ᴄʜɪɢᴜꜱᴀ ꜱʜɪʀᴏɢᴀɴᴇ

The hand on her hip gives her a sense of stability, of security. And Twelve, does he have large hands. It completely engulfs her side and the thought makes her core burn hotter. At this rate she wonders if their body heat will melt the ice and snow around them. But, that’s a concern for another time..

When he stopped and growled at himself, she quickly looked down to assess the situation, noting his ears. Ears which she moved her hands to rub at the base of. Her attempt at comforting him.

She smiles as their foreheads touch.

“Xivrus, I don’t think there’s a single boundary you could cross right now,” she admits, averting her gaze in embarrassment yet again. But it doesn’t last long. Her lips are back on his in a matter of moments, slow and languid.

“But… if there’s a boundary I shouldn’t cross, please let me know,” she offers after her show of affection. Her hands linger on his chest, feeling the radiating warmth from him. She’s certain she has just as much heat coming from her.

His purring quieted down a little as she spoke, softly saying his intimate name. The way she said it now, so soft and gentle, reassuring and sweet — how could he not listen? He truly believed she didn't know the power she held in her hands with the use of his intimate name. It was like someone seeing the rawest part of himself, but not rejecting it. Welcoming it — wanting it, even. Twelve only know what would happen if she tried to push him along.

Coerthas Central Highlands, Eorzea.

They didn't have much reason to be here other than the fact that A'xivrus had suggested they come to see something that he labeled as dear to him. But, ah... a blizzard was beginning to roll through the area and their current position was not near any form of shelter or suitable cover.

Personally, he was fine. His body adapted to weather conditions, scales moving and adjusting depending upon the temperature. Currently they stacked on top of themselves, a layer across his entire body that provided insulation, trapping his body heat to create a cycle of self-heating and invigoration.

But, Chigusa here... she was petite, holding very little body heat. He could not let her freeze in such weather conditions, as the temperature dropped to dangerously low levels, the wind nipping at their skin through their clothes. Fire-imbued blade met frozen ice as he carved an opening into the side of an ice boulder, a small one that, from the looks of it, could really only fit one person. It certainly wasn't tall enough for him.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, pausing briefly, “If this is uncomfortable for you, I apologize, but I will not let you freeze. Bear with me until the blizzard passes.”

He'd place his Paladin shield upon his back as he pushed into the hole, scales readjusting to expose his chest and arms as he guided Chigusa into the tight enclosure with him. The shield upon his back would block any ice that might fall on the two of them. He held the other close, his body heat enough to warm both of them even as his ears flattened and he let out a shuddered breath due to the wind that battered his arm.

...Both.

She rests her tail on her lap, feeling the worst of the cold biting at the tip. Any longer and she swears it would have fallen off.

Her hands carefully hold onto his arm, trying to warm it with some aether, though it probably wasn't too effective against the howling cold. She nestles up against him with a shiver before relaxing, sighing as he's already made her much warmer than moments ago.

Though, his eyes shot open and his breathing stopped when she used his intimate name — which wasn't the first time, but it was also not something he was used to. He felt his cheeks grow hot as she gently kissed his cheek, causing him to nuzzle against her in return, loud purring kick-starting in his chest.

What was this feeling of... bareness? Exposed yet completely hidden at the same time. His fluffy tail curled around her as his embrace grew slightly tighter, head dipping to lean against her shoulder as she was essentially perfectly placed between his knees and his chest. Sandwiched in the most comfortable and all-consuming way — a caring embrace, a dearly beloved, and protection from the bitter cold.

With how they were, it was only the occasional harsh gusts of wind that disrupted the warmth they shared, but it would return rather quickly.

Like this, he was no weapon. A protector, shielding from the cold. Yet, he was also indulging, was he not? To be so close so casually, it...

A gentle reassurance with a hushed tone as calmness washed over him, though he tensed up as he felt a shift in mood, followed very quickly by her arms wrapping around his neck. She pressed herself against him, arms holding tightly while hiding her face, a distressed embrace if he's ever seen one.

And then she said he wasn't allowed to die. His gaze softened as he hummed, a hand moving to brush through her hair, gently combing through the strands. They went through the same journey since becoming Warriors of Light, even if they didn't come from the same place or timeline to begin with. He knew, or at least understood, where that pain came from. Haurchefant, Zenos (subjective), almost Estinien, all of the Scions (but they came back), and countless others they encountered upon their journey.

Yet... he's been alive for over fifty-five hundred years. He would not die anytime soon, nor did he intend to. But her, Chigusa? She wasn't... immortal. At least, there has been no indication otherwise that she was, or if she had a severely extended lifetime compared to others. Knowing that, it would be another person he would outlive.

His gaze cast downwards as his lips thinned, watching as she takes one of his hands into both of her own. If she touched his grafts, they would glow a pinkish-red at the point before dimming down. Like this, how they were now, she could see all of the grafts on his upper body that were normally hidden by scales, or only partially revealed. [See this post for reference.]

Under her touch, they pulsed and changed color, reflective of his internal emotional state even if his face said no words. While the expression may never reveal anything, the body cannot lie. And his grafts were ever an indicator of mood based on color. The general understanding of a pinkish-red, or redder magenta, was love and passion. She gave him gentleness he didn't deserve, her touch leaving lines of what felt like electricity behind. Tingling, burning, kick-starting the body into yearning for more.

As her hand raised to his chest, palm pressing flat against the center, scales would outline the shape of her hand, extending outwards as if to say she herself was a core part of him. Like her influence spread across him, a nervous system of its own. With her hand where it was, she could feel his heart beating, stronger than most. More prominent, but it was also significantly slower too. If she couldn't see that he was fine with her own eyes, she might think something was wrong with his heart considering it only beat around forty times a minute.

“I will not leave in any sense unless you are the one who tells me to, Chigusa.”

His eyes flick up to her face for a moment before his free hand moved to rest gently upon the one on his chest. As his fingers tentatively curled around her hand, his heart rate increased, eyes avoiding hers. He'd offer a gentle nuzzle against her again, hand moving from hers to brush a few strands of hair out of her face, the back of his knuckles lingering against her cheek.

As he looked up at her, his eyes held a glow brighter than before, but he still kept himself composed and as neutral as possible. His experience with these situations was virtually non-existent and he didn't want to accidentally mess up if he shared the sentiment more than she did.

There's a few moments of silent contemplation before she suddenly shifts, straddling his lap. Another few moments pass as she works up the courage. Tries to, at least. Twelve, she so much smaller than him. He's taller than any au ra she's ever seen. And...maybe it was some primal instinct, but she loves it. It's not often that she's allowed to be vulnerable, physically or mentally.

Despite that, he didn't look away from her, not once. How could he, when she shifts to straddle his lap, retracting into herself to... gather courage? He saw the way her eyes glazed over and her lips thinned, silently praying for the ability to do whatever it was she wanted to do next. She didn't even look at him, either. But, he saw, he always saw.

After she asked her question, a sharp inhale could be heard, like a knife cutting through the air. His eyes dilated, closed, followed by several deep breaths as his grip on her shoulder got tighter for a moment, though relaxed shortly after. Oh, the way she meekly asked, curled up in his lap like that —

If it weren't for the fact that she asked, there would've been an instant response, an indulgence of his own. He wouldn't have stopped either, too hungry for his own good if she allowed him to continue. A ravenous beast, one might say — even if he gave so much in return.

She shifts and stands on her knees, slightly trembling hands reaching up and gently cupping his face before she presses her lips to his as softly as possible.

Her nervousness isn’t a reflection of how she feels towards doing this with him, it’s more a shyness and general inexperience.

As her lips met his, he let out a gentle sigh, fingers moving to brush along her cheek lovingly. He returned the kiss softly, slowly, not daring to rush even if his ears twitched and some part of him trembled at the rawness of this situation. This was love, love he was being given. He didn't deserve it, no, not after everything he did, what he was, what he still has to do. Despite that, she gave it willingly, so, so willingly.

He'd become a bit more passionate as one hand snaked to the back of her head, the other nestling around her hip, keeping her close. The blizzard didn't even bother him, his own body was on fire and producing too much heat for even the cold of the ice behind him to bother him. The wind poked, attempted to disturb but failed miserably.

He'd break off the kiss to trail along her face, placing many soft kisses from her lips to her lower cheek, then along her jaw and dipping down to her neck. No matter the position, it was always so gentle, so reverent. As if she was a goddess in his hands, a goddess he was worshipping through physical affection, silent prayers, and all the care in the world.

As he hooked a finger along her top to expose her collarbone and place a few kisses along it, he'd pause and linger, breath hot against her skin. His ears momentarily flattened as he lowly growled at himself, a wave of blue momentarily interrupting the red pulsing through his grafts.

He wouldn't move from her neck, but he paused his movements nonetheless.

“If I go too far, let me know. I will not intentionally cross boundaries you are not ready for me to cross.”

The hand on her hip gives her a sense of stability, of security. And Twelve, does he have large hands. It completely engulfs her side and the thought makes her core burn hotter. At this rate she wonders if their body heat will melt the ice and snow around them. But, that’s a concern for another time..

When he stopped and growled at himself, she quickly looked down to assess the situation, noting his ears. Ears which she moved her hands to rub at the base of. Her attempt at comforting him.

She smiles as their foreheads touch.

“Xivrus, I don’t think there’s a single boundary you could cross right now,” she admits, averting her gaze in embarrassment yet again. But it doesn’t last long. Her lips are back on his in a matter of moments, slow and languid.

“But… if there’s a boundary I shouldn’t cross, please let me know,” she offers after her show of affection. Her hands linger on his chest, feeling the radiating warmth from him. She’s certain she has just as much heat coming from her.

Coerthas Central Highlands, Eorzea.

They didn't have much reason to be here other than the fact that A'xivrus had suggested they come to see something that he labeled as dear to him. But, ah... a blizzard was beginning to roll through the area and their current position was not near any form of shelter or suitable cover.

Personally, he was fine. His body adapted to weather conditions, scales moving and adjusting depending upon the temperature. Currently they stacked on top of themselves, a layer across his entire body that provided insulation, trapping his body heat to create a cycle of self-heating and invigoration.

But, Chigusa here... she was petite, holding very little body heat. He could not let her freeze in such weather conditions, as the temperature dropped to dangerously low levels, the wind nipping at their skin through their clothes. Fire-imbued blade met frozen ice as he carved an opening into the side of an ice boulder, a small one that, from the looks of it, could really only fit one person. It certainly wasn't tall enough for him.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, pausing briefly, “If this is uncomfortable for you, I apologize, but I will not let you freeze. Bear with me until the blizzard passes.”

He'd place his Paladin shield upon his back as he pushed into the hole, scales readjusting to expose his chest and arms as he guided Chigusa into the tight enclosure with him. The shield upon his back would block any ice that might fall on the two of them. He held the other close, his body heat enough to warm both of them even as his ears flattened and he let out a shuddered breath due to the wind that battered his arm.

...Both.

She rests her tail on her lap, feeling the worst of the cold biting at the tip. Any longer and she swears it would have fallen off.

Her hands carefully hold onto his arm, trying to warm it with some aether, though it probably wasn't too effective against the howling cold. She nestles up against him with a shiver before relaxing, sighing as he's already made her much warmer than moments ago.

Though, his eyes shot open and his breathing stopped when she used his intimate name — which wasn't the first time, but it was also not something he was used to. He felt his cheeks grow hot as she gently kissed his cheek, causing him to nuzzle against her in return, loud purring kick-starting in his chest.

What was this feeling of... bareness? Exposed yet completely hidden at the same time. His fluffy tail curled around her as his embrace grew slightly tighter, head dipping to lean against her shoulder as she was essentially perfectly placed between his knees and his chest. Sandwiched in the most comfortable and all-consuming way — a caring embrace, a dearly beloved, and protection from the bitter cold.

With how they were, it was only the occasional harsh gusts of wind that disrupted the warmth they shared, but it would return rather quickly.

Like this, he was no weapon. A protector, shielding from the cold. Yet, he was also indulging, was he not? To be so close so casually, it...

A gentle reassurance with a hushed tone as calmness washed over him, though he tensed up as he felt a shift in mood, followed very quickly by her arms wrapping around his neck. She pressed herself against him, arms holding tightly while hiding her face, a distressed embrace if he's ever seen one.

And then she said he wasn't allowed to die. His gaze softened as he hummed, a hand moving to brush through her hair, gently combing through the strands. They went through the same journey since becoming Warriors of Light, even if they didn't come from the same place or timeline to begin with. He knew, or at least understood, where that pain came from. Haurchefant, Zenos (subjective), almost Estinien, all of the Scions (but they came back), and countless others they encountered upon their journey.

Yet... he's been alive for over fifty-five hundred years. He would not die anytime soon, nor did he intend to. But her, Chigusa? She wasn't... immortal. At least, there has been no indication otherwise that she was, or if she had a severely extended lifetime compared to others. Knowing that, it would be another person he would outlive.

His gaze cast downwards as his lips thinned, watching as she takes one of his hands into both of her own. If she touched his grafts, they would glow a pinkish-red at the point before dimming down. Like this, how they were now, she could see all of the grafts on his upper body that were normally hidden by scales, or only partially revealed. [See this post for reference.]

Under her touch, they pulsed and changed color, reflective of his internal emotional state even if his face said no words. While the expression may never reveal anything, the body cannot lie. And his grafts were ever an indicator of mood based on color. The general understanding of a pinkish-red, or redder magenta, was love and passion. She gave him gentleness he didn't deserve, her touch leaving lines of what felt like electricity behind. Tingling, burning, kick-starting the body into yearning for more.

As her hand raised to his chest, palm pressing flat against the center, scales would outline the shape of her hand, extending outwards as if to say she herself was a core part of him. Like her influence spread across him, a nervous system of its own. With her hand where it was, she could feel his heart beating, stronger than most. More prominent, but it was also significantly slower too. If she couldn't see that he was fine with her own eyes, she might think something was wrong with his heart considering it only beat around forty times a minute.

“I will not leave in any sense unless you are the one who tells me to, Chigusa.”

His eyes flick up to her face for a moment before his free hand moved to rest gently upon the one on his chest. As his fingers tentatively curled around her hand, his heart rate increased, eyes avoiding hers. He'd offer a gentle nuzzle against her again, hand moving from hers to brush a few strands of hair out of her face, the back of his knuckles lingering against her cheek.

As he looked up at her, his eyes held a glow brighter than before, but he still kept himself composed and as neutral as possible. His experience with these situations was virtually non-existent and he didn't want to accidentally mess up if he shared the sentiment more than she did.

There's a few moments of silent contemplation before she suddenly shifts, straddling his lap. Another few moments pass as she works up the courage. Tries to, at least. Twelve, she so much smaller than him. He's taller than any au ra she's ever seen. And...maybe it was some primal instinct, but she loves it. It's not often that she's allowed to be vulnerable, physically or mentally.

Despite that, he didn't look away from her, not once. How could he, when she shifts to straddle his lap, retracting into herself to... gather courage? He saw the way her eyes glazed over and her lips thinned, silently praying for the ability to do whatever it was she wanted to do next. She didn't even look at him, either. But, he saw, he always saw.

After she asked her question, a sharp inhale could be heard, like a knife cutting through the air. His eyes dilated, closed, followed by several deep breaths as his grip on her shoulder got tighter for a moment, though relaxed shortly after. Oh, the way she meekly asked, curled up in his lap like that —

If it weren't for the fact that she asked, there would've been an instant response, an indulgence of his own. He wouldn't have stopped either, too hungry for his own good if she allowed him to continue. A ravenous beast, one might say — even if he gave so much in return.

She shifts and stands on her knees, slightly trembling hands reaching up and gently cupping his face before she presses her lips to his as softly as possible.

Her nervousness isn’t a reflection of how she feels towards doing this with him, it’s more a shyness and general inexperience.

Coerthas Central Highlands, Eorzea.

They didn't have much reason to be here other than the fact that A'xivrus had suggested they come to see something that he labeled as dear to him. But, ah... a blizzard was beginning to roll through the area and their current position was not near any form of shelter or suitable cover.

Personally, he was fine. His body adapted to weather conditions, scales moving and adjusting depending upon the temperature. Currently they stacked on top of themselves, a layer across his entire body that provided insulation, trapping his body heat to create a cycle of self-heating and invigoration.

But, Chigusa here... she was petite, holding very little body heat. He could not let her freeze in such weather conditions, as the temperature dropped to dangerously low levels, the wind nipping at their skin through their clothes. Fire-imbued blade met frozen ice as he carved an opening into the side of an ice boulder, a small one that, from the looks of it, could really only fit one person. It certainly wasn't tall enough for him.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, pausing briefly, “If this is uncomfortable for you, I apologize, but I will not let you freeze. Bear with me until the blizzard passes.”

He'd place his Paladin shield upon his back as he pushed into the hole, scales readjusting to expose his chest and arms as he guided Chigusa into the tight enclosure with him. The shield upon his back would block any ice that might fall on the two of them. He held the other close, his body heat enough to warm both of them even as his ears flattened and he let out a shuddered breath due to the wind that battered his arm.

...Both.

She rests her tail on her lap, feeling the worst of the cold biting at the tip. Any longer and she swears it would have fallen off.

Her hands carefully hold onto his arm, trying to warm it with some aether, though it probably wasn't too effective against the howling cold. She nestles up against him with a shiver before relaxing, sighing as he's already made her much warmer than moments ago.

Though, his eyes shot open and his breathing stopped when she used his intimate name — which wasn't the first time, but it was also not something he was used to. He felt his cheeks grow hot as she gently kissed his cheek, causing him to nuzzle against her in return, loud purring kick-starting in his chest.

What was this feeling of... bareness? Exposed yet completely hidden at the same time. His fluffy tail curled around her as his embrace grew slightly tighter, head dipping to lean against her shoulder as she was essentially perfectly placed between his knees and his chest. Sandwiched in the most comfortable and all-consuming way — a caring embrace, a dearly beloved, and protection from the bitter cold.

With how they were, it was only the occasional harsh gusts of wind that disrupted the warmth they shared, but it would return rather quickly.

Like this, he was no weapon. A protector, shielding from the cold. Yet, he was also indulging, was he not? To be so close so casually, it...

A gentle reassurance with a hushed tone as calmness washed over him, though he tensed up as he felt a shift in mood, followed very quickly by her arms wrapping around his neck. She pressed herself against him, arms holding tightly while hiding her face, a distressed embrace if he's ever seen one.

And then she said he wasn't allowed to die. His gaze softened as he hummed, a hand moving to brush through her hair, gently combing through the strands. They went through the same journey since becoming Warriors of Light, even if they didn't come from the same place or timeline to begin with. He knew, or at least understood, where that pain came from. Haurchefant, Zenos (subjective), almost Estinien, all of the Scions (but they came back), and countless others they encountered upon their journey.

Yet... he's been alive for over fifty-five hundred years. He would not die anytime soon, nor did he intend to. But her, Chigusa? She wasn't... immortal. At least, there has been no indication otherwise that she was, or if she had a severely extended lifetime compared to others. Knowing that, it would be another person he would outlive.

His gaze cast downwards as his lips thinned, watching as she takes one of his hands into both of her own. If she touched his grafts, they would glow a pinkish-red at the point before dimming down. Like this, how they were now, she could see all of the grafts on his upper body that were normally hidden by scales, or only partially revealed. [See this post for reference.]

Under her touch, they pulsed and changed color, reflective of his internal emotional state even if his face said no words. While the expression may never reveal anything, the body cannot lie. And his grafts were ever an indicator of mood based on color. The general understanding of a pinkish-red, or redder magenta, was love and passion. She gave him gentleness he didn't deserve, her touch leaving lines of what felt like electricity behind. Tingling, burning, kick-starting the body into yearning for more.

As her hand raised to his chest, palm pressing flat against the center, scales would outline the shape of her hand, extending outwards as if to say she herself was a core part of him. Like her influence spread across him, a nervous system of its own. With her hand where it was, she could feel his heart beating, stronger than most. More prominent, but it was also significantly slower too. If she couldn't see that he was fine with her own eyes, she might think something was wrong with his heart considering it only beat around forty times a minute.

“I will not leave in any sense unless you are the one who tells me to, Chigusa.”

His eyes flick up to her face for a moment before his free hand moved to rest gently upon the one on his chest. As his fingers tentatively curled around her hand, his heart rate increased, eyes avoiding hers. He'd offer a gentle nuzzle against her again, hand moving from hers to brush a few strands of hair out of her face, the back of his knuckles lingering against her cheek.

As he looked up at her, his eyes held a glow brighter than before, but he still kept himself composed and as neutral as possible. His experience with these situations was virtually non-existent and he didn't want to accidentally mess up if he shared the sentiment more than she did.

There's a few moments of silent contemplation before she suddenly shifts, straddling his lap. Another few moments pass as she works up the courage. Tries to, at least. Twelve, she so much smaller than him. He's taller than any au ra she's ever seen. And...maybe it was some primal instinct, but she loves it. It's not often that she's allowed to be vulnerable, physically or mentally.

Coerthas Central Highlands, Eorzea.

They didn't have much reason to be here other than the fact that A'xivrus had suggested they come to see something that he labeled as dear to him. But, ah... a blizzard was beginning to roll through the area and their current position was not near any form of shelter or suitable cover.

Personally, he was fine. His body adapted to weather conditions, scales moving and adjusting depending upon the temperature. Currently they stacked on top of themselves, a layer across his entire body that provided insulation, trapping his body heat to create a cycle of self-heating and invigoration.

But, Chigusa here... she was petite, holding very little body heat. He could not let her freeze in such weather conditions, as the temperature dropped to dangerously low levels, the wind nipping at their skin through their clothes. Fire-imbued blade met frozen ice as he carved an opening into the side of an ice boulder, a small one that, from the looks of it, could really only fit one person. It certainly wasn't tall enough for him.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, pausing briefly, “If this is uncomfortable for you, I apologize, but I will not let you freeze. Bear with me until the blizzard passes.”

He'd place his Paladin shield upon his back as he pushed into the hole, scales readjusting to expose his chest and arms as he guided Chigusa into the tight enclosure with him. The shield upon his back would block any ice that might fall on the two of them. He held the other close, his body heat enough to warm both of them even as his ears flattened and he let out a shuddered breath due to the wind that battered his arm.

...Both.

She rests her tail on her lap, feeling the worst of the cold biting at the tip. Any longer and she swears it would have fallen off.

Her hands carefully hold onto his arm, trying to warm it with some aether, though it probably wasn't too effective against the howling cold. She nestles up against him with a shiver before relaxing, sighing as he's already made her much warmer than moments ago.

Though, his eyes shot open and his breathing stopped when she used his intimate name — which wasn't the first time, but it was also not something he was used to. He felt his cheeks grow hot as she gently kissed his cheek, causing him to nuzzle against her in return, loud purring kick-starting in his chest.

What was this feeling of... bareness? Exposed yet completely hidden at the same time. His fluffy tail curled around her as his embrace grew slightly tighter, head dipping to lean against her shoulder as she was essentially perfectly placed between his knees and his chest. Sandwiched in the most comfortable and all-consuming way — a caring embrace, a dearly beloved, and protection from the bitter cold.

With how they were, it was only the occasional harsh gusts of wind that disrupted the warmth they shared, but it would return rather quickly.

Like this, he was no weapon. A protector, shielding from the cold. Yet, he was also indulging, was he not? To be so close so casually, it...

"Of course!" She breaks out of her nervous habit with a smile. "I love them dearly. My father's name is Hozan, he was a craftsman in Sui-no-Sato. My mother is Ferrin, a daughter of merchants. She and my father would often travel to Kugane. Him in search of supplies, her to find vendors outside of Gridania, and the eventually met! But, it's quite funny. My father is the meek and mild one, while mother has the personality of...well... Let's just say it's fiery. If there was one of them to be afraid of, it would definitely be her!"

She's smiling as she reminisces about her family back in the lush forests.

"They are kind people and I am lucky to have them as my parents. I try to visit every so often, especially with me being the only child. They worry and as years pass, I know my time with them dwindles."

A soft smile lingered on his lips as she spoke about her family, their attitudes and other things about them. His thumb gently brushed along the back of her palm.

“What stops you now, in this period of rest? Why not go visit them now? I could come with you, if you want to get there safely. I know the Shroud can be hostile depending upon the entities around.”

He'd let go of her hand afterwards, clearing his throat and looking off to the side as an ear twitched awkwardly. He definitely needed to watch himself, lest he accidentally overstep or...

Ah. Was he flirting already and didn't know it? What if he went too far, let his own feelings get ahead of him? He knew he was attached, too much for that matter. Not that he could hide it at this point. Towards anyone that wasn't her, he was a locked vault, showing not even a hint of emotion.

"Are you sure you won't grow tired of me? I might become quite annoying after a while," she attempts to joke, trying to stifle her rising body temperature, especially after his touch.

She can't stifle the giggle at his adorable ear twitch, though.

He chuckled, though kept his composure despite the light blush on his cheeks. Ah, he was really in it now! She'd never let him hear the end of it.

“I will follow you, then.”

He stood up, gunblade secured at his hip (yes, it stays there. sheathed like a sword) and offered a hand if she also wanted to stand up with him. He was in an unusually chipper mood, a smile upon his face. Such a rare sight, that.

“Wherever you take me, I will remember it. Perhaps... I will return from time to time, or even give your parents gifts. As for you...”

He would step closer, procuring an Elpis flower that he had in his inventory. It was a vibrant red mixed with hues of blue and white. Passion, comfort, and hope. He'd gently tuck it into her hair with a soft hum, tail swaying slowly behind him.



It's when he mentions gifting something to her parents that they lift off of her cheeks and she takes his hand to stand. "Y-you don't have to do that, it's okay--"



She immediately shuts up when she sees the flower, completely giving up on trying not to blush at this point. There was no holding it back. Not after this! That tea kettle noise? Yup, still blasting through her head. Her tail flicks behind her.

Coerthas Central Highlands, Eorzea.

They didn't have much reason to be here other than the fact that A'xivrus had suggested they come to see something that he labeled as dear to him. But, ah... a blizzard was beginning to roll through the area and their current position was not near any form of shelter or suitable cover.

Personally, he was fine. His body adapted to weather conditions, scales moving and adjusting depending upon the temperature. Currently they stacked on top of themselves, a layer across his entire body that provided insulation, trapping his body heat to create a cycle of self-heating and invigoration.

But, Chigusa here... she was petite, holding very little body heat. He could not let her freeze in such weather conditions, as the temperature dropped to dangerously low levels, the wind nipping at their skin through their clothes. Fire-imbued blade met frozen ice as he carved an opening into the side of an ice boulder, a small one that, from the looks of it, could really only fit one person. It certainly wasn't tall enough for him.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, pausing briefly, “If this is uncomfortable for you, I apologize, but I will not let you freeze. Bear with me until the blizzard passes.”

He'd place his Paladin shield upon his back as he pushed into the hole, scales readjusting to expose his chest and arms as he guided Chigusa into the tight enclosure with him. The shield upon his back would block any ice that might fall on the two of them. He held the other close, his body heat enough to warm both of them even as his ears flattened and he let out a shuddered breath due to the wind that battered his arm.

...Both.

She rests her tail on her lap, feeling the worst of the cold biting at the tip. Any longer and she swears it would have fallen off.

Her hands carefully hold onto his arm, trying to warm it with some aether, though it probably wasn't too effective against the howling cold. She nestles up against him with a shiver before relaxing, sighing as he's already made her much warmer than moments ago.

"Of course!" She breaks out of her nervous habit with a smile. "I love them dearly. My father's name is Hozan, he was a craftsman in Sui-no-Sato. My mother is Ferrin, a daughter of merchants. She and my father would often travel to Kugane. Him in search of supplies, her to find vendors outside of Gridania, and the eventually met! But, it's quite funny. My father is the meek and mild one, while mother has the personality of...well... Let's just say it's fiery. If there was one of them to be afraid of, it would definitely be her!"

She's smiling as she reminisces about her family back in the lush forests.

"They are kind people and I am lucky to have them as my parents. I try to visit every so often, especially with me being the only child. They worry and as years pass, I know my time with them dwindles."

A soft smile lingered on his lips as she spoke about her family, their attitudes and other things about them. His thumb gently brushed along the back of her palm.

“What stops you now, in this period of rest? Why not go visit them now? I could come with you, if you want to get there safely. I know the Shroud can be hostile depending upon the entities around.”

He'd let go of her hand afterwards, clearing his throat and looking off to the side as an ear twitched awkwardly. He definitely needed to watch himself, lest he accidentally overstep or...

Ah. Was he flirting already and didn't know it? What if he went too far, let his own feelings get ahead of him? He knew he was attached, too much for that matter. Not that he could hide it at this point. Towards anyone that wasn't her, he was a locked vault, showing not even a hint of emotion.

"Are you sure you won't grow tired of me? I might become quite annoying after a while," she attempts to joke, trying to stifle her rising body temperature, especially after his touch.

She can't stifle the giggle at his adorable ear twitch, though.

ɪ ꜱᴛɪʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴋʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ

independent, semi-selective RP blog for a warrior of light from FFXIV. written by aster. blog is strictly 21+, any nsfw will be in DMs. i am open to OCs and crossovers! timeline is generally in current time with the game, can be adjusted upon request. let's be friends!

carrd | prompts

ɪ ꜱᴛɪʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴋʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ

independent, semi-selective RP blog for a warrior of light from FFXIV. written by aster. blog is strictly 21+, any nsfw will be in DMs. i am open to OCs and crossovers! timeline is generally in current time with the game, can be adjusted upon request.

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