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"We should really have a proper Eternal Bonding ceremony you know." Autumn throws out casually one early morning as he sat at the Last Stand, coffee mug in hand, watching the hustle and bustle of people preparing for the Final Days. The Warrior of Light turns to look at his companion, blinking at the fearful expression on Alphinaud's face. "What?"
"I forgot to tell mother and father that I eloped."
Silence.
"You... forgot?" A slightly hysterical laugh bubbled out of Autumn's throat, covering his face with his free hand. "Alphinaud Leveilleur, your mother is going to murder us both. Thal's Balls, Fourchenault already wants to bury me in Labyrinthos. Now he has an actual reason to."
His floppy ears flattened even further as distress rapidly started to take hold. Peeking through his fingers, the Warrior watched as Alphinaud continued to turn an interesting shade of red.
"It's not even eight bells... what in the Twelve's name are you discussing this early in the morning?" Both men turned to the newcomer, a rather amused Alisaie standing with her arms crossed beside Y'shtola and G'raha who were looking on with interest. It wasn't often that the couple had any sort of disagreement; the pair were usually so in tune with one another after spending over half a decade on the road together.
"Alisaie great timing." Autumn took a swig of his coffee, wincing as the still too hot beverage burned on the way down. "I need a funeral planned, and as your soon-to-be-dead brother-in-law, I'd like you to write my eulogy-"
"My Sun you're being dramatic." Alphinaud groaned, finally regaining his composure to look at his husband with exasperated fondness. "Mother won't harm you, she absolutely adores you. Me on the other hand..." he trailed off with a wince, turning to look at the rest of the Scions who had since gathered to watch. "You can all sit, you know."
An extra table was dragged over, chairs being pulled away to make space for the group as they settled down and flagged a passing waitress to order their breakfast. Autumn hummed thoughtfully into his coffee as he watched Thancred and Urianger playfully banter over whether to share a plate of waffles. A small mournful smile graced the young warrior's lips, quietly enjoying the calm atmosphere, knowing that eventually, the bubble would burst, and he'd be thrown headfirst back into the perpetual chaos that followed him.
"Auri?" The viera blinked back into awareness, finally noticing Thancred looking at him with a slight frown on his face. Autumn smiled apologetically as he turned to face him.
"Yeah dad?" The man rolled his eyes, his lips quirking into a soft smile.
"Don't be a brat,” He huffed, playfully shoving his shoulder before turning back to his coffee. “You're thinking too loud again." Autumn opened his mouth to protest, but the noise died in his throat. A cursory glance around the now silent table told him that, yes, he had been thinking too loudly, all Scions present watching him with varying levels of concern. Not wanting to worry his family, he quickly plastered on a sheepish smile.
"I was just considering what flowers I wanted for my funeral after Master Fourchenault buries me in Labyrinthos." Autumn was not quite fast enough to dodge the rapid blow to his sensitive ear as Alphinaud whacked him, while the others snorted or chuckled at the display. Crisis averted ; he thought in relief.
"Enough! I won't let Father bury you, for goodness' sake..." Autumn threw his other half a playful smile, rubbing sheepishly on the tip of his ear. The noise of breakfast resumed, accompanied by the usual banter and energy. Autumn sighed quietly, only to jolt as a warm hand came to rest on his thigh.
Ever vigilant to his rapidly shifting moods, Alphinaud merely raised a brow, head tilted slightly to one side in a silent question. Trust and understanding floated across his face, awaiting a response. Autumn’s smile dropped just a fraction, but it was all the scholar needed to see. He squeezed his beloved warrior’s thigh in reassurance, comforting him with nothing more than a touch and a smile.
You’re not alone. The gesture said. I will always be here for you.
Autumn smiled for real this time, a soft chuckle escaping him as he leaned forward to bunt their heads together, basking in the warmth of his beloved.
“Oh, get a room!” Autumn didn’t need to look to know the bread he launched in Alisaie’s direction hit squarely on her face, her outraged squeal more than enough indication. Alphinaud sighed in exasperation as he pulled away, going back to his tea and archon loaf and neatly ducking the scone meant for Autumn’s head.
Chaos erupted at the table as Alisaie launched herself at her brother-in-law, the latter cackling as he scooped up a scone and pressed a fleeting kiss to Alphinaud’s cheek. The rest of the Scions whooped and hollered as the warrior took off down towards the docks with Alisaie hot on his heels, bets already being placed on whether either one of them would end up in the water.