AN: for those disappointed with this chapter, please be patient. There is some more action planned for future arcs.
Chapter 10: A Forced Embrace
Another day that passes, another that I'm away from Arizona.
For now I'm playing docile—usually helps when dealing with people who are used to running everything without complaint. Worked with Celenike so maybe it'll work now.
At least things with Luv have improved, so at least I have that doing better than I expected. Hopefully now goes awry...who am I kidding, it's only a matter of time.
March 28
The day following his sparring match with Luvia, Elric was doing various jobs for Clock Tower. Enjoying his peaceful serenity after the spectacular fight with his old friend.
He felt a little jovial over it.
Things between him and Luvia since the training match was more or less ameliorated from the disaster that the gunslinger had expected initially. He still felt incredulous about the idea of the arranged marriage, but he was trying to make it as pleasant as possible for Luvia until he could find a way to circumvent his father's schemes.
But at the moment he was just performing small work while Mordred watched, or helped depending on the work. This continued until Sebas found him.
"Rheon?"
"It's Belmont." Elric corrected him, continuing with the chore. "What do you want, Sebas?"
"Lord Rheon has requested your presence."
"I'm busy."
"Lord Rheon wishes you to know this is non-negotiable."
Elric sighed. "Fine. Where to?" then followed Sebas to a building where he found his father waiting by the interest. Then from there he was told by Lord Rheon "Come with me."
He followed Rheon and Sebas to a room; sauntering inside to find a fidgeting Luvia waiting—with Shirou, Rin, and some of the Glaives standing near the wall on the other side of the medium sized room.
Elric asked the question he and Mordred were obviously wondering "What's going on?"
"Confirmation." Somnus told his brother, toying with a small camera.
"Would you care to elaborate?"
"Are you really that simple?" Lord Rheon asked. "We need to show the Edelfelts that the arrangement is proceeding smoothly without complications and that both you and Luviagelita are in agreement with the matter."
I don't like where this is going.
"So I'm…?"
"You and Luviagelita will announce on camera your love for one another and provide a performance as evidence."
Evidence? Elric's eyes widened as he gradually realized his father's meaning and what was expected of him after he entered the building. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. This isn't essential.
The daftness of their action, at times, bordered on asinine levels of gratuitousness. So much so that Elric wondered if they were just doing some of these things to make him as uncomfortable as possible and things between him and Luvia as unpleasant as possible.
It all felt so impetuous.
"So pretend to be madly in love and kiss when we tell you." Somnus glibly told them. Obviously savoring Elric's discomfort with the situation.
Elric was tempted to ask what would happen if he refused, but by that point had come to understand the situation more easily and recognize it would be a stupid question to inquire. If either refused, the retaliation would fall on Shirou, Rin, and the magician's friends.
Knowing what to expect, Elric joined Luvia's side—with Mordred not far from them, so she could hear what they may say—both looking awkward about the situation they found themselves in. "Any idea why this is happening."
Luvia tried to not let it show, but Elric could see a hint of guilt. "This may be slightly because of me?"
"What'd you do?"
"I may have spoken to my father about this whole affair a few days ago; and may have voiced some disapproval."
"Ah, so that's why this is happening." Elric wasn't that surprised. It was only natural for Luvia to look into the arrangement on her own time, to speak with her family, to voice her own personal disdain. If in her position the freelancer would have done the same, he technically was in his own way. "Well, this looks like it'll be difficult to worm our way out of."
"What now?"
"No idea."
He then looked to Shirou and asked "Why'd they bring your boyfriend?" His tone walked such a fine line between serious and teasing that Edelfelt could not be certain which was more possible—if he was messing with her or making a serious accusation.
Luvia responded in befuddlement "Boyfriend?"with an expression blending what are you talking about and how did you find out together in a mixture. "..." Failing to deny it, initially, giving some idea as to whether he was far off or close to the mark. But ultimately responded "I have no idea what you are talking about."
It was a tad amusing seeing her fluster. She looked cute that way.
"Why are Emiya and Rin here? That's what I want to know." Elric tried to bring the conversation back to the factor of the scene he found so confusing. The Glaives and Somnus made a degree of sense for being present, but Rin and Shirou seemed unnecessary.
"Your father desired them to be present as witnesses."
"Oh," Elric sighed again, sarcastically saying "Well isn't that fantastic."
If he didn't know any better, Elric might have suspected his father already knew about her feelings for Shirou—if she did indeed have any at all—and bringing him was just to destroy any chance at them getting together, through making Luvia appear even less available to him. It felt slightly petty to Elric, if it was true that this was his father's reasoning.
'Master, are you...jealous?' Mordred asked telepathically. Barely restraining the chuckle beneath her breath.
'Not now, Mordred.' Elric scoffed at the idea. Not really certain how his partner would get that impression. He thought his words would come off more and playful teasing than those of an insecure prick.
Me? Jealous? Ridiculous.
Elric asked, looking to ensure his old friend did not get the wrong idea, "You think this will cause a problem for you three?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think he'll get the wrong idea?"
"Are you...concerned?"
"No." Elric assured her. "I'd just hate to botch whatever relationship you have with them."
"I...do not not think it will cause much of a misunderstanding." Luvia told him, a hint of uncertainty barely contained in her voice. "Shirou was there when we were both blackmailed, so he knows why this is happening."
"Hopefully this doesn't complicate things too much." Elric hoped. Even if he was a little envious of Shirou, it was doubtful he'd want to harm something that brought Luvia joy. It just made him resent the Rheon's more for putting them in this predicament.
Somnus appeared to have the camera finally primed. "Okay. It's ready." Aiming it in the pair's general direction.
Lord Rheon gave Elric a dirty look, and his gunslinger took the hint. Sighing for a third time, he muttered "Let's get this over with." Looking to Luvia, and seeing no recourse, Elric resigned himself to accepting what the outcome would be.
Well, there goes what little good status quo we had.
"Sorry about this," Elric whispered and advised her "Just...pretend I'm someone you fancy." Before he leaned closer. Pushing his face against Luvia's, he stole a kiss.
Edelfelt's cheeks burned red in reaction.
"Wha-" was really all Rin was able to get out. While the others were merely surprised. Luvia was surprised as well but played along and kissed him back.
Lord Rheon was satisfied and merely snickered at seeing the look on Elric's face once their lips parted.
They put on a show, saying their fabricated piece on the matter. How they accepted this arranged marriage, that they were prepared to complete their obligations and would not seek abrogation.
Further satisfying Lord Rheon enough to say "Very good." and Somnus ceased to record with the camera. Some of the female Glaives were giving him strange looks, as were some of the male Glaives—as if to say with their expressions ballsy move. Leaving him uncertain if they were impressed, amused, or some—more negative—reaction to how he acted.
One by one the group left. Somnus leaving with a continued sneer; Lord Rheon was solemn as usual; Sebas was forma about the whole incident; and the Glaives continued to give him a myriad of looks.
Shirou, Rin, and Mordred are the only ones who remained in the room with the pair.
Once they were out of sight, Luvia wiped at her lips then looked to vent her frustration onto Elric only to see his expression as disgusted as her own. He tried to hide his face, but she saw enough.
The Freelancer was rendered repulsed with himself, and could only mutter "Mordred."
"Yeah?"
"Lets go."
Rin asked as he began to leave "Where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my hotel room. I need to think." Elric answered before looking over his shoulder at her to ask with a forlorn expression "That a problem?"
When Rin said nothing more Elric began to walk away, his gait as forlorn as the expression on his face and the mirth he felt for most of the day before entering the room now spoiled.
Out in the streets, Mordred asked
"So...what's the plan?"
""Plan?""
"Yeah, how do you plan on getting out of this?"
"Don't know if I can."
"Huh?" That surprised her. Mordred expected her master to at least have some plan to spite that ponce Edward Rheon. To make the process as tedious as possible for the old bastard. "That's it? No grandiose machination? You're just going to sit back and let him force you to do whatever he feels like?"
"For now." Elric responded. "He has me in quite the bind here."
"Unless…" Mordred begins to look at him suspiciously. "Do you want to marry her?"
"What?" That time Elric was the one surprised, as well as flustered, with such an accusation. "I-I...what would give you that idea?"
"Well you were ogling her earlier, and she does seem like the type to attract attention from men…"
Ogling?
It was true, Elric did find Luvia attractive and beautiful—he always had, even when they were children—but had dared to hope he was capable of concealing those feelings and passions. And why shouldn't he? Given his past actions merely a few days ago he imagined she resented him—now more fervently—compounded with her obvious interest in that Shirou guy, so he saw little merit in his feelings being known to her, or anyone else.
Elric's face felt as if it was burning just thinking about it.
"I-I was not ogling her."
"Yes you were. I'd recognize it anywhere. Lancelot used to give my step-mother that same look back in Camelot."
"You're delusional. I prefer not staying in one place for long—not counting Arizona—and this whole ordeal means I'll be tied down to Clock Tower, and more than I'd like to be."
"So you are still going to find a way out of this...predicament?"
"Maybe." Elric wasn't certain himself. "It would help if I knew something Rheon needed desperately." Walking further he contemplated matters—short of grandchildren there did not seem to be much to pique his father's interest. Positing "With the right leverage I might be able to negotiate my way out of this...that or threaten my way out."
Mordred smirked at the idea of this "Liking this plan so far." Eager to see Rheon lose that smug pretentiousness.
Elric shared in her enthusiasm."But before we can do that I need to play along, wait for the right moment to present itself. As painful as that sounds." Desiring to be out from under his father's thumb as soon as possible. Even if it meant getting on Luvia's bad side somewhat again.
They returned to the hotel and Elric decided to rest whilst Mordred went off to find some food in town.
The magician rested in a chair beside the desk where he kept his bag, turned on the television and lit a cigarette. Watching the local podcasts...or what little he could understand—it had been six years so some of the local lingo was lost on him.
It felt so boring. He was not built for complete domestic life—he could handle some of it, but days in a life without action was so tedious. Monotonous, even. This was just another reason he loathed the idea of marriage—compounded with the failure of his last engagement and Luvia's personal interest in Shirou…
Suddenly Elric felt an urge to wipe his lips.
He wiped them, remembering the kiss with Luvia. It had been almost a year since a woman had kissed him, or he had kissed one. It was more pleasant than those his psychotic ex used to give, and more than he expected. It was not the first time such a thing to happen—he had gone beyond kissing in the past, so he had some experience with how to make things look real. His intention was just to just kiss her and sell the ploy to the Edelfelts. He never expected Drills to kiss him back and work on her end to make the moment seem legitimate.
Of course she was going to try and sell it, Elric chastised himself for being so stupid to not expect it. If she doesn't, Emiya dies; that's why.
Thinking about it made him despise himself, feeling like he was doing something wrong.
What's wrong with me? Why am I having these thoughts? It's been six years, I've had three different girlfriends since then, so I should be over this. He hated it, hated the idea of Luvia being after someone else, and he hated resenting Shirou. This is wrong. I need to get out of this, I need to get back home where I belong. He hated these feelings. They felt shallow and wished to be rid of them.
Most of all, Elric loathed that Edward Rheon made him go through all that; and that he and Somnus gleefully ruined the good in whatever there was between him and Luvia.
It made him angry, to fill him with a desire to punch a hole in the wall. Growing weary of these thoughts.
Jesus, this is almost getting dismal...I need a drink.
It took some time, but Luvia Edelfelt finally managed to track down the Den—the less than refined hotel where Lord Rheon claimed Elric was staying with his Servant.
She asked the front desk and was told where to find his room number, after some convincing through a bribe, and took an elevator up. Reaching the third floor and searching for Room 117.
Luvia wanted to talk to him. The topic of the conversation she could not decide, she merely knew that she wanted to talk to him. Feeling her cheeks burning thinking about what they were forced to do. The aggression, the tenderness. He was not what she expected.
He's done that before, Luvia surmised, that or he has amazing instincts.
Eventually she found the specific room she was seeking. Wiping her lips for the fourth time as she stood before the door.
Knocking she heard a voice on the other side reply "Lose the key?" Then she knocked again, playing like she was impatient, as Mordred gave the impression she could be—judging by the way she tried lifting that sword against her the first time they met. "Okay, okay. No need to get so antsy."
The door opened.
"You're back sooner than-"
And there stood Elric Belmont, looking at her with a bewildered expression.
"Luv?"
Both were as muddled as the other looked, and just as addled. Neither certain what they should say.
"May I come in?"
Elric silently gestured with his hands, welcoming her into the temporary abode, and Luvia showed herself inside.
"So this is where you have been staying, Elric." Luvia looked around. Seeing a lack of refinement and poshness, similar to much of the physical decorum of the building as a whole, having what only the average man would require; and thankfully not grubby. "It is fairly humble." It made the Edelfelt heir smile to see he was as simple as Shirou. "Six years and you have not changed in the slightest."
"I'm no profligate." Elric responded, at least happy she was pleased with his accommodations. "What else would you expect from me?"
"Not much, I suppose."
Glancing around the room, Luvia noticed an absence of his Saber Servant. "Where has Mordred gone?"
Elric sat back in the chair. "Out getting some dinner." Trying to relax. "Did you need 'em for something?"
"No, I merely wanted to speak with you."
"Look, if this about that kiss, I'm sorry but we both know what would happen if I made a scene about it or refused."
"No, no." Luvia assured him. While it was definitely a surprise she finally knew what she wanted to talk with him about. "I just wanted to resume our conversation from the day before, before Walter interrupted us."
"Oh...what did you want to talk about?"
"What have you been doing since we last spoke?" Luvia just made up whatever came to her mind first. "My father was vague about your exploits. Aside from you being a Freelancer now."
"So he tried using that to win you over?" Elric was a little disappointed, as he had expected more from Alvar Edelfelt. "After we last spoke, back then...things between me and my father went...well, bad; very, very bad. Things went so south it's not even funny."
"I heard. Something involving your younger brother Emil." Luvia was a tad sad to remember the news of Emil—he was such a good boy. "That must have been terrible for you to endure." He and Euros were perhaps the only ones in the Rheon family who she saw treat her brother with any love or respect—the only ones to fully act like real siblings.
"Yeah…after that I went to live with the Diolands until I was almost nineteen. Became a Freelancer after that. Was briefly engaged. Things went south with that one as well."
"You were engaged?" Luvia was shocked.
"Yes. Had a kid on the way and everything. But Ned Dioland kinda ruined it. So, as you can imagine, I don't have the best view of marriage."
So that is the reason why he...
"Is that the true reason why you want out of this engagement so gravely?"
"Not really?" Elric corrected her. "I don't remember if I told you this last time, but I'd prefer marrying someone who wants to marry me, not 'cause they're being coerced. Besides, it seems superfulous to marry someone who has her eyes on someone else."
"Someone else…?" Then Luvia remembered his comment in the room before the kiss. "You think I am interested in Shirou?"
"Seems pretty obvious." Elric told her dispassionately. Then his tone became more upbeat "Don't get me wrong, Drills, I'm happy you found someone to fawn over and all. But I'm a little disappointed that you're going after another woman's man."
"I-I do not know what you are talking about." Luvia blushed. "Shirou and I are merely friends. Besides, even if I was, he seems to be enamored with Tohsaka—if you can believe that."
"Hmm...a little." Elric responded, amused by Luvia's blushing expression. It wouldn't surprise him that Shirou was dutifully devoted to his relationship with Rin. "Tohsaka is a cute girl, very special, from what I hear, and some guys would rather lose a thumb than risk ruining their chances with a girl like that."
"You think Rin is cute?"
"A little."
"Out of curiosity," Luvia hesitated to ask, but worked up the courage. "D-do you, perhaps, think that I am cute as well?"
"You're more akin to a cross between cute and beautiful." Elric responded without hesitation. "To be honest I'm surprised you don't have a boyfriend by now. Most would probably line up in droves for the chance to be your beau."
Luvia's entire face went red at such a response. Though Elric did not see it.
"W-well…what about you?"
"Possibly."
Luvia's eyes widened at that.
"But I'd feel sorry for you if you did end up with me."
"Why?"
"Doesn't matter." Elric then sought to change the subject. "What about you? What have you been up to these past six years."
Smiling, Luvia proceeded to tell him about the past six year.
Elsewhere, Mordred was waiting in line, fighting the urge to summon Clarent.
