Another wounded Professor chapter. Sorry but these are so fun to write, and I always end up with some good fluff as a result.
It was another routine mission. A few bandits had decided to take refugee in a nearby village, and Byleth and his students were tasked with clearing the place out.
They were met with heavy resistance. And weren't making any progress. Worse were that the bandits had kept flanking them, so Byleth was forced to go on the defensive.
He needed someone to turn the tides.
He turned to Constance, her magic was exceptionally strong. Almost on the same level as Lysithea. The bandits were quite weak to magic.
"Constance, fly above and flank them from the side" He ordered. Constance grinned.
"You've made the right choice, Professor! Allow me to show you just what I'm made of!" She pulled up on the reins of her pegasus and took to the skies. Flying above the buildings and picking out certain foes, raining fire and lightning down on top of them.
Unfortunately he failed to see the Archer who spotted her take off, quickly running into position with an arrow and drawing his bow back. Byleth's eyes widened and he called out to Constance.
"Constance fall back!"
"Have no fear Professor! I am more the capable of protecting myself"
"Constance! Fall back now!" Byleth pushed past his battalion. Rushing through the enemies guard and making a beeline for the Archer, who turned to look at him, releasing the arrow as he did.
"Nonsense Professor! I'll show you exactly what years or research can- Ah!" Constance was cut short as the arrow struck her pegasus. Byleth's intervention had distracted the archer and caused him to mess up his aim. The pegasus fell to the ground with a loud thud, knocking the wind out of Constance. Who was pinned underneath the heavy beast. She found herself surrounded by bandits.
Byleth managed to reach her before the Bandits could do anything, catching them by surprise and cutting them down. He tried to lift the pegasus off of her but more bandits appeared. Being forced to fight them off.
He tried his best to take them all on, but despite how simple their fighting style was they were deadly in a group.
His own students had managed to push through and join him. Caspar and Ferdinand helping Constance out from under her deceased pegasus. Byleth covered them as they retreated. He glanced to his side to find Edelgard fighting next to him.
"You have a bad habit of rushing in don't you?" She said, parrying a bandit and embedding her ax in his head. Byleth simply nodded at her, to occupied with fighting the Bandits.
Edelgard began to fall back at his request, and he went to go follow her, but was stopped short as an arrow shot itself into the back of his thigh, he fell to his knee, pulling himself up by his sword. Trying to limp away, but was cut short as a sword impaled itself through his torso, he vision going dark as he heard Edelgard scream in horror.
How strange, she doesn't usually make a noise like that. Byleth lay bleeding out on the ground as his vision dimmed. The last thing he saw was a group of bandits suddenly incinerated, a flash of blonde hair rushing to him.
He opened his eyes in his room. Being met with the glaring gaze of Sothis. Floating in the corner of his room. He propped himself up, wincing in pain. Pulling the covers off him to see his chest and leg had been bandaged.
"You, are truly the biggest fool in all of Fodlan."
He looked towards Sothis, Who was now standing over him on his bed.
"What good is giving you my power if you have no intention on using it!? Or is that you like rushing in and being the hero all the time?"
Byleth simply stared back at the small Goddess, who sighed and sat herself on the edge of his bed. Rubbing her forehead before turning her head to him.
"Need I remind you that we are both inhabiting the same body? I'm not sure about you, but I have no intention of dying anytime soon." Byleth glanced away.
"Look at me you fool! What is your reasoning for so readily throwing your life away?!"
Byleth looked back to Sothis. "I can't afford to see my students die..." Sothis sighed.
"Neither can I, that is why I gave you my powers. To reverse time, and prevent the death of your students."
Byleth shook his head. "Even then, I don't know if I can bear the sight of them dying. If I can prevent it, then I just rush in"
"Even if it means risking your own life?"
"Yes. Anything for my students."
Sothis stared at Byleth. Who's cunning and sharp eyes were always so full of determination. Eventually she sighed.
"Fine...Have it your way. But if you can, please try to avoid getting yourself killed. And use my power often, please." She said as she floated off his bed and to the center of the room. Byleth nodded.
A knock on the door ended their conversation as they both looked towards the entrance to his room. "Well, seems it is time for you to be doted on. Do enjoy the attention~" She winked at him before vanishing. He turned towards the door as Constance walked in, clutching a basket full of bandages or tonics. Her eyes low, depressed. But upon seeing the Professor sitting up in bed she beamed.
"Professor! You're awake! Oh thank the Goddess."
She quickly came to his bed side. Setting the basket down on the end table. Byleth smiled slightly.
"Are you okay Constance?" He asked. Constance raised an eyebrow.
"Yes I'm fine, a few bruises and scratches, but you have some nerve to ask me that! You were the worst out of all of us!" She glared. Byleth sighed. Everyone seemed to be glaring at him lately.
"You know you're quite a pain to heal. Since you barely breath and you have no heart beat it was hard to tell if you were alive or dead..." Her haughty tone soon grew quieter. "You gave me quite a fright..."
Constance shook her head. "More importantly! It is time to change your bandages. They've been on far too long."
Byleth lifted his arms and Constance approached him, a light blush on her pale face as she grew closer to his shirtless body. Taking a pair of scissors and cutting the bandages. Letting them fall to his side one by one.
"How long have I been out?"
"A few days...Edelgard's been pestering Manuela about you the entire time. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear your awake finally..."
"And the bandits?"
She stared at his face. "You're worried about whether we defeated the bandits?" Byleth nodded. Constance chuckled. "You have odd priorities" She returned to cutting his bandages.
"We defeated them, they stood no chance against..." She trailed off as she removed the last of the bandages. The scissors dropping from her hand.
Byleth noticed her freeze. "Constance, are you okay?" She said nothing. Shakily raising her hand to his chest, running her fingers gently across the slowly healing wound.
"S-So it was this deep..." Constance looked up to her Professor, her eyes begging forgiveness. "I-I'm sorry Professor...Because of me you..." She placed both hands against his chest and pressed her head again against his shoulder.
"Because of me you almost died...I didn't know how bad it was, they didn't let me see you..." Tears began to stream down her face as she tried to hold back sobs.
"Constance...Don't-"
"No! It was my fault Professor! I got too ahead of myself, I just wanted to impress you and you almost paid because of my mistakes..." Byleth remained silent. Before raising his hand and patting her on the head.
"I was at fault too. I foolishly rushed in..." Constance pulled away from his shoulder and looked into his eyes. Her, make up beginning to get messy.
"But why? Why would you rush into save me after I did something so stupid..."
"Its simple..."
Constance pulled away from his shoulder and looked up at his face. His lips curved in a slight smile.
"Because you are my student..."
Constance sniffed before breaking into a sob, tightly embracing her Professor as she pushed her face into the crook of his neck. Shaking gently with each sob.
Byleth rubbed her back as she cried, her sobs soon calming to just a few whimpers. She once again pulled her head away from his neck, hiding her face a little as her make up had began to run due to her tears.
"F-Forgive me for my unsightly display, Professor...I believe I have calmed down now." She looked up to him and smiled.
After she finished changing his bandages she collected his old ones and put them in the basket she brought with her. Walking towards the door and opening it. Turning to give her Professor one last smile before leaving. Shutting the door behind her.
Sothis appeared at the foot of his bed. Resting her chin on her hands and kicking her feet idly behind her.
"Boy...You sure are a ladies man you know that?"
Byleth turned to look at his companion. Who stuck her tongue out at him. He gave her a slight smile before laying back in bed.
"And now you intend to sleep? Hmph."
I gotta come up with something original man. I feel like I'm reaching my limits with these oneshots.
Oorrr I just need a change of pace. Maybe focus on a different girl. That might help.
We'll see.
Until next time.