Day Twenty-Three: Suit
“It suits you.”
Aymeric turned his head, propping his chin lightly on her bare shoulder to see her face as she spoke. The bed wasn’t theirs, nor the room, nor the city it was located in. The Alliance leaders were meeting on one of their rare opportunities to come together, which meant that he could be with his wife for the first time in far too many months. She lay on her back now, propped up by haphazard cushions and carding her fingers absently through his hair where he’d dropped his head heavily onto her shoulder. They’d been laying in lazy, sated silence, but it was clear her sharp, ever-turning mind had yet to be idle regardless.
“Suits me?”
She hummed, scratching her nails lightly across the back of his neck. “Speaking for Ishgard. Its people, and their needs, rather than that of the Church.”
He laid his head more comfortably against her shoulder, mulling over her words. It hadn’t been that many moons since the new government of Ishgard had been developed, and he still wasn’t entirely sure he was gratified by the position that had been thrust upon him. She, of all people, knew his hesitations, and so her words were a strange, soothing balm on his own insecurities.
“We’ve a long way to go,” he said quietly, tracing his fingers lazily along the warm expanse of skin along her torso. Every time they met was rare and precious, and he tried to soak in every sensation of her presence while he could. His memories couldn’t keep his bed warm at night while she was gone, but they certainly helped. “There are too many voices growing impatient at the slow pace we’re taking.”
“Because you want it done properly.” Her tone was thoughtful, and assuring. “Rushing things only leaves space to fall into the same pitfalls of the Church.”
“The pitfalls are reassuring to many. I can’t be seen taking those away without being accused of having my own agenda.”
“You do.” His gaze drifted up to her face, to find her eyes seeking his, sharp and focused, and so intently filled with every belief she had for him that it nearly knocked him breathless. “The agenda of the people. Not the Church. Not the Archbishop. The people, and what’s best for them.” She brushed a lock of hair back from his forehead, fond and familiar. “No one is better suited for it.”
“Perhaps I learned it from somewhere,” he mused, her praise and faith in him warming the deep recesses of his heart. He shifted so that he wasn’t so completely draped over her, moved to her side so he could pull her properly into his arms. “Some wayward hero, perhaps, who so selflessly strives for the happiness of others that she sacrifices that what’s best for her.”
“I haven’t sacrificed you.” Her voice was quiet, but rang with a clear honesty that was impossible to ignore.
For a moment, he simply looked at her. She was everything that their country needed, and she would put those talents to the test again and again, simply because she wouldn’t know how to live with herself if she didn’t. She’d felled gods and men alike, and now faced armies both on the horizon and at her back, and not once did she falter.
And at the end of it all, somehow, she’d chosen him.
He loved her so much it nearly choked him.
Instead of an answer, he simply kissed her, warm and open and true, and hauled her tighter against his chest. He harboured so many doubts about his position in Ishgard that it felt like each day would be the one to finally send everything tumbling down. But her faith in him, resolute and true, was really the only opinion that mattered. She was his true north, and she’d never lead him astray.
That was more than enough to go by.
3 notes
·
View notes
I’m sure Sakura puts on a brave/happy face whenever Sasuke’s home because she’s just so grateful to have the time that she does with him. There’s no room for tears when she’s blessed to have him even for a short while.
However, Sasuke can tell she’s sad and that she misses him. He had the utmost respect for her, caring for their daughter on her own for so long. Her faith in him forever unwavering even when they’re apart for long stretches of time. He brings it up some times when she’s laying her head on his chest in their bed.
Sasuke: You know it’s okay to be honest with me, right? You don’t always have to have a brave face on.
Sakura: I know that, but I don’t just keep it on for you. I keep it for Sarada and me. I’m happy to be laying in your arms right now. I try to live in the happy moments, not wallow in the sad ones. Plus, I know you don’t like to see me cry.
Sakura: Hn. *Kisses her forehead and tightens his arm around her*
Sakura: *Smiles and snuggles into his chest*
15 notes
·
View notes