#ascendinghatred

*pushes Berkut over*

queue Berkut snickering in the background.

It had been an incredibly long time since Clair had last started to doubt her faith in Alm. After all...look at everything that he had accomplished. Ended a war, saved two nations, slain a mad god, travelled across the seas and defeated a monstrosity that some madman had created - granted, with help, but it had always been by his hands ultimately. Save for those times it was Celica...but then again, the two were essentially the same person these days.

But some things nagged at the pegasus knight's mind. Ever since they'd just turned into rulers of a peacetime nation instead of a wartime commander, she was starting to think that perhaps Alm's judgement was...slipping. Mostly because there always seemed to be disputes the two of them couldn't solve, some battle between Zofiain and Rigellian traditions that could not be resolved peacefully. She gritted her teeth, shaking her head with a sigh as she stormed through the hallways. This was different, however - this was going too far.

The healers had assured her that Clive would be alright in a month or two, but it had still been harrowing to see that 'peaceful convoy' he was leading return with arrows and blood coating the survivors. She was starting to feel a little guilty that she had torn into Alm with such verbal abandon, but as she stewed in her resentment she wasn't quite ready to go and apologize yet.

So the commander of Valentia's pegasus knights was storming around the courtyard, kicking ill-tempered at the dirt and hoping nobody heard the distinctly not noble words she was muttering under her breath. It was almost a relief when she stumbled across the one person in the castle who disliked Alm as much as she did right now - even if her hate was temporary, it would be good to have someone marginally sympathetic to speak to.

nO.

    Normally Berkut isn’t one to take the high road. And technically, he doesn’t. He’s certainly said worse to Alm in the past without remorse or apology. And he has half a mind to throw it back in his face,  returning insults in turn.

    But oooh the opportunity to watch Alm forced to say he’s sorry and for Berkut to look better in the eyes of his uncle? Alm’s own father?

   Why, that’s an opportunity he simply can’t pass up. He waves his hand in dismissal.

   “ Water under the bridge, cousin. Consider it forgotten .”

   The sincerity in his tone is juxtaposed against the self-satisfied smirk on his face.

This truly is a test of patience. Duma, give him strength to hold back and not throw a punch at that smug guy’s damn face—!

Surely, Alm knows that his cousin hardly means it and is likely laughing it up now, coming out of the harmless name-calling like a hapless and tormented victim. The one time he starts something, and it’s when his Father is now present and among them. ... A test of patience, Alm. Don’t let it get to you.

A smile falls on his face, familiar and sincere, despite his anger boiling within. Sure, he’s mad at Berkut, and certainly the response was probably faked for whatever gain Berkut saw of this (looking good, probably), but a part of him couldn’t help but childishly grasp at the opportunity that, perhaps, this would lead to them at least getting along more in the future.

“... Thank you, Berkut. I’ll be sure to watch myself in the future.”

Berkut speaks in a husky groan between methodical thrusts, and despite the fact that they are already in the midst of passion, it still makes her feel embarrassed. Rinea stammers and cant hardly reply, but she lifts a hand as if to cover her face and the fact that she was blushing-- though one could hardly tell given their position.

He noticed, though. Even though she was enjoying it, even though her delicate, pale knees were still spread wide for his rather determined pace, she felt bashful.

“Rinea?” Berkut slowed his rhythm, propping himself up better on an elbow. His other hand moved to cup her thigh and caress his thumb over her soft skin. “My love, are you embarrassed?”

"...don't touch me."