Request from Sparks101
"What a drag." Sylvain sighed, poking his head out from around a vase to survey his surroundings
"I don't get why you cant find one girl you really want to settle down with." Ashe shrugged, inspecting the leaves of the plants around him
"Oh Ashe, ye who know little of love should not lead in it." He chuckled, tossing his head from side to side "Unless of course you've found yourself smitten?"
He meant the comment to be harmless but color hastened to his cheeks "Th-there is perhaps, but she is popular I'm not sure I could ever grab her attention. We are in opposite positions, you and I."
"And what makes you think I don't ache for her as well." Sylvain snapped, he cleared his throat sheepishly
Ashes face burned brighter, meeting Sylvains eyes "W-who do you mean?"
Sylvain laughed bitterly and shook his head "You're right, she is popular but we train together, work together. I see you looking at her all the time like she's a princess from your stories."
Ashe frowned his hand wresting to a fist "And what would you know about it? You just want to juggle her heart like every other girl. She is a princess, she is kind and patient, virtues lost on you."
"She is a general. A mercenary. Someone who grew up away from the world around us! She is tenacious and barbed, not some soft child in need of protecting!" He was yelling now, deaf to his own emotions
"You're… right. She's different than anyone I've ever known. Is it took much to hope that one day the hero of the story might smile for someone like me?" Ashe sighed heavily shaking his head solemnly
"No I… I'm sorry. Girl troubles got me all wound up." Sylvain offered the shorter man an apologetic smile
"I'm sorry too, I didn't realise that's how you saw her."
"Me either." He chuckled slightly, reminded of her new features "I think we're all on edge after she changed, I'm still just glad she's alive."
Sylvain took the long route around to his quarters, kicking rocks along the path. He missed the old Byleth. He missed the stunning woman who was just that, but brilliant the closer you got to her. Byleths new appearance reflected on the outside the way she shine, her now light hair and eyes were staggering. She already had a nasty habit of looking directly into his soul but now her eyes left him feeling as if he was drowning, struggling for composure
Byleth before had been stunning but held a quiet grace that muted her charm but now she shine like a beacon, attracting the gaze of the young men around her. It frustrated him, he didn't like knowing she was sought after like sport but he could not bring himself to discuss such matters with her
The moment her deep eyes met his he found himself reciting poetry, to himself or in a sudden urge to relay his emotions to her. He had hoped for a long time to find a woman understanding his split affections but now found himself frustrated at the sheer amount of suitors vying for her attention
'What is going on with me today?' he sighed, shaking his head again as he crossed his threshold