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── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── Starlight Celebration── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Ao3

___

Hyzenthlay watched the snow fall from the warmth of her apartment, sipping the heady Ishgardian style tea in comforting silence. She had woken up alone with Thancred’s side of the bed cold, showing that she had been alone for some time. She had no idea where he was or what time he had left. It was not unusual for Thancred to leave before Hyzenthlay woke up. He often would be gone for an extended period of time without a word of where he was going or when he would be back. Like a shadow he moved, one minute he was there and the next he was gone.

“I hope he makes it back soon,” Hyzenthlay turned her attention to the House Fortemp invitation to their Starlight Celebration feast. A tradition that was once held in Ishgard when Starlight was still celebrated. One of the traditions that the newly appointed Count Artoirel was trying to restore with the assistance of his father.

With Ishgard opening its iron gates once more to the world, so did the once holiday that had been lost to Ishgard. Eorzea had taken it up, adapting new traditions with the old. Many of the noble houses were willing and eager to revive the forgotten holiday, surprisingly welcoming the new additions that Eorzea celebrated. They combined their wealth with the aid of Aymeric to decorate Ishgard to match the festive spirit of the Starlight Festival. It was wonderful to see joy in the city. With everything Ishgard and her people had gone through and lost. The people needed this.

Hyzenthlay set the invitation back down on the coffee table. Her attention now turned to the medium sized evergreen tree that stood proudly in the corner of her apartment. She brought several of the children from the city to help her decorate the tree. Thancred had to lift the youngest of them to place the star on the very top. When it was time for them to leave, they were all given hand-crafted gifts with an assortment of sweets.

“These kids are lucky,” Thancred said when the last of the children left, “That they have a happy memory for the Starlight Celebration.”

“You didn’t have a good experience on Starlight in your youth?”

“Hard to have a good experience when you are trying to survive on the streets.” Thancred gave a small smile, “Wish I had what you have given these children.”

Hyzenthlay felt her throat constrict with emotion. She could see a young Thancred alone, cold and hungry on the streets. Watching others enjoying the holiday while he was forgotten in the shadows. How could anyone celebrate a holiday of giving and not bother to see the needy before them? For a child to go through that, especially alone.

She shifted her attention to the small pile of presents nestled under the tree. Nearly all were written to her by various people she had encountered during her adventures. Souls she had helped and aided with mundane tasks such as delivering a package or the extremes of saving. There were a handful addressed to Thancred from their friends and from others he had helped as well.

Hiding in plain sight was Thancred’s gift from Hyzenthlay. The only blessing with Thancred being gone most of the time was that Hyzenthlay could wrap his present without being sneaky about it. Not that he would snoop, though surprising with his skills in spying. He had seemed more aloof with the holiday around, and would go along with her on whatever endeavors she wanted to explore. There wasn’t a holiday like this on the Steppes and Hyzenthlay was excited to experience such a festive event. She too just wanted Thancred to feel the spirit of Starlight as well.

“If anyone deserves this it would be Thancred,” Hyzenthlay thought to herself as she rose from her position on the couch to discard her mug in the sink, deciding to wash it at another time, “If only he could find the peace within himself.”

Hyzenthlay turned from the sink to her bedroom, deciding it was time for her to get ready for her day of being Saint of Nymeia’s Helpers.

Aymeric graciously asked for Hyzenthlay’s assistance with the endeavor, handing her the Saint’s garb. She had agreed of course, as it was for the children after all. But Tataru, upon seeing her in the costume Aymeric provided, was horrified to see the ill-fitting robe. It swallowed Hyzenthlay, evident that the robe was meant for an Elezen rather than a petite Au Ra. Tataru had nearly ripped the outfit off Hyzenthlay, before going off to tailor it to better fit. With the mischievous grin that Tataru had left with.

Nothing good ever came from that mischievous grin and holding up the newly made robe only made Hyzenthlay believe that even more. No longer was it the traditional red outfit with white trim worn by the Saint of Nymeia himself. But rather a strapless red velvet dress adorned with a soft, white fur trim on the hem of the skirt as well as around the edge of the neckline. Tataru had also added two new white pom-poms that ran down the center of the chest.

“Tataru, you wicked thing.” Hyzenthlay held the dress up, sighing in defeat.

She quickly shed out of her loungewear and slipped into the dress. True to Tataru’s craftsmanship, it fit perfectly, hugging in all the right places. Hyzenthlay took a moment to examine herself in the mirror, a sudden thought of Thancred crossed her mind. She imagined him behind her, kissing down her neck to her exposed shoulders. His calloused hands roaming, claiming, knowing all the places that would send electricity through Hyzenthlay’s veins.

Heat swelled between her legs at the illicit thoughts. “What has he done to me?” She shook away the thought and busied herself by fixing her now chin length hair. Hyzenthlay regretted cutting it so short when she first arrived in Ishgard after the Bloody Banquet. But after hearing in passing by so many others that men had preferred women with long hair in Eorzea, she’d made a pitiful attempt to make herself less desirable after being separated from Thancred, and she had cut her dusty pink tresses into a boyish bob. It was probably childishness and foolishness, blamed for her inexperience and being ten years Thancred’s junior, but hair grows back and Thancred loved it either way.

Hyzenthlay gave herself one final once over, deeming herself presentable for handing out presents as Saint of Nymeia’s little helper. She made her way to the Congregation where Aymeric was holding the gift giving. Thankfully, she had arrived before the children, stepping into the once dreary building that had now been transformed into what looked like a whimsical toy shop. And in its center, a throne, surrounded by boxes of various sizes wrapped in gold, green, red, and silver.

“Fury take me!”

Hyzenthlay whipped around to spot Aymeric emerging from his office. She bit back her laughter upon seeing him dressed in the Saint of Nymeia costume, with what appeared to be a large pillow stuffed inside the large red coat to give the illusion of a belly. He was holding the red hat and white beard in hand.

He stood wide-eyed with mouth agape, “I see Tataru made changes to your outfit.”

Hyzenthlay nodded sheepishly, “I wasn’t expecting you to be the Saint of Nymeia.”

Aymeric cleared his throat, placing the hat on his head and hastily putting on the beard, “How could I organize this and not be the jolly Saint himself?”

Hyzenthlay laughed.

* * *

Thancred adjusted his scarf to shield himself further from the frigid cold of Coerthas. He was fortunate enough to be traveling with good weather and decent roads. To add to his luck, Fluffle, Hyzenthlay’s chocobo was in obedient spirits today. Normally Fluffle would try to decapitate Thancred if he were within eyesight. Hyzenthlay often had to mediate and keep the large fowl in line. It was a mystery as to why the chocobo hated Thancred so, no matter how much he tried to get the bird to like him.

“I know you and I aren’t on the best of terms,” Thancred cautiously said as he approached Fluffle’s stall that morning, “But I need your swift feet so that I can be back in Ishgard in time for Starlight.” He stepped closer to Fluffle who’s dark blue plumes were standing on end as he hissed in warning, “if not for me, for Hyzenthlay.”

Fluffle’s feathers smoothed at the mention of Hyzenthlay’s name, but he still stood poised and ready to strike if the opportunity ever arose. His eyes locked on every movement Thancred made.

“You can go back to hating me when Starlight is over.” Thancred offered the handful of gysahl greens, “What do you say?”

Thancred could see the gears turning in the large bird’s head, contemplating the offer as if he understood everything being said. He clicked his beak in rapid succession before snatching the greens from Thancred’s hand.

Thancred released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, “I shall take that as a yes.”

Fluffle kweked in response, sealing the truce.

Thancred dismounted once they had entered the gates of Revenant’s Toll. Fluffle followed in step as they made their way toward the market. As fast as the crowd would allow, they maneuvered their way to the vendor that Thancred had business with. A recommendation from one of Hyzenthlay’s companions, a Xaela male, Zietius, who was displaced from the Azim Steppes at a young age, finding himself alone in Eorzea. He joined the Adventurers Guild around the time Hyzenthlay arrived in Eorzea and brought it to herself to be his friend. A rocky start on a friendship with Hyzenthlay’s outgoing nature versus Zietius’s quieter demeanor, but over time the Xaela male became a faithful companion. Even Thancred found himself becoming friends with the taller male.

Thancred made it to the stall, where he saw Zietius chatting with the vendor, another Xaela, a female with hair like starlight that complimented her dark, gray-purple skin, “Sain uu.”

“Sain uu.” The female Xaela greeted Thancred with a smile, “You speak our language well.”

Thancred thanked her, “I have a good teacher.” He couldn’t help the small smile as he thought of Hyzenthlay teaching him her native tongue. Thancred greeted Zietius with a nod, who had greeted him in the same way, “I apologize for coming at such last minute, I couldn’t get away until now.”

Zietius waved Thancred off, “You are a busy man, I’m sure Hyzen will forgive you for the last minute shopping.” He eyed the various wares fondly, “Any thoughts of what to get her?”

Thancred took a moment to scan over the wares, hoping something would scream ‘Hyzenthlay’. “Truth be told, I struggle to think of what she would want or need.” He furrowed his brow, picking up a bracelet. No matter what he thought of getting his beloved, nothing seemed to be enough. She deserved everything, more than whatever Thancred could offer her. Even his Valentione’s Day present hadn’t seemed like enough.

Thancred set the bracelet down. He thought seeing items from Hyzenthlay’s homeland would make it easier, but it was the exact opposite. He wanted to purchase the whole stand's worth, but that wouldn’t seem sincere. He raked his hand through his unkempt hair in frustration. He took a deep breath through his nose. When he opened his eyes, he spotted a dark blue blanket hanging in the back corner of the stall that reminded him of the sky when day bled into night, the same blue as Hyzenthlay’s right eye. White stars were speckled throughout the fabric.

“That blanket,” Thancred pointed to its direction, “May I see it?”

The female Xaela smiled, plucking the blanket from its display stand, “This blanket was woven from the wool of the dzo.” She laid the blanket in front of Thancred, “The warmest material you’ll ever find.”

Thancred ran his fingers over the blanket, finding that it was surprisingly soft and felt nothing like any other fabric sold in Eorzea. “Do all tribes within the Azim Steppes have blankets like this?”

The female nodded, “I have heard that the nights within the Nhaama Desert get particularly cold for how hot it is during the day.”

Hyzenthlay was prone to getting cold, especially living in Coerthas. “Hyzenthlay is of the Kagon tribe, she told me that her people are active during the night. She loved watching the stars and the quiet of the night.” Thancred spoke mostly to himself as he traced the stars on the blanket. “How much for the blanket?” Thancred asked the vendor.

“For you,” the female smiled warmly, “Fifty gil, and I’ll even gift wrap it for free for you.” She folded the blanket neatly as Thancred pulled out the gil needed from his pouch.

Thancred handed her the money and waited patiently for the blanket to be wrapped. Zietius remained quiet all the while, his eyes locked on the wares.

“I never thought I’d see anything from the Steppes since I began living in Eorzea,” Zietius whispered, running a tentative hand over a turquoise necklace.

Thancred said nothing. There was nothing he could say that would ease the sadness Zietius held. Thancred too was misplaced from his home of Limsa, but he could visit it whenever he wished. Zietius and Hyzenthlay didn’t have that luxury. They were malms away and travel would be arduous from what Thancred had heard from sailors and traders. The course to Othard was nearly impossible. With a tithe having to be paid just for safe passage and the empire’s grip growing tighter.

“I’m sure one day you can return to the Azim Steppes once more.” Thancred reassured him.

Zietius turned his attention to Thancred, “I want to believe that. But I’ve been gone for so long. Eorzea is more of my land than the Steppes. As strange as your traditions are, truth be told, I never participated in your holidays, not even once until Hyzen bulldozed into my life.” The corner of his mouth quirked up in a fond smile, “She does have a way to spark joy in things.”

Thancred chuckled at that. He himself never was fond of the Starlight Celebration nor any of the other holidays. But since Hyzenthlay came into his life with innocent enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but want to be a part of it. “She does, like a fire.”

Zietius nodded in agreement.

The shopkeeper handed the now wrapped blanket to Thancred, ending his and Zietius’ conversation. Good timing, Thancred had to make it back to Ishgard in time for the Fortemp’s feast. As much as he had a distaste for noble parties, Hyzenthlay wanted to attend. He secured the gift in his saddlebag.

“Tell Hyzen I said hi,” Zietius waved Thancred off as he mounted Fluffle, “And tell her thank you for the Starlight gift.”

Thancred bid farewell to Zietius before commanding Fluffle to run. He had a long journey back to Ishgard and couldn’t afford to waste time. Fluffle was nearly pushed to his limits as he sped through the winter landscape of Coerthas. He too seemed determined to rush back to Ishgard and wasn’t going to let up the pace he was at. Even when Thancred tried to ease the pace, Fluffle would not obey and continue his course.

The familiar spires of Ishgard came into view as day bled into night. Thancred pat Fluffle’s neck in encouragement and gratitude. He wouldn’t have been able to make the trip without Hyzenthlay’s loyal steed. Despite their dislike for one another, they had one thing in common. Their love for Hyzenthlay.

Fluffle all but collapsed upon crossing the steel gates. Thancred dismounted, leading Fluffle to a water trough. “Well done Fluffle.” He stroked the midnight blur of feathers on Fluffle’s neck as he watched him guzzle the water.

Thancred took a moment to inspect Fluffle’s condition. Exhausted, but none worse for wear. The young age of the chocobo could be the reason he wasn’t worse off. Older birds would have been past the brink halfway through the journey.

Once Fluffle had his fill of water, Thancred guided him to the stables, instructing the stable boy to fully groom Fluffle as well as an extra serving of gysahl greens. “The truce ends here.” Thancred stroked Fluffle’s beak, “You can go back to hating me.”

In response, Fluffle pecked the top of Thancred’s head. Gentler than he has ever been before, but still hurt no less. Thancred rubbed the sore area on his head, smiling at the chocobo with fondness. He ruffled Fluffle’s feathers in farewell, leaving him in the capable hands of the stable boys. Thancred snatched Hyzenthlay’s gift from his saddle back as he left the stable.

He traveled the familiar cobblestone streets to Hyzenthlay’s apartment. The streets being practically empty with only a few stragglers, like Thancred with festively wrapped parcels, rushing to get to their destination. Peering into a few of the windows as he passed the houses, where families gathered around their decorated trees, laughing and passing presents to one another. A picture book moment. Thancred wouldn’t be lying if he said he wasn’t a tad bit jealous. He never had a warm experience growing up, no family to go to to exchange gifts or to share a warm meal. He only had an empty stomach and himself, growing up to resent the holiday. Even when he was spirited away to Sharlayan, becoming a Scion, he did everything he could to avoid observing the celebration. Gifts were given to his colleagues, yes, but they felt hollow.

With Hyzenthlay, there were no empty sentiments. He lacked in so many ways, but he couldn’t ruin Hyzenthlay’s first Starlight Celebration. Not like how he had ruined Minfila’s Starlight by not being around. Only sending her a present via Moogle delivery with a best wishes card.

“Oi, Thancred!”

Thancred swiveled to the direction from where his name was called to find Hilda sauntering toward him. Gone were her normal tactical garb and shotgun, replaced with a simple, yet fashionable forest green dress. Draped over her shoulders, a raven black fur shawl. She looked stunning, no longer the Mongrel but a debutante. Though her obvious discomfort was visible, she wore the dress well.

“Hilda,” Thancred tucked Hyzenthlay’s present under his arm, “I see Tataru got a hold of you for the Fortemp Feast.”

Hilda shifted in discomfort, “Damn her for it.”

Thancred laughed at that. Tataru even got a custom suit for him, one that would complement Hyzenthlay’s dress. He never got a chance to see the dress Tataru made for Hyzenthlay, a secret she wanted to keep until the feast. “Hyzenthlay is waiting for me, we shall see you at the Fortemp Manor.”

Hilda waved Thancred off, leaving him once again alone on the cobblestone streets. He activated his linkpearl, calling Hyzenthlay to let her know he would be home soon.

* * *

Hyzenthlay stood before her fireplace, facing the door with Thancred’s gift in hand, anxiously waiting for Thancred. She had been standing there since Thancred had called her not long ago. By her math, Thancred should be walking through the door any second. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the click of her door unlocking.

“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting long Hyzen—” Thancred was cut short when he opened the door. His visible eye wide and his mouth slightly agape.

“Happy Starlight Minii Zürkh,” Hyzenthlay beamed at Thancred.

“By the Twelve,” He mumbled, his eyes glued on Hyzenthlay as he stumbled to close the door, “Is this the dress you are wearing to the feast?”

Hyzenthlay twirled teasingly, “Why? You don’t like it?” She was still wearing her strapless Saint’s dress Tataru made. “After all the work Tataru put into making this for me.”

“It’s not that,” Thancred moved toward Hyzenthlay once he gained composure, “You look breathtaking.” Thancred slid his hand under her skirt, as his lips claimed hers in a heated kiss.

Hyzenthlay groaned, melting into the kiss, “Minii Zürkh,” Hyzenthlay said between kisses, “Thancred, if you keep this up you won’t be able to open your present.”

“Thought I was opening my present now,” Thancred teased.

Hyzenthlay reluctantly pushed Thancred away to hand him his gift, “This is your present.”

Thancred ripped off the wrapping paper in mild annoyance. He stared at the dark wooden box. On the lid were carved waves. He looked up at Hyzenthlay, who only smiled back. She took the box from Thancred before slightly tilting it to expose a gold turnkey on its bottom. She turned it a few times until she met resistance. Hyzenthlay handed the box back to Thancred and instructed him to open it. Thancred obeyed, growing still as a familiar tune filled the room.

Hyzenthlay reached to remove his bandana, “Your lullaby.” She cupped his cheek, running the pad of her thumb under his icy blue eye.

Thancred rested a hand over Hyzenthlay’s, turning his head to kiss her palm, “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

Hyzenthlay watched him place the still playing music box on the coffee table. He hummed along to the melody a few moments before turning back to Hyzenthlay.

“I can’t be the only one receiving gifts.” He handed Hyzenthlay the cheerfully wrapped parcel. “Happy Starlight Minii Zürkh.”

Hyzenthlay graciously took the present from Thancred, sitting down near the fireplace to better manage opening it. Thancred followed suit and sat across from her as she began to rip the paper open. “Oh Thancred.”

She held up the blanket. It had been so long since she had felt dzo wool. Nothing in Eorzea could compare to the material of her homeland. Even in Coerthas where the weather was permanently stuck in winter. No matter the furs or wools she wore the cold seeped in. She had always thought it was because she was built for life in the desert and not the colder climates.

She wrapped the blanket around her, letting the familiar warm seep into her body in comfort. It felt as if she was back in her family’s yurt in the cool nights of the Nhaama Desert, back home to the Azim Steppes. But that was only half of where her heart felt at home. The other half was sitting before her. Thancred.

She smiled up at Thancred, the smile that creased her eyes to little crescent moons. She opened her arms, leaping into Thancred as she wrapped him in the blanket with her. Her lips locked with Thancred’s, chaste at first, but then longer, deeper. It didn’t take long for Thancred to return the kisses, deepening them further. Hyzenthlay smiled in the kiss when she felt Thancred’s calloused hand roam up her skirt.

A noise that was a mix between a gasp and a moan escaped Hyzenthlay’s lips when Thancred lowered her on the floor on top of the blanket, all the while not breaking the kiss. She looped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. As warm as the dzo wool was, Thancred was warmer. She let the blanket fall around her, feeling more of Thancred’s warmth. She clawed at Thancred’s shirt buttons, desperate and fumbling.

She felt Thancred chuckle against her lips, sending a vibration down her spine. He stood on his knees, his deft fingers making fast work of his buttons. He shrugged off his shirt, the flames of the fireplace casting dancing shadows on his hard torso. Hyzenthlay felt her face grow hot at the sight. No matter how often she saw Thancred shirtless, it always felt like the first time. She sat up, reaching for the hidden zipper on her back.

Thancred reached out to stop her, “I want you in the dress.” His voice low, hungry. His eyes dark as he lowered Hyzenthlay back down on the blanket. He used his knee to spread Hyzenthlay’s legs apart.

A moan caught in Hyzenthlay’s throat as Thancred’s thumb traced illicit circles on her inner thigh, creeping closer to the edge of her underclothes. His lips trailed hot kisses on her neck, causing her to writhe. Her back arched off the floor when Thancred finally shifted her underclothes to the side and slipped two fingers in her entrance. She gripped blindly at the blanket underneath her, biting back the moans from escaping as Thancred pumped his fingers in and out of her. Skillfully he’d curl his fingers so, grazing the sweet spot. His thumb worked on her clit in tight circles all the while, sending her closer to the edge.

Thancred pulled out just when she was teetering to her climax. Hyzenthlay’s protests were silenced upon seeing Thancred unbuckling his pants, lowering them enough to expose his hardened member. Hyzenthlay bit her bottom lip, watching as Thancred aligned himself to her entrance. She hissed in discomfort when he slipped inside her. She looped her arms around Thancred’s neck, hitching her leg around his waist, slowly her body adjusted to the penetration.

“Gods,” Thancred moaned, “You’ve ruined me.”

Hyzenthlay moved her hand to cup his cheek, smiling as she kissed him, “Does it feel different?”

Thancred kissed Hyzenthlay back. Teeth scraping against one another as he rolled his hip back before plummeting back into Hyzenthlay. “With you, yes. I don’t know how I managed all these years without you.” He thrust into her again, harder and deeper this time. “I love you.”

Hyzenthlay rolled her head back, rolling her hips to meet Thancred with each thrust. She could no longer hold back her moans. She clawed at Thancred’s back, drawing him deeper into her. Thancred found her lips again, swallowing her moans.

“Thancred,” Hyzenthlay gasped his name, “Thancred.” She didn’t know where she was anymore or who she was. All she knew was Thancred, his body, “Thancred, I—”

“I know Minii Zürkh.” Thancred sped his thrusts, “I got you, let go.”

Hyzenthlay exploded in what felt like a million pieces. Holding tight to Thancred as her body convulsed in delicious ecstasy. She felt as if she had flown to the heavens, seeing stars dancing around her. When it was all over, she was nothing but loose limbs in Thancred’s arms.

Thancred rested his forehead against hers, taking in the afterglow. The gentle melody of the music box played in the background. The sudden chime of the chronometer signaled the eighth bell.

Thancred chuckled as the last of the chimes echoed, “Looks like we missed the feast.”

Hyzenthlay laughed along with Thancred, “Looks like it.”

“Pity, I was oh so looking forward to seeing you in your evening dress.” Thancred pouted.

Hyzenthlay smiled impishly, “I can always try it on,” She brushed her lips against his ear as she whispered, “But it does look better on the floor.”

Before Hyzenthlay could say anything else, Thancred picked her up with the blanket, carrying her to their bedroom.