Chapter Text
01. table of contents
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02. shame without guilt
No explicit content - an introduction to the basic plot.
"I thought always that…that you might have been waiting for some kind of sign from me," she said. "That I should have told you how much I valued you. And when you left I thought...in another world I could have convinced you to stay.”
The Warrior of Light and Darkness pulls the Exarch aside to apologize.
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03. things yet unspoken
Explicit content featuring Crystal Exarch.
For decades he had been content to play the role of an aging mentor, a pure and virginal wiseman. Bits of that persona, parts of that facade had been dying since his first night at the Crystarium after the defeat of Emet-Selch.
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04. things we cling to
Plot and explicit content featuring Aymeric.
She was trying to figure out if she really loved him, or if she loved only what he reminded her of. Until she knew, she didn’t think it fair to be with him. For his sake.
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05. strictly platonic
Explicit content featuring Estinien, and plot featuring young G'raha Tia.
“You’d be surprised,” she said. “I daresay some of them find my draconic features...arousing.”
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06. arousing no suspicion
No explicit content, but angst-filled romance between the Warrior and the Crystal Exarch.
“Please,” she said, returning her gaze to meet his. “G’raha, please - “
He winced and rubbed his forehead. “It’s indecent - improper when you call me that.”
“Why, because it makes you feel something?”
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07. prophetic dreams
Explicit and romantic content with the Crystal Exarch.
“G’raha, tell me...have you any fantasies?”
All he could do was laugh; a simple tactic of deflection.
She twisted herself to sit sideways in the chair and crossed her legs. The hem of her dress rose to sit just under her knee. Black tights held her form beneath. “I could tell you about my dreams, if you prefer…”
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08. giving in
Explicit content with a very love-starved Crystal Exarch.
Touching another person was a sacred act that made holy relics of his fingers, her face. What gods was he supposed to pray to? All he could hear was want want want. I want this. She wants this. The calling alone could have brought him to the ground - so what in the world was keeping his lips from hers?
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09. i love you
Explicit content with Haurchefant. Also sad.
The Warrior remembers a time another person told her he loved her.
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10. like a scholar
Explicit content with the Crystal Exarch, the gift that keeps on giving.
His face gave her absolute faith in his ability to fuck her halfway to the Source and back.
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11. religion
Explicit content featuring the Crystal Exarch, who is starting to remember how this whole thing works...
So much for "be gentle with me."
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12. a temporary current
No explicit content, but angst and romance and ugh.
Aymeric worries about the Warrior of Light while she's, unbeknownst to him, basking in the light of new-found love. The Exarch finds himself prying into the Warrior's past so he can understand her present better.
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13. spell in waiting
Plot between the Warrior and Exarch, as well as explicit content featuring flashback Estinien.
The Exarch wonders whether he is taking advantage of a grief-addled person, and the Warrior reminisces on one of her grief-addled decisions.
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14. pure beam
Explicit, loving, wonderful content with the Crystal Exarch.
“They need not worry for me.”
“Perhaps.” She moved to straddle him and wrapped her arms around his neck, wearing a testy pout. With her hips atop his, their heads were at about the same level. “But I would like to. To worry on your behalf.”
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15. orogenesis
No explicit content - just sadness.
The Warrior returns to the Source to get some closure from someone she's been avoiding for a while.