Victory Road Inbox

[perfectteatime]

Hello. You've reached the message box for Byleth Eisner. Please leave a message after the beep.

... Was that all I had to do? Oh hit the pound key- BEEEEEP

Comments

[woofdad]

No, it-- [wait what-- what was that about Byleth having thought of something himself- shit, no, okay, he can't get too caught up in that.] Shiro really likes you. What you guys have is really great, there's no "should" about it. I'm glad you have each other.

[perfectteatime]

I know I can't change things. I know I can't force anyone to feel any specific way, nor would I want to but-

I wish I could do something. I don't want people to get hurt because of me.

[woofdad]

Hey, no - none of this is because of you, Byleth. It might've been that he wouldn't be interested either way, and, regardless, the situation we're in now is the product of a combination of factors. I appreciate that you want me to be happy, but there's no reason to beat yourself up over something that isn't your fault, okay?

[perfectteatime]

Logically, I know you are correct. I will-

I will try to be sensible. I don't want to cause you any undue stress. It's still a distressing position, but this is not about me. I ought to be supporting you at any rate.

I know you would not trouble me for anything even if you wanted, so I shall endeavor to-

Ah. To be there for you. Regardless.

[woofdad]

[I know you would not trouble me for anything even if you wanted. Somehow, Grant was just... not prepared to get called out that hard. He almost has to laugh; as it is, he smiles, shaky, despite himself.

...Ah, fuck, he's gonna start crying again. At least it's a different kind of crying.] Y-you don't have to-- it's not your responsibility. But I... I do appreciate it, anyway.

[perfectteatime]

Well yes, but I want to. You realize you aren't a burden right? I do these things because I care for you.

You don't have to be okay all the time. You have a lot of people who love you, including myself, who are happy to support you when you need it, and we all know you'd do the same.

[woofdad]

[...Yyyyep, yeah, those are tears.] I-I-- [Trying to just... scrub some of those away with his sleeve real quick.] Mn. Th-thank you.

[perfectteatime]

It's okay to cry. I just wish I was there to give you a hug and a nice hot cup of tea with biscuits.

[woofdad]

[Grant laughs weakly, around the sleeve shoved over his face.] I-- I appreciate that. Maybe I can take a rain check for once you're back?

[As if they need an excuse to have tea.]

[perfectteatime]

Of course. I'll look forward to it.

[ A pause. ]

Perhaps we could cuddle a little too?

[woofdad]

Oh, uh-- y-yeah! Yes, sure.

[BOY that has a different vibe now that Byleth has openly expressed interest in him. Not that Grant minds, necessarily, seeing as how... look, now that he knows, he's got to admit that interest may not be wholly one-sided.

So. He guesses that's a conversation that's gonna have to happen later, just-- not at this particular second.]

[perfectteatime]

Great. You were so comfortable the last time. Though... I apologize for having fallen asleep uninvited.

[ Byleth is a very, very direct man. ]

[woofdad]

[This is not fair. He laughs, flustered.]

I'm glad you think so! It's... no problem, though. I mean, if it bothered me, I could've just woken you up.

[Theoretically, at least.]

[perfectteatime]

You could have, but would you have? I'm onto you, you know. You're just as bad as Dimitri on that front.

[woofdad]

Oh, come on, I'm not as bad as Dimitri.

[No, he... he knows he is. He is struggling to maintain a straight face just saying that.]

[perfectteatime]

You absolutely are.

[woofdad]

...Yeah, you're right.

[Siiiigh.]

But, I can tell you now, it really is fine!

[perfectteatime]

I'll let you off this time, Grant.

[woofdad]

Thank you for your generosity. Do I have to worry about getting in trouble next time, though?

[perfectteatime]

Sounds like you're looking for trouble.

[woofdad]

Hey, maybe I'm trying to stay out of trouble, is that so hard to believe?

[As if Grant ever does anything but try to stay out of trouble.]

[perfectteatime]

I don't know. You seem awfully cheeky for someone trying to be good.

[woofdad]

You make it difficult not to be, is all!

[He's laughing quietly now, managing - now that he's been getting in the habit - to keep from covering his mouth. It fades after a moment, though, something like guilt creeping into his smile.] Ah... it's probably kind of weird of me to be... pretty much flirting with you right after Shiro turned me down, huh.

[He doesn't want it to seem like he wasn't that invested in Shiro's answer - like he's just flitting off to the next handsome man in his social circle. He knows, of course, that none of that is true, and he doubts Byleth would think so little of him, but just the thought that he could be perceived that way is... unpleasant.]

[perfectteatime]

Is it? You are polyamorous... isn't it normal to have other prospects? I mean, I understand if you're not comfortable. In which case I will gladly give you your space.

But... well. You aren't hurting anyone, and I have no reservations. Otherwise I wouldn't be flirting back.

[ He just acknowledges that yes, he totally was flirting with Grant. ]

[woofdad]

I-I guess so. I mean, I'm not uncomfortable, no worries there. And it... I know that it's not actually abnormal for someone in my position to be thinking about dating multiple people.

It's just, uh... mm. Remember when I told you about the whole... the werewolf thing?