Characters: Cain, Abel

Prompt: At the start of the war, Cain & Abel discover where they will be stationed. Version 1.


"Wake up! Come on, we'll be late for our assignments." Cain gently roused the sleeping Abel, who groaned in protest before sitting up.

"Only you could be so excited about being told something you already know. We're…." A yawn interrupted Abel's sentence as he blinked sleep away from his bright green eyes. "You know we're probably going to be castle guards."

"I know, but still!" Cain had already started to pull on his tunic, and was fully dressed by the time Abel's feet hit the floor. He let out a load groan of annoyance, grabbing the green-haired man's arm and pulling him to his feet.


Not long after waking, the two were fully dressed and fed, rushing their breakfast in anticipation for what was to come. They wouldn't be told at the same time; each soldier was individually assigned, but they had promised to meet back in their room afterwards to share the results.

At 17, puberty had treated Abel nicely, and he was already shaped into a fine young man with a handsome face; deep dimples formed in his cheeks when he smiled. His forest green hair and dark complexion was the opposite of his partner; the pale redhead was a bit of a late bloomer. Only months younger, Cain's face often looked boyish, especially when he got excited, which was often. Abel had been taller than Cain for the entire time they'd known each other, save for the past three months, after the latter had hit a small growth spurt. He now towered an entire inch over Abel, and made sure to mention this as often as possible.

The duo walked down the hall quickly, trying to contain their anticipation and keep calm as they met up with the other novice knights. They soon went their separate ways, but not after sharing one last grin.


Cain had made it back to the room first. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he stared seemingly at nothing, brow furrowed as if he was thinking hard. It was strange for him to have such a serious look.

He jumped at a sudden noise; Abel had burst into their shared room, beaming. The latter's position that had been announced to him had been one he never expected. "Can you believe it? I'm protecting Prince Marth—what an honor!" Abel couldn't keep the smile off his face, ecstatic at his assignment. Still, he had noticed Cain's silence, and it was only when he approached the bed did he see the strange expression that decorated the redhead's face. "What's wrong? Did you get stuck on castle guard duty after all?"

Cain didn't answer immediately. When he finally did, his words were emotionless, and he didn't meet Abel's gaze. "I'm being stationed in Gra."

"Oh." The words were like a slap in the face; Abel's smile faded. They'd known this was a possibility, of course, but he'd never imagined the separation to be so… drastic.

"Yeah."

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow." Cain still didn't lift his gaze from the ground. There was silence, and then to Cain's surprise, a hand appeared in front of his face. He finally looked up to see Abel's outstretched arm.

"They're letting you on the front lines with those dull skills? Come on, I think you could use a refresher." His joking tone was a far cry from the previous seriousness, but his offer for one last sparring session worked to break the tension.

After a moment of confused silence, a smile spread on Cain's face as well; it seemed that Abel always knew what to say to cheer him. The redhead accepted his partner's hand, getting to his feet. He was halfway out the door when he turned, a smirk on his face. "Race you to the courtyard."

"You're on." Abel was running before the words were even out of his mouth.


"I guess this is it, then."

The day before had passed too quickly, and now Cain stood opposite of his partner, outside on the warm summer day. His horse was waiting nearby, but the redhead was lingering behind, saying final goodbyes. Abel only nodded in response. They were both trying to keep a cheery tone; it was too easy to forget that they would be indefinitely separated only minutes in the future.

"How about a kiss for good luck?" Playful laughter followed his joke as Abel punched him on the arm, and he overdramatically nursed it. "Hint taken. Another shot like that and you'll have me in the infirmary before I can even see Gra's banner."

"I don't think the Great Bull could get taken down so easily," Abel teased back, using the nickname that Cain had managed to acquire through their training days; a fitting one, too.

Cain grinned. "If I come back, I want a rematch." The redhead had won their first spar from the day before but lost the second; they were so evenly matched that a win/lose pattern always alternated between them.

"You mean when you come back."

Cain's smile faltered for just a second; Abel caught the small flicker of uncertainty that flashed in his partner's auburn eyes. "That's what I said."

There was silence, and short buildup of tension once more, but Cain broke it, changing the subject.

"If there's so much as a hair out of place on Prince Marth's head when I return, I'm holding you personally responsible."

This caused Abel to laugh; with all of the excitement around Cain's assignment, he'd forgotten about his own station. It wasn't much more interesting than being a castle guard, but at least he got to be a close subordinate of Prince Marth. Of course, there was no danger in the castle, he reminded himself. Any fighting was being done far away from Altea.

Their laughter died down after another moment. Other soldiers were moving all around them, getting prepared for their own stations; the atmosphere was filled with miscellaneous noises—swords clinking and men shouting—but the silence between Cain and Abel returned. Time was running out, and neither was willing to let it.

Finally, Cain spoke again. "It's time for me to leave." He gave a glance over his shoulder; the other soldiers in his platoon were already gathering. He started to turn to join them, but before he could really move, Abel's arms were suddenly slung around him. He instinctively returned the hug, buying his face in his partner's soft green hair.

"Please be safe," Abel whispered, pressing his face into Cain's shoulder.

Cain tightened his grip for a moment, holding on to his partner as if he was afraid that the other would slip out of his grasp. "I'll see you soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise."