Chapter Text
The car is silent. Felix hasn’t said a word, so neither will Sylvain. But when Felix drives right into the Home Depot parking lot, he has to ask why. After he does, Felix opens his middle console. He pulls out a bead bracelet. Felix doesn’t make eye contact while talking, just stares out his window.
“You made this for me a little after I helped you out of the well.” The bracelet reads, “Sylvain’s knight” in bright green letters, followed by blue accents. Felix suddenly grips it tightly.
“I kept it for 15 years. And for those 15 years I loved you so deeply, Sylvain. I watched you flounce around with girls and guys, watched you break all of their hearts. But it never stopped.”
“Fe.” Sylvain whispered. Felix all of a sudden turned, eyes clouded with tears that hadn’t fallen yet.
“When you told me about this stupid, childish, dumb bet with Dimitri, I couldn’t believe you, Sylvain. That's how you decided to tell me you loved me? Like that? I felt like another one of your stupid playthings, Sylvain!” Felix’s tears overwhelmed his eyes, and finally, realising what he’s said turns his head away from Sylvain and looks out the window again.
“It was really dumb. I won’t even try to defend it. I really messed up, Felix. But I really love you. I really, really, really, love you. And I don’t know what to say or do to make this better, but I want you to love me, and I want to love you, and I want us to love each other.” Felix shyly turned back to Sylvain.
“We’re not kids anymore, Sylvain. I- I just. I need time. Ok? I love you. I know I do. But I need time for us to be ok together again. To be friends.” Sylvain nodded. Felix nodded too. But tears still ran down their faces.
Mercedes and Annette were having a lovely time shopping for dresses. The Winter ball was probably not going to be fun; chaperoning a bunch of sweaty, touchy teenagers during a dance night was never fun. But they would all be dressed nicely! When Mercedes came out in a thigh length navy dress and did a twirl, Annette nearly went crazy.
“Mercie that looks so cute on you!” She ran up to Mercedes and gave her a kiss.
“Oh! Annette you looked so darling in the dress you were wearing just now!” They giggled together and checked out relatively fast.
However, in the store across the way, Dimitri was freaking out. Neither Felix nor Sylvain had texted him yet. No update, no anything. He wasn’t entitled to information. But he was a little entitled to information. He was the one who gave Felix the idea, anyway. Claude walked out in a suit to little applause.
“Dima?”
“Yes, Claude? Oh! You look dashing as ever.” Claude pouted, and sat next to Dimitri.
“I know I’m stunning. You must avert your eyes- but what’s wrong?”
“Ashe and Dedue left to be by themselves. Which is understandable. Felix and Sylvain left. Ingrid didn’t come. I feel as if this day has been ruined. Maybe in its essence it was never meant to be.” He sighed.
“Y’know, maybe it wasn’t meant to be, how you thought of it. But we can pull this together! We’ll buy our suits, and we’ll say goodbye to Annette and Mercedes, and we’ll do whatever you want. And we won’t think of anyone but each other for a little. Okay?” Dimitri nodded, and Claude dragged him to pay for some suits.
Ashe hummed, paying the check while Dedue got the car. Lunch was great; but he still hadn’t addressed the group. Ashe’s phone rang; Dimitri. His pulse quickened. All his career he’d been told to not be afraid of Dimitri. And he wasn’t! Just very. Respectful. Dimitri was the first one to advocate for his and Dedues relationship, the first one to welcome him into teaching. He is a great leader and a great man. And that’s hard to deal with when you feel you’re just mediocre. Putting on a brave face, he answered.
“Ashe! Thank you for answering.
I do have to apologize for what I allowed the group to do, and for what I did. We were all much too invested in your personal affairs, and we stuck ourselves in places we did not belong, hurting both you and Dedue. I am eternally sorry.” Ashe smiles hesitantly.
“Yeah. He and I went out for lunch, what happened to you all?”
“Yes. Sylvain and Felix had a matter to settle, and Mercedes and Annette went shopping and then home. Claude and I are still about.” Ashe softly sighs, and then notices the car coming up.
“Listen Dimitri. Dedue and I are very happy. We appreciate your concerns. He and I will see you all on Monday, so let’s talk then, okay?” They said their farewells and Ashe jumped into the car.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Home.” And Dedue drove.
Later that night, Ashe and Dedue were sitting in bed when they got a knock at the door. They weren’t expecting company, but Mason and Brea reached the door before either of them could. On their porch, stood Felix, Sylvain, Dimitri, Claude, Annette, Mercedes, and Ingrid. All of the Blue Lions. And Claude. Ashe pulled Mason and Brea gently aware from the door and told them to go upstairs. He knew they would be in the doorway, listening in later, but that was up to them. Dedue pulled the door open wider and invited everyone in. As Ashe ran away to make tea and coffee, everyone piled in and sat at the dining room table.
“Oh Dedue, we have much to talk about.” Dimitri said, taking a seat.
“I’m sure.” Dedue replied, helping Ashe with the tea. Once everyone sat down and hot drinks were distributed, they all sat in silence at the table.
“Ashe, as I said earlier, we are truly sorry to have treated your relationship as a fun activity. We all highly respect both of you and to treat you like that was horrible. And Dedue; I couldn’t have been more rude to you. I played you as a toy for my enjoyment. As my best friend, I should’ve never even considered this.” Dimitri started, and everyone nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, like Dimitri said, I was the one who started this. I know now it wasn’t my place to even suggest it. I am very sorry guys.” Sylvain said.
“I should have never gone along with it.” Felix said. Ashe jumped in,
“Thank you for telling me, Felix.”
“And you too, Ingrid.” Dedue said. Ingrid didn’t make eye contact with anyone. It was clear she wasn’t happy about the situation at all.
“I am also sorry, Ashe. I violated your trust and used you for my own pleasure. I am also very sorry to Dedue.” Mercedes said. Annette nodded.
“We’re sorry. Ashe, Dedue, we know we messed up.” Annette said, tearing up a little.
“Honestly, everyone, we are thankful that you have apologized thoroughly. I just hope that we can all act like more… responsible adults in the future.” Ashe said.
Dedue leaned into his ear and whispered something. Ashe whispered back. Everyone at the table looked straight at them. Suddenly, Ashe and Dedue flung out their hands in the middle of the table.
“Rings?” Claude said. Annette immediately started squealing.
“Oh, please, tell me everything! How did it happen? Who was there? These rings are so beautiful!” Ashe nodded.
“We accidently proposed on the same day. Afterclass on Friday, Dedue came by, and I was ready. I had the ring in my desk, but he got on one knee first.” Everyone oohed and ahhed at the rings, and congratulated them on the marriage.
“Looks like you guys could get married without our help!” Ingrid and Felix both turned to hit Sylvain, but Ashe and Dedue laughed.
“Lucky us.” Dedue said.