Chapter Text
Bronya is waiting for Seele in a meeting; she currently serves as Wildfire's representative. They've had meetings like this for several weeks now, with little to no progress.
Seele bursts through the doors, wearing her usual attire, as she waves at Bronya. "Am I on time this time around?"
Bronya turns around to face Seele, with a slight eye roll. But she can never stay mad at Seele for long, and lets out a soft chuckle as she nods her head.
"Yes, you are. I'm glad you don't keep me waiting for once." Bronya comments as she gestures to the seat across from her desk, and she sits back down herself.
"Hey! I'll take it! At least I'm here." Seele takes a seat across from Bronya and sighs. "So back to it, I guess. We talked about reintegrating the Underground with the Overworld. Just… how soon do you think we can plan all of that? I mean, we've had this talk before; it's not like it's going to be everyone from the Underground coming up."
She rests one of her elbows on her desk as she supports her head with her hand slightly. Her eyes dart away from Seele's for a moment, to think before she responds.
"I know... But with so many things happening at once, I-" Bronya cuts her words short and quickly shakes her head. "It's not that just.. I understand you can only be as patient as your people are. But we need more time to integrate you back into society."
"Just how much time, Bronya? You said that last time. Just give me an estimate! The people are dying to see the light, for fresh air. And having the Silvermane Guards stationed in front of the entrance to Overworld, it's like having it shut off all over again. At least have them leave. Or set up some sort of temporary camp." Seele says, sounding a little bit annoyed now, her annoyance at the situation starting to get to Bronya as well. Her eyes narrow at Seele as she responds to her.
"I know you want your people to see the light, Seele, I get it. But the Silvermane Guards are a must. For safety reasons. We must have a balance between the two worlds for now." Her voice was stern as she spoke, but not harsh. She was just trying her best to get her point across to Seele.
"I know, but come on, Bronya… give me an estimate at least? So people have something to look forward to." She sighs, giving Bronya a disappointed look like a kicked dog.
Bronya pauses for a moment as she rubs her chin with her hand. Her face is expressionless for a moment, before it softens. "I can allow the Silvermane Guards to move to a camp-like location, but..." She lets out another sigh, resting her hand on the surface of her desk.
"As for the integration itself… I will need time to iron things out properly. At least allow me 5 months, perhaps a little bit more. But no less than that."
"...Okay, that doesn't sound too bad. You promise that, right? I'll hold you to it, I hope you know. And as for temporary housing?" Seele says as she looks over to Bronya, her gaze piercing into the other woman.
Bronya meets Seele's gaze, a serious look on her face. She knew well that she was being held accountable for her word. "You have my word, Seele," Bronya responds firmly and honestly. She was true to her word and never broke it. After all, that would make her no better than her mother.
"The temporary housing is being prepared as we speak. It may not be the best… but it's the best we can do at the moment."
"That's fine, I'm sure anything will be better than what we've lived through. Appreciate it, Bronya." She continues with a light smirk, feeling confident.
Bronya lets out a small chuckle as she sees the smirk on Seele's face. She can't help but smile. Despite all their arguing and disagreements, she can't stay mad at Seele for long. There's just something about her that makes Bronya feel a bit more at ease, even though she'd never openly admit it, of course. "You're welcome, Seele.” She responds, her tone a little bit lighter than before. Maybe she was starting to warm up to her after all.
"Eh, depends if you have time just to talk. Do ya?" Seele says as she slouches into her seat. "Why's this chair more comfy than my bed?" Seele says under her breath.
Bronya couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the slouched Seele, as she heard her comment about the chair being comfier than her bed. She lets out a chuckle before responding, her expression a little amused now. "Well, I suppose I have a few moments to spare."
She replies, leaning back in her own, slightly more comfortable chair. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Eh, nothing really. Just small talk, just as friends. Because we're friends. Right?" Seele said, looking over to Bronya in reassurance.
"I rarely see you anywhere outside of this office. It’s always work for you! Make some time for your other friends and me too, okay?"
Bronya's expression softened as Seele looked at her in reassurance, asking if they were friends. Of course, they were friends. But Bronya still had a hard time admitting it to herself. She let out a soft sigh and smiled lightly.
"Of course, we're friends. And you're right, I tend to get caught up in work. It's just that there's so much to take care of now, as the Supreme Guardian." She responded, her tone more casual. Bronya knew Seele had a point. She did need to make more time for her friends.
Silence filled the room for a moment as Bronya sat there, lost in her thoughts. She knew that Seele was right. She couldn't let her work completely consume her.
"Perhaps... Perhaps I have been spending a bit too much time behind this desk." Bronya finally spoke up, breaking the silence. She leaned back in her chair, her expression a bit more relaxed now.
"I'll try to take some more time for myself, and to spend it with you and other friends... I promise." Seele couldn't help but smirk a bit as she heard Bronya's confession. She felt a sense of accomplishment, like she'd finally gotten through to the stubborn leader of Belobog. She leaned in a bit, resting her chin on her hand.
"Yeah, you better." Seele teased jokingly, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You need to loosen up a bit, Bronya. You're always so stoic and uptight. Gotta let your hair down once in a while, y'know? I care about you, Bronya."
Bronya rolled her eyes at Seele's teasing, but she couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Seele had a way of getting under her skin in the best and worst of ways.
"I'm not always stoic and uptight, you know." She retorted, her tone still playful. But when she heard Seele say she cared about her, Bronya's expression softened. A genuine smile appeared on her face.
"I appreciate the concern, Seele. And... I care about you, too, believe it or not." Seele's smirk widened as she saw Bronya's expression soften. She loved seeing the normally serious Bronya let her guard down for once. It was like a rare sight that only she got to witness.
"Aww, you do care about me. I'm touched." Seele teased once again, but this time with a hint of genuine affection in her tone.
"But seriously, you need to remember to take care of yourself, too, Bronya. You're more than just a leader. You're a person too, y'know."
Bronya chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment on her face as Seele teased her about caring for herself. She knew Seele could be annoyingly charming, and it always affected her.
"I know, Seele. I just... sometimes it's hard to remember that. Being the Supreme Guardian comes with a lot of responsibilities, and it's easy to let it consume you." She admitted, her expression growing more serious.
"But I promise, I'm trying my best to find a balance. Do not let my work take over completely." Seele takes off her scarf and throws it onto Bronya's desk. She relaxes in her chair, posture slouched and man-spreading.
"It's actually warm in here. I don't think I've been able to appreciate that yet. The only time I've felt this warm is by an open flame itself. Also, I'm taking this chair." Seele says, utterly at peace for the time being.
Bronya blinks in surprise as Seele casually throws her scarf onto the desk and makes herself entirely too comfortable in the chair. The Supreme Guardian's usually immaculate office now felt... lived-in? She sighs but can't suppress an amused smile.
"That chair is not leaving this office, Seele," she says firmly, though her tone lacks any real authority.
"But... yes. The heating systems here were designed to counter the Eternal Freeze. I'm glad you can finally enjoy them."
A pause, then she adds with a smirk: "Though if you steal government property, I might have to send Silvermane Guards after you. And we both know how that would go."
"Let's be real, Bronya, you wouldn't," Seele said with a smug smile, and Bronya relented. Seele quickly adds, "I'd sleep in here if I could, but I don't wanna get lazy, I got my own duties to do."
Bronya rolls her eyes but can't help but crack a small smile at Seele's bold claim. She knows all too well that Seele's right. Bronya has a weak spot for her and would likely let her get away with almost anything, within reason, of course.
"You'd turn this office into your own personal living quarters if I let you. I do not doubt that," She replies, feigning annoyance but failing miserably.
"And your duties involve... what exactly? Causing chaos elsewhere in the city, no doubt."
Seele pauses for a moment as she thinks about it, but brings it back and speaks up. "In the Underground? Breaking up fights, patrolling, breaking up more fights, that type of stuff. I guess I negotiate now, too." Seele shrugs casually.
"Sounds like a typical day for you," Bronya responds with a small chuckle. "But I do appreciate your efforts, despite your… methods." She leans back in her chair, eyeing Seele curiously for a moment before speaking up again.
"I've been meaning to ask you something, Seele." Her tone becomes more serious, her expression turning to a more solemn one. She hesitates for a brief moment before continuing.
"Can I ask a personal question? It's been on my mind for a while now." Seele tenses slightly at the sudden shift in tone, but waves a hand dismissively.
"Sure, shoot. Though if it's about why I don't wear sleeves—save it." She smirks, but there's a flicker of unease in her violet eyes. "What's up?"
Bronya hesitates, then meets her gaze directly. "...How exactly did you survive down there? Really? I mean. I was there for only a couple of days at most. And I can’t imagine my entire life down there. The reports on Underground conditions are... grim. But you never complain."
Seele's smirk falters for just a second, a crack in her usual bravado. She stares at the ceiling, fingers drumming the armrest.
"Survived? Heh. More like didn't die.” Seele sounds pretty proud of herself before continuing, “You eat ration paste until it tastes like shit, you sleep in shifts 'cause the pipes burst cold every few hours, and you fight every day just to keep your spot near a heat vent." Her voice grows sharper, but not at Bronya, at the memory.
"And yeah, I don't complain. What good would it do? Either you move forward, or you freeze." A beat. Then she flashes a grin, "Besides, pissed-off adrenaline keeps ya warm."
Bronya's gaze softens as she listens to Seele's grim description. The Supreme Guardian knew the conditions of the Underworld were harsh, but hearing it from Seele herself... it was another thing altogether. The casualness with which she dismissed the horrors of the Underground was both impressive and alarming.
She leans closer, genuinely concerned now. "Seele... you've been living like that for years, but you make it sound so normal. Likewise, it doesn't even bother you. How do you do it? How do you stay so optimistic?"
"Optimistic? I don't think that's the right word, just uh, fed up with it. Gets to a point where you adapt or die, y'know?" Seele and Bronya realize this conversation is becoming far more serious. Seele is now sitting up and serious, so she leans back in her chair again, attempting to ease everything.
"Bet your soft and gentle skin couldn’t—fuck, that sounds weird. I bet you wouldn't even last a day, Overworlder." Seele tries to flirt, but it falls apart.
Bronya lets out an exasperated sigh, but a tiny, amused smirk undercuts it. She knows exactly what Seele's doing, deflecting with bad flirting. Classic.
"Oh please, I've fought Fragmentum monsters in subzero blizzards," she counters, rolling up one glove sleeve to reveal a faint scar. "See this? That was from my first expedition outside the city walls at fifteen with Mother.”
Her tone shifts back to something softer. "...But you're right. What you endured was different." A beat. "For the record... your terrible flirting is somehow even more concerning than your survival tactics."
Seele barks out a laugh, kicking her boots up onto Bronya's desk, much to the Supreme Guardian's immediate disapproval.
"Oh come on, this is from the woman who gives speeches like she's reading off a tax document? At least I try to be interesting." She leans forward suddenly, eyes glinting.
"But fine, since we're sharing scars..." She yanks down her collar to reveal a jagged line across her collarbone. "Got this at twelve. Some asshole thought my rations looked tastier than his."
A beat. Her smirk returns. "...Still think your little ice scrape compares? And for your knowledge, my flirting got me a girlfriend once!"
Bronya's eyebrows shoot up at the revelation, momentarily forgetting to scold Seele for the boots-on-desk violation.
"A girlfriend? You?" Bronya almost forgot that people can date people of the same gender- Cocolia's fault. She says it with such genuine disbelief that she immediately regrets it and coughs into her hand. "I mean—that’s surprising. Given your... tactfulness."
Her gaze flicks to Seele’s scar, and for once, she doesn’t comment on propriety. Instead, she reaches out and then pokes the scar lightly with one gloved finger.
"...You won that fight, though. Obviously."
Seele grins at Bronya's reaction, completely undeterred by the jab. She even leans into the poke, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Hey, I'm a catch. Even underground, some people appreciate a smartass with a pretty face and a sharp tongue." She gives a wink, still smirking.
When Bronya touches her scar, Seele's smirk falters slightly, her gaze locked on the Supreme Guardian's finger. It's a more intimate gesture than either of them expected.
"And damn right I won! Bastard never messed with me again... because he's dead."
Bronya's finger freezes mid-poke, her eyes widening slightly at the blunt admission. A beat of silence passes before she retracts her hand with deliberate slowness.
"Ah." She clears her throat, rearranging some papers on her desk—suddenly very interested in administrative busywork. "I... suppose that’s one way to ensure future cooperation."
Her voice is drier than the Belobog tundra, but there's a flicker of amusement underneath. After a moment, she risks glancing back up at Seele.
"The pretty face part was never in dispute," Bronya mutters softly.
Seele's smirk vanishes, replaced by genuine shock. Her face goes slack, then blooms into the smuggest grin Belobog has ever seen.
"Ohhh?” She wiggles her eyebrows, boots thudding back to the floor as she leans across the desk like a predator. "Did Supreme Guardian Bronya Rand just call me pretty?"
Her voice drops to a theatrical whisper: "Careful. Next, you'll be admitting you like me like me."
A pause. Then she ruins it by snorting. "...Kidding! ...Unless?"
Bronya rolls her eyes so fiercely it's almost audible, leaning back in her chair as if to increase the distance between them.
"You're insufferable." Her words bite, but there's no malice in them. In fact, the Supreme Guardian is fighting a losing battle against a smirk of her own.
"Don't let it go to your head. You're still an insufferable, tactless scoundrel with a horrendous fashion sense, who steals chairs and shamelessly flirts with her superior. You're not pretty, I think handsome is a better word for you."
If anything, Seele looks almost delighted, her grin going feral. She's enjoying riling up Bronya, which doesn't help the Supreme Guardian's cause at all.
"Wow, we're getting specific here." She leans closer, chin propped on her hand.
"Handsome, eh? And you're just a stiff, uptight... no, beautiful prissy little doll. All high-class manners and prim and proper and—"
She pauses, eyes narrowing playfully. "...You're blushing." Then, Seele's own eyes open, and they're actually flirting.
Bronya's cheeks flare crimson as she abruptly stands, sending her chair screeching backward. Her voice jumps an octave.
"That's—! Ahem." She smooths her dress with rigid precision, avoiding eye contact like a Fragmentum beast avoids sunlight. "This meeting is adjourned. Guards will escort you out."
Seele bursts out laughing, swiping at her eyes as she finally rises, but not before snagging one of Bronya's fancy desk pens and tucking it into her pocket like contraband.
"Y'know what? Worth it." She saunters toward the door, tossing over her shoulder: "Next time, bring snacks. And maybe less denial~”
The Silvermane Guards outside blink as their Supreme Guardian slams the office door shut behind Seele with uncharacteristic force... and what sounds suspiciously like a scream into a glove.
Bronya remains frozen behind the door for a full five seconds, glove still pressed to her mouth. When she finally lowers it, her expression is a masterpiece of flustered fury—eyebrows knitted, lips pursed, face still pink.
She storms back to her desk only to notice the missing pen immediately. Her eye twitches.
"...That thief." It comes out half-growled, half-laughing. She collapses into her chair with a groan, dragging both hands down her face.
A beat passes. Then, against all dignity, Bronya Rand, Supreme Guardian of Belobog, quietly kicks her boots up onto the desk in perfect imitation of Seele's earlier disrespect... and smiles. She left her scarf here.
Seele, meanwhile, has left Silvermane's headquarters with a noticeable spring in her step. She whistles nonchalantly, hands in her pockets—and when the guards give her wary looks, she flashes a cocky smile and waves cheerily. A few of the guards wave back.
She stops in the middle of the square, stretching her arms with a contented groan. Her smirk softens into a grin.
Her fingers drum against the pen in her pocket. Then, "Fuck, I left my scarf."