And finally the big S-Support where you'll hear someone say a special set of words that can completely change your life.
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"If you're going to propose I'd suggest you do it tonight, with all due respect Ryoma, Camilla isn't a lady who likes to be kept waiting."
When Takumi had said those words to him the king of Hoshido just knew something was very wrong. To hear it from Hinoka or Sakura would have been one thing, but from Takumi he could hear the bells ringing inside his head, and to cap it off his younger brother had said it with a grin. On a positive side it did show like many others he'd come out of the war a better person.
Ryoma had simply stood where he as Takumi hurried off unwilling to stay to see his brother's response. He was so stunned he didn't even notice Saizo slip out of the room leaving him completely alone. This was starting to become a habit. In silence he looked down at the custom made piece of jewelry in his hand, an item that many a woman in Hoshido would more than kill for him to place on their fingers.
And he was now contemplating giving it to a Nohrian woman, the sister to the kings of Nohr and Valla. Just as he was the most wanted bachelor of Hoshido she was Nohr's most eligible bachelorette. Those facts alone made his proposal a public affair he'd never hear the end of it. Hell, there had already been plenty of talk in Hoshido of his relationship with Camilla: he'd been bewitched or seduced, he'd made a woman out of King Garon's demonic daughter, and so forth. Naturally he'd turned away from all of it knowing better than anyone how things had truly gone.
Strangely enough the long-haired man found himself chuckling without even knowing it. "I've faced death more times than I can count and never wavered once, but Camilla, without even being here you're able to reduce me to this unsure child." There was only one other person who'd been able to do such a thing to him, and even Scarlet hadn't been able to rattle him this much. Perhaps that was why he felt this strange attraction, around the Nohrian princess he didn't feel a need to be strong and impregnable. "Heh, tonight's the night I'll be able to see you again without any sort of excuses so I might as well give it a shot."
The minute she saw him Camilla felt herself become seized with a strange sense of fear and longing, again. The fear was born from not knowing if he'd brought someone, a female possibly, with him, and the longing came from simply seeing his face free of the chin armor. He always tended to look his best without that bothersome red armor, even without it he still carried that air of authority and confidence.
That same confidence was still as strong as ever as he silently made his way towards her. Unbeknownst to herself the closer he got the more uncertain Camilla became until they were within arm's length of each other.
"Would you care for a dance Lady Camilla?"
The smile that blossomed on his face was enough to give the Nohrian woman a slight blush as she took his hand. "I would be honored King Ryoma."
There were multiple well-known guests who'd come to the dance to celebrate the one year anniversary of the war's end. The nobles of both Hoshido and Nohr had gathered here in Valla, in the courtyard of the 'royal castle' for dancing and events. It was nothing compared to the lavish displays put on by the two senior kingdoms, but this night wasn't about pride or ego, it was about unity as Corrin himself had stated in his opening address.
"I've done many things in my life I can say I'm not proud of, but when I saw him standing there in front of everyone and hearing them cheer, I knew I'd done one good thing." Camilla murmured as Ryoma slowly wrapped his arm around her waist. The moment she felt his comforting aura wash over her she allowed herself to relax into his embrace.
"You've nurtured two kings, two princes, and two princesses, all of which have gone on to do great things, and you've helped restore peace to the world. Whatever bad you might have done Camilla, you've more than made up for it." Ryoma offered enjoying the feel of her head resting against his shoulder. "You helped bring the future king of Hoshido out of a rather dire and sobering depression. You gave him a shoulder to lean on when he needed it."
"Of all my abilities I will tell you that's the one I'm probably the proudest of. Who knew the great soldier Ryoma needed a shoulder to lean on?"
"Even I'm only human Camilla, a fact that, you remind me from time to time." The samurai-turned-king half grunted already feeling the staring eyes of onlookers falling on him. "Around you I'm reminded I…don't always have to be-"
"Determination and sheer willpower made flesh?" She giggled.
"Well, you reminded me there are times I can be less, times I can be…unguarded. In addition to that even though I'm a samurai, perhaps the strongest man in Hoshido, you never let that stop you. On the other hand, if you have something to say to me you speak it in a crude but effective manner. To be honest with you I find that feature of yours…charming." He admitted resulting in Camilla pushing their bodies closer together. Around them the crowd made the expected reaction. I wonder who else is laughing at this. Corrin, Takumi, and Elise are no doubt doubled over, and Xander… Ryoma prayed to the gods the king of Nohr wasn't around when he decided to ask Camilla the question he'd been dreading. While he knew him to be a fair and calm man, when it came to his family the Paladin would do anything and everything to protect them. Once Ryoma had smiled at that fact, stubbornness ran strong in the Hoshidan royal line and protectiveness of one's blood did so in the Nohrian line. "It's one of the many things about you I find charming."
"Oh? So I've even managed to charm the great Ryoma?" Camilla laughed, a sound that was free of the near insane bloodlust of her battlefield persona. This laugh was heartfelt and gentle, just as Camilla herself was with those who'd earned her favor. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me."
"No, as I said, the fact you're willing to be that way even with me is one of the things I admittedly find attractive."
"Come now Ryoma, I've never heard you sound this…well, flattering. It almost sounds as if you're attempting to butter me up before making some outrageous request." She chided.
Depending on how you looked at it what he was about to ask was outrageous. "I…actually do have a request for you Camilla. One that is rather…" Taking another deep breath he summoned all the courage in his being in order to speak his next words. "A moment ago you said I required a shoulder to lean on, I was wondering if…you'd be interested in continuing to be mine."
That The Nohrian princess hadn't been expecting by a longshot. Startled she did a slight double take at Ryoma. He was blushing, profoundly blushing. She'd never seen him this way, according to Takumi and Hinoka his face only looked like that with one person. N-No…t-th-there's no possibly w-way. "Ry-Ryoma, a-are you-"
"I know you and I have our differences, I know…if you say yes then you'll be stepping into a world you've hated since childhood, but I…I want you at my side. Forever."
"R-Ryoma…"
Clasping both of her hands in his Ryoma sank to one knee knowing full well he'd practically drawn the entire crowd's attention onto himself. Only barely was he aware of the fact all manners of activity and conversations had stopped to focus on the drama he'd single handedly created. The shocked whispers and looks were nothing compared to the expression on Camilla's face, for once he'd been the one to leave her completely speechless. He might have taken a moment to enjoy it if his heart wasn't racing at the speed of lightning within him.
Being courted was nothing new for Camilla, being courted by royals and noblemen wasn't either. Being proposed to by a king who she knew personally, had fought beside, and trained under, now that was something new. This wasn't another hopeless suitor seeking to warm his way into the Nohrian court or into her this was…was…
"Ry…oma…" Somehow Camilla managed to sputter out his name despite the hurricane of emotions swirling inside of her. Looking down at her hands she became aware of the fact she was actually shaking. She, the most feared Wyvern rider in all of Nohr, had finally been rendered speechless by a man. Everything she thought she knew about Ryoma came flooding into her head driving away all other thoughts, their history, their talks, their sparing sessions, and the time they'd spent together. Somewhere along the way she began to take more joy in them than she voiced, she actually began to enjoy Ryoma's company and in some cases long for it. When he wasn't able to see her during one her visits a small part of her always felt a little sad she wouldn't have him to talk to. Whenever she saw him in the presence of another woman who wasn't immediate family or a servant she felt her hands long for the feel of an axe or a tome, especially if they seemed to be coming onto the king.
"I realize there are obstacles we'll have to work to overcome." The long-haired man began speaking with utmost honesty. "You dislike the life of a royal and I fear you may come to hate the life of a queen, but…I'd like to be there with you, I want to have you by my side as Queen of Hoshido." Tightening his grip just a little he focused his determined eyes on her uncertain orbs. "Though public opinion has softened, having a Nohrian as queen will cause an uproar, I can accept that, I can live with that because I know in time Hoshido will come to see you as I've come to see you."
By reflex her hands tightened as well and her head fell so her eyes were hidden from the kneeling samurai. "What do you see me as Ryoma?" She said in a low voice only he could hear. She didn't care about the audience they'd amassed, all that mattered were the next words that came out of the samurai's mouth. She needed to hear them so she could put these feelings to rest one way or another.
His response was swift and powerful, just like the swing of the divine sword he wielded. "A strong yet compassionate woman with heart bigger than one could imagine. You are a woman I'd gladly lay down my life for a thousand times over."
Peering through her gorgeous locks Camilla saw the unfettered truth in his eyes. Those eyes, like a lion's in their intensity and power. When she looked into those deep brown orbs she could never detect any lies or deceit; they were so painfully honest Camilla wondered how Ryoma even found it in him to lie at certain points when needed. Some in Nohr would have called such a trait foolish, but to Camilla it was admirable and even inspiring.
What mattered most of all was when she looked into the king's eyes she saw only her own reflection, no one else's. Camilla knew beyond the shadow of a doubt now it was her Ryoma had been speaking to, her he'd just opened his heart to.
Feeling her heart beat slow down just a pace she inhaled through her barely parts lips. "You're right Ryoma, I believe I would come to hate the life of a queen. However," She added finally smiling down upon the Hoshidan. "I would be able to bear it if my king were you, no, I will bear it if it means you never leave my side Ryoma."
Immediately unfiltered hope swelled up inside of him. "T-Then that means-"
"Yes Ryoma, I will marry you!" The Nohrian princess soon-to-be queen exclaimed throwing her arms around her Hoshidan lover who sprung up to sweep her in his arms.
Around the two royals the crowd exploded into thunderous cheers and applauds, among them friends and family wiped tears from their eyes while others smirked at each other demanding their payment. It seemed the celebration had shifted from one of peace and unity to of marriage and an impeding wedding. If possible it made the aura of harmony around the castle grounds all the more radiant.
Long had the samurai and Wyvern rider wondered what the other's lips would taste like, in the following second they got their answer, and it was better than either had ever expected. Arms wrapped around each other they stayed lip locked as the celebration escalated around them, either blind or uncaring. Given the joy running through the two of them it was most likely the latter. At last free to Camilla ran her hands through Ryoma's glorious mane while he wrapped his arms a little tighter around her waist bringing her closer.
To the distance of the couple the King of Nohr and Valla watched the passionate display with shared smiles on their faces. "Here I was believing we would have to sit through another year of them dancing around each other." Xander chuckled.
"I'm more surprised it was Ryoma who popped the question, I thought for sure Camilla would be the one to take him for her own." Corrin laughed. There were tears forming at the edges of his eyes as he watched his loving siblings continue to embrace. Wherever you are, rest easy Scarlet, I can promise you he's in good hands. Wiping the tears away he looked over to Xander with something of a sly grin. "Out of curiosity did he say anything to you? Maybe ask your permission?"
"No, I do believe Ryoma actually managed to surprise us all this time." The blond king smiled in return. "Of course if this supposed wedding will take place he will need my blessings and yours too Corrin." The Nohrian monarch already knew when Ryoma came to them he'd be given their approval, there was no finer man he trusted with his sister's safety and he knew Corrin felt the same way. "Now that means all three kings of the realm are married. One can almost hear the heartbroken cries of the maidens now." The dark knight drily added.
Cringing a little Corrin could already see the enraged suitors both Ryoma and Camilla had back in their respective homes. Watching them though, he completely forgot about that. For now he didn't want to think about crying or tears, it was a time for laughter and joy. "The lion and the dragon, quite a pair wouldn't you say?"
In many ways Ryoma and Camilla were opposites from mannerisms to fighting technique, yet at the same time there was so much about each other they had in common. It was all those differences and similarities that drew them together. There would be pushback, that much they knew, but the lion and dragon were strong and proud creatures. If they came together surely there was nothing they couldn't conquer.
"Ryoma," Camilla whispered to her lover. "How long were you planning on this? Did you choose this celebration or were you planning on proposing the next time you saw me?"
Returning her smile Ryoma slipped the ring he'd been carrying onto her finger with tenderness and care. "The next time I saw you. Who knows what fate may have in store, so I decided to act before I lost you. Now that I have you I don't plan on letting you go Camilla." A blush fell over his face as she giggled at his words. "Forgive me if that sounds a tad bit possessive of me."
Wrapping her arms around the king Camilla planted another kiss on his lips. "That's alright honey, I don't plan on letting you go either. Nothing short of death will tear you away from me, and even then you can be sure I'll fight tooth and nail to keep you."
Following those words the couple shared another kiss before breaking apart to address the crowd they'd gathered. Amongst them there wasn't a frown or disapproving glare, only smiles and happy faces. Moments later the King of Valla raised his glass to toast to the peace of the world, and the soon-to-be weeded king and queen of Hoshido.
A hell of a lot shorter than the last three, then again S Supports are because they're basically confessions. So what you'd think? From confidants to allies to friends, to students to lovers, how'd it go? Was it better than what the source material gave us?