Hi guys! :) Haven't written in awhile, but I just finished playing the game and Claude is just so wholesome. WARNING for chapter 2, it's rated M.

I hope you enjoy!

Claude von Riegan was a tactical man. He had a plan to fulfill his dream of a unified Fodlan.

Garreg Mach was the beginning step to bringing this new set of reign. And everything was going according to plan… but he should have been more careful. He should have taken precaution to each and every event and factor during his time in the academy. He should have been more careful with her.

Byleth was the perfect tool to help him with his plan. She had the skills and abilities to successfully make his dreams come true. She wielded the sword with confidence and strategically led armies to many victories. She had what it takes to stand next to him and support him every step of the way.

Claude knew he had to develop a strong relationship with Byleth to accomplish his dreams, and he knew how to just do that. Claude, after all, was a very good looking man. He was more than confident to use his looks and personality to get what he wants. So when given the opportunity, Claude used his charms to pique Byleth's interest in joining the Golden Deer. It was little to no surprise when Byleth picked the Golden Deer over the other houses.

Once Byleth was assigned as their professor, he chose to break down the power imbalance between them. He strategically pointed out her age. He began calling her "teach" instead of professor. And he referred to her as a friend. Eventually, their relationship became a partnership. There was a surge of increase in their level of support which was needed for his plan. They were no longer merely professor and student, and that was also his mistake.

Claude did not know when it happened, but he became too curious about his professor. He was curious about the truth in her past. He was curious as to how she has control over the sword of creator. He was curious about her missing heartbeat. Without even realizing it, Claude became consumed with the thoughts of his professor. More dangerously, he was consumed by thoughts of her smile. Her smile did things to him and it was dangerous.

Byleth's smiles were like drugs to him. He was always seeking it. He was always looking for ways for her rosy lips to curve upwards. It caused his heart to beat faster, his legs to weaken, and his brain to go foggy. He then often than not found himself staring at her as she explored the monastery. He found himself excited whenever she comes to talk to him, to invite him for tea, or to eat meals with him.

It was all not part of the plan, yet he was wanting her, and that scared him. He did not know what to do. Things were becoming too overwhelming for him and he did not have a plan. He had to form a new strategy. He could not have a simple mistake ruin him and his dreams. But as soon as he begins plotting, she was gone.

Byleth was gone for 5 years, which gave him time… time to think and time to create a new plan. The only problem was that he could not strategize. It was Byleth. She was mysterious. She was unpredictable. If anything else, in those five years, he merely came to an epiphany— Claude needed Byleth. Claude needed Byleth to be by his side as his own. He wanted her to be his and for her to be with him when he makes his dreams come true.

When Claude realized this, he stopped scheming and planning.

…

5 years have gone and Claude finds himself standing in front of her bedroom at night time without a plan in his mind. He hesitates. He starts thinking, 'What am I doing?'. There is a brief pause. He shakes his head to clear his mind. No more strategizing. He takes a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out.

Knock. Knock.

"Teach, is this a good time to talk?" Claude asks in a whisper.

Claude's heart starts beating faster as he hears the shuffling of footsteps towards the door. He begins second-guessing himself, his strategical mind betraying himself.

There is still time to leave. There is still time to run. Maybe I haven't thought about this hard enough. Maybe there is another way. Maybe I should have written a letter instead. I make more sense when I'm—

"Claude? What are you doing up so late?" Byleth's voice brings him back to the present.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry to be disturbing you this late, teach. I just have something on my mind" He brings his right arm to the back of his head, and boyishly grinned at her.

Byleth leaves the door ajar and invites Claude in her room. Claude watches as she gracefully walks to her bed and sits down, his feet following shortly after her trail. He sits next to her, leaving a couple of inches of space between them. She is close enough that he can still feel her warmth and hear her breathing. Quietness envelops them as no one spoke. He can only hear the pounding of his chest, getting louder and louder. It's becoming too deafening. He needs to say something in fears she might hear it too.

He turns his head to start, "Byleth, I…"

He stops. And just gazes at her. The moonlight streaks down on her, illuminating her features. Her eyes full of wonder and curiosity, piercing through his soul. He is at loss for words. He forgets what his objective.

Instead, he moves his hand. His hand slowly reaches out and caresses her cheek. He watches as Byleth's eyes widen from the contact. Claude searches for signs of hesitation but does not find any. Feeling a little bit bolder, he wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her closer to him. Her hands naturally fall on his chest.

"Your heart is beating very fast." Byleth looks up at him and finds their faces inches away from each other.

Claude makes an affirming sound and moves his hand from her cheek to the crook of her neck. He looks into her eyes, analyzing and calculating before making his next move. He moves his face closer, separating his lips to make his intentions clear. She wraps her arms around his neck and gazes at him with half-lidded eyes. That is all the sign that Claude needed before making his last move.

Claude closes the gap between them and softly captures Byleth's lips with his. His lips softly brushing against her as if to test the waters. She shyly responds, moving in sync with his movement. He deepens the kiss, allowing his passion to grow. He pulls her closer to him, his arm tightening around her waist and his hand tangling on her hair. He lets his tongue explore, licking the bottom of her lip. Open-mouthed kisses turn passionately with as their tongues slowly tease each other.

But then, Claude slows down. His mind starts to betray him. He decidedly pulls away before things get too heated and uncontrolled. He moves back and it takes all of his control to not just give in, especially with the sight in front of him. There is a tint of red across her cheeks. Her lips are swollen. Her hair is a little bit unruly. Her breathing is uneven. She is beautiful… and it's tearing him a part that he has to stop. The timing is just not right.

"Byleth, it's hard to explain, but please wait for me. I'll explain everything once the war is over".

With a heavy heart, Claude gives her one last kiss. His lips crash on hers with passion and desire. He pours all of his emotions in that final kiss. He holds her tighter, memorizing the feeling of his lips on hers. He doesn't know if he'll have the chance to be with her again in the future. He can only hope that she'll understand and wait for him.

Claude gently moves away from her. He had to let her go, so he reluctantly stands up, already missing the warmth of her body. He drags his feet towards the door and stops on his tracks, knowing that he should not end the night like this. Claude looks back at Byleth one last time and winks at her to lighten the mood, "I'll see you tomorrow, teach. Get some good night's rest"