Stitch by Stitch (#117--charm)

[rosage]

Title: Stitch by Stitch
Fandom: Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Pairing: Faye/Silque
Rating: G
Word Count: 596
Prompt: #117 - charm (remainder 160)
Summary: Faye makes Silque a good luck charm.
Note: Part eight of a ficlet series starting here.

 

Faye’s surroundings disappear as she sews the shape of a feather, sealing in a different thought with each stitch. Safety. Droplets of water down a brow, down lips. An even fringe of hair. A lonely soul, like I was.

Her focus falters. The words have spun in her head since she messed up her conversation with Silque in the forest. They’ve spoken little since then, other than directions and Faye checking that Silque isn’t angry, that their journey hasn’t been disrupted. Silque is gathering and preparing fish, more her specialty than Faye’s, so Faye sits alone at the campsite with her sewing.

A beautiful, talented woman. Delight wriggles in Faye’s stomach even as her head pounds. A lonely soul. Another stitch, and another. She doesn’t have Celica’s intelligence or way with people. This is all she can think to do.

When she’s finished the charm, she fidgets with it until Silque calls her over. In the descending dusk, Silque’s bangs cast a shadow over her face, which is lowered while she wipes fish guts off of her hands. Faye stuffs the charm into her pocket and watches, entranced, before sitting to eat.

It’s flaky, delicious, and well prepared, but Faye sneaks distracted glances at Silque’s bowed head until the silence grows unbearable. Once, she wouldn’t have believed that she’d be yearning for Silque to speak on any subject at all.

“I made you something,” Faye bursts. Silque looks up, eyes wide for just a moment before she smiles. “A good luck charm. To keep you safe.”

“How sweet of you.” Silque wipes her hands again, an achingly careful motion before she holds out her hand. When Faye presses the charm into her palm, she doesn’t pull away, keeping both of her hands clasped over Silque’s.

“I thought of you the whole time.” Her gaze remains planted on their hands. “So it should work really well.” She licks her lips, frustrated that her thoughts still haven’t clicked into place. Alone, she has never gotten anywhere. Instead she finally meets Silque’s eyes, which are wide for more than a brief unguarded flash.

“I always catch you looking off into the distance,” Faye says. “I don’t know where you’re looking, or what to do, but you look so sad. And I think I upset you earlier, but I didn’t know what to do about that, either, so…”

Silque’s free hand pats Faye’s. “I appreciate your concern. It was not my intent to burden you.”

“It’s not a burden. Just…” The charm isn’t enough. She leans forward to search Silque’s face, catching Silque inhale. “What do you want me to do? I’ll do it.”

“I… goodness, Faye. I want you to look after yourself, and for us to continue to look after each other, of course. You don’t have to do anything new on my account.”

“If that’s what you want.” Faye’s hands retreat, but they hover without direction. Finally given the chance, Silque examines the charm, running a finger around its edge. “Do you like it?”

“I do. It’s very well crafted. If I may make a request?”

“Anything,” Faye says, bright and pleased.

“I would like it if you made yourself one, too.”

“Oh, I can do that! Are you sure you don’t want another one?”

“I’m quite sure. I would feel relieved, knowing it was keeping you safe.”

“If you say so.” She pulls out her supplies, drawing a laugh from Silque.

“I didn’t mean you couldn’t finish your dinner,” she says, but Faye’s stomach is too chaotic, and she’s still untangling the same thoughts with each new stitch.