museboxofmuses | Dimitri + Byleth Catchall

[I mean it's just as sudden as the marriage proposals in vanilla Three Houses SO!]

Yes.

[Wow, not a shred of hesitation!]

...oh. Wait. [Byleth abruptly remembered: proposals were meant to have rings involved. He pulled one hand away from Dimitri's, and reached for the inner pocket in his tunic.] I forgot. Let me try that again.

[A bit of rummaging and, aha! He found it. Jeralt's ring. Byleth had kept it with him at all times, if only because it was the last bit of his father left... but he would be more than happy to entrust it to Dimitri. In fact, Jeralt would want him to use it for this exact purpose.]

I read that proposals require rings. [Byleth clasped his hand with Dimitri's, the ring pressed between their palms.] However, it's too cold to take our gloves off and... likely it'll need resizing, so we'll do it like this. Yes, I'll marry you, Dimitri.

[A bit of a chaotic proposal there, but Byleth was just pleased he managed to remember such a vital component of it.]

[ Dimitri pauses as Byleth rummages for something and then stares as he pulls out a ring. Oh. His heart feels like it's rapidly trying to beat out of his chest. He swallows and then engulfs Bylth's hand, squeezing tight as he listens to his words. This is a lot. But... how can he complain? ]

Then I will wait until we're somewhere warm and safe and we can sort out the issue of rings, but... you really do make me the happiest man in the world, Byleth.

[ He's not gonna cry. He swears. ]

[Oh dear, Byleth can see Dimitri tearing up there. Fortunately, he recognised it for the positive emotion it was, and squeezed Dimitri's hands back. He was so endearing, it made Byleth feel all warm inside.

...figuratively speaking, of course. This snow cave, despite their cosiness, was still utterly freezing.]

I'm glad. Once we're free of this blizzard, we can do this more properly if you wish. For now...

[Byleth hesitated, before asking... not quite shyly, but certainly with an air of bashfulness to him:] May we seal this proposal with a kiss?

I think that - that would be wonderful.

[ Dimitri laughs. Nervous and excited and invigorated all at once. He squeezes Byleth's hands in reply and scoots a little closer. He's done this once already, so there's not exactly a sense of anxiety - but he still feels like he's going to vibrate out of his skin. He leans down slowly and presses another kiss to Byleth's lips with a soft exhale.

This one he allows to linger. ]

[Byleth easily leaned into the kiss, his eyes fluttering closed. This one lingered, instead of finishing after a handful of too short seconds, and he hummed quietly.

It was still amazing how such a simple contact could make him feel so much. He tilted his head fractionally, and the movement of his lips against Dimitri's made a warm shiver tremble down his spine. Yes, it really made him feel a lot of new and wonderful things.

Slowly, he pulled back - just enough so that he could open his eyes without being uncomfortably close:] There... now we're promised to each other.

...and all because we went for a walk today.

[ Dimitri has to laugh. Maybe it's fate. ]

I'm so glad that you accept me - my affections. I really can't put it into words.

[ He nuzzles in a little closer, wanting to be as close as he can in this moment. Even if it makes things a little awkward. ]

[Byleth let out a soft noise - something like fond amusement. Dimitri nuzzled him, reminding him a little of a cat, so Byleth nuzzled him right back, shifting a little closer - so close that he was just shy of outright climbing onto Dimitri's lap.]

Yes... though I can't help but wonder what the others may think... from their perspective we went out on a walk as friends, and returned after a blizzard happily engaged.

I'm sure they'll understand... we just have to explain it to them.

[ He laughs softly. ]

I can't imagine they'll object.

Yes, I'm sure they'll be glad just to see us happy.

[Well, Byleth hoped, anyways. He was aware there may be some mumbled questions amongst the other nobility about heirs and conflicts of interest, but with Dimitri being the king of a united Fodlan, and Byleth the archbishop of the Central Church, those mumbles should remain only that: mumbles.

And, as a phrase Byleth had learned at the Academy said: they'll cross that bridge when they got there.

In any case, having laid their hearts bare and very snugly curled around one another, they rode out the blizzard in higher spirits than most would have in their position. The storm died down when night had well and truly set in, though the chill remained scathing as they cautiously left the snow cave to their usual path now buried in several feet worth of snow. The journey back to the city had been slow - but vastly sped up when the search party (led by Dedue to the surprise of no one), had found them... and promptly scruffed them like you'd do with a wayward cat. Byleth hadn't minded. Dedue, in all of his infinite wisdom, had brought warm blankets with him, and so tolerated the scruffing with blissful happiness.

The original plan, before the blizzard had rudely intervened, was that Byleth was to depart in the early morning back to Garreg Mach. However, the late hour that they were rescued from the deep snow, combined with the fact that Byleth felt exhausted from spending so long in dangerously low temperatures, had that plan sharply shifted to the right. A day was required for their archbishop to recover from his ordeal, the Church escort had decided, and Byleth didn't correct them.

Which led them to this point: after dethawing himself with a much needed warm bath (at everyone's, including Dimitri's, insistence), Byleth didn't return to his room (a guest room in the royal wing of the castle). Feeling a little bold, and also wanting to check in on Dimitri, he headed to his old student's personal chambers. Once he reached them, he gave the doors a firm knock before announcing himself:]

Dimitri? It's me. Are you still awake?

[ Dimitri is far too cheery when they get picked up by the rescue party and Dedue, at least, notices. But he doesn't pry (at least not yet) and instead focuses on getting the two of them back to the castle. It's a cold journey, made warmer by hot drinks and blankets. But Dimitri feels warm the whole way back. Once they're home, he's treated to a hot bath and many blankets and more hot food and then finally allowed to take his leave after they're done fussing over him.

He'll tell Dedue in the morning.

He's sitting up, still a little too excited to do much else. He's trying to read - to keeps his mind moving - when there's a knock. He sits up and hastens to the door. ]

Byleth! Yes! Come in-!

[ He practically yanks the door open. ]

[Byleth blinked, surprised at how quickly Dimitri had answered the door (and with such vigour too) - but his surprise quickly gave way to fondness.]

Wide awake, I see.

[He entered Dimitri's personal chambers, and he found it hard to look away from Dimitri's beaming face. His joy was so pure and infectious, Byleth couldn't help but smile back, the gesture small but filled with affection.]

I wanted to check on you before I went to sleep...

[And, admittedly, he just wanted to see him. Even though he knew the morning would bring them together again, a restlessness filled him to reunite with Dimitri as soon as he was able. Yet, now that he was here, he found himself at a bit of a loss on what to do. Kiss him? Embrace him? Simply stand here and stare at him like a lovestruck fool?]

But, mostly, I just wanted to be near you. Is that alright? I'm not intruding, am I?

...no! No. Far from it. I'm quite happy to see you again - and looking much warmer than before.

[ His smile is broad and happy and without reservation. He steps forward after a small moment of hesitation and wraps Byleth in a warm embrace. ]

I know I haven't told a soul yet, but... I was hoping to have another moment with you to myself. Before we have to share and you have to go back to Garreg Mach...

[Byleth let out a soft noise when Dimitri swept him up into a hug - it squeezed him in all the right ways, and Byleth slowly returned it, nuzzling against him. He had already felt sufficiently warmed by his bath, but this just made him cosy and drowsy.]

Yes... though I know our parting will be brief, I feel sad at the thought of returning to Garreg Mach so soon after promising ourselves to each other.

[See, if they had planned it properly, instead of impulsively doing it in a snow cave, they could have set aside a full week or so to fully enjoy their proposal. As it was, they had a day, if that, before Byleth would return to the monastery to fulfil his duties. While he frequently journeyed to Faerghas... even so much as a few days almost felt unbearable to imagine.]

So, if it's not too selfish to ask... may we spend the night together?

Ah-

[ Dimitri.exe has stopped working. He's processing those words, his arms squeezing tight as he tries to make sure he's interpreting (hearing) them properly. ]

I... I would like that a great deal. Whether we simply sit up and talk or spend time alongside one another. It would be a pleasure.

[Byleth pulled back slightly at hearing the slight pause, blinking up at him innocently. He was about to ask if he had said something wrong when Dimitri continued, and Byleth just brushed it off as him being surprised at his blunt question.]

I'm glad. In all honesty, I enjoyed our closeness in the snow cave and... wish to resume that in bed. I felt very warm and comforted beside you.

[Also, Byleth was tired, and snuggling up close to Dimitri sounded like the best thing to do right now.]

I'm glad to hear that.

[ He smiles again, trying to get past his own thoughts. He takes a step away, clinging to Byleth's hand and leading him toward the bed. ]

This will be much more comfortable, I can assure you.

[Byleth docilely let him be led to Dimitri's bed. It looked the same as Byleth's own in the guest room - that is, large enough to house at least four people lying side by side. Byleth wasn't used to such luxury, as his own bed in Garreg Mach was far more modest, but he was slowly becoming accustomed to it with each visit to Fhirdiad.]

I see your bed is quite large too. I'm not used to them like this, admittedly. [They reached the bed, and Byleth curiously pulled back the covers and leaned a hand against the mattress, testing it.] Springy, too...

Traditionally, you'd have whole families sharing a bed for warmth... at least among the poorer folk. It's something that's stuck around since then. Even for us kings.

[ He laughs softly and tugs the covers and blankets back. ]

If you just want to sit, we can. I have some books if you'd like to read...?

[ Dimitri is being so polite. Or trying to. ]

Mm. I'm not in the mood for reading.

[In his tired state, focusing on tiny letters felt like an insurmountable task. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed and patted the empty space next to him.]

I liked what we did before, in the snow cave. I'd never been so close to someone in such a prolonged way before. It's strangely... addicting.

[In short: he wants to cuddle...]

Oh, well... that would be just fine.

[ He tugs the blankets back and then sits down next to Byleth, slowly settling against his side. He's still warm - but it's much more comfortable than a snow cave. ]

[Far more comfortable. Byleth leaned against him and, with a boldness born from a lack of shame, wrapped his arms around Dimitri and nuzzled close in an embrace. It was like the snow cave... except he wasn't freezing and the floor wasn't so hard and cold it made his rump go numb. The mattress was soft and springy underneath them.

Hm. Actually...]

Dimitri... is it alright if we lie down together like this?

[Byleth didn't know how slow Dimitri wanted to be, with the intimacy. Sitting down and cuddling seemed less... risqué, then lying down in bed together and cuddling. For some reason.]

[ Dimitri feels himself flush as Byleth curls closer and he responds by wrapping his arms around him as well. He turns his head and nuzzles against his face with a soft sigh and he tries to relax. This feels... good. Very good. Relaxing. ]

Yes, yes... that's just fine.

[ He slowly leans over onto his side and then drags Byleth down with him.

This is fine. Just fine. ]

[Totally fine!

Especially as Byleth adapted to the new position unflinchingly. He snuggled closer, hitching one leg over Dimitri's thigh to achieve that closeness, and let out a low, contented sigh. It caused their bodies to press together as one firm line, and Byleth was surprised at how well they slotted together.

Yup, this was definitely better than the snow cave already. Byleth felt so cosy and warm, and Dimitri smelled nice. Probably from the bath...]

Mm... I like this. [He even felt his pulse quicken slightly. Strange...] It's warm, and...

[Byleth couldn't help himself. He nuzzled Dimitri's jaw and inhaled.]

...you smell nice.

[ This is... very nice, honestly. They feel like they fit well together and Dimitri can feel his heart swell. He buries his face against Byleth's hair wit ha soft exhale and gives him a tighter squeeze. ]

...so do you.

[ There are a myriad of thoughts racing around his brain right now. Give him a moment to sort those out. ]

You're so warm.

Mm, well, my body temperature is higher than most people's...

[Maybe due to the Crest of Flames or his Crest Stone? Byleth didn't know, but whatever the cause, he always ran hotter than most people (in childhood this had Jeralt mistakenly thinking he had a fever a few times before realising). He wondered if that meant Dimitri benefited more in the snow cave, and was simply happy that he could help in that respect.

He sighed quietly, content for the moment in their entangled position. He thought he'd feel awkward, being this close to someone, but he felt perfectly at ease. It was Dimitri, though. He could hold a blade to his throat and Byleth wouldn't flinch, so certain in his trust of him. Dimitri could never make him nervous or frightened.

Byleth could've dozed off like that, and he very nearly did, but his mind in its drowsy state kept circling back to something. Something very specific: the kiss. Or, kisses if you wanted to be technical. They had been such brief, chaste things, but now Byleth was curious... if there was something more to them. Odd he couldn't stop thinking about it.

...well, it wouldn't hurt to ask, would it?]

Dimitri... do you want to kiss again?

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LET'S DO THE TIME WARP YEEEEAH~

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