A/N: So...obligatory Valentines Day special (even though I have no one to share this day with), I'm personally a sucker for fluffy romances, even though I can write some dark shit at times. As I stated on the main story, the Stained Glass series will have no set order, plot, or release dates, but will likely follow current events from different perspectives than those given in the main story. It may also elaborate on past events, or just leave the 845-time frame of the Flare Titan all together to explore different aspects of the world I've created. I've had this idea bouncing around my head for months, but I've been too pre-occupied with either Golden Gundam or the main story to do it, but since I have an opportunity here - why not?
I will also start each one-shot off with a brief summary to give you an insight into what the chapter is about.
Summary:
In the turmoil of 850s, when you can barely take care of others, it's important to have someone capable of taking care of you.
February 3rd, 851
Alto rolled over in bed, opening his eyes.
'February 3rd…' The date rang a vague bell in his head, but he could barely remember what it was. He felt it was important, but in the wake of the Battle of Shiganshina, everything felt important. He could never keep up, whether it was with Eldia's rapid military development at the hands of Hptm. Le'Chaun, or the constant economic meetings he was attending.
Where Mina Karolina was sleeping, he saw the sheets had been removed, and a note was left saying she'd gone out for groceries. It wasn't necessary, but Mina enjoyed cooking for Alto, and Alto enjoyed eating her food.
Stepping out into the hall, he looked around. Ever since their victory at the end of the Eldian Civil War, he had taken it upon himself to rebuild and restaff the Burke Estate.
"Good morning, Lord Burke." A maid greeted him,
"Good morning, Cordelia." Alto smiled at the maid, "If you don't mind, get me a washcloth?"
"Yes, Lord Burke." The maid bowed respectfully, before leaving.
As Cordelia returned with the cloth, he proceeded to head to the bathroom, and turned the faucet, releasing a stream of hot water, and began rubbing his face.
'I swear, she better not have forgotten…' Kassandra sighed. She wanted everything to be perfect for her godchild.
Before long, Mina showed up in Utopia District.
"Sorry…Alto is probably already up, by the way."
"You look like you just got out of bed." Kassandra noted,
"I kind of did." Mina shrugged, "So, any ideas?"
"All I can do is tell you what he likes." Kassandra said, "I can't just tell you what to pick. Your heart needs to decide that."
Mina sighed, "Let's try the luxury gifts."
Before long, the two women found themselves in a jewelry shop.
"Hello madams." The slightly aged lady in charge of the shop approached them, "How may I help you?"
"We're looking for a gift." Mina blushed slightly,
"For a boy?" The lady asked, and Mina gasped.
The lady laughed, "I'm too old dear. I can read faces like yours as if they were my own."
As the lady gestured to her, Mina followed her. The lady pulled an elaborately decorated wooden box off the shelf, and opened it.
"What…is it?" Mina asked,
"It's a ring." The lady told her, "Made out of a special type of crystal."
Mina picked it up, and the ring caught the light. She felt it, and it was silky smooth.
It was pretty but…
"I don't feel like this reflects him properly." Mina said, "I want something that represents him."
The lady smiled, taking the ring and placing it back in the box.
"From the look on your face, I suggest you go see Mr. Gozen."
"Mr…Gozen?"
"He's a blacksmith. He makes things like knives and even has experience creating the steel blades used in ODM Gear."
"Why a blacksmith?"
"A hunch." The lady smiled, "Now off you go, you're in a hurry." The lady ushered her out the door, leaving Mina confused.
'Mr…Gozen.'
After a few minutes of searching, Mina finally found the shop. Kassandra was no longer with her, saying she needed to gather the guests and ensure everything was ready.
"Hello?" Mina called, she scanned the shelves, eyeing the various high-quality weapons.
"I'll be with you in a bit!" A gruff voice called out.
Mina nodded to herself, and continued scanning the weapons. Picking up a sword, she lifted it and nearly dropped it.
"A soldier, eh?" A voice came behind her, causing her to jump as she was startled.
"Name's Samuel Gozen. How can I help ya?" The man asked,
"How'd…you know I was a soldier?"
"The way you picked up the sword was skillful, but you dropped it, as it was too heavy. Soldiers often have that problem with my normal swords, as the ODM blades tend to be lighter."
Mina nodded at the cleverness of his deduction. "I'm…looking for a gift."
"A gift, eh?" Gozen nodded, "Well, I got some shiny things for you. But, looking at your face, that isn't what you want."
Mina nodded, and Gozen continued. "I believe a weapon is a reflection of the person, not just swords but any weapon. Guns, cannons, ODM gear, et cetera." He browsed through the catalog of swords and other weapons.
"Follow me to the back, I think I have something." Gozen motioned to her, and Mina followed him.
Mina followed him, and Gozen pulled out an ornate box.
"I made this a long time ago, but I could never really figure out what to do with it. But now…it feels right selling it to you." Gozen handed it to her, and Mina opened it, and gasped.
Inside, was a beautifully decorated tanto. It's metal glistened beautifully, catching and sending small rays of light into various corners of the room. The hilt was a solid black, with gold dragon pattern adorning it, and it's sheath matched it.
"It's…beautiful." She said, and it just felt right. It was beautiful, yes, but it was also deadly when needed. Just like how Alto was seemingly cold, but inside, he was the most beautiful thing Mina had ever had the privilege of laying her eyes upon.
"I'm glad you like it kiddo. Now, it's no small price, but, I think I can shave a good 10% or so for just clearing out the space, so I'd call it…3,600 Kapitalmarks."
It was about all of Mina's savings, but it was worth it. "I'll buy it." She nodded
As Gozen waved to her, Mina smiled down on the Tanto, it was perfect. She just knew it.
"So...where's the food?" Sasha asked, looking around hungrily.
"Come on Sasha, It's literally his birthday." Jean smacked her in the back of the head.
"Speaking off, Kassandra, shouldn't Mina be here?" Connie asked.
"Yeah, she's getting a gift for Alto. Although she's sure taking her sweet time." Kassandra noted,
Kassandra had planned it perfectly, to ensure it was a surprise, she had convinced Eldia's new economics minister - Carly Stratmann - to push up her meeting a little bit. Dimo Reeves had agreed to pay for the majority of the expenses.
The majority of Alto's friends he'd made over the years were there. Eren was sitting between Mikasa and Armin. Erwin and Ambros were patiently waiting for the festivities to start, Levi sat with Petra and Isabel with a disinterested expression on his face. Hanji was looking around eagerly. Connie and Jean had begun to argue about something. And Ymir was cuddling Historia, much to the smaller girl's dismay. Even Floch had shown up.
Suddenly, a window was pushed open, and Mina toppled in, "I'm not late, am I?" She panted.
"Just on time." Kassandra helped her up, "Take a seat."
"God…" Alto yawned, Carly had certainly given him a ribbing. He made a mental note to establish trade with the outside world as soon ASAP now that the rumbling wasn't occurring.
He really just wanted to eat and then go to sleep.
Cordelia came up to him, "Your food is ready sir."
"Thank you, Cordelia." Alto nodded, not noticing the small smile playing across her face.
Approaching the dining hall, he opened the door, and gasped.
"What the…guys?!" Alto reacted in shock, "What is everyone doing here?!"
"I knew it…" Kassandra grabbed him, "It's your birthday, you idiot!"
Alto gasped in remembrance, "Why didn't you guys remind me? Is this why you've been so silent?" He called out to his family.
"We kind of guessed Kassandra would pull something like this, and didn't want to ruin it if she was." Astell shrugged, "Happy birthday Alto."
"I'd give you a gift, but - you know - spirits and all." Annabeth sighed,
"Oi, oi!" Ymir approached her, "We got you something!" Historia nodded, pulling out a black Royal Guards coat.
"Specially made." Historia said, and Ymir beamed with pride.
Before long, the other Cadets - and even Ambros and Petra - had come with their own gifts and handed them to Alto.
"Come on, I know you guys are hungry." Alto said, and approached the table and sat next to Mina, who fingered the tanto nervously.
The food was rolled in, and Sasha immediately got up and launched herself at it. Only for Connie and Jean to tackle her.
"Damn it! Someone help!" Jean yelled
Eren - who'd been silent most of the time - chuckled slightly.
"Instead of laughing, help us-" Connie yelled, as Sasha kicked him in the groin, eliciting several oohs from the other guests.
Finally, Petra and Isabel pulled the girl back into her seat long enough for the food to be served, but as Alto sat down, Mina tugged on his shoulder.
"I haven't…given you my gift yet."
Mina led him to a balcony, where at first, they gazed at the stars in silence.
Mina turned to him, "H-here…" She handed him the tanto with shaky fingers.
Alto gingerly took it, and unsheathed it, gasping, he looked at this.
"Things like this…are expensive! How'd you buy it?" He asked.
"I spent what I've been saving over the years." Mina admitted, "And don't you dare say I shouldn't have. I wanted to give you something, because I care about you."
Alto nodded, tears glazing his eyes, he hugged Mina.
"You are really My Queen aren't you?" Alto smiled, and Mina nodded and leaning downwards, Alto kissed Mina under the light of the stars.
As the stars shone down on them that night, two lovers found a brief paradise in each other's arms.
Official Flare Titan Wiki:
the-official-flare-titan .fandom. com
