We had left Eir's "home" to continue carving our path to Hel's keep, where we had hoped we would find the secret to defeating her once and for all. We were met with fierce opposition from a group of shapeshifters calling themselves the Laguz. I felt like I had heard that term before, but I didn't know where. Chrom mentioned that he knew two people that were similar to the Laguz but they called themselves the Taguel. They were contracted by Hel to fight and kill us. Though it still baffles me as to why or how these contracts are being formed. Did they choose to fight on Her behalf or was it simple obligation that made them fight? I still suspected that Líf was the one handling and creating the contracts that bound the heroes to Hel's side.
Long have I contemplated what these 'contracts' even mean. What are these contracts if not forced conscription? Usually, the main way I had been able to forge these "contracts" and bind them to me was through summoning. While I normally offered to send the heroes back to their homes if they didn't want to fight in a war they technically had no stakes in, most of the time they stay. Perhaps it's an innate sense of trust that cements the contracts between me and those I have summoned. A few heroes have even mentioned hearing my voice somehow before they were summoned, imploring them to help me. Though I never said anything during my sessions, there were enough accounts of it happening that it was hard to ignore. Maybe they were hearing my heart's deepest wishes and desperate pleas, unbeknownst to me? I wasn't very sure, since Briedablik was almost semi sentient for an inanimate object. Lots of things still baffle me in regards to how it works.
After the end of the battle with the Laguz, one of the Laguz was impressed enough with my skills as a tactician that they immediately asked to form a contract with me. I was honestly flabbergasted. It was exceedingly rare for a hero to ask to join me after I had dissolved their previous contract. I shook hands with the Laguz named Ranulf and somehow I could feel the contract binding me to him and vice versa. So for as long as I live and for the entire duration of the contract, Ranulf will answer to me and if he ever dies, his soul and body will return back to me. It was then I realized that in doing so, I was denying Hel of Ranulf's soul completely. By doing so, I was denying her from obtaining more power. That is what angered Hel the most.
"So Ranulf, what made you decide to join us?" Sharena asked enthusiastically.
"Well I mentioned before that Kiran's knack for tactics really impressed me, but there is something else about her. Most Beorc tacticians prefer to stay off of the battlefield but Kiran seems to meet everything head on and doesn't think about upsetting those under her command. She reminds me of a Beorc friend of mine. I can smell him on her too. It's faint, but I knew that any friend of Ike's is someone I can trust."
"You're Ike's friend! That's so cool!" Sharena continued to pester Ranulf about his friendship with Ike and about Laguz stuff in general. Ranulf seemed to take it all in good stride anyway and did his best to sate her curiosity.
Alfonse on the other hand was frowning about something. I didn't know what for though. I went up to him asked him what was bothering him.
"I'm just… amazed at how he could smell Ike on you like that. I just don't know how to feel about that."
"I'm not sure what you mean by that. Is it that you feel bothered by Ranulf or is it Ike?"
"It's nothing, really. I just... look, can I ask you something?"
I raised an eyebrow at him "Um... sure, I guess. I'm always open to listening to you, so I am all ears"
He cleared his throat for a moment clearly nervous about what he was about to ask. "Kiran… what do you think about Ike?"
"I think that he's a steadfast friend and ally. He treats everyone with respect and his skills are invaluable to the Order. He's extremely reliable too."
"I see… is that all?"
"I'm not sure if I am following your train of thought correctly, Al. My relationship with Ike is mostly just business related. I mean we are friends and all, but we mostly just talk about training and missions that I'm sending him on. I don't think he has any interest in me beyond that. Actually, I don't think he is interested in women in general."
"Oh… I see." He sighed. It almost sounded like he was relieved.
"Is there something else that is bothering you? I want you to have a clear mind before our next battle. We can't afford to have distractions right now, unfortunately."
"Well… I've come to a realization about something lately but I don't know how to go about it. The timing is not the greatest either. I have a decision to make but… if I make it now, I might regret it. However, if I don't make it soon… well, I know I will regret not making it if I am killed"
"I am in a similar pickle honestly. I've decided to wait on it until after we beat Hel. I can't make your decisions for you though. It's up to you what you decide to do with this… revelation of yours. I'd ask what it is but… I have a feeling that you don't feel comfortable with telling me yet."
"It's sort of like that. I want to tell you but I'm afraid that you would think poorly of me."
"I don't think that's true. It would take a lot for me to think poorly of you. It would take you killing infants and kicking puppies for me to think poorly of you. Which I know you would never do anyway." I joked
"That's very reassuring to me. It puts me at ease knowing that you are supporting me no matter what. Minus the kicking puppies part. I'm certainly not heartless enough to kill an innocent infant either." He chuckled.
"That's good to know. Um… I know I said earlier that I was going to wait until after but I think we are both having the same problem. I don't think this is necessarily a good place to do it but if I'm correct, then it would be a load off of both of our minds."
"Ok… I'm listening"
"Oh God… this is not how I envisioned telling you… I'm super nervous and we might get attacked at any time. I-I'm just going to come out and say it. I… I am in love with you! T-there! I said it!"
"I can hardly believe it… all this time and I never noticed. You were right. We are having the same problem. I am in love with you too. It scares me but at the same time… I'm overjoyed!" Al was blushing and grinning from ear to ear.
"So… when is the wedding?" Sharena popped in
"Sharena! Please stop… it's embarrassing…" Al said.
"I'm just saying! It's about time you guys fessed up. Watching you two skirt around each other was killing me! It was like watching paint dry sometimes!"
"It's only been a minute since we've confessed, Sharena. It's a bit too early to be thinking about marriage. We are also in Hel… not exactly a good time to be getting married"
"Oh come on! This place is depressing and then you two go and finally get together… it makes me super happy. Please don't rain on my parade!" Sharena pouted.
"I agree. I could turn a huge profit margin if you guys get married! Plus the engagement photos… everyone in the kingdom would eat that up like it's breakfast!" Anna joined in on the conversation.
"Geez I am not even a few minutes into this and already the pressure of getting married is being pressed upon me! I knew that people were going to pester us into getting married eventually, but not like this!" I groaned.
"We'll have to discuss marriage eventually. I'm just as uncomfortable with being put on the spot about it as you are, but I will eventually have to choose someone to be my wife. H-honestly… I still don't feel ready to become King let alone get married and have kids. It's overwhelming… but you are always there to put me at ease one way or another. T-that is to say-" Al continued to nervously ramble until I interrupted him.
"Alright, I get it Al. You don't need to explain yourself any further. After the war, we will take things one step at a time. First thing's first, we have to stop Hel dead in her tracks. After that, the future will be ours to shape. Sound good?"
"Y-yeah. I like the sound of that very much. Thank you… K-Kiran"
Sharena snickered as she watched her own brother fumble his words. Anna kept listing the potential things she could do to profit off of my newfound romantic relationship. Meanwhile I was just looking away from everyone from embarrassment. Everything was just so awkward for both me and Al.
"Anytime, Al. We have a long road ahead of us and we all know this. Just… this makes me feel a little hopeful. Of course, we should tread with caution and try to not let it blind our judgements."
"You're right. I trust that both of our judgements are sound enough to carry us through to the end. I pray that the end that I speak of is the one where we live out our lives as peacefully as possible."
"I wish for the same things but… after the war is over I will be out of a job won't I? I just don't know what I would do once everything has settled. I'd still spend plenty of time in the castle but it's almost been three years… for most of that time, we've haven't had much in the way of peace since. I don't like fighting, but it's going to be hard to readjust to peace again. I used to believe that you were crazy for making me a tactician, but now it feels like it's the only thing that I'm remotely good at. The future is filled with unknowns, so I know I'll find something but it's both exciting and nerve wracking. It's also filled with potential danger." I rambled nervously.
"It's ok to be nervous, Kiran. You have everyone in the Order of Heroes to help you. I will also be there to help as you have always helped me."
"Well…my promise to see you become King and cheer you on is still ongoing, you know? I could totally become a priestess and officiate it myself." I joked
"Hehe… I am afraid that is not possible. It takes years to become a proper priestess of Askr. I'm not saying that you can't become one after the war, if that is what you desire. It just wouldn't happen in time." Al chuckled
"Ah man… what a buzz kill. My hopes and dreams are dashed!" I put my hand over my forehead and leaned back like I was in some sort of tragic play.
"Just like how your dream of marrying Sharena was dashed? And to think I wasn't your first choice"
"Whaaaatttt?" Sharena let out a gasp.
"It was a joke. He was referring to a dumb joke I made a few days ago." I explained.
"Since when did Alfonse have a sense of humor?"
"He's always had a sense of humor. He just doesn't show it often."
"Yeah right! I've known him my whole life and he has always been a serious person. Remember? Mr. Don't get too close to the heroes? Mr. I am so boring because I am an egghead that reads boring books?" Sharena raised an eyebrow at me
"Quite the contrary. I find reading the Treatise on Intercontinental Trade quite exhilarating." Al said as if it were the most exciting thing since sliced bread.
"You just proved my point. You're boring!"
"I disagree. Al isn't boring. I could watch you and Al argue with each other over silly things for hours and that can easily be my entertainment for the day. I wish I had a bag of popcorn to go with it honestly"
"Ugh… Im confused. I dont understand how you find Al to be interesting but I can't help but be happy for you. I've known for ages that you had a crush on my brother. I've seen you stare at him a bunch of times and you weren't very subtle in flirting with him either. It was painfully obvious actually. Al was the only one who didn't really figure it out. He's pretty dense"
"Well… He's attractive, smart, and kind. So of course I like him." I replied cheerfully.
"Y-you really think that I am…?" Alfonse asked me, unable to finish his sentence.
"Duh! Of course I find you attractive, you doofus!"
"O-oh… R-right…" Al then grew quiet.
"Uhhh… Zenith to Alfonse?" Sharena waved her hand in front of Al's face.
"Um… Kiran I think you broke him."
I reached for Al's hand and held onto it firmly. I could feel a small amount of warmth from his hand. I was sure that were it not for the thick protective gloves he was wearing, his hands would feel much warmer.
"K-kiran… My promise to you still stands. I'll protect you and… after the war is over… We'll open up the gate to your world! It's the only way I can repay you for everything you've already done for me, my family and our friends. You are always thinking about what's best for others and myself so… once this is all over I want to make you smile." He finally sputtered out.
"I'll hold you to it then. I still want to have tea in the garden with you, yeah know?"
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
A/N:So I guess this ends the "will they? wont they?" section of the relationship thing. I originally wasnt going to do the confession scene like this but two things became apparent. One, I was originally going to make this the chapter where Alfonse super flexes on Hel but then I noticed that in cannon, it takes them ten days to get to Hel's castle. Some of those days havent been accounted for yet so there's that. Two, my writing seemed to flow more towards them getting together this chapter. I think it's very much like Kiran to be like "btw I have a huge crush on you" and Al just trying to keep it together but in reality he's a nervous wreck.Anyway I didnt want to drag out the whole thing out for too long, since I want to focus on the relationship dynamics after they become an item, so to speak. I just dont consider it the ultimate payoff like lots of romantic subplots do. The real pay off, is going to be watching grow together as a unit. Duo Hero King Alfonse anyone? XD