(no subject)
Author: wolfraven80
Title: Moments
Fandom: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Character: Eirika (Seth/Eirika)
Rating: PG-13
A/N: Seth/Eirika Modern-Day AU (Takes place after events of Seven but works just fine as a stand-alone)
Link to Table
Also on ffnet here
Day Twenty-Five: Best Friend
I’m late for my lunch with Tana. I had to call her and ask her to order some sort of pasta and a side salad. When I finally get there she’s reading a book- a romance novel judging by the studly shirtless male on the cover.
"Sorry I’m late."
"It’s all right. I ordered for you."
"How can you read these things?" I say, playfully snatching at the book before she can stash it in her bag.
"How can you read those trashy thrillers you like?" Tana shoots back, arms crossed and glowering.
"Yes but romance novels..."
"They’re good!"
"They’re drivel."
"Says the girl whose life is the plot of a romance novel," Tana retorts, rolling her eyes.
"What?"
She takes back the book and then holds it up as if she were reading the back cover. "A young heiress and the man charged with protecting her. For years they’ve been separated by circumstance, but when-"
"Okay, okay. Enough."
The waiter arrives with our food and it isn’t until we’ve eaten a few bites that I speak again. "Seth isn’t perfect, you know. He has faults and bad habits like anyone."
"Maybe, but he’s perfect for you." She heaves a sigh and all at once the humour is gone from her features and she looks so forlorn that I’m worried.
"Tana?" I say, reaching across the table to place my hand over hers.
"It’s... No, it’s nothing."
"Tana, we’ve told each other everything since we were kids, right? Come on. What is it? You can tell me."
She shakes her head. "Not when it’s about your brother."
"Did he do something?" I ask gently. Tana’s right: it pains me to ask. I love Ephraim dearly. But I love Tana too, almost like a sister, and I hate to see either of them unhappy. I know they’ve gone out a few times, but I’m not sure whether they’re officially seeing one another or not.
Tana shakes her head. "No, nothing like that. It’s just... he’s been hot and cold for a while now and I... I got a letter from Cormag.
"Oh. I see." She dated Cormag in college. He was a few years older and on leave from the Airforce to study engineering. He broke it off when he returned to the service and was shipped out to the Middle East. "What did he say?"
"Do you remember his brother, Glen?"
"Vaguely."
"He was killed in action last year."
"Oh! I- That’s awful!"
"He says he’s thinking of leaving the Airforce. His tour is almost over- he’ll be back in less than a month. And he wants to see me."
I take a few bites of my fettuccine while I let it all sink in. I’m not certain how my brother feels about Tana. I think maybe Ephraim isn’t certain either. He’s taken on so much this past year. He puts on a such a brave front that no one can guess how hard it’s been for him. But I know. I always know.
"Talk to him. Ephraim would never purposefully hurt you. The way things have been of late, though... Just... talk to him."
Tana smiles. "I think I will. Thanks. Now," she drawls, "let’s talk about more important things- like your wedding!"
"That reminds me... I need to cancel our dinner on Friday- I’ll be in France."
"W-what?"
I shake my head. "I had to go at the last minute for some company business."
"How long?"
"A week. I had to be back for Seth’s birthday after all."
"Yeah," Tana says as she’s tapping frantically at her blackberry’s touchscreen. "It’s on the... sixth, right?"
"Yes."
"And the next week I have a trip to London. And the week after that is your wedding." She huffs in apparent frustration and I tilt my head and peer at her.
"Is something wrong?"
"What about Thursday?"
"For what?"
"Dinner."
"But we just had lunch." I watch as her stylus is flying. I’ve never seen anyone who can text as fast as Tana- or in as cryptic a form of English for that matter.
"Are you free or not?"
I shake my head. "I’ll probably have to work late on Thursday to make sure everything’s in order before my trip."
"What about Wednesday then?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Is there something I should know about?"
Tana’s eyes shoot up from her Blackberry to my face. "No. Nothing. Why?"
"You’re oddly adamant about dinner."
"Can you do Wednesday or not?"
"I can do Wednesday." She’s biting her lip and tapping out messages again. In another era she could’ve been a telegraph operator. "Should I be expecting company?"
"Eat your pasta before it gets cold," she says and that’s the end of that conversation.
Also on ffnet here
Day Twenty Four: Taste
It’s as unnatural to see Gerik in a suit as it is natural to see Seth in one. It’s not that it doesn’t fit- it’s a handsome suit and well-tailored, but it’s just not him somehow. Leaning back in his chair, his tie just a tad crooked, that scar on his face, Gerik is an oddity at La Rose Argentée. Nor does fine French cuisine seem to suit him.
"Are you sure you don’t want to try some?" Ephraim asks, his lips twitching as he attempts not to smile.
Gerik eyes our plates with evident distaste. "No thanks."
"Escargot are a delicacy."
"That might be so, but no matter how you cut it, it’s still snails."
Ephraim laughs. "In butter."
"I’m quite happy with my steak, Mr. King."
"All right, Gerik. Now... what do you have to show us?"
At the risk of developing indigestion, we decided to have this meeting over lunch. It should cause fewer raised eyebrows around the office and we do want to keep things quiet for the present. Gerik nods and passes an envelope over to us. Ephraim pulls out the photos and begins to flip through them with an air of nonchalance as if her were looking at nothing more than a friend’s rather dull vacation photos. He passes them to me and I do the same. It takes more than a little effort to school my features.
Pablo and another man, one who looks very much like someone who ought to be dead.
"Is it him?" I whisper.
Gerik shakes his head. "We don’t have absolute confirmation, but unless the man’s got a twin then it’s him."
"Riev," Ephraim grumbles, steepling his fingers.
"Yeah."
My heart is racing and I feel lightheaded. I can’t do it all over again. I glance up as, beneath the table, Ephraim squeezes my hand. I smile- wanly, I know- and nod. I turn to Gerik, summoning what courage I have. "Do you think he has a vendetta against our company?"
"Hard to say. It may be he’s still trying to get back at Rausten and he’s just taking advantage of the instability in your own affairs. Look, we’re keeping tabs on the both of them. Tethys and Marisa know what they’re doing and I’ll be heading back out myself. Nothing like a little fieldwork to liven up your day." He winks.
I shake my head. "Tracking arms dealers isn’t what I’d call a good time."
"You like snacking on snails and I enjoy well-paid risk-taking. Just a matter of taste, Miss King." When Gerik grins he reminds me of nothing so much as a tiger.
Also on ffnet here
Day Twenty-Three: Leather
"Wednesday is a weird night to be clubbing."
"What?" Tana shouts back.
A steady bass beat blares from the club’s speakers and thrums in my ribcage. I roll my eyes and slide over the padded bench until I’m next to Tana. "I said, Wednesday is a weird night to be clubbing."
"You’re the one who decided to go traipsing all over Europe at the last minute."
"I didn’t know you were planning a bachelorette party."
"It was supposed to be a surprise. That was the whole point."
I shouldn’t complain. Tana and three of our mutual girlfriends all rearranged their schedules for this. They’ve disappeared to the washroom and it’s the first chance I’ve gotten to talk to Tana. We’ve danced a little and are having drinks now but it’s strange knowing I still have to get up early tomorrow morning for work.
"Just promise me you didn’t plan anything embarrassing."
"Don’t worry," Tana says. "I had to cancel the studly exotic dancer when you rescheduled."
"Tana!"
"I’m just kidding." She’s grinning, clearly enjoying this far far too much.
"You realize, of course, that I’ll get even someday."
Tana sighs. "The way my luck is going you may never get the chance."
She looks so down and I’m trying to think of something to say to cheer her up when the others come back. Tana puts on a smile immediately as if nothing were bothering her at all. "I think," she announces, standing up and rifling through her purse, "that this would be the perfect time for presents."
"What?"
Tana winks and I know I’m in trouble.
#
As I close the door behind me, I can’t help but think how glad I am to be home. It’s only midnight- a little earlier even- but I just feel so tired. Still... it was worth it. I hang up my jacket and head towards my room with my purse and a bag full of "presents," ready to tumble into bed. I’m a little surprised when I find Seth sitting up in bed, reading.
"Eirika," he says, setting down his book. It’s hours past his normal bedtime.
"I thought you’d be asleep. Were you waiting up for me?"
"I was curious how late you’d be out."
"Wanted to make sure I didn’t come home with an exotic dancer?"
"Something like that," he says, smiling. He’s eyeing the bag and I can feel myself flushing. "Party favours?"
"Something like that." I laugh nervously. He raises an eyebrow. "The girls decided to have a little fun with the whole thing."
"Eirika."
"Yes?"
"You’re blushing."
"Well... yes."
He tilts his head. "Is there another man in bag?"
I chuckle. "No. No, it’s just that... Oh here," I say handing it over to him. "It’s mostly for you anyway."
His brow creases. He reaches into the bag and the first thing he pulls out is a leather harness with six straps and a number of buckles. He holds it up in front of him, peering at it uncertainly and then glances back into the bag. "Are we getting a dog?" he asks, pulling out a leather collar with polished silver buckles and a name tag.
"Not exactly."
He raises an eyebrow and looks from the collar to me and then back to the collar. He inspects the name tag... which is engraved with his name. "Ah," he says finally. Brave man that he is, he reaches into the bag for a third time and pulls out a much smaller collection of leather straps and silver snaps. He clears his throat and doesn’t quite look up as he says, "Do I want to know what this if for?"
"Probably not."
"Ah. I see." He clears his throat. "You know," he says after a few moments, "leather... chafes."
I laugh and crawl onto the bed next to him and hug him. "Well we can’t have that," I say. He kisses the top of my head, smiling (with relief, I can’t help but think). We turn out the light and I quite happily go to sleep in my clothes.
Title: Moments
Fandom: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Character: Eirika (Seth/Eirika)
Rating: PG-13
A/N: Seth/Eirika Modern-Day AU (Takes place after events of Seven but works just fine as a stand-alone)
Link to Table
Also on ffnet here
Day Twenty-Five: Best Friend
I’m late for my lunch with Tana. I had to call her and ask her to order some sort of pasta and a side salad. When I finally get there she’s reading a book- a romance novel judging by the studly shirtless male on the cover.
"Sorry I’m late."
"It’s all right. I ordered for you."
"How can you read these things?" I say, playfully snatching at the book before she can stash it in her bag.
"How can you read those trashy thrillers you like?" Tana shoots back, arms crossed and glowering.
"Yes but romance novels..."
"They’re good!"
"They’re drivel."
"Says the girl whose life is the plot of a romance novel," Tana retorts, rolling her eyes.
"What?"
She takes back the book and then holds it up as if she were reading the back cover. "A young heiress and the man charged with protecting her. For years they’ve been separated by circumstance, but when-"
"Okay, okay. Enough."
The waiter arrives with our food and it isn’t until we’ve eaten a few bites that I speak again. "Seth isn’t perfect, you know. He has faults and bad habits like anyone."
"Maybe, but he’s perfect for you." She heaves a sigh and all at once the humour is gone from her features and she looks so forlorn that I’m worried.
"Tana?" I say, reaching across the table to place my hand over hers.
"It’s... No, it’s nothing."
"Tana, we’ve told each other everything since we were kids, right? Come on. What is it? You can tell me."
She shakes her head. "Not when it’s about your brother."
"Did he do something?" I ask gently. Tana’s right: it pains me to ask. I love Ephraim dearly. But I love Tana too, almost like a sister, and I hate to see either of them unhappy. I know they’ve gone out a few times, but I’m not sure whether they’re officially seeing one another or not.
Tana shakes her head. "No, nothing like that. It’s just... he’s been hot and cold for a while now and I... I got a letter from Cormag.
"Oh. I see." She dated Cormag in college. He was a few years older and on leave from the Airforce to study engineering. He broke it off when he returned to the service and was shipped out to the Middle East. "What did he say?"
"Do you remember his brother, Glen?"
"Vaguely."
"He was killed in action last year."
"Oh! I- That’s awful!"
"He says he’s thinking of leaving the Airforce. His tour is almost over- he’ll be back in less than a month. And he wants to see me."
I take a few bites of my fettuccine while I let it all sink in. I’m not certain how my brother feels about Tana. I think maybe Ephraim isn’t certain either. He’s taken on so much this past year. He puts on a such a brave front that no one can guess how hard it’s been for him. But I know. I always know.
"Talk to him. Ephraim would never purposefully hurt you. The way things have been of late, though... Just... talk to him."
Tana smiles. "I think I will. Thanks. Now," she drawls, "let’s talk about more important things- like your wedding!"
"That reminds me... I need to cancel our dinner on Friday- I’ll be in France."
"W-what?"
I shake my head. "I had to go at the last minute for some company business."
"How long?"
"A week. I had to be back for Seth’s birthday after all."
"Yeah," Tana says as she’s tapping frantically at her blackberry’s touchscreen. "It’s on the... sixth, right?"
"Yes."
"And the next week I have a trip to London. And the week after that is your wedding." She huffs in apparent frustration and I tilt my head and peer at her.
"Is something wrong?"
"What about Thursday?"
"For what?"
"Dinner."
"But we just had lunch." I watch as her stylus is flying. I’ve never seen anyone who can text as fast as Tana- or in as cryptic a form of English for that matter.
"Are you free or not?"
I shake my head. "I’ll probably have to work late on Thursday to make sure everything’s in order before my trip."
"What about Wednesday then?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Is there something I should know about?"
Tana’s eyes shoot up from her Blackberry to my face. "No. Nothing. Why?"
"You’re oddly adamant about dinner."
"Can you do Wednesday or not?"
"I can do Wednesday." She’s biting her lip and tapping out messages again. In another era she could’ve been a telegraph operator. "Should I be expecting company?"
"Eat your pasta before it gets cold," she says and that’s the end of that conversation.
Also on ffnet here
Day Twenty Four: Taste
It’s as unnatural to see Gerik in a suit as it is natural to see Seth in one. It’s not that it doesn’t fit- it’s a handsome suit and well-tailored, but it’s just not him somehow. Leaning back in his chair, his tie just a tad crooked, that scar on his face, Gerik is an oddity at La Rose Argentée. Nor does fine French cuisine seem to suit him.
"Are you sure you don’t want to try some?" Ephraim asks, his lips twitching as he attempts not to smile.
Gerik eyes our plates with evident distaste. "No thanks."
"Escargot are a delicacy."
"That might be so, but no matter how you cut it, it’s still snails."
Ephraim laughs. "In butter."
"I’m quite happy with my steak, Mr. King."
"All right, Gerik. Now... what do you have to show us?"
At the risk of developing indigestion, we decided to have this meeting over lunch. It should cause fewer raised eyebrows around the office and we do want to keep things quiet for the present. Gerik nods and passes an envelope over to us. Ephraim pulls out the photos and begins to flip through them with an air of nonchalance as if her were looking at nothing more than a friend’s rather dull vacation photos. He passes them to me and I do the same. It takes more than a little effort to school my features.
Pablo and another man, one who looks very much like someone who ought to be dead.
"Is it him?" I whisper.
Gerik shakes his head. "We don’t have absolute confirmation, but unless the man’s got a twin then it’s him."
"Riev," Ephraim grumbles, steepling his fingers.
"Yeah."
My heart is racing and I feel lightheaded. I can’t do it all over again. I glance up as, beneath the table, Ephraim squeezes my hand. I smile- wanly, I know- and nod. I turn to Gerik, summoning what courage I have. "Do you think he has a vendetta against our company?"
"Hard to say. It may be he’s still trying to get back at Rausten and he’s just taking advantage of the instability in your own affairs. Look, we’re keeping tabs on the both of them. Tethys and Marisa know what they’re doing and I’ll be heading back out myself. Nothing like a little fieldwork to liven up your day." He winks.
I shake my head. "Tracking arms dealers isn’t what I’d call a good time."
"You like snacking on snails and I enjoy well-paid risk-taking. Just a matter of taste, Miss King." When Gerik grins he reminds me of nothing so much as a tiger.
Also on ffnet here
Day Twenty-Three: Leather
"Wednesday is a weird night to be clubbing."
"What?" Tana shouts back.
A steady bass beat blares from the club’s speakers and thrums in my ribcage. I roll my eyes and slide over the padded bench until I’m next to Tana. "I said, Wednesday is a weird night to be clubbing."
"You’re the one who decided to go traipsing all over Europe at the last minute."
"I didn’t know you were planning a bachelorette party."
"It was supposed to be a surprise. That was the whole point."
I shouldn’t complain. Tana and three of our mutual girlfriends all rearranged their schedules for this. They’ve disappeared to the washroom and it’s the first chance I’ve gotten to talk to Tana. We’ve danced a little and are having drinks now but it’s strange knowing I still have to get up early tomorrow morning for work.
"Just promise me you didn’t plan anything embarrassing."
"Don’t worry," Tana says. "I had to cancel the studly exotic dancer when you rescheduled."
"Tana!"
"I’m just kidding." She’s grinning, clearly enjoying this far far too much.
"You realize, of course, that I’ll get even someday."
Tana sighs. "The way my luck is going you may never get the chance."
She looks so down and I’m trying to think of something to say to cheer her up when the others come back. Tana puts on a smile immediately as if nothing were bothering her at all. "I think," she announces, standing up and rifling through her purse, "that this would be the perfect time for presents."
"What?"
Tana winks and I know I’m in trouble.
#
As I close the door behind me, I can’t help but think how glad I am to be home. It’s only midnight- a little earlier even- but I just feel so tired. Still... it was worth it. I hang up my jacket and head towards my room with my purse and a bag full of "presents," ready to tumble into bed. I’m a little surprised when I find Seth sitting up in bed, reading.
"Eirika," he says, setting down his book. It’s hours past his normal bedtime.
"I thought you’d be asleep. Were you waiting up for me?"
"I was curious how late you’d be out."
"Wanted to make sure I didn’t come home with an exotic dancer?"
"Something like that," he says, smiling. He’s eyeing the bag and I can feel myself flushing. "Party favours?"
"Something like that." I laugh nervously. He raises an eyebrow. "The girls decided to have a little fun with the whole thing."
"Eirika."
"Yes?"
"You’re blushing."
"Well... yes."
He tilts his head. "Is there another man in bag?"
I chuckle. "No. No, it’s just that... Oh here," I say handing it over to him. "It’s mostly for you anyway."
His brow creases. He reaches into the bag and the first thing he pulls out is a leather harness with six straps and a number of buckles. He holds it up in front of him, peering at it uncertainly and then glances back into the bag. "Are we getting a dog?" he asks, pulling out a leather collar with polished silver buckles and a name tag.
"Not exactly."
He raises an eyebrow and looks from the collar to me and then back to the collar. He inspects the name tag... which is engraved with his name. "Ah," he says finally. Brave man that he is, he reaches into the bag for a third time and pulls out a much smaller collection of leather straps and silver snaps. He clears his throat and doesn’t quite look up as he says, "Do I want to know what this if for?"
"Probably not."
"Ah. I see." He clears his throat. "You know," he says after a few moments, "leather... chafes."
I laugh and crawl onto the bed next to him and hug him. "Well we can’t have that," I say. He kisses the top of my head, smiling (with relief, I can’t help but think). We turn out the light and I quite happily go to sleep in my clothes.