Chapter Text
Jacke stared at the mountain of paperwork on his desk and rubbed his eyes as the words began swimming. A sigh escaped his lips and he sat back. This work had backed up for months and if he were to be truthful, he’d lost the ability to focus when the Warrior of Light had disappeared. V’kebbe and Underfoot had managed to keep the guild afloat but there were matters that he had to deal with now.
But, even knowing that these documents were time sensitive and could put people and even nations at risk if not properly taken care of, he felt his mind wander again.
A hollow feeling ached in his chest, threatening to engulf him like a whirlpool. A feeling of longing…and anger. How could he silently claim to fancy the fierce Au Ra that took nations by storm if he couldn’t even protect her? Or really even find her? His network was supposed to be vast and watertight. So how could a whole person, especially someone like her, fall through the cracks?
He angrily dropped the file he was looking at and pulled another from the ever growing pile. This one caught his attention immediately. He’d spent months trying to find any information about the Warrior. He got weekly reports from his network, sometimes even sooner if they found something. This was one such report, three days early. He double checked the name on the envelope. Tataru. The Scion’s liaison. He began to read, deflating slightly when it seemed to be entirely about the condition of the fallen Scions.
He could barely focus as the words droned on about the lifeless team until about halfway through the document a light footstep outside the door caught his attention and he sat up. “I hear ye, come in.” He dropped the letter and let out a frustrated sigh.
V’kebbe smoothly slid into the room, a mischievous smile on her face. “Look at ye, ya sorry sack o’ shite. Ye’ve had a face like a thundercloud for ages.” She stepped to the shuttered window and threw it open, laughing at his discomfort at the bright intrusion. She turned and looked him in the eyes. “I’ve arranged for a date for ye. She’s just back from bein’ away and I think ye would get along.”
His heart sunk and he frowned, opening his mouth to protest but she wouldn’t let him. “No need ta thank me. It’s tonight at the Culinarian’s Guild at sunset. Wear that blue shirt with the gold frills. It’s how she’ll know it’s ye.” She grinned and strode away, against his sputtering protests.
He sighed heavily and put his head in his hands, mentally cataloging all the worst tasks in the guild. He looked outside and groaned as he realized that the day was close to its end. He didn’t want to go on a date but it would be rude to stiff a lady, even if he just showed up and gently let her down. But there was no way in the seven hells he could go on a date while the one he truly wanted could be dead somewhere and he’d never know.
He thumped himself on the forehead. No. He couldn’t let that type of thinking in. She was alive. She had to be. There was nothing on this star that was her equal; a fact that he was massively proud of. She truly was amazing. Amazing and still alive.
Cursing under his breath he left the office, leaving the partially unread letter behind. He started barking orders as he made his way out of the guild. Smirks and whistles followed him out and he cursed V’kebbe under his breath.
He quickly made his way to his apartment, never so grateful that he chose to keep separate quarters. It wasn’t always practical but his privacy was important to him. He urged other guild members to do the same but it wasn’t feasible for everyone and about half of the lesser skilled members lived at the guild.
Looking into the mirror he grimaced. He had not been taking care of himself of late and it showed. His facial hair had become scraggly and unkempt and there were dark bags under his eyes. Pulling off his bandanna, his hair fell to the side in a tangled mess and he frowned as he tried to remember the last time he’d cut it. When his memory turned up empty he sighed and walked to the washroom to fill up a bath.
He scrubbed himself clean and carefully took a pair of clippers to his head. His clothes were easy enough he supposed. V’kebbe had told him what to wear after all. He pulled on the blue silk shirt and some short black trousers.
He felt almost silly looking in the mirror again. Why was he so dressed up for something he didn’t even want to do? He looked presentable now, though there was nothing he could do about the tired lines and dark circles.
Shaking his head he looked to the window, noting the small amounts of golden light coming through the shutters. He needed to hurry.
Stepping to the aetheryte his heart was both heavy and excited, an interesting duality that he didn’t want to delve into right now. Through the other side a large amount of chatter greeted him and internally he groaned. He hated being in crowded spaces. The shadows were easier to deal with.
After checking in with the guild leader he found an unoccupied table near the railing and set himself with his back to the sea. He leaned back and half closed his eyes, pretending to be dozing while his eyes flicked back and forth, years of habit keeping him alert. Even so he jumped when someone materialized next to him a few moments later.
“Jacke?!” A familiar voice pulled his attention. His mind raced. The only person he knew that could sneak under his gaze was…
“Warrior?!” He stood so quickly that his chair fell, drawing attention to them. But in the moment he could not care less. She was here. Alive.
She grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “I knew that Stray was up to something, but I would never in a thousand years have expected you here.” Her tail flicked excitedly behind her as she spoke, the scales more rough and damaged than last he’d seen her. Her smile was stunning and her long hair was curled perfectly to frame her face, half swept up in a hairpin and half cascading down her shoulders. She wore a dress that perfectly accentuated her features, as well as hiding weapons that he knew she had on her.
His mind churned like it was moving through mud. Stray? V’kebbe? Had sent her here…to him? “She set me on a blind date. With ye?” His confusion must have been evident on his face because she laughed, and such a beautiful sound he had not heard in his life. An ember of hope flared in his chest. She was here, alive, with him.
“It seems so!” She sat gracefully in the chair across from his as he righted it and sat. “She practically threatened me to come tonight. Said she’d found someone who was just my type and then held some blackmail over my head.” She laughed again and he laughed with her.
“Aye, that sounds like her. She told me an hour ago to come and wear this shirt.” He popped the fabric over his chest. “Didn’t give me a chance to say no.”
Warrior smirked and looked him up and down. “She has taste. It looks good on you.” His brain short circuited. Her eyes softened as she looked at his face and reached out to touch his hand. “Though, you don’t look well my friend. Is aught amiss?”
Jacke blinked. How could he tell her? Tell her that he hadn’t had a moment’s rest since she’d gone missing? That he’d been searching for her, praying that she would be ok. That she would return. To him, the small ember in his breast added. The ember that he had been trying to smother since she’d left to follow the ways of the ninja.
“It’s been a…difficult few months.” He admitted.
She frowned. “Anything I can help with? I’ve only gotten back in the last few days but I can spare a little time to help if the guild needs it.”
He let out a breathy laugh and pulled back. “’Tis nothing that ye need to help with.”
She opened her mouth to speak but someone came over with a tray of food and interrupted. They excitedly introduced the dishes of the day and bowed before walking away. The food smelled heavenly and consisted of some type of smoked fish with some La Noscean lemon sauce and herbs drizzled over it served with some fragrantly spiced rice and a tiny decadent chocolate cake with fresh berries and cream on top.
Jacke picked at his food awkwardly. “So where did ye disappear to?” He asked casually.
Her eyes suddenly looked so tired but she smiled and began regaling him with her adventures. His stomach churned realizing how much danger she’d been in. So close to death. But he was enthralled. Halfway through the meal he gave up the pretense of eating. Her voice cracked and she had to pause a few times and he reached for her hand to comfort her, rubbing his thumb against her smooth scales. She smiled sadly at him and grasped his hand like a lifeline.
When she was finished he let out a breath. “’Tis a hell of a tale.”
She nodded sadly, looking at their hands intertwined. “Aye it is. We still haven’t figured out how to bring the Scions home. And Krile is worried that they don’t have much longer if we can’t.”
His heart sank, vaguely remembering the somber tone of the letter the Lala had sent. “Ah, I’m sorry.” He thought for a moment. “I can put out some feelers. See if there’s anyone that might have some know-how.” He smiled ruefully. “Though I don’t know much about what to tell them.”
She gave him a small half smile. “Thank you. I’m sure that Krile would appreciate anything you can find. We can get a list of things together for your contacts to listen out for.”
He nodded and gazed intently at her. “Ye’ve been through a lot of trouble. How are ye holdin’ up?”
Her smile froze and she blinked hard. “I’m…” She took a shaky breath. “If I’m being honest? I feel like I’ve been torn apart and put back together wrong. And maybe I have. The Light…” She trailed off, pain breezing across her face. He gently squeezed her hand and she blinked and smiled sadly at him. “I’m glad to be home.”
The look on her face broke his heart and he longed to comfort her, but he was acutely aware of the crowds around them. She reached for his face, hesitating briefly before putting her hand on the table. His heart pounded madly and disappointment lanced through him.
Making a split second decision he stood and pulled her into his embrace, careful not to jar her horns. She was stiff initially but softened slowly. She wrapped her arms around him and he could feel her shoulders shaking slightly. His hand slid to her head and he pulled her close, heart aching. He wished he could take the pain from her. She was so strong. Had been through so much. And where had he been? In Limsa, sitting around twiddling his thumbs. Just like he always was when she was in danger.
He could feel people’s eyes on them and he looked for the closest exit. She would be embarrassed to show weakness like this in public. He pulled away enough to drop some coin on the table before looking at her, wiping the tears off of her face. “Come with me.” He gently pulled her through the crowd and she followed, oddly meek.
His concern for her grew as he heard her sniffle behind him. He’d never seen her show emotion like this. She must have been through far worse than she’d told him. She was usually so confident and put together and to see her hunched over with puffy eyes and a tucked tail was killing him.
He pulled her into a secluded corner, drawing her into his arms again. She laid her head on his chest and took deep breaths. He put his cheek on her head and stroked her hair. An overwhelming surge of affection surged through him. Holding her in his arms like this was everything that he had wanted for so long but now….he’d go back if it meant she wasn’t in pain anymore.
She finally moved, wiping the tears away. She pulled away enough to look up at him and smiled sadly. “Sorry I’m such a mess.”
He frowned and touched her cheek, tracing the scales. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. “I’m happy to be here with ye. And I will be here as long as ye let me.” He hesitated and then leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Her eyes opened wide and her lips parted but no sound came out. “Forgive me if I’m overstepping.” He whispered, tightening his arms around her before releasing her.
She stepped back, grabbing his arms as they fell away. She slid her hands into his, searching his face. “Jacke, tell me truly…” She stumbled for words and pulled one of his hands to her face instead. Her eyes looked at him pleadingly and fearful.
He raised her other hand to his mouth and kissed it, looking her directly in the eyes. “Truly.” He whispered. “For as long as I’ve known ye.” She smiled and her face flushed as she leaned into him. He placed more kisses on her head, running a hand down her back.
She tilted her head back, her nose nearly touching his. She ran her hand along his jaw, almost urging him forward. “I would kiss ye but I don’t think that I’d be able to stop.” He whispered.
She laughed slightly. “Who says I’d want you to stop?” She stretched and planted a kiss on his lips. He moaned and gathered her into his arms, kissing her deeply, hungrily. It felt as if fireworks were going off in his brain and butterflies had been set free in his stomach.
He pulled her against him as tight as he could without hurting her and it still didn’t feel close enough. He kissed her like she was aether and he was a dying man. She tasted like food after days of starving or water after being stranded in the desert.
Eventually they pulled apart, both panting heavily. He stroked the scales on the back of her neck and she shivered. She gently kissed at his exposed chest, pulling breathy moans from his lips. He swallowed hard and looked around, glad that no one had found them. “We should go.” He said unsteadily. She pouted slightly drawing a laugh out of him. “We can go back to my place. It’s not far.” He leaned down to kiss her one more time.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into a run. They dodged people walking by, giggling like children. Finally they reached the alcove that held his doorway and he pulled her into another kiss before slipping through the creaky door.