Title: to dare, to accept
Rating: G
Fandom: Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem (FE12)
Relationship: Katarina/Kris
Wordcount: 300
Short summary: Katarina has a new place to belong to, all thanks to one person.
Katarina knows that everything is fine, has been told everything is fine, but still with each step she takes, with each bit of distance that closes between her and the comrades that she betrayed, she wonders if it is truly alright. If they watch her with judgment, question the validity of her continued life, her existence in this space. If they talk behind closed doors disparagingly, wondering how dare this traitorous woman is allowed to once again walk these halls, sit at these tables, and eat this food. If they wonder why this woman is allowed to stand beside Kris, the one who stands as Marth’s shadow.
Katarina falters. Yes, they are right. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t exist…
“Katarina?”
She was just a weapon. She was just used. And now she has no purpose…
“Katarina!”
Katarina opens her eyes. She finds worried eyes looking back at her. She feels fingers against her cheek, caressing the skin there.
“What…” The rest of her sentence is stopped by a finger, a singular finger against her lips.
“It’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”
The finger lingers for a moment longer before it is withdrawn. Katarina follows the motion with her eyes. Oh, what is Kris doing… her hand? Kris is going to hold her hand?
“Let’s go.”
Kris is holding her hand. Kris is going to walk by her side. Kris is going to lead her past everyone like a bright light and protect her like a shield. Kris is going to dare everyone to make a fuss but fight anyone that raises one. It’s just…so much. Too much to process fully. But…
“Okay.”
What else can Katarina do but accept Kris’ hand? Because Kris is daring Katarina to reject this, but Katarina…she won’t. She never will.