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The Hero of the Homs had always seemed like something of a legend to you.
After having fled to the Refugee Camp, no one could deny that times had been tough. You and Sharla had stepped up in taking care of everyone, and though it did help having each other to rely on, the atmosphere grew more glum with each passing day. The children who had started off running around and playing in the lake became curious, constantly asking where their parents and the rest of the Defense Force had gone. Luckily, some of the elderly had stepped in and offered to tell stories to entertain the little ones. That was the first time you had heard of him.
Although the stories were for the children, you too found yourself captivated by the tales: of how he fought off the Mechon at the Battle of Sword Valley last year, how he singlehandedly saved all his people, how he, against the odds, wielded the Monado successfully, even when it hurt him. He became something of an idol, a vision to you.
You still remember the first time you saw him like it was only yesterday.
Just outside Colony 6, surrounded by Mechon, the situation had seemed practically hopeless. Juju was still weak, laying in Sharla’s arms. Beating Xord had taken it out of all of you, and now there were multiple of these Faced Mechon? Your heart had soared watching Shulk take on the one in front, but even that hope was squashed as soon as he realized the Monado was useless against it.
Metal Face drew back its claws, and as all four of you huddled together, it was all you could do to squeeze your eyes shut, heart thudding irregularly against your chest as you prepared yourself for the end.
Except, the blow didn’t come. Metal Face bellowed in confusion, prompting you to tentatively open your eyes. Up on the hill, an unfamiliar blond man was perched, his weapon pointed straight at Metal Face. He had most likely shot at him, saving all your lives.
“Now!” the man yelled. “Let ‘em have it, Beast!”
That’s the last thing you heard before you were met with perhaps the most impressive sight you’d ever seen in your life. A dark haired man ran down the hill, his sword extended by his side. A Mechon swiped at him, but he dodged effortlessly, taking down two more in the blink of an eye.
“Dunban,” Shulk called, and your eyes flew over to him. Dunban? The Hero of the Homs?
“Sorry to have kept you,” the man said, sword resting on his shoulder. “Looks like we were just in time.”
The rest of that battle passed by in a blur, but all you can remember is the whole time, the sight of his gray eyes hadn’t left your mind.
Meeting your idol was one thing, but traveling with him brought a whole new set of challenges.
Since Dunban was already familiar with Shulk and Reyn, he began to spend a lot of time with both you and Sharla. This was something you were grateful for, of course: you all were fighting side by side, it only made sense to get to know the people you were risking your life for. You envied Sharla for her ease when she spoke to him, however, for it quickly became apparent that no matter how much he tried to talk to you, you couldn’t meet his eyes.
Finally fed up with it, he pulls you aside for a moment one night. “Forgive my forwardness,” he says, “but have I done something to offend you? If so, I apologize.”
“I—no!” you rush to say, keeping your eyes firmly on the ground. “That’s not it at all!”
Your words sound sincere enough, but he laughs. “You know, that would be a lot more convincing if you weren’t avoiding my eyes.”
Sheepishly, you do as he says.
He smiles, somehow making him look more attractive than he already is. “There we go,” he says. “I hope you won’t avoid me in the future.”
“I won’t,” you promise, knowing full well that you won’t be able to.
“Hey, me ’n the rest of the guys are gonna go mine some more ether crystals,” Reyn says when you all stop for the day in Makna Forest. “We figured it couldn’t hurt to have a stockpile. You two wanna come?”
You’re about to agree when Sharla grabs your arm. “You go ahead,” she says to him. “I think we’ll hang back with Fiora and Melia.”
He studies the two of you for a moment before shrugging. “Alright, suit yourself.” You don’t miss the way his eyes linger on Sharla for just a moment longer than necessary before he turns to leave.
You wait until he’s out of earshot before turning to Sharla. “What was that about?”
She smirks, using her grip on your arm to tug you along. “I thought we should have some girls’ time,” she says. “We hardly ever get any time to ourselves without the guys around, and we found a pool nearby.”
Your hesitation must show on your face, because she’s quick to reassure you. “Don’t worry, there’s no one else around. Besides, you have to come. I even convinced Melia to join.”
At that, you’re forced to relent. The High Entia princess was the last person you would have expected to be on board with this plan, but you suppose if anyone can convince her, it’d be Sharla.
“So,” Fiora begins, “you and my brother, huh?”
Sputtering in shock, you look to the others for help, but it’s clear you aren’t going to get any. To her credit, Melia looks a bit sheepish, but Fiora and Sharla sport matching conspiratorial looks, allowing you to see this ‘girls’ day’ for what it truly is: an ambush.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you reply, sinking further down into the clear water.
“Oh, come off it,” Sharla says. “At this point, he’s the only one who still doesn’t know.”
Sighing, you relent. “All right, fine. So maybe I think he’s alright.”
Fiora laughs. “Bit more than alright, I’d say.”
“But it doesn’t matter,” you continue, ignoring her. “It’s not like he feels the same way.”
Melia looks like she wants to say something at that, but Sharla and Fiora throw her matching looks, and she snaps her mouth shut.
“My brother is brilliant at some things, but hopeless at others,” says Fiora, with the tone of a woman imparting ancient wisdom. “He wouldn’t recognize a woman if she came and slapped him in the face.”
You tune them out, sliding further down until you are completely submerged. Although the water blocks out the sound of their voices, it doesn’t do the same for your thoughts.
In your travels, you all stop for the night, making camp on the Mechonis’ Leg. Riki insists on being the one to start a campfire.
“Heropon take care of sidekicks!” he announces proudly.
Dunban nods approvingly. “You’re doing a magnificent job as Heropon, Riki,” he says.
As everyone settles in for the night, sleep still evades you. You elect to sit by the fire, looking up at the Bionis.
“Mind if I join you?” Dunban asks, coming up behind you.
“Please,” you say, but your eyes dart over to Fiora. He usually stays by her side, but she’s over in the corner, huddled up next to Shulk.
He follows your gaze. “I thought they could use some time alone,” he says. “They’ve been apart for far too long.”
“So have you two,” you reply.
"We have," Dunban acknowledges, "but I think Shulk took her...disappearance quite hard. I wouldn't want to interrupt them, especially not with how thrilled Fiora is."
There's a certain weight to his words, clueing you in on the fact that he isn't as glib as he is pretending to be.
"You missed her, didn't you?" you ask. It sounds like a bit of an understatement, if you're being honest.
Dunban lets out a shaky breath, the first sign of the cracks in his composed facade. "I did. For so many years, it has just been the two of us. Not being able to protect her, living without her...it was the hardest thing I have ever done."
Tentatively, you lay your hand atop his. He doesn't say anything, but his shoulders seem to relax ever so slightly at the contact.
From your campsite here, you're treated to a full view of the Bionis. Perhaps Dunban would appreciate a change of subject.
"I always knew the Bionis was big," you say, "but I had no idea it was like this."
"Kind of puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?"
You nod. A fight between two gigantic titans, the very worlds you live on, and now you all have gotten yourselves stuck in the middle. When you first evacuated Colony 6, you had no idea that things would turn out like this.
"What do you think you'll do?" asks Dunban. "When this is all over?"
You hum thoughtfully. It's crossed your mind once or twice, but truthfully, you've always been more focused on the immediate battle ahead of you. There was no place for dreams in war.
"Colony 6's reconstruction is going well," you say. "All thanks to Juju. It would be nice to go back, officially."
"Our Colonies will probably have more contact in the future," he agrees. "Not like how we used to." His mouth forms what looks like a smirk, surprisingly mischievous. "Besides, I think Reyn will have that covered. I doubt he'll be content to leave Sharla behind once we all go home."
You share a laugh with him, but internally you want to scream. Fiora was right about him. How is it that he does not notice your feelings, but seems to pick up on everyone else's?
Using that as a segue, you continue. "Do you ever think you'll have something like that?" you ask perhaps a touch too casually. You don't look his way, instead keeping your eyes firmly ahead.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Dunban shake his head. "I don't think so," he admits. "There aren't many women around my age in Colony 9, and the ones that are there wouldn't be interested in someone like me."
You highly doubt that; the few times you've all gone to Colony 9 on some errands, it seems like he has plenty of admirers following behind him. By now, you don't know if he's being purposefully avoidant or if he truly is that dense.
Taking a deep breath, you speak. "What about from other Colonies?" you dare to ask.
Dunban is silent for a moment, and internally you kick yourself for even saying that. Here you are, practically throwing yourself at him. Of course he wouldn't be interested.
"Sorry, that was presumptuous of me," you say immediately. "I shouldn't have asked--"
"Maybe," he says.
"What?"
"In all honesty, I hadn't even thought about women from other Colonies," he says. Hesitantly, you turn to look at him and find him staring right back at you. "I had never gotten a chance to get to now any of them."
"Until now," you whisper.
"Until now."
In contrast to how nervous you are, he looks like the topic of conversation isn't bothering him in the slightest. His hand is still underneath yours; in one smooth motion, he flips it around so that your fingers are intertwined with his. You're reasonably certain your heart has stopped beating.
"Besides," says Dunban, "I've become a fan of Colony 6's reconstruction. I dare say I'll find myself visiting there a lot more."
He smiles at you, small and sweet and intimate.
"I'd like that," you say, squeezing his hand. "I'd like that a lot."