Chapter Text
Ingrid had been right. He would never admit it to her face, but now was not the time to think about his honor. It really hadn’t been a good idea to date a girl who wanted to become an assassin with a passion as big as Mercedes’ passion for baked goods. But she had been cute, and a talented sparring partner. But all good things come to an end, which was why Sylvain had only one goal: Run away from that cute (but since she was in a bad mood, very scary) girl into the den of someone way scarier – Felix. He would be the only one who could protect Sylvain – if he wanted to or not. He had to, right? They’ve been friends for so long, and had sworn to always be side by side until the very end. And that end was nearing for Sylvain at an alarming rate.
Felix’s door, aka the point of interest, was already in Sylvain’s reach. He was just two doors away and couldn’t see anyone dangerous (besides Hilda, but she was talking to some big guy, probably about transferring her workload of the day to him). Maybe in another life Sylvain and Hilda would have made a great pair – but alas. This was not the time to think about his next conquest. He looked to his left and to his right – he could see no more people, only a little cat, sitting around, busy with cleaning itself. No one would suspect anything, if Sylvain would just –
“YOU LITTLE BRAT!”
Oh no.
He ran. Faster than he ever believed he would be able to. Hilda and her friend (or whatever) looked at him confused, but didn’t do much more than that while the redhead ran for his life crashing into Felix’ room. Good thing she was so mad or else she probably would have been quieter. When he reached safety, he shut the door audibly behind him, leaning against it. First, he had to catch his breath. But well. All that ends well is well, or whatever old people said. Two pairs of eyes were watching him – one with suspicion and one with concern. Wait what.
Sylvain just looked at them. Thinking. Figuring out. Was it a joke? Felix had been lying in bed, with Ashe…. ? Even spooning the smaller one. Ashe didn’t look like he was being held hostage – quite the opposite, he had looked very comfortable until Sylvain had burst into the room. Their hugging since then had stopped or at least wasn’t as tight anymore, Felix sat up and looked annoyed. Oh no. (Felix had been giving the smaller one little kisses on his neck or did he just imagine that? They were so comfortable, it was shocking.)
Okay – Sylvain think about something! Outside was an assassin, waiting for their opportunity to end your life. But inside was Felix, probably thinking about a more gruesome way to kill you. Maybe he could even come up with a more unearthly way than the soon-to-be assassin would even be creative enough to think about (Sylvain was not sure if that was a compliment)…
“If you love looking at me that much, ask Ignatz to paint you a picture,” came the snarky remark from Felix, “Search him, get lost.”
Ashe was the embodiment of embarrassment, his green eyes were focusing on the ground, there was a red tint to his cheeks and he fumbled with the covers. Was there something special on the ground that was more interesting to look at than Sylvain? No, not really, but Sylvain had to think, he had to stall for time.
“Yes good idea, where do you think I would be able to find Ignatz now? Maybe on the training grounds? Or out and about with Shamir? She does training for archers, right? Special training and such. She is kind of scary, don’t you think? I mean in a really cool way, no offense.”
Good strategy, confuse them, talk about things, they can’t just throw him out and let him get killed out there. With a loud sigh Felix stood up, walked over and threw him out.
“Rude.” was all Sylvain could say to the closed door of Felix’s room. Well time to sprint off to somewhere safe.
Inside the room the mood had drastically changed. Ashe was sitting on the bed, fumbling with the blanket, still fixating on the floor.
“Should I go?” he asked in a whisper, without even looking up. Felix let out another sigh, a smaller one, more for himself than out of annoyance of Sylvain’s antics. He had heard the girl chasing Sylvain. If Ashe hadn’t been with him, he would have brought Sylvain on a silver platter to her – he probably deserved whatever she wanted to do with him. But not now. He sat next to Ashe, put an arm around the smaller one, saying: “No, stay.”
Sylvain found Ingrid sitting in the library, next to her Linhardt was sleeping or acting as if – he didn’t trust the black eagles. They were all very intense people … And then there was Linhardt. It just had to be an act. But he seemed to be on Ingrid's good side, so Sylvain wouldn’t voice these thoughts, for now. There were more important matters to tend to anyway.
“Ingrid, I have seen something.” Sylvain said without being able to contain his grin, even if he wanted to. She tried to ignore him, but he just sat down opposite her and leaned in closer.
“What is it?” She tried to be quiet, even though there weren’t many people in the library at the moment (When were there ever?). Sylvain looked at Linhardt – he really was sleeping, or maybe having a mental breakdown, who knew? The green haired guy used his arms as a pillow, a book about something boring was lying in front of him – sure explains why he fell asleep. This meant that Sylvain could safely continue his little story.
“The other day – it was yesterday to be precise, I ran away from Mel, you know, the hot assassin girl?” Ingrid sighed and made an effort to look back at the book in front of her – about handling wyverns and pegasi? Boring.
“Listen. I saw something yesterday, something extraordinary, and something none of us is or was expecting!”
At first, he could only hear a loud sigh from Ingrid.
“Yes, I heard you were hiding behind Ignatz. The poor guy.” shesaid quietly, while still acting like she was reading her book. She didn’t even sound the slightest bit sorry for Ignatz or interested in Sylvain, but he knew her very well, he had already grabbed her attention.
“Okay, yeah, sure. But he is a good cover, just a tip if you ever have to run away from someone, no one wants to hurt him and he tried to help out. Maybe I owe him one.” He got sidetracked again. Yes, maybe he should play wingman for the archer. Too bad that the ball had happened already… But there would be other chances to repay his debt. Maybe get him a new haircut or clothes. The Golden Deer people made questionable fashion choices, even though Ignatz was not the worst of them.
“Sylvain,” Ingrid snapped him out of his thoughts, and looked up wearing a neutral expression, “do we have to talk about this again? You can’t go around and break everyone’s heart here. She had every right to be angry. She was devastated, okay? She thought you liked her. That’s mean.”
Linhard also joined the conversation without looking up or moving, so it was muffled, but Sylvain could understand every word. “Poor girl. She was mad and then she just cried.”
Ouch. Sylvain wasn’t there to be sad, but to share great news. Time to deflect. “But she seemed happy with Ignatz back there, so I did something really good.”
Linhardt and Ingrid seemed to be connected – since their sighing was very coordinated – impressive.
“Listen,” Ingrid closed her book quietly, looking into Sylvain’s eyes, “you have to stop. As we have told you a million times: If you don’t want a girlfriend, then just communicate that to the girls you are dating. Find someone with the same opinion, be happy, let others be happy.”
“Okay, but –“
“No, promise me. For this whole month I want no girl drama. At least this month, please, I have my exam on the 28th.”
A whole month, but it was already the 5th, so only about 23 days. He could make it.
“Okay, so that means, I don’t date the whole month – “
“No flirting also!” she interrupted him again.
“Okay, no flirting, no dating until the 28th and then I tell you the things I found out and we focus on that.” She seemed confused, maybe about him giving in so easily.
“Is it a deal?” he asked.
“What does one thing have to do with the other?” Linhardt asked.
“I don’t know, I don’t care, I just have to tell you this!” Sylvain could not wait any longer, he had to spill the beans. It was frustrating, really. He would’ve done that the day before, if he wouldn’t have been so busy with hiding behind Ignatz and getting made fun of by the other students belonging to the Golden Deer. (“Maybe you should just go to dinner with her – that will make her calm down,” had been Raphael's less than helpful advice, “Helps me to calm down.” Then he had laughed thunderously.)
The blonde was skeptical, he could see it in her eyes. But she really didn’t want to fail her exam. And she wouldn’t admit it now, but this gossip had to be interesting. Plus she wanted to see how well that would work out. Sylvain was competitive, maybe she could really have a few quiet days without him running around searching for his next fling. (And her having to fix it afterwards)
“Okay, deal.” They shook their hands. But Ingrid still had to seal the deal completely by saying: “Linhardt is our witness. If you break the deal, he is going to do something about it – I don’t have time.”
Now Linhardt looked up, a grimace on his face and his voice tired. “Oh bother.”
Sylvain didn’t care. “Okay, so.” He looked around, there were still no new important faces in the library. Now he could spin this tale, make it as interesting as possible, get his audience hooked. “Yesterday, before hiding behind little Ignatz, I tried to hide in Felix’s room.”
“I figured,” she said, “but he probably was on her side.”
“Hey, Felix is my bestest and oldest friend, he will protect me always and forever. He loves me very dearly.”
Ingrid and Linhardt weren’t impressed.
“What do you even know?” he said in Linhardt's general direction. But now was not the time. “Whatever, okay, so. Doesn’t matter. Because!” He had to make a pause, to keep them on their toes. “Our dearest friend Felix, who would always protect me against any harm to my beautiful face or person, threw me out.” Before he could get any snarky remarks, he added a loud “BECAUSE!” while gesticulating wildly, which got a few people to throw looks at him. “He wasn’t alone.”
Still not impressed, Ingrid asked: “He was studying with Annette? Or His Highness was there, arguing with him?”
Linhardt nodded. Why was this weirdo so invested? Sylvain didn’t trust him. But no, his story was still in need of the big happy ending: “Okay, let me elaborate. He was not alone, because he was busy cuddling with...”
He gestured to them to let them guess, but Ingrid was a killjoy, as usual: “I don’t want to know.”
Sylvain had come so far now, he would not let that slide. “Wrong guess!”
Linhardt on the other hand, wanted to play the game, now sounding not so tired anymore: “Lysithea maybe… She seems scary, like him.”
Even Ingrid was surprised, forgetting the important issue at hand to ask: “You think Lysithea is scary?”
Linhardt nodded again. Giving him the weird look he deserved for that comment (who would be afraid of her?), Sylvain gave them a hint: “It was not a person from Golden Deer.”
“Black Eagles then!,” Ingrid chimed in, but tried to be quieter, she seemed to have fun as well now, “It’s not Hubert, is it? That would be scary.” She chuckled. “Mh, but to be honest… Maybe… Bernie? She’s nice, they would fit, and she’s also secluded and …” But she saw Sylvain shaking his head.
“It’s one of our own.” he said, trying to sound grave. Even he could feel that he failed miserably at that, the grin on his face didn’t want to leave. He cherished every emotion that crossed Ingrid’s face while she put things together in her head. Confusion, surprise, and even a hint of offense maybe. She was hooked. Oh, that was so worth it.
“Annette and Dimitri are out, I guess?” Linhardt asked. Everything that was said seemed to confuse Ingrid further: “You just call him Dimitri?”
Linhardt shrugged. “That’s his name I guess.”
“I don’t want to know now,” said Ingrid, “I changed my mind, I have to study now.” She took one of the books lying on the table and opened it, flipping a few pages and looking as if to search for something. Sylvain had seen her mistake, she had taken Linhardt’s book, she didn’t fool anyone.
“Well it is too late now.” With this announcement from Sylvain came a quiet “oh no” from Ingrid. “Any last guesses before you will know the truth, the full truth and nothing but it?” he asked the two. Ingrid still kept up her farce, but he could see her waver. Linhardt just waited, looking vaguely interested in how this would turn out. “I saw him cuddling … with our beloved, littlest, cutest archer.”
Ingrid's reaction was immediate, she froze and he could hear her almost whispering: “Oh no.”
His audience of two was quiet again until Linhardt cleared his throat to clarify: “You mean Ashe, right?”
Sylvain nodded slowly for the dramatic effect. That must be enough. “Oh no.” Ingrid repeated.
“Oh yes!” disagreed Sylvain. “I wonder how long they have kept that from us. But now it all makes sense, the little looks, the little touches, the – “
Ingrid shook her head vehemently. “Oh no.”
“When did they look or touch?” Linhardt asked, now also visibly confused.
“I don’t know, I thought it would make sense in hindsight or something?” was all Sylvains could say about that. He had been as surprised as they were now. (Well Linhardt didn’t seem too surprised, but if Sylvain thought more about it, Linhardt generally didn’t seem very interested in anything that wasn’t boring.) Now thinking back on it, he was also a tiny bit mad at Felix for not telling him anything about his thing with Ashe. Sylvain always came to Felix to tell his best friend everything about his conquests. That mostly happened while they trained and Felix acted like he didn’t listen, but Sylvain knew, somewhere deep down, Felix really cared and listened.
Ingrid only repeated her sentiment of “oh no”. She did not like where this was going. Felix was their friend, their long-time friend, she would even consider him as one of her best friends. If he had not come to them to tell them, maybe they should not know. But would he ever have told them? Maybe he was scared. That didn’t really fit to the Felix she knew, but that was his first romantic relationship – or was it? Maybe he was doing a Sylvain on Ashe. “Oh no.” No, he wouldn’t. They all loved Ashe. He wouldn’t. Would he? Ashe was naïve sometimes, but he wouldn’t be so naïve? And Felix was able to be nice, if he wanted to, sometimes… maybe? “Oh no.”
Sylvain nodded. “We get it, oh no. But I think they are cute.”
Linhardt was also lost in thought, but in another direction. Funny, these Blue Lions. He himself was not so surprised with a new relationship. A lot of people were at Garrech Mach to find a suitable partner. Some even ended their academic career, when they fulfilled that goal. He would lie by saying that he didn’t think about it as well. Searching for someone who would do all the work, so that he could take a long nap for forever maybe. But he had never considered Felix and Ashe ending up together. “Well opposites attract, right?”
Sylvain was happy. For his friend, yes, but more about the fact that he got this kind of information on his own. Before Ingrid could continue with her “Oh no.”, he stood up. Really, why was she so shocked? “And now what?”
“We take a nap?” Linhardt asked.
“Having one character trait is not endearing!” snapped Sylvain.
“Okay, skirt chaser…” mumbled Linhardt with a small smile. Ingrid, still with Linhardts book (about magical potions apparently?) in front of her, had to sort out her thoughts. How would they continue with their relationship? Would they be open about it? Would Felix go on a rampage and kill everyone that knew of him and Ashe? Would Ashe’s heart be broken now? Maybe Ashe had been the one who wanted to keep it a secret. Yes maybe… Because? Ingrid needed a plan. Should she act like she doesn’t know anything? Best idea. Linhardt also has to keep quiet, she would make sure of it. But before she could share any thoughts with these two, a familiar face came into view.
“Oh, I hear gossiping,” Claude walked over to them, one of his charismatic smiles on his face, “Care to keep me up to date?”
Sylvain was ready to spill. Ingrid stopped him. “Something terrible happened.” Oh no, oh no. She had to protect the small blossom of Felix’s and Ashe's relationship. (At least that was the version she imagined in her head now: Ashe and Felix being embarrassed about being caught and being afraid of anyone judging them - even though that really didn’t fit either one. But Ingrid panicked.)
“Ah yes, I saw Sylvie behind Ignatz yesterday, very funny. I hope she didn’t see you anymore after that.” Claude said to Sylvain, a small smile still on his face, reminiscing the day before. Sylvain also owed him one, Claude had tried to pour oil on troubled water by talking about it and acting as a mediator, successfully or else Sylvain wouldn’t stay in that library in one piece.
Sylvain took the opportunity he was given by announcing: “Yes, but that’s not the greatest news. We have a new relationship happening.”
Claude was caught by surprise. “A new one? Which one was the old one? And who is “we”? You three?”
Ingrid just said: “Yes.”, whereas Sylvain gave a confused “No.” and Linhardt just asked: “What?”
Claude shrugged. “Okay, you do you. Seems … lively.”
“No, listen,” Sylvain shook his head, “Ingrid is a bit confused. I mean a new relationship involving our friends, you know. And it’s so good.” Sylvain had this grin again.
Ingrid had to jump in to end this immediately. “Okay, yes that is true. But…,” she looked up to Claude, hoping the scheme-master would understand this boundary, “Maybe they don’t want everyone to know.”
“Ah I see. You caught them.” Sylvain nodded eagerly. Claude scratched his head. “I must say, I am intrigued, but if Ingrid is against me knowing, then I better keep myself out of this business.”
“Yes that seems to be the best solution,” Ingrid agreed, “thank you.”
Sylvain was annoyed. But Ingrid… If she said so. Also it really was not Claude’s or any of the Deers business. The Blue Lions however… “Okay, I agree. Yes true. But still. Do you want to guess who it involves?”
Claude was grinning again. “Sure, okay. Let me think… Who seems to be hanging around a lot recently?...” He looked around, searching for something in Ingrid's eyes maybe? “Well. Since it probably doesn’t involve you three – I would guess maybe someone out of your house and the Black Eagles?”
Before Sylvain could say anything (suspicious), Ingrid said: “You think it does not involve the Golden Deer?”
Claude was taken aback shortly. “I would know. Would I? Oh no.”
“Oh no.” Ingrid agreed(?). Linhardt patted her on the back.
“You didn’t pair up your ex with Ignatz, did you?” Now Claude was laughing, to which Sylvain could just respond: “I hope not.”
Ingrid was not nervous. No never. It was an accident, yes. She accidentally woke up way too early the next day to eat the fastest breakfast ever (with Raphael, who was impressed to say the least) and sit an hour too early in the classroom (first row) to wait. Yes, she read a bit in a book, maybe she was holding it upside down for the first ten minutes, but no one was there to judge her. Manuela would hold a lesson that day, it was something about strategic healing and how the one getting healed can be helpful in the process. Yes, that would be interesting, that was why she was there so early. Not so that she would be able to avoid meeting anybody (let alone Ashe or Felix) and say something wrong. She didn’t really understand why she was avoiding them. On one hand, she was happy (if their relationship was a good one), but on the other hand… She shouldn’t even know about this, and she wasn’t the best at acting.
Well, she was ready, reading her book (maybe it was not hers, maybe it belonged to Sylvain, but hey, she wanted to know everything about axes, one could never learn enough). Until someone was standing next to her. She couldn’t let her guard down now. That menacing stare, could it be Felix?
“Ingrid?” That was not the voice she expected. She turned to see Lorenz. He did not menacingly stare at her, far from it. She was going crazy, probably. But that also was not really good news.
“Ehrm, hi Lorenz, good morning how are you?”
Lorenz was polite, as always, acting as if he didn’t notice her weird behaviour. “I am well. How are you feeling today?”
Suspicious. Something was happening. “I am fine. Just trying to get ahead, you know. I have an important exam this month. Then I am allowed to fly on my Pegasus.” Oh no, she talked nervously. Did he hear that?
“I am happy to hear that. You will exceed.” he said while nodding.
“Yes, thank you,” Ingrid replied, still not sure what was happening, “but… Ehm. What are you doing here?”
Lorenz looked at her face full of confusion with a hint of concern, hand on his chin. Maybe she had really eaten too fast, maybe there was food all over her face – embarrassing. Especially in front of Lorenz, someone who really cared about being presentable and all that. But he let out a short laugh, looking amused. “Well class starts soon and I have to look over my notes again.”
“Yes, me too.” Ingrid agreed. Even though he could clearly see that the book in front of her were not her notes.
“But in our classroom?”
Ingrid’s eyes wandered away from Lorenz to the many big bright banners of the Golden Deer in this room. Yes, he was right. How could she sit there and think she was in her own classroom? “Oh no.”
“Indeed. A small mishap. You need not to be embarrassed, at least we could talk for a while. I will not tell anyone.”
“Oh no. I mean oh thank you.” She stood up quickly, grabbed her book about axes and ran off without looking back. Now there was one person more she wanted to avoid.