#mariclaude

[onedivinemisfit]

Reading letters from their classmates~

[malsfefanfics]

Claude and Marianne?

Let's have some shenanigans, shall we?

The guards had left them for the night. Marianne and Claude sat in their cells, only able to stare at each other from across walkway. Claude had been completely stripped of his weapons, and almost anything else he wore that could be used to pick a lock. His hands and feet were bound. And he didn't have much leeway to maneuver his hands around. And what's worse, the cuffs he wore suppressed any attempts at spells.

The plan had been simple enough. Intercept a Kingdom messenger and swap intel. But he'd let his guard down. And now they were locked up, awaiting to be traded off to the Empire by a bunch of bandits.

"I'm sorry," Claude sighed. "I got a little too cocky."

"N-no, it's alright," Marianne said. She hadn't been nearly as tied back. Her wrists were free. Something about 'treating a lady right' from one of the bandits. "I'm just sorry you got caught because I wasn't paying attention."

"Nah, it wasn't your fault. I should have planned better." He sighed, looking at his shackles. "It'd be hard, but if I had something to open these locks, we could bust out of here."

Marianne shook her head. "No, I....I think we should remain in here."

Claude stared at her. "Marianne, if we don't get out of here, we're going to be taken to the Empire."

"We won't."

"Woah, no worst case scenarios, alright? I don't think they plan to kill us-"

"No, no! You have it wrong!"

Marianne reached up into her hair, carefully undoing the carefully braided up-do. Slowly, the soft clicks and clings of small metal hitting stone started to ring. He watched her closely, seeing as she carefully untangled her hair and gathered up the pins and decorations. Once she was finished, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Marianne?"

She gave her head a quick shake, her hair bouncing lightly now that it had finally been freed from its holds. "There. All done. Shouldn't be long now."

"Shouldn't be long?" Claude asked. "Long for what?"

Marianne took one of the pins and started bending it out of shape. "Hold on. Let me get these cuffs off me, then I'll help you."

"It's not that I don't trust you, but...." He sighed. "Look, whatever you've got going on, fill me in, ‘cos I'm in the dark here." A loud explosion echoed from above, causing the walls to shake ever so slightly, loosening dust and dirt from the cracks. "What the-?"

"You haven't been sleeping," Marianne explained. "This past month, you've been working yourself too hard. So...when you planned to meet this Kingdom messenger, I told Hilda to have a rescue party ready if we didn't return by morning." The cuff on her ankle fell off, and she turned her attention to her cell door. "Stay back."

Claude rolled out of the way, and managed to just barely avoid spikes of ice breaking the iron away. "Marianne? Remind me to ask for your hand when this war is over."

Her face grew flushed. "Don't tease me! I just took a page out of your book. You would have done the same for me....right?"

"Of course."

"Then that's that. Now, stay still while I get these cuffs off you."

Claude couldn't stop smiling. He stayed still until the cuffs were removed, and then took her hand. He was already planning exactly what he would say when the war was over.

But in the meantime....

"You really have grown, Marianne. I'm so proud of you. And....thank you."

[onedivinemisfit]

Made a ship version, well as far as I was able given they were drawn weeks apart 👉👈

[luminessdoodles]

hi :3 for the mistletoe prompt, could you perhaps do #7 with fe3h claude and a character of your choice?

thank you!

yes yes yes!!!!!💙💛

[indigowallbreaker]

Baltholst anon here! Though I'm requesting a different ship this time. XD Marianne and Claude for the hand-holding prompts, "grabbing the other's hand to show them something." Thank you if you decide to pick it up!

Baltholst anon beloved!! Happy to see yah again :D

(Currently accepting rare ships! Click here for an UPDATED info post!)

--

Marianne looked upon the flower with unease. It wasn't the flower's fault-- its purple and pink petals stirred in the breeze with well-deserved innocence. Marianne tried to come up with something insightful to say about it, but to no avail.

The Riegan Estate gardens boasted many beautiful flowers. Objectively, it was quite a lovely place. Right by the sea but protected from the worst of the wind by clean white walls, well maintained by a dozen or so gardeners, popular with painters and the children of visiting nobility. With the war heating up, however, there were few taking the time to visit such places. The recent fight on the Great Bridge of Myrddin had apparently reminded the people of the Alliance that they weren't as safe as they might have first thought. Today the gardens were empty but for Marianne and her partner.

Claude gave Marianne's hand a squeeze before tugging her towards a row of rose bushes. "You might like these better. They're bred to bloom faster and stay open longer. My grandfather explained it to me but I'll admit I don't understand it much."

"I've liked all the flowers so far," Marianne said even as she let Claude pull her along.

"Are you sure?" Claude pressed, a worried tilt to his voice. "You don't really seem to be enjoying yourself."

Marianne reached out to caress one of the rose petals. Apart from the roses perhaps being a bit larger, she couldn't see anything unique about these compared to normal rose bushes. "I'm not sure what this has to do with the war." Marianne's hand dropped and she turned to look at Claude, wondering what she had missed. What part could the Riegan gardens have to play in this conflict that he was hoping she would see?

Her confusion only deepened when Claude gave a nervous laugh. "They don't have anything to do with the war?"

"They don't?"

"No?" Claude scratched his chin, his normally easy smile turning strange. "But they do have something to do with a date."

"A date?" Marianne repeated. "So this-- We're on a date?"

"Not a very good one if you didn't realize it," Claude said with that same laugh.

"O-Oh..." Marianne lowered her head. The leaves on the rose bush looked smaller to her than they should be.

Claude squeezed her hand again. "Hey, don't be like that. I should have been clearer." His tone took on a teasing note as he added, "I just figured you kissing me when we went riding that once time meant you might like a date at some point."

Marianne's cheeks burned at the memory. The two of them had been paired up for a scouting mission soon after the Empire had attacked Garreg Mach, and something about the near-death experience had caused Marianne to act... improper.

Now she felt silly for trying to find war clues in a rose bush. A date, a date with Claude, sounded wonderful.

Squeezing Claude's hand in return, Marianne lifted her head and tried for a smile. "Do you want to try again? Dating, I mean."

Claude brightened. "Absolutely. And we have plenty of time-- it'll be a few more weeks until the Alliance lords figure out how many troops to send us."

"I meant right now."

"Now? Uh, sure! Where did you want to go?"

Marianne giggled and began pulling Claude towards the wrought iron gates. "To the beginning. Show me everything again so I can appreciate all the flowers properly."

The grin that took over Claude's face caused Marianne's own smile to widen. The lords could take their time as far as she was concerned-- Marianne wanted to fit in as many dates as possible while she still could.

[rina-writes-fire-emblem]

Since you did a prompt for Claude/Marianne, do you have any headcanons for them, since you mentioned them to be a favorite pairing of yours? :) The prompt was wonderful!

For sure! I love them! Ahhh and thank you so much!!!

Claude x Marianne Headcanons

The two of them definitely take things very slow. They don’t even make things official between them until quite a while after confessing to each other.

Surprisingly enough, Marianne is (hesitantly) the first one to confess, and her confession catches Claude pretty off-guard.

Marianne tells Claude that her feelings aren’t important, however, and she insists he forgets she even said anything.

Claude doesn’t get a chance to tell her that he feels the same, as she quickly leaves him standing there, alone.

When he finally does get a chance to confess, Marianne is a bit hesitant to believe him, but you know Claude.

Claude is persistent.

He eventually is able to assure Marianne that he really does feel that way about her.

Unfortunately, Marianne is very hesitant about starting a relationship with Claude, as she worries that she’ll only cause him misfortune.

Eventually, though, the two decide to give it a shot.

They actually have a pretty happy life, together!

Neither Marianne nor Claude are really big on saying the words, “I love you.”

There also isn’t a lot of physical contact in their relationship, other than some occasional cuddling or hugs, really.

This doesn’t bother either of them, though. It’s what they’re comfortable with!

They both know that they love each other, and they don’t see the need to “prove” that.

Claude likes to surprise Marianne with gifts on occasion.

These gifts often include flowers, trinkets, or jewelry.

While she truly does love and appreciate the gifts, Marianne tries to tell Claude that he really doesn’t need to do all of that for her.

However, he insists that he enjoys spoiling her, which he does.

When the two get married, they have a fairly small wedding with only close friends and family.

Though, despite being small, it would still be very fancy. Not too over the top, but still very nice.

Despite how different their personalities are, the two are honestly genuinely very happy to be together.

[rina-writes-fire-emblem]

Marianne X Claude in wich she's injured after taking an attack meant to him, please ?

Of course!!! This is actually one of my favorite ships!!! This is my first time writing for Marianne and my third time writing for Claude, but hopefully you like it!!! 💙💛

When the Time is Right... (Claude x Marianne)

"Marianne!" Claude called, sending an arrow into the closest enemy before dropping to Marianne's side. "Marianne..." He softly spoke, voice wavering. He was starting to panic, as he gently pulled her into his lap.

"C-Claude...? Are you alright...? You're not... Hurt... Are you...?" Marianne weakly asked, looking the man in the eyes. She had just taken a pretty massive blow. A blow that had been meant for Claude.

"I'm fine, Marianne... But why...? Why did you do that...?" He questioned, picking her up bridal style and beginning to hurry away from the battle that was still going on. Marianne weakly wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to not fall, though Claude had no intentions of dropping the woman.

"I couldn't let them... Hurt you..." Marianne whispered. Claude sat her down as soon as he thought them safe. He bit his lip, placing his hand gently over the wound in her side. The woman flinched, causing him to quickly move his hand.

"I'm sorry..." He mumbled, glancing back at where everyone else had still been fighting. It had been starting to die down a bit, and they were winning, but Claude still felt a bit guilty for leaving everyone. However, Marianne was currently his top priority. Thinking for a moment, he eventually made up his mind. He let out a whistle, his wyvern soon arriving beside them.

"C-Claude, what are...?" Marianne whispered, as she was soon lifted back up and helped onto the back of the wyvern.

"You took a nasty blow, and unfortunately, I didn't come as prepared as I normally do," Claude replied, getting on the wyvern behind her and holding her close, as the wyvern spread it's wings. It wasn't long before they were in the air, on their way back to Garreg Mach.

"Claude, everyone else... They..."

"They'll be fine, Marianne... It's just a few thieves. They can handle themselves," The Golden Deer leader stated, attempting to calm his friend. His friend... He almost sighed at the thought. He was so worried about Marianne, and while he still worried about his other friends, Marianne was different. Claude couldn't lie to himself. He had had feelings for her since before the war had started.

The rest of the trip back was fairly silent, Marianne leaning, red-faced, against Claude, as the two soon arrived at their destination. Claude helped Marianne down, carrying her quickly to the infirmary, where he sat her down on one of the beds. Manuela was nowhere to be found, but Claude quickly took things into his own hands.

The side of Marianne's outfit had been torn from what had happened, and Claude quickly and carefully pulled the fabric apart enough for him to begin cleaning the wound. The wound that should've been his... He bit his lip, anger building up in him. Why had he let her take the blow!? Why couldn't he have stopped her!? Marianne didn't deserve this! She-

"Claude...?" The blue-haired woman's voice broke the silence, earning the archer's attention. "Don't blame yourself... This... This isn't your fault... And besides... For once, I was able to help instead of bring you misfortune..."

Claude looked down, before shifting his gaze back to Marianne's wound. He had no idea shat to say, as he continued to clean it, gently, before beginning to treat it. Once finished, he bandaged it up, a bit.

"It's not perfect, and I would recommend having Professor Manuela help you more, later, but it should be alright for now," Claude spoke, his voice quiet. "I'm so sorry, Marianne... I should've protected you..."

"Claude, stop... Please..." Surprising both herself and Claude, Marianne shakily lifted a hand to press it against Claude's cheek. "You said yourself that it'll be alright... And I..." She cut off, heat rising to her cheeks, as she looked away. "It would have been much more painful for me if you had been the one injured..."

Claude's eyes widened a bit at Marianne's words, hope starting to make its way into his heart, despite his attempts to push it out. Of course she would say that. It was Marianne. She wouldn't want to see anyone hurt. Slowly, Claude placed his hand on Marianne's, holding hers in place against his cheek, as he let out a sigh.

"But seeing you hurt... Especially from an attack that was aimed at me... That's a far worse pain than any weapon could bring me..." He replied, his own cheeks warming up slightly. "I appreciate what you did, but... Please, promise me you won't do something like this, again..."

Marianne's already-present frown fell even more, as she quietly pulled her hand away from Claude's.

"I'm sorry... I-I can't promise that... I..." She mumbled, whispering something that Claude couldn't quite make out. The archer raised a brow.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you," He said, causing an even darker blush to form on Marianne's cheeks. She looked down, letting out a sigh.

"I said... I said I... Umm... I care about you... A lot..." Marianne answered, tears threatening to spill down her red face, as Claude's eyes widened.

"Marianne..." He reached a hand out, brushing her hair out of her face, before giving her a small smile. "That makes me happy to hear..." Without another word, Claude gently placed a soft kiss on the woman's forehead.

It was Marianne's turn for her eyes to widen, as she stared up at Claude, unable to get herself to speak. The man let out a light chuckle.

"Why don't you get some rest, Marianne? I'll stay here with you, if you want me to," He offered, receiving a nod from the blue-haired woman in response. Claude's smile grew a bit, as he moved to sit down on one of the other infirmary beds. "Alright. Then goodnight, Marianne."

When the time is right... I'll tell you those three words...

[candlelight27]

The Golden Deer And The Alabaster Doe

Summary:  After the war, everyone changed, including Marianne, who is trying to find her happy ever after. This leads her to visit Claude in Almyra, where he's been for years.

Warnings: Explicit sex - quite tame and vanilla though, friends to lovers, post timeskip, SMUT, Fluff.

Pairings: Marianne von Edmund/Claude von Riegan

Word Count: 4361

AO3: The Golden Deer And The Alabaster Doe

A/N: I’m working on the Sylvain series but needed to get this out of my chest. Claude is my best boy after all... welp, hope you enjoy it anyways <3

Marianne arrived at night, when the sky of the desert is filled with stars and the cold makes its way to you bones.

Her camel stopped at the big doors of stone, where two guards let her enter the city. The place, so different from her homeland, was in complete silence. There were a few torches lighting their way to the palace.

Marianne felt a familiar thrill in her heart, one she hadn’t felt in a long time. Ever since the war ended – the last time she had seen Claude. She recalled the sweet but distant memories of Garreg Mach, how Claude tried his best to understand her, to observe her, how she had convinced her to pursue what she wanted, even if she felt undeserving. The Almyran was so persuasive she almost confessed her love to him. Yet that bliss was cut short when war broke out and the death and duty was all she had time to think of. In that moment, all they could have been together was plucked out of her.

It seemed like a lifetime had passed by. She had matured, no longer as tortured as her younger self, and she had learnt to make herself useful next to Margrave Edmund. In fact, her adoptive father harboured the hope that she would inherit his lands at his passing. That understanding between father and daughter was what made Marianne take a chance, a step against all she had done when she felt undeserving of living.

This was the first time Marianne had done something remotely selfish. She asked her father for permission to travel to Almyra, and he accepted without objection. Then, she wrote a letter to Claude. She spent hours that night writing and crumpling papers. Too cold, too intrusive, too improper, too needy – nothing was good enough. In the morning, feeling more like herself, she wrote the first thing that came to her mind and sent it.

And a few weeks later Claude sent back a letter welcoming to his home in Almyra, right where she was headed.

The closer they were to the palace, the more nervous she was. Lost in thoughts about protocols and rules, memories and hopes for the future, almost without realising where she was, the small procession arrived and entered the enormous building.

The entrance hall left her in awe. It was as big as Garreg Mach’s had been but decorated with infinitely more opulence. From the ceiling hung silks made in confines of the East, while the lamps had been made with the finest gold and silver from Faerghus, surely a kind present from the actual King, Dimitri. Marianne walked along a rug whose intricate pattern was coloured yellow and green. She scanned the place, looking for someone among the emptiness. On the other edge of the stay, just opposite to where she was looking at, a shadow was moving in the darkness. She turned her head to the sound.

“You can go back to you posts. Thank you for escorting our guest.” The rich voice reverberated throughout the stay. Marianne couldn’t supress the smile that crept to her lips when she recognized the person who had come to greet her.

Claude stepped into the light, the fire of the candles and lamps kissing his tanned skin and colouring his eyes of amber. Her pulse shot up.

He was just as handsome as Marianne remembered him. His clever eyes were tired, yet they carried the glint of a man filled with content. After all, Almyra’s relationship with Fódland had never been better than at the current time, and house Goneril was favouring a long-lasting peace by the hands of Hilda. She felt a pang of jealousy noticing they must have seen each other frequently.

“The servants are in bed. I hope you don’t mind that only your old friend is here to welcome you”, started Claude at ease, as if he had seen her the previous day and not many years ago.

“I actually prefer it that way,” she answered sweetly. Claude approached her with slow and deliberate steps. Discreetly, he observed her and captured her featured with his pupils.

“May I take you to your room?”, he asked, offering his hand for her to take it. She nodded and accepted. The Almyran man linked his arm to hers to guide her across the mosaic of corridors and doors.

For the first time in forever, Claude was nervous – and after a hundred of meetings with a lot of older men and women who belittled him, he had forgotten the feel. Marianne was more beautiful than he remembered. In their academy days, she used to be like a fawn walking through life wobbly and unsure, tender, innocent, scared, a prey. Yet now, the animal he’d use to describe her would be doe. She was graceful and majestic. If he didn’t know better, Claude would think he was before none other than the queen of Fódland – which would had been a shame, because it would mean Dimitri was her husband. Still, all the differences Claude spotted hadn’t change her core at all. She had that caring air, that serenity she always had. And she had a brightness he couldn’t decipher.

The first surprise Marianne gave him was the she was the one to start the a conversation.

He had been convinced he’d have to make an effort to ease her and make her comfortable in order to coat any monosyllable out of her. He had been ready, he prepared questions, pieces of news. But the soon-to-be heir of Mangrave Edmund spoke first.

“How have you been, Claude? We haven’t seen each other in… ages. We have to catch up.”

Marianne even looked at him in the eye, totally disarming him. Not that she could notice, because he knew how to compose himself in a matter of seconds. Some things never change, and Claude would never reveal his cards so soon. Yet, he had to admit, it was truly amusing.

“Frankly, I’ve been busy. So busy.” Claude sighed. “Working on a political alliance with Fódland wasn’t easy and keeping a durable peace while pleasing every part is turning out to be a complete challenge. I’m not complaining, things are going great and according to plan… but it’s like I don’t have time to myself anymore.”

“It’s comprehensible you feel that way, Claude”, Marianne said, with a certainty in her tone he had never heard. It did soothe him. “You are pouring you heart on your mission. You are dedicating your life to your people. I know it’s hard, but it’s what make you a good king.”

“You seem to be informed of my affairs,” Claude tried her, testing the waters.

“I am.” Her simple reply didn’t leave him much to use.

“Did you miss me that much?”

“Me? I…” Marianne doubted what she could say. But the new self she found within her relied on sincerity and worried little about the aftermath when she didn’t have anything to lose. “Yes, Claude. I missed you.” She let out a giggle out of nervousness, ringing bells for Claude. “I can’t lie, I was quite bored when you disappeared off to Almyra.”

“The call of duty”, he shrugged. “Had I known that… and I would have visited.”

After what felt like an eternity walking – and conversing –, Claude stopped before a dark wooden door.

“This is your room,” he stated.

The former Golden Deer leader was ready to call it a day and go to bed. He was indeed tired. A part of him wanted his lovely visitor to beg him to stay, to chat a bit more, mirroring his own wishes, but Marianne had never been that kind of person. But what if? He didn’t walk away, he just stood still, as if something was telling him Marianne only needed a little push to do the second thing remotely selfish she had ever done in her life.

“Are you busy tomorrow?”, she murmured the question tentatively.

“Actually, no. I took some days off meetings to attend a very special guest that was coming from Fódland”, he smiled.

“Then why don’t you stay a little while? I’d love to talk to you a little bit more. It feels like the old days.”

She curled her toes in her shoes, anxious. But of course, he wasn’t going to deny her. Her hunch about Claude was correct. So, he muttered a confident ‘sure’, hiding his surprise, and opened the door for her. She slid past Claude and took in her new stay for the next few months.

She marvelled at the beauty and exquisiteness of the decoration. Every little detail, like the flowers, similar to the ones she had in her room at Garreg Mach, like the small statue of the goddess, like some books beautifully bounded and regarding Fódland’s matters, all those details suggested Claude had personally made all the arrangements to make her feel at home. And it made her heart throb. A teapot caught her eye, as its scent reached her.

“Is that lavender tea?”, she asked, eyes wide.

“Yes, it is.” Claude’s back was facing Marianne and he composed a satisfied smile at her surprise.

“How did you know it was my favourite?”

“I have my ways.” Claude realized in that moment that he loved the sound of her voice when she was pleased, and he hadn’t heard it before. It made him want to fulfil her every wish right there and then. “Go on, help yourself.”

Marianne poured two cups of tea. The Almyran took a seat in a mahogany chair, its legs sculpted like the claws of a lion, and took the warm cups in his hands.

Marianne couldn’t help but stare at him. He was no longer the Claude she remembered, not quite the same. He was a grown man, shaped by a war and the power of a king. His shoulders were broad and strong, and the muscles of his arms, hardened by the use of his bow, couldn’t be hidden by his loose clothes. The cheeks of the young girl from Fódland turned crimson. When did her thoughts shelter lechery? But she forgot all her modesty as her eyes reached his shaped jaw, angles covered with facial hair styled in the fashion of his land. His irises instantly captivated her, watching her every move. They looked like they were made from seawater. He had the kindest gaze she had ever seen in a man of his position, and that could never change.

“I have to be honest here,” Claude started, putting the cup away, “but your letter a month ago stating that you were coming was the last thing I was expecting.” He laughed, a perfect song to Marianne’s ears. “I thought I’d never see you again. Or that I’d have to go there by myself to finally see you… any of the Golden Deer, I mean. I’ve been meaning to send you a letter… or something. But I never found the time.”

“Don’t worry. I’m here, after all,” she tried to soothe him, sipping her tea. He opened his mouth, then closed it as if he regretted even thinking what he wanted to say.

“I can’t believe I choose to be a coward now of all times.” He shook his head from side to side.

“You are not a coward, Claude. In the name of the Goddess, what are you talking about?”

“Yes, yes. You are right. I haven’t said anything.” Claude smiled, but he was hiding something, and it twinkled in his eyes, trying to get out. He tried to lighten up the mood distracting her attention. “Are you married?”

“No!” Marianne blushed, then giggled, as if it was the oddest question in the world.

“But you must have thousands of proposals.”

“I’ve had a few.” She ignored his comment, and the question in her heart of he’d propose to her given the right circumstances. “But father… I mean Margrave Edmund said he wanted me to decide. I rejected them because I didn’t know them.”

“Quite the peculiar Margrave, not after benefits, but her daughter’s happiness,” Claude pointed out.

“And you?”, asked Marianne, her eyes round with curiosity. “Are you married?”

“Wouldn’t have you heard about it if I were?”, he laughed again, yet then a bitter tongue coated his tongue. “No, of course not. Although… people are pestering me. You know, a king must have babies and wives – well, one at least. Ever since Dimitri’s wedding with Byleth, it’s been a nonstop pressure to find someone.”

Marianne put her teacup away and took Claude’s hands in hers. She would have wanted to hug him and press him against her chest, to tell him that everything was going to be fine. It was obvious that the man was affected by the situation. Yet the only thing she could do was showing compassion with that small touch. Still, her pale hands comforted him immensely.

“You’ll find love when you least expect it. Don’t listen to them. And don’t let it concern you that much.”

“Finding love isn’t really what’s concerning me,” he ended up confessing at last. Marianne doubted if she should press him to continue, but curiosity got the best of her.

“Then what is it?”

“It’s… the person I love might not love me back. I don’t deserve her.” Marianne furrowed her brows. She was about to talk, but Claude cut her right before she did. “And even if that worked… I don’t think she’d be happy to leave all she has behind in order to be with me. It’s not that easy, Marianne.”

“You are reminding me of when I was young.” She tilted her head to the side. “Why don’t you begin at the beginning?”

“And that is?”

“Confessing your love”, she said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“I told you I become a coward when the most important decisions ought to be made. I wouldn’t… even if she was… right in front of me right now.”

Marianne then committed another act that surprised herself. It wasn’t exactly selfish, but it was definitely something she wouldn’t have dared to think about some years ago. She was completely sure Claude was talking about her. His glance was declaring his love for her out loud. The way he looked and melted at her touch was revealing the truth behind his secrecy.

Before performing any action, she thought of the consequences. Should she be wrong, would he be mad? Probably not. And if he was, what was the worst that could happen? She’d have to leave Almyra eventually and she’d never hear of him again. But it was probably the exact same thing that would be happening if she didn’t do anything.

She was feeling self-conscious. Her legs were shaking. She couldn’t even breathe. But she didn’t let any of those impediments deter her. She had decided she was going to be the master of her fate, so she would take the chance.

Slowly, Marianne leant in, her eyes closed. The silent of the night wrapped around them. And then, when she finally reached his lips, she kissed him.

Claude stayed still, which she considered a small victory. Her rosy lips were unbelievably tender on his own. He could have sworn time had stopped right away. How could someone so precious as her want him? He didn’t have the answer. He was handsome, but he was sure that was not the only feature a girl like Marianne would be looking for. But he was one to seize his opportunities, so he kissed her back and let his eyelids fall.

The kiss soon turned desperate. Claude placed his hands on the back of her head as he caressed her blue locks, and Marianne just melted in his touch. And a kiss became two, three, and many more. They were tentative, indecisive; they were trying to figure out what the other wanted, neither of them believing what was happening. Between breathy moans, the Almyran dared to use his tongue to seek hers. He’d swear he could spend the rest of his life like that.

“Claude…”, Marianne murmured with her sweet voice.

“What are we doing, Marianne?”, asked Claude, assaulted by his uncertainty.

“Whatever you want,” she smiled, “whatever we want.” The were so close, their nose were almost touching.

“I… Do you love me?” Claude felt so vulnerable he wanted to cry. But he needed to know.

“With all my heart, Claude. I love you.”

Claude then stood up. In a manner as delicate as a rose petal, he undid Marianne’s updo. Her silky, periwinkle hair fell down her back and shoulders like a waterfall. His hands took her cheeks and dove in to kiss her once again.

She fell back on the soft mattress slowly. During the few seconds they stayed apart, his dexterous fingers loosened all the bows, knots and buttons holding her dress together. One of his digits drew a line from her jaw to her clavicle, paying special attention to her neck. Marianne felt how her nipples got hard against the fabric of her clothes.

His next movement was taking off the loose white shirt he was wearing. The gaze of Marianne, his old friend – and now, lover –, was intense, like the one a hungry beast would display. Her pupils were completely black and taken by desire. Marianne herself discarded her dress, too impatient to wait. Her heart was thriving, and she had never felt more alive. She rose to her knees, letting Claude take a good look at her.

Claude thought she was breath-taking. He couldn’t fix his gaze anywhere else. She reminded him of the white marble statues of the goddess he could find around Fódland, with the difference that Marianne could be someone whom he could give his devotion. Her pale skin was practically glowing under the candlelight. Where could he start? One night was not enough to put into practice all the ideas that were crossing his mind.

“Can I touch you?”, was the only thing that he managed to vocalize.

“Please.”

He grabbed one of her tempting breasts, kneading it while he left a trail of kisses that led to the other. Marianne trembled and whined, too overwhelmed to understand all those sensations yet willing to indulge and pursue those pleasures.

Claude licked his lover’s perk nipple. She gripped his dark locks of hair, then moved to scratch his back. Claude felt his leather pants were too tight when his bulge started growing at every scratch Marianne gave him. Still, he didn’t stop and grew even bolder placing his wide hand upon the apex of her thighs.

“You like what I’m doing, don’t you?”, he smirked to himself. “You’re already pretty wet.”

“Not playing shy anymore?”, she answered, with that unprecedented confidence Claude was starting to love.

“I’ve got better things to play with”, said Claude, and as a reward he gained a laugh of her fair mouth.

As he slid a finger into her wetness, she took his face with both hands to plant a hot kiss on his lips. He responded eagerly, offering his tongue, and putting in a second one without any resistance. Marianne welcomed the addition vocally. There was fire in her veins, and bolts of delight went all over her body.

The more adventurous his movements were, the more her hunger grew. Claude was making her feel things she had never felt, yet something within her wanted more. And she wasn’t dumb, she knew Claude was starting to get uncomfortable under his pants.

“Why don’t you take your pants off?”, her voice was the perfect mixture between suggestiveness and purity. She was going to drive him crazy.

“My sweet Marianne, I’ll gladly comply your orders.”

“Is the king tired of commanding other people?”, the tease rolled out of her mouth effortlessly.

“Perhaps.”

“My poor king.” Oh, what Claude would give to hear Marianne saying that while he made love to her.

When he undid his belt and buttons, Marianne kept provoking him. She scratched the skin under his navel with her sharp nails. Claude inhaled loudly. He might have never been this turned on in his life.

“Are you sure this is what you want? There’s no going back once we do this.”

“There is no going back since you crossed the doorstep, Claude,” she said as she guided him to the bed. He threw his pants on the floor.

“How could have you changed so much?” He stuttered. “It’s not that I don’t like it. Or, well, it’s not that you changed entirely. But-” Marianne stopped his rambling.

“I’m merely making the decisions that will make me happy.”

“This might not have a happy ending”, he pointed out.

“If that happens, at least we’ll have something to remember.” She made a pained face but gained her smiled back rapidly. “And right now, I feel beyond happy.”

“You… you are right. Let’s indulge.”

Claude now stood proud and naked. She admired his erection, because it was the first time she saw one in that situation. Claude laughed at her wide eyes, and gleefully Marianne led him on top of her. Claude kissed her once more – and if it had been up to him, he’d kissed her until the end of time – and she noticed his hard member pressing against her thighs.

Having his body caging her and taking in his warmth made her head go dizzy. For Claude, on the other hand, it was as if a spell had been suddenly broken. The contrast of her alabaster frame and his skin of sun and desert, his hardness and her softness, it was as if someone had made her just for him. He felt greedy, but overall, he felt whole.

“Go on,” she mumbled. “I need you inside of me.”

Claude entered her in a slow rhythm to be able to watch her face. He wanted to make sure there wasn’t any pain, and so far, her face only had shown pleasure. The Almyran felt overwhelmed sunk in her essence, but it didn’t distract him. Her expressions were precious to him, and he wanted to see every detail.

“Does it feel good?”, he asked concerned.

“Yes… it feels different from your fingers.”

“Good different…?” He stopped.

“Too good. Don’t- Keep going, my king.”

His member twitched. He laughed to mask the aphrodisiac that name was to him, and then he started thrusting. Once more, he was being careful, but it wasn’t as easy as before. He was constant, but it was difficult to keep a pace.

“I love this, Claude. My king.”

Marianne was completely lost in the moment. She accustomed herself to his manhood quickly and waggled her hips to chase the close promise of her orgasm. The hot pleasure was constant, as if Claude was her other half and they just clicked perfectly. They were so close that all his body rubbed against her, and it was doing indescribable things to her.

Just like their conversations used to be, she was timid but concise and clear, while Claude was an organized mess of passion. Marianne couldn’t contain herself and roamed his back with her nails. She was beginning in the devotion of the flesh, but she was sure she just needed a little push to come.

“You are screaming, Marianne.”

“Does it matter?” She had been so absorbed, she had neglected on keeping it quiet. But she didn’t want to get him into trouble.

“No, who’s going to scold us, anyways? Besides, I adore the way you call me.”

He pushed himself firmly, over and over. He heard the echo of his name and almost lost his mind. Abruptly he grasped her thigh and lifted it, allowing his bulge to dive in deeper. He squeezed her flesh, leaving red marks where his fingers were, making Marianne go wilder.

“Please, Claude, make me come.”

He didn’t need any more cues, and he kept going, trying angles, pinching everything he could reach, kissing and biting her neck, until Marianne’s eyes were blurry. She tried to keep up, making her hips meet his when she could, but when she felt the rush of her peak, she let herself go. The repetitive clench of her wetness was enough to make Claude come too. Still, he had enough sense in him to take himself out and finish on her stomach.

A couple of seconds later, when Claude caught his breath, he reached for a cloth and dutifully cleaned her. She was gasping in the afterglow but looking sharply every move Claude made. He kissed her shoulder.

“We have things to talk about,” Claude began. “I love you, Marianne.”

“I love you too, Claude, but everything you want to ask me can wait until morning.” She extended one of her lover’s arms, using it to rest her head, and placed the other around her waist, so he was hugging her form. “But something tells me you already know the answers.”

“I’m worried about how we are going to make it work,” he confessed. He was surprised at her calmness, but if he was being honest, it was appeasing him.

“We’ll come up with something as long as we don’t give up. And I don’t intend to give you up.” She turned her head and looked him in the eyes. “I don’t want this to be a beautiful memory to hang on the wall of memories. I want to be on your side forever.”

“What about Mangrave Edmund?”, he asked.

“Claude, don’t anticipate problems we might not encounter.” She composed a smile, her eyes closed halfway. She was captivating him. “Do you want this to be a thing of one night?”

“No! No. Marianne I want to marry you. Who knows for how long I’ve wanted. I’m just… Since the war ended and took so much from us, I’m scared of losing any happiness. Of losing you.” He kissed her cheek. “Okay, I’ll trust you on this, since you seem so sure. Just, don’t disappear, please.”

“Try to sleep, Claude. I’m here.”

Claude closed his eyes and he fell asleep as he hadn’t in years.