Title: Constantly In My Thoughts

Summary: Flavio gets caught out in the rain. While waiting for the rain to pass, he becomes lost in his thoughts. Unsurprisingly, they're about Fafnir.

Pairings: Fafnir/Flavio

AN: Whew, how long has it been since I wrote a fluffy oneshot? It's probably only been like a month or so, but it feels like it's been aaaaaaaaages. Anyway, hope you enjoy~


Flavio walked with a steady pace as he idly rebalanced the paper bag filled of groceries against his side. He paid little attention to his surroundings, however, as he was in the busy streets of Lagaard. And his mind was busy reaffirming his shopping list in his head. He was somewhat satisfied that he had gotten everything he was sent to buy, but one could never be a hundred percent certain, right?

He didn't want to make it all the way back to the restaurant, only to discover he had indeed forgotten something. Unbelievably annoying, especially since he was the one who would have to trek all the way back.

A drop of something cold and wet striking him in the centre of his forehead was what finally pulled Flavio from his thoughts. He tilted his head back instinctively to look up at the cloudy grey sky. And received a rain drop to his right eye.

"Of course," Flavio muttered as he rubbed his eye with hand. He uttered a sigh when more raindrops fell. It was going to pour down rain any second, he just knew it.

He had two options; run through it to the restaurant or find temporary shelter.

And after all the running he had done in the labyrinth that very morning, thought snow nonetheless, he decided to go with the second option. His calves were sure to thank him for it.

Thankfully, there was an awning of an empty shop nearby and while the few others on the street that was a short cut back to the restaurant were content to run, Flavio would have that one dry spot all to himself.

And no sooner did he step under the awning that it began to bucket down. Not torrential by any means, but he would be utterly soaked by the time he returned to the others.

The sky was a light grey in colour, so Flavio reasoned that the rain would not last all that long. Well, he hoped not at least. He hoped that it would ease up in less than an hour or so. If not, he was sure Fafnir would come hunting for him, as it were.

As Flavio dropped down to park his butt on the vacant shop step, his thoughts immediately centred on Fafnir. To be fair, though, it wasn't often that his childhood best friend wasn't far from his thoughts.

He couldn't help but wonder if he was in Fafnir's thoughts as he was in his. Although, being the leader of a guild was sure to occupy him more often than not. That was…reasonable, of course.

It was funny how the sound and sight of a steady rain, dripping rhythmically against the stone cobbled road and the canvas of the awning brought out a feeling of nostalgia. It was likely it due to how Flavio and Fafnir often found themselves caught out in the rain when they were kids. Out on their little adventures. Out exploring.

Ironic that they became explorers and adventures, huh?

Although…not entirely in the fashion that was considered normal. Definitely not in the way Flavio would have wanted.

Flavio sighed and fidgeted uncomfortably against the cold, hard ground. He tried to push aside the feeling of resentment whenever he thought back to certain…circumstances. Ones that forced Fafnir into being an explorer. Into being a knight.

Into being someone's sacrificial lamb.

Flavio raised his hand and physically struck himself on the side of his head with the heel of his palm. Nope, none of those dark thoughts. It…couldn't be helped. No one from their party was to blame.

No one.

With another sigh escaping his lips, Flavio tried to focus his attention on the steady rain fall. As peaceful as it was, the way the raindrops splashed against the stones, forming smalls puddles and pools, he couldn't stop his mind from wandering back to Fafnir.

And ultimately to Arianna.

He didn't blame her for anything. He certainly didn't hate her. Any resentment that would bubble up in the centre of his chest was from pure biasness. He had known Fafnir longer, after all. Knew him better. Of course, he would feel protective of him. He was his best friend.

And yet…

No, Fafnir was his best friend. A friend. Maybe a brother. That was all they would be. Especially…

Especially since it was obvious that a Fafnir Knight would choose to be by the side of their princess, regardless of anything else. The bond between a knight and their princess was undeniable.

So, the jealousy he felt whenever the two were together was pointless. A waste of time. Something he needed to get over. For Fafnir's sake.

All for Fafnir's sake…

"Flavio!"

Flavio blinked, startled by the voice from the very subject of his thoughts. He looked up, still sat on that vacant shop step, still under the cover of the awning, and out into the rain. Where he soon recognised the figure approaching at a steady pace, an umbrella over his head.

And the sight of him brought a small smile to his lips.

"Looking for me already?"

Fafnir stepped under the awning and lowered the umbrella to his side. "I figured that you would seek shelter rather than run though the rain."

"Because of all the running we did this morning?"

"No, because you didn't want to get back soaking wet and have me whine at you about catching a cold."

The smile on Flavio's lips grew a fraction bigger and he pushed himself to his feet, idly readjusting his hold on his groceries. His gaze shifted toward the umbrella that Fafnir had by his side and quickly noted that he only had one on him.

"Only one umbrella?"

Fafnir shrugged dismissively. "I could only fine one."

"There's three in storage."

"I didn't have time to look there."

Flavio arched an eyebrow. "You snatched the nearest one and immediately headed out when you realised it was raining?"

"In search of you, yes." Fafnir's reply was blunt, but nonchalant. As if it should have been obvious. And, well, it was obvious. Still nice to hear the words, though.

And to know that Fafnir immediately thought of him when he saw the rain.

To be thinking of him…

Friends. Just friends…

It was hard to keep up that mantra, however, when Fafnir slinked an arm around Flavio's waist and pulled him close, pressing him firmly against his side. It…was due to Fafnir not wanting him to get wet as they share an umbrella. Yeah.

Even so, even with his cheeks heating up unexpectedly in spite of the cold, Flavio didn't pull away. He reasoned it was because Fafnir's grip around him was so tight that he couldn't. And that idea in of itself made him flush a little bit harder.

To be held so tightly…

Quit dreaming, Flavio; Fafnir had always been way overprotective.

"You've been overthinking again." Fafnir had stated that as fact, yet held a light accusatory tone as well.

"How do you know?"

Fafnir repositioned the umbrella over their heads as he tugged him to begin their trek back to the restaurant. "You bite the tip of your thumb and tap your foot incessantly when you do."

Flavio blinked. "I do?" Seriously? "You saw that?"

"I know you, Flavio."

…Yeah. Yeah, Flavio supposed he did.

"You think too much," Fafnir added, lightly teasing.

"Well, someone has to," Flavio quickly retorted, his tone also playful as they strolled idly through the rain drenched streets.

Fafnir gave a one shouldered shrug. "I think enough. I only need to know six things; where the threat is, what the best response is for battle, whether the map is accurate, whether everyone is safe, and what we're going to have to eat."

Flavio smiled, finding reassurance in Fafnir's usual nonchalance. That was one of the more endearing aspects of him; his honest frankness.

One thing made Flavio furrow his brow in slight confusion, though; "Fafnir, that's only five things. What's the sixth?"

Fafnir turned to look him straight in the eyes. "You, obviously."

Flavio was rendered speechless, only managing to draw in a sharp intake of air through slightly parted lips. His gaze was locked onto Fafnir's, unable to look away. Unable to ignore the sincerity, the absolute fondness in Fafnir's gaze.

"…You're constantly in my thoughts, too."

"I know."

The rain had stopped falling as Fafnir turned to face him, releasing the umbrella to wrap both arms around Flavio. As the umbrella rolled away, Flavio unwittingly dropped his bag of groceries, letting it land on the wet ground. he would have to apologise about getting some of the ingredients wet later.

He was far too focused on other things. Such as the way Fafnir had pulled him closer, his arms holding him close as Flavio's own hands sought him out. How Fafnir's face moved inexplicably closer to his, allowing for Flavio's eyes to flutter close in anticipation. And the way his heart skipped a beat when he felt the warmth of Fafnir's breath against his lips.

He couldn't even begin to describe what he felt in his chest when Fafnir's lips pressed against his. It was as if those lips, moving warmly against his was all he could think about. Even that nagging voice of doubt that often arose at the most inopportune times was silent.

Maybe he did overthink a little too much. Maybe the fact that Fafnir saw him as more than a friend, like Flavio did with him, was in his face the entire time. But he was too deep in thought to realise.

Well…one thing was certain; he wasn't going to let his thoughts distract him now.

Not when Fafnir was more than capable of doing that on his own.