Title: Answered and Unanswered Prayers
Fandom: Fire Emblem: Three Hopes
Characters/Pairing: Yuri Leclerc/Ashe Ubert. Background Hapi/Constance von Nuvelle. Claude von Riegan, Aelfric Dahlman
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: Spoilers for the Golden Wildfire route. Spoilers for Cindered Shadows. Minor character death off-screen. Allusions to past CSA.
Notes: AU version of Golden Wildfire’s chapter 14. Written for , the prompt is "drugged."

--

Gwendal must have put the fear of the Goddess into the Count after their ‘spirited discussion’ last night since Rowe wasn’t there to bid Yuri farewell as he left for the Officer’s Academy. None of his bootlickers were there to remind the ‘brat of an heir’ of his obligations, either. No, it was just Gwendal to see him off. That was vastly preferable to anyone else at House Rowe, but the situation still came with its own obstacles.

“Yuri.” He’d been hoping Gwendal would call him a runt. Be a shit about his skill with a sword. Something that would ruffle Yuri’s feathers so he wouldn’t have to think about what the doctor had told Yuri and Gwendal two weeks ago. Instead, his gaze was similar to the parents seeing their children off nearby. “I’ll pray for your safety.”

Yuri ignored how his chest constricted at those words. “I’ll pray that the next war god you face gets lucky and kills you.” Most rational people would boggle at that. They would also boggle at Gwendal throwing his head back as he enjoyed a full belly laugh. But Yuri’s relationship with this grouchy old knight had always been interesting. Gwendal was a stern but fair teacher in martial arts. He’d also probably saved Yuri’s life that night when he dragged the Count off after… certain events transpired. Yuri didn’t see Rowe again until a week after Gwendal spirited him away. The Count was sporting two black eyes and never laid a hand on Yuri again. So, Yuri knew that the last thing Gwendal wanted was to die from a lengthy illness. He deserved nothing less than a glorious end in battle.

“The sun is setting, runt. You better head off—” Even Gwendal was startled as a tiny, cloaked figure screamed WAIT at the top of his lungs.

Yuri recognized that warm, raspy voice right away. “Ashe?” He frowned. “I thought you had training with Lord Lonato.”

“He let me take the day off so I could bid you farewell.” Ashe removed his hood. It was a typically frigid day in the Kingdom, but Ashe’s face was flushed with exertion.

Gwendal grinned. “The other runt ran all the way from Gaspard territory with some time to spare.”

“Of course,” Ashe huffed. “No one beats me when it comes to speed.” It was one of the few things Ashe took pride in. Then he turned his attention to Yuri. “And there was no way I wasn’t going to say goodbye to my friend before he goes to fulfill his dreams.”

Yuri supposed he was doing that. He just hadn’t divulged to Ashe (or Rowe) what exactly that truly involved. If Gwendal knew as Yuri suspected, he thankfully was keeping his mouth shut. “Well. Thanks.” Aside from Gwendal and his mother, no one had cared about him enough to chase after him before. For once, he wasn’t quite sure what to say. “I’ll write,” he promised Ashe. To his surprise, he meant that. He liked Ashe. He was the best friend one could ask for when you were living several lies all at the same time. But right now, with Ashe looking up at him with hope/sadness in his eyes? Yuri realized he was going to miss the cornball. A lot.

“I will, too,” Ashe assured him earnestly. He rummaged in his pocket before placing something metallic in Yuri’s palm. “Take this. It’ll protect you.”

Yuri did his best not to make a face as he gazed down at Ashe’s anti-evil amulet. Yuri was a believer, sure, but he seriously doubted the Goddess had time to kiss these commonly sold trinkets to grant innocents protection or whatever the new story merchants were telling to chumps with money burning in their pockets.

“My mother gave it to me before she passed,” Ashe whispered, not taking his eyes off Yuri. “It protected me and my siblings when things were really bad. I know it will protect you, too.”

Well, that did it. Yuri didn’t believe in those lying merchants, but he did believe in Ashe, no matter how corny he could be. “Thank you, friend.” Yuri placed the amulet—a small silver thing on a hemp rope—around his neck. “How do I look?”

“Like you’ll survive the term.” Ashe’s shoulders sagged with relief. Wow. Ashe really was worried about him. “And like you’ll keep that promise to write to me, too.”

--

Yuri had just drafted his first letter to Ashe when he was arrested and expelled. All his papers were burned. After that, he had been too busy working with Aelfric to write—and then came the whole mess when he’d discovered Aelfric’s true intentions. If he hadn’t reported him to the Archbishop in time, they might have been in trouble. Then came trying to keep a micro-society together with the help of his three weird friends and the Central Church breathing down his neck. Even if he was officially no longer a criminal, the Lord of the Underworld couldn’t risk Ashe’s safety with a letter. He had to be careful even with what he sent to his mother.

He’d heard about a student named Ashe Ubert enrolling in the Officer’s Academy’s Blue Lions house. He’d even bragged about a kid he knew making good to his mother. If it weren’t for the fact that he was running covert operations for the Church when he wasn’t engaging in gang wars to protect Abyss, he would have reached out. He really would have. Of course, the surface dwellers weren’t supposed to know Abyss even existed. Yet if Gwendal was to be trusted, then Ashe’s history was similar to many of the people Yuri now protected. He wished they could meet, but… Ashe’s safety had to be considered. His people’s safety had to be considered.

Maybe one day, when things were calmer. Maybe after Ashe graduated.

Then suddenly all three nations imploded at the same time and Rhea closed the school. She and Seteth said they would keep the Abyssians safe. Then they fled when the Empire invaded the school.

--

The world had imploded a few more times since then, but Yuri always found time and a chapel for his prayer before battle. Aside from his prayer that his mother would be safe, his pleas to the Goddess had changed over time. When Rowe had brilliantly betrayed the Kingdom, then the Empire, Gwendal had literally fallen at the hands of Leopold von Bergliez. The old man got what he wanted, at least. Yuri didn’t pray for his death anymore, but he did pray for the old man’s soul.

Yuri had hoped to eke out a living as a mercenary until it was clear who would win and he would side with them—but then Balthus of all people defeated him. Luckily, Balthus was a true friend and had some connections to King Claude of the newly minted Leicester Federation. So now Yuri was a general in the Federation army rather than executed for attempting to assassinate the King. All Balthus asked in exchange was that Yuri said a quick prayer to the goddess that he’d get to meet “Claude’s hot mom” one day. How Yuri managed not to laugh every time he said that prayer, he never knew.

Despite rumblings about Lonato’s distrust of the Archbishop, Gaspard was still a Kingdom territory. King Claude and Lorenz wondered if after Rowe’s destruction, he decided it wasn’t worth the risk. Yuri suspected it was because his son Ashe was a knight to King Dimitri. Even if Lonato was furious with his king, he wouldn’t imperil his son.

This, of course, meant that Ashe and Yuri were on opposite sides of the war. Ashe was one of the most important soldiers in the Kingdom army. Yuri was a general of the army about to invade said Kingdom. It was just a matter of time until they fought each other. The Goddess had one shitty sense of humor if she thought this was the way they should meet again.

Still, he said his final prayer that wherever Ashe was right now, it wouldn’t be on this battlefield. She’d answered this prayer consistently so far, and Yuri offered his thanks for that.

“Yuri,” Marianne whispered. “We need to go.”

It really was time to go if Marianne was suggesting that they leave the chapel. “Okay,” he said, fingertips drifting to the amulet Ashe had gifted him years ago. “Let’s stop the Central Church.”

--

“Okay,” Yuri said warily as he eyed his opponent, “I knew we’d be facing the bishops at some point. I just didn’t expect you, since I helped get your ass arrested and all.”

Aelfric shrugged good-naturedly, a stark contrast to the battle happening around them. “Yes, about that. It turns out that being on the losing end of the war means that one is more willing to make difficult decisions. The Archbishop loathes me but understands I have abilities she needs to stop the Empire and the Federation.”

“Interesting,” Yuri smirked as he readied his sword. “King Claude hired me since I have the abilities that he needs to stop the Kingdom and the Church.”

Aelfric’s ‘good mood’ evaporated at those words. “You cannot stop the Church, Yuri. I tried, remember? You can, however, use them as a resource. If you come with me, I can show you how to use a power far mightier than your would-be king.”

“Hmm. Betray the king who’s paying me better than even Rhea did or break that trust for a loser who literally wants to drain me of my blood?” Yuri’s body language was somewhere between alert and bravado. He needed to distract Aelfric if he wanted to win this battle. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Oh, Yuri,” Aelfric tutted gently. His avuncular nature had returned, but there was something calculated about it, for lack of a better term. Like he was about to make a move. Yuri readied his blade, itching to slit Aelfric’s throat, but knowing from experience he needed to see what he was fighting against. “It wasn’t personal. You are only a resource for my goal. Young man? You may appear now.”

Ashe obediently emerged from the shadows; eyes empty even as he brandished a sword that gleamed so brilliantly Zoltan himself must have forged it.

It was only because of Gwendal’s training that Yuri’s sword didn’t fall from his hand in shock. He—he couldn’t afford to be horrified by what he saw. This was war. Yet despite those thoughts, he still breathed Ashe’s name. If Yuri was this appalled at having to fight his childhood friend, surely Ashe felt the same.

“For what it’s worth, he expressed concern for you before the battle. He didn’t want to fight you.” Ashe didn’t so much as twitch as Aelfric tousled his hair. “So, I gave him something to make killing you easier for his delicate spirit.”

Anger is a dangerous emotion, but it can keep you from falling into despair, runt. Yuri pointed his blade at Aelfric. “You drugged him and brainwashed him into becoming your puppet.”

“Yes,” Aelfric replied cheerfully as he stepped away from Ashe. “You can come with me or let your friend kill you. It’s your—” He disappeared when a spell hit him.

“Yuri-bird.” Hapi was as seemingly impassive as ever as she hit Aelfric with another spell. “Let me and Coco handle this. You save Freckles.”

“I shall provide my beloved Hapi whatever support a lowly vessel like myself can provide,” Constance monotoned as she hit Aelfric with two Bolting spells.

Yuri shouted thanks to them both right before Ashe attacked him.

Aelfric was a master manipulator. Yuri had to give him that. However, he obviously hadn’t had time to study what made Ashe a threat in battle. Yuri had seen him train in Gaspard and caught a few glimpses of him at the Academy, so he knew Ashe was at his best in the shadows and using ‘underhanded’ tactics to secure a victory with his bow. Ashe charging him with a sword head-on was still dangerous, but Yuri knew that he could manage this. He could easily kill Ashe and survive to see his mother again.

The thing was, he realized with a sinking feeling as he just barely managed to avoid a strike, he didn’t want to kill Ashe. He would if he had to—his mother’s life depended on it—but what he wanted was to break him free of the hold Aelfric had over him. He knew what it was like to feel like others controlled your life. He wouldn’t wish this on his worst enemy, much less his childhood friend.

It was risky, but… he charged as well, conveniently getting close enough to Ashe to harm him. Yuri grunted as Ashe slashed his non-dominant hand. It hurt like hell, but he’d survive. So would Ashe, he promised himself as he hit Ashe with a full blast of wind magic up close. He’d chosen a weak spell, so it didn’t kill him—although he was probably concussed as the wind blasted him back a few meters, head hitting the blood-stained ground. The sword clattered to the ground as well as it slipped from Ashe’s grasp.

Yuri quietly sheathed the Sword of Zoltan in his scabbard before kneeling next to Ashe, lying motionless. “I know you,” he whispered. “Lord Lonato’s kid is way too gentle to be out here.”

Ashe stirred. Yuri released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding until now.

Then, despite his head injury, Ashe grabbed for Yuri’s throat. Yuri fought back the bile as he moved out of the way before Ashe could strangle him. Good Goddess, it was like Aelfric had turned him into an evil demon or something—wait.

“Ashe.” Yuri grabbed the amulet and held it in his uninjured hand, still even as Ashe somehow righted himself and lurched to attack him again. It was forged from a simple metal, but it gleamed in the sun nonetheless. “Whatever lies Aelfric told you, they’re just that. This proves that you’re not just a weapon for the Church. Someone who was so desperate to safeguard his friend could never truly be corrupted by anyone.”

Ashe froze.

“That’s right.” Somehow, Yuri kept his tone steady. “Your existence isn’t obedience to Aelfric or the Church. You’re just a good person who tried to protect me when I left.” His eyes stung but he couldn’t stop now. “And I’m the guy who just wants to help my friend.”

“Yuri.” Ashe’s voice sounded raw.

“Yeah. It’s me.”

“I’m so glad you’re okay…” Ashe collapsed after that. Yuri winced as he dashed up to catch Ashe, and without thinking grabbed him with his injured hand. Yuri fought back the panic by focusing on making a plan. He knew some healing magic, but it wasn’t going to be enough. He needed help. “Hey, medic!” Marianne was busy patching up Hilda. Linhardt was shielding Leonie. So, he was stuck with Balthus going on about how this must be the twink Yuri would never shut up about back in Abyss as he did his best to dispel the worst of the drugs.

--

“Yuri-bird.” Hapi’s voice was slightly softer than usual, but it was still enough to snap Yuri out of his umpteenth prayer to the Goddess to spare Ashe. “Freckles is gonna be okay. You’ve prayed more than enough for that.”

Yuri gazed down at Ashe’s motionless form. “I thought you didn’t believe in the Goddess.”

“I don’t. But I do believe in you. And Freckles is pretty tough. He could hold his own against the other kitty cats back at the Academy during training. That’s what I called the Blue Lions, not the actual kajillion cats that lived there. Just for clarification.”

Her story was intriguing enough that Yuri had to know more. “For someone who spent the majority of her time underground as a prisoner of the Church, you sure know a lot about this student. You even gave him one of your famous nicknames.”

“First off, I did what I felt like. Sometimes that meant sneaking topside for a snack. Freckles would share his pastries and would let me borrow some of his novels.” To Yuri’s surprise, she kissed Ashe on the forehead. “Lemme know when he wakes up. I scrounged up another adventure of the Luna Knight that even he’s never read. And don’t worry your pretty little head, Yuri-bird. I like Ashe, but I like my Coco even more.”

“It’s not like that.” That said, he could dismiss Balthus cooing over how cute they supposedly were together. Never mind their time together so far was Yuri trying not to cry while Ashe was passed out. Hapi, however, was quite shrewd. Hmm. Still, it was time to change the subject. “I know you don’t like talking about this, but do we know what happened to Aelfric?”

She shook her head. “He vanished before Coco could confirm her kill. I really don’t think anyone could survive getting hit by that new spell of hers, but the Church is pretty damn stubborn. We need to stay on our toes.” With a final glance at them both, she went off to talk to the shy little bespectacled knight that Lorenz had assigned to keep an eye on Ashe, just in case. That had pissed Yuri off. But Iggy or whatever his name was kept to himself as he did his job, which meant Yuri had time to wait and pray.

--

He couldn’t leave Ashe to hunt down Aelfric. Marianne and Linhardt had said they’d done all they could and now it was up to Ashe to find the strength to recover. Yuri, despite years of objective proof otherwise, was still naïve enough to think that maybe he could help. A friendly presence and all that. That was what helped wake up the knight in that one story Ashe was obsessed with when they were kids—Ashe just wanted to help people, really help people, he’d worked so hard, he didn’t deserve to be used and tossed aside like this—

Despite what everyone (himself included) said, he was not a savage mockingbird. He was not a lord of the shadowy underworld. He was not even Yuri Leclerc. He was just Regulus, a pauper far from home and terrified that his first real friend was going to die. He had no resources to help Ashe. No contacts to offer support. There was no scheme or workaround. He could take, but he couldn’t give Ashe anything.

“Maybe this is a bad idea since you definitely did not answer my last prayer. But I have nowhere else to turn,” he whispered reverently as he clasped his hands. “If you want to punish me for trying to take down Rhea and Seteth, fine. Just please, leave Ashe out of it. Spare him. Please. I beg you.”

Ashe’s face twitched when the tears fell on his face, but he did not wake up.

Spare him he repeated in his mind, over and over. He’s innocent. He doesn’t deserve any of this.

Even when exhaustion finally claimed him, Yuri’s hands were clasped tightly, his head bowed over Ashe.

--

“C’mon, Yuri. That can’t be a comfortable way to sleep.”

He was about to snap at whatever punk with the gall to disturb his beauty rest but then realized that the punk was Ashe. Pale, shadowed eyes, but sitting up and alert—and yelping in surprise when Yuri grabbed him in a hug.

“Hold on.” Ashe pulled away enough to look at Yuri properly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, of course,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Ashe was back to normal; how could he not be? “What about you? You were the one that was brainwashed to kill me.” He tried to smirk. “It was only brainwashing that made you wanna kill me, right?”

“It was. After all, why attempt murder when I know I can scold you into submission?” They both smiled a little at that. It was strange (but nice) how easily they fell back into their old snarky routine. But then Ashe frowned. “I guess I can explain things when they interrogate me.”

“What are you talking about? No one is going to interrogate you. You’re a victim, not a prisoner of war.”

“Yuri,” Ashe argued gently. “I was fighting for the enemy of the Federation. I was doing so of my own volition up until Aelfric gave me that strange potion. Now I am at the mercy of the Federation I was fighting to stop. There’s no way I’m not a prisoner of war at this point.”

“Yeah, about that,” King Claude said as he stepped into the infirmary. “You’re not a prisoner. In fact, if you want, I’ll make you a general.”

Ashe gave the king a wary look. “Excuse me?”

King Claude held up his hands in defense. “Yeah, I’m as shocked as you are. I sent a messenger to the new Margrave Gautier about a prisoner exchange.” He placed a parchment on the table next to Ashe’s bed. Yuri had… an interesting past with Sylvain. He was familiar enough with him that he could recognize his handwriting even now.

“While I doubt that the Federation’s bloody inception could ever lead to a lasting peace, I am not opposed to exchanging prisoners,” Yuri read for them. “However, please believe me when I say Ashe is safer with you. I can never forgive you for my father’s death and your attempts to steal our homes, but I know you will protect Ashe better than we could. Please tell him we did our best and not to worry.” Yuri frowned at Ashe. “Okay. This is weird.”

“Fantastic deduction, Yuri,” the king chirped. “I can see why I hired you.”

“You hired me so I’d break the contract with the girl who wanted your ass dead,” Yuri chirped back. “Also, you’re just mad that the Master Tactician is as lost as us mere mortals.”

“Unfortunately true,” King Claude conceded. “However, I suspect Ashe is not.” His expression was not unkind, but it was resolute. “I understand you’re going through a lot. And I get that you’re mad at me since I’m responsible. But if we’re going to help you—and maybe even your comrades—we need answers.”

Yuri grabbed Ashe’s hand. “I get that, but it’s cruel to ask him right after he woke up from being drugged and brainwashed. You can come back in a few days.”

“It’s fine.” Ashe squeezed Yuri’s hand, offering him a weak smile. “I told you that they were going to interrogate me.” Then he turned his attention to the king. “Thanks to the Empire and the Federation allying, the Church and the Kingdom have had to rely on what few skilled people we have, even if those people have done questionable things in the past.”

Well, that explained those rumors about Sylvain’s shitty brother keeping the peace in the western part of the Kingdom. “Yeah, but this is more than hiring some punks or mercs,” Yuri noted. “Aelfric did things I was sworn to secrecy about.”

That got King Claude’s attention. “Even after you broke ties with the Central Church?”

“Some things should stay buried in the past.”

The king stretched, an action meant to make him seem relaxed and unassuming. “Let’s stick a pin in that dark past for now. We need to focus on what happened recently.” King Claude took a deep breath and that got Yuri’s attention. Usually, he was so good at his masks. If even he was struggling with what he had to say next, it couldn’t be good. “Ashe… did King Dimitri or any of the major nobles know what Aelfric was up to?”

Ashe shook his head. “Rhea and Seteth didn’t, either. No one trusts him, but we needed his magic and rhetoric to win back the Monastery.” His grip on Yuri’s hand tightened slightly. “I think… I think he was drugging me for some time. Either to make me more suggestible or make his scheme unnoticeable until it was too late. Frankly, the past few weeks have been muddled. I remember Aelfric talking to me a lot, but nothing specific.” He huffed in frustration. “Sorry.”

“You’ve helped us more than you know,” Yuri assured him. “So, will King Dimitri or Rhea be able to arrest him, or has he slimed his way back into the establishment enough that they can’t touch him?”

“The latter,” Ashe said without a second thought. He was so earnest and helpful that it was easy to forget that he could be chillingly pragmatic when needed. “Rhea is still ostensibly the head of the Central Church, but Aelfric is who the people actually see and talk to. He’s as powerful as she is now. And while I’m sure the Archbishop would love to kill him for that, she needs him. And King Dimitri needs the Archbishop.”

“I see.” There were no attempts at joviality in the king’s tone. He was every bit the tactician they would need. “In that case, I need to speak to the Commander immediately if our enemy can do something like this. But before I go: will you accept my offer, Ashe?”

“Yeah. I mean, yes, your Majesty.” Despite the situation, Ashe flushed in embarrassment.

King Claude almost relaxed at that. “Hey. The Federation doesn’t care how formal or informal you are. We just want the Central Church to stop telling us how to live.” He was already halfway out the door when he glanced at Yuri. “The situation sucks, but I’m glad you found your guy.”

“I see King Claude is picking up on Abyssian slang,” Ashe noted after he was gone. Then he gave Yuri a look. “So, what was that about me being your guy?”

Shit. Okay. He could talk his way out of this. “Oh, everyone for whatever reason thinks I’m in love with you because I talk about you a lot.”

… He could lie to the most powerful nobles in Fódlan without batting an eyelash. But he couldn’t help but be honest with this doe-eyed knight.

Yet Ashe merely smiled. “Hmm. I’m happily surprised to hear that. I never imagined I could have made that much of an impression on you, Yuri.”

“We were friends. And you rose up out of nothing.” And without compromising his principles. He found himself smiling as well as he pulled Ashe’s amulet out from under his shirt. “Why else do you think I’ve held onto this?”

Gingerly, Ashe reached out to stroke the amulet. His fingertips brushed against Yuri’s neck. “I’m glad it protected you.”

“I’m glad that it was enough to snap you out of it.”

Ashe nodded. “As King Claude said, the situation sucks. But I am so relieved that we’re on the same side now.” His gaze faltered. “I just wish I didn’t have to fight King Dimitri and my friends now.”

Speaking of… “Ashe, are you sure about this? No one will think less of you if you change your mind.” And if they did, Yuri would have words with them.

“No. I don’t like it, but this is the fastest way to save my friends. My recruitment was rather rocky, but I trust King Claude when he says that he and the Emperor will begin peace talks the moment Rhea is desposed.” He sighed softly. “That said, Rhea still has power, but Aelfric is the Central Church now. I’m one of the few people that is aware of that threat. I am obligated to stop him. Also, I suspect Aelfric will target one or more of my friends now. A former knight could never get to them on his own with a war going on, but a general in the opposing army has a chance. Also… I’m worried about Lonato. Did you hear how Christophe passed?”

“Executed by the Central Church,” Yuri answered. He remembered feeling like he was going to throw up when one of his employees mentioned that sweet, goofy Christophe had been executed for crimes Yuri damn well knew he was not capable of. “I’m guessing Lord Lonato wasn’t happy about your former king siding with Rhea, then.”

“You’d guess right. I have managed to keep him from trying anything that would get him killed like Rowe, but now that his second son has vanished due to working with the Church, I’m worried that he’ll give in to his desire for revenge. And he’s an amazing knight, but even he can’t stand up against the Kingdom and the Church.” Ashe’s quiet earnestness was almost otherworldly. “I will return to Gaspard and save what remains of my family. I will stop Aelfric. I will do whatever I have to do to accomplish these goals.”

Yuri nudged Ashe’s shoulder. “I’ll help. We’ll all help, but I’ll be the most beautiful one out of the entire army, and I think we can both agree that’s a bonus.”

Ashe let out a short bark of laughter as he grasped Yuri’s hand. “Thank you so much, Yuri. I’m not a pious person, but you are the answer to all my prayers.”

--

Final Notes:

Ashe and Yuri: (hugging and crying)

Ignatz from his spot where he would snipe Ashe just in case he was still evil: (also crying)

I think this mostly fits the Golden Wildfire timeline. It's been some time since I've played Three Hopes, so if I got an event timed wrong sorry. :(