For the last day of Bernadetta weekend, I decided to draw a comic of Bernadetta reflecting on all the places she's lived at. She finally gets to realise what a real home feels like after the war.
@raphadettaweekend is an event by @aurora-boring-alis
A HEART, UNREQUITED
Fire Emblem: Three Houses One-shot
Raphael Kirsten x Bernadetta von Varley
This fan comic is made possible with the support and encouragement of my patrons at patreon.com/aimostudio
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Inspired by @stag-of-almyra’s Raphadetta post, I need to say something:
Bernadetta’s ending with Raphael is the one that gives the biggest middle finger to her father.
Bernadetta’s father “trains” her to be quiet, submissive wife of a noble (probably in an arranged, loveless marriage) to perpatuate the nobility & class system. Count Varley shattered all her dreams and self-worth in the pursuit of a “perfect bride”.
And she turns around and marries willingly to a gentle, understanding, enthusiastic commoner that helps her become a great political figure, outgoing and authorative (literal words on their paired ending). Raphael’s a guy that’s so patient with her, that gives her good advice, that’s nothing but encouraging and kind, that helps her heal and become a better person, that *loves* her.
AND I LOVE IT.
EAT SHIT FORMER COUNT VARLEY. EAT BUCKETS AND BUCKETS OF SHIT.
@stag-of-almyra !! i know it took me a long time to finally act on my inspiration, but you made a very compelling case for raphael x bernadetta and i never forgot about it...i plan on doing full color for this, but i just really wanted to get this out for you ;u;
they tick off all my trope weaknesses, their s-support is blessed, and even their colors are complementary <3
...and this is also inspired by one of the engagement photos i took with my now-husbando *u*
Raphael: Raaww! Hrrnngghh!
R: Hrraaggh! Yrraagh!
R: Hyaaaggh—huh? What's that noise?
R: Heh... Sounds like someone's having fun. Maybe it's coming from the greenhouse.
Bernadetta: That was really fun, Bernie.
B: Good thing I found such an out-of-the-way spot to play. Only the pretty flowers heard me here.
B: Isn’t that right, little flower? You're the only one who heard, aren't you? What did you think?
R: That was amazing!
B: Ah! Why's your voice so deep?!
R: What? I'm no flower.
B: Oh no. Raphael, you heard it all, didn't you?
R: I did! What kind of instrument was that?
R: I could hear it all the way over at the training grounds. It was great. I didn't know you could play!
B: All the way from the training grounds?! Ugh!
R: That's right. Then I came here to tell you how good you sounded!
B: Good? No. No, I'm on to you.
B: First you flatter me, then you get me to perform on stage in front of everyone to humiliate me!
R: Uhhh...no? But that's a great idea. Everyone should be able to hear your music!
B: Ah! I knew it! Monster!
B: I won't fall victim to your schemes!
R: I don't know what just happened, but I think I might have scared her...
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b (i?)
B: ♪Hm hm-hm hm-hm...♪
R: ...
B: ♪Hm hm-hm-hm... Hm hm-hm-hmm...♪
R: ...
B: ♪Hm, hmm...♪ Hm?
R: ...
B: Aaaah! Ambush! I knew you were out to get me!
R: Ahh! Bernadetta! Please, c-calm down!
B: Calm down?! Sure, why shouldn't I? Nothing's more relaxing than being spied on!
B: I just love it wh-when huge scary men lurk behind me with their insidious smiles and heinous schemes!
B: Ugh! You just want to make me a laughing stock— ruin me in front of everyone. I know it!
R: Please! Listen! I only came to hear you play. That's it. Promise.
R: I'm not gonna make you perform in front of everyone else. I just wanted to hear you myself.
B: J-just you? Nobody else? Really?
R: Really. I kept trying to ask, but you always ran away.
B: That doesn't mean you can just watch me creepily from the shadows, you know. That would scare anyone.
R: You're right. I'm sorry. I just didn't know how else to get your attention. You get so scared.
R: But it looks like I ended up scaring you anyway. I'll leave you alone, Bernadetta...
B: I really just wish I could have heard you play.
R: Raphael?
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b (ii?)
B: There he is. OK, Bernie, you can do this.
R: Oh! Bernadetta!
R: Sorry, just passing through. Didn't mean to scare you again...
B: No-no, it's all right. Actually, I came to talk to you.
B: I owe you an apology. It's, um, long overdue.
R: Huh? What do you have to apologize for?
B: I’m hopelessly terrified of you, so every time I see you, I kind of lose my mind.
B: But once you're gone and I get time to calm down, I realize I'm making a big deal out of nothing.
B: I’m sorry I couldn't tell you before. I feel awful! I hope you can forgive me!
R: Come on, now. It's all right. I wasn't really that bothered by it. Promise.
R: I shoulda been more careful not to scare you. I'm a big guy, and my muscles can be intimidating.
B: No! No, you did nothing wrong! It's all my fault.
R: How about this? Let's say it's both our fault and call it even.
R: But you know, I've been thinking...
R: You really are scared of everything. Is there something we can do to fix that?
B: You mean like a cure?
R: Something like that. I think we can figure this out. Your biggest fear is talking to people, right?
R: If that's the case, you need to change the way you think about talking!
R: Right now you think it's bad, so you're afraid to do it. I figure if you talk to more people, then you'll think talking is good!
R: It might be hard to suddenly start talking to people though...
R: You're gonna need to take it slow. Oh! I know! Start with me!
B: W-with you? That'll be, um...tough. Maybe, um... Maybe if you turn around? Face the other way?
R: I guess...if that's what you need. How's this?
R: I bet if you get used to talking to me, your fears will go away in no time!
B: You’re, ah, still really intimidating.
B: But OK, I'll give it a try...
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a
B: Hi, Raphael! Lovely weather today, isn't it?
R: Sure is! Staring up at the sky on a clear day always reminds me of my hometown.
B: What was it like there?
R: Hmm…let's see... Well, it's a real calm and peaceful place. Big, clear skies too, just like this.
R: It's full of friendly people and delicious food. Talking about it makes me want to go back.
B: Yeah… It's a shame we're stuck fighting in this war.
R: Right? I wonder what my little sis is up to. She's probably grown so much by now...
R: I haven't seen her since I came back to Garreg Mach. She probably wouldn't even recognize me anymore.
B: I’ll bet she would! How could she possibly forget such a terrify— Um...
B: Such a terrific big brother? There's no way!
R: You really think so? That's a relief.
R: All this relief's making me hungry! Want to head to the dining hall?
B: Oh! Um... Actually, we can eat here. I cooked something up for us today.
R: Oh yeah? I won't say no to that!
B: I heard you really like meat, so, um—here you go!
B: It’s my first time cooking something like this. I can at least guarantee it isn't poisoned.
R: Meat? That's my favorite! I'd probably eat it even if it was poisoned!
R: Om mmm mmm... Mmm? Mmm mmm...
B: Is it, uh...good?
R: Graaah! That was amazing!
B: Really? You like it?
R: So tender! So juicy! So full of flavor! It was practically falling off the bone!
R: The flavor was so rich and sweet! I— Wait...how can meat be sweet?
B: Is sweet bad? I thought it was pretty tasty, myself.
R: No, no, no! It was delicious! I couldn't believe it!
R: I'd eat more fruits and vegetables if they were this good!
R: If all food tasted like this I...I just don't know what I'd do with myself!
B: Well, if you like it, I wouldn't mind, um, making more. Whenever you want, really!
R: Really?! That would be great!
R: We gotta get this war over with so you can have more time to cook!
B: You know, I'd actually like that.
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paired ending
When Bernadetta first inherited control of House Varley, she hid away and would not dare involve herself in political or administrative affairs. During this time it was Raphael who came to her aid, encouraging her to work through her fear of people. The training period was difficult—"humiliating," according to the journals Bernadetta left behind—but in the end, it had its desired effect. The leader of House Varley became an outgoing and authoritative individual, taking part in public policy. She even took on a very muscular husband.
