@soulseeresque (continued from here!)
Composure was a skill that any member of Ishgard's nobility would have to cultivate to survive in their cutthroat world, and Morganaux had learned it well. It was easy for him to keep a smile on his lips in situations where it would be unbecoming of him to let his true feelings slip through, and in the times where it was not so easy, a bit of magic was all it would take to keep up the façade.
This knowledge was all but forgotten when he found himself pulled into the warmth of Raphael's arms, staring wide-eyed like a startled deer as a frigid hand cupped his face and drew a shiver from him.
And then, blinking back tears, the Elezen wordlessly returned the embrace, clinging tightly to his companion as he allowed his sorrow to finally be shown. How could he possibly lie to such a kind soul who had endured a Coerthan storm to be at his side, and who gave him the comfort he so desperately needed, but was not brave enough to ask for?
"I'll be alright too, I think. Not now, and perhaps not even for a long time, but... I will be," Morganaux confessed softly, just barely able to be heard over the raging winds— just loudly enough for the two of them. "Just your presence is enough. You've already done so much for me as it is."
Closing his eyes, he nuzzled against the hand upon his cheek, wishing he could bring himself to ask for more— to voice the thoughts that simple touch had inspired in his shattered heart. But it would be wrong to do so, so soon after the loss of the man he loved. And besides, it had been a mere gesture of comfort, nothing more or less than that. ...It was, wasn't it?
"Will you... Take me someplace warm? I'd hate to keep you out in the cold just because I want to stand out here being melodramatic. I think in this weather, they won't have a problem letting us find refuge in the Vault. Can we... Can we go in there?"















