Event: Edgar Birthday Countdown
Pairing: Iris x Edgar
A/N: plumpblueberry requested this from the Touches Event that is still open! I thought it worked well for a sweet fic for Edgar! Yes, I know his birthday has long passed but I’m finishing these fics dammit.
“Everyone, please keep moving inward! Down to the designated disaster rooms!”
Central Quarter had spiraled into chaos as the worst storm Cradle had witnessed in years barreled into the plaza. Both armies were surprised by the severity. The storm whisked in from the sea, giving little time for preparation to safely get citizens inside. Violent winds howled through the streets, its battle cry a prelude to its tantrum, thrashing all that was in its path.
Iris used her entire body to hold one door open against the brutal wind. “Edgar, that’s enough. Get inside, both of you!” Her call fell on deaf ears. The Jack struggled with the elderly vendor to secure his stall closed in hopes of protecting the precious contents. Blue irises surveyed the near empty plaza. Only a few soldiers remained, shuffling the last of the citizens indoors.
“Ma’am! There are some unsatisfied with our orders to remain inside instead of patrolling for stragglers.” One of her own approached, a little meek but his gaze shifted to the huddle of Black Army soldiers eyeing her with irritation. The same group she’d reprimanded not so long ago for questioning her orders.
“No. I’ve already dismissed that misguided action. What good will you be to Cradle if you end up injured along with them? Shelter in place until the storm has lessened, that way we can be of use to those who are injured or trapped.” Her words echoed across the lobby with force. The unforgiving storm would make a wannabe hero into a victim. “Instead of standing around like a bunch of gossiping socialites, get those people into the designated shelter rooms.”
With a disgusted expression, the young soldier said, “All due respect, Ten of Hearts,” her title dripping with derision from his tongue, “The personal with the spare keys for the second sub-floor rooms never arrived. They’re locked.” As if that fact made him the superior in the situation.
“Break the damn thing open? Or do you need me to teach you how to do that as well?”
The soldier beside her snickered at the Black Army’s soldiers' crumpled expressions. “I’ll see it done, ma’am.” He saluted, lips still pulling into an amused grin. He’d been assigned to her unit not long ago but had found it to be to his liking.
Her attention returned to her superior. The wind whipped through his brown locks. Edgar tugged the rope hard, fighting the flapping doors closed and securing them with expertise. Only a few drops hit the pavement before sheets of rain poured from the dark clouds. It’s roar joining that of the wind. But she caught a broken cry.
Iris thought she may have imagined it, but she couldn’t go in without a quick survey of the area.
Vision was incredibly low as she ignored her own orders in search of what she thought to be a lost child. They must be close if she could hear it over the storm. Her surroundings lit up with a streak of crystal lightning, and the thunder that followed shook the ground beneath her feet. The storm showed its strength, challenging the earth to stand against it.
Iris rounded the corner of the civic center, uniform utterly soaked. Blue irises squinted, lashes dripping with the water, hazing her vision. “Is anyone-”
Another rattling boom brought a shriek with it. The woman crouched down, peering into a patch of bushes by the side of the building. Deep within, she found a boy no older than five cowering within, clutching a plush toy as his lifeline. “You can come out now. I’ll get you inside.” She offered her hand, chilled rain pelting against her skin.
Pop. Pop.
“Mama says I’m not supposed to go with strangers.”
“That’s very good advice, but I’m sure your mama also told you that you can trust army soldiers, isn’t that right?” She tugged at her soaked white uniform. “I’m Iris, the Ten of Hearts. So come on out-”
His little head shook, nose crinkling. “The Red Army doesn’t allow women to join them. You’re a liar.”
Iris began to remember why she had a dislike for children. They were mouthy, and fickle. They didn’t listen, even when in imminent danger. Her knees sank into the muddy grass as she leaned forward to attempt to grab him. “That’s an old rule. King Lancelot made some recent changes. We have to get inside, come out from there!”
Her fingers grazed his tiny arm, almost reaching him.
“Iris!”
CRACK.
A body tackled against hers with enough force to knock the wind out of her. It was a blur. The world disappeared for a moment, leaving her disoriented. Blinking slowly, she found herself pressed against the ground, leaves of the now uprooted tree tickling against her cheek. The large branch that the smaller one nearly broke off rested against the back of her superior, who’d shielded her from being hit.
“Edgar?” She struggled to move any part of her body, pinned beneath his body. Even though the brunt had been borne by the Jack of Hearts, she could feel herself aching already.
Edgar groaned, shifting his weight to allow her space to slip out. “Thank goodness I made it.” He coughed, blood droplets splattering onto the muddy ground. He peeled himself up, staggering but able to stand. He tested his limbs, nothing seemed to be broken. They were lucky to have only been impacted by that one branch.
She resisted every urge within to check his wounds. Turning back to the bushes, also missed by the uprooted tree, Iris sighed with relief. “Will you come inside with us now?”
The boy had no issue trusting her after the fright he’d been given. The two returned the boy to his grateful mother before going to the infirmary on the main floor at Iris’s request. A locked door gave them absolute privacy. Nothing quite so nefarious or naughty as Edgar might have usually teased. Their uniforms unwearable, lest they wish to catch a cold.
“Sit down, and stop staring at me,” Iris chastised, clad in only her wet undergarments. She scanned the shelves for what she'd need to treat him. Perhaps it would be advantageous to learn a little more first aid.
"I'm positive I can wait until the storm passes." Edgar leaned against the arm of the couch.
Iris signed, hearing what he was insinuating. Of her many areas of expertise, first aid was not one of them. "Do you not trust me?" The question not a serious one. She conceded and abandoned the shelf to return to the warm fire.
Edgar winced, but reached out to grab her, tugging her into his arms. "It's cute when you pout.” His signature grin only graced his lips for a fleeting moment, crumbling into a frown. His cold fingers brushed her warm cheek, careful not to touch the wound lest he hurt her. "You've been hurt."
"It's a scratch. You're the one who got crushed by a tree branch. Probably a broken rib or two." The bruises already forming on his muscular abdomen. She should wrap them but lacked the knowledge to do so. “You’re an idiot.”
“I love you too, Iris.” His features still expressed concern. If he’d been a little faster, if he’d done more to protect her, then she wouldn’t be injured at all. Jade irises focused on the cut, as if he could will the wound to close.
Despite his grunt of pain, he was delighted the moment her lips met his. He pulled her in closer with a gentle jerk, catching her off guard. The two fell back onto the soft cushions of the couch. It was so adorable how hard she tried to hide her feelings.
“Are you trying to hurt yourself further?” Iris couldn’t break free of his hold. Her body weight had to be hurting him. It was irritating that he tended to do as he pleased at all times, but it always made her heart flip in her chest. Besides, who could resist that sweet smile?
“No, I do believe I’m distracting myself from the pain. The only real medicine is touching you.”
Silver tongue.
As if to prove his point, Edgar gingerly traced his fingers up and down her spine, humming to himself. He never tired of feeling her soft skin beneath the pads of his fingertips. She had incredible fighting skill, amazing strength, and yet, she remained oh so soft.
“You’re so unreasonable. We’re on duty.”
“Ah, but I’m not the one thinking naughty thoughts.”
Iris shook her head, smacking her hand against his shoulder as punishment, receiving a grunt from him. “I’ll go check on the soldiers upstairs then-” He was always thinking indecent things.
But Edgar tutted at her, managing to catch her again before she’d completely escaped. It didn’t feel so great moving so quickly, but it was nothing compared to what he’d feel if she left him right now. “Who said you could leave me? I’m injured, remember?”
He sounded much like a wounded puppy begging for its owner to pay attention to it.
“I guess I can stay a little longer.” Iris caved, her back flush against his chest. The fire did warm her cold body, and she did have a weak spot for this puppy side of him, especially with the way he snuggled against her, resting his chin on her shoulder.
Edgar gave her a little squeeze, absently tracing patterns over her stomach. He’d love nothing more than to wind her up, excite her, but the pain did inhibit his ability to do so. Instead, the Jack of Hearts was content simply holding her in his arms while they waited out the storm.
