It was close to noon when T'senri reluctantly left the Tower and headed toward Pendants, involuntarily grinning like an idiot. And if there was a bounce in his step when he crossed the markets and climbed the tall steps leading toward the city's inn… he wasn't exactly aware of that – his mind busy going over the events of last night.

"Senri!" a familiar voice had his ears twitch and his gaze darted toward the platform of Wandering Stairs – the tavern. His grin only widened at the sight of Alisaie, hanging over the railing and waving toward him with a grin. Deciding that he was indeed quite hungry, he waved back and turned his steps toward the stairs leading up to the platform, soon skipping the steps two at a time.

"My… but someone's in a good mood today," his best friend chuckled when he arrived at the table she shared with her twin brother and dropped to the seat opposite of her.

"Can't help it," he grinned again, meaningfully waving toward the tall, Elzen waitress. Or Elf…? He was still slightly confused with the flood of memories he now knew was Ares's. "This was the best…"

Don't, the voice in his head snapped and he froze minutely. We want to affect the events as little as possible, Senri. In the previous timeline, neither you nor your friends knew who G'raha is up to a certain point. That you know, was necessary, but do not tell them.

"The best… what?" Alisaie repeated with confusion, leaning toward him across the table.

"One of the best sleep I had in a long time," he hoped his grin didn't look too fake now, keeping his eyes on the nearing waitress. He ordered the food, fighting to sound as natural as possible and when she left, he tried to relax in his seat.

Listening to the orders of an Ascian felt simply wrong… and unnatural but he had his eyes on a bigger prize – Raha, safe and at his side forever. As crazy as it sounded, Ares knew what was going to happen – and as confused as he still was about the whole thing… he understood enough to know that altering the events too much could lead to different outcomes… and threaten his mate. So as much as he was dying to share with his friends the news…

"Oh?" hummed Alphinaud, then carefully sipped his tea and set the cup back at the table. "I'm glad to hear that yesterday's….stunt didn't put you in too much trouble with our host, then, my friend."

T'senri blinked slowly… hoping they misread his blush.

"Exarch kind of looked like he was about to lose it," Alisaie said with maybe… a little mean smirk. "Though with this cowl of his… it's hard to say. But I swear… I thought I heard him growl! Do you think he's a Miq… Mystel under those robes?" she tilted her head curiously, leaning back in her seat.

"Who knows…?" he murmured, then was glad for the distraction when the waitress returned with his order, setting a plate and cup of coffee in front of him. He stuffed his mouth quickly, blinking toward his friends innocently.

"Well, he's certainly too… slender for a Hrothgar," said Alphinaud with consideration, thankfully, looking toward his twin. "Honestly, if I were to risk a guess… I would say he's almost for sure a Hyur. Knowing our T'senri and Y'shtola, it's hard to imagine a Miqo'te being able to stand these robes stifling their tail and ears for a longer period of time. Though I've heard the rumors around the city that Exarch is here as long as the city itself – a hundred years – but that… can't be right…?"

T'senri froze… trying not to scowl. He didn't consider that bit about his Raha's tail and ears – but now that he thought about it… his own tail almost curled in discomfort. And his mate's red fur did look a bit… matted. Did Raha remember to groom it properly…? Wait… now that he thought about it… Did he ever see his lover groom…? They only spend a few weeks together at the Find, first as friends and then as lovers… but he couldn't remember ever seeing him do that.

No, you most certainly didn't see that, said Ares slowly in the back of his head. Is that… important for your kind? I know you do it every few days at least, and while you were… away, I did it out of habit… but I didn't really consider it a necessity.

It is, he replied in thought reluctantly, chewing slowly and picking at the contents of his plate with a fork so his friends don't get… suspicious and realize somehow that he had an actual Ascian living inside his head… You can say it's both physical and mental need.

I see, Ares hummed with consideration. Well, once alone you should be able to sift through your… mate's memories and find out… if it's important to you to know.

Of course, it is important! T'senri almost scowled toward his plate. As a kit, he dreamed of being mated – but aware of the limitations posed by his preferences he was sure that it would never happen. Not to mention he was pretty much groomed toward the role of the Nunh since reaching puberty… But ever since falling in love with Raha… it only got worse. Now, actually having him as his mate – as mind-blowing as it still was –made him beyond eager to take care of his lover's needs. And maybe… have some fun, chiding his Exarch about taking proper care of his beautiful red fur in case he did forget to groom occasionally.

"Who knows?" Alisaie's voice had him blink away his distraction. "As far as we know… he can be something completely different. Did you ever see half-crystalized Hyur? What's up with that?"

T'senri simply shrugged, again blinking innocently, then swallowed the contents of his mouth and smiled at his friends.

"What's our plan next?" he asked, hoping to distract them from the risky topic of his lover.

"Ah, finding Y'shtola in Rak'tika Greatwood, I believe," said Alphinaud, looking toward him while slowly turning the cup in front of him. Then he frowned as if just now noticing something. "By the way, T'senri, where is your mask? I thought you said you need it…?"

I told you to wear it, Ares grumbled instantly and T'senri almost snorted a laugh.

"I'm still getting used to it," he said with an easy grin. "But this morning I decided to let my eyes rest from it for a moment," he could not admit he forgot them from the bedroom in the Tower… too distracted by his mate's hilarious efforts to get on with his daily routines while he would love nothing more than to keep his lover in their nest for the rest of the day.

Or maybe the few next days…

He couldn't help himself – especially since it reminded him of the best days of his life. When his beautiful historian would so adorably try to focus on the search through the old tomes while he did his best to distract him – either by fucking him senseless or making sure he ate, slept, and get to indulge in enough sunlight and fresh air. Taking care of his easily distracted lover's needs appealed to his most basic instincts something fierce. Not to mention occasionally his historian would get so fed up with his… doting, he would prove his capabilities by getting especially rough and domineering with him… and that was beyond fun.

In his opinion, there were very few things hotter than Raha getting all snarly and 'bite-y' while fucking him.

Are you glad now that I stopped you from fucking Estinien, aren't you, boy? His… passenger hummed with obvious amusement and T'senri froze, fork halfway toward his mouth, blinking numbly at the middle of the table.

You… did? He hesitated, slowly putting the fork down and carefully keeping his eyes down. He didn't really remember much from that night… He was veeery drunk, after all…

Not as much as you think, the Ascian chuckled. More… miserable, I guess, not that I blamed you… I did miss Damon as well, but at least I knew that I'll see him again. But once I realized what are you up to – and you did seem just drunk and unhappy enough to go through with it – I forced so many memories of your historian forward you bolted by yourself… thankfully.

He felt a dark, dark blush climb his face as he swallowed thickly. But seeing Raha's reaction last night… I… thank you, Ares.

You're welcome, boy, now he evidently sounded very amused. Told you, I can be very useful. Now… your friends are starting to stare.

T'senri blinked, looking up quickly, and blushed even darker at Alisaie's and Alphinaud's bemused looks.

"Are you okay, Senri?" she asked carefully. "You do look kind of… feverish."

"I'm fine, Firecracker," he grinned in his usual manner, pushing his seat back and getting up to his feet while leaving more than required gil next to his plate. "And full. Now, I got to change and I'll see you both later," and no, he didn't bolt… just walked away maybe a bit hastily, heading again toward the Pendants.

Oh, Azeyma… every time now he thought of that night… It made him beyond uncomfortable. Not to mention… After Raha summoned his soul to the rift and he woke up afterward with Aymeric at his bedside in Ishgard, to hear that Estinien was the one who saved his sorry ass from being fileted… He didn't know what to think about it. At the time, he was too busy considering how he would strangle that 'mysterious mage' who apparently kidnapped his friends' souls… to really consider the… whole thing.

After that night, he avoided Ishgard and Estinien like a plague – honestly, too embarrassed about his almost-slip. He did like the Dragoon and up to that point thought him one of his best friends… and kind of hoped that eventually the whole… situation would blow over. Now he almost wished that the immortal inside his head would… stop him before he got into the bed with his friend, to probably insult him with bolting as he did… judging by Elzen's expression at the time.

And now to have his historian know about it…? Gods, he's never drinking again! It always only… got him in trouble.

Only once inside the suite prepared for him did he relax, and quickly discarded his shirt – borrowed from the ones his lover so thoughtfully stacked inside the room next to the one containing their nest – then his boots, and no… he didn't almost jump near the ceiling at the sudden voice behind him when he rummaged through his bag looking for the fresh change of clothes.

"Hey, Ares!" the cheerful tone had him turn his head around with a gasp and wide-eyed surprise. "Oh… crap. I mean, hi, T'senri," the familiar ghost backpedaled quickly, looking anywhere but at him. "I was… ah, wondering where you went off to."

Let me take over for a moment? The Ascian asked, and T'senri scowled involuntarily, but took a deep breath and stood up.

"Okay, but I want to be aware this time," he said slowly, looking toward his reflection in the big mirror in the back of the bedroom area. He was a bit curious…

As you wish, then he felt a delicate kind of… push and a strange sort of… disembodiment when the eyes of his reflection changed – his pupils growing wide and round, and his irises an unnaturally bright, sky shade of blue.

This is sooo… weird, he said, but the mouth of the reflection only tilted in an amused smirk – then the Ascian in his skin turned toward the ghost.

"It's okay, Ardbert," his… body said outside of his will – which was only… weirder. "Some things happened, but now Senri knows about me… and Damon, and agreed to go along with our plans."

"Oh, okay," the dead Warrior of the First relaxed visibly, smiling a bit sheepishly. "I was already worried I blew your cover. But I just got back last night from Eulmore, Ares… and you were right, of course. That Vauhtry guy… is beyond pissed – throwing a ridiculous tantrum, really – and set bounties on the heads of the 'artisan and his assistant'… despite seemingly being quite… sure where to look for you. Not to mention, they are royally pissed about losing the Oracle and 'Exarch's' involvement at the Ostall Imperative."

"Mhmm," Ares scratched his chin with consideration, then sighed and walked across the room and sat down at the bench near the door of the suite. The ghost followed him with his gaze but didn't move from his spot near the open, massive window. Watching his own body moving outside of his will… was beyond unsettling, T'senri decided, but… not as bad as he expected. He could see and hear just fine… and so long the immortal wasn't doing anything… suspicious… "That's nothing new, so far… But anyway, thank you for checking."

"No problem," the ghost grinned, then his expression fell and he visibly hesitated. "By the way… Now, that T'senri knows about you two… It still doesn't change our deal, right?"

…a deal? He searched the memories supplied by the Ascian… but there was nothing about any deal with the ghost…

What deal? He snapped, instantly growing suspicious.

"No, it doesn't, Ardbert," the Ascian chuckled, running his fingers through his hair and ignoring his outburst. "As I promised, once we're done here and he has no more use of it… you can have G'raha's body and your second chance."

…Raha's body…?

What the fuck?!

Glad that at least his evening's rounds went as planned, G'raha involuntarily found himself drawn toward the room containing the nest and after a short fight with himself… gave up and went inside, swearing to himself that he simply wished to… clean up the mess they left the place in.

Damon was very… unceremoniously honest about their need to keep his identity and by extension their relationship a secret… at least temporarily and he more than agreed – even of it meant that… it'll be hard for them to meet without someone noticing.

It took him two bells to bring the nest to the proper order – and no… not because he was… maybe a bit reluctant… or stopped occasionally to sniff the air because it still smelled of… them – and he really should leave and find something to do in another part of the Tower for his sanity's sake…

You're so adorable, being all in denial about how much you wish he was here, Damon snickered and G'raha almost hissed at the immortal's obvious amusement at his expanse.

"Can't… be helped," he said instead, pretending he wasn't blushing at his own… neediness. Wicked white… he barely got his Warrior to leave him be at noon! He should be glad for some time to… rest. Not to mention, he waited for him a hundred years! Surely he can manage until there's another occasion to see him in private…?

I'm just saying… cute, another snigger had G'raha pout involuntarily but he shook himself up quickly, and with determination headed toward the door – intending to head to the Umbilicus and distract himself with a lecture.

Tomorrow Senri was supposed to head out in search of Y'shtola… and he could maybe prepare as a short note for him of what to expect in Rak'tika or…

"This is sooo… neat," he heard and almost jumped with a surprise right before a much taller body unceremoniously pinned him against the door. "Missed me, love?" his Warrior chuckled, his icy-blue irises brimming with amusement when he took hold of his wrists and pulled them above his head after he turned him around.

"What…? How…?" He choked out, right before his lover roughly pushed the cowl off his head then took his mouth with a deep, delicious kiss with a satisfied hum. He drowned in his addictive flavor instantly, involuntarily purring his approval while his lover pressed against him tightly, with his free hand pawing at his backside and unceremoniously rutting against his stomach.

Oh, true… Damon said with a laugh. If your bond is really like ours, you can easily teleport to each other's side… Or at least he can to yours – since you're still limited by the need to stay near the Tower. Aren't you happy, Raha? Now you don't have to worry about the need to sneak around… mostly.

He would comment on the immortal's amusement… if he wasn't busy losing his mind under the sudden assault on his senses.

"I certainly missed you, my prince," Senri purred, freeing his mouth and hands to nuzzle against his throat affectionately and let his hands eagerly move down G'raha's body and under his robes. "After Ares told me about this… possibility, I couldn't wait to try it out," he whispered, roughly pulling his robes up between them and sneaking on hand behind the waistband of his shorts under them.

"Sen…" he choked on a whine when his Warrior's hand coiled around his cock and could only fist his hands in the material of Senri's black vest while the back of his head thumped against the door when he arched between them and his lover's hard body with a mewl of pleasure

"Sooo… pretty, my Raha," the taller Seeker cooed, trailing his lips along his jaw as he worked his body into the rapid, painful arousal. G'raha flushed up to his hairline, but let his hands eagerly move up and after pushing the bandana off his Warrior's inky hair, he tangled his fingers in the almost too-soft strands and caught his mouth in another kiss, purring loudly and needily under his lips. Enjoying… maybe waaay too much his lover's answering hungry growl.

"Now, now… don't distract me, my heart," Senri broke the kiss and uttered a low, amused chuckle when he whimpered with protest, trying to pull him back… to gasp when his Warrior eagerly fell to his knees in front of him, shamelessly diving under the skirt of his robes. G'raha almost passed out when his lover's too-hot mouth swallowed his cock, his big hands grabbing on his ass meaningfully. He complied without a conscious thought, fucking his mouth with a string of breathless whimpers and groans tearing from his throat while Senri purred his approval, driving him utterly insane.

He came almost embarrassingly quickly, sagging against the door and mewling his bliss breathlessly while his lover hummed his satisfaction, petting his thighs soothingly while swallowing around his throbbing flesh. Lost in his high, he barely registered while his Warrior pulled back with a quite laugh, then rose to his feet and picked him up, catching his mouth in a slow, deep kiss. Tasting himself on his lips, he couldn't help but blush darkly, but he wrapped his shaky arms around his lover's shoulders and let himself simply drown in his taste.

"I did… miss you," he admitted on a whisper against his lips when they broke for air, and was… glad when it made his Senri's beautiful face lit up in his real, goofy grin… making his heart stutter and swell with a sweet, powerful emotion. "I love you, Snark," he added with a barely conscious thought.

"Good," his lover chuckled, then pressed a tender kiss on his cheek. "I love you too, my prince," but when he pulled back, he pursed his lips in a… too-cute pout and narrowed his eyes at him – through sparks of amusement danced in his icy-blue irises. "But now, onto the serious things, my Raha…" he started, pulling him tighter against his chest as he headed across the room, toward the nest. G'raha almost… well, maybe he did… squeaked with indignation when he was unceremoniously dropped into the middle of it.

He rolled over, sitting up and staring up at his lover with offense… until Senri quickly discarded his clothes and his mouth simply… watered at the sight of this glorious body. When his Warrior grinned, then had the gall to… preen shamelessly, he flushed furiously, realizing he was gaping… and quickly dropped his gaze, clearing his throat.

"What… what serious things?" he asked, a bit self-consciously fixing his robes.

"You'll tell me, my Raha…" his lover chuckled at his embarrassment, which only made him blush darker… and completely miss him picking up something from the floor next to the nest, then crawling onto it and toward him. "Why after having a quick peak at your memories… I couldn't see you taking proper care of your beautiful fur, my mate."

"Huh?" he frowned, looking at his man with confusion. Noting a small packet in his hand as Senri settled next to him, he shifted to sit on his knees and looked toward it curiously. "What's this?"

"I hope you don't mind," his lover smiled a bit sheepishly, leaning in to press another tender kiss on his cheek and grinning again when it made him blush again and blink with surprise when he leaned away. "I didn't want to waste our time asking you to bring yours… So I took my grooming kit," now he flushed visibly and sounded more than a bit… shy.

"Grooming… kit?" G'raha scowled, then tilted his head slightly, looking at his lover with a bemused smile. "Why would you need a whole kit for that?"

"Huh?" Senri blinked slowly, suddenly looking at him as if he grew another head. "Don't you… have one?"

"No," he shook his head, then scratched his chin with uncertainty while his lover… kept staring. "Is that… bad?" he frowned, shifting uncomfortably and dropping his gaze. "I brush my fur sometimes along with my hair… but I never really gave it much thought."

"Raha…?" his Warrior said slowly and when he looked up, his handsome face was an unreadable mask. He thought as well for a moment that he felt something… cold and sharp radiate across their bond… but it disappeared too quickly for him to name it. He blinked with surprise at the uncharacteristic expression and his lover quickly caught himself, smoothing it with a slightly… strained smile.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"No, my heart," his Warrior assured softly, then his smile grew a… suspiciously hard edge. "Just… if we ever travel to Old Sharlayan when we're back on the Source, you will introduce me to the people who… took care of you when you were growing up, okay? I do want to… thank them properly."

He frowned with confusion, then smiled a bit hesitantly.

"I can do that," he said slowly, though he was still quite… uncertain if that will ever happen. But if Ares promised it to Senri and he knew the future…

Fancy a bet? Damon hummed with amusement.

Huh? He frowned, watching his liver relax and focus on the pack he brought.

I say, the day your Warrior sets his feet in Old Sharlayan, heads will roll, the immortal stated with utter conviction. I'm not sure what this is about… but whenever Ares would get that look…

Nonsense, he replied, then a bit self-consciously set to discard his robes. Without looking toward his lover, he folded them neatly and carefully placed them on the floor outside of the nest. It was beyond ridiculous, he knew… but still he was blushing something fierce when he turned toward Senri again.

It was a familiar feeling, though… Back at the camp in the Find he always felt quite self-conscious when faced with his lover's utter… perfection out of the haze of arousal. Then, he used to cover it with spurns of pretend-confidence… But now, half-eaten by crystallization… He didn't know where to look or what to do with his hands, awkwardly rubbing his crystalized wrist with his normal hand.

"Come here, Raha," Senri sent him a grin – a bright, reassuring thing – and reached out his hand toward him, sitting back against the edge of the nest. Relaxing somewhat under his lover's adoring look, then gingerly placed his not-crystalized hand in his, letting his Warrior pull him toward him. He was more than a bit surprised when Senri placed a tender kiss on his lips, then with a chuckle delicately forced him to turn around and sit down between his open thighs. Once he settled, his Warrior nuzzled against his neck affectionately, then leaned back and reached for something next to them. G'raha curiously followed the movement with his gaze, frowning at the sight of the item his lover picked up – and unusually thick-brushed… hairbrush? It didn't look like anything he ever owned… "Just relax, my heart, and let me take care of you," Senri purred against his ear, putting his other hand under his chin and tilting his head forward, then his arm dropped around his chest, pulling G'raha to lean against him comfortably.

Surrounded by his lover's wonderful scent and incredible heat, he couldn't resist even if he wanted to – so instead he complied with a tiny sigh, letting the back of his head rest against Warrior's chest. Until his lover set to delicately brush the fur on his right ear and G'raha… melted.

Surprisingly, turning his beautiful mate into a blissful heap of lax muscles and living crystal by merely few careful brushes of his hand… had T'senri almost livid and pure frost fill his veins.

And a part of his heart simply… wept.

Senri? The voice of the immortal inside his head sounded beyond… icy. Just in case… how fidgety are you about slaying mortals…?

He closed his eyes and rubbed his chin against the top of his lover's head, taking a deep breath.

Back off, Ascian, he snapped back, leaning back and setting to groom his lover's beautiful, neglected fur to the lovely sound of his blissed-out purrs. That prey is mine.

One day… One day he'll find each and every person responsible for the abuse and neglect his mate experienced as kit, and once he does…

Good boy, Ares chuckled. I think… we're going to get along just fine, Senri.