Five Feelings Fulfilled

Hello, I've recently returned to after almost 2 months of being away. I just don't have the motivation to write…so, as I delay my other stories, I have decided to write a collection of five romantic FE7 oneshots. I cannot guarantee greatness; these are just to get me out of writer's block.

This first fic is about Hector/Florina. I will include in future chapters Fiora/Kent, Eliwood/Ninian, Rath/Lyn, and Louise/Pent, in no specific order. If I change any of these, then you will have to forgive me. :)

Disclaimer for ALL chapters: No, I DO NOT own Fire Emblem or any of its characters, countries, items, or magic. Stop asking.

Strength

"I will do it today," she proposed. "I have to."

Florina lay flat on her uncomfortable cot, staring at the top of the tent. She repeated her fantasies over and over in her head, fantasies in which she could talk "perfectly" and acted as any "normal" female would in the same situation. She had even planned a fluent speech in her head. Everything would work out this time; she knew it.

The excitement, or perhaps anxiety, finally exploded upon her, and she could not lie still. The sun had not risen quite yet; she had hoped to gain another hour of sleep. She could not contain the overwhelming emotions and was forced to toss and turn under her thin blankets. Sitting up in bed, she nearly laughed at the thought of what could happen later in the day. She, the quiet fearful Florina, would talk to him, the bold and reckless Lord Hector. "To finally say something to him…perhaps this can alleviate my problem…," she mused. "At least I…I hope so…"

She tugged on her tight indigo boots and brushed a speck of dirt from her plain pegasus knight uniform. "I will do it today," she repeated.

There he was, sitting on a convenient log just outside of the camp. He slowly moved a whetstone across the surface of his axe, causing a monotonous scraping sound to pierce the air. With each movement, Florina winced. She hid behind a tent, peeking at him from afar to make sure she could approach safely. Each time he slid the stone, she could feel her heart pound faster. It was as if the sound reminded her of an inevitable demise, crushing whatever confidence had come with the morning.

Her legs began quivering until it spread to her entire body. Her stomach constricted in knots, churning and churning until she nearly vomited. As she looked at him, so bored and unaware as he moved the stone upon the weapon, she could not bring herself to move or approach him. It seemed so easy and uncomplicated in her mind…what happened to her bravery?

"I have come this far…I cannot give up now because…because if I do, I might not get another chance, and then…"

The future horrified her. Her gut was still aching, and her aqua eyes formed a shield of tears. "Pull it together, Florina! You are going to walk up to him and say it...go now! This could be the last time…"

Suddenly, with some involuntary movement of her legs, she was before him, quivering…but at least she came that far. "Lord Hector…," she began. She said it smoothly, no wavering.

He glanced up. She nearly fled. "Lord Hector, I wanted to tell you something."

"I'm listening," he replied, returning his eyes to axe and resuming his business. He acted as if he did not care, which only crushed Florina's spirit even more.

"You see, I --"

She paused. She needed to compose herself before bursting out in an episode of ceaseless tears. Her nervousness was gaining momentum every second, ready to overwhelm her. She gulped.

"Yes?" His eyes met hers, though he did not move his head from its lowered position.

"Yes…Lord Hector, I wanted you to know that…that I really a-admire you."

Her face was probably as dark as an apple. "You are so strong and fearless in battle, and I really like that you are so bold sometimes…"

"Uh…" He did not know how to respond to something like that. She had his full attention by now. It was not because his pride, but because he was awed. She was the shiest person in their company, and here she was, trying to speak to him.

"Lord Hector, I j-just wanted you to know that…t-that…I'm trying to change…I just want to be stronger, like you…because I r-really admire that you can be so brave…"

It was the truth. She had been trying harder to be more like him. She wanted to follow his example because she knew that she was so cowardly, so opposite from him.

She did not notice the tear that fell from her watery eyes, but she did not care any more. She did it. She told him! Finally, she could rest knowing that he knew that much about her. She left out the "I like you" portion, but at least with this little step, she was that much closer to revealing what she truly felt.

"Thanks, Florina," he replied. "You know, what you just did proves to me that you aren't weak like you say you are…"

She started to sniffle though she pretended not to hear what he said. "Er…so…," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head nervously. She covered her face with her small hands, attempting to mask tears. Did he make the poor girl cry again?

Standing up, he approached her, putting his hand on her back and tilting his head to see through her masked face. She started to whisper frantically, "I'm sorry…I'm really sorry…I--"

He pried one of her hands from her face. She was smiling. Lord Hector was most certainly confused. "Are you….uhh…"

"I'm sorry…it's just…I feel so relieved to tell you…,"she said quietly, drying the tears with her gloves. However, she could not prevent them from flowing, despite her desperate attempts.

"To basically tell me that…you like me?"

Her face went up in flames, worse than before. There was no point in denying it. "Umm…ye…yes?"

"Well, you don't have to worry…," he whispered, leaning closer to her. "I like you, too."

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next pairing!