#merrin x timerra

[ricedonuts]

[sad wolf pic] i dont want to work i want my wife

[meifunk]

the racket of Solm

[cupofcolors]

soul eater AU anyone

raffle!

[cherishedboxart]

Merrin x Timerra, my beloveds <3

[ankhlesbian]

FE Scuffle Fic Round-Up: FE Engage Femslash

Citrinne x Merrin Post-Canon A-Support Follow up -

a noble's own "personal wildlife expert" (not a euphemism... unless?) 

Citrinne x F!Alear - songfic confession

Chloe x Merrin Circus AU Snippet

Ivy X Jade Weapon Swap Snippet

Ivy x Timerra Sleepover

Ivy x Panette Hair Cut

[frickingnerd]

Solm Masterlist

Timerra

camping dates with timerra - headcanons

mourning all who we lost - oneshot

first kiss with timerra - headcanons

Fogado

more than distance between us - oneshot

Pandreo

as the night turns into day - oneshot

Panette

sparring with panette - headcanons

Merrin

caring for the careless ones - oneshot

Bunet

bunet teaching you how to cook - headcanons

Seadall

after the war - oneshot

[nexttrickanvils]

Valentines Day drawings made for requests on the hell bird app.

[fayesdiary]

001: for your ship of ships, Yunaka x Alear, and 002: for Timerra

Alear/Yunaka

when I started shipping it if I did:

I started genuinely shipping them when I played Engage for myself, because that's when I realized that oh. Oh this works so well.

my thoughts:

OHHHH THEY'RE SO GOOD. The parallels are immaculate, their dynamic is super silly in lighthearted moments and so heavy during more serious ones, they give hopelessly in love vibes and, you know. I adore them platonically too, obviously.

What makes me happy about them:

Yunaka finding love and support from her god of all people, someone who she always thought would judge her to be irredemable and instead adores her, and Alear trusting Yunaka despite her being expicitly sketchy being the first step in their self-forgiveness. When you think about it, Yunaka's background is basically an abridged version of Alear's.

Just, idk. They make me so happy!

What makes me sad about them:

Oh boy. Their pasts and their trauma. Yunaka's constant self-loathing and fear of her past coming to the surface and impostor syndrome and thinking Alear's too good for her. Alear's discomfort at being treated like a god and feeling alienated because of it. Past Alear. Just... Past Alear.

things done in fanfic that annoys me:

I don't think I've found anything that actually annoys me, to be honest. Which is good.

things I look for in fanfic:

Both the fluff with them being silly together (pre and post relationship) but also the angst of them dealing and opening up about their trauma.

That good hurt/comfort stuff 🥲

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: 

For Yunaka I'd say Citrinne, since you know. "Enemies" to lovers is always fun

For Alear I don't have any other strong ships, so I'd say I'm fine with almost everyone. Except the kids and the rest of their family, obviously. And Lindon.

My happily ever after for them:

Them being happily married and obnoxiously in love while they watch over Elyos together 💕

who is the big spoon/little spoon:

They switch! I think they're very into cuddles, generally :3

what is their favorite non-sexual activity:

Yunaka infodumping about weapons with the detail of an MGS codec call while Alear listens to her with heart eyes ❤️

Timerra

How I feel about this character: 

Love her! She's such a good mix of silly and serious, she can be really goofy but also she's one of the smartest people of the cast and will not fuck around with people she deems a threat, but she's super chill with anyone else!

If I had to describe her in a word, it would be "Fun".

All the people I ship romantically with this character: 

Ivy's a fun one (thanks Koto), but her, Merrin and Panette are so polycule shaped. Oh, and Nel too!

My non-romantic OTP for this character: 

Veyle! The fact she goes from being among the most skeptical about her to one of the most supportive once she actually joins for good is so interesting, and also the contrast between someone so carefree (on the surface at least) and someone who feels ashamed to even be alive. Just, idk. I really like them.

I think she'd be besties with Alfred too, wish they had supports together.

My unpopular opinion about this character: 

She's smarter than she looks, her voice is great and she's a lot more interesting than people give her credit for.

Also the fact the Solm siblings are the most overlooked ones of the cast is... sus, to say the least. This fandom is not escaping the racism allegations.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:

I wish she was more involved in the story. Compared to the other roylas she and Fogado don't go through much that directly involves them, you know?

Oh also while I'm not sure I would actually want it in canon, recruitable Fell Timerra would've been cool.

my OTP:

See above. I don't feel particularly strongly about any of them to declare them my OTP, so...

my cross over ship:

If FEH counts as a crossover, she and Sharena would hit it off really well. Azura too would be fun! OH, and Rinea too. Just thought of it👀

As for other stuff, hm...

BOTW Zelda would be interesting, she and Daisy would be cute and, hm. Her and Aqua would be the crackiest of crack pairs but, you know. It could work!

I dunno, I'm just throwing stuff around at this point.

a headcanon fact:

She absolutely brings Fauxgado with her during battles and on official business. Nobody's going to stop her from bringing her poorly done youngest brother along!

[saficswrites]

Do you happen to have any sapphic ships for Engage? A lot of the girls are pretty gay most of the time

Thank you so much for the ask, this one is actually a bit tough since I’ve only played Engage twice and done so using uh… questionable rosters of units, so the supports I’ve seen ended up a bit limited.

There are also just SO many amazing sapphic ships, since like you said the girls are gay as fuck, so narrowing it down to favorites without listing absolutely everything is a bit daunting lol.

First and foremost I think Ève and Seforia should kiss, perhaps even kiss me if they’re feeling a bit spicy.

I also think Saphir is just outright, one of the most attractive women in the game. I do sadly lack outright ships for her though, but I read a Saphir x Goldmary fic that was absolutely incredible.

(Sidenote if anyone has some sapphic Saphir ships they love, please tell me, I want them.)

On my first playthrough of Engage the big sapphic ships that popped out at me based on supports were, Goldmary x Etié, Yunaka x Citrinne, and Chloé x Merrin.

Also honorable mention to Goldmary x Merrin, I’ve written it for my lovely friend more than once, and it is safe to say I’ve been converted to her ways.

Also also the amazing Solm polycule with Merrin, Timerra, and Pannette. I love all of them!

My second playthrough when Fell Xenologue came uh… was a reckoning of Ivy ships. Nel and Zelestia both are just, so high up there for me, and I really really love either or both of them with Ivy, or even just with each other for that matter.

Nel actually is probably my engage best girl, because I am not immune to that voice of hers.

The big elephant in the room here is probably the lack of Alear ships. I actually do like Alear, like way more than I expected to going in, and do think that her sapphic ships are hella cute, but a lot of them don’t pop to me as much as some of the other units.

[yanderefairyangel]

Hi I'm a new anon who returned to tumblr

I was investigating that f!alear sockpuppet person because they were treating a close friend horribly and my lord, people on discord are starting to call her out without mentioning her and I think she's actually stopping?

Regulars in the character servers she keeps rejoining are treating her as a new person on her latest accounts (Merrin Fan & Divine Dragon) but they're saying stuff like "I wonder why people who hate [A certain prince from Engage] keep joing a server dedicated to him" and "Why is it always f!Alear fans who like the same 3 characters (Timerra, Merrin, Goldmary) that have a problem with male characters?" whenever she rants about something stupid.

It causes her to stop talking and leaving the server a less than a day later, so it might be a start in getting her to either slow down or start giving up. I genuinely hope she stops and does some self reflection.

There is also a chance she might make a new tumblr aita claiming another server is 'bullying' her since she got access to a server's vent channel, and several people were talking about the ao3 issue and talking about her alt accounts after she complained about her alear x alcryst fanfic situation on a now deleted account. (It went by DivineDragonFan)

I'm honestly not sure why I'm sharing this, but I thought I would update your followers

You can also ignore this ask, no biggie! I love reading your engage analysis (and Pandora Hearts take me back, haha) - tumblr veteran anon

Hi thanks for the heads up Anon!

Ok I am still unsure about her because the big problem is that she is hiding behind different persona and pretending to be someone else everytime so she doesn't face the consequences of her actions but it's honestly a good thing if she is starting to calm down (though I doubt it)

I agree with you on there though, let's hope she stops and reflects on herself

(and thank you for the positive feeback, I love meeting new Engage AND PH fans !)

[ricedonuts]

merrin x women is my favourite genre

[aboldone4]

I saw this post and it got me thinking of who among my favorite characters from Fire Emblem Engage would make the best pair with my favorite character from Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Ivy x Edelgard - As a friend of mine said, Ivy’s story is about how faith can save you, while Edelgard’s is more about how faith can lead you astray. They both seem intelligent, so it would be interesting to see how they meet halfway regarding their viewpoints.

Yunaka x Edelgard - I feel like the first time Edelgard and Yunaka have to battle enemies, Edelgard would be surprised ay Yunaka’s proficiency in murder. I think both could relate to having to put up a front to achieve their goals. They would also probably both conclude that they have blood on their hands due to their past and present.

Timerra x Edelgard - Timerra’s openness and carefree nature would provide a nice contrast to Edelgard’s guarded and deliberate personality. Edelgard would probably enjoy Timerra’s company and appreciate how she doesn’t have to put her guard up around Timerra.

As a bonus: Merrin would probably be enamored by Dorothea. Both are women who like women, what else can I say?

[eimaremia]

Crossover Relationships

between characters from different FE games~ Pink indicates romance. Purple italic indicates a potential for romance.

Heroes x Shadows of Valentia

Alfonse & Leon

Heroes x The Binding Blade

Roy & Sharena

Heroes x The Blazing Blade

Kiran & Lucius

Heroes x The Sacred Stones

Artur & Bruno

Heroes x Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn

Kiran & Mist

Kiran & Soren

Mist & Sharena

Heroes x Awakening

Alfonse & Chrom

Alfonse & Lissa

Brady & Sharena

Kiran & Libra

Kiran & Lissa

Kiran & Mirabilis

Robin & Sharena

Sharena & Lissa

Heroes x Fates

Alfonse & Niles

Alfonse & Nina

Alfonse & Takumi

Elise & Sharena

Forrest & Sharena

Kiran & Elise

Leo & Bruno

Niles & Bruno

Orochi & Sharena

Sharena & Niles (siblings-in-law)

Sharena & Velouria

Selkie & Sharena

Heroes x Three Houses

Caspar & Sharena

Ingrid & Sharena

Marianne & Bruno

Mirabilis & Linhardt

Heroes x Engage

Fogado & Sharena

Hortensia & Sharena

Kiran & Rosado

Kiran & Timerra

Kiran & Yunaka

Mirabilis & Amber

Mirabilis & Chloé

Mirabilis & Merrin

Mirabilis & Panette

Pandreo & Bruno

Panette & Bruno

Rafal & Sharena

Sharena & Amber

Sharena & Rosado

Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light / Mystery of the Emblem x Awakening

Marth & Chrom

Marth & Lucina

Chrom & Caeda

Lucina & Caeda

Shadows of Valentia x The Blazing Blade

Lucius & Leon

Raven & Leon

Serra & Leon

Shadows of Valentia x Fates

Nina & Leon

Shadows of Valentia x Engage

Rafal & Berkut

The Binding Blade x The Blazing Blade

Serra & Saul

Saul & Lucius

The Binding Blade x Awakening

Libra & Saul

Saul & Cherche

The Binding Blade x Three Houses

Ingrid & Dorothy

Saul & Sylvain

The Binding Blade x Engage

Diamant & Lilina

Diamant & Roy

Dorothy & Pandreo

Saul & Pandreo

The Blazing Blade x The Sacred Stones

Ephraim & Hector

Lyn & Eirika

Matthew & L’Arachel

Serra & L’Arachel

The Blazing Blade x Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn

Ike & Hector

Hector & Soren

Lucius & Soren

Raven & Mist

Raven & Soren

Serra & Soren

The Blazing Blade x Awakening

Brady & Lucius

Hector & Chrom

Inigo & Lucius

Libra & Lucius

Lon’qu & Lucius

Lucius & Cherche

Maribelle & Matthew

Ninian & Inigo

Robin & Lyn

Serra & Inigo

Serra & Libra

Serra & Maribelle

The Blazing Blade x Fates

Forrest & Lucius

Laslow & Lucius

Leo & Hector

Lyn & Takumi

Matthew & Kaze

Matthew & Niles

Ninian & Laslow

Nina & Lyn

Orochi & Matthew

Serra & Laslow

The Blazing Blade x Three Houses

Caspar & Hector

Dorothea & Lucius

Felix & Eliwood

Felix & Hector

Felix & Lyn

Lucius & Sylvain

Marianne & Lucius

Serra & Sylvain

The Blazing Blade x Engage

Fogado & Lucius

Fogado & Lyn

Goldmary & Lucius

Goldmary & Matthew

Hortensia & Lucius

Louis & Lucius

Lucius & Rosado

Lucius & Yunaka

Lyn & Alcryst

Marni & Lucius

Matthew & Yunaka

Ninian & Merrin

Ninian & Pandreo

Pandreo & Lucius

Serra & Goldmary

Serra & Marni

Serra & Pandreo

Serra & Yunaka

The Sacred Stones x Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn

Ike & Ephraim

The Sacred Stones x Awakening

Artur & Cherche

Lyon & Robin

The Sacred Stones x Fates

Lyon & Takumi

Niles & Eirika

The Sacred Stones x Three Houses

L'Arachel & Sylvain

Lyon & Hilda

Lyon & Linhardt

Rennac & Dorothea

The Sacred Stones x Engage

Alcryst & Eirika

Chloé & Eirika

Chloé & Ephraim

Chloé & L'Arachel

Hortensia & Eirika

Louis & Eirika

Pandreo & Eirika

Rafal & Eirika

Rafal & L’Arachel

Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn x Awakening

Brady & Boyd

Henry & Ranulf

Henry & Soren

Mist & Lissa

Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn x Fates

Elise & Mist

Ike & Nina

Ike & Takumi

Lethe & Selkie

Lethe & Velouria

Nina & Soren

Selkie & Ranulf

Velouria & Ranulf

Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn x Three Houses

Ingrid & Titania

Lethe & Ingrid

Marianne & Ranulf

Lysithea & Soren

Path of Radiance / Radiant Dawn x Engage

Fogado & Elincia

Fogado & Soren

Goldmary & Soren

Hortensia & Soren

Ike & Amber

Ike & Fogado

Ike & Goldmary

Ike & Rosado

Ike & Timerra

Lethe & Merrin

Louis & Soren

Madeline & Titania

Marni & Soren

Ranulf & Merrin

Timerra & Soren

Awakening x Fates

Brady & Laslow

Brady & Nina

Brady & Selena

Camilla & Cherche

Elise & Lissa (daughter and mother-in-law)

Forrest & Cherche

Henry & Elise (father and daughter-in-law)

Henry & Nyx (father and daughter-in-law)

Henry & Odin (father and son, default)

Henry & Selkie

Henry & Velouria

Leo & Owain

Libra & Camilla

Libra & Forrest

Libra & Laslow

Libra & Nyx

Lucina & Laslow

Lucina & Laslow (sister and brother)

Niles & Owain

Nina & Inigo

Odin & Lissa

Odin & Lucina

Awakening x Three Houses

Bernadetta & Marianne

Brady & Bernadetta

Dorothea & Inigo

Felix & Lon’qu

Henry & Bernadetta

Inigo & Hilda

Inigo & Sylvain

Marianne & Cherche

Marianne & Libra

Libra & Dimitri

Libra & Seteth

Libra & Sylvain

Robin & Linhardt

Awakening x Engage

Brady & Fogado

Brady & Pandreo

Brady & Panette

Chrom & Pandreo

Diamant & Lucina

Fogado & Chrom

Fogado & Inigo

Fogado & Lissa

Goldmary & Inigo

Goldmary & Severa

Henry & Ivy

Henry & Marni

Henry & Panette

Hortensia & Cherche

Hortensia & Lissa

Inigo & Rosado

Ivy & Lucina

Lapis & Cherche

Libra & Pandreo

Libra & Rosado

Libra & Yunaka

Louis & Chrom

Louis & Lissa

Louis & Lucina

Maribelle & Pandreo

Owain & Amber

Panette & Cherche

Panette & Lon’qu

Panette & Maribelle

Pandreo & Cherche

Robin & Pandreo

Timerra & Inigo

Fates x Three Houses

Dorothea & Laslow

Dorothea & Forrest

Felix & Takumi

Forrest & Bernadetta

Forrest & Hilda

Laslow & Hilda

Laslow & Sylvain

Leo & Dimitri

Leo & Lysithea

Marianne & Kaze

Marianne & Kiragi

Marianne & Selkie

Marianne & Velouria

Nina & Sylvain

Nyx & Linhardt

Nyx & Lysithea

Nyx & Seteth

Orochi & Sylvain

Fates x Engage

Alcryst & Takumi

Camilla & Yunaka

Chloé & Nina

Diamant & Ryouma

Elise & Rosado

Fogado & Laslow

Fogado & Nina

Forrest & Rosado

Forrest & Timerra

Goldmary & Laslow

Goldmary & Forrest

Hortensia & Elise

Hortensia & Forrest

Ivy & Niles

Jade & Nina

Lapis & Kiragi

Laslow & Rosado

Leo & Alcryst

Leo & Ivy

Leo & Yunaka

Louis & Forrest

Louis & Nina

Marni & Camilla

Marni & Elise

Marni & Forrest

Nina & Rosado

Nyx & Yunaka

Odin & Amber

Panette & Niles

Rafal & Nyx

Rafal & Takumi

Selkie & Merrin

Timerra & Laslow

Velouria & Merrin

Three Houses x Engage

Annette & Timerra

Bernadetta & Alcryst

Byleth & Pandreo

Diamant & Dorothea

Diamant & Linhardt

Dorothea & Merrin

Dorothea & Timerra

Dorothea & Pandreo

Felix & Timerra

Felix & Yunaka

Goldmary & Sylvain

Ingrid & Merrin

Ingrid & Chloé

Jade & Bernadetta

Jade & Sylvain

Lapis & Dimitri

Madeline & Hilda

Madeline & Ingrid

Madeline & Seteth

Marni & Hilda

Marianne & Alcryst

Marianne & Amber

Marianne & Chloé

Marianne & Merrin

Marianne & Pandreo

Marianne & Rosado

Pandreo & Seteth

Rafal & Lysithea

Rafal & Seteth

Timerra & Linhardt

[bi-leth-eisner]

Hortensia and Merrin for the send in a character ask

Hortensia

First impression: I found her voice very annoying to be honest

Impression now: she's one of the silliest (positive) characters in Engage and that is saying a LOT, I love her. she's a mainstay on the team for this run for sure

Favourite moment: her wake-up event where she says she bets Alear wakes up disheveled, and that it's okay because she wakes up disheveled too. but when Alear gets up, she's surprised to find that they aren't disheveled at all! they just roll out of bed perfect?! and then casually says that she needs to reevaluate her life. that had me laughing like a hyena

Idea for a story: Three Houses x Engage has been on my mind for a while, but focusing on Hortensia, she strikes me as a Black Eagles girlie. i think she'd have the crest of Lamine since World Tree does a similar thing with staves (this is like a buildup to the headcanon thing)

Unpopular opinion: I don't know enough about the Engage fandom to know what's popular and unpopular with her

Favourite relationship: Ivy so far

Favourite headcanon: @dazzlerazz mentioned that the reason she has those streaks of white in her vividly pink hair is that she's double crested

Merrin

First impression: she's got makeshift claws on!!! and they're purple!!!! she's gonna be a favourite of mine

Impression now: she IS a favourite of mine, and one of my best units in my first run for sure. she's everything to me

Favourite moment: her B support with Citrinne when she deepens her voice to sound ~cool~ and lies about the reason she was frolicking. she's just a delight

Idea for a story: anything where i have to get creative is just really stressful so im gonna leave this one unanswered, sorry

Unpopular opinion: i like how it's in character but i really do not like her tail much

Favourite relationship: either Timerra or Amber, I love both of their supports with her

Favourite headcanon: she and Bunet are siblings so everyone in the Solm squad each have one sibling in the other group (i saw like one post about this while skimming through Merrin's tag)

[frickingnerd]

sparring with panette

pairing: panette x gn!reader

tags: fluff, implied romantic feelings

you were quite surprised when panette asked you to spar with her

she was much stronger than you were, despite her ladylike looks not letting you assume her strength right away

but even then, you had figured she's only train with merrin or even timerra, not with an outsider like you

still, you were happy when she asked you to spar with her and accepted her offer! 

after one sparring session, she asked you for another just a few days later. and then a couple days after that session she asked you again

your sparring sessions started to become a weekly event and you two tended to grab a bite to eat or something to drink afterwards

after a few months, you had gone from strangers to close friends and that's when panette confessed something to you

back then, she had been interested in getting closer to you, yet wasn't sure how to approach you

so instead of asking you out for dinner, she had asked you to be her sparring partner, since fighting came much more natural to her than talking 

though now that the sparring sessions had brought the two of you this close, it started to get easier for her to talk to you as well

[morphyvt]

Etie's Workout

Ao3 | Wattpad (Fire Emblem Engage) Etie x Reader [Self-Insert/OC]

Words :2522

Tags: Fire Emblem, Fire Emblem Engage, Etie, Kisses, Neck kisses, OC, Self-Insert, Romance, Kissing, Friends to Lovers, Ao3, Ao3 Fanfiction

After Sombron's defeat, Elyos rejoiced in its newfound peace. Lythos, Firene, Brodia, Solm, and even the returning land of Gradlon all united under a non-aggression pact. With the end of the war, the age of hope and rebuilding the world back to normal had begun. The entire continent became busy with efforts of fixing the fragments left by the conflict. Many of the Divine Dragon's companions soon had to part ways. The monarchs returned to rule their sovereign lands, ensuring that relations with each nation would heal and remain firm. Of course their retainers and knights would return their sides. Others would return to their families, some would travel the world, and the rest went back to enjoying a normal life. The once populated Somniel returned to being a tranquil place for the Divine Dragon. The ruckus of Timerra, Merrin, & Panette's singing  was replaced with silence. As was Pandreo's constant howling as returned he to his church. Even the silent gaze of Louis was sorely missed at the Somniel. The Divine Dragon and their stewards' duties mostly had them situated at the newly rebuilt palace of Lythos, so there was little need to return to the Somniel, yet it was still open & welcome to those who had stayed there during the Divine Dragon's journey to expelling the evil Sombron.

It was at this day that I found myself returning to the place where I once enjoyed tea with the likes of Celine & her vassal Chloe. The place where Seadall & Kagetsu read my fortunes. I was overcome with a feeling of yearning for days gone by, then immediately feeling guilty that I would selfishly wish to return to a time where there was war, constant battles, and when the Somniel was full of people.

And yet it seems desire actually became reality. From the plaza I could hear a faint noise coming from somewhere distant. It couldn't have been one of the animals at the stables as they were all either adopted or joined the Divine Dragon at Lythos. Even the creature that follows the Divine Dragon around doesn't show themself unless the Divine Dragon is around. To sate my curiosity, I decide to investigate the sound. As I got closer, I noticed that I was heading in the direction of  the training yard, and that I could hear it more clearly. It was familiar and no animal. It was a person grunting, none other than Etie, a knight of Prince Alfred of Firene. But more important than that, she's a comrade, someone I could trust with my life. 

I do admit, seeing her doing sit-ups like she used to do when we were constantly traveling made my heart beat out of rhythm.  She was facing away from me, so she didn't see me yet, also it would have been awkward as she was also wearing her usual clothes and not the workout garments. I wondered why she was wearing that iconic frilly yellow-ish midriff blouse, though I must admit that I didn't mind seeing her in action. Her sweaty abs glistening against the sunlight-- Oh, I really must have gotten carried away with staring because I lost track of what I was supposed to do. Etie did eventually see me, throwing her reps. Getting up quickly, she lets out a winded "It's you!" 

It felt really good to see her, and next thing I knew she rushed at me and gave a tight hug. For someone almost a foot shorter than me, I could feel her practically lifting me off the ground before she lets go. I did like the embrace though, she hugged me like how I would want to hug someone I care about, if that makes any sense. Maybe it was the sunrays causing me to hover my hand and arm slightly above my eyes, but I could have sworn at that moment when she let go, Etie was blushing.  "It's good to see you! Wait-- What are you doing here?"  She asks, to which I swiftly respond with "I could ask you the same thing!"  

I could see it in here eyes that she felt the same thing I felt. Etie was one of my closest friends during our journey with the Divine One. After the emblems disappeared, it felt just as lonely knowing the fact that Etie had to return to Firene to serve her Prince. I'm sure Alfred & Boucheron would have been great company for her but I wanted to be there for her too. I wasn't native to Firene, neither am I a knight there. Perhaps that's why I decided to return to the Somniel. I was fueled with purpose to fight alongside the Divine Dragon. Now that peace had returned, I felt like I had served my goal. I didn't just come back to reminisce on old times, but to return to a place where I was driven to achieve something. Maybe I'd be inspired to pursue a new goal again!  That would probably be too long to say to someone I hadn't been in contact with for a while, so I just followed up with  "I don't know, I just missed this old place." 

"Huh, I didn't take you for the sentimental type. Me, I missed working out here! Firene's been really noisy lately with all the parties & celebrating us beating Sombron. So I wanted to go somewhere quiet to train." Etie explains to me, albeit panting as she speaks. "Woops! looks like I certainly interrupted that. Sorry to ruin your quiet training day."  I was pretty sure I wasn't really bothering Etie, but honestly I just wanted to tease her. "What no! I don't mind you here." she retorts. "The Divine One used to stare at us training. Remember?" bending her arms and anchoring her hands on her hips in a defensive stance. Etie didn't sound as fatigued as she was earlier. Knowing how intense her workouts usually are, it was quite impressive.

Thinking back, I definitely remember that time. Me, Boucheron, Etie, Prince Alfred, and even little Jean were doing squats at the very training yard we were standing on right now. The Divine One would always stop by to either watch or join in exercises, mostly they'd just stare at us. "That Divine Dragon, always running around and watching out for us. I don't know if they did that cause they cared or if he just thought we'd be too chaotic." I said to Etie. "Wha-- Us!? Chaotic? Why I'd never?" Her voice wavered in denial.

"I'm pretty sure you almost started a fight with Goldmary over a potato." A memory that vividly clouded my mind as soon as she said she'd never. "THAT WAS MINE! THAT POTATO THIEF JUST TOOK IT WITHOUT ASKING AND ATE IT! SHE---" she blew her bangs to the side of her face, clearly showing her furrowed brows. Yet despite the face she was making, I found her adorable. I always had thought she was cute despite her... Intenseness. 

I was still curious why she was working out with her regular clothing, though I did notice the ribbon on her head was crooked. The sight of it lured me to reach out and adjust it properly. I didn't realize I was oblivious to the fact that Etie stopped dead on her tracks mid-sentence. She was willing herself not to look at my face as I had gotten really close to her face. Her cheeks burned red, as did mine when I finally wised up to what I had inadvertently done.  We had closed the distance to each other as if fate or an unseen force was pushing us towards each other. Etie, with her head sunken and eyesight glued to the floor couldn't even mutter a single word. Where was the loud and brash athlete from earlier? Her forehead makes contact with my chest, not completely buried but a light touch as if she was beckoning me to come and embrace her. Funny, if only she knew what I knew. No, what I always had known especially during those moments where corrupted would try assault her and I'd come in and shield her from the blows, or when she'd snipe out enemies who'd almost snuff me out from behind - that I had always had a warm yet soft spot for her. There is no one on earth I would trust in my life. And at that moment, there was no one who I wanted to be alone in that serene Somniel with except her. I didn't even mind that she & her outfit was completely drenched in sweat from her workout, which reminded me... "Why were you working out in your battle clothing by the way?" "So I can be used to fighting with this on-- no, actually... I come here every now and then, hoping to see you again. I-- I missed you." Her face was now fully buried on my torso. Despite how muffled she sounded, I could clearly hear what Etie said. It reminded me of the last time we saw each other, when the Divine Dragon ascended the throne. We arrived that day to celebrate, but left going our separate ways. I recalled how I was tasked with bringing Anna back to her family at Elusia, which believe me was one crazy experience that maybe I'll someday tell, and Etie was tasked with bringing Jean back to his family at Firene. Me and Etie, going to opposite sides of the map. I remember wanting to look back but choosing not to glance over my shoulders. I regret not doing it because maybe she was waiting for me to look at her. However the map of Elyos is a ring, a circle, and ultimately me and Etie found ourselves where we both started - at the Somniel, back at the yard where we'd overwork ourselves until our bodies gave in, hopelessly trying to bulk up. When she said she uttered that she missed me, it felt like our last meeting. Except this time I was ready to face her. "I missed you too" I rested my right  hand on her bright auburn hair, though it probably messed up her ribbon again.

"This seems like a good time for a jog! I'll just..." in that moment, when she said that and turned her back, ready to run - I instinctively grabbed her arm with a tight grip, but not enough to to inflict pain on someone I cared about. In those few seconds, I was overthinking. What if this was too much for Etie and she drifts away from me? Would she pull further and further from me no matter what I said? It felt like my mind was thinking a billion scenarios in that short instant, and I didn't know what would be the right thing to say.

 I tugged her arm lightly and tried to say something, anything. Before I could even form a word, Etie wrenched my gambeson with her other hand like she wanted to rip it off of me. I could not even react as my mind blanked when her lips pressed against mine. Whatever strength I had to yank her to my direction softened. She had brought herself closer to kiss me, and I was paralyzed. Deep down inside, contentment was spreading within and all I could do to express it was to kiss her back the way that she would hopefully love to be kissed. Her hand, still clenching my gambeson, pushes me against the stone wall of the training yard. You know, I imagined I would be the one pinning her against the wall, but I didn't mind this one bit. Feeling Etie's full weight pressed against me while being kissed and backed into a corner, I moaned with our mouths still stuck together. She definitely noticed that because she started kissing more aggressively. Two can play at that game. I grabbed Etie and turned sideways, pinning her against the wall this time. This time I was the one who was stealing a shameless moan from the other.  We were both turned on being chest to chest to one another. My hands & fingers dance along from her shoulders then to her waist. I could feel her hard abs even from the sides. She was the real deal, a body chiseled like a warrior goddess. Then I felt Etie bite my lower lip, catching me off guard. I tilt my head away to see that smug grin on her face. All I could think of was a way to get back at her for that.

When my tongue & mouth touched her neck, she exhales, breath misting away. I stay buried there until I went back to pressing my lips to her. Her shakey arms hook around my neck as she misses kissing me too. We pull away for a moment to meet each other eye to eye, the way we looked at each other changed. There was more of an unexpected warmth. We were magnetized to the sight of one another.  

"Come home to Firene with me." Etie's eyes still glued to mine, I could have sworn they were sparkling at me. When she requested that, my mind quickly returned to reality. Etie was a royal knight of Firene, and the daughter of a marquis. I am nobody,  I'm not even from Firene. I don't think Alfred or Princess Celine would bat an eye. Queen Eve and all those other nobles might though. I don't want to make life harder for Etie. Perhaps our romance would just be this one special moment at the Somniel, but before I could even voice a concern--

"Don't you dare think of having second thoughts now. We kissed. I... I want you with me. I don't care what anyone else thinks, if anyone has a problem with you at home, then they'll have to deal with me!" She reminded me of just what I admired so much about her. It wasn't just the attraction or the bond we've built, but Etie is someone who truly inspires me to be strong inside & out. And with that, my mind was set. I found what I came to the Somniel for. Wherever Etie goes, I go.  

"You are the one I feel closest too. Of course I'll go with you!" My arm, wrapped around her waist and back. I fell closer to her to give her another kiss. Her lips did not move, here eyes remained open. "Did I say something wrong?"  "No, not at all" Now she falls closer to me to give me another embrace.  I wanted that hug to never end. With a single finger, I tilt her head up from the chin. Looking at her eye to eye, I could tell she reciprocated what I felt when I gazed upon her. It was like those moments when war raged on, the chaos of battlefields, and when I was at my most lost - I'd look for her. Knowing Etie was still alive during a battle always calmed my nerves. Now that we saw each other for how we truly feel, I felt content.