Chapter Text
When both Alisaie and Alphinaud fail to turn up for breakfast in the morning less than a fortnight after their twentieth birthday, Estinien knows instantly why. A sidelong glance at Urianger’s countenance tells him that his intuition is correct. He sighs. Of course it would happen now, with all of the former Scions gathered back in Old Sharlayan to celebrate the third anniversary of their journey to Ultima Thule and the aversion of the Final Days. The Dragoon scrubs a hand across his face, halfway between exasperated and wary, but ultimately stands and goes into the kitchen at the Baldesion Annex.
The twins’ Elezen growth spurts have been threatening to come over them for some time now. Though Estinien has seen neither of them for several moons, he has spoken to Alphinaud over their Linkshell and the younger man had proudly told him about every ilm he had gained during each conversation. More recently, Alphinaud had described the uptick in his appetite as well as Alisaie’s a bit mournfully - food in Garlemald was still strictly rationed out of necessity and neither twin felt they could ask for more than their fair share. Estinien’s gut had twinged in sympathy. All of Ishgardian society was designed around Elezen needs - including those encountered during the final growth spurt around the age of twenty summers - but even with extra portions provided by the mess hall when he’d gone through his growth as a knight in training, he remembers the feeling of near-constant starvation.
Once in the kitchen, the Dragoon wastes no time in grabbing two large sacks used by the Students when they embark on short-term expeditions. He fills both with a variety of foodstuffs that will keep for a few days - nuts, dried fruits, jerky, and even a few portions of bland Archon Loaf. On top of that go several skeins of water before he moves onto the apothecary cupboard. Potions for alleviating aches and pains are added to the bags along with long cotton bandages that have been woven with fire shards to make them magically warm upon use. He then ties off the haversacks and shoulders them with a huff. Returning to the dining room, he unceremoniously drops one of the sacks into the lap of G’raha Tia. Auburn ears and tail stand on end at the unexpected interruption to mealtime and the Miqo’te fixes Estinien with a surprised look.
“The girl is your concern, not mine. I’ll see to the boy,” is all Estinien says before turning on his heel and heading for the residential wing of the Annex. He can hear G’raha asking their comrades what is going on behind him and Urianger’s long-suffering sigh in response.
Estinien shoulders his way through the throng of Students emerging from their quarters to begin the day’s work, most not even sparing him a glance as he navigates towards Alphinaud’s room. Outside of the door, he gives a cursory knock but receives no response, which he’d expected. He opens the door after waiting another moment to find the room dimly lit by only the large window on the opposite wall. There is a lump in the bed covered by the blankets that is emitting a low, distressed groan.
“Alphinaud,” the Dragoon calls, just loud enough to be heard. There is a shuffling of blankets and then a mussed silver head pokes out from under the pile.
“Estinien?”
“Aye, came to check on you.”
“I’m afraid that I’m indisposed and will be unable to join the festivities today,” the Sage says mournfully. He sounds exhausted.
“I know, your sister failed to make it to breakfast this morning as well. I’m afraid you’ll both be out of commission for a bit.”
Alphinaud groans again.
“May I come in? I’ve brought some things you might need.”
“Gods, yes, please tell me you brought food. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days despite the unreasonable amount I had for supper last night. I just cannot get my limbs to move enough to get out of bed.”
Chuckling sympathetically, Estinien lets the door close behind him as he drags Alphinaud’s desk chair to his bedside and sits down. Opening the haversack, he draws out the food and sets it on the nightstand.
“Do you think you can sit up?” he asks Alphinaud, who nods. With much more effort and significantly less grace than usual, the younger Elezen leverages himself into a seated position resting against the headboard. He wastes no time in grabbing a slice of Archon loaf and stuffing it in his mouth.
“Thaliak preserve me, even that awful stuff tastes good right now,” he remarks with a weary sigh once he’s finished chewing. Estinien proffers one of the water skeins, which Alphinaud accepts with thanks and quickly drains. His cheeks have a feverish flush to them and his nightgown clings to his skin from sweat. Despite that, Alphinaud is shivering slightly as he eats.
“You should lay back down and try to rest once you’ve eaten,” Estinien advises. “Sleeping as much as you can during your growth spurt will help your body have the energy it needs to get through the process quickly.”
Alphinaud hums in agreement, but then a thought occurs to him that has him trying to coordinate his uncooperative limbs into swinging over the side of the bed so he can stand.
“I should check on Alisaie,” he says, determined. Estinien prevents him from standing with a firm hand on his shoulder.
“I gave G’raha the same provisions that I have here and bade him see to her,” he responds, voice calm. “I have no doubt that he will ensure that she is given his full attention and care.”
The relationship between G’raha and Alisaie is no secret, though yet undefined. Both have adventurous spirits and fierce determination - Alphinaud has privately confided in Estinien that he feels it to be a good match, though he fears for the Miqo’te’s safety if he were to ever cross his sister. Hearing that she is being seen to in the moment, though, allows the Sage to relax back into his bed once more.
“Thank you,” he says sincerely, and the soft look on his face sends a fluttering, twisting feeling through Estinien’s whole body. He’s not confident that he can verbally respond without giving that away somehow, so he settles for a perfunctory nod. Alphinaud’s visage then twists into a grimace as he hisses and draws his knees to his chest so that he can grip his shins. Estinien reaches out to him again without a thought, brushing Alphinaud’s fringe from his face in a way that he hopes is soothing. Alphinaud leans into the gentle touch, face relaxing a little.
“Muscles?” Estinien asks, though he already knows the answer.
“Aye.”
The Dragoon reaches back into the sack and pulls out the bandages.
“Here,” he says, gesturing for Alphinaud to stretch one of his legs back out towards him. The Sage complies slowly, gritting his teeth the whole time. Estinien is able to quickly wrap the bandage around the length of Alphinaud’s lower leg and then repeats the process with the other leg. He then gently begins to massage both of Alphinaud’s calves to activate the fire shards. The younger Elezen whimpers at first, but soon appears less pained.
“That’s much better, thank you,” he breathes, head hung forward so that his chin rests against his chest. He opens his eyes and looks at Estinien, unshed tears lingering in the corners.
“No need to keep thanking me,” Estinien replies, more gently than he’d intended. Alphinaud’s small smile in response seems to light up the room.
“All the same, I appreciate you going to all the trouble,” the Sharlayan says.
“Tis no trouble, I assure you.”
Not after what Alphinaud did for him. Not with how he owes his life to the young man. Not with how he feels…
Estinien shakes his head to clear it. No point in going down that road right now.
“You should rest,” he says instead, standing. “There’s more food in the sack as well as some potions for pain. I’ll return at lunch with a proper meal and a replacement for the bandages.”
Alphinaud nods, eyes already heavy as he lays back down. He’s asleep before Estinein has even made it out of the room.
And if the Dragoon lingers just a little too long, looks just a little too fondly at Alphinaud’s slumbering face, well. There’s no one there to see.