Entry 2 - Ryoma and Scarlet

A new era of peace had been ushered in to Hoshido.

Their former enemy Nohr had become a trading ally, and struggling farms everywhere were able to drum up some new business selling across the continent. As for the new King, Ryoma, he had a lot of new responsibilities. Corresponding with Nohr, keeping on an eye on the former troublemaker nation of Mokushu…..he had less time for leisure.

But there was one thing he always made some time for.

SHWING SHUNK

"C'mon~ Don't get so rusty in your new throne, Prince!"

SHING

"Why don't you whip out your Raijinto, hm?"

Ryoma froze in place. His opponent was obviously referring to the legendary blade but her cheeky smile forced his mind to go in different places.

"I….think that's enough training for the day."

"If you say so." Scarlet of Cheve stuck her axe into the dirt and dusted herself off. "So, things been going well in the country?"

"I'd say so." Ryoma returned the practice blade to the sheathe and had a palace guard take it away. "I appreciate you coming this way, Scarlet."

"Aww, for you? Anytime," said the wyvern rider. She stretched; the hot sun caused some sweat to drip down her face from the arduous session. "It's always nice to stop on by into Hoshido. Maybe I'll get a souvenir for Magenta when I get back."

Tragically, Scarlet's adored wyvern Crimson perished in the war, but she was raising a new wyvern from infancy. Although she could never replace her, all of her friends agreed she needed a mount to fill that hole in her heart.

"Right. Shall we convey inside for some tea?"
"Sure!"

"Thank you, Kagero. At ease."

The kunoichi finished pouring her liege's cup and bowed. She soon disappeared without saying a word.

"Still got those lovebirds serving ya, Ryoma?"

"Yes, Saizo and Kagero have been extremely valuable in their support. I'm truly grateful their focus is on their duties, but I do advise them to take some leisure time every now and then."

Scarlet winked. "We know what that means, hmm?" Again she was being vague on purpose, just to get Ryoma all flustered. It was cute to see him lose composure. "Aww I'm just teasing, Ryoma. By the way, thanks for loaning me this kimono. It's a pretty hot day for all that armor."

"But of course." Ryoma himself had shed his own armor for a relaxed look. He even let his hair fall down. "Would you mind telling me how fares things on your side of the continent?"

"Cheve? We've been doing pretty well. King Xander is working hard to fix all the mistakes his father did. Unforunately….seems with each day the others don't really want outright independence, just….better rule around us."

"Does that upset you?"

Scarlet's eyes lost a bit of her previous energy. "It's been the goal we've been working hard towards because it seemed Nohr was never going to improve. But after the war and stuff, we can't survive managing ourselves. It's a rocky situation. I don't mind the peace but it feels…"

"A little unfulfilling?"

"Maybe I'm just a bitch for thinking I was Cheve's hero."

"Don't be ridiculous," Ryoma chided. "The people of your city regarded you as their leader because you were the one that drove them. At the end of the day, Cheve is intact because they trusted you, right?"

"Yeah, but….we lost some good men out there. Some innocent bystanders too."

"That is what war does, Scarlet."

"Feh!" Scarlet drank the rest of her cup and slammed it down. "They wanted me to come here too. Said I work too hard making sure restoration is going well. So let's make the most of it."

Ryoma stared at her, curious as to what she meant.

XXXX

Now the cups were being filled with some of Hoshido's best sake. Ryoma didn't like the scheming look on Scarlet's face, whatever she had planned, but it was his duty as a host to go with the flow.

"Let's play Truth or Dare!"

"W-What? Isn't that a game for a child?"

"Ryoma, Ryoma. That's why you introduce some booze to the mix! It's super easy. We take turns. If you can't do whatever the opponent says, you gotta drink. But I'll make you go first since I'm super nice like that." Scarlet's grin was scaring him.

"V-Very well."

"Great! So I pick-"
"Wait, you said I go first!"
"Yeah. You pick first!"

How could he fall for such a simple trick? But Ryoma was not one to lose so easily. "Dare it is."

"Use that Raijinto of yours and shoot some lightning out the window."

That's it? Ryoma checked to see if someone was around but the coast was clear. He drew his sacred blade, charged it up, and unleashed the lightning with a powerful shout.

"Hahahahaa slow down, crazy! My turn!"

Ryoma internally gulped. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth. And make it hard!"

"Fine. Um….what is your favorite color?"

"Ryoma. What is my name, again?"

The king looked embarrassed. "Your parents named you that, so you could've liked a different color."

"They knew I liked it! My mother wrapped me in a red blanket. What a lame question. Are you holding back on me?"

"Of course not…."

"Fine. Truth or dare?"

Ryoma decided on truth.

"Okay. Are you a virgin?" She nearly burst out laughing at Ryoma's face, but she held it back. Barely. "You can always drink if you don't want to answer."

"That….implies I'm shielding the wrong answer."

"Ryoma, there IS no wrong answer. Just be honest."

He decided to drink to mask some of the shame. He would have enough of her games. Scarlet picked Dare for her next choice. He would make her regret that choice. He instructed her to throw her cup's contents at whoever comes through the door next.

"Ah, that's all?"

He opened the door. "Sakura! Would you come in here?"

"You son of a-"

"Yes, big brother!" asked the youngest princess of Hoshido. She looked around. "Oh, Scarlet! Good to see you again! What's going on? Are you playing some kind of game with my brother?"

Scarlet had to fold and drink. She couldn't harm Sakura, even if it was a game. Ryoma dismissed her without further explanation.

"….that was dirty, Ryoma."

"So was your virgin question. I believe it's my pick again, so I will go with Dare."

"Alright. I dare you to kiss me."

Surely he was mishearing things. But no, Scarlet was smiling and even pointing to her lips. The truth was, the two had become closer and closer since their initial meeting, and even tensions within the war lead to the once crown prince kissing the Chevois woman.

What were they, officially? Ryoma didn't know.

"Aww, you're scared Ryoma?"

"There's no need to belittle me, Scarlet."

"Then what's the harm? This is a date, right?"

Ryoma's samurai mask was starting to crumble. "You're extremely crafty, Scarlet. But if you wanted me to kiss you so badly, you didn't need to construct a game around it."

"I'm the only person that trips you up like this, huh?"

"…..yes. That's part of the reason why I wouldn't say no to such a dare."

"Get a little redder, lobster boy." Scarlet giggled. "C'mere."

The king closed the distance and firmly planted his lips on her, and the two sunk into the moment. Ryoma didn't care if anyone were to stumble in. He loved Scarlet, although admitting it first would probably mean she could tease him for the rest of his life.
Eventually their lips pulled apart, and she whispered:

"It's ok. I'm a virgin too."

No amount of sword training could defeat this woman.

FIN

Ending notes: A big thing I want to do with this fic is expand on the pairings I admitedly glossed over towards the end of ABA. Suggestions are welcome but I have a few ideas of my own.