C-Support
Cordelia: Link.
Link: ...Oh... Hello, Cordelia... Is there something-
Cordelia: We need to have a discussion about the last battle. I have concerns about your level of competency.
Link: My... level of competency? What do you-
Cordelia: For starters, you need to speak up. On the battlefield, communication is key. You aren't crawling around in a cave fighting off spiders and wolves anymore. This is a war zone that you share with numerous allies. While I'm fighting alongside you, I expect to hear any valuable intel that you can glean from our enemies. Instead, I hear random grunts, shouts, yells, and nothing else. We cannot coordinate with you if you are unwilling to say anything.
Link: Well... okay. I guess that's a fair point... I'll try and-
Cordelia: Moving on, I have an issue with your choice of weaponry.
Link: ...What's wrong with-
Cordelia: You carry a large number of different weapons in battle that you switch between for a variety of situations. This is all well and good, but have you ever taken the time to brief the other Shepherds on these weapons of yours?
Link: 'Brief' them? What do you mean by-
Cordelia: Yes, how to fight alongside a swordsman is common knowledge for any soldier. A spiked ball and chain, though? An unorthodox weapon like that should be shown in great detail to everyone in the army before it sees any use in real combat. How are we to know what distance to stand at when we are paired with you? That unfamiliarity could cause an ally to have their head taken off by your own wild swinging!
Link: ...Hmm... No, I guess I never thought of-
Cordelia: And that is simply one of the hazards that you routinely wield while putting the rest of us in danger. Arrows that create pillars of ice... Magic spells that raze the land... Even explosives! If you really care about the safety of the Shepherds, the ones you call 'friends', then why haven't you made any effort to educate us on the way you fight?
Link: Look, I... I get it. You're right, I should have-
Cordelia: Everyone here lauds you for simply joining our cause. Because you left a world of peace to fight in our war, they act as if you are above any and all criticism... but I won't let my judgement be clouded.
Link: Can you please stop interrupting-
Cordelia: The troubles of your past and your history as a 'hero'... Those don't mean a thing in this world. You should be held to the same standard as everyone else, but it seems that you can get away with less thanks to your reputation. Need I remind you that this war is a matter of life and death? If you're going to involve yourself in the business of another world, in the lives of others that are risking everything for peace... then I demand that you do better. That is all I have to say to you.
Link: ...
B-Support
Cordelia: *pant*... All right... Five-minute break... Then it's on to endurance training...
Link: Hey, I think you should stop for the day.
Cordelia: Oh... It's you...
Link: I mean it... You're overdoing this. You have been for weeks.
Cordelia: ...It's none of your concern.
Link: Everyone's started to notice how much you push yourself with your training. Even when you aren't training, I'll find you taking inventory or cooking meals... I wouldn't be surprised if every waking moment of your day is spent helping this army in some way... Do you ever take time for yourself?
Cordelia: You have no right to lecture me. I do everything I can to ensure that we win the next battle. You should be doing the same.
Link: You were right, you know... All those things you told me a while back... Most of that was all true. I do need to speak up more, I do need to make sure my allies know how I fight, and I think the others might be more accepting of my faults because of my past. You were a little more... direct than I would have liked, but I agreed with all of that... Now I'm trying to do better, just like you asked.
Cordelia: ...Good. Thanks for making my job a little easier, then. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some drills to-
Link: But!... I have some criticism for you. You're going to work yourself to the point of uselessness if this keeps up... So, take a break... Please.
Cordelia: I've already made this clear. With the lives of my friends and the people of Ylisse on the line, I will not settle for anything less than my best. I ask this of my allies, just as I do myself.
Link: ...Is that because of... the Pegasus Knights?
Cordelia: W-What?! What about them?
Link: I haven't heard you talk about them since that day, but... they gave their lives so that you could escape and warn Chrom of the ambush... Are you being so strict with your training because you blame yourself?... Because you don't want to lose anyone else?
Cordelia: N-No... I...
Link: I talked to Sumia about this... She told me that you've always held yourself to the highest expectation. Everyone called you a genius, she said... but she also said that you were never this bad about overdoing it. Ever since you joined us, she's seen how different you are. I can't think of any other reason for this change... except for what happened that day.
Cordelia: ...
Link: I know it isn't right to compare one person's loss to another's, but throughout most of my childhood, I had a father-figure of sorts... He didn't look anything like me, yet he cared for me like I was one of his own... One day, he was cursed with powerful magic... He asked me to help save him... but I wasn't quick enough, and he died from it.
Cordelia: ...Why are you telling me this?
Link: Well, I... felt a lot of guilt from that experience... I don't know if there was anything I could have done to change what happened... Maybe it was already too late, but that doesn't stop me from blaming myself at times... I just wanted to tell you that the feeling of grief I felt back then and what you feel now... They might be similar.
Cordelia: ...If you've truly experienced this same pain, then you should understand why I have to do this.
Link: I understand why you're going to these extremes... but that doesn't mean you should be.
Cordelia: Then tell me what you did. You say you understand what I'm going through? Then tell me how you dealt with it.
Link: ...I dealt with it the same way you are now. I sacrificed my sleep, hunger, and energy to end my people's suffering as soon as possible. It took a close brush with death and a scolding from my partner to... really open my eyes to how I was treating my own body.
Cordelia: If sacrificing my body is what it takes to keep Chrom and the Shepherds safe, then I will gladly do so. Besides... I know deep down that I did not deserve to live over the lives of my sisters... It is my duty to never relent... to never stop giving my all... I owe them that much.
Link: Cordelia... you know that's not what they would have wanted...
Cordelia: I appreciate you taking time to confront me, Link. Honestly... I do, but I'm finished talking about this. I've wasted enough time arguing, and I'd like to be left alone.
Link: *sigh* Fine... Just... I hope you consider what I've said... If you won't do it for yourself, then at least do it for those that care about you.
A-Support
Cordelia: Link! Can we please talk for a moment?
Link: ...Cordelia?... If all you're here to do is yell at me, then save yourself the trouble. I'll just leave. I'm not subjecting myself to that... and I'm not apologizing either.
Cordelia: No, of course not! Look, I... know I've treated you harshly in the past, but... you more than likely saved my life today. I won't let my pride prevent me from giving a proper thank-you.
Link: Oh... Good. I was... *sigh* I just really wasn't in the mood to start arguing with you again. I was worried that I made you even angrier with me for stepping in and taking out that berserker...
Cordelia: It's embarrassing, but... at this point, I suppose that wouldn't be out of character for me, would it?
Link: So... we're okay, then? You're not mad at me?
Cordelia: No, not at all. Thank you for watching my back, Link. I say that with complete sincerity. If you hadn't been keeping a close eye on me, I would have received a serious wound at best.
Link: Well... try not to worry about it... I knew that I was getting on your nerves lately by watching you in battle and trying to stick close to you.
Cordelia: You aren't wrong...
Link: But I'm glad things ended up this way. In the end, I was there when I needed to be... and I prevented the accident that I'd been fearing for so long.
Cordelia: It was just as you said... A near-death experience is what it took for my eyes to finally open... I've been getting an abysmal amount of sleep, and my form was poor. In hindsight, I was obviously in no condition to be fighting as recklessly as I was, but I was too stubborn to pay any attention.
Link: I understand... I've been there... I think the best thing you can do is take your own advice.
Cordelia: My advice?
Link: Yeah... Do better. Try to be a better person than the one you were yesterday, right?
Cordelia: ...Right. I'll start by addressing you, Link. I've been unnecessarily tough on everyone here, but you certainly got the worst of my ire. It was wrong of me... and I hope that you can forgive me someday.
Link: It's water under the bridge.
Cordelia: But you can't mean that! I acted terribly towards you... I don't want you to smooth things over for my sake. Please, tell me how you genuinely feel about all of this.
Link: I don't hold it against you, Cordelia. I've told you before... I know how it feels to lose yourself to those emotions. I can relate to it, so... I can't stay angry with you.
Cordelia: Then I thank you again. I don't feel I deserve it, but I'll try my best not to dwell.
Link: ...That's for the best.
Cordelia: Moving forward... I'd like to ask you for some guidance.
Link: Guidance?... I'll help if I can.
Cordelia: We both dealt with our grief by overworking ourselves, but we also agree that it was dangerous to do so. How should I handle my feelings, then? If I'm not constantly helping out or improving, I feel burdened by guilt.
Link: ...Everyone handles loss differently... I won't pretend to be an expert or insist that I have all the answers... but if you really want my advice, I think you should try to... move on.
Cordelia: Move on? You think I should just forget about my sisters? Forget about the sacrifice that they made?
Link: That's not what I'm saying... I just think you should stop letting that tragedy dictate the way you live. Forgive yourself, let go of the guilt that you hold onto, and... try to move on.
Cordelia: That... sounds very difficult.
Link: I'm sure that it will be... Maybe I can help, though? You need to start enjoying your free time again... so why don't we try doing something fun?
Cordelia: Something fun, huh?... How about a picnic, then. Oh, and we can share stories of our love life! I'm sure being a famous hero, you must have plenty to tell!
Link: Uh... Is that really what we're going with?
S-Support
Link: So... what'd you bring this time? More sandwiches? Chutney and beet?
Cordelia: Just a salad this time. It isn't anything extravagant, but Donnel helped me pick out fresh ingredients in the market this morning. I'm hoping you like it.
Link: ...That sounds great.
Cordelia: Link, you might not want to hear this, but I was wondering if we could resume the conversation we had during our very first outing.
Link: ...You want to talk more about our love lives?
Cordelia: Only if that's all right with you. You told me about the princesses from Hyrule and some of the other women you met on your journey, but you never confirmed if you have your eye on one.
Link: ...Y-Yeah...
Cordelia: Well, that's okay. I realize you're a private person when it comes to these matters. If you don't have anything to share, would you mind listening to me, at least? I... do have something I'd like to tell you about...
Link: ...Go ahead.
Cordelia: I'm going to try and take a page from you and be more courageous... I can do this...
Link: ...Hmm?
Cordelia: Link, I have feelings for you!... At least, I think I do... Will you go on a date with me?
Link: M-Me?!
Cordelia: Ah! S-Sorry for grabbing you like that... and shouting... but yes, I want to go on a date with you.
Link: ...I'm confused... You love Chrom, don't you? Even if it wasn't obvious from watching your body language... you also admitted it to me.
Cordelia: It's true... I did love him, and maybe I still do, but I know he doesn't share that love. So, I'm trying to take your advice again... I'm trying to move on.
Link: ...I think that decision will be very good for you.
Cordelia: It has already proven to be. Now that I'm not blinded by guilt and by my one-sided infatuation, I'm finally starting to see all the wonderful things around me that I was choosing to ignore.
Link: ...I guess I'm one of those things?
Cordelia: Yes... I'm fully aware that my confession might not make sense to you. I was bitter... I was a jerk to you... I claimed that my heart belonged to another man, but I assure you; my feelings are real. When you saved my life in battle... was when my emotions really started to change.
Link: This will probably come as a shock to you, then... but the reason I didn't want to talk about love?... It's because I've had a crush on you for a while.
Cordelia: ...Truly? Me?... Now it's my turn to be surprised...
Link: I was always drawn to your beauty and skill... and even through your anger, I could see that your harsh words came from a place of concern. I thought that if I helped you sort out your troubles, I might see your true self... Once I did, my interest in you grew into something stronger.
Cordelia: Gods, our feelings were mutual all this time... We've been sharing lunches together for weeks, and only now are we finding this out...
Link: It's... a good thing you told me. I was prepared to keep this all to myself.
Cordelia: I was pining for Chrom for so long, and I never once took the risk to make my feelings known. After going through all that, I couldn't repeat that mistake... even if I was certain you'd reject me.
Link: Well... There's no need to doubt now... We're a couple, right?
Cordelia: Haha! Yes, I suppose we are... Goodness, what a conversation this turned out to be.
Link: Should we... plan something? For our first date, I mean... Does a simple lunch feel too ordinary?
Cordelia: I quite like our picnics. You know, we've had so many together, I wouldn't be surprised if the others already thought we were dating.
Link: Huh... Well, should we just consider this a date, then? Is that... good enough?
Cordelia: It's wonderful, my love.
A/N:
Link's ball and chain is taken from Twilight Princess/Hyrule Warriors.
In Cordelia's support with Virion, he tells her that "You are lovely, but firm and single minded, which leads you to treat others harshly." That's the side of her that I wanted to tap into more, especially in the C and B supports.
In response to a review: I can see why having references to others Shepherds being included in my supports would feel out of place. In the game, they only ever mention Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, maybe Lucina. I imagine this is because other characters can die in battle, and because they join the group at different times, so it makes sense why they have to do it like that. For my fic though, none of the playable characters are dying, so I'll keep doing what I have been. I think it makes the world feel more connected, even if it's not what the game does. Thanks for the suggestion.