A/N: Okay, so, this is the Valentine’s Day fic I promised @archersarearchers. The original got deleted so I made it up the best I could. Enjoy!
“Ahh, Archer, I was looking for you!”
Atalanta turned at the familiar, but annoying voice. "Caster,“ she said emotionlessly. "What is it this time?”
Caster of Red stepped out of the shadows, his usual grin plastered to his face. "Only telling you what day it is!“
Atalanta studied him. She had heard of the strange holidays humans celebrated now, but she had never partaken in them. “And what day is that?” she asked, letting a small not of warning slip into her voice.
If Caster noticed the change in tone, he didn’t show it. "It’s Valentine’s Day, Archer! Valentine’s Day! A day where you can confess your love to Rider once and for all!“
Atalanta stiffened at the sound of Achilles’ name, mind whirling in a slight panic. "Why would I do that?”
Caster opened his mouth to speak, looking joyous, until Atalanta thought better of it and shushed him. "I don’t really need your opinion on this matter, Caster. Just leave me be.“
"But miss-!”
Atalanta sent him a death glare, which wasn’t enough to make Caster back down, but it was enough to shut him up. “Leave. Me. Alone.”
Caster just laughed in response. "Ahh, such the intimidator, Archer! I only regret that you do not show your true feelings. I’m sure Rider feels the same way.“
Atalanta’s ears raised in piqued interest. If Rider truly felt the way she felt about him..? "What do you propose?”
“Such a sudden change in tone, Archer! Could it be..?”
Atalanta’s anger was back. “Watch your words, please, Caster. I’m warning you. Now answer my question.”
Caster of Red bowed, a delighted grin upon his face. "Only that you show your love, Archer! But actions speak louder than words, so I’ll leave you to your own ideas!“
And then he vanished.
Atalanta was left staring at the place he had been in, wide-eyed and speechless. She had no intention of speaking her mind to Rider, but since it was a holiday, just this once, she could maybe do something. Maybe.
Now that the idea was in her head, she just couldn’t shake it out. What should she do?
As if on cue, Achilles appeared behind her, looking slightly concerned. "Are you okay? You’ve been staring at that spot forever.”
Atalanta jerked upright, face flushing. "I-I was just thinking, that’s all!“
"I see.” Achilles hesitated and then said, “Have you heard what Caster has been screaming through the Hanging Gardens?”
Atalanta’s mood soured slightly at the mention of her problem. If only I haven’t. "Yes,“ she said. "Something about Valentine’s Day?”
Achilles nodded, appearing suddenly flustered. "Well, I’ll just, uh, go now then now that you know.“
His image faded away, leaving Atalanta alone again. She recognized that he had probably never celebrated this holiday either, and he wouldn’t have anyone from his childhood other than Chiron to celebrate it when he was alive.
That gave her an idea.
The Hanging Gardens was traveling slowly, low enough to brush the top branches of the trees below. To the Archer of Red’s delight, she saw that the trees were apple trees. Carefully aiming her bow at the largest apple she could find, she fitted a net-arrow onto her bow and released the string. When the net secured itself around the apple, she tugged as hard as she could and the arrow flew back into her hands, the apple coming along as well.
After making sure the apple was ripe, she headed off to her room. She needed a lot of time to plan this.
–
On February 14th, Achilles woke up with a groan. He technically didn’t need to sleep because of his status as a servant, but he couldn’t shake himself from his habits from when he was alive.
The sun was steadily rising, and as Achilles watched the sky slowly brighten, there was a tingle in the air.
"Assassin,” he greeted.
“Rider,” she responded curtly.
“Any reason you, ah, are here in my room?”
Assassin of Red shook her head, looking a bit annoyed, though Achilles recognized that it wasn’t meant for him. “Caster is acting strangely.”
Achilles laughed. "Doesn’t he always?“
"Not if he accused me of-” Assassin suddenly stopped talking, looking towards something Achilles couldn’t see. “Master is calling me,” she said abruptly, and vanished.
Achilles had a slight suspicion that Assassin hadn’t been called by Shirou, but that was her own business to take care of.
It’s Valentine’s Day.
He had never celebrated this holiday before, and he never had a reason to anyway. Chiron, although a loving teacher and mentor, never really took the time to celebrate things like this, thus Achilles grew up without knowledge of them.
He opened the door to the hallway and stepped outside, nearly bumping into Karna, who was prowling the halls like an oversized cat.
“What are you doing, Lancer?”
Karna looked at him with his golden eyes, and didn’t answer. He merely narrowed them and continued his path down the hallway. Achilles wondered if he’d been ordered to keep Caster away from everyone.
He started down the hall after Karna, and promptly tripped over something. Stumbling, he looked down and saw a large red apple on the ground. There was a note attached to it, reading, Come outside.
Confused and curious, the Rider of Red immediately made his way to the window, and without a second glance, jumped. He landed nearly on top of Atalanta, who only just managed to move out of the way.
“Achilles,” she said, cheeks flushed slightly.
Achilles could feel heat rising in his face, his heart racing. Does this mean?
Atalanta leaned forward and pressed a kiss onto his cheek. "Happy Valentine’s Day.“
@archersarearchers, here’s a snippet of something I’m working on for you. (Because Valentine’s Day is coming up, I’m thinking of writing an AtalantaxAchilles fanfic for you, featuring Shakespeare.)
“Ahh, Archer, I was looking for you!”
Atalanta turned at the familiar, but annoying voice. "Caster,“ she said emotionlessly. "What is it this time?”
Caster of Red stepped out of the shadows, his usual grin plastered heavily to his face. "Only telling you what day it is today!“
Atalanta stared at him. She had heard of the strange holidays humans celebrated now, but she had never partaken in them. “And what day is that?” she asked, letting a small not of warning slip into her voice.
If Caster noticed the change in tone, he didn’t show it. "It’s Valentine’s Day, Archer! Valentine’s Day! A day where you can confess your love to Rider once and for all!“
