This is just a little something I wrote to satisfy my angst and sap needs. I hope to do two more chapters, but I'm really lazy so I don't know yet! I will possibly have a Christmas fic up soon too, so watch out for that. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer- I don't own Fire Emblem, I just 'borrow' the hot characters to do my evil bidding. Mwahhahahahaaaaaaaaa!
Warnings- This is SHOUNEN-AI (Kent/Sain). That's male/male love and stuff. I know everyone knows that, but I don't want to be flamed by people saying they weren't warned.
Happy reading, dearies!
Love Maxx
Noble Knights
It wasn't really surprising.
There was a mission to complete, and the two cavaliers were sent alone. The team. Red and Green. Serious and Enthusiastic. Kent and Sain. Always together, never separated.
So why did this feel so awkward, so tense?
Kent attempted to pinpoint this feeling as he watched Sain dressing ready for their outing to pick up some supplies.
The lords had moaned that no one could be spared so close to a battle, but after much ranting from Merlinus and outright scolding from the tactician, they agreed that the trip was unavoidable.
As Sain pulled on his armour, sliding on the separate pieces with expert ease, his body stretching to accommodate the heavy metal now weighting down his body, Kent found himself staring. At how the fabric of his shirt rode up slightly, showing barely an inch of skin.
Kent tried to avert his eyes, he really did. But he couldn't tear a gaze away from his friend; couldn't turn his head and give up. This wasn't the first time this had happened, and definitely would not be the last, but Kent still felt so strange.
Sain wasn't really his to look at, he supposed.
So what would he do? Sit here in a hopeless eternity hoping to be blindfolded by some kind pitying soul?
When did this begin? The transition from friends to something more, which slowly but surely consumed Kent's soul. Why did he need this something more; he already had a lifetime friendship with Sain? They would never part, Kent was sure of that. But spending a life with this secret concealed, that had been boiling up inside him, threatening to erupt and spill into every corner of his being. The red-haired cavalier wasn't entirely sure if he could take it. So be strong. Like a knight should.
Better wake up soon, out of this daydream.
And as Kent did so, quietly twisting his body around and busying himself with packing food for the journey, he saw something. A pair of bright, youthful brown eyes looking at him, scrutinising his face closely.
"Um, Kent? What is it? You're looking even more grumpy then usual, if that's possible," Sain commented. "Off in your own little Kent universe."
Yes, another universe. Of staring, wide-eyed, at beautiful men with scruffy hair; of little kisses stolen morning, noon and night. Soft touches and harsh, breathless whispers, a life shared only with his Sain.
Was this what he wanted? Perhaps, just for a moment.
Finally setting off after a few little farewells and more orders from the tactician, the team found themselves travelling a long, dusty path to a nameless town. Sand flew around in whirlwinds across the bleak landscape. Several wayward bandits and a troublesome mercenary were vanquished without much bother, and darkness fell just as the two paladins approached a towering forest, its treetops dancing across the sky. Tall majestic pines stood proudly, illuminated by the shining full moon, and silence reigned eerily.
But then Sain began to whistle brightly, the notes piercing the uneasy atmosphere of the forest.
"You're cheerful today," Kent remarked.
He himself was not in the mood for songs or jubilance. Why be happy when his one goal was the most unattainable thing in the world? Never meant to happen. How unfortunate, no? Of course he wanted it, with all his being. Looking at Sain, seeing his lips move as he whistled and the glint in his eyes confirmed that beyond doubt.
"I just can't help being happy when I'm finally getting some luck with the ladies. Well, one lady to be precise," Sain replied, sighing.
"Who is it this time?"
Kent knew that Sain's obsessions with women were only temporary and never successful, but he felt a strange ache somewhere in his stomach nevertheless as he saw Sain's face light up, ready to describe his new love. Something flared up in him; a devastating mix of sorrow and jealousy.
"Why Princess Priscilla, of course. Have you not seen us talking? I think she actually likes me, and you have no idea how great that feels. It usually seems that I'm searching and searching for someone, but every time it leads to a dead end, you know? But I can feel that it's going to be different soon."
Kent did not reply; he didn't think he could find any words to put in his mouth. His throat constricted and he let out an uncomfortable choking sound.
Had Kent not been an honourable knight of Caelin, he would have cried. But tears would not solve his problem, and nor would self pity.
"So, enough about me. When're you ever going to give up being a lonely, miserable old man and find a girl of your own, eh?" Sain began, amused.
Kent forced his voice to steady as he replied. How could he answer this? He supposed the truthful reply would be 'never'.
"Well, I don't think…I don't think I should be concerning myself with things like that just yet, not when we have so many battles to survive."
"Oh Kent. Kent, Kent, Kent. My innocent virgin friend," Sain teased, his voice singing.
"Sain, shut up. And I'm not," protested Kent, bowing his head down to hide his embarrassment.
"Not what, Kent?" Sain asked innocently, mischief illuminating his eyes.
"Not a…look, just drop it, alright? Besides, it's none of your concern. Concentrate on your own love life, if it's going so well," Kent snapped.
"But I know that Pegasus knight Fiora likes you. You two are so suited. Both so serious, walking around with long faces all the time."
"Sain, get lost. I don't need to know what you think." Kent couldn't hold back his harsh words as Sain interfered, so oblivious to what Kent really wanted. No girls had ever interested him. Was he not normal? Was that what this strange feeling was; disgust with himself?
An uncomfortable silence fell over the two as a hurt expression flashed onto Sain's face. This only increased the eerie tension in the forest they were riding through.
Shadows crept everywhere as the gnarled branches swayed, illuminated by pale moonlight, as the two silhouetted figures made their way through the black night.
It was after some hours that the two paladins finally reached a suitable place to camp. Kent lay curled up in the hollow of a tree root, which belonged to an old, gnarled oak that stood tall in the heart of the forest. A bright fire flickered, illuminating the face of the paladin who lay opposite him.
Sleep had been evading them both, and as the green armoured knight finally closed his eyes, Kent looked at the way his eyelashes brushed his face. He looked at the strands of hair which flopped in front of Sain's face; at the way his lips parted when dreams overtook him.
Unfortunately, the first sight Kent saw the very next day was not to be as pleasant.
The rustling sound of leaves under heavily armoured feet awoke him, and his eyes locked with those of a fearsome-looking general. The steel-covered giant towered over Kent as the cavalier scrambled up off the ground, and slowly paced towards him with a clunking and rattling sound. Kent blinked, still half asleep, and narrowed his eyes against the sharp glare of the morning sun, which fell in shafts through the tall treetops.
Kent drew his sword, holding it in front of him like a barrier, and looked round frantically for Sain.
Sain. Where was he? Not in the place where he had slept, nor anywhere to be seen around the makeshift camp.
Panic overtook Kent suddenly; a piercing stab through his body as he realised how pointless a struggle this would be. No Sain to save him, no loyal partner at his side. Not even his steed to ride on; the horses were tied up at the far end of the camp.
Just himself and a sword for company.
Although terrified like no noble knight should be, he managed to speak up, his voice shaking.
"What is your business here, General?"
"Our business? Let's see now. We intend to take any money and valuable goods you may have, and then kill you. How does that sound?" replied a high, sharp voice which Kent was sure did not belong to the general. Sure enough, a small thief emerged from behind a nearby tree, pacing up and down leisurely.
But Kent did not think that sounded good at all. He quickly lunged forward and made a thrust at the general, but the strike merely glanced off his foe's thick armour with a cold metallic clink. The giant closed in on the gap between the cavalier and himself, taking a stab with his spear which Kent only just managed to dodge.
Kent made a few more weak attempts at hitting the enemy, who in turn backed him against the large tree, grabbed his wrist with a rough, painful grasp and pried the sword from his fingers.
Kent struggled against the cold metal, breathing fast. His hand fought a battle with the general's as he tried desperately to keep hold of the sword handle. The general held him fast to the tree with one massive, heavy hand to his chest. Kent gave one last squirm against the crushing weight and then finally watched his only hope of survival fall to the ground with a thud.
The blade glinted almost teasingly in the shaft of sunlight. It was just a few feet away, but unreachable.
Where was Sain? Why wasn't he here to help and protect his comrade? That was the duty of a knight, always. To forsake it was unforgivable.
Watching hopelessly as the thief moved around the camp, snatching up all of their money, Kent struggled against the general's other cold metal fist. It was clamped around his neck, holding him up against the tree tightly and restricting his breath. Holding him captive, unable to escape, so helpless. But couldn't just end like this. There was life waiting to be lived, so many years yet. And if those years were not meant to come to pass, at least Kent should have died in a heroic battle with his partner by his side, defending his lords and friends. Not so helpless and alone.
The cavalier felt his head becoming dizzy, mind swimming as he was starved of oxygen. Shutting his eyes was all he could do now, to block out the harsh glint of the general's armour. His last memory. He could barely hear the commotion which unfolded in the next minute.
"What the…? Who are you? And…" Sain stopped as he spotted a flash of red hair, just visible behind a large armoured creature. A small person who looked like a thief ran away after spotting Sain, slipping into the dark trees silently.
" Kent!" Sain roared, bringing the red-haired cavalier back to his senses just enough to choke out, "Sain," in the quietest of whispers. The general's grip on Kent's neck tightened painfully. Sain let out an almighty scream, jumped onto his horse and struck the last sword blow the general would ever feel, plunging the sharp blade into the back of the anonymous body and drawing it out again with a splash of bright crimson.
Pushing the dead giant aside with a shove, Sain caught Kent awkwardly as the other man fell into his arms, gasping and so pale. Lips were opened wide to take in as much life-giving air as possible, after being so brutally starved of it.
Kent saw that Sain's face was wet, the shining paths of tears crossed down his cheeks.
Kent lay on the ground panting, watching Sain with thoughts crashing through his mind. He had escaped death, although very narrowly. He didn't know whether to attack Sain for not being there or thank him for saving his life. And was Sain crying...over him? Was such a thing possible?
"Why are you…?" Kent whispered, unable to raise his voice. He could still feel the cold metal crushing around his throat, the ghost of his foe.
"Crying?" Sain said, his voice shaking violently. "I know. Brave and noble knights shouldn't cry. But they shouldn't feel like I do right now either."
Kent opened his mouth to question, but Sain silenced him with a finger to his lips.
"I mean, you could have died. You were practically dead when I finally showed up. I'm supposed to be your comrade. Your partner. Always there. But at the time when you needed me most, I was washing my hair." Sain hung his head, ashamed.
"I'm so vain," he mourned, fingering a lock of damp brown hair which flopped in front of his face.
Kent let a smile cross his face as he remembered all the time Sain had spent in the mornings perfecting his tousled hair, hoping to impress his new crush.
"Please do that more often. Smile, I mean. You look so…"
But Sain didn't finish. Instead Kent saw another tear trickle its way down Sain's handsome face.
"Kent, I should say I'm sorry. But that's not enough, not even close. I nearly lost you and it's completely my fault. All those years of wasting my time, flirting with every pretty girl in sight. I guess I told myself, over and over again, that you'd be waiting. That I'd be able to confess how I really felt at any time I wanted, you would never be out of reach. But I never told you."
Sain sniffed, shoulders shaking, quiet sobs echoing through Kent's mind amidst sparks of joy, elation and a sinking feeling of disbelief. What if this was a cruel hallucination? There were so many questions. But exhaustion from terror, relief, compassion and joy crept up on him. Any embarrassment, misunderstandings and arguments could be sorted out when he next opened his eyes.
Not wanting to break the mist of calm flooding over him by speaking, Kent moved his hand down onto Sain's, their fingers entwining in a warm embrace as he fell into dreams.
TO BE CONTINUED?
Whew. Sorry for the sappy ending; my demented brain made me write it. Not sure if I should continue, but if I do I swear I'll make Kent and Sain happier. Please review and let me know what you think so far- any comments would be appreciated! Have a very Merry Christmas!