Chapter Text
Their eyes were alight with warmth and nostalgia as they took in the spire, a slight twinge of sorrow dancing underneath. I couldn’t find the words to ask what brought them here, so I simply took my place at their side and waited. It was strange to be in the Crystal Tower’s presence once again; the last time I had been at the base of the tower proper was when they had awoken me. Though I caught glimpses of its visage off in the distance upon our past visits to the Rising Stones, I never felt beckoned to enter. It was always a part of me, so there was no need.
Right as I was about to break the silence between us–while normally comforting, curiosity was beginning to eat me alive–they broke it for me.
“I always visited.”
My ears twitched up, my attention fixing itself solely on them. They turned to look at me, a small, soft smile on their lips.
“You always ask me to tell you stories of my adventures, little did you know I always have.”
They turned back to the tower, sunlight bouncing off its crystalline walls, alighting their features.
“It brought me a sense of solace, being here, talking to you. Sometimes it wouldn’t be anything grand, sometimes it would just be something silly that happened that day, or just something that stuck with me in particular. But everytime… everytime I would think ‘G’raha would’ve loved to be here’.”
The expression on my face must have been quite the sight, for they burst into giggles after they managed to finish.
“I–,” I began, too flustered to grasp words correctly. “I had… I had no idea.”
“Well, you were asleep.”
“Ah,” I chuckled awkwardly. “I suppose you are right, my friend.”
The pounding of my heart could be heard by all of Mor Dhona–no, all of Eorzea. No, even further, all of Etheirys–I would swear it to the Twelve above. The very idea that I remained in their thoughts–constantly, at that–turned my own into mush. Sleeping in that tower, I relived memories, I had thought up new dreams, new adventures with them… and now here they are telling me they wished the same? I truly, truly could not contain my elation.
“Y’know, Raha…” They were certainly more talkative than usual today.
“I’m truly glad you’re awake.”
And that was the arrow that struck my heart true. Their hand tentatively grew closer, as if debating whether or not to go further. I brought my own to theirs and allowed them to cup my cheek. A blissful sigh escapes my lips, redness painting my cheeks. Perhaps I’m being a little too bold, but the look in their eyes lets me know that it’s okay.
“My friend, you have no inkling of how happy hearing this has made me.”