A Happy Family of Bandits (FE Three Hopes fic)

Title: A Happy Family of Bandits
Fandom: Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
Characters/Pairings: Ashe Ubert/Yuri Leclerc, background Constance/Hapi
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Alluded to CSA/SA, mentioned familial death, threats of violence
Notes: Happy early birthday,

Word Count: 1,093
Summary: Ashe suffers some losses and has to become a highwayman. But fate is fate, and he still reunites with Yuri.

Like most highwaymen, Ashe had entertained no dream of becoming one in his youth. He had wanted to be a chef, like his father and mother. Then he’d wanted to be a knight, like Lord Lonato. But his parents had died, leaving a mountain of debt that three children could never pay back—and then Lonato had mysteriously perished after condemning the Central Church after the execution of his son Christophe, his house dissolved shortly afterwards. Ashe had found himself once more with two hungry siblings and no way to feed them except stealing from others.

The worst part? He was a very good highwayman. Every theft was financially lucrative and there had been no deaths so far (okay, that part he actually was a little proud of). Still, it was only a matter of time until he would have to do something truly despicable just to survive… but he would survive.

“Chin up, dear Ashe,” Constance chirped. “My research into Count Rowe has revealed that his coffers are practically overflowing with gold that he earned through gauche methods. If anything, we’ll be heroes for attacking his carriage.”

Despite his dark thoughts, Ashe smiled. He’d met Constance when she was fleeing after the Archbishop had dissolved Abyss. Their personalities and goals could not be more different, yet they had bonded over their mutual losses. The fact that Ashe had located and rescued Constance’s girlfriend, Hapi, had only cemented the bond. “Will you be all right outside?”

Constance waved a hand. “It’s supposed to be cloudy tomorrow. But rest assured, my Silence spell will hit its mark, regardless of my mood.”

“Glad to hear it. Tomorrow, we’ll get everything Rowe is worth for.” Which, for once, was fine by Ashe. He had been close to the Count’s adopted son, Yuri Leclerc. No one had ever said anything out loud, but it was clear that Rowe was… harming Yuri. And then Yuri disappeared after that incident at the Monastery. He couldn’t do anything when he was a child. But now? Well, at the very least he could get some vicarious revenge for Yuri.

Sophie was the rare mare that was faster than Ashe. It helped that she was stout of heart. So of course, Ashe took her when he chased after the Count, who was in the Kingdom to do whatever nobles did. Ashe had been around them long enough to know that it usually involved crafting policies meant to help only themselves. But he had no time to ruminate on that—not when Constance had cast her spell. That meant the Count, who only had talent in magic, was powerless. Add in that he was also a coward, and Ashe suspected that this would be a very easy heist.

He waved to the driver. “You can probably guess why I’m here,” he shouted. “If you flee, I won’t chase you down.”

The driver stopped the carriage, yelped something about how that was more than fine with him, the Count sucked, pausing only to grab one horse so he could run. Ashe noted that it was one of those fancy carriages that had two rooms. And here he thought only the King could afford such things.

Good. That meant that all he had to do now was shake down the Count. Sophie trotted to the carriage door. Ashe knocked. There was no reply. “I’ll wait, but I get bored easily,” he promised the Count. Constance’s spell was stronger than your typical Silence. Usually, it only lasted three hours. Hers lasted for three days. “I may have to shoot a few arrows to pass the time.”
As Ashe had predicted, that got the Count’s attention, opening the window just enough to hiss that Ashe was a filthy street rat.

“Hey, now. That’s not a nice thing to say to the man with a bow and arrows.” Living with Hapi had taught Ashe how to snark properly. “You know how this works. You give me anything valuable, and I leave. The end.”

The Count scoffed, but relented. “Fine.” He began taking out the gold and jewels.

That was when Ashe heard banging on the inside door.

… He’d know the Count was scum, but was he kidnapping someone? “Who is riding with you, Count Rowe.”

He got his answer as the door busted open, revealing Yuri Leclerc, almost unrecognizable with short hair that was considered fashionable with the Imperial nobles.

Ashe froze. So did the Count.

Yuri did not, shoving the Count aside. “What, you’re not going to kidnap a beautiful man?!” He demanded of Ashe.

Those words brought Ashe out of his trance. “You know what? I changed my mind. Keep your coffers; I want him,” he told the Count.

“What?! No! That’s my precious—”

“Stop talking if you want to keep an arrow out of your head,” Ashe snarled.

The Count howled, fumed, swore that this was not the end of things, but he did not stop Ashe from grabbing Yuri and helping him onto Sophie.

“Thanks, friend,” Yuri chirped. “Oh, one thing to remember me by, Rowe.”

Yuri sneezed wetly/noisily in Rowe’s face before he and Ashe sped off into the distance.

“I actively hate this,” Yuri grumbled as he examined his reflection critically. I need long hair to frame my features.”

“It’ll grow back,” Ashe promised.

“It better. Anyways, what’s a wanna be knight like yourself doing kidnapping innocent, beautiful men?”

Ashe rolled his eyes, although he would be lying if he said that he hadn’t missed Yuri’s dramatics. “My life imploded, and this was the one way I could keep myself and my siblings fed and housed. Um, Yuri…”

“Why was I with the Count again?” Yuri’s expression was neutral. “Abyss also imploded. I went out in search of my old gang, but the Count found me first.” He sighed, a tiny crack in his practiced control. “Meeting you again is the miracle I kept praying for.”

Ashe wasn’t a believer, but Yuri was, so he knew how important those words were. “I’m just glad I was able to help you. So, um, I guess you’ll be heading back to your gang now?”

Yuri gave him a look. “Or I could stay with the man who saved my life and is living with two of my dearest friends.”

“Three,” Ashe amended. “Balthus is visiting his brother.” He’d recruited Balthus at a bar. He was frustrating, but he worked hard.

“There, you see? We’ll be a happy family of bandits.”

Ashe supposed that was one way to look at things.

Notes: Yep, this premise was based loosely off of FF9. ;P The "worst part is that he's a good highwayman" is a reference to Garak from DS9. I chose Sophie for the name of Ashe’s horse for Sophie from Fates and Colonel Potter’s horse was named Sophie. (Yes, I am old enough to have watched M*A*S*H. Reruns, at least.)