Haven't written anything over here in a long time and I felt it was time to at least get something put up now that I've finally finished off the third game. Glad to hear the fourth will be joining us this fall, so I won't have to stew over it for too long.

For those wondering about Trails… that's going to end up rewritten. I can't reconcile the earlier parts of the story with the direction I ended up wanting to take it and new things I've learned from the third game.

I apologize for that and thank everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited. I promise to have the first chapter of the new version up as soon as I can. Until then, here's this one shot! It's a sequel to a lemon fic I posted on Ao3 for those curious to the context (Reunion on the Train).

And with that, onwards!

Morning After

To call waking up that morning awkward would be a monumental understatement.

Elliot sat facing the wall of the room he'd been given the night before, silently wondering where it all went wrong. He'd helped drive off that attack by Ouroboros, seen to any injuries with Towa's help, then agreed to go out today with investigating what in Gehenna the society was playing at here in Sutherland.

Or at least that's what should have been on his mind.

He felt his soulder get poked. "Hey, you got a cowlick."

"I know…" He groaned, a coquettish giggle the response. "Would… would you please put some clothes on? I… I just can't…"

His shoulder was poked again. "And where did all that courage from last night go, Mr. Musician? You sure weren't shy with those hands."

Elliot groaned and hid his face in his hands, unable to answer. There was nothing he could say or do that wouldn't get him in even deeper trouble than he already was. It was a small mercy and torment that no one had come in to find them yet.

Behind him, draped over the other half of the cot, lay Fie Claussel in all her natural glory, though thankfully hidden under a sheet. For all the fun last night had been, she was not going to leave the possibility of an uninvited guest open. This time she swatted at his hair. "Cat got your tongue?"

"Not right now…" Elliot felt himself mutter only to immediately curse the opening.

Fie grinned a languid grin and sat up, letting the sheet fall off her torso. She shifted in place and embraced Elliot's back, pressing against him and resting her chin on his shoulder. "Will her taking it again get you to stop sulking?"

"I'm not sulking." Elliot muttered again, but he'd always been a bad liar and it showed.

Fie's hands came around and traced circles on his chest. "You are so sulking. What, did those porn mags lie to you or something?"

Elliot buried his face further.

"Oh please, I know where everyone kept their stash." Fie chuckled into his ear. "You'd be freaking amazed at the things Alisa had subscriptions to. Take a guess who didn't have one, I dare ya."

"I swear to Aidios Fie, if you tell me Millium actually had those kinds of magazines I will hang us both."

Fie's grin widened and she pressed harder against his back. "Well I'll thank my lucky stars, you're right. Now are you going to actually turn around and look at me or am I expecting some exercise if that happens?"

Elliot audibly gulped, both from her words and the sensation pressed against his back. "…Uh…"

Thankfully, or unfortunately in Fie's case, another chance at creating Craig Jr. disappeared with a fusillade of hard knocks on the door. Towa's voice followed the bangs, her tone best described as 'done'. "Elliot, Fie! Students have cleared out, go get showered and ready, we have a long day!"

They heard Towa stalk off before Fie burst into giggles. "I think… I think we pissed her off!"

Elliot groaned again and brought his knees up to further hide his face. "I… don't even want to imagine what everyone else was thinking. Goddess just kill me now…"

"They were probably jealous." Fie offered as her mirth faded. "I mean getting your v-card punched on a brand-new military train after valiantly restoring the beleaguered students to fighting shape? I don't see how they couldn't be."

Elliot groaned again at the reminder. "I didn't exactly ask you to do that…"

"No, but I wanted to." Fie answered with a flippant lilt. "And…"

Her hands traveled south and Elliot yelped. "Boy am I glad I got my hands on this."

"FIE!"

She burst into laughter and brought her hands back up to hug him tightly. It took a minute for the swell of mirth to die down, but she found herself humming against his back when it was done. They were silent, Fie enjoying the press of skin while Elliot contemplated his life. Then, the bracer kissed his cheek. "Hey."

Elliott lifted his head a bit. "…Hey?"

"Did I take things too far?" Fie asked, already knowing the answer. "I… I know I pushed it onto you."

Elliot sighed and his face again. "Fie… I don't know what to say, I really don't. My head's swimming… I can't get a thought in order."

Fie sighed too and pressed one more kiss to his cheek. "I'm sorry… I'll take first shower, give you time to think."

She parted from him, reluctant to leave him alone but knowing he needed the space. She threw on enough of her discarded clothes to at least not flash anyone disobeying orders, but it was a quick dash to the shower and as Towa said there was no one in sight. Even the windows had been shut.

Fie silently promised to do something really nice for her senior.

With the coast clear, she still looked both ways before heading to the shower. And who should she find in there but Laura, wearing nothing but a towel and brushing her teeth. They stared at each other.

Laura spit out the toothpaste and nodded to Fie. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Fie greeted back with a mischievous smile. "So, I assume you tried something new."

Laura scowled back. "You're going to grill me? If anyone should be asking questions I should."

"Later, need to shower first. First, why so loud?" Fie powered on like Laura hadn't spoken. "Second, how long and third do I get to claim aunt privileges yet?"

Laura growled as a radiant blush stole all her thunder. "Fie be quiet! At least shut the door!"

Fie did so as she walked in, already getting ready for her shower. "Well? I'm waiting."

"Ugh, you just had to wake up in a teasing mood." Laura grumbled to herself as she started brushing her teeth again. "I'll answer your questions if you answer one of mine, deal?"

Fie shrugged off her hastily thrown on shirt. "Fine, deal. Ask away."

She was ready for most any question her friend could throw.

"How's Elliot?"

Except for that one. "Uh…"

Laura paused in her brushing and stared at Fie through the mirror. "…Did you actually ask or just leave him there?"

Fie fidgeted. There was really no good way to answer the question, Elliot hadn't given her a clear answer. Yes she'd basically forced him into the act last night, so for all she knew their entire relationship was in tatters. But at the same time, he'd looked so tender and said such sweet things to her…

"…I asked, but I'm not sure I want to hear the answer."

Laura sighed and finished brushing her teeth. "I see… well I wish things can go well for you, but we'll have to see how it unfolds from here. With the society over our heads, I don't think any of us will have long to actually think on last night."

She tied her hair into its usual ponytail. "Try not to take too long in the shower alright? There may be plenty of hot water but we need to get out there soon."

Laura moved to leave but Fie stopped her. "Hold it… I answered your question, don't think I'm letting you leave without getting what I asked for."

"And here I thought I was getting better at knowing when to leave." Laura couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright fine."

She turned and held up three fingers. "First, I've been celibate since last we saw each other, take that as you will. Second, three hours with only two breaks. Third, no. Let me repeat, no."

Fie chuckled at her. "Aw, and here I thought I'd get to see that duel between Rean and your dad soon. Oh well. Get on out of here, don't want you eyeing me up."

Laura turned her nose up at Fie. "As if I'd ever dare leave Rean alone for a moment. Did you see that Musse girl? Eying him like a steak, have to make it clear where she stands."

Fie laughed out loud. "Laura, for Aidios's sake you made it crystal clear! I walked by her as I was going to see Elliot, she was drowning her sorrow in that Sandy girl's juice while Tita attempted to comfort her. The entire car could hear you both!"

Laura looked utterly mortified. "I… uh… Oh dammit all I can't look any of them in the eye again!"

"You're the one who was howling." Fie kept teasing. "And on the bright side, Rean's the one who has to deal with them after this. We don't have to see them every day."

Laura considered this. "…You know. You're right. I just have to bear the sting today and I'll be fine."

"There ya go, now get on with yourself. Get changed, give Rean a surprise, whatever. I would like to shower now."

Laura shrugged, giving up. "I'm not even going to address that. Meet us by the car's front room door."

"I'm not going to see you sucking his rocks off am I-"

Fie was met with a towel for her troubles, the smaller woman just laughing as Laura stalked out, though not before her friend got a word in edgewise. "Make the joke when you're not using 'magic fingers' on Elliot you dork!"

Fie flushed deeply. Apparently she'd… said that a lot louder than she'd thought at the time. Then again considering what those 'magic fingers' were up to she shouldn't have been surprised. Shaking her head, Fie removed the rest of her things and stepped into the shower. The hot water did wonders washing away the remnants of last night and soothing her mind for the day to come.

Yet for the life of her she could not figure out how she'd face Elliot again. Let alone possibly get the chance to experience those hands again. Why was he blessed with such… dexterous fingers…?

Goddess above Claussel, you were never this much of a horn dog. Clean thoughts...clean thoughts…

Her mind answered the plea with a grossly inappropriate image.

Damn it all!

She turned off the shower and dried herself, ignoring her jelly legs. Rather than let her lizard brain win, she thought on all the reasons she'd ever thought to do what she'd done. Elliot was one of the first friends she made back at Thors after Emma and Vivi. He'd played music to help her sleep, healed her without asking, made the cutest faces.

Made her laugh and feel warm…

Fie glared down at herself. "You're not helping."

Thankfully for her sanity there was no response.

Fie took a deep breath and focused again. She… she really loved Elliot. She'd probably been crushing on him since their time in the windmill, but after separating following graduation… Well, Sara was good for something that time.

"Why'd I listen to my hindbrain?" The girl groaned as she stood in front of the mirror, trying to organize her hair. "One night, no matter how good of a first it was, is going to be worth it if that's all there is to it. Goddess dammit, Fie you're a moron. A horny, lovesick… moron."

She groaned again and leaned against the sink, head hung in disappointment. There really was nothing for it, she could sit here and be miserable while things outside went on or she could woman up and get this over with. She was sure at the very least Elliot wouldn't hate her, but it was very likely they'd have to rebuild trust again.

And frankly after letting herself do that, she deserved starting from square 1.

Fie slapped herself a couple of times, building her courage, before getting dressed and heading back to the room. She faced away from the door, staring at the closed windows. "Elliot, shower's open. Laura and Rean are waiting for us."

The door hissed open and she heard Elliot shuffle out. Not a word was spoken after that, Fie listening to the sound of his steps before the door to the showers hissed open and all was silent again. She sighed deeply.

"Should I wait or should I not?"

On one hand going outside meant dealing with all the students and their inevitable snide/jealous/disbelieving remarks. On the other, staying in here meant facing Elliot and the possible end of their relationship, such as it was. Really for most people it was an easy choice.

But she'd not been raised a coward and she'd not prove one now.

So there she stood, silently waiting. It felt like time was moving by like some kind of sludge, nervous jitters making her check the time every few seconds. Those same nervous jitters started making her mind wander too.

What's taking him so long? Did getting that ponytail mean he actually takes care of his hair now? …Does he have separate conditioner and shampoo? Nah, no way, no one could ever have more hair product than Emma or Laura… but what if? Do they even sell men's hair products?

The fact she was so focused on his hair was likely a good sign that her own feelings towards him were genuine rather than driven by hormones, but she wasn't thinking on that. No, this line of thought was unfathomably fascinating and she felt the urge to raid the shower and find out after he was done. Or maybe right now, get a little extra washing done…

Fie we had this talk already. Sit down girl before you start panting.

With that mental slap she came back to her senses, just in time to see Elliot walk out of the shower. Fully dressed and looking a lot better than earlier. Though she couldn't tell if the flush on his cheeks was from the shower or looking at her. Frankly she wasn't sure which would be preferred.

"Uh… hey." Elliot greeted, stopping a few feet away. "Um… waiting for me?"

Fie tried to give her normal smirk. "Well yeah, it's kind of a custom now that our class leaves places in pairs."

"Yeah…" Elliot chuckled, his lack of further words stifling the air. Fie wanted to say something to him, anything, but something stalled any words in the back of her throat until she was almost choking on them. They stood there, mutually fidgeting, until Elliot flicked himself.

Fie blinked at that but Elliot started speaking. "Fie… I'll be honest I'm still incredibly confused about everything. We've got something really important in front of us so I don't think I can give this the… gravity it needs. I'm really sorry, but… can we put this behind us for now?"

Fie tried not to look disappointed, she really did. "I understand… I'm really sorry for forcing… that… on you, it was beyond selfish of me."

Elliot scratched the back of his head. "I uh… yeah, apology accepted. Um, we can't talk today or maybe even tomorrow but… day after that are you free?"

Fie blinked. "Are… are you sure? I mean, that was a huge breach of your trust and-"

Elliot stepped up and patted her shoulder, stopping Fie from continuing. "As I said, I'm… still really really confused. But… I've had enough time to think a little bit and I do want to talk with you more about this."

Fie felt hope flicker in her heart. "Really?!... Uh, I mean cool. Again, I'm really sorry for springing all this on you, I just… I don't know anymore. Ask me an hour ago and I think I'd have an answer, but I'm pretty sure I washed off everything except my guilt."

Elliot scratched his head again. "Yeah… I don't know what to say either really. Uh… so dinner at that restaurant in front of the cathedral sound good to you?"

Fie raised a brow, some of her usual-self returning. "Mr. Craig are you asking me on a date?"

"Depends, am I expecting to be pushed into a room?"

Fie guffawed at his comeback. "Elliot, what the hell! You actually sound brave enough to match the image now!"

"Well… I did get something out of traveling by myself I guess." Elliot laughed. "Just um… let's do our best today ok?"

Fie nodded, some energy back in her body. "Yeah, let's go kick some tail. But first… mind if I try and get that ponytail back in place?"

Elliot nodded slowly, not sure what she wanted out of this. Fie shrugged and went behind him, gathering the loose hair into a tail and taking the tie he held out for her. It was too easy to get the tail in place, but she didn't let go of it when she was done.

"Uh, Fie?"

She chuckled and tugged on the tail enough to make him look. A quick peck to his cheek later and she was in front of him again. "You've done a lot of growing, Elliot. Let's do our best today, I want to see all you've learned and more."

She was not ready for him to take her hand and land a gentleman's kiss on it. "As do I. You're certainly even more a specter of speed and I very much doubt that was you at full throttle."

Fie had to stop herself from purring. "…When did you learn to flatter?"

"Trying to negotiate album releases takes a lot more brown-nosing than I ever thought." Elliot groaned, Fie chuckling at his misery. "But… we good for now?"

Fie paused for a moment before nodding. "Yeah… we're good for now. Let's get out there and set the rhythm."

"You know it." Elliot chuckled, fist bumping Fie and heading for the door. Fie didn't immediately follow, looking to his back with a small smile replacing her usual smirk. What a thing for him to say, despite all that…

Maybe she'd be a vision in white yet.

End

I needed so badly to write something again, anything. All this free time from the quarantine and I have zero motivation to write. This… this though I think helped. I'll try and get a move on with that rewrite the moment I can, but I got hit with a short fic idea that'll take place over in the FE fandom. After that, rewrite and main story time!

Apologies again for being so silent, I hope you're all keeping well and safe! Take care of yourselves and we'll keep reading and writing together!

Until next time!