Happenstance (Fire Emblem Fates)

Unravelling

A/N: A... darker chapter, to say the least. We're getting into darker themes the further we explore Takumi's character. There's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end and I don't forsee an update for a couple of days. I know I say that every chapter but I mean it this time. I need to stop procrastinating on homework so I don't know when I'll update next. If you see a new chapter tomorrow, shame on me I guess.

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Takumi pulled his knees to his chest, burying his face in his arms. It muffled his crying but the sobs wracking his entire body could still be heard over the gentle stream of the lake.

He wasn't worthy. He could see the disappointment in his father's eyes, hear his words replaying in his head. His nerves had gotten the best of him and he missed all of his shots; his father would think he was lying if he said he typically landed bullseye's. First a pitiful archer, then a liar? He truly was a disgrace and a waste of space.

He squeezed his eyes shut, still whimpering and gasping between sobs. His father probably hated him now. The great Sumeragi Shirasagi with a son as pathetic as him? Maybe if he ran away and never returned home, everybody would forget about him. Ryoma would be the one and only perfect son. Hinoka, Kamui, and Sakura could actually have a brother they could look up to. His parents would have no pitiful children and the Shirasagi name would not be tarnished by his existence. They would be better off without him.

Was... Was someone singing?

He lifted his head, still choking on his sobs, but he did his best to wipe his tears away. Hiccuping and trying to regulate his breathing, he listened more intently and he began to make out words. The more he listened, the calmer he felt, and he felt his sadness being washed away. Intrigued, he wiped at his face and got up from against the tree, following the lake's edge towards the origin of the voice.

Upon arriving, he saw the girl he met earlier. She was sitting on a low-cut tree stump, bare feet dipped into the water as she sang. As soon as she heard his footsteps, she ceased her song and turned to look at him, surprise written over her features.

"Takumi!" She nearly yelped, hand on her bosom, "I didn't know you were still here."

If she picked up on the fact that his face was still red and he looked like he was just crying, she made no mention of it. Takumi held a neutral expression, unsure of what to make of the girl. When he talked to her earlier, he was still disoriented from his... episode? She had snapped him out of that trance, which he was thankful for, but he could barely remember anything besides her name and the comfort her touch brought him.

"I never left," he stated simply, amber gaze observing her form. Her cyan hair fell past her shoulders and she wore a simple white dress; it complemented her figure nicely. Averting his eyes after thinking such thoughts, he continued. "I needed time alone - to think."

She frowned, golden eyes careful and meticulous of his small tics and habits. "You were crying before, weren't you?"

He danced a step back, caught off guard by her attentiveness. Was he really that easy to read? Nevertheless, he crossed his arms and fell right back into his typically habit: denying everything. "O-of course not! Why would I be?"

Azura sighed, closing her eyes. It was almost as if she was used to his personality even though they had only known each other for a few hours. "You don't have to be so defensive of everything; There's no shame in admitting the truth."

Takumi opened his mouth in protest but found no words. She was right, but his pride would not allow him to admit that. Instead, he hummed a note of his discontent before turning his gaze to the lake. There was hardly any ripples in the water; it seemed perfectly at equilibrium - at peace. The lake seemed like the perfect manifestation of Azura's personality and Takumi couldn't help but find her being there ironic.