Chapter Text
Kiran sat quietly in the castle corridor as she waited for Ranulf to return. He asked her to wait here while he grabbed something he wanted to show her. She looked out over the garden from the window, the silver moonlight illuminating the familiar trees and bushes. Everything was the same in this Askr, down to the flowers with their petals shut tight waiting for dawn's first light so they could reopen. She squinted, hoping to find something different from her Askr. Surly there had to be something that wasn’t exactly the same, but even the grass was no more or less green in this Askr than hers.
Sighing, she thought back to when she first arrived, how weird it felt to enter such a familiar space, however every person they walked by was a stranger. The Askrans were tense when they noticed Alfonse in their midst, and she kept close to Ranulf as they were directed straight to David’s room after dropping an exhausted princess Sharena off in the Queen’s chambers to get some rest. In David’s room, their party patiently waited for the medical staff to work on his wounds so they could exchange information, and discuss what had happened on each side of the gate, as well as the elephant in the room, what to do with the former prince of this Askr.
“So that just leaves us with one last matter. What are we going to do with Líf?” Alfonse brought up the next subject, and an uneasy hush fell over the room. “Now I know that he is your brother, however, as you witnessed, the Alfonse you knew is gone. I fear he will try to reach out to you both. I propose that we destroy the gate once we return to our Zenith.”
“Close the gate?” David quietly questioned, wincing as he tried to sit up in his bed.
“Normally it would be something out of our control, but the stone arch should still be weak enough for us to topple, barring Líf from entering this realm again.” Alfonse explained his plan.
David shook his head in protest. “Hold on -”
“As much as it pains me, I agree.” Sharena continued the conversation with the young prince. “Alfonse… Líf, forfeit his life in this world once he joined forces with Hel.”
“And without the Order’s protection he would easily be able to disturb the peace you have worked so hard for.” Ranulf nodded in agreement, clenching his fist. “At least our Askr is prepared to deal with the likes of him.”
“You too?” David murmured, his brows twisted, and a disheartened look in his eyes. “But we won’t get to see each other…”
“Then we are all in agreement.” Alfonse paid no mind to the summoner in his bed, as he made plans with the Askran Queen. “We will have the tie severed upon returning to our world -”
“No.” Kiran sternly told them. Up until then she had watched and listened. “I won’t let you do that.”
“Kiran?” Ranulf turned to look at her, a puzzled expression on his face.
“My apologies, I realize you are Líf’s summoner, but this is beyond Order’s affairs.” Sharena gently told her.
“I know it’s not my place, but I can’t just sit here and let you cut David and Líf’s bond.” Kiran glanced over at the former summoner who had been ignored up until now.
“After everything Líf has put you through? What he did to me?” Ranulf gave her a concerned look. “You know he can’t be trusted. He needs to be kept in check.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I want Líf to be brought to justice for what he did. I don’t want him to running free to do what he wants.” Kiran began to explain coldly, standing up and walking over to David’s bedside, she let out a long sigh. “But I also can’t let my hate cloud the fact that there could be a miniscule fragment of goodness left within him that we can redeem. I don’t want to toss that away. Removing David from his life would do just that. There would be no coming back to the light for him, and that’s not what coming to Askr’s is about. How can I ask the heroes to give others a chance if I can’t do the same?” Kiran turned to look at the young prince with hopeful eyes. “Alfonse, I know it’s not the easiest route, but when has that ever stopped us?” She steeled herself in front of the small group, determined to make them see her side. “You have never backed away when it comes to helping people, even if it's a challenge. Please, what if it was you and I?”
Alfonse turned away from Kiran’s gaze, closing his eyes in disappointment, and swearing softly under his breath before standing to address her. He quietly placed his hand on her shoulder, his stern eyes locked on to hers, and she prepared for the worse. “We will create a small outpost, and station guards outside the gate.” He announced, squeezing her arm, and she could hear a soft sigh of relief come from David by her side. Alfonse looked over to Sharena as he continued his new proposal. “No one will be allowed to travel between our two worlds without the proper paperwork, proving that they have the permission from both crowns on each side. If her Highness is in agreement, of course.”
Sharena chuckled, and clicked her cheek as she shook her head. “You always did have a bleeding heart when it came to the summoner.” She raised her brow, and looked over at Kiran and David. “Fine. I agree, on condition you can keep Líf on your side. I don’t want him meddling in our affairs here.” The young queen stood, turning her attention back to the prince. “I also want you, Prince Alfonse, also agree to return to this world, and teach me how to harness the powers of our Askran bloodline.”
“I whole-heartily accept those terms.” Alfonse nodded, and exchanged a relieved smile with Kiran.
“Now come, it’s getting late, and I would like you all to depart by sunrise. Before Al’s presence causes more confusion among the court. There’s still a bit of paperwork I would like you to go over with me, as well as a training schedule.” Sharena turned on her heel, and gestured for Alfonse to follow her.
“Sounds good to me.” Alfonse and Sharena headed out the door, leaving the rest of the party on their own.
“Thank-you.” David reached up and grabbed Kiran’s hand. “It means a lot to me you were able to convince them to keep the gate open.” He chuckled, and pulled out the drawer in the bedside table, taking out an envelope, and offering it to Ranulf. “Besides, I don’t know what I would do with this gift if Ranulf wasn’t able to take this dumpster fire off my hands!”
Confused, Ranulf stepped over, and took the envelope, breaking the seal and pulling out the document inside.
“What is it?” Kiran asked, curious when she saw his eyes widened in disbelief.
A smirk formed on Ranulf’s lips as he handed Kiran the papers. “It’s the deed to 1606 Fljót!” He laughed, tipping the envelope, and a pair of keys slid out into his hand. “With my name on it!”
“Really?!” Kiran’s jaw dropped, and she looked at the information.
“Well, you talked about that dump enough, and I thought it would help get your mind off of the gate while you waited, so I bought it off of Anna the other day.” David shrugged, as he casually explained.
“I don’t know what to say…” Ranulf sniffed, at a loss for words.
“Say you’ll take it, and come back to work on it! You can make it a home away from home!” David laughed. “And maybe stop by to visit your old pal David, right?
“You know I could use a hand working on it!” Ranulf smiled, taking the document back, folding it, and tucking the items in his pouch. “Thank-you, I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“Oh, how about you invite me over to your Askr once and a while?” David gave them a mischievous smirk. “Say in a couple of months?”
“Well, we tend to ship out to the coast of Askr for the summer vortex…” Ranulf rubbed his chin, his eyes widening when it dawned on him what David was suggesting. “Oh, I see…”
Kiran giggled, and patted David’s hand. “I think we can make sure there’s a cabana on the beach free just for you!”
“Yes!” David exclaimed, laying proudly back into his pillow. “See, Kiran gets me!”
“Are all summoners this thirsty?” Ranulf shook his head, with a long sigh. “Wait. Don’t answer that.”
“We can talk about further plans to join us on the beach as soon as you’re back on your feet.” Kiran suggested.
“Can’t wait…” David yawned, the painkillers, and the events of the day taking its toll on him. “It wouldn’t be summer in Askr without heroes in bathing suits! I can picture it now…” He closed his eyes, and started drifting off to sleep. “Of course I’ll rub suntan lotion on your shoulders…” He mumbled, succumbing to a deep sleep. “Let’s get those … out of the way…”
Snickering, Kiran and Ranulf exchanged grins, blowing out the candles, and walking out of the room, leaving David to his dreams of warm summer days.
“Tired?” Ranulf asked once they were in the hallway, softly closing the door behind him.
“Kind of, but I don’t think I can sleep.” Kiran shrugged, looking at the low moon out the window. “There’s only a couple hours until sunrise anyway. Alfonse will want to head out soon.”
“I want to show you something before we go then!” Ranulf grabbed her hand and pulled her along, heading for the south side of the castle.
Kiran closed her eyes, and lent her head against the cold stone wall overlooking the garden as she waited for Ranulf to return. She wondered if she chose the right path in convincing Alfonse to keep the gate open between the two worlds. Uncertainly swam through her mind now, and she worried she might have messed things up again.
“Got ’em!” Ranulf lifted a pair of keys in his hand jingling the set as he came striding down the corridor, his grin glinting in the moonlight. “I wanted you to see this before we left, get your thoughts on an idea I have.” He excitedly told her, heading to the large doors, and sliding the key in. The large latch clang in the quiet night as he unlocked the door, pushing the heavy wooden slab open as he entered the room.
“Wow.” Kiran let out an astonished whisper that echoed as she looked around the vast space. The large room was dimly lit, but she could tell it was created in the same likeness of a gymnasium, or sports centre of her home world, and it felt like she was stepping from one world into another.
Ranulf jogged over to the side of the room, grabbing a ball, and meeting her in the center of the gym. “David taught me how to play basketball!” He proudly announced, spinning the ball on the tip of his finger effortlessly. “I’m kind of great at it!” He shamelessly boasted.
“Oh really?” Kiran chuckled, and raised her eyebrow in amusement.
“Yeah, but that’s not all. He taught me all kinds of different recreational sports!” Ranulf continued, tucking the ball under his arm. “I was thinking we could have something like this too, you know, I want to share something more with the heroes than just swords and axes. I mean if you’re willing to work with me to set something up.” He looked around the space with admiration before turning back to her. “I know you’re careful about what you share from your world, but I think a space like this would have a lot of benefits for us. There’s got to be something other than war in our future, and –“
“Okay!” Kiran quickly agreed to his suggestion, looking around the space.
“Wait, really?” Ranulf’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That was easier than I thought it would be!” He paused, his brows furrowing. “Are you feeling okay?” He reached over to place the back of his hand on her forehead.
Stunned, but unwavering she stood still, her eyes crossing as they followed his hand. “I’m fine, why?”
“You seem, I don’t know, different?” Ranulf shrugged, thinking for a moment as he let his arm drop. “Less reserved, and more confident!”
“I guess while I was trying to get you back I learned a few things about myself.” Kiran chuckled.
“At least one of us has!” Ranulf blurted out as a joke, his laughter dying away when he noticed she didn’t join in. Instead her eyes turned downward, and she became quiet. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that…” He apologized, becoming concerned. “You can keep your bones in the cupboard.”
“My bones?” She looked up, puzzled, by what he said.
“Yeah, it doesn’t matter how many skeletons you keep!” Ranulf tried to make light of the conversation, back peddling. “Those things aren’t important now. Let’s get out of here!” He quickly suggested, turning to leave. Ranulf stopped when he realized she wasn’t following, looking back in confusion. “Kiran?”
The air in the room became heavy, and silent, save for her footsteps as she approached Ranulf with downcast eyes. Reaching for the ball he carried under his arm, she cleared her throat, before she softly began. “My name…” She grasped the ball, and looked up at him, hesitating for a brief moment, and inhaling deeply. “My real name… is Joyce.” The words felt foreign and wrong as she said them, but she pushed herself to continue, walking over towards the basket on the wall, and Ranulf quietly followed.
“Before I came to Askr I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment that faced a brick wall, and I used to work in a cubical answering phones for other people.” She held the ball in front of her, and tried to throw it at the basket. The awkward spin on the ball taking it off in another direction, and the ball hit the wall, bouncing off it with a soft thud, and rolling back stopping at her feet. Joyce sighed, her shoulders slouching down. “I’ve never been good at sports, or really anything at all, and I don’t talk about my life back in my world because there’s not much to say. It just has always been this way…”
Ranulf looked at her with concern, and shook his head. “I’m sure that’s not true –“
“When I was six, my older sister was away at a camp, and I begged my parents relentlessly to take me to the park.” Joyce cut him off, closing her eyes tightly, and clenched her fist. “They finally caved, like they always did, and it was an amazing afternoon. Up until we were on our way home, and some drunk driver hit us head on.” She tried to keep composed as she recalled the painful memory. “I don’t remember much about what happened after, but when I awoke, it was only my sister there. Our parents were dead, and I blamed myself. After the accident we bounced around the system, moving from house to house.”
Joyce glanced up at Ranulf as he stood in stunned silence, unsure what to say. She knew he didn’t understand some of the terms she was telling him, but enough to know that it wasn’t the time to ask for her to explain them, and she continued. “My sister tried really hard to fit in, but I was always messing things up, and getting us kicked out. When she was old enough to go off on her own she did, and I don’t blame her for not taking me with her. She was too young to take care of me and herself.” Joyce sighed, and gave a pitiful shrug. “I tried to stay out of trouble after that, but trouble always had a way of finding me, and over time I learned that it was best if I kept to myself. A string of broken hearts, I flunked out of college, I even had a failed engagement. I don’t know if it was bad luck, or maybe punishment for what I did to my family, but I have never found a place where I belonged.”
Pursing her lips, Joyce took a deep breath, and started to avoid eye contact, her confidence fading. “Before I came to Askr I was stuck, alone, and had no one I could depend on, and my life wasn’t going anywhere.” Her bottom lip began to tremble, she had never told anyone any of this, and she felt the familiar sting in her eyes. “I don’t talk about myself because I’m not like David. I’m not smart, or courageous. I don’t have the qualities that make someone a hero. Breidablik made a mistake. I don’t want anyone to find out, and send me back when they learn I didn’t deserve to be here!” Joyce sob through clenched teeth, unable to hold back the tears that began flowing over her cheeks, she tried to turn away from him. Turn away from what she just confessed. She wanted to pretend that she hadn’t said anything, but it was too late. “I just didn’t want to be sent back to my world. I wanted to stay in Askr…”
“Come here.” Ranulf snatched her sleeve before Joyce was able to get too far, pulling her into his arms, and holding her tightly against his chest. “You belong in Askr. There’s no mistaking it.”
“How can you say that after I lied about being their legendary hero?” Joyce tried to choke back tears.
“Because even if you weren’t a hero when you arrived, you have never stopped working towards raising yourself to that title. I know how much you care for the people you summon, and you would never think twice before helping them if they were in need of it.” Ranulf reassured her gently, stroking her hair. “Breidablik chose you, and nobody is sending you back, I would never let them.”
“Even if sometimes I fix the orbs numbers so I can stash some away to use off the books?” Joyce sniffed between sobs. “Or when I pretend not to know the answer to a simple question so Soren will assign me something easier?”
“Even then.” Ranulf squeezed her hard, a chuckled escaping his lips.
“Or when I compliment Claude’s Askran script just so he’ll do most of the writing on our reports.” Joyce continued, each confession leading into another, and she started to feel lighter. She no longer had to carry her anxiety and pain on her own, and it felt good to confide and trust someone. “Sometimes I tell Oscar that I’m getting you seconds when I want double the dessert at dinner, and I always tell Anna her money schemes are a good idea to her face, but I tip off Alfonse right after so she’ll get caught. I also try to act tough and cold around the younger heroes, but when nobody's looking, I like to hug little Tiki, because she is so cute it hurts!” She squealed, catching her breath, before starting a new confession. “When I’m alone –“
“Okay, I get it!” Ranulf laughed. “You have to stop!”
“I’m trying to!” She looked up at him in desperation. “I really want to change, but it’s so hard. Even when I try to quiet my mind there’s always something to distract me!”
“No, keep being yourself, just stop talking right now.” Ranulf joyously muttered with a sparkle in his eye, gently lifting her chin with the edge of his knuckle, and leaning down, placing his lips on hers.
His soft touch enveloped her body and mind, and she felt herself melt into him as her world fell away. Joyce’s head spun, and clung to his arms for support, stumbling over her words when he pulled away. “W-what was I saying?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Ranulf sighed, and nuzzled her nose gently, moving in again.
“Wait!” Joyce’s senses snapped back, and a switch in her mind that flipped, reminding her why they could never be. The world he was from would never approve, the sacrifice and the consequences that would forever loom over them. “A-are you sure?”
Ranulf smiled down on her, and nodded. “You’ve let me in, and I’m never going to leave now.” He vowed, kissing each cheek as he spoke. “Joyce, my joy.” He whispered before finally finding her lips again.
Joyce let the wave of happiness wash over her as she connected with him. Ranulf was right, she had finally let him in, and she pulled him closer, parting her lips to further do so. His warmth, and kindness was nothing like she had ever felt before, and she was no longer afraid of her future in Askr. Joyce knew everything was going to be alright if she continued down this path side by side with her friend.
“It’s time to go home.” Ranulf told her between each last kiss. The rays of the sunrise flooding the large space. Ranulf reached down, and picked up the ball she had taken from him before. “I’m taking this ball with us.” He announced with a smirk, bouncing it as they walked to the doors.
Joyce couldn’t contain her smile, and she was excited to start the next stage of her life with her best friend, and partner. It felt good to have him back in her life, and they had effortlessly picked up where they had left off. “Oh! You’re never going to believe who I met in Ylisse!”
“Who?” Ranulf raised an eyebrow, throwing his arm around her shoulders with his free hand.
“Ike’s ancestor!” She exclaimed with a chuckle.
“My Ike?” He scrunched up his nose in doubt. “Nooo… Not possible!”
“It’s true! He had Ragnell, and everything!” Joyce tried to explain to him.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“Well someday I’m sure I can summon him…” She pouted, her eyes widening when another idea popped into her head. “Hey, when we get back, can you help me fill out the section about myself in Sharena’s Meet the Heroes Journal?” She inquired nicely, biting her lip in anticipation. “You have really nice handwriting, and I want it to look good.”
Ranulf smirked, and shook his head. “That’s not going to work on me now, Joyce.”
“Huh?” Joyce gasped, realizing her error. “Crap!” she cried out as his laughter echoed down the halls. Their happy banter pushing each step they took, ecstatic to finally return home, together.
Lying in bed filled with assorted pillows, Joyce stopped flipping through the pages of Sharena’s journal, and looked out into the garden of 1606 Fljót house. The spring bloom attracted all sorts of bees and butterflies that danced from flower to flower just outside the large bow window. It was wonderfully peaceful and relaxing, and she wondered why she hadn’t snagged this room for herself when she first moved to the house.
After Joyce and Ranulf returned to their Askr the weeks that followed were filled with entertaining their friends and heroes that had come to visit, welcoming Ranulf home, and celebrating the Order’s success on the mission to get him back. The two decided to keep their relationship to themselves for the time being. It wasn’t that they were ashamed, or had their doubts, but with all the excitement going on, they just didn’t want to add a whole new can of worms to the mix.
She slowly closed the journal, and stretched out in the soft bed after finishing her entry in the growing book of heroes. Today was the day she decided to share a part of herself, her real self, with Alfonse and Sharena. Joyce had planned on sitting them down and telling them who she really was. She had been a nervous wreck all week, about how they would take the news, but she wanted to do this, she wanted to stop pretending to be someone else, and give ‘Joyce’ the life that she worked so hard to create since she arrived.
Joyce perked up in the bed when she saw Ranulf enter the small yard through the cast iron gate, returning after heading out to pick-up some baked goods early that morning. He whistled as he strode down the flagstone path to the door, spinning his key chain around his finger. Joyce smiled to herself as she watched, and she was sure the grass in their yard was greener than any other.
“I’m back!” Ranulf cheerfully announced as he came through the front door, a large brown bag in his arms. “How’s the journal going?” He asked as he stuck his head into his bedroom, before heading to the small kitchen at the end of the hallway.
“Just finished it!” Joyce pushed herself from the cozy nest, and followed him, clutching the small book.
“Can I see?” He asked, dropping the bag on the counter.
“Sure, but be kind…” Joyce handed him the book, before she started rummaging through the paper bag pulling out the sweet buns.
Ranulf pursed his lips, and picked up a pencil sitting nearby. “I think you mean Lost ‘Lore.’ You have Lost ‘Whore’ written down. It’s a common mistake when you don’t follow through on the accent.” He chuckled, fixing her mistake.
She grimaced, and thought of all the times she might have made the same mistake in the past. “Maybe that’s what I meant!” Joyce smirked, and pulled the bun apart. “The summoner enjoys researching Askr’s lost whores…”
“Does she now?” Ranulf snickered, giving her a mischievous grin before returning his attention to the journal, flipping through each page silently.
“Anyone you hope to see added to that book soon?”
“Yeah. Too many to count.”
“You can always go back and see them.”
“Nah. I belong here. Keep my eye on you so you’ll stay out of trouble.” He smirked, closing the book. “Besides, I’m sure their time will come!” He exclaimed, turning to the coo-coo clock hanging above the doorway as it began to chime. “Speaking of time, Alfonse and Sharena will be here soon. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yeah.” She hesitated, pursing her lips. “I mean, I should, right? It’s just the two of them, baby steps…”
Ranulf picked up her hand, and held in his. “If you change your mind, just make something up about why you asked them here, and I’ll have your back!”
“Thanks, Ranulf.” She inhaled deeply, letting out a long sigh. “I don’t think I could have gotten as far as I have without you!”
“No matter what happens going forward, Joyce, I promise I’ll be there to support you, and I know you will do the same.” He smiled, and squeezed her hand. “That’s what we are here for.”
The End.