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Toren and Tataru pushed their way through the crowded street of the Jeweled Crozier, sticking close together so as not to get lost in the crowd of much taller elezen. Toren sighed as one of them jostled him on their way past. Shopping wasn't necessarily his favorite errand, but some of his underclothes had been getting rather worn out recently, and he had been spending too much time in Coerthas lately to be able to make do without adequate insulation.
He grimaced as the cold wind snaked through the throng, biting at his exposed nose and cheeks. If it were up to him, he would never spend a single second longer in such a cold climate than he absolutely had to. The winter season had always put him in a bad mood since his childhood, and combined with the general attitude of the populace of Ishgard, he would have been more than happy to stay away. Except, of course, for one very important thing that had drawn him back as soon as he had gotten a free moment: Haurchefant.
Tataru somehow seemed to know what was on his mind, even through his reticence. "By the way, F'toren, you visited Fortemps Manor last night, did you not? How is Lord Haurchefant doing?" she asked as the two of them browsed the selection at the clothier's booth.
Toren's lips curved upwards. "He's doing very well. The wound is healed, but the chirurgeon still wants him to rest, so he's going to be at the manor for another week. But Corentiaux and Yaelle are keeping him on top of everything going on at Camp Dragonhead."
"Oh, I'm so glad he is recovering well," Tataru said. "We owe him so much for all that he's done for us!"
"Yes. I'm really glad." Toren picked up a pair of gloves from the table, inspecting the fur lining. Though it occasionally crept into his thoughts during sleepless nights, he tried his best not to think about what things would be like if Haurchefant had been lost that day in the Vault.
"You know, Alphinaud may not wholly approve, but I'm sure he's glad that you're happy... He knows very little of romance, of course, since he's so young! But I'm very happy for the two of you, F'toren!"
Toren nearly dropped the gloves. "What? The two of… Who?"
"You and Lord Haurchefant, of course! Everyone knows you and the good knight are together!" Tataru put her hands on her hips, turning towards him with a knowing smile.
Toren was struck speechless, opening his mouth to respond but unable to make a single sound come out of it. It was true that his feelings for Haurchefant had grown into something more than platonic since he had nearly died saving him, but he had yet to speak of them to anyone, much less the man in question. Tataru couldn't be telling the truth, could she? Did everyone really think…? He waved his hands in front of himself, tongue tripping over his words. "I… We…. No! W-we are not!"
Tataru leaned forward, giving him a piercing glare. "You are not? But the way he constantly swoons over you! Sings your praises! Talks about your muscles! And how you look the way you do!"
Toren was sure his face was on fire. "I… h-he's like that with everyone. It's just the way he is…"
Tataru smirked. "Well, what about the way you look when you talk about him? You cannot fool me, F’toren. And besides, if you are not together, why do you rush to his side every time you return here?"
Toren's eyes flicked around the booth, desperate to look at anything other than his companion. "I… he's just... important... friend..." His cheeks only burned hotter at his own seeming inability to speak.
Tataru let out an exasperated sigh. "F'toren, please. Everyone in Ishgard is talking about how the famed Warrior of Light is bedding Lord Haurchefant of House Fortemps!"
Toren briefly wondered if there were any spells that would make the ground swallow him up. He shook his head violently, unable to speak. Even fighting Primals alone was preferable to this, he thought.
"Are you trying to tell me you haven't actually--"
"No! We- we have not!" Toren nearly shouted. "Nothing of the sort!"
Tataru's eyes went wide. "By the Twelve, everyone thinks of it as fact! And now you reveal to me that nothing has happened between you two! What do you even do when you go to him?!"
Toren looked at his feet, his blush showing no signs of dying down. "We just talk… I like spending time with him."
Tataru reached out and smacked the side of his overcoat with her tiny hand. "Oh, dear gods. You are absolutely hopeless, F'toren. I'm officially suspending you for the rest of the day. Just return to the poor man and deal with your feelings! We can continue this errand tomorrow!"
Toren stared at her helplessly. He had only just left Haurchefant the previous night, and hadn't been expecting to be back for days, or even weeks. How was he supposed to just… show up again less than a day later, let alone tell him about the romantic feelings he had been harboring?
He opened his mouth to protest, but Tataru cut him off. "Go!" she commanded again, glaring at him with such force that he felt his legs moving before he could even stop to think about it.
As he made his way through the crowd once again, he couldn't help but remember what Tataru had said. Could all of these people really be talking about… private matters between him and Haurchefant? Surely that had to be an exaggeration, right? His eyes met a stranger's for a brief moment as she walked past him, and he felt his stomach flip. The Warrior of Light wasn't exactly an inconspicuous role, especially as a Miqo'te in Ishgard. If someone recognized him, and asked about Haurchefant… Toren would rather fight Bismarck another ten times in a row.
He shook his head in an ineffective bid to chase his racing thoughts away. Oh, gods. He could only pray with all his might that Haurchefant somehow hadn't heard any of these rumors.
The sun was setting by the time the anxiety in Toren's stomach died down enough for him to actually travel to Fortemps Manor. As the guard led him to the entryway, he tried to remember to take full breaths. There was nothing to worry about. It was just Haurchefant, who had always been nothing but kind to him. Who just happened to be an incredibly handsome, likeable man who could surely have anyone he wanted, and not have to settle for an awkward miqo'te who was nothing special to look at. Who never failed to make Toren's heart race with his sparkling blue gaze and brilliant smile. It was just him. By the time he actually made it into the building, Toren realized he had been holding his breath again. He exhaled rather shakily, earning him a glance from the guard before he left to return to his post at the gate.
He had hoped to find Haurchefant without having to interact with any of his family, but luck was not on his side when he rounded the corner of the foyer and came face to face with the Count de Fortemps himself. Toren's blood ran cold at the thought that Haurchefant's father, of all people, might have heard a rumor about the two of them. Heat rising to his face, he inclined his head forward. "Ser."
"Oh, I had not heard you were visiting! A pleasure to see you again so soon, dear F'toren," Count Edmont said. "If you are perchance looking for Haurchefant, I do believe he has retired to his bedroom for the evening."
Toren nodded rapidly, too afraid to meet the Count's eyes and see the expression on his face. "I-I'll be going then. Thank you very much for your hospitality, ser." The words tumbled out from his lips, fully giving away his panic, but he took off at the fastest walking pace he could manage before he allowed himself to think about it too much. This was perfectly normal. He was just visiting a friend who was recovering from an injury. Nothing untoward was going on. Toren wasn’t inclined to prayer, but he sincerely hoped the count didn’t think he was visiting his son’s bedroom for… inappropriate purposes.
Outside of Haurchefant’s bedroom door, he hesitated before his fist could meet the painted wood. Was it really alright to return so soon? Haurchefant definitely wasn’t expecting him. What if he had made other plans, and Toren was intruding? He did his best to push his thoughts away, and knocked quietly.
Only a brief moment of tension passed before Haurchefant’s airy voice called out. “Do come in.”
Toren forced himself to take a deep breath in before allowing himself to put his hand on the door handle. It would all turn out alright… probably. He pushed the door open, peeking around the corner, his ears flattening against his head in his shyness.
"My dearest!” Haurchefant exclaimed as he looked up from the paperwork in his lap, a sunny smile breaking out across his face. “I was not expecting you to return so soon. Not that I am complaining of course! I would give anything to be blessed with more time with you and to see that beautiful smile on that equally beautiful face."
His own smile grew even wider, and Toren felt heat rush to his cheeks. Having no idea how to respond to the ever-effusive compliments from his friend, he chose to wordlessly move further into the room, closing the door behind him before making his way to the chair at Haurchefant’s bedside.
Haurchefant picked up the papers, setting them on the bedside table as Toren lowered himself into the chair. "Is there a reason you have returned so early? Is aught amiss?"
Toren bit his lip. "Well… no. But Tataru relieved me of my duties for today."
"Well then, full glad am I to have your company.” His eyes softened as he gazed at Toren. “Of course, you need not spend your free time with me, if you wish to be elsewhere. I am aware you have so little of it as of late."
Toren shook his head, feeling his flush grow even hotter. "N-no! I don’t… I don’t have anywhere else to be. I… I want to. Spend. Free time. With you," he stuttered, skipping words in his haste to reassure his friend.
Haurchefant’s eyes fluttered closed, and he let out a blissful sigh as another soft smile stretched his lips. "I think I am blessed to have you even for a moment. But to have you say you wish to spend your time with me… I might weep joyful tears."
Toren looked down at his feet, face burning. He could never understand how Haurchefant was able to say such things, seemingly without even feeling the slightest bit of embarrassment. He felt as if he would spontaneously combust if he even attempted to return his sentiments. Or simply choke to death on his own words before they could leave his lips. He did his best to turn the corners of his lips upward, hoping that it would be enough.
The two of them chatted for a while about meaningless things, Toren simply appreciating his friend’s presence and the sound of his voice. He gave Haurchefant the latest update on the airship repairs, and in return Haurchefant told him about the fight that had broken out between his brothers when Emmanellain had shown up to breakfast already quite drunk. As they talked, Toren felt his anxiety slowly dissipating. Being with Haurchefant was incredibly comfortable. When he was with him, he could almost forget completely about the burden of being the Warrior of Light that sat heavily on his shoulders in the outside world.
After a short, peaceful silence once their conversation had ended naturally, Toren took in a slow breath, summoning the courage to say what had been hovering in the back of his mind since the morning. "Um. Haurchefant. Apparently everyone in Ishgard thinks we are..." He trailed off as his face warmed, clenching his fists in the fabric of his trousers, and bit his lip hard before speaking again. "... Lovers?"
Haurchefant let out a warm laugh. "Oh, you truly are so adorable, my dearest. I was wondering when you would notice! You are the talk of the town, and it is only natural for them to gossip about who you are... ahem, involved with."
Toren stared resolutely at the wrinkled fabric of Haurchefant’s blanket. He wished Haurchefant could somehow read his mind so he wouldn’t have to actually speak the question on his lips, but at the same time, he knew he couldn’t move forward without saying it. "A-are we? Involved?"
Haurchefant’s warm hand settled on his clenched fist, and he looked up to meet softened blue eyes. "Oh, dearest Toren. Certainly I have been hopeful, but I have not dared to ask. If I felt such ardor for another, some ordinary adventurer, perhaps I would have already tumbled with them moons ago. But you, my dear... you are far from ordinary. I know full well that your daunting responsibilities take you far beyond Coerthas, and I would not wish to have you bound to me against your own desires. When I have called you my dearest, I mean it with full sincerity. But I do not want to burden you--"
Toren cut him off. "No! Haurchefant, you… you've never been a burden. That's the last thing you've ever been to me. All this time, you've only ever eased the burden for me. Spending time with you, seeing you… it's something I always look forward to. And I want to keep looking forward to it." He gazed into Haurchefant’s eyes, hoping that he would be able to understand the meaning behind his clumsy wording.
Haurchefant’s lips parted for a moment, before his expression broke into a warm smile. "My dearest, it fills me with bliss to know that my efforts ease your burdens. Truly, Halone knows that you deserve all that is good." His other hand moved underneath Toren’s, holding it tightly in his grasp.
Toren felt the heat of their touching hands soak into him, warming him all the way to his core. "I want to keep returning to your hearth… if you'll have me."
"Oh, my dearest… my hearth will always be yours. As well as my heart, and all the rest of me besides."
His hands released Toren’s, moving upwards with deliberate slowness until they had settled carefully on either side of his face. Toren swallowed at the gentle touch, his heart racing in his chest. Haurchefant’s expression was as calm as ever as he leaned forward, his clear eyes closing a heartbeat before their lips pressed feather-light together.
Toren nearly forgot to breathe again as the kiss lingered, and Haurchefant tilted his head slightly to slot their mouths even closer against one another. Toren knew his own lips were cracked and chapped by the freezing Coerthas air, but Haurchefant seemed not to mind in the slightest, letting out a contented hum as his fingers gently stroked Toren’s cheek. They slid back into his hair as they finally pulled apart, Haurchefant’s eyes sparkling as he ran his hand through his locks.
"I suppose this makes the rumors true now," he said with a soft laugh. "Though not all of it. We will have to work on you bedding me." His lips quirked upwards into a suggestive grin.
Blood rushed to Toren's face so quickly that he nearly felt himself grow lightheaded. He wasn’t unaware of certain things people said about Haurchefant, but the idea of himself being the object of such desires was… difficult for him to wrap his head around. It had never been a priority in his own life, and he had never even kissed another before, much less gone to bed with someone. He certainly trusted Haurchefant enough to treat him well, but the thought of it set all his nerves alight. He chewed on his lip, unable to speak with those eyes on him.
Haurchefant’s voice dropped to a low murmur. "How I have longed to see the flexing of those muscles of yours, and the look of ecstasy on your face as I take you." He exhaled slowly, a spark of desire brightening his gaze as he glanced towards Toren’s lips. "Do forgive me for my forwardness... I have simply yearned far too long."
Toren was certain he would burst into flames any moment now. "W-w-when you.. when you've fully recovered. I don't wish to… to reopen your wound, or something,” he stuttered.
"Oh, so considerate... Everything you do makes me desire you more." The hand that still rested on Toren’s cheek tugged him forward, pulling him helplessly into another kiss.
This time Haurchefant’s mouth pressed against his own hungrily, parting to let his tongue slide along Toren’s lower lip in a way that made a shiver run all the way down his spine. He reached out, blindly grasping for something to hold onto, his hand finding Haurchefant’s arm and tightly gripping at the sleeve of his nightshirt. Everything was new to him, and he was sure he was doing a terrible job, but Haurchefant wasn’t pulling away. His tail flicked back and forth through the air as Haurchefant’s tongue eased its way between his lips, sparking a warmth inside him that seemed to envelop his entire body.
“Mmm. Would you be amenable to staying the night?” Haurchefant asked as they parted again, his face mere ilms away. “I realize this will only add more fuel to the fire, so to speak, but I would very much enjoy more of your company before you are spirited away again.”
Toren shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what those people think. I… I want to spend more time with you too.”
Haurchefant smiled, letting his hand trail down the side of Toren’s face. “I am inclined to agree. Besides, there have already been plenty of foul rumors spread about me in the past. But there is no shame in being thought to share a bed with one as utterly resplendent as you, dearest Toren. I shall wear their accusations with pride.”
“J-just remember to keep your hands to yourself,” Toren mumbled, feeling another hot blush bloom across his face. “F-for now…”
Haurchefant’s laugh was as bright and clear as a morning bell. “Certainly, my love.”