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- She will be here any moment now, I will not let this surprise be ruined by your flimsy damsel fingers.
- You surely talk big just standing around.
- So I am the problem now, huh?
- Simply step away, you are covering the light.
- I swear I should have never brought you into this!
Alisaie was truly vexed. Fuming, in fact. If she could, she would just throw her perfectionist of a brother out the window and slap the ornament onto the bow herself. It took her a good month to procure the decorations from the kindest artisans around Eorzea, half of which was spent handling Alphinaud's never-ending complaints. Chipped paint here, uneven petals there, if she didn’t know any better she could almost see a mirror image of their father wrinkling his nose in disdain. She wanted it to be perfect not any less than him, of course, but she also understood that it is the thought that matters – not the goods. The warrior would love it so long as they put all of their heart into it, even if they handed her the ugliest little thing this universe ever beheld. And god knows into this little gift she poured every single ounce of affection she held towards her senior. Which, admittedly, was quite a lot. Surely more than her brother, she tried to reassure herself, even as she watched him handle the little flowers with utmost care and gently fasten them onto the smooth material of the bow. She could hardly remember the last time he looked this focused on his craft with a face this undignified. His eyes are squinted until she can barely see them from beyond long, thick lashes, tip of his tongue peeking through slightly parted lips, and finally his hands slightly shaking as he works his artisan magic.
No way, there is just NO WAY. And yet the truth is right there in front of her, laid bare like never before. The twin curse struck once more, when she almost believed they were long past the point of similarities. They worked so hard to find their own ways, grew so much over the span of last adventures into fully different people. For Twelve’s sake! What was all of this for, if they still end up wanting the same thing, and one that they couldn’t possibly share? Alisaie clicks her tongue in annoyance, fully disregarding Alphinaud's sharp glances. Her feet fall into a comfortable rhythm as she paces about the room, trying to focus on the sound of her heels instead of overthinking.
Five steps.
She tried to be very clear about her intentions towards their esteemed warrior in front of her brother.
Fifteen steps.
Maybe not vocally, however… She did spend appropriate signs, right?
Thirty-threeish steps.
Not a chance someone as observant as him wouldn’t notice.
Fifty. No, fifty one.
But then, is he doing it on purpose? Trying to prove he is better suited for her? No, Alphinaud might be petty at times, but never cruel. He wouldn’t.
One hundred thirty something.
It is all just a big unfortunate turn of events, for sure. Still, it’s not like she will give up. She will fight for affection even if it means beating the shit out of her brother to establish dominance.… Especially, if it means lovingly beating the shit out of her brother. To prove that just because a Leveilleur doesn’t hold a book, they are no less skilled.
How many was it again? One thousand…?
- It was around ninety two - speaks up Alphinaud, clearly holding back an entertained smile.
- Godsdamnit. Don’t you have a job to do? And FAST? - she snaps with a glare.
- I already finished ages ago I was calling out to you but you just wouldn’t stop trying to tear through the wood. - His head moves only so slightly, chin pointing to a place in the floor where her heel apparently stomped particularly hard. Tataru will no doubt have a lot so say about that, but Alisaie couldn’t bring herself to care. The obvious problem that caused it in the first place is still there, consequences can wait.
- I think we should have a serious talk, brother dearest– - The words come out like a growl, but right as she is about to get into the core of the conversation, the door to rising stones flies open.
There she is, heavy bags under her arms and eyes, tired but a kind smile on her lips. After months, she returns from the frontlines of war for a short respite, only to be thrown right back into the maw of Garlemald days later. Even if they tried to make her stay, reason with her that she should be at her top condition to serve as a turning card, the warrior wouldn’t listen. The sense of duty towards people that she didn’t even know was ever louder, but that constituted to her charm. The one both twins found so irresistible, apparently.
- Warrior! - Alisaie squeaks out, as the hero lays down her baggage and stretches the sore muscles.
The girl tenses under the gaze of her beloved and just as she feels her heart might burst from worry on the spot, a warm hand is laid secretly on her back. Of course it is her brother’s, but she doesn’t feel any sense of challenge here, any warning. It’s just his unadulterated kindness calming her down like he always did. Almost as though they are working together towards a common goal.
- It is good to see you in one piece - he jumps in, taking in the bright smile that pops up on the warrior’s face.
- It’s good to be home.
Yes, it was always about one thing, she realizes all of the sudden. It wasn’t ever about courting her. It was about this smile, this cordiality of her voice whenever they would do something kind for her. It was all about giving their restless friend a piece of home that would be always waiting for her to come back. In that moment all that matters is that she did and for a fleeting moment she is safe. Happy to be back with them. Alisaie feels the tension leaving her shoulders at once, as she lets out a happy sigh. Both pairs of eyes are now on her and she makes sure to mirror the smile of warrior, shoving her brother forward.
- When you were gone, we were working on something. I think you will like the results! Alphinaud wouldn’t let it pass until it was absolutely perfect - she boasts proudly, and by the end her words turn into slight laughter.
- Well, yes, but as much as I would like to take all the credit for myself, it wouldn’t be possible without Alisaie gathering the materials and overlooking my efforts at every step. - Alphinaud joins in with a chuckle, his hand now extended towards the warrior with a beautiful bow gently resting in his palm.
Warrior eyes it in silence, her face not betraying any thoughts and for a second the sweat rolling down the twins’ backs could almost be hearable. It takes only a few more blinks before she snatches the ornament from the boy's hand and when she rapidly turns around to hide her face, her shoulders start visibly shaking. Siblings immediately exchange concerned glances. Is she… crying?
They both reach out to try and assess the situation when she turns around once more, giving them a toothy smile that somehow felt even warmer than before. Small pools of tears gather in the corner of her eyes and her shoulders don’t stop shaking, but so does her torso. It’s laughter and the realization leaves Alisaie devastated.
- What… WHAT IS SO FUNNY!? - shouts the girl, embarrassed that their efforts are being made fun of. How could her kind warrior act like that! They were trying so hard to personally create something nice for her and she would just act like they told her the best joke in the universe! Word offense doesn’t even cut it
- I’m… I’m sorry….. I… - she barely chokes out, holding her stomach with one hand as the other clenches carefully around the gift.
It takes her a moment to calm down and before she does Alisaie is probably already a nice shade of ruby tomato. Alphinaud takes it with far more grace, but his eyebrows shot sky high when first giggles came and still didn’t come back down. They watch in confusion as the warrior fumbles with her little pouch attached under the armor and takes out two, beautiful strings of material with silver trimmings, shining slightly in the dim light of the main hall. One was a warm shade of red, the other cool shade of dark blue.
- See, I was gone for so long because on my way back I… Took a bit of a detour. Your old ones seemed frayed last i saw them so i thought you might enjoy a fancier pair. And then, then you gave me this beauty and I feel so, so silly haha!
Not able to utter nary a word, they take their respective ribbons into hands like the most precious thing they’ve ever held. Their face look absolutely smitten, looking up in sync from their gifts to the warrior's fingers gently exploring the delicate ornaments attached onto the bow.
- This is so lovely, I don’t even know how to thank you… I’m going to put it on right now! Don’t you move, I’ll be back - she says, running towards the back of rising stones with a prep in her step like all of the tiredness has magically disappeared.
There’s just a moment of silence before Alphinaud speaks up.
- We truly are…
- Whipped, brother.