Strays in a Storm

NOTE:

Happy Birthday, Dilandau!

Welcome to the final chapter of the story. As is my tradition of celebrating Dilandau's birthday every year, I'm glad I could complete a few of my works in progress, like this one.

If you are interested to read what happened between Merle and Dilandau in graphic detail after the end of chapter 7, I would suggest reading chapter 2 of "Cabin Fever." But if that's not to your taste, don't worry, the action is only implied here and you can read the conclusion of the story below.

There are some more details revealed about the post-war setup in Gaea for this story and maybe a slight reference to another story of mine called "The Compassion Clause" but you don't really need to read that to understand what is going on here. I just thought I'd throw it in there as a bit of world-building and to create some kind of continuity with my other stories. It is set in a very different time period and features other characters but I just thought it would be interesting to link them together as some details from the story can actually support the setup in this one.

Though this was a very contained story and limited in its scope and points of view, I still like to show how it is oriented in the larger scheme of things, if only because stories don't exist in a vacuum, after all.

It's taken a lot longer than I expected but I'm glad that I can finally wrap this story up. As usual, making myself meet a deadline is the most effective way of getting me to finish something quickly. It also helped that I've already had the main events of the story mapped out in my head for months (for some, even years) but I just didn't have the time or motivation to write them. But here we are at last.

While it started out as a very whimsical tale, I somehow found a way to add some darkness and depth to it, if only to properly develop the relationship between these two. Or at least for it not to seem too trope-y. I hope I have succeeded, even a little bit, in getting people interested in their dynamic. This gets a bit cheesy too so, apologies for that.

I'm not planning a sequel for this as I am satisfied with the conclusion and I already have way too many unfinished projects.

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed and hope you enjoy this last chapter!

And please do let me know what you think.

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Merle awoke and found herself still in the warmth and safety of Dilandau's embrace. She turned to face him and sighed. He opened his eyes and looked at her curiously.

"Regretting this already?" Dilandau asked teasingly but not without a hint of worry.

To his relief, Merle simply grinned at him, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"The only thing I regret," she replied, "is waiting so long before we finally did this."

"Then, it seems like we have to make up for lost time," Dilandau said slyly.

"I think we should," said Merle leaning forward to kiss him, before they lost themselves to their passion yet again.

And that was how they spent the next days, no longer dancing around each other or denying their growing feelings. The storm may have continued but they no longer seemed disturbed by it. They even welcomed the opportunity to stay indoors together for a prolonged period of time, now having an extremely pleasurable activity to keep them occupied.

And even when they weren't busy in bed, they enjoyed every moment spent together, now able to talk freely to each other and to make plans for the future.

There had been vows exchanged in darkness, promises made in the heat of passion. Now was the time to see if these would survive in the light of day.

Both of them sensed that the storm that had thrown them into each other's paths would soon come to an end and they needed to decide where they would go next. So they discussed their options. But Merle already had a specific plan in mind.

"Come back with me to the capital," Merle proposed. She had considered various possibilities and, complicated as this one would be, she still believed that it would be the most viable option for them.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Dilandau asked skeptically, "I know that your life is there but, for starters, I don't think your dear king would approve."

"I can vouch for you with Lord Van," Merle said dismissively, "I mean, if he was able to forgive his brother after everything that happened, I'm sure he'll find a way to accept you."

Dilandau had heard that Folken Fanel had miraculously survived the chaos in Zaibach and had somehow reconciled with his younger brother. Given all the bad blood between those two siblings, if peace had been somehow achieved, then he supposed even he could expect some reluctant tolerance from his former enemy. And while he wasn't particularly keen on being re-acquainted with Van Fanel, Dilandau cared more about Merle than about any past feuds. And he was learning to readjust his priorities.

"Besides," Merle added with conviction, "I will not let him refuse me this."

Dilandau laughed at this. "And don't I know how convincing you can be," he teased.

Merle blushed slightly. But she would make sure that Van understood how important Dilandau had become to her. It would be tricky to explain how everything had happened but she would figure it out. She needed to make everyone see what she saw in Dilandau, and then she was certain people would understand her side as well. And she knew that if her dear friend saw how happy Dilandau had made her, happier than she had ever been, he would find a way to forgive.

"But even if he were to allow it," he continued gravely, "Even he might not be able to make the decision where my status is concerned. It was the alliance that decided my fate, not just the king of Fanelia."

Merle had already considered this carefully. "I'm sure the terms of your exile can be renegotiated," she said confidently, "I heard that there is a treaty being drafted in Palas about the treatment of former Zaibach officers after the war. There is a provision that would allow amnesty to be granted to ex-soldiers like you."

"You are incredibly well-informed," Dilandau remarked, impressed, "I had heard about that treaty but I never put much hope in what it promised. My experience with those who remember what Zaibach did has been less than pleasant. And I can't really blame people for continuing to hate me and what I stood for. It will take more than a treaty to alter their perceptions."

"Well, I know that Princess Eries Aston is championing it so I am certain it will move forward," Merle said, undeterred, "At least, it will be a good start. And the world is changing. We are learning from our mistakes and looking to the future. And I know that you've changed as well, so I think we can make this work."

She took his hand in hers and smiled encouragingly. Dilandau nodded and simply stroked the hand holding his. He was still unaccustomed to such displays of affection but he wanted to reassure Merle that he appreciated all she was willing to do for him. He also wanted to show her that he would do the same for her.

"So it seems like I'll be returning to the capital of Fanelia, after all," Dilandau said, "That will be very interesting to say the least."

"It shouldn't be a huge problem as long as you don't try to murder the king again," Merle teased, knowing that there was no longer any danger of this.

"I'll try my best to resist the urge," Dilandau replied, rolling his eyes in mock-resignation.

"I'm sure you will," Merle said, laughing and throwing her arms around him. He returned the gesture warmly.

They continued to discuss their plans and Merle threw herself into the preparations with a firm sense of purpose. Dilandau admired her enthusiasm and decided that he would just follow her lead. There were very few people in the world whom he had learned to trust and she was one of them.

Part of them wished the storm would last forever so that they would have an excuse to live out the rest of their days in the blissful isolation they had come to enjoy. But they knew that there would be life to go back to eventually and they needed to prepare for it.

Dilandau had less to lose and everything to gain, having lived without any clear direction for the last few years. He had focused his depleting energy on surviving but now, most unexpectedly, he had a renewed will to live. He had found someone to live for. And he was not going to lose her. He would do whatever it would take to protect her and for them to be together.

Merle was exhilarated and also a bit nervous about what lay ahead of them. There were still so many obstacles that needed to be faced. She knew the path ahead would not be easy. But she also felt that the most difficult challenge had already been overcome. They had found each other, they had moved past their history, and they had come to a profound understanding. They were happy, so unbelievably happy, and she was so grateful for this twist of fate. She knew that she had stumbled upon something precious and she was not going to give it up for anything.

A few days later, the sun shone again, definitively this time and they both knew it was their cue to leave the cabin. The storm seemed to have washed away the stains of the past and life could begin anew.

So they packed their things for the journey to the capital and tidied up the cabin. As they closed the door, they both looked at the small structure with fondness and already planned to return to it as often as they could.

It had been a place of safety at a time of chaos and had been the means of bringing two strays together in the most unexpected and wonderful way. They would never forget what it had given them even as they made their way towards a new life together.