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[crystallinememories]

Hello! This is Raha's phone. Sorry that I couldn't answer, but leave me a message or text me.

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[crystallinememories]

[Raha settles in next to him, comfortable and paying rapt attention. It is clear that whatever it is, it has been weighing on Amal's mind, and he wants to do what he can to relieve it.

Only-- even though what Amal says isn't a surprise, exactly, Raha wasn't expecting it either.

He doesn't do anything to resist Amal taking his hand, a comfortable enough gesture, one he knows that Amal is still sort of getting used to. But his deep red eyes widen a bit as the point is reached, and he can't help but duck his head a little when it's his turn to speak.]

...I believe that's my line.

[Because talk about someone belonging to the world, someone whom it would be selfish to have at all to themself-- the Warrior of Light would definitely be that. He remembers, all too clearly, those years after waking from the Tower, and the years spent preparing in the First. How badly he wanted to see him again, hells, his dying wish was to go on an adventure with him. It almost feels too obvious, from his side.

He lifts his other hand to cover one of Amal's, giving a light squeeze.] ...I have been in that world, without you. I didn't care much for it. [A weak little chuckle for a weak joke, his cheeks burning.] I don't know what will happen in the future, with either of us, in this world or that one-- but I have always intended it to live it fully, and that has always included you as much as I could manage.

[Amal had places to be, duties that called him elsewhere, and G'raha had his own too. But he also remembers gazing into the portal after him, as he went back to the Source, wanting more than anything to be able to follow.]

[thavnairian]

[That little statement from Raha earns him a blink and a tiny startle, before it settles in. Amal just says things and doesn't think about them, you can't blame him for overstepping sometimes (yes you can). He just says:]

... oh.

[He's a little slow on the uptake when it comes to emotions, but that's obvious, considering how long it's taken him to acknowledge his own.

Thankfully Raha takes this fumbling confession with grace, and he returns all of the soft touches with his own, ever gentle. Amal isn't sure if he could take anything more than this right now. Everything inside of him is wound tight like a band about to snap, all in anticipation of another wound. But the sword never falls.

Instead he finds himself staring at Raha incredulously, eyes wide, like he's seeing his companion for the first time. And with that his eyes begin to sting, but he pays that no mind. Not yet. What he wants to say is far more important.]

I'll always find you. I'll always come back to you. No matter how many times we tumble through the Lifestream, no matter what world we're in, even if we don't remember each other—I'll find a way. I know I've said something like that before, but I mean it.

[When he thinks of the sacrifices that the doomed timeline made, when he thinks of the sacrifice that G'raha himself made when he powered up the Crystal Tower and leapt into uncertainty—]

I made a promise.

[He's trembling slightly, certainly enough for Raha to feel, like his lean frame can barely withstand what he's feeling. He lifts their twined hands to his lips and kisses his love's hand one knuckle at a time. It's tender and sweet, but compromised somewhat by the hot tears making their way down Amal's cheeks.]

I— [He sniffs and realizes he's falling apart.] Sorry—

[DAMN IT HE WAS TRYING TO BE COOL]

[crystallinememories]

[oh no amal don't start. Raha feels his eyes begin to sting as well, reaching up to brush away some of those tears.]

I know you will.

[it's a simple, quiet statement, but even then it feels a bit too powerful. Even though he does. He's had to trust in that before, and Amal has yet to let him down. After a moment, he leans to brush the softest kiss against a cheek.]

[thavnairian]

[That's all he's ever needed. Unquestioning, quiet faith. The dependable strength of G'raha's shoulder propping him up. No judgment, nothing even resembling the voices in Amal's head that tell him he's broken, he's beyond saving, he's not worth any of this because they chose the wrong man. He realizes that it's a process, but he wants to be loved. He wants to be worthy of Raha so badly, and accepting the love he's given is the first step.

Somehow he finds a way to blush harder when he feels soft lips on his cheek. It's so... cute. It's adorable. He needs to pull it together, damn it. Amal gives himself a little bit of a pep talk inside his head-- this is the person you've been waiting for, don't just fucking lay there --and he swallows the tears that threaten to overwhelm him. Being loved, truly loved, is not a luxury he ever dreamed of having.

He turns his head so that he can return the kiss to Raha's other cheek, but he doesn't stop there. He kisses his chin, the corners of his lips, his forehead. He's overflowing with gratitude and love, so much that his heart is trembling, but he hopes it all comes through.]

My beautiful savior.

[Another kiss to the corners of Raha's eyes, as Amal finally feels the giddiness bubbling up.]

My jewel.

[crystallinememories]

[oh no raha has no idea how to deal with this. It should be that the hard part is out of the way, but even though he is capable of being a smooth talker, Raha is absolutely useless at having that turned back on him. Especially with affectionate names.

He's so red that it's embarrassing, and somehow each kiss seems to just increase it. But it's definitely not him rejecting them-- he's still holding onto Amal's hand, secure and tight.

The 'my jewel' really does him in, and he makes a little whining sort of noise as he drops his head into Amal's shoulder, hiding his face as his tail lashes around, flustered beyond belief.]

[thavnairian]

[Amal makes a soft noise of surprise as Raha hides in his shoulder. Too much? He laughs, a soft and honest and real laugh, and leaves some kisses in ginger hair instead. One arm circles about the other man in a hug.]

You have no idea of all the ways I adore you.

[He gently rubs Raha's back, aware that too much might make him fall apart like wet paper. Amal is feeling the same, all things considered. He can dish it out but he can never take it.]

But we can take it slow. We have all the time in the world.

[He squeezes their joined hands and adds:]

I'll admit I'm sorely out of practice, and I've never really dated anyone properly. It was all... you know. Work. But I trust that you'll tell me if the pace isn't to your liking, or if the... food is too hot.

[He is most definitely not talking about food, here. But it's important to be communicative about this kind of thing in a relationship, even this dumbass knows that much.]

[crystallinememories]

[Raha will learn to deal with this, eventually. Maybe. (Pet names seem like the thing that would be his undoing.) He turns his head so his face isn't so hidden, blowing a bit of his hair out of his face, as if trying to release the pressure from a kettle.]

We'll figure it out, I'm sure. And even this is... nice.

[He wrap an arm around Amal's waist, just holding him for the moment. Neither of them really know what they're doing, but he knows they'll make it work. Together.]

[thavnairian]

We will.

[Raha's room is cozy. It's not as filled with glamour as Amal's, but it suits him just fine. He presses a few more kisses into Raha's hair, then nuzzles into his pale shoulder a little. Raha is warm and very nice. Up until now, Amal's never had a chance to hold him as long as he wanted; waking him up at the Crystal Tower had been intimate but there were lines that neither of them wanted to cross back then.

It didn't make letting go any easier.]

I didn't interrupt anything, did I? I asked for a moment, but I fear I've taken up much more of your time...

But if you don't have anything urgent, we can lay like this. I don't mind at all.

["Cuddle" unlocked.]

[crystallinememories]

No, I wasn't doing anything important.

[Studying, as always, really. This seems much more crucial to him at the moment. Though he will have to get back to work eventually...]

I'm more than happy to stay like this, for a bit. [for a while.]

[thavnairian]

Studying again? [He remembers seeing some books open.] I could help you. Not that I know anything, but... I can help quiz you, or something.

[See, he can be helpful sometimes instead of completely distracting.

But he's going to be distracting right now. He gently falls back onto the bed, taking Raha with him, and begins running his fingers through the base of Raha's braid. Despite only using one hand, he deftly undoes the tie and ribbon, and wiggles it all loose.]

I imagine it's difficult to relax with your hair bound like that.

[crystallinememories]

I may take you up on that, at some point.

[But not right now. He lays down next to Amal, his hair falling from the braid. Somehow, having his hair down makes him look even softer, and he flushes a little, but he doesn't object.

He can use words, has had to learn how over the years (both here and back in Eorzea), but he is the kind of person who speaks more with actions. He never really told Amal how much he meant to him, not with his own 'name' anyway, but his actions have always made that very clear. And here, laying next to him, it is easier to show than tell.

He reaches out, resting a hand on Amal's side and the other reaching up to touch his cheek, thumbing over it with the tips of his fingers brushing against his hair.]

[thavnairian]

[He looks so soft, and particularly inviting, but Amal is quite happy with what they're doing right now. Funny how his masks and his charms vanish in the presence of someone he loves. All of his attention is on Raha, though-- first, to make sure that he doesn't mind the hair-stroking, then because the touch is being reciprocated with fingertips so gentle he forgets to breathe for a moment.

Despite his tattoos, there aren't any scars on Amal's face to hide. His cheeks are a little soft, betraying his age; he's still in his mid twenties, after all, and bushy beards are not in his genes, elfy or otherwise. His lashes flutter and then close, lips twitching into a smile.]

Difficult to believe this is real.

[He draws his nails lightly from the nape of Raha's neck upward, following the natural part of his hair, and then back down again.]

At any moment I'll have to wake up, and then explain why I can't look at you without blushing like a smitten fool. Though I am quite smitten, and very much a fool... but a happy one.

[crystallinememories]

Is it?

[For Raha it is, a bit-- Amal is so important to so many people, he felt honored to be as much of a part of his story as he had been. But... again, he did think he had always been pretty obvious.

But that's also not really important. The important thing is they are here, together, and this gentle warm and comfort is not something he ever wants to go away. He inches a little closer, face still a bit ducked and shy, but with intention.]

I suppose that makes two of us. [Two smitten fools, with one of them leaning a little bit closer to attempt a soft kiss.]

[thavnairian]

[He could have been wearing a sign that said "I Love WoL" and Amal would have asked him why he loves architecture so much.

He opens his eyes to look at Raha again, not wanting to be away from that warm gaze for too long. Even when he was disguised, Amal could feel those eyes. They were careful, watching, protective. He was never afraid in the Exarch's company, except when he damn near died. Raha is suddenly very close, however, and Amal's heart kicks into overdrive with its obnoxious pounding... He can barely hear.]

That was very smooth, [he murmurs, and gives himself over to the kiss. It's a simple and soft brushing of lips, the first time hesitant, like a bird attempting to land. But Amal finds his courage and returns the kiss with more insistence, dark lashes fluttering as his eyes close. The hand in Raha's hair twists lightly around some strands as if to say, Don't leave me.

He's been waiting for an eternity. If this happens to be a dream, he'll cling to it as long as he can.]

[crystallinememories]

[Raha does not feel smooth, but it probably doesn't matter a they close the space, leaning into the kiss. He starts gentle, but feeling them both settle into it, deepens it a little, testing the waters and their comfort level. It feels... strangely easy.

He only pulls back when he feels like he has to, but still stays close, forehead gently touching Amal's. He's blushing again, but smiling.]

[thavnairian]

[Amal is more than comfortable, which surprises him, but maybe it's not a surprise at all. He's always trusted Raha with his whole heart. There is a quiver of uncertainty somewhere, but it has nothing to do with Raha and everything to do with Amal's own feelings of self-worth. He's almost disappointed when they break the kiss to breathe, but then his partner's gorgeous eyes fill his vision and he forgives everything instantly.]

You're wonderful, [he murmurs. He unwinds his fingers from Raha's hair with a bit of a sheepish smile. He delicately runs them over Raha's lips instead, memorizing the shape of his jawline, the soft curve of his cheek.]

Hahah... I think I could kiss you all night if you'd let me.

[crystallinememories]

[Raha smiles, relaxing even more when he sees that touch hadn't bothered Amal at all. He, of course, believes Amal when he says it's hard for him, but he's really never seen any sign of it himself...

He flushes at the compliment (he is going to need to get better at taking those), fingertips still toying gently with his hair. He pauses for a moment, a little unsure of himself, before he speaks again.] Who says I wouldn't?

[thavnairian]

[It's one thing when he knows it's coming, but quite another when it's unexpected. Lizard brain things. Still, his heart is thumping so hard in his chest he worries that Raha can hear it.]

You—

[Amal's eyes dart to the side, or Raha's side actually, and he's momentarily distracted by how much he would like to—

Ah. Right.]

You shouldn't say things like that, because then I might take you up on them. [He leans in very, very close, so their noses touch. He's practically glowing.] If it were up to me, I'd spend all night studying...

[He softly brushes his fingertip over Raha's bottom lip.] ... the way your lip dips just here, and the freckles you think no one sees on your cheeks, and...

[He leaves little fluttery kisses along Raha's jawline, only to pause where it meets his neck.]

... what it takes to make the words leap off your pages.

[crystallinememories]

[The kiss to his neck causes him to shiver, but oddly enough it seems that the physical is easier than some of the words, and it's certainly more natural than he thought it might be.

He lets his eyes close for a moment, their foreheads pressed together as they just bask in each other's warmth, and there is another warmth building in him. This is definitely more important that the next draft of his chapter--]

I could use the chance to study something new. [And he leans in for another kiss, this time a bit more sure.]