FFXIV Write 2021 #26: Freebie - Balance
(Another free write day of indulgent, soft, shippy nonsense; a companion to last year’s “Wish” in some ways. Edited 10/28/21. Now on Ao3.)
Thancred was hammering away at the training dummies, drenched in sweat, the gunblade Tataru had crafted letting out thunderous cracks with every strike. He tried to load more practice cartridges, only to find himself out.
He almost called to Ryne for more, but swallowed her name before it passed his teeth.
Behind him was a quiet sound, a step he recognized. “Radovan said you were still out here,” Aeryn said.
Thancred nodded as he turned, giving her a smile. She was wearing her red Hannish dress; a simple, pretty style that flattered her. Combined with the cute heeled boots he saw peeking out from under the skirt, she wasn’t here to practice herself.
“I am weak as a kitten yet, and I’d like to fix that. Funny thing about one’s body spending a couple moons asleep whilst one’s soul traipses about another plane.”
She made a noise of agreement as she came closer, resting a hand over his as he reached for more ammunition. “Another way to fix that is a good meal,” she said. “Such as the one I’m having delivered to my quarters about a bell from now.”
He raised a brow. “That so?”
Aeryn nodded. “I was hoping you would join me.”
“Well, how can I say no to that?” He asked, stepping in to brush a kiss across her lips.
“I’m hoping you don’t.” Aeryn wrinkled her nose. “Though you definitely need a bath first.”
He laughed. “I really do. Help me bring in this equipment, and I’ll get onto that.”
They packed up, Thancred taking the bulk of items to prevent dirtying her dress, or having issues with her heels–not that the latter was likely. She was too sure-footed and graceful, even in those pointy little things.
“So you’ve been back to the First since our waking,” he began.
Aeryn nodded. “Everyone’s well; Eulmore continues to carry out its reforms under the Chais and Wrenden’s steady hands. Lyna and the rest of the Crystarium council have matters under control, the city operating as smoothly as ever. Twine’s seeing an uptick in workers willing to brave the mines and run the trolleys, cooperating with Daedalus. The Night’s Blessed and Fanow work together with the Qitari to explore Ronka’s secrets. And the fae are the fae.”
They carried the equipment into the town proper and through a little-known side entrance into the Rising Stones to avoid the crowds at the Seventh Heaven. “And the girls?” Thancred asked, trying to sound casual.
Aeryn would know how he truly felt, but he made the token effort, anyway.
She helped him put the gear away, handing him the next item. “On a festival planning committee last I heard; something to do until we get back to the Empty and check on progress there. Gaia’s apparently becoming quite the seamstress as well. And Ryne studies with Beq Lugg, and on her own, and she also trains with Lyna. She misses everyone, but keeps busy. She asks about you and sends reminders to please take care of yourself.”
“Ever the worrier,” he said fondly.
“I wonder why,” Aeryn replied dryly, giggling when he mock-glowered.
“I’m going to get that bath you say I so badly need, and a change of clothes,” Thancred pretended to grumble.
She stepped closer and took his hand. “Actually, I already nabbed you clean clothes and have the bath in my room prepped.”
He raised a brow. “Did you now?”
She shrugged, blushing and looking sheepish. “I saw how you were training,” was all she said.
Too hard, he realized; she wouldn’t say it out loud, but he was getting close to overdoing it by others’ estimations. Something they watched him for, ever since Lahabrea. It could be annoying, but Thancred conceded he might still be a bit stubborn on that angle.
“Very well,” he said, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “If you insist on spoiling me, who am I to say no?”
She relaxed when he didn’t argue and leaned into his touch, then took his other hand to lead the way to her chambers.
It was, he had to admit, nice to be pampered now and again. It would grate on him if it happened often, but when he pushed himself too far, having Aeryn soothe him with her attentions was a balm he had only recently realized he needed. Especially since he just as often had to return the favor on Aeryn; she could just as easily push herself too hard, not realizing when she was doing so.
But for now, he sat in her bathtub and groaned in appreciation as she massaged his shoulders and scrubbed along his spine. He felt boneless in the steaming water, the aches of his intensive training melting away along with the sweat and grime.
“Sit back,” Aeryn said, poking his shoulder. “I’ll wash your hair.”
“I can manage that.”
“I know, but I want to.”
He didn’t argue further, enjoying the sensation of her nails raking and massaging his scalp, untangling strands.
“I can’t decide,” she mused. “If I like it better shorter or longer.”
“It’s easier to care for when shorter,” Thancred said. “Less of a bother in warmer weather, too. Never found it more helpful than a decent hat in cooler climes.”
“Either way’s good,” she replied. “Close your eyes, while I rinse you off.”
She left him to dry and dress–she’d chosen a simple light shirt and slacks, nothing fancy as they were in for the rest of the evening–while she retrieved dinner at the door, one of Rowena’s porters escorted by a Boulder brother, from the sound of the voices. By the time Thancred stepped out into the central area, it was just the two of them again. She set the food out picnic-style on the rug in front of her fireplace.
“Should get a proper table in here,” he said as he joined her on the floor.
Aeryn shrugged. “Sitting at a table’s for the main room with everyone else. This is more fun.”
He chuckled and nabbed the wine before she could. He could at least pour the drinks.
They took their time, savoring their meal–a smoky roast beef drowned in a lightly spiced au jus, with roasted popotoes on the side, and a chocolate and rolanberry cheesecake for dessert–while Thancred prodded Aeryn for more details about their friends on the First.
“So your next visit back will be to the Empty?” He asked as they gathered up the finished dishes, leaving them in the basket to be returned to the House of Splendors on the morrow.
She nodded. “That’s the plan. I had to argue with the girls to at least wait for me to go with them. Typical young adventurers, wanting to dive in by themselves,” she laughed.
“And you are certain they won’t try something while you’re here?”
Aeryn shook her head. “Ryne promised, and she won’t rescind on that. No matter what Gaia says–and frankly, I think they both prefer it if I’m there.”
Thancred nodded, relaxing. He could feel the weariness after the day’s training catching up to him, hastened by the bath and the meal, and tried not to be too frustrated by it; he had a lot of work to do yet, to return to fighting form…
Aeryn’s hand on his arm interrupted his thoughts. “We still have a few chapters,” she said, referring to the current novel they were reading together.
“I’m like to doze off before we get through two,” Thancred joked as they stood and stretched.
Aeryn shrugged. “Then you sleep and we finish it another night,” she answered.
They laid in her bed amidst her too-many pillows, Aeryn reading out loud with his head in her lap, the sound of her voice and the gentle touch of her fingers brushing over his forearm he rested on his chest lulling him towards slumber, despite how early in the evening it still was.
He couldn’t be annoyed at how she had lured him into resting. He knew he had a long way to go until he was mission ready again. And it was more than likely he would have to do the same for her–perhaps as soon as tomorrow, if the right subject caught her attention.
So for tonight, he would enjoy her consideration and be ready to turn it around on her when she needed the same. As he drifted off to sleep–had they even finished the last chapter they had paused at?–Thancred couldn’t help but smile, and considered this balancing act of a relationship more of a boon than he had once ever thought possible.
