Alright, challenge number four! Ha ha… This one is actually based on a true story, as on the level this chapter takes place on (chapter 19 on the Sacae route, if my memory serves correct), seeing as Roy is a little shit who refuses to upgrade until foreeeeeverrrr (Raigh actually makes a snarky comment that is somewhat hinting towards this in the piece), he just tagged along with Lalum while she danced for a few people until the two of them just ended up milling around the villages and doing my shopping for me XD. BUT ANYWAYS. I… Think that's all I have to say about this piece? This one is a really, really fluffy one, so be prepared! (I mean how does one write something not fluffy for the prompt "On a Date" for an OTP Challenge? … Please don't take that as challenge you don't need to do it!)
Oh, right. For the record, I did finish this on the correct day, it's just my internet was down so I didn't get to upload it until Day Five. "-_-
Pairing(s): Roy/Lalum
Words: 1,393
Rating: K+? (I feel weird rating any of my pieces as simply K but that may be accurate for this one)
Warnings: Nothing that I can really think of?
He really, really doesn't understand Lalum sometimes.
A tired sigh passes through his lips as he watches the young dancer bounce around him. He feels exhausted just watching her. Isn't she aware of the battle going on around them?!
"Roy, Roy!" Lalum calls, turning to face him eagerly. "Come look at this! It's really awesome..."
Roy sighs again, shooting Merlinus a somewhat exasperated look, but the merchant simply shakes his head before turning to Raigh, who has come to receive a new Nosferatu tome. "Roy, come on! This will look great on you!" The young lord swallows; in all honesty, he is curious about just what it is that has the girl so excited, but...
"Go ahead, Master Roy," Merlinus says reluctantly. "The others can take care of things here."
"Besides," Raigh says loudly, raising his brow at the red-head. "You're definitely not as experienced as the rest of us."
Roy smiles weakly at the dark mage before turning back to Merlinus. "But... I'm the leader..."
"I'll be there to let you know when we're ready for you," Merlinus insists. A reluctant sigh passes the older man's lips before he adds, "As loathe as I am to let you be spending time alone with that girl, you are but a boy. Master Eliwood would want you to enjoy yourself, even if we're in midst of a war."
"Bu -"
"No buts, sir," Merlinus chides, digging out the army's Silver Card from his cart before handing it to Roy. "Go on. Enjoy yourself. Consider it an indirect order from your father." The young lord stares blankly at the mustached man for a moment. Merlinus rolls his eyes. "Quickly now, before I change my mind."
"Are you sure it isn't an issue...?" Roy asks as he hesitantly takes the item from the merchant.
"Positive! Run along, now." Roy nods gratefully before turning to face where Lalum had been standing.
"L-Lalum?!" Roy glances around frantically; she had just been there a moment ago! How can one girl move along from a stall so darn quickly -
"Rooooy!" Roy lets out a small groan as he looks towards his left, where the call had come from. Lalum bounces towards him, beaming as she holds up an intricate necklace of sorts.
"Where did you even get that?" he asks skeptically, but she looks so pleased with it that a slight smile manages to pull at the corners of his lips. Still, he can't imagine what shops would be open with all this fighting going on in the city.
"Umm..." Lalum bites her lip, staring at the trinket she's holding. "Some stalls are still open!" The dancer grins slyly, batting her eyelids at her companion. "We can do some browsing! You know... Like a date!"
Although her flirting is over-exaggerated and kind of weird, Roy finds himself blushing and he looks past her at the closest stall. "U-um... I guess... Something like that?" Lalum's grin widens, and she clings to the boy's arm affectionately.
"The merchant said that the different beads arranged on this have different meanings in Sacaen culture... I wonder what these mean..." Lalum hums to herself as Roy glances over at her.
"Did you already buy it?" Roy asks. He's trying really, really hard to ignore the cries of pain of their enemies, but it isn't exactly easy. At least he hasn't heard any of his own soldiers crying out...
"Yeah..." Lalum purses her lips. "I was hoping to give it to you, but what would you do with it? I mean, as far as I know, necklaces aren't worn by guys that often, right?" Lalum sighs, shooting Roy a worried glance. Reddening furiously, he glances towards a vendor.
"I hear that jewellery of all sorts is often worn by Sacaen nomads, men and women alike," Roy mumbles. "I wouldn't mind just holding onto it, at least..."
There is so much wrong with him right now. He wouldn't dare admit it to anyone (especially Merlinus; who knows what the merchant-chaperone would do if he ever found out about how Roy is feeling right now), but perhaps he just really wants to be able to accept Lalum's gift, regardless of what it is. After all... That would make her smile more, right?
"Hey, Roy!" Lalum chimes, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The addressed teen shoots her a lopsided grin; then again, perhaps the carefree dancer doesn't need any extra reason to smile... "You're still worried about the others, aren't you?"
"W-what?" Roy stammers, doing his best to meet her sparkling green gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about..."
Lalum giggles, suddenly pecking him on the lips before turning away. Even her cheeks are dusted pink after the kiss, but in comparison to Roy, she may as well look as pale as the dying soldiers falling not too far away from them. He can hardly walk properly as she continues dragging him away, and her voice seems to be coming from an entirely different plane of existence as she replies, "Well, what if we were to shop for some tomes and staves at the vendor over there? Then you can feel like you're still serving the enemy while having fun!" The ginger turns to quickly wink at him before tugging him in front of the vendor.
"Ah... Okay?" Roy mumbles several minutes after Lalum proposes the idea. The dancer finally lets go of him arm, tucking her hands behind her back as she pretends to be absorbed in her shopping. "I... Think we might have needed more Heal staves? Oh... Maybe a Flux or two? Raigh was saying something about Sophia using them all up..." Another giggle bubbles from Lalum's throat, and Roy can only cock his head in confusion. "Did I say something funny?"
"No, no, silly!" She turns, beaming at the boy before quickly kissing him again, this time on the cheek. "I'm just so happy! I mean, shopping together... It almost feels as though we're married!
'I think the kids wanted more milk for their breakfast, love.'
'Oh, of course! Silly me! Tee hee! I love you so much, honey-bear!'
'Aw, I love you, too.'"
Roy blinks, ignoring the heat rising to his cheeks as he asks dubiously, "... Honey-bear? And did you just replace Raigh and Sophia with our... Children?" He shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "What are you even talking about?"
Lalum laughs, clapping her hands together giddily. "You're just so cute! I could kiss you forever." She shoots him a somewhat timid glance, blushing somewhat before she turns back to the vendor, relaying the supplies they needed to her.
Roy's face flushes as he watches her, trying to ignore all the sneaky glances she shoots him more-than-occasionally as she regards the wares. Sighing, Roy steps forward, taking a small money pouch off of his belt to pay. He also slips the Silver Card onto the counter, and while the vendor's merchant calculates the costs, the young lord finds himself watching Lalum as she "oohs" and "aahs" at the merchandise.
"Oh well," Roy murmurs to himself as a slight smile tugs at his lips. "It wouldn't be Lalum if she weren't a tad odd."
As he lays the required gold on the counter, Lalum shoots him yet another curious glance. An affectionate smile of her own finds its place on her face, and she hums to herself quietly as he pays. "Roy?" she begins, and the red-head looks over at her as he gathers the items. "I lo -"
"Roy, Lalum! The enemy has been routed!" Lalum frowns slightly as Merlinus's voice echoes through the market, but she quickly wipes it away. Beaming, she clings onto Roy's arm yet again, taking a couple of Flux tomes from him. "Let me help you carry some of these!"
"Lalum?" Lalum blinks, turning to look at Roy's face as he addresses her. "W-was there something you wanted to say...?"
"Nope!" Lalum says while rubbing her head against his shoulder as a cat would against their owner's leg. "Nothing that can't wait for later, that is!"
"Okay..." Roy mumbles as he leads them through the empty marketplace. It doesn't matter, anyways, he thinks, shooting Lalum a nervous glance as she hums to herself. Maybe it was good to get a bit of a break, after all...
