March themed challenge.

[merikuru]

No master list for Februantasy, so onward.

March's challenge is:

M/March!

This is the month to bring out all your male/male relationships. A cuddle before a warm fire, a romp in the sheets, a day spent fixing up the house or car or something else in friendly contemplation - here's where it all belongs. Let there be men!

All fics written for this challenge should be posted as a comment on this entry (a comment with a link to an offsite post is also fine). If your work has spoilers, please add an [S] tag to the comment title. If it has mature content, please add an [MA] tag.

This theme challenge will end on March 31st, 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.

Comments

Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Felix/Dimitri, "Brave"

[sarajayechan]

He's been friends with Prince Dimitri since they were infants, before they could even walk. During the last year of her life as she lay sick in bed, Felix's mother would hold his hand and tell stories of how she would hold him on her lap while King Lambert held Dimitri, and they would talk softly amongst each other while hoping a bond would form between their sons.

Felix was nine when his mother passed away. Dimitri's family let him travel to Fraldarius for the funeral, reasoning that Felix needed a friend during such a rough time. While Glenn forced himself to keep a stiff upper lip for the rest of the family, Felix stole away with Dimitri to a hidden wing of the manor and cried on him until even that didn't help. According to Father, he'd fallen asleep and wet the prince's shoulder with tears and saliva.

Felix feverently denies the drooling, but Dimitri didn't even say anything. When it was time for him to go back to the capital, he embraced Felix warmly and promised to visit again soon.

Thinking back, that was the moment Felix started looking at him differently, and it snowballed from there. He'd see Glenn and Ingrid together anytime the latter visited, how she'd look at him, and he'd wish Dimitri would look at him that way. How Felix always felt braver with Dimitri close by, mirroring how the caustic Glenn would become gentle and humble in Ingrid's presence.

Now, at fourteen, he fully recognizes the feeling as love.

He and Father arrived at the castle earlier today. They'll be spending a few weeks there while Father and King Lambert go over some paperwork for the upcoming negotiations with Duscur, and Felix spent the entire carriage ride on pins and needles. He'd been prepared to beg Father to let him come, only to learn he'd already been invited. Now they're here, and after weeks of going back and forth, Felix has decided that he will tell Dimitri he loves him.

It's a huge step for someone as shy as him, but he's done with shy. He wants to be as brave as Dimitri makes him feel all the time.

He makes it through small talk and tea with everyone. For once, Queen Patricia is there without Lady Cornelia shadowing her like she always does; according to the King she's tied up with creating an immunization potion against a disease threatening to spread through a nearby village. Felix doesn't say anything, but he's glad. Lady Cornelia has always scared him a bit.

"Well, we should get to work, your highness," Father says, and Dimitri grabs Felix's hand.

"There's something I want to show you outside, in that tree near the glade." Felix's heart races, and he eagerly follows his friend outside. That tree's been a part of their childhood since they were big enough to climb, a source of comfort and familiarity Felix has always associated with the royal palace.

And with Dimitri.

"Here we are!" Dimitri says, and Felix's eyes widen. Sitting beside the tree is a wood fortress, obviously handmade; Felix can pick out the parts Dimitri helped with, and it looks more than big enough for two people. Dimitri opens the door, showing off the cozy-looking inside; the fancier touches were obviously Queen Patricia's idea, but they don't look too bad, and there's even two bedrolls laid out.

"When did you make this? I mean, when did you and your father make this?" Felix asks. Dimitri smiles.

"We've been working on it since your visit last year. I kept thinking about how it would be nice to have a spot of our own where we could talk privately, or watch the stars without risking the cold," he says. Even during the spring and summer months, Faerghus isn't known for great warmth, especially at night. "It's big enough for all four of us, but..." His cheeks go pink just then. "Truth be told, I had you in mind the whole time Father and I were building it." Felix's heart skips a beat, and he blinks.

"Me?"

"Yes." Dimitri rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. "I-it's not just for us, of course, if Sylvain and Ingrid want to go in they can, but...I am happy that you will be the first one I take inside." Still holding onto Felix's hand, he leads him through the door. Is this a dream? Does it matter? It feels even cozier on the inside than it looked, and Felix can't help leaning against his friend.

"I'm honored," he murmurs. "It's perfect. Remind me to thank your father later. N-not that I'm not also grateful to you, of course!"

"You're welcome."

They sit in silence for a few moments, but when Dimitri's arm slides around his waist, Felix decides now is the perfect time. They're alone, so close Felix can hear each breath Dimitri takes and feel his heartbeat. It's now or never. You can do this, Felix.

"Dimitri," he begins, but he's cut off by a warm, slightly clumsy kiss. For a split second he feels his moment stolen, but that feeling is quickly eclipsed by the fact that Dimitri is kissing him. He returns it eagerly, just as clumsily, his hand gently clutching the other's shoulder. This is really happening, this isn't a dream.

When they part for air, Dimitri's cheeks are as pink as Felix's are hot, and his eyes are shining.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time. Ever since we were nine," he admits. "Do you remember when my father married Lady Patricia? I was so happy to finally have a mother, but at the same time, I felt guilty."

"Because you didn't remember your birth mother." Felix thinks back to after the wedding ceremony, Dimitri sighing up at the portrait of Queen Melinda and murmuring an apology. "But I didn't exactly offer the most comforting advice back then."

"You stood there with me," Dimitri says. "That was better than any advice." Felix smiles.

"Well, you were there for me when I lost my mother. I couldn't do any less for you." He sighs contentedly, leaning more into the embrace. "That was when I started to fall in love with you. It took me ages to realize it, and today..."

"You were going to confess first." Dimitri blushes. "In hindsight, I should have let you. But I'd begged Father to invite you along with your father to the castle, because I didn't know when I'd get a chance to confess to you." Felix snorts.

"You never were very patient, were you? But I'll forgive you this time." And does it matter, in the end? Dimitri loves him back, that's the important thing, Dimitri loves him and they're together and this is the most perfect moment Felix could ever ask for.

They nestle closer together on the bedroll, watching the wind blow through the grass and the trees. Through the door of their own private corner of the world.

"It'll be all ours for this month," Dimitri murmurs, and Felix is just fine with that.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Dedue/Ashe, "Peaceful Wisteria"

[sarajayechan]

"Ow!" The worn fingertip of his glove tore, the thorn pricked his skin, and Ashe groaned inwardly. Always cut off the thorns before you pick roses, always cut off the thorns! At least this time he wasn't bleeding.

"Ashe?"

"Oh! Dedue, hi...I was just picking some flowers, the Professor asked me to put together a few bouquets for some of the soldiers who perished in the last battle," he said. "I kind of stuck myself." Dedue frowned, pulling a handkerchief and some salve out of his pack and kneeling next to him. "I-it's okay, you don't need to-"

"Hold still." Dedue took his hand, the heat seeping through the thin cotton of his gloves, and Ashe's heart skipped a beat. The handkerchief was pressed to his fingertip, held firm for about a minute, and when it pulled away the sting was gone. "There. The salve should prevent infection and lingering pain. You can never be too careful with certain plants."

"Ah...thank you." Ashe smiled. "I've been trying to get better with gardening, but..." But he'd never be as good as Dedue whom he wanted to have as many shared interests with as possible, because shared interests meant they could talk more often. Food was important, but so were Dedue's other amazing talents. "I guess I should stick to the kitchen, huh?"

"You're doing a fine job with the plants," Dedue said. "The wisteria is looking especially lovely today." He hadn't let go of Ashe's hand, and a flush of heat crept into Ashe's cheeks. "Your skills have room for improvement, but I can tell when a flower is well-loved." The heat blossomed, and Ashe couldn't stop a pleased sigh from escaping.

"Well...I'm still nowhere near your level, but-"

"You don't need to be." That almost-smile flickered at the corners of his mouth again. "You've taken up gardening for me, haven't you?" Thud thud thud went his heart, and his stomach fluttered with nerves.

"Was I that obvious?"

"You're an easy person to read, Ashe." A real smile, now, and Ashe couldn't help leaning closer. "But you don't have to take up all of my hobbies just to spend time with me. I'm glad to be with you for the sake of it." The scent of wisteria suddenly grew stronger, and the greenhouse warmer as Ashe was pulled against the knight's chest. Dedue...

"I really like you," he murmured. "I've always thought you were an amazing person, and even though I know how you feel about talking to people, you let me stay around. I'm...really glad for that."

Dedue smiled a tiny bit more. It was small, but it reached his eyes, radiating sincerity.

"I have very few exceptions," he said, cupping Ashe's cheek. "And you're my favorite of all."

"Dedue..."

Their lips met, and Ashe melted into the warmth of the other's body, the taste of his mouth, and the scent of wisterias around them.

[S] Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Felix/Dimitri, "Understanding"

[sarajayechan]

He's almost thirty when he finally understands his father, from the things he said to the way he died. Out of the blue, years of resentment and anger and accusations hurled at his father of being unfeeling and caring more for Dimitri than he ever did for his own sons vaporize into nothing as Felix finally understands.

Well, perhaps not out of the blue. It's his father's birthday, and Felix wakes up before the sun rises to visit the family crypt in Fraldarius. He'd planned to go alone, Dimitri needs to rest after all the meetings and paperwork he's had to contend with and even now, the guilt etched on his lover's face whenever Father's name comes up is impossible to miss.

But of course, Dimitri is waiting at the carriage for him and Felix tries not to roll his eyes. One drawback of them having known each other since they were infants is that they know everything about each other, right down to what the other is thinking. It's a bit offputting at times, even if Felix wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

"You didn't think I'd let you shoulder today alone, did you?" Dimitri asks, and Felix just sighs, unable to stop a smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Idiot." He kisses Dimitri quickly, and Dimitri lets him into the carriage first.

"You're welcome."

The ride to Fraldarius is silent, Dimitri's warmth beside him both comforting and uncomfortable. Even after the amazing transformation from a wild beast back into a man, the past still haunts Dimitri. The voices are quieter these days, the nightmares less frequent, but the guilt of his actions during that dark period of his life isn't so easy to get rid of.

It's frustrating, especially when Dimitri is so obviously brushing all that aside so he can prop up Felix on difficult days like this one. You suffered just as much as I did back then, and I was too blind to my own pain to understand. And Felix will call him an idiot for his self-flagellation before he kisses him, because even years into their union I love you is still difficult to say.

Mostly because three words can't even begin to describe what Dimitri means to him, has meant to him even during that dark time.

They exit the carriage and approach the family crypt, flowers in hand. Father is buried between Glenn and Mother, and the sight reminds him once again that only he remains of the core Fraldarius line. He hasn't seen Father's family in years, though he does get letters once in a while.

"Hello, Father." Felix's voice is tight as he kneels before the headstone, placing the flowers beside it. "I've brought Dimitri with me." He hears Dimitri snort, and he can just hear Father saying he either insisted upon coming with you, or you demanded it of him in a playful tone.

"Hello, Rodrigue," Dimitri murmurs, setting his own flowers down. "I'm taking good care of him, I promise...just like he's taking care of me."

Years spent believing Dimitri was more important to Father than his own sons, that Glenn was his favorite, that Felix was the black sheep who just happened to bear the major crest. Years of resentment, misdirected anger and guilt, and only now does Felix realize there was no favoritism, only loyalty to his kingdom. That this was just who his father was, who Glenn was.

And deep down, Father, you knew more than I did how much I loved him, didn't you?

Felix speaks briefly of affairs in Faerghus, as though he expects Father's spirit to be lingering in the crypt and listening. Dimitri keeps quiet, and when their visit is over he remains as such on the ride to a nearby inn. The ambient guilt isn't quite as thick as it was during the war, but Felix can feel it nonetheless. They sit down on the single bed, shedding their coats.

"You're still blaming yourself." Dimitri turns to him, a sad, humorless smile on his face.

"A bit." He sighs. "Felix...you are happy, aren't you? With this?" Felix frowns.

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"The people of Faerghus need to rely on their King to be strong for them, but you and the others spent years taking care of me," Dimitri says. "Fussing over me, trying to keep me in check, coddling me like I was a broken child even though you were all counting on me to be a leader. Faerghus needed me more than ever back then, and I..."

He won't even look at Felix, his shoulders go tense and his breath hitches.

"I was so selfish. And now that you and I are together, you've had to-" He shakes his head. "I've caused you more pain than anyone else, and you still have to-"

Felix grabs his shoulders, forces him to turn around and face him. Dimitri reluctantly lifts his gaze, Felix's eyes momentarily locking on the black leather patch still worn over his right eye. His hand reaches out to touch that side of his face, and Dimitri's fingers close shakily around his.

"I want to," Felix says firmly. "I'm with you because I want to be, and that includes taking care of you."

"Felix..."

"And don't act like you've never done anything for me, either. You're the one who built that new wing of the palace and insisted we name it for my father. You made sure Fraldarius would be well taken care of after we married. And you're the one who keeps insisting we invite Father's extended family for a visit." Dimitri's expression briefly lightens.

"You know we have to. If those letters you mention are anything to go by, they worry for you." Felix rolls his eyes.

"Don't change the subject, boar." He gathers Dimitri close, resting his head on his shoulder. After a moment, Dimitri's arms slowly encircle him. "I want you to stop thinking you owe me or that you've made me suffer. We're in this together. Our fathers wanted us to be close, and if they could see us now-"

"They'd ask us what we're going to do about an heir," Dimitri cut in, and Felix just barely stops himself from laughing.

"What did I say about changing the subject?" He's well aware the Blaiddyd line can't go heirless, and he knows Mercedes has offered to carry a child for them, or that one of Duke Rufus's bastards technically has claim to the throne and might make a fine ruler someday. But Felix can't deal with logical matters when both he and Dimitri are trying to process feelings.

"Sorry." Dimitri manages a small smile. "Your father would be proud of us both, I know. He was always proud of you, Felix, even if you two had your difficulties," he says. "Sometimes when he would take me hunting, he'd never shut up about you. He'd gush about your amazing sword arm, your potential...honestly, it made me happy. Sometimes I felt guilty for taking up so much of his time."

"I shouldn't be surprised." Felix swallows, closing his eyes against the threat of tears. "After Glenn died, I just...didn't know how to handle it, I was hurt and angry and when Father said what he did, I just...I didn't want to accept it, so I decided he was a monster and I hated him. And even then..."

"He always knew you loved him deep down. And I know he would've given his life for you as he did for me, if he had to."

Felix trembles, and Dimitri's embrace tightens. He knows what he's going to say, and it's not so much that Felix thinks crying is a weakness but he fears that once he starts, he'll never be able to stop.

"It won't bring them back."

"You're right, it won't." Dimitri's fingers card through his hair. "But I'm here anyway."

So Felix gives in.

Smallville, Clark/Lex, "No Need For Wishes"

[queenkatyastar]

The sky was full of glittering diamonds, winking at them in conspiratorial splendor. The breeze through the trees whispered its secrets in the sweet night air.

"It's beautiful," he murmured.

Seeing the stars reflected in his companion's eyes, he had to agree. They looked up again in time to catch sight of a meteor as it streaked across the sky. He wondered how many other people had seen the very same falling star, how many dreams would be granted. "What did you wish for?" he asked. He'd never believed in dreams actually coming true, despite having once clung to very many of them himself. One could work tirelessly and dedicate one's entire life to a single wish coming true, but wishes were not simply granted by falling stars, meteorites, or flower petals blowing on the wind.

Clark blushed slightly as he slowly lowered his head. "Nothing," he whispered an honest admission.

Lex frowned, lines creasing his forehead. He'd noticed he was already beginning to get wrinkles and would have to make an appointment soon to have the necessary details changed to make certain he didn't look like his father long before he actually reached his father's age. "Nothing?" he repeated. "Why nothing? Clark, I know you have dreams -- "

"Yes, but when I see a meteorite, I don't think of what could be, or what I want to happen. I'm reminded . . . " His voice trailed off, and he looked down at the tiny patch of ground that still remained between them.

Lex closed that place in his next heartbeat. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly, meaningfully. He reached up and trailed gentle fingertips along Clark's hard jawline. "I should have known better. I should have realized -- "

Clark turned his gaze away still. "It's okay," he murmured, not wanting to hurt Lex's feelings.

"I really didn't think -- "

"I know. It's okay."

"For whatever it may be worth," he whispered, "I didn't make a wish either."

It was Clark's turn to frown in puzzled confusion. "Why not?"

Lex shrugged. "It has been my experience my entire life that wishes, especially fond wishes, do not come true."

Clark looked up quickly. His blue eyes were wide and alarmed when he finally connected with Lex's questioning gaze. "I disagree."

Lex laughed. He hadn't meant to, but the sound escaped him before he could stop it. He blushed this time, and lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry. I -- I wasn't laughing at you."

"I know, but why?" Clark asked, reaching up and cupping Lex's now troubled face. "Why don't you believe in anything, Lex?"

"I do believe. I believe in man's ability to scheme, not dream, Clark, and to make their own desires, as long as it is something or someone they can control, reality. But I do not believe that merely making a wish will make anything happen, let alone anything good."

"I disagree," Clark said again.

"Why?"

His lover smiled, a gentle smile that instantly flushed Lex with warmth and regret. "Because," he answered simply, "I have you." Lex fumbled for words, but before he could speak again, Clark continued, "I used to look at meteorites and wonder about my home world, my birth parents, my real family. I used to wonder what my life could have been like if they hadn't sent me away, but I no longer want to know. I love my parents, Lex. You know that." Lex nodded mutely. "I always have, but I still wondered."

"But you don't any more," he whispered.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because," he answered again, "I have you. If they hadn't sent me away, I never would have come to Earth, and that means I never would have met you. Getting to know my home world, getting to know my birth parents, getting to know what might have been -- not only that, but nothing is worth not having you. You complete me, Lex."

Lex was frozen. His heart soared, but fear caught at him at the same time. He'd never believed another person could complete someone. Yet, in this moment, Clark's words made sense. He'd always felt like something was missing. All his life, he'd felt like something was wrong with him for one reason or another, but when he was with Clark, everything seemed right. Everything seemed perfect. He not only seemed to fit; he was loved, and cared for, and wasn't afraid. Evil didn't threaten to overcome him. He wanted only to make Clark smile, and to keep this man by his side and in his arms for the rest of their lives. "I -- I suppose -- "

"Meaning you make me complete happy, sweetheart. I don't have anything else to wish for," Clark explained, shaking his head, "because I have everything that's important when I have you. I don't need, or want, anything else, any change at all as long as I have your love."

That was easy, and safe, enough to answer, Lex thought with a surge of relief. He beamed at the man he loved more than he'd ever thought he would be able to love another person. "You have my love," he whispered, "for as long as there's anything left of me." He wasn't sure what happened to people when they died, but something told him that he was going to keep loving Clark even after he stopped breathing. Perhaps, he thought, there was something to those old wives' tales and the other naive believers who wanted to say that deceased loved ones watched the living through the heavens and their stars. It was silly, but . . .

But he'd always believed his mother wanted him to be happy. Lillian Luthor had given him everything she could to make him happy, and to give him the power to one day overcome his father. To this day, he was still uncovering secrets she'd left for him to find. Maybe Clark was one such secret. The Kents and Luthors went back a long time, and his father had known Clark was adopted and suspected him to be different long before Lex had taken notice of the man who'd changed everything in his world.

He had changed everything in his world, Lex quietly acknowledged, his beaming smile growing even brighter and warmer. He had changed everything by loving him. They loved each other, and the world was at last becoming a good, joyous, and warm place again. It was becoming a place Lex didn't just want to rule. He wanted to live, and to keep loving, with this magnificent man right here in his arms. Yes, he mused, perhaps another person could complete a person, especially one who'd been missing a part of himself and been as lonely as he had for so very, very long. His heart was no longer cold, he realized as he held Clark as close as he could through the clothes they wore; his heart, his very soul, was filled and warmed by Clark's love.

"Good point," he whispered quietly against Clark's soft, dark hair. "We have nothing left to wish for for we have everything right here."

"Yes, we do," Clark agreed joyously. "I love you, Lex."

Lex started to answer him, started to hunt for words to finally tell him what he meant to him, but he didn't have to search for Clark silenced all the words he'd been planning by pressing his lips to his. Lex slid his tongue into Clark's hot mouth, managed to pull him even closer as he not just hugged but clung to him, and showed him all the love he'd been holding for him alone with every touch of his lips, tongue, fingers, and even his teeth long into the night that did seem made just for them and their love after all.

The End