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The day Rean first met Lloyd Bannings underneath the streets of Crossbell within the Geofront often hit him with a wave of nostalgia more times we could count. He had already heard his name countless times within Intelligence Division reports and recollections given to him by Lechter (which, when the Scarecrow wanted them to be, could be even more thorough than most written documents). Every time he heard his name, Rean couldn’t help but compare himself to the hero of Crossbell.
While he was busy gallivanting as a student of Thors, Lloyd had already been working towards making the Special Support Section a household name in Crossbell. He rebuilt the people’s trust in the police division, ended the D∴G Cult’s stranglehold over the state, and saved it once more from its misguided bid for independence and the Azure Tree. Everywhere he went, there was some sort of heroic tale where Lloyd was the protagonist. And once he started his career as an instructor and received Juna Crawford as a student, he couldn’t stop hearing about Lloyd.
Because of that, Rean knew that he wouldn’t have been easily accepted when he assisted the chancellor in occupying Crossbell. So that made his brief stint in the trade city all the more jarring. What happened to him, you may ask? He met someone and fell in love.
Their relationship was purely professional at first. They only worked together because they were forced to by a certain Governor-General. The distance between them was icy at first. But as time marched on, it narrowed and warmed. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to stay by her side. Sometimes he was afraid to admit that he almost didn’t want to ride that train back to Trista to watch his friends graduate. He just barely made it back for their last free day.
When his classmates found out about his escapades, the teasing was relentless. What was she like? Her hobbies? Her most charming aspect? Just what sort of woman was able to get Rean Schwarzer of all people to turn his head?
Despite nearly blowing up in embarrassment at every turn, Rean kept his lips tight. Not that he was ashamed for falling in love or with whom he fell for, but because things had gotten complicated towards the end of their relationship. Without warning, he was forced back into service. With the coming and going of the Northern War, Rean had trouble facing her. So he turned to the only solution he could think of.
He ran away. In order to save himself from shame, he took the coward’s way out. So many things left unsaid. So many not shared.
So all that running came to an absolute halt when he stared into the eyes that he let slip away due to his own cowardice.
“It’s been a long time, Rean.”
There were few things in Zemuria that could mesmerize Rean Schwarzer. A skillful display of swordsmanship, a picturesque hot spring with a beautiful view, and a snowy mountain that he could tear through with his favorite snowboard. However, none of them were able to hold a candle to the beauty that was Elie MacDowell.
Despite his foolish actions, her smile was as gentle as the day he confessed and she only grew more stunning as time went on.
“It has… Elie.”
Her name was a soothing melody as it escaped his lips. His mind became blank. On most occasions, he was able to develop mental road maps to steer a conversation. He always had a response to everything because the last thing he wanted was to make the discussion awkward. Now, however, all roads lead to deadends. All he could process was that Elie was standing in front of him in all her splendor.
“I know it wasn’t exactly voluntary, but I like what you’ve done with your new look.” Elie’s words broke him out of his trance, making Rean suddenly aware of her actual physical presence.
“Oh this?” He chuckled. He played with a tip of his hair. “Well, gotta work with what I got, right? I believe you taught me that.”
She giggled. “I assure you, that was referring to something else. But I’m glad you took my advice to heart then.”
“Baby steps, right?”
The two kept stealing glances at each other, taking note of each others’ features. Clearly Rean’s new look was like he was going through some sort of phase. Anyone who knew him prior but not his circumstances would be slack-jawed by his ashen hair and fully black outfit. However, Elie’s subtle changes exentuated her charms even further. Swapping her kerchief with a tie and her old dress with an open coat showed off her professional nature. However, they also did a good job at showing off her assets as well.
“And you’ve gotten taller too.”
“Ahaha, yeah. Everyone loves pointing that out.”
AHEM
The sudden noise cut through their reverie. They looked around and both became painfully aware of where they actually were. Their cheeks reddened when they saw the amused and smirking expressions of their colleauges as well Juna’s piercing glare. They had forgotten that they were there on the Pantagruel to discuss their next steps towards bringing the Great War to an end.
“Wait, wait, wait. The girl you got together with all the way back then was Elie?!” Alisa asked with her jaw hitting the ground. She turned her attention to the Crossbellan. “And you never told me?!”
“Well it never seemed relevant, so I never said anything.”
“I recall us having at least one conversation about our love lives.”
“Must’ve slipped my mind.”
“And you!” Juna interjected, pointing her finger at Rean. “Why didn’t you tell me that you and Elie were an item?!”
“Ah, er, well…” Clearly Rean was not nearly as eloquent with his approach as Elie was.
“Give him a break, Junie. A man’s gotta have his secrets too!” Randy wrapped his arm around Rean’s shoulders, shooting him a devilish grin. “But color me surprised! You always skirted around my interrogations about finding a lucky lady, so imagine my shock that she was right under my nose this entire time.” He turned his gaze towards Elie. “You know, you always struck me as someone who prefers the frontal assets. ‘Bout time someone bagged those funbags.”
“R A N D Y !” Elie blushed furiously, covering herself from his dirty looks.
Crow decided to join in the action too, wrapping his own arm over Rean’s other shoulder. “That’s my Rean~! Taught him everything I know about picking up the ladies.”
“And what the hell did you teach me?” Rean asked, a vein popping on his forehead.
“Leave them alone, you two.” Lloyd scolded, though the smile on his face belied his amusement. “We should be congratulating them after being apart for so long.”
“You’re not helping, Lloyd.”
The two unfortunate souls turn to Tio, hoping the girl would give them an out.
“Rean and Elie, sitting in a tree,” she responded with a sly grin.
“K-I-S-S-I-N-G~” Fie purred behind them.
A series of wolf whistles came from the crowd and it took all of Rean’s willpower to not grab the nearest flower vase and chuck it at Ash’s face.
Even the incoming presence of the other world leaders was not enough to deter their friends from teasing them. Rean probably never looked more red in front of so many important authority figures in his life and he could only assume the same rang true for Elie as well.
When it was time to break for the proposal meeting Musse and Alfin led the group of leaders to a separate room, shooting Rean a few suggestive winks before they left. Those left behind scattered, all looking to exchange information (or gossip if the last thirty minutes were anything to go by). It had seemed like a good idea so Rean decided to follow suit, but that was before his arm was yanked to the side and led to the Pantagruel’s lavish windows, providing a tranquil view of the clouds below. For a brief moment, he had forgotten that they were here to discuss Musse’s Mille Mirage strategy. However Elie’s icy, steel-rending glare brought him back to reality.
“You have a lot of explaining to do, mister. Want to explain why I haven’t seen you in a year and a half?”
“Well, funny story.” Rean began, speaking a bit faster than he intended. “Remember the whole ‘provisional officer’ thing? It kinda sorta forced me to participate in a war; so you know, normal things; and occupy North Ambria this time. You know, kinda like what happened in Crossbell. You remember that? Yeah, good times. Except, you know, not really. Anyway, after that-”
He felt her slim finger press against his lips to silence him. The look on her face did not change a single bit.
“Normally I wouldn’t be the one to say this but please, for the love of Aidios, give me the TL;DR.”
From what Rean could remember, that term was some sort of techspeak that signalled that he was to summarize his point concisely. Maybe Elie learned it from Tio? Or perhaps that Jona character that Juna told him about earlier.
“Sorry about that… I was… After I came back from North Ambria I… I didn’t know how to face you. So many people lost their lives and I… I couldn’t do anything to save them. Soon after that, I was sent back to Erebonia to serve there. I was forbidden to return to Crossbell.”
Her expression finally softened. “Oh, Rean.”
“Even so, I should have tried to reach out to you. At least send a letter or something. But I didn’t. I used that as an excuse to not even try. I just… I couldn’t bear the thought of what your reaction would’ve been had you known that I played a part in all of that. I’m sorry, Elie. I really am.”
Her soft hand brushed against his cheek. The look in her eyes melted away the cold front that he had put up for himself since the Northern War and shined like a glimmer of hope for their future. His own hand traced its fingers against her arm until it cupped hers against his cheek.
“When I read about what happened in the newspapers, I’ll be honest, I didn’t know how to react. They all touted you as a hero. How you brought an end to the reign of the Northern Jaegers and helped annex the country. But I knew… All I knew was that it was something that brought you pain.” Her voice cracked. “I might have not known how to react, but I wished that you came back to me. So I could be someone you can rely on.”
Rean averted his gaze, something he found much difficulty in doing. It was hard to pull away from something so entrancing.
“I’m sorry.”
“When you never came back I was heartbroken. But I knew that you wouldn’t have done what you did without a reason. I never once blamed you for it.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re far too forgiving for your own good?”
“Kettle? Meet pot.” Elie giggled. “When someone spends too much time around you and Lloyd, I’m sure they would be the same way. I’m sure Juna is another testament to that.”
He cracked a smile. “Okay, okay. True enough. But still, how could you just sweep it under the rug so easily?”
Rean was someone who was always aware of his surroundings and was able to react at a moment’s notice. That was further exemplified under the influence of the Great Twilight, where his ogre powers were on constant display. However, not even his unnatural powers were able to stop the storm known as Elie MacDowell.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she sprung up and captured his lips into her own.
It was a fleeting moment and yet time felt like it had stopped. All the worries that had festered within Rean since stepping onto the Pantagruel suddenly dissipated as warmth filled his body. And just as quickly that warmth filled him up, it left the moment their lips broke contact.
“Because, Rean,” she stayed close, their breaths tickling each other’s skin, “I always believed you’d come back.”
“I’m thoroughly unconvinced. Perhaps a repeat performance might win me over?” He grinned, choosing to ignore all the side comments around them. Elie giggled, pulling the man into another peck on the lips. “I suppose what Lechter said was true. Absence does make the heart grow fonder.”
“Lechter? What does he have to do with this?”
“Well, he was sorta the one who forced me back to Erebonia. Chancellor’s orders and all that. Basically barred me from coming back to Crossbell until that field exercise a few months ago. Funny how that worked to our… advantage… Elie, are you all right?”
The woman’s expression darkened as malice radiated from her body. Her usually vibrant green eyes dulled as her lips twisted into a malicious smile.
“Oh, I’m perfectly fine. It just sounds like Major Arundel and I are going to have a long, long conversation once this is all over.” Venom dripped from her words while Rean did everything in his power to mentally convey that she probably shouldn’t grab her gun while they were on a ship full of the continent’s most influential figures.
“A-Anyway. As much as I enjoy spending time with you, we are surrounded by quite a colorful cast of characters. It’d be a waste not to strike up a conversation with some of them.”
The pout on Elie was evident, but even she couldn’t disagree with Rean’s logic. The moment he tried to break away, however, he noticed that her fingers were interlaced with his. She pulled him back and rested her head onto his shoulder.
“Just a while longer, okay?” Elie said softly, her somber tones not missing a beat. “It’s been a while since I’ve let you spoil me.”
This was a feeling that he was familiar with. One that he regretted ever letting it slip from his grasp. Yet, in spite of all that, it still felt like it never left at all. Elie MacDowell made him feel complete.
“Okay, okay. Fine. Next we get a chance, how about we go for a joyride on my orbal bike? Your favorite.”
“You know me so well.”
“And while he’s a little quieter these days, I know that Valimar misses you.”
“I miss him too.”
“You know that people are really staring at us now, right?”
“Let them. Nothing can ruin this moment for me.”
Rean chuckled at her straightforward nature, allowing her to lay her head down longer. There was a lot of catching up to do, but for now, this was enough.
“AHH! Why the hell is she shooting over here?!”
“YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID, ARUNDEL!”
“I honestly don’t!”
“Come over here so I can throw you overboard!”
Rean could not have even begin to describe how an amusing a sight it was to hear the formidable chancellor’s secretary let out a high-pitched scream. “C’mon! There’s a system to this! You stay on your side and I stay on mine! That was the whole point of splitting apart and ambushing you guys! We rehearsed this!”
Lechter suddenly ducked, just barely dodging a bullet aimed straight for his head.
“Watch where you aim that thing!”
Elie clicked her tongue. “Almost had him.”
Rean had half a mind to calm her down, but the impromptu assist made the fight much easier on their end. Not to mention that none of the women plus Campanella were willing to interfere with a woman scorned and her warpath.
Perhaps he should get one of those tri-color bouquets for Lechter’s funeral.