Stay With Me
Byleth wasn't sure how it happened.
They had met in Seteth's office, late in the evening, to review plans for the upcoming battle. Byleth had been missing for five years yet almost immediately upon her return to humanity, she was thrust into leading an army against Edelgard. Spies had informed them that she would be attacking soon. They didn't have much time at all.
But they did have time for this.
As she melted into him, she tried to recount the last few moments leading up to this fateful encounter. He had asked if there was anything he could do to help, to prepare her. It felt like he could tell she was scared.
And maybe he was scared as well.
"A hug" she had said. Seteth hadn't hesitated. He embraced her without question or second thought. She was grateful for it. He was always very intuitive and helpful. Never shy, but mostly restrained.
She sighed. "I haven't felt this way in a long time."
"What do you mean?" The low rumble from his chest and his rapidly beating heart made her smile, but she hesitated to answer. After missing so much time and being reunited with everyone, she felt uninhibited. Like there wasn't enough time. She didn't want to waste a single second in case she fell again and disappeared for another five years. As the anxiety built inside her, she hugged him tighter.
"Warm and safe. Like this war, this upcoming battle, the entire world doesn't exist."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. She always did like the way he laughed.
"You are our only hope, truly. So if there is anything I can do to support you, to help you, I will do it. Even if it is a simple hug."
She felt his hand smooth her hair and then abruptly stop, as if he hadn't meant to do it, or didn't realize he had.
Byleth slowly pulled away, reluctant to leave the sanctuary of his arms. "Thank you," she uttered softly. When she looked up into his eyes, she had to avert her gaze as a very warm blush pooled in her cheeks. "I should go."
She couldn't leave though. Seteth had grabbed her gently by her arms. Byleth swallowed and slowly looked back up at him.
"Don't go. Not yet at least."
Her mouth ran dry. "I...Seteth. What?"
In an instant, he let go of her and took several steps back. "I am so sorry." He crossed one arm to hold the elbow of the other as he raised a hand to his face. It was a pose Byleth knew well. He did it often, especially deep in thought or when she complimented him at tea time. And just like at tea time, he seemed to be hiding a blush and avoiding her gaze.
"I don't presume to be so forward," he continued. "But with this upcoming battle, I would be remiss if I did not tell you now."
"Tell me what?"
The breath was knocked from her lungs as he looked back at her. The way his eyes shone and his cheeks flushed — had he ever looked at her like that before?
Dropping both arms, he took a cautious step towards her. His hands, though, seemed discontent to hang by his side, wanting to reach for her, an ache she could see. Palpable, in a way. Or maybe that was her own ache she felt.
"I have grown to care a great deal for you. I will not be fighting just for Fodlan on that battlefield, but I will be fighting for you as well."
At a loss for words, Byleth could only stare in response, eyes wide and lips parted in surprise.
He took another step towards her. "I do not expect you to reciprocate. But...I needed you to know that. That while everyone expects you to fight for Fodlan, you should know at least one person will be fighting for you."
At that moment, the distance between them felt far too great. It felt wrong. He wasn't even an arm's length away but the space between them was yawning. She struggled to take that final step. Surely she wasn't reading the situation wrong. Surely he wouldn't mind if she just…
Almost of its own accord, her hand reached up and touched his cheek. His expression now matched hers, eyes wide and lips parted in surprise. Did he really think she had no feelings for him? That she wouldn't want to reciprocate his honesty and affection?
She was never good with words or emotions, especially now. These were uncharted waters for her. She could only hope that the way her eyes pleaded with his would tell him everything she wanted to say and would be everything he hoped to hear.
It was.
There was no longer a need for either one to speak as his lips met hers. Soft and warm with that hint of Four Spice Blend that she imagined would be there. It wasn't just a single kiss either. It was a second and then a third with shy smiles in between. And then a fourth followed by a shared, quiet, happy laugh.
A tingle ran along her spine as his hand moved up into her hair. His lips trailed away from hers to her cheek and then up by her temple before finally kissing just above her bangs.
An arm wrapped around her as she allowed herself to melt into him once again as he hummed along her hairline. Her hands clung to the back of his robes, never wanting to let go, desperately wanting to bask in his strong, warm embrace for eternity.
"Byleth…"
His breath tickled her scalp as he spoke. It caused her to shiver and hug him tighter. "Yes?" she mumbled into his chest.
"Don't go."
She pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes and kiss him on the lips once more. "I'm not going anywhere this time. I promise."
Author's Note: I wanted to post something for Byleth's birthday. It's not her birthday in this fic but whatever. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BYLETH. GET THEM HUGS AND KISSES.