Cordelia and Subaki - The Perfect Wingman


C


Day 52, late afternoon


Cordelia had just started the inventory on Gregor's tent, or whatever was left on it anyway. While it did pique her interest as to why the tent was still on fire or why half of Gregor's possessions were ash, only one question remained in her head: If she did this fast enough, would it finally satisfy Captain Phila's standards?

Most definitely. She prided herself in matching the legendary ethic of those before her. She just had to do it as accurately and quickly as possible! Her vigor renewed, she set to work identifying what was missing from Gregor's original inventory compared to the current state of his tent.

"Alright... His armor is trashed, along with three bronze swords, two iron, and a..."

She couldn't tell exactly what it was by the slag that composed of the blade, with nothing but the hilt to identify what it used to be. She thumbed her chin, at a temporary loss. Perhaps it was-

"That would be what is left of an iron axe," a voice behind her clarified. Cordelia turned around quickly, scowling at where that... tryhard stood, writing on his own clipboard and taking in Gregor's inventory. Cordelia's scoff harmonized quite nicely with Subaki's haughty chuckle, suspending in the air as the two red-haired prodigies squared each other off.

"Want to explain what you're here for?"

"Commander Corrin asked for a resupply and reassessment to get done A-S-A-P. Judging by the present resource currently assessing the damages, Commander Robin forgot to mention that ASAP in Ylissean stands for 'As-Slow-As-Possible.'"

"Well aren't you the coyest little thing?" Cordelia replied, not showing a chip in her defenses.

Subaki only bowed as he tip-toed just enough to signify his height advantage over the shorter flier.

Cordelia remained scowling at her male antithesis for a moment longer before returning to her task. Of all the people Commander Corrin could have sent...

She was a wonderful Commander. Her bright outlook and fierce determination to a cause that previously had nothing to do with her made her very popular to the entirety of the Shepherds. She was capable, loyal, and most importantly, responsible enough to account for her own faults, personally spearheading Gregor's restoration efforts.

And then she obliterates whatever standing Cordelia has for her by sending him.

"And I assume Commander Corrin decided that you were more apt for this task? Shouldn't you be, I don't know, pulling weeds? Perhaps washing dishes? Something more your speed?"

All this got was a slight smirk from Subaki.

"W-well of course not! Naturally I, gentleman that I am, was going to let you handle it. The night is young and the stars are early, but this is an army. We have a schedule, and a tight one at that. When the good Commander said that the Ylissean prodigy would be joining me on the case, I just couldn't help but think that she, perfect as she is, would not be needing my humble help." Cordelia, visibly recoiling from the sarcasm, only gripped her clipboard tighter, considering beating the Hoshidan in front of her until he stood at her height.

"So why don't you? It's just an inventory and resupply. Surely you can go on patrol and get shot down, something you seem better at than I, if I recall the Valm landing."

"Nonsense, my dear Cordelia,"

Oh how she hated how he pronounced her name with such faux care.

"I had the most unpleasant daydream during training. I had the premonition that you would... stay until the wee hours of the night on such a grueling task. I couldn't help myself. I always help those that are helpless."

Cordelia's stomach sank at the uncalled-for insult, instead turning away and writing gibberish down on the clipboard.

"Hmph, so you think you can make things easier for yourself by putting me down? It's interesting to see that Hoshido's so-called perfectionist goes rambling about like the parasite he is. You keep doing your thing, Subaki. Meanwhile, I'll be doing our job!"

Subaki gawked, quickly recomposing himself and making an attempt to stall while at the same time glancing around the room and on his clipboard for hints as to what could be replaced and what needed to be bought for Gregor.

...

...

"Y-you're standing in my way," Subaki attempted, immediately wincing at the ounce of uncertainty in his voice.

"And you're soliciting," Cordelia responded without missing a beat. "Go away. You can sit outside and play in the mud for all I care. I'll call you when the adult stuff is finished."

For whatever reason, this asshat brought out a very snarky attitude from Cordelia. Her sharpness surprised herself!

"Can you move so I can log what's missing from that drawer-"

"Go stick a log up yours, tryhard."

The Hoshidan recoiled at the verbal lash, placing his head on the back of his head in uncertainty.

"Five Vulneraries?" Subaki baited, waiting for Cordelia to respond by looking at her board.

"..."

"Is that a yes?"

"Tch, you're trying to distract me. It's seven, by the way. Maybe you should pour one of them into your ears and repair your memory!"

Once more, Subaki winced at having his ego so effortlessly torn apart, quickly shifting over to Gregor's bunk.

"Three pairs of boots, steel toed, leather soles," Cordelia called out in a sing-song voice.

"Yes, I know," Subaki mimicked, matching her pitch note for note. His falsetto was not so bad, Cordelia would admit later.

"Then why are you just hovering around everything like a worthless cloud?!" Cordelia accused defensively, a bit louder and emotional than she envisioned.

"I... Bah, you are the one being a barricade in my path!" Subaki retorted, calmly yet frantically looking through Gregor's hygiene items for any discrepancies. The Hoshidan sighed, loudly enough that he didn't hear Cordelia sighing as well. They both turned, but instead of looking at each other, their eyes were focused on the items Gregor was missing on the other's clipboard.

Corrin and Robin did this on purpose, to test their coherency.

This wasn't about who could do this better.

"There's no reason Corrin or Robin would put two people to a simple task."

"Not a logical one. But they had a good reason nonetheless."

It was how fast they could do it together, they both realized. Nodding simultaneously, their insult-ceasefire signified their willingness to put aside their rivalries for the task at hand.


"A bar of soap and mouth elixir," Subaki offered. Cordelia nodded, chalking down the missing items without delay or hesitation.

"Two sets of small clothes and six.. No, seven shirts," Cordelia called back, not waiting for Subaki to chalk it down before adding, "And four pairs of socks."

"A silver bow. I didn't know he could shoot."

"He can. He's a mercenary worth his salt for sure."

"Vol. 1-4 of Feroxian strategy. Isn't the title rather... redundant?"

"Three hunting knives. And yes, it is redundant."

"A dragonstone? Is that really a-"

"Yeah, I don't know why he had one anywa-"

"Done."

"Done."

The two paragons looked at each other with a mix of disdain and rivalry. Both opened their mouths to start, but Cordelia jumped just a bit harder.

"Do we really need to check our work?" she asked skeptically.

"Well, why bother when you have me on the job?"

"I don't know. Never been one for sharing answers in the classroom. But maybe if you give me your lunch money."

Cordelia tried her best to smile despite the fact that Subaki had belittled her once more. Subaki noticed this and softened up, placing a hand behind his neck in apology.

"..."

"..."

"...Right. Actually, Cordelia... I mean to take back my insults-"

"I refuse. We will turn these in to the commander and then handle any personal issues."

"So who brings the inventory to Robin?" they both asked simultaneously.

"If it's a race you want, you might as well carry me. I'm gods awful," Cordelia murmured. Subaki merely sighed as well.

"I can assure you my legs carry me no faster than my arms could."

"In that case..."

The intensity was admirable, burning with the fire of a thousand Plegian summers. The speed? Well, Chrom would admit he had seen Sumia face plant more gracefully than the two's running form could ever hope to achieve. Shaking his head as the two ran by, he could only wince as the two Pegasus riders slammed into each other in front of Robin's door.

"Ah, that took long enough..." Robin concluded, peeking his head outside his tent flap. "When Corrin told me she sent our fastest inventory taker to log this, my thoughts immediately went to Cordelia, while hers' must've been to you, Subaki. It's good to see both of you are at the same standard. I suppose we do not regret at all sending both of you to do what one could've easily done."

"I apologize commander, I could've come faster if not for her meddling-"

"Now hold on! We helped each other out just a minute ago and now you're taking a piss on me!"

"You wouldn't get it. You wouldn't know how to hold yourself to the highest standard. I'd never settle for mediocrity-"

"Well what you don't understand is if someone outperforms me, t-then I'll never be able to live up to my fallen... sisters' ideals..."

Subaki opened his mouth, but Cordelia walked off, fists clenched. Glancing at Robin quickly, who nodded, Subaki excused himself as well.

Robin, noting that their motives were pure, which was probably established to the other by now, smiled faintly as the two rivals went off in their separate directions.


B


Day 53, just past midnight


The Tenma Rider and the Pegasus Rider sat next to each other, watching the night time of the camp flicker against the shadows of the campfire. Ironically, guard duty had been assigned to them that night by none other than Robin and Corrin, (Chrom had a roster of his Ylissan Shepherds and it proceeded thus, likewise with Corrin and her Hoshidan and Nohrian soldiers,) much to their mutual discomfort.

"You say the Tenma and the Pegasi are different species," Subaki started, watching both steeds sleeping in the stables.

"Correct, while the Tenma are not exactly sensitive to their rider aside from the kindness and valiance of their heart, Pegasi will only accept the spirit of an honest maiden."

"Which is to say... you, by extension, must be quite kind underneath that hard-headed scowl of yours," Subaki jabbed playfully. Cordelia didn't react.

"...Something like that."

Subaki looked at the noticeable distance between the two scouts. Even as they shared the same log as they kept watch, there was a gap sufficient for two others between them, and that alone signified the discomfort they shared with the other.

Not even Hana would allow that.

"I had not always wanted to become a Tenma Knight," he admitted solemnly. "My family had served house Hoshido for generations. I was a young boy, training to serve Lady Sakura as a mere swordsman when news of her birth was announced. Then, my father died, offering his life to Lady Mikoto to hold off Nohrian archers. It was a suicide mission. But I had to follow his footsteps as a Tenma rider. His name had to bear a worthy successor."

When Cordelia didn't respond, Subaki cursed himself for revealing that much to her. She wouldn't understand-

"I could see it. That fire in your eyes when you fly... I am, along with Sumia, the last Pegasus Knight in Ylisse. My teammates, my mentors, my comrades... they had that same fire when they... they held off Plegian brigands while they told me... the Prodigy to flee... Like a coward. Like a damned coward."

The only sign that Subaki was sympathetic was his slight nod and grunt, and Cordelia felt slightly better. Suddenly, he raised his naginata as he repositioned it alongside his body.

"The weapon you wield, you attack by slashing and not stabbing? Don't you feel like you lose power at speed?" Cordelia asked. "The whole point of being on a Pegasus is to strike quickly and cleanly. What better weapon to use than a lance?"

Without asking, Subaki hoisted the lance Cordelia wielded. Twirling it around, he shook his head at the foreign bulkiness of the Nohrian-esque spear.

"Likewise, I could ask of yours. What good is power when every attack must be head-on? I prefer reach and flexibility, therefore my naginata would be better for the job."

Silence.

"I'm sorry. I did not know you had your motives for competing with me," Subaki said softly, redirecting the topic to the aforementioned narratives.

"Yours are just as valid," Cordelia reasoned, closing the gap between them as she smiled faintly at her partner. Offering her hand in camaraderie, they shook hands and whatever tension was left seemed to dissipate, if only for the moment.

"That's no reason for me to fall short of a slacker like you," Subaki joked, causing Cordelia to scoff and push him aside.

"Y-you... Can you not?"

"I'll admit," Subaki apologized, "I'll have a lot on my plate on the path of finally declaring you my inferior. Especially with the way you tend to inch ahead of me."

"So you admit that we're at least equals?"

"No. We have a lot to improve on, and until we're at our peak, I'm not willing to compare our levels of performance." Cordelia hummed her agreement, holding Subaki's naginata curiously.

"My fellow Shepherds call me a prodigy, but that is not a term I am not willing to settle for," Cordelia ranted. "I have experimented with magic and swordfaire to make myself a more useful and versatile knight. I try to keep inventories, which was usually my specific job until you came along."

"Likewise," Subaki complained. "I train with a bow like Lord Takumi, not to mention the fact that I was a samurai before my father died. I could best you for days if it were to come to the sword. Oh and also with the art of throwing javelins. The Nohrians must have fun with throwable spears." Cordelia lit up at her favorite weapon.

"Oh, I could definitely wipe the floor with you with javelins," Cordelia boasted, beaming with pride. "You should take notice how I always sortie with javelin in hand."

"We'll see what the sparring grounds say about that tomorrow morning," Subaki challenged. "And when you've had enough of me tossing you on the sand, perhaps you can indulge in my fine cooking or relaxing massages? To forget about your woes, as it were."

"Oh we'll see about that," Cordelia grinned, "Lissa herself taught me how to identify muscle knots and eradicate them with extreme prejudice!"

"Well, my massages are more... anasthetic? I guess. Loosening up tight spots and restore mobility is for the clerics to do. Mine are... I admit, a lot more embarrassing and sensual. I could probably put you to sleep, while I'm guessing you could help with the tightness on my back." Cordelia turned away with a mock scoff.

"No way I'm letting you touch my back."

"I'm quite sure you'd prefer me to stab it instead."


A


Day 102, afternoon


Spirits were high, supplies were topped off, and most of all, casualties were zero. Robin and Corrin had masterfully lead the Shepherds thus far, and the two Pegasus Knights (Sumia by Robin's insistence had shuffled between being an armored knight, a cleric, and a cavalier while Snowflake recovered. Hinoka, for all her merit, was not part of the secret society) had faced off together among multiple foes, and their bond had grown from rivals to friends and finally, rivals again. They were in the war room as both Corrin and Robin were victim to amazingly good massages by the two scouts.

"I... Shouldn't be feeling like this in the hands... of another man- Ugh... zzz," Robin muttered unconsciously, to which Subaki grinned as he bowed to Cordelia in mock flourish.

"Perhaps I'm wrong about mys-self," Robin slurred off. "Oh, Subaki..."

"Ahh, I feel almost... human... again," the dragon princess sighed. "Why am I a dragon..."

Cordelia mirrored the curtsy and continued her efforts with renewed focus.

"Zzz..."

"Nnnghh..."


"Well that was certainly unique," Cordelia noted, a javelin in her hands as she sat crosslegged back to back with Subaki. He was sharpening their spears with steady precision while she was assembling them from the parts they had forged earlier.

"I'm surprised Robin was up for that," Cordelia laughed, admiring her reflection in the javelin's freshly polished shaft.

"Perhaps you can have him next time. Jealous?" Subaki teased, causing him to receive a scoff and a light punch to his ribs. "Hmph."

"I'm jealous how effortlessly you can adapt to a situation," Cordelia reworded, on her third javelin.

"And I'm jealous how perfectly you can accomplish something on the first try. You're a natural when it comes to learning new techniques or remembering information or just seeing when the enemy is about to advance and decide whether to guard or strike and..." he rambled on and on, Cordelia not really paying attention to her words. Subaki noticed Cordelia falter a bit, her soldierly disposition finally showing some cracks underneath.

"After all, the Prodigy of Ylisse has to live up to her name, right?" he finished hesitantly, immediately regretting it when Cordelia stifled a cry, dropping the javelin and weeping into her hands pathetically.

"Stop... please don't call me that anymore..."

Subaki cursed under his breath. Shit.

"I'm no prodigy! Ever since we paired up, I've b-been having bad nightmares of my fallen sisters and..."

He didn't like this.

"'Prodigy, P-prodigy," she mimicked, "you failed us, you'll fail them a-all... You'll fail him too... and watch as he dies and you run away like the coward-'"

"Cordelia, I didn't mean any-"

She stopped, wiping away her tears angrily and looking him dead in the eyes, red with fury and will.

"I will not let myself get in the way anymore! I will beat you! You may be so perfect but I can prove you wrong! But yet... I barely rival you anymore. I'm not just jealous anymore, can't you see? I'm incompetent! For the first time in my life, I can't meet the standard! I can't let myself... disgrace them..."

Subaki couldn't react.

"I can't fail you."

Dropping her head into her lap, the fallen knight's tears dripped along her armor, leaving salty trails in the polish.

"I..."

"..."

"Hey! Listen to me!" Subaki forced her to face him as she could see his trembling hands and face as well.

"You don't see it, but I can't even sleep anymore," Subaki admitted.

"You are the closest thing I have to my father," he confessed. "You are my most trusted friend in the army, Cordelia, as much as I'd hate to admit it. Seeing you handle even archers so fearlessly... It makes me fear for you. I couldn't allow myself to fall short of what feats my wingman was capable of..."

"So all this time, when you've woken up and said you couldn't get any s-sleep..."

"I...I was training. Training to be more like you! Training to be worthy of the wingman that would watch my back as easily as I wish I could watch hers! And just because you could handle it better than I had..." He took a deep breath, transitioning towards his true statement.

"Cordelia, I am no natural. Actually, I'm bad at the first try at nearly everything I do... The only reason I could fake the image of me being a natural is because every night... I don't sleep until midnight training and practicing or reading or running... Something, to make me worthy of being your equal!"

Cordelia faltered, her tears even more numerous as her smile was salty from all the drops her eyes let into it.

"So all this time I thought you were the opposite of a tryhard... My insult was actually correct? Oh gods, I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be!" Subaki forced with a smile, "The level we've set... It's elevated us so much more than what my father and your sisters could even dream of..."

"I see now," Cordelia said with the same teary-grin, "We've been each others role-model and rival for so long, I'd daresay we're the best soldiers in this army!"

"Subaki, my sisters and your father would be proud of the warriors their sacrifice drove us to be." He held out his hand for a shake, but Cordelia enveloped him in a warm and teary hug.

"And I'm glad I have someone like you to look up to- no, to look out for..."

A blur of white and purple dashed across their periphery, and Robin found himself locked on by two sets of very sharp eyes. Holding very sharp sticks.

"Excuse me... I was just, just uh... checking our... morale?"

He quickly ran out, nervously laughing. Both Pegasus Knights looked at each other with a grin, already knowing the task at hand.

"Down for a race?"

"Finish line is kicking Robin's ass?"

"You're on!"


S


Day 135, night


Robin had an uncanny habit of disappearing whenever the two red-haired Knights were about, but they didn't seem to care. More often than not they spent time in each other's company, to the point that Sumia and Hana would tease their respective friends about their choice of companions.

"Perhaps you two should tie the knot? I have so many ideas from this one book..." Sumia suggested to Cordelia one day, trying out a new set of reigns for Snowflake.

"You and Cordelia seem perfect (gods forgive me for saying that) for each other! Gives me more time with Lady Sakura!" Hana offered, not entirely joking.


And thus, the two were awkwardly joined at the hip on guard duty once more, no thanks to the cowardly tactician and sprightly Princess who were spying from a few tents away.

"Long day?" Cordelia started, propping her Hoshidan-style naginata next to Subaki's newly-forged Ylissean lance as she took a seat on the guardsman's bench.

"Tell me about it," Subaki groaned, moseying right next to his partner. "We're getting closer and closer to Fort Steiger, and the mud gets thicker and thicker with each step. I'll have to economize my time to better clean my gear after our marches."

"Yeah," the Ylissean agreed, "The Valmese' aim aren't getting any sloppier, either. I might have to put in more work at the reigns. Edelweiss is getting scared, hearing those arrows whistling by."

"That reminds me," Subaki continued. "Camellia... do you think you could take her out for a quick flight while I'm on resupply duties tomorrow?"

"Huh?" Cordelia wondered, "Why me? Camellia's only going to let-"

"People she trusts fly her, I know," Subaki interrupted. "Both Tenma and rider trust Cordelia equally, I can assure you."

"If it turns out fine, then I'll take her out for a ride tomorrow," Cordelia agreed. "But when the need arises, do you think you can do the same for Edel?"

"Huh? I'm a great guy and all," Subaki excused weakly, "but I'm not too sure Edelweiss shares Camellia's sentiments..."

"She shares her rider's sentiments," Cordelia reasoned, quite subtly if not for her smirk.

The Hoshidan's eyes widened a little upon revelation, but quickly turned away to face the night sky.

"That much, huh..."

"Yes," the Ylissean confirmed, smiling unnoticed.

"That's... quite a lot," Subaki pressed.

"It is," Cordelia responded, interested in seeing where Subaki was taking this conversation.

"...Hey Cordy."

"Yeah?"

"When I said you were the closest thing I had to my father, was that weird?"

"No, it was sweet. Why?"

"Because I don't want this to sound weird."

"What?"

"I know you kinda have eyes for someone, but I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't say this now."

"W-what?"

"I don't just look up to you anymore, or out for you, or any of that teammate stuff. I see you as one of the things worth protecting not out of duty or loyalty like Lady Sakura but... out of love."

"O-oh."

"P-perhaps it's a little soon, I know I tend to jump the count on things I'm not sure-"

"Yes, and I'm very glad so. And while yes, while I won't openly admit I had eyes for another... I've seen someone whose eyes are far sharper, whose will is much stronger, and whose... heart... is much kinder... Than anyone he would ever be."

"I guess Robin is pretty great, huh..."

Cordelia's eyes rolled as she punched Subaki in the ribs again.

"Of all the times to be a jerk, you pick now?"

The Hoshidan laughed as he fiddled his fingers around, clearly nervous.

"It doesn't hurt to acknowledge when you're over your head sometimes," he explained, alluding to Cordelia.

"Oh?" she responded coyly, "Try me."

Subaki took this as his cue to remove the ring from his pocket, causing Cordelia to gawk as he placed it in her hands.

"C-cordelia, this battlefield is treacherous. But it's made me realize one singular thing:

I can't lose you. Not without doing everything in my power to keep you from harm. Not without fulfilling my utmost duty not as your teammate, but as your partner."

Clearing his throat but only producing a ragged cough, Subaki tried to keep his composure despite it dripping further and further down the proverbial drain. At least he was on the right track, judging by Cordelia's complete and undivided attention.

"Subaki..."

"Cordelia... Will you marry me?"

"..."

"..."

"I... can't. No. Not like this."

"Oh. I see. Maybe I was... w-was too brash."

Subaki smiled nervously, trying to hide the pain as his lip began to quiver. His hand lowered the ring he produced just a few seconds ago, almost dropping it to the ground.

Looking up, however, Cordelia's smile suggested otherwise.

"Wha-"

"You'll be marrying me!"

Pulling out a ring of her own, Cordelia took down her rival with a leg sweep and forced the band onto his finger while he was still frozen in shock.

"Ha... gotcha. Did you really think I would play like a novice at a game I desperately wanted to come first in?"

She blushed at the slight innuendo.

Not having any of that, Subaki tackled her to the ground, looking at the woman whose eyes started from scorning him to looking up to him and finally tearing up for him. And if hearing those damn words from those damn lips didn't embarrass him enough, he would finally get to kiss them. Gently putting his ring on her finger, they finally shared their feelings in the tender embrace, as awkward a position they were in could allow.


Meanwhile, Corrin sighed as she handed over a couple gold pieces to an ecstatic Robin.


"Subaki, you may surpass me, or you may fall behind. I don't care anymore. No matter how imperfect you think are or how upset or lonely you feel... You'll always be perfectly by my side. As I will be by yours."

"That's quite what I intended, I admit. I assume that my proposal was alright?"

"Nothing less than perfect."