#emix

"I must beg thine aid on a matter of research. If thou art resolved to face Lord Ramuh, I would ask thy leave to observe the event."

Before Emix could respond in the affirmative, their colleagues butted in with what had become their usual japes.

"Research, is it?" Y'shtola teased.

"I'll grant that Emix does cut a striking figure in combat," Thancred said. Then, with a feigned realization, he added, "Oh, you mean to observe Ramuh! Well, then, forget I said anything."

Even Papalymo seemed to be suppressing a chuckle. Despite the gloomy lighting in this part of the forest, Emix could tell that Urianger's face was growing red under his hood. They knew the teasing would never cease until they either gave them what they wanted or called them out on it. So, despite their usually endless font of patience, Emix reacted in a way that surprised even themself.

"Matron's tits, would you all cut it out?" It worked, at least in the short term, and that was all they needed. They turned to Urianger and said, "Of course you can observe," before stalking off towards the battlefield where the Lord of Levin awaited them.

After the battle, they reunited with Urianger for the walk back to Little Solace, the others having blessedly left them alone. As the rush subsided, they found themself regretting their outburst. Its efficacy likely lay only in how out of character it was for them, and in acknowledging what was going on, they worried that they had only lent credence to the others' suspicions. Had they ignored it, they probably would have let up eventually.

"Um...sorry about earlier," they finally said, mostly to the ground.

"Nay, 'tis I who should be offering mine apologies to thee," Urianger said. "'Twas my responsibility to shut the rumors down ere they reached thee, but I regret that I did not find the courage in time. I pray that my failure hath no deleterious effect on...our relationship, in whatever form that may take."

That wording made Emix wonder: what form was he expecting it to take? Were the jests and rumors from their colleagues based on speculation, or was there actually a chance that they were based on something more concrete? They had long since come to terms with the fact that their own feelings for Urianger went beyond friendship, but they had never wanted to assume that it might be reciprocated. Well, given the circumstances, now was as good a time as any to ask.

"What form does it take, in your eyes?"

Urianger paused in his steps. "I could ask the same of thee."

"I asked first," Emix grumbled, earning a chuckle.

"So thou didst. Very well." He took a moment to gather his thoughts, gently grasping Emix's hand. "I shan't deny that I have made certain attempts to signal my feelings, though my perception is that they have gone unnoticed, or unaccepted, or simply landed in the realm of uncertainty, much as I have been uncertain as to how to interpret certain gestures of thine. Thus, directness may indeed suit us both. First and foremost, thy friendship doth mean much to me. If thou wouldst have that alone, then may it bloom forevermore. If, however, thou wouldst have more"—he lifted Emix's hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on his knuckles—"I would welcome it wholeheartedly."

It was hard to believe, somehow, despite all the signs, but the touch of his lips made it real. They took half a step forward, taking Urianger's other hand in theirs.