museboxofmuses | Dimitri + Byleth Catchall

[In retrospect, Byleth should have anticipated this scenario.

While Jeralt had given Faerghus a bit of a wide berth during their mercenary days, the months after the conclusion of the war had required Byleth to become quickly familiar with its harsh climate. With Dimitri now the ruler of a united Fodlan, and Byleth abruptly finding himself holding the title of archbishop (to date, he was baffled by the series of events that had resulted in him leading a religion which he hadn't even read the scriptures for), there was a lot of political back and forth that required Byleth to travel frequently between Garreg Mach to Fhirdiad.

It was paramount, Seteth had told him severely, that the transfer of power between him and Rhea was shown to be consensual and amicable, and that their ties to the Kingdom of Faerghus were ironclad. Byleth hadn't complained. It meant he could escape Garreg Mach and spend time with his students - Dimitri, especially.

They had a tradition now, carved out from those chaotic months after the war, where they barely had time to breathe between nobles clamouring for attention about whose land belonged to who and untangling the subtle differences between the laws that governed the newly obtained territories. Byleth and Dimitri would slip free of their minders and escape into the nearby forest that ringed Fhirdiad, and would speak of things unrelated to the Church, or Faerghan politics, or anything like that as they walked along the hunting trails until it was time to return. It was the only moment of true peace Byleth could snatch for himself, and he felt it was the same for Dimitri.

Luck had ensured every walk had good weather, for Faerghus that is. Crisp snow and fresh air, Byleth had never seen worse than grey skies and a light snow. This time however...

The skies had been dark and the wind had a bite to it when they had slipped out of the city, but otherwise nothing had seemed amiss. But once they were deep in the forest, the wind had picked up, and the light flurry of snow had thickened until, well...they found themselves suddenly in the middle of a blizzard. Fortunately, they had managed to find cover quickly, unfortunately that cover was just a shallow cave deep enough for them both to just barely shield themselves from the frozen wind and snow. Byleth, as well, wasn't dressed for the occasion.

It was, in short, a massive miscalculation on his part. Dimitri had told him many times how unpredictable blizzards could be in this region, yet Byleth had been so eager just to spend time with him... well. It is what it is.]

It seems we may be here for a while.

[Byleth's tone is mild despite the situation they were in; unbothered, even though he was shivering already from the sharp temperature drop the blizzard had brought with it.]

[ Much like Byleth, Dimitri has been taking solace in their visits together. Getting away from the hum of the courts and the clamoring for attention that so many people seemed to need. True to himself, he shouldered as much as he could - especially when it came to helping the people who weren't nobles. They deserved just as much attention as anyone else. More, truly. And so while it might make a noble fume, he often had his attention on the people who came to see him who had no titles. Merchants, artisans, craftspeople, performers, small farmers, peasants - all of them came to the court to seek help and redress when their local authorities had not been able to do anything for them.

Most of them were worried about food. About the next harvest. About the bandits who still plagued the countryside in the aftermath of the war. High taxes. Their young men and women being drafted into an army that was no longer needed. He did what he could, with the help of his friends and most especially Byleth. He was not going to overturn all of society like Edelgard had wanted... but he was making a start.

Still, getting away was something he had learned to do - especially when Dedue and Felix both had told him that he was looking far too worn out. So these walks together had become tradition. A token of their friendship and something for them to do that was only for them. Although even now when he glanced at Byleth, Dimitri felt a little stirring in his heart - a hint of the old admiration and affection from when he had been a student.

But he tried not to think of it and let it die. Surely Byleth had more important things to worry about.

This day, however, they had been caught by wind and snow and forced into a snow cave for shelter. Dimitri ruefully glanced out into the gloom as the wind howled and the wind whipped past outside. He glanced back at Byleth with a shake of his head. ]

Yes. Perhaps all night. Here-

[ He tried to squirm past Byleth (which was a minor feat, considering his size) to start chipping at the snow with his hands. It was well-packed, which was fortunate, and seemed to hold up well. But maybe he could carve out a little more space. ]

If we can get a bit more space, I think we'll be more comfortable. And we'll need to make sure the mouth of the cave doesn't close up...

[There wasn't a lot of elbow room in this shallow cave, this was true. He and Dimitri were all but standing on each other toes, and there was no avoiding accidental elbowing or shoulder bumping from even the most minute movements. Byleth wasn't really bothered by this, though. Dimitri was... warm, and he subconsciously found himself huddling a little closer to him while the blizzard raged outside.]

Allow me to manage the cave entrance. A weak, periodic fire spell will be enough to keep it clear.

[For once, being a highly skilled mage knight came in handy for mundane situations (or, as mundane as being trapped in a deadly blizzard could be). A shame he wouldn't be able to use his magic to help expand the cave, however... he was more liable to destabilise the whole thing.]

As for expanding this cave... let me help. Here. I'll focus on this side, and you the other.

[It wouldn't do to let Dimitri handle all of the heavy lifting, after all. He shifted, trying to squeeze beside Dimitri to help him chip at the snow, but it was... tight. Byleth was practically tucked up against Dimitri's side to fit.]

I only hope you'll be able to maintain your strength to cast it...

[ Dimitri does worry, especially as Byleth is somewhat underdressed. Still, there's nothing to be done about if for right now. He makes a bit of room for Byleth and then they're squeezed in shoulder to shoulder, chipping at the snow. His breath steams in the cool air and he pauses to glance at Byleth for a moment, his eyes taking in his profile in the dim light.

Then he catches himself and tries to focus on digging. It doesn't take too long, fortunately. They're not trying to carve out a great deal of space. So once there's a bit more room he stops with a nod and glances at Byleth again. ]

Can you spread your cloak on the floor? It will insulate us from sitting on the snow - and we can share mine.

[Byleth was wholly focused on his task, so missed Dimitri's brief moment of distraction. Once they had dug out enough space for them to be as comfortable as they could be in a tiny snow cave, he brushed the lingering frozen snow from his gloves and flexed his fingers. Even through the sturdy leather, his fingers were growing slightly numb.]

Good thinking. Your cloak is far warmer than mine.

[Removing his cloak also meant removing the sleek shoulder armour as well, but it would be for the best. It was soaking in the chill like nobody's business. In brisk, efficient movements, he removed his cloak and set it on the floor, putting the shoulder armour to the side out of the way. In just his tunics, the biting cold hit his back with a merciless vengeance, and he couldn't quite stifle the full-bodied shiver.

He was usually resistant to cold or hot temperatures. His body naturally ran warm, and the heat rarely bothered him: but this was different. This cold was so sharp it almost felt like it burned, even through his (thin) layers. During all of his visits to Faerghus, he had never encountered this level of cold before (but that was only because he had never been to Faerghus during a blizzard).]

T-There. This should do.

[With that done, Byleth eased himself down on his cloak, drawing his knees up and crossing his arms over his chest, tucking his hands under his armpits. He will never underestimate a Faerghan blizzard ever again after this.]

[ Dimitri watches Byleth with a bit of concern as he notices just how much shivering the other man is doing, especially as they finish setting up their little snow house for the night. He knows that they should be able to wait it out - their mutual body heat and the snow's own insulation will make the temperature inside... bearable. Not comfortable, but they won't die. In theory. He unclips his own large, heavy cloak, and slings part of it around Byleth as he settles down next to him, pressing his larger frame against Byleth's in a bid to wrap it as tightly as he can around them both - and warm the other up. ]

Tell me if you need more of the cloak. Or if there's anything else I can do for you...

[ This close, old fantasies and emotions seem to want to dance to the surface and he feels his ears burn a little. Wasn't this something he'd fantasized about once, a long time ago? Although in his imagination it hadn't been quite as dire... and much more romantic. ]

[Byleth couldn't help but lean into the warmth that Dimitri's body offered, absolutely shameless in tucking in as close he could and wrapping his part of the cloak tight around himself. It was still warm from Dimitri's lingering body heat, and his old student's body offered even more of it.

He felt oddly small, but not in an unpleasant way. Dimitri had always been taller and broader than him, but it wasn't something Byleth had really noticed outside of absent observation before. This close, Byleth was incredibly aware of how much bigger Dimitri was, and it was a peculiar feeling... after some internal consideration, he decided the feeling, odd as it was, was positive.

He liked this position, he decided. Dimitri had always been a source of comfort for him, ever since the war had ended, so it stood to reason that he would find an intimate position like this pleasant. He wondered if this was something they could do again later, without the threat of death-by-blizzard hanging over their head, of course.]

This is enough. You're very warm, Dimitri.

[It made the otherwise biting chill tolerable. His face was still exposed to the cold, though, and he dipped his head slightly, burying his nose into the cloak's fur and turned his body a little more towards Dimitri's, practically curling up against him. Cosy.]

I hope our prolonged absence doesn't cause problems for the others. They must be worried...

[It wasn't as if his and Dimitri's walks were a secret from the others, after all. He just hoped Dedue wouldn't decide to launch a one-man rescue mission into the blizzard if it carried on until morning...]

I'm glad.

[ Dimitri replies, his voice a low murmur. He's concerned about his friend. About what this will mean. About whether they'll survive. Frostbite and cold are no joke, after all. ]

I'm sure they'll be out looking for us as soon as they can. But they won't risk themselves... well, some of them might. But I trust them not to do anything too foolish. They know we're resourceful.

[ he offers a little smile and scoots a touch closer. It's... not exactly warm, but he doesn't feel like he's going to freeze to death. ]

I hope you don't find this too awkward, with us being pressed so closely together...

Hmm? Why would I find this awkward?

[They had been in close proximity before - granted, not as prolonged as this, and most of those instances had been during battle or just after it, checking for injuries at the like. Did Byleth give the impression of disliking close contact, or Dimitri intruding on his personal space?

He almost frowned. He acknowledged that when he had first met the Blue Lions, he had been very... wooden, in their earlier interactions. But he had improved by leaps and bounds since then - or, he had assumed. He knew he could still be rather subdued and difficult to read, but surely he didn't give off a cold impression at his students' close proximity? Maybe he should clarify things...]

I trust you, Dimitri. [It took a bit of patting, but he managed to find his old student's hand under the folds of the cloak.] Your close proximity is never uncomfortable or awkward to me.

[Wait.]

Unless... do you find it awkward?

Well-

[ What does he say to that? Is he perhaps thinking too much? Pressing his own emotions on Byleth? As far as he knows, there's never been an inkling of feeling there, beyond friendship. He clears his throat and turns his head to glance down at the other man, brow furrowed a little. ]

I - no. We're just... very close right now. And in some other situations that might be considered inappropriate.

[ That sounds foolish, even to him, and he winces. ]

But I - I don't. I just want to make sure you don't feel that way either.

[ Good job, Dimitri. Smooth. ]

Inappropriate...?

[Maybe the cold was getting to Dimitri, because how would Byleth view this as inappropriate? They were sharing body heat to wait out the blizzard, and even then, it was still cold. If they sat apart due to 'propriety', they wouldn't survive the night. As he said, he trusted Dimitri. It wasn't as if he had to fear him trying to take advantage of the moment or anything.]

Dimitri... [Byleth couldn't help it: his voice and small smile was terribly fond.] As I said, I trust you.

[To prove it, he nestled closer to his student - though, he had an ulterior motive for doing so. Even beneath the thick cloak, even with Dimitri's warm body beside him... it was cold, and Byleth's tunics were far too light for the weather. He was trying to soak up every scrap of warmth he could get here, 'propriety' be damned.]

In fact, I like this. You're comfortable and warm. Were it not for the blizzard threatening our lives right now, I would find this quite blissful...

I - well. It's not about trust.

[ He sighs softly and shifts his weight. How does he explain this? Without spoiling things entirely? But Byleth is being very distracting at the moment. He's pleasantly warm. His thoughts tumble over and over for a moment. ]

...that's comforting to hear, though.

[ He carefully wraps an arm around Byleth. ]

In truth, it's... it reminds me of thoughts I once had at the Academy.

[ And has now, honestly. ]

[Oh. Byleth was a little surprised at the arm wrapping around him, but he relaxed into it easily enough. It made the position even cosier.]

Thoughts? What kind of thoughts?

[He racked his brains, trying to think if he had been in a situation like this with Dimitri at the Academy. The closest thing he could think of was when Dimitri had carried him whilst he had been unconscious but... well. Byleth had been unconscious. That probably hadn't been an enjoyable experience for Dimitri, who had likely been very worried about him at the time.

Oh, could it be Dimitri had wished to embrace him like this back then? Maybe to seek comfort? And here Byleth had been utterly oblivious to it... ]

I-

[ Oh. Well.

He's a bit caught, isn't he? ]

...in truth, I have - had - a sense that I would like to be closer to you. In more ways than one.

[ That sounds a bit weird, doesn't it? ]

We're very close right now.

[Both physically and emotionally, he felt. He blinked slowly, almost cat-like, as he tried to parse the meaning behind Dimitri's fumbling words. Out of all of their students, Byleth felt like he was the closest to Dimitri - though, of course, he tried his best not to play favourites amongst his old students, the simple fact was Byleth was human at the end of the day, and he had his preferences as all humans did.

But if Dimitri wished to be closer, Byleth would be more than happy to accommodate him in that. Though, he wasn't sure how to achieve that. Emotionally, he was flummoxed, but perhaps physically...? Well, at least he knew how to achieve that.]

But if you wish to be closer still, then... we could divest ourselves of our armour. [His tone is thoughtful, and he pulled back a fraction just so he could pointedly pat his palm against Dimitri's breastplate.] This puts some inches between us.

[I'm sorry, Dimitri (I'm not)]

Ah, no, no, that wasn't what I meant, professor-!

[ He was defaulting to the title now. Maybe because he was flustered by the sudden suggestion. Images of Byleth without any of that bothersome armor or clothing in the way flash through his head and he has to take a deep breath and hope that his cheeks burning up can be explained by the cold. ]

...I mean - I -

[ Deep breath. This is now how he imagined this coming up. ]

...I mean that I have... feelings for you. Beyond that of friendship.

[Byleth blinked again at the title coming out - Dimitri had gotten good at using his name more often than not, so it really meant he was flustered. He watched with mild fascination of Dimitri's cheeks flushed pink - likely not from the cold, either - and Byleth found it... something. It made him smile, and he decided that it was fondness he was feeling.

Dimitri was very cute, he could admit that to himself. It was a surprising trait he had noticed more and more as the weeks wore on after the war's conclusion. Some would probably disagree; while Dimitri had cleaned up considerably from the feral that had prowled Garreg Mach's ruins, he still had that rough air about him. Still, this was what Byleth's unbeating heart told him: Dimitri was cute, and it juxtaposed with his usual air of danger just enhanced it. Even Sothis would agree with him.

(The words you were looking for, Byleth, were 'gap moe'.)]

Beyond that of friendship? I see. So, that's how you feel.

[There was a fractional pause, where Byleth toyed with saying 'so you see me as family?' but... while Byleth could be admittedly dense, he wasn't that dense. Also, considering their situation, it would be a little cruel to tease Dimitri that much. Besides, hadn't Byleth just admitted his fondness and appreciation for him? Now that the idea was being presented to him, Byleth found himself seriously considering it.

He had never done anything 'beyond friendship', though. His steps would be just as stumbling and fawn-like as Dimitri's. His ability to navigate this was... sub-optimal, but Byleth was the type of man to always grab the bull by the horns, as it were. First, he should ensure he wasn't misunderstanding anything:]

Is it something you want to act upon? [He kept his palm flat against Dimitri's breastplate, not moving where he was leaning flush against his student's side.] That you're confessing it now, means you want to our relationship to shift from platonic to romantic, yes?

[ Dimitri watches Byleth for a reaction, not quite sure what he's hoping will come out of this or what he thinks will happen. It's all just happening at once. It started and he can't stop it - so he's riding it out to the end, whatever that ends up being. It's just - this is not how he would have expected to confess to anyone. Curled up in a snow cave, avoiding a blizzard, pressed close so they can huddle for warmth. He swallows and runs his tongue over his lips as Byleth considers that. And then speaks.

Oh, Byleth.

Sometimes Dimitri wasn't quite sure if Byleth fully grasped how society at large worked. Not that Dimitri did either sometimes, but... Byleth was his own person in every sense of the word. Even if he was also the Archbishop now. ]

I - yes. That was - that was what I was proposing. If you've no wish to do that, I'll - I'll understand completely. This wasn't how I intended for it to come out, though. Not... here. It's hardly an ideal setting, is it?

Hmmm, it would've been preferable to receive this confession elsewhere, true.

[But life didn't work like that. Long had Byleth grown accustomed to the fact that life simply... just shat on you, when it came to plans and aspirations, and you simply had to work with what you had. Byleth was good at that.]

But that doesn't matter.

[Byleth settled back slightly, and considered his words. He honestly had no idea how this went but... blunt sincerity hasn't failed him yet.]

Dimitri, as I've said before, I trust you. I also treasure your company deeply, and care for you in a way I haven't felt for any other. A professor shouldn't have favourites, but undeniably... [He trailed off, but the implication was there: Dimitri was his favourite.] In any case, my response to your confession is this...

[Oh? What's this? Did Byleth actually feel a flutter of nerves? Well, he was plunging into wholly new territory: he'd be a fool not to pause before leaping straight in.]

...I accept.

[ Dimitri listens with partially bated breath, just... trying to sort through the conflicting emotions running through his head and figure out how he's going to feel when this is all over. But then - then Byleth just says "I accept" and his brain short-circuits again.

Wait.

He blinks down at Byleth and then manages a little 'oh'. ]

...you do? Truly?

[ He reaches out to take Byleth's hands in his and squeeze. ]

Yes. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't. I accept and return your feelings, Dimitri.

[Dimitri's hands were warm, and large enough that they practically covered his more petite ones. Byleth squeezed them back, and let out a quiet, amused sound.]

Your hands are very warm. [Hadn't Dimitri said the same words to him, in what felt like eons ago?] ...though, that may be the blizzard affecting my ability to judge temperature.

[Everything about Dimitri felt warm compared to the punishing cold outside of the little pocket of warmth in their snow cave. Reminded of it, Byleth huddled closer, until it really just the layer of armour and cloth that separated them.]

[ Feeling Byleth cuddle closer made his heart jump and Dimitri swallowed thickly. Even if this wasn't ideal... even if it was awkward... he still felt a deep warmth; an well of joy that seemed to fill the air around him. He drew closer to Byleth wit ha laugh. ]

...I don't think it has. Not yet, anyway.

['Not yet' being important here. Still, Byleth didn't let the threat of hypothermia dampen his mood, not when Dimitri seemed overjoyed. Byleth just soaked up the closeness and warmth, letting his gaze drift to the entrance of their snow cave. It was just pure white past it, the snow coming down so fast and heavy it was like a wall.

Okay. Hostile weather conditions aside, he and Dimitri had agreed to take their relationship in a new, albeit unexpected, direction. It was a very important occasion, he was sure. However.]

I have to confess. [Byleth's tone was thoroughly blithe;] I'm not very experienced in romance. Is this where we kiss? Or does that level of intimacy come later?

Ah.

[ What a question to ask. ]

...we can kiss now, if you like. I... wouldn't mind in the least. It mostly happens when we're comfortable trying that sort of thing.

I see.

[Byleth pondered over his own feelings on the matter. He had never kissed another person before, though he understood the mechanics of it well enough... he thinks, anyways. Trapped as they were in this snow cave, it wasn't as if they had anything better to do except to stare at each other, and they couldn't risk falling asleep either in these sub-zero conditions. But, what Dimitri said: 'comfortable'.

Was Byleth comfortable with it? Dimitri said he didn't mind either.]

I've... never kissed anyone before. So, I'm not entirely sure what to do. [In an attempt to inject some levity, Byleth added:] Hm. It seems the shoe is on the other foot. In this situation, I am the student... if you're willing to be my teacher, that is.

[Even if Dimitri was just as new to kissing as him, he at least had some inkling of how this was meant to go. Byleth was utterly blind. He had paid little to no attention to romance and its various unspoken rules. His ambition, before he joined Garreg Mach, was always to make a name for himself as a mercenary, and then die when his luck inevitably ran out. Then his ambition morphed into supporting his students in their endeavours, then it was to see Dimitri through the dark times of the war, and now... well, now his ambition was to learn romance after all. Funny how life worked out.]

Body Heat

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject