[ he should have known better than to think he could divert the topic; estinien is ravenous as a bloodhound when he's on the scent of something, and there is no budging him when he has decided to dig in his heels.
still, he.. does not entirely expect it when he hears the approaching footsteps, and feels the weight of estinien's mailed hand clasping his shoulder. what they say about him - his coldness, his distance - aymeric knows better, has always known better. beneath his stiffness a fierce heart burns, and aymeric is not unaware of it. he knows the exacting cost of bearing the eye of nidhogg, what toll it demands of its owner, the difficulties involved with the heavy title of azure dragoon. despite what they say, estinien has been nothing less than a good friend and a fiercely loyal comrade, and for that aymeric will always be grateful, but he has learned what to expect of him, and what not to.
there's a moment of tension when his shoulders stiffen, though it is less out of distaste than surprise, and aymeric lifts his head. bewilderment flashes over his expression before it begins to collapse, his brows drawing tightly together, and there is a raw anguish in his eyes that is rare and fleeting and so very unlike what most might have come to expect of the image of himself that aymeric has worked so hard to uphold. at last he lifts a hand, his gloved palm coming to rest over estinien's knuckles, fingers grasping tightly in a show of acceptance, camaraderie, and gratitude. ]
.. thank you, my friend. It is good to know that I have those who would stand by me, even -- even now, when I am less myself than I would like to be. This.. this shall pass.
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still, he.. does not entirely expect it when he hears the approaching footsteps, and feels the weight of estinien's mailed hand clasping his shoulder. what they say about him - his coldness, his distance - aymeric knows better, has always known better. beneath his stiffness a fierce heart burns, and aymeric is not unaware of it. he knows the exacting cost of bearing the eye of nidhogg, what toll it demands of its owner, the difficulties involved with the heavy title of azure dragoon. despite what they say, estinien has been nothing less than a good friend and a fiercely loyal comrade, and for that aymeric will always be grateful, but he has learned what to expect of him, and what not to.
there's a moment of tension when his shoulders stiffen, though it is less out of distaste than surprise, and aymeric lifts his head. bewilderment flashes over his expression before it begins to collapse, his brows drawing tightly together, and there is a raw anguish in his eyes that is rare and fleeting and so very unlike what most might have come to expect of the image of himself that aymeric has worked so hard to uphold. at last he lifts a hand, his gloved palm coming to rest over estinien's knuckles, fingers grasping tightly in a show of acceptance, camaraderie, and gratitude. ]
.. thank you, my friend. It is good to know that I have those who would stand by me, even -- even now, when I am less myself than I would like to be. This.. this shall pass.