Chapter Text
The soft echo of her steps was the only sound traveling through the walls of the Rising Stones.
Nothing all that strange considering the late hour, her affairs within Gridania had taken way more time than she had expected, she even had contemplated staying the night at the adventurers guild as Mother Minoue had so eagerly suggested....but she knew she had to come back, she had promised...
As tired and distracted as she was, the adorable and unexpected scene of the two elezen twins passed out on one of the multiple tables in the hall halted her steps.
A small lamp with a shooting light burned on the table, a table that was flooded with books and parchments and used mugs.
Lycoris sighed and smiled affectionately. "Little Alphy" was still with his favorite quill in hand, his head rested in one of his arms while the same quill created a big blob of ink on the paper he was working on.
Alisaie on the other hand seemed more composed and gracious on her tiredness and the only sight of disorder at her side of the table was some equipment most probably used to tend to her weapon.
She was sure Urianger would be delighted to know that his present is up to this day, still well taken care of.
The so esteemed Warrior of Light stayed there, just observing. She knew she probably should wake both of them and escort them to their room where they could repose more comfortably....but at the same time...she just want to observe them a little more.
How long has it been since she could just bask in the company of her young friends without any threat of a primal? Or of the empire, or any other calamity-wise danger?
Definitely too long for her liking for sure.
Not resisting herself anymore Lycoris approached the sleeping teens and let her hands run lightly over their light and soft locks, an adoring smile take over her lips when she saw them relax under her touch.
Lycoris wasn't strange in the acts of fostering, after the calamity, the Conjurer guild had served as an orphanage of sorts for a while and she was one of the surviving conjurers who had helped in teaching and taking care of the kids.
She still remembers all the little ones she had helped, and she had raised them with all the love and care that only a devoted of Mephina would...but for some reason, none of them had made as huge an impact in her life as these twins had.
"How cruel of you to let the kiddos wait for so long milady. Should I have you know how worried sick they were regarding your wellbeing?"
Thancred casual voice made her ears twitch lightly showing him he have her attention.
"Cruel indeed..."- she whispered only loud enough so she could have been heard by her fellow scion.
Her hands never leaving their place at the elezens' head.
"Pray, be assured that was never my intention to cause them or any of you any worry."
"Of this, my doubts are none, my friend, you prove yourself more times than I can count on both my hands but regardless....it is good to se you well and whole."- Thancred leave his spot on a shadowed wall and approached the short miqo'te placing a comforting and warm hand at her shoulder - "Welcome home my friend."
"Thank you Thancred."- she replied with a soft smile, looking at him for the first time since they start their talk. - " It's good to be home."
No more was said or done after that. Both Archon and hero immersed on their own musing and in comfortable silence, relishing in that wink resemblance of peace that they know wouldn't last for long.
"Would you help me place them in bed?" - she asked already knowing the answer.
Thancred only smiled and gave her a slight nod before aiding his friend on her last task of the night.
Once in her room, after making sure her twins were all safe and comfortable on their respective beds, Lycoris couldn't help but let her body hit the mattress and let her mind meditate for a while, thinking of nothing and everything at the same time.
When she finally start feeling the weight on her eyes, making it hard to keep them open, the last thought that crossed her head was what should she do for breakfast.
She needed to compensate the kids after all.