#siblingfaunus

Jaune had been on a mission with his upperclassman as part of a tutoring program. Obsidian was a good guy; blind or not, Jaune was glad he’d been paired up with him. The mission had been easy, since Obsidian was incredibly strong. It hadn’t taken long to finish their objectives and start heading back to Vale.

That was when a freak snowstorm had left them stranded.

And horribly, horribly cold. Because it had been such a short trip Obsidian hadn’t packed much of anything though. The only reason why Jaune had brought any camping gear was due to paranoia.

But what was the old adage? Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance? Jaune was glad that he’d brought along a sleeping bag.

And Jaune wasn’t the sort to let someone freeze while he was nice and toasty. After a little nagging, Obsidian had joined him. The older boy was smaller than him, and Jaune found it comfortable with him resting in his arms. Jaune loved to rest while holding those he liked.

“Lady Ebony...” The teen’s mouth formed a frown, the words cutting deep into his chest.

“I...” He gritted his teeth, low voice rumbling as he took a deep breath. He could feel the weight of his thoughts press down against his throat, begging for release and recognition.

“I promised myself that I would never abandon a friend in need.” His deep voice shakes as he tightly balls up his right hand, eyes narrowing. “That I would always, no matter what, act in their best interest or do as they needed: life is far too short for disagreements on if I can do something.” The silver suited teenager steps away, the flame in his eyes burning bright.

“You’ve been distant and cold and I’ve tried my best to mend what I could, or a-at least try with what little I know!” He slams his fist into a tree, feeling Aura patch up the scrapes on his hand as he pulls away, the vibration from the punch shaking the ground for just a moment.

He gives his hand a quick shake, plucking out some splinters with grunts. “If you want me to leave, then consider it done.”

The redhead gazed at the boy, lips forming a small frown; whatever he was going through, it made his usual state of ‘freshly baked cinnamon roll’ turn into ‘slightly stale cinnamon roll’.

Well, just follow Morio’s advice. Respect’em. He’ll come around.

“Alright; but if you ever feel like you can’t, you’ve got more than just your sis, got that?” The teen hesitated, outstretching her arms slowly and starting to walk toward him.

Chrom took a second before holding onto the taller girl’s hands, softly pressing his face against her chest. “Ebony...” His smile could be felt through her clothes as he nestled closer.

“I’m so glad to be alive...if I were to relive this life, I would do so without hesitation a thousand times over.” His thumbs lightly traced circles around the back of her hands as he continued.

“A thousand different versions of myself...perhaps one would be a musician, living out a life without having to take up arms. Another might work at my parents’ shop, helping them with sales and management. I might have become a blacksmith in another life, and in another life, I might just be a normal boy, without the strength and abilities I have now.” A chuckle escaped his mouth as he eased up on the nuzzle, looking up at the third year, eyes brimming with confidence.

A gentleman doesn’t ask why. If a lady rejects you, you should take it in stride.

Chrom silently bit his lower lip, eyes shut as he turned away from Ebony; she’d enjoyed his company. They’d fought together, they’d helped the other survive...and now she was rejecting him.

...But a person doesn’t leave others to suffer.

Chrom sat down in his chair, quietly staring at Ebony and the plates of food in front of him.

...And then he cracked a half-smile. And then that smile got bigger, and his laugh could hardly be contained; it grew larger as she insisted that it wasn’t poisonous, a hearty, long laugh the likes of which he’d not had in quite some time.

“Oh...oh, Ebony. Just because I eat meat, doesn’t mean I find vegetable curry poisonous...” His voice was breathy as he slowly opened his eyes, sniffling as he regained his composure, large smile still on his face. “I know you’re a little self-conscious about my eating meat when you cook...but it’s okay.” The musician outstretched his hand to gently press against hers.

“I love just about anything you cook; you’re a good chef, as I’m sure I’ve told you...so please. Relax.” He took a forkful of the curry with some...wait, was this jasmine rice? And this scent...unmistakable, that was fresh saffron.