M!Alflear week will commence on January 27th, 2024.
In addition to hosting the shipping week on Tumblr, there will also be an AO3 collection for fanfics. The collection can be found here: AO3 Alflear Week Collection. The collection will be open for submissions on the first day of M!Alflear week.
Guidelines
As this is an M!Alflear shipping week, please submit only M!Alear x Alfred. There is a F!Alflear shipping week running in January here for F!Alear works! @alflearweek
Tag your posts with #m!alflear week and @ mention this blog. There may be issues with Tumblr's tagging system, so to make sure I will see your posts, please mention the blog.
As this ship week is open to all ages, this blog will only reblog SFW work.
If you have an AO3 account, feel free to submit your fanfics to the Alflear Week AO3 Collection.
The prompts are a guide and open-ended. You can create using just one prompt, or you can combine all three. Late submissions are also OK.
Prompts
Day 1 | bed-ridden/sleep/firsts
Day 2 | flowers/training/dragons
Day 3 | embroidery/rings/inseparable
Day 4 | Lythos/Firene/Somniel
Day 5 | "For you, anything"/small joys/family
Day 6 | leadership/hope/lifespan
Day 7 | gifts
This day is different from the others. Rather than follow a prompt, you will create something inspired by or for another person.
This can range from gift art/fanfiction for a mutual to making fanart for a fanfic to simply making something you think another person would like. You can also take art requests for this day. Itās up to you!
Choose a friend, a stranger, or someone you admire and create a special Alflear piece for them.
I'm very excited to host M!Alflear shipping week! The ask box is open to questions. You can also drop an ask to share Alflear headcanons or share some fic recs.
Reblogging this post is a great help for visibility. I'd appreciate it a lot if you shared this with other FE Engage and Alflear fans!
So, this is a preview of my offering for day six of @malflearweek. Day four was a deliberate break, and day five was a less deliberate break because I ended up having to stay 13 hours at work (compared to 'only' 11 hours today). I don't want to rush out more stories I'm not fully satisfied with, so the completed fics for today's and yesterday's prompts will appear...at some point in the future.
Anyway, for now here's this!
His first memory of visiting the Somniel is hazy, dreamlike. Five or six years old, and excited because it was his first trip outside of Firene, to the holy shores of Lythos and then the private sanctum which floated overhead like a cloud. His caretakers impressed the etiquette on him beforehand, how he needed to be on his best behaviour, show due reverence to Queen Lumera and her sleeping child (not that he was capable of causing much trouble back then, besides chattering on silly topics until his breath ran out). A blur of perfect blue skies, delicate white flowers, and curtains of translucent gauze encircling an altar-bed. A figure lying still and silent as the grave, and he had to believe the adults, insisting it wasn't actually death and simply a long, healing slumber.
Queen Lumera's son was a heroic warrior, in the terrible struggle against Fell Dragons a thousand years ago. Struck down by a near-fatal blow, but not before his actions saved all of Elyos for generations to come. Alfred's mother told him the story, and shook her head sadly when he asked if a magical sleep like that would help make him better, too. They aren't Divine Dragons, only humans, so it doesn't work the same way.
Seven years old, and the memories are clearer. That was a bad year, and sometimes he sat miserably confined in a wheelchair, because his legs couldn't be trusted to stand firm, and his lungs couldn't be trusted to draw enough air for activity. Still, when he heard that his family were planning a visit to the Somniel, he begged not to be left behind. He remembers the slow, stubborn struggle of climbing each step to the enchanted bedchamber, to kneel between his parents in prayer, proving he was capable of that without needing to be carried. Queen Lumera waited patiently, indulging a sickly little boy's yearning for inclusion.
Nine years old, and Alfred was growing taller ā though not so tall or strong as he wanted ā but the figure on the altar looked just the same, peaceful and unchanging. He didn't look injured either, and maybe that meant the spell working on him was almost complete, and soon he'd wake up. Queen Lumera smiled, when Alfred voiced that thought. Perhaps even a goddess liked to hear words of reassurance, sometimes.
Once, Alfred asked her what the Dragon Child was like as an actual child, when he was Alfred's age. Was he obedient or mischievous, lively or shy? What games did he like to play? Did they play the same things a thousand years ago? Instead of answering though, Queen Lumera only said something vague and sad, and then Alfred felt guilty. He'd thought she might enjoy it, reminiscing about when her son was awake, but maybe it only reminded her of what she'd lost. So he didn't ask again, after that.
Eleven, barely. Fatherless and forlorn, in the months since the epidemic's shadow lifted from Firene. Of course they had to wait until all symptoms vanished before travelling, to ensure it couldn't spread. Of course the symptoms lingered in him more than anyone else, brewing restlessness and frustration. He didn't want to act badly though, to upset his mother or sister. For their sake, it was important to try and smile, to be brave for them rather than a burden.
Finally, it was deemed safe. Boarding the ship at Florra Port ā the Seablossom which always carried the royal family, with its specially embroidered sails ā felt like closing a chapter on their sorrows, as the fresh ocean breezes whirled around him. A return to their normal lives, in a healing realm. Even if only three of them would be crossing to Lythos, this time...
After the standard rituals of their Somniel visit, his mother retired to speak with Queen Lumera alone, in a corner of the tranquil gardens where they wouldn't be disturbed. At the time, Alfred assumed they just wanted a friendly chat, but looking back with an adult's perspective, there were likely politics in play that afternoon, tensions hidden beneath the sunny surface. Mother was worried that Brodia might take advantage of her kingdom's weakened state, wasn't she? She wanted to ask where Lythos stood, if they'd offer support or remain neutral, and didn't like to discuss that in front of the children. Later she'd secure the pact of non-aggression, but it was only in draft at that point, no firm guarantee of safety.
But Alfred wasn't worried, oblivious to such grown-up problems, so while the queens handled matters of state and Vander took Celine to pick peaches in the orchard, he wandered back up to the altar. Trusted as harmless, no longer contagious, and too pious for pranks in a place like this.
Celine sometimes gave him a light scolding, for telling foolish things to the Dragon Child besides prayers. Alfred insisted he'd like it though, hearing something new instead of the same old words repeated every time. Stories of the dolphins who followed the Seablossom, and horse riding lessons, and the delicious marmalade the castle's new chef made. Nothing bad, nothing about plagues or sorrows that might disturb sacred dreams, only the good stuff. Sharing small joys with a person who couldn't go out and find his own.
Maybe if he knew more about all the different things happening in the world, it would encourage him to wake up faster and join in. Queen Lumera's stories made him sound amazing, so surely everyone would be happier, getting to meet him at last.
Thirteen, and another level of appreciation was forming for that lovely face, with its eternally gentle aura. Alfred had enough sense to keep that thought to himself, though. Besides, there was a limit to how attractive someone could actually be, simply lying around, lacking animation or a voice. Like a painting the artist had sketched out, but not filled in the colours yet.
There was no official rule forbidding weird thoughts about deities ā and Alfred's family didn't follow those niche religious branches that tried to shame people into chastity ā but Queen Lumera showed no inclination to find a king, and never mentioned the father of her child. After a thousand years, maybe personal interests like that just...faded away. Which seemed lonely, but then again, Alfred's mother barely spoke of his father anymore, after a much shorter span of time. It made his chest hurt to dwell on too much ā a duller, heavier, less panicky sensation than one of his attacks ā and so he decided not to.
Fifteen, and he ignored Celine's sideways stare as he chattered to the dormant dragon, mentioning his retainers and exercise regimes. There was an upcoming festival too, his favourite of the year. Oh, but when the Divine One finally wakes then there's bound to be a huge, once in a lifetime celebration! So he'd better wake soon, because Alfred would hate to miss out on that. Celine sighed, but then in the Somniel's always-perfect sunlight ā radiance softened by the layered curtains of this chamber ā she smiled a little at her incorrigible older brother.
So the years pass, and Alfred manages to keep going, past milestones everyone feared he'd never reach. Perfecting the training that help strengthen his weak frame, and lessen the strain on his heart. Cheering up everyone who needs to see a happy, prosperous Crown Prince, someone they can place their trust in. The exercises aren't just maintenance, but daily self-reassurance ā because if he can run so many laps without struggling, or complete his lance drills without a stumble, then it's solid proof he's okay, pushing back his worries. A sick person, a dying person, couldn't manage that, could they? The sentiments echo back from those around him, building his confidence, even if the muscles don't follow quite the way they should.
The Somniel visits are a family tradition, as much as a religious rite or display of political unity. Not every kingdom does it, but that's up to them. Queen Lumera is always welcoming, ageless and serene. Fresh white roses arrayed over fresh silken sheets, every inch of the chamber pristine, the most holy and well-protected sanctum in all of Elyos. And yet the figure it was arranged for never stirs, time after time.
Until finally, everything explodes into action. Corpse-like monsters invading the land, tainting the bountiful earth of Firene with malice. Rumours that the Divine Dragon was glimpsed soaring over Lythos, when her true form is so rarely taken. The decision to place Alfred on their swiftest ship, to seek guidance from their deity and ensure trouble hasn't spread to those sacred shores.
It has, though. He isn't prepared for what they face in the castle. Corrupted swarming halls where they shouldn't be able to tread, running riot against a small number of attendants. Pure white marble scorched and bloodstained.
And amidst it all, the most beautiful vision Alfred has ever seen. The Divine One, awake and vibrant and glowing with magic, floating on the gold and azure wings of an Emblem.
Pairing: Alfred/Alear
Word Count: 2,700
Summary: One thousand years in the past, a lonely soul catches a glimpse of his own future.
Written for the third day of @malflearweek (this is the one that's actually supposed to be posted today)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53289091
I'm happier with the structure and flow of this, compared to the previous piece. Starting to feel a bit like I'm spamming, but I'll be taking a break for a couple of days after this.
Pairing: Alfred/Alear
Word Count: 7,300
Summary: A moment of despair pushes Alear into an unintentional transformation, shocking his allies and galvanising his enemies. Alfred has no trouble seeing what's beneath the surface, though.
AKA a canon divergent AU where Alear gets to be a dragon.
Written for the second day of @malflearweek (shh, pretend it's still Sunday). One of the prompts was 'dragons', and when it's a choice between dragons and other stuff for me, that's not really a choice.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53341639
Additionally, I am SO MAD at this fic. It was supposed to be less than half this length. And the longer a story gets, the more it needs common themes and motifs and...stuff, so then I had to try cobbling that together, and oh then what about the romance?? orz
enjoy this unedited first draft lol. More sad Alear than Alflear, admittedly. For @malflearweek
The blizzard was cold. Nothing alive should be here. He just had to do his work for Sombronā¦ for Father. It should have been simple, solitary. But now there was someone with his face. He looked just like what he saw in the mirror, except his hair had a blue half. Instead of two crimson eyes, he had a blue one.
He could summon Emblems, too. Was he a Fell Dragon too? But those Emblems could talk. Their faces shone with life. Their hairstyles were vibrant with colors. His own Emblems looked unfeeling and lifeless. Fell Dragons didnāt need such things.
The person across from him had companions in the Emblems and a group of humans. They all rallied behind the strange dragon. He didnāt shout at them or threaten them. His voice was soft, welcoming, and responded to his followersā. It was strange. That was supposed to be a weakness. Leaders werenāt supposed to have companions. But they smiled at each other. For some reason, they all listened to him.
There was another strange thing. The human with the flower garland held his hand. He squeezed it back. The way they looked at each other, he thought this was love. Not the love he felt for his sister, or the one he wanted from Father. This was the strange love he saw in picture books.
He had to fight them. It made his stomach churn. He took so many lives already, and now he had to fell someone who looked like him. Maybe that was why everyone loved the one with his face. He didnāt look like someone who had to kill mercilessly. No, this was the thinking of a defect. It was time to fight.
The human with the flower crownā Alfred, heād heardā met his sword with a lance. He was strong, butā¦ his attacks were tepid. This, too, was strange. He had seen Alfred dispatch the corrupted with ease. He only needed a single, mighty swing. Now, when engaged in combat with a distinct advantage, this human couldn't disarm him.He locked eyes with his opponent. The fierce anger that burned when he fought the corrupted dissipated. Instead, he looked sad. Perhaps not sad, but pity, he realized. For him, a defect? For him, someone who couldn't fully silence the swirl of doubt in his heart? Could a dragon like him be pitied?
It was the one with his face who struck him down, his hands trembling around his sword. Even at the brink of defeat, he was pitied. They were stronger than him. They should use it to finish him off. He shouldn't be here anymore. But they just faded into the snowstorm, their dark figures knit together as one.
He wasnāt strong. He could not love. What did he have? The last of his energy drained out as he lay in the snow, he dreamed about what it was like to be loved.ā¦From the distance, a dragon with luminous blue hair approached.
(Still a WIP, so I plan to finish it later.) for @malflearweek
--
The first time it happened, his head could just about peek over the bed the Divine Dragon slept upon. Alfred didnāt need to stand on his tiptoes to see the wisps of blue and red hair framing the Divine Dragonās cheeks, but he still couldnāt see his entire face. His mother had lifted him up a few times to see the Divine Dragon fully, and Alfred vaguely recalled his shirt had two large dark blue lines. But from this angle, he could only see a criss-crossing golden pattern and a lot of white.
He loved coming here. Most of his days were spent in bed or visiting the doctor. His mother had said he needed to do physical therapy in order to get stronger. He liked the idea of getting stronger, but he also wanted a friend. He wanted someone else to talk to about his day or about the flowers he saw from the castle windows.Ā Everyone told him the Divine Dragon was listening carefully and lovingly to those who visited him. So even if Alfred didnāt get a direct reply back, it was fine.Ā
āHi, Divine One! Itās Alfred. Wait, umā¦.ā He clasped his hands in prayer. āDivine One, thank you for allowing me into your sacred place of rest. Okay, that should be good, right? I wanna tell you about my day!
āToday I saw some hummingbirds in the garden! They were so small and fast, they just zoomed past me. They really liked the flowers, too. And then, Mother taught me how to make a flower crown. She called it something likeā¦ ger land? I forgot!
āI wish you could see the flower crown Iām wearing today. Maybe Iāll make one for you, too. I donāt think itās disturr, um, disturbing your sleep if I put it on very quietly. Maybe Iāll get really good at it, and then I can make lots for my little sister! She is still a baby, so Iāll have to make little ones. I would make lots of flower crowns for my friends. But I don't know when I'll see them again.
āI just want to have more friends aroundā¦ I mean, you are my friend, too, but you canāt play tag with me or practice duels, or walk with me in the gardenā¦
ā...Unless you woke up right now! You donāt wanna be stuck in bed either, right? Then we could be best friends! Hm. Maybe you just need helpā¦ nghā¦ā
Alfred stood on his tiptoes and stretched out an arm for anywhere he could reach. His fingers brushed against some fabric from the Divine Dragonās sleeves. He repeatedly grasped at that area until a clump of white and gold was firm in his hold. Then, he tugged.
āPlease?ā he whispered, timid. His mother had told him many times to never disturb the Divine Dragonās slumber. Reminded of her words, Alfred reluctantly allowed the fabric to slip from his fingers. Shame burned his cheeks.
āIām sorry, Divine One. I think we have to be friends just like this, with you sleeping. But can you wake up someday soon, please? Then, Iāll show you the pretty flowers in Firene and watch butterflies. Or maybe we could even see a deer! And Iāll make you a flower crown!ā
---
Alfred was sure the second time was an accident. He had outgrown his childhood fantasies of playing tag with the Divine Dragon, after all, and the weight of his responsibilities began to settle on his conscience. He visited the Somniel less often, now that his health had improved and other activities filled his daily life. Every time he came, though, lifted his spirits.
āMy retainers are my trusted friends, Etie and Boucheron. Getting to train with two of the strongest people I knowā¦ Divine One, I couldnāt be happier! Oh, youāre really strong too. You vanquished the Fell Dragon before! Itās a shame we canāt practice sparring matches together, butā¦ but anything could happen. Right?
āNo doubt youāre listening to me, because you have given me the strength to be a prince to my people, and I am grateful. A lot of it was my own work, too, but you really are a true friend, looking out after me. So you know my deepest wish. I get it, you need more time to heal from your wounds, more time than I neededā¦ butā¦
āI am scared, Divine One. What will happen to me? I wish I knew what you were thinking right now. Can you share a sign, anything?ā Alfred scanned the Divine Dragonās face for any response, a twitch of the nose, a deeper breath than usual, maybe even a smile.Ā
Those words were a mere suggestion, not even taken form, when he noticed the hands folded across the Divine Dragonās chest twitched. Alfredās eyes widened. A low, short grunt emerged from the body lying in front of him.
Alfred heard his heartbeat accelerate. Could it be? All those years of his childhood dreaming of seeing the Divine Dragonās eyes with his own, realized? After a moment passed without incident, he exhaled. He would just have to train more, eat well, work hard and perhaps, one day, he could share his joy with the one who was there for him for all his years.
Pairing: Alfred/Alear
Word Count: 2,000
Summary: For the first time, someone besides the Divine Dragon sleeps and wakes on the Somniel's altar.
Written for the first day of @malflearweek
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53287048
As I mentioned the other day, this is the most pointless fluff I have ever written and I'm sorry. Unless pointless fluff is what you want to read, in which case, enjoy?
m!Alfear Week will begin on January 27th, less than a day from now! If you are planning to write fanfiction for it, you are encouraged to also submit it to the [AO3 collection].
The collection is now open for submissions from January 27th (0:00 GMT) and will be accepting them until February 5th, two days after the end of Alflear Week.
