Chapter Text
The warmth of the sun was the only thing keeping him awake. Silas sat on the edge of a patio looking out over one of the courtyards in the Hoshidan palace. It was spring, and the pink petals of the cherry trees looked like fairies floating in the wind. His men had been in awe of them when they arrived, most of them having never left the Nohrian borders. They were recruits put under his command. It wasn’t the first time Silas had a band of men to lead, but these boys had never seen combat, and hopefully never would. They still had a shine in their eyes and didn’t smile at blood and gore. The memory of men like Hans still haunted Silas—more so than most. He had lead men like Hans, given them orders to attack villages and capture castles. He always advised avoiding bloodshed, but on the field of battle who was to say what was and wasn’t excessive?
It was nice to just escort Lady Camilla across the border. She had wanted to visit the Hoshidan capital once again but there were always dangers. Even with relations between the two nations being at their best there were still bandits, Hoshidan extremist who felt the Nohrian family should have been punished more harshly, and Nohrian rebels who were upset with the punishments given. Even if Camilla had let go of her title, she was still of royal blood—still the sister to the king. During the war, four knights would not have been enough, but now they didn’t have to worry about a whole army catching them off guard. Though looking back they probably could have managed with just one recruit, Silas, and Camilla’s wyvern. Thank the Gods she had that thing under control.
“Well, would you look at that.” Silas turned to see Takumi standing behind him
Silas smiled. “Long time no see?”
“It’s been a week. Lady Camilla wanted to come back that bad?”
Silas shrugged. “She seems to have taken a liking to the capital. Talked the whole journey about the tea and sweets you guys have.” He stood up, meeting Takumi in the center of the room.
“You must have taken a liking too, I’m sure they’ve got you doing a lot more important things back at Nohr.”
“Training recruits… moving supplies. Much lighter than sieging a castle or taking down a rebellion.”
Takumi raised a brow. “Do you like that sort of stuff?”
“Yes. Like I said, it’s might lighter work.” Easier on the soul, he thought.
Takumi’s eyes drifted to the floor, arms crossed over his chest. “Silas, how do you confess to a girl?” The knight almost lost his balance despite the solid ground. Sure he had gotten to know Takumi pretty well over the last couple months, they hadn’t just fought alongside each other but slept, eaten, and bathed as well. Yet somehow he didn’t feel prepared for such a question. Was this what parents felt like?
Silas swallowed the lump in his throat before beginning. “Well um… I would take her somewhere private and ah… tell her how much she means to me, gather up my courage and well, just tell her.” He found himself rubbing his wrists, something he thought he left behind in childhood.
Takumi’s response came faster than he expected. “Is that what you did with Corrin?” Silas’s mouth went dry. No matter how many times he tried to swallow nothing changed, his throat just grew dry like the deserts of the wind tribe.
“No,” he broke his dry throat now showing.
Takumi’s eyes grew. “What? Haven't you told her? I thought she just rejected you!”
“I never find the—wait.” Silas’s brows furrowed. “If you thought she rejected me why did you even ask?”
“I didn’t want to make your mistakes, obviously.”
“Obviously?” Silas shook like a wet dog, trying to shake off the anger. “I’ve never told Corrin anything of the sort. We’re just…” He bit the inside of his lip. “We live in different worlds.”
There was a brief silence. Silas could almost hear the cherry blossoms flutter to the ground. “You mean Hoshido and Nohr?”
“Don’t you see it?” There was a new fire in the knight’s voice as if a hot ember had fallen down his dry throat and found some kindling. “Corrin, your sister, she’s lost. It’s like she never left that battlefield between Hoshido and Nohr. She still hasn’t decided who to side with, her family or her blood.”
“What are you saying—“
“I’m saying you should pay more attention.” His eyes shut. He let out a huff. “Corrin lost everything. You and I, we have as much history as she does with you or any of your family for that matter.”
Takumi bared his teeth. “She grew up with us!”
“But does she remember that? Takumi, she doesn’t remember me. Only flashes of our time together. When we used to walk together around camp I would tell her stories the same way I’d tell them to you. As if she had never been there, as if she’d never even been to Nohr.” Their walks were painted melancholy, but it was a nice change from the blood splattered battleground and the politics in camp. Sometimes they would even laugh together, having found something Corrin could recall. But most days Silas laughed alone with a confused Corrin at his side.
Takumi’s teeth were sill tight in his mouth by his eyes showed a softness. It wasn’t that long ago he didn’t trust his sister… it was hard to remember exactly when she became a friend as opposed to a foe. It was hard to remember many of the battles really, what with his mind always in a haze thanks to Iago’s magic. He looked at the ground, hands in tight fists. Finally, his jaw relaxed. “What has she been saying to you?”
“She asks me if she made the right choice.”
“And?” He lifted his chin to look at the knight across from him. “What do you tell her?”
“I’ve never really answered her…”
Silas looked out into the courtyard, the bright colors reminding him of a painting of Nohr. Only with oils and dyes could the bright pinks and reds of Hoshido be achieved back home. Now it made him dizzy. No wonder Corrin was so lost. “I need to go speak with Lady Camilla.” Silas started for the courtyard. “Good luck with Oboro.”
It was Takumi’s turn to lose his balance. “How did you—“
“Come on, Takumi.” Looking over his shoulder he smiled at the prince. “You think I can’t see when a guy is in love? I have seen myself in a mirror you know.”
Takumi didn’t even argue, a shy smile crossing his lips. “Yeah… thanks.”
Corrin rubbed her eye as she stumbled through the halls of the palace. Usually, Jakob or Felicia woke her up before the hour but recently they had laid off on the rude awakenings. Or more likely the pair knew Flora was the only one really capable or waking her up. Luckily Corrin was always too dazed to think of such things when she woke up and before memories of a cold awakening could resurface something else got her attention. Today, it was a surprising face.
Opening the sliding door, she was surprised to see a flash of purple hair, followed by a bubbly voice. “Aw, good morning sleepy head.” Corrin blinked, then rubbed her eyes some more.
“Camilla?”
“It’s long past morning,” Ryoma corrected.
“Yes, well, for her it’s morning.”
The two were stated on the floor surrounded by lush pillows. Camilla had a cup of tea in her hand, while Ryoma held the pot, clearly having just finished pouring his friend a cup. “What are you two…” Corrin yawned before she could finish her sentence.
Camilla laughed. She patted the pillow next to her. “Come sit by your big sister.” To Corrin’s surprise, Ryoma didn’t correct her. Her brother—the king of Hoshido, just smiled. Despite his large figure and beastly hair Ryoma always had a kind smile. It shined through his intricate armor and crackling raijinto. Though now the king was dressed in a simple red kimono that hang loosely around his shoulders exposing a fair amount of his chest. Sitting down Corrin realized Camilla had on a similar one, only much tighter around the chest. Compared to her usual armor she was quite covered up.
A quick pinch to the cheek woke Corrin right up. “My baby sister looks so well! I’m sure it’s all this green tea you’ve been drinking haha!” Camilla took a sip from her cup, her free hand still holding tight on Corrin’s cheek.
She managed to pull away, rubbing her red face. “When did you get here Camilla?”
“Oh a couple hours ago. Ryoma was kind enough to make tea. We’ve just been chatting.
“About the rebuilding of Nohr?”
Ryoma laughed, his shoulders rising with each “ha!” It was an odd contrast to Camilla’s smooth laughter she was so used to. “Nonsense, I wouldn’t bore Camilla with that. Besides, nothing bitters the taste of tea quite like politics.”
Corrin furrowed her brows. “You’re the king,” she reminded him.
“Yes, but Camilla is just a citizen of Nohr here for a visit. There is no reason to bore her with such things.”
Camilla was no longer royalty. The fact always eluded her until it stared her right in the face. In some ways, it was easy to remember. Leo was now the King of Nohr and his name was often whispered in the halls of the castle. Camilla had visited often, more than any queen would have time for. Yet Camilla had always seemed so regal to Corrin. She wore her crown into battle and held her head high like the queens in all the stories. Her hips swayed when she walked and there was always talk about who she would marry back in Nohr. Though Corrin imagined now that gossip had ceased to garner interest. Any and everything to do with Leo was on the minds of royals and citizens alike, and who’s hand he would take in marriage was certainly an issue. Poor Leo. He’d always been in Xander’s shadow, and now the spotlight was on him, with Camilla all but forgotten.
Corrin’s shoulder sagged and it felt as if her head were being pushed to the ground. A familiar voice lifted the pressure off. “Lady Camilla?” Silas stood in the door.
“Oh darling Silas, it’s just Camilla. I’m not a lady anymore.”
You are drinking tea with the king, Corrin thought but kept her lips tight.
“Um… Camilla, should we not be going soon? We need to reach the border by nightfall at the very least.”
“But I’ve only just gotten here.” She waved her hand aside. “Tell your men they may go if they wish, I will be staying here for the night.”
“My la—Camilla we can’t just leave you here.”
“Why not? Ryoma has offered me a room for tonight in the palace.”
Silas and Corrin turned to Ryoma expectantly. His arms stretched behind him he nodded. “Yes. In fact, I insisted she stay the night. No reason for her to come all this way just to stay for a few hours.” His smile pulled at his lips once again.
Camilla smiled as well, bringing the cup to her lips. “See? No problems at all.”
Corrin chimed in. “How will you get back then? The roads home are dangerous.”
“If I may,” Silas stepped forward. “I can escort her back to Nohr tomorrow. We’ll have much more daylight and less of a need for such security. It’ll look less suspicious as well.”
“That settles it then! Silas and I will be staying the night.” She raised her cup of tea. Ryoma joined her. The two let their cups meet while Silas and Corrin just looked at each other from across the room.
In a room with her family—both of her families, Silas knew her thoughts more than anyone else. Silas entered the room, sitting down next to Corrin. He was quite overdressed in his armor but sill managed to look comfortable. “So… what kind of tea is that?”
“Green tea. It’s a Hoshidan staple. Apparently you could drink it in Nohr before the war broke out.”
Silas nodded, “yes I think I heard about it on some black markets…” The two of them chatted. Camilla and Ryoma sometimes chimed in but the two couples were focused on each other.
Takumi took a deep breath. He stood outside Oboro’s studio where now since the war was over, she spent most of her time. It was his fault—well not fault per say. He was happy she was getting so man commissions for work and that she kept her post as his retainer. Now that they weren’t at war she wasn’t as necessary, which made Takumi feel hollow. Hinata spent his days training new recruits, he didn’t even sneak up on Takumi like he did before. Oboro was bent over fabric with a needle in hand day and night. Nowadays he saw her mostly at fittings and at the many banquets held in celebration for the war’s end. It was all so formal it made Takumi want to gag, but at least Oboro was there. Usually making fun of some of the lesser dressed nobles and pulling him aside for a walk through the grounds. Even off the battlefield she was saving him.
Now he felt like he was about to do battle with her, and could only hope she would be merciful. Takumi slid open the door. Oboro turned, a wide smile crossing her lips. “Takumi!” She stood from her workplace, grabbing a piece of fabric from the side of her desk. “I was just thinking about you! I was thinking about using this for a dress for Sakura but I’m not sure it’s the right color.”
“Why were you thinking of me again?”
“You two have the same completion. Can you hold this?” She shoved a pale pink and gold fabric into his hands. Takumi held it up close to his face. “Hm… maybe… it washes you out a touch.”
“You mean it would wash Sakura out a touch. I don’t wear pink.”
Oboro winked. “Yet.” She took the fabric back, rushing back to her desk. Taking up her needle again she whipped the needle in and out of a black fabric. “I just need to finish this up for Lord Ando. He’s such a stickler for getting things done on time! Well, really getting them done before the deadline. He doesn’t understand that these things take time you know?”
Takumi nodded. “I love you.”
Oboro shoved the needle into her forefinger. She yelped, pulling her finger away. A drop of blood fell onto the floor. Takumi rushed over, taking her hand in his. “Oboro! I’m sorry I shouldn’t of—“
“You can’t just say things like that, Takumi.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry either!” A shadow cast over Oboro’s eyes, a look Takumi usually only saw on the battlefield, or when someone didn’t clean up after themselves. Oboro huffed, hanging her head. “After all these years…”
“What?” Takumi lowered his head, trying to catch a glimpse of Oboro’s face. “After all these years?”
“Are you kidding me?!” She lifted her head, tears in her eyes. “I’ve had feelings for you for years, Takumi! But as your retainer I could never show them.” Her eyes drifted away from his. “Above all else I wanted to protect you—and if my feelings got in the way, or made you uncomfortable, I could no longer do that.”
Takumi blinked, holding her hand tighter. “Well… now that you say it. I did always think…”
“You knew?!”
“Not a hundred percent!” He defended. “You were always so ready to protect me I wasn’t sure if it was just loyalty or… something more… But…” He kissed her wrist, then the palm of her hand. “I’m glad it’s something more.”
The tears in Oboro’s eyes overflowed. She buried her head in Takumi’s shoulder. He cradled the back of her head, smiling to himself.
The door to the studio slid open. Hinata stood in the doorway, hand on the hilt of his sword. “I got you now Takumi! You thought because I’ve got recruits I’m gonna leave you to slack off? Ha! You better be ready to—why is Oboro crying?”
“You jerk!” There was that battle look again.
“Wh-whats going on? Oboro are you okay? Wait—Lord Takumi are you okay?”
“I’m great actually.” He smiled as Oboro buried her face in his chest.
“What is going on?!”
With her face still in the folds of Takumi’s clothes Oboro yelled. “I’ll explain later—now get out!” Neither of the boys had to see her face to know she meant business.
Hinata backed away, shutting the door behind him. Takumi sighed. “Why did I pick him as my retainer again?” Oboro’s laugh was muffled but still made Takumi smile.