Title: that handbook
Rating: G
Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses
Relationship: Felix Hugo Fraldarius/Claude von Riegan
Wordcount: 742
Short summary: When Claude returns to his room, he finds that Felix has found his own old student handbook, the one Claude had taken long ago…
“Well that’s all done and done. Time for some rest and relaxation!”
Claude is whistling when he returns to his bedroom, knowing that inside Felix is likely waiting for him. Sure, it might be with a scowl from utter boredom, but it’s not like Claude could do much about the fact that the Riegan family needed Claude to take care of some last business before jetting off to Almyra, and, well, he owed it to his grandfather who took care of him despite his heritage and despite being a runaway…
But he’s no longer a runaway now. He’ll be returning with experience, knowledge, and multiple plans. And if one of them includes having the best swordsman of Fódlan at his side…
“Why do you have this?”
Claude blinks twice, taken aback by the object that Felix thrusts at his face. Oh, that thing. The Garreg Mach Academy student handbook, the one that happened to belong to a certain Felix Hugo Fraldarius.
“Oh, so you really did go through my stuff. I know I said it was okay but…”
“Why.”
Claude can’t help but raise a hand to his face, to shield his embarrassment. “Well… I wanted to remember you.” He chuckles dryly. “Even back then.”
It’s not like Claude ever thought he would make real bonds with anyone while he was at Garreg Mach. He was coming in as an outsider with a purposely obscured past, to observe and learn and manipulate. But something about that harsh but strong presence, that incredible straightforward honesty… Claude had desired it almost immediately.
“Claude…”
Claude laughs. “I know you got in trouble when it went missing. But I did let Manuela know that I had taken it.”
Claude hadn’t thought a lost handbook was such a big deal, but apparently there was a black market for them, for people who wanted to pretend they had been academy graduates. When Claude had confessed that he wanted it because he liked Felix (which wasn’t too much of a lie), she had fallen for his “lovesick pining” hook and sinker.
“She actually let the whole situation slide because of that.”
Felix scowls. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Claude had, at that time, played up his feelings for Felix. But a few months later he had found himself truly pining for the dark-haired swordsman.
“It’s only a bunch of scratched out notes,” Felix grumbles as he flips through the pages. “There aren’t even any pictures in here.”
“Oh, that wouldn’t be a problem,” Claude replies nonchalantly. “It’s not like I’d ever forget your face.”
Felix blushes. “You…”
Claude grins. “Yeah, yeah, I know. But hey, my visual memory is pretty good. Just need a little trigger and I can imagine the whole scene in my mind. Your scowl as your pen etched into the paper, probably internally grumbling about all the idiocy around you…”
“And you.”
“Huh?” Claude is not sure how to take Felix’s words. Hopefully it meant something good?
“I…thought about you,” Felix says as he closes the book and holds it to his chest. “Back then.”
Claude raises an eyebrow. “Oh? You haven’t told me this story before.”
“Well, it’s nothing big.” Felix shrugs. “I thought about transferring to the Golden Deer because of Byleth, but then there was you.”
“You didn’t…think well of me back then.”
Felix scoffs. “I didn’t think well of…”
“Anyone, I know.”
A moment of silence passes. Claude thinks about changing the subject so that they don’t end of this awkward down note, but then Felix continues.
“I thought you were flashy, dangerous.” He pauses as he sets the book aside. “Annoying.”
Claude is not sure if he wants to roll his eyes or sigh. Instead he asks more neutrally, “And now?”
Felix shakes his head. “All of those things, but also…way too sentimental.”
Claude laughs. “I guess that’s true…” He finally reaches for the book Felix set aside. Having been at the bottom of his box of belongings transported from the Garreg Mach dormitory, it’s not in the best of condition. But nothing of note spilled on it and destroyed the contents, at least, so Claude takes that as a win. Even if Felix thinks it’s junk…
“But do you actually mind?”
Felix shrugs. “Not really.”
Claude smiles. “Good.”
Because what Felix hasn’t found yet, in the box that had his old handbook, is Claude’s fake student handbook. If Felix ever does find it and looks into its contents, well…