"Ok. Well. Here I am," Byleth announces with an embarrassed cough, rubbing the redness out of her face to no avail. Instead of saying anything, Edelgard drags her hand down Byleth's abs and under the sheets, stroking Byleth's new appendage with a jerk of her wrist. "H-hold on," Byleth wheezes, digging her fingers into the sheets with all of her might. She's only been in their room for ten minutes and already the spell's been cast and Edelgard has her stripped down to nothing. Edelgard definitely wasn't lying when she told Byleth she was ready for this the second Byleth stepped inside the palace the other day.
"Does it hurt?" the emperor asks. Byleth can hardly see Edelgard in the darkness of the room since the candle is lit so far away. She wants to rectify it, but when she tries getting off the bed, Edelgard pushes her right back down on her back. "The dark may be best tonight," Edelgard says quietly.
"Why?" Byleth asks as she blinks and prays her eyes adjust better to the dark. Getting to see her wife is what Byleth always looks forward to in moments like these. Edelgard shifts under the covers next to Byleth and reaches for the button holding up a part of her nightgown. Snk. The silky fabric slides over Edelgard's skin, and Byleth doesn't hesitate to reach out and run her fingers over the emperor's spine. "El. Why does it have to be dark?"
"This is new." Edelgard leans forward, tickling Byleth's cheek with some of her loose hair. "I'm nervous." She leans down, kissing Byleth for a minute. "And the darkness will force us to rely on our senses. I want to cherish the feeling of you inside me, spilling into me, making me yours in such a true way." A hard shiver wracks the empress's body, and the odd feeling of her fleeting yet half-hard penis twitches along with her. She groans as she looks down, noticing the slight bulge pressing against the crimson sheets. Edelgard looks as well, and she's chuckling under her breath. "I must say, I'm very excited for this nonetheless."
"I've been thinking about it a lot today, too," Byleth admits, trying to shake off any nerves that are creeping up her back. Stop being nervous. It's just Edelgard. You know, Edelgard, who's never touched a penis before yet is dragging her hand up and down it like a champ. It has to be because of her lack of experience with such a thing that Byleth's whole body is twitching every time Edelgard hits the base and then slightly presses into the head with her thumb. "Kk! Nn-enrgh! El h-how are you-Nnff."
"Byleth…" Edelgard sighs, lovingly looking into what she can see of Byleth's eyes. "I absolutely love you. I promise I will give our child everything I am; that no tragedy will be forced upon their life." She starts tugging gently on the penis, and Byleth jerks roughly up into it. The emperor slowly leans forward, asking her empress to rest on her back. In awe, she eases the blanket down Byleth's body, finally catching a glimpse of the simple biological part that's going to change their lives forever. With a hint of hesitance, she ducks her head closer to it, glancing back up at Byleth who's watching her like a hawk (rather, an eagle) before Edelgard brashly presses a kiss to the shaft.
"Shit. El. I-I don't think I'm gonna last that long," she frets, blinking up at the canopy. "Maybe we should just do this quick?"
"Quick? No we're going to cherish this, my light." Byleth whines in disagreement, and Edelgard continues unworried, kissing the shaft once more. She notices that the head is leaking slightly, and Edelgard reaches into the back of her mind, trying to recall the texts she's read about male anatomy to explain what it even is. In the end she chalks it up to an obvious sign of Byleth's body being ready, and when Edelgard shifts her hips, she can tell just how much wetness is coating her own thighs, she knows she's ready too. But as she said, she's going to make this last. I should treat my love for all she's done this past month, Edelgard thinks, pushing her hair behind her shoulders. In the moonlight, it shines like something out of this world, and Byleth is attracted to it like a moth to a flame, gently running a hand through it now. "Do you still like watching me touch myself?" Edelgard asks with a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Of course."
"Mmm. Would you like to see me do it now?" Byleth stutters over her words before grabbing a hold of Edelgard's waist and pulling her up until she's straddling the empress's stomach. "Excited, are we?"
"Yeah except I can't totally see everything I'd like to in this darkness. Please let me just light one candle, El?" Edelgard presses a fingertip against Byleth's lips and grins down at her with her own chin held high.
"You'll just have to put two and two together," Edelgard tells her smugly, capping it off with a shrug and a thrust of her hips. They both hum at the feeling of Edelgard's wetness sliding against Byleth's toned abdomen. Edelgard grinds against Byleth a few more times before hands brace her hips, urging her to rock faster.
"Make yourself feel good." It makes the emperor swoon, seeing Byleth already forgetting her own arousal for the sake of Edelgard's pleasure.
"Does this turn you on more?" Edelgard asks, breathing a little harsher already as she presses down hard on Byleth's abs, trying to get a delicious amount of friction on her clitoris that's swollen up. "You'll get even more erect watching me do this on your helpless body, won't you?" Byleth whines, digging her fingers into Edelgard's hips. The emperor can feel Byleth's forearms flexing, trying to pull her down harder on Byleth's abs so she can really grind down. It feels so good that Edelgard loses her train of thought for a minute, shutting her eyes before snapping them open. The rustling of the sheets and the creaking of the bed under Edelgard's knees is minorly distracting. "Maybe I shouldn't let you touch me."
"No!" Byleth hurriedly rejects, and she sits up slightly, forcing Edelgard's hips to slip down until the length of Byleth's momentary penis in all of its warm and slightly sticky nature is pressed flush against her aching vagina. The two of them pause, trying to get themselves used to the new slightly off-putting feeling. There's just something so odd about having a completely new part in a place they both know so well. Still… Edelgard experimentally grinds down into it, and Byleth hisses out.
"Did that hurt?" Edelgard asks, slightly concerned as she brushes some hair out of Byleth's eyes. Instead of answering, Byleth wraps her arms around the emperor's waist pulling her in until they're chest to chest, and starts to move her hips up into Edelgard. The gasp that comes out of Edelgard's throat is genuine. This feels… amazing, she thinks to herself. While the penis isn't unnecessarily long, it is especially wide, and Edelgard has to wonder if this will even be able to get past her opening, or if she's in for a somewhat painful couple of minutes that she won't dare say a word about. But then Byleth's hands cup her backside, squeeze, and Byleth starts rubbing herself against Edelgard more recklessly, and with every thrust, the head of it gets dangerously close to pushing inside of Edelgard. It's maddening, almost. Edelgard ends up wrapping her arms around Byleth's shoulders, using them for leverage so she can bounce in Byleth lap. Apparently Byleth really likes how things are going too, because she moans desperately into Edelgard's ear and drives the emperor even more insane. That on top of the feeling of being rubbed from her clitoris to her taint, over and over again while hearing the immense wetness clicking and squishing between her legs has her face feeling hot in the sort of way that sets your heart beating faster. This feels so. So. So. Good, Byleth. Edelgard drops her head back and moans, just to be cut off by lips assaulting her own. The hair at the base of her skull is being pulled while nails drag down her thighs and a penis continues to get dangerously close to entering her. She loves it.
"Edelgard~. I'm sorry. I just-I need you," Byleth groans, flipping Edelgard onto her back seamlessly. The landing is perfect, with Edelgard's hair fanned out over the bedsheets, and Byleth pressed up between her hips. Right away, Edelgard lets out one big breath and wraps her legs around Byleth's hips, pulling her in with the hopes that in one go Byleth can get inside. Byleth quickly gets down on her forearms, tucking them under Edelgard's back as her hips rock in and-there.
"Ah! Nnn!" They moan in unison.
"Byleth."
"El."
They stay like that, bodies completely tensed as they take in the gravity of the situation. This scenario should be impossible, they should never be able to be unified like this; It's against all laws, yet here they are. Edelgard has to smile, because for her and Byleth to even be together, it felt like they had to defy fate itself. This moment… they did it themselves, just for them. They're completely. It's everything for Edelgard, and Byleth too. After they stare into each other's eyes for who knows how long, Byleth's breathing picks up again.
"I want to be slow," she claims as she suddenly starts fucking Edelgard with the ferocity of a beast.
"NNH!"
"But I can't," Byleth pants, rocking into Edelgard so deep that their pelvis's slap loudly and the headboard crashes into the wall repeatedly. "I'm-I'm sorry thi-hah-isn't soft and romantic." Edelgard's head presses back into the pillows, and her mouth stays wide open and she gasps for air. Byleth's never been quite this hard with her-and Edelgard is absolutely obsessed as her hips sporadically try to keep up with Byleth's horribly off-beat pace that somehow works in all the right ways. Ah Goddess, the stretch between Edelgard's legs is perfect. She feels so full even when Byleth pulls out dangerously far, just to slam back inside and pound against Edelgard's g-spot that she loves having grinded into. And as if on cue, Byleth hooks her hands over Edelgard's shoulders and pulls her down so that her waist can't move an inch so Byleth can just dig as far as she can inside of Edelgard. Edelgard damn near screams in pleasure.
"Fuck, Byleth! I'm-You make me feel amazing," she chokes, throat raw from moaning as Byleth somehow digs even further inside. Offhand she notices that Byleth's stiff nipples are poking her breasts just above her own nipples and that gets her even wetter. "How are-why are so good to me?! Mmmf!" Every bit of her breath is taken away when Byleth gets up on her hands and starts fucking her fast in a completely new way.
"You-Totally-Deserve it," Byleth answers, breathing so hard that she can faintly taste blood from far down her throat. Dirty talking was never something they did for months into their sex life; and even now, a year later, it's still tame. Nevertheless, the small amounts Byleth would throw in here and there started to really grow on Edelgard, so Byleth finally felt comfortable pushing just a little more. "Just like you-deserve to cu-cum really hard." Edelgard eyes grow darker at that, and she wraps Byleth up in her legs even more purposefully.
"Can't wait-to feel you cum inside me, as well," Edelgard pants, grinning as Byleth audibly sighs in bliss. The headboard starts smacking so loud against the wall, and Edelgard starts to try and think of a way she'll lie about the noise in the morning when someone undoubtedly questions it. Then Byleth growls, and Edelgard's mind goes blank as the empress pulls out with a somewhat worrying pop and flips Edelgard roughly onto her stomach. Edelgard has to blink to catch up before Byleth drops down on her back and stuffs her face between her shoulder blades.
"Dammit that was way too rough," Byleth worries aloud, apologetically running a hand down Edelgard's back. And it was. But something in Edelgard absolutely flipped this time. Her stomach drops and she pushes her backside into Byleth's groin, smirking at the whine the empress slips.
"Shut up and fuck me right now, Byleth." Edelgard would never ever say something so harsh to Byleth outside of this moment, but it feels so grossly right. Byleth agrees, because she automatically gets on her knees and pulls Edelgard's hips into position before slamming in. "Byleth!"
"No more stopping," Byleth cries out, rapidly pushing in and out of Edelgard with speed equal to that of one of her many fights on the battlefield. And that's sort of what this feels like to them; like this is the beginning or the end. They have to do this. They need it. They both want it. And they will get it. A sort of throbbing is building up in Byleth's groin that's equal parts pleasurable as it is painful, causing her to wince and bury her face against Edelgard's back. Edelgard's face down on the bed with her hands pressed flat against the headboard that's finally stopped its rocking since she's holding it down in fear of smacking her own skull into it. And wow, seeing Edelgard completely weak beneath her just does something for Byleth. She can finally be the one who has every ounce of control while this dance comes to a finale. Both of their bodies are starting to slow down from the exertion, and they curse their lack of crests in moments like these. They never want it to end while also desperately hoping for release. Byleth can feel Edelgard's insides clenching and spasming around her shaft, and she openly moans at the feeling, just about collapsing on Edelgard's back without daring to slow down her hips. The new position has Edelgard whining pitifully and spitting all over the sheets because she can't keep her mouth shut for even a second now.
"My light! Please!" Edelgard attempts to jerk up but physically can't anymore. She's about to explode, no doubt. "Byleth give me what we want. Give me our child," she cries, hardly in control of her own jaw that's flapping about. Byleth huffs and puffs as she pushes her body to go that much harder and that much deeper as she wraps her arms under Edelgard, just above her breasts so they can be close again. She loves how Edelgard reaches a hand behind her head, grabbing onto a fistful of blue hair and pulling Byleth into the side of her neck. Edelgard's heartbeat pounds against her lips. All of a sudden Byleth feels her hips buck without warning and an insane wave of heat washes over her so quickly that she can't make any noise…. Until she bursts.
"El! Edelgard! NNNGH! EL!" Her sudden shouting scares the life out of Edelgard before she too feels her mind melt and she's crying out just as loudly, pressing her mouth into the sheets as an attempt to quiet herself. It doesn't work.
Rope after rope of thin ejaculate spurts out of Byleth, and she cries out for every last drop, probably making Edelgard go deaf while she's at it. Never in her life has she cum as hard as she is now. It also just lasts so long that she's almost scared it will never end (although she can't complain). Edelgard's insides keep milking Byleth for more, greedily sucking up all of the sperm it can. Apparently Edelgard's entire being wants this, and Byleth can feel every bit of that resolve. A while later, when she's finally let out her last bits of cum, and Edelgard adjusted her hips so that none of it could escape right away, Byleth pulls out. They both hiss at the feeling, and Edelgard does so especially loudly because she can already feel the soreness that will no doubt have her walking funny for a few hours (should she decide to leave Byleth's arms in bed). Byleth starts laughing, fairly loudly, as her whole body is wracked in shivers and she plops down next to Edelgard.
"That was… just incredible," Byleth laughs, covering her mouth with a hand. Her giggling is contagious because Edelgard weakly goes along with it, her shoulders bobbing as she chuckles.
"It was." Edelgard gets up on her forearms, wincing at the ache in her muscles. Byleth notices right away, ever diligent, and rushes off the bed to find the damp towel she brought in earlier.
"Let me put this under you so all of that doesn't stain the bed."
"Mhm," Edelgard hums, spreading her legs so Byleth can get the cloth under her. It's sweet how the second the semen pours out of Edelgard, Byleth wipes it away along with the rest of the emperor's leftover arousal. "My light. You'll cuddle me, won't you?"
"You don't even have to ask." They both smile.
Three Weeks Later:
"Byleth! Byleth?!" Edelgard frantically rushes through the gardens, clutching her heavy black cloak so as to keep herself warmer in the coming winter wind. Her fingers are stiff as nails already. She wasn't exactly sure where Byleth was but she could only assume the crazy woman was out here in the cold trying to catch a fish or something. "Byle-"
"-I'm here. What's wrong, my heart?" Edelgard feels arms wrapping around her back and she sinks into them. Her entire body is shaking in aggravation and… and fear.
"I'm b-bleeding." Byleth looks down, checking out the emperor's entire body with worry. Edelgard huffs in aggravation. "Menstruating. I'm not pregnant," she hisses. Edelgard built it up in her head, convincing herself Byleth would be angry at her-that Edelgard's letting her down completely. But no. Instead Byleth carefully tips Edelgard's chin up and kisses her softly, with everything she has. When they pull apart, only a breath away from each other's faces Byleth says,
"I don't care if we have to try every single month for it to happen. Don't let it get to you, El. We'll make this happen."
Days later they try again, frantically grinding against each other on one of the couches in the stargazing room at the top of the palace. Their clothes are thrown about everywhere, and the red and blue stain glass above them does wonders for the already beautiful atmosphere of the mosaic tiled flooring. There certainly are perks to being in a royal palace, though the only reason Byleth even cares in the first place is because it brought Edelgard into existence. And as Byleth presses in as far as she can and holds Edelgard against her with all her might, she prays for this to be the one to get her wife pregnant. Something in her just knows that Edelgard won't be able to deal with herself if her body keeps betraying her wishes. Hell, even the frustrated look on Edelgard's face throughout the entirety of them doing this proves just that.
"El. Listen to me," Byleth breathes against her ear. "Tell me this is going to be the last time we have to do this." Edelgard's breath hitches, and she slows down her hips. "Say it out loud. Believe it," Byleth tells her. The emperor's insides tighten up on Byleth's shaft almost painfully, yet Byleth continues to push through, tempting their bodies to finish sooner. She waits ten seconds before asking Edelgard again.
"Alright, alright. I… I want this to be it," Edelgard murmurs, hugging Byleth's shoulders and hiding her face in the empress's neck. She's seated nicely on Byleth's lap in the loveseat, rocking her hips back and forth distractedly. Byleth frowns.
"More conviction, El." Edelgard almost laughs, feeling like she's being scolded now. Byleth knows she's messed up when Edelgard shoves her by her shoulders and pouts sincerely.
"Look this may have worked with my heart but-I swear Byleth, I just-I need this. We need this. We need some sense of normalcy in our lives for once and I just-Why can't my body just-"
"-El we've only tried once." Wrong move. Edelgard suddenly pulls off of Byleth's erection and glares daggers her way. Sometimes Byleth forgets how easily aggravated Edelgard can be… and it's quite a hassle having to feel like she has to watch her words one day when at the next, she can be completely open and honest with Edelgard in all of Byleth's bluntness. There are very few instances that Byleth's ever gotten visibly annoyed, but right now is one of them. Her jaw slackens and she clenches her fist. Edelgard further moves back, completely off her lap as she half-heartedly covers her breasts with an arm crossing over to her opposite shoulder. "Your irritation isn't helping."
"What do you not understand?" Edelgard asks, fully angry now as she flails one of her hands about. "My body is physically useless when it comes to normal functions. You have no idea how-"
"-Stop talking down to me," Byleth shouts, turning her head completely away as she bends down to grab her book that has the spell to dissipate the organ at her waist. "You're trying to tell me, the one who lacked a beating heart for over twenty years, that you're frustrated with your body, yet somehow I don't understand? Is that what you're saying, El? Really?" Edelgard purses her lips, still aggravated with a heat that blushes her face, even when she knows she isn't correct here. Byleth glances at her with a searing bit of anger that goes away when her eyes flicker down to the page and she mumbles the spell aloud.
Df.
The organ's gone, and so is their chance to fertilize Edelgard's egg tonight. The thought makes Edelgard's stomach plunge towards the ground. She sits and watches as Byleth haphazardly dresses, not sparing the emperor another glance. The emperor helplessly sits there, sinking into the couch as Byleth finishes up and stands with a rigid back.
"Sorry. I just don't have the patience tonight. ...I really am sorry," Byleth murmurs.
"It's understandable. I'm… being difficult again." Byleth finally turns to her and eases up her brows, but she doesn't attempt to coddle Edelgard.
"I'll see you tonight. I'm gonna visit Claude." Edelgard opens her mouth, wanting to ask Byelth to stay, but she stops herself. Ever since her heart surgery Edelgard hasn't been working constantly, and now she's starting to rely on Byleth's company perhaps too much. Tonight, Edelgard thinks, I should get back to work. I need some sense of a schedule I suppose. Maybe then I won't be burdening my wife quite so. Byleth turns on her heel, leaving Edelgard without another word.
SHPP!
….
"I truly hate being alone," Edelgard whispers to herself.
Downstairs in the Dining Hall:
"Hey Teach!" Claude sets down a plate of cookies for Lysithea whose eyes are as wide as a happy chil-happy adult, before he walks towards Byleth. He takes one look at the furrow in her brows and freezes in place. "Woah. Is the Mrs. getting you down, pal?" Byleth nods curtly, itching her neck. "Well uh, maybe Lysithea and I can help, or at least get your mind off of it."
"Sounds good," Byleth says, looking down at her own plate of fish in her hand. Claude smirks and throws an arm over her shoulder, urging her towards the table as Lysithea digs into her cookies like a monster. Byleth eyes her and then glances back to Claude who just chuckles and waves his fiancee off. "She's going to be up all night with all that sugar…."
"Eh so be it," Claude hums, throwing himself down in the padded seat beside Byleth. "I enjoy our late night talks."
"Oh? How late?" Byleth teasingly asks, suggesting something less friendly with the smirk on her lips. Claude eats it up, smirking right back and winking.
"Not as late as you and the ol' emperor," he throws right back. Byleth groans and starts busying her mouth with fish. "Heyyyy. You started it," he chuckles. "But man just last week you guys were going at it like animals! I swear, Lysithea was so red she may as well have become a heater for the entire palac-"
"-HEY!" Lysithea yelps, finally realizing she's still in the real world and not some sugar induced candy land fantasy. "This is so so so not appropriate here!"
"Don't be so immature," Claude says, shrugging as Lyisthea puffs up her cheeks at the word 'immature' being uttered in her direction. "It's just sex after all. They're married. They're both hot. I see no problems," Claude finishes, leaning back in his chair. Byleth just shakes her head in humor, swallowing more fish down.
"...You think Edelgard is 'hot?'" Lysithea asks, blinking hard.
"Yeah she's good."
"Good?" Byleth questions. "What does that even mean?"
"It means she's not my bag, but I can see the appeal."
"Edelgard is absolutely gorgeous," Byleth states matter of factly. "Not 'good,' as you say." Lysithea smiles, secretly enjoying how unintentionally protective Byleth is being.
"Eh. You say that cuz you're her wife."
"Claude be nice," Lysithea scolds, picking at a crumb or two left on her plate.
"Edelgard is beautiful through and through," Byleth reiterates, putting her fork and knife down in an attempt to be more serious.
"Alright Teach… she is, sure. But you, of course, are no less beautiful," Claude says, going for an honest smile. Byleth hums, not completely agreeing but not arguing either.
"You are, Profess-Byleth," Lysithea jumps in, nodding the empress's way. "Very much so!"
"Thank you, I guess? I'm not sure how to take compliments like that," the empress admits, picking up her fork again.
"Heh. But I can't forget my darling," Claude playfully sings, holding his hand out across the table, stretching towards Lysithea who teasingly pulls her hand away. "I'm trying to call you pretty! At least act bashful."
"Me? Bashful? I'm more leaning toward bashing your head in if you flirt with me so tactlessly in front of a class act like Byleth."
"Pffft! Class act?! As if," Claude laughs, and Byleth chuckles along with him, clearly taking his brashness well. "Last time Teach had to go to a fancy dance with the emperor, she stumbled over Edelgard's left foot when they danced."
"...I told you to forget about that," Byleth mumbles.
"How could I? The image of Her stuck-up Highness whacking you over the head is just too good!"
"You are so rude," Lysithea scolds, although she's sniffing out a laugh as well. "Though I bet Edelgard really did give you an earful for that."
"Not quite," Byleth finishes quickly. No Edelgard's version of scolding that night was pulling me into a dark corner and kissing the breath out of me. I remember Hubert got pale when he noticed the marks on my neck afterward. "Heh." Claude scratches his chin and smirks at his best friend.
"I see how it was, Teach. She gave you a good lesson indeed." He chuckles darkly at the ceiling while Lysithea stays completely out of the loop, trying to piece it together. Now Byleth's hoping Lysithea doesn't figure that out, because she'd probably be way too embarrassed imagining everything. Fortunately for Byleth, the dining room door swings open. Then the newly familiar burgundy dress and back cloak cloud Byleth's vision. Despite everything, Edelgard in all her regal glory gracing her cerulean eyeballs with her presence still has Byleth's heart skipping a beat every single time. For some reason though, Edelgard stops dead in her tracks and the slosh of her drink in the goblet she's holding sounded dangerously close to spilling over. Edelgard and Byleth stare each other down for a solid ten seconds without saying anything. Claude and Lysithea nervously clear their throats to break the spell.
"Hi Edelgard," Lysithea tries to cheerily call, beckoning her over. "Oh! Is that cake?! What kind?" Edelgard smiles faintly at the ground as she approaches, pulling out a chair across from Byleth which… certainly stings.
Alright no reason to be that clingy, Byleth tells herself. Then when Edelgard sits down and smiles more fondly at her dear friend, Byleth feels a sting of jealously and shovels food into her mouth. Get a grip Eisner. Well. Hresvelg. Get a grip, Hresvelg.
"Teach," Claude whispers, nudging Byleth's elbow. "What happened?"
"Remember how I told you about the baby thing?" Claude's face sours. When she told him Edelgard didn't end up pregnant yet, he felt Byleth's pain for her. It seems like every time they talk alone, in the presence of just each other, Byleth always talks about her hopes for the future, and lately, a baby is what she's got in her head most often. "We… tried again," Byleth murmurs, "But we didn't get there. She and I argued instead." Edelgard looks over at Byleth and Claude who are obviously talking about her, and her lips pull downward. Apparently her lack of attention is noticeable to Lysithea, who nudges her with a little fingertip.
"What happened? Are you both ok?"
"We're fine," Edelgard says quietly. She feels ridiculous, because now all four of them are whispering like school kids. "I'm just… going to go eat elsewhere."
"What? You barely ate a bite," Lysithea argues, reaching out for Edelgard's elbow.
"I'm going to return to my work."
"Woah you're working again?" Claude interrupts. Byleth shakes her head at Edelgard right away.
"You shouldn't be working," Byleth reminds her wife. "Ferdinand has things taken care of."
"I'm plenty capable," Edelgard firmly says, standing up with her plate and goblet once again. "There's much to be done. I'll… see you all some other time." Her voice is cold and authoritative like it was towards the end of the war. Byleth hates it. Usually the empress would jump up and hurry after her wife, but she doesn't this time, just watches her go.
Shhf!
"That could have gone better," Claude sighs.
"Hush," Lysithea sniffs. "Byleth are you two ok? I mean I've never seen you argue."
"We've argued once or twice," Byleth says, scraping her fork around the plate that's barely got a speck of food left on it. Claude catches her hand the second the fork scrapes the porcelain especially loudly.
"We're here for you," Claude reminds her, and Lysithea agrees with a firm shake of her head. Finally Byleth lets her shoulders slump as she leans an elbow on the table.
"El's just having a hard time not being in control. I can tell. And I don't think that's wrong I just wish she'd… wish she'd trust me to handle things for her sometimes." Lysithea rounds the table and sits on the opposite side of Byleth from where Claude is, leaning on the arm of Byleth's tall chair.
"That certainly sounds like an Edelgard problem," Claude acknowledges, rubbing at his knee. "Maybe Lysithea and I should head out soon. I mean we already are leaving later this month, but what if our presence is irking Edelgard a bit."
"No she really enjoys having Lysithea around. They're like sisters at this point." Lysithea puts a hand over her heart at the sentiment. "Besides, you both are welcome to stay."
"I do wanna get back to Almyra soon, just to give my future wife a chance to see what she's missing."
"Enough about us," Lysithea buds in, reaching over Byleth to push Claude's shoulder. "Maybe… Edelgard's just really scared."
"She keeps saying her body's useless. That it's her fault she isn't pregnant yet," Byleth explains, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I told her we've only tried once… it's not a big deal."
"But it is a big deal," Lysithea says, moving her head so Byleth will look at her. "To Edelgard, it's a big deal. Aren't you empathetic to that?"
"Well yeah…."
"Speaking from my own experience, I've always thought myself to be deadweight to those around me," Lysithea sadly states. "I can understand that just one screw up, intentional or not, makes Edelgard feel worthless."
"But she nearly single-handedly unified Fodlan with her plans," Byleth offers.
"No Teach. She had you there with her. And uh… she doesn't seem to be the type to take all the credit. In fact she… sort of seems to downplay her role in a lot of stuff. It's pretty admirable actually."
"Claude's right. Byleth I think maybe you and her just need to have a talk. Clearly something's irking her. Maybe it's something you can't even guess." Byleth tips her head to the side. Something I couldn't guess? But that'd mean there's something about El I don't know. Fear travels up her spine and flings out to her hand that trembles momentarily. I have to know what it is. With a start, Byleth pushes her chair back and forgets all about her dirty plate.
"Thanks, you two."
"No worries, Teach."
"Anything for you and Edelgard," Lysithea says, patting the table. Byleth rushes off after that. Claude sighs loudly once the door shuts, and Lysithea curiously whistles his way. "What is it?"
"It's just… Edelgard really is a lot for Byleth. Sometimes I still worry about her. That's all."
"Claude stop saying that. They go together perfectly. I mean, imagine being angry at someone but still being able to look at them like-like they're the most special person in the entire world. Those two are incredible." The second Lysithea shuts her mouth, Claude smiles at her with his soft green eyes. Her heart stops.
"Are you implying I don't look at you that way?" Lysithea just blushes and mumbles something about getting more cookies.
Minutes Later; Edelgard's Study:
The door swings open without any warning, and Edelgard doesn't bother to turn and check who it is. One of her hands is busy singing a bunch of paperwork while the other is holding up the next sheet for her eyes to skim over.
"El. Do you feel worthless?" Edelgard raises a brow before going back to a neutral expression.
"That's a loaded question."
"Do you think I'm worthless?"
"What? No."
"Are you proud of yourself? Of what you've done for Fodlan?" This time Edelgard stops writing, but keeps her eyes fixated on the fine script in front of her.
"Yes. Sometimes."
"Do you ever wonder if we shouldn't be together?" Now Edelgard stops altogether, throwing her pen down on the desk with a loud slap before whipping her head in the direction of Byleth's voice. The second her head turns to the side, Byleth ducks down, dropping to her knees on the right of Edelgard's chair tucked halfway under her massive desk.
"What are you trying to pull asking these questions?"
"You're angry," Byleth comments, gripping the back of the chair. "Tell me why."
"Because you're asking ridiculous questions after-"
"-Not now. You're angry at me. You've been for the past few days. Why?" Edelgard grits her teeth, staring Byleth dead in the eyes. They don't utter a syllable until Edelgard folds, letting go of a heavy breath that weighed down her entire body.
"...I'm not angry at you. I'm just… jealous." Byleth furrows her brows. She doesn't understand. Edelgard sighs again, this time putting one of her palms against the side of Byleth's face. "You do so much for me, even without meaning to. And I can't even give you this."
"Again. El. We've only tried once."
"I know. But there's this sick feeling in my stomach, constantly telling me I have no hope of carrying this child for you. I'm so useless compared to you," Edelgard whimpers, lilac eyes pointed at the massive pile of work on her desk.
"You're not useless. Why do you keep thinking that? You're the emperor of Fodlan, El. Your drive is what got us here."
"Not without the help of thousands of others…. I'm just a figurehead."
"No you're not," Byleth repeats, standing up and taking Edelgard's face into her hands. Of course Edelgard hurries to get out of it. "Come-El please. I don't want this to dig deeper. We're a team. We have each other over everything else, don't we?"
"...Yes."
"And if we never have a child naturally, we can adopt. There are so many kids out there who need homes. We could find one right now if we went looking." Edelgard stiffens her lip, nodding. "El. Can I be blunt?"
"Yes."
"Stop acting weak." Edelgard has to chuckle humorlessly at that. "I'm being serious. You are so strong, but you keep doubting yourself. I can't stand it. I don't want to see you revert to the cold Edelgard of wartime, but I also don't want to see you acting like this pitiful Edelgard you're letting yourself be now. I can give you all of my strength for now, but soon you have to just hold your own chin up again."
….
Edelgard throws herself into Byleth's arms, and she's caught with ease. Only then does Byleth really notice how much weight Edelgard's lost in the past month or so. Still, Edelgard seems strong, and Byleth wonders if the removal of her second crest has not only affected her body, but her emotional sense as well.
"I needed that," Edelgard murmurs, squeezing her wife to her chest.
"Alright. But… just because I said you shouldn't be weak, doesn't mean you can't feel things. I'm always here for you, El. No matter how bad you get." Edelgard hums against Byleth's ear and kisses it softly.
"You have gotten so wise," Edelgard says, shutting her eyes as Byleth runs her fingers through soft white hair. "Another reason to love you, I suppose."
"You're just as wise."
"I'm not so sure," Edelgard rejects. Byleth saves her argument for later, instead just indulging in the hug Edelgard's offering. It feels nice, even after they've done this about a thousand times by now. After the night of their engagement, they were sure to make hugs goodnight a habit. Byleth thinks back to that and smiles into the side of Edelgard's head, pressing a few kisses to it. "Mmm. Byleth… I truly can never stay mad at you, my love."
"Me either. I really do love you."
"I love you, my light." The empress wraps her wife up in her arms and playfully spins her once, much to Edelgard's disapproval. She hates feeling short, funnily enough. Byleth thinks it's hilarious. "You… wouldn't happen to be in the mood to try again? Right now?"
"Try for a baby, you mean?" Edelgard nods, forehead brushing up against Byleth's chest. "I'd love to."
Three Months Later:
Edelgard's through the roof. She's hurriedly scribbling her news to Lysithea who has traveled to Alymra earlier in the month with Claude. Immediately after stamping the letter closed, she writes to Hubert, smiling all the while.
My dearest friend and trusted right hand, she writes. I've finally confirmed my pregnancy. It looks as though you'll be an uncle soon enough, old friend. I thank you for finding such a spell to even make this possible. Your precious dedication even from such a great distance doesn't go unnoticed. Then she frowns. Speaking of… I've noticed a few of your old spies lurking about the city where Byleth tends to travel alone. You best not be planning anything.
With respect, and with love,
Edelgard.
STP! The crimson wax sets itself in stark contrast to the white of the envelope. Her face lights up when her door cracks open.
"Can I come in?" Byleth asks.
"When have you ever asked before?" Edelgard jokes, shuffling a few piles together before holding the two letters in her hand.
"Are those for Hubert and-"
"-Lysithea. Yes. Walk with me?" Byleth smiles and puts a hand low on Edelgard's back as they stalk their way through the palace in search of one of the mailers. They both nod their greetings at the passerby who try bowing at them just for Byleth to wave it off.
"None of that," Byleth tells one cleaning woman. "We just had tea an hour ago."
"Y-yes but Her Majesty is-"
"-It's fine," Byleth assures her, even though Edelgard doesn't fully agree. The emperor is more of the mindset that she still needs her very specific title to hold authority over the masses. But if Byleth insists for such formalities to be thwarted inside the palace… Edelgard can let it go. I don't want to be a Hubert, after all, she thinks with a grin.
"Right…" the woman goes, twirling the duster between her fingers. "Well… please teach me to fish again sometime soon, Byleth."
"You bet." They set to walking again. Edelgard amusedly drags a finger down Byleth's jaw.
"You're teaching more of the staff to fish? It's… still winter, my light."
"Never a bad time to learn how to fish," Byleth simply explains, adjusting the gold trimmed collar that she's been fiddling with all morning. Edelgard stops her with a hand to her chest.
"Let me undo it for you," Edelgard says, putting the envelopes under her arm just for Byleth to helpfully hold them herself. Byleth hasn't cut her hair in over a year, so it's length is coming close to Edelgard's now. Though… Edelgard can still be proud of how soft hers is in comparison to Byleth's unruly locks. Still, it's nice to see Byleth's hair so long even when it's put in an intricate updo Edelgard showed her how to do a few weeks back. "Byleth."
"Hmm?" She tips her head back so Edelgard can adjust the scarf around her neck easier.
"I quite like your hair like this." She fiddles with the knot of the scarf as she says, "I also love that no matter what shade of red I choose to wear now, you seem to actively try to match me." Even now, standing here, Edelgard went for a slim full-body cranberry red dress just for Byleth to put on a more revealing version of the same shade. And she looked damn good in it, honestly. Edelgard certainly has a lot of fun seeing Byleth's many tailored outfits these days.
"Yeah. I sometimes miss the all black though."
"Oh? You should go back to that then."
"But you like this."
"Yes and you like black," Edelgard shrugs. "I think you look wonderful in both."
"Maybe I'll have our kid wear all black instead."
"...Mm." Byleth chuckles at that response and pulls away once Edelgard's done retying her cloak.
"Why do I have a feeling that you're going to be very possessive with our kid?"
"What do you mean?" Edelgard asks half-defensively. Byleth flicks her on the nose and takes her by the hand as they search out the mailer yet again.
"I just know you're going to want them to be influenced by you way more than me. And for good reason. Unless you want a somewhat barbaric kid."
"Oh. My love. Don't think that about yourself. You're far from it now."
"Eh. I still don't always eat with a fork."
"Ha!" Edelgard covers her mouth with a loose fist. "It's not as if you're uncivilized, Byleth. You've gotten far better about reading the room, anyhow."
"I guess," Byleth mumbles, rubbing her neck anxiously as they hurry down the steps in unison. Edelgard picks up on her worry and pulls Byleth's arm into her side with two hands.
"Are you perhaps getting cold feet?"
"It is sort of scary knowing we're going to be responsible for carving a tiny person into a… big person. But I'm still really excited. I want this with you. Desperately, even."
"We can do this Byleth. Tell me we can." Byleth smiles at that, sliding her hand up to catch Edelgard's hand in her own.
"We can do this, El."