[ Since the day Ashe entered the Officers Academy, he's admired Ingrid. Her strength, her wit, her work ethic, the way she carries herself... in his eyes, she's the very picture of the kind of knight he aspires to be. But the more time he spent by her side - the more he learned about Ingrid Brandl Galatea, whose eyes shine brighter than the stars at the sight of a full plate of food, who shares his passions and dreams but nearly threw them away for the sake of her family's future - the deeper his feelings grew.
"Admiration" is too weak of a word now. Even "love" doesn't feel right. He just... feels so much. He wants to stand by her side both on and off the battlefield, give her reasons to smile for the rest of her days, and support her however he can in reaching her goals. He wants to hold her close when the toll of war weighs too heavily on their hearts and have her sleep by his side, if that would help her get some rest. (he'd like to kiss her, too, but that's lower on his list of desires - and only if she wanted that of him.) Most of all, he wants to make sure she knows just how special she is. Not because of her Crest, Hero's Relic, or family name, but because she's Ingrid.
(deep down, he knows he doesn't have the right be her partner. he's heard enough about her father and the multitude of marriage proposals sent her way to know that he, a crestless commoner set to inherit a small title simply by chance, would never be accepted by her family. but perhaps he can remain with her as a friend - that would be enough for him, he thinks.)
Long after the dining hall's usual hours, Ashe lingers in the kitchen, a book meant for Ingrid set a safe distance away from the Daphnel Stew bubbling away on the stove. If he's timed this out right (and he hopes he has - if she's late, something may have happened to her) Ingrid will be finishing her patrols for the evening and heading in his direction to procure some dinner.
With the war there's little he can do for her. He can't make her as happy as he wants to when there's still so much suffering outside the monastery walls. But hopefully, even the smallest of gestures - a warm, freshly made dinner after a long day - amount to something. ]
[Ingrid has been raised to be a bride. As much as she wishes she were alive for her own sake – her own desires, even if those desires mean still living for someone else, his highness – she knows she’s only alive for the sake of her family. She’s alive to be a bride for them so that someday, their territory may be prosperous and then her parents can live easy. Once this war is over, if she even survives the war, she will be stripped of the knighthood she never truly had in the first place and return to Galatea where she will be shown off like a prize to more suitors than she can stomach. She can only delude herself and pretend to be one of the boys for so long.
(she’d talked big that one afternoon with ashe. that she wasn’t one to give up so easily and would pursue her dream but…)
There is a guilt that eats away at her whenever she gets upset over this fact. She should be happy to be doing this for her family. Her parents have provided her everything; she loves them most in the world and owes them her entire life. Of course she wants them to be able to live peaceful lives in a flourishing territory. Marrying a noble for them would be an honor.
She doesn’t want to marry a noble. She’s not even sure she wanted to marry Glenn, truly.
Ingrid doesn’t think she wants to marry at all. But if she were to she’d want to marry –
Ashe.
Ashe’s who’s grown into such a wonderful young man. He’s far from the small but eager boy he used to be, but he’s managed to keep his kindness and optimism all the same. Ingrid is not so ignorant to think that he’s not immune to grief and despair, either. She’d seen it five years ago when they’d dealt with Lonato and she’ll see flashes of it now, especially with the state His Highness is in. With Dedue gone… and yet he remains a sunspot. It’s something that Ingrid admires greatly.
He talks about her being a true knight when, in reality, Ingrid sees it the other way around.
Ingrid slaps her cheeks, both waking herself up from her patrol and setting her thoughts straight, before she enters the dining hall. But it seems the goddess has other plans for her as the man she’d been mulling over is present – the only one present – in the dining hall right before her.]
Oh, Ashe! I didn’t think anyone would be here – what are you doing here so late?
[Cooking? The aroma coming from the kitchen smells fresh and oh so delicious. But, why?]
[ Ashe, who'd been a little lost in thought, brightens when he hears the sound of her voice. He looks up from the pot with a warm smile on his face, clearly pleased to see her - and in one piece, on top of that. ]
Well, I've been waiting for you. I imagine you must be hungry. [ He steps away from the stove briefly to grab a few bowls. ] Please, sit down and relax - it'll be just a moment.
[Warmth fills Ingrid’s heart as she watches Ashe bustle around the kitchen.]
You didn’t have to wait on me. Or cook for me, at that! You need your rest too. [Ingrid scolds, but with a titter that conveys all the love in her heart. That doesn’t stop her from taking a seat like she’s been instructed to, either.] Though, I have to admit, I am starving.
[ Ashe chuckles, soft and fond, and brings over the larger of the two bowls of stew to her. ]
Really, it was no trouble at all. It was my turn for kitchen duty anyway. [ But did he make a separate batch of Daphnel Stew, just for her? Yes. Between the two of them, nothing will go to waste.
After serving himself a portion (it's not his favorite, but he likes it enough, and it's hard to justify being picky during war), he takes the seat next to her, book placed carefully in his lap. ] Let me know what you think! I believe this is my best stew yet.
[Ingrid takes a generous spoonful, making sure to get as many of the fixings in one bite, and the moment it hits her tongue she’s swooning. She never gets tired of a good Daphnel Stew but there is something about how Ashe has made it that it’s extra delicious. It’s warm in her mouth. All the flavors are there, harmonious, and not competing with each other. It’s hearty. It feels like home. As Ingrid’s chewing it down, her free hand comes to cup her own cheek and she hums.] Mmm! Ashe, it’s delicious!
This is definitely your best yet. [The best praise she can give Ashe is by chowing down – so she does.]
I’ve tried to make this time and time again, but I can never get it quite right. [It is truly a shame that someone who likes food so much is only mediocre at cooking, at best.] I should really watch you cook sometime.
[ The praise (her words, and the way she eats so eagerly) makes Ashe's cheeks turn pink. Joy is crystal clear on his face, shining like a beacon of light. ] Of course! I would be happy to cook for you, whenever you want! Just say the word and I'll do it.
[ Is he coming off as a little eager? Perhaps. But he truly loves spending time with her, no matter what it is they're doing. ] I may not be the best cook, but I'm sure I can help you learn.
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"Admiration" is too weak of a word now. Even "love" doesn't feel right. He just... feels so much. He wants to stand by her side both on and off the battlefield, give her reasons to smile for the rest of her days, and support her however he can in reaching her goals. He wants to hold her close when the toll of war weighs too heavily on their hearts and have her sleep by his side, if that would help her get some rest. (he'd like to kiss her, too, but that's lower on his list of desires - and only if she wanted that of him.) Most of all, he wants to make sure she knows just how special she is. Not because of her Crest, Hero's Relic, or family name, but because she's Ingrid.
(deep down, he knows he doesn't have the right be her partner. he's heard enough about her father and the multitude of marriage proposals sent her way to know that he, a crestless commoner set to inherit a small title simply by chance, would never be accepted by her family. but perhaps he can remain with her as a friend - that would be enough for him, he thinks.)
Long after the dining hall's usual hours, Ashe lingers in the kitchen, a book meant for Ingrid set a safe distance away from the Daphnel Stew bubbling away on the stove. If he's timed this out right (and he hopes he has - if she's late, something may have happened to her) Ingrid will be finishing her patrols for the evening and heading in his direction to procure some dinner.
With the war there's little he can do for her. He can't make her as happy as he wants to when there's still so much suffering outside the monastery walls. But hopefully, even the smallest of gestures - a warm, freshly made dinner after a long day - amount to something. ]
no subject
(she’d talked big that one afternoon with ashe. that she wasn’t one to give up so easily and would pursue her dream but…)
There is a guilt that eats away at her whenever she gets upset over this fact. She should be happy to be doing this for her family. Her parents have provided her everything; she loves them most in the world and owes them her entire life. Of course she wants them to be able to live peaceful lives in a flourishing territory. Marrying a noble for them would be an honor.
She doesn’t want to marry a noble. She’s not even sure she wanted to marry Glenn, truly.
Ingrid doesn’t think she wants to marry at all. But if she were to she’d want to marry –
Ashe.
Ashe’s who’s grown into such a wonderful young man. He’s far from the small but eager boy he used to be, but he’s managed to keep his kindness and optimism all the same. Ingrid is not so ignorant to think that he’s not immune to grief and despair, either. She’d seen it five years ago when they’d dealt with Lonato and she’ll see flashes of it now, especially with the state His Highness is in. With Dedue gone… and yet he remains a sunspot. It’s something that Ingrid admires greatly.
He talks about her being a true knight when, in reality, Ingrid sees it the other way around.
Ingrid slaps her cheeks, both waking herself up from her patrol and setting her thoughts straight, before she enters the dining hall. But it seems the goddess has other plans for her as the man she’d been mulling over is present – the only one present – in the dining hall right before her.]
Oh, Ashe! I didn’t think anyone would be here – what are you doing here so late?
[Cooking? The aroma coming from the kitchen smells fresh and oh so delicious. But, why?]
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Well, I've been waiting for you. I imagine you must be hungry. [ He steps away from the stove briefly to grab a few bowls. ] Please, sit down and relax - it'll be just a moment.
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You didn’t have to wait on me. Or cook for me, at that! You need your rest too. [Ingrid scolds, but with a titter that conveys all the love in her heart. That doesn’t stop her from taking a seat like she’s been instructed to, either.] Though, I have to admit, I am starving.
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Really, it was no trouble at all. It was my turn for kitchen duty anyway. [ But did he make a separate batch of Daphnel Stew, just for her? Yes. Between the two of them, nothing will go to waste.
After serving himself a portion (it's not his favorite, but he likes it enough, and it's hard to justify being picky during war), he takes the seat next to her, book placed carefully in his lap. ] Let me know what you think! I believe this is my best stew yet.
no subject
This is definitely your best yet. [The best praise she can give Ashe is by chowing down – so she does.]
I’ve tried to make this time and time again, but I can never get it quite right. [It is truly a shame that someone who likes food so much is only mediocre at cooking, at best.] I should really watch you cook sometime.
no subject
[ Is he coming off as a little eager? Perhaps. But he truly loves spending time with her, no matter what it is they're doing. ] I may not be the best cook, but I'm sure I can help you learn.