#fe drabbles

GRIMA WON AGAIN! I had to churn this story out cause I love him so much and the creative juices finally came again. Also, soft Grima is the best Grima. Also, the title is a reference to Bebe”s Jungle Kitty Verse from RuPaul’s Drag Race)

No one in the order ever seemed to understand who came up with the common occurrences known as voting gauntlets; Feh would randomly be carrying a letter containing several heroes names and the custom took off. While only eight heroes participated at a time, the whole Order happily partook in supporting said participants. As summoner, you always helped pitch in and cheer for everyone, trying to remain neutral. You had only failed once, Grima had won his first Voting Gauntlet against Celica, the cheer in your heart rising as you gave Grim a congratulatory hug.

The whole Order never let you forget the sight of you cheering for Grima, your usual calm self going all out for Grima. Thankfully, Grima seemed to forget it or ignore it, saving you the added embarrassment. So by the time Grima had his second Voting Gauntlet, you cooled down, making sure to help the rest of the competitors. Perhaps even a bit more than Grima if his sour scowl was enough evidence. And yet, despite the lack of your help, Grima had made it to the final round again. Going up against Idunn, who despite her relative newness in the Order, had garnered a large following, the young manaketes convincing everyone to support Idunn.

Seeing the dire situation, you relished all sense of public perception and adamantly cheered on Grima; the entire Order still shocked at the Fell Dragon receiving your support. With the time slowing coming close to its end, you had been scrambling for flags, making sure to grab every single one you could. Your effort went paid by the end, Idunn having lost. Admittedly, you felt awful, having been the reason why she lost, but by the time you got a couple sentences in, Fae along with her numerous friends had coming rushing to her, dragging her away to play with Iduun with a smile on her face despite losing. Giving her a goodbye, you made your way to Grima with a skip in your step. Said skip was gone as heroes gave a look towards you, their smiles embedding themselves into your conscious. Slowing down your quick pace, you walk the rest of the way.

Before you can reach Grima, Feh comes flying around the corner, a trophy clutched in her talons. She hoots at you before dumping it into your arms, struggling to not drop it from the quick reaction needed. With the trophy in your arms, you pick up the speed, this time ignoring the looks; Grima’s look being the one you want to see. You spot him standing all alone by a column, his back to you as he inspects his true form. His true form seeing you, Grima turns around to face you, a scowl on his face.

You pause at his stare, holding his trophy in front of your face as a shield. Stomping his way towards you, Grima takes a hold of the trophy as he glares up at you. You smile back, laughing nervously before coughing, picking at the nonexistent dirt at the sleeves of your outfit. Grima shrugs as he finishes checking the trophy before handing it back to you.

“Again?” You ask him. He lets out a jut of air through his nose before responding.

“I won because of your help. In the end, you earned this one too.” Grima crosses his arms as he stares at you,  his eyebrows furrowed.

“But you fought! You should at least keep one trophy.” You hold it back out towards him but Grima ignores it. Seeing his lack of want, you pull it to your chest. Staring at the floor.

“What held you, worm?”

“Huh?” You jolt your eyes back to Grima, a light tint of pink on his cheeks.

“Ignore it.” Now Grima chooses to not look at you, his true form much more interesting apparently.

“I’m glad you won again.” Grima grunts at your confession.

“All the worms wouldn’t shut up about it. Incessantly blathering about your cheering.:

“Oh… Was I that loud?” You lower the trophy, comfortably cradling it in your arms.

“You were obnoxiously loud.”

“Sorry, I kinda go-” Grima interrupts you before you can finish apologizing.

“But I appreciated it.” Grima coughs after saying so and then walks off, his true form taking to the sky. You stay still, unsure of how to process it before chasing after him. He ignores you, walking at a normal pace before you grab his hand, Grima freezing in response. You let go, fearful of his response.

“Do it again.” Grima commands as he face you again, his face aflush.

“What?” You pull your hand back, taking it as a threat. Grima reaches for your hand, holding it in his as he looks at you.

“You don’t anger me like those other worms.” He pauses as he thinks, his hand clenching yours. “Your presence is welcome.” Grima holds your hand as he starts walking, you going along for the ride.

“Where are we going?” You ask, the shock of Grima’s actions still being processed.

“There’s a clearing past the courtyard. You’ll like it.” Grima says, the statement leaving no room for argument. You clear your throat before responding.

“I think I will.” You smile at him, Grima catching a glance at your smile before facing forward again.

the first of 3 winners done. @eorzean-savage

“Do you really have to go?” You gaze up at Zeke, the knight too busy preparing his belongings for his mission. A mission that doesn’t include you, you remind yourself in your head before you clench your hand, the thought fading away for the meanwhile.

Zeke sighs as he polishes his mask for the sixth time today, for all his cleanliness, today he exaggerates his routine, his Rigelian uniform somehow seemingly cleaner than the day he received them. He faces towards you, his eyes downcast towards your glaring ones. “Forgive me for not being able to remain by your side, but what I must do is necessary for Valentia.”

You steel yourself, closing your eyes and taking a breath before continuing what could pass as an argument between you two, the idea of an argument foreign to the both of you. “Then let me join you.” You step towards him and straighten out his collar, the slight unevenness barely noticeable but much more easier to focus on than the conversation.

“You’ve endangered yourself far too much; the image of you being slain by brutes has kept my mind in turmoil, to think that you would risk yourself again is far too much for me.” Zeke smiles as he finishes speaking, your hands being embraced by his.

“So then you know how I worry about you.” Zeke looks at you curiously before sighing and then kissing your forehead. “So I’ll be joining you.” You state as you unclasp your hands from his, reaching for your belongings to begin packing.

“Very well,” Zeke sneaks up behind you and places his hand on your shoulder, you turning around in response. “But promise me that should anything befall me, you’ll return to Valentia.”

“I can’t promise,” Zeke frowns at your admission. “But I will try.” You stand on your tiptoes, reaching for a peck on the lips before Zeke embraces you, spinning you in his arms.

Traveling by sea is an entirely foreign action to you. That is until you and Zeke find passage with a traveling merchant ship to Archanea. The merchants very willing to provide lodging and transportation to someone of Zeke’s military prowess. With Zofia and Rigel’s lands becoming sustainable with the passing of Mila and Duma, pirates have becomes much less abundant but the fear remains. And so far, the fear has remains unfounded, an entire two weeks having passed by with no sight of them.

Those two weeks have dragged on however, each day seemingly lasting a week in itself; your only respite being Zeke’s constant presence. The constant swaying motion leaves you uneasy and the salty air has begun to to sting your nose, the repetitive days near the point of driving you mad. Your current haven and sleeping quarters is where you spend most of your time. Right now, Zeke is speaking with the leader of this group of merchants, the remaining days to arrive at Archanea unknown to the both of you.

A gentle knock on your door lightly alerts you before Zeke enters the room. His face serious.

“How much longer?” You ask the question, your mind clueing in on the answer from Zeke’s serious attitude.

“I’m afraid there’s a storm on the direct route to Grust.” You groan before flopping down back on your shared cot. Zeke smiles before handing you some medicine. “The merchant informed me that this should help ease your illness for the meanwhile. We have three weeks remaining, so if you require more, I’ll gladly purchase some more.”

You rise out of bed and give Zeke a peck on the lips, the privacy of your room allowing intimate gestures, Zeke being too embarrassed for such things in public. “Thank you.” Opening the vial, you drink a small portion, the bitterness not helping your situation but hopefully making up for it later. With that done, you bring up the reason for traveling to Archanea. “Why is traveling to Archanea so important to you?” You ignore Zeke’s forgotten memories; the only reason he would insist on traveling to Archanea would have to do with his memories you’ve concluded during your long hours of pondering at night besides Zeke’s sleeping form.

Zeke looks at you before coughing into his hand, grimacing all the meanwhile. “Perhaps, let’s save this discussion for another day?” Zeke says firmly.

“Alright.” Deciding to leave it for another day, Zeke heads back out while you continue to rest in bed.

By the time another two weeks have passed, you swear you want to tear this ship apart wooden piece by wooden piece. To make matters worse, Zeke continues to brush off any and all questions about Archanea, your mind festering your brain with more thoughts. The medicine is your saving grace, but the constant swaying is something no medicine can stop, along with the smell of the salty ocean and cramped quarters driving you even further mad. By the time Zeke enters the room to check up on you, your patience is at its limit, the fuse reaching its end once you speak. “Why Archanea?” You state. Realizing the statement, Zeke clears his throat before taking a seat on your guys cot beside you.

“I used to be a Grustian general.” You keep quiet and Zeke continues. “I’ve heard news about another war occurring in Archanea.”

“So you wish to return to Archanea?” You implore. Zeke shakes his head.

“No. I need to assure that Grust’s royal lineage remains safe, I was unable to do so before and Grust greatly suffered for it. Prince Yubello and Princess Yumina were kidnapped and King Ludwik was forced to fight for Dolhr. I don’t wish for the same to occur again.”

You remain silent as you process the information.

“I didn’t wish for you to become involved in my own selfish desires; forgive me.”

“Your desires are my own desires.” You grab Zeke’s hand. “So what will we do.”

“When we land, we’ll need to gather intel on the situation. From there, we can figure out a course of action. But for now, refer to me as Sirius.” Zeke places his mask on as he says this.

“So mysterious,” You laugh before kissing him, causing Zeke to blush.

“The storm has subsided, so we only have one day left.” You sigh in gratitude from the moment of freedom coming soon.

Archanea’s air is much more crisp than Valentia’s; the port does not reflect such a nice weather, everyone holed up in their homes. With Archanea ahead of you and Zeke by your side, he cups your chin as he gazes into your eyes. “Are you ready my sweet?”

- - - 

Robin didn't want to tell everyone, at least not at first. She only wanted to tell Chrom. Naga knew that would be hard enough without adding everyone else into the mix.

About an hour or two after it happened, Robin found Chrom in the mess tent. He was sitting in the back corner, the table in front of him scattered with maps.

"And you call me a workaholic," Robin said, plopping down beside him. 

He laughed. "I'm just drawing up the route for tomorrow's march while I wait for dinner to be served." 

Robin nodded, peering over his shoulder at the map. Normally she would offer her opinion but she was too nervous to focus on anything besides what she had to say.

"There's....something I need to tell you, Chrom." 

"Oh? What's going on?" He asked, turning to face the tactician. "You sound nervous about something."

Before Robin could answer, she was interrupted by the sound of the Shepherds entering the mess tent. 

"I'll tell you later," she said, standing up.

As she turned to walk away, Chrom grabbed her hand and that was when...

Robin was dead.

That was the only thought running through his mind as he stood and listened to the other Shepherds speak of her sacrifice.

When his turn to say something came, he just couldn't. Had he opened his mouth, he would have burst out crying instead.