Chapter Text
Tumblr Kiss Prompt: Sneaking away to a hidden corner to share a secretive kiss.
"I actually had a lot of fun out in town today, Sylvain," [Name] answered, giggling behind her hand. "Getting to shop around on my day off with someone was really fun! Although...I’m not quite sure how much a guy is interested in all that stuff."
"I actually had a great time, too," Sylvain assured. He'd been surprised at just how much he enjoyed their outing. It was true, he always enjoyed hanging out with [Name] who had quickly became one of his closest friends, despite not growing up together. Even though he’d spent so many times out together with her, Sylvain admitted that this last outing proved to be far different from all the others. He'd willingly tagged along, not minding that he’d have to sit back and watch her shop. In each shop they visited, he watched her from afar, her face bright and shining as she gazed at each of the items on the shelves. Just seeing her smile and hearing her laughter made his cheeks all hot and his hands all fidgety. That was because he understood what he was finally feeling. When her eyes would shift to his, a lump would form in his throat. She looked more beautiful than ever when she lit up, and she made all his worries disappear.
"Thanks for coming with me. It was nice to spend time with you, just the two of us." Sylvain swore he saw the faintest tint of pink on her cheeks. "But I suppose it's time to retire for the night. We'll both need rest for class tomorrow."
She was already beginning to head towards her room, but Sylvain stopped her before he could even process his actions. His hand gripped her wrist, just enough to get her attention. "Wait, [Name]. I...I want to talk to you before you go to your room."
She cocked her head but obliged, leaning against the wall of the corner they'd halted in. Sylvain swallowed and felt the nervousness in his body rise to the heat on his face. Him, tongue-tied? He was never tongue-tied, at least not in the word-sense...no, no. He didn’t even want to think about that.
But it had finally hit him: Sylvain loved her. Genuinely, truly loved her, and everything about her. All the fond glances he'd thrown her way over the last few years. How he hadn't even bothered to throw a compliment to a woman in her presence because the only girl he could think about was [Name]. All those years he'd begun to change and grow into someone less guarded and devoted, all due to her. Sylvain had never let anyone into his heart like he had with [Name].. And maybe he just gave her the benefit of the doubt, but he believed with everything in him that she saw him for who he was, never even thinking about his status or his crest. Just seeing Sylvain, a young, stupid boy that was much more than he portrayed to the world. That is what made her so irresistible to him.
"Sylvain? Hello? Are you okay? You've just been standing there -- "
He cut her off by pressing one hand against the wall and placing the other on her cheek, brushing his lips against hers. Sylvain’s heart ran wild as he prayed to the heavens that she wouldn't hate him. That she wouldn't think he was playing her and letting her go. He was serious about her. He didn’t want her to go, like all the others.
He pulled away and met her eyes. "I love you," he spoke, his tone full of certainty. "And I say that with everything in me. Everything that I am. Anyone can say those words and not mean a single one. But I love you, [Name]. You see me as Sylvain, not a title nor a crest. You've seen every side of me, and you've never run away. You always have my back. Now you have heart. And I…" He took in a breath. "You're the only girl who means everything to me. You make what everyone else thinks melt away. You make crests and titles insignificant, because you truly are the greatest, most valuable treasure anyone could be gifted with on this earth."
She stared up at him with tears in her eyes before she tugged him close and crashed her lips against his. Sylvain's hand snaked down to her waist as hers twisted in his hair, a feeling of euphoria surging through him. He whispered his affirmations between kisses, holding her and kissing her like he'd never done to anyone else. He only wanted her. Of all people, she was the one he would ask to spend his life with.
They'd finally pulled away to take in shallow breaths. "You're glad you're a good kisser, because that'd be a deal breaker," she joked.
"Wow, [Name]. All of my good qualities to speak of, and you talk about that?" A sly grin played on his lips as he brought them near hers, so when he talked, they would brush. "Let me make sure you know how good of one I really am. Make sure I’m never going to lose to another man."
She laughed, pressing her forehead against his as they collected their breaths. “No one can compare to you, Sylvain. I’d take you for anything you had. Even if you were a man with no home and no certain future. I’d want you and only you.”
“And the same to you, my love.”
No one ever found out about their secret corner confession. But when they needed a place to escape, it was always back there, to remember when their walls crumbled and they’d built a home for themselves in each other’s hearts that one blessed night.