His friends jumped him just as he finished the evening meal and intended to head toward his suite in Pendants.

"There you are," sing-a-songed Alisaie with a smirk as he stood up and T'senri just raised his eyebrows slightly, questioningly, turning and carelessly sitting down at the table while they surrounded him. Seeing the frown on Y'shtola's face, he wondered briefly if he did something to worry them… But when Alisaie sat down next to him, grinning as she pulled her leg up, folded her hands on her knee, and turned toward him, he relaxed slightly. "I hear that thanks to you there's such… lovely upgrade to the outfits around the Crystarium," she chuckled.

"What can I say, Firecracker…" he grinned back, shrugging. "When asked, I just said I like green… I didn't precise the shade… so you can't blame me for this assault on senses."

"Green…?" hummed Alphinaud, folding his hands behind his back and slightly bouncing on his heels. "Since when?"

"Figures…" said Y'shtola, rolling her eyes before looking around briefly. "…can't pass on a prank, do you, Senri?"

"You know me," he shrugged again, plastering the usual, goofy grin on his face as he leaned forward. "If there's fun to be had… Can't help myself, Mistress," he accented loudly, almost snorting a laugh when a few heads at the nearby tables turned at that and more than a few disgruntled stares headed Y'shtola's way.

"Fun?" she scoffed, but her aether-clouded eyes shone with amusement as she leaned in and rested one hand on top of his thigh, adding oil to the fire. He fought to keep on a serious expression as he put his hand on top of hers, in his peripheral vision seeing Alphinaud roll his eyes at the display while his twin sniggered quietly. It wasn't the first time they played this game – screwing with 'their' admirers' speculations, and most of his friends found it hilarious. "Ah, then we got you in the right mood."

"Huh?" he hummed, rising his eyebrows slightly.

"Since we're all here now," said Alisaie and he turned his gaze toward her. "We thought of piling up in your suite – since it's the biggest one – and having some… reconnecting time," she smirked, wiggling her eyebrows meaningfully and he hoped his grin didn't falter. "Yesterday, when we came back, you were tired… But today…?"

"Sure," he agreed quickly, then slid off the table. "I got to ask the Exarch something first… but you can grab the others and we will meet at my room, okay?"

"Ask him something…?" Alphinaud raised his eyebrows slightly. "To join us…?"

He wished, but…

"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed, carefully cooling his gaze, earning Alisaie's surprised and Y'shtola's pleased stares. "No, I just… I would like to get private use of the training grounds for a bit tomorrow, and I figured he's the one to ask about it."

"Ah," hummed Alisaie with understanding, jumping off the table and folding her arms behind her head. "If he agrees, can I join you?"

"Sure," he assured with a grin – that disappeared quickly as he turned and headed toward the stairs leading down from the platform of Wandering Stairs. "See you soon," he waved carelessly over his shoulder.

Presence in his mind unfurled only when he neared the Tower.

…you suppose they suspect something? Ares asked with a hint of uncertainty.

I don't think so, he answered, with a polite smile waving toward the guard at the gate and heading inside, instantly directing his steps toward the Ocular where he could feel his lover's presence. They probably just want to… catch up, so to say. You know… to what happened on the Source since each was pulled over here and all. And probably use it as an excuse to grill me over my… hostility toward Raha. Or at least Alisaie looks suspicious about it – but yeah… not like I often show this much dislike for anyone… around others, I mean.

Maybe you should tone it down, then? The immortal chuckled.

Can't help it, he shrugged involuntarily, smiling sheepishly. It's either that… or fawning all over him, no matter who's looking. Whenever we meet around the Scions, and I don't wear your mask… it's really hard not to let anything show, you know.

The Ascian just laughed fondly, and he fought again to keep on a serious expression as he pushed the door of the Ocular open and stepped inside.

Raha, cowl up, stood upon the pedestal leading to the mirror but he turned around and his pretty lips twitched slightly when T'senri neared the steps of it and bowed politely in a far eastern manner.

"Ah, Warrior…" only a slight hint of amusement rang between the regal notes of his Exarch persona. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

He straightened to his full height then slowly stepped up the small stairs, grinning as he stopped right in front of his 'mysterious mage', raised his hands and hooked them in the hem of the cowl, pushed it back delicately revealing crimson eyes sparking with amusement.

"That's better," he hummed with a smirk, leaning in to brush his lips against the patch of crystal on his lover's cheek. "Hey, Raha," he breathed, letting his right hand wrap around shorter Seeker's behind and pull him tight against him.

"Something wrong, Snark?" he rested his hands on T'senri's shoulders, but with a low chuckle tilted his head slightly when Warrior pressed a tender kiss on his throat. "I thought… I'll be seeing you in a bit."

"Change of plans," he grimaced, straightened, and rubbed the tip of his nose against his lover's. "Scions want to… spend some time with me, and I'm not sure I'll make it to you tonight, my heart."

"Oh," the hint of disappointment in the crimson irises appeared and disappeared quickly, but T'senri anyway cursed internally. "It's fine, love. I have more than enough to do to occupy my time," his lover assured with a smile that didn't reach his beautiful eyes.

"It's not fine," he whispered, tilting his head to press his lips against the corner of his plush lips. "The whole day… I could barely stand being apart from you, Raha. You know that… But I couldn't refuse without making it look suspicious. They know my habits and stamina…"

"I understand," his lover sighed, pressing one crystalized finger between their lips. "It's really okay, Senri… Just have fun," this time when he smiled his eyes lit up with a hint of amusement. "Maybe I can use that to catch some proper rest."

"Awww… Am I tiring you, my dear lord Exarch?" he chuckled, relaxing somewhat as he pressed his hand against Raha's cheek.

"What can I say, my Warrior?" a slightly teasing smirk tilted the corners of his beautiful lips and T'senri felt an instant wave of heat roll through his body at the sight. He didn't have to look or feel it to know his unruly tail swished with enthusiasm. "You're a demanding lover."

"Am I?" he purred, sneaking both of his hands now around his lover's hips and shamelessly rutting against his stomach. When his lover's intoxicating scent swelled with arousal instantly, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, not even trying to hide his instant, furious lust. "Can't help it, my Raha… You're beyond addictive," he rasped, pushing back the male's crystalized hand to bite at his lover's lower lip then his hands went back to eagerly knead at his behind as he slowly backed Raha toward the mirror behind him.

"Snark… behave," his lover chuckled breathlessly but didn't resist, instead smoothing his crystalized fingers up his shoulder to wrap them around the back of T'senri's neck. The slight chill of it sent a near-violent shudder down the Warrior's spine and he couldn't help himself but let his lips part around a loud, inviting purrs as he trailed them along Raha's jaw toward his mouth. His scent immediately grew thicker with arousal as his lover whimpered softly, letting the back of his head rest against the crystal mirror while a dark blush spilled on his handsome face.

"Don't be… like that," he whined, knowing his lover couldn't resist that. When Raha swallowed thickly and his eyes drifted close as he licked his lips… T'senri grinned triumphantly, knowing when his beautiful male's inhibitions were losing with his lust for him. "Just a little… taste, my heart," he cooed, eagerly – before he could regain his composure – pushing open the fastenings of his robes. "To keep me… going for the next few bells, okay?"

"Senri…" his lover gasped, then mewled breathlessly when he used it to claim his pretty mouth in a rough kiss, his insistent purrs vibrating on their lips as he enticed his lover's tongue to play, at the same time pushing the edges of the heavy material of his robes open and pinning him against the crystal of the mirror.

"You know… you want to," he chuckled, breaking the kiss to his lover's instinctive, dismal hiss – then grinned when crystal fingers tightened into a fist in his hair, pushing off his customary bandana as Raha pulled him back into the kiss, purring loudly under his lips without opening his eyes.

Eagerly stealing his lover's breath and swallowing down his quiet mewls and whimpers, he smoothed his hands down Raha's sides, enjoying the contrasts between the hot skin under one hand and the chill of the crystal under the other until they reached the waistband of his black shorts. Pushing them down off his lover's hips, he purred his approval into the kiss, feeling his mate's normal hand sneak under his jacket and shirt to claw at his back, trying to pull him closer.

T'senri growled softly, feeling an almost painful twinge of arousal in his aching erection, then broke the kiss and panting harshly, trailed quick, desperate kisses down his lover's throat, chest and stomach as he fell to his knees in front of him.

"S-Snark…" Raha chuckled breathlessly, shakily petting his hair while T'senri nuzzled his cheek against his abdomen. "…you're incor…" he choked on it when Warrior purred louder, unceremoniously wrapping his mouth around the head of his lover's cock and swallowing him down. "…oh, f-fuck…" he mewled, fisting his hands in his hair almost painfully and jerking harshly, involuntarily slamming deeper into his mouth.

Merely humming his approval at the rough treatment, T'senri wrapped both hands around his lover's hips, digging his fingers into his skin and inviting him to fuck his mouth at his leisure.

"G-Gods…" Raha breathed in and out shakily, tightening his fingers in T'senri's hair and holding his head still as he rolled his hips slowly, moaning his enjoyment while Warrior started purring around his flesh, swallowing for better effect as the thick head hit the back of his throat. "…love your… m-mouth, Snark," his lover gasped on a keening moan and T'senri flushed at the praise, his tail whipping against his boots with enthusiasm at being able to bring so much pleasure to his mate.

His own cock soon throbbing in rhythm with his lover's increasingly desperate thrusts, he shifted on his knees, whimpering involuntarily with need as Raha's moans grew in volume, his grip in T'senri's hair almost brutal as he pulled his head back and forth to meet jerky movements of his hips.

"You're such a… ngh, oh, fuck…" his lover mewled, arching between him and the mirror while the Warrior's grip on his hips grew tight and desperate, forcing him to press deeper, faster… His purrs grew with intensity until his beautiful Raha writhed under his mouth, shuddering violently with an overload of sensations. "…g-good… gods, S-Snark… have to…" he whimpered almost as if in pain, then snarled breathlessly, fucking his mouth in earnest.

A sudden loud noise had his ears twitching, yet his lover didn't seem to notice, too lost in chasing his pleasure. Only when it repeated and he understood hazily what it was: someone knocking at the door of the Ocular, T'senri without thinking let his arm shoot up and his hand covered his lover's mouth as he purred harder, more insistently. Then almost mewled with satisfaction when his lover's beautiful body went rigid instantly and thick ropes of seed shot down his throat. He swallowed eagerly around the throbbing flesh as his mate whined and whimpered with bliss under his palm, shuddering weakly and gratefully petting his ears.

T'senri pulled back with a satisfied hum and rested his cheek against his lover's slightly trembling stomach, wrapping his arms around his hips and enjoying Raha's tender ministrations at his ears. He panted, trying to cool down his raging erection, when his partner seem to notice the sound, going utterly still between him and the crystal.

"Y-yes?" he called out, audibly trying to calm his shaky breath, and yeah… when T'senri peered up with a cheeky grin, his Exarch's handsome face was an adorable shade of fiery red – the reason why it was his favorite – almost rivaling his eyes.

"Grandfather? May I come in?" sounded Lyna's voice and if possible, his lover's face went ever redder as his crimson eyes shot wide open with terror.

"A… a moment, Lyna!" he almost squeaked, pushing meaningfully against T'senri's shoulders. The Warrior complied, choking on a laugh as he swiftly stood up and set to help his lover get his robes in order. "You're… im-impossible," Raha hissed at him, clearly beyond mortified.

"And still… you love me," he sniggered quietly, picking up and binding the bandana over his hair. Enamored with his lover's pout at that statement, he grabbed the edges of the cowl before Raha could pull it over his head again and leaned in to press a quick, rough kiss on those beautiful, bruised lips. He smiled when his lover moaned softly, surely testing himself on his tongue, then pulled back with a small bite to his lower lip. "And I adore you, my heart. Thank you for a taste," he added to Raha's furious blush then delicately pulled the cowl in place, its shade barely able to cover the flush of embarrassment and pleasure on his handsome features. T'senri chuckled, earning another adorable pout – which prompted him to steal another quick, delicious kiss – then reasoning it the best course of action, teleported to the Aetheryte and from there headed toward the Pendants.

And if there was a bounce in his step as he licked his lips with relish, then whistled a merry tune… who could blame him?

I do like your style, boy, Ares hummed with obvious amusement, before T'senri felt him retreat – and only then he grimaced, feeling the Ascian take his bond to his mate alongside him.

Sighing softly as he crossed the threshold of the Pendants, he schooled his features in a usual mask – internally hoping that soon it won't be necessary and he'll be able to introduce his mate to his friends properly.

A few bells later – deep into the night – when Ardbert left him alone after their impromptu lesson, G'raha headed to the room with the nest without thinking.

Despite many other things he could – and probably should – be doing, with a blush once inside, he discarded his robes carelessly and crawled into the lavish creation, rolling the soft blanket around himself and closing his eyes with a blissful hum when the lingering scent of his lover filled his head.

He was still beyond thankful that Lyna didn't seem to notice anything out of order after Senri left – especially since he carefully kept his back to her as she asked about the clarification on the survey of the city's defenses he requested earlier. Despite the fact that he couldn't tell her that he knew that there will be an attack coming – he still tried to prepare the city the best he could without alarming anyone. His Ascian didn't know when exactly it will happen – so they were in a bit of a… stalemate. Still, after Lyna left – visibly bemused by his request to activate the shields around the city – he set the Tower into the defensive mode against anything with a higher than normal level of Light aether, but without rising the normal – visible – shield.

Hoping it was enough, for now, to keep the people in his care safe – he called Ardbert in for a surprise lesson, using this as an opportunity to teach the ghost how to set different levels of shields around the Tower. He was almost disappointed when it lasted shorter than expected – the man caught on quickly on each tidbit of information, which he did admire – and he was left with a few bells until dawn.

And not feeling his mate's presence… already felt wrong. He knew it was necessary… he did, but he couldn't help but resent each time the feedback of Senri's beautiful soul disappeared.

Not only you, Damon chuckled a bit… sheepishly and G'raha smiled, involuntarily glad at the fact that he wasn't the only one who missed him. Hopefully, it won't be long anymore before we're ready to… change things, Raha… and then you'll both be free to decide to inform the Scions of your relationship or not.

Won't be much of a choice with Y'shtola, he hummed, nuzzling his cheek against the pillow that smelled like his Warrior the most. Since she'll be able to see the difference. But the others…? I don't know…

Don't you want to be his lover openly? The Ascian asked with a bit of confusion and G'raha sighed, rolling over to his back and folding his hands behind his head.

I do, he admitted, cursing his blush as he closed his eyes. But if we go back to the Source and as you said I'm going to join Scions… I kind of want to first prove that… I can be an asset without them thinking I'm there just as… Senri's lover. He's a hero back there… and I'll be just… a nobody coming out of nowhere, and all…

Silly boy, Damon chuckled fondly, then sighed. But I do understand the sentiment. As much as I liked to pretend that that opinion of others didn't matter… It is tough when they spread… misconceptions about your relationship.

Because they thought Ares compelled you to love him? He grimaced slightly at the reminder, wondering briefly how he would take something like that… being said of his lover. Not the first time since Damon shared this tidbit. And the notion that Senri might have inherited that particular… skill.

Mhmm, the immortal hummed. As much as I tried… to explain to some at the beginning – it was useless once they were set in their prejudices. And the fact that it set off his temper… Well, I believe you can imagine. Anyway, before you decide one way or another, I would offer a word of advice, my boy. Before you set your mind, talk with Senri and explain your worries about it. You really don't want him to think you're ashamed of your relationship, I think?

Of course not! He scoffed, rolling to the side and pulling the blanket tight around himself. And I know… Scions are important to him. But it makes me even more… nervous about it.

If they'll accept you? Damon whispered with understanding.

Y-yeah, he sighed, curling his arms around himself tighter and almost painfully missing his lover's reassuring heat. And I don't know if you heard him, he flushed furiously, nervously swallowing audibly. But last night he said… he said…

That he still wants you two to marry? The immortal chuckled with amusement. Yes, I did hear.

Y-yeah… but he surely didn't think how it'll… look, he grumbled, wrinkling his nose. He's the Warrior of Light, Hero of Dragonsong War, Liberator of Doma and Ala Mhigo… so on and so forth… And I'll be what…? Fledgling Scion at best… and…

…wait. I feel Ares, Damon cut him off suddenly and G'raha's breath stuttered as his eyes shot wide open as he sat up. He was only mildly surprised when a moment later the body of his lover materialized next to him, what took him more off guard was the sight of nearly luminescent in the darkness of the room too-bright blue eyes.

"…Ares?" he hummed with uncertainty, now more than glad for the blanket – still not exactly comfortable around his lover's Ascian.

"Silly boy got ridiculously drunk," the immortal chuckled, sitting down next to him. "Of course, Thancred thought it's a marvelous occasion to celebrate their reunion after Minfilia split… And Senri, being the light-weight that he is… didn't last through that long. I took over when they left him to sober up a moment ago – I thought you may still appreciate the company."

"Y-yeah, definitely," he admitted, hoping that the Ascian couldn't see his blush. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," Ares laughed, laying down and closing his eyes. "He's really… wasted, as you mortals say? Well… you'll see."

His body went still, then limp for a second before the jet-black lashes fluttered slowly and glassy, ice-blue irises peered through them toward him.

"Ra-Raha…" the wide, goofy grin was almost blinding and made G'raha's heart stutter furiously as he leaned over him and delicately brushed the strands of inky-black hair back from his face.

"Hey, handsome," he chuckled, pressing a tender kiss on top of his nose. "I hear… you had a tad too much to drink."

"S-slander," his lover slurred slowly, blinking hard before he stretched out his arms toward him with a small, hopeful grin. "Cuddle?"

Though the scent of alcohol coming from him was palpable and quite… unpleasant for his sensitive nose, it was beyond him to resist, instead chuckling a bit sheepishly as he moved to settle down in his lover's arms. He was rewarded with the string of near-deafening purrs as his Warrior shifted them to the side and coiled his arms around him with obvious possessiveness, pulling him tighter against his chest and happily nuzzling against his ears.

More than enamored with his seemingly affectionate inebriated state, G'raha wrapped his arm around his mate's chest and smoothed his hand up and down his spine – quite regretful that his lover was dressed.

"You s-smell… deliciousss," Senri purred, then sighed with bliss, resting his cheek against his head.

"You just… smell," he admitted with a quiet snicker, but gladly curled into his tight embrace.

"R-Rude," his lover scoffed, already sounding barely half-awake. "Rude Raha… but I ssstil l-love you," he chuckled, pressing a sound kiss on his ear, and tightening his arms around him.

"Good," he hummed, nuzzling his cheek against Senri's chest and grinning like a lovesick fool that he was, really… "I love you too, Snark… even when you smell."

His Warrior grumbled an incoherent complaint, then sighed and soon another round of near-deafening purrs teased G'raha's ears before the muscular arms around him slowly went lax.

"Sleep well, my heart," he hummed, then sighed softly with bliss at the surrounding him heat and he let himself drift off to sleep alongside his lover.