Comment reply: Yes, he is. With Ryoma and Hinoka his supports are clearly awkward. Also, he flips his shit when he heard you captured Sakura in Conquest. That's why those two are the ones surviving so they can bond even further 3
The archer tapped his feet to the ground. He is aware of a red-armored wyvern rider walked to his direction.
"Getting nervous because you're going to fight your sister?" Scarlet asked. Takumi just scoffed.
"No. I am not nervous, and she is not my sister anymore. And this is not the first time I fought her." The silverette reaffirmed the blonde, as well himself. But then , he look at her direction.
"Speaking about family... I want to ask you something, Scarlet. May I?"
"Gee, what's with the serious tone? It makes me uncomfortable. But yeah, you can ask."
The second prince of Hoshido inhaled a long breath, and even after he found his words, he still stuttered anyway.
"Are... Are you... R-really... Courting with Ryoma ?"
The blonde gasped, blushed, and replied in the similar stutter.
"H-huh !? Y-yeah, I-I guess... Was our relationship is that obvious ?"
Scarlet expected Takumi to say anything snarky like he usually did, but instead, he smiled.
" It is. Especially from your side. Remember when you asked him to buy you some flowers? And he was dense about its meanings ? Honestly, I want to throw my book about flower language to his face that time. That dense thick-armored lobster. It seems that the feelings are mutual between you two... I was about to step in, if he is still oblivious to your and his own feelings... I am glad that I doesn't have to. Which leads to my statement..."
The archer paused for a while, gathering courage to state his feelings." I like you, Scarlet, I really do. "
However, the wyvern rider seems to be upset by the confession. She raised her voice.
"Hey! What is that supposed to mean !? You said you're glad that you doesn't have to help me getting Ryoma, and now you confessed to me !? I'm not into two-timing ! "
Takumi tried to calm Scarlet down, pathetically unable to find the proper words for his feelings. Oh the teenage boy. "N...no! What I'm trying to say is... Ugh, how do I put this in words ? I like you not in the same way Ryoma likes you! I like you... As a sister, and I want you as my new sister! Get it?"
Scarlet calmed again, and after a pause, she grinned.
"Wow. Supportive in-law, aren't you ?"
"I am serious! " Takumi blurted out again. "I think Sakura and Hinoka would accept you too. I am the least accepting in my family, and if I can accept you, I think my sisters can too. You see, Scarlet... You are great leader and warrior on your own. Nohrian people lock their door in King Garon's injustice and terror, yet you bravely set out and raise a blade against the castle , and lead those who share the same ideals and mindset. You are a skilled fighter, yet you still have the quality and personality of a woman. Of a big sister. Of a leader. You are more than fit to be Ryoma's consort, to be our new sister, and furthermore, as Hoshido's new queen. You have the quality of a leader for that role, as you proved with how you lead this rebel forces. If anyone dares to pressure you for being a Nohrian in Hoshido's court... I'll fight them for you, be it physically, verbally, or even politically. "
"Now that's one hardcore shipper." Scarlet raised one brow. "You think of my relationship with Ryoma way too far, you know."
"Perhaps I am. But I just want you to remember... That I am on your side. " Takumi stated, full with determination. Scarlet snaked one arm around Takumi's neck and ruffles his head with the other hand.
"Geez, what a cute in-law you are ! I'm so lucky that getting with a man so reliable like Ryoma meaning I also got a cute in-law like you!"
"S-Scarlet! I'm not a kid anymore!" The silverette retaliated from the blonde's clutch. The wyvern rider then released the archer with a laugh.
"Don't be too serious, boy. Everyone goes through that phase, nothing out of control!"
Panting, Takumi continued anyway. "No, really... Scarlet... You are even more of an older sister to me than Hinoka, Azura or Kamui ever was. So I'll protect you in this battle for Ryoma. So you and Ryoma can still be together... Leading Hoshido and Cheve to a prosperous future together, something that you two more than deserve. "
Scarlet grinned again, and give Takumi a pat on his shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll win this, right? We need to kick King Garon's ass... And we will kick his kids' if they're getting in the way! Well, kick ass. Not kill."
They laughed again. How Takumi wish this kind of moment can last forever...
He wished. But he knows it is easier to count when fate actually smiled at him instead of playing with him. It's not enough with their defeat. That brute, Hans, massacred the surrendered joined forces of Hoshido and Cheve rebels, Scarlet included. He already lost two sisters, that Azura and Kamui defects to Nohr, and now, losing another one, gruesomely on top of that...
Takumi roared Scarlet's name, ready to jump to the battlefield again, but before he can, Hinata punched in the gut, caught his unconscious liege and retreated.
When he opened his eyes, Ryoma was already beside him. Then the memories of the massacre invaded his head. Trembling, crying, and traumatized, he is unable to find his sanity, let alone words, to properly report to his older brother. Ryoma hugs him, calming Takumi down so he can properly speak. He feels useless. He lost to Corrin twice. But this time, his forces are massacred. Along with the co-commander of that battle, Scarlet. Oh, what an useless commander he is, defeated twice by the same woman. Oh, what an useless supposed-to-be brother in law he is, after all the beautiful words he says to her, he still failed to protect her anyway, along with his and her forces. He asked Ryoma to punish him for his uselessness, but the high prince of Hoshido handwaved his brother's failure. He already been damaged too much emotionally and psychologically. Truly, Takumi is aware that he a miserable being that couldn't live without pitied by someone.
"Lord Takumi, there is someone who wished to meet you! "
Takumi quickly opened his eyes. He woke up in the Hoshidan royal library, a place that feels like the place he is belong after the archery range. It is common for him, to drowned himself in the mass of literature there, and accidentally fell asleep there , but usually, nobody wakes him up unless for dinner or important businesses. Is it because he not sleeping on a bed this time? How ironic.
"Who is it? " Takumi groggily asked, still trying to recollect his soul after his nap.
"She said her name is Lily, part of the Cheve rebel forces you once aided, sir." The guard answered. Lily... Takumi knows that name. She was Scarlet's spy for Nohr's capital, a fellow wyvern rider just like Scarlet herself. A rather calm, but stern woman with pale green hair.
"Bring her in. I do know her. " Takumi demanded. The guard nodded. Takumi wondered for what reason does she even bothered to came to castle Shirasagi. Did she come to avenge Scarlet because he is unable to protect her? If so, why now? She had more chance in the war...
Even so, he still welcomed her anyway, and the second he entered the throne room, he bowed to her.
"Lily... I... I am truly sorry. Scarlet passed away because of my incapability. But I cannot die now..."
The woman shook her head. She knows what kind of man Takumi is.
"No, Prince Takumi, you fought well. Scarlet might died an undignified death, but her life was the opposite and she will never be forgotten. Her death is not your fault."
Rising his body from bowing, the silverette inquired. "Then for what reason did you came? I am unable to figure it out..."
The green-haired woman removed the sheet hiding the content of the basket she was carrying, revealing a baby with blonde hair and freckles, but with uncanny resemblance to Ryoma. Takumi froze when he saw the baby. This baby...
"This baby, Prince Takumi, is the result of the union between Prince Ryoma and Scarlet. Since he is, after all, is the son of the previous crown prince, that makes him a royalty of Hoshido too. I've been thinking about this a lot. Yes, he is half-Nohrian as you can see from his hair and skin tone. But you must have seen it too... This boy bears clear resemblance to his father. I am aware, bringing a half-Nohrian, not to mention illegitimate son of the previous crown prince would bring chaos into the Hoshidan court, with all the tension with Nohr. But to hide the fact he is royalty from this boy would mean injustice for him." Lily continued.
To be honest, Takumi is less concerned with the reaction of the court. He is more concerned with the boy's future with his child. Regardless of his child is a girl or a boy, he or she will live overshadowed by this boy, his nephew. Takumi does not want his child to live what he have been through. But when he think about it again, his age difference with Ryoma contributes to his distance with him, and the inverse with him and Sakura. Perhaps their relationship wouldn't be as bad as Ryoma and himself...
"Who is his name?"
"Shiro." Lily calmly answered, as she handed him over a letter . "It's in Hoshidan characters, I can't read it." she added. Takumi opened the letter. He already believed her, as Shiro have Ryoma's face and Scarlet's skin and hair tone, but he opened it nonetheless. It's clearly Ryoma's handwriting, and the letter has his handsign too.
Hinoka, Takumi, or Sakura. Whichever of you my dear younger sibling who read this, if this letter reached your hand, then I already fell in battle, perhaps so does this boy's mother. This boy, Shiro, is my son with the woman I am courting, Scarlet. After she realized she haven't bled for some time, she asked me to come with her to the Deeprealms, and we spend several months there so she can give birth to him, so that he can live in this world even if we passed away. I know perhaps you would think of me as a selfish older brother for you, or irresponsible father for this child, but I wouldn't do this if I can truly survive this war. I entrust you this child, your nephew, in your care.I trust you to shape this boy to be a better king our father was.
Folding the letter again, Takumi decided to keep the letter in case the court brought it up again. He then turned into a guard instead to call his wife and sister. When they arrived, he reached his hands out to Lily.
"May I hold him? He is my nephew after all."
Sakura and Oboro are surprised with his line, but they wait until the baby is in his arms. He played with Shiro a bit, and the baby smiled back at him. Then , he gently shoved the baby to Sakura, asking if she want to hold him . Sakura seems to be unsure about it at first, but she hold him anyway.
"Big Brother, he is..."
"This, Sakura, is Ryoma's son, our nephew. He looks like his father, don't you think so?"
Sakura nodded. Meanwhile. Oboro still have her usual scowl whenever she faced a Nohrian.
"He's half-Nohrian, Takumi. His hair and skin makes it clear. " Takumi looks clearly dissappointed when she makes that face and retrieved Shiro from Sakura.
"But his mother is Scarlet, Oboro. Not some random Nohrian women Ryoma have one-night stand with. You know her. And he's still a baby... "
Oboro sighed. But then she reached out for Shiro too.
"I know. He is Ryoma's son, meaning he is your, as well my nephew. I know Scarlet, she is such a fun person. I admit that, despite she is a Nohrian. Not to mention he is just a baby..."
Lily stand there, as Shiro was shifted though his aunts and uncle's arms. Realizing she was still there, Takumi apologized to her.
"Oh... I am sorry to forgetting your presence for that moment, Lily. Is there anything more you need to say?"
The green-haired woman nodded. determined of her words.
"Yes. You are aware that as much this boy is Prince Ryoma's son... He is also Scarlet's son... He's half-Nohrian..."
"Lily, we talked about this just now. I am willing to accept him to be raised in this castle despite what will the court say." Takumi reaffirmed her. But that's not what she wanted to say.
"No, that's not what I meant. I wish this boy would not be kept away from his Nohrian heritage. He is a Hoshidan royal, yes, but he must know that blood of Nohr people run in his blood, so he must not be kept from Nohr's history. About his mother who is a brave woman who stands against her king's tyranny. Not to mention... Perhaps one day he will inherit Prince Ryoma's sword Raijinto. So I want him to inherit Scarlet's mount Amethyst."
So be it, then. Considering the situation her request is acceptable.
"Very well. I shall not let Shiro raised unknowing that part of Nohr's history, unknowing that his mother is as brave as his father as a warrior. Hoshidan royal custom demands that their royal familiar to the sky, but never it stated that it has to be Hoshidan mount. However, it brings us into another question. None of us know to handle a wyvern. As much as I accept your request for Shiro inheriting Amethyst, how would you handle this matter?" Takumi accepted her proposal. If she has anything to say more, perhaps he would approve it too.
"I would volunteer myself for the role, Prince Takumi. Would you accept me into your court for this reason?"
Takumi have no reason to decline. so he approved it anyway. This is the best he can do for Ryoma and Scarlet. He cannot protect them... So he will raise and protect their son in their stead. All what he used to promise Scarlet back then will be applied to Shiro and he mean it.
Everyone, did you enjoy the mood whiplash at the beginning? I hope you do :D . Also the crappy use of the Deeprealm muahahaha. Not sorry. But no, really, I really like Ryoma X Scarlet. Why they can't support! (said everyone in Fates fandom lol) . And Shiro's existence will be a plot point. The way I bring him into the story using the babyrealm perhaps sucks, but I hope the way I use him in Hoshido's internal turmoil in later chapters doesn't . Oh, and did anyone realized the inconsistent use of "Kamui" and "Corrin" in this fic? It's intentional and the next chapter will explain why.
Also what do you mean Takumi doesn't have trauma from Hans' massacre? He's still there when Scarlet was slaughtered, you know. Yes, he shared that trait with Sakura, that both suffered from a trauma from Hans , that too would a plot point. Oh so much possible plot headcanons with these two as the surviving Hoshidan royals. And him being accepting to Scarlet? Gee, did you expect him to blindly hates Nohr? He's there and he already see what Garon did to his own people and the reason for Scarlet's rebellion, so that's why he accepted her. That and her obvious relationship to Ryoma.
Okay, see ya next chapter! Comment will be appreciated and replied!
