museboxofmuses | Dimitri + Byleth Catchall

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.]

Well... in that case... I suppose I can demonstrate?

[ Dimitri sounds a bit tentative and nervous, but he still leans down toward Byleth. His hand lifts to cup his cheek and he slowly presses a kiss to his lips. It's gentle and chaste, as far as these things go. A warm press of lips against lips to test the waters and see what will come next.

It's still enough to make Dimitri want to burst. He's actually kissing Byleth. THis is real. It's happening.

What does he do next? ]

[As Dimitri leaned in, Byleth instinctively closed his eyes. He had a feeling it might be off putting to just have him staring intently when Dimitri looked a little skittish. It meant the kiss was almost a bit of a surprise, despite Byleth anticipating it - a warm press against his lips.

It was a simple contact. Nothing fancy or strange. Yet Byleth still felt. Odd? Not in an unpleasant way, but definitely unfamiliar. Byleth held himself very still, trying to sort through his initial impression of this chaste contact, and decided that it felt nice. Yet, 'nice' felt too mild a word. He decided the exact semantics were unimportant and pushed it aside for later consideration.

What was important was reciprocation. Dimitri had demonstrated the action as a teacher should, and it was Byleth's duty as a good student to mimic. So, as the short, yet chaste kiss, ended, Byleth immediately leaned back in, eager to show what he had learned. He pressed his lips firmly against Dimitri's, and he wasn't quite sure what to do with his hands, so he pressed one hand against Dimitri's thigh and the other against his shoulder.

The kiss itself only lasted a handful of seconds, yet Byleth's face felt curiously warm despite the chill as he pulled back. His pulse was racing... what a novel experience. The Crest Stone that functioned as his heart normally kept his pulse at a steady baseline, no matter how flustered he was.]

Was that... fine? [Even his voice sounded a little breathy. He cleared his throat.] I wasn't quite sure what to do with my hands...

[ Dimitri is left beaming, his smile practically lighting up the snow cave - although it is getting dark. That felt - that was - beyond description, really. His heart was humming away in his chest, his pulse was racing. There was a pleasant heat somewhere deep inside of him and he didn't truly know how to describe it. Love? Affection? Words didn't feel as if they'd do it justice. Instead he tries to breath. He tries to just... act normal. Or normalish. ]

No, no, that's - that was fine. I wasn't quite sure either.

[ He laughs. ]

That felt... that was very good. Thank you, Byleth.

[Byleth couldn't help but smile, pleased at Dimitri's open joy. Who knew that such a simple action could result in such happiness? Perhaps he should've paid more mind to romance earlier...]

No need for thanks, Dimitri. I enjoyed it as well.

[Was it normal for his lips to tingle afterwards? Byleth pressed his gloved fingers against his bottom lip and looked away, noting the unique sensations. Heightened pulse, flushed cheeks, tingling lips, an indescribable warmth in his chest cavity... all from a chaste kiss that lasted barely a handful of seconds. Who knew how much these sensations would intensify the more intimate they became?]

...to be honest, I didn't expect a simple kiss to affect me so much. It's interesting.

...I think it's something to do with kissing someone you care about.

[ Dimitri laughs, his eye dancing as he watches Byleth react. The way he touches his lips amuses him some how. He doesn't quite know why. It's just... it's cute. ]

I'm glad you feel so much the same as me. It's - I find watching you respond to this incredibly endearing. It's... almost cute.

Cute?

[Byleth has been called many things in life: cold, heartless, and terrifying, but 'cute' was certainly new. Maybe it was because it had come from Dimitri, but he found himself liking it, an odd fluttering feeling in his gut that had him wanting to smile and to hide it at the same time. Strange.]

No one's called me that before. It's usually 'cold' or 'intimidating'...

[Byleth felt squirmy. It was the only way he could describe the sudden, fidgety restlessness that had overtaken him. His face felt even warmer too. Was he blushing? He was blushing. Amazing.]

I can't deny that people have said such things about you.

[ He reaches out to take both of Byleth's hands, though, and he squeezes them tight, his face a mask of earnestness. ]

But I think they're wrong. You're not cold. You're not frightening - not unless you mean to be - you're just - earnest. And honest. And willing to give advice, to listen, to guide. I - I cannot properly find the words to express how much I admire you, Byleth. So please believe me when I say that.

[This earnest praise was not uncommon from Dimitri - or any of his students, for that fact, though some were more forthcoming than others. Byleth always took the praise in stride, yet cherished it every time, feeling warm and proud that he had such a significant impact on those that had been under his care. It never made him flustered, and he always was able to respond in kind.

This time was different. He didn't know if it was because of the kiss, or the squirmy restlessness that had overcome him, or just how Dimitri held both of his hands while saying such lovely things and looking at him like- like that, but... whatever the reason, Byleth felt himself go utterly red, and was briefly rendered speechless, taking a moment to negotiate with his brain long enough to remember what words were.]

Ah, I, um, I-I do, of course. Yes.

[...he was beginning to understand why people in love made fools of themselves now. It was strangely hard to think when someone you cared about dazzled at you like that. How lethal... if Dimitri ever weaponised that smile...]

Believe you, I mean. [With iron control, he swiftly regained his composure. He tried to ignore his mild embarrassment.] I'm happy you think of me that way. I... worry, sometimes, that I still give off a cold impression, when I don't intend to.

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

no subject