❖ Act & Exposition, VR edt. [Permanent Catch-All]

[sonofagautier]

Who: Sylvain & Co.
What: Anything;
Where: anywhere;
When: and at anytime!
Notes: Permanent general log for all plotted interactions outside of events. Partners will be tagged in the subject line along with warnings! ♥ HMU if you ever want a general starter here.

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❖ Felix; Vacation at Sea

[sonofagautier]

'Cruise' is a new term for Sylvain in the idea that people just board a boat full of luxuries for the fun of it. But honestly, the more he thinks about it, the more he warms up to it. The sea is not a place he's familiar with beyond the frigid, rocky coasts of far-flung Faerghus. Olivine living has acquainted him somewhat, but boats still seem fascinating and distant.

Three weeks on one seems excessive. But it's also three weeks (mostly) alone with Felix, surrounded by the beautiful sea, no obligations, no awkward not-relationships to balance while being helpless to deal with them. No strange new holidays and emotionally charged situations. And suddenly 'excessive' feels more akin to 'desperately needed, but potentially not enough.'

Yes, he adores having his friends around and safe. But there's still the awkward feeling of wearing someone else's skin, and the palpable disturbance he feels as though he causes all around. A little room to breathe with one of the few people he's positive of his standing with will do him good.

He's packed lightly- mostly because he has very little to pack at all. But when he reads on the pamphlet that Pokémon battles may occur, he thinks to bring his tiny menagerie along in their pokeballs tucked into his backpack. He double checks everything one last time as he and Felix stand on the dock, and gives a lofty sigh.

Sylvain leans his shoulder onto Felix's, and offers him a tired smile. There's an ever-present gentleness in his voice as he teases Felix about such a sweet gesture in his favorite way. By poking fun at him.

"Don't know how you, of all people, are gonna be able to relax for three weeks. But I am looking forward to it."

[bestswordmaster]

Felix had more experience with boats and the ocean even before coming to Johto, as Fraldarius borders the warmer sea that connects it to Derdriu's port. He's never spent three consecutive weeks on one before, but he figures it can't be that different from the week they spent in Sevii for their honeymoon.

And if he's wrong, well, he brought his Gyarados for a reason.

He hasn't said so to anyone other than Sylvain and Felicity, but the tension and the crowding back at the house has been getting to him for a while, too. All the new arrivals, the messy relationship questions and deeply personal conversations, having to keep things from Sylvain and endure all the knowing looks and navigate what the hell he's even supposed to say or not say until they make up their minds about telling Sylvain or not, having to watch Sylvain pretend he's totally fine - it's too much. Felix needs things to be uncomplicated again for a while. Needs to clear his head. Remember what it was like to be unreservedly happy without feeling like the ground is constantly shifting under his feet.

Of course, he promised he would call Dimitri and Claude often, send them photos, keep them updated. It's not them he wants a break from, really. Just...the situation. The constant ebb and flow of high emotions and the uncertainty of things left unsaid.

Felix has packed lightly, too, mostly just because he's Felix. He had to choose his team carefully, knowing they might not have access to a PC on board; eventually, he settled on Zoltan the Aegislash (in case trouble breaks out), Kyphon (for Surf), Fellstar (because he always needs at least one cat and this one is psychic), André (for sparring), Rivia (for sparring and as his second-most reliable Water type)...and Inda. She's been waiting too long already.

But for right now, they're just standing on the docks waiting to board; Felix is wearing his sunglasses to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight reflecting off the water. Sunglasses he knows for a fact Sylvain looks really good wearing. He's pondering that when the contact and the smile happen. Felix gives him an unimpressed look, even as he's reaching over to lace their fingers together without glancing down or acknowledging he's doing it at all.

"Who said anything about relaxing? Maybe I just want three weeks of uninterrupted training." He says it with a totally straight face, too, despite not meaning it at all.

...mostly.

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain wears an audacious look about the idea of Felix training on their vacation. Not because he thinks Felix couldn't train for three-weeks straight- because Sylvain has seen him do it- but there's no way Sylvain's about to let him. Not when they have so much private time to themselves. Sylvain's got other plans. Sexier plans.

"You're full of it." It's almost a taunt. As many of his little quips at Felix often are. But he doesn't miss a beat, and give's Felix's hand a gentle squeeze in turn. Physical affections aren't new to him by any means, but physical affection with Felix are still something he's getting used to. It's in the best way though; mostly just remembering he's allowed. He breathes out a pleased laugh. Right this is Felix, and it's real around him. Speaking of Felix...

"No, I take it back. That's not a challenge, and don't you dare. You have to at least show me the whole boat before you start on anything decidedly not fun. And maybe a nap afterwards."

[bestswordmaster]

"Am I?" It's a taunt right back, definitely the challenge Sylvain thinks it is, but he can't help cracking a smile at Sylvain's laughter. He seems more relaxed already than he has been since he arrived, and Felix is glad for it.

"Training is fun," Felix insists, stubborn - although even this is a concession he wouldn't have made a year ago, when he claimed 'fun' wasn't even in his vocabulary. "More fun than sleeping through our vacation. --ah. They're boarding. Come on."

The boarding process takes longer than Felix would have liked, but he takes the opportunity to scout out the competition. Yes, this is a vacation, and he is mostly kidding about the training, but of course there will be trainers challenging each other to Pokemon battles, and Felix intends to win. And if he wants to show off a little in front of Sylvain, well...there's nothing wrong with that.

Finally, they get on board the ship and find their bunk, which is really little more than a nice big bed and a small adjoining bathroom. Which means that one of Felix's plans for this trip will have to take place somewhere else...hmm. He'll have to keep an eye out for potential spots.

[sonofagautier]

"One nap during a three-week period is not sleeping through our-" He doesn't get to finish as the line starts moving, and they're ushered into the luxury vessel. There's documents to be shown, and trainer cards to be swiped, along with a general reminder of the rules. Battles are allowed, encouraged even, but destruction of any property will accrue a hefty fine, there's a tab kept for any onboard purchases, et cetera. What Sylvain gleans is that there's a lot of money involved regardless of activity.

"I know that look," he says, leaning close to Felix after they finally make it aboard the ship proper. It's the same one he'd see when Felix was sizing up students and instructors alike at the training grounds in Garreg Mach. That eye for form and ability to gauge skill. "You're never allowed to call be insatiable again. We're on a luxury boat for vacation, in another world, mind you, and you're still looking for who you want to fight first."

When they get to their room, the first thing Sylvain does is flop backwards onto the bed, and heave a great sigh. It's nicely plush, perfect for a nap. And cuddling... and other things too. Yeah, he's looking forward to getting settled. Lazily, he waves a hand for Felix to come over.

"Decide who you're going to challenge first, or you really ruminating on it?"

[bestswordmaster]

Felix turns slightly toward Sylvain, even as his eyes remain on the other trainers wandering about. "Hmph. You'll learn soon enough that I'm hardly the only trainer here who's always ready to battle. You can't walk a single route without being challenged."

It's part of the reason Felix is so stupidly, filthy rich here.

Sylvain plops himself down on the bed immediately, which is no surprise. Felix climbs onto the bed to sit close beside him. "I've seen a few contenders. Those who don't look wealthy enough to idly afford tickets are likely those who have defeated the final gym leader of one or both regions. Worthy opponents."

He glances down at Sylvain and says, in a tone that implies he already knows how this suggestion will go, "This would be a good opportunity for you to learn how to battle, as well."

[sonofagautier]

Great, more people to fuel Felix's challenger zeal- Sylvain thinks to himself. He figures voicing it aloud might earn him one of those warning slaps on the arm. The ones where he's sure Felix thinks they're only half-hearted.

He can't really be upset though, or at all really. But it is fun to give Felix guff, so the theatrics are always on. Especially when Felix suggests, Sylvain should be battling too.

Twisting around, Sylvain hooks an arm around Felix's lean waist, and keeps him closer still. He wonders if he could get away with pretending to just... fall asleep. Hm, probably not, but worth considering to get out of any kind of training.

"Vacations are good opportunities for a lot of things. For instance: not battling, napping with me, kissing, not battling, sex, eating good food, exploring ports, and did I mention not battling?" Sylvain offers him a wry smirk from against Felix's hip. He's joking... mostly. He'll follow Felix about like a lost dog regardless of what it involves, but can Felix really blame him for trying to weasel out of effort?

[bestswordmaster]

[he wants to be the very best like no one ever was...]

Felix drops a hand down to card through Sylvain's hair idly, even as he rolls his eyes. He can blame Sylvain for that, actually!...but for once, he won't. Mostly. "Tch. Slacker. Okay, fine, but you'll at least watch my battles." He's brooking no argument on that one. How can he show off demonstrate if Sylvain's not there? Purely educational, obviously.

"You left a few things off your list. Like dancing. Surfing with Kyphon. Catching some new Pokemon, perhaps."

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain nearly purrs when his antics earn him those nice pets regardless. He picks himself up just enough look up at Felix, and it's plain something's caught his attention. It's definitely the dancing part.

"Of course I will. Who else is gonna be your personal espouser?" Did he ever think he'd end up getting to be like a lady at a jousting tournament, cheering for a handsome man's victory- and while on a boat? No. But he's not about to complain. Life is just strange like that sometimes.

"Hold on. You can't just drop something like 'dancing' and not elaborate. Since when do you dance?" A pause. "Wait, isn't Kyphon the angry, blue snake? Gara- Gero- whatever- the species is. Pretty sure he'll take a bite out of me first."

[bestswordmaster]

Felix groans suspiciously. "Do I want to know what 'personal espouser' is supposed to entail?" Because it sounds like 'draw attention to Felix,' to him. Still, Sylvain saying that of course he would watch him battle and be in his corner - Felix likes that.

"Huh?" What does he mean, since when - oh. Right. Felix didn't bother telling anyone about his secret dance practice until they got here. He rolls his eyes. "Gyarados, and no, he won't. Unless you make a nuisance of yourself."

That last bit isn't true, of course; Felix long ago proved to Kyphon that he was a trainer worth following, and Kyphon likes Sylvain besides. But Sylvain has more than earned his share of teasing, if you ask Felix.

"As for dancing, I've been studying dance since I was thirteen. In the beginning, it was just to aid in training footwork, balance, endurance - things that would improve my swordplay. Now I suppose it's...a hobby."

[sonofagautier]

"Y'know," Sylvain explains as vaguely as possible. He even adds a gesture like of course Felix is supposed to know. At least after a moment, he grins and adds, "I cheer you on. I kiss you in the winner's circle. Maybe I even scoop you up like a prize."

He wont be that embarrassing, but its always a consideration. Maybe even a threat.

Sylvain cocks a brow as Felix talks about dancing though. He waves a hand, "right, gyarados, that's it." That's not the important part though. Felix has been dancing since he was thirteen, and yet Sylvain's not known about it. It draws a frown on his expression.

"Huh. Y'know, it makes sense when I think about it. You weren't nearly as offended as I thought you'd be when the professor was trying to find a volunteer for the White Heron Cup that year. Now I'm shocked you didn't take the chance to win." Sylvain tilts his head, still faintly bothered by something. "How come I never knew about this?"

[bestswordmaster]

Felix groans. "Absolutely not. I'm not a prize. Besides, all gym matches are broadcast on the network and people take pictures of everything. I am not going to let you embarrass me in front of literally everyone."

He shrugs. "I said I danced. I didn't say I performed. Dancing in front of a crowd of people gawking at me was out of the question."

His head half-turns to glance down at Sylvain. "Because I never told you."

Valentine's Day! ♥ For Fefe

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain leaves his details vague, but he does promise Felix a gift tonight. A holiday about love? Of course he'll be participating. Though wildly carousing about isn't on his agenda anymore, that doesn't mean he plans for any less fun.

So he invites Felix out for the evening in Ecruteak. The night market seems like it ought to be the perfect venue, from what Sylvain can tell. Food and beautiful lights, probably cute handicrafts and other trinkets to look at. Hopefully the night atmosphere is a not only more relaxed, but more romantic too.

"Y'know," he chirps as they warp into the center, and Sylvain brazenly takes Felix's hand into his own. He's gotten noticeably bolder about publicly showing his affection with Felix since returning from the cruise. Not from a growth in any kind forwardness (because Sylvain's always been shameless) but in security of what they have. It just feels right, like he should have always been doing this. "I didn't think I'd find anything similar to home. But this night market sounds a lot like something I'd read about from Dagda. Have you heard of the open-air night markets?"

[bestswordmaster]

Ecruteak is a place with a lot of memories in it for Felix. For one thing, Club Medusa is here. For another, the group spent this dumb holiday here last year, which there was no way for Sylvain to know, so it's a weird coincidence. This is where they were staying when Pwyll and Rhiannon hatched, and where Dimitri took him up to the burned tower, and where he took Claude to the archery range and then they made curry. ...it's also where Sylvain fell asleep for two weeks and Felix spent his birthday holed up in their room while people left gifts by the door.

So it's a mixed bag. But the fact that Sylvain brought him here seems to him like a chance to reclaim Ecruteak, so to speak. And he brought his camera to help with that.

One thing Sylvain may or may not have expected in Ecruteak at night is the large numbers of ghost Pokemon out and about - which is the reason Felix brought Varley the Liepard to walk beside him rather than ride in her ball. Just in case.

Felix lets his hand rest comfortably in Sylvain's without fuss. It's...a relief, in a way, to see Sylvain relaxing more into the day-to-day of being together like this. It's helped Felix settle a bit, too; he doesn't feel like anything has really changed, and it doesn't feel like he's waiting for something that may or may not ever happen. It's like Sylvain said - they're just them, and it feels right.

"I have," he says, glancing around at the impromptu little shops as they pass. "My grandmother told me about them. Sometimes, when she traveled there to visit, she would bring back things for us that she bought in a market just like this one." Except without the Pokemon, presumably. "Other things here are strangely similar to Dagdan customs, too. Like their traditional styles of dance, and some of the food."

He makes a face as they pass by some couple trying on matching Luvdisc hats and being mushy and gross about it. "Ugh, come on. I'm hungry." He pulls Sylvain by the hand toward the street food carts.

♥ Felix; Birthday boy!

[sonofagautier]

Generally, Sylvain has a pretty good idea how to handle Felix's birthday. He knows the gifts he likes, the food he prefers, even the rare desserts he'll eat.

Unfortunately, he's having a hard time getting most of those things in Johto. A master smith or fletcher to commission a fine blade or bow from is not so easy here. There's the matter of vastly different ingredients in this world too. And after such a nice, but social evening at the night markets less than a week ago, Sylvain doesn't want to tire Felix with even more crowded outings like restaurants.

Which does leave him with another option he's been mulling over since the cruise, but it makes him more nervous than he cares to admit. But it's for Felix. And it's something he thinks will make this a special day for his boyfriend.

"Hey Fe," he gently prods at Felix later in the day. "Would you show me the beach we got married at?"

[bestswordmaster]

Felix's birthday is usually pretty low-key, because anyone who's known him for more than five minutes knows that he hates parties and crowds and being fawned over and all of that. Last year, it was even more low-key because Sylvain was slumbering and everyone left Felix to his isolation for the most part.

This year, it started off absolutely nowhere near low-key, because Byleth burst into their room and woke them up by loudly challenging Felix to a duel, and it almost gave him a heart attack. But it was a hell of a duel, and after that things calmed down considerably. So by the time Sylvain brings this up, Felix has to admit that his birthday this year so far has been...pleasant.

This question punches the breath out of him for a moment, as he turns to Sylvain with amazement too sudden and strong to hide. It's the question itself, of course, but it's more than that; Sylvain said the beach we got married at. Not 'you.' There's a funny tremulous feeling in his chest, like his heart is trying to vibrate out of his body.

"...I...I will. If that's what you want."

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain matches Felix's surprise with a cheeky smile, and hands folded behind his head. He knows it means a lot to Felix, so he refrains from teasing him too much. You shouldn't tease a guy on his birthday, after all. Right?

"I do. I think it's about time. Don't think this 'I love you more than life itself' feeling is gonna go away at this point." His smile softens to something sweeter, more gentle.

[bestswordmaster]

Look at this idiot, with his dumb handsome smile and ability to say these things so casually, as if...as if they're just a given. Because he knows that's easier for Felix to handle than if he made a big deal out of it. It's more comfortable, and that's perfect for them, because no one else has ever made Felix feel so comfortable - with himself, with their relationship. Comfortable in the knowledge that Sylvain will always be the one who never abandons him.

Felix swallows and tries to stay composed, but it takes him a few seconds to make words come out. "...good." Or a word, at least. This is ridiculous, he tells himself; he's gotten married to Sylvain once already, why is he suddenly a mess all over again?

Well, probably because from Sylvain's perspective now, that didn't happen.

He licks his lips, the only outward concession he'll make to the nervous energy bubbling up inside him. "Let's go right now, then."

[sonofagautier]

He doesn't prod or tease when Felix seems to struggle for words. His smile is as even-keel as ever, patient as always. He can tell when Felix is nervous, but this seems less like the macabre, anxious kind of energy, and something more akin to the giddy realization of something, as Felix so eloquently put it, good.

Sylvain closes the gap between them to press a kiss to Felix's forehead in a soothing gesture. His hand then finds Felix's, and tugs.

"Lead on then, handsome."

[bestswordmaster]

Felix rolls his eyes at the pet name, but he can't keep a small smile off his face as he grips Sylvain's hand and does, indeed, lead on.

The trip is longer than Felix would like, but once they arrive at the Pokecenter in Olivine, the walk to the beach is short and pleasant. The weather is just about the same as it was when they first came here - chilly, but not cold enough to keep a couple of Faerghans away. That day, Felix came out to the beach to find Sylvain sitting in the surf, in better spirits than he had been in since before his long sleep. That was the day they'd decided to have the wedding on that beach.

The sun is close to setting when they get there and the beach is empty of people. Felix steps onto the sand and stops just to look out over the ocean. He'd come to really like the sound of the waves after a while living in Olivine, and when he glances up at Sylvain, the sea breeze tousles that hearth-flame hair exactly as it did then.

"...here it is."

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain follows after wordlessly. Which is strange for him, but he's got a lot to think about right now. It's been some months since his arrival in Johto, and he's felt steady for the first time in a long while despite being so far from home. Time simply feels quieter out here, less like it hounds him to the minute. Like there's moments like these to spare. It'd be nice to be happy here, he's come to that conclusion at least. Which entails a few things.

So when they arrive, and Sylvain looks out over the same calm waters Felix does, he feels his heart leap into his throat. It's beautiful out here. The sunset bleeds a rainbow of colors across the water and sky, and wind picks up a gentle breeze.

It would be a beautiful venue for a wedding, wouldn't it?

There's an even longer lapse of silence, Sylvain caught in the web of his thoughts. Vaguely, he's aware of himself, of them, of Felix's warmth beside him.

It takes a while, but eventually, Sylvain finds the courage within himself to speak.

He mumbles when he speaks at last, lacking his usually flippant tone. "I know it's only been a few months here. But I've known you my whole life. I think that's the part that matters."

Sylvain's throat feels tight. It shouldn't be so hard to just say these things. But it's the meaning behind them. That Sylvain's finally ready to let go of what he thinks will hurt him.

"It's a beautiful spot to get married. I wouldn't mind, y'know..."

[bestswordmaster]

Sylvain is so quiet that Felix starts to worry, but he doesn't fill the silence - it's not his style. He just holds onto Sylvain's hand instead, hoping that will be enough.

Being back here after everything, with Sylvain once again by his side, brings back some of the intense feelings he struggled with that day last April. Struggled, even though they were intensely positive, because he hadn't been that happy in years, and it was overwhelming. And for once, he let himself be overwhelmed instead of trying so hard to hold those feelings back that they spilled out as anger. He let himself smile without reservation, spoke the truth that was deep in his heart - he even let himself cry a little. All for Sylvain, so that he would know without any doubt that Felix loved him for who he was, and that he made Felix happy.

(Hell, he let everyone throw them a party. Never has there been a clearer sign that Felix loves Sylvain more than anything else in the world, truly.)

The silence stretches on and Felix lets it. He's not sure what's going through Sylvain's mind right now. For his own part, Felix is beginning to realize that there are things he needs to let go of, too. And...letting go of things has never been his strong suit, regardless of the advice he often gives aggressively to others. But it isn't fair to Sylvain to keep expecting him to trail behind his own footsteps.

He turns to look at Sylvain when he finally speaks up. "You...wouldn't mind what, exactly?"

[sonofagautier]

It's a good question. Sylvain's nebulous answer is a result of his own worries fogging out a direct answer, and he's perfectly aware of that. So he tries to gather himself, and formulate this in a cohesive way.

"I wouldn't mind getting married here," he tries again. "I wouldn't mind getting married... no, I-" except he would. If it was anyone but Felix, he absolutely would mind. But this is Felix. He already promised Felix his life, and his death. Marriage doesn't seem so far off when he thinks of it that way.

"You make me happy, Fe. Truly, in a way I can't quite describe. I wouldn't mind getting married to you, here."

[bestswordmaster]

I wouldn't mind getting married to you here.

Felix knows he should be glad to hear that - he should be elated. Sylvain came all this way just to see the place where Felix had married him, to decide whether or not he was ready, and now he's saying he is. It would be easy to simply accept this and move forward.

But with the way Sylvain stammers and hesitates, the way he seems to be debating with himself - this isn't right. It doesn't feel right. Not all of it, at least. Some of it, though...he makes Sylvain happy. He has made Sylvain happy, here in this world, in the present. That's worth a hundred weddings all on its own.

Still, his heart pounds as he moves to face Sylvain rather than stand beside him, still holding onto his hand. "Sylvain...I'm glad, but...I don't want you to do this for me. If you're going to do it, do it because it's what you want. 'I don't mind' isn't the same thing as 'I want to.' And..."

Felix looks up, letting their eyes meet. "And if you did want to, I wouldn't ask you to do it here. Don't...don't try to fill your own shoes. Forget that you were here before and act for your own happiness, here and now. I don't want to marry you in a place you don't remember for yourself, in the shadow of a past you never lived, out of some feeling of obligation to live up to my memories. I want to marry you somewhere that means something to you. To us."

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain meets his gaze, and smiles. There's a quiet lapse between them, Sylvain seeming to be searching Felix's eyes for something. He doesn't explain what, but whatever it is, he sighs when he finds it. The soft smile broadens.

"I don't deserve you," he mutters quietly. It's not self-flagellating, just a soft, almost wistful musing that he really has ended up with his soulmate. Something he swore was stupid and unrealistic for a lot of years. But the gentle way Felix gives him permission to live free of so many expectations is a blessing for Sylvain.

"But I want to be worth all this love. And I know you'll say I already am. But I want to do better. I want to feel worth it, like I've earned it. Like I've made a life for us, together. So yes, I want to marry you. Let's find somewhere that can be ours."