A bell chime at the front door alerted Byleth to a customer, though as he was checking inventory in the back, he couldn't tell who it was. "Welcome to Eisner Tackle n' More. Shopping in or picking up?"

"Take a guess," a familiar voice answered, and Byleth poked his head out to confirm his suspicions. A slightly aged face with dark green hair greeted him with a friendly wave. "Hello, Byleth."

"Uncle Seteth!" Byleth walked past the counter and gave his relative a quick hug. "It's been forever. How are you?"

"It has indeed been a while," Seteth nodded cordially, tone level and professional as it always was. "I am fine, mostly. Work keeps me plenty busy, but such is life."

Byleth could imagine. He noticed his uncle had come alone. "Flayn not with you today?"

"She's occupied. I just dropped her off at her lessons, actually. She is doing piano now, if you can believe it."

Already? It didn't feel very long ago that Byleth had been babysitting her as a toddler. Kids grew up fast. "Sounds like she's already got more talent than me as a pre-teen."

"I would be inclined to agree," Seteth ribbed. The two shared a quick laugh, before Byleth got down to business. "So, what brings you by the shop today?"

"Picking up," Seteth answered. "I ordered some dry flies and a few feet of leader and tippet recently."

Byleth turned toward a nearby computer, tapping a few times on the keyboard to bring up the recent orders tab. "Yeah, I see it. I'll go get your stuff." One quick trip to the back later, and Byleth returned with Seteth's order in tow. "Here you go."

"Thank you." Seteth admired his purchase, turning a fly in his hand. Byleth figured he'd ask about his uncle's new get. "Didn't know you were fly fishing again. Trying to get back into it?"

"I recently came to the decision that it was time for a change," Seteth shrugged. "I've been experiencing a bit of a cold streak with regards to my recent angling endeavors. It has been some time since I've gone fly fishing, and I figured it might have been nice to deviate from my normal routine."

"Well, you've got a good eye for new stuff," Byleth nodded toward the fly. "The new caddisflies we recently got have been doing wonders for my dad. He's been killing it in his last few trips, from what he's told me. Practically swears by them now.

"Does he now?" Seteth hummed. "And are you of a similar opinion?"

"Sure. Haven't failed me yet, at least."

"Then that is good to hear," Seteth smiled. "How is your family, by the way? Are Jeralt and Sitri well?"

"Same as they always are," Byleth answered. "Dad runs the shop, mom works from home, you know the deal. They're off on an anniversary trip right now—figured I'd try my hand at running the shop solo while they were gone, as practice."

"For when you eventually take over," Seteth guessed. Byleth nodded, and the older man continued. "Well, seeing as the building has yet to be burned to the ground, I'd say you've done an admirable job thus far."

"I try my best," Byleth shrugged.

"And your sister? How is she?"

"She's... good," Byleth faltered slightly. Truthfully, he hadn't seen her around much recently. He hadn't been avoiding her or anything—it was more like his twin had been in very high demand lately. Between her time on campus and whatever she was doing with her friends after school, Byleth had been a rare sight in the last week-plus.

'Or whatever she's doing with Edelgard,' the thought occurred to him.

"Mhm," Seteth hummed. His expression was unreadable, as always, but Byleth couldn't help thinking he was watching him closely. "And how are you, Byleth?"

"Good," he answered. "School and the shop keep me busy, but like you said, such is life. My college buddies and my club help take the edge off."

Seteth nodded approvingly. "That is good. College is a prime time to develop lasting friendships, and I'm glad to hear you're doing so." The tiniest hint of teasing seeped into his tone. "I am relieved that my formerly introverted nephew has managed to branch out, so to speak."

Byleth scoffed. "You almost sound surprised."

"I would never," Seteth smiled. "Though, I do worry you spend a bit too much time down by the lake. Fishing is an old man's pastime; hardly something for someone in the prime of their lives to partake in."

"You're just mad I'm better than you at it."

Seteth laughed. "The arrogance of youth is truly boundless." Byleth allowed himself a chuckle. Seteth's arrival had been a pleasant surprise. He'd missed the soft-spoken man more than he thought. Some of his earliest core memories had been him sitting beside his father and his uncle as they spoke of times long ago, regaling him with stories they shared.

"It is good to see you in good health," Seteth turned toward the exit, purchases in hand. "Do give your family my regards. I hope it is not long before we can all come together again."

"I'll let them know," Byleth promised. "And thanks for stopping by. It was really good seeing you."

"Likewise." Seteth opened the door, the chime sounding once more, before stopping suddenly. Byleth eyed the man in concern. "Everything okay?"

A few seconds passed before his uncle turned to him. "I do believe you close shop on Sunday, yes?"

Byleth nodded slowly. "Uh... yeah." His dad hadn't wanted him to work the shop every day of the week, and had preemptively announced on all their socials and put up a sign saying they'd be closed in advance. Not that Byleth would have minded working the day, but by the time he found out, the decision had already been made. "You're still too young to be wasting all your time in that shop. Go live a little," his dad had said.

"I see." Seteth turned toward him fully. "How would you feel about coming down with me this Sunday for a spot of fly fishing? Just you and I? There's a spot by the creek I've been looking at trying, and I'd love to have you along."

Byleth reflexively declined. "Oh, I couldn't. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Would it be intruding if I am the one who invited you?" Seteth smiled good-naturedly. "It has been some time since we've fished together. I wish to spend some time with my favorite nephew."

"I'm your only nephew," Byleth smirked.

"The point still stands." Seteth laughed. "I shall relent if you've a prior engagement, but I highly doubt you would have much going on at the crack of dawn. I would very much appreciate your company—Flayn has yet to discover the joy in fishing, and with your father out of town, I am down a fishing partner."

Truthfully, he hadn't had much planned for Sunday. Sleep in, most likely, and relax in his room. Maybe go hang out with Sylvain, or anyone from the book club if they hit him up. But then, he could still do all of those things after he was done fishing, if they planned on going early. After a shower and a nap, of course.

"Sure, sounds fun," Byleth decided. "I'd love to come along."

"Fantastic," Seteth nodded. "Dawn breaks at six-thirty, so what say I pick you up at around six or so? We can get to the creek right before the sun rises."

Prime fishing time. "Sounds good. I'll pack some lunch."

"That would be very appreciated." Seteth seemed quite pleased. "I must say, I am quite looking forward to this. I daresay we shall have ourselves quite the time."

It hadn't been what he'd been expecting, but Byleth had to concur. A nice getaway by the creek sounded nice. And more than that, it might have helped him to relax and get him out of the funk he'd been fighting through in the last few weeks. Not that his uncle needed to know that.

Byleth nodded. "Yeah. Can't wait."

There weren't many sounds Byleth found more pleasing than that of rushing water and whizzing fly line.

Byleth stood silently, taking in the sounds of nature around him. It was a bit chilly this particular morning, but the sun's rising would quickly rectify that. More than that, he felt more than comfortable in his trusty waders, not to mention the rest of his gear strapped along his belt and tucked away in his vest.

Returning his attention to the creek, Byleth cast his fly with a precision born from experience, as his fly gently fell atop the rushing creek water. Watching it drift and mending it slightly, Byleth waited for a bite that never came before repeating the process. He saw his uncle doing the same, the whistle of the fly line like a kind of music to Byleth's ears.

He smiled. This was the life. Fly fishing, without a care in the world. No problems to contend with, no schoolwork to get done, no interpersonal relationships to monitor. Just him, his rod, the creek, and the fish. What more could a man want?

"Enjoying yourself?" Seteth called from the other side of the creek. The morning was so quiet, he didn't even need to strain himself to hear him.

"Very much," Byleth admitted. "Thank you again for inviting me. This is a lot of fun."

"I'm glad to hear it," Seteth smiled. "Let us hope we catch something while our spirits are high, then. Flayn will never let me hear the end of it if she hears I failed to land anything after resolving to come out so early."

Byleth nodded, returning his attention to the water. Despite the hour, there didn't seem to be a lot of activity that he could see beneath the surface. Still, fishing was a sport of patience, and he wouldn't be much of a fisherman if he gave up after only an hour or so.

The time passed, and the sun inched higher in the sky before neither the horizon nor the clouds could cover it. Still, the duo kept at it, and it wasn't until four or so hours later that Seteth recommended a break for lunch. In agreement, the two retreated to the man's car, popping the trunk open and sitting comfortably within.

"Here," Seteth offered a humble sandwich in a small plastic bag. "And please, help yourself to anything in the cooler. I've plenty to spare." Gratefully accepting, Byleth slid the cooler top open, revealing an iced treasure chest of beer within. Proclaiming his thanks once more, Byleth handed his uncle a beverage before cracking open his own, a content sigh slipping through as he bit into his lunch not long after.

The two enjoyed a brief silence, watching the minute movements and pleasant sounds of nature. Though not even close to fished out yet, Byleth was glad to be off his feet for a bit. His waders were great, but too much time standing would start to gnaw at anyone's feet.

"So," Seteth spoke after a while. "I know I have asked previously, but how are you faring? I hope you have been finding success among your personal endeavors."

Byleth always thought his uncle's semi-archaic manner of speech was a little odd, but truthfully, it didn't bother him a ton. Apparently, it was a tic that everyone on his mom's side of the family shared. She had in fact been one of the worst offenders, his dad used to tell him.

"I've been faring well," Byleth played into his manner of speech, just a little. "I've got a nice routine going, with school and work and all. Keeps me busy, but I've been staying on top of it, and I've got plenty of time to myself too."

"So I've heard. Sitri often tells me of your academic achievements. I understand you're also participating in an extracurricular?"

"A book club, yeah. It's more informal than anything, really. We all just kinda read our own thing and act as soundboards for each other. And recommend stuff when we can."

"And you've still managed to carve out time for fishing," Seteth chuckled.

Byleth huffed. "Naturally."

Seteth seemed genuinely proud of him. "Most impressive, Byleth. I am glad to hear you are thriving, both academically and personally. Far too often I feel that those your age neglect the latter, but I see you are wisely making time for yourself. As you rightfully should."

He was maybe giving him too much credit, but Byleth wouldn't go about correcting the details when the overall sentiment was true. "Just doing my best."

"And to think, you used to be so introverted," Seteth reminisced with a smile. "Now, look at you. Joining clubs, meeting people... going to parties." His smile turned knowing. "Yes, your mother informed me of that as well."

Ugh. When had she become such a gossip? "Did she really?"

"Indeed. I know not what the youth of today participates in at such get-togethers, and I will not even attempt to hazard a guess, but I can only hope it was..." he seemed to struggle with the word. "... hip, as the kids say? Or is it lit?"

Byleth couldn't help the snicker that escaped him. "Flayn might disown you if she hears you say that in public."

"Oh, I am already well and truly embedded within 'lame dad' territory in her mind," Seteth jokingly lamented. "My lacking vernacular aside, I hope you enjoyed yourself?"

Hardly. But he didn't need to tell him that. "Yeah, it was alright." He thought of something to take the spotlight off of him. "It was cool, but parties are more of my sister's thing, really."

"I have also heard as much from Sitri," Seteth confirmed, taking a quick sip. "Such does not surprise me. She was always the more vocal of you two. Sitri cannot help but gush over her little girl turned 'social butterfly', as she calls her."

Byleth nodded, taking a sip of his own beverage. Seteth continued after a moment. "And she is well, also? I fear I have not had many occasions to chat with her recently."

Neither had he. "She's good. Out and about, as always. Probably even busier than me." That was a certainty. "We went to the beach to play volleyball not too long ago."

"Hm," Seteth hummed in acknowledgment. "That is good."

It was traitorous of his mind, but thoughts of the beach brought back thoughts of the start of his self-proclaimed rut. When he'd witnessed all eyes on his sister firsthand, again. From random strangers. From Dorothea. And from...

"I think Byleth might have found someone," he blurted before he could think twice about it. The atmosphere had loosened his tongue—or maybe it was the beer. Whatever it was, he couldn't take it back now.

"Oh?" Seteth was fully intrigued. "And who is the lucky man?"

"Woman, actually," Byleth answered, Seteth taking the correction in stride. "They met not too long ago. When we were both at beach volleyball last time, actually. I saw them hit it off. She was pretty overt about it."

Seteth nodded. "So I see. Is there anything about this young lady that stands out to you?"

"She's gorgeous," Byleth answered plainly. "Like, extremely so. This is gonna sound silly, but... when I first saw her, she reminded me of those princesses in the fairy tales I read as a kid. Acts like one, too." He remembered the shock he'd been met with when he'd revealed Edelgard's interest to others prior. "And she's apparently pretty high-profile. Wealthy, smart, you know the type."

Seteth didn't seem very surprised by this revelation, which Byleth questioned him about. "It is not particularly shocking, is all," his uncle explained. "She is your mother's daughter, after all. I can recall Sitri having a great deal of admirers back when she was single. They only truly went away when she eventually settled down with your father."

His uncle's brow quirked. "Though, has the relationship between Byleth and this young lady progressed to a similar state already? I am not in touch with the courting traditions of the modern age, but I hope you are all not marrying each other after mere weeks of dating."

"Oh no, they aren't even dating," Byleth quickly assured him. "Byleth said she wanted to start out as friends, I think. I'm not sure if she even sees her in that way."

"But you said she might have found someone?" Seteth recalled. "I'm assuming this someone might be this woman you speak of, yes?"

"That's the thing. She came on so... strong, I guess." Byleth tried to put it as best he could. "I mean, yeah, plenty of people have come on strong before, but not like her. She was completely transparent about what she was looking for from the jump." He chuffed softly, despite himself. "She actually came over for dinner, not too long ago. Pulled me aside while I was doing dishes and said to me that she wasn't looking for a fling, and that she was intending to, 'cultivate a lasting, happy relationship' with her."

Seteth seemed slightly taken aback, before nodding in approval. "Well, that is most forthright of her. Very commendable for a girl her age."

"Yeah, you'd probably like her," Byleth conceded.

"Do you?" Seteth asked.

"I... yeah," he settled for saying. His personal feelings aside, Edelgard seemed like a genuinely good person. "Definitely a bit weird, but I wouldn't say there's anything I really dislike about her."

Seteth nodded. "I sense that is not all to this conversation."

His uncle had always been perceptive. Byleth took the opportunity to take an extended swig and gather his thoughts. For all he'd thought about this, he'd never done much in the way of actually vocalizing it. Much less to another person. He'd been vague around Sylvain and Lysithea, but this was different. Direct.

Should he have even bothered? Seteth had enough things to think about already, without his angsty teenage drama piled on top of that. They'd come here to fish, chat a little, and enjoy each other's company over a shared hobby. He didn't want to bring down the good mood they had going with his completely irrelevant personal problems.

A hand found purchase on his shoulder. "It's no trouble, Byleth," Seteth assured him calmly. "I would not have asked if I did not want to know. Think not of this as a burden, but as a chance to be honest with me. And yourself. From one man to another."

Byleth bit his lip, debating. Then... "Nosy."

"A consequence of parenthood, as you will one day learn," Seteth smiled, retracting his hand. "Now, then."

Now then indeed. Byleth took a breath, composing himself as best he could. "It's just... I don't know. It's tough to put into words."

"Then simply do your best to say what feels right."

That was the problem. "... I love Byleth. A lot. She's my sister, so that's obvious, but still. There isn't anything I wouldn't do to make her happy, and I'm glad she's been doing so well since we got to college. Really. Beyond anything else I say, that much will always be true."

"And that is most admirable of you," Seteth complimented. "But...?"

"... I don't know. I guess the closest word that comes to mind is... jealousy?" He felt horrible for saying that out loud, no matter how right it felt. "I've been trying to ignore it, not pay any attention to it, but it keeps coming back when I don't want it to."

"Jealousy of your sister?"

"That's the closest thing I can call it. Like, here she is, going places and meeting people and changing for the better, and I'm still here. Same me I've always been." His eyes fell a little. "The same Byleth I've always been."

"And you desire change?" Seteth prompted.

"I... I think so," Byleth answered. "I'm thankful for what I have. Plenty of people out there would kill for the parents I have, the friends I have, and the opportunities I've been given. I get that. But... what have I really done? When people think of Byleth Eisner, what do they think of? Do they even think of me?"

The words poured out of him. "When we went to play volleyball last time... I think that's when it hit me. My sister is pretty, outgoing, and really friendly. People notice that. They notice her. Because she worked to change herself and grow into someone she's confident and comfortable being, even though it was hard. She got hit on, people couldn't take their eyes off her, and not once throughout the entire time we were there did I feel like I even had an ounce of whatever she had. And to be completely, one-hundred percent honest... it felt horrible."

He looked back to Seteth, who remained silent. "But that's selfish, right? It's not my sister's fault that I feel this way, but I only started feeling this way because of her. I'm proud of her, really, but whenever I look at her talking with someone, or think about her being the center of attention, I get this sinking feeling in my chest that reminds me of how envious I am of that. I'm grateful for what I have, but why can't that be me? Why can't I be the one people try to talk to in public? Why can't I be noticed everywhere I go?"

His fist clenched. "Why can't Byleth be jealous of me for once?"

Realizing the weight and length of what he'd said, Byleth remembered where he was and apologized. "Sorry, I didn't mean to unload like—"

"Don't be," Seteth waved off. "Thank you for sharing. Truly."

His uncle leaned back on his palms, discarding his finished drink. "It is... complicated, what you feel. I cannot say I have felt the same, to the extent that you have conveyed to me. I say that not to invalidate how you feel, but only to preface that my advice perhaps might not be the most helpful."

"That's okay," Byleth said. That Seteth cared at all was enough for him.

"I see. Then, allow an old man his musings." Seteth grabbed another beer, cracking it open as he seemed to ponder something. Silence reigned briefly.

Then, "You say you have not changed. But are you so sure?"

Byleth shrugged. "I mean, it feels that way."

"Perhaps when you compare yourself to your sister, yes. But change is not a thing to be measured between different people. It is unique to every person—some, like your sister, might change quickly in a short time, out of a great desire to do so. Others change at a steadier pace—incrementally."

He turned to him. "You have gone to college, joined a club, gone to parties, and made an intimate group of friends. Would you have believed yourself doing that not so long ago?"

Did that matter? "I feel like that's a normal thing to do, though. Everyone's done at least some of those things in college."

"Do not be so sure. Friendships in particular can be notably difficult to cultivate. Much like change, relationships can vary from person to person. You are someone who cherishes deep, lasting bonds more so than something brief and casual. Your sister is the opposite. There is no way to tell which way is definitively better—both have their benefits and drawbacks."

Byleth didn't think there would be any downsides to having so many friends—but then, no friendship was perfect. "So, does that also apply to change?"

Seteth nodded. "For some, change comes easier. Others, meanwhile, might struggle at the onset. There is no one way to change, only a will to do so. And I think, despite what you say, that you are different from the person you were a year ago. Or perhaps longer than that. Just as your sister is different now than she was previously."

Seteth gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I want you to know, beyond anything, that I am proud of you. Jeralt and Sitri are even more so. And though the thought might escape you from time to time, I feel certain in saying that your sister thinks the world of you. You are a good person, Byleth. We have noticed, and love you for it."

Byleth promised himself he wouldn't cry, and he'd been doing a good job of holding to that up until then. "Thanks," he managed, forcing down the emotion bubbling within him.

"Of course," Seteth smiled, removing his hand. "Regarding what you feel... I would say that is natural, no? As much as we try to discourage comparison, it is human nature to do so. I often do the same, despite my better judgment. I imagine it is even harder for you, considering Byleth is your twin. Comparison is natural, in your case."

Even if it was natural, it was still selfish. "And while I know you think it's selfish," Seteth read his mind. "It does not diminish from the fact that you still love your sister, yes?"

"Yes," Byleth nodded, without hesitation.

"Then it is simply a byproduct of being human," Seteth stated. "It does not make you a lesser person—only flawed, like every other human being who has ever lived."

Byleth frowned. "But it's still a flaw."

"Which can be worked on and remedied, like all other flaws," Seteth reminded him. "But beyond that, however, it is my opinion that your effort to improve would be better suited elsewhere."

"Where?"

"Yourself," Seteth answered simply.

That was such a loaded answer. How did he even go about doing that? It was such an easy thing to commit to doing, but hard to actually put into practice. For most, that meant something tangible—going to the gym, seeking therapy, that kind of thing. Was that what he was telling him to do?

He gave a look to his arms. "I guess I could do with being a little less scrawny."

"Perhaps, but that was not quite what I meant," Seteth clarified. "Recall what I said about change."

Byleth thought back. "It's... different for everybody."

"Indeed. But change arrives all the same, so long as you commit to it. That applies to you as well."

"Okay..." Byleth lost himself in thought for a moment. "So... do I commit myself to change now? Or let it happen overtime?"

Seteth, in all his wisdom, shrugged. "I do not know."

Byleth hadn't expected that. "You don't?"

"It is entirely dependent upon what you want. You could try to change yourself completely overnight, and emerge as a new person as early as tomorrow. But then, I don't suppose you would aim for something so drastic." A quick sip. "Then again, you seem to be unhappy with how little you feel you have changed at your current pace, so perhaps you won't be satisfied with waiting for an extended period either."

Seteth's eyes pointedly met his. "So the question becomes—what do you want to do, Byleth? How is it that you yourself want to change?"

Byleth didn't have an answer for that. "I don't know," he mumbled truthfully.

"And that is quite alright," Seteth reassured him. "What I am wordily attempting to convey is that you should devote yourself to what makes you comfortable, and most importantly, what makes you happy. You may change at your pace—fast, slow, or somewhere in the middle. And though it may be arduous and difficult, I believe you will thank yourself for trying. That is what matters; that despite everything, you try."

"But what if I still feel how I feel about Byleth?" He asked. That was what worried him most. That the way he felt would bleed over into his relationship with the person he'd give anything to see happy. And beyond that, that she'd hate him for feeling that way.

"I am afraid I cannot answer that," Seteth admitted. "That, dear boy, is for you to figure out. You cannot help the way you feel, that much is true. But that does not mean you are destined to be a slave to that feeling forever."

That... might have been the most disheartening yet encouraging thing he'd heard since they'd started talking about this. Seteth didn't have an answer on how to fix that ugly part of him. He would have to rid himself of it. It would be difficult, certainly... but poetic. Liberating, even.

And really, was that not what he had wanted this entire time? The chance to make things different? The chance to make things better? It seemed so simple in concept, but it had taken months of repressed emotions and a heartfelt talking-to from a relative to finally drive the point home.

It had never been about Edelgard. Or even about his sister. It had been about him. And it would continue to be, until he worked to fix it for good.

"Maybe I've always felt this way, deep down," Byleth admitted. Maybe it wasn't jealousy that had plagued him, but instead a permeating sense of inadequacy when he compared himself to his peers. "It just manifests itself the most when I think about Byleth. The person I'm closest to, who I've watched grow up right along with me."

"Then it is all the better that you have finally decided to open up about it and face these feelings," his uncle approved. "It is harder than you might think, confronting one's flaws."

"You would know?"

"More than you, certainly," Seteth chuckled, despite the topic. "I'm an old man, remember? Much more time to ruminate on my shortcomings."

"I'll bet," Byleth agreed, drawing a small laugh. He let the lighter atmosphere marinate for a bit before speaking again. "Thanks. For everything. I'm not sure if this would have happened if you hadn't pushed me to speak about this."

"Think nothing of it," Seteth reassured him.

"No, really. This means a lot."

"I'm only glad that my ramblings brought you any sort of clarity," Seteth smiled. "Whatever you decide to do, I shall be rooting for you the entire way. I hope happiness awaits you, at whatever end you seek."

So dramatic. "Sure. Thanks, Uncle Seteth."

"Of course. A small favor for my favorite nephew."

Byleth snorted. "Your only nephew."

"'Tis the same, no?"

A laugh escaped him. "Full-time dad, therapist, and comedian. Flayn's one lucky kid."

Seteth laughed, shaking his head. "If only she thought so too."

He leaned in front of the mirror, staring. He was mostly indifferent towards what stared back. While he had never particularly cared for how he looked—he liked to leave the vain, external stuff to Sylvain—for once, he'd decided to take a look at himself. A real look.

Byleth Eisner was, for all intents and purposes, a pretty normal guy. Not stunningly attractive, but not hideous. Mild-mannered, if a bit quiet. The kind of person you would forget within two minutes of meeting, if you didn't connect on a personal level. Unassuming, modest, and simple. Was that good, or was that bad? Did any of that need changing? Did all of that need changing?

Despite how it might have sounded, there were definitely things about himself that he liked. Things that his family and friends liked, too. According to them, he was kind, and patient. Understanding beyond his years. He tended to agree with them—and frankly, he was proud that they thought of him like that. He took pride in being a good person. He would never change that, if he could help it. Why would he?

Conversely, he was on the more reserved side of the social spectrum. His sister had always been the more outgoing of the two of them. That gap only seemed to widen once they'd started college together. For as sudden as her transition into the social twin appeared to him, perhaps it had been gradual to her. Maybe she hadn't really changed herself so much as she'd become more comfortable in who she was, and projected that more broadly after starting college life.

He liked to think he knew his sister, but that assertion seemed less and less true the more he thought about it. Which, frankly, hurt.

Byleth shook his head. Comparison was the thief of joy, he reminded himself. If he was ever going to reach what it was he wanted to find, he had to stop comparing himself to his twin. He loved her all the same, and that was what mattered. From this point on, his happiness would be predicated on him, and what he wanted.

But what did he want? For people to treat him like his sister? Flirt with him in public, scheme of ways to sleep with him? Frankly, that sounded like a nightmare. Maybe being complimented by a stranger now and again would have been nice, but any more than that would have been stressful. That part of him constantly comparing himself to his sister might have wanted that, sure, but he would like to think the change in his life he wanted was more substantial and sincere than wanting to sleep around with random people whenever he felt like it.

Growing past his insecurities meant finding happiness in something that wasn't copying his sister. She'd become her own person—he had to do the same.

Perhaps more than what it was he wanted, Byleth was unsure of where he was even supposed to start. He'd done nothing but think about what Seteth had said, even days after they'd spoken. Thoughts were plagued with ideas of how to become someone different, yet better. From the drastic to the minute, everything seemed feasible, yet nothing seemed to satisfy what it was he wanted.

He didn't want to lead off with something extreme, but he wanted his first step to be purposeful. A noticeable start to this new chapter of his life. Something that announced to himself and the world that Byleth Eisner was going to be better.

He thought and thought, to the point where he felt his head begin to ache from overthinking. Then it hit him. So hard, in fact, that he almost fell over as he stumbled out of the bathroom and dashed downstairs.

Sitri Eisner did the evening's dishes by her lonesome. Her husband had gone to get something from the shop, and her daughter had already retreated to her room for the night. She'd believed her son had done so as well, before she heard what sounded like frantic steps coming down the staircase. Peeking out from within the kitchen, she was surprised to see her son partially out of breath, like he'd sprinted as fast as he could to get to her.

"Everything alright, dear?" She asked, slightly worried. "Is something the matter?"

He was smiling slightly, despite the urgency with which he spoke. "Can I ask you something kind of weird?"

Weird? "Of course, dear. What do you need?"

Byleth gestured to the top of her head. "What specific shade of green would you say your hair color is?"

As if I'd ever abandon this story.