#celicalmfaye

[merryfortune]

Picnic by Candlelight

Written for the Sweet and Spicy Bingo 2023

prompts provided by @sweetspicybingo

Prompt: Candlelight

Title: Picnic by Candlelight

Ship: Alm/Celica/Faye

Fandom: Fire Emblem Shadows of Valentia

Rating: T

Word Count: 1,036

Warnings: None

Tags: Polyamory, Established Relationship, Secret Relationship, Fluff

   The brisk evening with a sky full of violets speckled with stars was perfect for an al fresco outing.

   It was silly, perhaps even juvenile, but neither King Alm nor Queen Celica cared. Their servants had tried to convince them to have a banquet since their favourite guest was in their midsts but they knew her better. Far better. And so, a starlit picnic was decided upon. 

   They could only have these rural pleasures in fleeting splashes throughout the months and so, indulge they would. They wanted to make sweet and precious memories with their unconventional companion, no title given lest waves would be made and she didn’t particularly want to stand out.

   That companion being their dearest Faye.

   “Thank you, again, my dear for making the journey from Ram Village.” Celica said as she kissed Faye’s cheek.

   “I would go to the end of the world for Alm, and you, too, Celica, of course. For either of you, really,” Faye giggled, “it's truly my pleasure.”

   “Glad to hear it.” Alm replied.

   He shepherded both his lovers closer, it was the gentlemanly thing to do after all. Even if he was clumsy with how he divided his attention. It wasn’t a normal nor kingly thing to do, to take two wives. One in public and the other in secret. Though how secret it was remained to be seen given that the garden was adorned with guards, laced with servants, and plenty of eyes to see but they tried to keep it under wraps as best they could.

   Faye’s feelings… They could overcome even fate, separation, and wars. Her desire to be as close knit as she could to her beloved, it resonated and being a good friend of Celica, too, they found a way forward. All three of them. Some in ways which overlapped and other times, in ways that weaved all their relationships differently.

   But for now. There was a level of discretion necessary. Faye understood that and so, was included in whatever ways that she could. As far as the staff knew, she was just a friend visiting for vacation but she knew it would not be the guest suite that she would be retiring to after midnight. 

    Until then, Faye would simply have to wait as her heart burgeoned with anticipation of what was to come and enjoy the present as it, too, was a rare gift. She had all the faith in the world that Alm and Celica would welcome her warmly again later but for now. A certain decorum was necessary. Faye was a distinguished guest and only that, as far as anyone who needed to know could know.

  Their dates could only occur once a blue moon and Faye did not want to jeopardise her stays. It was such agonising sorrow to be parted from either Alm or Celica too long. So they had to behave themselves until the time to come undone, with festivity and excitement, was appropriate.

   So, on this calm and wondrous night, they set themselves down in the middle of the castle's gardens on a picnic blanket. It was a pale purple to match the dusky sky, it was laden with treats and a bottle of wine, candles were lit around to enhance the mood. The weather was mild, if a little cold, but it just made for an ever more perfect dusk for them to have to themselves on a date. 

   Here, amid the glimmering candlelights and atop this woollen picnic blanket in the dewy grass, politics fell to the wayside. As did nameplates and other stifling courtesies. When they were together like this, They became akin to how they were as children. A little jaded, yes, but free and innocent in the same breath. 

they could be themselves and each other’s lovers.

   “We have a fine selection of delicacies tonight, Faye.” Alm said. “Foods from far and wide, excellent wine. Please, help yourself.” He gestured over the spread laid upon the wooden plank of the charcuterie board.

   From one end of it to the other, Faye’s eyes followed the path that Alm’s hand laid out. She gazed over generous mounds of cheese and even chocolate, various fruits and dried meats, little savoury biscuits and more. Her mouth watered just looking.

   But here was the thing about Faye and she knew this humbleness so well it became a vice. It was difficult to spoil her, and right now even, she felt as though she ought to deny the generosity. She pined for the simple things - fresh peeled oranges, homegrown, sugar cookies fresh from the oven and chilled spring water - but she accepted. She glanced at Celica, following her lead to the grapes first.

   “They’re delicious, Alm.” Celica said. She popped another grape in her mouth for good measure.

   Faye agreed wordlessly with a smile after she finished swallowing. The grape was sweet and juicy, truly a bounty of an agricultural region formerly of Zofia but now of Valm. Her heart stammered in her chest as she glanced between her two lovers to affirm the private joke within her thoughts. It was nice that Zofia and Rigel were united as they were, just like Celica and Alm respectively then her in the middle: enjoying the best of both worlds. 

   She watched, fondly, as Alm and Celica leaned into one another. Alm moved his arm behind Celica, inviting her into an angular embrace and their lips met in the middle with a kiss. It was a kiss fitting of a wedding vow. Faye took it upon herself to reach for the wine - it promised notes of peaches and roses - and poured three glasses. 

   “Thank you, dear.” Celica told her when she finished kissing Alm. 

   Faye doled out the wine. First to Alm, who acknowledged her with a nod, and then to Celica whose delicate fingers brushed along her own when she accepted the glass by its slender stem. 

   “To us.” Faye said.

   “To us.” Alm affirmed.

   Faye initiated the gesture again. She held up her wine glass to the middle and the other two kissed her own upon its rim. She would have her turn soon, in more privacy than what this picnic by candlelight would offer.