The reception for the previous chapter has gotten me pretty excited! Thank you, everyone, for your really nice comments!

I would like to forewarn everyone that I have to make up some things for Mark, because they really didn't get much characterization in their game. I'm mostly thinking along the lines of Mark being the younger Morgan from Awakening (the one not born yet), since in the Japanese version of the game Morgan's name was Marc.

Also decided to pay homage to the fact that most of Lyn's supports revolve around family and her eventual decision regarding Caelin.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Support B

Torrential rain fell from the sky, churning the pathways between the tents into mud that sucked and pulled at Lyn's feet as she sought a warm escape from the sky. Her hair and clothes were plastered to her skin, and she blinked furiously to keep her eyes clear of the water. The field in which they were camped provided little respite from the wrath of the heavens, which had descended on them without warning.

"Lyn!"

At the sound of Mark's voice calling out to her, Lyn turned at the threshold of her tent. Some distance away, the drenched tactician shuffled their way towards her, struggling through the muck and pausing every few seconds to free their cloak from its grasp. Lyn continued to hold the tent flap open for them. They gave her a grateful smile before ducking in, with Lyn hot on their heels. Shucking their cloak, they let out a small sigh of relief to be free of the soaked, mud-stained garment.

"Thank you," they said, smiling at her. "It's pouring out there."

"Changing of the seasons," Lyn offered as an explanation. She sank to the floor, covered with a mat to prevent her having to lay in the mud as well as trudge through it, and passed Mark a towel. "What brings you to my tent, Mark?"

Mark took the towel with a weary smile and sank down beside her. From within their clothes, they drew out a rolled piece of parchment and several small round stones. "I thought we might discuss potential strategies together, if that's alright with you."

A sigh left her lips before she had the opportunity to smother it. "More strategies? I thought we had discussed all there was to discuss earlier, with Eliwood and Hector?"

The tactician hesitated, uncertainty stealing across their face at the edge in Lyn's voice. "This sudden change in weather brought to mind how ill-prepared we are to move forces across a field with limited mobility and shelter," they said, heat rising in their cheeks. "I thought I would come to you before presenting anything official to the group, as I value your counsel a great deal. …But… uh… if this is a bad time… or if I've misread the situation… we can talk about something else?"

With a shake of her head, Lyn gave her old friend a deprecating smile. "I'm just tired from the drills you already had us run, is all. I had hoped that this would be a more… personal call. I feel as if we hardly ever get to speak outside of battle and battle plans. I hope you'll forgive my selfishness in wishing to speak of… other things, occasionally."

They set the parchment and stones aside. "That is perfectly alright with me."

"You certainly are dedicated when it comes to your craft," Lyn remarked, relaxing into the changed atmosphere within the tent.

"I feel like I have to be," Mark told her, their gaze somewhere far away from the tent with Lyn.

Lyn regarded her friend with an intensity that eventually drew even their attention. "It seems an odd profession, I must confess. To help people win battles, and fight wars that are not your own. I've always wondered why you decided to pursue it, and work as hard towards it as you do."

They let out a light laugh at that, the rueful sound louder in the enclosed space. "I think it's just in my blood."

That caught Lyn's interest, and she leaned forward slightly. "Oh?" she prompted. "How do you mean?"

"One of my parents is a tactician," they explained. "As is my elder sibling."

"A family of tacticians!" exclaimed Lyn in delight. "That's wonderful, that you're pursuing the same craft as they are!" A flash of pain crossed Mark's face at Lyn's words, and her joy at the discovery was abruptly cut down. "…Mark?" she asked, worry knitting her brow. "Is everything alright?"

They shook their head slightly, as if to clear it more than to answer Lyn. "Sorry, homesickness accosted me for a second, there. I haven't seen my family in… some time, you see."

Lyn laid a hand on top of Mark's in empathy. "I understand completely." They gave her a brief smile, and she withdrew the limb.

"I left home a long time ago in order to become a better tactician," Mark continued. "My parent and sibling honed their craft during wartime, and therefore have a lot more practical experience than I do. Since I was fortunate enough to grow up in an era of peace, I lacked the same understanding in real world applications. I said my goodbyes to them, and eventually found myself in Elibe. And then… I met you."

"I'm happy you did," Lyn told them.

"I wonder, sometimes, if I'm living up to their legacy." Mark's expression fell, apprehension clouding their eyes. It was rare that they would let any sort of uncertainty show – they were normally so poised and assured when they directed a battle. "The battles we're facing are getting more and more difficult to win with everyone still alive. I almost lost people in that last one, when we were ambushed. I should have seen it coming. It was exactly the sort of thing I myself would have done on the opposite side."

"You are the one who kept us alive in that battle, not your family." The sudden scolding from Lyn caused her friend to startle, their eyes wide in their shock. "We would have been… I would have been dead a long time ago if not for you," Lyn told them quietly. "Without your guidance, without your friendship… I would never have come as far as I have. I was able to meet my grandfather, and make so many new, lasting friendships because you appeared in my life. Please, have a little faith in your abilities, and not be too hard on yourself."

"Lyn, I…"

"After all, no one died because our tactician was able to think quickly and counter our foe in time," she said with a smile. "And if something unforeseen happens… trust us to know what to do. Trust in the drills and training we've all gone through, in our strength. We won't let you down, Mark. I promise."

Mark's mouth opened, but nothing came out. They shut it, and then laughed. "I came here for your counsel in the first place; I would be wise to take it!"

"You can come to me anytime if something weighs on your mind," she offered.

"I'll take you up on that, Lyn. And… the same goes for you. Anytime… for anything."

Their response drew out a smile Lyn's face that could bring back the sunshine.