#a liiiiittle rusty and cringe but i am accepting that fact. anyway i love them

[lavampira]

41. “Sleep.  I’ll keep you safe.” for sid and d'alia? ;--;

mwah ty guys !! @impossible-rat-babies @storyofthemoon @consulaaris

prompt: 41. "sleep. I'll keep you safe." [X] pairing: d'alia liveq x sidurgu orl word count: 867 spoilers for the drk questline

The peach glow of the sun sinking across the Churning Mists sky has long since given way to the glimmering stars peeking through the clouds, but D’alia has not slept. She clings to the well-worn and open leather journal in her lap, but her eyes are on the horizon, watching the sway of grass in the breeze, two small Elezen children huddled close, and the bouncing pom of a Moogle in the distance. Her attention keeps wandering not far behind her where Sidurgu, in a rare moment rid of his armor and sprawled on his bedroll, has been asleep since they had returned.

Or at least, since they managed to heal the worst of his injuries.

Letting her eyes flutter shut, D’alia draws in a deep breath. Not for the first time tonight, she reminds herself that all of them are stable and whole, and remain so under her watch. Even if the adrenaline and concern of the evening have yet to wane. Movement stirring nearby draws her from her brooding thoughts, however, followed by Sidurgu’s voice rough from sleep calling to her.

“D’alia?”

She hums, glancing over her shoulder. “Still here.”

“Rielle? Myste?”

“Stargazing with Moggie,” D’alia returns quickly, aiming to soothe the worry before it can grow full-blown through his grogginess, and points to their location. “I can see them from here.”

The simple reassurance that the Moogles haven’t once again kidnapped their charge or her strange little friend seems to placate him. Still, Sidurgu grumbles under his breath as he eases himself upright, his movements slow and stiff with the strain. A pang of guilt unfurls and burrows deep in her chest until it settles into the sort of helpless frustration that has become all too familiar to her these days.

D’alia brushes the fringe back from her face as she lets out a long sigh, sparing a glance at the children. Though the combined healing of Rielle’s conjury and her own arcanist studies have helped Sidurgu to some degree, there was naught else they could do, and travel in his condition has been out of the question. When she finally turns to him again, she finds him watching her in turn.

“You should still be resting.”

“I haven’t been awake but a few minutes.” After a brief stretch, he clears his throat. “How long have you been on watch?”

D’alia bristles, her tail twitching near her leg. It’s a pointless question—she’s been wide awake the entire time, not once leaving the children or his side, and he is equally aware of it. She has been telling herself that the reason is out of desire to protect him, but it’s increasingly difficult to accept that it’s the only one. What should be a simple question is particularly close to the full truth that she can’t afford to consider now.

And yet the memory of him collapsed in a heap on the ground remains on the forefront of her mind, as does having to drag him back to Moghome between Rielle and herself, and facing Myste’s inconsolable pout until Sidurgu had spoken a few words to him, too. Not to mention Ompagne’s words lingering over them. Of course she is still holding vigil over their makeshift camp.

“I am scarcely the most injured one between us, and besides, would you prefer to rehash with Rielle on why you so readily throw yourself in harm’s way?” D’alia fixes him with a stern gaze, earning a bewildered look in response, his limbral rings aglow in the moonlight as his eyes widen. “Or shall I fetch the Moogles to sing that godsdamned song again?”

Heat rises up her neck to her cheeks as she ducks her head, and never has she been more grateful for the night, hoping with every ilm of desperation that the shadows conceal it. Though her dignity hangs in question, she refuses to retract her words. He has made it clear how much he’s willing to keep them all safe. It is high time that it gets through his stubborn head that he isn’t the only one, too.

“Aye, point taken,” Sidurgu concedes, his voice hushed as if wary to shatter the stillness between them. “Leave the furry little shites out of it.”

She risks another glance his way. “You’ll sleep then?”

“Only for a while longer. Then it’s your turn.”

D’alia simply nods. Seemingly satisfied that she isn’t planning to summon Rielle’s wrath or the Moogles upon him, Sidurgu gingerly lowers himself back to his bedroll, leaving her to return to her journal and her endless thoughts, though her ears twitch in his direction with every small shift until he settles into prolonged silence.

“Just… Sleep,” she whispers. “I’ll keep you safe.”

But he still must have heard her, for he returns lowly, “I— I never doubt that.”

Unable to suppress the rush of fondness that blooms through her, D’alia smiles softly, but she leaves him to his rest. It takes him little time to drift off again, his rumbling snores behind her a sign of his exhaustion. Soon, she’ll wave the children over to sleep, too, and they shall take the next day in stride. And mayhap all will be well.

#a liiiiittle rusty and cringe but i am accepting that fact. anyway i love them #dani writes things #asked and answered #impossible-rat-babies #storyofthemoon #consulaaris #game: ffxiv #fic: ffxiv #oc: d'alia liveq #ch: sidurgu orl #alia/sid #drk spoilers