Mistletoe

[finalsteps]

Because I’m mobile, please imagine a gif of mistletoe.

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[peacetalks]

[aymeric smiles at the cocoa--of course one of his servants would have come by to tidy up or prepare something for dinner even though he let everyone go home early]

Nay, not yet. I truly meant to come home much sooner...

[his eyes lower and he gently thunks his forehead on estinien's shoulder]

[finalsteps]

I can forgive it.

[ He leans into the forehead touches. ]

Would you like to go to the kitchen?

[ A quiet offer to help him cook something. ]

[peacetalks]

[softly]

Aye. Pray allow me a moment's respite here, first. I have missed your scent.

[finalsteps]

Aye, take your time.

[ They aren’t in a rush. They can share in each others space.]

Forgive me for being gone for so long. Things are resolved now.

[peacetalks]

Full glad am I to hear that.

[he presses a soft kiss to estinien's neck, before lifting his head]

Come, let us have dinner.

[finalsteps]

[He can’t help himself, he’s tugging Aymeric back to him, pressing his lips to his. ]

Let’s have dinner, we can talk about your work ethic while we are at it.

[ Now he’s going to stroll off to the kitchen.]

[peacetalks]

Mm--

[aymeric is distracted by the kiss, sighing into it for a moment, lost in estinien's arms--and then he exhales a soft laugh, and follows him]

If you insist, though I'll note that it is Starlight Eve.

[thankfully there is dinner already prepared (albeit a tad cold) in the dining area, left for him from one of his servants. it looks to be a pot of beef stew and some bread rolls, along with a sohm al tart for the lord commander's sweet tooth]

Oh my...

[finalsteps]

They really do go all out for you.

[ It's a fondness. Aymeric is well loved by his staff and most people around him. Estinien is pleased to see it. It means he is well taken care of in the absence of his partners. ]

We should enjoy it before it grows any colder, and then perhaps you can have your gift.

[peacetalks]

... aye. Pray allow me a moment to plate it up.

[it won't take long to reheat the stew on the stove and serve enough for two. aymeric will even take a quick detour into his wine cellar and pour them both a glass]

[finalsteps]

[ Estinien will help in his own way, by which that means supervising Aymeric doing all of these tasks. He won’t ask him to stop. It’s Aymeric’s love language after all. ]

Even after working a long day, you work more. I shan’t complain if you wish to be the one to serve me dinner.

[ Though just from the look on Estinien’s face, it’s very clear he adores Aymeric. ]

[peacetalks]

Good, as I should be a tad put out if you were to complain.

[he sits across from estinien as everything is plated, and raises his glass]

Shall we toast? To life, to love, to new beginnings?

[finalsteps]

[ he clinks his glass with aymeric’s ]

Life, love, and new beginnings.

[ he settles at the table. ]

I’ve something to speak with you about.

[peacetalks]

[clink!]

You have my undivided attention. Well... mostly undivided.

[he IS going to eat, after all]

[finalsteps]

[ eating is fine. especially since he already knew Aymeric didn’t eat anything between lunch and now! ]

I would like to have a room in the manor.

[ that’s a pretty big deal! To ask! ]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's hand hovers in midair holding his fork, as he blinks at estinien]

... your own room? Here?

[finalsteps]

My own room, here.

[ he’s feeling a bit cheeky. ]

Or space in your room.

[peacetalks]

... my dearest Estinien, you know that you are always welcome here. Are you certain you would want that?

[finalsteps]

Where else am I to go? I’ve accommodations in Radz-at-Han, but it isn’t exactly a home.

[ He takes a few bites of his meal. ]

I may not stay put very long, but I suppose after all we have been through…it’s not bad to have a place to call home.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's eyes crinkle at the edges as he gazes at estinien. he's feeling so sappy right now]

If a home is what you wish for, then you shall have it. The room across the hall from my bedroom is not presently in use, save for storing my father's old piano. There are other options, as well--though, I do want to tell you that wheresoever you choose, every ilm of this house may be considered your home, if you wish it.

[he reaches over and places his hand over estinien's]

[finalsteps]

[ he gives over his hand easily, touch has become so much more enjoyable. He relaxes with it now versus tensing up. ]

You would give me that?

[ bringing his hand up to kiss it. ]

[peacetalks]

Always.

[he says it softer than he intends, his voice choking up over the word, a tad misty-eyed]

[finalsteps]

Then allow me to have that. I have denied you for far too long. In that case, I have denied our Meihmi for too long as well.

I am constantly amazed that the lot of you aren't tired of me.

[ Kissing the back of his hand. ]

After dinner, what say you we go sit by the fire?

[peacetalks]

I should like that very much.

[aymeric will leave his hand in estinien's for as long as he can afford to, and eat the rest of his meal with a smile on his face]

[finalsteps]

[ He’s happy to see Aymeric happy. It’s all that matters. Who knows when either of them will have to attend to their respective responsibilities.

Once dinner is over, he takes the wine by the fire. He’s not noticed the thoroughly decorated house for the time being, including springs of mistletoe all throughout the manor. ]

Sit.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric will have no qualms being led around by estinien, draping comfortably on the sofa by the fire, just gazing at him adoringly]

What did you have in mind, then?