(this is a birthday gift for my dear friend @silversouls !! i was gonna write this for another chara originally especially since we know next to nothing about fáfnir so far but since they love him so much i decided to challenge myself and just try to write this off of my predictions for his character and further what i think he might be like after redeeming himself !!)
notes: this takes place around a year or two after book V, and pretty much everything is my speculation and going off some vague ideas and interpretations i have!
also this isnt exactly a songfic but the dynamic i tried to write is kinda based off of the song take care by beach house !!
You recognize the voice on the other side of your door immediately. Had it been anyone else, you probably would be able to open the door immediately, but seeing as it's Fáfnir, you allow yourself a few seconds to collect yourself and calm your fluttering heart.
When you open the door, he's standing in the hallway, patiently waiting for you.
"Yes? What is it?" You smile at him.
"Well..." Suddenly, Fáfnir seems a little bit... nervous, maybe.
"I came to ask you if you would like to spend the day with me. I know since today is your birthday, the other heroes will probably want to congratulate you, but I was hoping... If you get a few free moments, that is..."
"Oh!" You break into a smile. "Of course! I'd love that!"
Fáfnir smiles softly as well. You can tell he's a little bit relieved - was he that nervous to ask you?
"So," You step out of your room, closing the door behind you. "Did you have any specific plans?"
As soon as your hand leaves the doorknob, Fáfnir takes it in his own as if the movement came to him naturally.
He looks at your hand in his for a short moment before speaking up again.
"I was thinking that we could maybe go on a picnic. Or just a walk together. Really, any time spent with you is good enough in my book."
You smile to yourself. Knowing Fáfnir, he had probably already thoroughly prepared a picnic - his additional suggestions were just a courtesy in case you didn't actually want to go.
"A picnic sounds nice," You tell him after a moment of silence.
Fáfnir smiles again and nods before starting to walk off towards the gate. You follow behind him, your hand still in his.
It doesn't take long for you to reach the castle hall, even if multiple heroes approach you along the way to wish you a happy birthday.
Once you pass through the halls and out the gate, Fáfnir leads you towards the gardens. The way there is familiar to both of you, thanks to many afternoons spent there in each others arms.
Today, the scenery looks slightly different, thanks to the addition of a picnic blanket and a basket that's filled to the brim with various kinds of food.
The sight makes you smile, and you let go of Fáfnir's hand to hurry to the blanket, letting yourself fall on your knees next to the basket.
"You did all this? For me?" You stare up at the man in front of you, waiting for him to sit on the blanket as well.
He kneels down opposite to you and gives you a slight smile once more.
"Reginn had to help me prepare the food. But yes, I did this in preparation for your birthday. I hope you like the idea."
You beam at him. "I do! Thank you!"
Fáfnirs eyes are adoring and kind as he takes in your word and watches you sitting in front of him.
When you look up at him now, he seems worlds apart from the mad king you had originally come to know him as. Suddenly, you are filled with a deep sense of achievement thinking about how far both him and you have come. Steered by raw emotion, you reach out and take his hand once more. You feel inclined to tell him what you're thinking or how you feel, but when you lift your gaze to meet his eyes you realize no words could do this feeling justice.
After a moment of peaceful, understanding silence amongst the two of you, you let go of his hand again and start fiddling with the sleeves of your coat.
It's clear that, even though both of you already know what the other has to say, both of you want to speak up and voice it anyways.
"Before we actually get started," Fáfnir finally speaks, "I would like to express my gratitude towards you."
"Oh!" You give him a questioning look. "Gratitude? For what? You're the one who went through all this trouble for my birthday, you-"
"Not for anything like that. I... I have been thinking about the past again, these past few days, and I couldn't help but remember all that you've done for me." Fáfnir is quiet for a moment. "I hope you're aware that without you, I could have never gotten this far."
You grin. "That makes me happy to hear! I'm glad you think so."
"I do." Fáfnir respons. "Summoner, I... I know i have told you this a thousand times already, but I hope you know that I mean it every single time. I love you."
You blush. It's true, this is by far not your first time hearing those words from him, but that doesn't lessen their effect at all.
"Thank you! I... I Iove you too, of course!"
You're obviously flustered, which Fáfnir finds adorable. Even after hearing it from him for so many times, his declaration of love never lost any of it's impact.
"So!" You clasp your hands together excitedly.
"Do you wanna get to the actual picnic part now?"
Fáfnir laughs in response, and his voice is remarkably soft. You can't help but smile for what feels like the hundreth time just this morning.
Looking at Fáfnir fills you with a deep, profound joy.
You can tell that he's happy, and right now, so are you.
notes: like i said this is almost 100% speculative and fáfnirs characterisation is based pretty much solely on what we know of his past so far and also the few voice lines we've already gotten! so don't take this too seriously regarding that aspect!! <33
