Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem Three Houses, all rights to the owners.

Flayn this time. Shorter than the Mercedes chapter though.

"Fists up in front of your face." Byleth instructs. "Dominant foot forward."

The short girl in front of him does so slowly, needing to glance down to make sure she's doing it right. Her lack of physical training is obvious. That's part of the point of this training though: to show her some moves that can be used even when you lack strength (and to get her building that strength).

"Make sure your thumbs are on the outside of your fists." The man says. "If they're inside, you're likely to injure your thumbs when you punch."

The girl had indeed been doing that, and adjusts accordingly.

"There's a trick to punching." Byleth continues. "Several actually, but this is one of the most important. You are not punching at your target, you are punching at a space behind them. For example…" He walks up to the dummy, and punches it so that he's just barely meeting it with knuckles. It barely makes an impact despite his strength. "That did nothing, right? But if I do this.." He takes a half-step closer and repeats the same punch. His fist meets the rough cloth when his arm is still somewhat bent and the momentum and remaining power behind his fist as he fully extends it leaves a visible dent in the cloth and makes the dummy rock in place from the force. "You can't get too close or you won't be able to even start the punch, but too far and you won't have enough force behind it. There's a sweet spot. You'll discover naturally how close you need to be."

"Understood Professor!"

"Good." The man stoops down and grabs a pillow from the ground, squats down in front of her, and holds it up in front of his chest. "Now, aim for this. Find that sweet spot. You'll see what I mean."

The girl does so. Her punches are awkward and poorly aimed, as expected of someone who's never practiced brawling before. Still, she finds that sweet spot after a minute. Her hits aren't strong, but understanding that one core principle adds a bit of extra power that she would otherwise not have, which is the entire point of the principle.

Byleth nods his approval, even though the girl is clearly out of breath after only a minute or two. "Well done, take a break for a second as I explain more." He stands up straight again as the girl's shoulders droop. She's going to ache tomorrow probably. "With your current strength, trying to hit anyone probably won't do much if you're not aiming for the right part. These targets are usually considered 'fighting dirty' by others, and you wouldn't be able to use them in tournaments, but in a real fight they can be invaluable."

He uses a hand to indicate his eyes, his neck, the side of his stomach, then gestures to his groin for just a second. "Eyes, throat, kidney, groin. Use a gouge, two fingers, if you're going for the eyes, otherwise even a weak punch or kick will cause some pain if you hit these parts. Especially the groin."

His eyes bore into his student. She looks back at him and tilts her head in confusion. "Why do you stare Professor?"

"I have been informed…" Byleth says slowly, "that you are considered 'cute' by others, so you may have need to defend yourself if someone takes an inappropriate interest. I suggest you go for the groin in such cases, it is generally the most effective without causing permanent damage."

A smile crosses Flayn's face. "You have a strange way of giving compliments Professor."

The man blinks owlishly, signalling that was very much not his intent. "I did not do such a thing. I said others see you as cute."

The small girl gasps in pretend offence and brings a hand up in front of her chest. "And you do not?"

"No comment." Byleth replies with a blank expression. "I have been told that people who compliment you tend to get extra chores."

"Brother…" Flayn scowls. "First I could not be approached, and now I cannot be complimented?" She looks at the teacher in determination. "You must help me Professor! This cannot stand! At this rate, I will be all but ignored by others at my brother's insistence!"

"That is bad?" Byleth asks.

"Yes!" The girl nods. "I am not a ghost Professor! Nor a ninja!"

"You could be a ninja."

"But I am not!" Flayn insists. "I wish to be seen, and wish to talk with people, and wish to be complimented!"

"You want compliments? You are..." Byleth searches for the word. "An 'attention whore'? Like Sylvain?"

Her cheeks puff out in a pout. "I am not that desperate Professor, I simply wish to be acknowledged!"

"Understood."

"...and some compliments. Who does not like compliments?" She adds cheekily.

"Jeritza."

Flayn opens her mouth to refute, pauses, then nods. "Perhaps you are correct, but that is a special case… and Professor?"

"Yes?"

"Perhaps do not let others hear you accusing me of being an 'attention whore'. That is quite a rude term."

"Ah." Byleth blinks. "Understood, my apologies."

"So, will you help me Professor?" Flayn presses. "I cannot allow my brother to restrain me so!"

"How would I help?"

"By ignoring his orders pertaining to me! You have never cared much for them before anyhow."

Byleth considers this, then nods. "Alright."

"Good!" Flayn smiles widely. "Then you can admit I am cute, yes?"

Byleth knows he's not very good at understanding how social situations work, but… "did you go through all that just so I would compliment you?"

"Why Professor, do you think someone as innocent as me would do such a thing?" She gasps.

"Yes." He responds bluntly.

"But you will do so anyways, won't you?" Flayn asks cheekily. "Because you are quite fond of me, no?"

Byleth stares hard at her, then nods. "Yes, I suppose I am." He kneels down in front of her, reaches out a hand, and ruffles her hair. "You are cute."

"Thank-"

"-and sweet, and kind, and friendly…" He continues, bringing up the other hand to move her hair drills out of the way of her face. "...and I am happy to teach you."

"Th-Thank you Professor." Flayn stammers, now blushing profusely. "When did you become so smooth?"

"Smooth?" He frowns. "You said you wanted compliments. Was I wrong to give them?"

"No, no!" Flayn says hastily, smiling, and bows to him. "Truly, thank you Professor."

###

"Professor, you are staring."

"I always do that."

"Yes, but it is particularly noticeable today."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you are staring at me."

"I've done that before."

"Indeed, but… usually you are not so close."

"I see."

"Why are you staring at me anyways Professor?"

"Your hair."

"Pardon?"

"Your hair. It looks… complicated."

"Not so! It is naturally curly, I simply guide it into the proper shape." Flayn explains. "I simply divide my hair in half, then half again, and wrap two quarters around each other on either side after taking a bath. A bit of gel does the rest. 'Tis quite easy, if a bit time-consuming."

"I see." Byleth nods. "You could hide a vial of poison in there quite well…"

Flayn pauses and glances at him. "I feel as if I am missing a joke."

"I tell the same thing to Marshmallow often."

"Ah, I see." The girl giggles. "You have a preference for a large head of hair."

Byleth tilts his head. "I do?"

"It would seem so." Flayn smiles. She strokes her hair for a moment. "I have quite a bit, as does Mercedes. Petra as well. It would seem you have a type Professor."

"A type?"

"A preference."

"That would be unprofessional of me."

"Professor, everyone is aware of your preference for Mercedes." Flayn chuckles. "You lie."

Byleth doesn't comment. His expression, subtle as it is, could be considered a pout.

"Oh, don't act so, Professor." Flayn giggles. "No one minds, except maybe my brother."

###

"I'm surprised at you Seteth." Rhea chuckles. "I did not think you would allow such a thing, especially from your sister."

The man lets out a long-suffering sigh as he gazes at the fishing dock. A small dinghy is out on the water, holding two people within. "I have given up trying to talk sense into the Professor… and yet, of all people, I think I have the least to fear from him."

Rhea smiles and doesn't comment further. Seteth phases this like he had a revelation, but the woman is fairly sure he's just resigned at this point.

The dinghy really isn't meant for more than one person. Flayn is sitting in Byleth's lap, holding his sharpened fishing stick while the man instructs her and keeps the small boat steady. They have a small bucket of bait sitting to their left, and a larger bucket for fish on their right.

At least the Professor has his shirt on this time, because he's not actually going in the water.

"I heard a rumor that the Professor has started teaching Flayn hand-to-hand, is that true?"

"Indeed." Seteth nods. "I approved of it. It is good for Flayn to learn to defend herself, though I dearly hope such skills will never be necessary."

"Of course." Rhea nods. "Incidentally… Flayn has approached me about being allowed to join the Professor's class, has she mentioned it to you Seteth?"

"Indeed…" The man frowns. "As much as I may have accepted that the Professor helps her, I am not comfortable with Flayn being around other students. The students are at the stage in life where they can be… easily swayed by sinful thoughts, and I do not with Flayn targeted for such thoughts or corrupted by their influence."

The archbishop nods sympathetically. "I understand your fears, but it is important for a young girl to socialize as well, is it not?"

"Yes." Seteth grimaces. "I do not enjoy my decision, but I must place her safety first."

"Surely the Professor would be adequate protection though, yes? And while there are indeed some students who are… less than perfect, there are many more who would eagerly protect Flayn."

The man appears pained. "I am aware, but…"

Rhea shakes her head. "I mean not to pressure you. 'Tis your choice."

From down on the lake there's a loud shout. Flayn nearly falls out of the boat as she struggles to pull up the stick from something she stabbed it into. Byleth's reactions are quick though, and he wraps one arm around her chest to anchor her and grabs the stick with the other and helps her pull it up. The teutates pike on the end of the spike is certainly a large catch, too large for the bucket in fact.

Seteth has a vague feeling he knows what is going to be served at dinner today.

###

"Professor."

"Yes?"

"Need I remind you that I am a person and not a training weight… or a backpack."

"I know."

"Then why are you climbing the cathedral with me on your back? You said you were taking me to a nice view."

"I am. It's on the cathedral."

"On top of the cathedral?" Flayn gasps. "I thought you meant a high room!"

"Nope."

"Are you sure this is safe?"

"Yes. I have had lunch here before with Marshmallow."

"Ahh…" Flayn smiles. "I see. Of course you would show Mercedes first."

"I don't know what you mean."

"That's fine Professor. I'm sure you'll realize it eventually."

"That sounds patronizing."

"It is I suppose." Flayn agrees. "How about this? If you do not figure it out by the end of the year, I will tell you what I mean."

"Or you could tell me now." Byleth retorts.

"I could." Flayn nods. "But, better for you to figure it out yourself if possible, yes? I have given you clues enough to work with."

Byleth frowns. He doesn't continue the argument though, and instead lets Flayn off his back onto the flat surface of the roof. The orange and red hues of the sunset make for a nice view indeed. Flayn doesn't even mind the panic attack Seteth is going to have when he hears she came up here.

Perhaps it would be a good idea not to mention he took Mercedes up here either, then he'd get scolded for bringing a student into to 'potential danger' as well.

Some Flayn focus. I've noted all the frequent secondary characters tend to be female for some reason. Mercedes, Flayn, Petra, Bernadetta… I think my bias is showing. I might need to make a conscious effort to change that, because I am really not giving the male characters any credit.