Author's Note: Hello guys, this is my first ever fanfiction. I didn't really intend on uploading this, but I was more or less pressured into doing so by my friend (Bung3665 in case you want to check him out). This is just a bit of random drabble that I wrote up one really late night, so don't expect the Holy Grail of stories. It's simply a work about one of my favourite ships, with a bit of Felix x Bernie sprinkled in. I hope you enjoy and be sure to r&r, any criticism is appreciated :3
He raced through the halls with purpose and a sense of excitement coursing through his mind. Oh, I can't wait 'til Ingrid finds out about this. With any luck, it'll liven things up around here. A teenage boy, 17 or 18 from the looks of it, was hastily rushing around his school, seemingly searching for someone, the sound of their name echoing throughout the stone corridors. It was growing late, the school hours long past, but considering most students lived in dorms some two minutes away, it wouldn't have been all that unusual to find a person or two loitering about. That being said, it was still no easy task, as the grand academy was far too vast to simply roam aimlessly and hope. No, he needed a sense of direction, and, knowing his friend for almost all his life, he was sure he knew where she would be at that moment: the dining hall.
It was not the largest room in the castle-like structure, but it was definitely a contender, with its many large tables and benches placed in rows and columns, and the walls, lined with torches, which seemed to stretch up all the way to the heavens. The room was tied together by the large counter at the front where the meals are served to the hungry patrons who gather in a long line that occasionally stretches to the opposite side of the dining hall, and on great days, it even reaches the courtyard. It was a perfect way to describe the workings of the dining hall, as they managed to attract so many customers, while also failing to serve them in a timely fashion. A true testament to the quality of the food, though, as it was good enough that the line never dispersed, despite the long wait, and, based on the aroma alone, anyone could tell with ease that the room just beyond the counter was the source of that magic. The kitchen was typically operated by students of the school, which meant that on days when Ashe and Dedue were cooking, the dining hall was almost always the liveliest place in the monastery. Sylvain recalled that the duo had prepared the meals that evening, meaning that any leftovers would be worth eating, and it just so happened that he saw a half full pot of Daphnel stew being taken to the back. Ingrid couldn't resist an opportunity to indulge in such delicious cuisine.
Turns out, he was right, as he so often was, much to the irritation of his peers, but truthfully, he found their misinformed opinions to be rather amusing at times: How could someone so laid back and aloof possibly display any signs of a functioning brain? Sylvain couldn't help but laugh, it's not like they knew much of anything anyway.
"Ingrid! Finally found you, though, it's not exactly surprising," he stated, looking at the bowl laid in front of his friend. "Your favourite soup, right? I know you like your food and all, but it's getting kinda late. Anyway, you gotta come with me, now. You won't want to miss this."
Ingrid turned to look at him, not really hearing anything past the insensitive comment, her long, golden braid of hair swaying gracefully behind her head. She would have appeared rather beautiful were it not for the indignant scowl plastered across her face. A smirk was all that she got in return. Ingrid composed herself quickly, and turned her attention back to her half-eaten meal. If I don't acknowledge him, he'll leave me be. She tried her best to ignore his incessant pestering, but to no avail. It was always like this, ever since they were kids. "Ingrid this," and "Ingrid that," when would she ever find a moment of peace. After what seemed like forever, she caved, "Sylvain." she said reluctantly, unsure if the hassle of dealing with his antics was worth the effort. She didn't even glance in his direction; the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was even slightly interested.
"Man, would it kill you to act a little friendly; it's not exactly knightly, if you ask me," before Ingrid could respond to his bold claim with yet another lecture about his own tactless mannerisms, he continued, silencing her. "I just saw Felix heading to the Goddess Tower with Bernadetta," he blurted out, abrupt and to the point, not a very typical Sylvain move, but Ingrid couldn't be bothered to concern herself with that, as the revelation she had just received was far more pressing. Sylvain had managed to capture her full attention, and she noted how disheveled his crimson locks were, clearly indicating that he had arrived here in a hurry, which could only mean he was telling the truth, right?
That couldn't be right, though. Felix, her now deceased fiancé's brother, and Bernadetta, the short, purple-haired girl from the other class? Felix, the crass, distant, and oftentimes harsh swordsman, and Bernadetta, the shy, reclusive, and incredibly timid archer?
"You shouldn't joke around like that, Sylvain. It may have been in jest, but spreading rumours is hardly becoming of a student at Garreg Mach," she declared, realising that this was probably just another of Sylvain's usual antics.
"Joke? You wound me," he responded in mock hurt. "I assure you I'm being honest. What would I gain from lying to you about something like this?" his tone getting the slightest bit more serious.
While Ingrid thought about how to answer his question, he grasped her hand and led her out to the courtyard, towards the cathedral. She was shocked, of course, Sylvain was never so persistent when it caim to bold claims like this. Her confusion was quickly washed away when she saw his wide grin as he seemingly paraded their intimate contact to everyone nearby, like angler displaying his latest catch. Suffice it to say, his smile faded rather quickly, replaced with the gritting of his teeth as he winced in pain, and Ingrid spared no time in sharing a few stern words with him.
Their usual banter began to fade, as well, and a shocked silence took its place. Sylvain looked on, seemingly pleased with himself, while Ingrid, on the other hand, appeared to be in a state of utter disbelief. Sylvain had, in fact, told the truth.
The two of them stared at the pair on the balcony of the spire, visible across the small chasm, connected by a narrow stone bridge. There sat a petite figure, leaning her small head on the shoulder of a taller, navy-blue-haired student, who ran his hand through her purple locks as they basked in the solitary moment they found for themselves. It made no sense at all. None. Yet, looking at them now, Ingrid found a smile creeping on her face. It was a sight to behold, Felix being so caring towards another person. It had been a long time since either Ingrid or Sylvain had seen him so relaxed, so content.
Ingrid couldn't help but notice herself stealing glances at the charming, young redhead beside her. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice, his undivided attention on his best friend finally enjoying himself, and Ingrid internally chastised herself for even thinking about Sylvain in such a way. She refocused on what was clear before her, Felix openly displaying the emotions he had so fervently guarded for all those years. That final thought seemed to stick with her for a while, and before she knew what she was doing, Ingrid turned to face Sylvain, and took hold of his hand. The gesture came completely out of the blue, and Sylvain found himself at a loss. He didn't know what to say or what to do. It was a strange twist on things; for once, it was Sylvain who was tongue tied because of a girl, not the other way around.
With a newfound sense of courage, out of seemingly nothing, Ingrid spoke up, "Tomorrow, at sunset, I'd like for you to join me up there."
The words came across as more of a demand than a request, but Sylvain couldn't care less, Ingrid had asked for his company, that alone was enough to bring a goofy grin to his face. "I'd love to," he responded, his voice lined with pure joy. He was elated to have her say such a thing to him, that much was obvious, but a question ran through his mind and found its way past his lips. "What brought this about, though? It seems awfully sudden," the words lingered in the air, his gaze fixed on her.
Ingrid paused for a moment, their hands still intertwined, she wasn't fond of being unable to speak, but still, she found herself silently staring into two expectant, brown eyes that looked back at her green ones. She didn't know the answer herself. She mulled over the recent events for a while and finally came to a conclusion, "Felix managed to be honest with himself, and I figured that maybe I could do the same," she was now smiling at her childhood friend, and he smiled back. They stayed that way for quite some time.
He knew her words were genuine, he could tell from the sincerity in her smile, her beautiful, radiant smile. It was all Sylvain had ever wished for, for someone he truly cared about to reciprocate his feelings in earnest. He never wanted the moment to end, but alas, he felt her hands slip away from his, and he looked towards her, a hint of disappointment in his expression.
Suddenly, Ingrid closed the distance between their faces, giving him a small peck on the cheek, she hastily turned away, heat rising to her cheeks, "I-I'll see you tomorrow, then. Good night, Sylvain," and with that, she ran off towards the student lodging, leaving Sylvain even more dumbfounded than before.
As he slowly made his way back to his own dorm, the previous few minutes looped through his head. Somehow, by some miracle, he managed to land a date with Ingrid. He absently looked towards the evening sky, his thoughts moving on towards what was going to happen next. He figured, at the very least, that Felix and he were going to have a nice long chat about it, but it could wait. For now, he could only focus on one thing: his excitement for the coming night with the girl of his dreams.
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