This fic is inspired by another comic that @geminid has drawn. The comic tells about how Takumi asked Leo to teach him magic and the satisfactory results of his hard work. When I saw this comic, I wanted to make a fic where Takumi continued his magic lessons with Leo, since his Day of Devotion alt in Fire Emblem Heroes is a magic user instead of an archer.
He would also teach Leo archery in return since there’s more magic users than archers in Nohr. At least to me, but you guys can let me know if I’m wrong. And Leo’s Day of Devotion alt is an archer too, like the two switched classes just for that particular event. Hmmmm…
Anyways, no warnings for this fic so enjoy the story!
Takumi
“You’ve come quite a ways since learning the Fire spell, Prince Takumi.”
“T-Thanks Leo, but that’s only because you’re a great teacher.”
Takumi still couldn’t believe that they’ve known each other for a year and yet, the time that they knew each other as enemies felt so much longer. More like a completely different life that he reincarnated from like in one of those ‘other world’ novels he read once. The differences couldn’t be any more clear and honestly despite everything he experienced, he was glad he met Leo.
They had quite a lot in common and some of the same tastes in reading, foods, and even games they enjoy playing. Sure there was a lot of denial of them ever being friends or even more than that when they first started talking to each other, but as they kept running into each other, their relationship gradually warmed up until it bloomed into the bond they have now.
Heck, Takumi never even considered having any magical potential until he asked Leo for magic lessons one day. He told Leo that it would help wield his Fujin Yumi better, but it was actually an excuse to hang out with him more and maybe a little bit worried that their routine was getting stale at the time.
Now, he was learning his third element of the five known elements of their world, Wind, and probably the element that Takumi probably might have the best affinity for according to Leo. His Fujin Yumi practically uses arrows made out of wind magic or something similar. But he needed to learn how to use magic in general before thinking of experimenting with Wind.
He got off to a great start with learning Fire, though it didn’t take quite as long to learn Thunder as it did with the first element. Light and Dark though, he felt like he needed more practice with the other elements before attempting those two.
Today he was in the training area suited for practicing magic. Leo had explained it was the best place to practice without breaking anything important because he admitted with an embarrassed blush that he had accidentally made a mess when he first learned Wind and wanted Takumi’s first time practicing the element to go much smoother than his first time did.
Takumi had a hard time believing it, let alone imagining Leo of all people making a mess, but he did appreciate Leo’s assistance in this endeavor. He admitted he was a little bit curious as to how much wind affinity he had. Guess they’ll find out.
“Okay, you remember how you manifested the Fire spell by imagining burning flames bursting from your fingertips, correct?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Well, with the Wind element, beginners have better luck with imagining wind swirling around their fingers or sharpening wind into blades that they can swing around or launch towards their opponents similar to summoning a fireball with Fire magic. Does it make sense so far?”
Takumi nodded, remembering the explanation from his first magic lesson. It took a while to figure out how to use his untapped magic potential and bring out the power in a tome, but it all paid off in spades. He listened as Leo continued his explanation. Unlike with Fire which can only be summoned in the form of a ball, Takumi has a bit more versatility with shaping the Wind magic like a blade or chain so the only thing Takumi had to worry about was the shape of the spell he wanted to use.
But he decided that summoning the Wind spell into a ball was a safer choice than a blade or twister as it would make less of a mess. With the go ahead from Leo, Takumi opened up the tome and started to cast the spell, closing his eyes in concentration. He started to move his free hand, imagining the air currents forming into a ball.
Though Takumi was trying to use as little power as possible, he could hear Leo frantically trying to get his attention, that the wind ball was getting too big! Takumi wasn’t using that much power, right?
Takumi opened his eyes and saw the wind ball was indeed as large as his head and he felt it was a lot stronger than what he intended. Without thinking, he throws the wind ball at the target at the other end of the arena…
And it exploded halfway into a huge twister that knocked both princes down!
The winds lasted for a few seconds before dying down, allowing both boys to move around again. Takumi and Leo groaned as they recovered from the ‘Wind Bomb’ that Takumi had accidentally summoned. Leo managed to sit up first, shaking his head as he asked the Wild Card if he was okay. Though Takumi was also getting up at the same time with a groan, and when the two princes made eye contact…
Their gazes immediately went up to each other’s hair.
Leo’s hair was sticking up every which way like one of those ‘mad sorcerer’ comics that Takumi read once as a kid. While Takumi’s own hair was all floofed up and poofy like clouds, while still being in his signature ponytail somehow.
Both princes stared at each other and their funky new hairstyles blankly for a few seconds…before their cheeks puffed up and they burst into laughter. They had a hard time forming words as their appearances are apparently that funny. With Leo trying to smooth down his crazy hairdo and only laughing more when it sticks up again.
Takumi simply held his sides as he laughed at his and Leo’s hair. While this lesson was kind of a flop, Takumi actually wasn’t deterred by this little surprise and looked forward to resuming his Wind spell lessons.
After the boys get their hair fixed.
Leo
Oboro and Hinata bicker and frantically clear Leo’s path to the Hoshidan archery area where Takumi usually goes to practice every day, or at least every chance he takes to train. Leo couldn’t help but smile fondly at the two carrying the extra arrows from the market Hinata bought and the extra fabric Oboro needed to complete an archery outfit for Leo to wear during archery training or any sort of ranged weapon training.
As he walked, Leo flashbacks to when he asked Takumi for archery lessons, humorously mirroring the time Takumi had asked him for magic lessons a year ago…
*Flashback*
(Huh? M-Me? Teach you archery? N-Not that I’m offended but just curious? Why the sudden interest?
*smile*(Well, I distinctly remember you asking me specifically for magic lessons a while back and calling me the best mage Nohr had to offer. So, I figured I could return the favor and learn from Hoshido’s best in archery.)
*blush*(I-I-I’m flattered Leo, and you have a point, I asked you first. But before I could commit, why didn’t you ask the best archer Nohr has to offer?)
(Ah. That would be my retainer Niles, at least to my knowledge. And I did think about asking him. But I’m sure you interacted with him long enough to know what he’s like on a regular basis.)
(Ugh. Yeeaah. I have. I wouldn’t really ask him solely for his dirty mind.)*shiver*
*chuckle*(I had a feeling. Also, if there was a best Nohrian archer other than Niles, I'd never have met them. There aren’t really that many noticeable archers that would be a suitable tutor. But that’s another reason why I asked you. You’re my friend and I trust you with my life.)
*blush*(O-Oh. Um. T-Thank you. You said you have some time off soon to visit Hoshido right? We can start your lessons then since I have to return to Hoshido tomorrow.)
*smile softly*(Of course that works out perfectly. And Takumi?)
(Yeah?)
(Thank you for agreeing to teach me.)
*BLUSH*(N-N-No problem.)
*Flashback end*
Leo smiled fondly at the blushing expression Takumi made at the conclusion of his visit to Nohr. Maybe Takumi teaching him archery would give him a confidence boost in his own skills. A loud crash snapped him out of his musings and he sees the two Hoshidans tangled up on the floor after running into Felicia, who was carrying clean laundry.
Leo bent down to help clean up the mess, but the trio, sorry quartet because Jacob came running, immediately told him he shouldn’t keep Takumi waiting any longer. The fabric Oboro bought was for a cloak to match the actual outfit he would be wearing.
The tailor then escorted the Nohrian prince down the hall so he can get changed and be on time for his lesson, also adding that Hinata will bring the extra arrows he bought from the market later. Unfortunately unable to argue with Oboro, Leo agreed and followed the tailor’s daughter.
An hour later…
After changing into the new outfit, Leo finally arrived at the archery area to find he was early for the lesson because Takumi wasn’t there. Oboro remembered that Takumi had been on a mission with Hinoka and Corrin, but he would be back soon. He was told he can wait and read until Takumi arrived before heading off to her own project, but Leo figured he can get some practice in before the actual lesson.
He chose a bow from the weapon rack and took a stance at least fifteen feet in front of the target, before taking an arrow from the quiver next to him. He loaded it and took aim, then noticed how much his hand was shaking. He took deep breaths to try and calm himself, trying to focus on steadying himself and strike the target as close to the center as possible.
When he was ready, he released the arrow…
And completely missed the target.
Leo blaunched in shock. How could he have missed?! He was positioned correctly and he kept himself calm enough to not let go of the arrow or the string or both. He even made sure not to let go of the bow and keep his eyes on the target! Frustrated, he grabbed another arrow and tried again. And again. And again. And again. And at least five more times, all ending with similar results.
The sound of muffled laughter at the tenth attempt finally caught Leo’s attention as his tutor finally arrived.
“You could’ve waited for me until I came. That way we still have ten more arrows to work with.”
*blush* “I-I’m sorry, Takumi. I didn’t know how long you would be so I tried to get some practice in with what I’ve read about. Obviously, the real thing is a lot more difficult than it looks.”
*snrk* “Heh heh. Yeah, Corrin said something similar when they wanted to learn archery too. Luckily I’m here now, so let’s start by firing another arrow so I can see what can be improved.”
Leo nodded, then turned back to the other ten or so arrows he had left. He grabbed one and then loaded it. He stuck out his tongue in concentration and fired, but the arrow was aimed too low and the ground in front of the target. He scowled in frustration, and heard Takumi chuckle and approached.
“Ok ok. You had the right idea to line your position up with the target so you can narrow down where your arrows fly, but you also weren’t paying attention to where your arms were angled when you were aiming. You also keep looking at your hands and not solely focused on what you were targeting at.”
“Sorry, my hands kept shaking so I thought I wasn’t calm enough to hold the bow right. Deep breathing helped little with that. I don’t want the bow slipping out of my hands because of shaking hands.”
“You’ll be able to steady yourself with enough practice as your body gets used to it. That’s normal, believe me. If you’ll let me touch you, go ahead and get another arrow and take your stance again.”
Leo was a little confused, but nodded his consent and did as instructed, getting another arrow and took his stance again. This time, he stood still as Takumi carefully nudged his limbs and his hands ghosted his shoulders, with Leo’s eyes trying to follow what the archer was doing.
“Okay, you’re keeping yourself too stiff which is uncomfortable, so relax yourself a little bit, but not too much or you can’t pull the string tight enough.”
“Mind how your arms are angled. You’re using both of your entire arms to use the bow and arrow so every part of your limbs can drastically change your aim no matter how lined up you are with your target.”
“Also, keep your eyes on your target, not your hands. Don’t stress too much about your hands. If they aren’t cramping or injured, then you’re fine to keep going.”
“And deep breathing actually does help with calm and focus. You were calming down a little, but you need to stay focused on your target. Like when you’re casting a spell right?”
Leo nodded without looking. It did make sense.
“Ok, elbow down just a bit so the thumb on the hand holding the string and arrow is level with your mouth. Then, touch your mouth with that hand.”
Leo nodded, making the recommended corrections to his stance. Then he feels one of Takumi’s hands on left, the one holding the bow and the other on his right shoulder, as if to steady him.
“Grip firm but relaxed.”
Leo nodded, looking at Takumi’s hand before it gently tilted his chin up to the target.
“Eyes on your target.”
Another nod, steadying his breathing as he focused on the target in front of him, waiting for Takumi to give the call.
“Breathe in…”
Another breath in…
“Release.”
Leo barely registered the arrow leaving his hand until he heard the *thunk* of it hitting the target, almost dead center! His eyes widened in awe and surprise.
“Well, that made a-oof!”
Leo was so overjoyed and relieved by his first successful shot that he had wrapped Takumi up in a hug and happily spun him around, only registering his action when he saw the surprised blushing look on the Hoshidan prince’s face. He blushed as well and let go, laughing awkwardly.
“Hehe, a-apologies. I got carried away…”
“H-Hey it was fine. It took me a few years to finally get my first bullseye so I know the feeling.”
“Hehe, yes. My earlier and very embarrassing performance still shows that I have a lot of work to do, though.”
“Don’t worry, practicing often enough will help you improve yourself, so I’ll help as many times as you need until you can shoot bullseyes on your own, okay?”
Leo looked back at Takumi, then gratefully smiled.
“Thank you, Takumi. I’d like that.”
Unbeknownst to the two princes, a hidden Oboro and Hinata shared a quiet, enthusiastic ‘Yes!’, to Leo’s response, as if they just witnessed their liege scoring a second date.