I've been inspired by the Gay Awakening/Fates hacks I've been seeing online recently, so I thought I'd take a crack at this. If you like this, please let me know what other pairings you want to see! I'll tackle them all eventually!
My friend and I are both Lissabelle trash so when she requested I start with this pairing, I couldn't resist. Credit to UnassumingVenusaur on Tumblr/YouTube for letting me use the S-rank from their Gay!Awakening hack.
"This tea is soooo good!" Lissa could barely stop herself from snatching the teapot off of the table and squandering the rest of the tea for herself. The only thing that stopped her was the fact that the person she was currently sharing it with was Maribelle.
"Isn't it just divine, darling?" Maribelle asked after taking a sip from her own cup. "The leaves are infused with a citrus aroma, so I was certain you'd like it."
"I like citrus?" The question was out of Lissa's mouth before she could stop it.
"In all the years we've shared tea, you only mention the flavor if it's a citrus blend," Maribelle explained. "How funny that you didn't even know!"
"That is funny! And a little embarrassing, I guess… You know me better than I know myself, Maribelle!"
Her companion smiled proudly. "That's hardly a surprise, darling. I'm your best friend."
"Hee hee! I know! It's so true." Lissa paused as a thought occurred to her. "...Wait a second. I don't know what kind of tea you like best!"
"Well now, that simply won't do at all. Why don't you take a guess?" Maribelle suggested.
Lissa pondered it for a moment. "Hmmmm. Is it...rose tea?"
"Tsk! Such a common flavor."
"Tea with milk?"
Maribelle looked repulsed. "Ugh! Why not just drink from a mud puddle?!"
"This is hard!" Lissa whined, though she was determined not to give up. "Maybe if I knew more about tea… What other kinds are there?"
"Ah, well. I suppose I'll have to take pity and simply tell you," Maribelle replied with a casual shrug. "My favorite blend…"
"Is…?"
"Black tea infused with the still-warm blood of an adult male grizzly bear."
Lissa did a massive spit-take, nearly spraying her best friend in the delicious citrusy tea she had just taken a sip of.
"Lissa, what is wrong with you!" Maribelle huffed. "What manner of lady spews tea?! It is simply not done!"
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?!" Lissa exclaimed. "Who would drink such a thing?!"
"No one, darling. It was only a jest. ...Now wipe your mouth, please."
"I actually believed you…" Lissa muttered as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "All right, what's the real answer, then? What's your favorite tea?"
"Why, whichever ones you enjoy, darling," Maribelle replied. "That way I get to appreciate both the beverage and your enjoyment of it! So if you ever find a blend you're especially fond of, just say the word."
"Um, all right. I will. Thanks. But I still kinda feel like that wasn't a real answer…"
Maribelle leaned against a wall when they arrived back at the campsite. "Phew… Today's battle must have been the fiercest yet! You're not hurt, are you, darling?" she asked Lissa, who was sitting in the grass next to her.
"No, I'm fine. What about you?"
"I also appear to have escaped injury, thank you."
"Good! That's...good…" Lissa trailed off and fell silent.
"Why, whatever is wrong, darling?" Maribelle asked, concerned. "...Are you hurt after all?! Why, when I find the dastard responsible, I'll gouge out his-"
"No, no! It's nothing like that," Lissa insisted. "I'm just wondering how long this is going to continue. All the injuries… All the death… It's all just so awful. If I stop to think about it, I get too scared to move."
Maribelle sat down so that she and Lissa were at eye-level. "There's no need for fear! I will lay my life down for yours without hesitation.
Lissa looked appalled and Maribelle realized with a jolt that that was the wrong thing to say. "That doesn't help at all! I don't want you getting hurt either!"
"Don't worry, darling," Maribelle said, pulling her best friend into a hug. "I'm far too clever to allow that to happen.
"Yeah, but...didn't you get kidnapped by those guys from Plegia?"
"Th-that was… There were extenuating circumstances!" Maribelle insisted. "In any case, my mind is quite made up. Keeping you safe is my utmost priority."
"I don't understand why you always put me first," Lissa said. "Even when we have tea, we always drink the kind I like. You need to take care of yourself too, Maribelle. Don't deprive yourself of the things you enjoy, and don't you dare get hurt!"
Maribelle let out a soft sigh. "Oh, my darling Lissa… I appreciate that, I really do, but please don't let it trouble you. I am doing what I enjoy, you see? All that I do, I do because I want to."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it!" Lissa shot back.
"Don't make that face, darling. It will give you the most terrible wrinkles later," Maribelle said, changing the subject as usual when something made her uncomfortable. "You know what I think we both need? A nice warm bath. I feel as if I'm made of nothing but dust and sweat! Let's go to the bath." With that, Maribelle began to make her way there, leaving Lissa behind to scramble to her feet and try to catch up.
"H-hey, wait! Maribelle!"
Lissa was scrambling for her staff. "Maribelle! Maribelle, are you alright?! How bad is it? Let me see! Does it hurt?!"
"Darling, you're raving like a madwoman! ...Or, gods forbid, a lowborn," Maribelle replied, somehow calm despite her injury.
"It's my fault! He was swinging for me, and you jumped in the way!" Her hands were shaking as she gripped her staff.
"Yes, and here I stand, still right as rain! I told you, I'm far too clever to suffer harm at the hands of some barbarian." Maribelle's words slowly began to ease Lissa's panic. If she could still refer to their enemies as barbarians, then she had to be okay.
"W-well, as long as you're all right… Thank you, Maribelle."
"It's my pleasure, darling," she replied with a smile.
Lissa sat next to the cot that Maribelle was currently lying in in the medic's tent. After healing her friend's wound, she said, "But… Maribelle? Why are you so determined to protect me? Is it because of what things were like before you joined the Shepherds?"
"Wh-whatever makes you think-" Maribelle stammered before Lissa cut her off.
"That's it. Isn't it?"
Maribelle sighed. "I suppose there's no sense in denying it. As I'm sure you're aware, Lissa, I can sometimes be...difficult. I never had much in the way of friends. ...Never had any friends, in truth. The other children whispered about me… At court I was always alone… Until you. You were the only one willing to give me a chance. You...saved me, Lissa. And I swore to do the same."
"But that was years ago! I'd forgotten all about it until just now."
"But I have never forgotten! How could I? I was alone in the dark, and you offered me your kindness. You shone as bright as the sun, Lissa, and burned twice as warm."
"But I didn't do anything special! I just… I just wanted to be friends," Lissa said.
"With a pariah? With the butt of every malicious rumor and cruel jape?"
"I didn't care what those jerks thought! I choose my own friends! And you're a wonderful person… You didn't deserve any of that."
"Ha ha! Oh, my darling, you are the most incurably soft-hearted woman in all Ylisse," Maribelle teased, though she was smiling again. "And that is precisely why I care for you and would defend you with my life."
Lissa's cheeks turned pink. "Aw, Maribelle… Thanks. But I don't want to be some fragile teacup that has to be protected at all times. From here on, I'll be jumping in front of axes for you, too! And the same goes for tea. Next time, we're drinking what you want to drink! Though I'm not sure where I'll find an adult male grizzly…" she pondered. "But whatever! True friendship is a road that runs in two directions, right?"
"Ha ha! Yes, I suppose it is. ...I did mention the bear blood was only a jape, correct?"
"Maaaribelle!" Lissa said in a sing-song voice as she approached her friend. "Look what I finally have for you! Black tea, infused with the still-warm blood of an adult male grizzly bear! Your favorite!
"The blood of-?! Lissa, that comment was a mere jape!" Maribelle cried. "Please don't tell me you actually tracked down one of those beasts!"
"Well, actually-"
"Darling, why would you put yourself in such danger?! Why, if it hurt you…! Oh, that wretched creature! I will end it!" Maribelle looked ready to storm off, hunt down the bear and kill it with her parasol.
Lissa snickered, then broke down into a full laughing fit. She nearly fell over and had to lean on a table to support herself.
"How could you laugh, darling?!" Maribelle demanded. "This is nothing to- ...Hold. Is this all a jest?"
"Sure is!" Lissa replied once she caught her breath. "Oh my gosh, I can not believe you fell for that!"
"Darling, you're cruel! You gave me such a fright!" Maribelle's face was flushed.
"You're just way too easy to tease! When it comes to me, you can never think straight!"
"I...do feel rather silly, now. You always manage to bring a smile to my face. Lissa, I'm truly touched you would brew something special for me."
"Oh yeah, why don't you try it? Here!" Lissa handed her a cup filled with the beverage. Maribelle took a sip. "So? Do you like it?! Did I guess your favorite kind of tea?"
"Darling, any cup of tea that you prepared for me would be my favorite," Maribelle replied.
Lissa's face fell slightly. "...Oh."
"Does that type of answer still not satisfy you?"
"Well... If you asked me that a few days ago, I might have said yes. But… You know what? I think I finally get it. When someone you love shows that they care… That's the best feeling in the world!"
"Ah! So you do finally understand! Darling, your happiness and comfort bring me infinitely more joy than any flavor of tea could."
Lissa's cheeks turned pink. "Aw, Maribelle… I feel the same way! I love it when you're happy… Actually, um… About that… M-Maribelle, I…" She trailed off, unsure how to put into words what she was feeling.
"Lissa? Is everything alright?" Maribelle looked concerned, which only made it harder for Lissa to speak.
"Argh, I thought this would be so much easier!" Lissa exclaimed, startling her friend. "Maribelle, I… I came here today… to tell you that…" She gulped and took a breath. "Maribelle, I love you! I love you so much!"
Maribelle didn't take it as expected. "Hm? But I already knew of your love, darling. You've told me numerous times."
"I mean something totally different this time, though! We've been best friends for a long time, and that means so much to me… But, Maribelle, I...I want something even more than that!" She pulled something out of the pocket of her dress.
Maribelle saw it and her eyes widened as she turned red as well. "Lissa?! That item, in your hand-?!"
"I hoped you might feel the same so I bought this ring and, and, and… I-I've never been this nervous in my life!"
Maribelle was silent, and Lissa tried not to panic. After a moment, Maribelle replied, "Hohoh. A valiant attempt, dream darling. You almost had me for a moment."
This wasn't the response she was expecting. "Huh? 'Dream'? What are you talking about?"
"Foolish, devilish mind," Maribelle murmured. "A confession from my unrequited love, a blushing face, a ring… It's all to be expected. I suppose I'll soon awaken to the customary tears in my eyes and knots in my stomach."
"Wait… Maribelle, do you think you're asleep?"
"You need not play games, dream darling. I am fully aware-" Lissa reached over and pinched Maribelle's arm. "GAH! W-why would you do such a vulgar thing as pinch me? ...Wait a moment. That...hurt…"
"Heehee! Silly! That's because you're not dreaming at all!"
"...So...you are the true Lissa. And you are...truly confessing your love. And asking for my hand. In marriage."
Lissa nodded. "Uh-huh!"
Maribelle fell silent again. This time for much longer, until she swayed on the spot and fainted.
"Ah! Maribelle! Are you alright?! I'll go get a healer!" Then she realized: "Oh. Wait. I am a healer! Don't worry, Maribelle! I'm gonna have you back on your feet in a jiffy!" She got to work - thankfully she always carried a healing rod with her - and murmured to herself, "I just need to-" when she was cut off by Maribelle attacking her with kisses. Lissa's face flushed though in truth she had never been this happy. "H-hey! Hey! M-Maribelle! I can't heal you if you won't stop giving me kisses!"
"This is far more important," Maribelle replied, not ceasing her attack.
"I-I get-Heehee! M-Maribelle, I get it! I get it! You love me too!"
"Darling, I've been absolutely enraptured since you first shone into my dark world," Maribelle said, finally stopping so she could look Lissa in the eye. "You are the light in my life, and I adore you more than anything. However, I...I never wanted to take advantage of that kindness you showed me. So I remained silent. And I never truly believed a day like this would come…"
"I had no idea… I'm so sorry for not saying something earlier, Maribelle! I've been in love with you forever!"
"Do not apologize. This day has more than made up for every ounce of pain I felt."
"Aw… That makes me so happy, Maribelle! Just sit back and let this healing magic do its work, alright? I love you, and I'm going to take care of you now!"
Maribelle's smile was genuine and brighter than Lissa had ever seen it before. "Ahaha… So this is what heaven feels like."
So good, so pure. Seriously, that was the cutest thing. Props to UnassumingVenusaur. If you have any pairs you want me to do, let me know! I'll do pretty much any as long as the characters are both A) part of your army at some point during Awakening and B) from the same generation. The only exception is Robin because the game says they can marry from both gens. All sibling/platonic supports will be labeled as such, so if it doesn't say "platonic" in the title, it's romantic. Thanks for reading!
