Bit by Bit You're Charming My Heart
Mist has always a Crush on a certain handsome raven haired mage.
Soren starts feeling differently around the beautiful Cleric and asks Ike for Help. However, ¿Is the Ex-commander the best choice when his own love life overwhelms him?
Chapter 2 "Crossover! Contest for Ike begins! Soren's doubt."
Ike sat calmly by the by the fire while Elincia started her job.
Though it was a bit tedious, nothing could beat Elincia's curry.
However there was another reason that wouldn't move him from there.
Elincia was there, for him.
The beautiful woman he had always loved, whom he thought lost, had returned.
If he was going to lose her to nobility then at least he would enjoy her one last time.
He couldn't stand nobility and someone of Low blood couldn't dream of being with her, probably Geoffrey or some other Noble would marry her...
"My lord Ike..."
"Ah yes?"
"What were you thinking?" she asked looking into his eyes.
"Uh...thinking...that you're a good cook...and it only compares with your beauty...!"
"Holy Ashera why did I?" he thought.
"Thanks...My lord Ike..." she blushed a red Crimson; the man whom she thought was the most wonderful, was complimenting her.
Both were at a loss for Words.
"BOSS!!" a voice called. A navy blue haired girl appeared before them.
"Oh, hi Mia." Ike saluted.
"Boss, it's time to train!"
"Ah, yeah I'd almost forgotten!" Ike exclaimed. "Elincia, I'll go train with her all right?"
"Don't worry My Lord Ike...It'll be ready soon!" she responded.
"Let's go Boss!" Mia dragged him.
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"Soren? Hurry up!" Mist called.
"Calm down." The mage stammered.
"Come on we'll lose all the offers!" she dragged him by the hand.
"Here we go again..." if his hand was intact he'd thank Ashera; though, the advantage was, taking Mist's hand.
Advantage? Why? A hand was only an extremity, why would he care?
"Here we go!" she cheered, arriving at a girl's cloth shop.
"Now, logic would Denote that if a man enters there, he'll be killed much worst than Ashnard." He said.
"Don't worry! I'll excuse you!" she said dragging the dismayed mage.
Soren, was not known to be social, in fact he had one of the worst reputations among the Greil mercenaries, 'Pompous brat' by Shinon 'Know-it-all book worm' by Boyd and Ike. 'Heartless Mage' by Titania. 'Abnormal fool' by Oscar, given because he hated eating. It wasn't precisely something to be proud about, however, Mist didn't think about him like that. She thought he was a wonderful teacher, a prodigy, which she reminded him of every 5 seconds, Crimea's most powerful mage.
Why? Of course he was anti-social, however that seemed to be blocked by Mist's smile and pureness.
In fact, every phrase he used with others, she turned it against him.
"Go away!" he would say. "Make me." She'd respond.
"I'm studying Spells." "I'll study with you."
"I'm counting supplies." She'd counter with: "I'll help."
"I'm reading." She'd be ready with: "I came to read too."
"I'm making battle tactics." "I'll make you some company. No one won a war alone."
He'd beaten everyone, except her; Mist Gawain was far from being the strongest Mercenary however, he couldn't keep up with her, she would make joke of his antipathies.
Her smile had never been worn out, not by him, though he loved that smile...
Loved? A term he wouldn't know, though he was adopted, not once had he felt it, though he felt friendship, loyalty, not love, however...
Once upon a time, he promised a certain someone; he'd give her unconditional love, to whom? Mist. Though he was a Kid, he was rational, to some point, so why would he promise her an emotion he knew nothing of?
Nowadays, those were memories, sweet to some degree, but memories.
However, even now he pondered 2 things, the why he'd say that and the incident.
Anyone rational at least, would say he never even hugged someone, but in fact he's kissed, Mist gave him that pleasure, and though he would deny that incident, mostly when Ike Boyd and Rhys would gang on him, Mist would only sadden her face, and/or blush; why? It was just a kid's promise, however everyday he remembered, no one had gotten that close to him, her lips were small and soft in that then, his body wouldn't...couldn't forget it...the sensation of someone who cares about you, pressing her lips against yours, and he'd curse his body for this.
Now Mist was more...Attractive, more beautiful, her lips were now luscious...red...
Inviting...
Soren stared at her lips as they walked, as he thought, but...why would he think that? The only thing he was good at were Rexbolt, Bolganonne and Tornado right?
The worst was the girls on the shop murmured things
"Pervert…" This made him jerk his fist.
"Ah! Cute! He's choosing with his girl friend!"
This made him blush why would they call Mist?...
"Soren?"
"Huh?"
"What were you thinking?" she inquired.
"Um...The new color of my coat!" he said.
"Right, black doesn't suit you. How about Marine blue or dark green?"
"Sounds good."
"But I need new clothes too, so I'll count on you, my Teacher!" she smiled.
"Mist, that's why I refuse to come..."
"You don't want to be with me?" she inquired sadly.
"No! I'm not skilled in fashion or wardrobe features! I'm useless to you! I don't like being unuseful to you..." he said staring into the distance.
"Hee Hee! Some things never change!" she giggled, blushing.
"Huh?"
"Those words were the only thing you said to father when you were little! Remember?"
"Yes...I hate not being useful."
"But you're more than useful to me...you've taught me so much Soren...how to read...how to count...protected me during the war...taught me how to use staves...help me cook...make me company..." Mist's front hair covered the redness in her cheeks.
"I made a promise."
"Promise?"
"I'd promise I'd make you happy."
"S...Soren..."
"What? Don't you remember?" he inquired.
"Ummm...N...No..." she blushed deep crimson. "If only you knew..." she thought.
"Mist?"
"Let's...go!"
After the conversation, the mage sat in a bench waiting for Mist to come out.
Women were a great mystery even to him, the fact that they loved to buy puzzled him.
Sighing, he did the trademark thing he was known for...read.
However the text was only, being read, not comprehended...Mist was on his head.
To top it all off, he was with her...
"Soren?"
"Hmm..." he raised his head. "For Ashera's sake..." he murmured.
"How do I look?" she said softly.
Mist had dropped her Valkyria outfit; this was a blue blouse, with a long dress of the same color.
"Well?" she said slyly.
"Ummm...How should I know?" the mage said...
"Be sincere."
"Ok. You look...stunning." he opened his eyes wide and covered his mouth "sorry..."
"No thanks..." she blushed a bit and left.
"Why would I say that?!" he asked himself. The mage couldn't forget how much blue suited her.
"Soren."
The mage's left eye twitched. "Yes?"
He looked at her. She wore an orange blouse and a matching mini skirt.
"Like it?" she gave a quick turn so he could see it.
"Er... I think you look good..." he sighed.
"Thanks..." she said in a seductive tone.
"Ashera? What have I done to deserve this?" he cursed under his breath
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"Ready?" Mia asked.
"Wait." Ike closed his eyes. "Come then."
"With your eyes closed?" she smirked. "Heh heh...I have the advantage! Prepare yourself boss! Astra!" she said firmly.
Mia struck 5 times, two were avoided and three were no damage.
"Hahh...hah...why? You can't see me." she asked
"Eyes that can't see shall open in a storm. Mia, you have other senses. Use them."
"Boss who taught you?"
"My father. He used to do it with eyes closed as well."
"Why?"
"To show you that there is more to see without eyesight."
"But..."
"Hear the steps...Smell his fear...hold your weapon...taste victory...Mia you're wasting you other 4 senses."
"Oh boss! You're incredible!" She said, beet red.
"Nah, you're imagining things; ok my turn." Ike threw his sword in the air and made his fashion attack. Mia closed her eyes tightly, the first blow just blew across her face and as for the second, she just fell, Ragnell barely touching, in her shoulder.
"You see Mia?" he said "Merely swinging a sword is enough to take care of an average opponent however; you want to find your true nemesis?"
"Yes..." she said still red.
"Well, you got to have different styles."
"Why?"
"Because, you're going to battle him or her many times, so probably that person will know your style as much as the palm of his or her hand." Ike offered his hand. "Good practice."
"Thanks boss! I am completely in love with you!" She said, hugging him.
"What?"
"I said with your style..." she looked away in embarrassment.
"All right."
"Thanks for today...see you later boss..." Mia kissed his cheek.
"Mia?" Ike rubbed his cheek.
The Sword master just ran off.
However an unwanted guest watched this, Elincia.
"My lord Ike..." her chest hurt, this a new feeling.
Perhaps this was jealousness?
"Well, I won Crimea, I'll win my lord Ike!" she said fiercely.
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Soren was dismayed, Mist was restless and they'd gone to 5 stores already.
And it was he who carried everything.
"Mist? How much are you going to buy?" the tired mage said.
"Calm down, we need your coats."
"Coats?"
"Yes, you need more than one."
"But..."
"No buts Soren, I hate to see you with the old one." She ordered
"Yes mom..." he sighed. "Like father, like daughter." He murmured.
"What?" she inquired.
"Nothing."
Soren dropped the bags carefully; Mist grabbed several coats and led him to the dressers.
"First dark green." She ordered.
Soren had a 'don't make fun of me' look.
"Well?" The mage was impatient
"You look...good..." The redness threatened Mist again.
"Huh? Mist are you sick?" the mage inquired. "Hmmm...No fevers...but you're warm." The Mage put his forehead to hers to check her temperature. Needless to say Mist grew warmer.
"I'm Fine...keep going..."
"All right."
"Next, Navy Blue." She regained her senses.
Soren came out in a dark blue coat.
"The good thing is I'm getting Coats that have magical resistance."
"Magical...Resistance?" Mist asked.
"Yes...Red... is resistant to Fire...Yellow...thunder...you get me."
"Soren! Why always look on the philosophical side? You look handsome for Ashera's sake!" Mist gasped. Why did she...call him handsome?
"Hmmm...I guess a new look could be good too." He smirked
"Yeah...how about pink?"
"Pink? NO WAY! I'M CRIMEA'S MOST POWERFUL SAGE!" a big headed Soren exclaimed, panting for breath.
"So? I'm taking it anyways." Mist smirked and winked. "I'll pay; my treat."
"I'm not..."
"Remember...make me happy..." Mist snickered.
"You...Ok." Soren grumbled. "Why does she look for loopholes in the promise?" he thought
"Don't worry...you'll only wear it when we're alone." She whispered seductively, making him shiver.
"Still, pink... well I'll get accustomed to this."
"Don't worry. You look good in anything." She complimented.
"Thanks...I think."
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Ike went back inside.
"Oh Elincia, that was good sparring. How goes it?"
"Great My lord Ike...here try." Elincia handed him a spoon "Say ahhh!"
Ike tasted it. "Elincia there's two things you can't be beaten at! Being queen and cooking!" he complimented.
"Thanks My lord Ike." She blushed and hugged him.
"Elincia? What was that for?" Ike asked.
"Because you love my cooking."
"Mmm...Ok. I'll give the surprise to everyone." Ike ran off.
"Ah My lord Ike you're powerful but dense..." she closed her eyes.
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"You can drop them there Soren." Both were back in Mist's room.
"Yeah." He said "May I be of more use?" Soren asked.
"No, you've done more than enough." Mist smiled.
"Then I leave." Soren said leaving.
"Soren."
"Hm?"
"Your Coats."
"Thanks Mist."
Mist had been on Soren's thoughts too long; He'd even forgotten to take off the pink coat. Entering his room he sighed.
"Soren!" Boyd and Stefan appeared before him. "The princess..." Boyd snickered.
"What?" the confused mage asked.
"Soren? Are you going to cast flower?" Boyd laughed heartily.
Stefan smirked; he knew the why of his new look.
"Gr..." sparks were cracking around Soren, he was preparing Rexbolt.
"Whoa! Hold it!" Boyd said. "It was a Joke! Seriously though, who gave you that?" Boyd asked.
"Mist." the mage said simply.
"I see...this is about THAT." Boyd smirked.
"I don't know what you're insinuating but if you don't stop I won't respond when you're 'shocked' by this look." Soren said, angry.
"Little Soren is in love..." Boyd's tone was annoying. "Mist and Soren sitting in a tree…" he sang.
"All right Boyd, this is…" The jolts grew violent.
"Someone's touchy well Elincia's..." Boyd was interrupted.
"I know, wannabe axe man!" Soren exclaimed.
"Report to the table." Boyd said leaving.
"I swear..." Soren rubbed his forehead.
"Soren..." Stefan called him.
"You too?!" This time he prepared Tornado.
"No, Soren, but I just wanted to say I respect you."
"For what?" Soren inquired.
"For loving her. I mean you please her in every little aspect, and even withstand humiliation, and protect her with your life. I hope you'll finally be able to find happiness." Soren's fellow Kinsman said.
"WHAT?! I don't...!" he was interrupted by Stefan.
"Don't hide it Soren, from one branded to another It's obvious my friend, you love her."
"No! As you said I'm a branded! I only exist for fighting and destroying!" Soren retorted.
"Whether you're a branded it doesn't matter, Love oversees that Soren, and she loves you and always will, even if you would've joined Daein." Stefan said.
"I thought you..."
"In another era I would've discouraged you...but this war and Ike taught me that Laguz, Beorc or anything doesn't matter, what matters is what's inside you."
"But I don't'...!" Soren protested.
"Soren! You're pretty wise but pretty distracted and Naïve to some point!"
"Naïve?! I'm the only one who thinks clearly!" he countered.
"Soren! In love logic doesn't work! Don't you see?!" Stefan begun to grow impatient at the sage's naiveness.
"Love?" Soren looked as if the equation of life had explained to him.
"Why do you think Mist bothers to be with you? You're the most antisocial person Crimea has! Or why does she need you as a teacher? Why does she want to be near you? Heck she turns red just at your sight! Doesn't it seem suspicious Soren?!"
"Um..." Soren never thought it like that.
"Tell me, if you hate a person you wouldn't go near her right?" Stefan inquired,
"Yeah."
"But if you love this person wouldn't you try to be near her? Or please her? Or yet make her happy? I know it Soren, about your promise, to Mist a long time ago, your mind doesn't get it but your body does."
"Promise..."
"Why would you keep that promise? Mist is happy isn't she? Why? Because you unconsciously love her! You know she smiles differently with you, it's more radiant smile, and maybe you haven't noticed but when you turn her down, tell her you're too busy, or one of those lame excuses of yours, is one of the only times she goes depressed."
"Stefan..."
"Soren, look I tell you this because you're a branded like me, we have our hearts closed because we think we're abominations, because we think we're errors, but now I'm ready to find the light of my heart."
"Light of the heart?"
"Yes Soren, that one which relieves all burdens, that which fills you when you're down, that which oversees your faults and only sees your virtues, that which gives you a place to return to."
"Such thing can't exist..." the mage said unbelieving.
"Love Soren, Love does all I mentioned." He stared at the Mage solemnly. "Soren, Mist is the light of your heart, whether you realize it or not. Do as you wish, but Mist won't go away, ever." Stefan left the mage puzzled.
"It can't be...love doesn't exist!" Soren trailed off.
"Really? Well, Mist is sick then, 'cause she really acts weird around you!"
"She just respects me as a teacher…" he said weakly
"Sick… she's lovesick…Open your eyes Soren and stop to smell the flowers once in a while. Also go to him for advice." Stefan left.
"Why? Such a foolish emotion can't exist! It can't!" he retorted. "Love makes you weak…and who did he meant?" he trailed off.
A look of confusion was in the eyes of the mage, everyone was happy to see their queen again, but he looked lost in his thoughts.
"Oh, Soren! Please compliment Elincia, she worked pretty hard!" Oscar told him.
"Yes, Yes…" he sat down and ate slowly.
Mia sat on Ike's left side and Elincia on his right, Ragnell's wielder however was just too caught up in food to notice.
"My lord Ike how's the food?"
"Just as good, as the cooker." Ike said eating heartily.
"Here boss, I made you some grape juice!" Mia countered.
"I love grapes, thanks Mia. This is the best dinner ever!" The general was overjoyed.
Mia and Elincia however were staring daggers at each other, earlier Mia noticed Elincia getting too close to the ex-general.
"Poor Ike…" Titania giggled.
"Deputy Commander why're you giggling?" Boyd asked.
Titania just pointed to the front.
Boyd looked, Ike eating, Elincia and Mia both looked at him, with flares of determination in their eyes.
"Ah, is love in the air commander?"
"Who knows Boyd…Soren and Mist and now Ike too?"
"What about you?" Boyd asked.
"Me? I…have no one…" Titania blushed as red as her hair.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm free Boyd."
"The man who marries you will be lucky commander. You're beautiful and powerful! A goddess of war!"
Titania sighed. "Boyd, why're you so dense?" she murmured.
"Huh?" the novice berserk asked.
"Nothing…"
In another side, Soren sat playing with his food; bored, eating the curry as fast as a turtle would climb a tree.
Stefan had disrupted his mind, Mist didn't…shouldn't…couldn't…love him….no one could love a vile abomination such as him.
"May I sit with you?"
The mage shot his head up.
"Mist? Sure."
He looked around besides Ike being held by Elincia and Mia, nothing good, Boyd asking Titania something, Rolf and Marcia laughing and eating, Rolf was falling for Marcia though that didn't matter to him. Gatrie asking Shinon for help again,
Rhys, trying to convince Kieran, to be more careful.
Mist sat beside him, he started to blush, why? He'd give 1 gold to answer it.
"Soren, is the food bad?" Mist asked.
"No why?"
"You're eating it slowly, Curry is best when it's hot."
"Yeah, I'll hurry."
"I'll help you; Okay say ahhh!" Mist said with a spoon full of food.
"…Ahhh…" the mage said stoically.
Mist was feeding him, and the worst; he enjoyed it. From a far Boyd laughed his heart out; Soren shot him a 'laugh-again-and-I'll-Rexbolt-your-ass-like-there's-no-tomorrow' look.
"There! You see! All finished!" Mist cheered.
"Yeah…" he grabbed his cup for a drink.
"My lord Ike, let's go to the library!" Elincia exclaimed pulling Ike's left arm.
"NO, boss you need to practice with me!" Mia took the left arm.
"Calm down! I'll spar with Mia then read with Elincia! All right?!"
"Ok." Both girls sighed in defeat.
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Ike was outside staring at the full moon, it was comforting and was tired, why would the two girls, be so interested in spending time with him?
Ike felt someone, behind him, carefully he took Ragnell and attacked with the magical slash, the person Jumped and avoided.
"All right! I want no acidic jokes! Who is it?!" the ex-general inquired.
"Heh... heh... you haven't lost your touch Ike."
"You're...!"
Lethe came out from the bushes.
"Lethe?"
"Ike!" she rushed and hugged him.
"Whoa! What's that for?"
"We're friends right?"
"Yeah..."
"I just wanted to hug you." Lethe blushed, and Ike noticed this and raised an eyebrow.
"Hug me?" he shook it off. "What're you doing here? Didn0t you go back to Gallia?"
"You don't want me here?"
"No...I mean...why'd you come back?"
"We made a promise? Remember?"
"Promise?" Ike asked.
"You'd go to Gallia after the war!" she shoved him playfully.
"Ah yes, but I said after re-building Crimea, it's only being what 6 months?"
"I wanted...to see...you..."
"See me? Ok, who are you and what did you do with Lethe?" Ike asked.
"I'm serious! I..." her pink cheeks were red.
"Alright, I'm glad to have you back! Shall we go in?" Ike offered his hand.
"Yeah! Ah, Muarim, Mordecai, Ranulf, Ulki and Janaff are here too." She said.
"Cool!" Ike dragged her by the hand. Making the laguz grow red.
Ike entered with Lethe hand in hand, Mia and Elincia, sighed.
"Not her too..." they said in unison.
Everyone was rejoicing everyone but Soren.
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It was about 8:00 pm. And Soren stared at the full moon he had no coat, only what he wears beneath, his room was dark, only lighted by the moon's silver light...
"Love...I can't..." he said.
Soren felt a great pain on his chest, the thought of leaving and overall the thought of leaving Mist afflicted him greatly.
But he should? Shouldn't he? A branded couldn't be with anyone, much less with a goddess in life, as Mist.
Goddess? Why Mist was beautiful but... a goddess...
As the disoriented Mage thought all of this, a sweet voice, lured his ears.
"Soren..."
The mage recognized the voice instantly, Mist.
The Valkyria was in an pink nightgown, which revealed her long slender legs and a bit of her cleavage.
Soren blushed, because his mind was on her.
"Mist..." he called her with a soft tone.
"S...Sorry..." her cheeks were red. " I couldn't sleep..."
"How did I teach you to recover sleep?"
"Warm Milk. But I...need to give you something."
"What is it?"
"This." She handed him a bag of magic powder.
"Thanks..."
"Do you remember what day is today?" Mist asked.
"I don't..." he lied.
"Ah...Sorry to... to..."Mist shushed as Soren walked to his drawers and took something out.
Then mage hugged her. She hugged back and sighed, if this kept up...
"S...So...Soren?" she said surprised.
While hugging her, he wrapped a necklace around her neck.
"I've forgotten." He smiled. "Happy anniversary."
"You remember..." Mist was red now, but she didn't care.
"Yes, 10 years ago we met here." The mage smiled.
"I cried..." Mist remembered. "Soren..."
"Still can't sleep? Well, how about we apply the old method?"
"Old method? Ah..." The heat in Mist's cheeks started to burn like Bolgannonne. "Are you...?" Mist was shushed by Soren.
"Any objections my student?" Soren asked in a funny tone.
"No...Teacher..."
Soren lifted her off her feet, bridal style and placed her on his bed. Mist knowing what to do put her head in her chest.
"I remember...when father was away, or Ike scared me, you let me lay on your chest; you used to hum a lullaby for me...I also heard your heart and fell asleep..." Mist said eyes closed, she thanked for the darkness, else he'd know that the color of her face, and red wasn't how it was supposed to be. She looked up to the mage's face and met her crush's ruby eyes.
"Yes..." he brushed some bangs away from Mist's face and caressed her hair.
"You always loved to do that..." Mist giggled.
"I still do..."
"Soren..." Mist had a hard time retraining herself, if this kept up, she would throw it all away and kiss him on the lips regardless of his reaction.
Soren began to sing...
"Oh Soren..." she couldn't help herself anymore. Unconsciously she caressed his face.
"Before crying I prefer a sweet song...
Before sadness, I need your warmth..."
Mist caressed his chest.
"Even though, the world is full of traps,
I don't think it can change that easily.
Purify this quiet darkness,
Walk, and walk, and I'll consider it."
She loved that song, it stirred the memories, and it soothed her, the fact that she couldn't tell him, haunted her, he haunted; her ironically, he who was the cause was the solution, he'd been a teacher, a friend, everything, it's only natural she loved him.
"Even if it's slowly, I wonder if I can bring it close?
The fragment of a dream, the person I really like...
Always, always, I'll continue to search
For the shape of love I visualized."
Love, what did Mist feel? Respect, he'd had that clear but the actions she was doing denoted something else. Perhaps Stefan wasn't wrong.
"The things I can do for your sake...
Might not be any big deal.
But even so, I was touched
By your warmth which overcame my sadness."
Mist heard his heart, and the song soothed her too.
"The globe turns round and round.
Time rolls on and on...
At the end of the world, there's love
In the final destination of joy,
There's a dream called love…"
Mist was asleep, he just watched her as in old times.
Commander Greil often had trouble when night fell; he wasn't good at lullabies, so it was him who had to send her to dreamland. As a prodigy he was, it was troublesome to create a song for someone who's colder than a blizzard spell, but then he figured it wasn't hard, because the verses were based on them both.
It was true, the world could be hurting, he'd never felt love, and the things he'd done for her were no big deal, and overall that her warmth overcame his loneliness temporally.
While he thought this, Mist cuddled to him, as in old times, she'd fallen asleep in his arms.
"This is not logic; I'm growing closer to her buy why? Ah, but Stefan told me..." he remembered. "Ike, Stefan meant Ike, he'll tell me."
"Good night Mist..."
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A/N: Just like Ike said, Soren's a softie. But how will he realize Mist's feelings? And Ike has 3 girls after him! Who will win? Well, I'll read you later on "From friend to friend; the feelings we don't' know." Read you there!