Even after spending most of the day on the travel necessary, it still didn't feel entirely real.
Byleth kept looking over at Dorothea, as though eventually it would confirm her fears that this wasn't really happening, that it was just a dream that had ensnared her. But instead, each time she saw her girlfriend, physical and present and real.
"Darling, are you that enchanted by me?" Dorothea taunted, eyes (mostly) focused on the road. "While I can't say I mind, please restrain your hands from wandering. I'd hate for you to have come all this way, only to see your adoration cause a car crash."
The comment hit Byleth hard, mostly because there was a kernel of truth to it. Her hands were...curious. Exploratory, even. "I'm going to tell Edie that you were mean to me," Byleth said, a pout on her lips and a blush on her cheeks.
The reply earned a giggle from Dorothea as she weaved through traffic, getting over to an off ramp to leave the highway they'd been taking. "Oh really? The first words you say to our girlfriend, upon surprising her with your visit and making her heart swell with joy, will be to tell her that I teased you?" The lilt to her words, almost musical, was doing a number on Byleth.
Even when she was teasing Byleth, Dorothea knew how to make the teacher swoon. Or perhaps, especially when she was teasing.
Looking out the window as they entered the city streets proper, Byleth could see the summer sun had properly set, though the car's AC still had to be turned up to max strength. Cities like Enbarr soaked up the sun during the day, so that even once night fell the pavement could burn bare feet, or so Dorothea told her.
Byleth grinned. She'd heard so much about this city, and now she could experience it herself. Without the foot burning part, hopefully. "You've still got the stream planned for tonight?" she asked, eyes still on the buildings they passed, architecture imposing and blocky.
"Yes," Dorothea said, regret bleeding into her tone. "I'm sorry, but it's what they pay me for. Are you sure you'll be okay? Edie has told me I sometimes get loud enough to be heard outside the office, even with the soundproofing, and I'd hate to make you feel uncomfortable."
The idea of just what kinds of sounds she might be able to hear got Byleth's blood pumping, and she truthfully shook her head. "What's there to be jealous about? They're watching you, and I'm...I'm here." Feeling a little bold, she continued on. "Besides, I can always get you to repeat the sounds later, can't I?"
Dorothea pulled up to the apartment complex Byleth had seen in pictures, her smile growing by scant centimeters. Still, they had to hustle. Dorothea's stream was scheduled soon, and they had to get Byleth's luggage up to the sixth floor with enough time for Dorothea to do her pre-stream appearance check and get everything set up correctly.
It went smoothly enough, though the elevator took its time getting down to them, and soon they were outside the door, Dorothea unlocking it with her key. Giving Byleth a quick kiss on the cheek, she told her, "I need to focus on getting ready, but I love you so much and I can't wait to spend more time with you later."
Both of them were tearing up, but Byleth let Dorothea go with a return smooch, watching her hurry off with a sigh. Rolling her luggage behind her, Byleth took off her shoes and put them on the shoe tree by the door, before exploring the home a little.
It was not a particularly large apartment. A two bedroom one bath, it used the second bedroom as an office. The living room was small enough to feel cramped with just a loveseat, small coffee table, and a TV on a stand, and going through it to the kitchen revealed a food preparation space that was narrow enough to require squeezing past others to get by. In fact, Byleth was fairly sure her one-bedroom apartment in Garreg Mach had a larger square footage.
Considering the city, it was also cheaper than the Enbarr abode. If she moved here, moved in with her girlfriends, Byleth wasn't sure if she could share this tiny place with two people. Apartment hunting might be a requirement.
Deciding quickly not to invade the bedroom without the presence of one of its residents by her side, Byleth set her luggage next to the tiny couch and sat down. Part of her wanted to prepare for Edelgard, maybe shave her face or reapply some deodorant, but she was exhausted. She had time to rest first, right?
Byleth got out her phone, and to her surprise, she had been sent a message, and not who would have expected.
bernie: Hi DM I know you're sick today and probably resting but I have a question and I really was hoping you could answer it
When you have the time
*If you have the time
If you don't that's okay
Sorry for reaching out
Sorry
Sorry
Professor Smartypants: bernie
bernie
you don't have to apologize
happy to answer any questions you have
also you can call me by my name we're friends
bernie: That's true...
I just thought because it was game related I should call you that
And are you sure?
Thea said you were feeling awful
Professor Smartypants: she...might have exaggerated
or lied
yeah no that was a lie
i'm visiting thea and edie for edie's b-day
but we wanted to keep it a surprise so thea came up with the whole sick day idea
bernie: Oh wow
That's
Gosh
That's so romantic
*hearteyes emoji*
Um um
Can you
Maybe
Give Thea a kiss from me?
On the cheek!
Specifically
If you're okay doing that
Professor Smartypants: why would i turn down a reason to kiss thea?
for sure gonna do that for you bernie
so what's the question?
bernie: Well, I was thinking about Lapis
Professor Smartypants: as usual
bernie: ...
Um, yeah
But so, we're going to be heading to the country she's from kind of soon, right?
Professor Smartypants: if that's what you all decide to do
yeah
it is looking that way
bernie: We're going to be getting into her backstory then?
If so, wanted to go over it with you again
Double check we're on the same page
Not that I'm saying you're sloppy, I know you aren't
I've just had other DM's kind of fumble with NPC's related to my characters before
Professor Smartypants: completely understand
how about tomorrow we go over that
i'll set up a time when i have a better idea of the schedule for the day
plus i can go over what you've sent me again
bernie: Thank you thank you thank you
You're the best
Well, um
Except for Edie
Don't tell her I said you're better
Please
Professor Smartypants: i won't
bernie: Thank you again
Pulling out her laptop from her bag, Byleth pulled up her notes on Lapis and used the search function to find where she and Bernadetta had first started working on the character, back in their message history.
She started to compare them, making sure her notes seemed to at the very least be accurate compared to what her player had told her, when the sound of a key turning in a lock startled her.
Byleth realized she'd lost track of the time. It was her!
The door swung open, and someone spoke with a voice that made Byleth's heart skip a beat. "Whose shoes are those? Did Dorothea bring a visitor home without telling me?"
It was so hard for Byleth not to laugh or shout out for joy. She'd heard that Edelgard frequently pondered to herself out loud, in fact she'd experienced it over voice calls, but it was something else to overhear it without her knowing. "Oh, those are mine!" Byleth said, standing up with a stretch and walking over to the apartment entrance.
Edelgard was speechless. Her soft lavender eyes were wide with astonishment, and her mouth was agape. She'd worn her long silver hair down for work, forming a curtain that obscured whatever was behind her. It matched well with her suit, perfectly tailored for her, gloves covering her hands and a simple choker around her throat.
If Dorothea was beauty incarnate, then Byleth's other girlfriend was the personification of elegance. There was a precision to her refinement, a sense that she didn't even do anything without giving it proper consideration.
Compared to her, Byleth couldn't help feeling a little shabby. Her clothing casual, her face scratchy, her armpits damp with sweat after a full day of travel.
"Well, I suppose I can't be upset at her this time." The small smile Edelgard gave Byleth in that moment was worth more than a million beaming grins from others. It was personal, and private, and just for Byleth. Edelgard wasn't crying, but her eyes were watery. "May I ask what is the occasion for your miraculous appearance?"
"Not a miracle," Byleth told her, holding up a finger. "Just a birthday present. I'm here for a full week. At least, if you can stand having me here that lo-" The sentence was cut off as Edelgard rushed over and wrapped her arms tightly around the professor, holding on for dear life. "Oh. So it's a hugging day, then?" That was the kind of thing one had to check in with Edelgard about.
"Mmm," Edelgard nodded slightly as she almost purred with contentment, seemingly ecstatic to have someone she loved that close. "At least a little. I'll let you know if I get overwhelmed, and... I don't think I'm able to do more than that. Not tonight."
It was hard not to feel a little disappointed by that, but Byleth respected Edelgard's boundaries. After what she had been through, it made sense that touch was something she could react poorly to, even from those she cared for deeply. "That's okay. Being here is enough."
Pulling out of the hug, Edelgard looked a little overwhelmed, but didn't object to Byleth taking her by the hand and leading her to the loveseat, where they could both sit down. The instructor felt Edelgard rest her head on her shoulder, but otherwise sat just far enough away that they weren't touching each other. "It is rather spectacular." They sat like that, no need for words, enjoying each other's company, until Edelgard spoke up again. "You don't have to abstain entirely, of course. I know Dorothea wants her hands on you."
"That...would be good," Byleth said, mouth dry as the understatement left her lips. "But isn't your birthday soon? You should probably be getting the bulk of her attention." She didn't like the idea of hogging Dorothea.
"Don't worry," Edelgard assured her, "It's a gift for me as well. Watching can be quite fun on its own."
"Oh."