Of Dawn and Mercenaries

Description: Short, cute Rhys/Mia fluffishness. Nothing much to say here... except that there is a reference to bathing, and Mia being a tad on the frisky side.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, Nintendo or Intelligent Systems. I already said it, so please don't ask again... at least not for this chapter.

abc -The Priest and the Princess- cba

Amazingly, the girl was standing there, not saying a word. Concerned for her, he stepped up to her, a gentle smile on his face.

"...Is there something wrong, Mia?"

"Mm... no, there's nothing wrong, Rhys," she replied, glancing back and smiling. "I was just admiring the beauty of the stream."

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" He stepped beside her, peering into the clear water. "...I love this stream... it's where I always bathe."

She blushed slightly. "...You bathe here?"

"Yes," he replied. "It's nice and secluded. No one ever comes here... except, as I've noticed, you."

Quietly, she looked at him. "...Um, Rhys..."

"Yes?"

"I... won't come here anymore. You need your privacy, don't you?"

"It would be nice, but..." He looked away, blushing slightly.

She smiled. "I promise I won't bother you. It's not very polite to interrupt on someone's bathing time."

"Thank you," he said. "...Mia... I have something I... wanted to tell you."

Perking up, she nodded. "Yes?"

"You know... how you would never leave my side... back during the Mad King's War? Why did you protect me so?"

"Rhys..." She smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I did it because... I wanted to. I wanted you to be safe. I... wanted you to feel safe around me. It's because... y'know, I realized it then... I kinda like you."

"Hmm..." He nodded, reaching up a hand to lift hers off his shoulder. She was frightened by the gesture, but noticed how the smile never came off his face, and the way he held her hand in his. "...Mia, I... I know it's probably... not a good idea... but I kind of like you too."

"Don't worry about that," she said. "You're worried about your vow, aren't you? Well, I'm sure that there are priests somewhere that have been married. So when the time comes... you can't say no, Rhys. I won't let you..." she giggled.

"...Hah... yes, I understand that. I don't think I'd be able to resist. Not that I would mind..."

"Aww, you really mean that? You're so cute!"

"...Yes, I really mean it. I wouldn't mind getting married to you... even if it means fleeing my life as a priest."

"Please, Rhys. You're only getting married..."

"Hah... yes, I know. Still... it feels kind of overwhelming. That I actually like someone enough to marry them..."

Gently entwining her arm with his to pull him closer, she looked at him with a fond gaze. "I understand. You've probably never been in a relationship before... I'll help you along." Her tone changed. "...I'm sorry for pushing you on this though. I know it seems kind of sudden."

"...That's... just fine, Mia. Please, don't worry about it." As he looked back, she could see the happiness in his eyes. "I've always been fond of you... even when you pushed a sword on me. Deep inside, I knew you were a kind and caring soul. I... never would've wanted you to leave my side... I always... felt good when I was protected by you. I knew I was safe... when you protected me."

"Rhys..." She smiled cutely, grasping his hand tightly. "...You're such a romantic. Thank you so much."

"It... was nothing, Mia."

They stood there, hand in hand, gazing off into the distance. When the air had grown cold in the evening, they turned back to a warm home. This was one new memory that neither would forget.

abcba

Author's Note: ...Geez, I gotta practice writing drawn-out relationship fics. Feel free to criticize my lack of skills, I'm bad and I know it. xx

And I'm an avid supporter of the "priests should be able to marry" movement. I crack up whenever I see Saul and his pervertedness in Fuuin no Tsurugi... is that any indicator?

If you're having second thoughts about the name of this particular drabble, just remember that Mia isn't really a princess... I just couldn't think of another word to refer to her as... or something I could've changed Rhys' reference to. Geez, I suck so hard... ;;