For three whole days after the battle, the rain refused to cease. It was as if the skies wept for all who had lost their lives after the siege. It had been the greatest loss of life since the war began, and it had sent ripples through the entire army. Even so, a victory was a victory – even if many had come to call it a draw.
Byleth stood on the terrace of her quarters, her hands resting on the white stone balcony as she gazed out over the evening gloom. Her clothes no longer offered protection from the elements, feeling the dampness sink to her skin. Her bright green hair saturated; stuck flatly to her face and neck. But it did not bother her, in fact, it even made her feel better. She heard the rumbling breaths of Hector behind her. The wyvern had been watching over her for a while now. He sat noiselessly atop the roof, like a gargoyle – the only thing making him seem animate was the rise and fall of his chest, and the plumes of mist escaping his maw as he breathed. His scales shimmered with the rain, glinting in the low light.
She had been in recovery for the last couple of days, sleeping it off whilst everyone was doing their damnedest to rebuild and plan for the next phase of the war. She was told that Hubert had been by her side as much as possible whilst she was unconscious, but his duties had pulled him away more times than not. Her thoughts wandered back to Seteth and Flayn, knowing that she wouldn't see them again hurt, but not knowing if Flayn had survived cut deeper. But not just them. She had also heard that both Shamir and Alois had fought on the opposing side, losing their lives in the process. Her fingernails scraped upon the stone as they clenched into fists.
There was a curt knock at her door, but she ignored it, preferring to be alone with her thoughts for the time being. It wasn't until she heard the door open that she took notice, damn, I must have forgotten to lock it. She turned to find Hubert scanning the room for her, his arms crossed, and brow knitted.
"Looking for me?" she called, shifting her stance so she was visible by the balcony door.
"What are you doing standing in the rain? Did you happen to hit your head as well?" he scolded, walking over, but his face fell to concern when he noticed just how drenched she was. Without a word he unlatched his cape, draping it over her head. Hector let out a low growl, shifting his reptilian stance upon the roof tiles before spreading his wings, taking off into the night's sky.
"He's been watching over me all evening," she said beneath the cloak, smiling gently as the Wyvern flew down from the keep and into the gloom.
"That's because I asked him to. It's a wonder what he will do if you appease to his stomach," he replied, pleased with himself. "Dare I ask what you're doing out here?"
"Just thinking things through. The rain felt refreshing, I found it hard to leave."
"Hmph, you know how best to make me worry. You should get inside. Relieved that I am to see you've regained some strength, it would be a shame if you were to catch a cold," he replied dimly as he pulled an arm to her side to guide her through the doors.
"Are you going to stay for a while? I feel we've hardly managed two words to each other since the battle."
"I could stay for a while if that's what you want. Unfortunately, my spare time is fleeting at the moment," he replied sombrely, taking off his sodden jacket. He walked over to the fireplace, lighting it with a quick flick of his wrist.
His small, confident movements and gestures moved her. Done without thought, but entirely with her best interest at heart. She found herself relaxing completely in his company, a feeling of safety and warmth.
"Any word from your scouts?" she asked, taking off his cape and placing it over the back of the sofa.
He pulled a hand through his wet hair, droplets falling down his face. "No. It seems they fled further than we could take chase. I've called my forces back and ceased any further investigation on the matter."
She hugged him and he returned the gesture, pulling her closer into him. "Thank you. You went against Edelgard, even keeping this behind her back. Showing the enemy mercy because you knew how it would have affected me if they had…" her voice trailed, "I only hope that she's alive."
"It's not the first time I've kept things from her majesty. Besides, that girl is a lot more resilient than you give her credit for. We both suspect they are not as they appear. Her wounds were perhaps fatal for a normal person. But, given our theory, that is not the case for inhuman creatures with lifespans well beyond our own."
"You're right," She replied, comforted by that fact. After witnessing Rhea turning into a dragon, they had their theories on how Falyn and Seteth were involved. No presume they were related to Rhea was not hard to fathom. Perhaps their true nature would be revealed in time. She brought a hand up to her chest, feeling the dull ache of her wound. "Perhaps that is why I survived this."
"Not only did you survive, but you managed to parry Seteth's attack whilst completely spent. But yes, that is our theory. Like them, you also share power with the goddess. I'm thankful you managed to maintain your humanity until the end… Though it begs the question on whether your lifespan has also been extended."
She pulled away from the sadness, smiling through her words. "Scared you will grow old before me?"
"I desire to look to the positives… Having an eternally youthful wife doesn't seem to have its downsides."
She pushed him back a little so she could see his face. "I haven't given you my answer yet. Perhaps I'm keeping my options open," she teased.
"Do believe me when I say, if another so much as dares to take you from me, I will rend the still-living flesh from their bones." He pulled her close as he said it, speaking fervently as if planning the act in his mind.
"I never took you for the jealous type," she said craftily as she raked her teeth gently on the base of his neck. Judging by the way his body reacted, it was clear it had sent a shiver down his spine.
"You shouldn't do such things; I may not be able to control myself," he whispered intensely.
"Well… We do need to get out of these wet clothes."
"Why must you torture me so?" He bit her neck softly in return.
It stunned her into an unexpected silence.
She felt that beautiful wholeness now they were together again as if they resonated on the same level. She placed a hand up behind his neck, pulling him into a kiss. It was long and impassioned like they finally understood each other. They broke off and she leant her wet cheek against his.
"Stay with me, for tonight," she insisted.
"You're certain that's what you want?"
"Yes."
The light of dawn pillared through the open doors of the balcony, casting warm light upon the room. Byleth stirred, finding her back to his chest, wrapped comfortably in his arms. She smiled, trying to wiggle free, but he merely squeezed his arms tighter around her.
"Not yet. Let us stay like this for a short while longer," he whispered.
"If you insist," she smiled sleepily, shuffling backwards to burrow deeper into his embrace. She brought up a hand to feed her fingertips through his hair, his throat rumbling at her touch. "Do you not have places to be?" she asked.
"Indeed, though it can't hurt to be delayed for once."
"Hubert," she teased, "that's not something I expected you to say."
He huffed a laugh. "I'm permitted to self-indulge from time to time – so long as you keep this between us."
She giggled, shuffling around under the sheets to face him. His messy hair and sleepy face sent a satisfied buzz down her spine. She tucked her head under his chin, wanting to be as close as possible. "Thank you for staying," she mumbled.
"This wasn't something I intended to do before marriage. I must admit, you do seem to have a certain… power over me," he replied as he kissed her hair.
"Hm. About that proposal…" she said wistfully.
He pulled her head from his chest, face flustered. "Yes?"
"I'm still thinking on it," she replied with a wicked smile.
"Must you torment me?" He said broodily, a scowl returning to his face. He growled, flipping her over onto her back, burying his face in her neck. She squealed quietly with delight, rummaging her fingers through his hair.
There was a loud knocking on her door. They both stopped in shock, eyes glued to the rude interruption.
"Professor? Are you in there?" Edelgard called, her voice muffled through the walls.
"You haven't seen me," Hubert whispered with a warning.
Byleth scoffed to herself, wrapping one of the sheets around her as she headed to the door. She could hear him hurriedly getting dressed behind her, muttering furiously to himself. She opened the door a crack, trying to contain her amusement.
"El," she greeted, keeping her makeshift gown up with one hand. "What can I do for you?"
Edelgard's eyes widened a little at her teachers' attire, averting her eyes as a small blush bloomed on her cheeks. "I'm so sorry for interrupting your recovery. I know you need your rest." She composed herself and stood straight. "I was wondering if you had seen Hubert. We had a meeting and he hasn't shown up yet. I know he visited you last night, I was wondering if he mentioned where he was going afterwards?"
Byleth leaned back to look at him. Hubert had managed to put on some pants and was buttoning his shirt.
He paused, giving her a deathly stare.
Byleth narrowed her eyes mercilessly in return.
"Oh, he's here actually," she replied, enjoying the view before turning back to the Empress. "Just give him a moment to put his clothes back on."
"Oh!" Edelgard took a step back, her face burning. "I am so sorry for interrupting!" She turned to walk off, holding her face in her hands. "Please, don't let me keep you – he can join me when he's ready."
Byleth bid her farewell, giggling gleefully as she closed the door.
Hubert glared at her with the force of a thousand suns.
"I am so sorry, I couldn't help myself." She laughed, unable to contain herself. "You should have seen her face! So red."
He held his face in one hand, shaking with fury. "You do realise…. How awkward this meeting will be now?"
She wandered over to him. "I can come with you if you like."
"Absolutely not," he replied before swooping her up into his arms bridal style, dropping her upon the bed. "You need to rest."
"You weren't saying that last night," she replied mischievously, turning on her side to watch him potter about the room.
"Hmph. Infernal woman," he muttered to himself, failing to hide his affections.
