Title: Babysitting Duty

Genre: Humor/Romance

Shippings: Hinted Laslow/f!Kamui, Odin/Selena

Words: 878

Warnings: Ylisse trio being idiots

Author's Notes: After getting Xander and Laslow's C support... this little idea popped into my head. On the short side, but I've been struggling with writer's block for a while, so I'm happy with this.

Of all things Kamui had expected to become because of this war... a babysitter was not one of them.

She had been in the middle of inspecting the weapons with Silas when Felicia came and told her that Xander had requested her presence. Expecting something serious, since this was Xander after all, she had immediately headed off to meet with her brother. However, it turned out it wasn't that serious, but the favor he asked couldn't exactly be refused.

So here she was, heading into town, stuck babysitting Laslow, who was apparently under house arrest for his pitiable philandering attempts every time he saw someone in a skirt.

Ugh… How did she even land herself in this irritable situation? Oh yes, she was a good little sister who didn't want to disappoint her big brother.

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. Of all people to be stuck with…

"Milady? You've been scowling for ten minutes straight."

That just made her scowl harder as she was forced to stop internally groveling about the situation. She needed to make the best of this somehow. They had just reached town. Perhaps she could go shopping. The army was running a little short on potions… She could look at some weapons while they were here, as well.

"Never mind that," she said curtly. "Now that we're here, I want to get a few things straight—you're to be on your best behavior. If you so much as smile at a female, we're going back to the castle, and I'm telling Xander."

Laslow let out a bit of a nervous laugh, but his hands remained clasped behind his back in his usual posture. "Ah, so I can't even smile at you, milady? Such a tragedy."

Cue another scowl. "Where would you like to go, Laslow?"

Thankfully, he seemed to grasp that she wasn't about to play games with him, and did not continue the useless banter. "I usually stop by the tavern for a drink."

"Very well, we shall go to the tavern," Kamui said. "But remember—no philandering."

"Your wish is my command," Laslow declared, but not before giving her an elaborate, sweeping bow.

Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, she turned her back to him and once again began to walk deeper into the village.

Gods… Why did it have to be her? Camilla would have been a much better choice. She would have no problem terrorizing Laslow into behaving. But maybe that was exactly why Xander had requested that Kamui do it. As much as she loved her big sister… Camilla could go overboard sometimes.

Well… this would definitely be an interesting story to share with Aqua later in the evening.

Within a few minutes, the duo had walked all the way to the tavern. It was a modest sized building that was probably once a residence at some point. Laslow must have been feeling exceptionally chivalrous, because he stepped forward to open the door. But before his hand could even reach the door knob, it opened.

Kamui was ready to make apologies to whoever they had awkwardly bumped into, but it was none other than Odin and Selena. They all seemed to be mutually surprised, but Laslow seemed to recover first… and he just had to open his mouth.

"Well well well, look what we have here," he drawled, before flashing a mischievous grin and giving a playful wink to his friends. "Odin, Selena, what a pleasant surprise. Fancy meeting you two here, together, just the two of you."

"What are we doing here?! What are you doing here?!" Selena demanded as her look of surprise darkened into her usual scowl. "And with Lady Kamui, much less!"

Kamui opened her mouth to speak, lest this turn into one huge misunderstanding, but Odin let out a melodramatic gasp, signaling he was about to begin yet another performance.

"Could it be… fate has drawn us here?!" Odin gasped. "Our paths crossing can be no mere coincidence… Yes… It was meant to be… Four heroes meet to converge in a romantic rendezvous of conquest and fate!"

"Wait… You got a date with Selena?!" Laslow demanded like that was most important thing out of everything Odin had said.

"Gods, I'm surrounded by idiots," Selena groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"...Actually, Xander asked me to accompany Laslow to town to make sure he stays out of trouble," Kamui said, trying not to cringe at the mere concept of her going out with Laslow in that way.

"Fate does not swing in your favor today, my friend," Odin said, shaking his head regrettably.

"Don't remind me," Laslow groaned.

"...Right," Kamui said, trying to fight the urge to sigh again. "We shouldn't keep you here. We were just going inside for a drink."

"Don't cause Lady Kamui any trouble," Selena warned, giving her fellow mercenary a glare.

A few more words were exchanged before parting, and Kamui made a mental note to ask Selena how she dealt with Laslow if this became a recurring thing. And knowing her brother… it most likely would. At least until Laslow was taken off house arrest.

"Well, shall we head inside, milady?" Laslow inquired.

Kamui managed to force a smile—albeit a strained one. "Yes, we shall."