A Man for Flowers
by Cyberchao X

CCX: …Now I haven't the slightest clue how many chapters there will be, because I've gone and stacked the romantic tension too high, and have them on the verge of confessing right then and there at the end of what should be only the A-level.

"I'm sorry about the other day, Hana," Corrin said.

Hana blushed. "I-it's fine…wait, what are you sorry about? I'm the one who should be apologizing! Unless…you were staring at me?!"

"W-w-wha!" Corrin turned bright red. "N-no, I wasn't…I mean, I tried to avoid looking at you as much as possible…not that you're hard to look at; you're really very pretty, but it just…I'm sorry!"

Hana laughed. "Nohrian women must not be very attractive, if you think I'm pretty. Though your 'siblings' sure seem to disprove that…and one of Princess Camilla's retainers was fairly attractive, too."

"The redheaded one? I'm not sure she's even Nohrian. She, Laslow, and Odin just sort of showed up one day, and their prowess was so undeniable that they became valued retainers. Laslow you saw; he's Xander's retainer. Odin's one of Leo's; we haven't encountered him yet. He's a Dark Mage."

"Like Zola?"

"…No, even after seeing his Izana impression, I'm not sure Zola could pull off Odin's unique brand of crazy."

"Couldn't have been any crazier than that Peri chick. And before you ask how I knew that name, she seemed to like identifying herself in battle."

"Different type of crazy. Odin doesn't make you afraid to turn your back to him; he just…well, I think he has a very healthy imagination."

"Right. So, shall we get started? I was hoping maybe you could teach me some Nohrian swordsmanship as well? It would be helpful to know other styles, and I don't think Silas would be much help, since he fights on a horse." She was glad that the conversation had shifted quickly enough that she didn't have to admit that she'd been staring at him.

"That's certainly a different style in its own right. The only Hoshidan mounted units I've seen are all fliers." Corrin was equally relieved that Hana hadn't dwelled on his admission that he thought she was pretty. "Ah, but I was actually apologizing for what I'd said on the ship to Cyrkensia, not what happened the following morning. I…didn't express myself very well. What I meant was that you told me you didn't like someone who made Sakura cry. What do you think would happen if you followed in your father's footsteps and died protecting her?"

"She'd be devastated. It would take weeks for me to calm her down."

"Hana, think about what you just said."

"…It would take months for Subaki to calm her down." Hana sighed. "You are, as always, correct, Lord Corrin. I can't follow in my father's footsteps, because Lady Sakura would be sad. Besides…I'm an only child. If I had a brother, it would be his duty to continue the family's legacy, but since I'm the only one who can, I have to keep living to keep the family alive."

"You mean you have to live long enough to find a husband and have a baby? That's a surprisingly feminine goal, Miss Hana," Corrin teased, unbalancing the samurai enough for him to get through her defenses. "You really shouldn't let your guard down in a battle."

"You're mean! I can't believe you'd tease me like that! …Besides, didn't you just say that you thought I was pretty? If that's the case, then there's no reason why I should be ashamed to be feminine."

"…Damn it. Thought we'd slipped past that."

"Nope. You teased me; it's only fair that I get to tease you. You told me that you don't mind me speaking my mind."

"Yeah. You're honest with me. I like that."

"…Maybe you should take Saizo's advice and have Lord Ryoma teach you how to properly wield a katana."

"…Hana? Did I do something wrong?"

"No. No, you did nothing wrong…Lord Corrin."

"Geez, what's got you so down?" Hinoka asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Everything's fine," Corrin protested.

"I agree. This is a problem with an obvious solution," Subaki interjected.

"Maybe it's obvious to you, 'Mr. Perfect'…wait, what makes you think you know what my problem is?!"

"Yes, please, illuminate us," Hinoka said.

"You're clearly torn up by this as well, Lord Corrin. I suggest that you just confess."

"Okay, what are you accusing my brother of?" Hinoka asked angrily. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because of…what we discussed yesterday."

"…You mean when I confessed my feelings for you?"

"Yes, when…oh."

Subaki nodded. "Indeed. As Lady Sakura's retainer, it is my duty to make sure she is being taken care of to the utmost degree, and that requires not only that I be at my peak, but also that my partner be able to perform at her peak. She's fallen for you hard, Lord Corrin, and judging by your reaction to her attempts to distance herself from you, it seems that you have feelings for her as well. …I must confess, I've come to care about Hana's well-being as well. She's a reliable partner, and for all of my strengths, I have never been able to hold the same place in my liege's heart as Hana."

"…You're certain that she feels that way about me?"

"Naturally. I am perfect, after all."

CCX: I really don't like Subaki as a character. He's meant to be a male Cordelia, but Cordelia's far more relatable because she recoils at the praise heaped upon her, whereas Subaki is his own biggest fan. Having him paired with Hinoka for this fic is, well…I felt like I had to pair him with someone, and this fic is set on the Birthright path so I can't pair him with the only real option. Hinoka seemed like a good option. And looking at their conversation, it seems like it's actually a support line where Subaki isn't an arrogant prick, so more power to Hinoka for that. Now, I'm going to try to wrap this up.