strengthoflions

“I’ve been known to fall to the ground, unable to move, before admitting I was tired,” he said, raising his sword.

“So the rule is pointless,” Felix said with a snort. “Fine. If you begin to falter, I’ll call it for you. At least I have enough sense to admit when I’m done.”

He nodded, taking a few steps until they were in an open enough space.  “Sounds good, although I’m tempted to say we simply keep going until one of us tires.  I’m not sure we’d stop before they close the training grounds if we did.”

“She already knows I’m interested.  But there’s only so many times I can run into her in a day before I just have to resign myself to letting her know it’s on purpose.”

“You also could end up like me, and that, I’ve been told, is a very awful fate.” Still, he raised his left arm, a practice sword in his hand, a smile on his lips.  “Care for a sparring partner?”

Felix gave an amused ‘hmph’ at the joke. After a few gulps of water, he nodded.

“Or maybe you can invite me and Mercedes so we can make it look a little less desperate than I have been with her so far.” It was a joke.  Mostly.

“Hey, she likes eating.  Is there really anything else you need in someone you want to eat with?”

“Not at all.  Simply appreciating your drive.” He nodded.  “Although as someone who’s been told this more often than anything else, you’ll wear yourself out if you keep going like that.  Or do you have something you’re trying to work off with all that throwing yourself around?”

“I won’t grow stronger if I don’t push myself to my limits. The more I train, the longer it takes to wear me out.”

Felix let out a sharp exhale, lowering his blade as he went for the towel on the bench. He mopped his face off.

“I mean, if you want an easy target, you can start with her.  Not like she’d ever say no.  Or maybe Annette?  Although she might think you have ulterior motives.”

@strengthoflions

“You’ve certainly got some energy, don’t you?” They’d been training at the same time, and he couldn’t help but notice Felix alone with his training dummies, going after them relentlessly.

Felix had been training for a couple hours at that point, taking breaks only to stretch and drink water. It was only after he finished his attack that he too his eyes off the training dummy.

“You can do more than just train with someone to get closer to them, you know.  Just ask the professor.” And then he laughed.  “She has to have about three meals per meal because she keeps inviting students and faculty members to eat with her.”

“I’m aware. Anyone who eats with her is aware. That woman eats like she has the stomach of three grown men. Ingrid’s appetite looks dainty in comparison.”

“The real me’s never really been worth knowing, but she’s a weird girl so I guess it makes sense she likes me.” He shrugged.  “We’ll see where it goes.”

And then he paused.  “What about you?  Just spending your time training, as always?”

“The real you has always been worth knowing. It’s that mask of yours that is insufferable.”

Felix shifted on his feet. “Of course I’ve been training.” And then he paused, clearing his throat. “...but...Seteth pointed out a flaw in my training. I need to strengthen the bonds with my allies.”

Those words sounded so stupid coming out of his mouth.

“…not exactly, but it didn’t go badly, either.  I think she likes me.  Like… me, me, not the stupid me.”

Felix bit down the urge to remark about the real him. Sarcasm could come later. Instead, for the first time in a moon or two, Felix let him glimpse a smile.

“…you are a good friend, Felix.  That’s why I feel guilty whenever you tell me what I burden I am.  I don’t want to be.”

And then he sighed.

“I tried asking Mercedes out.  The day it rained.  We ended up just sitting by a fire in one of the common rooms while I dumped water out of my boots.”

Felix rubbed his head. “Judging by how moody you’ve been, it seems like it didn’t work out for you.”

He realized a moment after that might have come out sounding heartless. He tried again, looking away.

“…Felix, they’re things I think about myself every day.  I’m not good at acting anymore, that’s all.  But I’ve been trying to just be a better person, you know?  And that includes apologizing to you and… you know, not being too bitter.  Guess that latter one isn’t working so well.”

“It’s fine. You’re allowed to be bitter sometimes,” Felix replied, closing his eyes. “You let me be angry. I’d be a sorry excuse for a friend if I didn’t allow you the same.”

“Hearing that you’re putting more effort into your studies and training is...relieving. Ingrid worries about you on the battlefield. She’s afraid your natural skill won’t suffice.”

“Gee, what funny ideas would those be?  That I’m annoying, that I’ve always been annoying, that I’m nothing but a burden to you?  Can’t really blame me for wondering if you ever considered me your best friend in the first place if that’s how you actually see me, but no one can really blame you.”

“No, you’re not...always annoying,” Felix said, shifting on his feet. “And you’re not always a burden. I only meant-- I was just trying to...”

Felix sucked in a deep breath, trying to arrange his words in such a way he wouldn’t make things worse.

“Not everyone,” he mumbled.  “I’ve been putting more effort into classes, and reading a little more.  I passed my Cavalier exam.”

“Congratulations.” A silence stretched between them before, awkwardly, Felix spoke again.