Questions and Answers

Eliwood was not surprised by Hector strolling into his tent; the tactician had a habit of placing their tents side-by-side at the center of the encampment, arguing that, strategically, the lords were most vital to the campaign and therefore needed as much protection as possible. It made sense, and Eliwood didn’t like to argue with the tactician.

Eliwood was not surprised at the late hour; he had been close with Hector since childhood, and late-night chats were no more unusual than anything else. Besides, Hector never was one to consider the convenience of others when he had his mind set on something.

Eliwood was not surprised when Hector promptly sprawled out upon his cot after shedding his boots; others often commented on Hector’s lack of common courtesy, but this was merely a comfort issue. Besides, what was Eliwood’s was Hector’s, and vice-versa, and both men knew it.

Eliwood was, however, surprised by what came out of his dearest friend’s mouth once he had gotten himself settled.

“You don’t really have feelings for Lyndis, do you?”

Eliwood blinked. His confusion was palpable, and he hoped that Hector was picking up on it.

“No. What made you think I did?”

Hector was silent for a moment, staring at the tent’s ceiling as if contemplating something deeply. When he looked at Eliwood again, his typical, cocky grin was back in place, though the younger lord couldn’t help but feel that it was forced.

“Nothing. It’s just… nothing.” He paused for only the shortest of moments. “Good.”

If anything, Eliwood was even more perplexed. He was two steps away from giving his companion a good, solid rap across the head.

“Hector. Explain yourself.” Silence. “Speak, or I’ll thrash you like I did when we were boys.”

Hector chuckled. “You and what army, sweetheart? I only ever let you beat me, after all.”

Eliwood flushed, though whether out of indignation at the slight towards his battle skill, or embarrassment at being on the receiving end of such a pet name, he was unsure. “You lie! I won every duel with you fairly, and to say otherwise is simply horrible!” he bit his lower lip, wishing the redness away from his cheeks. “Hector, I am surprised at you.”

Hector only laughed harder. “Of course, of course. You are the fiery one, aren’t you.” That odd, thoughtful look returned to his face, and Eliwood couldn’t help but squirm slightly under the intensity of his gaze. “Eliwood. You know… you know I would do anything for you, right? Anything at all.”

The confusion returned. “Of...of course, as I would for you.” Eliwood shifted uncomfortably, unsure as to where this conversation led.

“Well, no, I mean…” Hector sighed, then reached out, snagging one of Eliwood’s hands in his large, calloused palm. “You know I’m a mess with words, so… so don’t interrupt me.”

“Hector, what are you…” Eliwood was unsure, yet didn’t pull his hand away. His cheeks were burning, and Hector’s eyes were boring into him.

Making sure Eliwood was watching his movements, Hector slowly brought the smaller man’s hand to his mouth, brushing his lips across the back of the palm in a gentle kiss. Eliwood gasped softly, but did not pull away, so Hector ploughed forward. ‘Eliwood, I pledge myself to you, wholly and utterly.”

Silence hung between the two men for a few moments, broken only by Eliwood’s deep, gasping breaths.

“Hector… you…”

‘I’d meant to keep my feelings a secret.” Hector’s eyes narrowed. “But now that death is around every corner, I couldn’t bear the thought of falling in battle without having told you.” Finally, Hector dropped Eliwood’s gaze, a faint pink tinge on his cheeks. “And, well, when I herd the rumor about you and Lyndis, I guess I…” he trailed off, looking decidedly sheepish.

“How… how long?”

Hector peered up at the other man through his bangs.

“Since before I can remember.”

Eliwood exhaled softly.

“Then we are both fools.”

And promptly pulled himself forward to lie against his older, larger friend’s chest.

Hector did not allow his brief surprise to keep him from taking full advantage of the situation. Placing both arms around Eliwood, he hugged the slender redhead tightly to him.

“Really?”

"Really."

Both men contemplated this turn of events.

“And I’m not dreaming?”

“I doubt your dreams are capable of spreading to another’s slumber, so… no.”

“… can I sleep with you?”

“Do you think the tactician would mind?”

Hector laughed, full and deep.

“Seems a remarkably strategic decision to me.”

Silence stretched between the two lords, this time comfortably.

“… you really have no manners at all, do you?”

“What?”

Eliwood sat up, glaring down at Hector, although the effect was somewhat ruined by the shyness behind his eyes.

“What sort of man confesses his love without a kiss?”

Eliwood had always loved it when Hector laughed.

“Forgive me, my lord. Pray, let me fix this egregious error…”

****

Canas couldn’t help but pause his nightly walk when he happened to come across an absolutely petrified Priscilla standing outside of Lord Eliwood’s tent.

“Oh dear, what seems to be the matter?” The shaman tucked his book under one arm, wondering vaguely if the girl would faint.

“The-the-the-the tactician asked me to deliver a message to Lord Eliwood, b-b-but it seems he’s ah, ah, ah, occupied…” Canas, upon closer inspection, only just noticed the dark blush on the girl’s cheeks, mostly hidden by the night’s gloom.

“Occupied, you say? Well, don’t worry; I’d planned on staying up a bit longer yet, so why don’t you just let me give him the message later? I’m sure you could use the rest.”

Priscilla could not have looked more relieved. “Th-thank you!” She quickly pressed a small scroll into Canas’s hand, then dashed off, presumably to find comfort in the company of her pillow.

Canas, a scholar by trade and nature, found himself terribly curious. Adjusting his monocle slightly, he moved forward to peep between the tent flaps.

A few moments later, a faint blush tingeing his own cheeks, Canas walked away, a rather amused grin upon his lips. The scroll could most certainly wait until morning.

“My my, what an… interesting group I’ve joined.” With newfound inspiration, the shaman ambled off in search of Erk’s tent.

A/N- The tactician does, in fact, support wild and passionate monkey-sex between the troops. Keeps morale up.