Author's Note: Hello!

This is an attempt of an idea I had after taking the time from mid-July to mid-September to play through all 4 of the Trails of Cold Steel games (total playtime: approximately 410 hours). After everything they've all been through, I just wanted to write some fairly fluffy and ideally interesting short stories about these characters that I spent so much time with.

This one is separate from my other stories - as I have continued writing, I realized pretty quickly that the collection of stories with different pairings (especially when it came to Rean) was really putting my head in a weird space, so I decided to separate them into different stories entirely. Vignettes are organized chronologically, but they can also be read as standalones.

This particular collection is on Rean and Fie's relationship - check out my other works for the ones on Rean/Alisa and Rean/Laura.

I hope you enjoy! I was more than amused writing this one. Fie is such a delightful character.

Deja Vu

A pair of lime green eyes stared out the window, almost completely oblivious to the blur of the verdant green landscape. A foot subconsciously began tapping on the floor as well, its rhythmic beat lost in the announcement made by the train.

"We will soon be arriving at Leeves. Please make sure that you have all of your belongings as you exit the train. We thank you for riding with us." The automated voice blared overhead as the train's passengers began to shuffle and gather their various possessions.

"Finally." The silver haired girl muttered to herself, standing up and yawning. "Any longer and I probably wouldn't be able to get up again." She thought back to the past month as she began walking towards the exit of the train.

It had been a few weeks since their battle with Ishmelga - though it felt far longer. One would think that after saving the continent, everyone involved would get a longer, well-deserved break. Especially when considering that Class VII, both old and new, was immediately separated to restore order to Erebonia, especially in the aftermath of Operation Jormungand. This would be her first time seeing Rean since they last parted…

I can't wait to see the look on his face, Fie thought to herself with a mischievous grin as she passed through the twin train doors. After all, she hadn't even warned him she was coming. Last time they had talked, she was "supposed" to be working for the guild in Calvard. Ideally, she'd be able to get the drop on Erebonia's famous Ashen Chevalier.

Opening the doors outside to the town square of Leeves felt oddly nostalgic. Leeves always had a rather calm and nice vibe, and it was pleasant to see that nothing in particular had changed at all. In fact, that bench over there would be a premiere place for a nap…

Sun feels preeetty good too. The wind temperature is just right, and there's no sign of inclement weather...

Shaking her head, the Jaeger King's daughter dispelled the thought. She was here to surprise Rean, not to take naps! The bracer surveyed her nearby surroundings, a few rooftops there, a dark alley here, a nice crowd to blend in near the chapel, and a few hills near the roads...

I guess old habits die hard. Fie smiled like a shark. Time to get to work.

He'd fought against Divine Knights, monsters, cryptids, archaisms, and worse: he'd faced the worst horrors imaginable - creatures of legend, even a being from another dimension: but even the Ashen Chevalier could have a rough day that didn't involve any of that.

Rean Schwarzer sighed and rested his face in the palm of his hand as he sat at his instructor desk. Some of Freddy's cooking had almost taken out the entirety of Class VIII, Sidney had secured a "date" with Ada and wanted to tell everyone about it (especially Rean), and the Modern Music Club had requested his assistance in listening to their new song.

Well, the last part of his day hadn't been bad. Just everything leading up to it had given him a pretty significant headache.

The instructor of Class VII rubbed his temples one more time before opening his eyes and glancing out of the window.

Compared to what had been happening a few weeks ago…well, this was nothing. Rean found himself thinking with a tired smile. Looking back at the papers in front of him, the Eight Leaves practitioner readied himself to finish his grading –

And then the door swung open with a bang. "Instructor Rean? Are you in here?" Franky poked his head in. "I have something that needs your attention!"

Great. Rean groaned internally. Just my luck. Putting on a forced smile, the black-haired swordsman stood up and turned to face the door. "Hey Franky, what's the matter?"

"Well…" Franky scratched his head. "I found this note on the ground outside the door here, and it appears to be addressed to you."

"To me?" Rean immediately perked up. "Does it say who it's from?" As he took the note, Rean's brow furrowed.

In scribbled handwriting, the note seemed vaguely familiar…but at the same time, something about it bothered him immensely.

ashen chevalier

outside of leeves on the east side

very important

Rean looked up back at Franky. "You have no idea who wrote or dropped this?"

"Not a clue. I didn't hear anything either." The janitor looked sheepish. "I just came down the stairs a few minutes ago and saw this scrap of paper. I thought it was trash, but when I saw your name at the top, I thought you should know about it." Having given his piece, the young man waved Rean goodbye and closed the door.

Rean scratched his chin, lost in thought. Did someone in Leeves need help? Perhaps it was a student? It was clearly written in a hurry. And what's more, whoever dropped must have dropped it quite some time ago. But in front of the faculty room? That was no coincidence. And the usage of the Ashen Chevalier…

…

What if it was a threat? After all, Rufus's forces in Crossbell had refused to stand down, and there were more than a few Erebonians who wanted to continue the war…

As Rean's mind raced with possibilities, there really was only one solution.

He'd better go investigate, and fast.

The silver haired bracer stared idly at the entrance to Leeves from her vantage point. It had already been…what, 30+ minutes? Knowing Rean, you'd think that he'd drop everything to deal with a request, just like in his days working for the Student Council. Then again, he did look incredibly stressed today. He was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Was this how all his days as an instructor were?

He really ought to become a bracer. Toby and Sara would be overjoyed, and not to mention we'd be able to see each other more often. Fie sighed. Maybe she'd get the chance to give him a friendly push in the right direction here in a few moments…

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a familiar white coat and a tuft of black hair. Finally. Fie crouched low like a coiled spring as she observed the man she'd fell for. His face tight, the man kept a firm grip on his tachi as he surveyed the area. "I can't sense anyone…" Rean spoke aloud to no one in particular. "Could it all have been a prank?"

As the Class VII instructor fell silent, the hand once on his tachi dropped to the side.

Bingo. Without a moment of hesitation, Fie ascended in an arc from her vantage spot. "Hup!"

"Huh?" The look on Rean's face would have caused Fie to die laughing, if not for the fact that she was headed directly for him. "Wait a moment, Fie - " Rean didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as the girl landed directly on top of him, knocking him to the ground and sending a wave of pain through his back. "Ow, ow, ow!"

"Oops." The former jaeger deadpanned. "Might have gone a little bit too fast." A pair of impish lime green eyes twinkled from above.

The Divine Blade stared at her in disbelief, his mouth open.

"Uh…" Fie raised an eyebrow. "Celine got your tongue?"

Blank fuchsia eyes gazed wordlessly into hers.

"You know, I thought you'd drop everything to fulfill a request, just like our days at Thors."

Silence. It was starting to unnerve her.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Fie began to cringe slightly as concern flooded into her eyes. For a few tense moments, the two just stared at each other. But just as it had come, it was dispelled - the man blinked a few times before suddenly bursting into a fit of laughter as he gently placed his hands on her hips.

"Huh." The girl felt warm in her cheeks, causing her to look away from him. "That's not a reaction I was expecting."

"Sorry, sorry!" The man spoke between peals of laughter as he tried to catch his breath. "It's just – well, this feels all strangely familiar."

"Now that you mention it, yeah." The former jaeger found herself giggling too. "Just like how we reunited during the civil war." The pair fell silent, simply enjoying each other's company before Rean winced. "I…I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Well, while my pride is a little hurt, I think I'll be alright." The swordsman chuckled as he felt a twinge in his back again. "I thought you were in Calvard? What are you doing here? I mean, I'm incredibly happy to see you, but - "

"Hee hee." Fie snickered. "There was no mission to Calvard. I was always going to come to see you!" The sound of laughter filled the air, only to be overtaken by the steady voice of the silver haired girl. "You had a busy day though. You kept me waiting for a while, you know?"

"Sorry I kept you waiting. Probably not a bad idea to spend some time in the baths or something to recuperate…" Rean remarked in amusement.

"Before that…" The silver haired girl leaned down and gently planted her lips on his and was more than satisfied when she felt him kiss back. It had been so long since they had seen each other, but this kiss somehow felt more gratifying than before.

As they both pulled back, Fie felt bolder than normal and couldn't help but ask.

"Got room in the bath for one more?"

Author's Note #2: I think after Alisa and Rean, Fie and Rean is probably my next favorite pairing for him. I was amused by their reunion in ToCS2, and thought that Fie would certainly be daring enough to try it again, especially if she hadn't seen him in a long time.