hair roughly while the kiss grew almost violent – more of a fight for dominance than anything else – before he pulled back from it as well, panting harshly against his lips as his half-lidden fiery eyes burned with so much lust and love… T'senri's heart simply stopped, then jumped to pound even harder, making him choke on a breathless, pleading whine of his lover's name as the raw need to fuck turned into a living thing under his skin.
"M-More…" he barely managed, digging his fingers into Raha's delectable behind, pulling him closer and begging for friction – of any kind – on his aching flesh. "More, Raha… pleeease…" he purred insistently, loudly… while his lover's wonderfully tight grip on his hair stopped him from taking those pretty, bruised – delicious – lips again as he couldn't breathe or tear his eyes away from the crimson irises.
"Later," his lover chuckled breathlessly when that had him whine in protest, rolling his hips – uselessly trying to relieve the painful pressure on his cock – as his tail whipped with fury against the sandy ground. "Later, my Snark," his tease of a mate purred softly, soothingly, and changed his grip on his hair to instead pet his ear delicately while raining sweet, affectionate kisses over T'senri's face.
"Tease," he accused with a frustrated groan but enjoyed the softer ministrations waaay too much to do more than pout, glaring daggers at his lover's smirk.
"Just a small… taste, my heart," Raha's chuckled, pressing a tender, almost too-sweet kiss on his lips while running his crystalized fingers through Warrior's hair slowly, letting his raging lust settle into a much softer, gentler desire under his touch. "You'll be back for the night again… yes?" he asked softly after breaking the kiss to rest his head against his shoulder, slowly fixing his vest back in place and closing it as he spread gentle kisses on his throat.
"Only death could keep me away from you, Raha," he admitted honestly, closing his eyes with a small sigh and resting his head against the rock behind him. "You know that."
"Mhmm," his lover hummed with an agreement, then caught his mouth in another kiss – gentle and soothing – wrapping his mismatched hands around T'senri's jaw delicately. Drowning in the intoxicating mix of his taste and scent, he couldn't help but purr his bliss, finally freeing his hands from under the heavy material to cradle his lover's face as delicately.
When they ran out of air, Raha rested his forehead against his and their eyes – ice to fire – clashed, both so full of love, devotion, and happiness… T'senri's heartbeat simply sang.
"I love you," he couldn't help but repeat its chorus.
"I know," his lover chuckled fondly and T'senri grinned – as always reminded of their first…
"You're supposed to say it back," he snarked, as usual.
"Is that so…?" Raha hummed with consideration, grinning so bright….
"If you know what's good for you," a familiar voice cut in with a snarl… and they both jumped – their gaze shooting to the side and meeting the furious blue eyes of his best friend.
And… Alisaie Levellieur did not look amused. Flushed furiously, yeah… but definitely not amused.
Ohhh, now truly… busted, Ares crooned with a booming laugh.
Staring into the definitely… upset blue eyes of Alisaie, standing a mere few steps away with her arms crossed over her chest, the only thing running through G'raha's mind was a question… how much did she… see or hear, as his face grew hotter and hotter, remembering all too well his… forwardness. Frozen by shock, it took him a good second to scramble off Senri's lap with a yelp, his face completely on fire and probably as red as his eyes at least….
"I can… explain," his lover gasped, almost… white as a sheet as he jumped to his feet – his ears and tail low.
"Which part…?" she hissed with outrage, glaring daggers between them. "That you lied to me, Senri? Friend, my ass… Or that you are letting him use you?!" her blush went darker, but she raised her chin pointedly and focused her glare on him. "And you… the nerve! Who do you think you are?! Oh, I heard the rumors about you back in Old Sharlayan… but if you think I will let you…"
The cold, vicious ice slammed onto his senses and without thought, he shouted a warning at the unaware girl then pounced at his mate with an instinctive growl. Maybe realizing her… misstep in bringing that up, she backed away with a gasp – her face white as sheet suddenly at the sight of Senri's eyes… and he honestly didn't blame her – he didn't see him snap into a rage before, only the outcome – but now having the first-hand occasion to see his eyes turn like this – his pupils dilated as if he was heavily drugged, turning his ice-blue irises into tiny rings around them – and hearing the… animalistic snarl build up in the back of his throat, that sent fine hair across his body to bristle in alarm – he really, truly, finally understood what Damon meant by 'chasm' between his lover's sensitivity and temper.
Oh, the immortal hummed with consideration while he struggled to keep his mate from going after his best friend in this… state – losing miserably against the pure power in the muscles pulled taut in the need for violence. Alisaie stumbled back, her eyes wide as saucers as she fell back on her ass – clearly beyond terrified and G'raha cursed in a long, vicious string – feeling her fear make it worse – pushing his lover's inborn predatory instinct into the forefront. He's actually worse than Azem, I would say… Quick, find a way to cover his eyes, Raha, so Ares can take over.
How? He snapped back instantly. It takes my all to barely hold him back…
Well… do something? I don't think he's going to be happy if he hurts her, Damon stated the obvious in a deadpan tone.
Then, out of nowhere, he heard a snap and suddenly his arms were full of a very unconscious Warrior – almost making both of them fall over. He gasped with surprise, turning his gaze toward the sound, and saw the… extremely bored-looking Hades scowl toward him – and winced internally.
That's my boy, crooned Damon with pride… missing the obvious.
I guess… my reprieve is over, G'raha sighed, carefully pulling Senri down to the ground and gasping for air desperately as his whole body… nearly burned with exhaustion.
"He would really… go after me?" Alisaie's shaky voice had him look toward her and his heart withered at the heartbroken look on her young, pale face.
"He didn't… mean to," he said quietly, ignoring Hades's expectant look. "My… ah, past reputation is a touchy subject, Alisaie," he tried to smile reassuringly when her shell-shocked eyes drifted to him, wrapping his arms around his lover and pulling him tight against his chest. "And you really… shouldn't show fear – it makes it worse."
"I was… angry," she whispered, scrambling slowly to her feet. "He told me… you're his… friend," she made quote marks in the air in front of her. "When I knew… that's not true. He got drunk once… and told me about you… before all of this. And he never lies to me… He's my b-best friend…" blue eyes shone suspiciously as her lower lip trembled. "And yet… he lied and he would…"
Sighing internally, his thoughts raced… and finally, he gave up.
"I'm sorry," he said simply, sitting back on the ground with a sigh and pulling his lover's head in his lap. "He wouldn't lie to you… if I didn't ask him to. So… I'm sorry, Alisaie. It's my fault."
"He said… he said he loves you," she sniffed slightly, folding her arms in front of her and dropping her gaze with a dark blush – and he knew instantly that she at least… heard more than that. "And you didn't… and he deserves… b-better. And… what I heard… of you…"
Wicked white… what a mess… A hundred years later, his… reputation was still biting him in the ass.
"Listen, Alisaie…" he sighed, freeing his normal hand to rub his eyes tiredly. Distance from the Tower was really starting to drain him, but despite Hades's increasingly impatiently tapping his fingers against his arm when he crossed them over his chest… he simply couldn't leave this like this. Senri loved Alisaie – and when he comes around it'll be hard enough to… soothe his assured anguish. "I know… what kind of reputation I used to have back there. And you have no reason to believe me but it was undeserved. I… well, pissed off someone who thought it would be hilarious… to spread around. And because I wasn't well-liked… others had no problem believing any negative thing they heard – and it… stuck with me. But Senri…" he cleared his throat nervously, dropping his gaze. "…I do love him. Back then, when we met… and now… and what you h-heard is… a joke of a sort, a reminder… of the first time we exchanged… these words. And as I said – he lied to you, because I asked him not to tell others… not yet… about us."
"…why?" she said slowly, and when he dared to look up her eyes were clear – but her expression was clearly guarded. "You're… ashamed of being with him?" she narrowed her eyes in a warning, challenging him to confirm that.
"Never," he replied simply, shaking his head slightly, then sighed, feeling a treacherous blush spill on his face. "I simply… Well, once you're done here, and the vessels to carry up back home are ready… I'm… going back with you… with him," he admitted, holding her surprised gaze despite his darkening blush. "But… I wanted you – all of you – to… Well, I wanted to prove m-myself before… you know we're t-together," he admitted with a sheepish smile.
Alisaie stared at him for a long moment, visibly working her jaw, then sighed deeply, dropping her arms to her sides.
"That's… stupidest thing I've ever heard," she rolled her eyes slightly, then when he gasped with indignation she tossed him a deadpan stare. "You what… ruled the city for a century under a constant threat, not to mention we've all seen you fight at this point – and none can deny you're extremely skilled. None of us, anyway. The public, I can… somewhat understand, I guess. But us…" she scoffed, resting her hands on her hips. "We're his family," she raised her chin pointedly. "The only thing you have to… prove to us – is that you love him, and hiding like this… is definitely not a way to do that," she scowled darkly. "We don't care about skills or reputation… but any of us would ley their life for him and to see him… happy. As happy as he… sounded before I… barged in," she admitted sheepishly with another blush. "And for that… I'm sorry, as well as for making… assumptions. And… thank you for… holding him back. I do… know his temper, and if I wasn't so upset – I wouldn't… freak out like that," she sighed, dropping her gaze to his lover, then she grimaced. "He's going to be… really upset when he comes around."
G'raha nodded slowly, tightening his arms around Senri's chest.
"Well… shit," she sighed softly, then looked at him again. "Can you… make it better?" she asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes slightly and then quickly looking away. "I suck… with this. I do, but I don't want him to think… that I hate him… or something. Or that I'm… scared of him," she admitted, with a quick look toward his lover again. "I saw him like… this before. Just never expected… I'll be on the receiving end of that… look."
More than a look, he sighed internally. And they both knew that, judging by the expression in her eyes.
It's fascinating, hummed Damon with consideration in the back of his head. Honestly, I thought he was like Ares… when my husband would go… cold. But there's definitely something more to that… than that. Leftover of Esteem… maybe? Ares said he broke and consumed it – but it's not exactly the same as saying he completely… get rid of it…
Not a good moment for a scholarly discussion, Damon, he hissed, almost rolling his eyes.
But it makes sense, doesn't it…? You saw his eyes, Raha… He would tear her apart, we both know that. Even she knows that. And Ares did tell me that when Esteem took over, its first and last thought was to go after Scions, the immortal said slowly, with obvious fascination.
That doesn't fit, though… he replied automatically. Sienna was before…
Esteem was a manifestation of what was already there, Raha, Damon whispered carefully. The soulstone simply gave a form to what was already there – the vicious rage incarnate in his case. Now… I'm DYING to ask Ares when this exactly started… Clearly, before he met you – but what would…
G'raha blinked slowly, paling considerably as the answer seemed… all too obvious.
Ah, you think? Damon hummed with consideration. Possible.
"Alisaie," he said out loud, then swallowed thickly when she looked at him with surprise. "Do you know… when exactly this started? That he would snap like… this?" sifting through Senri's memories, he didn't see it – so maybe… he wasn't fully aware when this happened.
She blinked, then frowned with confusion, folding her arms over her chest.
"Well…" she shifted a bit uncomfortably. "I didn't ask, obviously… but I had a pretty good guess – I think – that it had something to do… with Waking Sands. He barely talks about it… but one time, he told me that he felt like something inside him… twisted and died along with his friends that day," she whispered, dropping her gaze.
Something did… obviously. Senri told him that once too – when he and Cid barely managed to stop the Warrior from tearing into Nero. It took two of them to hold Senri back when the Garlean showed up out of nowhere – and Nero swearing that he had nothing to do with that – that the attack on Scions headquarters was purely Livia's idea. And for him – when G'raha asked him to leave the man be – Senri relented, but never before or after did he see the all-consuming hatred in his lover's eyes as when Nero as much as opened his mouth.
Only after the Garlean almost paid with his life for trying to save Unei and Doga, did that hatred lessen, and from his lecture and Senri's memories he knew that his mate eventually developed begrudging respect toward the man – but clearly, that attack on Scions had lasting effects on his lover.
Mhmmm, Damon hummed with an agreement. With Ares's temper and his own natural protective instincts, something like that would… Oh… g-gods, Raha…
Huh? He frowned hearing something almost like… fear in Damon's voice. But it couldn't be… right?
I just think… Well, we better… pray, that one day, if he snaps like this again – he doesn't suddenly remember his access to Ares's gift, the immortal replied quietly… and yeah, it could – because now he clearly sounded beyond terrified at the idea. And that had G'raha sweat instantly. Because if he does… there won't be stopping him – not for anyone.
He swallowed audibly, feeling his throat tighten painfully and his heart jump in his throat at the prospect.
"I'll… take him back to Crystarium for the night," he said slowly toward Alisaie with a slight nod. "Please… don't mention this….event to anyone? I swear, I'll take care of him… and come clean about our relationship to the others," he said with a dark blush. "You are right, I shouldn't ask Senri… to lie to his family," he admitted softly and almost sighed with relief when her gaze softened considerably. Clearly, she was simply worried if his… intentions toward her best friend were true and honest. And his stupid… insecurity lead to this… rift. And she was beyond right – like Damon last night – Senri did deserve better. "If you find it yourself to give me another chance… I swear to do better by him," he promised softly.
"That's all…" she shifted uncomfortably again, then exhaled slowly and dropped her arms to her sides. "That's all I wanted to hear," she admitted with a blush and looked away from him. "Senri is… like a brother I always wanted. I don't care… if you're a man or a woman or whatever, but… he d-deserves to be loved… without silly reservations like that. And I'm still… going to punch you for breaking his heart," she cleared her throat slightly, tossing him a narrowed look. "I get all that… stuff with the Tower now, but I promised… so… just so you know," she raised her chin pointedly.
"I'll take it," he agreed with a slight smile and she nodded fiercely, then turned around and headed back toward Amity.
"Oh, and you guys… will tell me why you have that Ascian show up like… that," she added with a glare over her shoulder and he simply nodded weakly, earning her smirk.
Scions of the Seventh Dawn… were really something else…
G'raha sighed, then turned his gaze toward still waiting for him Hades – though none would dare to call the man's expression anything less than impatient now, as his too-bright golden eyes watched Alisaie's back with a dark scowl.
"I'm ready," G'raha said softly, trying not to sound… resentful. He was grateful that the Ascian stopped Senri from doing something he would definitely regret – but at the same time… they had a deal. And Hades's swift intervention meant that he was still… watching him. As he did… constantly. Which prompted him in the first place to take a sort of… free day to join his mate in his efforts at least for a few bells. And he really... had fun. And loved the idea that he was actually… helpful. And it made him kind of… even more impatient to finish the vessels. So he could be with his Senri like this… more.
"Finally," the immortal grumbled with annoyance, then put his fingers into a snap. "Your room, I take it?"
"Yes, thank you, Hades," he nodded, smiling with uncertainty. Damon's son truly… baffled him.
Told you… separation anxiety, Damon chuckled fondly, then sighed. Give him time, my boy… eventually he'll get over it.
Golden eyes narrowed at him slightly, but then Hades snapped his fingers and suddenly he found himself back in the Tower – right in their nest, with the unconscious Warrior still in his lap. He exhaled slowly, then leaned in and rested his forehead against Senri's, closing his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Snark," he whispered softly, then lifted and pressed a delicate kiss on his lover's lips. "I swear… I'll do better, my heart. By you… and by your family."
And as he set to get his lover's clothes off to get him comfortable for the night – unsure how long he'll be out – he considered how to properly… woo his mate's friends. How to without a doubt – after such a serious misstep, already – prove to them his devotion to their Champion.
By the time the idea started to form in his head, Damon was crooning his agreement – and he couldn't help but grin like the lovesick fool he was, really.
