Title: a little convincing
A/N: For The Lion and The Fox, Dimivain zine! I really like writing from Sylvain's pov and how in the world did he end up with so many serious friends.
Summary: Sylvain is used to workholics. All of his best friends were one. So when King Dimitri was clearly overworking himself, well, Sylvain knew exactly how to convince his lover to take a break. (and maybe have some fun while he's at it)
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There were few things Sylvain knew as well as he knew the path to Dimitri's study. It wasn't out of a desire for it; no, if it were up to him, he'd never step into that stuffy room. Lined with dusty bookshelves, filled with the scent of ink and parchment, it was the epitome of everything he hated about his own duties, let alone the king's. There were so many better things out there to memorize: the best ways to make Dimitri laugh, which foods made him smile, the sounds he—
Well, he could go on forever, really. Unfortunately, his paramour was far too serious for his own good.
Speaking of serious, Sylvain grinned as he spotted Ingrid approaching him from the other side of the hallway. Honestly, how did he end up with three stern childhood friends? With a rakish grin, he complimented, "Looking good."
As usual, she didn't react to the compliment. Instead, she shot him an annoyed stare. For once, she wasn't in her amour, though her hair was in its usual updo. Her arms were laden with papers and she looked slightly disheveled. In another time, he'd have made a joke about that, but the look she gave him promised murder. "Don't lie."
"Me?" He held a hand to his chest, faking hurt. "I never lie."
"Uh-huh." Her expression was so dry Ingrid could have started a fire with it.
"What's with the papers?" Sylvain asked, changing the topic before she could switch to lecture mode.
"Oh. This is just…" She glanced at the papers, her lips twisting into a soft frown. "Just more things to clear up." Ingrid sighed, rolling her shoulders back slightly. "It's not that easy, cleaning up after a war. Especially with…"
"Yeah…" Sylvain didn't need her to finish to know what she meant. There were so many houses that had lost heirs from this war. So many of his classmates who'd died. It was hard not to think about them, despite his best efforts.
Ingrid cleared her throat. "So there's just a lot to do. Honestly, every time we sort one issue, it's like another one pops up."
"And here I thought all our problems would end after we saved the world." Sylvain sighed. "Dimitri doesn't…"
Leave the room. Before he could finish the sentence, an idea struck him. Keeping his tone neutral, Sylvain added, "Dimitri, the professor, you—we've all done a lot of work. Maybe we should take a break."
"A break?" She raised a brow. "With everything that's happening?"
"I'm not saying we go on a long vacation or anything," he clarified quickly, before she could toss the papers at him. "Just, you know. Have the afternoon off. Take a little time to recover. Isn't that the healthy thing?"
Ingrid fixed him with a flat look. "Sylvain."
"What?" He smiled disarmingly.
As usual, she didn't react. Just once, he wanted to know what'd it'd take. And then abuse it. "I know what you're up to."
Sylvain shrugged, his hands signally he gave up. "Can't blame a guy for trying."
"Sylvain, you—" Ingrid cut herself off. With a calculating look, she studied him before slowly walking forward. "Actually, you're right. A break sounds nice."
"Huh?" Sylvain stared at her back, mouth agape.
"Let the king know he's on vacation. I'll see him in two days."
Sylvain stood there a moment, not sure what to say. Silently, he thanked whatever god up there that had possessed Ingrid, there was no other way she'd willing agree to this. Quickly, before she could take it back, he hurried down the hall to Dimitri's study.
"Knock, knock," he greeted as he pushed open a heavy wooden door. The study inside was just as rigid and unwelcoming as he remembered, with the sole exception that there were even more stacks of paper than he remembered.
"Sylvain," a deep, rich voice greeted him, and Sylvain shivered slightly as he looked up at the desk to where Dimitri sat. His paramour smiled at him softly, setting down his quill as he started to stand. His royal blue cloak swished gently around him. "You are back."
It only took one look for Sylvain to realize why Ingrid had agreed. There were bags under his eyes, his smile worn, and every part of him looked like he hadn't slept in days. Once again, he had pushed himself too hard. "Well, I didn't want you to miss me too much."
Dimitri chuckled, walking around the desk. "That would be impossible."
Before Sylvain could reply, Dimitri pulled him in for a tight hug. Sylvain wrapped his arms just as tightly, burying his head in his lover's neck. He always smelled slightly earthy, every part of him so grounded. Especially now, after he had finally sorted through his feelings, choosing to focus on the present instead of the past. With a weak chuckle, Sylvain murmured, "Careful, you could give a man ideas."
"They would be the right ones," Dimitri replied resoundingly. Even in this, he was overly serious.
"And here I thought you didn't learn anything from my flirting lessons." Sylvain pulled back slightly, taking in Dimitri now that he was closer. It only confirmed his earlier suspicions—the man was overworking himself. Again.
Dimitri's eyes crinkled slightly as he cheekily replied, "I did not give you a dagger."
"What a romantic." Reluctantly, Sylvain let go. There were very few ways this could go, and he knew the odds of all them. Most likely, Dimitri would refuse the vacation, saying his work was more important. A lower chance would be an agreement, for just a few hours. Anything else would be an instant rejection.
Unless, of course, Sylvain laid down the charm. Which, fortunately, was his expertise.
"I trust your lands are well protected?" Dimitri asked, turning back and returning to his desk.
"I wouldn't be here otherwise," Sylvain replied, casually following behind. Without warning, he shoved the papers on the desk to the side, clearing up just enough space for him to perch on the furniture. "We won't have to worry about any border issues for a while."
"I…" Dimitri frowned as he stared at the now disorganized papers. "Sylvain."
"Yes?" Sylvain blinked, smiling innocently.
"Could you sit in the chair?" he asked, still staring at the papers grumpily.
"Sure." As he slipped off the desk, he pushed even more papers together. Sylvain tried not to grin at the frustrated sigh Dimitri accidentally expelled. "I saw Ingrid in the hallway."
It distracted Dimitri momentarily, forcing his eyes away from the papers and back to Sylvain. His expression relaxed slightly. "Honestly, if it were not for her, Annette, and Dedue, I do not know what I'd do."
"I know, they all do so much work." Sylvain nodded solemnly. He should get a medal for all of his acting. "Ingrid looked a little tired."
Dimitri's eye widened. Stroking his chin, he considered it. "I suppose she has looked a little harried recently."
"And that's just Ingrid." Sylvain shook his head sadly. "Just think about what Annette must look like; neither of them know how to rest. What if they collapse?"
"That…" Dimitri closed his eye, his jaw tightening. "Did she really look that tired?"
"Extremely so." Sylvain approached the desk now. Resting one hand on the wooden surface, he leaned forward and cupped Dimitri's cheek with his other hand. His thumb brushed against Dimitri's warm skin. "You don't look much better yourself."
"I am fine," Dimitri reassured him, his eye opened now. His blue eye was so soft these days, nothing like the ice from when they'd first reunited.
"I don't think so." Sylvain brushed the pad of his thumb once more. "You look worse than she does. You all need a break."
"There's no time for that, Sylvain," Dimitri admonished immediately. He didn't pull away though, and Sylvain took that as a win.
"Just a small break," he argued.
"Sylvain, you've seen all that I have to do." With his right hand, he gestured at the now-messily scattered papers. "A king cannot take a break from his duties."
"Even if he's too tired to carry them out?" Sylvain countered.
"Especially then." Dimitri's expression hardened slightly. "The people of this country…of all of Fódlan, I cannot make them wait for justice."
Proximity had always been Dimitri's weakness, and Sylvain leaned forward slightly, crowding into his personal space. "Come on, you'll make a mistake that way. I'm not saying take a week off or anything like that. Just a few hours. A day or two. Everyone could have it."
"You are right," Dimitri agreed, pulling back slightly. His cheeks flushed a bright red as he pulled away from Sylvain's touch. "I will give them all a break."
Sylvain frowned, not liking that wording. "And you?"
"I will work," Dimitri replied firmly.
This wasn't at all what he wanted. It was time to switch tactics. Straightening up, Sylvain puffed his cheeks, crossed his arms, and pouted. "I thought you missed me."
"I did." Dimitri replied evenly. "However, I do have obligations—"
"Oh no, it's fine." Throwing up his hands dramatically, Sylvain sighed. "All I wanted to do, after riding hard for so many days was spend a little time with you. Maybe even a date. See my lover again after all this time and distance apart."
"That is not—" Flustered, Dimitri rose from his seat. Sylvain was glad that that aspect hadn't changed over the years. "I would like to spend time with you too, however—"
"Your duties come first, I know, I know." Sylvain plopped on the guest chair and looked away. "I guess I'll just have to find someone who does appreciate me and want to spend time with me." He paused, secretly peeking at Dimitri from the corner of his eyes. The king looked panicked. Good. "Maybe I'll go to Felix or Ingrid or—"
"I do not mean to make you feel unappreciated, Sylvain," Dimitri cut him off before he could continue. Quickly, he approached Sylvain, and knelt before him, resting his hands on Sylvain's knee as he looked up at him imploring. "I understand your pain, I feel it too. I would like nothing more than a date with you. However, it would be unfair to my people if I idled away when I could be helping them."
Perhaps he had gone too far. Sylvain clasped Dimitri's hand, interlacing their fingers. It wouldn't hurt to be a little more open himself. "They wouldn't mind if you took care of yourself too. Ingrid's worried about you. I'm worried about you."
Dimitri stared at their joined hands, before looking up into his eyes. His stern expression wavered, his defenses crumbling as he asked, "Would it really be fine?"
"More than fine." Sylvain smiled, cupping Dimitri's cheek once more. Leaning forward, he softly kissed him. "You can be a little selfish, you know."
Dimitri chuckled softly against his lips. "That is bad for a king."
"But not for a lover." Sylvain sat back, though he kept his hands where they were. "Don't forget you're both."
"With you around, it is hard to forget." Dimitri smiled before finally relaxing. He leaned forward, resting his head on Sylvain's lap. Closing his eyes, he murmured, "Very well. If it's only for a few hours, I can manage."
"A whole night," Sylvain countered. When Dimitri stared up at him, he grinned cheekily. "Look, I'll even help you reorganize all those papers tomorrow. I did mess them up, after all."
"So that was on purpose." Dimitri sighed, sounding more amused than annoyed.
"It wasn't like you'd listen to me otherwise." Sylvain smirked. He ran a hand through Dimitri's hair, humming softly as he considered the rest of the day. Well, two days, but he didn't have to tell Dimitri that part yet. "Now, what should we do on our date?"