Chapter Text
Dimitri is exhausted
He’d been having meeting after meeting with lords in Lancaster for the last few days. Diplomacy was important, so he really did not want to complain, but Claude wasn’t even around. He was off somewhere doing Sothis knows what.
On second thought, she probably wouldn’t have any ideas either.
It was quite disappointing to be told upon arrival in Derdriu that the person who was supposed to be in charge would not be present for their meetings. Meetings that Claude was aware of.
Dimitri has been hoping that during his visit the two of them could continue to talk about how to continue to move forward with the Church and the Hero’s Relics. There was so much they still needed to discuss and figure out. It would have been challenging to really talk about all that when there was so much they didn’t want others to overhear. That did not make it any less important.
That plan had been thrown out the window.
It probably did not help that the lords here were perhaps even more difficult to deal with than in Faerghus. Maybe it was because he was used to one kind of difficulty and this was much different.
At least Dimitri will be heading home the next day, so he’ll get a break soon enough.
He’ll need to immediately get back to work once he gets back to Fhirdiad, but the journey back should be relaxing. Especially since he’d gone out of his way to make some extra arrangements for the trip.
Byleth is enjoying a meal with her father. They are waiting for their next job to start and wanted to take advantage of the local fish.
The catch this tavern has is surprisingly fresh, Sothis said. That is not terribly common for us unless we catch the fish ourselves.
And it’s not like anyone in their mercenary band was an especially good cook.
Exactly! Savor this while you can, soon enough it will be back to simple dishes without much extra.
Byleth tries to focus on her food, but thoughts of their next job keep persisting. They will be heading out soon and she has mixed feelings about things. It is a simple escort mission, nothing they haven’t done a thousand times before, for all sorts of people in all sorts of circumstances.
It’s just that this time they are escorting Dimitri.
Someone who frankly doesn’t need an escort at all. He could probably take down an army on his own if properly motivated.
Whether or not he was being crazy at the time.
The boy is very strong, and more importantly, very skilled. Though I am reasonably sure you are the more powerful of the two of you.
Byleth has never put much thought into that. Fighting, while simple, was rarely straightforward. There were always unknown factors and different circumstances. Who would win in a battle could come down to anything. The terrain, weather, allies, there were so many considerations.
Sothis’s presence was a factor as well. Goddess given abilities and all that, even if the goddess in question decided to just be a bystander.
Did it really matter though? It’s not like she and Dimitri would ever seriously fight. Sure, they would spar, but that wasn’t life or death. Whoever was better would probably only amount to bragging rights, which Byleth really did not care about.
There were many more important things to worry about. Like the Agarthans, Rhea, finding work, their next job, food.
And does our next job bother you?
Bother is a strong word for what Byleth is feeling. She will admit to being worried but that is the extent of it.
Why? Sothis asked. We both like the boy, for all that he can be a handful. It’s not like we are escorting some random, annoying noble brat with no survival skills.
Byleth knows that, but this will be the first time she and Dimitri see each other in person since the war ended.
Ah, Sothis nodded in understanding. Seeing him will be nice, but the boy can be a little…overwhelming sometimes. At Byleth’s look she sighs. Okay, a lot of the time. He has been working on that though. If this was back when he was still not thinking things through, he would have been following us around constantly, consequences be damned. Sothis giggled. Imagine the state of Faerghus if he’d given into that impulse. The boy hasn’t though, he’s been respectful and has waited for shared dreams and the throne room.
True, that or he would have sent some of his knights to keep an eye on things.
Exactly. Things have improved and will continue to do so. It’s not like the boy wants to cause you any distress.
Byleth knows that. Dimitri never means to do things that upset her, but he already has a track record of doing so unintentionally. He’s put her in uncomfortable positions before, like when he convinced her father to work for him, forcing her to be around people she loved who did not know her.
She and Dimitri have agreed to try and stuff, but when faced with seeing her in person Dimitri could backslide all too easily.
Sothis nodded. I can’t say I disagree with that. She laughed. The boy does have a tendency to act like an overeager puppy when you are around. It is rather adorable, but it can also lead to chaos.
“Hey kid,” Jeralt’s voice interrupts their conversation, “hurry up and finish your lunch. We need to head out soon and I don’t want us to be late. His majesty will be waiting with his knights at the gate for us and knowing him, he’ll show up early.”
That does sound like something Dimitri will do.
Oh yes, Sothis snickered. It would be just like the boy to end his duties as quickly as possible all so he can see you all the sooner.
“Listen kid, you need to be careful while we’re acting as the escort.” At Byleth’s head tilt he continued. “Things are different now that the war is over, and we aren’t all living in the same camp. I can’t imagine the king will treat us any differently, but people from Faerghus don’t like mercenaries.”
Byleth was aware of that. She’s had more than one run in with rude knights before. It was one of the reasons Jeralt used to avoid taking jobs too close to Faerghus nobility.
“The knights will likely cause the usual amount of trouble and depending on who they are, even Dimitri might need to tread carefully.”
Byleth isn’t exactly looking forward to that, but she’s not unfamiliar with it. Though she does sorely hope that none of the knights cause her too much trouble. Byleth knows how to handle herself, but if something sets Dimitri off, apprehension about insulting an important family or not, he will take action.
The poor hypothetical knight probably would not last a second.
“Maybe once we stop to rest for the night, you and I could fish with King Dimitri again,” Alois said to Jeralt as they made their way to the gates. “We all had fun during those lessons.”
Jeralt thinks about it for a moment. “I’m not sure. We might not end up near a decent fishing spot and even if we do there’s no guarantee that the kid will want to fish with us.” He glances back at Byleth. “There might be other things on his mind.”
Byleth beats down her blush, while Sothis gleefully cackles.
“Really?” Alois sounded confused, but Byleth resolutely kept her eyes ahead of them. “What could possibly keep King Dimitri from wanting to fish?”
“Who knows,” Jeralt said with a laugh. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”
When they finally reach the gates, Byleth is not surprised to see the Dimitri was already there with at least ten knights. They were all armored, so faces were difficult to make out, but she doesn’t think she recognizes any of them.
That is a shame. It would have been nice to catch up with the other children.
It would have, but they can’t have everything. At least this means Byleth can better keep an eye on things. Her attention won’t be split and maybe with no other friends around, Dimitri himself will be more mindful.
Maybe. Hopefully.
Byleth is fully expecting some slip ups, and that is okay. Dimitri is not perfect, she doesn’t expect him to be, and he’s a man in love who barely gets to see her. Some moments of extra attention or affection are reasonable. It’s just that Byleth wants to see some tangible proof that he’s taking their discussions seriously. If Dimitri slips up too much the literal first opportunity he has, what kind of precedent would that send?
Not a good one, Sothis admitted. I don’t think you need to overly worry though. The boy has been listening, and he desperately wants things to work out. He’ll play by the rules you both agreed on.
“Captain Jeralt,” Dimitri called when they got close, “thank you for agreeing to my contract on such short notice.”
Jeralt nods as he brings his horse to a halt. “Is there anywhere in particular that you want us?” He eye’s the knights warily.
The surrounding knights shift in place. At least they know not to outright show lack of respect.
As Jeralt and Dimitri discuss the journey ahead, Byleth takes a closer look at the Faerghus knights. There’s no one she recognizes, but that doesn’t mean much. She’s not always the best at recognizing faces, so some of them could have been around the war camp before.
While glancing around Byleth’s eyes eventually land on Dimitri. He looks tired, but that is unfortunately a regular thing for him. He might have also lost some weight, but it is difficult to tell with Dimitri wearing armor. Knowing him though, Dimitri is not taking proper care of himself. It was difficult enough in the best of times to get him to eat and sleep properly and Dedue isn’t even around to mother hen him into anything.
Dimitri looks her way and the smile that breaks out on his face is unmistakable. At least he isn’t running over to greet her or anything.
It’s a decent start, all things considered. Hopefully the boy can remain cautious during our time together. Sothis sighs. There’s going to be hiccups though. He’s always been horrible at hiding his infatuation with you. Hopefully no new rumors will spring up from this.
Hopefully. A decent chunk of Fhirdiad probably still thinks Byleth is trying to either seduce or assassinate Dimitri.
Possibly both. Sothis shook her head. Like you wouldn’t have already done either by now. You must seem like some kind of mastermind to them. If only they knew you don’t have many thoughts in your head beyond food and fighting. Grand ambitions you have not.
Like Sothis isn’t also obsessed with food.
I am not.
Is that why she is always so insistent about looking over every option carefully when going to a market or bakery? Or why there is always encouragement to get as much as possible?
Getting bundles usually means getting a better deal. You would just get more food later; I am saving you money.
Sure.
“Hey kid,” Jeralt called to her, “you’re assigned to the King for the first leg.”
So, they’ll be riding next to Dimitri until they make their first stop. Or until they make camp for the night depending on who things go.
The boy is no doubt very excited about that.
Dimitri is ecstatic. Byleth is in the same place as him. They can talk and spar and eat together. What could possibly be better?
Well, he could do without the underlying tension in the air, but beggars cannot be choosers.
Dimitri glances at Byleth out of the corner of his eye. She hadn’t said anything to him since they began riding next to each other and he wasn’t sure how to start a conversation. This wasn’t a leisurely ride, nor were they alone. Byleth was literally working.
Byleth wasn’t looking at him, she was keeping an eye on their surroundings. Still, that did not mean they couldn’t converse.
Should Dimitri just start talking? Was there something in particular he should start with?
This used to be easier; Byleth was so warm and welcoming that the difficult part was stopping, not starting a conversation. That was before though. Before the war ended, before Byleth agreed to really start trying with him. Before they’d spent an extended period of time with little communication.
What if he said something that upset her? What if he got overzealous in his excitement at their reunion? What if one of his knights interfered somehow?
There were just so many ways things could go wrong.
Dimitri cannot let this opportunity pass him by though. Who knew when next he will be blessed with his beloveds’ company.
“How have you been?” That was a reasonable question to start with, right?
“I’ve been alright.” Byleth is silent for a moment before continuing. “Sothis and I have been eating good food.”
Dimitri holds back a laugh. Of course, that is the only noteworthy thing that his beloved could think of. “I am glad to hear it.” Perhaps they will spend a night near an adequate fishing spot during their journey. Dimitri would not claim to be the best at it yet, but it would warm his heart to supply Byleth with more food.
Just watching her happily eat would be worth any embarrassment his attempts at fishing might result in. He’d never actually fished in Byleth’s presence after all.
“How is your eye doing?”
Dimitri didn’t even try to hold back his smile. “It hasn’t improved much, but it hasn’t gotten worse either.” He’d been examined many times already and the consensus seemed to be that they needed to wait. “Some healers have speculated that my eye might recover if given enough time and regular treatment, but others have been less optimistic.”
Byleth nodded. “Perhaps we could spar before you get home, test how well you’ve adapted.”
His smile stretched even wider. “I would love that.” Not only was it a chance for them to spend time together doing something fun, but no one could challenge him like Byleth. Felix came close, but it was not the same. This really would allow him to know how well he’d already adjusted.
Conversation came easily after that. Byleth was probably uninterested in what he had to say about court, but he was happy that she’d recently found a good selection of whetstones.
Even talking with her is better in person than in the shared dream space. Though it is a shame Dimitri cannot hear any of Sothis’s commentary. She likely has much to say, and only Byleth can hear it. Being told secondhand just isn’t the same.
Despite that there is still so much they can discuss. He wants to know everything. How jobs have been, what places she’s seen, what foods she’s eaten, if she’s found any interesting weapons.
Dimitri knows he doesn’t deserve it, but he is a selfish man. He wants everything his beloved is willing to give him.
Byleth is tentatively impressed.
Dimitri hasn’t been overly affectionate, nor has he called her beloved. He’s kept their conversation rather casual and has been maintaining vigilance to their surroundings.
Yes, yes, it is very good the boy isn’t staring at you adoringly when we are on the road. As long as he doesn’t try to share their tent or anything, we should be fine.
Dimitri wouldn’t try to do that, would he? He might be very eager to get back together, but even when they were fully in a romantic relationship, he would have gone beet red and stammered at the idea of sharing a tent in such a public setting.
Besides, her father was with them. Jeralt likes Dimitri well enough, but he would undoubtably become very angry if he tried anything like that. Jeralt would probably throw him in a lake at best or hit him with a lance at worst.
They really did not need the knights causing any issues over that. Assaulting a king was not a small crime.
Sothis laughs. I can just see it now. Though the boy would probably take any punishment from your father without complaint, especially if it is in defense of your honor.
That did sound like Dimitri. Byleth will just make sure to keep her tent near Jeralt’s whenever they make camp. That ought to be enough to remind Dimitri of how things were, even if she did find it unlikely that he would actually approach her tent. Dimitri wanted things to work out between them, and that was unlikely to happen if he so blatantly stomped over her boundaries.