I'm sorry this took a bit longer to get up. I actually had difficulty planning what this support would be about, and I struggled to write it for some reason I don't know. And I had to do some research on horse behavior.
Stahl/Sumia support was the winner of the poll, so a Stahl/Sumia support you will get. This is the one I secretly wanted to win, so I was ecstatic when it did. Thanks to ToraTheUmbreon for originally suggesting the pair. These two will make a sweeeet couple. I guarantee it.
I would also like to thank everybody who reviewed last chapter: Undertaker5, Zehava, Lissa's Husband, Fierce Wyvern486, PrinceRoxiePie, and red lilies. Your support encourages me to write, even though I initially do it for fun. Also, I'm really glad to see many of you enjoy my writing style! If anything, it's what I pour myself into the most whenever I write these, so it really makes a big difference whenever someone tells me "love the way you narrate" as opposed to "good story."
The next poll is also up, and I got a smack-load of ideas from a lot of people. I'm flattered, but by the time I begin the third poll, I'll have to cut out the suggested pairs that aren't getting voted for, since they're just going to take up unnecessary space. Sorry about that, but I hope you understand. Please don't forget to contribute and help me decide which of the suggestions you'd like me to write next!
Stahl is such a sweetheart, and it's ridiculous how he wasn't one of Sumia's potential marriage candidates. They would make such a fluffy couple, and it's my goal to evoke all the awws from you guys in the sweetest way possible. They're both practically kittens. Please enjoy, and I hope to God I characterized Stahl all right. I've never written him before, so I don't know how successful I was in doing so, but… there's always B-support to make amends.
Stahl and Sumia — C
Despite all her bumbling apologies, Stahl's smile was patient, and it made Sumia feel as if she wasn't the one at fault.
"Come on, Sumia. Should you really be the one apologizing here?" His voice was light, with a layer of amusement.
"Yes!" she insisted earnestly. After all, she was the one who had miscalculated; clearly, her fragile Pegasus wouldn't have been able to take a blow she'd been unprepared for. After she and her mount were forced to retreat from the battle, Sumia realized with a bitter aching that perhaps it would have been better for Stahl to receive the hit. He was far sturdier than her, and her lunatic stunt only transformed what would have been a mere scratch on Stahl's armor to her forced withdrawal and a bloody wound on her precious partner. With a shameful shake of her head, she heaved a sigh. "I'm the one who made us look like fools out there."
His laugh lifted her spirits—just a bit. "Hogwash! I'm pretty sure letting my guard down in the middle of a fight made me look like a dunderhead all on my own. Besides," he said, the curves of his lips twitching downwards in remorse, "who's steed was the one who got hurt because of all this?"
Even if he wasn't openly showing it, Sumia hated to see Stahl's contrition. For a moment, she willed herself to forget about her own misstep and molded her tone with the intention of easing his discomfort. "I suppose you have a point… but she's going to be just fine, Stahl. There's no need to worry. Nothing the healers can't fix, right?"
"That's good to hear." He beamed, extending a hand out to her. Curiously, she took it, and he gently helped her up onto his mount. She felt uncomfortable on the unfamiliar saddle, but stayed quiet while he continued. "I hope you don't mind. I couldn't help but feel responsible for you not being able to fight, so I asked Robin if you could ride with me next battle. Er, with your permission, of course."
To be candid, she'd had doubts when he'd first brought up the idea. But she felt it difficult to turn down his offer, and she was especially touched at his determination to make reparations for his carelessness—even though a small pang in her heart still made her feel like it was partly her fault for jumping in all hero-like when her Pegasus clearly wasn't built for the inevitable blow. Nevertheless, Stahl's generosity and her desire to keep fighting was what made her agree.
"Oh, not at all," replied Sumia, returning his smile. "If things go well during our training, I'd be happy to fight alongside you and your steed."
Half of her attention was devoted to speaking to him, but the other was focused on adjusting to her uneasiness on regular horseback, which was ridiculous, considering her Pegasus flew and should have served as the more jarring of the two rides. Stahl's expression told her he was clearly astounded—at exactly what, however, she hadn't the slightest clue.
"He likes you!" he practically shouted, as if a third eyeball had just emerged in the middle of her face.
Sumia couldn't help but blurt out a clueless "Huh?"
Stahl quickly shook his head, as if deeming his words offensive, and explained. "The last person who rode him other than me took a deadly hoof to the face." He must have noticed Sumia's horrified flinch, because he tacked on hurriedly, "Granted, that person was Vaike, who practically jumped my horse and spanked him to get him running away from Sully's, if memory serves. All I remember is that he was ambushed by two horses instead of one that day." He laughed, and she laughed, because it was funny, and she could tell he meant to ease her anxiousness.
"I'm not too worried about him attacking me," admitted Sumia, as Stahl began climbing his steed and seating himself down in front of her. "I can't place my finger on why, but I have this weird natural talent for getting along with animals."
They prepared their weapons to commence their training routine, Stahl taking out his sword and Sumia brandishing her lance. Stahl's head craned around slightly as he spoke to her. "That's understandable. How could they not relax around a heart as warm as yours?" Her heart did warm then, and so did her cheeks; thankfully, she was behind him, so he didn't notice her short-lived bashfulness.
"I'm not quite sure it's that, but I do have a horse of my own. Er, at least, a breed of one. I should be able to get along with yours easily enough. The only thing I'm concerned about is adjusting on the battlefield." If she spoke the complete truth, it would involve apprehensive sputtering and her admitting to the fact that she thought this was a terrible idea. For one thing, she didn't even know what to grab on to when they took off, and if she didn't want to end up as a trippy pancake left behind in the mud, her only option would be to latch onto Stahl, which would be utterly rude and heavens like she could deny she wasn't being a burden then. But she went along with him and decided to take advantage of training, more for his sake than her own.
He readied the reins in his hands, this time turning his head fully to offer Sumia a confident smirk. "There's no need to be so humble. Trust me; you'll catch on just fine."
And with a mighty squeeze of Stahl's calves and the cavalier's intrepid heyah, the horse started forward and training had begun.
"Stahl," Sumia began almost desperately, "I don't think this is going to work out."
It hurt her to say it, and the way his face fell summoned the imps of regret to eat at her heart, but after she had gotten off of the ride and taken one look at his horse, she knew for certain.
"Huh? But everything turned out great! We even broke the training dummy into pieces with our combined force, and usually, only Chrom's able to do that."
"I'll admit I was surprised at our teamwork as well, but… it's clear I'm only being a burden." He opened his mouth to speak, likely to counter against her insecurity, but she continued before he had the chance. "Take a look at your horse."
Stahl's curious eyes turned to his steed, his expression quickly turning aghast and his figure by his side in a second. "Egad! He's panting like an overweight mongrel!" She couldn't help but feel horrid there, as she watched with regretful eyes Stahl stroking his horse's face, and she felt the overwhelming desire to apologize once again.
"And it's all—"
"My fault," he cut in, frowning. "Shoot, Sumia. You can't blame yourself for noticing my mistake. I should be thanking you." He looked immersed in thought, absentmindedly scratching his partner behind the ear as he mused. "That's strange, though. He doesn't normally get this exhausted after a quick training session like that."
"It's because I'm extra baggage," confessed Sumia, unable to stay quiet any longer. "I don't think two people are meant to ride the poor thing. It's a smart idea and everything, but if we're giving your precious horse extra pain, it's difficult for me to go through with it knowing I'm the cause. As much as I want to help, I think it's best if I stayed behind during the next battle." She let herself smile, remembering that her Pegasus was stuck in the same situation as her. "After all, I have a partner of my own I should be watching out for."
Her kindness seemed to touch Stahl's heart, but he still looked ashamed. Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his ruffled head. "Well, do I feel like an oaf. That's double I owe you, for injuring your Pegasus and suggesting something that would just stop you from spending time with her. Especially when she needs you most."
An idea bounced into Sumia's head, brightening her smile. "Then why don't you come and visit her with me?"
By the curious raise of his brow, she figured he was interested.
"She's not going to understand," she continued, "but you can apologize to her if you feel it's necessary. And you can bring your horse, too. Oh, I'm sure they'd make such wonderful friends! It's times like these when company, animal or human, encourages recovery. She would be glad to see you two—surely much happier than if I were to go alone. What do you say?"
Stahl flashed her a toothy grin. "It's a much better idea than mine."
Sumia couldn't resist a squeal of yay! to convey her excitement; her Pegasus had gotten along with Sully's steed swimmingly, and she had no doubt her partner's first encounter with Stahl's would be just as enjoyable. Stahl had a kind heart, one that mirrored her own, and he had been in the Shepherds for as long as her, even when they were a too small a ragtag group of knights to be called an army. He was always sweet to her, and proved incredibly easy to talk to—though they've seen each other every day for hundreds of days, he was more of an acquaintance to her, but she was ecstatic to finally get the chance to become close friends with him.
"I'll meet you at the stables," he said, taking his horse's reins and preparing to lead him away. "I have something I want to do. Besides, I have this guy," he paused, good-naturedly slapping a hand onto his mount's back, "to wash before meeting his new lady-friend."
They said a momentary goodbye and parted ways, Stahl heading towards the stream and Sumia towards the stable tent.
Lady-friend. Just what kind of meeting in Naga's name was Stahl preparing for?