Happenstance (Fire Emblem Fates)

Rekindle

A/N: I had a bit of writer's block and had trouble figuring out the events of this chapter but I was able to put something somewhat coherent together. The second half of this chapter gets a bit trippy. It sort of parallels the beginning of the second chapter as well as the end of the first chapter so I guess that's cool too. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

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He drew himself inward, his legs close to his chest as he curled into himself. The wood of the tree stump below him dug into his skin and the light snow falling on him sent shivers throughout his entire body. In his bout of anger and the haste he had as he ran away from home, he had failed to take a jacket. He did his best to ignore the cold but his body heat could only warm him so much.

Takumi knew he was acting immature but he couldn't head home after making such a big scene; his pride wouldn't allow it. Staying out in the freezing cold of the forest to prove his point was more bearable than heading home and dealing with the consequences he was sure to face. And if he froze to death out here, that wouldn't be that bad, right?

He shut his eyes, thinking back on the scene he had caused back at his house. It was some petty argument that he could hardly recall now, and it led to him getting fed up and leaving the house in his rage. Deep down, he regretted being as stubborn as he was known to be, but preserving his pride was integral as well. As the cold nipped at his skin, he mused that if he caught pneumonia, maybe then his family would actually pay attention to him.

He truly was a child. He valued his pride and getting attention more than his own life. Then he had his inferiority complex constantly in mind, allowing it to degrade him. He was pitiful; he cared too much about what people thought of him. He incessantly criticized himself and knew he was worthless to his family. The world would be no different if he were to vanish and never be seen again, so what was even the point of living?

He heard the crunching of snow beneath footsteps and was tempted to pick his head up and turn around. However, a lack of energy and his pride kept him on his side, his back to the person. Even as the footsteps approached him, he made no move. Maybe it was another kidnapper, one that would hopefully end his worthless life.

A jacket that was too big for him was placed onto him like a blanket. He tried to look up but he was met with the back of the person now sitting on the other side of the tree stump, long brown hair obscuring his vision.

"It's cold out, brother," Ryoma began, shivering slightly after giving his jacket to Takumi, "you need to take care of yourself."

Takumi's eyes widened, mouth agape. His brother actually cared enough to follow him into the cold after the temper tantrum he threw? He was bewildered, wondering how wise and stern Ryoma, the one barely into adulthood, could possibly care about his pathetic younger brother. Wouldn't the nineteen-year-old prefer to be the only son of the Shirasagi's and desire to erase the name of his brother from history?

He was glad his brother had come, but his ego was getting the best of him. Before he could hold his tongue, he snarked, "I don't need your reprimands, I know how to take care of myself."

He heard Ryoma click his tongue in disapproval, his back still to Takumi. "Clearly you don't," he stated bluntly, "if you thought coming out here in the snow without a jacket was a great idea."

Takumi bit his lip, knowing his brother was right. He hugged himself tighter under the coat, doing his best to limit his shivering. He felt the urge to cry but restrained himself. He wanted to jump into Ryoma's arms and get carried home, he wanted to climb into his bed under the covers and listen to his brother tell stories of college life - but his pride forced him to remain curled up on the tree stump in the winter night.