Author's Notes: Well, here we are. It took a bit, but we made it; a story involving a certain lovestruck, swimsuit-clad Nifl princess!
Hey, everyone! Sorry for the delay, last month was crazy, even more so than usual. A lot of changes going on in my life - good things, I promise - so it took a bit for me to get back into the mindset to write. But, I'm back! I hope you all are doing well as we officially transition from summer to fall, and I hope this story helps stir some good memories of summer as we enter the fall season! Hope you enjoy and have a great day!
Half-beastdragonsoul2013: Kiran out here in Askr channeling his inner 'Princess Peach' energy. Either that, or he figures the only 'rest' he can get from the daily grind is being kidnapped. Fjorm just showing she's loyal to her man; get you somebody who will literally storm a bandit stronghold and curb-stomp its occupants for you!
FireEmblemMaster101: Well, you know what they say: "No good deed goes unpunished". Also, that's neat; never heard of Age of Mythology. As for me, I recall seeing a book of Norse Mythology stories at the bookstore. I've been debating whether or not to buy it, if only to see characters mentioned in FEH in context to their myth counterparts.
KafkasCharm: Thank you very much, and welcome! I'm glad you enjoy the story and I hope you stick around for the ride! Also, if you enjoyed Binding Blade (which is an excellent game; Roy's our boy!), might I interest you in its companion Blazing Blade, which just so happens to be my personal favorite FE game?
LuigiG54: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying these stories and have come along for this crazy ride! Hopefully you (and everyone else) won't have to wait too long for the next entry. Fjorm is such a lovestruck cutie; she's been my favorite FEH OC since her release and she's so fun to write.
Stardust Breaker: Hmmm, now there's an interesting idea~ They say we are our own worst enemy, but I wonder what would happen if that took on a more...literal meaning for Fjorm in the future...
Purple Zero: Poor Heidr ;_; This whole book has been pretty depressing as we near the end, and I thought Book 3 was depressing. Fjorm would absolutely be there for Kiran and help Heidr...although maybe keep it lowkey about Heidr's origins...
Radiant Summer Memories
"Hello, Fjorm! Are you enjoying the weather?"
Fjorm blinked in surprise as she was pulled out of her thoughts by the cheerful greeting. Turning her head, the Nifl princess was met with the sight of Ymir and Eir approaching her parasol-shaded spot on the beach, both women attired in lovely swimsuits similar to what Fjorm was wearing herself. "A-Ah, hello, Ymir. And hello to you as well, Eir." With a weary smile, Fjorm added, "I-I'm…still getting used to this heat, actually."
Ymir smiled warmly as she nodded in understanding. "Of course, of course. As a child of Nifl, I'm sure this tropical weather is quite a shock to you. Be sure to stay hydrated and cool, ok?" After saying this, the dragon of life's eyes suddenly lit up in excitement. "Oh, I have a splendid idea! Why don't you join Eir and I swimming, Fjorm?"
"Huh? S-Swimming…?" Fjorm repeated with a twinge of nervousness before turning to Eir. "Do you…know how to swim, Eir?"
Eir gave a small, timid smile as she replied, "Not well, no. Ymir has helped me learn the basics, but I am not yet confident in my ability to swim." Giving a nod to Ymir, Eir continued, "Which is why Ymir is taking me to learn how to swim from some of the Heroes who are more experienced in swimming."
"That's right!" Ymir confirmed as she gazed at Fjorm with an expectant look. "Well, Fjorm? Would you care to join us?"
"Ah, w-well…" Fjorm stammered, an embarrassed blush on her cheeks. "I…I'm afraid I must decline. I…do not know how to swim…at all." Her gaze turning toward the sparkling blue ocean before them, Fjorm elaborated, "Nifl is a land of snow and ice year-round. Even its oceans are nearly frozen during most of the year, so there's hardly any opportunity to learn how to swim, much less a need." Rubbing her exposed arm bashfully, Fjorm said, "Were I to join you, I'm certain I would just make a fool of myself."
"All the more reason to join us!" Fjorm blinked in astonishment as her gaze lifted to meet Ymir's following her cheerful declaration. "This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn something new. Besides, it would be a shame to come to the ocean and not be able to enjoy swimming in it!"
Fjorm could see the logic in Ymir's words, however the thought of attempting to swim and making a laughingstock of herself in front of the other Heroes was too much to bear. Even worse, making a laughingstock of herself in front of a certain summoner. "I…don't know…" Fjorm mumbled indecisively.
Ymir, to Fjorm's surprise, smiled in understanding as she said, "Of course, your comfort comes first. If you do decide to join us, we will be further down the beach to the west where there's a shallow cove." Grabbing Eir's hand, Ymir cheerfully declared, "Come along, Eir! The lessons are about to start soon, and we wouldn't want to keep Kiran waiting!"
Immediately, Fjorm perked up at the mention of the summoner. "K-Kiran? He…he will be learning to swim as well?"
The Nifl princess' sudden interest was not lost on either Ymir or Eir as the ruler of the realm of life giggled. "Oh, did I not mention it?" Ymir said with a mischievous grin, her eyes focused intently on Fjorm's face to watch her reaction.
"He is the one teaching us how to swim!"
"Alright, good form, Xander!"
Kiran smiled proudly as he watched the crown prince of Nohr kick his legs powerfully in the shallow water of the cove while still clutching his favored Lilith floatie, Corrin and Elise cheering him on not far away. Turning his attention elsewhere, Kiran noticed Altina patiently assisting a hesitant Edelgard as they waded in another area of the cove. "You can do it, Edelgard! Think of the water as an obstacle that you must overcome on the path to victory!"
"Yoohoo! Kiran!"
Hearing his name being called, Kiran turned to welcome the newcomers to swim class…only for his greeting to be caught in his throat as he beheld the three women approaching him. Or, rather, one specific young woman trailing shyly behind the other two women. "U-Um, hey there, Ymir. And you as well, Eir and Fjorm."
Ymir giggled as she, Eir, and Fjorm approached the summoner. Immediately, all three women took note of how Kiran was without his trademark hooded cloak, instead sporting only a pair of navy-blue swim trunks with the golden emblem of Askr emblazoned on the thighs. "Hello to you as well, Kiran! I must say, it is quite refreshing to see you out of that bulky coat of yours; wouldn't you agree, you two?" With a cheeky grin, Ymir turned to gauge Eir and Fjorm's reactions to her 'innocent' question, and she was not disappointed.
"Oh! U-Um, yes, I suppose…" Eir mumbled timidly, a light blush on her face as she attempted to divert gaze as to not openly stare at Kiran's exposed torso. Fjorm, on the other hand…
"…"
"Um, Fjorm? Are you feeling alright?" Kiran asked in concern, noticing Fjorm hadn't said a word since arriving as well as sporting a fiery blush on her face. "Your face is really red. Maybe you should rest in the shade and get used to the heat-"
"Ah! N-No, I-I'm fine. P-Pardon me…" Fjorm finally managed to stammer, her whole face burning hotter than when she was in Muspell, the sound of Ymir's giggles not helping her situation. "A-Anyways, shouldn't we get started with s-swimming lessons?"
"Oh, s-sure," Kiran said, recomposing himself with a smile. "Alright, well, I can teach you three the basics of swimming. I'll let you all stretch first and then we can-"
"Oh, pardon me, Kiran." Ymir cut in with a cheeky smile as she grabbed Eir's arm and began tugging her along. "I know quite a bit about swimming myself. So, if you don't mind, I can take care of teaching Eir." As she began walking off towards the water with a surprised Eir, Ymir winked as she said, "Since Fjorm here doesn't know how to swim, I'll let her get exclusive lessons from you, Kiran!"
"Huh? W-Wait, Ymir!" Her face glowing by this point, Fjorm futilely reached a hand as Ymir and Eir departed, leaving her alone with Kiran. By this point, Fjorm wasn't sure what was more embarrassing: being left to have to have private swimming lessons with Kiran or having her 'secret' of not knowing how to swim being exposed. "U-Um…" Fjorm stuttered, bashfully turning her attention to Kiran, who looked similarly stunned.
"O-Oh, um, ok then." Kiran mumbled before looking at Fjorm. An awkward silence hung in the air between the two before saying, "Um, you…look nice, Fjorm."
"Ah!" Fjorm gasped as she bashfully rubbed her bare arm, a giddy smile unconsciously stretching her lips. "Th-thank you, Kiran. I am…still unused to dressing in this a-attire."
Clearing his throat, Kiran composed himself to say with a smile, "Well, let's get started, shall we? Why don't you stretch, and I'll meet you in the water when you're ready?" With a nod, Kiran quickly strode toward the water, Fjorm staring after him before shaking her head and beginning her stretches, taking the time to also calm her racing heart.
Once she finished, Fjorm gingerly made her way to the water where Kiran was waiting, a nervous smile on her lips. As she waded into the shallow water, Kiran grinned. "Alright! Now, before you can learn to swim, you need to be comfortable with floating. It might be a bit nerve-wracking for a beginner, but that's why I'm here!" Motioning for Fjorm to follow him further into the cove, the sounds of splashing and cheers from the other Heroes echoing around them, Kiran eventually stopped when the water reached about chest height. "Now, Fjorm, hold onto my hands."
"Wh-what?" Fjorm squeaked, her previous blush returning once more as she watched Kiran extend both of his hands to her. Staring at Kiran's hands and then his smiling face, Fjorm furtively glanced around to make sure no one was watching before nervously reaching forward and taking the summoner's hands. "O-Ok, wh-what do I do now, Kiran?" Fjorm said, doing her best to keep her voice steady.
Nodding, Kiran took a small step back. "Now, lean forward and focus only on floating and lightly kicking your legs." In a more reassuring tone, the summoner added, "Don't worry, I got you. I won't let go, so be sure not to let go either, ok?" Taking in Kiran's words and tone, Fjorm nodded in understanding, even as she felt her heart flutter as she took a deep breath and allowed herself to lean forward into the cool water.
Not too far off, Ymir and Eir glanced over and watched as Kiran gently led Fjorm through the water while speaking words of encouragement, a bright smile on the summoner's face and a noticeable blush on Fjorm's as she kept her gaze fixed on Kiran while slowly kicking her legs. Around them, the other Heroes took a break in their swimming lessons to watch the duo, some smiling at how carefree the usually busy summoner looked while others chuckled at Fjorm's attentive gaze directed at Kiran. With a giggle, Ymir spoke to Eir saying, "Aren't those two adorable, Eir?"
Eir nodded silently, a gentle smile on her face as she watched her two friends having fun together, unburdened from the conflict of war. "Yes," Eir agreed softly, taking in both Kiran and Fjorm's smiles.
"Um, Kiran?"
"Hm?" Sitting in on a beach towel, Kiran hummed as he turned his gaze from the ocean to an approaching Fjorm, noticing one of the tropical drinks Anna had been selling in the Nifl princess' hand. "Oh, hey, Fjorm! Great job with your first swimming lesson, by the way!"
Fjorm felt her cheeks warm at Kiran's praise as she took a seat next to the summoner, holding the drink between the two of them. "Thank you, Kiran. I, um, received this drink from Eir not too long ago. Would you…like to share it with me?"
Noticing the pair of straws protruding from the drink, Kiran grinned as he replied, "Sure! Thanks, Fjorm!" Leaning forward, Kiran placed his lips on one of the straws and sipped while Fjorm lightly giggled, leaning forward to do the same with her straw.
As the two sat in peaceful silence, Fjorm gazed at the ocean before speaking in an excited tone. "Oh, Kiran, look! The sun is starting to set." Gaining Kiran's attention, the pair watched in awe as the sun began its slow descent, looking as if it were being submerged in the ocean's waves as it painted the sky and the water in warm hues of orange and violet. "The colors are reflecting so beautifully on the water," Fjorm whispered with a gentle smile.
Beside her, Kiran nodded with a smile of his own. "It really is breathtaking, isn't it? I always love watching the sunset, especially on the beach."
A comfortable silence once again fell on the two before Fjorm spoke up once more. "Kiran, thank you again for teaching me how to swim today." With a bashful giggle, Fjorm continued, "I'll admit, I was a little nervous; I didn't want to look awkward in front of yo- er, everyone. But I really enjoyed myself!"
Deciding to be a little bold, Fjorm scooted herself closer to Kiran, being mindful of the drink between them. "The oceans in Nifl are freezing and dangerous, so I was honestly a bit frightened to be here at the beach. But now, I love the ocean!" Gazing at Kiran, Fjorm smiled warmly as she said, "And it's all thanks to you, Kiran. I'll carry this warmth - and the memories we made today - with me for the rest of my life."
Blushing lightly at Fjorm's jubilant smile, her face made more radiant from the glow of the sunset, Kiran merely nodded with a smile of his own. "No problem, Fjorm. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. And…I had fun spending time with you as well." Feeling a little awkward, Kiran attempted to distract himself by taking hold of the drink again and holding it up for the both of them. "Well, the day's not over yet. To remembering our summer days!"
Giggling, Fjorm nodded in agreement as she echoed, "To remembering our summer days!" After their toast, both summoner and princess leaned in for a drink only to gently bump foreheads with one another. Blinking in shock and embarrassment, the two shared a chuckle as Kiran motioned for Fjorm to go first, following her in taking a sip shortly after as the two settled in bask in the fading light of the sun, wishing to preserve this present moment for as long as possible before it became another treasured memory.
P.S.: My new favorite summertime song is "Remember Summer Days" by Anri, which I lightly reference here at the end. No specific relevance to this entry. just thought I'd share that little fun fact. Have a good one!