A/n- Remember, this is a universe where Rutger and Roy grew up as friends, so that's why they act how they act here.
The Commission Files- File #7 Sunset at the Beach
Characters: Rutger, Roy, Lilina, Guinevere
Based on: A commission by Bunneshi on Twitter
The sun was beginning to set on a small beach near the port city of Badon, a weekend of friends and allies enjoying themselves on the beach was coming to an end and two friends sat on their beach towels looking out to the sea where the Dread Isle could be found somewhere.
"You know Rutger, I'm really glad you decided to come to this little getaway I planned for everyone, it was really nice getting to catch up with you in a setting where we aren't fighting for our lives and the future of Elibe every other day." Roy said with a wistful smile on his face as he relaxed and continued to watch what everyone was getting up to.
"Well, you can thank Lilina for that, she's the one that convinced me to come." Rutger admitted freely. He still was affected by what happened to him at the beginning of the war, but he had grown as a person during the conflict and Roy was an old friend so he was comfortable being more open and honest with him. "I really didn't want to come and make a scene or anything like that, you know?"
"You, make a scene?" Roy asked with a chuckle. "Maybe when we were younger, but we've matured since then." Rutger shot him a look of doubt. "You don't think so?"
"It's not that, it's the fact that everyone except you, Lilina, and a few others really don't know the real me." Rutger replied. "To everyone else, I'm just an edgy murder machine that you don't want to get on the wrong side of and who hates everyone. I mean did you see the look on Fir's face when I asked her if she wanted to spar on the beach yesterday, I think she almost had a heart attack out of too many confused emotions." Roy was trying his best to take this seriously, but to him Rutger was just worrying way too much, so he had to laugh again.
"Rutger, I'm glad you inherited Mark's sense of humor, it really suits you." He told him when another look was shot his way. "Look, when it comes down to it you showed everyone the last few days that how you acted during the war wasn't how you always act, and I think for the most part everyone respects that and understands what you were going through. I mean they even invited you to play volleyball and such even though you passed on it, I think that's progress."
"Perhaps, but I still have a long way to go." Rutger said, but Roy's words did make him feel better about the situation.
"We all still do, we've got the rest of our lives to improve and get better, we've got to keep the legacy our parents left to us strong so Elibe can keep this peace for longer than 20 years this time." Roy stated before getting quiet. "Sorry, I'm still finding myself going into that leader mode your father always talked about and not knowing when to stop and have some fun."
"You'll get it eventually, you've got time as you said." Rutger noted with a small chuckle of his own. Then the two got quiet for a bit and both of their eyes landed on Lilina, splashing and having fun in the shallow water with Fae and some of the other girls that had come on the trip. Rutger's heart twinged for a number of different reasons at this, and Roy being Roy, he could feel it too.
"Something else on your mind Rutger?" He asked placing his hand on his friend's shoulder in a supporting gesture. This time it took a bit longer for Rutger to decide on what and how he wanted to say what he needed to say.
"We're good right? You aren't jealous or anything are you?" He asked surprisingly meekly.
"Of what, your rugged good looks? Maybe a bit, but I've got my own charms." Roy joked, even though he knew that's not what Rutger meant.
"Roy, be straight with me, please." Rutger said, almost pleading. Roy then took his time to think about what to say, to make sure he got it out right.
"Rutger, have you ever known me to be a jealous guy?" He asked rhetorically. "No, you haven't, and I'm not gonna start now. The way I see it, Lilina was most likely going to end up falling for one of us anyways since we were such good friends, and because we're so close, I'm glad it's you and not someone I barely know. Maybe in another universe or something Lilina and I are together and we're happy, I could see that happening easily, but I was too focused on the war effort to even think about any feelings I might have had for her or the ones she might have had for me. Plus, given what your relationship has done for your personal growth Rutger, I'm perfectly content with what has happened." Just like his father before him Roy was being 100% truthful and from the heart, he was happy that his friends had found love with each other and was glad he was there to see it. "And besides, what use would jealously be for me when I already have someone else I have feelings for?" And as if on cue, Guinevere the Queen of Bern who had also come on this trip, appeared on Roy's side and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Roy, I hope I'm not interrupting something with your friend here, but there is... something I need your... assistance with." She stated slowly, trying not to give much away. Roy turned to Rutger to see if it was okay for him to go with her.
"Yeah, we're pretty much done here." Rutger confirmed as he stood up and helped Roy to his feet as well. He then gave him a hug. "Until we see each other again, stay safe and stay alive, please for my sake."
"I will, I promise." Roy replied confidently as he hugged Rutger back before leaving with Guinevere. Rutger then sat back down on his towel and then began to lay on his back looking up at the sky. He didn't know how long had passed, but eventually the most beautiful face in the world started staring down at him with her wonderful blue eyes and hair falling all around.
"I didn't think you'd be taking a nap." Lilina stated with a giggle. "Just staring at the sky and thinking like usual huh?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Rutger said softly as he sat up. "You have fun with Fae and the girls?"
"Oh, very much so, but I wanted to spend some time with you before we had to go back." Lilina told him. "You mind walking with me along the beach near the water?"
"Not at all, in fact I'd rather enjoy it." Rutger noted with a smile. So he stood up and folded his towel up to carry in one hand while his free arm locked around Lilina's free arm. They walked down to the shore until they made it to the wet sand and then started walking slowly together, just enjoying the sunset colors and being with each other.
"So, what were you and Roy talking about earlier?" Lilina asked eventually. "I saw you guys hugging a little before I walked up."
"He was just saying how he appreciated how I came out here for the weekend how nice it was to catch up with everything being peaceful." Rutger answered truthfully. "And then I asked him if he was jealous of me, because of course I did."
"And?" Lilina postured, giving him a look that told him that she agreed with Roy that he was worrying too much.
"He said I have my father's sense of humor." Rutger said with a grin. "And he said no and I believe him. Roy has never lied to me before and he has no reason to now. And then Guinevere came and took him away so I gave him a hug because I don't know if we'll see him again on this trip."
"Makes sense." Lilina noted. "See, I told you things with Roy would be fine. What happened to me always being right?" She additionally teased him.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm still learning." Rutger sighed, but he was happy in this moment. His life was turning up even more than he could imagine and everything was going right for him again. He could get used to this. But, while his mind was occupied thinking about all that, he failed to realize just how far away from the group they had strayed and how Lilina was about to 'accidently' trip him so they would fall into the sand below.
"Well at least I know you're good at this, I've given you a lot of practice." Lilina teased him before wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the lips.
"You are such a tease sometimes." Rutger stated, but he kissed her back just the same. "I love it though, and I love you."
"I love you too Rutger." Lilina replied. "Now, show me what you've learned so far." Looks like this evening wasn't quite over yet.
