Overdue Acknowledgement

NOTE: Merry Christmas, pikafwance on Tumblr!

LATE, LATE gift for Escaflowne Secret Santa 2021. I am trying to catch up and make amends and to just deliver all the things I had committed to years ago.

I know you like family interactions and you like the Schezars so I tried to write something to explore the dynamic of Allen and Celena, post-series. It's another perspective I have not yet written before so it was an interesting experience and I did quite enjoy trying to make them develop a strong and healthy bond. I tried to veer away from the fairly common "overprotective Allen" trope and to try and make Celena the protective one, for once.

Hope you like it. Merry Christmas!

…

"Don't look so surprised, Allen," Celena said with a proud grin as she effortlessly parried the attack of one of the ruffians, "I know my way around a sword. I've had years of training."

"Of course, Celena," the knight replied, trying to mask his surprise but failing. His sister's grin simply widened.

And before he could say another word, Celena shoved the bandit she was fighting to the ground and pushed her brother to the side, just in time to stab the bandit who had been about to attack Allen from behind. Blood gushed from the man's fatal wound as he fell to the ground.

Allen stared at the fallen bandit and then at his sister and then back at the man, whose blood was spreading across the ground. The rescued knight found his dignity and stood up but still could not help but be impressed by his younger sister's instincts.

"Thank you," he told her earnestly and Celena simply nodded.

For a moment she had been tempted to tease him about getting older and slower but she had managed to restrain herself. It seemed almost cruel to taunt him about something he had always had so much pride in. He would never admit that he was hurt by such words, but she knew him well enough to know that hearing such a joke from her would injure him far more gravely than any physical wound.

There was little time to dwell on the matter further as both Schezar's had to continue their fight against the bandits, but having seen the carnage that the knight and his sister were capable of had somewhat dissuaded the others from continuing their struggle. A few, stubborn stragglers were easily dispatched and the rest surrendered easily, so easily that there was not much for Gaddes and the rest of the men to do when they finally caught up with their leaders.

"Another successful mission then, boss!" Gadded congratulated the Knight Caeli, who accepted this praise with his usual dignity.

"I couldn't have done it without Celena," he admitted, "She saved my life on more than one occasion."

"I try my best," Celena replied, making a feeble attempt at modesty but the pride and joy in her eyes betraying her true feelings.

"No need to be modest, sister," Allen said, immediately understanding her feelings, "And I suppose now is a good a time as any to admit that you are truly a talented swordswoman. In fact, with a little more practice, you will most likely surpass my own skills."

This concession was met with applause by Gaddes and the rest of the men, while Celena stared at her brother incredulously. She was not accustomed to such praise and she was truly grateful. She sheathed her sword and threw her arms around her brother in a warm embrace, which he returned with equal affection.

Later that day, when the mission had been officially concluded and everything had calmed down a bit, the two Schezar's shared a celebratory drink at the Castelo outpost. Allen poured his sister a goblet full of the finest vintage, sent to Castelo by Princess Millerna and Princess Eries as a gift. Celena raised her glass to her brother proudly and they savored the drink quietly.

Allen could never quiet get used to his younger sister having a penchant for fine vino but it was just one of the things he had come to accept about her after her return. It was a small thing compared to the fact that she was an accomplished fighter and had an uncanny knowledge of military strategy. He didn't recall that her counterpart in Zaibach had been particularly strategic. Reckless, more like. But Celena was still of a calmer, more rational disposition, which perhaps became her advantage.

As much as possible, Allen tried to avoid thinking about Dilandau Albatou and whatever connection the latter had to his sister. It had taken a while to wrap his head around it, and even much convincing on Celena's part, but he know understood that she and Dilandau were two different people. And whatever else Dilandau's fate had been, it was Celena Schezar who had taken her rightful place back in her own home.

No, Allen did not want to think about the past, but about how he could build a relationship with the sister who was growing stronger and wiser than him every day. Some of his masculine pride had initially prevented him from acknowledging her prowess with the sword, but he could no longer deny it. And he was learning to be proud OF HER instead.

"Thank you for what you said," Celena remarked, interrupting Allen's reverie, "It means a lot to me that you value my skills with the sword. And more than that, that you were able to acknowledge it openly, in front of your own men."

"It was long overdue," Allen replied, "The men have all seen how brave and capable you are on many occasions. They did not need me to have to announce it to them. They knew it already."

"I appreciate it all the same," Celena replied, "I know it cannot have been easy."

Allen paused but decided against denying anything. Celena would see right through it anyway. "It's taken me too long to get used to the idea, I suppose, that my little sister can probably beat me in a duel easily. Just some old, patriarchal beliefs…which are a poor excuse, and which I am trying my best to get rid of."

"I know," Celena said with a smile, "And I just want you to understand that I will be able to protect you as much as you want to protect me. I have your back, always."

"Woe to the man who challenges you, that much I know," Allen said, returning the smile, "You have given us an even fiercer reputation. I'm just glad that you're on my side in a fight."

"Well, you had better be!" Celena teased, pouring herself another goblet of vino, "But together, we make quite a team. Proof that the Schezars are truly a force to be reckoned with!"

"I'll drink to that!" Allen replied proudly as he raised his glass.