Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Fire Emblem characters, nor Fire Emblem itself
Author's Note: Updated a couple mistakes in the story
"Sigh." Gerome was bored. His father had sent him to check on the stables, to check if any of the horses or pegasi had any injuries or anything wrong (both versions of Minerva slept outside the tents of their riders). Wouldn't Morgan, who was the one more intent on becoming a tactician, the one he should have sent?
However, his emotions changed when he saw Lucina caressing one Pegasus. "Hello, Lucina" She did look particularly beautiful, as she carefreely smiled while spending her free time.
"Hello, Gerome. What are you doing here?" Yes, Lucina did look beautiful when she was smiling, moreso if she was looking at him.
"Father sent me to check the horses and pegasi. You aren't going to become another Pegasus Rider, right? You were the one covering me from the enemy arrows last time." Gerome let himself a small smile.
"Not really, I just decided to bond with my mother's Pegasus, as both seem quite attached to the other. In any case, a war council is about to be held. Would you like to attend?"
"Sorry, I'm not much for group activity. I am not one who can deal with plans or speeches, but with death." The wyvern rider had opened up to his parents and his sister, but he still remained a lone wolf to the rest of the army.
"We could take advantage of your moderated opinions, and I think you are underestimating yourself."
"You are a leader that can inspire the others. Though we fight together, our roles are different. I have some training to do, and you a council to attend."
"Farewell then, Gerome. We shall meet in the battlefield."
"You know where to look for me, right by your side. As always"
As Lucina departed, Gerome took a few instants to calm himself by breathing slowly. He intended to be more than friends with her after all. He had to build up the courage to tell her his feelings.
Gerome then exited the stables, and Morgan bumped into him, saying: "Gerome, dad said he wants to meet with you in the sparring fields in a couple hours."
Gerome then asked one thing: "Ok, but sister, where were you last evening?"
Morgan smiled as she said: "Inigo took me out to a nearby village to eat. Dad did give me his permission."
Gerome would have to have a nice chat with Inigo later: "Guard your heart, sister. Inigo is too flirtatious of a man."
Morgan blushed a little, and she said: "But since a few weeks ago, the number of women he talks to has been reduced, and he spends more time with me, even in the battlefield. Now, big brother, I have to get to the war council. Bye!"
Gerome waved his sister off and approached Minervykins. Flying around relaxed him, and made him feel free from destiny. After an hour and a half, the council ended and Gerome saw everyone walking, including his father, walking with his hand around the waist of his mother.
The young man decided to watch over them as they walked around, chatting and smiling to each other. Gerome saw them holding each other delicately as the couple engaged in a kiss by a nearby tree giving them shade. For a moment, Gerome remembered the fierce strength of both his parents, especially when his father demolished a battalion of Walhart's heavy armored knights and generals with a mere bronze sword, killing them all in one or two blows. The couple did pack some muscle for their relatively slim figures. The present Minerva was flying around. The wyvern rider smiled, as he approached the training field when the hour ended.
He saw his father and mother exchange a kiss, and saw her take flight on Minerva. When father and son met, they greeted, picked up a pair of sparring axes. Gerome noticed that his father was holding back a little, lest he broke a rib, or worse, as they sparred. After both ended up sweating, the tactician spoke first: "Well, son, you seem to have matched your mother in strength. Will you be able to surpass me?"
Gerome let a small laugh out, and said: "You can bet on it." He then took a more serious tone, and said: "One thing, why did you send me and not Morgan to the stables? She is the one to become a tactician like you, after all."
"Well, you did have a chat with Lucina over there, right?" His father was smiling, but not the normal smile, one that indicated a further plan.
"Wait, how did you-"
"I suggested Lucina earlier that for her to bond better with her mother, that she should also bond with her Pegasus too."
"And the timing?"
"I assign everyone's duties, don't forget that. By elimination, her best chance would have been then."
"So you are the one that has arranged these private meetings with Lucina?"
"Yes." His father's grin became wider, and Gerome got a little angered over that.
"But what for?"
"You know, people tend to bond over fights. I just granted the both of you the chances for that bond to solidify."
"Are you implying that we've been manipulated into falling in love-"
His father made a "shut up" sound as he saw other people pass nearby. He then resumed, saying: "Any complaints?"
"No, but-" Gerome did like Lucina quite much, even before they reunited after the time travel.
"So over the fact that I've been making it easier, you'll pass up on the chance of marrying her? Having that princess for yourself and do things no other will do with her?"
Gerome blushed as a response, shocked by his father's implications: "So shut up, lest you make me pair her with Yarne or Brady. Or have her cousin and her depart off after the war ends in look for adventure?"
"Are you implying all the couples are, then, manipulations of yours?"
"Yes. I did try to match up Chrom with Cordelia, but seemingly she was too unsure of herself to even try to bond with him. Sumia was the logical choice after that. Sully was too lacking in womanhood for a queen, Maribelle too arrogant, and had I kept waiting, he would either have ended up with Olivia, or worse, a random person!"
"Which means that you forced the things with mother? You-"
"I did not force it. I made it happen. It's no different from a guy flirting with a girl and winning her over. I am deeply in love with your mother and nothing will change that."
Gerome sighed, but then, angered, said: "But then Inigo and Morgan-"
"Don't worry, if Inigo dares break my little daughter's heart, I'll-" Gerome saw his father fully close his fist around the grip of the sparring axe and then letting the entire thing fall to the floor. The grip was fully disfigured, as if it was made of fresh clay.
Gerome then said: "Ok, it's fine. I'll accept your help. But this talk is over." The young man then started walking away, but he felt something thrown at him, and he caught him. A ring? He saw his father smiling? Would he confess and propose to Lucina the next time the two spent alone? Of course, he would.
But there were more urgent things to do first. Now, time to talk with Inigo. If he was gonna date his sister, he'd have to prove himself worthy. Even if his father had already decided on it.