Here have dollop of Naesala angst and witness the beginning of his and Tibarn's special relationship.

Warning: language

Disclaimer: I do not own or make any money from Fire Emblem.

Of Moonlit Thoughts

Or Why Naesala Came to Like Tibarn

Naesala stared out the window, lost in thought. The moon was full and shining off the trees. With the bright moonlight, Naesala could still see. He could even see the dark, foreboding blob of Duke Tanas' villa. The thought that Reyson would see it every fucking day made his insides twist. Just like his insides had twisted when he'd sold the heron prince away. But he still couldn't look away.

Sprawled on the bed behind him was a sleeping Reyson, achingly beautiful. Tibarn was absent – away on royal business, meeting with Sanaki or something. So for a couple of days it had just been him and Reyson. The trust Reyson gave him almost hurt. He didn't deserve it. He wasn't worthy of Reyson's trust.

The door creaked behind him and Naesala turned.

"Huh. You're awake." Tibarn said. He walked up to him.

"So?" Naesala asked defensively. One of Tibarn's hands came up to rest on his shoulder.

"What were you thinking about?" Tibarn's voice was strangely soft – gentle. Wrong.

"Nothing." Naesala shrugged Tibarn's hand off and went back to staring out the window.

"If it was nothing, crow, then you wouldn't be awake. Obviously something is bothering you and I for one would like to resolve it before Reyson wakes up." At Tibarn's words Naesala froze. He huffed softly in annoyance. Reyson would worry himself sick if he thought something was bothering Naesala.

"I was just wondering, your Highness, why you chose this room, when it overlooks... that villa." Naesala muttered. He felt Tibarn pause behind him and then strong warm arms were wrapping loosely around his waist.

"You regret it." Tibarn stated.

"I regretted it when I did it. Much as you and your cronies may like to pretend I'm all bad, a part of me couldn't believe I was selling Reyson to that... that mound of suet." Naesala admitted.

"So why did you?" Tibarn asked, still strangely gentle.

"Because ravens don't have friends. And I suppose part of me didn't particularly want to face the repercussions if I didn't sell him. The pile of suet was aware of the blood contract my idiot of a father made, so it wouldn't have been hard for him to set the destruction of Kilvas in motion." Naesala replied, the words sliding off his tongue like so much ice, just to smash against the floor.

"I see. I can't say I forgive you, Naesala. But I think I'm closer to understanding." Tibarn murmured into his neck.

"For what it's worth, I intended to let him keep Reyson for no more than a week. And of course, Nealuchi would go running to you. Even if he hadn't, well, I would have told you. And then you'd go running off to save him and I'd be blame free."

"How so? Wouldn't the duke have realised?"

"Please, give me some credit. The man was obsessed with beauty. So obsessed he could barely see beyond it – if you'd burst into his home and ripped everyone apart to save Reyson, his dying thoughts would have been something about not letting a scarred hawk steal away his most beautiful heron. I of course, appreciate the scars."

"Feel better?"

"I suppose."

"Still doesn't get you off the hook for Phoenicis." Tibarn muttered.

"Mmm, doesn't it? Well in that case, Tibarn, feel free to punish me however you see fit."

"Flirting will get you nowhere. Now, come to bed and tomorrow we can sort out any lingering doubts of yours."

"You know what I really hate? I hate that I'm so comfortable in my own feathers around you. What will the other ravens think of me?"

"Carry on like that and I really will punish you, crow."

"I can't wait."

Oh Naesala, you naughty crow you.

Rethira