Comms and Other Long FE Oneshots

Open the Door

        "Dead of goddamn winter," Felix sighed, adjusting the ruff of Petra's coat gently. "I'm sorry you have to get used to the temperature change so suddenly."

"It is fine," she replied cheerfully, giving him her gentle smile despite the snow on her eyelashes and in her braids. Despite the fact that he could see her shivering. "We do not have much choice in the matter."

"No, we do not."

Light and warmth bobbed towards them after his quiet agreement, and they both turned to see Annette, a small blaze held precariously in her gloved hands. A control that Felix had never been able to experience himself- though if he was making comparisons, Annette wasn't nearly as poised as Lysithea. "Mercie just wanted me to make sure you two were doing alright," she half-whispered. "Also, Count Rowe agreed to take Ashe into his service- welcomed him and his siblings with open arms, actually, since he was at the Academy and all."

The boy was safe from all but the dangers of war and natural disasters, then. Good to hear. "We'll be moving soon, then?"

"Yeah." Annette nodded. "We just have to drop off Mercie to her father and then it's smooth sailing- s-so to speak- to Fhirdiad."

Petra nodded. "We are ready at any time. I am hoping the best for Ashe and Mercedes while they are away from the capital and the class."

Annette gave her a grateful nod and smile, and Felix held in a soft huff. Broken Petra's speech may be, but she still was better at communicating than he would ever be.

-

Two months. The chill of winter hadn't even faded away from Faerghus's borders, much less Fhirdiad, and already there were hundreds of Imperial troops screaming at the gates of Arianrhod, and someone had tried to assassinate Prince Rufus.

It had been a solid two weeks of straight politics and Felix was just... just so tired of it all. Tired of the mostly baseless accusations. Tired of that woman who was most definitely doing more harm than good riding on her one good deed for the royal family. At least Dedue was no longer under fire. Dimitri might have actually murdered someone had the man from Duscur gotten sentenced and Felix might have actually condoned it despite all of the problems it would bring them. Unfortunately...

"This is complete nonsense," Rodrigue spat. "Not only are your accusations baseless, but my son-"

"Your son has a history of being sharp with Prince Dimitri," Lady Cornelia interjected smoothly once again, and Felix held in his sigh. He didn't move from his slightly slouched position in his seat, arms and legs both crossed. "Not to mention his dear friend seated next to him used to know the Emperor personally."

"Cornelia, I knew that woman personally." The boar's voice was low, dangerous, and Felix arched an eyebrow. Dimitri didn't usually speak in these meetings, but today he seemed more aware, leaning on his crossed arms, Dedue standing behind him. The boar honestly looked more tired than anyone present, which was a feat these days. "I still want to tear her head off. Brigid is not allied with the Empire."

"His Highness is correct." Petra nodded. "Edelgard was kind to me, yes, but her actions are not... not forgivable."

"The fact remains that there is a traitor among us," Lord Gautier growled.

"It's not Felix," Sylvain insisted. "Sure he's a little harsh, but he means well."

"And his friend?" Lady Cornelia questioned.

"Lady Cornelia, I must insist that you stop this," Gilbert protested. "None of us will benefit from throwing accusations."

"So do we wait and smile at each other until the traitor is revealed?" Count Rowe demanded.