03/25/20

This story is a sequel to "Saying Hello" once I close the gap that leads to "Holding Hands" I think I'll put numbers in the descriptions for their placements. Gosh the series feature on AO3 is so handy. Either way, for all ya'll Ingrid and Byleth/Ingrid lovers, here is another one.

Moving Houses

In the fields away from Garreg Mach Monastery, the Black Eagles found themselves enjoying some free time. The weeks have been full of hard lessons and harder missions from the Archbishop so Byleth decided they take this week off and enjoy some time away from the Monastery.

The group wasn't sure what to do with their free time until Ferdinand and Petra suggested they all attempt to ride mounts, horses and pegasi to be specific, and so the class headed out to participate. Most of them.

Byleth watched as Petra flew high in the sky with Caspar riding behind her, yelling in amazement and possibly a little fear. Hearing something like a groan, Byleth turned to Hubert. Normally stoic and calculating, he seemed...concerned.

"Hubert?"

"It's nothing Professor…"

Byleth searched Hubert's face, his eyes were focused on the pegasus overhead and quite a few emotions were in conflict with one another.

"Afraid of heights?"

"Tell anyone and I'll have you dealt with."

Byleth nodded, there's the Hubert he's come to know. Byleth's gaze then moved to the other Black Eagles, Ferdinand was inviting Bernadetta to ride on the horse with him, she seemed concerned. Dorothea came up behind her and offered some words of encouragement. Seeing them work together never failed to make Byleth feel...proud. At least that's what he assumed he was feeling. It was strange.

"Professor, if I may."

"Yes, Hubert?"

"It seems someone else had used this field not long ago, while scouting the area I found this. It doesn't belong to anyone in the class."

Hubert held a bag out to Byleth, tilting his head the Professor took it and looked inside to see horseshoes. Pegasus horseshoes.

Without a second thought he spoke.

"These belong to Ingrid."

Hubert made a sound, was he impressed? Byleth wasn't sure.

"What are the odds of that?"

Byleth looked to Hubert to see the man was in deep thought about something.

"You know, Professor. It has come to my attention that you spend quite a lot of time with Count Galatea's daughter."

"We're friends."

"I assumed as much...I do hope you remember to put your class first."

Byleth raised an eyebrow.

"I always do."

"Of course…"

After a few moments, Byleth realized something.

"You've seen me training with her."

"Yes. I keep my eyes on you. I'm sure you're aware. It's always very early in the morning...you know Professor you wouldn't have to sneak around if she just joined our class."

Hubert noticed Byleth became confused.

"If a student so desires it, they can switch classes. All that is required is for their current professor to approve. Given how often you train with her and invite her onto our missions...I'm merely suggesting."

"It's a good suggestion…"

Byleth thought this over and he did like the idea. First thing was first though, attaching the bag of horseshoes to his belt he turned to leave.

"Keep an eye on everyone Hubert, I'll be back when I can be."

"Of course, Professor."

With that, Byleth began his walk back towards the Monastery as a horse charged past him, a confident Ferdinand calling out all the while. Byleth could see Bernadetta desperately holding onto him, he wished them luck before picking up his pace.

At the Monastery, Byleth found Ingrid rather quickly. Around this time she preferred to train on her own, just like the day that they met.

"It helps me focus and I enjoy the privacy."

She had told him once. He reminded her that sparring with someone was much more beneficial for growth and she agreed but training alone was less about overall gains and something she did to clear her mind.

"You always find some excuse to see this girl, don't you?"

"I'm bringing her something she lost. How is that an excuse?"

"Pah! You know I'm not referring to returning her property. Just like that dark boy Hubert said, you and she meet regularly to train. You seem to keep forgetting that she isn't in your class."

Byleth shrugged.

"No one has told me stop yet."

"I figured it would be assumed."

"...if what Hubert said is true, then one simple request could make this all easier."

Sothis didn't reply and so Byleth waited in silence until Ingrid's exercises reached their natural conclusion. The young woman wiped her forward before turning around, spotting Byleth she gasped, a large smile forming on her face.

Byleth felt something in his chest, something sudden. Just as quickly as he felt it, it was gone. Ingrid approached him, placing her training lance aside and rubbing her hands on her skirt before holding one out.

"Hello, By...Professor."

Byleth shook her hand as she gave him a curious look.

"I haven't seen any of the Black Eagles all day, where are they?"

"Riding and flying activities outside the Monastery."

"Training?"

Byleth shook his head.

"Not really, they suggested it and it'd be good to see if any of them have any interest or hidden skills. Who knows?"

Ingrid sighed.

"That sounds like fun."

Byleth tilted his head, Ingrid thinking about how to explain.

"Professor Hanneman is great...he has a lot of experience on horseback but none with flight and so our lessons, well...we don't have many…"

"You want to become a pegasus knight? Correct?"

She smiled, a slight blush on her face.

"You remembered."

Byleth nodded.

"Of course. Even if you didn't tell me, you like to look up at the sky and watch the pegasus fly by after our training sessions."

"I suppose it is quite obvious when you put it like that."

After some internal nagging from Sothis, Byleth took a small bag off his waist and held it out to Ingrid.

"I believe this is yours."

Taking the bag, she opened it up and sighed in relief.

"I've been wondering where I left these. Thank you so much, Professor."

Byleth shook his head.

"It was nothing…"

He then gestured at the bag in Ingrid's hands.

"Are those for a pegasus that you have? I don't think I ever asked if you owned one.

She shook her head.

"I would love to but...my family, we're quite poor and as much as I've always wanted to fly, I knew full well that we could never afford one. I make do with borrowing the mounts from the stables when I'm able."

She held the bag up.

"I save money at every opportunity and I don't really indulge in anything extraneous. However, I do hope to own a pegasus that is only mine one day. Until then I've been purchasing the horseshoes one at a time and as you can see I've got two so far."

"Halfway there."

"Yes. These are rather important...I feel like such a fool for misplacing them. I can't thank you enough, Professor."

Byleth continued to watch her, some thought entered his head and without warning, he let it out.

"I preferred it when you called me Byleth."

Ingrid tried to respond but wasn't sure what to say. Shaking her head she looked to the man before her.

"That's hardly proper, Professor."

Byleth shrugged.

"We're friends right?"

"We are...but don't your students call you Professor?"

Byleth thought of the Black Eagles, nodding. Of course they do. Everyone does. He simply wanted Ingrid to call him by his name. That's all.

"I should get back to my training...no, first I should put these back in my room. Can't risk losing them again!"

Turning she walked over to her weapon and picked it up. Byleth watched as she stood in place, her hand tightened its grip on the bag containing her precious horseshoes.

Was there something else she wanted to say?

"Didn't you want to ask her something yourself? I'd suggest to cease with all the staring and open your mouth."

Of course he wanted to, but even without seeing her face he could tell she had something on her mind and he'd prefer she express herself first, the last thing he wanted was to interrupt.

Before either of them decided on speaking, a pegasus flew overhead. Ingrid looked up at it, Byleth following her gaze, both of them watched as the creature flew off into the sky, Ingrid turned around once more.

"There's actually something I've been wanting to speak to you about, Professor."

Byleth tilted his head as Ingrid approached him again.

"We meet quite often for our sparring sessions and my skills have improved greatly thanks to them...I see you so often that sometimes I feel like I'm part of your class."

She smiled.

"Well. I want to be a part of your class. Officially. I know it's sudden but it would mean a lot to me, Professor."

Byleth continued to watch her.

"I learn a lot from all of our encounters but somehow it's still never enough. I'd like to have more opportunities to learn from you and being in another class makes it especially challenging...so…"

Byleth nodded.

"I was about to ask you the same thing."

Ingrid gasped, joy filling her features.

"Really?"

"Yes. The idea of having you in my class? I like it. Very much."

Eyes bright and wide, Ingrid bowed her head.

"Thank you, Professor! I look forward to studying under you."

She couldn't help but laugh, she was excited and looking forward to it.

"I promise to be extra diligent with all my studies. You won't regret this and thank you so much for the opportunity."

Byleth shook his head.

"I know exactly how hard you'll work, Ingrid. I've seen it myself plenty of times already."

Tapping his chin, he had an idea.

"Why don't you come along right now and join our class out in the field? Take part in our horse and pegasus activities."

"Right now?"

"Unless you have plans."

Ingrid shook her head.

"None!"

Byleth nodded and turned to lead the way.

"A-actually. I really should drop these horseshoes back at my room first."

Ingrid began heading back, Byleth following shortly after.

"Professor, you don't need to-"

"I want to."

With a smile and a nod she continued on her way, Byleth close behind.

"Thank you once more, Professor."

"No need. Thank you for accepting."

Ingrid laughed at that, she'd never pass on this opportunity for so many reasons.

Out in the field once more, Byleth approached his class as they continued to laugh and enjoy the day. Ingrid followed right behind, watching as Byleth waved at Edelgard, who seemed curious about the Blue Lion student behind him.

"My teacher, is Ingrid joining us for another mission?"

"Yes and no."

Edelgard raised an eyebrow.

"She has officially transferred from the Blue Lions to the Black Eagles."

Edelgard seemed surprised, her gaze moved to Ingrid and she smiled.

"Well then, as house leader it is my duty to welcome you to the Black Eagles, Ingrid."

Edelgard held her hand out, Ingrid bowed to her before reaching out and shaking hands.

"I'm happy to be here."

"If I may be so blunt, you already seemed to be one of us with how often Byleth called on you for aid. To say nothing of Felix and Leonie."

Ingrid chuckled as Byleth shrugged once more.

"It's true I approach Ingrid and Felix but Leonie is the one who asks me."

"Of course, my teacher."

Edelgard finished with a smile. Ingrid moved past the pair to see the other Black Eagles talking amongst each other and the proud pegasus behind Petra.

Byleth stood in place as Edelgard put a hand on Ingrid's shoulder. The pair exchanged a few more words before moving towards the gathered students, Edelgard calling for their attention and explaining the situation.

As the rest of the Black Eagles welcomed Ingrid, she looked back at Byleth briefly, smiling.

As customary for their greetings, Byleth raised one of his hands and offered a small wave, Ingrid returning it before looking to the others once more.

Byleth continued to stand in place, crossing his arms as Ingrid got onto the pegasus, Dorothea jumping at the chance to ride with her. He did not miss the immense joy in Ingrid's expression as she gave her mount its commands and shot off into the sky.

Byleth felt his lips twitch, a smile now adorning his face as he watched Ingrid fly high and free in the skies above.