Summary: completion of the binding to keep them together
Notes: Lion's dance SFW so I had some requests for a SFW version of the story. If you have enjoyed and wanted to recommend it to someone but they're like nah I don't care for the sexy bits then point them to this censored version. it's probably the one i should be posting here on this site but meh. also if i have done any editing on the story you can use the link to go to the full version of the story- i upload it there first
Twitter is Lunafox90 if any of you would like to chat or get updates.
When Dimitri reached their room he set her down before he unlocked the door. She unclasped her cape and took out the lily in her hair. She set the headpiece and cape onto their perch where it had been when Rhea still had this room. She slipped off her boots and took the rest of the pins out of her hair. She heard his shoes hit the floor and then he was behind her pulling her close to his chest as he wrapped himself around her.
He leaned his head down to kiss her cheek. "I still can't believe how well you handled so many different situations. Every answer you gave was close to perfect and I would have never thought of Duscar cooking as a way to break the tension with so many people."
She leaned into his embrace. "It was Claude's idea. His letter came to me earlier yesterday and it was one of the things he suggested. It didn't take all that long to augment since the meal was rather simple to make and we already had the ingredients. Things are going well in Almyra. He'll be crowned as well soon."
Dimitri took off his gloves and threw them onto the desk as he ran his hands along the silky fabric. "So you're not going to take the credit for yourself?"
She huffed at that. "Like he'd let me get away with it. What did Rhea want with you?"
He traced the mark with his fingers. "To apologize and to tell me a little more about this and what you asked about it.' He breathed deep. 'I would like to discuss it with you, but with how you've been avoiding it I feel like… like perhaps you think it was a mistake."
She placed her hand over his. "Dimitri, I do not regret it nor would I change my decision. Please do not think it's because I'm unhappy with you. I also want to know what it might do for the future. I don't want us to be unprepared."
He held her tighter. Sylvain had been right. Maybe one day he could silence the lingering claws of doubts about himself in his mind. He still felt foolish, but he was happy that she could relieve it with simple words.
"That story you told went a little differently than how it happened," he commented.
"That's because part of it hasn't happened yet," she replied.
He searched his mind for what she could mean by that. "You had asked to meet in the Goddess Tower, is that when you intended us…"
She turned her head to catch his gaze. "It is a special place for us, so I thought it best, but now its no longer a surprise."
He smiled. "Beloved, I don't think I'm one for surprises. I get nervous and doubtful. I will attempt to work on it, but I am glad… it does put my mind at ease."
She twisted herself around in his arms. "We've both been under a lot of stress. I'm sorry for adding to it. It will be lonely once you leave for Fhirdiad, and we will both need to do our part to make everything work. Since we can't have our wedding until everything has calmed down I was hoping that… well similar to an elopement, it would bind us together until…"
Dimitri cut off her words with a kiss. When he thought he couldn't love her any more than he already did she did or said something endearing to prove him wrong.
He pulled back, a shy smile on his lips. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"That's alright, especially if it made you happy enough to forget yourself. It was also very sweet, what you did earlier," she said.
"Mercedes had given me some for us to enjoy and when I saw them I didn't want to be selfish. I'm just grateful that Mercedes still had more to spare," he said.
"I think it'll be best to continue taking the herbs until after we marry. I do want to have children with you, but I'd like to wait until we can give them our time and a more peaceful world."
He kissed her palm. "You know I won't make you do anything that you are not ready for."
She looked away. "There is something else... something Rhea told me could be a possibility."
He sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap. "I can tell from your tone that it's causing you worry. You know you can talk to me."
She nuzzled into his chest. "I just don't want to disappoint you," she whispered.
He pet her hair as he thought. "Because of what happened to your mother and how you were brought back to life, you..."
She nodded and wrapped her hands in his shirt.
He tightened his arms around her. "Byleth... I am not one of those snobs who only wants you because you will make a good candidate to bear a child with a crest. If your body won't cooperate then that is not your fault. If we find you can't there are plenty of children who don't have parents that we could adopt as our own. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, don't let those doubts burden you, I still choose you regardless."
When he felt the tears on his neck while she stayed silent. Then he held her closer as she whispered her thanks and the reasons she loved him. He wondered how many times an adoring couple had to have a conversation like this when it came to crests. She was talking about being able to have them at all, but one of the broken systems in this world was, as Sylvain called them, the desire for crest babies. How many women were made to weep when they thought they had become a disappointment to their partners? How many were discarded for a better candidate? He made a silent promise to do what he could to destroy the wretched system. If she was able to bear his child in the future he would give it all the love he could, no matter if it had crest or not.
When he found that she had ended up falling asleep in his arms he smiled down at her. She had admitted to being weary and it had been a long day for her. He adored the fact that she trusted him enough to rest so soundly when he was around. He was able to slip the dress off of her before he stood up. He readjusted her to just the one arm as he pulled the covers back. He laid her down before undressing himself and joined her, pulling her close.
"I do love you Byleth and I will never abandon you for something you can't control," he whispered as he ran his fingers along her jaw.
She answered by snuggling deeper into him before breathing a contented sigh.
The next day they had a surprise waiting at their gates. The Death Knight waited patiently outside requesting a duel with Byleth. He gave no terms. Rhea had gifted Byleth with the armor she wore as Lady Serios before she left and Byleth wore that as she went to face him. She had worn it all but the headpiece. Dimitri was not happy about letting her do this. Dimitri knew that he always had some odd fascination with her. Mercedes and Caspar had come running the moment they heard he was here. Most of the residents of Garrag Mach were up along the walls to watch as they crossed blades.
Byleth had told him to stay with the others as well. She would not have any interference. The first thing Byleth did was dismount him, attacking around the horse until it finally bucked him off and ran towards the wall's edge. Then piece by piece she attacked and destroyed pieces of his armor, until he was forced to rip it off as it became a hindrance.
"Stop playing around!" Jeritza roared.
"Then face me as a man and not the persona you've allowed to coil around you!" Byleth replied.
Mercedes was almost as distraught as Dimitri as the battle went on. Neither of them had managed to get a blow on the other. Dimitri knew she was holding back, looking for an opening that could incapacitate but not kill. One too many times his scythe got close to her and Dimitri crumbled the stone beneath his hands.
"Emile, please stop this!" Mercedes called out.
Dimitri put an arm around her shoulders. He understood why Byleth wanted to try to keep him alive because she would feel that they owed Mercedes, but was this truly a good idea? Then she found what she was after. She knocked his scythe aside and used the sword to coil around his leg before she knocked him out with a blow to the back of the head. Jeritza crumpled at her feet. Mercedes was bolting down to them before Dimitri moved his arm away fully. Dedue close behind to catch her as she tripped in her rushing. She turned to thank him before continuing on her path. When she got to his side she was crying but the smile on her face was warm as she babbled thank yous and his name.
Byleth was nodding as she took a deep breath. "Worth it, all of the things we've been forced to go through, for this reality. It was worth it."
Dimitri came up to her and pulled her into his arms, relieved that she was safe.
She smiled up at him. "Have more faith in me, my love."
"The day that I hold no fear for you during a fight like that I have lost all humanity," he replied.
Mercedes looked up to them. "There are more cells next to the ones we are keeping Hubert and Edelgard. Could we please take him there until we know what he wants?"
Dimitri nodded and Dedue grabbed the unconscious Jeritza in his arms while Mercedes followed them.
"I know we can't give a happy ending to every person in this world, but I am glad that we are at least able to play our parts in the ones we care about the most," Byleth said as she sheathed her sword and turned to follow behind them.
It was still odd seeing the similarities between Byleth and Rhea in this armor Dimitri thought as he followed behind. Jeritza's horse followed him calmly as he brought it to the stables before he joined Byleth and the others to the cells.
"Are you incapable of killing your enemies? Is that what the problem is?" He heard Edelgard's voice echo up the stairs, condescending as usual.
He heard Byleth's voice next. "Killing in defense is one thing, killing just for the sake of killing isn't worth the heartache. He is your lapdog so you should have a bit more respect for those who will follow your orders, especially when they respect you enough to follow them."
Eldegard got quiet. He knew what Byleth meant by that. Jertiza barely followed her orders and probably the only reason he did was that it gave him an opportunity to fight Byleth. Dimitri stepped down from the last stair and was completely shocked to see that Hubert's cell was open with Ferdinand and him sharing a beverage while they went over plans together. He wasn't sure what shocked him more, the fact that Hubert wasn't trying to set El free or the fact that Ferdinand was drinking coffee instead of tea. Dorthea and Lysinthea were inside Eldegard's cell sharing tea and sweets. They had tied her hair back away from her face into a side ponytail. He had to admit it made it look cute. Now if only she'd improve her attitude to match.
Mercedes requested that she be allowed to stay with Jeritza and would let them know if everything would be fine. He went into the cell with Hubert and Ferdinand. Hubert didn't look happy at his presence, but he had seen worse expressions from the mage. Ferdinand didn't miss a step and brought Dimitri into the conversation they were having about the Empire structure after Edelgard's rule. After Rhea had destroyed the capital they talked about if they should repair it.
Byleth had suggested a school of sorcery like the one they had in Faerghus and allowing Hanneman and Lindhart to use it for research. Constance could also thrive there as an instructor. It could also work for teaching students from Dhagda and Bridgid if they didn't trust the officer's academy yet and it would be a school that wasn't governed by the church. Ferdinand said there might be a way to make it work and that they would put it into their plans as a possibility.
Byleth let them continue to talk as she went into Edelgard's cell to chat. Dorthea ended up playing with Byleth's hair and she left with it up in a ponytail similar to how Dimitri wore it, giggling with how cute they looked together when Dimitri came to them. Edelgard rolled her eyes and went to drink more of her tea, but he caught her glances. It was cute on her and unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of time to spend down here. He asked if she had any requests that he could fulfill and she told him that she was fine. Both of them called her El as they left and there was a sadness in her eyes that wasn't there when she was first brought in. He was at least happy to see that it wasn't anger in her gaze any longer.
When Linhardt and Constance finished their research and Dimitri oversaw the destruction of Shambala. They made sure that the labs and golems were thoroughly destroyed first. The rune on the ground that Linhardt found through his research to be the source of those great javelins was his responsibility to destroy. He took his lance and smashed it and the power source underneath it to pieces. He, Balthus, and Raphael destroyed many of the major walls. When everyone was back on the surface and accounted for he slammed holes in various places while Constance and Lysinthia used their spells through the holes to burn the rest of the area to the ground.
Shambala collapsed in upon itself, but Dimitri still wasn't happy with that. This was the nest of the ones that had caused so much suffering in Fodlan. He would not give them a chance to rebuild if any of them were still alive. All of them worked together over the rubble to destroy what they could. Dimitri's punches and slashes with his lance doing a lot of the work without having to get the others involved. The only thing that was allowed to leave were reports that Constance found of the Argathan's dealings with the surface world. They would find every last incident that they caused and if there were any like Duscar who were innocent he would use that evidence to set them free.
As the coronation got closer things got busier around the monastery. Many of the councilman and nobles had all gathered to swear their fealty to the new king and pay tribute to the archbishop. Most of the children would flock to either of them when they saw them. It had annoyed some of the other adults, but Byleth loved the flowers or gifts they would bring her. It was never much, but she adored it all the same. They seemed more hesitant around Dimitri but they would still approach him in groups and always left in awe afterwards. The commoners would approach him with thanks for things that they had done around the monastery as well as small requests that may have escaped their notice. It was usually better to talk with them instead of the nobles. Most of them only wanted to bother him with propositions to keep themselves as they were or to offer to host him for a dinner to meet thier daughters.
Hubert and Jeritza had both been released on good behavior and spending more time outside with the others. Dimitri had spotted Jeritza and Mercedes in the dining hall sharing deserts on many occasions. Jeritza would still ask Byleth to spar almost as often as Felix, but she didn't seem to mind. As long as he wasn't trying to kill anyone she would spar with him to keep the peace.
Edelgard had refused to be let out, and Dimitri knew that there was still plenty of people angry enough at her to kill her so it was safer to keep her away from the ones who had arrived. A few people had already tried to attack Hubert, but Ferdinand dealt with them. Ferdinand requested that the silence be removed so that Hubert had more than a dagger to protect him. Dimitri had been reluctant to do it, but Byleth had said that as long as they had Edelgard here and kept her safe he wouldn't do anything nefarious. He also wouldn't be able to warp her out as long as she had hers on. So far Hubert had been on good behavior and helping out where he could against finding the remaining slither members. He had given Byleth a list of things that would be beneficial for Edelgard to have and she had complied with most of them.
The rest of the eagle students had made sure that she wouldn't want for company. They had thought that she was getting better and more friendly as reality sunk in. They were going to be gathering all of the students together after his coronation to have a small private party and he was planning on letting her attend that as long as she was supervised. They would see how well that turned out before they discussed anything further.
The day before his coronation Dimitri walked up the steps of the Goddess Tower as his pulse pounded in his ears. He understood why she had waited to tell him, but he was at least glad that he knew the purpose that she had asked him here. They had all been preparing for his coronation tomorrow and it had kept everyone busy. He imagined that if he hadn't proposed to her in Fhirdiad that this would probably be the opportunity he would take, but what was about to take place here went so far beyond that. She had said she hoped that this would be an elopement, a binding of souls that would transcend a normal wedding. To know that even if they had to part to take care of their respective roles they would both have the promise that their heart beat for the other.
He had caught glimpses of her and the others bringing different objects up and he had been banned to enter until sunset. He remembered the last time he was here with her. Sothis had granted him to come back, and he had used the opportunity to the best of his ability. The time before that he had his wish for her to awaken granted. The first time he had made his wish for her to be with him forever… even that one would be granted. He did not know what made him worthy of such an honor, but all he could do now was continue along this path and stay the type of person that she could be proud of.
When he reached the top he saw that she sat on a few furs and pillows that were piled up on the floor. Her cape had been folded up neatly near her, leaving her in the dress and boots. Her headpiece was sitting on top of her cape, her hair loose around her. There was a small box in front of her.
She smiled widely when she saw him. "I have been sitting here trying to think of what I want to say to you and now that you're here I fear my mind doesn't want to cooperate. How did you manage it in Fhirdiad?"
He smiled back and closed the distance between them. "I just said what I felt in my heart. To tell you the truth and prayed that I wouldn't trip over myself or drop the ring in the process."
She chuckled and he sat beside her. She had made quite a comfortable place to stay for a while. He knew that the moment that either of them was seen again that they would be dragged away from each other. They had already been warned that it would look ill on them if he were to spend the night in Archbishop's room before his coronation. He was willing to ignore it, but Byleth had said fine and made no argument. Based on the number of blankets, canteens of water and fruit to nibble on he imagined they wouldn't be leaving the tower until dawn rose. I would also explain why she said to wear comfortable clothing. She had really grown to like the dress, which he was happy for.
She leaned over to him to pull him into a kiss. "I can't imagine a world where you aren't at my side. I know forever is a long time, and alone it would get unbearable. I know there will still be times when the darkness that holds you might rear its head, but I will help you weather through it. I thank whatever thread of fate pulled us together. I wish that I could have been with you for the time that I had missed, but know from this day forward I will never abandon you by choice. Even with what we will have to face know that even while we are apart my thoughts will be counting down the days that we reunite. I love you, Dimitri. With everything I am, and with every breath I take I want the dreams we strive for to become reality."
Dimitri was stunned for a moment, unable to formulate a response as he was overwhelmed with her promise. He cupped her face with his hands before he moved to embrace her. Truly what had he done to deserve this, to deserve her? She wrapped her arms around him.
"I have no words for what you mean to me Byleth. I know what living without you did to me once and I could not go through it again. I am grateful that you were able to see past my armors and still want to know the man beneath. I am grateful for everything you've taught me. Know that I will do everything in my power to make sure that you never regret your choice. I will fulfill my obligations so only the one to you remains. I love you too Byleth, I have since the moment I saw you outside of Remire. I have admired your strength and beauty, and I love the personality and caring nature you have shown since. I want to keep learning from you and stay by your side, now and always."
She pulled back enough so she could place her hand on his cheek and lean her forehead against his. He saw the tears that slipped down while she smiled and he almost wanted to curse as his own eyes watered. What a pair they made indeed. She leaned forward to kiss him before she pulled back and grabbed the box. When she opened them and showed him the contents he was puzzled at first. There were two matching daggers, both with blue hilts and silver hilts. The top had been engraved with his crest on one side and hers on the other. She sat it in his lap and then went to his sides to lift off his shirt.
He helped her pull it over his head before she came back to him and placed her hand over the crest mark on his chest. She leaned forward to listen to his heartbeats a few moments.
"I don't know what this process will do to our bodies Dimitri," she whispered.
"As long as I keep my mind and I can stay by your side I will take whatever price that takes. If my heart stops like yours then it will be a small price to pay," he said.
She nodded and picked up one of the daggers and held it out to him. "Once we are done here I wish us to keep the daggers at our sides so we have something to protect us while the other isn't around. When we are together it will only be a reminder of our promise. No matter the argument we will be civil and talk out whatever problems we have. We will never cross blades unless we are training. With this we are bleeding for the other's sake, to bind us in love and in understanding."
He nodded and took the dagger as she took the other one. She pulled it out of the scabbard and put the scabbard back in the box. He repeated the motion and watched as she cut into her hand before she laid the dagger down. That too he repeated.
She brought her gaze to his. "No matter what happens we cannot take our hands off of the other's mark. We'll know when the spell is done."
She held out her other hand and twined it with his before she breathed deep. She extended her other hand until it was almost against his skin. He raised his hand to hers. She started counting down from three and they pressed down their palms. The marks started to glow red under their hands and he felt something like a current between them. At first, it was just an odd burning feeling, the marks pulsing under their fingertips. Then she started to wince and pant.
She tightened her grip on his hand that they had intertwined. "I'm fine, something is happening. Just don't let go. You do that and the bond will be completely shattered. That will be enough to kill us and we won't keep the soul bond."
A light that wasn't the mark started to pulsate from under her skin. It trickled out of her to collect in between them. She was starting to sweat and her pants were coming harder. He was getting worried about her. He was feeling a little dizzy, but whatever these effects were it was worse on her. The only thing that kept his hand there was that he didn't want what she said to be a reality. The light was starting to form a silhouette he recognized. When all of the lights faded Byleth collapsed against him and he watched as her hair went back to its original teal color as the green light went to Sothis who was now standing beside them somewhat transparent. Dimitri's blood went cold when he realized that she wasn't breathing, but his own dizziness took hold as his own world went dark and both of them collapsed on the furs underneath them.
When he woke Sothis was singing to them. Byleth was breathing again and he sighed in relief as he brought his arms around her.
When Sothis stroked his cheek it was warm but not solid. "It seems that the soulbond wasn't happy that there were three within it so it forced me out of her so the bond was only between the two of you. I did not foresee that would be a problem. I'm sorry if it scared you. I don't know if she'll be able to use the divine pulse after this. My power seeped into both of you during the exchange so it will be interesting to see what effects it has. Because of the Nabatean blood that flowed through her and now you, both of you should be able to live very long lives as well as your children."
That answered some of thier questions. He was relieved because it meant that the burden wouldn't be able to worry her any longer. Byleth opened her eyes and his mouth went dry. He had gotten used to the green, but he never thought that he'd see that dark lavender hue again. No matter what her outward appearance might be he still loved her. Her hand flew to her chest as she looked startled. Her eyes blinking rapidly as she looked at him with confusion. When she brought herself up to hug him to her chest he could hear her heart beat rapidly. Byleth turned to Sothis and Sothis smiled.
"My crest stone is no longer required to keep you alive, his love and the bond itself is enough to fuel you. Technically you did forsake me for him so I guess that's why my stone disappeared from you. The creststone is now the power that dwells within this form. I have no body to call my own, but that doesn't matter. It seems I am free to wander now and you are now free to feel and do as you wish. The bond has been made and I wish you both nothing but happiness," Sothis said.
Byleth pulled back and took a piece of her hair between her fingers. "How are we going to explain this? When my hair changed it was the goddess's gift. If anyone sees this they'll think you've abandoned me. With what I want to accomplish with the reforms they'll only use this as an excuse to disobey."
Sothis thought a moment. "Hmmm, let me see if this will work." She went over to the headpiece that Byleth would wear as her time as archbishop. It glowed under her hand. Byleth leaned over to take it and place it upon her head. Her hair and eyes changed back to the green.
Sothis smiled. "Never say that I am not wonderful. This should keep the questions at bay. When you step down as archbishop just tell them that I have allowed you to live your life as you are, that I gave you a different gift instead, one of peace to choose your own path."
Byleth's eyes started to tear as she went to embrace Sothis. Her form turned more solid against Byleth as she wrapped her arms around her neck.
Sothis kissed the top of her head. "Thank you Byleth. I know your journey hasn't been an easy one and the burden I placed on you and your body has been a difficult one. Of all my little ones you hold a special place in my heart. Stay safe and stay happy, both of you."
Sothis pulled away like a ghost away from her, her form going through Byleth's hands. "I will go to see my family. I don't know how permanent this form is and I wish to say goodbye if this is the end of me."
Dimitri nodded and Byleth wiped the tears from her eyes before she nodded too. When Sothis left to go down the tower Dimitri turned his attention to Byleth and took the headpiece off. As her hair shifted and she blinked back to her original color he took her face in his hands before tilting her head to kiss her.
"You are beautiful no matter what color you wear. Power or not, you will always be my goddess, my light, my beloved." He gave her a small kiss between the titles.
Her lips curled up in a smile. "And you, my lion, will always be the reason my heart beats."
He pulled her on top of him getting comfortable. She kissed him before she lifted herself away. "Does it always pound this loudly?" She asked as she pulled his hand over her heart.
The mark had faded to almost match her skin. If you looked hard enough you'd see it. Her heart beat rapidly under his hand. He chuckled as he used his other hand to stroke her cheek. She was so endearing without even trying.
He moved his hand to trail along her jaw. "You'll soon learn the different paces that it takes. Love, fear, and nervousness do make it go faster. You've listened to mine plenty of times to know it varies, I know that after tomorrow I will need to return to Fhirdiad. I hope that I can be back before the reopening of the academy, but if I cannot I hope that you know it will only be because it cannot be helped."
She smiled down at him. "I know. You are endearing in the fact that you will do what you need for your people and they need you too. There will be plenty of time for us to make up for our absences to the other. It's about to be horse bow moon soon, we'll be reopening during great tree moon so just the winter might make it difficult to travel and send messages. I will also try to arrange it so I may travel for your birthday. I want to see what Fhirdiad is like during the winter. I know I'd like to see you during the garland moon. We'll see if all goes as planned, but if everything goes well I'd like it if we could have the wedding when the second great tree moon arrives. It is when we first met all those years ago. So unless there is a tradition that I am unaware of I'd like that. It should be plenty of time to prepare and make sure everything is how we want it."
"Are you sure with it being so far away? I don't mind the sentiment at all," he asked.
Byleth nodded. "Yes, it will give me time to find a successor and something for everyone to look forward too. I know we could probably do it before the reopening, however, I don't want to have both titles while we are trying to rebuild. When I become your queen I want my only obligation to be to you and our kingdom. For now, you are my heart and that is enough for me. Even if it's not a public oath and union Sothis has already blessed us with her approval and that is good enough for me. Who are we to deny the Goddess after all?"
She nodded and took a deep breath, still unsettled by the feeling. She had always felt hollow, both by lack of heartbeat but also by the lack of emotions, not she wasn't sure how to cope with everything she was feeling. There was a tangle of thoughts in her head that she was sorting through. She didn't realize how muted everything had been before. Just looking down at him she felt like her heart would burst.
His brow knit in confusion as he saw something in her eyes that he hadn't seen before. "What's wrong?"
She smiled. "Nothing, just overwhelmed. Do you remember that day I took you back to my room and I stopped you from touching me any further because I wasn't used to feeling so much? It's like that. There are so many warm emotions running through me about you and I'm not sure how to cope with them other than to show you how I feel, because I can't describe them."
She leaned down to kiss him, holding his face in her hands as her kisses got deeper. She moved her hands to tangle in his hair as their breathing mingled. He brought up his hands to hold her as he allowed her tongue entrance into his mouth. When she pulled back she moved to his neck and teased the skin with her teeth and tongue. When she kissed down to his collar bone she bit down to leave a mark on him that no one else would see under his clothes. She ran her hands and lips along him, tracing every scar she came across, trailing her hands down his arms until she got to his wrists. She twined her fingers with his and leaned her cheek against them. The cuts had healed when the spell was done and she traced where his cut had been with her other hand.
The moon had risen and its light spread around them. She looked positively ethereal, like the goddess he knew her to be. She would always be the one his heart worshipped. On the night of the ball when he had said what was on his heart, he had never thought that his wish would ever be granted, but here he lay bonded beneath her for the centuries they would see together. He didn't think that he would ever tire of being with her. His mind went back to the story she told the children while he had sat with them, enjoying how that too had become reality.
She left him only long enough to take her dress off to leave herself bare to him in the moonlight, placing it above her cape. She took the box and headpiece off of the furs before he sat up to catch her and pull her back. He reached his hands down along her legs to take off one boot and throw it into the pile before doing the same with her other boot. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. One of his hands started to roll her nipples between his fingers, the other trailing small circles along her body as he lathered kisses along her neck. His fingers found her wet folds and he loved the sounds she made for him as he stroked her.
"Tell me Byleth, how do you want me to worship you?"
Sitting there pressed up against him, she had a multitude of feelings that burned so much brightly than she had felt before. She could feel his erection straining against the fabric, but he was only focused on her and the thrill went straight through her. It was still hard to fathom how much she loved him, desired him. With every stroke of his fingers, she could feel the haze overtake her mind as her heart pounded in her chest. It was so much, and yet it wasn't enough.
"However you want, show me," she finally breathed out.
She bucked her hips against his fingers as he slipped them inside of her. "Dimitri..."
She heard his breathing hitch at her breathless tone. He pressed her closer so she also rubbed herself against him. She reached behind her to pull his pants down to free his erection behind her. He added another finger as his thumb rolled against her clit. She could feel him rut against her as he picked up the pace with his fingers. He teased her neck with more kisses. His breath against her cheek made her melt as she moaned out his name again.
When she came for him he clamped his other hand over her mouth. "I don't want to get interrupted because a guard is wondering why such sweet sounds are coming from above them. You are mine tonight."
She whimpered from behind his hand as she started to fall from her climax. Her heart found its own rhythm again as her breathing and body calmed. "Yours now and always Dimitri," she said when he removed his hand.
Then he laid her down beside him as he kissed her. "As I am yours beloved."
She reached up to run her hands along him. He kicked off his boots and pants and released a husky breath when she started to make slow circles around the tip of his erection. She smiled as she brought her hand to where she could tighten her hand around him. He groaned as she pumped him a few times and she leaned up to take his lips with her own.
He whispered her name like a prayer and it made her heart skip a beat. She was going to have to get used to these sensations. She began to trail kisses down his jaw and chest, continuing to use her hand on him while her other entwined in his hair, pulling out the band so it fell loose and feral around him. And feral was the best way to describe his predatory gaze on her. Then she pulled away to attempt to push him down beneath her. He smirked and bit his lip as he realized what she was trying.
He pinned her wrists above her head with one of his hands as he left a tender kiss at her jawline. His other hand trailed up her sides to give attention to her other breast that he had neglected when he was pleasuring her before. She arched at his touch. He continued his kisses further down her neck, nipping at her collarbone before kissing his way to her taunt peaks. As his tongue flicked over her nipple he enjoyed the hiss she gave before she moaned as he latched onto it. He let go of her wrists to play with her other breast. She tangled her fingers in his hair.
He pulled back up to kiss her again. He took her hips in his hands and rested there a moment as she rocked her hips trying to get some friction against him. He loved the sight of her lips swollen from thier kisses. Her face was flush, but the best part was that he could see the desire in more than just her eyes. Whatever had been done she was no longer the stoic statue that would only crack when they were alone. The stone was gone and when she whimpered and called out his name as she bucked her hips against his length he gave her what she wanted.
She clawed her nails into his forearms and her parted lips seemed to beg for another kiss. Goddess, she was so beautiful. He almost regretted that she had been facing away from him when he had brought her to her climax. He would watch her face this time as she unraveled below him. When she was getting closer she bit down on her hand as she met his thrusts with her hips. He whispered words of encouragement to her, told her how good she felt around him, and how he wanted to feel her pulse around him. It was all true and it sent her over the edge.
That sight was enough to drive him mad again as her eyes gazed up at him with such adoration. She brought her hands up to stroke his cheeks. He increased his pace chasing his own pleasure as she gave him her own encouragement. She told him how much she loved having him in her, words of praise for both him and his actions. Her words and touch sent him over the edge and soon he was panting over her as he released inside of her. He reached between them to stroke her clit and she shuddered underneath him. He continued until she came once more before he pulled out of her and flopped down beside her.
She rolled to her side so she could kiss him and embrace him. He returned them with equal fervor as he embraced her. She pulled back when he felt him harden again against her leg. It was not uncommon for him to have the stamina to go multiple rounds. She pulled lightly at his recovering length and was happy about the shiver that coursed through him. It was going to be a long night but she was sure that even if she was sore in the morning she wouldn't have any complaints.
Byleth woke up warm, pressed against his body as he held her tightly. The sky was lightening and she smiled. It was his coronation day, this county would have a new king to rule it. She shook his shoulder and his arms tightened around her before he gave her an irritated glare.
"Why are you waking me up so early? The sun hasn't risen yet by the looks of it," he grumbled.
She twisted around in his arms to kiss his temple. "That's what you get for keeping us up so late. I want to watch the dawn with you. To see the sun rise as our dreams start to make their way into reality."
His expression softened as he nuzzled his head into her neck before letting her go. She slipped away to put on her clothes and he stopped her before she could put the headpiece on. "Let it rise without you needing to bear the weight of the job you've been given. No one should be awake this early and if they are we still shouldn't be able to be seen clearly. Just be yourself with me."
She let it go to wrap her arms around him and kiss him. When she pulled back her smile was wider than he had ever seen it before. She grabbed a few noa fruit and handed him one before she went to the balcony. She jumped as Sothis floated in front of her. Dimitri was happy that he had gotten his pants back on before she showed up.
"Im glad to see you two had fun. I've been up most of the night with Flayn and Seteth. I thought I'd have to wake you to see the sunrise, but it seems you already had a similar idea," Sothis said.
Byleth nodded and Dimitri finished putting on his clothes and boots before heading over to them. The noa fruit had a sweet taste. He understood why she liked them so much now. They were a nice treat to have so early in the morning. He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned against him as the colors of the sky started to turn vivid colors. She took her hands and twined it with his laying them on her shoulders as she pulled his arms into a hug around her.
"Forever my heart, until I take my last breath in this body I will be your ally Dimitri," she said.
He thought again to the words he used during his proposal. Then he hadn't thought that he would be able to keep her forever. "I had asked that you kind warm hands cling to mine forevermore, but I will also promise that I will be there to hold and protect you until I also breathe my last."
"And I will watch over you both and any children you have," Sothis piped in.
A new dawn of peace was rising on Fodlan, but there would be a lot of work involved to make all of their dreams a reality.