So I'm here today with a rather controversial ship. Yet it's one that I think has potential. Though my shotty writing (combined with my not having ever played FE4) may undermine anything good in this concept. It was just an idea I wrote out in parts throughout my day. The audience might be small but feedback is appreciated and I hope there are others out here who enjoy might enjoy this ship as I do.
When he'd been summoned to this strange new world, Seliph hadn't known what to expect. He'd been given a warm welcome and a rundown of the situation before he settled in well enough. It had been an especially pleasant surprise to discover that many of his friends and allies from his own world had found their way here as well.
"Lord Seliph!" a familiar voice called out.
Admittedly, he was particularly happy to be greeted by one of his closer companions, Julia. Though the specifics of that one were still rather...complicated.
He'd been enamored with her from the day they met. She was the most beaten girl he'd ever seen. Through their time the two of them grew close to the extent he'd considered confessing his feelings.
Yet fate had played a cruel trick upon them. Julia, the girl he loved, was also the daughter of the mother he'd lost before he'd even truly had the chance to have her. The girl he'd been ready to spend the rest of his life with was his little sister. It had been a punch to the gut really after everything that had transpired. Neither Seliph nor Julia had wanted to touch the subject. They'd been dancing it around it as the war was coming to a close.
Now here in this strange world with Julia's arms around him, greeting him happily, it brought back old feelings to the forefront of his mind.
"It's good to see you, Julia." he greeted.
The mage smiled, "You've kept us waiting, Lord Seliph. There are...um...some people here who would like to meet you." she informed him.
"Me?" He asked confused.
Julia nodded before he eyes tracked movement behind him.
"Seliph." A new voice asked.
The boy turned to meet with a man with hair and eyes of Azure much like his own.
"Father..." Seliph whispered in shock.
Sigurd approached his son, a proud look in his eyes, "You're all grown up." He said simply.
"I've still got some growing to do." Seliph replied.
The older man chuckled, "It sounds like you've done well to me. All your friends speak proudly of you as their leader and their friend."
"Your sister certainly sings your praises." said Deidre as she entered.
If Seliph hadn't been taken aback by his mother's arrival, he might've noticed the blush dusting Julia's face.
Seliph had never seen his mother than he could remember outside of portraits. Seeing her in person he could understand why his father and Arvis were so taken with her. She was truly a breathtaking women. Julia took after her...their...mother indeed.
While he was grateful beyond belief to get to meet his parents, a part of him couldn't help but wonder if they'd be disgusted if they knew of the feelings he harbored in his heart.
"Mother...I-I only speak the truth. My dear lord brother has done his best to do well by both of his parents who he is proud of and even by me, burden though I may be." she retorted.
"You've never been a burden, Julia." Seliph countered.
Deirdre seemed to look between the two and Seliph might as well be sweating hoping his mother didn't ask too many questions.
"Julia has spoken with me, spinning tales of your army and its journey. Will you tell me yours as well?" She asks gently.
Seliph smiles, "As if I'd ever refuse." he answers.
So the days passed and the strange complicated family enjoyed their days together while aiding the Order of Heroes in what ways they could.
Then one day a figure in the hall stopped Seliph in his tracks.
"What is it, boy? It looks like you've seen a ghost. Well...perhaps you have." the man's smooth voice rang out.
It never occurred to him that someone like this man could be summoned here. Yet here before him stood his former enemy and his uncle, Arvis.
"I just...wasn't expecting to see you here." Seliph admitted.
The man chuckled darkly, "I'm surprised myself that I'd be summoned among the likes of you and your father yet it seems even a man like me, who's made so many mistakes, is welcome here as well." he spoke freely, "Well, assuming I don't cause any trouble anyways." He added.
"Well are you?" Seliph asked.
Arvis hummed in thought, "No, I quite like it here. I can enjoy some peace with my children and my wife, though she scarcely leaves your father's side much to my disappointment." he answered.
The red haired man looked the boy in the eye, "Besides your avoiding of my initial comment tells me all I need to know. It seems sometimes in my near future that I have fallen as I had expected I eventually would. Obviously you received Tyrfing as I desired." He continued.
Seliph didn't respond. Silence filled the room until Julia entered, her eyes locked on Seliph.
"Ah Lord Seliph, I was looking for y-" she stopped, taking notice of the other man in the room.
"Good morning, Father." she greeted.
Arvis had a thoughtful look on his face before he grinned, "Good morning, my dear. Well, you two needn't worry about me. I was just leaving." He stated before withdrawing leaving the two alone.
Julia looked to Seliph who seemed locked in his own head for a moment before he shook it off.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. Did you need something?" he asked.
They continued on as usual but Seliph had a sinking feeling this wouldn't be his last encounter with the Emperor.
This feeling proved correct when he watched his mother and sister interact with a distinctly different feeling of admiration for each of them.
His gaze especially lingered on Julia just a bit longer than it should have. She met his gaze and smiled in return. He averted his eyes after that, feeling foolish.
"I see." Arvis spoke suddenly.
Seliph nearly jumped out of his skin.
This served only to amuse the older man, "Relax, boy. I'm not here to cause any harm. I only wish to confirm a theory of mine." He stated
"A Theory?" Seliph questioned.
Arvis nods, "Yes and from what I gathered through observations these past few days is that you are quite fond of my daughter." He answered the inquiry.
Seliph looked away, "Well of course I am. She's my sister." He responded immediately.
"There's no need to play games. You and I both know that is not the extent of your feelings." Arvis accused.
Seliph frowned, "That's not true." He growled.
Arvis rolled his eyes, "I am not here to judge you. Not when I fell victim to a similar play of fate. I understand all too well what it means to be in your position." He explains.
The Scion of Light acknowledged that his former enemy was technically correct but that didn't mean he liked to hear it. To be considered the same as the man who killed his father didn't exactly sit well with him. Even now after he'd long accepted the man wasn't entirely the monster he thought he was.
"What's it to you?" the blue haired boy inquired.
The redhead crossed his arms, "I'm here as a father wishing his daughter well as well as an uncle being sympathetic to his foolish nephew's predicament."
It was the first time either of them had acknowledged their relation out loud. It made Seliph uneasy.
"It matters not what my feelings in the matter are. Fate had already decided for us." Seliph lamented.
Arvis scoffed, "If you're so ready to abandon all hope then perhaps your not your father's son after all. Nor any blood of mine. Neither would give up on the woman they loved so easily." he taunted.
Seliph gritted his teeth, "You wish me to live a life of shame and sorrow and for your own daughter to be plagued by the same? I knew you could be cruel Arvis but I thought that your family were an exception to such things."
Arvis narrowed his eyes, "It is precisely because I love my daughter that I wish for her to have any and all happiness that she desires. You are being willfully blind if you think one of the things she holds closest to her heart is not you. She like you is merely lost and must be guided along the correct path." he insisted.
"You think this is the correct path?"
"Seliph, do you love her?"
Seliph hesitated a moment before speaking, "Without question." He answered honestly.
Arvis smiled, a look of pride almost visible in his eyes, "Then keep her close and love her. Everyone else be damned." He stated.
With that the emperor turned and left without another word. Seliph was left to ponder the advice his uncle had given him and decide for himself whether this was truly the right path.
"Julia, may we talk?" Seliph asked.
The silver haired girl seemed content to oblige, "Of course, Lord Seliph." she accepted.
They met in his private quarters he'd been provided. They were far from luxurious as what he'd had as king back home but they would more than suffice.
After sipping their tea quietly in silence, Julia decided to speak.
"How may I be of service, Lord Seliph? Is...Is this an important matter or more of a simple social call?" She inquired.
Seliph placed his cup down shakily, "It is an important matter for me. It may be be for you as well given the subject matter." he replied.
He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was concerned, "I see. I will aid you however I can. Please go on." She said.
He nodded, "Thank you." he said with a smile.
After taking a calming breath it was time to begin.
"Julia...we've known each other for quite some time. Forgive me if I've been presumptuous but I believe we were quite close as well." he spoke gently.
Julia shook her head, "It is not presumptuous at all. You have been by my side even when I knew nothing of myself. You protected me, and helped guide me. I wouldn't be where I am today without your kindness. I am happy with being able to remain by your side." she replied fondly.
The blue haired lord took note that she made no mention of their familial bond, "I'm glad to have you by my side as well. I'm certainly happy to hear the feeling is mutual. Which brings me to the topic I'd like to discuss today." he tells her.
She looks somewhat surprised, "Lord Seliph I'm afraid-"
"Pleae let me finish. I promise you can say whatever you'd like afterwards. I just need to say my piece." He interjected.
She stopped and nodded, "Very well." She conceded.
"Thank you."
Seliph had prepared himself the best he could. Here goes nothing.
"Julia. I need to be honest. After everything we've been through, even after I was burdened with the knowledge of our blood relation...I...I...I still love you." He confesses.
"And I love you, as your sis-" she tries.
"Julia, you know that's not what I meant." he says desperately.
She goes silent, "Seliph. You're dear to me. As a friend as a friend, as a lord, as a brother, as...that's why I can't let you continue down this path of thought." she tells him.
He frowns, "Why not?" he questions.
She stares him in the eyes, "Seliph. I am your sister. Maybe once upon a time I was simply a girl and you were my knight in shining armor. That path has been closed to us now that the truth has been revealed. Think of what the people, our friends and political allies think or what our parents would think of us." she stressed.
Seliph's expression turned serious, "What difference does it make? Their will people who judge who I marry regardless of whom it may be. At least with you I'd have someone I love and trust by my side. Despite everything we've been through, You're still that girl to me. The one I fell in love with." He expressed wholeheartedly.
Julia looked moved but still was stubbornly holding her ground, "You're being rash, Seliph. You've done everything thing in your power to protect me. Please allow me to be the one to protect you. Even if it's from yourself." She begs.
He calms down, "Fine. Tell me, truthfully, that you feel nothing and I'll leave the matter here." He challenges her.
She looks surprised, "I...um...I-I don't..." she stutters unable to meet his gaze, her face tinted red.
"You know I can't lie to you like that." She says, tears starting to form in her eyes.
Seliph suddenly feels a pang of regret, "Julia...I'm sorry." He apologizes.
He tries to approach her but is afraid to make things worse.
"O-f Course I love you. H-How could I not? I just wanted you to be happy and unburdened from me." she sobbed.
Suddenly she felt arms around her. Seliph pulled her sobbing form into his embrace.
"I'm sorry for making your cry, but I'm not sorry for loving you. Letting you go would be more of a burden upon my heart than any harsh words or judgement from others." He assures her.
Julia smiles through the tears, "It-warms my heart to hear that...Truly." She says.
They stay like that for a time. Then a thought occurred to him.
"You mentioned fearing our parents judgement...Well I think we've got at least one of them we wouldn't have to worry about." Seliph states.
Julia looks puzzled, "What? Who?" She questions.
"Your Father."
"My-My Father?" she repeats in shock.
"Yes. He encouraged me to love you with everything I had. Everyone else be damned. Or something along those lines. I...I think we actually kind of came to an understanding of sorts." he explains.
The silver haired princess has a strange look on her face, "That is...odd." she admits.
"It feels strange for me as well. He seemed well intended enough. He wished for your happiness above all else." He tells her,
A sad smile finds it's way to her face, "I see..." she trailed off.
She clung to him once more, "I admit...I've missed you." She spoke from her place against his chest.
He smiled, "And I you." he tells her.
They spend that night snuggling.
Dierdre thinks perhaps she's overthinking it when something feels different about her daughter and eldest son.
It's only when Sigurd mentions it as well that she supposes she's not imagining it.
It's little things. The brushing of limbs that lingers a second too long. The way Seliph brushes Julia's hair aside and places a flower in it while the girl goes red in the face. The way Julia clings to Seliph's arm when his other female companions approach. It's almost...territorial.
Sigurd looks at her concerned, "Think we should be worried?" He asks.
Deirdre glances back at her two children also worried, "I'm not sure. I suspected that the two may have formed that sort of bond whilst they were unaware of their relation...but I thought it would fade with time."
A new arrival appeared beside Deirdre, "They seem rather content to me. I for one say we leave well enough alone." Arvis commented.
Sigurd eyed the red haired man immediately, "You wouldn't happen to know what's going on, Arvis?" the hero asked.
He smirked, but noted Deirdre's questioning stare as well, "I do. Your boy and my darling daughter were head over heels for each other. So for the sake of my daughter's happiness I convinced young Seliph to pursue the love of his life regardless of the consequences." He explained proudly.
Sigurd looked ready to draw his weapon when Deirdre stopped him, "Please don't fall for his tricks, dear." she pleaded.
The blue haired man groaned and disengaged.
Deirdre smiled. "Arvis may be out of line, but perhaps with his scheming we'll live to see grandchildren yet." She exclaimed happily.
Neither of the men would admit they weren't opposed to the thought.
Even if it meant they had to be in-laws in more ways than one.
So I hope that was alright. Once again I'm not expecting much traffic as this ship is pretty niche I think but maybe there'll be someone out there who likes it. Regardless I've already wrote it so no sense not posting it. I've certainly never been one to shy away from some more taboo ships. If the story is well written enough I'm willing to let it cross some lines occasionally. The beauty of fiction is that it isn't real so you're not bound by reality.