“Morning, Thancred.”
The rogue glanced up upon hearing his name, flashing the Highlander a smile.
“And good morning to you as well, Arenvald.” He lifted his mug in greeting as his fellow Scion slid into the seat beside him at the Rising Stones’ dining hall.
“It’s good to see you back-” Arenvald paused, his brows furrowing as he hastily added, “I, er… It’s good to see you.”
Yet Thancred understood the meaning of his words well - It’s good to see you as yourself once more.
He was no fool - he caught the distrustful glances he’d garnered from his fellows, the way others spoke to him differently, ever since…
Ever since he’d been careless enough to get caught as the Ascian’s thrall.
But Arenvald meant well, of that, he knew. And so the rogue merely gave him a smile and a nod, turning his gaze back to his much-needed morning beverage - just coffee, that early in the day.
“I’m glad- Who is that?”
The Hyur’s eyes flickered up at Arenvald’s hushed whisper, following the young man’s gaze to the room’s newest occupant.
They hadn’t spoken, not really, but he knew her well enough - the newest member of the Scions, the Azure Dragoon of Ishgard… the woman who’d saved his life, dragged both him and the Warrior of Light's unconscious bodies from the Praetorium. Twelve knew she hadn’t had to - that she’d only known him as a villain, that she, by all rights, should have left him there to die.
But she hadn’t.
And for that, he would be forever grateful.
He understood Arenvald’s awe full well - it was impossible not to stare, what with how her mere presence commanded the attention of all those around. There was a purposeful grace with which she strode, a beauty that belayed the power hidden beneath her smile. She was, without a doubt, breathtaking - just the sort he would have found himself enthralled by, and, given any other circumstance, he would have begged to discover what lay beneath her armor.
But he knew better than that - something that couldn’t be said for the man sitting at his side.
“Not a chance,” Thancred chuckled, shaking his head at the younger man. “She already belongs to another.”
At that, the young man visibly deflated. “To whom?”
“I suspect you’ll have your answer soon enough.”
True to his word, Thancred watched, bemused, as the room’s next inhabitant strode inside, the Elezen’s eyes immediately darting to the woman. In a handful of steps, he was upon her; Thancred was too far to hear the words exchanged - not that he’d needed to. No, their bodies spoke louder than any words ever could - the way their eyes instantly locked, the love and desire plain for all to see. How she smiled as he spoke, and he in turn. How they stood mere breaths apart, yet neither took that final step.
No, it was obvious - she belonged to him, just as he belonged to her. Would that they, themselves, could realize it, too.
