Suikoden: When Happiness Hurts... (Gremio X Reader)

Le Story

I sat in my room, rubbing my left hand. It's been over a hundred and fifty years since the Kooluk invasion in the Island Nations and eradication of Rune Cannons, over thirty years after the Queendom of Falena's restoration and Freyjadour and Lymsleia's reign was restored, and twenty-five years after I reunited with Ted in the McDohl household. I knew Ted accidentally killed Aldo with the Soul Eater, though whenever I brought it up, he'd begin to panic, and it was quite comical to see. Before I set out to find somewhere I could stay, I stayed with Lazlo until his final breaths, and took over as the Rune of Punishment's bearer.

I met Teo, one of the great Imperial Generals. He took me in, so I'd not have to spend the rest of my days sleeping on an uncomfortable bedroll in an alleyway. I'd been indebted to him ever since, and met Pahn, Cleo, Gremio, and his son Tir. We all got along great. Cleo and I talked about the basic womanly needs, Pahn and I sparred every so often, I assisted Tir whenever he needed it, I'd be trained by Teo, Gremio would cook and I'd help him whenever he needed it, and me and Ted conversed about how things had changed. Although, I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall for Gremio, though.

I sighed, laying on my back on the hard, wooden floor, the ceiling suddenly interesting me. I lifted my left hand and removed my glove, showing me the cursed pattern of my True Rune. Ted walked in, interrupting my Zen.

"Gremio told me to get you. Dinner is ready," he said in his soft voice. I smiled and nodded to him. I slipped my glove back on, he helped me up, then we went on our way to the dining room. I stopped before we went in, looking at my left hand. Ted clasped his hands around my left hand, bringing it to his chest.

"Don't ever forget, you and me both have a secret. We just have to wait for the right time," he said. I nodded, then clasped my hands around his right. He smiled, then we went in the dining room, taking our seats. I smelled the stew Gremio made, the smell bringing back memories of the Dauntless, Lazlo's army, and the pranks me and Akaghi would pull on some of the crew members. Gremio and Pahn served us, then Teo raised his glass to another day of peace, and we all did as well.

I ate my stew quietly, the smell and taste sweeping me into a state of nostalgia. The happy times we had in the Island Nations, in Falena, then the immense focus on living through the bloodshed in both those timeframes, the firing of Rune Cannons, the sound of clashing weapons, the sound of magic going off every so often, and the happy family times we had in between those times, all ending here. This couldn't be the happy ending I longed for, could it? It saddened me, knowing everyone else I knew and loved were gone. I didn't even know I stopped eating and was crying. I wiped my tears and tried to calm my breathing, Ted rubbing soothing circles along the small of my back. Who would've knew how much it hurt to be happy? How suffocating happiness really was?

"Ted, what's wrong with her?" Cleo asked. "It's gone..." I said, "It's all gone... the people I met and loved... everyone I knew and cared for... They're all gone!" Ted hugged me, and I leaned into the brotherly figure. "Lazlo... Sialeeds... Kyril... All gone and I had to watch them die, with no way to die myself!" I sobbed.

"Wait. Do you mean to tell us..." Cleo started. "That you're over a hundred years old?" Pahn finished. Shakily I nodded. "It explains how you spoke so highly of the Island Nations Federation. As if you were actually there," said Teo. "None of this can be real. How do I know it's not all just a dream? I've been so happy, ever since I got here, that it all just seems like a fantasy, that I could wake up at any moment in time and it all would end," I said, "I don't want to fight in any more wars. I just want to live a quiet life..." I felt someone place their hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see the familiar scarred face of Gremio.

"It's not a dream. You are here, as well as us. Master Teo, Young Master Tir, Cleo, Pahn, Ted, and me. We are all here with you, and would not have it any other way," he said.