Yay! This is for @chibichangas I'm your Secret Santa this year! As I don't have any games other than RF4 I went with Forte and Leon. I hope you like it! Happy Holidays! Title: Sweater Weather Game: Rune Factory 4 Pairings: FortexLeon, FreyxDylas Gift for: @chibichangas Type: Fiction Rating: G ------------ “Kiel!” Forte’s voice echoed across the courtyard. “What are you wearing?!” “Leon said that-” Forte’s breath came out in a huff and she spun on her heal heading towards the Bell Hotel. She couldn’t believe that Kiel had once again fallen for whatever that charlatan had told him. She couldn’t believe that he had convinced her little brother to wear that, to wear. A small scream left her mouth and she burst into the hotel, storming up towards Leon’s room. “Leon!” She called. “Leon how could you have him wearing that?!” “Well, sweet knight.” Leon replied as he nonchalantly leaned against the open door of his room. “You yelled at me when he tried to mimic the fact that I wear no shirt, so I found one that would suit him better.” “B-but did it have to be that?!” Leon’s laughter echoed around them. “It’s not anything harmful.” He shrugged and went back to his room. “And the sweater will keep him warm on his adventures surely you want that.” Her cheeks glowed red and she growled before she stormed back out. All around town as she patrolled she heard people mutter and laugh. She didn’t know if it’s because of Kiel’s sweater, or because their regular lives brought them laughter. But it haunted her. With each round of her route her frustration grew. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore and she fled to Margret’s house. Discarding her sword and armour carefully she crawled into her best friends bed and hid. She wouldn’t escape the sweater at home, she saw how proudly Kiel had worn it. And really it was a gift in this cold for her brother to have something so warm to wear. But did it have to have that on it. Eventually Meg came home and seeing her distressed friend, she crawled in bed behind her and hugged her. “Oh Forte, what’s wrong? You haven’t come to hide with me for such a long time.” Meg’s voice was soft as she rubbed her friends back. “H-have you seen my brother today?” Forte’s own voice was quiet and weak. “Have you seen that horrible sweater?” Meg smiled as she hugged her friend tighter. She had seen the sweater, had seen the smiles that Kiel wore as he strutted around town. How happy he was to show off his beloved new sweater. No wonder Forte was in such a state, Meg was certain that what was splayed across the front so boldly would have set her off and have her flustered as soon as she saw it. She had been hoping that Kiel hadn’t yet come across his sister. “It’s not that bad of a sweater Forte.” Meg consoled. “It doesn’t even say anything mean on it. What has you so upset over it?” “H-how can Leon and Kiel not be embarrassed over it?!” Forte wailed as she hid her head deeper under Meg’s pillows. “I-it’s just so embarrassing!” Margaret sighed and rubbed her friends back some more. Maybe she should get Frey to bring over some hot chocolate and a nice chocolate cake. Her friend had been so excited to show off her new confection and Forte would feel better for the sweets. Yes, that’s what she would do. Slowly she slid out from behind Forte’s hidden form and slipped her boots back on. “Meg?” Forte’s voice trembled softly. “Don’t worry I’m not going far. Just to get something for us to drink.” Meg soothed as she walked towards the door. “I won’t be a minute even.” As she softly closed the door of her house behind her, Margaret’s smile turned on full force. So Leon was finally taking some of the girls’ advice and making a move. Perfect. With a manic grin she booked it towards the castle, Frey would love to hear about this. “Frey! Frey!” Margaret’s voice was frantic and excited. “Do you have any of that chocolate cake left? Any hot chocolate?” Frey peaked her head outside, her minty eyes blinking quickly. “Yeah, I have lots. What’s up Meg?” Her voice was worried. “Is something wrong?” “He did it!” Margaret waved her arms happily. “He made a move and she’s frantic.” Frey’s face split into a giant grin that matched Margret’s. “Your house?” She questioned but she was already shutting the door and running back to get the cake and hot chocolate. “Yup! See you soon!” Meg’s voice rang out through the door before she too ran back to her home. Inside the princess’s rooms Dylas looked up from the cook book he was reading as he lounged on her bed. “Was that Meg?” He questioned as he watched Frey run around the room in a fluster, picking up random clothing and pulling it on while searching for a missing boot. “Is something wrong?” “Yes, it was Meg.” Her head popped up over the side of the bed and she grinned at him. “Darling? Would you mind going and packing up some of the chocolate cake and getting some hot chocolate ready?” Just as quickly her head was back under the bed as she muttered about dumb boots walking off on their own. Dylas nodded and slipped from the bed padding his way to the little kitchen she had made in the backroom. “But is there anything wrong?” He asked worriedly as he tried to figure out how much cake to send with her. “No, Forte’s just in a little bit of a panic over the sweater Kiel was wearing today and Meg needs chocolate as back up.” Frey responded as she hopped into the room pulling on her boot. If Forte was involved then, he packed up the whole cake. That might be enough. With a smile Frey leaned over and kissed Dylas’ cheek as she scooped up the cake and hot chocolate he had set out for her. “Thanks darling! I’ll be back as soon as we calm Forte down.” And with that she sped out the door, and Dylas wondered if she would notice that she had stolen his jacket. Probably not. Frey tentatively knocked on Meg’s door and waited until she was called in. Carefully opening the door and maneuvering through it she shut it behind her with her foot. The picture on the bed almost made her laugh but she held it together for Forte’s sake. Forte was huddled at the foot of Meg’s bed with the blankets pulled up around her and over her head as Meg sat beside her and softly pet her hand. “I bring offerings?” Frey’s voice was soft and she held the cake out towards the bed. Forte nodded and Meg waved her over. Settling on the bed Frey placed the cake between them before pulling the hot chocolate out of the bag Dylas had put it in for her, along with three forks. He really was a sweetie. She handed out the forks and drinks before sitting back and watching Forte. The girl had already drank deeply from her mug and was attacking the cake in front of her. “So, Forte, what exactly about this is so bad?” Meg’s voice was soft and cajoling. Forte stiffened her fork hanging from her lips. “He didn’t just talk to me.” Her voice was quiet as she stared down at the cake. “He didn’t talk in private, he used my little brother!” With a soft wail she went back to eating the cake as Meg and Frey looked at each other. Good, it wasn’t the fact that he had acted that upset her, but how he had gone about it. Now if they could convince her to act then this whole charade would be over with. Though seeing them together would be quite fun. “Well, then why don’t you tell him that?” Frey asked as she sipped from her cup. “In my experience boys aren’t very smart when it comes to these things.” Both girls looked up at the princess whose cheeks were slightly pink. “I mean remember Dylas’ attempts and how well those went?” The girls laughed together and Forte nodded. “He made you cry.” She said waving her fork around. “He should have just came out and said something.” Frey smirked at Forte before stealing the bite of cake off her fork. Forte’s eyes went wide before she glared at the princess in mock anger. “At least Leon is trying to learn from my cute idiots mistakes.” Frey shrugged taking a deep drink of the lovely hot chocolate. Dylas really was a wonderful cook and he made an excellent teacher. “But he messed it all up.” Meg said rubbing Forte’s back. “You know how much he likes to tease everyone, especially you.” “I say you grab him, drag him somewhere quiet.” Frey looked evilly at Meg. “Where Meg and I will make sure you aren’t disturbed like what they did to me,” Meg looked mildly ashamed and smiled sheepishly around her bite of cake. “And chew him out for making such a huge deal of it, punch him, then kiss him.” Forte was nodding along with Frey’s plan until the end, then her eyes went wide and her cheeks bloomed into a bright ruby red. “K-kiss him?!” She squeaked and Frey nodded. “I mean, if you don’t object to the fact that he made the sweater, just that it was so public tell him off for that but don’t make him feel like his feelings are worthless.” Frey said as she nodded sagely. “They aren’t worthless!” Forte’s voice was quick. “B-but how do I just?” She waved her hands around in the air frantically. Meg smiled softly and hugged her friend. “That’s why you have us.” And Frey nodded along with the sentiment. Two days after the Attack of the Sweater, which Frey had cleverly hid from Kiel but replaced it with one that looked exactly the same just without what upset his sister on it, Forte once again burst into the Bell Hotel and stormed up the stairs to Leon’s room. “There she goes again Mama.” Xiao Pai said as she watched after Forte’s angry form. “They should just get together yes?” With nods both Xiao Pai and Lin Fa went back to work as more customers came in. Yelling ensued from upstairs and Forte came storming back downstairs, this time dragging a chagrined and mildly scared looking Leon behind her. She was muttering furiously and had a tight grip around the man’s wrist. “Let’s not follow and get scolded by Forte too hmm?” Lin Fa said as Xiao Pai tried to sneak out after them. “Unless you would like to get scolded by her?” Xiao Pai froze and slowly walked backwards back towards the counter. “No, that’s okay.” Xiao Pai said as she slinked back behind the counter and smiled at the next customer in line. “I would much rather stay and be with you anyways Mama.” Lin Fa smiled down at her daughter and nodded. “That’s what I thought.” Forte continued to storm through the town, people moving out of her way quickly, towards the lake. Frey and Margaret had promised they would keep people away. And she was so focused on getting to the lake, she didn’t take into account that she was dragging Leon through the crowds quite publicly. Quickly she drug him towards the lake, Meg and Frey waving at her from the front the Clinic as they sat with Dolce and Pico drinking tea. Unassumingly on guard for her and she appreciated it. As they reached the lake side she spun on him. “Now, you listen to me.” She waved her finger in his face. “That was a horrible prank to play on me via my brother.” A blush stole over her cheeks but she blustered on. “How you could make him wear a sweater with that on it?” She frowned at him and she started to pace. “You pick on me all the time but to use my brother to do it now? That’s low Leon. He looks up to you so much.” “A joke?” Leon’s voice was soft. “Did you really see it as a joke?” “It had to have been. If not you would have come and seen me personally, told me instead of letting the whole town know before me.” Her voice trembled. “Or maybe I knew you would run so I had to confront you in a different way.” His voice was soft. “Well it was stupid!” She fussed and stalked up to him. Her fist pulled back quickly and smashed him right in the face. Leon stumbled back shocked looking at her in confusion. “If you didn’t like it you didn’t have to-!” In the middle of his mini rant she grabbed him and smashed her lips to his before pushing him away. “Next time, don’t use a sweater that says ‘Loving Forte is my forte!’ with your own face winking on it.” She said. “Just tell me. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a patrol to do.” And with that she stormed back towards the town, her face a flaming red. Behind the tree Meg and Frey high fived as they saw Leon sit down in a daze with dumb grin on his face. As soon as he snapped out of it they would take him see Nancy. But for now, they would let him sit in the glow of Forte’s kiss.
