happilyeverbeginning | Flowers

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Flowers - Olivia & Henry

Olivia hadn't been with the Shepherds as long as some of the other members, but even she knew theirs was unique army with odd individuals. But she loved each and every one of them dearly, and as a result she risked life and limb in battle to protect them. One she'd come to love a little more dearly than the others was Henry - which is why she wanted to help him. She was convinced his eternally smiling face was a mask, and as a result she wanted to help him reach his real emotions - even, perhaps, help him be normal.

Today's "lesson", as she deemed it, was the proper way to express gratitude. Peaceful days were getting rarer in Ylisse, so she was pleased to find quiet time to stray from the camp and find exactly what she was looking for. As far as Olivia knew, mages like Henry needed plants in some of their works - but when she tried asking Miriel what exactly they would need, she had gone into one of those long explanations that completely went over the dancer's head. She'd just have to settle for "it looks pretty, maybe it'll be useful."

Dinner would be in another hour or so, so she made sure not to spend too long before returning to base. To be fair, she didn't know the names of the flowers that were now bundled in her arm - some were white, others were yellow, they all smelled sweetly. But she tried to be optimistic as she approached Henry's tent, hoping she wasn't interrupting him doing any creepy magic. Which, she noted, was an odd thing to hope for if she was trying to give him ingredients for creepy magic. Maybe he would just use them for decoration? Oh boy.

Olivia cleared her throat, not wanting to barge in rudely. "Um, Henry? Are you in there? I, ah, have something for you... if you'd like."

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Yep, yep, just what Henry expected. It hurt, a lot, but they were used to this. They survived before, they can again.

Then Olivia hugged them.

"Myuh?"

That. Was weird?? Henry didn't even know what to say. Why was she treating them so nicely? And. Everything she's saying is almost too much, bewildering and kind at the same time.

"Uh. Haha! Well." Henry never thought of it like that. "I just thought you'd be upset and hate me. But whether I get people to hate me early or later, I can't. Figure out which one works better."

Still. The fact that Olivia thought so highly of them felt really good, as did her hug. She was sturdy and warm in their arms, and Henry felt protected in her embrace.

Maybe the hug was lasting longer than it really needed to be, but if Henry wasn't complaining then Olivia wasn't going to break it. Maybe with any other man in the army this embrace would have lasted a few seconds, due to her overwhelming shyness. But this was a momentous occasion with a very special someone. Today was about exceptions and going past norms.

"I'll never, ever, ever hate you." Olivia declared right then and there. She looked him right in the eyes, wanting to make sure he knew she was being serious. "You can always be honest with me. I give you my word, I won't hate you." Sure, she might be scared of what comes out of that mouth, but fear and hatred weren't always connected. "You can trust me. I won't run away. You're my friend, Henry, forever and always."

If the hug was too long Henry didn't notice, just enjoying the warmth and pressure of her embrace. When was the last time someone held them so sweetly? Olivia gave really good hugs.

Then she pulled back, gazing right at them and making her declaration. Henry didn't know what to do, how to react. So few people actually gave such confidence, trusted Henry to be close. Henry couldn't meet her gaze for long, looking aside as they laughed nervously, since another blot made their feelings bittersweet.

"Oh... tha'ts. That's really nice, Olivia. You're so kind... But." Henry took a deep breath, then touched her face, looking deep into her eyes. "I'm kinda scared, since everyone who's loved me always dies."

Olivia wanted to say that she wouldn't, but that was a lie. Everyone would die some day, and they were warriors in an army. They often faced death more than the average person. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to think of how to comfort him. At least he was expression various emotions!

"Henry...it's okay to be afraid. I've lost people I've cared about too. But... we shouldn't let that hold us back from loving people. If we chose to be alone and miserable, what would be the point of living?" She opened her eyes and smiled kindly. "Like my dancing. You know how nervous I get... sometimes all I want to do is run and hide so no one can see me. But it still makes me happy. Even if it makes me nervous and worried, I still want to dance every single day. If I let my fear hold me back, I wouldn't get to dance at all... and that'd make me really sad."

Edited 2017-01-10 01:01 (UTC)

Henry was glad Olivia was being honest, because everyone died some day. That wasn't really the problem.

"Oh... yeah, you're right, just. Don't die because of me, okay? I don't want to hurt you. Not again."

Olivia really was brave and good. Henry felt so luck to have her attention, to feel her eyes on them. So of course they wanted her to feel as safe and comfortable as possible.

Olivia reached up to touch Henry's hand on her face, holding it with both of her own. This hand that could be dipped in blood, that could control magic of unspeakable power, this hand was soft and gentle. It was capable of so many things, just like Henry. She cradled into his touch, as if it was a small pillow.

"I trust you, Henry. I'll always trust you. You're one of my best friends. If you'll out for me... I'll look out for you. We'll have each other's backs. That's what the Shepherds do for each other. "

Having Olivia not just accept their touch, but cradle into it... Henry could barely stand it, so bloated were their feelings.

"Yeah... Okay." how could she trust them? Did Henry deserve that trust? "Just... I'm scared of you becoming like Mama and Mustafa."

There, that's what Henry was worried about: the past repeating itself. But hey, even if it did, Henry still survived, right? So even if the worst happened, that shouldn't prevent them from enjoying today.

"Then I'll do all in my power to keep myself alive." Which sounded a little silly to say, since she was already doing that in every single battle. But maybe there was more she could do?

A smidgen distracted, she began to loosen her hold on Henry's hand. "Maybe I could have Lonqu train me with the sword... Even though he is pretty scary. Or borrow some of Kellam's armor! ... Even though it is really heavy. Or..."

Considering death came to all and it wasn't always within one's control, that's as good as Olivia could promise. Henry would just have to make the most of it, knowing how fragile a life could be.

"That's a good idea! Never hurts to know a few ways to kill people! I may look pretty soft, but I actually have some barbarian training, when I was a trainee in the army. The Plegian army I mean."

Oh yes, there was no doubt in her mind that Henry knew "barbarian training". He absolutely did not look soft. She chuckled nervously, reminded of his past, but she managed to keep a brave face on.

"W-well, I don't think I can learn any magic...but...maybe there are some things you could teach me as well? You are pretty smart, in your own way."

Oh right, most Shepherds got awkward about Henry being a Plegian and all. Meh, wasn't like Henry really cared about nations or anything. Seemed pretty arbitrary to them.

"Ohh, you think so? People have said I'm pretty thoughtless, nyahaha! Or was it carefree? Maybe that's the nice way of describing it."

Henry's tone is light again, but they look pleased at the compliment regardless.

"Hmmmm, maybe we should try and think of what your strengths are? Like I could help with riding if you wanted to be one of those mounted units, or I could show you how to use a sword or axe. Maybe Lon'qu couldn't help much, but I think you'd make a top rate myrmidon!"

"Oh! The sword! I... I do know how to use one, but I'm not very good at it." Which was a little unfair, seeing as she was comparing herself to people who had trained vigorously with the blade all their lives. "We could start from there."

She giggled delightfully, pleased at how this had all turned out. "I guess I'll be calling you Teacher Henry for a while. I'll do my best to be a good student."

"Nowhere to go but up! I think you'd be good because being a dancer, you're strong, flexible, adaptable, and have really good control over your body! Learning the forms should be a snap for you!"

Henry was feeling calmer too, still smiling but it was more relaxed now, just enjoying Olivia's company.

"Ohhh, Teacher! That makes me sound all formal and dignified!" Therefore, hilarious.

"I just wish there was something I could do for you in return." Olivia frowned a little, suddenly feeling as if Henry was the loser in this little trade off. What did he get in return for helping her?

"Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all? You just name it!"

"Don't worry, I like being useful! People tolerate me when I'm useful."

Mostly by fighting the enemy but even basic stuff like cleaning or heavy lifting. Actually, Henry picked up a lot of skills by trying to be helpful to others, like sewing and cooking and field medicine.

"Actually, do you know how to make sweets? Like baking? I can make bread and stuff, but I tried to make a molasses cake for Gaius and ended up totally burning it! I played it off as a prank but I wanna learn how to do it right."

"As a matter of fact, I do!" Olivia brightened, finally letting go of Henry's hand. Come to think of it, how long had she held it against her cheek? ... Oh boy. If she thought about too hard, she might very well faint. She was already blushing quite deeply as the minutes added up in her head.

"I, um, that is...I feel like I should tell you something, as long as we're going to each other things. Um. Friends... normally... don't... hold each other like that. I-I mean, usually! And we're both unusual, so, maybe, its okay for us...?"

"Oh, really?"

Ah, Olivia was helping Henry already! Maybe expressions were hard, but she always explained what was considered normal. They're a little sad she isn't holding their hand anymore, but that's okay. She said as much, and she wasn't unhappy, and they could touch again! Henry's hand still felt warm and fuzzy.

"Is that a Regna Ferox thing? Or is it also Ylissean?"

It was more a common sense thing, but saying that would't help anybody.

"Well... When other people hold each other like that for so long, it, um." Oh cripes. Of all the things she had to teach him, why was this one?! Her face continued to redden and her eyes darted about. This was way too embarrassing!

"It usually means they're... more than friends! Much more! Do you understand?"

So not a regional thing. All these manners could be so hard to keep straight, and that was before Henry tried to figure out how other countries did things. Funny how they could communicate so well with other creatures but other humans could mystify them.

"What, fucking?"

Poor Olivia, she sure had trouble being direct sometimes!

Well. That was certainly ONE way to say it.

With a startled yelp, she dropped his hand completely. Now her face was redder than freshly spilled blood on the battlefield - even her ears were red!

"NO! I mean, well, yes! I mean - that is - oooh, this is so embarrassing! I shouldn't have said anything at all!"

Oh, whoops, she really was shy, not just having trouble saying things. Henry waved their hands to clear the air.

"In a relationship! I understand you, Olivia, you don't have to be embarrassed."

She sure was pretty when flushed, though, Henry could see why some people thought her shyness was cute. Personally they were more worried about her being upset.

Too late for Olivia. Now that she reached her maximum shyness, it was going to be difficult bringing her back. She wobbled from foot to foot, continuing to blush, her hands all over in the air.

"N-N-Not that we're in a relationship! I mean, we kind of are, but that's friendship! That's different from a relationship! Isn't it? I think it is! But ours is different than the other friendships I have... I'm not making any sense at all..."

Funny how in the face of Olivia's bluster Henry could stay so calm, waiting for Olivia to work out her feelings. After all, they couldn't both lose their heads! Ahh, it's been too long since Henry decapitated someone...

"We're friends, Olivia, that's all we need to be."

And all Henry could really ask for, if this was how she reacted; but Olivia promised to stay with them, which was more than Henry ever really had.

"Maybe some tea? I can make some from the honeysuckle."

Usually a hot drink and having something to fiddle with helped Henry when he got overwhelmed and couldn't just murder or magic up some relief.

But unbeknownst to Henry, this extra flustered reaction was because she could ask for more. And perhaps wanted to. Alas, these new feelings and her deep shyness were making her faint - although he brought a welcome distraction.

"T-Tea? ... Oh, right, tea! That would be l-lovely, actually... It might help settle my nerves." Followed by a few deep breaths. There we go. In and out, eyes on the ground. "Thank you, Henry."

They made quite the pair between the two, but Henry was glad she responded well to their offer.

"Yeah, since you brought the flowers and all, I thought you'd like to have some."

Henry dug out a clean jar from his workspace and filled it with water and the flowers. The spell they used to speed up the infusion process was similar to the one used on the potted crops in the caravan. Soon Henry had the tea ready, the fragrance filling the tent as they handed her a cup.

"There you go, no need for sugar with that tea!"

Flowers - Olivia & Henry

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apskdjfdksl i laughed so hard

me too hehe

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