Chapter Text
It had been such a wonderful, heartbreaking dream that General Aldynn found himself waking from. Stripped of his Ul'dahn titles and responsibilities, and welcomed back into the waiting arms of his homeland. A boisterous celebration filled with food and drink he hadn't tasted in many turns. And finally, letting his heart speak for him; reaching out to the woman, the liberator, the guiding star that had stolen his heart, only for her to give hers to him in turn. To take those first steps into a new life, together.
It was warm, and full of happiness and love that his heart yearned for so dearly. And as Raubahn stared up at the stone ceiling of his personal quarters, he was reminded if how it had all been too good to be true. It would have broken his heart if he hadn't prepared himself for the pain.
At least now it was only a dull, disappointing ache in his chest.
Raubahn groaned, rubbing the rheum from his eyes as he sat up. It was just before the dawn, and as he looked out the window he could see the first glimmer of light peaking over the walls of Ul'dah. Foggy memories came back to him; of having to tear himself from the homeland he longed to return to. How each step out of the city pulled at his heartstrings until his heart was bound in thick rope. Wondering if he would ever feel the grit of the rosy earth beneath his feet again, catch the first glimmer of dawn reflecting off the salt crystals of the Lochs. How the familiar heat of the Ul'dahn sun enveloped him as he marched into the city he knew as home; for better, and for worse. The Sultana seemed more melancholic than expected upon his return, or perhaps disappointed?
Or maybe he was projecting his own emotions on to Her Grace.
But regardless of what he felt, what he wanted in his heart, Raubahn knew that he had a duty he swore to uphold. No matter how much it pained him to think about the lovely dream he awoke from.
Even if he had left his heart to wander the world as she was want to.
Raubahn groaned, getting out of bed and meandering over to the washbasin. He quickly splashed with face with cold water, to banish the fog from his mind. But yet, it remained with its dreamlike quality. He glanced over to the windows, squinting as he struggled to hear the bustle of what should have been silent streets. Groans of revelers as their sobriety returned to them mixed with songs that he caught mid-verse, unable to parse out any lyrics.
"The hells...?"
Not even a single step he had taken to investigate before another noise caught his attention.
A soft, familiar noise: clear as a bell and soft as down. She groaned, stirring from her slumber.
Raubahn's heart stopped as the rest of the world went quiet around him, his gaze falling upon the Warrior of Light sitting on the edge of his bed. The midlander yawned, oblivious to his shock as she looked up at him with a warm, tired smile. He swore he had woken up alone, bed cold save for where he laid his head.
"Raubahn...wh-what are you doing up this early?"
He couldn't respond, just staring at the mousy woman in disbelief.
She held out her hand to him, inviting him to join her back in the gentle embrace of fine bedsheets and her own presence
"R-Raubahn, you're still asleep, come back to bed..."
Raubahn woke with a start, inhaling sharply as he hurtled back into waking consciousness. His heart raced as his eyes struggled to focus in the pre-dawn light, his mind trying to process waking up for a second time.
Such dreams always left him reeling. Illusions of daily life, mockingly mundane in all respects. The ones that tricked him into thinking his morning was continuing apace, only to break his routine and start it all over again.
Yet, as his vision cleared, Raubahn realized his old routine had been shattered the previous night.
The stonework of the Ala Mhigan Royal Palace was unmistakable, even for the relatively modest room he found himself in. Rugs of deep burgundy, crimson and purple haphazardly covered the stone floor. Heavy curtains partially covered long windows, but allowed him to peak out to see the pink of dawn rise into the ink-black night. Stained glass lanterns hung from the ceiling and walls, reminding him of the markets he used to visit as a child. The scent of firewood still wafted from the fireplace long after it's flame went out, mingling with the faint scent of arak. He recalled spilling a bit on his tunica last eve, and from the looks of it he hadn't bothered to change out before having fallen asleep.
Given the long, broad sofa and lush pillows he felt supporting him, He could even understand why he hadn't considered the idea. While the design wasn't nearly as grand or ornate as some in Ul'dah, it was more comfortable than most beds or cots he had slept in.
In the soft quiet of the early morning, Raubahn realized just where he was.
In his heart, he knew it meant the previous night was not some beautiful, distant dream, but his new reality. The former General felt his heart race alongside his mind, both competing to make sense of it all. But one last realization stuck him.
The weight he felt, resting against his chest.
Raubahn looked down, slowly, carefully, and spied a familiar head of rolanberry-blonde hair. The figure was nestled close to him, her upper body resting across him and using his chest as a pillow. Raubahn could feel her chest rise and fall, the soft sounds of sleep a gentle melody to his ears.
As clear as a bell, and as soft as down.
The Warrior of Light-
No.
Solaire was sleeping soundly against him, for once undisturbed by the world around her. Raubahn held his breath, for a brief moment fearing this was all another dream. Cautiously, he lifted his arm, realizing he had slept the whole night holding her in his embrace. His fingers ghosted over the collar of her blouse before hovering ilms near her head.
Raubahn, for once, hesitated. That nagging fear of waking up again tugged as his mind.
But he had to know.
Raubahn gingerly placed his hand on Solaire's head, and felt his heart swell with emotion. Her short hair was as soft and fluffy as it looked, and surprisingly much thicker than he expected. He gave it a tentative ruffle, and Solaire absently nuzzled her face into his tunica as she slept.
Raubahn managed to hold back his tears as he let himself bask in the quiet of this new dawn. This was real. Not some half forgotten dream, but the start of a new waking life. Raubahn craned his neck back against the pillows, letting out a deep sigh.
For once, he would let himself enjoy a nice, slow morning.