#zelai

Ivy/Zelkov

Ivy/Louis

Ivy/Alfred

Ivy/Panette

Ivy/Kagetsu

Ivy/Diamant

Ivy/Alcryst

Ivy/Rafal

Ivy/Mauvier

Ivy/M!Alear

Ivy/Timerra

It seems like a lot of people watch Ivy and Zelkov's C support and go "I guess they hate each other for no reason" and don't consider it more than that. They're both very emotionally closed off people, so they can never just say what they mean. (These are the only two that, when engaged with Sigurd, replace the word "love" with "feeling" in "If this love is a crime...") You have to read between the lines a bit to catch the shifts in their dynamic. I wrote about my interpretation of their support chain here and how the whole reason Ivy dislikes Zelkov is because she thinks he doesn't like her (and she really wants him to like her). But there are a few other things I'd like to highlight from their supports.

Ivy is the only one who ever gives Zelkov a gift. (Put a pin in that thought.) Zelkov frequently makes and gives things to other people, but Ivy is the only one we see reciprocate. In return for the headache medicine, she gives him a paintbrush which shows that she's made an effort to learn about his interests.

The only time I can think of where Zelkov is at a loss for words is when Ivy praises him. When she says that she respects him for his honesty, (And taking into consideration her upbringing, it's easy to imagine why honesty would be so important to her) it goes like this: Ivy: […] I admit I appreciate your honesty. Many in your position would flatter or lie. You speak your mind. I respect that. Zelkov: I, uh… Ivy: Did you… have something more to say? [Note that she is making an embarrassed, hands covering her cheeks gesture here.] Zelkov: Apologies, Princess Ivy. The sentiment merely surprised me. I will take my leave and attend to my other duties. Rest well.

I mean I guess you could come up with reasons why this exchange is platonic, but like... Zelkov: I hope you will never hesitate to delegate any task to me. I would die for you, my liege, and gladly. Ivy: Gladly? Despite your lack of fond feelings toward me? Zelkov: My feelings… may have changed. [Then of course he immediately backpedals.] I now think of you as an acceptable liege.

I will never get over the way he says "I would die for you..."

Should I bring up the fact that Zelkov considers serving Ivy to be his (current) purpose in life? "So long as I am your retainer, so long as there is work to do… I have a purpose."

Let's move on to the main game itself when we first meet the Ivy Trio as enemies. In both of Zelkov's retreat quotes he talks about returning to Ivy. In chapter 9 when Ivy stays to fight Alear despite assuming it will mean her death, she gives him and Kagetsu the opportunity to leave. Zelkov makes the conscious decision to stay with her. He chooses to defend her knowing that he will most likely die because of it. Of course Kagetsu does too (and we love him for it), but right off the bat we see that Ivy cares enough about her retainers to let them go, and they stay because they care about her. Zelkov is with Ivy because he chooses to be.

I don't know how common this is with other lord/retainer pairs, but Zelkov brings Ivy up in conversation multiple times. After chapter 19 his Somniel quote is "The spectacle at Givre Port was disturbing even to me. I am concerned for Princess Ivy." When you return to Elusia Castle, his exploration quote is "The castle has become quite a lonely place. I am concerned about the effect on my liege." In his bond conversation with Marth he says "Fighting for Princess Ivy gives me relief [from emptiness]."

Half of Zelkov's A support with Kagetsu is them talking about Ivy and Zelkov as a unit. Ivy also asks Zelkov to paint the portrait of the three of them, so it's easy to imagine it happening after their own A support. All of Kagetsu's A support could be taken as platonic but Ivy and Zelkov clearly have built up some kind of close relationship where he is aware of her thoughts and feelings.

Now let's move on the the Fell Xenologue. I've talked about it before, but there is a special dialogue between Zelkov and Fell Ivy that's very different between the original Japanese and English translation. You can read the whole comparison here. (And if anyone can confirm this is an accurate translation I would love it.) In the English version, Fell Ivy calls him her "favorite retainer" and says they'll have to catch up after the battle. In the Japanese version it goes something like this: Fell Ivy: Zelkov!? Ah… It can’t be… If this is a dream let me not wake. If this is a spell then don’t let it break! To think I could see the retainer I love so much once again. Come, you can indulge in my beauty and give me all your love just like before! Zelkov: What on earth…? Did Princess Ivy just say she loves me…? It appears the two of you had a dizzyingly sweet relationship, but I move based on the orders from my own world’s Princess Ivy. I can’t listen to your requests. So Fell Ivy and her Zelkov were in a relationship, and our Zelkov does not react like a man who hates the idea. "Dizzyingly sweet..."

Most recently (which is what kind of inspired me to finally make this post) we have the paralogue in Fire Emblem Heroes where Ivy and Zelkov interact. You can find a transcript here. The most relevant part is after Zelkov gives a (very thoughtful) present to Camilla. Ivy: It is considerate of you. What made you think of such a thing, Zelkov? Zelkov: It is only natural, as a servant to my master, to show the utmost respect for the Hero beside Lady Ivy. Alfred: Don't worry, Princess Ivy, it looks like he also has a present for you! I saw it alongside a gift for Kagetsu. Zelkov: Prince Alfred, is it time to go for a run? I will run alongside you, so let us depart posthaste. Alfred: Uh, I didn't plan on it, but—Hey! Quit pulling me, Zelkov! Ivy: Hm… Camilla: It seems it's just the two of us now. You must be looking forward to a gift from your loyal servant. Ivy: I think nothing of it. Though, I suppose I should prepare something for him in return. So Zelkov gives Camilla a gift just because she's with Ivy. Alfred at least seems to interpret Ivy's reaction as jealousy. When he points out that Zelkov got a present for her too, Zelkov gets really embarrassed and runs off, whereas he had been totally fine giving Camilla hers. Then when Camilla says Ivy must be looking forward to the gift, she replies "I think nothing of it." The only two reasons I can think of for that reply is that she hates him for no apparent reason or she has feelings that she doesn't want to express. (If you can think of a third explanation let me know.) Then, she says "I suppose I should prepare something for him in return." Once again, Ivy is the only one who thinks of giving Zelkov a gift.

Having this be voice acted would probably make the intention clearer, but even trying my best to be objective, it's hard for me to see a non-shippy reason why Zelkov would run off when he's usually confident in talking to people. And Ivy's response is either ice cold or a coverup. I don't know how canon people take FEH to be, but it still feels like someone was implying some romantic feelings to me.

Could some of this have a completely platonic explanation? Yes. Does it matter if my ship is "canonical?" Not at all. (I ship them based on their personalities and drama potential, which I could do it's own post on) But taken all together, there's enough implication there for me to think that someone at IS is shipping them, and I thank that person.