To be certain, there are going to be some changes around the manor. Little things here and there are already happening; Sae isn't going to turn the entire place upside down and change everything in Aymeric's life all at once. But, one of the things that Sae doesn't like about Ishgard is how utterly and completely drab it is. Dark colors, dark woods, blah blah blah. He can't live like this. It's bad enough he must suffer the infernal cold while he's here, he can't look at baroque wallpaper another second.
But, that will all come in due time. Probably to Aymeric's chagrin, but it'll be fine. Probably.
He rests against the edge of the desk where it appears a done stack of is resting. The unruly part of him wants to toss them all in the fire because Aymeric works too much on silly things, but he wouldn't do that. ( Probably. )
His thumb rubs against the handle of the teacup as his attention shifts to some papers sitting nearby. A moment passes and he moves to rifle the papers sitting there with a soft hum. "While we may only be husbands in name only, you are still a dear friend. And, as your friend it is my duty to see you not overwork yourself." He taps the papers back into alignment. "I think it's time to find you some sort of assistant."
Aymeric only just keeps himself from wincing. It's not like he disagrees, but there's something about Sae bringing it up that feels... awkward, somehow. He can't quite put his finger on what bothers him about it, but there's something.
The suggestion earns a hum of acknowledgement as Aymeric leans back a little in his chair. He sips the tea with a faintly pleased expression - it's nice to have someone bring him tea just because he looked like he needed it. Oh, he could ring for a servant to bring him some any time he liked, but that's not the same.
"Unfortunately, a great deal of this requires personal attention." He says regretfully - if he could hand it off to someone else, he would.
(Except he probably wouldn't, he's so used to having a hand in everything going on it would feel strange to not need to)
Aymeric might not realize that relaxation looks good on him; he'd wear it well if he just allowed himself the time. It's been an idle thought before, but now that they're sharing a living space with one another, Sae can see much more of Aymeric's day-to-day and can tell he throws too much of himself into work he doesn't need to. He wonders if it's just to avoid idleness or intrusive thoughts or perhaps a mixture of both. Looking at him now in the soft warm glow of the flickering firelight and scattered candles with that gentle look upon his handsome features, Sae can't help but feel a bit guilty for depriving someone the opportunity of truly appreciating it the way it should be.
A lofty sigh follows the small, amused roll of his eyes. "If anyone knows the amount of nonsense that statement is, Aymeric, it's me."
Warrior of light, savior of blah blah, runner of fetch quests. "I've unwillingly saved Eorzea more times than I ever imagined and do you know how many times I've had to deliver vegetables?" He waves a hand almost dismissively over the papers. "It takes more than one person to keep a city running." He fixes a look on Aymeric, studying him quietly for a few moments. "It gets rather lonely shouldering everything alone."
Aymeric looks faintly offended at Sae's dismissing of the many demands on his time, though it softens into something more rueful as the warrior continues. Of course Sae would understand being the person everyone turns to, the one they expect to solve every problem. Thinking about it, this marriage might actually be a bit of a break for him, a chance to get that rest his friends were always trying to push on him.
If only Aymeric were so lucky...
"And what do you suggest?" he asks, soft and genuine "It is not as though there are many clamouring to help me shoulder it."
They all want to have the power, want their voices and ideas heard, but none of them want the responsibility of making those ideas work, of deciding between them. Of course, he knows he isn't actually doing everything himself... but sometimes it feels like it.
There's a glint to his eyes as he smiles behind the rim of his teacup, opting to take a sip of the tea rather than respond at first. The cup gets set down beside him on Aymeric's desk and he folds his hands together against his thigh. "Am I invisible? Is Lucia? I'm sure even you are aware of those here that do not simply want a title and truly wish to help."
He pushes up from his lean and steps a little closer to the fire. It's abysmally cold in Ishgard and he yearns for his oasis on the beach in Shirogane as he rubs his hands together then holds them out to leech the warmth. And it is that line of thinking that gives him an idea. Sae's lips around into an o-shape and he pauses for a moment before turning to face Aymeric again.
"When was the last time you left this dreary place for something other than business?" His brows lift as he taps a finger against his chin. "My guess is never."
"No, neither you nor Lucia are invisible." Aymeric agrees, soft amusement in his voice. Sae is right, of course, but Aymeric has convinced himself that everybody who would wish to help all have full plates themselves - being the warrior of light drags Sae the length and breadth of Eorzea and beyond, and Aymeric wouldn't wish to ask yet more of him when he's already done so much, and Lucia has mostly taken over command of the temple knights and he knows well how demanding that job can be.
Still, perhaps he should give greater consideration to the support he has around him.
He turns slightly in his chair, watches Sae as he warms himself and feels a flash of guilt. He's used to the cold winters of Ishgard, but Sae is not. He makes a mental note to ensure they order more wood for the fires, wonders if he ought to buy more warm clothing for his husband, if perhaps he should be the one bringing warm drinks. The musing is interrupted by the question and he glances up, opening his mouth to reply and then closing it again.
After a long, telling moment, his shoulders slump a little in defeat.
"I must confess, you have the right of it." He admits "Though I do object to my beautiful city being termed dreary, 'tis true I have only had occasion to leave it when necessity demanded."
He's travelled as a knight, as lord commander, as lord speaker... but never as Aymeric.
Yes, he absolutely should. Sae has the fortune of calling upon the Scions whenever he needs a little extra help, but he wonders if Aymeric has such a thing. Certainly, there must be someone besides Lucia. And as dear as Sae holds Estinien, well. Now that he knows the man far better than he had when he first began his travels around Coerthas, he certainly wouldn't trust him with anything more... economically focused. But, he makes a note to seek his council anyway. If anyone ( besides himself, of course ) deserve to have their plate cleared more, it's Aymeric.
This is why a little, almost secretive sort of smile begins to pull up his lips when he sees the opening and closing of his mouth and that air of defeat curling his broad, proud shoulders. And, okay, it isn't that he despises Ishgard or anything, but the weather leaves something to be desired. It's cold. All the time! And, truthfully, Sae's wardrobe isn't really suited for colder climes. ( Not that he's opposed to getting a new one, but that's beside the point!! He shouldn't have to keep a fire burning in his hearth year-round!! )
"As I thought." He holds up two fingers to make a point. "You've two days to get your affairs in order, then we're going on a short vacation." Somewhere much, much warmer; he folds his arms low over his torso. "I won't take no for an answer."
After all, it's not like they had a honeymoon or anything. They deserve this.
Aymeric once again opens his mouth to protest only to find that the words won't quite come. He closes it again with a frown, actually considering the offer - the demand, really.
That's the sort of thing one is supposed to do with husbands, isn't it? That's the entire reason he always thought it wasn't fair of him to have one, he wouldn't be able to give them the time, the attention they deserved. He thought it would be different with Sae, and perhaps it is, but that doesn't mean it's entirely fair to expect him to just hover round the house all day until he can go back to adventuring without it causing some kind of diplomatic bother. Rest is one thing, but so used to travelling as he is the De Borel manor must be stifling, restrictive.
All the people who insisted upon the marriage must understand, Aymeric reasons to himself, that it's a partnership, however political it might have been, and they aren't going to get all the benefits they've been hoping for if the warrior of light is unhappy. Ergo, it's perfectly reasonable for Aymeric to take a trip at his husband's insistence.
He is quiet for a long moment, but eventually he nods.
"Since there is only one answer to give, I shall give it. Very well."
Well, if Aymeric truly did not wish to go, Sae would have dropped the idea. Or, well, for them both; he likely would've gone by himself. If only for a change of scenery and some warmth and sun. He can only enjoy the Snowsoak Springs but so much as it's no real replacement for the beach. And while he doesn't mind, necessarily, spending time puttering around the manor and putting his redecorating skill to good use, he wants to enjoy himself in places that he merely saw in passing due to constant war on the horizon.
And to be able to enjoy it with a friend...
Still, when Aymeric gives in, he smiles rather brightly and rubs his hands together ( because he's pleased, not just because he's still cold ). "I thought you'd see things my way."
He returns to the desk just long enough to gather his cup and saucer before shifting closer and resting a hand against Aymeric's shoulder. "Though, I meant what I intended before; if you're in need of help," and he gives a small, affectionate squeeze, "simply ask."
Americ huffs a soft laugh, amused and unexpectedly fond. Adjusting to married life has been difficult, a little complicated, but he can't forget that Sae is a friend, and it really doesn't seem as though their union is going to get in the way of that. If anything, it has made it much less difficult and complicated than it could have been.
(It's just friendship, that glow of warmth he feels, he's just happy that someone cares about him, that's all)
He smiles a little at the offer, nodding.
"I will endeavour to do so." He promises, because it's clear that worrying he's asking too much of Sae is his problem, although... "As long as you promise you will feel free to tell me know if you wish to. Any aid I ask of you is a request, not a demand."
Yeah, Sae is on the same page as that: it's just friendship. This isn't what he wanted out of married life, but he's doing the best with the hand he's been dealt and that's simply all he can do. All they can do. At least Sae knows and trusts Aymeric, and that isn't something he gives so freely. But, without a doubt, Sae knows he'll be treated well regardless of the lack of romance.
Without really meaning to or knowing what he's doing, Sae's finger curls through the hair at the nape of Aymeric's neck before he pulls back into his own space. A small, yet knife-edge sharp smile tugs at one side of his mouth. "I think you know me well enough to know I never do anything I don't want to."
Aymeric leans into the touch almost unconsciously, he doesn't even entirely register it until suddenly it's gone and he feels the loss more keenly than he probably should. He isn't sure what to do with that feeling, so he carefully ignores it.
He smiles slightly, tilting his head to acknowledge the statement.
"Aye, that's true enough." He agrees, amused and vaguely fond.
"Well, there's little that can be done by anyone to help with this," he waves a hand at the paperwork he'd been so recently hunched over "but the tea, and the company, have restored my spirits considerably, so perhaps that's help enough."
He has taken the words to heart, though, and he will consider ways to prevent quite so much of this sort of thing from crossing his desk.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
But, that will all come in due time. Probably to Aymeric's chagrin, but it'll be fine. Probably.
He rests against the edge of the desk where it appears a done stack of is resting. The unruly part of him wants to toss them all in the fire because Aymeric works too much on silly things, but he wouldn't do that. ( Probably. )
His thumb rubs against the handle of the teacup as his attention shifts to some papers sitting nearby. A moment passes and he moves to rifle the papers sitting there with a soft hum. "While we may only be husbands in name only, you are still a dear friend. And, as your friend it is my duty to see you not overwork yourself." He taps the papers back into alignment. "I think it's time to find you some sort of assistant."
no subject
Husbands in name only
Aymeric only just keeps himself from wincing. It's not like he disagrees, but there's something about Sae bringing it up that feels... awkward, somehow. He can't quite put his finger on what bothers him about it, but there's something.
The suggestion earns a hum of acknowledgement as Aymeric leans back a little in his chair. He sips the tea with a faintly pleased expression - it's nice to have someone bring him tea just because he looked like he needed it. Oh, he could ring for a servant to bring him some any time he liked, but that's not the same.
"Unfortunately, a great deal of this requires personal attention." He says regretfully - if he could hand it off to someone else, he would.
(Except he probably wouldn't, he's so used to having a hand in everything going on it would feel strange to not need to)
no subject
A lofty sigh follows the small, amused roll of his eyes. "If anyone knows the amount of nonsense that statement is, Aymeric, it's me."
Warrior of light, savior of blah blah, runner of fetch quests. "I've unwillingly saved Eorzea more times than I ever imagined and do you know how many times I've had to deliver vegetables?" He waves a hand almost dismissively over the papers. "It takes more than one person to keep a city running." He fixes a look on Aymeric, studying him quietly for a few moments. "It gets rather lonely shouldering everything alone."
no subject
Aymeric looks faintly offended at Sae's dismissing of the many demands on his time, though it softens into something more rueful as the warrior continues. Of course Sae would understand being the person everyone turns to, the one they expect to solve every problem. Thinking about it, this marriage might actually be a bit of a break for him, a chance to get that rest his friends were always trying to push on him.
If only Aymeric were so lucky...
"And what do you suggest?" he asks, soft and genuine "It is not as though there are many clamouring to help me shoulder it."
They all want to have the power, want their voices and ideas heard, but none of them want the responsibility of making those ideas work, of deciding between them. Of course, he knows he isn't actually doing everything himself... but sometimes it feels like it.
no subject
He pushes up from his lean and steps a little closer to the fire. It's abysmally cold in Ishgard and he yearns for his oasis on the beach in Shirogane as he rubs his hands together then holds them out to leech the warmth. And it is that line of thinking that gives him an idea. Sae's lips around into an o-shape and he pauses for a moment before turning to face Aymeric again.
"When was the last time you left this dreary place for something other than business?" His brows lift as he taps a finger against his chin. "My guess is never."
no subject
"No, neither you nor Lucia are invisible." Aymeric agrees, soft amusement in his voice. Sae is right, of course, but Aymeric has convinced himself that everybody who would wish to help all have full plates themselves - being the warrior of light drags Sae the length and breadth of Eorzea and beyond, and Aymeric wouldn't wish to ask yet more of him when he's already done so much, and Lucia has mostly taken over command of the temple knights and he knows well how demanding that job can be.
Still, perhaps he should give greater consideration to the support he has around him.
He turns slightly in his chair, watches Sae as he warms himself and feels a flash of guilt. He's used to the cold winters of Ishgard, but Sae is not. He makes a mental note to ensure they order more wood for the fires, wonders if he ought to buy more warm clothing for his husband, if perhaps he should be the one bringing warm drinks. The musing is interrupted by the question and he glances up, opening his mouth to reply and then closing it again.
After a long, telling moment, his shoulders slump a little in defeat.
"I must confess, you have the right of it." He admits "Though I do object to my beautiful city being termed dreary, 'tis true I have only had occasion to leave it when necessity demanded."
He's travelled as a knight, as lord commander, as lord speaker... but never as Aymeric.
no subject
This is why a little, almost secretive sort of smile begins to pull up his lips when he sees the opening and closing of his mouth and that air of defeat curling his broad, proud shoulders. And, okay, it isn't that he despises Ishgard or anything, but the weather leaves something to be desired. It's cold. All the time! And, truthfully, Sae's wardrobe isn't really suited for colder climes. ( Not that he's opposed to getting a new one, but that's beside the point!! He shouldn't have to keep a fire burning in his hearth year-round!! )
"As I thought." He holds up two fingers to make a point. "You've two days to get your affairs in order, then we're going on a short vacation." Somewhere much, much warmer; he folds his arms low over his torso. "I won't take no for an answer."
After all, it's not like they had a honeymoon or anything. They deserve this.
no subject
Aymeric once again opens his mouth to protest only to find that the words won't quite come. He closes it again with a frown, actually considering the offer - the demand, really.
That's the sort of thing one is supposed to do with husbands, isn't it? That's the entire reason he always thought it wasn't fair of him to have one, he wouldn't be able to give them the time, the attention they deserved. He thought it would be different with Sae, and perhaps it is, but that doesn't mean it's entirely fair to expect him to just hover round the house all day until he can go back to adventuring without it causing some kind of diplomatic bother. Rest is one thing, but so used to travelling as he is the De Borel manor must be stifling, restrictive.
All the people who insisted upon the marriage must understand, Aymeric reasons to himself, that it's a partnership, however political it might have been, and they aren't going to get all the benefits they've been hoping for if the warrior of light is unhappy. Ergo, it's perfectly reasonable for Aymeric to take a trip at his husband's insistence.
He is quiet for a long moment, but eventually he nods.
"Since there is only one answer to give, I shall give it. Very well."
no subject
And to be able to enjoy it with a friend...
Still, when Aymeric gives in, he smiles rather brightly and rubs his hands together ( because he's pleased, not just because he's still cold ). "I thought you'd see things my way."
He returns to the desk just long enough to gather his cup and saucer before shifting closer and resting a hand against Aymeric's shoulder. "Though, I meant what I intended before; if you're in need of help," and he gives a small, affectionate squeeze, "simply ask."
no subject
Americ huffs a soft laugh, amused and unexpectedly fond. Adjusting to married life has been difficult, a little complicated, but he can't forget that Sae is a friend, and it really doesn't seem as though their union is going to get in the way of that. If anything, it has made it much less difficult and complicated than it could have been.
(It's just friendship, that glow of warmth he feels, he's just happy that someone cares about him, that's all)
He smiles a little at the offer, nodding.
"I will endeavour to do so." He promises, because it's clear that worrying he's asking too much of Sae is his problem, although... "As long as you promise you will feel free to tell me know if you wish to. Any aid I ask of you is a request, not a demand."
no subject
Without really meaning to or knowing what he's doing, Sae's finger curls through the hair at the nape of Aymeric's neck before he pulls back into his own space. A small, yet knife-edge sharp smile tugs at one side of his mouth. "I think you know me well enough to know I never do anything I don't want to."
no subject
Aymeric leans into the touch almost unconsciously, he doesn't even entirely register it until suddenly it's gone and he feels the loss more keenly than he probably should. He isn't sure what to do with that feeling, so he carefully ignores it.
He smiles slightly, tilting his head to acknowledge the statement.
"Aye, that's true enough." He agrees, amused and vaguely fond.
"Well, there's little that can be done by anyone to help with this," he waves a hand at the paperwork he'd been so recently hunched over "but the tea, and the company, have restored my spirits considerably, so perhaps that's help enough."
He has taken the words to heart, though, and he will consider ways to prevent quite so much of this sort of thing from crossing his desk.
"I don't have much more to do, at least."