2. Going to the Infirmary with Your Gatekeeper!

It was another gorgeous morning, not a cloud in the sky to interrupt the bright, sunny rays shining down on Garreg Mach. The town was much busier than it had been on that sweet day all those months ago, and Byleth quite enjoyed the bustle of marketgoers as he walked down the street. Children ran about while their parents attended the vendors, and merchants called out their new offers in exuberant, boisterous tones.

The Battle of the Eagle and Lion would be coming up soon, just the next week, and Byleth had decided to take the day for himself. He had to admit – despite all of his students' training, he was getting anxious for the upcoming mock. He was always being evaluated, so it wasn't a performance concern, but he saw in each of those kids' eyes how much they wanted this, how great an honour it would be to win. He wanted that for them, too.

And with all of the unsettling events that had happening behind the scenes, they could all use a victory catharsis to really turn the tide for their spirits. Byleth carried on his muse as he finally got to a quieter part of town, closer to the Monastery but away from the marketplace, and appreciated the breeze flowing up from the valley and the crisp air brought with it. He stopped a moment to allow the serenity of the weather to clear his thoughts; to take a deep breath and allow himself to enjoy his time alone.

A small patio café was nearby, and a group of armoured knights were seated at one of the small tables. Their plates had been cleared, and the four of them chattered away as they passed the time on what was likely their break. One voice was discernible from all of the others though; chipper and sweet, Byleth recognised it immediately. He turned to see the fluffy auburn curls of the Gatekeeper, and a smile threatened to pull at his lips.

The Professor did not want to interrupt the cheerful guard on his break, but a part of him knew that his spirits would lift simply by being near him, by hearing his voice. So, as one does, he went inside the café and ordered himself a simple cup of tea, and returned to the patio to take a seat at a table neighbouring the knights'. Alone.

There was a moment after Byleth lifted his cup to his lips that he realised how awkward he was likely being. And how dumb of an idea this was. And how – deep down – he was bitter that he had gotten too busy to host their noon teatimes at which he secretly gushed over how precious that Gatekeeper was. Underneath his gloves, his palms began to sweat enough to be irritating.

At the table, the knights were discussing the recent changes in schedules they themselves had been required to undertake. With Monastery security on the increase, more guards were being added to simple shifts like grounds patrol and, well, gatekeeping.

"Are you going to get switched out with anyone, Kyle?" One of the female knights at the table asked, propping her chin in her hand. "I know they generally try to keep it to one at the main market gate…"

"No, I think I'm okay. They've gotten someone to take the evening shifts, so I'm off at four every day now, but I still start at eight, sometimes seven if I get there early enough." The Gatekeeper – Kyle, Byleth had now overheard his name – was smiling even as he discussed the changes. Nothing could faze his optimism, it seemed. Byleth was envious, and still… he wondered how it was possible.

"Really?" The guard to his left, a male voice, input. "They've got us on full rotation around the Cathedral, we've basically doubled down up there. I think with everything that happened lately, the Archbishop has grown wary of the intent of whoever was attacking the students… she told us to take special care over at the Holy Tomb."

"Do you think she knows about something?" Kyle asked curiously, "Does she maybe know more about who the people behind this are?"

"I don't think it…" The last knight, another female, began when she trailed off. She ducked her head low, the other three following suit and leaning in close to hear what she had to say. "Okay, Kyle, not to freak you out, but the Professor is right behind you."

"H-He what-!?" Kyle moved to sit up, to jerk his head around and see, but the male knight put a hand on the back of his head to keep him down. "Ow – guys… how long as he been there?"

"I wasn't paying attention, but he has tea. I think he's been there awhile."

"Did he hear the beginning of the conversation?"

"Kyle, sweetie we've been here like a half hour, and he wasn't here when we got here, I think it's fine…"

"But how do we know for sure? He could have been there and heard what I – Gah!" All four knights shot into upright seated positions when Byleth walked over, teacup still in hand. He raised an eyebrow at the group, expression blank and nonchalant despite feeling slightly out of place.

The group stared in shock, similarly to a group of students would when caught talking during an exam. Actually, similarly to how Sylvain and Dimitri had acted while trying to help Annette stop crying during their most recent exam (she had studied all but one topic, one she had actually fell asleep on the textbook for that morning, and the boys had been trying to help her calm down. They knew she would get it, but Byleth had still been forced to dock points off of their papers. He felt incredibly guilty doing so.); their eyes were wide and they all stared up at the Professor, as if waiting for him to accuse them of something so they could deny whatever it may be. Byleth remained silent.

It was Kyle who spoke, saluting quickly and attempting to get to his feet. But his legs knocked against the underside of the table, and he fell back into his chair. Face red and a now very embarrassed grin on his face, he delivered his default line. "Greetings, Professor! N-Nothing to report! Um – it's nice to see you out and about. Are you enjoying your day?"

"I am." Byleth took a careful sip of his tea, not breaking eye contact with the adorable Gatekeeper. "Your name is Kyle? I can't remember if you ever told me. I'm sorry if it slipped my mind."

"Oh – um…" A perfect blush spread across his already flushed cheeks, reaching his ears as he looked down shyly. "Yes, it is! I don't believe you ever asked, Professor."

"You may call me Byleth if you like."

The knights at the table shifted in their seats, looking at Kyle while biting back smiles. Something about this interaction seemed amusing to them, and Byleth tilted his head slightly. Still, his attention remained on the auburn-haired guard, expectantly waiting for a response.

Kyle was gripping the edge of the table, nerves racking his body but trying his best to conceal it. "I don't think I'm allowed to do that, Professor… There are a lot of rules that go in to how we're supposed to act towards the staff. But… um, thank you for the offer?" He tried his best to smile kindly, letting him down easily. Byleth saw his tension on the surface, but did not know exactly what to make of it.

"Of course," Byleth's dark eyes once again met Kyle's bright ones, and he sipped his tea indifferently. "You look lovely today, by the way." A little bit of confidence never hurt, did it?

Kyle's eyes widened as he let out a sound that could only be described as an adorable squeak, and he put his elbows on the table, hiding his face behind his forearms. "Th-thank you, Professor!" His voice was strained, but not displeased. The two female knights exchanged something under the table that sounded like a coin purse. "Um… you as well…"

Byleth blinked, slightly surprised, and he leaned down so that his face was level with that of the startled Gatekeeper. Their eyes met once again, and Kyle's were still wide, shy and a little unfocused at their proximity. "You think that I look lovely?"

If it was possible to turn a darker shade of red, Kyle did; his freckles were little pinpricks, like seeds on the surface of a strawberry. "Y-Yeah… All of the time, really." He suddenly squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head vigorously. "Ah! I'm sorry, Professor, that was out of place, I just – I mean – Sometimes you just catch me off guard and I run my mouth and I'm really sorry!"

"Don't be." The young Professor set his teacup down on the table in order to free his hand, so that he may instead touch the Gatekeeper's cheek. "I rather enjoy seeing you flustered like this. It's quite cute."

Kyle's hand came up to grab Byleth's wrist, his fingers soft against the exposed skin past his glove, but he did not push it away. His breathing was shaky, unable to take his eyes off the man before him.

"Would you like to join me for tea again?" Byleth asked calmly, hoping dearly for the response to be a yes.

"I – I…" The darling little guard stuttered. "Professor, I think I'm going to pass out."

"Huh?" The exclamation had no sooner left his lips when Kyle suddenly blanched and slumped in his seat. One of the female guards at the table jumped to his other side, keeping him from falling as Byleth grabbed his shoulder to do the same.

The other two knights burst into raucous laughter, the male clapping his hands slowly to control himself. "Oh, Goddess he really fainted!"

"Is he going to be alright?" Byleth scooped the young guard, armour and all, into his arms and lifted him with ease. "I should take him to the infirmary."

"He'll be fine," The female who helped keep Kyle from collapsing smiled assuredly at the Professor. "He just got really worked up. He'll come to soon enough, just check in with Professor Manuela to be sure."

Byleth nodded and quickly departed to make his way to the infirmary. Some passer-by stared at the man making his way up to the Monastery with a collapsed knight in his arms, but he just smiled briefly, awkwardly, to alleviate them, or dismissed them with a polite "Excuse me." He arrived at his destination in record time despite how cautious he was being, and gently laid the guard down on one of the pristine, soft beds.

"Manuela?" Byleth called, searching for her. "I need your help."

The woman in question was just coming around the corner, beaming charmingly at her junior. "Ah, Professor. What do you need from me?"

"One of the guards passed out, I'm worried about him…" The words got gradually more sheepish as he said them aloud, stepping aside to let Manuela pass. Her white overcoat flowed behind her as she made haste in going to Kyle's bedside.

"Oh dear, is this the Gatekeeper?" She clucked her tongue as she reached into a cabinet for some medicinal vials, snapping her fingers to watch some white magic come forth, as if in test. "Whatever did you do to him, Professor?"

"I didn't do anything," Byleth responded matter-of-factly, then looked away, rocking back on his heels and feeling guilty. "I told him he looked nice and asked him to join me for tea. I think I scared him."

Manuela gasped daintily, hand going to her chest. "Aw, that is so precious! It's no wonder he swooned…"

The younger Professor blinked, dark teal eyes genuinely not understanding. "I'm sorry?"

She held up a finger, tapping some clear fluid into Kyle's parted lips and then twiddling her fingers over them, a gentle stream of white magic dripping into his mouth. Then she tilted his chin up to close it, sitting him up against some pillows. "He should be waking soon." But then her eyes met Byleth's, something hard and judgemental in them. "But you don't get it? My my, Professor, I didn't think you were so naïve! That's quite adorable."

"What am I supposed to get?" Byleth was still at a loss.

"It's such hot gossip among the younger knights, Professor!" She gestured to the unconscious Gatekeeper. "The Knights' baby, Kyle, has a crush on you! I mean," She snorted a brief chuckle. "So does basically everyone, I don't blame them in the slightest. But apparently you're all he ever talks about. People have been rooting for him since you got here."

Byleth felt his face heat up, casting his eyes down to Kyle's sleeping features in shock. "Really? I… thought he was just cheerful."

"Well of course he is!" Manuela rose and swept around the bed to take Byleth's face in her slender hands. "That's how he is, but of course he's extra excited to be treated so often by the man he admires. Believe me, I've had the feeling once or twice in my lifetime." She put the back of a hand to her forehead. "Their losses, really."

"Manuela…" Byleth stared up at her, gut sinking a little as he realised with dread what exactly he was asking for: advice. "What… should I do?"

"Well, do you like him back?" She pressed a finger to her cheek and winked at him. "The easiest thing you could do is just ask him out for real, let him know it's reciprocated. Then he'll get used to you."

"I'm…" Byleth once again gazed at Kyle's resting form. "He's very cute. I don't know how I feel for him yet, though."

Manuela beamed, slapping Byleth on the shoulder and laughing richly. "Then start with that! I'll leave you two alone, so you can speak to him when he wakes. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you…" She waved and winked, heels clicking against the stone floors as she exited the room.

"Wait, Manuela!" Byleth whipped around, hand raised slightly as if to catch her. "What if he… faints again?" The end of the question came out more as a statement, because the songstress was already gone. The young Professor's shoulders slumped and he looked back to the Gatekeeper, before giving in and going to take a seat at his bedside.

Moments later, after Byleth had removed both gloves and was wringing them guiltily, worriedly between his hands, eyes the colour of honey fluttered open, taking a pause to focus on the ceiling. After further glancing around and adjusting to his surroundings, Kyle's attention rested on Byleth himself. A delicate blush found its way onto his previously pale cheeks.

"Um… Hi, Professor." He looked down at his hands, clearly embarrassed.

Byleth smiled slightly, kindly, finding the lack of the ordinary greeting just as dear as if he had given the routine one. "Are you feeling alright? Here's some water, please drink some…" He carefully handed the young knight the glass of water Maneula had left for him.

"I'm feeling much better, yes… Did you bring me here?" He took the water, mumbling a small "Thanks, Professor," and took a small sip.

"I did. I sort of caused this whole mess, so I brought you here as well." He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm… sorry about that, by the way."

Kyle waved a hand slightly, eyes bright and earnest. "O-oh no, don't blame yourself, Professor! You did nothing wrong, it's alright… really." He took another drink from the glass of water. "I'm sorry for uh… what happened, on my part." A soft giggle escaped his lips, and Byleth smiled just a little wider.

"Well… if you are really feeling better, then will you do me the honour of answering my offer from earlier? I'm afraid I rather miss our teatimes…"

"I would love to have tea with you again, Professor." Kyle beamed, looking instantly better than he had moments before. The colour had returned to his face, a blush once again accenting his scatterings of freckles. "Does the usual time work for you, still?"

"I'll make it work," Byleth answered too quickly, but assuredly. He reddened only slightly himself and looked down at his hands, still folded in his lap. "I do have… one more question though."

"What is it?" Kyle tilted his head, fluffy auburn curls falling forward into those curious and cheerful eyes.

"You told me earlier about the Goddess Tower, and how people are supposed to go with one another…" Byleth frowned at how challenging this seemed to be, searching for the right way to phrase it. He didn't want to startle Kyle into fainting again, but also wanted to make sure that his intent got across clearly. "And you said you had no one to go with, at least at the time, correct?"

The Gatekeeper nodded slowly, blush creeping to his ears as he began to understand where this was headed. "Yeah, that's right. And I… still don't have anyone to go with."

Byleth glanced away as if someone would say the words for him, but then lifted his gaze to meet Kyle's patient stare. "Would you like to accompany me? To the Goddess Tower? You can… help me understand how the whole wish-thing works… and I think it would be quite nice."

Kyle's first response came with a stunning smile, happier than Byleth had ever seen. It was strikingly handsome, and yet the most endearing thing. He wanted to secure the opportunity to see it over and over again. "Of course, I'd be glad to come with you! Oh, gosh Professor…" Next, he laughed, and it was precious and soft and a sound that Byleth wanted to capture in a bottle and hear every day to come. "You're making me blush."

Byleth nodded, satisfied and determined to ensure that the Gatekeeper – the happiest man he had ever met – would continue to smile, continue to laugh, and continue to blush like that far into the future.

The Professor stayed at his side while he recovered for the rest of the afternoon, and they talked without pause the entire time. It was refreshing and simple, and they left the infirmary as the sun began to descend behind the great Oghma mountains. Byleth escorted Kyle back to the barracks, trying not to walk too close but unable to avoid his hand brushing against the sweet Gatekeeper's as they made their way through the grounds.

And when they had parted for the night, Kyle had risen on his tiptoes to press a quick, chaste and shy kiss to his cheek. He had smiled so gently, looking away with a hesitance that only came from the innocence of his crush. Byleth had taken Kyle's hand in his own, giving it a reassuring, promising squeeze, and ruffling his soft hair as he gave him a loving head pat.

The two had left each other for the night with cheeks the delicate hue of roses and giddy butterflies in their bellies, ensuring newer, sweeter moments to come in the near future.

Author's Note: Look, I know that people don't pass out for that long unless something is really wrong (and in this case, it wasn't), but it was for the sake of the CUTE. Just let it happen.

Also, Byleth is emotionally dumb-dumb sometimes, but can read your mind at others. He's... a delightful, interesting boy. We love him.

Thanks so much for sticking around for Chapter 2! I'll see you all in Chapter 3!

P.S. The Gatekeeper's name is Kyle! If you guys didn't catch that from the first chapter, that's what it is. It is selected after his lovely voice actor, Kyle McCarley. So, if you're unsatisfied with that, tough luck! I was not going to write an entire love story using just "Gatekeeper" as his name. Don't give me those looks, you love it!