Written for day 3 of Yuridetta week. The prompt I picked was 'Song', so of course, I had to have Dorothea in there. Can be read as a standalone or as a prequel to my main Yuridetta fic, 'The Bear and the Bird' (no spoilers for that story though). May you enjoy these two purples who are obliviously pining for each other.

Dorothea sauntered her way through the grand halls of the church. With her hands neatly clasped in front of her, she walked up to stand right next to Professor Byleth as she oversaw the two dozen or so singers warm up to the sounds of a giant organ hidden among the marble walls.

"Professor," she greeted Byleth. "I'm impressed you've managed to recruit so many volunteers for the choir. I'm sure it'll raise the soldiers' moods so high they'll march directly to Enbarr."

The Professor nodded in acknowledgment and continued to survey the singers. "Let's hope. Just thinking about the next battle is having effects on morale, so Dimitri is hoping that the performance will help calm the troops."

Dorothea smirked at the mention of the prince's name. It was rare enough for anyone to call him by his given name, but the professor seemed to have no issue using it. Dorothea caught a slight twitch under Byleth's eye as the professor looked over the group before them. "Is something wrong?" Dorothea asked. She turned her own eye toward the choir, toward the little groups that had formed, and realized what was happening. "Oh, I see."

The singers had arranged themselves beautifully. The bass singers hummed low tunes, baritones practiced a low set of scales, tenors chanted notes that blended with those of the altos, mezzos breezed through a lilting rhythm, and the sopranos practiced the main melody that would harmonize with Dorothea's solo. But the distribution was off. Dorothea had spent more than half of her life in the opera, and it was almost second nature for her to notice that two of the groups were missing an extra voice.

"The sounds won't work quite right," the professor stated.

Dorothea sighed loud enough for Byleth to hear. "If only they would show up. Is that what you're thinking, Professor?"

The professor turned to face her. Her face was carefully neutral, but Dorothea knew she had Byleth's attention. "I've tried asking them myself. But maybe they'll accept a request from our star songstress."

Dorothea beamed wide and gave the professor a not-so-subtle wink. "You can count on me, Professor. It's about time someone taught those two how to relax."

"Relax?!" Bernadetta screeched. "That's not relaxing at all!"

As per the professor's instructions, Dorothea had cornered Yuri and Bernadetta next to the stables. They had just finished returning the horses to their respective pens when Dorothea had announced her presence, meaning that they had nowhere to hide and no excuses to give. Well, Bernadetta did try to hide behind Yuri's massive cape, but her high-pitched squeak gave her away. Even as Yuri had done his best to come up with an excuse to worm their way out of Dorothea's gaze, the songstress explained the situation as calmly as she would to their army's less… skittish members.

Dorothea wasn't surprised that she could so easily find them together like this. Byleth had assigned the two of them to stable duty, and according to the horse-master, they had been assigned this task every week on the professor's orders. Though Dorothea acknowledged Byleth's abilities as a commander, she couldn't help but think that perhaps the professor's talents actually lay in matchmaking.

"It's alright, Bernie. I promise," Dorothea said to her friend, who was still hiding behind Yuri's capes. She had stuck her head out in order to stare at Dorothea, but she still refused to move more than that. "It's nothing like a solo. I'll be the lead singer, and everyone else is just the chorus. I assure you, you're unlikely to stand out."

Bernadetta gripped the edge of Yuri's cape with her hand, and Dorothea hoped she was keeping a straight face. "But I'll still be there! Ack! What if I miss a note and ruin everything?"

"I can't believe this, but I have to agree with Bernadetta." Yuri said without removing Bernadetta from her position. He was far better than Bernie at looking menacing, and he was using that to his advantage as he narrowed his eyes at Dorothea. "We're far from experienced singers, and if you don't want people like us compromising your entire performance, I suggest you look for someone else."

But Dorothea wasn't done quite yet. "Oh, Yuri dear. I don't think you understand the situation."

"Then explain it." Yuri's tone was like venom, but it did nothing to move Dorothea.

"You see, we're missing a mezzo and a baritone, and we've looked everywhere. There's no one else but you two who fit the part. It's an honor, really."

"No way! I don't even like singing that much!" Bernie yelled, hiding half of her face behind Yuri's cape once more.

Dorothea resisted the urge to sigh. "Bernie, we've talked about this."

"I know." Bernadetta stepped out from around Yuri, ducking her head a little to hide the blush that had crept up to her cheeks. "Sorry. I won't lie again."

"Thank you," Dorothea said, keeping her tone light and calm. "I asked you about this myself a week ago and you said you'd give me an answer by today."

"I know! It's just… I don't want to let you down."

"And I don't want to expose myself like this," Yuri interrupted with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, but we're declining."

"Yuri!" Bernadetta protested. "We're not kids anymore! I can say 'no' myself."

Yuri turned to face her fully, his eyebrows raised in a challenge. "Then say it. Unless you want it to be like the time the cook caught you poking around the kitchens and I had to convince him to let you steal a treat."

"Hey, it was for both of us! And you wanted it too!"

A bell rang inside Dorothea's head. "When you were kids? I thought your father didn't let you play with commoners. Well, none except—"

Yuri's eyes widened to the size of Noa fruits. His back went rigid in a flash, and that was all the information Dorothea needed. Dorothea didn't know what kind of look she leveled at the man, but it was strong enough that Bernadetta pieced together what was happening and gave a little gasp.

Dorothea's hands felt hot. "You mean little—"

"Dorothea, it's ok!" Bernadetta put herself between Dorothea and Yuri, but she was small enough that Dorothea easily maintained eye contact with the man. "He's ok. He's not mean. He just—"

"Left you, let you think he was dead, and made you believe it was all your fault. I know, Bernie dear. I know." Dorothea let the magic in her hands grow even further, and she could feel a wave of electrifying heat pulse on the palms of her hands.

"No need to get all worked up, Dorothea," Yuri said in a cautious tone, not moving a hair away from where he was standing. A clever move, lest he ignite Dorothea's anger even further. "It was just a misunderstanding."

"Not to me, it isn't." Dorothea raised her arms above her, her hands now fully charged and ready to unleash a Ragnarok spell directly onto Yuri's conniving little head. "How have you attempted to make up for this?"

"By being my lovely, charming self," he said. If this were any other time, Dorothea might have taken his easy smile as a half-truth, but right now she could see Yuri's gloved-fingers twitch.

"Wrong answer," Dorothea said.

"It's ok, Dorothea. Yuri's a good friend! I can explain what happened!" Bernadetta raised her arms high above her head and waved her hands in front of Dorothea's face.

"Bernie dear, as much as I'd love to hear how Yuri isn't a conniving snake, my time is booked between rehearsals and learning how to summon meteors straight onto his smug little—"

"What if I explain it to you at rehearsals!" Bernadetta yelled.

Dorothea's hands lost the heat she had been building up with them. She watched as Bernadetta processed what she had just said, still keeping an eye on Yuri the entire time.

"Ah! But rehearsals are only open to people in the choir." Bernadetta babbled. "What if I join? Ack! No! I can't join. I'll mess it all up!"

"Bernie, calm down." Dorothea placed her hands on Bernie's shoulders and waited for her to control her breaths. They breathed in and out together, exactly as they had practice. "That's a girl. Just breathe. And you wouldn't mess up. You have a wonderful voice.

"Only when I'm not nervous," Bernadetta mumbled.

"And that's the beauty of choirs. You blend in with everyone. Even if you miss a note or two, no one will notice."

"Really?"

Dorothea gave her a wink. "Really. I give you my word."

"I'll do it." Bernadetta stood up tall, as if pushing her bravery up and out of her chest. "I can explain everything to you after the rehearsal! And if it's also to help you out, I think I can do it! I… think…"

"Aw, thank you, Bernie!" Dorothea reached out and gave her friend a hug as big as she could manage. Bernadetta returned it with just as much, if not more, force, giggling all the while. "And if you get too nervous, how about I have some tea set up in a private room so you can go calm down. Does that sound alright?"

"That'd be great!" Bernadetta let go and stepped back, pulling her hands excitedly against her chest. "We can even have your favorite tea if you want. You like sweet apple tea, right?"

"You remembered! You really are the sweetest." Dorothea raised her gaze back towards the man she was prepared to strike down with a flaming rock. "And I'm sure we can have someone there to keep you from getting nervous."

Yuri stopped mid-sneak. A foot hung in the air as he carefully pulled himself up into a less incriminating posture. He pushed back his hair in an almost casual manner, and Dorothea had to resist to urge to blast him anyway.

"Now Yuri, Bernadetta's agreed to be in the choir, but unfortunately, I can't be with her all the time."

"Eep!" Bernadetta shrieked.

"I have my own solo parts to prepare for," Dorothea continued, "and I think it'd be easier for Bernadetta to adjust to the choir if there was someone she knew well she could turn to."

"And I assume that if I say 'no' you'll ensure I feel suitably guilty about it." Yuri pursed his lips in thought. "That is if you don't blast me with that meteor first.

"Read my mind. But it's no longer just about me, Yuri." Dorothea let the tension in the tone drop. "I really do want Bernadetta to be alright."

Yuri huffed. "Says the lady who tried to bring her into a choir of all things."

"Can you guys please stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Bernadetta pleaded.

Yuri gave Bernie a brief glance. "Blame Dorothea, not me. And if you think for one second I'll let you push me into a corner—"

"Yuri. Please don't start a fight." Bernie moved to stand in front of Yuri, and despite her much less threatening presence, Yuri actually seemed to listen to her. "Dorothea's my friend too, and if she needs me… I want to help her with this."

Yuri scanned Bernadetta's face. He was quiet, but his eyes spoke wonders. They looked through Bernie's face, circling through a range of emotions and thoughts. Dorothea could almost see a scale in his mind weighing the pros and cons, deciding whether or not to relent.

It took a few moments, and Dorothea was pretty sure Bernie was giving him the biggest eyes imaginable, but eventually, Yuri hung his head in defeat.

"Alright," he said, looking back up at Dorothea. "I'll do it. But if you give me a solo I can't promise I won't kill you afterwards."

Dorothea beamed at him. "Perfect! I'll go let the professor know. Rehearsal's at 7. Don't be late!"

And with that, she strutted away before Yuri could change his mind. Once she turned the corner, she pressed herself against the stable wall, leaning out just enough to listen in on what Yuri and Bernie said next.

"Are you really gonna tell her everything?" Yuri asked in a low voice.

"I have to. I promised!" Bernadetta replied.

Dorothea heard Yuri let out a long sigh. "Damn," he said. "Looks like I'm gonna get blasted with a meteor after all."

"I can't believe you managed it," Byleth said in a voice that was just a bit lighter than it normally was. For the professor, the tone conveyed nothing but awe.

The choir in front of their eyes had been arranged neatly by groups, with some standing on the ground while others stood on an elevated step. It was the official formation for the upcoming performance, and yet, Dorothea noticed a notable change in the distribution. In a traditional choir, the baritones and the mezzos would be separated by the tenors and altos. In this one, however, the top row of singers consisted of tenors, altos, and ended with the sopranos. The bottom row, in which the singers stood on the ground, held the bass singers, the baritones, and the mezzos.

And right at the edge that divided baritones and mezzos were two purple-haired singers looking over their sheet music. Yuri, who stubbornly refused to write any notes down, scanned the pages over and over again as he rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. Bernadetta, on the other hand, was taking copious notes with a traveling quill and ink set, using Yuri's back as a writing desk so that she wouldn't be in the way of anyone who needed to walk in front of her.

Dorothea admired the clever switch from the sidelines. "I wasn't too sure Bernie would agree, but as soon as she offered to join, it was pretty easy to get Yuri to follow."

"Ah, Professor! The choir looks splendid." Dorothea turned around at the sound of a booming voice. Much to her shock, though in hindsight it really shouldn't have been so surprising, it was Prince Dimitri himself. Clad in his usual fur cape, he marched through the cathedral with the confidence Dorothea had finally come to expect from the leader of the Faerghian army. At the sight of Byleth, his smile only grew.

"I hope it's enough," Byleth said, her eyes once again scanning the choir for any details that needed remedying.

"With you in charge, any amount of people is enough," the prince said. It was only then that he realized Dorothea was there. "Ah, Dorothea. It is good to see you."

She inclined her head towards him. "Likewise, Your Highness."

His eyes caught on something in the choir. "I see Yuri and Bernadetta are here. I'm surprised they've agreed to stay out in public for so long."

Dorothea smirked to herself, but it faltered as she looked over Bernadetta once more. Her foot had nudged her small bottle of ink, making some of its contents spill out onto the marble flooring. Yuri had noticed immediately, insisting to Bernie that it was alright and that no harm had been done, but Bernadetta had already curled into herself. He wrapped his cape around her to protect her from the view of the other singers, and it seemed to help somewhat.

As one of the priests graciously helped clean up the ink, Dorothea closed her eyes in relief. Thank the Goddess Yuri came, she thought. Without him, it surely would've taken us more time to calm her down.

Byleth thanked the priest as he exited the cathedral with a new ink-stained rag, and Dorothea sighed. "I worry I may have pushed Bernie too hard," the songstress said out loud. "She doesn't like being around many people, especially when she's so visible to others."

"She'll be alright," Dimitri said. With his towering height, Dorothea had to crane her neck to look up at him. He looked down at her with his one eye, full of a kindness that Dorothea knew hadn't been there a few moons ago. "I believe Bernadetta's stronger than we give her credit for. Sometimes she just needs a little push in the right direction."

"Speaking from experience?" The professor raised a single eyebrow at the prince.

That was new.

Dimitri seemed to pay it no mind. "Professor, no need to tease me in front of Dorothea."

As the professor and the prince began a new conversation, the songstress looked back at her friends in the choir. Bernie had completely calmed down, and had Dorothea not seen it with her own eyes, she would not have believed that Bernadetta was on the verge of panicking. She had stepped out of the shadow of Yuri's cape in order to look up at him and discuss something. She bounced up and down slightly as they talked, bouncing on the tips of her toes. Yuri looked down at her with a clear smirk on his face, one which only grew with each wisecrack that was undoubtedly spewing from his mouth. Each new line from him made Bernadetta bounce even higher with irritation, but Bernie was smiling. It started out small, yet as they talked more and more, her face slowly bloomed into a shining grin. The more Bernadetta smiled, the more relaxed Yuri's posture became. His arm hung loosely to the side, his free hand brushed back strands of hair, and his body began angling itself more towards Bernie and less towards the door any would-be assassins could come through.

"You know, Professor," Dorothea said, not caring that she had interrupted Byleth's conversation with the future king. "If you need employment after the way, I truly do think you could be Fódlan's greatest matchmaker."

"Perhaps in another lifetime," Byleth said, but even so, she gave Dorothea a quiet smile. Dimitri looked confused at their exchange, but the professor ignored his looks in favor of walking towards the choir. She clapped her hands once and said: "Let's do one go of the whole piece. From the beginning, everyone."

A murmur spread throughout the singers as everyone quickly shuffled into position. Yuri and Bernadetta stopped their conversation and groaned, but nonetheless got into place. Still, they each remained at the edge of their respective sections, standing tall next to each other as they prepared to sing.

They were so close their hands were almost touching.

And with that, Dorothea strode her way to her spot in the center of the choir, making sure to turn around before Yuri or Bernadetta could catch the blazing smile on her face.

She always knew those two were a good match for each other. It was only a matter of time before they realized it for themselves.