The grin on her face does not fade in the aftermath of final reports. Head held high, she takes large strides to reach his side, practically singing her news, grabbing at his arm to hold his full attention– which he always gives undivided, but she needs her own reassurance that she has him on her every word, for it lets her speak in no uncertain terms about the offer she's received.
Quite an impressive war record, for someone so intent on keeping face; no mercy spared to enemies, and no reason to hold back when someone is always watching hers—and when the soldiers in question have no will, flit in and out of her vision and do not even bat an eye at her lovely face.
(And if charm will not work on dead soldiers, there's no need to temper her strength when her neck is on the line.)
It was almost accidental, how she'd caught the eyes of important people in the exact way she'd worked tirelessly to avoid; to find the shattered mask appealing at all over the smile is something she still does not quite grasp, but she will swallow that doubt for an offer she would never refuse, feeling giddy all the while. There will be a time to be cynical later—if she does not take it now, she may never get a second chance.
Slowly, all her hard work– the years spent away, the risks she's taken and the scars marrying her skin just below the hem of her dress, the curve of her armor– is paying off handsomely. Loose ends tie themselves, no longer frayed, none left hanging, except for one.
That one is significantly harder to reconcile.
The first time she'd made a decision as bold as this, she had not been thinking of much of anything—of anyone except her and her own—at all. This time is different; yes falls from her lips, eager but moments later, another springs to mind. A stipulation, were she ready to voice it yet to the crown.
He is happy for her, truly. And she basks in praise for a few moments, letting the joy simmer down until she picks up the comfortable silence with a statement.
"I bet they'd extend the same offer to you, too. It wouldn't be unreasonable—you've made a few friends around here, right? And I'd vouch for you!"
Humbly, Benny considers her words, although Charlotte can tell from his expression that unease is settling, the type that comes with a gentle pass. False legends chase him, but he does not want the mantle of ruthless warrior, wants peace instead.
She can understand, but grimaces nonetheless, wants to cut him off before he answers. Before he makes her words any harder to push out than they already are.
A hard stare between them, and the silence falls again, before he chooses to speak. Clearing his throat, still watching her:
"…Something on your mind?"
This dawn is different, peace on the horizon but still many struggles left to overcome, and it seems unwise to step in alone, without her best foot forward and someone at her back to navigate this bold new world with.
And she says as such, and goes further, casts tiresome act aside to speak in plain truths.
"I have… a new goal in mind, you see."
It is the only way she can think to start it out. Now that such fortune has truly been offered to her, through no bashful smiles but sweat and grit and a wild look in her eyes as she clears a path to victory, it seems pointless to chase riches with false words.
So now, her efforts shift elsewhere.
He is keener than he will ever give himself credit for, but in the moment Benny seems unsure.
"…And that is?"
A sharp intake of breath– from both parties. It is as though he's slowly catching on but doesn't want to put words in her mouth while she steels herself, smile thinning but never once wavering.
"…I'm gonna pursue a different kind of man. Someone that already knows what I'm like."
And he is one of those men. The only one that's seen her but never flinched; the only one to look past the tempest and not demand her strength or an explanation, but offer a timid hand instead.
(As he does again, even in disbelief; and so she takes it, to stand on the tips of her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.)
(Their original s-support is totally different than this one. If anyone has any insight into why it was changed as much as it was, I'd love to hear it. Personally, I think both of them are super sweet.)
Well, here it is, folks. Been written and re-written and I'm still not quite satisfied. but as a whole? This has been a huge learning experience. Thank you to everyone who stuck around for this!
Considering doing a companion fic to this one from Benny's point of view, but honestly it will take some time, considering just how little information we get about him from his supports. If anyone can point me towards... anything, really, I'd be eternally grateful.
I do have a Fire Emblem twitter ( giftofganglari) so feel free to come find me!