Title: Sabotage
Pairing: Raven x Rebecca (non-canon pairing, but still cute!)
Word Count: 898 (OMG it's less than 1000 words!)
Timeline: Anytime when our heroes are in Bern.
Summary: The best way to make sure a good thing lasts is to work on it.
Spoilers: Raven x Rebecca support conversations, and a little of Raven's past.
Dedication: To RLnaruhina and tomaeto, my first two reviewers! Thanks for the positive feedback! ;)
Disclaimer: Fire Emblem is the property of Intelligent Systems and Nintendo. Me no makey money from this!
A/N: This pairing is by request! Raven is sort of OOC in this one but that's half the fun. ;D I hate it that this site doesn't let certain symbols appear to make emotes. It's really, really annoying. :( Please review; it really does motivate me!

It was a gorgeous day in the village of Little Hinton, a small community within the mighty country of Bern. Of course, since the band of warriors known as Eliwood's Elite were being hunted by the Black Fang, only a few (disguised) people had been allowed to visit the town to gather supplies.

Most of the crew was left to set up camp in a not too distant field. Though the day was sunny and warm, there was a bit of grumbling amongst them since there was a lack of decent beds, good drinks, or a chance to relax since they'd enter this nation.

However one of them was quite content with the current situation.

The man simply known as Raven, the grim-faced, standoffish mercenary, was seated in front of the tent he shared with his seemingly only friend, Lucius. He was alone once again, as was his habit, since the Elimine monk was speaking to Merlinus about something or other.

That was just as well. Though Raven found Lucius' company to be more than just tolerable, right now he wanted to be by himself.

After looking superstitiously around for the twentieth time to make sure no one was watching him, Raven eagerly bit into a joint of venison. If there had been someone watching him, they would have been shocked to find his facial features taking on a happy look, something that was definitely un-Raven like. But he was quite isolated from the others and so was left to eat in peace.

He savoured every morsel of the roasted deer meat that Rebecca had hunted that morning. And not only had she bagged the animal, she had prepared and cooked this particular piece as well, just for him.

Deep inside Raven giggled. He stopped at the thought and amended that he had internally chortled, not giggled since that was undignified for a man. But it couldn't be denied that he was giddy.

'Enlivened,' he amended once again. Yes, that was a better word.

"Mm, this is good eating," he said to himself before taking another bite. Really, if this was the reward he got every time he restrung Rebecca's bows, then it was well worth the effort. She really was a good cook, and a very sweet girl at that. If circumstances had been different, he would have bought her a drink, talked with her about frivolous things, and let things develop from there.

Nonetheless he had to make due with what he had, and for now he was just grateful she had taken the time to cook for him again.

'It's even better than Lowen's cooking,' he told himself smugly, and he was pleased even further to know that she didn't cook for just anyone.

However as with all things, his alone time came to an end. His little slice of paradise was interrupted by the arrival of Lucius, a very amused looking Lucius. The Elimine monk often looked gentle, kind, and caring, but he was rarely amused.

Raven took it as a warning sign.

With a dazzling smile that would have sent many a man's heart aflutter, Lucius sat himself on the grass beside Raven. The mercenary had schooled his expressions back to his usual dour features, but he couldn't hide the curiosity and apprehension in his eyes.

"Good afternoon, Lord Raven," Lucius began in that melodic voice of his.

"Lucius," he said curtly, noting the vaguely sadistic glee in his friend's tone.

"I just had an interesting chat with Merlinus," the monk said as he lifted his fair face to the sun.

"Oh?" Raven inquired before slowly returning to his meal. The meat was as good as ever but his appetite seemed to have waned.

"Oh yes," Lucius smiled benignly. "It seemed that he was most curious as to why you kept visiting his tent this past month."

"That?" he scoffed. "I was just replacing my old weapons and looking over the new ones they recently bought."

"Really?" Lucius asked innocently. "From what Merlinus could tell, you've spent quite a bit of time in the bows section as well."

"… They're located near the swords."

"They're on opposites sides of the tent."

There was a lengthy pause.

"And oddly enough, Rebecca's bowstrings have been failing her more than usual this past month," Lucius added in.

Raven immediately cast his long time friend and companion his most imploring gaze. To others it would have looked like he'd just eaten something foul, but Lucius knew that look. It was Raven's 'please-don't-tell-her' look, which he had often used on Lucius when they still lived in Castle Cornwell with Priscilla.

"Don't worry, I shall not tell Rebecca," Lucius grinned at his pained expression. He knew that the archer had a temper on her if it was ever invoked.

"Thanks," Raven said in relief.

"Of course, Merlinus didn't make any such promises."

"RAAAAVEN!" a loud and shrill voice pierced the air as if on cue.

The two men froze at the sound before looking at each other.

"You didn't see me," Raven said hastily as he rose. He jogged a few steps away from the tent, and the encampment, before stopping and trotting back.

"For the long road ahead," he explained to Lucius as he took the rest of the venison from its container. The monk could only laugh as he watched his friend make a hasty retreat.

A/N: Silly Raven! LOL. Every time I see him say, "that's good eating" in his support convo, I always crack up. :P