linkingup | FOR THOSE WE HAVE LOST

[ Argenti will let Fray do so with ease, certain that he'll be careful even with those gauntlets of his. He doesn't even have a single bit of worry within him. That's just how he feels. ]

...You were going at it for quite a long while. To be honest, I was wondering about how much energy you would have after everything had reached its conclusion. I do have an answer now that you're all over me like this.

[ His words are softly teasing. But, Argenti will be here this time to help Fray back to their room for certain. He doesn't mind the prospect. He can just be of help to his beloved one.

There's a small pause as he carefully feels himself lean into the touch a bit more. Though, even so, he does ask: ]

...Can I take your helmet off?

[Maybe he'll even let you carry him! No, probably not. He's already sort of embarrassed.]

Of course you can.

[He pulls back enough for Argenti to do just that - it's simple enough to get off, so you shouldn't have any trouble with it.]

[ Wouldn't want to make Fray pass out in embarrassment at the last minute!!

Anyway, Argenti smiles and then reaches to take off the helmet again, just so he can see his beloved's face, carefully placing it down besides them. ]

Did you know that you are the most beautiful person in the universe to me?

[ He asks softly, one hand moving so it can rest against the back of that head. ]

[What was that about making him pass out in embarrassment??

Okay, jokes aside, he is very red at that, gaze drifting away for a moment before leaning into Argenti's touch.]

As you are to me. I am incredibly lucky both to have met you, and to consider you mine. You are so unbelievably important to me, Argenti. Never forget that.

[Regardless of being smacked around a lot today... sorry about that, buddy.]

[ Can you imagine.

But, no, he'll settle for making Fray this flustered; it feels like a return to the way that things are. The flush on his cheeks, the ease the other man leans into the touch as he speaks words that light the warmth deep within his heart - though, he does say: ]

I won't. Nothing will make me forget it.

[ Argenti speaks the words gently, but earnestly, and deeply from the heart. Being smacked around just simply means that Fray was clearly displaying what others would call tough love!! But, that being said, he smiles as his hand is gentle in its caress and he even leans in a bit closer, only stopping to ask gently: ]

...Would I be able to get away with kissing you right here, my dearest?

[That gets a scoff and a roll of his eyes, but also the blush is now a bright red.]

You could get away with anything, you know.

[He is so weak for his incredibly handsome and perfect boyfriend, okay.]

But yes. I put you through far too much today; I can at least repay you with this.

[Public displays of affection always sort of make him die of embarrassment, but he loves Argenti dearly, and he certainly did mean what he said. Argenti could absolutely get away with anything.]

[ Argenti laughs lightly at this, and looking at how adorably red his boyfriend is right now...

Yes, he thinks he might believe it. At least a little. ]

When do you say that, I earnestly do believe it. Though, that gives me all the more reason to practice the act of beautiful restraint while eyes are still on us.

But, I am happy to hear you say that you agree. Close your eyes if you wish, or of course keep them on me as you would so deeply wish.

[ There's a soft tease in his tone once more; he can't help it around the other man. But, hearing the man answer in an affirmative is all that he needs to know. So, right then and there, the Knight of Beauty will shift before he leans forward to place his lips softly and carefully against Fray's. It's not a chaste kiss by any stretch of the imagination, but it certainly is a loving and gentle one.

And one in which he gives time for the other man to return in kind. ]

[Good man, because Fray absolutely wants to return that kiss. Despite how tired he is, he leans into it eagerly, arms coming up to wrap around Argenti's neck so he can still lean on him. Problem solved!

He's perfectly content to stay like this even when they break for air, and though he's still red, he's grinning.]

I love you. I wish I could have expressed that earlier. I'm sorry for hurting you.

[Though he knows Argenti won't hold it against him, because he doesn't hold any of Argenti's palace against his boyfriend either.]

[ Problem solved indeed! Argenti allows the other man to do so, of course, feeling his lips briefly even smile into the kiss.

He'll return that grin with a gentle, but vibrant smile of his own. ]

There is nothing to forgive, my dear.

And your words spoken now, professing your enduring love...I am happy to hear them now. As I shall ever be, to ever listen to you say them in the future.

[ Argenti's eyes soften in the face of this, though. Both the expression of apology, and the love all the same, his own gentle, but affectionate feelings reflected in his eyes. ]

You know my own feelings as well, but I cannot ever stop saying the same - that I love you too, forever and always.

[He knows. Of course he knows - how could he not? After all they've been through, of course he knows. And yet it makes him flush hearing it again and he leans into Argenti to nuzzle against his chin.]

Forever and always. I like the sound of that.

[It's hardly a new promise, and yet it feels so much more real now. A future with Argenti in it is one he wants so badly, and it may come to pass sooner than later. They've got to be close to confronting the God of Conflict, right?]

Thank you, then. For all you've done for me today - and for agreeing to come with me back home.

[ Argenti will never grow unaccustomed to liking the feel of this softness against him. Gentle as it is, it is nothing less then welcoming... ]

Of course, my dearest one.

It felt with such ease that I've made the decision at all. Both in rescuing you, and accompanying you back to your world.

[ ...It's going to be really funny when he discovers chocobo in that world, for explicitly riding purposes. Well, at least they're all going to be harmless, so it will be a fun time (please teach him how to ride one-)

But, yes, they will have one last challenge on the horizon. The God of Conflict being the last true obstacle - though, right now, Argenti feels as if he is nothing in the face of the love that they share. ]

I can never thank you enough for both of them.

[Fray glances up as the palace begins to crack and crumble around them, the environment slowly fading to white and the cold receding.]

Come, let us leave this place. I'd like nothing more than to get away from it.

Yes, let us depart now.

[ Argenti will pull away at the start of the Palace crumbling - no need to stick around in the face of all this. Then, finally, he will extend an arm if the other man is still tired and needs it. ]

You have much needed rest to catch up on, my dear.

[ And, they can talk after that, lovingly as always in the wake of it. ]

[It gets a soft laugh from him, and Fray retrieves his helmet as he accepts Argenti's arm to lean on.]

Yes, I do. I'm looking forward to it.

FOR THOSE WE HAVE LOST | FRAY'S PALACE

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