Let Me In

by GrimGrave

"I think you are a beautiful person, Say'ri, and I would call you an equal." She gently took the brunette's hand. "...A friend." Friends – friends, master and servant, immortal and mortal. Equals? No; the princess was nowhere near the Divine Dragon's equal. Only equals could share a love for one another." A oneshot of Say'ri and her devotion and unrequited feelings.

Fire Emblem and all characters associated with the series belong to Nintendo. GrimGrave does not own anything and does not make money for writing fiction.

Their A-Support is too precious. What can I say?

Beta-read by the lovely Supreme Distraction! Thank you so, SO much, love!

–Let Me In–

Silence. Only the sound of the wind was heard as the young, dark-haired princess of Chon'sin ascended the absurdly long, spiralling staircase that lead to the top of the Mila Tree – specifically, to the shrine on top of the tree.

Though the way up was long, the dark-haired woman didn't break a sweat – many a times had she climbed these stairs, and many a times more would she do it in the future; after all, it was part of her self-assigned duty.

And as usual when ascending to the top, the Chon'sin princess forgot about time, for this was as natural as breathing air.

Soon she saw the glimmer of sunlight from the very top, a ray of light that increased as she got nearer, until she stood under the open sky on paved stone, before the shrine.

She loved coming here, and not solely for the view. No, she came for the inhabitant of the shrine the woman who unknowingly pulled the swordmaster's heartstrings:

"Lady Tiki?" she called out. No response. "Lady Tiki, are you here?"

More silence. The raven-haired woman's heart ached and, fearing the worst, she swiftly gripped the pommel of her katana – if anything had happened to her –

"Ah, Say'ri," a voice replied, followed by a short yawn. The princess's body, previously tense, relaxed upon seeing the emerald-haired resident of the shrine: the Divine Dragon, the Voice of Naga. Tiki tiredly rubbed her eyes and stifled another yawn as she greeted the young guardian. "Good day to you."

Gods above, the woman was beautiful: long, emerald hair was tied up into a ponytail that reached just below her shoulders, and her skin was white and flawless. But the thought was swiftly pushed away before Say'ri got too distracted. As a warrior, she had erected walls around her heart to shield her from distractions that could wound her – physical and emotional – but the Manakete always found a way to slip through.

Heavens above, what she wouldn't do to embrace this woman just once…

"I beg forgiveness," the princess quickly said with a bow. "Did I perchance disturb your slumber?"

"It's alright, Say'ri, chances are that I would've slept for too long anyhow." The Manakete offered a kind but tired smile as she stepped outside and immediately shielded her eyes from the sunlight. "And miss out on such a lovely day, too."

"I pray for forgiveness nonetheless, milady. It was not my intention to disturb your peaceful rest!"

Tiki, sighed and replied, "Raise your head, Say'ri. We've known each other for a long time now, and you out of everyone should know that I've already forgiven you by now. If anything, I'm glad you came when you did. Now, what's on your mind, Say'ri?" The Voice of Naga walked out to the grassy patch that surrounded the stony ground of the shrine and sat down on a rock as she beckoned her friend to join her. The warrior-princess complied.

"Milady, you are the one who told me to meet you here the next time you wished to visit the people," the raven-haired woman stated. "Pray tell, did you forget?"

The Manakete didn't respond. Her gaze was directed towards the view of the earth down below – or rather, what could be seen from between the Mila Tree's branches – until she turned towards the princess. "Yes, that's right – I wanted you to accompany me as I befriended the villagers. But I think you might have gotten the wrong idea."

"Wrong idea?" Dark eyebrows knitted with worry. "Have I wronged you, my lady? I fully intend on guarding you until you've reached the haven of your shrine again –"

"And that's where you've misunderstood. I don't want you to stay by my side as my protector." Tiki's expression was gentle. "I want you to come with me as my friend, Say'ri."

Friend. That's right, that's what they were. She remembered that day as if it was only yesterday.

/ "The day draws ever nearer, my lady," Say'ri said as she gazed out at the fields. It was raining. Everyone save for the poor soldiers stuck on guard-duty were inside their tents. She closed the front flap of her tent.

"What day?" the Manakete lazily replied. She was sitting at the low table, enjoying a cup of Chon'sin tea.

"The war's end," the princess stated. "The day peace returns to the land. The day we might return home for good and all." She sat down opposite of the Divine Dragon and poured herself a cup.

Tiki nodded. "Yes. With luck, it will come. But I fear the road we walk is paved with the bones of good people... Of innocents lost."

Say'ri's heart throbbed painfully for a split second, – a memory she'd never forget – but she concealed it and instead calmly sipped on her tea. "Aye and aye again."

"And poor Yen'fay among them," Tiki added, and the swordswoman's heart sank. "Do you grieve for him still?"

Say'ri sighed deeply. Her brother had always protected Say'ri, even to his final breath at her hands. His sacrifice – to defect to the same man who murdered their parents in exchange that his sister would live – would've remained a secret, had Walhart the Conqueror's tactician not appeared and gloatingly spilled the beans.

"…'Twould be false to say the sadness does not haunt me. But my brother met the end he himself chose. I've come to accept it as unavoidable." She sighed heavily. "What's done is done."

"Liar," Tiki stated bluntly.

The gaze she met startled the swordswoman. "M-My lady?!"

The green-haired Manakete was scowling disapprovingly. "Lay down your stoic mask. I know the pain tears at you still. If you are in pain, tell me that you hurt! Let me in, Say'ri."

"...What would you have me say?" Say'ri didn't like where this was going.

The Divine Dragon's hands balled up into fists. "Not that what's done is done! Not that you can forget so easily! Was your bond so feeble that a few weeks marching might erase him from your heart?"

"Enough!" the Chon'sin princess shouted. She got up on her feet, her face twisted in anger and sorrow as memories – good and bad – came flooding back. "What could you possibly ken of the bond I shared with him?! Forget? Erase him from my heart?! 'Twould be easier to erase the heart entire!" Her expression became calmer, but somber; her eyes welled up. "…He was my brother. ...My only flesh and blood…"

Tiki got up as well and offered a deep bow. Her irritation was gone and had made way for remorse. "...Forgive me, milady. I would retract those words, if possible. It was not my hope to deepen the wound –"

The brunette shook her head. "My lady, please... Just..." The brunette's words trailed off. ´No more…!´ The tears threatened to spill forth.

"But I was desperate to hear the contents of your heart. To hear you speak frankly. I wanted you to tell me everything, Say'ri."

Stormy-grey pools narrowed. "…But why? Why me?"

Tiki smiled – brightly and sincerely, and the swordswoman's heart skipped a little beat at the sight. "Because I very dearly want to be your friend."

Say'ri let out a soundless gasp. "My...friend?"

The Divine Dragon nodded and smiled amiably as she walked over to the swordswoman. "Long have you stood at my side, Say'ri. Always faithfully, but never as a friend: only as guard, disciple, and servant. I find it terribly lonesome. I think you are a beautiful person, Say'ri, and I would call you an equal." She gently took the brunette's hand. "...A friend."

This was… The princess couldn't find the words. She was honoured and outright overjoyed, but reality couldn't be ignored. "…I fear my lifetime is but a few short days compared to yours. Would you still have me, knowing that I cannot stay for long?"

"Without a moment's hesitation," Tiki answered and gently squeezed the human's hand. "I am used to loss. Do not deprive me from the joy of ever having."

Say'ri smiled warmly back, her cheeks hot and rosy-red. "...As my lady wishes. Flighty, heedless, and exasperating as you may sometimes be... I like you a great deal as well. So equals it is from this day hence."

"Equals, from this day hence… And thank you, Say'ri." /

"Say'ri? Say'ri. Say'ri!"

The brunette was startled. "Ah! Y-yes, my lady?"

"You were spacing out just now," the Manakete said, amused. "What were you thinking about?"

The swordswoman blushed furiously; had she really spaced out, and in front of Tiki of all people?! "Forgive me, milady! I… I was reminiscing." She cleared her throat. "Perchance we should head to the village below?"

The Voice of Naga blinked. "Already? The day is still young, and I would love to sit here with you for a while longer."

Say'ri gulped. If she was being honest, she too wanted to stay with Tiki like this. "…Then stay we shall, if only for a moment longer."

"Thank you, Say'ri!" the Manakete replied. She tenderly took her friend and servant's hand and smiled the way she always did.

Gods above, the swordswoman loved her. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her, and perhaps that was for the worst. This ugly emotion – the feeling of loving someone more than anything and unable to convey said feeling – kept swelling up inside her uncontrollably.

But for the moment, Say'ri was content with sitting there, with Tiki's hand in hers.

X.x.X

Hours later, the swordmaster accompanied Tiki down to the city below, and almost immediately had the villagers gathered to greet the Divine Dragon. Children wanted to get a glimpse of the exalted being, shrine maidens and priests wished her well and hoped for boons, and everyone else simply wanted to greet the Voice of Naga.

With Say'ri at her side, however, the Manakete was able to pass through the crowds and into the market centre. Not that she was jealous or anything – a servant of the Divine Dragon and princess of a country couldn't possibly be jealous.

"What do you wish to do today, my lady?" the brunette asked. "Do you wish to take a stroll through the park again? Or perchance you wish to visit the market and find yourself a pleasant trinket –"

"I would like to visit the fruit vendors," Tiki exclaimed. "I'm in the mood for an apple…"

The swordswoman was a bit taken aback; the Manakete did have a strong liking for the fruit, she should have known that the Voice of Naga would want to go to the fruit vendor first.

"Very well, to the fruit vendor it is then –" Say'ri blinked. She spun around, eyes wide. "M-my lady? My lady, where did you go?!"

Her heart sank.

This wasn't good! If the Voice of Naga was unguarded, who knew what could happen to her! Grabbing the pommel of her sword, the swordswoman began to dash down the street –

"I'm here." Say'ri nearly tripped over as the green-haired woman suddenly stood beside her, a pair of apples in her hands. She handed over one of them to the brunette as she smiled innocently. "The vendor is just around the corner, so I went ahead and fetched some. Do you want one?"

The Chon'sin princess scowled. "Please, my lady, don't ever do that again! For a moment, I feared the worst!"

It was the Divine Dragon's turn to scowl, though it was a lot more akin to a pout. "You're doing it again, Say'ri."

"Fie! I don't know what you –"

"You're acting like a guardian. I wanted you to accompany me as my friend," Tiki responded. "Do you want an apple or not?"

Once again the princess was taken aback; she had forgotten that she wasn't supposed to be protecting Tiki. After all, they had entered more peaceful times now.

Say'ri swallowed nervously. "…I humbly accept your gift, my lady."

"Call me Tiki already."

"…I humbly accept your gift, T-Tiki..." Gods above, did it roll off the tongue nicely. "T-thank you…"

"Always so serious," the green-haired woman noted with a soft laugh. "Come; let us take a walk through the park. I would like to see the cherry-blossom trees again."

"Y-yes…Tiki." The brunette followed silently, content with listening to her friend talking about how the cherry-blossom trees were always so beautiful this time of the year.

However, it pained her that despite being able to spend time with the woman she harboured deep feelings for, Say'ri could only be a friend. And while that was enough, she thought, it was also an agonizing reminder that she would never have a chance.

Always faithful: guard, disciple, servant, and friend. But never a lover.

The truth hurt like a dagger twisting in her heart.

X.x.X

"The trees really are beautiful this time of the year," the emerald-haired woman stated. "Watching them in full bloom puts me at ease. Wouldn't you agree?"

The brunette firmly nodded. "Aye, they do… Tiki." This would take some time getting used to. "I never miss a chance to see them."

"Don't I know it," Tiki replied. "I remember when Mar-Mar once took me to a similar place. I was so happy then…"

The brunette suppressed the urge to scowl. She knew whom Tiki spoke of; "Mar-Mar" was the affectionate nickname for Marth, the Hero-King. The hero had saved the Manakete from a horrible fate and she had grown… attached to him since. It was no secret that the emerald-haired woman still harboured feelings for the man.

It only served to widen the rift between her and the Chon'sin princess.

"You speak of the Hero-King, milady?" Say'ri queried, pretending not to know.

"Naturally," the Divine Dragon said. She sounded so happy whenever she spoke of him, it hurt to listen. "I wonder if he's looking down at me from the heavens."

"I'm certain that he watches over you, milady," the brunette replied, though it strangely left a bitter taste in the back of her throat.

Say'ri was dejected. This was supposed to be their time together, and yet the Voice of Naga had to bring the Hero-King into the picture.

Maybe she was just overthinking things, but the princess could've sworn that she was more…sensitive today. Normally, she could brush things like these off, but now every reminder of how she would never be more than a friend seemed to weigh heavier in her heart; a burden on her soul.

Then again, even the mightiest of walls eventually crack and crumble.

"Yes," Tiki said. "You're right. Mar-Mar is surely watching over me, even to this day." She looked over at the brunette. "Thank you for bringing me here today, Say'ri!"

That smile – that wonderful, beautiful smile of hers – was once again directed towards the Chon'sin princess.

Say'ri's heart swelled with joy, but a voice in the back of her mind screamed to not get her hopes up. She chose to ignore it.

"Fie! T-think nothing of it, milady! I am honoured to be of service!"

"No, I mean it," the Divine Dragon interrupted. "You've always been there and helped me get closer to the people. You have supported me through thick and thin…" She took the swordswoman's hands in hers. "You truly are a kind and beautiful person, Say'ri. I cannot thank you enough."

This feeling – this joyous, steadily growing sensation – had the princess' pulse quickened. There was something in the Voice of Naga's eyes and the swordswoman waited with baited breath –

"Long have you stayed by my side, and mere words cannot describe how grateful I am…"

Surely it was hot outside, but the warrior-woman knew better than thinking the weather was the reason for the hotness spreading across her cheeks. The emerald-haired woman before her looked radiant, beautiful beyond comparison – she always had.

"Say'ri…" Tiki's grip tightened. "Thank you for being my friend."

…

Had the Chon'sin princess been standing on a mountain? Because she felt as though she was falling with gathering speed. Falling, and falling still, until she crashed hard against the earth and returned to reality – the reality of being unable to be more than a friend to the woman she loved.

She was a fool for believing otherwise just now. Perhaps she should have heeded the voice in her head.

…Was it just her, or was it suddenly difficult to breathe?

"I am grateful for your services, Say'ri, but your friendship is unreplaceable. I've wanted to be your equal for a long time…" The Voice of Naga shyly averted her eyes. "I'm truly fortunate to have you as a friend. I hope we can remain like this for the rest of our lives!"

It was a good thing that Tiki wasn't looking at the mortal; Say'ri didn't know what face she was making, but her eyes were starting to well up.

It was definitely difficult to breathe now. The swordswoman's heart felt like it was twisting inside her ribcage, her vision blurry and each intake of air a struggle.

This wasn't fair.

This wasn't fair at all!

The older woman suddenly embraced the brunette. "I thank Naga for allowing me to meet you."

Thank Naga? If Say'ri hadn't been as devoted as she was, she'd curse Naga's name hundreds of times! What goddess would allow this?! What goddess would play with the human heart like this?!

She just wanted to disappear.

"Say'ri, what is the matter? You're trembling," Tiki said and her viridian-coloured eyes met with stormy grey ones. "Are you crying…?"

The raven-haired woman gasped, startled, and without thinking, shoved the older woman away. She brought a finger to her eye; it shone faintly with her tear.

The Divine Dragon stared in shock. "Say'ri…?"

The swordswoman's walls around her heart were breaking down.

"Forgive me…!" the princess said before she ran off.

X.x.X

The princess of Chon'sin fell to her knees after what had felt like an eternity of running; she had made it to an isolated field far south of the village. No matter how much she gasped for air, it wasn't enough to fill her lungs.

When Say'ri cried – her walls now reduced to mere rubble – she managed only a soundless whimper. Her chest hurt as though her heart would explode from the pain. She dug her fingers into the grassy ground until her knuckles turned white, the tears freely rolling down her crimson cheeks.

The sun was setting. Had the day really gone by so quickly? Perhaps she should head home before it got dark – get some rest and think things through. But what should (could) she even say to Tiki now? The brunette had abandoned her despite promising to never leave her side!

Still weeping, Say'ri dusted her fingers off and cradled her arms. "I'm such a fool… a disgrace…"

´I don't deserve to remain by Lady Tiki's side.´

"…A selfish fool…"

A guttural roar startled the warrior and, while it was terrifying to hear, she knew its source. The flapping of silver-white wings tipped with jade-green scales came closer until it ceased with a ´thud´, followed by the ground shaking.

Tiki.

"What is the matter with you, Say'ri?!" the Voice of Naga chastised. "I had trouble finding you, even as I flew! I never imagined you would run this far… but why?"

The princess of Chon'sin knew she would have to face the object of her affections sooner or later; she just didn't think Tiki would find her so soon.

"Are you still crying?" The emerald-haired woman walked up to her friend. "What's wrong, Say'ri?"

"It has nothing to do with you," the brunette managed, her voice cracked and weak.

A sigh. "If you are starting with that, then it does have something to do with me. Have I wronged you?"

Say'ri's heart throbbed painfully. ´The fault is not yours…!´

"Talk to me," the Manakete said. "We are friends, are we not?"

Friends – friends, master and servant, immortal and mortal.

Equals? No; the princess was nowhere near the Divine Dragon's equal. Only equals could share a love for one another.

Only a man and a woman could share love for one another…

The princess wept, ignoring the woman behind her. The odds truly were against her.

"Say'ri, please! Tell me what is hurting you!" the older woman pleaded. "Was it something I said? Talk to me! Let me in!"

"…I can't…" the raven-haired woman said. She quickly fell silent.

"You can't?" The Manakete sounded hurt. "How can you not? We are friends, after all."

"It's because we're friends that I cannot tell you!" Say'ri retorted – she hadn't meant it to be as harsh as it sounded, but in her moment of weakness, her anger towards herself was misdirected.

Far too late did she realize her mistake.

"…The closer I try to get to you, the more it seems to invite your ire," Tiki said, her tone painfully somber. "If it has nothing to do with me, and if you would rather not talk, then I will take my leave." She turned around, her white cape fluttering in the evening breeze. "I thought of us as friends – as equals, Say'ri. Perhaps I was wrong to believe so."

The Chon'sin princess' eyes widened (had they really been shut close? Everything seemed brighter than usual) in shock and she quickly spun around. Tiki had changed to her dragon form, long wings spread out as she readied herself for flight –

The mortal woman's heart wrenched.

"I LOVE YOU!"

In that moment, everything – wind, time, pulse – seemed to fall silent and still. Even the Manakete didn't move.

"I love you….!" Say'ri cried. Her feelings, her built-up frustration from years of unrequited feelings, came crashing down and reflected in her words. "I love you… like a man loves a woman… I know I am wrong and disgusting, but for the longest time, I've…!" She wept, fighting the tears and the pitiful whine in her voice. "I know we can't be together! Even so, my feelings for you wouldn't…" The princess hunched over, unable to even look at Tiki. "I love you…despite being a human… despite being your guardian…"

´Forgive me, my lady.´

"I love you…!"

There was a bright flash of light followed by the rapid sound of footsteps against grass. A pair of gloved hands – warm, gentle – cupped the swordswoman's cheeks, and stormy-grey pools stared right into viridian ones.

"You finally let me in, Say'ri."

The Chon'sin princess, puzzled, could only stare until the older woman leant in and met Say'ri's lips with her own. It was brief, chaste, but the action said much more than any words could possibly convey.

The brunette struggled for words when the Manakete pulled away, the latter giggling softly. "There is nothing wrong with love, Say'ri, for it is beautiful no matter the shape or form. It's not something someone should keep locked inside."

The swordswoman averted her gaze. "But…You and the Hero-King –"

"I loved Mar-Mar, I won't deny that," Tiki said. "But I was but a mere child when I met him. He has since long left this world, and was happily married. Besides... He was human. I was Manakete. The gulf between us was too great. It was a childish crush, at best, and while I still care about him and the others…" She ran her thumb across her friend's cheek, wiping away a single tear. "I will not ignore the future – a future where I am together with someone I love, if she'll have me."

Say'ri gasped. "You…!" Did Tiki really reciprocating those feelings?! The princess was at a loss for words, but… "I am but a lowly guardian, and you are the Voice of Naga, milady… People revere you."

"If people will treat me – and you – differently because of what our hearts tell us to, then I say good riddance." She gently caressed her friend's face. "I have thought of you many a time, wondering if I could ever win your heart. Stoic as you are, I felt I had to take things one step at a time. If we became friends…"

…

Say'ri sobbed. All this time, she had distanced herself from Tiki, hoping not to destroy what they had.

´What a fool I am.´

"Forgive me," the warrior whispered. "I cannot stop my tears…!"

Tiki softly laughed and stroked the brunette's back. "There is no shame in tears, my dear."

The princess' heart skipped a little. Her brother had once said the same thing.

/ "There is no shame in tears. Too much sentiment burdens the body and mind. We must set it free."

"I am far too old to "set it free" in front of you, brother..."

And yet, no matter how much she had refrained from doing so, perhaps Yen'fay was the only one she could cry in front of.

"It seems I am cursed with the unfortunate gift of making you cry in any world. Forgive me, Say'ri. Your brother is here. My sleeves are yours to weep in."

"Mercy, Brother... Thank you..." /

They were right; there was no shame in crying.

The brunette embraced the Manakete and they remained like that for what felt like hours. It was soothing, as if a weight on her shoulders simply vanished.

"Feeling better?" the older woman queried.

"Aye," Say'ri replied. She straightened herself and managed to meet the Divine Dragon's eyes. "Better…"

"I'm glad," Tiki said. By Naga, she looked even more beautiful than ever, and it set the human's heart racing. "Then, allow me to say this clearly: I love you, Say'ri."

The princess of Chon'sin chuckled, on the brink of tears again. "Long have I faithfully stood by your side, milady: as guard, disciple, and friend. I've always thought of you as beautiful, and I longed to be your equal…" Heat crept over her cheeks. "…Your lover."

Tiki giggled at the irony of the situation. This felt remarkably familiar. "I am aware that, as a Manakete, I am cursed. I am destined to wander alone for millennia after you…" She smiled a sorrowful smile. "Will you still have me, knowing that I will outlive you?"

Curse the gods, would there be no end to these tears? "Without a moment's hesitation, Tiki! I couldn't be happier to spend one lifetime with you! Do not deprive me the joy of ever having, even if a lifetime with me is but a flickering moment for you. I…I love you…"

"It makes me happy to hear that," Tiki replied. "Stoic, stubborn, and stiff as you may be at times… I love you a great deal as well."

"Fie! … I am scarcely fit to hear those words… but I shall treasure them always."

"Good…"

The two leant back in until their lips met again, kissing in earnest. Sparks went off in their minds from the sheer sensation. They embraced, as if holding on for dear life, and the older woman's tongue slipped into Say'ri's mouth and swirled against the brunette's.

Their feelings and years of frustrations were poured into this one action. Even when the need for oxygen forced them apart, the two barely waited for more than a few seconds before their lips crashed together again with fervour.

´Naga… Thank you.´

It had been long overdue, but as long as they were together from now one, the lovers had many years to make up for.

X.x.X

The world had changed, day by day, little by little. Atop the Mila Tree, Tiki watched from her seat on the rock, locked in thought, at the stars above.

´That heaviness again…´ she thought.

/ "According to some, people join the stars when they die. I feel a heaviness when I gaze up at night. I'm trapped down here on the earth, when all those I've loved are way up in the sky. So far way, beyond my reach…"

"Gosh, that's so wonderful!"

Tiki turned to the smaller Manakete, puzzled. "…Wonderful?"

"Yeah! Being able to see them every single night? It's like you never lost them at all! Good-byes come too soon with people, and it's always sad to see friends go. But once they're stars, you can spend years and years together! Hundreds... Thousands! If anything could take the sting out of saying good-bye, that's it!" /

The Divine Dragon wiped a tear from her eye and smiled. She gazed up at the night-sky.

Not a single day had gone by without Tiki watching the stars before she went back to slumber.

"I've come to meet you again, Say'ri. Please, shine extra bright for me, so I know where to find you. I will wave back as much as I can…"

And as the Divine Dragon watched the starlit sky, she could've sworn she saw a star up there twinkle brighter than the others, the sight of it bringing Tiki to tears, her heart swelling with happiness.

´…Found you, my love.´

The years had come and gone, but throughout the rest of her life, Tiki would never forget her life with the woman from Chon'sin.

The End