Welcome back!
Ok, not going to lie, this next one is one of my favorite contributions to this particular story. It stars Subaki and Felicia, and once again, I remind everyone that is reading this one thing. The coolest part about becoming a writer, or even a fanfic writer, is you get to take bland characters and turn them into something truly unique. One of my co-writers told me that I really outdid myself with this one, so hopefully, I can do the same with you guys! Enjoy it! You're in for one hell of a twist!
Subaki Felicia
3 Days after Coronation
Location: Kokiri Shrine (Hoshido's 3rd Fort)
"Hmm hm hm hm hmmmm~ Laa la la la laaaaaaatedatedaaaaaaaa~" I was smiling more than usual on this fine morning. I guess it must be because of the rain that cleared away from last night's storm. Although it is always cloudy in at the Kokiri Shrine, the flowers were blooming more beautifully than they ever have; nature at its finest! When Hinoka arrived at the shrine's throne, she couldn't help but smile at me.
"Something's definitely different about you Felicia," she started, "Tell me, what's new?" Her words were bringing me to a huge smile, probably the biggest I'd ever have.
"Today is going to be a super wonderful day," I answered, "Subaki and I are going on our first ever date! He said it was going to be very exciting and I just…I can't WAIT to find out what he has planned!" She giggled at my words, almost busting out into a laugh.
"Are you serious Felicia?!" she exclaimed in hilarity, "You mean you two never went on a date before you got married?!" Oh no, my stuttering words were coming in!
"W-Well," I replied, "I-I…W-We never had time to go on any dates because of t-the war. Subaki said he wanted to f-focus on the war so we could spend our days together for the rest of our l-lives." A nervous laugh followed, something I couldn't help when she helped me move the table I was trying to pick up.
"Well I guess I can understand that," she admitted, "However Azama and I found many times to go on a date before we decided to seal the deal." She chuckled. "Man did I give it to him good." I blushed at her words, trying not to freak out about such…obscene things. When she realized what she said, she immediately lashed out. "H-Hey, I don't mean it that way! I was talking about how he said he was going to wear the pants in our marriage!"
"N-No Lady Hinoka!" I exclaimed with my eyes closed, "I-I didn't assume such a thing!" The sibling of Hoshido sighed at my remarks, and then smiled at me.
"Look," she started, "This is your first date, so don't be nervous about what's to come OK? I've known Subaki for a long time, and he's had many dates before he decided to settle down with you. All of them were successful so I'm sure this one is going to be just as exciting as his others!" My heart sank at her words…
"…He had…others before me?" I questioned in sadness, "This isn't…his first time?" Hinoka shook her head.
"Trust me those experiences didn't mean anything to him except that he tries to be perfect. His heart was broken more times than you could count on your fingers and toes, but he always sprung back to be a better person for it." She placed her shoulder on mine and smiled. "Since he settled down with you, this date is going to be the absolute most perfect because he knows in his heart you deserve the best. Don't let his past interfere with this, I feel dumb for talking about his previous ventures and I apologize for that, but you should know the truth hon. It's those experiences that made him the best person he could ever be to this date, so be happy. He's going to make it amazing…I promise." Something struck a chord in me at her words however.
"Wait a minute Hinoka," I started, "You said…his dates were successful right? Then how come his heart was broken? I can't imagine something like that happening if everything went so well with his dates…" The princess helped me dust off the table we moved closest to the shrine's throne during such a talk. When we were just finishing up, she glanced into my eyes with a stern expression on her face.
"I think you're going to have to ask him to find out for yourself Felicia," she answered as she walked towards her steed and stroke the side of its neck, "Listen, I came by here to drop some things off for the hot springs and the accessory shop. It's a little errand I'm running for Oboro and Hinata before they pack up and go. I'm going to be riding back and forth from here and the Dragon Temple before I leave for the capital so I can help Takumi commission the repairs. By the time I'm finished with my errands you may be back from your date. You have to tell me all about it by then, OK? I know I didn't seem caring about it before but the truth is you're a close friend to us all, even if you were a Nohrian to begin with. I'm actually pretty excited to hear about it when you're through!" I smiled slowly at her kind words.
"T-Thank you Lady Hinoka," I said, "I really appreciate your kindness." She smiled as she mounted up on her pegasi, stroking it gently before she maneuvered it towards the first step of the small staircase.
"Best of luck to you Felicia!" she exclaimed, "Tell Dyru I said hi if you see him coming through today!" When the winged beast released them, the two took off to their first stop around the sacred rock. I continued cleaning around the throne before Lady Sakura would show up and sit upon it. It was a lot of hard work considering the storm that passed through, but I've sharpened my skills as a maid ever since Dyru told me I was doing very well. After I finished up, everything around me turned black, freezing me in place with fear.
"A-Ah!" I exclaimed, "W-Why is everything suddenly so dark?!" It was at this moment that I could feel a warmth against the back of my body, hair brushing up against the side of my head…greeting my ear with a warm cloud of breath.
"Guess who…?" The warmth in his voice crawled down the front of my neck, bringing to me a sensational chill that I longed for all day. A feeling such as this brought a smile to my face.
"You know," I started, "If I was holding dishes in my hands, I'm pretty sure the expenses would be taken directly from my pay…Subaki…" I could feel his lips pressed onto my cheek, wrapping his arms around my hips in a warm embrace as I leaned my head into the left side of his shoulder. I was soon greeted with a gentle kiss to my soft neck forcing me to shudder quietly as I placed my hand on his cheek, leaving the other on his soft hands.
"I thought it best to sneak up on the one who always brings surprises to my beloved heart," he commented, "Have you finished cleaning everything?" I nodded softly yet nervously.
"Y-Yes," I answered, "I-I'm going to get dressed so we can go. Did you figure out where we were-"
"No need to dress fancy," he interrupted, "We're going to do something interesting today, so casual clothing is the necessity." I noticed something different about Subaki's attire today. He wasn't dressed in his normal Falcon Knight outfit he wore to battle. He bore a simple red tunic with a pair of black pants, completed with a long black cape he wore around his neck. Of course he wore his riding boots for his mount to…wait a minute…
"S-Subaki," I stuttered, "Where are we going exactly?" He gave his typical smile of perfection that I couldn't resist.
"If I was a perfectionist that I claim myself to be then I wouldn't reveal the surprise," he answered, "Just get yourself ready, no need to primp yourself up however. That won't be necessary. I'll wait for you at the entrance of the shrine." He gave me a quick kiss on the lips and lead his steed over to the rock. I had to admit, I was…actually really nervous. Hinoka's words were still echoing in my mind when I thought about Subaki's little surprise. If his dates were so perfect, then how did his heart end up in failure? I was starting to suspect that the two fractions were connected somehow; that it could possibly have an impact on our date we are having today. These thoughts would come to mind even while I was changing my clothes in my room. When I slipped into cleaner undergarments, I stood in front of the mirror to look at myself. I decided to wear the same colors as my beloved, a tunic with a red cape and a pair of shorts, riding boots to accompany his so we could match. Today I decided to take my hair out of a ponytail, letting it fall below my shoulders like a flowing river.
"…It feels great not to make myself look pretty for someone I care about," I said to myself, "Although I wonder if a perfectionist would approve of this getup?" I smiled brightly after I did a twirl. "Then again, I do look like a runaway princess…so romantic." I sighed as I made way towards the door. "O-OK Felicia…don't screw this up, don't screw this up. It's just a date, nothing more, nothing less…" I continued muttering to myself as I stepped out of the doorway. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people thought I was weird for saying such things, especially if they saw me speaking to nobody as I continued walking down the pathway. I didn't care though; for an exciting day like this it shouldn't affect the outcome of such a wonderful occasion that my husband and I were about to experience for the first time.
"Ah, you made it. That didn't take very long." In front of me was the man I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, his pegasi clothed with only a saddle and the comfort pad. There was a breast collar tied to the saddle and the two cinches to keep everything in place, and tied to the bit that is attached to the bridle were the reins he used to navigate the horse any way he wanted. I smiled brightly at his steed.
"He looks charming," I said, "More charming than usual. This must be an interesting kind of date you have planned." He smiled back at me with an embrace.
"You're perfect," he complimented, "You look just like a runaway princess…" I blushed as I kissed his lips softly.
"I was just…telling myself that earlier," I replied, "I can't believe we thought the same thing…" He chuckled as he carried me like the princess I was, a surprised gasp leaving my body followed by a giggle.
"Ready to run away together?" I couldn't help but make the smile I contained bigger than it was. He really was such a romantic~.
"The world is ours for the keeping my love," I answered, "I want to see what it is you have planned for us." The man placed me on the front side of the saddle, lacing me up perfectly so I wouldn't fall off. He followed afterwards, saddling himself up right behind me as he leaned into my neck.
"I have a confession to make," he said, "The truth is I haven't rode like this in a long time since I had to use Gracia as my battle pegasi." He embraced me, holding my hands as I hugged his. "This will be a very special ride to commemorate that day when I first got Gracia, and the best part is I get to experience this for the second time with the one I loved since I set my eyes on her…" My heart started to race, not from passion, but…fear. Hinoka's words came back to my mind once more; the many dates this man had been on. I know I shouldn't think of such things, but I couldn't help it. Was I really the only one for him this time? Was I really the good wife he wanted? "Felicia? Are you OK?"
"H-Huh?"
"Did you hear what I said? About this particular ride?" I nodded softly but nervously yet again.
"I-I did love," I answered, "B-But I have to admit, the sudden realization that I've never rode a pegasi just settled in, and if I…remember right, I'm actually pretty terrified of heights…" I could feel Subaki frowning after he sighed.
"We don't have to fly if you don't want to dear," he remarked, "I didn't know such a thing about you. Maybe I should've talked to you about it fi-"
"N-No Subaki," I interrupted, "I've always dreamed of doing something like this with you. I wouldn't let my own selfish fears get in the way, I couldn't pass this up!"
"Are you sure honey?" I nodded nervously yet again.
"A-Absolutely," I answered, "Just…promise me that you'll hold my body tightly within your grasp. I want to go any distance that I can with you, no holding back…" I smiled at him when I said these words, kissing him one more time on the lips softly.
"I'm glad you can make my dream come true again," he affirmed, "I promise this is one date you will never forget my frozen angel…" I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in this moment. I was about to fly on a pegasi, a real live pegasi!
"O-OK!" I exclaimed, "Let's go!"
"Right you are my dear," he agreed, "Gracia, take flight!" He reached for the reins as the horse extended its wings and began to flap in rhythm. "We'll go slow at first, then when you're ready, we'll ride as fast as we can."
"O-OK!" I replied. Soon after, the horse started gaining a bit of lift, hovering above the ground slowly but surely. "…This is crazy this is crazy this is crazy this is crazy…" The horse took off into the sky at a slow pace, keeping my eyes closed the entire time as Subaki continued to control the horse as much as possible. It was here that I closed my eyes tightly, not daring to look around me as we continued to fly higher and higher.
"Are you alright dear?" he asked as I nodded.
"Y-Yes," I answered, "J-Just please don't let me go!" I could feel him wrapping tightly around my body as the reins rested in my lap. He was really about to take off!
"Ready?!"
"Y-Yes! Go as fast as you can!"
"An order I will fulfill for my lovely runaway princess!" he exclaimed, "YAH!" In an instant, I could feel the breeze rushing through my hair at an extreme pace, causing me to scream as if I was on a hectic ride of sorts. What was I saying: I'm RIDING on a crazy pegasi! "Hang on tight Felicia! We're going beyond our horizons here!" I did just that, not a single moment of opening my eyes when the harsh winds continued to rush through us, a harsh greeting pressure awaiting our position. The ride in an instant became pleasant, almost as if we had come to a standstill. "Ok my love…you can look now…" This was a moment in my life I was never going to forget as long as I lived. The very second I opened my eyes, my jaw gaped in awe at the wondrous sight before me. We were above an ocean of clouds without a sight of land anywhere in our vision, only the beaming sun and the blue skies where stars could actually be seen. In a way, we were a small boat rowing through what seemed to be another world….
"S-Subaki…" I was truly stunned…I couldn't even find the words for what I was seeing. "This…This is really…I've…I've never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life…" He held my hand at my words and smiled.
"And it is all yours…," he told me, "For however long you want it to be…" I kissed him passionately for a few seconds, coming to a still as the horse continued to hover above the heavens.
"Let's…keep riding Subaki," I said, "Show me everything you've got on her. I want to experience it all with you."
"Gladly milady," he affirmed, "I won't hold back on you…" He called to his horse once again as it proceeded to dive bomb into the vast sea of clouds, and for the first time in a really long time, I actually cheered in happiness of our little adventure. As we rode downwards, the horse began to spiral, leaving me with the happiest of expressions as I called out in thrill of how much I was enjoying being with him like this. If this was the real life of a Pegasus Knight, I definitely wanted to experience more thrills as such. After a furious dive bomb, we flew in a shuttle loop back into the skies of heaven at the highest speed we ever could, trailing all of the clouds we rode through behind. The man behind the horse seemed to have perfected an idea as he smiled. "Watch this!" He flew through the clouds one more time and leaned to the left with the reins, forcing the horse to spin around the one isolated cloud. I almost wanted to raise my hands in the air, cheering and calling happily to the ride I was enjoying. When he flew away from the cloud, he turned the horse around and pointed at it. I gasped excitedly: when we drove around the cloud, it seemed to have created the delectable desert in a swirl fashion we served back in Nohr!
"H-How did you do that Subaki?!" I exclaimed, "That looks so yummy that I want to eat it right up!" He laughed cheerfully with a smile so bright it made me blush.
"Just a random idea that popped into my head dearest!" he exclaimed, "How are you liking this date so far?!" He quickly got his answer without hesitation.
"This is amazing! I never thought flying could be so…so FUN!" Seeing his happy expression warmed my heart that was constantly surrounded in ice. I never thought I could fall in love with a man so wonderful in my entire life. If he could show me a life like this with no fear, then he just had to be the one for me. How dare could I question myself if I truly was the right one for him…?
"I have one more surprise for you," he said, "We'll have to go back to the ground for this one. Are you prepared?" I nodded enthusiastically.
"Y-Yes!" I exclaimed, "I want more! Please!"
"Then more you shall have! YAH!" The horse neighed at his command and began to dive bomb through the clouds at an intense speed. Because the wind was so harsh, I had to keep my eyes closed so my eyes would quit burning. Shortly after our descending, we could see the ocean and all of the land below us coming into our view. "Surf! YAH!" The horse spread its wings outward and made way towards the ocean, barely skimming it as the waters began flying outward. We were now gliding along the waters of the world!
"This is amazing!" I screamed, "I wish we could've done this more often!"
"It's a thrilling experience, isn't it?!" he called out, "This is what it's like to be a true Falcon of the Pegasus Knights!" I slowly began to spread my arms outward like a seagull along the ocean waters, feeling as if I was truly flying. As I did this, I could feel Subaki holding onto my soft love handles when I looked into the heavens once more from below. Soon after, we made way back towards the lands in search of the surprise Subaki had, the last one for our date…
…
The skies around us grew dark as Gracia continued to surf along the white snow in the ground. Winds began to pick up fiercely, slowing our movements down to a halt. I was enjoying such cold weather, however, Subaki and his horse on the other hand were shivering nonstop.
"Subaki," I began, "Are you OK?" He nodded softly at my question.
"Y-Yes," he said through chattering teeth, "We're almost there, just bear with me a moment. YAH!" The horse took flight after a short rest and made way back into the snowy skies of naught. I had a feeling that I knew where he was going, since the air was getting colder and colder as we continued moving. I had to ask myself: why did he want to go there? Is he even going there?
"Are we going to the Ice Tribe Village Subaki?" I asked, "If so, w-we should've made sure you and Gracia were fully prepared for this trip!"
"Just enjoy it Felicia," he responded, "We'll be there soon enough, I promise!" I nodded silently, holding onto his hands in an attempt to heat them up so he didn't get frost bite. The snowy fields were fierce: not a tree rested in sight, only mountains that were familiar to me in the Nohr country. It had to be the Ice Tribe Village. Where else would he go?
"Wait…," I said, "We're in Nohr right? Why are we…" The darkness was just as thick as the snowstorm we were flying through, but still, my eyes were able to make out an image and the outer lines of it in the distance. When the two of us arrived, the image I saw came into view: a log cabin that was abandoned due to the lack of care and any people around it. Next to it was also an abandoned barn covered in ice patches along the ground. I came to realize soon that these were crystals that formed from the ground up, giving the barn a mystical appearance. We landed on the ground next to the cabin, Subaki helping me off the horse as he carried me to the door.
"Here," he spoke, "Get inside the cottage and make yourself at home. If you flicker the switch next to the door, the red stone will light up the place for you. I'll be inside in a few minutes. I'm going to place Gracia in the barn and make sure she has fresh food and water."
"B-But Subaki," I responded, "I…What is this place? It looks…pleasant!" He kissed me on the cheek, leaving me with a smile.
"I'll tell you when I get inside," he answered, "I think you're going to love it here." I nodded and did just that: I opened the door and went inside the cottage…
…
watch?v=0fYL_qiDYf0
In the darkness, I placed my hand on the wall to search for the switch Subaki had mentioned before I entered the cabin. It was cold, just the way I liked it despite the warming sun's rays back in the Dragon Temple. This would change my likes of the cold however, as my fingers swirled around a circular object on the wall. The moment I pressed on it, a red light began to glow on the wall, slowly traveling along the ridges and onto what I suggested to be the ceiling. There was a red glow traveling south of the switch as well, breaking off into different sections of the cabin as it traveled around the interior. I could only watch in awe at the mysterious contraption Subaki put together, how beautiful the red glow appeared to me as it began to spread all over the inside of the cabin. After half a minute, the glows came to a halt and began emitting brighter light, revealing candles that brought warmth to the atmosphere around me. The cabin lit up as brightly as a bonfire, revealing the interior design that brought me to amazement at how beautiful it really was on the inside! The floors were all made of the finest wood, shiny and clean as proven by the chandelier that lit up from the power of the red stone switch when the light reflected off such divine floors; definitely not your typical cabin where most floors were made of stone. The walls of course were made from logs, but there was something different about them. Each log seemed to have been polished with the aid of a solvent it seemed, clean compared to the natural wood from cutting down trees. If these logs came from Nohrian trees, it would definitely explain why there were no trees in this particular region of Nohr. Surrounding the fireplace that soon lit up due to the red stone were two couches made of the finest fluffy material, which I believe came from a multitude of sheep coats when they were sheered. In front of both couches was a coffee table that had light from the chandelier reflecting off of it, polished that could've been made from mahogany wood. Resting on it were a couple of books on horseback riding and a history book that regarded a pegasi's origin. There was one chair diagonally across from the table with a single throw pillow on it, and under the table leading up to all seating objects was a giant rug containing…the Royal Nohr Family Emblem? This definitely raised a question in my mind: was this really Subaki's cabin or did it actually belong to someone else? I continued my observations at the fireplace that quickly warmed my body up: upon it were two urns on each side of a portrait that visualized a family. It seemed to be a pretty sm all family: a tall man with short red hair wearing a royal suit standing with one of the most beautiful women I had e ver seen in my entire life. She had long black hair, green eyes, and the friendliest smile I ever witnessed, wearing a summer yukata in high heels. Below those two was a boy with short crimson hair and the cutest smile, he bore a shocking resemblance to his father. I continued my tour through the area behind the fire place to find the kitchen in the finest and cleanest order I have ever seen! The wooden stove and the cabinets were polished to a gleam, light reflecting off of it from yet another chandelier that was lit up from the red stone switch. Next to the last cabinet against the wall was a large mahogany bookshelf filled to the brim with what I believed to be cookbooks and other tomes that told folklores of the mythical history. The largest window was the actual wall itself, which upon looking outside revealed a large slope leading down to a dock containing a boat big enough to fit a multitude of families. Despite how cold it was outside however, the humongous lake before me wasn't frozen at all. When I turned around to face the last wall, I actually gasped in surprise. There was a second floor yet to be explored, for there was a spiral-shaped staircase made yet again from the finest mahogany! The other side of the fireplace was interesting: it was wide enough to actually support a bar that was bigger than the one back at the Dragon Temple. When I opened the latch to get behind the bar, I observed a huge shelf, four rows, filled to the brim with many different unopened bottles of the finest brands of alcohol from Nohr and even Hoshido. Wine, whiskey, mead, sake, you name it, each type was all here! When I approached the serving side of the bar, there were many casual cups in place next to the finest wine glasses forged from the Nohrian blacksmiths in tapestry. There were even recipe books on how to make mixtures of the drinks altogether…a true mixologist guide! I couldn't put my finger on it exactly, but something was definitely strange about this place, and I was sure to reveal the mysteries behind it when I could sit down with Subaki and talk to him all about it.
I could hear the door opening as I left the bar after closing the latch, making way back into the main room when he closed the door behind him, stripping the cape off of his neck and hanging it on the wooden hook as he took his tunic off revealing his muscular physique. I blushed as he turned around to smile at me.
"I see you've taken the tour by yourself," he observed, "How did you like it? Not what you were expecting was it?" What else did he want me to say?!
"It looks even BIGGER on the inside compared to first appearances on the outside!" I exclaimed, "S-Subaki, how did you even get a place like this all to yourself?! This is more amazing than I could ever imagine!" He started laughing when I made my last statement and closed his eyes.
"Answers you will receive all in due time," he replied in a mysterious tone, "For now, let's settle down for a moment and warm up. It's definitely colder than it was the last time I came out here." I nodded as I placed my boots next to his; he placed his slippers on, the cutest slippers I ever did see. They were fluffy just like the couches, and even dyed a crimson color!
…
We settled down at the table in the kitchen after I made us some Nohrian tea, talking about funny stories when we first met. One of the greatest memories I had with Subaki while at the Dragon Temple was when he flew in from his pegasi, the impact of the winds messing up everything I had just cleaned. I was upset with him at first, but upon looking into his eyes, he definitely caught me by surprise. It was one day after that did I gain the courage to talk to him, a simple exchange of a greeting was all I could think to say at that moment. His first reaction was that he froze in place, not exactly sure what to say when said greeting happened. I was a little mad at him when his first words to me were "The truth is, you're notorious for being a very clumsy person" immediately followed by "I've even heard a rumor that a whole castle once fell due to your blundering ways." I could never have been so angry at him when he said such awful things to me, so angry that I just broke down and started crying! I soaked my cold tears into the sheets I had in my hands and started throwing them at him, watching the poor man flinch as he also grew angry. It was that moment that he became a ghost, unable to see where he was going and tripping over a chair which resulted in destroying all of the dishes I had just polished. Feeling as bad as I did, I came to his aid immediately and took the sheets off of him. After that brief exchange, we went our separate ways. Cooking never felt so depressing a few days later, and I even blamed Subaki for it. I ended up talking to myself once again about this, how it was cruel of him to say that my clumsy nature would affect his fate, and how he didn't have any decency to spare towards me, a Nohrian woman. I did feel bad for throwing my wet sheets at him, which did end up causing him to break all those dishes. In that brief moment, a voice had called out to stop me from making a basic cooking mistake: seasoning. I was about to place sugar in a meat recipe instead of salt! I felt like a klutz at that moment, but the voice struck me as odd to hear when I thought I was in the kitchen by myself, a voice that was all too familiar. When I opened the pantry, there he was, an uncomfortable Subaki who, in the end, actually felt terrible about being so mean to me that other day. It was weird…he said that he hurt my feelings and wanted to see how I was doing, yet…he was hiding in the pantry to do that? I started asking him questions about this, and it seemed like some guy came over and pressed the reset button because all of this repeated yet again, how he didn't want to get wrapped up in my clumsiness! Nothing seemed to change, I got upset again as expected from such a mean thing to say, so to punish his judgmental attitude, I decided to grab a bag of sugar and told him I would pour it all into his dinner! He pleaded not for me to do that to him, so being the nice person that I was, I told him that if he wanted my forgiveness he would step out of the stupid pantry and help me cook for the army. Without hesitation, he gladly accepted. We were able to serve the entire army two to three helpings each, leaving the two of us exhausted from such brutal work. Ever since then, I smiled and hummed beautiful tunes that my mother sang to me when I was little. The man who made me angry yet happy arrived in the kitchen and wanted to know what I was so happy about, so I told him about the meals he helped me cook that evening. He grinned at my words and reminded me how he was the one who prepared the food, while I was gathering stuff and constantly tripping over myself. In one of these instances, I remembered tripping and pouring a whole case of flour over his entire body, and even when he burned his arm protecting me from the hot oil I knocked off the stove. I felt bad about hurting him like that, but I treated his injuries after that night. For the first time, we actually established a connection that felt…right in a way. Of course, even after I offered him to cook with me again, he immediately declined by running away, begging to spare that fate. I sighed and continued doing the work I knew best.
"That's an interesting way to meet someone isn't it?" he asked with a laugh, "I can't believe I was acting in such a way towards you when we were just getting to know each other." I couldn't help but giggle.
"Though we were so mean to each other," I replied, "We actually bonded with one another through such disastrous experiences." I placed my tea cup down on the table. "I don't regret those moments…ever."
"I don't either," he agreed, "It put a dent on my perspective of how people are around me versus what I thought about them." He got up from the table and proceeded to take my tea cup as well as his, placing them onto the cabinet next to the stove. When he came around, he kissed the back of my head and embraced me from behind. "Shall we adjourn to the living quarters of the cabin?"
"Yes please." Like the damsel he envisioned, he carried me to the couch and sat on it, leaving me to sit on his lap sideways where my legs were hanging off of his. My face was as red as a cherry's at that moment when I could feel his warmth caressing my body. We were silent for a moment…until I spoke again. "Subaki…"
"Yes?"
"Do you remember how we even got together like this?" I asked as I looked into his face fishing for the expression I knew I was going to get. And just as expected, I did. The man closed his eyes, blushing as he leaned against the side of my head.
"I do," he answered, "This recollection of events can't exactly be forgotten. We had just finished grocery shopping together for the next meal I reluctantly, at first, wanted to prepare with you…"
"Mhm…" I leaned into his shoulder and rested my head on it as he leaned back into the couch, continuing our story.
"Despite my reluctance, I remembered being sidetracked the entire day when I was with you. I never could figure out what it was that I thought that day, it was…cloudy up there. But it was after we got back that they grayness of my vision soon became black and white." He slowly reached for my hand while the fireplace continued to roar. "I told you that I had feelings that couldn't be hidden anymore, how I kept telling myself that I was perfect and didn't want to be affected by how clumsy you were." He leaned his head into mine. "But the more I really truly got to know you…the more I realized that I enjoyed the chaos we shared together." My eyes opened as he said those words.
"R-Really?"
"Yes," he answered, "And seeing you smile when we made those meals together was something I truly grew to cherish. I wanted more of it…" I could feel my face blushing as hard as it did when he confessed to me that day. I wanted to experience those memories again. "I never met someone whose personality complemented my own so perfectly…and truth be told…I didn't care if you thought you were a klutz. In my eyes, you are perfect in every way possible, the very result of my gray vision when things had actually turned black and white for me in that moment." I closed my eyes again as I turned his head slowly, kissing his soft lips as he embraced my cheek within his grasp. I almost didn't want to stop…I wanted to keep going, but knowing how shy I was, I had to cease for the moment. There were a couple of things bothering me…the words that Hinoka spoke before and the fact that this cabin exists. I had to ask him. "What's wrong my dear?" As charming as his whispers were, I began asking away.
"Something has been on my mind lately," I started, "And…I really…really don't know how to ask without making you feel…awkward, considering this is…still our date." He kissed my cheek and smiled.
"You can ask me anything you want with no regard," he told me, "Whatever it may be, I will answer it truthfully to perfection, no holds barred." This made me feel a little better, but his reaction is what I was afraid of.
"O-OK…" I took a deep breath in which turned into a long, drawn-out sigh. Here…here it comes. "Am I not the first lady you've…ever held like this?" He tilted his head at my question.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just…before you got to the shrine Hinoka just arrived to take care of a few errands. She…" I gulped. "She exchanged some information to me about…your past life before this present time. I wanted to know if it was true because I…couldn't believe it. I didn't want to, I refuse to, but…I just want to know." The worst reaction I could get from what I said was his frown…and his total silence. I could feel my frozen heart…breaking in two.
I was instantly regretting asking such things from Subaki, whether if I got the answer that would destroy me or that I brought up his past that he simply wanted to avoid. Truly, we were quiet for quite a long while, just cuddled up together with the roaring fire in front of us as the red stone's light slowly began to dimmer, causing the chandeliers to lose their light. Despite me asking such a question, he still continued holding my hand, caressing the top of it with his gentle thumb which I'll admit brought me a little bit of comfort. When I glanced at his face to search for an expression, I could only see that his eyes were closed and his frown was still planted on.
"…Subaki…," I finally said, "I-I'm…I'm sorry…"
"…"
"I should've…never asked you something like that. To let my fears get the best of me when they were wrong in the beginning…I feel…like a bigger klutz than I eve-"
"Felicia…" He looked into my eyes that soon forced me to drop a small tear. I think I really hurt his feelings. But to my surprise, I was about to get something else: the answers to all the questions I had been seeking.
"What…what is it?" He faced the fireplace, observing the embers that were tangoing with one another when it was burning away the wood that continued to snap and pop. I could feel his heart racing…not a beat to be missed as my chest rested on his. Was I really about to get the answer I had been seeking?
"…I'm suddenly realizing," he began, "That I am not as perfect as I make myself out to be." I was extremely nervous at his words.
"What are you saying?" I questioned, "You ARE perfect, everything about y-you is exactly what I have dreamed of having in my life! I should've never asked you those questions Subaki and I really, sincerely apologize! P-Please don't be sad…or mad…it's my faul-"
"Felicia," he interrupted, "You have every right to ask me such things, for these things are the reasons I have been purely imperfect for a long time." I was quiet…listening to his words. "However, these situations lead back to a time where things were complicated even before I started dating women, why dating them has been so hard…and overbearingly painful."
"Subaki…" He took a deep breath and sighed.
"Which do you want to hear first?" he questioned, "About the women I have dated in my life and how I ended up being such a mess after? Or do you want to hear about the root of all the chaos that was soon to forge a weapon that would forever symbolize the dishonor in my family?" I was really confused at this point. What…was he talking about?
"I-I didn't think that your dating skills had anything to do with…something like that," I confessed, "I-I…I don't…really know which place to start…" He kissed me on the lips softly, slowly, and passionately, not leaving an inch of my lip uncovered with his essence.
"This cabin," he began, "It's not a random cabin I found in the mountains one day. I'm sure you've figured this out yourself when you took a tour." I nodded softly. "This is the cabin of a family that used to exist here, a cabin where they would go to when they seek peace away from the war. The husband was one of the greatest that has ever lived. He commandeered an army alone with no federal jurisdiction experience to liberate what you would call Cheve to this date. This meant they had to successfully cross a part of the border where nobody would catch them and seize Cheve for Nohr, protecting the freedom and rights of those who lived there."
"B-But…Cheve was already a part of Nohr right?"
"Not exactly. You see, Cheve was neutral, and people who claimed to be Hoshidans wanted it for themselves. They kept making excuses, like how Cheve would benefit more for Hoshido than it would for Nohr. Yet the truth was they would…kidnap children and rape the women of the village. Shortly thereafter, Scarlet became chief of Cheve and with this man's help, the two managed to liberate it from the so-called Hoshidans. She wanted to know who this man was, and though he would only give his name, he didn't release his true identity and what country he hailed from. After experiencing such tragic times, his army returned back to Nohr and quickly dispersed themselves, almost as if they never existed to begin with…"
"…Wow…so he was…a real hero wasn't he?"
"Yes, a real man that many secretly thought was an inspiring individual. A lot of them claimed they met him before, but this was never true. He was like a war ghost, he would appear to help others, then vanish as if he never existed." Subaki closed his eyes. "But just like all ghosts, they always leave a trail that they are real. Cheve slowly started an uprising, which caught King Garon's attention. When he sent spies out to the place, he learned about the man who came to save Cheve from certain destruction from these so-called Hoshidans." Subaki…suddenly clammed up. "…L-Later…it was discovered it was K-King Garon who sent out those posers to destroy Hoshido's reputation…" I didn't…know what to say.
"Th-That's…so horrible…" He cleared his throat.
"So when he found out about the man, he first thought he belonged to Hoshido until his advisor Iago told him it was someone from their own faction. How he was able to make such an accurate statement was unknown, but he found a way to make his life a living hell. Without directly bringing him into custody, he sent more turncoats out to Cheve and made them pillage the place." Subaki closed his eyes. "When it was learned that the man died that day, the mother committed suicide, forcing the boy in that portrait to be an orphan. He traveled to the Ice Tribe Village shortly after his mother's death, adopted by the leader and trained him in the ways of butlery. When the leader learned that Garon was looking for the last member of the man's family, he quickly sent the boy with a messenger atop a pegasi to the Hoshidan Kingdom, where he was adopted into a royal legacy that served Lord Ryoma and his siblings. Soon thereafter, he became a retainer to someone you know very well in the royal family of Hoshido." Wait…did he just say…?
"Someone that…I know?" I questioned.
"Yes…that someone you know very well is one of the blood sisters of Lord Ryoma. To this day he is still a retainer to her…Lady Sakura." I gasped at the thought of such information coming to my mind. I never would've imagined that the person worked for her! I never really delve into her personal affairs, so I didn't know anything about her retainers other than Hana who was married to Lord Dyru.
"But you know about this man?" I asked him as he nodded.
"I do," he answered, "He was a retainer to Xander at the time. Well…after Xander discovered what he did. He and another were his retainers, and when they heard about the turncoats invading Cheve, Xander rode his horse to battle with them. Unfortunately, that was the day this man had lost his life to protecting the prince. The other comrade died in battle as well." Subaki closed his eyes and held me tightly in his arms, more than he ever did in his life. "His sacrifice was noble…he kept Xander alive for his next battle." Something was…definitely strange about his words. This story he was telling…it, in literal terms, had nothing to do with why his dating skills were affected so much. How were these things even related?
"Subaki…," I spoke, "I have to ask, it just…this story begs a question."
"Yes milady?"
"How does…this relate to your dating experiences? What you've told me was a dark yet amazing story about this man, but I still fail to realize the relevance…?" His answer was the final piece of the puzzle, the answer that would link the two situations together, the answer that would drive me to tears. He placed me off of his lap and held my hands tightly, gazing into my star-struck eyes.
"…Because I grew up without a father," he answered, "With nobody to guide me, I forged my way to perfection by making numerous amounts of mistakes. These were things I was practicing once I became Sakura's retainer."
"O-Oh…" In that pivotal moment, I suddenly came to a realization about this particular cabin. The horse books convinced me that this was a place Subaki may have found at first, but all it took was one glance at the family portrait. The small boy in the picture, his face strongly resembled...n-no…it couldn't be! "W-WAIT A MINUTE! TH-THAT BOY IN THE PORTRAIT! THAT BOY IS…YOU…YOU'RE LYING!"
"That's right my love," he said with a defeated smile, "I am the son of Cerxes, one of the two retainers of Xander's who died that day…" My heart instantly skipped many beats at his confession.
"Th-Then…you're not really…N-NO WAY!" I exclaimed, "That would mean your true blood is that of…a…a NOHRIAN'S!" He nodded softly…holding my hands tightly as it all began to make sense. H-His father was the hero who saved Cheve from the turncoats that posed as Hoshidans! His father was one of the two guardians who protected Xander, the supposed enemy of Hoshido! "B-But wait! Something doesn't m-make sense Subaki!"
"Oh?"
"I-In the Records Hall in the Hall of Heroes!" I yelled, "Your birthright claims you to have been born in the family of Hoshido! That couldn't be a lie could it?! Or was the Rainbow Sage's records a…a…"
"It is a ruse…," he replied, "My identity was changed in order to protect me from the hands of Nohr." He glanced into the portrait as I joined him. "If I kept my hair short, they would've found me in the Ice Tribe Village. It was here that the tribe leader gave specific instructions to the coyote who flew me to Hoshido. Under no circumstances was I to keep the name I once bore, or the hair that I had short."
"S-So your real name isn't…Subaki?" He nodded in a regretful manner to my question, his expressions turning sour, not with hatred, but with ultimate forgiveness.
"I'm sorry my love…," he said, "I should've…told you these things long ago when we were wedded. But if I was to preserve my life any longer, I had to keep this a secret from everyone I knew back at the Dragon Temple. If my true origins were to be discovered, I would've been executed by Lord Ryoma and his siblings immediately for treason…" We were silent for a moment, not saying a single word. I couldn't…actually believe it. Subaki wasn't…really Subaki of Hoshido. His true identity is that of Nohrian blood, as mine was.
…as mine was…
"…S-Subaki…" I couldn't control myself anymore. Rather than being upset that he hid all of these things from me, I…I just started crying. All I could think to do was jump into his arms again and hold on tightly…not letting myself go.
"F-Felicia…?"
"…I-I'm…I'm…" I lost it. "…I'M SO SORRY THAT KING GARON DID ALL OF THIS TO YOU!"
"Felicia…" All I could do is weep…
"I NEVER WOULD'VE IMAGINED SOMETHING SO DARK WOULD HAPPEN TO SUCH A PERFECTLY KIND SOUL! IF I HAD KNOWN…i-if…I had known…I would've DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" The uncontrollable tears were waterfalling out of my sore eyes, my arms embracing him even tighter than I ever have before. "I'M SO SORRY YOU GREW UP WITHOUT A FATHER BECAUSE OF THAT…THAT…EVIL BASTARD!" He held onto the back of my head and stroked my hair gently…resting his chin on the top of it.
"…It's OK Felicia," he affirmed in a calm voice, "I'm past all of this now…it shouldn't be something that interferes with our lives. It's…all over now." I shook my head at his words.
"N-No…," I stuttered, "Th-This is inexcusable! I-I can't believe I once served under a monster like that! I always knew he was evil but this…this goes beyond everything he has ever done, to rid one of his OWN!" He was…lost for words at that moment. What could the man even say…?
"…If it wasn't for the sacrifices that I made to survive," he spoke warmly, "…I would've…never met someone like you…" I looked into his eyes…and not even having a second thought, I kissed him deeply, roughly even without hesitation. When we stopped, I still couldn't help but cry…
"…I can't believe I questioned us," I said, "Ultimately, questioned myself…" He smiled.
"Felicia…it happens…don't…worry about it. My heart may have been broken more times than I can count…but now that I know you're here…the holes can be filled with your kindness…and your smiles…" The fireplace couldn't have been a better source of heat, for I could feel the ice powers that dwell inside me stir up a storm. Would it be impossible for them to calm down? "…Elric…"
"H-Huh?"
"Elric was my real name, Elric Vaelstorm of the Vaelstorm family. Cerxes Vaelstorm was my father who served as Xander's first retainer, the man who liberated Cheve from destroying itself. I have abandoned that name for a long, long time and have served under Lady Sakura as her retainer alongside Hana…and to this day, my name will forever be Subaki, nothing else…" I shook my head…and pressed my nose against his…
"…Different name…same…man…a man I want to spend the rest of my life with…a man I want to give myself to…a man who I…want to bear a child with…"
"Felicia…"
…
I had never…did anything in a manner like this before…not in my entire life even. I had never…wanted someone so badly, not before Subaki. It made zero difference where we were at the time we had such…thoughts; I wanted him right then and there. Our clothing was thrown all over the room, and our exposed bodies lied on top of one another in front of the roaring fireplace. Every stance we took was passionate: connecting our bodies while capturing our expressions…locking our lips together, and embracing one another. To be one with him was all I ever wanted, no matter how much my first time hurt, no matter his past, no matter about anything…because he was the man I loved and would only love…
Because the war was over, he would protect me in his own care, and we could experience life anew no matter what came to be. Hinoka was told a story of love, sadness, and betrayal, though she already knew the answers to sadness and betrayal, but never expected the love part. She knew we were in love, but she didn't know it was our first time making love, that…sort of beautiful expression we created was something I will never forget.
…For when the 7 days were over, we would spend the rest of our lives in his old family's cabin, recreating the happy conditions Subaki had without the equation of sadness. The greatest joy was brought to us nine months later…
…And her name…would be Caeldori.
So the truth of Subaki is revealed to Felicia, how imperfection went on a journey to become the epitome of perfection itself. I hope you all really liked this twist, about Subaki's origins. I loved Sakura's retainers a lot, so it was disappointing to see them so bland and undercooked when they should've been...well, perfect LOL
I'm getting ready to post the next one right now as we speak, and I'm hoping that I can still continue to impress all of you as you read! The next one is by far my absolute favorite of them all, as it is in dedication to my waifu Hana :3 oh how I love her so much 3
Any reviews you'd like to leave? :D