sleepytimejunction | HALT THE VAULT

HALT THE VAULT

Dividing their forces is the best way to confront this matter, to ensure that the Archbishop does not escape and that Aymeric is successfully rescued. Though there is the selfish urge to remain at the Warrior of Light's side, he also knows that they cannot spare another moment if possible for Aymeric's sake. He has no doubt of the Warrior's skill and abilities, but it is still difficult to turn away and not lend his shield.

"Be well, my friends," Haurchefant says, keeping his encouraging smile up. Time isn't at their side, so no more words are exchanged, giving him the gift of the Warrior's stoic nod. It is enough for him. They part ways, leaving to their own respective duties.

As he goes into the bowels of the Vault, keeping his head clear and his eyes focused. He does not love to kill his fellow Ishgardian, but if they aim to protect the Archbishop and keep him from finding the Lord Commander, then they are his enemy. They will not spare him mercy, so in turn none can be spared for them.

"They're here! Sound the--hrrk" a temple knight begins, at least until Haurchefant guts him.

Well, hopefully cutting him off will give him enough time.

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My knight.

[He says it softly — not quite to the point of being drowsy, but certainly drifting on the lingering sensation of orgasm as he idles in Haurchefant's embrace.]

Could you bear it, do you think? Not just to stand at my side, but to be mine?

Bear it, you say. As if it were some sort of burden to be yours.

[Lightly, he nuzzles the top of Aymeric's head.]

I would swear myself to you in all ways. My shield, my sword, and my heart. If you would have me.

Would that it were only our hearts that mattered, and I would need not even ask.

[Gradually, he gathers up enough of his sense to remember how arms work, and reaches over a little awkwardly to find Haurchefant, faltering as he first tries to card fingers through his hair and eventually settling instead for running the tips of his fingers up and down the other man's bare arm.]

But Ishgard...

[Ishgard is such a cruel mistress. He could not love her more, even for all her wounds and stings.]

...What manner of fool am I, so focused on what lies for us ahead that I neglect the vision at my side. Forgive me. You are — [He flushes, just a little.] — romancing me still, I think, and I am failing to give your sweet words their due.

[He pauses, then tries a wry half-smile.]

You may ravish me again, with my permission and as you see fit, should my pondering grow intolerable.

[It's not quite the acknowledgement of a romantic union, is it? There is a bit of his heart sinking, though he is not bitter or angry. Perhaps just a touch sad. Ah, but how could he judge Aymeric for it? For the tasks that lie ahead of him, the responsibilities, and alas no doubt there will be more dissent in Ishgard as changes are on the horizon. It will be as Ishgard has always been: complicated, difficult, yet Haurchefant cannot help but love it anyway as well, just as Aymeric does.

But, there is promise of more physical intimacy, and that is well. If he must, he will continue to show in all manners just how loved Aymeric is.]

Tis never your pondering that grows intolerable. Only that I seek to relieve you of it, from time to time.

You have me in what manner you need, and I shall come for you when I see you require rescuing in all sorts.

I fear we shall find ourselves treading through hell long ere we find heaven, Haurchefant.

[The words escape him a little too quickly — a sliver of fear leached out through a crack his vulnerability left behind. And almost without thinking, he lowers his hand to wrap against Haurchefant's side rather than caressing his arm, his body language morphing to something more closely approximating a cling.]

Tis a fear I cannot shake. You nearly died today, brandishing your shield in my defense. What if someday I prove to be the poison that kills you?

What if — w-what if all these dreams are as much folly as my hopes of persuading my father to peace...?

Fear can be a healthy thing in the face of danger. Still...

[Gently, he squeezes Aymeric in his arms before fitting himself snugly against the other man's side, as if somehow that alone would protect him from his worries.]

Tomorrow, I could still meet my end. Not that I am eager to face it, mind you, though I have accepted as a knight that it is possible. No, I would much rather fancy the idea of seeing a brighter day with you and our splendid comrades. I will not shirk my duty, but I also wish to enjoy each moment that I can.

Even if we are to fail, would we not curse ourselves all the more for never trying for those who deserve it? For those we have yet to save? Tis not just for our sakes we fight as we do, but for others. For the pains we have endured, do we not wish to ease the burden onto others in some way?

For those we may yet save...

[He echoes the words almost reflexively, like he's testing the sound of them in his voice, and relaxes a fraction as Haurchefant wraps him up again. It's not that his fears have been altogether assuaged, exactly, but Haurchefant makes a good point; tomorrow is tomorrow, and they are yet still alive today. They may try and fail, yet truly they would curse themselves to stand idle and do nothing for fear of failing.]

Such a fount of wisdom you are, my dearest. And every word you speak rightly.

[He hesitates a moment, lingering over his thoughts.]

Do I ease your burdens in kind, for all that you do and have done for me?

Wisdom? I would never claim as such, but I'm glad that my words are something you take heart in.

[He has a habit of being a bit superfluous and excitable, as is his nature. But he aims to ease Aymeric's worries as best as he can regardless.]

Of course. I have admired your determination for quite sometime, even from afar. Your ideals and you as a person both are things I wish to protect. Tis why I insisted to find you as our mutual friend pursued other quarry in the Vault.

Even if you do not know it, you are a man who also gives me hope for us all.

Never shall I doubt your desire to protect me. Not after this day.

[He angles his body as best he can, trying to lean a little more deliberately into Haurchefant, bringing his arm over to run his thumb along Haurchefant's cheek.]

But I was not speaking of admiration or esteem. What I mean is — is that I would not have you be strong for me, while I am merely strong for the whole of Ishgard. Surely even one as strong as you must have moments where you falter, Haurchefaunt. I — I mean to say that if you should falter, I would be strong for you.

That your...devotion...is not...is not unreturned.

[For a moment, he's quiet, truly digesting the words. Admissions of emotion of this kind is difficult, he knows that, and it's hard to battle -- and it is enough that he leans in excitedly, pressing a giddy kiss to Aymeric's lips. It's fervent at first, at least until he remembers just how much his lips might ache, then it is much softer.]

I am certain that surely I must indeed falter, at times. For all peoples are flawed. Though I must confess, asking for that manner of aid is not something I am... accustomed to.

[Out of habit, no doubt. So rare did he ever ask anything of his father, and most other things he worked to build with his own hands. To be presented with the opportunity is foregin.

Oh, but most importantly -- devotion. How much that makes him happy. That's enough for him!]

I will try, if I have need.

Then you need not ask. Let my offer stand without asking.

[But there's a spark of quiet delight in the sight of Haurchefant's enthusiasm, in his eagerness to kiss him, and Aymeric can't help but give it a place to hide inside his own chest, to glow and warm him from within.]

Swear only that you will not hesitate to call upon me, as I shall vow to depend on you.

[Pressing his forehead to Aymeric's, Haurchefant smiles at him brightly, pure delight glimmering in his eyes.]

A knight's sworn oath, is it?

[Like before. So he chuckles, giving a faint nod.]

Then I swear to you, I shall not hesitate if I have need to call on you.

Sworn to whom, I wonder. A lord, a comrade, or a...lover.

[Or all three, mayhap, but he daren't put those words in Haurchefant's mouth, not without hearing them first on his own. And quickly, as much to give him time to think about it as to forestall any sudden answers, Aymeric leans over and kisses him, tucking more firmly into his arms.]

Whichever it may be, what little strength I may possess is yours nevertheless.

And why not a bit of all three? Well, perhaps one more than the other...

Still. My oath is to you, regardless of what mantle you deem it.

[Ah, he is blessed with another sweet kiss. Haurchefant looks positively delighted, smiling as Aymeric gets more comfortable. Good, good. For as much as he would love to clean the both of them, the warmth in his arms is much more favorable than sneaking about and trying to tidy them up.

He sighs, pleased. Today was a trial, but he's overjoyed at what he could give Aymeric.]

Your strength is more than you know. I am grateful for you regardless.

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HALT THE VAULT

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