G'raha had just about finished packing the last of his belongings when he heard the news.
"You are… joking…?" he muttered, staring owlishly at Ojika, who stood at the door of his bedroom, grinning at his stunned expression.
"No, boy... I'm completely serious," he said, raising his eyebrows pointedly. "Still planning to leave, then? They'll be staying here, according to miss Baldesion."
"And…" he straightened from over his bag, hoping his instant excitement wasn't too obvious. "…the Warrior? He's with them…?" It was a vain hope, considering Ojika's grin.
"From what I heard…" he drawled. "Most definitely, yes. They should be docking at the harbor now. Miss Baldesion left not long ago to welcome and help them with their registration."
G'raha hesitated, then swallowed thickly, looking back toward his bag… and sighed with resignation, dropping it next to the bed. Ojika chuckled, but bless his soul, left without comment, closing the door behind him.
In thought, wondering if it was a good choice, he grimaced involuntarily, tossing another look toward his bag and narrowing his mismatched red-cyan eyes.
After a lifetime of ridicule and suffering the outcome of nasty rumors and superstitions anywhere out of the Students' compound, he finally had a chance to leave Old Sharlayan behind and try his luck somewhere else.
Anywhere else, really…
After moon ago his old best friend, Krile Mayer Baldesion, came back to the city, brimming with stories of her adventures alongside the Scions of the Seventh Dawn (and the Warrior of Light!), it was when he finally had enough… Or, rather if he was being honest, he grew completely, embarrassingly envious.
Once upon a time, he was offered a place in the expedition heading to Eorzea – as a historian – considering he earned his Archon's marks by the study of the Allagan Empire. But – as his luck would have it – on the day the expedition was to leave on the ship heading to Limsa Lominsa, one of the Eorzea's city-states, seeing him at the harbor, more than half of the scholars bound to travel with that ship, protested violently, stating with conviction that they refused to travel with the 'jinx.' Oh, so sure that any ship he would be to put his foot on was bound to sink….
He was more than baffled that supposed men and women of science could be so superstitious and… dumb. But it got so bad, Rammbroes, who invited him in the first place, rescinded that invitation, apologetic but determined to leave on the set day.
That was five years ago, but after the rumor – and superstition – spread, he was unable to leave this fucking city!
And after those scholars returned a while later, he accidentally learned that, for some reason, the Warrior of Light, T'senri Tia, joined that expedition… and he was livid!
He had a few weaknesses, but following the stories and gossip about that living legend had to be the one to take the top of the list, that's for sure! And to find out that he missed the opportunity to meet him in person – and because of something so stupid? – Thaliak, but he had never been before of after that furious and disappointed…
He arrived in this city as a kit, and because of that, he wasn't attuned anywhere else – and with the ship captains refusing to let him step on board of any vessel, he had been literally stuck here his whole life. In a place where most people despised him… or wanted to fuck him, which was worse!
After refusing an offer of much older than him woman – thinking of himself in a relationship at the time, naively – who took that with quite an offense, she went out of her way to ruin his reputation, alongside – surprise, surprise – the woman he thought he was with then. Having fun with that, they gave him a reputation… he didn't even want to think about. After that, he became the true pariah in this city. Most kept away from him, not wanting to get dragged into that or down by association. Others… thought that made him available for the most disgusting offers.
Between all of that, he spent most of his time either in the Baldesion Annex, where at least his friendship with Krile kept him safe after the disappearance of the Isle of Val. Or in Noumenon, the city's library, reading.
And yeah… any time he had a chance, with enthusiasm following the stories of the exploits of the Warrior.
Now – twenty-nine – he finally found a captain brave enough to help him leave the city – for the enormous price, but still… though it also meant parting with most of his life savings.
And now he understood the look in Krile's eyes when they said their goodbyes earlier. She had to know the Scions – and the Warrior! – would be arriving here… and knowing his fascination with the hero, likely, she didn't tell him anything so he wouldn't stay… and get stuck again.
Which – apparently, he decided to do… it might take years again to find another captain… but it also might be his only chance to meet the man he spent years listening about…! Dreaming of meeting!
Not that the hero was likely to pay him any mind (even if Krile insisted once that knowing both of them, she was sure they would hit it off beautifully), but to see him, have a chance to perhaps talk to him….
If Ojika was right and they stayed in the compound, he could find an occasion to ask him for the recount – the real stories – of his adventures… Oh, but that's just a temptation impossible to resist!
G'raha sighed, then stood up and headed for the door and out of his bedroom toward the back door of the Annex. If he wasn't leaving, letting know the kind captain was a must, and at least this way, he had time to wonder how to approach the Warrior without making a fool of himself… and hopefully before the rumors about him ruin it…
T'senri was far beyond the point of exhaustion – and ungodly irritated – when he carelessly tossed his bag on the table in the room Krile pointed him toward. Focusing his eyes on the bed, he distracted his clothes and only in a pair of black shorts, he grumbled petulantly under his nose as he gathered the sheets off the mattress, then stalked toward the free space in the spacious room and with years of practice, created the best nest he could manage. Painfully missing his blankets, he dropped down into it with a sigh and curled into a fetal position, wrapping his arm and tail tight around his legs. Like that, he finally slightly relaxed.
The travel to this city of scholars was hell in itself, but the many, many too curious and admiring looks at the harbor and when Krile gave him a quick tour of the city unnerved him. While pretending to listen to her description of the most important places, he dreamed only about passing out.
He didn't care… Not really, anyway. He just wanted this mess with Fandaniel over and then… then… Well, he did not know but sure there would be another crisis to fall on him.
Like always…
He barely got back to the Source from the First, and was instantly buried in the requests that piled up when he was gone. Then this hell with the towers started… and gods, but he was sooo tired…
But it didn't matter. Nothing did. They solve this, then there would be another thing… and the next one after that… and next… Always something…
His life was an endless sting of strife, fighting and surviving… nothing more. T'senri long ago stopped hoping for anything more… he was the Weapon of Light, through and through, good only for killing. For serving and slaving away for others, no matter the cost…
…and, oh, Azeyma, but something smelled nice…
He tilted his head and almost buried his nose in the sheets he used for his customary nest, taking a deep breath and whimpering involuntarily. Twelve preserve… what the fuck did they use here to wash it… and where he could get that…? Unfurling just enough to pull the material against his nose, he sighed with bliss, closing his eyes as an unfamiliar, nearly forgotten sensation vibrated on the back of his throat.
Was he… purring...? Gods, it been so long, he wasn't sure… but that scent… Something almost like mix of spices, reminiscent of cinnamon and almonds, blended into such intoxicating aroma…
He had to ask Krile later… what they used… here..
…so soothing…
He sighed dreamily and was asleep before he knew it.
Sneaking back into the Annex, G'raha exhaled with relief when he managed to get to the door of his bedroom without meeting anyone. Perhaps Krile wasn't back yet with… her guests, even though the whole conversation with the captain took much longer that he expected, angry as the man got…
He grimaced involuntarily, silently pushing the door open and closing them, just in case she was back… He needed time to cool down, prepare and think about what…
He blinked, spotting something… strange on the floor. Tilting his head with confusion, he peered around the table carefully and gasped softly, trying to understand… what was he seeing.
A person – a man – entangled into something that looked like… Yeah – quick look toward his bed told him that yes, this had to be his sheets, since they were gone – and he looked toward the man again, carefully stepping around the table and… gawking a bit.
What the fuck…?
The man, Miqo'te judging by a long, fluffy tail, but likely Keeper, considering a gorgeous expanse of incredibly pale skin – because if he wasn't wrong, he seemed to wear only a pair of shorts – had his head buried in the material, quite… funnily rumbling on a deep snore-purrs and apparently asleep. Perhaps by the contrast with his skin or the sheets, the fur on his tail looked insanely dark, ink-black, and almost swallowing the light that hit it. It also looked sooo soft, almost making his hand itch… He shook his head violently, almost slapping his hand over his face. What the…?
Oh, Krile had to think he was gone so she was likely to give his room to… one of her guests… G'raha blinked slowly, stepping right to the edge of the makeshift… nest? That's how it looked like, anyway – as much as it didn't make sense… His eyes focused on that tail, he blinked slowly again, swallowing audibly as he remembered…
…that T'senri Tia was a Seeker of the Sun, obviously, famed for his veeery dark hair and pale carnation…
…did Krile gave his room to… the Warrior himself…? Gods… But then, why was he sleeping on the floor…? Was that some sort of… Seekers' custom he never heard about…?
Numbly, he fell to his knees carefully and unable to contain his curiosity, leaned in, swallowing thickly as he slowly grabbed in two fingers the edge of the material covering the man's head and pulled delicately, freezing when the male shifted slightly and grumbled incoherently then settled with a quiet sigh and apparently fell back asleep. With his heart in his throat, pounding unevenly, he couldn't help but pull the material back, his eyes huge when the slow movement revealed the most beautiful face he saw in his life.
If it was really T'senri… Holy fuck, but he was gorgeous… No, that was too small word to express the awe-inspiring beauty of the male, that had him gawk in astonishment. He did hear the stories, obviously, but to see it…?
The line of his mouth alone, so pretty and soft, so inviting… The thick, jet-black lashes casing a shade on his cheeks, his features – relaxed in sleep – seemed too beautiful to be real, more of a fantasy came to life than… G'raha didn't notice as he leaned in harder, so busy admiring the gorgeous man, hovering over the edge of the nest with his mouth open in shock and staring with wide-open eyes… He literally squeaked with embarrassment when too suddenly these lashes fluttered open, reveling the absolutely stunning, pale blue irises dazed by sleep as they met his awed – and terrified – eyes.
"…cute," the male murmured, blinked slowly, then shifted slightly and his hand shot up, curling around the back of G'raha's neck and pulling him down into the nest. Before he knew what happened, he was entangled in a mass of heated, pale skin, holding his breath and gawking at the ceiling of his bedroom as the massive male pinned him down, somewhat happily nuzzling against his throat with near-deafening purrs of appreciation. "Smell so… good…" the Seeker rasped, then sagged on top of him with a quiet sigh, immobilizing him with his weight…
…and fell asleep again!
Letting his arms rest against the sheets around his shoulders, he shifted slightly, carefully trying to get the man off him… but he wouldn't budge, only adorably grumbling an incoherent complaint, huffing against G'raha's neck and pressing his nose against his throat, purring softly in his sleep.
…and gods, but he smelled nice… Kind of like apple, so sweet and fresh…
G'raha almost shook his head, gasping at his own… stupidity and wondering… how was he now to get out… and Twelve, but he was so incredibly warm, the heat rolling of his skin… making him melt…
Growing quite dazed with the surrounding him heat and his head so full of that sweet scent, he barely noticed when his hand seemed to gain a mind of its own, with uncertainty, shaking, sinking into longish ink-black hair. When his fingers brushed against the back of the Seeker's ear accidentally, those deep purrs grew louder, vibrating on the skin of his throat… And, Twelve preserve, he was never into other males before, but that… sensation, combined with heat and surrounding him scent of apples had him painfully aroused, gasping breathlessly in shame as his cock swelled with unbidden interest and his tail against his will coiled around the male's hip.
Forcing his hand back, he fought to catch his breath – trying to collect his scattered thoughts – but then the Seeker shifted slightly and sudden, too pleasant friction on his flesh had a whimper tear from his throat before he could bite it back. Flushing darkly, he prayed the male wouldn't wake up as his mind raced for a way to get out of this… situation with dignity… or just get out at all, before he embarrass himself even more… and if it's really T'senri… oh, gods…
The male on top of him shifted again and his purrs grew deeper, almost a… growl but G'raha barely noticed, too mortified and aroused in one as the hard heat of that muscular body pressed against his all-too-interested flesh, tearing shame-filled mewl from his mouth, that trailed off to a gasp when he felt something… even harder dig into his thigh, then the male shifted again, rolling his hips slowly, slightly… almost shyly as his purrs stuttered and breath hitched against his throat.
"So… h-hot…" he heard muttered by his skin, drowning in painful need for friction… panting desperately, helplessly as the Seeker moaned softly, his deep, deep voice filling G'raha's ears with static as the slow movement against his cock had it throb, sending his senses to reel in overload of sensations. That hand grew bold again, digging into silky black strands as his breath left him with a choked groan on the another slow, almost hesitant roll of the male's hips. The body on top of him growing taut and muscles spasming slightly as the Seeker braced around him on his elbows. Purring near-deafeningly and sooo insistently, he downright rutted into him harder, firmer, tearing a helpless whimper from his mouth.
…gods, he was sooo fucked…
His hand tightened into fist in the ink-black hair, pulling slightly and he lost his breath when the unbearably beautiful male lifted his head, peering at him with a lovely, dark blush… so uncertain… so hot…
He licked his dry lips, opened his mouth and… choked when those gorgeous, pale irises fell to his lips, growing so heated… if ice could burn…
Fuck it, if he was screwed anyway…
He lost it, pulling the male down into a hungry kiss, swallowing his gasp as he shoved his tongue in his too-pretty mouth, mewling desperately at his sweet, maddening flavor. His free hand moved down his side to curl around his hip and he dig his fingers into the heated muscles, pulling and pushed slightly to force the male to rut into him harder, faster… Swallowing one whimper after another gasp and tilting his head for access, he eagerly explored his mouth, barely registering the Seeker's inexperience, uncertainty… Too lost in his taste, he fed him his whimpers as those lips grew more confident, aggressive, and the male shifted, rubbing against his flesh in a way that had his dick throb in the rhythm of his insane heartbeat, begging in whimpers for more under his mouth.
And Seeker complied, soon swallowing his mewls as the pressure slowly grew unbearable, the sensations too much… He panted desperately when they broke for air, arching under his weight with a gasp when the male dropped his head against his shoulder, his breath as heavy and accompanying deep, aggressive growls that had G'raha's fur bristle and goosebumps broke out on his skin.
Yet, as the need to come had his whole body nearly shake, it suddenly tore through to his dazed mind : what he was doing… What was happening and… he panicked, whimpering involuntarily as he shoved hard against the Seeker's chest, now squirming to get out from under him.
"Wha…?" the male murmured, raising his head to look at him… and he turned his head away, feeling it burn with mortification… and still so utterly aroused, but…
"P-please…" he rasped, shakily pressing against his chest. He could as well try to move a mountain, he was so heavy with all that muscles… "P-please, let me g-go…"
"Huh…?" he froze, utterly motionless atop of him, and though G'raha closed his eyes, not daring to look a t him, it sounded like he was trying to catch his breath. "You are… real?" the Seeker murmured with something… strange in his deep voice.
"Y-yeah… please…?" he squeaked nervously, then almost exhaled in relief when the weight shifted off him, freeing him to scamper away, out of that nest. His face utterly on fire, he stopped only a the door, with handle in his hand, daring to look back. The man stared after him… with a strangest expression on his beautiful face, almost as flushed, but… G'raha swallowed thickly, then exhaled slowly and turned around, pretty much pressing his back against the door as he dropped his gaze to the floor under his feet, trying to find words to explain… express how sorry he was… anything…
"Look at me," the male said quietly and he almost whimpered, curling into himself slightly as he lifted his gaze slowly, meeting the ice-blue irises that simply… shone with something unreadable. "Gods… your eyes…"
G'raha flinched as if slapped, then dropped his gaze quickly and cleared his throat.
"I'm… s-sorry. Didn't m-mean to…" he stammered, at the same time pulling the door open behind him. "Didn't…" he licked his lips nervously and tasted him again… "…m-mean to…"
His ears twitched at the sound of the movement and his eyes darted up quickly, but seeing the male stand up… and his sheer size… At undeniable proof of who he was, he felt all blood drain from his face instantly, as his throat tightened painfully.
If he hears the rumors about him now… If those people could see him now, jumping the sleeping Warrior of Light…! Oh, gods…
"I'm sorry…!" he squeaked and bolted, shutting the door behind him violently.
Now he really did it… Just wait till for it to spread…
Gods, he was sooo fucked…!
T'senri blinked slowly at the closed doors, trying to understand what just happened, exactly.
He thought… he was having one of the hottest, most insanely realistic wet dream of his life… for his dreamed-up cute redhead to actually be real and bolt…!
And, gods, that scent… and those eyes…
Crimson and cyan… Another Allagan clone…?
He blinked again, then fell back to sit in the nest with a sigh. Still staring at the door, he run his fingers through his hair… still so painfully aroused…. But now his mind raced, trying to figure this out.
Who was he…? And if all of this was real, why was he apologizing when it was him who pulled him down and… His face blazed and he groaned loudly, muttering a curse as he covered his face with his hands.
Gods, he was sooo fucked…! So long he managed to hide… his preferences, too ashamed to have it discussed as hard as everyone was always speculating about it already with his female friends…!
He gave it a shot once, with Thancred… and it blew up spectacularly! After that… just no. Anyway, he was always too busy for distractions, that's all…
But now…? The redhead will spill and he's going to have to listen to everyone talking about it and… Oh, Azeyma… someone kill him!
But who was he…? His gaze involuntarily turned toward the door again and he sighed, still tasting that sweet, sweet flavor… Gods, so delicious…
T'senri shook his head violently, trying to clear it.
The sheets smelled like him… Did Krile made a mistake and sent him to a taken room…? But the redhead bolted instead of chasing him away or laughing… or something… No, when he was under him he sang in this low, soothing voice… Whimpered and mewled… kissing him back… That intoxicating, spicy scent so swollen and thick… T'senri blinked, looking toward the door again. He did kiss him back… No, actually… the redhead pulled him into a kiss in the first place…!
Was he like… him? And that's why he bolted? Because he was embarrassed about that, too?
He ran his fingers through his hair again, then sighed and fell back into the nest, right into more of that spicy scent… He closed his eyes with a quiet groan and covered them with his forearms. Then he flinched at the too-familiar by now sound.
"Get lost," he murmured without moving.
"My… Are you pleasant today, T'senri," his stalker chuckled. "I thought you would be happier to finally see him."
"Huh…? See who?" he moved his arms away and looked at the tall Ascian, staring at him with slightly raised white eyebrows over too-bright golden eyes. The bane of his existence… even if he did save his life in the First, still…
"Your man," Hades said and his eyes narrowed slightly toward the door. "The one you have to… ah, how you call it…? Mate with to wake up my brother," he added with a smirk and T'senri blinked at him slowly, then looked toward the door again.
"Huh?" he repeated, paling instantly as he sat up. "The redhead… he's the one…?" he replied, only going paler as his eyes widened impossibly.
"Mhmm," the Ascian nodded sagely, folding his arms over his chest and tapping his fingers against his arm as he looked him over, the sighed patiently. "Now… what are you waiting for, then?"
T'senri gawked at him, then stood up slowly, cursing in thought the fact that Hades was still taller than him, only raising his white eyebrows at him pointedly.
"Listen, I know we have a deal…" he started slowly, looking an uncomfortable look toward the door and back to the Ascian. "…but I don't know him… and I don't know how it worked back in your day, but… I'm not going to simply pounce on him, or something…!"
"…mortals," Hades scoffed with annoyance, then sighed patiently. "You have a week, then," he finally said graciously.
"A… week?!" he scowled, wrapping his arms over his chest. "That's…"
"A week," the Ascian repeated, narrowing his eyes in a clear warning and T'senri snapped his mouth close.
He looked between the door and his immortal stalker… then sighed with resignation, dropping his arms to his sides.
"…okay," he murmured.