perfectteatime | Victory Road Inbox

"That's fine. I am technically on my first date ever, so my standards are through the floor. Nothing to worry about."

Byleth that's... not something you should say so cheerfully.

"Just pretend we are two friends on an outing but we might kiss."

BAD!

"You - you are?"

Listen, if he weren't leaning into Byleth right then, he might have straight up tripped over his own feet out of surprise. Maybe that makes sense? With what little he's heard about their world? But still. Now he really cannot screw this up.

"I mean... we are friends. On a date. And you did. Kiss me back there so..." Shiro grimaces. "I'm rambling. Aren't I?"

"Mhm. I mean, I've had plenty of encounters, but nobody has ever gone on a real date with me."

They head up the trail at an easy pace, and he squeezes Shiro's arm comfortingly.

"Maybe a little, but I like it. It's cute. It's very you. And that was just a hello kiss. I mean a real serious kiss. That is, if you are amicable to that. I don't want to assume anything, naturally." Byleth seems to be selectively immune to embarrassment- at least about certain things.

"That's... well. I guess they're missing out."

Even if this date's only just started. He means everything else Byleth's already done.

"If things... go that way, then yeah. I won't say no." He will happily say yes, in fact. A lot. "It's nice out here. I don't think I've been on this trail before."

"You think so? I admit I have been told I am- what did they say... 'a bit boring and not very easy to interact with' I believe." He doesn't seem bothered by this assessment actually.

"We will just have to see, hmm? Ahh yes, it is a nice spot. I can't wait to see the falling stars now that I can view them properly." The ridge they are traveling up has a nice view of nature on one side and the nearest city on the other. Byleth is already fixated on the sky though, even as it's shrouded by the pines. "Do you know what happens to fallen stars when they land? What are they exactly? Do they die?"

"What?" Honestly, that statement clearly throws Shiro. He cranes his neck to better look at Byleth, baffled. "Were... I'm sorry, were they a jerk?"

'asshole' - he means, 'were they an asshole'.

But the conversation about space appears to mollify him. "Depends on the kind of star," he says. "If it's a Minior, the pokemon, they just tend to hang around a while before going back up, unless they're caught. Regular shooting stars... they're usually chunks of rock or space debris. They catch fire when they enter the atmosphere - falling. Most of them burn up."

That's probably not going to be the answer Byleth is hoping for, though, he thinks. So he adds: "Sometimes you can find the meteorites. Little chunks of rock from space. I had a couple as a kid."

"They weren't wrong. I mean... this was several years ago and to be honest uh. I kind of was both of those things. I appreciate it though."

The explanation of falling stars is indeed a great distraction. His grip on Shiro's arm tightens a bit as he clearly processes the new information.

"So really, they're not stars at all. Because if a real star fell, we would all be incinerated within the- the gigantic nuclear furnace of doom." Look at him! He's uhm. Learning! Clearly...

"What if there was a person in one though? Or a dragon?" These are very, very specific questions???

"I kind of doubt that." But, on the other hand, Shiro does default to seeing the best in people. "You know yourself, but... we're all also our own worst critics."

He'd know all about that, wouldn't he.

"The - " Okay, yeah, there's a laugh. Bright and amused. "Yeah! Pretty much! That's a - that's a new way of putting it. You've been reading."

Oh, no. He sounds proud. He really sounds proud right there. Leaning in a little more while they walk. "I don't think there really could be? Unless one of the meteorites was hollow?"

"I have been." He admits, also looking a little proud of himself. "Hmm. A hollow meteorite. I wonder if such a thing has ever happened before." It would have had to, in Fodlan. Otherwise how could they really explain the Fell Star thing, unless it was incorrect from the start, which is possible.

They reach the top of the trail that leads out into a nice viewing area and small park. Plaques about the local Pokemon and flora, as well as the history of the area are scattered around, and there are a few benches to sit.

"Oh! Wow... you really can see the sky better up here. This is amazing- I never realized there were that many stars... and all so far away. It's kind of hard to wrap my head around."

"That's great!" No, really, it is. Look at that expression on his face. He's delighted. "If you need any more books, just let me know." Please let him know, he desperately wants to help people learn about space. "But, hey, maybe. We don't know everything about space. And weirder things have happened."

Like being here at all. With pokemon. With... a professor from another world.

"Yeah... it's a lot to take in." In a lot of ways. "It's still impressive, even to me. Never gets old, though." He glances toward a bench. "Want to sit?"

"I would love some recommendations. Reading has been so much easier now." He gives a soft, amused huff. "I suppose so. Strange things seem to be the norm for me."

Given all the shit he's been through? Yeah. He nods, moving to take a seat on the bench with Shiro. Shoulder to shoulder, not quite pressed into him, but closer than one might be on average. His eyes are still fixed on the sky.

"It's like someone took a pin and poked so many tiny little holes in a piece of fabric with a candle behind it. Or perhaps they took a drink of milk and sneezed." One of those comparisons is far more elegant, Byleth. "When are we supposed to see the falling stars? Or- the ah. Meteors?"

"Sure. I'll go through what I've picked up... and go through the observatory stock. I know they have doubles of a lot." He tilts his head, grinning sideways at Byleth, all warmth and amusement. "I know how that goes."

The weird things. Weird being normal. Adjusting to it all to keep your head on straight. But there's warmth at his side, and ... honestly? Honestly, he's missed this more than he thought he did. He finds himself leaning into Byleth in return. Gently. Just in case.

"That's - " He was going to say that was a beautiful way to describe it. And then Byleth keeps talking. "Sneezed?" he asks, that grin breaking across his face and unable to hold back. He likes that. It's funny and silly.

"Should be in thirty minutes? Ish?"

"You know. Have you never taken a drink of milk and sneezed and it goes everywhere? All the little droplets?" Byleth that is really not. An appropriate date topic. Whatever. Shiro smiles and Byleth seems satisfied, leaning his head against the man's shoulder and very smoothing sliding his hand into Shiro's.

"Well then, I suppose we have the next thirty minutes to appreciate each others company." This is quite nice. It's been a long time since he's really been shown any romantic interest. Even longer since he's been able to be comfortably affectionate. Something he's still learning, too.

"Thank you again for giving me a chance."

"Not since I was a kid!" But oh no. Oh no, this is way too funny. He's laughing, he's miraculously, blissfully laughing. It's been so long since he'd been out like this, Byleth could talk about almost anything, and he'd be happy. His cheeks heat, a little, at the fingers lacing through his.

"I... see a lot to appreciate in just thirty minutes."

More than just the stars. Someone willing to let him figure his own crap out, who wouldn't throw out judgment. Just... patient. Excuse him if the quiet thanks makes his heart twist, ever so slightly, in his chest.

Hesitantly, he lifts their hands. Idly presses a very brief, chaste kiss to the back of Byleth's palm. "Thank you for waiting."

Well. He was not expecting to be reverse-uno'd in wooing. Shiro just critted him twice in fact. He just stares dumbly at him for a moment. For having his hand kissed and being so unabashedly complimented. It only occurs to him that he should say something when Clippy nudges his leg. Wingman of the year, thank you Clippy.

"I- ah. Mmh no problem. Worth it." Ah. The blush that always starts in his ears has advanced across his face and he has to stare down desperately at Clippy who drools a little out of it's helmet happily.

"You're. Reay cute." Fuck!!!!

It's fine!! He doesn't mind! Not the blush, not the silence, and not a drooling, very happy Clippy. He even reaches his free hand over to offer it to said Clippy. Good... dog? Weird helmet dog? Good pokemon.

"I mean it," he says, quiet and sincere. "It's... been something weighing me down for a long time now. I know the others meant well when they pushed - and then you just said to take my time. That meant a lot."

If there's one thing Shiro Shirogane can do, it's make a little speech on the spot.

... At least until Byleth compliments him. Then he's losing his composure to blushing and tripping on his words. "I - it. Thank - you."

"I'm glad. I try to think a lot about what people really need. And you seemed like you needed the freedom to choose on your own time." He has always had a good sense for what the right thing for someone is, that weird little protagonist skill. Or like. Empathy. Whatever.

"Thanks for letting me be myself too. Even if I'm still kind of figuring out what that means."

He bites his lip, pausing for a moment.

"I think- ah. Right now might be a good time to kiss."

"You sound a lot like me." He can't keep that smile off his face. Relieved, delighted, and warm. "Everyone tells me to try and think about what I need, too, with everything else. Not as easy as they make it sound, huh?"

Maybe that's why this is going so well? They kind of get each other, that way. Or, that's what Shiro thinks, anyway. His hand squeezes Byleth's, thumb running along the back of his hand.

"Then... guess it's my turn to say - take your time. But I uh. If this is 'yourself', then... I think I like it."

Oh. Oh uh. Kissing. Right. Yes. He can do that. He's not rusty at all.

"Right. Uh. I'm - sorry if I've forgotten how it works?"

He'll lean in though. Just... slowly.

Oh no. He's saying all the correct things... how... how dare he be so sweet and charming. Damn it! DAMN IT!

"Don't worry. Not much to it." His free hand moves to Shiro's jaw, tilting his head just slightly so he can press a much more lingering, but chaste kiss to his lips. They part, slow and Byleth gives him a soft smile.

"See? Easy."

For something that doesn't have "much to it", the feeling is... it's a lot. It's warm and slow, it's gentle. It's something he's very tempted to just lose himself in for the moment. For more than just the moment.

Hey, cut him some slack, it's been a while.

He only pulls back enough to speak, his free hand braced on Byleth's shoulder. Thumb making little circles where it rests. He doesn't really want to move away any more than this.

"Yeah... really easy. Thank you." Is that weird? Thanking someone for a kiss? Oh well.

"Thank you, too." It is a little, but Byleth is a strange guy to begin with, and he senses the last thing Shiro needs is to be made to feel awkward about anything. Especially if he just started dating again.

A hand moves to gently touch his cheek, resting along his jawline. He leans in with an almost mischievous tone, a little smile quirking his lips, whispering (as if there was anyone else to hear?) "Do you wanna do it again? Like... a lot?"

There are worse ways to pass the time waiting for a meteor shower than tender make outs.

Listen, he can deal with strange. Especially when it comes in the form of someone accepting Shiro's own hangups, strangeness. The simple thank you has him all but glowing. The smile threatening to break his face.

And can't help the laugh. He almost feels like a stupid teenager again, sneaking off for an evening.

"'Like a lot'?" His forehead is pretty much resting against Byleth's. "You know... sure."

Oh yes. It's smooching time. To his credit, Byleth reigns his hedonistic ways in. Each kiss is soft and undemanding, the invitation of parted lips is there, but he doesn't insist on it. Interspersed with affectionate bumps of his nose and the occasional soft, amused hum. One hand staying to hold Shiro's and the other sliding back further to scratch gently at the short hair at the back of his head.

He breathes slow and easy. He wants this to be relaxing above all else. A retreat, not feeling like a test or some kind of trial to pass. He'll kiss Shiro as long as the man lets him. When he finally does pull back, a much bigger smile on his face.

"I hope... that I can offer you a place of rest with me. If ever you need a moment of solace. Which is to say- ahh. If you can bear my unusual relationship practices. I- well. Some in my mercenary company, before I came to be a teacher- they shared many partners. I tend toward the same... though I understand if it's not comfortable. I want you to be at ease, most of all." He clears his throat. "What I'm trying to ask is. Ah. That if you are okay with that kind of thing, I would like to try to be a good... partner. Boyfriend? I'd like to be your boyfriend."

His hand briefly squeezes Shiro's.

"You don't have to answer right now. And we can talk about it more if you'd like, whenever you like. But I really do like you a lot. You are gentle, kind, and mild. I want to be able to give you what happiness I can."

Smooching time is... very good. Extremely good. He can't stop smiling, through the whole while. He's more hesitant than Byleth, but not complaining. Not even a little bit. His free hand wraps around Byleth's shoulders, holding him in place - careful not to hold too tightly, even if he wants to cling onto this for ages. And not ever let go.

This feels really good. Really, really good. And not just the kissing. There's the closeness, the warmth. There's the smile on Byleth's face. He's missed this. Missed a connection with someone.

Frankly, he was about to say something stupid or thank him again, but Byleth's speech cuts him off. Probably for the best. His expression turns wide-eyed, the more the other man speaks. Whatever he was expecting here, that wasn't it. Shared partners doesn't surprise him nearly as much as the rest of the speech. He's just kind of staring, he realizes, belatedly.

"Boyfriend...?"

No, he needs to actually process the rest of it. But he's sure if he thinks about it longer, there's going to be tears in his eyes. Ah - no. There he goes. It's like Byleth just reached into his constant concerns, the loneliness of the last few years, and offered an answer. Take your time, we can talk - what reality did this man walk out of and is he even real?

"You - you really want that?"

"Well... yeah. If you'd have me, and you don't mind that I keep other partners. Of course, you would be free to as well. But ah... that aside. Yeah. I would like to be your boyfriend- oh!" He sees the tears well up in Shiro's eyes and moves to comfort him, gently swiping his thumb under to steal the wetness away.

"Ahh sorry. Maybe I should have waited until after the date... I hope it isn't too much to think about right now. I just- I got excited." Even though it's very hard to tell when he is, "Are you all right? Here-" He reaches in, pulling out his handkerchief, because he comes from a time at which those were a thing that people carried around.

"We can take things at whatever pace you want, even if you need some time or you decide it's too much."

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