#the sisters pulled some strings and had him posted as a cleric’s assistant | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

seasaltmemories · 5 years

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For, "You Say You Wanna Go to Heaven..." and "Regret"

Alm notices Celica still praying, even though the gods are gone. He thinks she must be half-asleep and her body is on auto-pilot. Alm finds this plausible because some mornings, it takes him a moment before he remembers he’s not in Ram Village anymore. So he doesn’t comment on her strange behavior, convinced that, as Ceclica adjusts to the present circumstances, she’ll let go of the habit.

Alm is baffled when Celica doesn’t stop. Alm can’t fathom why. Celica knows and accepts that there are no more gods. After all, what’s the point of prayer, if there’s no one to listen to it?

It could be a coping mechanism. It’s not uncommon in their group. Mathilda carries a knife on her person at all times and Valbar has to fight on the front lines.

If that’s the case, Alm knows he shouldn’t pry but his curiosity gets the best of him. He spies on Celica each morning as she prays, trying to figure out the reason behind it.

Watching Celica, it dawns on Alm that he doesn’t understand faith. He made sure to honor Milla as he grew up (even as she seemed to be failing them) but he did it because it was customary, not because he believed in her (it was hard to put his trust in a goddess he hadn’t met yet).

Alm recognizes that, yes, the gods shaped their lives in tangible ways (he owes his current standing in Valentia to Duma and, without Milla’s assistance, Alm would’ve ended up murdering Celica). But, by that same token, if either of the gods had decided differently, that he or Celica had to die, would he have had to accept that? Could he have fought against their fates?

Alm knows he’d kill Milla and Duma, even if they had been sane, to protect his loved ones. He doesn’t understand why Celica was willing to sacrifice herself in order to restore them, despite her best attempts to explain it.

Celica is so dutiful that she was perfectly willing to make the ultimate sacrifice (probably still is) if that’s what it took to save their country. It’s no wonder clerics mistake her for Milla’s incarnation.

Alm knows he isn’t as noble as Celica, that a part of him will always want Celica for himself, even when others need and rely upon her.

Alm doesn’t let his selfishness control him. He acknowledges his possessive urges whenever they flare up but he makes sure they never influence his actions or behavior (though Alm doesn’t seem to realize, fighting against your worst instincts is what a good person does).

Celica has to meet with her worshippers. On the one hand, they could use all the support they can get but on the other, they don’t want the group to become a cult, either. Alm knows the trip is necessary and that Celica probably isn’t in any danger, but he still can’t help but worry (to the point where he can barely sleep). They hadn’t been apart since the war.

When Celica returns, Alm’s first reaction to ask why she’s dressed like a saint. Celica, a little sheepishly, explains that the church promoted her to a saint (even though priestesses aren’t eligible for sainthood normally). Celica doesn’t think she pulls it off but Alm couldn’t disagree more. She’s like an angel to him.

Celica tells Alm to go back to sleep, she’ll describe her trip later. Alm doesn’t believe her and bluntly tells her so.

Alm’s embarrassed by his outburst. He feels he doesn’t deserve to even look at her. It takes a lot of willpower not to though. She’s so alluring in this state, half-way between his Celica and the holy, unreachable one.

Celica apologizes first, for lying to him. Lies come more easily to her than the truth, especially after dealing with people that look to her as their goddess (which is a lot to live up to).

While Alm lacks faith in the gods, he has complete faith in Celica and her judgement (even if, again, he doesn’t understand it).

Celica doesn’t seem to agree with Alm’s assessment, probably thinking he’s blinded by love (hence her, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” comment.)

Alm is aroused by the sight of Celica unchanging (in spite of his best efforts, he can’t keep his eyes off her) and, distracted, lets his slip that he’s jealous.

Celica is amused by this. She teases that he’s usually better at handling his jealousy while also making it clear that she loves and chooses to be with him.

Alm is embarrassed she saw through him so easily and that he’s so petty as to be threatened by her relationship with her god or worshippers. He thinks he doesn’t deserve her and says as much.

By now, Celica’s getting sick of people treating her like she’s this higher being and warns Alm not to idealize her.

Alm fishes for reassurance that she doesn’t regret their relationship (he’s self-aware about it but swears that it’s only a one-time occasion, then he’ll go back to clamping down on his insecurity).

Celica doesn’t respond immediately (her actions certainly speak for themselves). She undresses, gets in close, and seamlessly switches the conversation towards sex.

I loved the ending line. It follows Celica’s last line of dialogue perfectly, fits the overarching theme, and is pretty funny to boot.

Another excellent Celicalm piece! I adore how you highlight the differences between Celica and Alm’s worldviews but show, in spite of that, they’re both still dedicated to making this work (Celica’s being more honest, Alm trying to keep his jealousy in check). It also doesn’t hurt that the sexual tension between the two is off the charts in your hands. Thanks for sharing!

Himika wakes up to the sounds of Leo retching and she is 100% done with everything.

It’s funny how Leo and Himika are sensible enough to want to hold off the wedding until after Leo Corp is more established but not sensible enough to practice safe sex.

The pregnancy also meant she had to notify her family sooner than she planned.

Her family clearly doesn’t approve of Leo (he’s too poor, foreign and old to be a suitable match). But it’s clear Himika doesn’t give a damn what they think.

One advantage of a shotgun wedding though, is Himika doesn’t have to deal with their fussing for long.

It wasn’t the wedding that posed the problem, it was the honeymoon.

Both of them didn’t think it wise to take time off while the company was still so new (only six months old!) but her family absolutely insisted they go to keep up appearances (Himika admits a break did sound enticing, otherwise she probably wouldn’t have gone along with it).

Himika booked a simple trip to Kyoto. Unfortunately, they’re hit with a string of bad luck that makes relaxing on this honeymoon impossible. To top it all off, Leo’s sick.

Himika, her patience already worn incredibly thin, snaps at Leo. But he looks so weak that she immediately regrets it. She clarifies that she’s not mad at him for getting sick and tries to find out what he has so she can hopefully help (and make up for her earlier remark).

Leo thinks it’s food poisoning. He still doesn’t want to trouble Himika about it.

Himika, instead of going back to bed, attempts to soothe Leo (something she has no experience in nor inclination for). She doesn’t feel she’s helping much but Leo’s grateful to her all the same.

Leo admits when he pictured this scenario, he was the caretaker and Himika the patient, for an obvious reason.

Himika informs him, for lack of something else to say, that at this stage, the morning sickness’ worn off. (I love Himika’s slight social awkwardness).

Leo wants to be a good husband to Himika (man, will that change). Himika reflects that her sister hadn’t believed him capable of taking responsibility.

Ichika, despite being younger, seems to be the golden child. She bagged the rich husband and had two sons all by the time she was twenty-five. Meanwhile, Himika married a poor, eccentric scientist to avoid having her baby out of wedlock.

Leo calls her, “dear,” and the term of endearment is enough to make her blush. Leo’s afraid he upset her.

Himika tells Leo, in no uncertain terms, that she wanted to settle down and start a family with him (or else it wouldn’t have happened). She’s practically confessing her love.

Leo feels the same way and hearing that out loud, lifts the burden she’s been carrying around for the past week or so, since the night she overheard him murmur another woman’s name in his sleep (the sad thing is, she is going to lose Leo to Ray, just not in the way she initially suspected).

Oh god, Himika herself isn’t sure if she could take Leo’s betrayal (even with the couple at their happiest, we’re reminded of the inevitable conclusion).

Himika suggests they stay in. Leo thinks that’s a good idea and calls her dear again (which Himika still isn’t used to).

Himika decides right then and there, as long as Leo has no lingering doubts or regrets, she won’t either (and I’m sad over these two all over again).

First of all, I loved the family background you gave Himika (especially her strained relationship and rivalry with her sister, Ichika) and how, although she has trouble expressing affection sometimes, she clearly loves Leo, and, of course, all of the little reminders that this is only going to end in grudges and tears. Thanks for all these Akaba family feels!

These were ironically more similar pieces than I thought, despite coming from different places they both center on a new couple and loyalty/jealousy of the relationship

You Wanna Go to Heaven, came from an fe event where one of the prompts was striptease, and me being me, I thought of incorporating that with like the idea of stripping off these holy markings to become human again (and in general religious imagery I thought would be fun to play around with) I’m also a sucker for Alm being a little clingy post-canon bc he did lose her for a while, meanwhile Celica’s always loved Alm for being someone she could be as messy and flawed as she truly was around him

As for Regret, I don’t remember exactly where shotgun wedding!Instituteshipping came from, I think it is bc I like the idea of a bit of a class divide between the two, but now it is a dearly loved idea just bc they’re such a serious couple, it adds a lot of personality and humor to them, for a long time I’ve wanted to write about Himika and this idea that she really was in love with Leo and had to give up a lot (her family’s approval, her wider social standing) for it, only to have it slip from her fingers, it’s was also fun to construct Ray as a “the other woman” type, bc there is a bit of truth in it, but it is not a competition for romantic affections,

Thanks for the reviews! I always love your thoughts and insights!

#cute things #submission

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