Chapter Text
When the door to his office opened without preamble, Aymeric knew exactly who it is.
A disturbing amount of his time was spent in his office, so much so that he’s become attuned to the building around him. He could tell when Handeloup came striding down the hall, and he knew the short and rhythmic knocks that belonged to Lucia.
Most notably, he knew that when the door to his office swung open, it could only be one of two people. Really, it could only be one, as Estinien usually opted to use the window.
“I hadn’t known you were in town. It’s good to see you,” Aymeric said as he addresses the Warrior of Light. He realized, belatedly, that he was wearing a smile. One he hadn’t intended, but had shone through nevertheless.
“It was a last minute decision,” Rose said as she took a seat on his couch, “Technically, we’re in the Rising Stones. But, I’d rather sleep in a comfortable bed. I can go back tomorrow.”
It’s a half truth, Aymeric realized. He could see in her eyes how she missed House Fortemps, and he could see in her eyes how she missed him.
“Shall I prepare us some tea? I am long overdue for a break, and I would love for you to join me.”
“If you insist,” Rose says with a smile.
It didn’t take him long to return with a tray. There were two cups.
There’s his: It’s the same one he uses daily. He should have replaced it several times over now, but the mug was given to him by a commanding officer when he first joined the Knights. Despite all the nicks and stains on the mug, it would feel wrong to part with it now.
Next to his was Rose’s: He didn’t tell her when he first tucked it away in his office. For as much time as he spent here, it was nice to have something that anchored her here, too. Sometimes, when she was away, he’d take it out and look at it. It had House Fortemps’ signature unicolt emblazoned; one of many gifts the Warrior of Light had received when she’d been officially adopted by Count Edmont.
Steam drifted up from the cups as a comfortable silence hung between the two. It was nice, having her here like this.
“Oh, before I forget!” she turned around and produced a small package from her bag, “I got these for you. We had to go through Kugane this time, and I wanted to bring you something. I thought about getting you tea, but it’s terribly bitter. These are sweets, but we often take them with our tea.”
Aymeric opened the package. Inside were a number of confections. Each was stylized to look like a flower. He pressed down on one, expecting to find it hard like Ishgardian candy, but it was surprisingly soft and squishy.
“It’s made with rice, that’s what gives it the texture,” Rose smiles as she addresses him.
It was nice, he thought. As he was right now, he didn’t have the luxury to travel. But he did have the luxury of enjoying tea with his most cherished person. As he ate the sweets, it was easy to imagine strolling down a foreign street with her.
“Do you like it?” she asked. A light blushed tinted her cheeks.
“Very much so. Although, next time, I’d like to go with you. As wonderful as a souvenir is, it would be much better to be there with you in person.”