tunasub | MISTLETOE MEME REDUX

[Fiora knows him well. If Shulk is ever smooth it's completely on accident and soon tripped up by his terminal foot-in-mouth disease.

For example: he thinks he's real clever until Fiora dunks him in cold now. Metaphorically of course, and he rubs at the back of his head unconsciously. He decides against trying to counter that however, because if he were truly honest, he would ask Fiora to go back and rest. She's been through so much.

She said no scolding, though, so he won't.

Wow though!! Shulk looks to her this time, not even remotely offended. Rather, he shrugs.]

Is that right? [Ah.] Sometimes I wonder if I've changed. Reyn doesn't seem to think so.

[Hmmm.]

What do you think, Fiora?

[Shulk asks, eyebrows raised. He's sure she trusts him and all that after everything, but it's weird to think Fiora wouldn't fret a little. She always said he was delicate.

Also this is certainly a question to pose to someone who was literally transformed, but that's Shulk for you. Fiora? She hasn't changed a bit, in his eyes. He needs glasses.]

Hmm...

[ she meets his gaze, appearing thoughtful, though her small smile indicates that she doesn't actually have that much to consider. No - for all he's been through, when she looks at him, she just sees the same boy she grew up with back in the colony. Maybe he's a little less pale and a little less weedy; maybe there's a little more maturity resting behind his expression. But the only thing that's really changed is that he's made it painfully plain to see how much he cares for her. He stumbles over his words, but his actions are clear and coherent in their place.

All she sees looking back at her is Shulk. And -- she can tell -- all he sees is Fiora, despite everything, despite all her self-doubt. Fiora loved him before - and if anything else has changed, it's that she's steel-sure of her feelings now. ]

I think... you're the same old Shulk. [ and she's glad for it - she gives him a little smile, a bit mischievous, mostly sweet. ] I would have worried, sure, but... deep inside, I'd know you could do it. You never give up on anything. The Monado just made you brave enough to show it.

[ a nod. he never gave up on her, either, and she knows it. ]

You've always been cool that way, Shulk. [ a pause, and then a small giggle. ] I'll admit it just this once. Even if you are still an oblivious doofus.

[Shulk's eyebrows rise nearly to his hairline, as if he can't believe what he's hearing.

Well, until she punctuates it by very correctly calling him a doofus, and his surprise eases itself into a huff of a laugh as he runs his hand through his hair.]

You had me worried there for a second. But...thank you, Fiora.

[The smile he gives her is positively radiant, not least by the glow of the luminous ether crystals around them. As if there's nothing he'd rather be doing right now than having Fiora gently rib him for being a nerd.

It helps this all feel...more like normal.]

That said, none of this would have been possible without everyone's help. Because, to be honest...I was scared. But any time I started to doubt myself, I thought about you, Fiora...and that gave me the strength to keep moving forward. Anything less and I know I would've gotten an earful.

[There was another voice at the back of his head too, quieter, more sinister...but memories of Fiora eclipsed it, doubly so when Fiora herself appeared at Prison Island.]

I've probably said it many times already at this point...but it's good to have you back, Fiora.

[Unconsciously, he moves the hand resting on his lap to settle it comfortably in the space between them, bridging the small distance by virtue of the motion.]

[ he thought about her? One part of her dryly thinks oh, so he does listen -- but it's just a teasing piece of her fondness for him. That smile is too charming for her to fight back against. ]

It's good to be back.

[ as strange as her current existence is - and as fleeting as she knows it will be - she doesn't regret it one bit. It's a dream to be able to see Dunban and her friends again. To be able to sit here next to Shulk. She wishes she could hold his hand. After all this, she's finally brave enough to do it - now the problem is entirely different, and a lot harder to overcome. (Why isn't he wearing gloves?! She'd get on his case for it, but she already nagged him about his sweater, and besides, she doesn't want to ruin the moment.)

Fiora settles for leaning against his shoulder, just slightly; she's heavier now, after all, and cold, and she's still kind of worried that her body unnerves him, but she can't resist the urge to nestle in a little closer. If she doesn't seize these moments, she might not get another chance. ]

You kept me going, too. Especially once I knew you were fighting so hard. [ how could she not fight, too? meyneth had seemed to understand. After a moment, she continues, voice innocently curious. ] You really imagined me yelling at you?

[Of course he thinks about her!!! Shulk is thinking all the time. Often about gadgets and gizmos...but the important things too.

He makes a soft sound when Fiora leans against his shoulder, watching it happen but seeming to be surprised regardless. Not a bad surprised, of course...

It's a pleasant weight. Reassuring. Grounding. He hopes he offers the same, leaning on her in return. He's not nearly as heavy, so it shouldn't be a burden, right?

At her question, his smile turns sheepish.]

No, not exactly. You're just...not one to quit. You would never let us think about giving up, not once.

[He flexes his hand lightly a few times unconsciously, his fingers feeling a bit stiff. It really is cold...]

You're always encouraging us to push ourselves because you know what we're capable of. I feel like our little team as a whole brightens up that much more with you fighting alongside us.

[~~Let's press on and on and on!!!~~]

You can feel it, can't you?

[Shulk feels like he could pick up Valak Mountain if Fiora cheered him on!!!]

[ How is she supposed to tease him when he keeps being so earnest!! She's even about to apologize for leaning on him after she sees him look surprised, but then he's leaning back, and she decides it can't be so bad. He's sturdier than she remembers, she thinks. There's nothing left of her human body in that arm or shoulder to share warmth with him, but Fiora can almost imagine how it might feel if she concentrates. Her eyes squish shut as she giggles sheepishly at his praise. ]

Oh, stop it. You're exaggerating. [ he's not, though; he's Shulk, so he's just saying exactly what he thinks, and that makes her insides flutter. This! This is what always drove her insane. He's so straightforward, and yet, somehow -- she has doubts he's ever thought any deeper about his feelings or what he's saying. ] Well... I do feel stronger, fighting with everyone.

[ emotionally, that is. Physically? It feels a little worse every day, but she's not going to tell him that. Instead, her eyes drift to his fingers. ]

You are cold, aren't you? I knew it.

[Easy. She can tease him anytime for the enduring fact that he is a huge nerd and that is one thing that will definitely never change.

Her laugh makes his chest feel warm in a way he...really can't describe, too. If only that warmth made it to his fingertips, but he's not too worried about that. Just having Fiora back and smiling and laughing is almost too surreal.

Maybe that's what's egging him on...the fact he expected to always have this, until it was taken away.]

You know I'm not very good at lying...

[He complains, which unfortunately proves her next point, and he brings his hand to his lap, pouting a little.]

I'm used to it, don't worry. I promise I won't linger if I get too cold.

[He smiles briefly to emphasize as much. He's not really eager to get up right now though, which is plain enough.]

No, not much longer...not unless you're ready to head back.

[They just got here, but once Fiora starts fussing it's over for him...]

[ she just got here and he's already talking about going back... okay, so maybe she said he shouldn't be out here first, but that's beside the point!! He's so terrible at reading the mood. Fiora sighs quietly, looking briefly unamused, but ultimately deciding not to needle him for trying to escape once she arrived. She shakes her head. ]

I can't help but worry. Someone's got to look after you.

[ not just in battle and on the road, but after Shulk himself. He hardly remembered to eat back in the colony. Besides, taking care of him is... sort of her job. Isn't it? She has no idea what the two of them are, and she's sure he doesn't, either, but it's more than friends. She thinks. (She's afraid to ask. When he says yes, she'll feel even guiltier for trapping him in some tragic romance.) ]

... Can we stay here for a while? It's nice to be able to talk, just the two of us. We're so busy... And everyone's always fussing over both of us. [ a wry smile. ] I don't get you to myself very often. It doesn't feel fair.

[Shulk isn't trying to escape!!! He just wants to make Fiora happy, but that is a fraught endeavor when he seems to be completely misunderstanding her when he follows her words exactly without realizing the actual intent behind them. Please be kind, Fiora!! He may be smart but he is also dumb...

He vaguely flails at her expression. She shouldn't have to worry! Reyn doesn't seem to anymore, but Fiora is different...

But she continues, and he blinks, turtling his hands into his sleeves in a way he hopes is subtle.]

...Of course we can. I didn't realize you felt that way...but I suppose we've both been juggling unique responsibilities.

[He returns her wry smile.]

Not that I'm one to complain. I've been so happy to show you all the places we hadn't seen together, this place not least of all.

[They get to share the adventure!!! He's so happy about it.]

[ it's not subtle, and Fiora is still inwardly upset that he didn't wear gloves, but she's given up that battle for now in favor of spending a little more time with him - a worthy cause. Carefully, she lets her head fall onto his shoulder; it's a motion that should be natural, but she has to catch herself in the middle of it, adjust so that she doesn't prod at him too much with the visor. ]

Mmhm. It's like a dream.

[ a strange thing to say, when they're fighting for their lives all the time, but it is to her. It's a second chance. She gets to see the world, and she appreciates it so much more now. Even the little things, like a starry night and the feeling of his sweater on her cheek. ]

I'm happy, too. [ her voice is a little smaller, more genuine. ] Really... Thank you, Shulk. For everything.

[ for not giving up on her - for giving her so much. She feels kind of embarrassed to say it, so she shuts her eyes again, affectionately leaning against him a bit more. ]

[Shulk makes a soft sound as Fiora rests her head on his shoulder, the dichotomy of her soft hair and hard visor settling there as well.

She's not fussing anymore for the moment, so he's made the right choice it seems.

Also, listen. Their lives have been turned upside down, their pockets emptied of any sense of normalcy from before. This is their new normal...and it's not bad, when so many people have come together to put an end to their frankly awful life from before. No more war. No more suffering.

Fighting for change is a dream worth having!

So when Fiora's tone shifts, just a little, Shulk feels a little heavier. Not from her weight on him, but from just how much is riding on him to lead them forward. He won't lose. He won't lose her, not again.

He puts an arm loosely around her (unconsciously mindful of her drones), almost on reflex.]

Fiora...I've been thinking. There's still so much to be done...

[It's frankly intimidating.]

Enough that I'd forgotten how nice it is to sit and just...be.

[So, he should be thanking her, but he knows better. They'll go in circles, so for now, he'll take her gratitude.]

We both needed this, didn't we?

[ she honestly wasn't expecting reciprocation of any kind, but then his arm's around her and she melts a little. If she wasn't a Mechon, she'd curl up against him and stay there, happy to be close to him. Back in Colony 9, she's sure she daydreamed about this scenario before. It doesn't look quite how she'd imagined it would look... but he's still Shulk. And, somehow, she's still herself, too - at least in his eyes. Right now, that's the only place it matters. ]

We did. [ we, meaning him, too - something else that makes her happy, and she smiles a little to herself. ] I know you can do it. I'll be with you 'til the end.

[ that much, Fiora is determined to accomplish. Her body might be failing, but she won't let herself fall apart before she knows for sure that Shulk is safe and happy. Of course, she's not about to tell him that. ]

... But it would be nice if we could stay like this.

[ without the worries - if time would stop, and she didn't have to worry about dying, and he didn't have to worry about Zanza and the whole of Bionis. If they could just be normal. And they're not normal, even now, but she can almost believe that they are. When she opens her eyes, it's the same night sky that they looked up at a year ago in Colony 9. ]

Hey. Did you hear what those Nopon were saying, up around where we came in?

[Sometimes Shulk has his moments. This is why Fiora suffers.

Honestly though, the fact she's a Mechon is of little consequence. Mechon are people...Homs blood just under the surface. They're people. That's one thing Shulk is so certain of that even killing Mumkhar was anathema to this belief.

Her encouragement is also a certainty, but it makes him smile all the same.

He merely hums in acknowledgment initially, enjoying the quiet moment, but her question catches him off guard. Oh no, now she'll know he wasn't paying attention...he's bad about that.

Shulk clears his throat, very subtly (no), before saying:]

Oh...no, no I didn't. What was it?

[He's also deeply curious now, he'll admit.]

[ she'd said it because she knew he didn't hear it, to be honest - this was not one of Fiora's secret tests. It's something else. It's a secret way of trying to get him to be affectionate...

Theoretically. She'd plucked up courage and a bit of determination, hearing his kind words and feeling his reassuring arm around her and thinking about time and regrets and Colony 9; now, looking over his curious expression, she feels whatever machinery's replaced her stomach start to curl up anxiously, and her eyes dart away. ]

Well... er, actually, nevermind. It was silly.

[ and now she's inwardly berating herself for being all shy about this all of a sudden... damn it, Fiora! ]

[Huh? It's not like Fiora to be shy! She was practically made of courage and okay, sometimes bluster.

He's caught off guard enough he's silent for a stretch, waiting to see if maybe she changes her mind. It can't be that silly!

Then he grunts, in lieu of shaking his head, because he disagrees. Everything Fiora has to say is important!

She would never mince words.]

Well, I won't press if you're sure...but I will admit I'm curious now. And if it's important to you, it's not silly at all.

[But again, he won't push her!!!]

[ Shulk is so gentle. He'd absolutely let her get away with not saying anything after that. Maybe he's too nice - Fiora does wish he'd be a little more selfish with her sometimes - but it's exactly because he's so sweet that she can't just leave him hanging. Time to find that courage (bluster) again. ]

Well, I wouldn't say it's important, [ she says, a little self-consciously. ] Just... relevant?

[ she looks up at the sky from where her head is resting on his shoulder. The golden crystal at their backs looms overhead, beaming a ray of light out into the darkness alongside hundreds of others, distant spotlights only by the occasional ansel passing by in the distance and the snowflakes still persistently falling. She's grateful she can't feel the cold. It makes it easier to concentrate on the world around her, and that makes it easier to just follow her heart - whatever's left of it. ]

They told me there's a sort of Nopon superstition about this place. If you sit out here underneath an ether crystal on a clear night with someone important to you, the Nopon Sage will charge up the ether and bless you with a happy life together. But there's a catch.

[Unfortunately, he would absolutely let it go if Fiora insisted even a little...perhaps he IS too nice, but would he be charming if he were infused with a chad personality instead!?!?!

Anyways, he listens with interest as Fiora offers an initially confusing explanation. Well, until it becomes clear she's referring to a local myth.

Ah, good ol' hearsay.

Where Fiora looks up at the sky, Shulk himself shifts to look at her as best he can without disturbing her from her cozy spot. He'll admit, he is intrigued now, though Fiora's prior hesitation is doubly confusing. What's the harm in believing in a superstition, you know? He's believed stranger things. He's lived stranger things!]

A catch...? What sort of catch?

[He doesn't have anything to offer the mountain...curse his empty pockets.]

[ chad shulk isn't real and he can't hurt me.

the fact that he reacted to what she just said with -- well, a lack of reaction is a faint relief in its own way. On one hand, it's entirely possible the implications of her words passed through his head completely. On the other... it's also possible that the idea of being with her like that is so natural to him that it didn't give him pause at all, and given everything, she's inclined to believe it's the latter. A few months ago, she never would have had the courage to say anything so incriminating. Now, though, there's a sort of unspoken understanding between them. She's not afraid he'll reject her like she used to be. She knows his feelings - he's acted on them enough that she thinks she must know them.

No, she's just frustrated with his lack of romance, as always - and the nerves are just butterflies in a stomach she no longer has. The fearful things are all external, things in the future, not here yet. Shulk's nothing to worry about. And if he won't be selfish with her, maybe that just means the duty falls to her. ]

For any of it to come true, you've got to share a kiss.

[ so, here she goes, being selfish with him, instead. She practically holds her breath, waiting on his reaction, biting her tongue so she doesn't immediately go "stupid, right?" and save face. ]

[Chad Shulk is sitting on your living room couch playing XBOX right this second. Don't look.

Honestly, if Shulk could listen to Fiora's internal dialogue he'd be...so saddened? To think she would believe he wouldn't want to be happy with her as long as they both live. They deserve it! All of them...they wouldn't be fighting so hard if they didn't.

As for Shulk's sense of romance...it's purely incidental that they're alone in such a beautiful location together, drinking in the sights and bathing in the brilliant light of ether crystals scattered across the land. It just happens to be the most romantic setting the Valak Mountains have to offer.

He's still looking at her, which probably doesn't help Fiora's nerves at all, and, like the intelligent person he is, he simply leans towards her a little more just to make it that much more intimidating!! As if he could ever be, but it's the duress that counts.

If it helps, he doesn't react like she'd shoved peppers up his nose. Rather, he hums thoughtfully, quiet for a beat.

The worst.]

Do you believe it, Fiora?

[Quietly:]

More importantly, do you want that wish to come true? Because you know I'm with you every step of the way. And I know you'd do anything to make what you want a reality.

[Because to have a happy life...is going to be a monumental effort on both their parts. It sours his mood a little to think of what lies ahead, so he shrugs the weight off his shoulders with a short, chuffed laugh.]

When you think about what we've been through so far, and what's to come...sharing a kiss is the easiest thing we could possibly do.

[Like.

Shulk?

Shulk.

He says it without an ounce of irony. He might not even realize it. If Fiora looks at him, he's wearing a profound expression. Also known as his thinking face. He's still looking at her, too, but also a little past her.]

Edited (edits this more coherently now that its not 2am bc i realized i can make it worse) 2021-03-19 00:46 (UTC)

MISTLETOE MEME REDUX

thanks ill drown in it

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uwa, Fiora....

shoolk...

OH YOUR ICON /weepycat

hehehe

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cant believe sib is getting fiora MURDERED

fiora will never die

NEVER DIE TWICE U MEAN

............ good point

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(looks up at my previous comment) so that was a lie.mp4

shameful

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