[November 5] [Danmachi] Equal Partnership

[samuraiter]

Title: Equal Partnership
Day / Prompt: 05 / The time has come to be gone
Fandom: Danmachi
Character(s) / Pairing(s): Finn Deimne / Riveria Ljos Alf
Rating / Warning(s): Mature
Word Count: 960

"You and Gareth aren't having a drink with the others in town? I'm shocked." Riveria did not sound shocked, but she set down the green blanket that had been occupying her attention. "Then I'm guessing there's something you wanted to say to me, so ... let's hear it, Finn."

"I don't know how long you're going to be gone," Finn said, taking a seat next to Riveria on the long sofa that the two of them had used for countless meetings of the Loki Familia, "and there's a chance that many of us will have parted ways by the time you get back, so I thought it'd be a good idea to clear the air between the two of us before you go."

Riveria tilted her head. "Why? You and I haven't fought in years, and, even when we did, it was nothing compared to the arguments Gareth and I used to have. Whatever you might have done, I'm sure I've forgiven you for it, and you know how long Elves can remember a single grievance."

"It's not so much that," Finn said, crossing his arms behind his head and looking up at the ornate ceiling, "as it is looking at how things have changed. I've developed ... a respect for you, if that makes sense."

"I'd thank you, Finn, but that's not unusual when you consider the number of times we've risked our lives together. I feel the same way about you." She had the hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth, but she did not let it escape. "I hope you know that I'd trust you with my life in any situation, just as I hope you'd trust me with yours."

"And I would, believe me," Finn admitted, nodding, "but I'm left ... wondering something." He turned to face her. "And it's ... unusual."

Riveria raised a brow. "It's not like you to be indirect. And 'unusual' covers a very broad range when you consider everything we've experienced."

"Well, it's –" Finn leaned forward. "– perhaps better if I just show you what I mean." Riveria did not retreat from him as he planted a kiss on her lips. Instead, she embraced him, hands clutching at his jacket.

When they separated after a moment, she said, her voice soft next to his ear, "That's how much I trust you, Finn. I didn't shrink from that." She rested her cheek on his shoulder. "This seems like a bit more than respect, though. Considering everything you believe, and your legendary self-control, I'm a little surprised." She closed her eyes. "Delighted, too, but surprised. The Finn I know would keep this to himself."

"I've ... learned a few things about seizing opportunities over the years," he replied, "and I couldn't let myself not try to seize this one. No matter how different we are, no matter how far apart our personal goals are, that doesn't really change the level of trust between us." He sighed. "I couldn't let you go without telling you."

"If I chose anyone from this Familia, Finn, it'd be you." She gently ruffled his hair. "Purely on the basis of all that trust, you know."

A short laugh. "Not Lefiya? Now I'm the one who's surprised here."

Riveria had the grace to blush. "That stays between the two of us!" She cleared her throat and took a breath. "If I'm looking for a mature and equal partner, then you're my choice. Does that sound better to you?"

"Very well." They both chuckled, and a brief silence passed before Finn said, calmly, "You ... don't have to do anything with this, Riveria. You'll still be leaving in the morning, and I won't see you again for at least a year. I don't want you to feel obligated. I just ... wanted you to know, even if it means I'm being a little selfish in telling you."

"Finn." The air between them acquired a gravity that had not been present before. "I'll be frank with you. I'm not leaving until the morning, as you say." She looked at him, her face neutral, but her green eyes had a gleam to them that betrayed a hint of her underlying emotions. "That means there's an entire night between now and then. If you ... wanted to stay here ... with me –" She fought the temptation to avert her gaze. "– I wouldn't say 'no' to you. Not tonight."

Despite all of his experiences in the Dungeon and years of living the hard life of a Pallum pulling himself up from nothing by his bootstraps, Finn could not muster the self-control needed to keep his eyes from goggling. "R-Riveria, that's – I mean, I –" His mouth opened and closed.

Riveria said, her voice husky as she leaned forward, "I promise not to tell anyone that I left the great Captain Finn speechless." This time, she initiated the kiss, maintaining it until she could feel his heart pounding next to hers. "Come back to my chambers with me, Finn." He could feel her breath next to his ear. "See me for who I truly am."

"Y-Yes," he whispered, "and ... this will be our secret."

She rose to her feet, holding out a hand for him as he did the same. "Yes. You and I would never live it down if the others found out." A warm smile – so rare that Finn could be said to be one of a very few who had seen it on her face. "So let's be discreet, and you can revel in your memory of it until I return, whenever that happens to be." They both nodded. "We'll ... decide what to do about things then."

His natural self-confidence reasserted itself. "Yes. We will."

END.

* I unashamedly borrowed the 'Riveria is returning to her homeland' plot device from another story that I wrote for this fandom (featuring Lefiya / Riveria instead of Finn / Riveria) at femslashficlets.