Title: Signs of Being In Love

Summary: Unable to sleep one night, Flavio found a magazine with an article listing the signs of falling in love. Bored, he decided to read through the article, to simply amuse him, you know? But he found his mind constantly drifting toward that of Fafnir…

Pairings: Fafnir/Flavio

AN: I haven't written a Flavnir for a while, have I? I just had the irresistible urge to write these two boys again, so who am I to argue? Think of it as a New Year's gift to you, my lovely readers~ Hope you enjoy reading!

It was approaching midnight when Flavio found himself wandering into the empty tearoom at the inn. With the wind steadily picking up pace outside, the sound of the roaring fire was a welcome distraction. The warmth the flames emitted was greatly welcomed, too.

Slightly agitated that he couldn't get any sleep due to the weather outside, Flavio raked a hand through his loose hair and shuffled his feet across the floor as he made his way to the comfortable chair closest to the fire place. He sat himself down, first on the edge in a fidgeting manner before he sighed again and leaned back into the cushion behind him. He was likely to be here for at least a couple of hours, so he may as well get comfortable.

As he leaned back into his seat, he idly glanced to the side, to the empty spot next to him and realised that it wasn't as empty as he first thought. A thin book, like one of those gossip magazines he had seen vendors selling, sat open to a page, the pages before it folded back.

And as he read the title of the open page, he arched a sceptical yet slightly amused eyebrow.

Signs that you were falling in love? Gods, really? Those things were still around? He remembered books detailing flirtatious body language and checklists of a having an admirer since his time in the orphanage. They were even prevalent at the Midgard Library!

Flavio resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he looked away from the book and back toward the fireplace. He found himself musing about the magazine, against his will really. Though the book looked rather new, the pages seemingly fresh and crisp, he'd hazard a guess that those 'signs' where the same ones he had seen as a kid. And they were likely to be vague as well.

Heaving a sigh, Flavio reached out and snatched up the magazine. He had nothing better to do. He may as well entertain himself by reading the list. No harm in it, right? Maybe he could joke with Fafnir about it later. He was always bemused by the checklist as well, especially when they were covertly circulated around the orphanage like some kind of naughty little secret.

You always smile to yourself when you think about them.

Flavio did feel a smile slip across his lips, but it was an amused one. Mostly because it had brought up Fafnir's image in his mind's eye. He had just been thinking about him, so it made sense that he would immediately think of him again in response to the first 'sign' from the magazine.

Seeing them brings a natural, inexplicable smile to your face and they smile back.

Well, wasn't that just good manners? Flavio always liked to greet Fafnir first thing in the morning with a smile. They would always greet each other, asking how the other slept as they headed downstairs to have breakfast together. It was their morning ritual. He would greet the others with a smile when they gathered at the breakfast table together.

Though, Flavio had to admit that he would find himself smiling softly whenever he watched Fafnir from a distance as he interacted with the others of their small guild. But it was because it was nice seeing Fafnir getting along so well with others.

And, thinking more on it, there were times where Flavio would inexplicably catch Fafnir's gaze from across the room, as if Fafnir had been watching him from a distance himself, and the two of them would share a smile. But they were friends. What else was he supposed to do? Frown and stick his tongue out at him childishly? Not likely!

To Bertrand, maybe. But not Fafnir. Ok, he wouldn't do that to Bertrand either.

While looking at them you can't see the other people around you...you only see them.

Flavio was immediately reminded of the times where he had leaned across the table to wipe crumbs of food from Fafnir's face, completely forgetting about the others around them. He had done that a couple of times actually. But again, that was just habit. Fafnir was a messy eater.

But so was Chloe. He never done that to her, though. Odd.

He also had to admit to himself that there were times while they were in the midst of a heated battle that his attention waned from their surroundings to focus in on Fafnir's back as he battled against whatever monster was attacking them. But that was completely rational. Fafnir was their main fighter, after all. And his best friend. So of course he would be more concerned about his wellbeing!

You walk really, really slowly while you're with them.

That was an odd one. Though it did remind him of those late afternoons where he and Fafnir would walk aimlessly around the city together. Just the two of them. Sometimes they would pretend to survey the different wards in hopes of learning what kinds of meals from the café they should be advertising. But mostly it was the two of them wandering around, checking out the little nooks and crannies, and just generally sightseeing.

So walking around slowly made sense, right?

I and Me become We and you talk about the future.

Flavio had to smile softly to himself when he remembered a conversation he had with Fafnir the other night. They were sitting on his bed talking about what they were going to do after this…mess with the Calamity and the Fafnir Knight was over.

Flavio had mused about returning to the Midgard Library, but Fafnir wanted to hang around High Lagaard for a while longer. Maybe become explorers for a bit where they can actually experience and enjoy the thrill of adventure and freedom. They could even rent an apartment or buy a house. A simple place where they could do their own thing.

As long as that place had a kitchen so that Flavio could potter around in. Fafnir was the one to state that, prompting Flavio to retort that Fafnir just wanted him to cook meals for him, that greedy little pig.

Still, it sounded fun, having a place where the two of them could just crash and be by themselves after spending the day in the labyrinth doing whatever.

You talk for hours about nothing, yet everything.

Well, the two of them spending a couple of hours talking before climbing into bed to sleep had become a nightly ritual. Sometimes they would fall asleep in each other's bed while talking. It was comforting, soothing after a hectic day.

They talk to you about things they cannot talk to others about.

Well, that was a given. Fafnir was his best friend from childhood, so of course he would know all of Fafnir's fears and insecurities. And Fafnir knew all of his. There were no secrets between them.

Your opinion means a lot to them.

Well, Fafnir always did like to ask Flavio his opinion on something. Mostly on battle plans in the labyrinth, but also what they should do for the day, what quest would be doable, what they should advertise for the café, what armour would be better suited for the labyrinth. All reasonable requests.

Flavio would ask him for his opinion as well. Especially in regards of the study notes for the Midgard Library, whether the codexes he was in charge of where viable, how his performance was in battle, whether or not he should focus on scouting skills or bow skills.

Again, pretty reasonable.

They put their arm around you when they introduce you to their friends or family.

Honestly, Fafnir liked to put his arm around his shoulder regardless. But that was something he just did. True, he didn't do that with anyone else. Only to Flavio. But it was still something he did often.

And in return Flavio liked to tap his knuckles against Fafnir's chest whenever he introduced him to someone. Fafnir always stood slightly behind him or just off to the side whenever he introduced him, so it was a force of habit really.

By listening to his voice you smile for no reason.

Flavio immediately remembered a time where he was hit with a panic spell in the labyrinth. In his mind, he was surrounded by large shadowy monsters. They didn't have any forms, just dark shadowy figures that were mocking him, screeching his name over and over again.

But then he heard Fafnir's voice calling his name.

Immediately the shadows disappeared and he found himself staring in Fafnir's red eyes, the other holding him gently by the shoulders. He remembered feeling so grateful to see Fafnir that he smiled at him in pure relief. And Fafnir smiled back at him, also clearly relieved.

You like their flaws and they accept yours.

Flavio snorted slightly. Fafnir was deadpanned, sarcastic, witty, and disordered. And Flavio couldn't imagine him being any other way.

And according to Fafnir, Flavio was skittish, overly motherly, somewhat paranoid, and didn't know how to look after himself properly. And he wouldn't have him any other way.

They look for ways to surprise you.

Hm, that was true. Fafnir was often surprising Flavio in little ways. Most notably whenever he kicked down his door in the middle of the night and ordered him to go to bed!

That would happen practically every second or third night without fail, and yet would scare the life out of Flavio each and every time. How that man knew that Flavio was still up doing paperwork at two in the morning, Flavio may never know.

They give without being asked.

Well, Fafnir did have the peculiar skill to give Flavio the very thing he needed without asking. Like when Flavio needed a new notebook to jot down his theories and notes in, and not an hour later Fafnir came to him with a couple of new notebooks to give to him.

You worry for them, how they are, and whether they're fine.

Well, of course he did! Flavio knew that Fafnir could take care of himself, but there were the little things like taking proper care of himself. Getting enough sleep, eating enough, ensuring that he was taking good care of his hand, the one that was, well, carrying that cursed scar…

He worried about his arm a lot actually. He couldn't help it. Fafnir had promised that it didn't hurt him, that his transformation into the Fafnir Knight didn't hurt him. But Flavio just couldn't help himself. He just couldn't.

It wasn't just that, of course. Fafnir was also too deadpanned and sarcastic for his own good sometimes. Though he has the ability to read the atmosphere, he would choose to ignore it and say whatever the hell he wanted.

That man couldn't be left alone sometimes, honestly!

You feel comfortable and secure in appearing vulnerable to them.

Well, sure. They had known each other for years, after all. Flavio had his fears and doubt, just like everybody else. And he could talk about them easily with Fafnir. He couldn't imagine doing that with anyone else but Fafnir.

Because, well he was Fafnir.

They go out of their way for you and you do the same for them.

Hah, there was no denying that. And he honestly had no problem admitting that he would bend over backwards for Fafnir. Give him the shirt off of his back for him. And he knew, without any doubt whatsoever, that Fafnir would do the same for him.

They love spending time with you.

Flavio unexpectedly found himself giving a light chuckle. He certainly hoped so!

Nah, it was pretty obvious that Fafnir did enjoy spending time with him. He would find excuses not to if he didn't.

And, let's be real; kicking down someone's door in the middle of the night and then hanging around to talk for a couple of hours was a pretty good indicator as well!

You just know you can trust them and they trust you.

Pfft. That honestly went without saying!

The things that make you different do not push you apart.

Wow, that was also true for him and Fafnir. Fafnir was a frontline swordsman. A man of action. He was the one who got things done when they needed to be done. Flavio, on the other hand, was a backline fighter. He preferred to observe from a distance and plot the best possible strategy.

Despite that, though, they managed to battle efficiently together. Flavio would do the strategic status attacks or used his enhancing skills to benefit the party while he trusted Fafnir to do what needed to be done to keep everyone alive and to finish the battle as quickly as possible.

And finally: While reading this, there was one person on your mind the whole time!

Wait, what?

Flavio sat up straight, his back ridged and a roaring blush on his cheeks when he realised what had just occurred. He unconsciously crumpled up the magazine as he stared wide eyed into the space in front of him. He had literally forgotten what the subject manner of this checklist was!

Without any prompting, he had thought of Fafnir for the entirety of the checklist. Literally from start to finish.

Th-that stupid book tricked him!

"Flavio?"

"Fafnir!?" Flavio literally squawked out in surprise as he turned in the direction of the doorway.

Standing in the threshold leading into the tearoom, Fafnir arched an eyebrow at him as he stepped closer. "Yes?" he replied, rather sarcastically.

Doing the only thing any man in his position would do, Flavio unwittingly covered his face with the magazine and pretended that this wasn't happening. Even as Fafnir took a seat next to him.

"What are you doing?" Fafnir finally asked after a moment of awkward silence.

Good question!

Ok, so…what now? One option was one where he could just pretend that it was nothing, throw the book into the fire place and scurry up the stairs to his room. Fafnir would follow him the entire way, wanting to know what happened though.

Option two involved telling Fafnir about what he had been reading, and what it made him realise. Ironic in hindsight that he would realise that he was in love with Fafnir by reading an article about signs of being in love.

After a moment of tense silence, Flavio decided that the best thing to do was to simply bite bullet and shoved the magazine in Fafnir's direction. "Read it," he instructed without looking at him. "And don't say anything until you reach the end, ok?"

Fafnir took the magazine from him and Flavio didn't need to look at him to know that he was staring at him in a quizzical yet dumbfounded manner. He didn't say anything, thankfully. Didn't question him. Only the sound of paper being smoothed out followed.

Flavio kept his gaze on the floor in front of him as his hands curled into fists on his knees before unfurling to idly pick at an invisible speck on his pants only to curl back into white knuckle fists once more.

The minutes seemed to tick by slowly as Fafnir read that article and Flavio fidgeted the entire time. The fact that he had remained silent, that he appeared to be actually reading it was a good sign, wasn't it? Anyone else at any other time would have just laughed and mocked the article, right?

"I'm done," Fafnir said finally.

Flavio idly twisted his hands together on his lap. "Who did you think of?" he asked. "Answer honestly."

"You, obviously," Fafnir immediately replied. Not hesitation in his voice whatsoever.

Flavio had always been grateful for Fafnir's bluntness. And now was no different.

Unexpectedly, Flavio found himself chuckling before he started laughing softly in relief. He continued to do so as Fafnir slipped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him toward him. And completely willingly, Flavio leaned back and rested himself against Fafnir's side, his head resting on his shoulder as he placed a hand against Fafnir's chest.

"I can't believe these things are still in circulation," Fafnir commented idly about the magazine before he turned his gaze down toward Flavio. "And who did you think of?"

Flavio rolled his eyes at the question. The way Fafnir asked that question, he already knew the answer to it. That smug jerk. Instead of verbally responding, however, Flavio pushed himself forward and placed a quick kiss to Fafnir's cheek.

Fafnir appeared startled for about half a second, but that smug smirk of his, one that Flavio had seen quite a few times, appeared on his lips. "I should think so," he said as he curled his arm tighter around Flavio's shoulder and pulled him closer.

He then dropped the magazine to the floor, uncaring of where it went as he reached out with his hand to caress the side of Flavio's face. His thumb brushed against Flavio's cheek while his fingers threaded through his hair at his temple and behind his ear.

And he was inexplicably tilting Flavio's chin up towards him.

While Flavio's heart did skip a beat and he did feel a trill of warmth race down his spine when Fafnir's lips pressed against his, he also felt incredibly comfortable like this. Fafnir was kissing him, and it was exciting, and yet it was something that also felt natural. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation.

Just warmth. And comfort.

And the promise that there would be many more in the future.