#drydenxmillerna

[pethfics]

ESCAFLOWNE WEEK 2026 DAY SIX: MYSTERIES OF GAEA/RUINS

Title: Rebuilding from the Rubble

Summary: Dryden finds a fascinating artifact that shows how people can recover from disasters. He reflects on how this knowledge from the past can help ensure Gaea's future.

FF.NET

AO3

@escaflowneweek

[pethfics]

ESCAFLOWNE WEEK 2021 DAY 4: ROYALTY/THE LOVERS (Parts 1 and 2)

*This fountain is a crucial set piece.

Title: Aston Captives

Summary: 

Dryden Fassa finds an unlikely kindred spirit in the former Strategos of Zaibach as they realize they have both been enchanted by an Aston princess.

Musical Inspiration: 1, 2, 3

Note:

I've had the idea for this fic since at least 2018.  Here is the Dryden and Folken buddy story that grew from a one-shot to a trilogy. Such fun to write though. Dryden is one of my favorite characters because he is such a cool cat and a refreshing contrast against the brash and serious major male characters. He is always fun to write and I think he and Folken would get along swimmingly so it was great to write a scene for them to just hang out and discover what they have in common. This is my favorite piece for this week. I finally get to indulge in my ships and it is glorious.

[konstantya]

MillernaxDryden too so since we're talking.

When I started shipping it:  THE MOMENT THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER IN CANON.  (Millerna, girlfriend, I know you’re all about Allen, but that boy is so bad for you, seriously.)

My thoughts:  They are adorable, and I love them, and they have enough tension/unresolved issues between them in canon that I actually find their relationship interesting in a way I don’t normally when it comes to canon ships.  (Sorry, VanxHitomi, I do love you guys, but canon sorted things out pretty well for you, I feel.)

What makes me happy about them:  The way they interact.  Dryden is a big, borderline-obnoxious dork, but he’s also a very decent dude, who realizes that Millerna needs some space, and then proceeds to give it to her.  Basically, I just think they complement each other very well, and Dryden strikes me as a liberal sort of guy who would be very supportive of Millerna’s medical endeavors, so win-win, yes?

What makes me sad about them:  Not a whole lot, to be honest.  Maybe the fact that their wedding was ruined and Dryden ended up injured?  No wedding night for you guys—though I’m inclined to think Dryden wouldn’t push for sex right away, anyway, and would instead wait until Millerna was ready.

Things done in fanfic that annoy me:  I admittedly don’t read a whole lot of fic involving them, and this isn’t even something I’ve come across very often, but I do find it a little…unbelievable, shall we say, when Dryden is characterized as a virgin.  (Not that I don’t think he’s responsible when it comes to sex, but he definitely strikes me as the kind of guy who knows his way around a lady.)

Things I look for in fanfic:  Hmm, good question...  Like I said, I don’t really go out of my way to read a lot of DrydenxMillerna, but I guess it would be nice to read about how they get back together and iron out their differences.  A lot of fics (understandably) just kind of assume everything works out and they live happily ever after.

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other:  Despite how I love them together, a part of me is dearly fond of the idea that Millerna, fed up with societies’ expectations of what a woman should be and do, runs off with Celena post-series and becomes a wandering healer/doctor, with Celena as her bodyguard, and they eventually fall in lesbians.  And I kind of like the idea of GaddesxMillerna.  (But then again, I pretty much like the idea of GaddesxANYONE.  He is a sexy, sexy everyman, a capable soldier, and doesn’t seem to have any of those chauvinistic hang-ups about women that his boss does.)  As for Dryden…that’s a bit trickier.  A part of me wishes I could get behind DrydenxEries (I like the way they play off each other, and like to imagine that she is/becomes one of his advisers), but at the same time, I have a hard time seeing their relationship actually go the “romance” route.  But he’s a decent fella; I’m sure if Millerna ran off, he’d eventually get over his broken heart and settle down happily with some other lady.  (Maybe he can hook back up with Sylphie, and they can have sweet inter-species love.  I joke, but I’m also semi-serious.  XD)

My happily-ever-after for them:  Dryden comes back, they work out their differences, and proceed to start giving Grava and Meiden some grandbabies.  Then they rule Asturia with wisdom and compassion and they are, like, the most beloved king and queen EVER.

What is their favorite non-sexual activity:  Shit, I was going to say “Millerna playing doctor with him,” but it says non-sexual.  XD  I think they’d get a kick out of doing volunteer work together.  Bringing needed goods and (medical) services to those who need it, you know?