Mistletoe

[finalsteps]

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

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[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?

[finalsteps]

For the entire night, I’d not given it much thought. Right now…you look just as delicious as dinner.

[ What is he even implying!! Has the wine gotten to him!! ]

1/2

[peacetalks]

[it's difficult to remain composed when estinien is actually making the effort to flirt. aymeric blinks owlishly at him as his cheeks grow red, and not entirely from the wine]

2/2

[peacetalks]

[he laughs, bubbly and pleased, and tucks some hair behind his ear]

Still hungry, are we? My, what a poor host I've made, in that case.

[finalsteps]

[ Quickly, he notices that he has somehow completely disarmed Aymeric.

He just chuckles, low and under his breath. ]

I can let this one slide, I think.

[ Leaning in close to get a kiss. ]

[peacetalks]

Oh, good--

[aymeric is more than eager for a kiss, leaning into it before their lips have even touched. a soft noise of want escapes his throat, barely muffled, and he lifts a hand to gently thread his fingers into estinien's hair as his tongue seeks out estinien's]

[finalsteps]

[ He is eager enough to return the kiss. Lips parted already, as if he knew they would twist tongues. They’ve been through this so many times already, Aymeric feels comforting this way. Familiar.

His hands are settle at Aymeric’s cheeks, keeping them steady and grounded while exploring each others mouths. ]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's other hand moves to estinien's hair, tugging off the band that ties it up so he can run his fingers more through estinien's hair--except there's a twinge of pain along aymeric's arm from that movement, a flare-up of an old wound, and he grimaces unwillingly into the kiss, breaking it prematurely]

--ah...