perfectteatime | Victory Road Inbox

It is nearly the Professor’s birthday, and Dedue, like most of the household, has not forgotten it. Since Byleth did something quite special for his, Dedue feels that it’s only fair to do something like that in return.

He finds Byleth wherever he happens to spend his time during the day; fishing, perhaps, or just relaxing in the ample accommodations that have been provided for them all.

“Byleth,” he says. “It will soon be your birthday. If you would like to celebrate it with me, and do not mind a trip, I thought that you might enjoy returning to Sevii for a while.”

"Oh!" Well this is a surprise. He hadn't given his own birthday much thought, but it makes his chest feel warm that Dedue remembers. Much less wants to do something. Their last trip to Sevii had been so much fun. He recalls their pool-race and the man's cheeky tactics.

He smiles softly, putting down the book he was looking through to fully face him.

"I would absolutely love that. That's really kind of you." He also doesn't mind the prospect of some alone time with Dedue again, especially since the nature of their relationship has certainly shifted towards the intimate.

"When would you want to go?"

The easy acceptance is a promising thing. Byleth had asked him before if he would be open to a courtship, and Dedue had asked him to wait— he has done so patiently. A proper answer can now be given, and it seems appropriate to do something… special, for the occasion.

“I do not wish to interfere with any other plans you have for the day,” he says. “Perhaps the day after?”

That way, anyone who wished to do something with Byleth for his birthday would still have the opportunity, and Dedue would not be entirely monopolizing his time. Getting out to the islands takes a while, so their day trip may very well take two if they decide to travel at a more leisurely pace.

"That sounds perfect." Byleth answers, smiling up at Dedue fondly. There's a distinct warmth there now, these days he seems so much more like a person than he used to. No longer the same cold, almost emotionless man he used to be when he taught them. There's a light behind his eyes, and a kind of softness he exudes that is unmistakable.

"I can't wait." He won't pry at what Dedue has in store for them. He has learned that he does like surprises. Especially from those he loves. And he does love Dedue.

Since arriving here, Dedue has noticed a change in Byleth— in the warmth of his face, the more frequent smiles, the quiet joy he takes in his new hobbies. They have even joked together, on occasion. Perhaps there is something to this place that causes growth in the people who come here, leaving them better than when they arrived. A healing that can only happen when the heavy burdens of the former world are lifted and replaced with the wonder of discovery and companionship.

Either way— the Professor smiles more, now. He has a place in his heart for Dedue. These are all good things.

“I will prepare, then,” he says, “and I will inform you of the details soon.”

Those details being all of the transportation needed to bring the two of them to Seven Island. As far as the tropical islands go, it’s far out in the fringe— which also makes it perfect for Dedue’s purposes. Far from the bright lights of large cities, the skies here are particularly good for stargazing.

Edited 2022-10-04 22:13 (UTC)

"I leave it in your hands then. Thank you, Dedue." He steals another quick hug, squeezing the man tightly in his arms. It's so nice here. Everything feels like it's just-

Perfect. In a way.

When the day does arrive, Byleth will be more than ready. It's very clear in his over-preparedness that there is a layer of unexpressed excitement there. He has his moments, here and there, far more often now. Hints of his true personality shining through the gray clouds of perceived indifference.

The trip to the islands is much the same as the first time that they went-- except this time, they are headed more directly towards Seven Island, rather than taking a leisurely tour of the region. The ferry rides are pleasant, as they usually are, and the weather at this time of year is similarly fine. They are even able to share the same drink that they had had when he'd beaten Byleth in their swimming competition all those months ago, and it is just as sweet now as it was then.

Once at the island, there's time during the day for them to do things that Byleth would enjoy-- plenty of time for fishing, for walks through the wild beauty of this remote place. Dedue's plans are for sundown, so he has no qualms with whiling away time with him, watching him reel in all sorts of creatures from the water.

As night falls, he brings Byleth up the cliffs to the observatory, for a private viewing of the many stars and constellations in the night sky through the massive telescope housed there. And after he'd had his fill of seeing the stars in nearly impossible detail, Dedue brought him outside, with a blanket to sit upon and wine to drink if he so chose, to view the sky again in its full glory. With so little light pollution in this remote location, the sky is full of stars and nebulae.

"I hope," he says, once they are settled in to watch the sky, "that you are pleased with today."

It's the perfect day. The perfect trip. Reminding him of the time he had spent with the man before here. And of course, the perfect night too. It really is beautiful up here. He has no problem sitting close.

"More than I could say. Thank you... this is all so wonderful, Dedue. I feel so flattered beyond words that you did all of this for me." He would dare say it's terribly romantic. Of course, he can be respectful, no matter how much he wants to reach over and take Dedue's hand in his. To lean into him and feel his warmth.

He adores this man, of course. He has since they had gotten to know each other, and in the silent spaces they spent together in the greenhouse at the monastery.

"I'm so grateful to be able to spend this time with you."

"As am I."

Spending time with Byleth is always... easy, regardless of whether they speak or are simply quiet in each other's company. Byleth has never begrudged Dedue for his silence, never been discomfited by his stern face and stoic demeanor. It means more to him than he could ever adequately express.

"I wished to give you an enjoyable birthday." As Byleth deserves, of course. "And I hoped that, perhaps, this would be an appropriate time to speak with you about something."

On Dedue's birthday, they had discussed the possibility of courtship, but it had to be put aside so that Dedue might first talk to Dimitri. He has since had that discussion, and Dimitri is... surprisingly supportive of Dedue pursuing these kinds of relationships.

"Do you remember what you had asked of me, on my birthday?"

"Well you certainly have." He says softly, though the mention of something else piques his curiosity.

"Yes, of course." How could he forget? He's hoping of course- who wouldn't hope? Looking at the man beside him, a beautiful, gentle person with a glowingly warm personality. Mild with a bit of dry humor here and there, and someone who can enjoy a cmfortable silence. There is nearly nothing about Dedue that isn't ideal. The man is perfect husband material.

Dedue hopes that too much time has not passed since their previous discussion-- Byleth is a patient man, of course, but Dedue did ask him to wait some time before he and Dimitri discussed this kind of less traditional relationship that so many of them are engaged in. Dedue had much to learn about how it works and what would be allowable within it, how to navigate a request of this nature.

He hopes that Byleth has not changed his mind since then, and decided that he would prefer another.

"I have spoken with Dimitri," he says. His hand plucks at the frayed edge of the blanket. Nerves, perhaps. He's never said something like this before, his relationship with Dimitri began entirely as a surprise. No chance for overthinking. "It was a very productive conversation. We discussed you, and what you had asked me, and he gave his blessing."

"Byleth." He reaches across the blanket and gently touches the back of his hand, as though putting too much pressure would be too much of an imposition. "I know that you could have chosen a more handsome man than me, or a more interesting one, and you grace me with your favor. It would be both a pleasure and an honor to be courted by you, and I gladly accept."

A little formal, perhaps, but Byleth had said that he wanted to court Dedue. That requires a little formality.

Oh...this is happening. Byleth can't help the smile that spreads on his face, it's small, but for him it feels like so much more.

"I'm so glad." It's all he says before he's pulling Dedue over for a kiss. Sure and firm. Probably more than he expected for 'courting' but Byleth is Byleth. He never does things quite by the book. In fact, it's more than just a kiss.

Oh yes, he's going to make out with this man right here, right now. Dedue can believe he isn't desirable, but the way Byleth is behaving tells an entirely different story. One that would be hard to deny.

Dedue had expected perhaps a little more propriety from a man who had asked to court him, but goes along easily enough when Byleth pulls him into a kiss. He is far more sure and confident in such things than Dedue is-- far more experienced, no doubt-- and there is something reassuring in being able to let the professor take the lead. Another lesson to be mastered.

He has to lean over to reach Byleth's level, and props his weight on one arm to support himself. He isn't sure what to do with the other for the first several moments of the kiss, both due to distraction and inexperience, and eventually settles for placing it on Byleth's waist. That seems... appropriate. Not too dispassionate, but not too forward.

Byleth is... quite forward, however, in how he presses himself against Dedue, the heat of his kisses, the arms wound around his shoulders and neck. In the brief moments between kisses, he finds a moment to say,

"Is this how mercenaries court?"

"It's how I court." The answer is plain enough. He doesn't mind the inexperience, he's just happy to have this. Kissing him warmly and enjoying the contact and the solitude.

"Sorry, if it's too forward." He says at last, breaking it for a moment in lieu of cuddling up to him again. "I'm just very happy you accepted. I have wanted to do that since our days in the academy together."

After all, Dedue was a terribly romantic man, weather or not he realized it.

"Since even then?"

Of all the people that Dedue might have thought that Byleth's interest would fall upon, he would have placed himself quite low, especially during their days in the Academy. He did not do much to distinguish himself academically-- neither as casually brilliant as Sylvain, nor as obsessively studious as Annette-- and focused most of his energy on Dimitri. He certainly had far too much on his mind that year to even entertain things like crushes on attractive teachers. Or on anyone, for that matter.

And if he were to peg Byleth's interest on anyone, he would have bet Dimitri.

"It had always seemed to me as though your attention lay elsewhere."

"Since even then." He echoes with surety. He's settled into Dedue now, in a nice comfortable spot where he can lay his head on the man's chest. Ahh, perfection.

"My attention was reserved for yourself and Dimitri. I admit- I once dreamed of sharing my life with the both of you. As difficult as that would have been back in Fodlan. I dreamed of sleeping between you sometimes. How wonderful that would be." He sighs a bit, listening to the night sounds.

"That was before everything. Before I became the Archbishop that is. You two returned to Faerghus and... well. I thought that would be it. I was in a terrible way, honestly." for as stoic as he is, even Seteth had noticed a certain air of melancholy around him.

How strange, that he had missed something like that so completely. He didn't enjoy the idea that he might have had such massive blind spots-- it begged the question of what else he might have missed-- but, really, who could blame him for missing such a thing? The prospect of their respected professor being interested in the crown prince of Faerghus was entirely reasonable; the idea of him holding the same feelings for a common-blooded Dusci vassal? He would have deemed it silly. Not even fit for a fairy-tale.

"I was entirely unaware."

And the thought of Byleth being the Archbishop, one of the most powerful people in Fodlan, and still harboring such feelings. It would be unbelievable if he wasn't sitting here with Byleth, hearing it for himself.

"I do not know what happens in the future," he says, "but I know myself well enough. I do not think that my heart could bear being separated from Dimitri, but it would be little easier to be separated from you, either."

Byleth's head is a warm, pleasant weight on his chest. As with most people, his frame feels small in Dedue's arms.

"After I had rescued Dimitri and I was recovering with my kin, I thought of you often."

This feels so wonderful. It's odd to say he feels 'safe', given he placed himself in the role of protector more often than not, but letting go for just a moment is a lovely thing.

"I don't think I'd ever want to separate you from Dimitri. You two go together. Like- tea and biscuits. Not to be taken individually." He muses, snuggling deeper into those encircling arms.

"Really? What- what sort of things did you think about me?" Likely, about his apparent death, though they had both thought each other dead at that point, hadn't they? He squeezes tighter at the memory.

"Your disappearance was... difficult, for all of us," he says. Byleth seems to try to burrow deeper into his arms, so Dedue adjusts his grip to hold him more securely.

"While I was recovering, I thought quite fondly of our time in the greenhouse, or when you had invited me for tea."

Byleth had been one of the very few at Garreg Mach who would spend more time with Dedue than they had to; him, and some of the Blue Lions, and perhaps Flayn. In the first few months that he had been recovering, he was with his kin, but they were still strangers to him-- it was a lonely time. Thinking of those friends that he had once had, even if there weren't many of them, was a small comfort.

"I wished that I could ask you for advice once more, to know if I had done the right thing."

He knew that saving Dimitri would always be the right thing to do-- there could never have been any other course of action for him-- but whether or not staying with his kin for as long as he did was correct is an argument that he'd had with himself again and again. Perhaps he should have left earlier, even to the detriment of his wounds, if it meant having a hope of finding Dimitri before he had sunk so deeply into his madness.

Edited 2022-11-14 05:06 (UTC)

Byleth takes one of his hands, turning it over in his own and tracing the lines on his palm.

"I think you did, for what it's worth. We all did the best we could." A kiss is pressed to his fingertips. It will never cease to be amazing, to be given this kind of affection. It's beautiful and so much softer than most of the things he's had in his life. He's fallen rather easily into giving this casual kind of affection. Maybe one of those things he's naturally good at. He likes to think that at least. He'd rather be regarded as a love bug than a demon any day.

"I missed you a lot, too. Especially after the war when things were so quiet and you left with Dimitri." He huffs an amused sound, "I thought I'd chase you both to Faerghus."

We all did the best we could. Dedue hopes that is the case, but it's hard to dispel the part of him that thinks that he could have done more. That he had failed Dimitri in his weakness. If he had been a stronger man-- a sturdier shield-- they might have escaped together, and Dimitri could have been steered from his dark path. How much suffering might have been avoided if Dedue had only still been at Dimitri's side?

Byleth touches him gently while he mulls over that, kisses him with tenderness. Dedue finds himself quite fond of this affectionate and cuddly Professor, a side of him that he hadn't shown before.

"You would have been welcomed," he says. "Dimitri would never have denied you or turned you away. Nor would have I."

For what little hospitality he could have offered as a mere vassal.

"It's a comfort to hear that. I admit... I felt quite lost as archbishop. The lions... you were my family. What I had after I lost Jeralt. It's funny how much you all often said you relied on me, but in truth, I felt that it was quite the opposite."

Not that Byleth ever voiced such things, or really expressed much at all in that way. Now it comes much easier, just as being affectionate does. He's come to love the feeling of being close to people. Dedue's warmth is nothing short of perfection. Unlike the rest of the residents from Fodlan, Byleth is absolutely not shy about expressing his appreciation.

"Dedue, I really adore you. I couldn't have asked for a better day, or a better gift."

"I am certain that the others feel the same. You are important to all of us, Byleth."

The Lions, odd little group that they were, had been a close-knit bunch, and Byleth had certainly gotten tangled up in the middle. Dedue had always thought of himself as less integral to the group, in part because of his own attempts at keeping the rest of them at a distance for their own good. But Byleth? Their beloved professor? He was an integral part of them. He could have gone to any of the Lions, even after the war, and would have been welcomed into their homes and lives with open arms.

Dedue is glad to be one of those people who welcomes him home. To be open arms that he could rest in.

"And I, you. I am glad to have brought you joy."

A moment's boldness-- he presses a kiss to Byleth's temple.

Likewise, Byleth adores the idea of being someone who can bring Dedue comfort. How hard it must be to be a man so reserved, so physically strong, and so seldom understood by those around him in his life outside of the select few. All of those things amount to the perception that he would not need to be help and comforted, to be spoken to in soft tones and have a hand sooth his back.

He hopes he can provide such comfort, because undoubtedly, Dedue does bring him joy. What he has come to identify as joy. In his weird and quiet little way, Byleth is bursting with it.

He returns the kiss pressed to his temple to Dedue's lips again before settling down to watch the stars with him, and enjoy the warmth of their hands pressed together.

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