The first assault was finally over, and their small, but growing army had prevailed in protecting their hold on the Monastery this time.

Byleth moved slowly out towards the point where the main battle had taken place earlier in the day - just as the moon began to rise, and darkness set in. She had already removed the majority of her armour and had cleaned the blood from her skin but now she was at something of a loss. She deemed it pointless to try and retire for the night; sleep would elude her just as surely as it had every single night since she had recently awoken from her mysterious five-year slumber.

The changes that her missing years had wrought in her companions were all the more evident in the aftermath of so heavy a fight. She witnessed many of her former students sloping off quietly together, finding solace in each other's company in whatever manner brought them comfort and succour. They had truly grown up during an endless war.

Claude had retired early and alone, his weariness evident in his hunched form and the paleness of his face. It had been a long time since any kind of major victory had been won, and the relief in finally moving forward again had exhausted him - along with the wound he had taken towards the end of the assault.

Seteth was most likely still busy at work, hunched over the campaign desk from which he kept a rigid control over the logistics of their venture. Byleth considered going to find him for a few seconds, but things had been odd between them since her return, and a just few days before the Imperial army had shown up, she had fought with him. Angry and frustrated words were exchanged between them which had resulted in avoidance and communication only in meetings or in the presence of Flayn, who was quite obviously distressed by the distance between them.

It had been a wonderful revelation to Byleth, just how much Claude and the others of her students had been overjoyed to see her returned, but she couldn't help deeply lamenting that the only one who displayed at best a casual disinterest and at worst a return of his initial mistrust, was the one person whose friendship she coveted the most. Before she had fallen, when the truth of her relationship to Sothis had come to light Seteth had been a staunch ally and for that brief time he has seemed to thaw completely to her company, and it had warmed her in a way she had never expected it could.

That was then, though. It was unfair that five years later, when they had been reunited her head had immediately whirled uncontrollably at both his familiar and comfortable gravitas and his devastatingly good looks. She realised quickly that it was a wholly inappropriate and undesired reaction since he could barely spend time in her company without being disapproving.

With many thoughts weighing heavy on her, Byleth had decided that she would try and just walk it out and hopefully exhaust herself to the point of being able to drift into some kind of fitful slumber eventually.

She had almost made it to the front line when she was grabbed quite roughly by the shoulder. Her sword was instantly in her hand but she groaned and lowered it as she instantly recognised the harsh voice that hissed at her.

'Where on earth do you think you are going?' Seteth's fingers dug into her skin. 'You do realise that there are likely to still be enemies out there? You aren't even wearing armour.' His tone was angry.

She shook him off and strode forward purposely.

'Seriously Byleth, are you already intent on being taken away from us again so soon after returning?'

'I suppose it would be a shame for you to lose the vessel of the Goddess.' She remarked bitterly. 'There is little danger Seteth, we have knights out here dealing with the dead. I just need some space and activity.'

'Fine. Then I shall accompany you.' He sighed.

'You aren't even carrying a weapon.' Byleth pointed out.

'I didn't expect to be taking an excursion.' He grouched.

They walked in silence, picking a path through the carnage of battle – the smell of blood and fire assaulting their senses.

'Are you really finding this useful?' Seteth asked, although his question was honest rather than confrontational.

'I suppose it is a familiar environment for me.' Byleth nodded.

'There is something rather sad about that.' Seteth noted.

Byleth shrugged. 'It is what it is.' She replied, killing the conversation dead.

When they reached the opposite edge of the field Byleth finally stopped and turned to face Seteth, a look of weary resignation on her face.

'Why are you here?' She asked him quietly. 'You must know I am more than capable of looking after myself and you have hardly been particularly friendly since my return.'

'Right,' Seteth looked away uncomfortably. 'I'm sorry you feel that way.'

'It's not a feeling, it's a fact.' Byleth replied flatly.

'I guess I could have been a little more open with you.' Seteth admitted unhappily

Byleth sighed. 'No, not really - I am speaking out of turn.' She conceded. 'Without you, as steady and sensible as you are I am sure I would be completely lost in many things... it's just...'

'Just..?' He queried when she fell silent.

'I know that you find me troublesome, but your discipline and control means that I rarely know what I have done wrong.' Byleth met his eyes, and he was astonished by the vulnerability on her face.

'It bothers you that I might think ill of you?' He asked quietly.

'I know how deeply suspicious you were of me when I became a Professor.' She agreed. 'It was entirely understandable, of course. Even without the weird and unknown elements of my past - just being required to teach was a shocking development. It wasn't something I was prepared for or had any experience of. I had serious doubts about myself too!'

'You turned out to be an excellent teacher.' Seteth murmured. 'You have proved my fears to be groundless again and again. Quite comprehensively.' His tone was warm, and yet her frown only deepened.

'I know I have been thrust upon you quite unfairly.' She continued stoically. 'First by Rhea's manipulations and her desire to have me close at the Academy, then by my relationship to Sothis and now by this endless bloody war against the church. You have always worked diligently to make sure that I don't make as big a fool of myself as I might otherwise. You always fulfil that duty to the very best of your ability, Seteth - regardless of the problems that I cause you.'

'So, you are saying that you wish to understand my regard in order to make my job easier.' Seteth mused. 'I see.'

Byleth shrugged awkwardly. 'What you think of me doesn't really matter since we achieve what needs to be done just as we are.' She turned away and walked to the edge of the clearing, looking back out over the battlefield. 'But yes, I would value understanding your frustrations better.'

'You could just ask me, you know.' Seteth suggested. 'It's not always my intention to obfuscate, Byleth. Secrets have nearly destroyed us both in the past.' He moved silently up behind her, close enough that she could feel the heat that radiated from him.

'Asking isn't really my style.' Byleth admitted. 'I am more...'

'Spontaneous in your actions and quick to assume responsibility for things that aren't entirely your fault...' Seteth suddenly chuckled. 'I guess we are at a kind of impasse here. If you wish to try asking some questions, then I will endeavour to give a clear and direct answer despite my natural reticence to do so.'

Byleth groaned. 'Forget about it, Seteth. I am just weary and stuck in the comedown from this battle. I really have no desire to create an awkward conversation.'

'I admit you have surprised me.' Seteth said quietly. 'I didn't expect that you might care in the slightest what I thought of you; indeed, I struggle to believe that you could find me anything more than pedantic and a bore to be tolerated. I do continually harass you after all...'

'You need to challenge me. I would neglect or lack understanding in many issues if it were not for you pointing them out to me.' Byleth turned to face him and found him much closer to her than she expected. She exclaimed in surprise, and her hands came up to brace awkwardly against his chest.

'Sorry...' He muttered, taking a step back, but Byleth instinctively balled her fists into his shirt and held him solidly in place.

'I guess I would like to try. If you are okay with it.' She said decisively. 'I will attempt asking you what I want to know. A question.' When she looked up into his face, he saw that she was blushing faintly. He tried for what he hoped was an encouraging smile and covered her hands with his own.

'Go on.' He urged.

'Do you trust me?'

Seteth's eyes widened, and his brow creased into a frown. 'Of all the things I thought you might ask... I rather hoped that you would know the answer to that already.'

'You are a hard man to read.' Byleth murmured apologetically.

'I suppose I am...' he agreed.

'I am also not the best person at picking up on people's feelings...' Byleth's face was fraught. 'See, this is exactly why I avoid asking questions!' She added in annoyance. 'I just don't know how to do it right without causing a problem.'

Seteth didn't respond immediately. He sighed deeply and looked skyward as if seeking inspiration.

'Oh, what the hell...' He murmured to himself in resignation then he took a light hold of one of her hands and lifted it to his lips to lay a gentle kiss on her knuckles. When she stared at him in surprise and puzzlement, he straightened out her fingers and softly kissed the tips of each of them in turn.

'It is not just that I have learned to trust you, Byleth...' He said earnestly. 'I wholeheartedly believe in you and in your dedication to help to resolve this mess in which we find ourselves.' He paused for a second, trying to find the right words to continue. 'It was... an unexpected struggle for me to continue constructively on our path when you were gone. A positive resolution to the war seemed an empty and bitter thing without you to share it with. Obviously, my faith and support to the effort never wavered, but as for my own heart...' He shook his head sadly. 'When you returned to us, all I felt was fear. That you could be lost again, that I might have to face that pain again. I'm afraid that I have pushed you away simply to protect myself.'

'Really?' Byleth tried to cover her confusion by tracing her thumb over his lower lip curiously. It was much softer than she imagined it would be. 'I suppose that is... rather unexpected...' She admitted, surprised at how breathless her words sounded.

Seteth groaned quietly. 'Unexpected indeed.' He muttered. 'I appear to be making a half-arsed declaration of love right on the edge of a bloody battlefield. Hardly an act that I would normally envisage myself doing, and certainly not the most romantic or well-considered environment in which to do it.'

'Love?' Byleth blinked rapidly, stunned by the word. Her hand moved to tentatively stroke his cheek.

'You may have noticed that I am pretty awful at this.' Seteth admitted ruefully. 'I make a completely tragic suitor, and you deserve so much better than that. Regardless, it is only fair to admit that you have my unconditional devotion. You may take that as you will.'

Byleth choked out a disbelieving laugh. 'Is this some kind of revenge for our argument the other day?' She asked. 'Genuinely... I have always held the opinion that you disapproved of me!'

'Is that so..?' Seteth leaned into her featherlike touch hungrily. 'Well, you can be extremelyirksome at times, that is true.' He agreed seriously. 'It is far too often that you refuse to rest properly, eat regularly, or take a decent break. You also completely annoy me when you insist on putting everyone else's needs before your own, and please... don't get even get me started on your woefully terrible penmanship skills...'

'Harsh!' She murmured.

'Yet despite all of your faults, you are also exceptionally kind, honest, and extremely capable. You care passionately, and you never fail to try and do your absolute best. Only a fool would not be moved by that.'

'I don't know what to say...' Byleth blushed.

Seteth suddenly grinned and leaned in close to her ear. 'You are also possessed of a posterior that is utterly distracting...' He whispered, his breath hot on her neck, sending sudden chills all over her body. 'It is quite insufferable that you refuse to wear anything that might appropriately disguise its shapeliness. It has taken nothing less than the patience of a saint to manage to keep my hands to myself for so long!'

'Seteth!' Byleth flushed red to the roots of her hair.

'You wanted me to be more open...' He accused. 'Perhaps you should be careful what you wish for!'

'Remarkable...' Byleth whispered, shaking her head at how her pulse was jumping wildly in her throat despite her lack of a heartbeat. 'I believe you have finally managed to render me speechless!'

'A minor miracle.' He chuckled. 'You don't appear to be completely horrified by my suit though.' Seteth hedged his gaze suddenly intense.

'I am feeling a number of emotions that I don't readily recognise, but horror is certainly not one of them.' Byleth agreed.

Carefully Seteth wrapped his arms around her, allowing her time to move away if she wished. When she melted against him, her ear pressed flush to his heart, he sighed and exhaled a heavy breath of pure relief. They stood that way in silence for a long while, lost in the unfamiliar closeness of another person.

'Seteth...' Byleth eventually looked up at him with a completely indecipherable look on her face.

'Mmm?'

'Can I ask you another question?' She requested.

'Of course.'

'Are you going to kiss me now?' There was a definite pout appearing. 'I know I am not experienced in this kind of thing, but I'm pretty sure that's what should be happening.'

His eyes widened. 'Rather demanding!' He chided.

'You don't have to if you don't want to... I...'

Her words were cut off when his lips found hers firmly. He pulled away after a few seconds had passed.

'Um... Okay?' He asked, concerned that she had frozen quite still.

'Oh, no! Don't you dare stop!' Byleth insisted, grabbing her breath and winding her hands into his hair to pull him back into the kiss, this time fully invested in the new sensation.

After a while, Seteth reluctantly took her by the shoulders and pushed her away slightly, his breath uneven and aware that his legendary self-control was beginning to slip under the assault of her tongue's thorough exploration of his own.

'Byleth... we should get back to the Monastery soon.' He insisted as she tried impatiently to reach for his lips again. 'You are pushing me far beyond my ability to remain respectable...' His voice was gruff. Byleth opened her eyes, to stare at him, surprised by the intensity and desire in his tone.

'Is that a bad thing?' She asked guilelessly.

'Perhaps not an appropriate thing out here in the open as we are.' He suggested raggedly.

'Right. Of course!' She agreed, taking his hand and pulling him decisively back towards the Monastery.

'Are you not concerned that people will talk?' Seteth asked mildly, squeezing her hand.

'Not particularly. Are you?' She challenged.

He thought about it. 'No.' He decided.

That gave her pause. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to him.

'Are you sure?' She asked him gently. 'In truth, you actually have a reputation to protect. I am just a base mercenary, after all. If you would prefer to be more circumspect... that is... if you even want to see where this could go...' She suddenly looked unsure.

Seteth grinned broadly at her. 'It may have been a very long time since I have allowed myself to be spontaneous or reckless, but there does still reside in me the potential for such. It might take a while to reconnect fully with those kinds of emotions but I have no desire to hide how I feel any longer.'

'Well, good!' Byleth nodded decisively.

Their step became slower as they wandered back together in comfortable silence. When they got to Byleth's room, Seteth encircled her in his arms.

'Promise me you will get some sleep?' He asked.

'Hmm, you fought just as hard as any of us and I very much doubt that you will retire before spending a good few hours at your desk.' Byleth challenged him.

He chuckled guiltily. 'True.' He murmured.

'Why don't you come in and have some tea with me. It would likely help us both to relax.' She raised a brow at him.

'I'm not so sure that is a good idea right now.' He muttered regretfully.

'Okay. A shame.' Byleth retrieved her key and bent to fit it in the lock on her door.

Seteth growled, an almost painful sound. 'Byleth, did you actually just wriggle your rear at me?' He demanded, pinching the bridge of his nose. She turned to look up at him with an innocent smile.

'What a terrible thing to suggest. As if I would stoop so low.'

'I am going to regret telling you about my weakness aren't I?'

'Maybe...' She opened the door and held out her hand to him.

'I am in so much trouble...' Seteth commented ruefully, taking her hand and closing the door firmly behind them.