Ā She hears the pain like a wistful ballad, but how sweetly he speaks of his late friend chases any concerns her heart grips behind her chest. While tremulous, the sigh that leaves her parted lips is soft and warm, mixing with the keeperās somnolent air that hangs around them now. Itās late, and the highs of their conversation was falling into a noticeable close. She focuses on his warmth, the sound of his heart beating rhythmically against her auburn ears, though she quickly becomes uncertain whether this helps her focus or encourage the want for sleep more.Ā
Not to worry, though, for Albi raises Jubeiās hand high towards the ceiling and that pins her with enough alertness to paint imagery with his words. She can see the man with silvery blue hair in chainmail, grins from ear to ear, laughing heartily and regaling merrily with admiring talks of his dear friend Warrior of Light. She can try and envision this wintry nation of Ishgard and the sort of ventures Albi undertook, from dragons to treacherous regiments, and Ser Haurchefantās heroic sacrifice.Ā
Ā Ā Ā ā He sounded like a remarkable friend ā¦ I hope one day, if we find time to visit Coerthas, that I could say hello where he rests now. ā
Truly an individual to be remembered with a smile ā¦ but the mere thought of knowing this person no longer is around to continue smiling and continue supporting Albi in future endeavors, is a heavy truth to swallow, one that she knows she herself has endured in her youth and even now. With these thoughts perched on her weary shoulders, she scoots closer, relishing in the keeperā embrace and presence, comforted by his voice, by the sustained optimism he so deftly maintains despite the remembrance being a bittersweet anecdote. Her hand curls tightly atop his chest, gripping at the fabric which then had her realize a clumsy error, forcing her to sit up so precipitately that she bumps her hand on the headboard.Ā
Ā Ā Ā ā I-Iām sorry! Youāre still in your clothes youāve worn all day!Ā ā Flustered and highly wired from this sudden realization, she leaps from the bed, stumbling on her way to the wardrobe thatās just fulms from the bedside, scouring for more comfortable garments the keeper can don. She also moves to the sink, a towel in hand as she douses it in warm water. The frantic movements hither and thither surely looks like a comedic scene of some skit or other, until she finally returns to Albiās side, the once-folded clothes sprawled atop his lap and the damp towel in her hand raising to wipe away any dirt and dried sweat on his person. Just the thought of not giving Albi an opportunity to breathe after this long day leaves her with guilt.Ā Ā
Ā Ā Ā ā This should help you sleep more soundly. ā She urges, wiping his face, around and behind his neck, and even down the length of arms. Satisfied with this makeshift washdown routine, her eyes signal to his shawl and the accessories and layers about his shoulders and torso. Without hesitation, she reaches forward to begin helping him undress.Ā ā Before you object, Iām not just going to let you sleep in your battle gear.Ā ā At the very least, she was hardly sleepy anyway. And it serves as good distraction from lingering in any more heavy thoughts. Though, truth be told, the need for distraction comes effortlessly and accidentally, since her failure of foresight leads her completely startled and unfocused when she gazes upon the man half-bare before her. She swallows the lump in her throat, nervousness assaulting her on all fronts of her mind, before shaking it off, clearing her throat.
Ā Ā Ā ā Iām still ā¦ very sorry for troubling you tonight. So I want to make it up to you, if youāll let me? Like ā¦ letting me take care of you tomorrow?Ā ā Ā Itās silly feeling the blush creeping on her tanned cheeks, a sudden desire for something as normal as a woman taking care of the man she loves.Ā ā I can ā¦ learn how to make this hot chocolate like your friend did. Or I can prepare breakfast? Whatever youād like for me to do, Iāll do it! ā
Ā Ā āone of the best,ā itās a bittersweet smile that grows on his lips, that presses against her temple amid his sleepy cheer. even as he might try to tangle himself further with her, make it near impossible that sheād slink away with the strings of insomnia tugging at her limbs later on, he knows thereās little he can do but make empty promises of the same kind he had back then. but some things never changed, did they?Ā ābut sure, we can go visit him. i havenāt been in a while, anā iām sure heād wanna meet ye.ā
Ā Ā shame, even, that heād visited haurchefantās fatherĀ (even if it hadnāt been intentional) without giving a moment to sit by the cliff, yet back then, it hadnāt seemed right. how could he face his dear friendās grave when he couldnāt even manage his dying request? how would he bring the girl who so vehemently disagreed with it to meet him now?
Ā Ā problems fer a future me.
Ā Ā but wide eyes track her frantic movements around the room, pulling him to sit up with a lengthy yawn. ears jolted up previously lower languidly, flattening apathetically against the side of his head. whilst the initial surprise of her busying herself began to wear off and the hours heās spent running to and fro today wear on his exhausted features, the chill of the damp cloth against his face wakes him from any notion of rest again. a rumble of low grumbles escapes his clear frown, and he sits stubbornly still amid her barrage of cleansing ministrations.
Ā Ā āi can change on my own, yāknow?ā with a sleepy flick of his ear as the shawl pops over his crown, he slides the bracers off his arms, dropping them on the floor next to the bed with soft clinkās as the metal struck the tile. he moves to stand, thumbs already grasping the belt that held the wrapped fabric around his waist with no concern for the clothes haphazardly tossed in his lap earlier. whatās more to the pile heāll already have to pick up, he figures, releasing the embroidered brocades and stitched leather to gather at his feet. after swiping his long sleeve shirt off the floor and tugging it on, he swaps his slops for baggier pants, and nonchalantly sweeps his discarded armor towards his bag.
Ā Ā folding it all when heād doubtless need to wash it later seemed a waste of time, after all.
Ā Ā āi donāt need ya ta do stuff like that...ā as he sinks back into his seat, he shakes his head, heaving a sigh. idle fingers scratch at his scalp as he searches for better words, better thoughts, something helpfulĀ to say. frankly, the idea of jubei flitting about the kitchen just didnāt seem like aught sheād enjoy, even if the sentimentĀ was touching enough.Ā ātwelve know it aināt yer fancy. anā sides, even if ye say ye donāt mind, iĀ mind.ā
Ā Ā he peeks up from beneath his bangs, gauging whatever reaction she mightāve had with a weighty, cautious pause. āiām content as long as yer near me, as long as weāre happy,ā reaching for the hand pressing the cloth to his collarbone, he lifts her wrist to his lips,Ā āas long as yer safe. i need nothing else.ā
Ā Ā releasing her hand from his hold, the keeper promptly flops himself back to his comfortable spot against the pillow, patting at the mess of blankets beside him in that oh-so-welcoming way, āifān yer so worried about it, though, think of somethinā only youĀ could do. something so uniquely jubyĀ that iāll fall in love wiā ye all over again.ā
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