Title: reunions
A/N: My main piece for the Fe3h Our town Zine! I love writing these three together, wish they had actually had some supports in the game (just to twist the knife further), but alas. Fancontent is where it's at then. (and is there the lightest hints of ships? as best as I can do with a gen piece)
Summary: If reporters could see Claude now, they would have a field day. Not only were Edelgard and Claude, the town's two mayoral candidates, having lunch in the same restaurant at the same time, but they were eating together. Two rivals, one table—all that was missing was a single plate of pasta and the gossip would have spread like wildfire through Fódlan. Luckily, Dimitri was there to chaperone.
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If reporters could see Claude now, they would have a field day. Not only were Edelgard and Claude, the town's two mayoral candidates, having lunch in the same restaurant at the same time, but they were eating together. Two rivals, one table—all that was missing was a single plate of pasta and the gossip would have spread like wildfire through Fódlan.
As it was, they didn't have anything to worry about. The owner, Ashe, had given them a private room and despite how talkative the waitress Dorothea was when she served, she wasn't the kind to spread rumours. Edelgard and Claude could scandalously hold hands, tap dance, or even arm wrestle, and not a word would leave the room.
Though, with Dimitri at the table, even Hilda would have a hard time twisting this story. Claude grinned as he glanced at his two lunch dates. As usual, Edelgard was overdressed, always the formal one in her red dress shirt and black pants. Meanwhile, Dimitri was dressed down in slacks and a plaid shirt, his sleeves rolled up and the top three buttons opened. Two very different vibes at one table.
Leaning back into his seat, Claude grinned. "Feels like old times, doesn't it?"
Edelgard raised a well-groomed brow. Her hands were interlaced on her lap, her back ramrod straight. Elegance in the making. "How so?"
"This." Claude gestured at the circular table between them. As they waited for their orders to arrive, only their glasses and cutlery sat on top. "We used to sit at a similar table back in school."
"It still surprises me you set up our weekly lunches, El," Dimitri said as he recalled those faraway days, a small smile on his lips. It was a pity, Claude reflected. Dimitri was quieter than he had been in their youth, his expressions less open. The accident that had taken his eye had ruined more than just his political aspirations. "It was not something I expected from you."
"We were the student council and it made sense to fraternize," Edelgard replied bluntly. As usual, she was straight to the point, something that endeared her with her supporters. "It was also the only way to ensure Claude did his work properly."
"Hey now, you're making it sound like I slacked off," Claude protested. He clutched his heart, as though he were wounded. It was a move he had made throughout high school. "I pulled my weight."
And as usual, his move had no effect on her. Edelgard snorted. He wished he could frame it and send it to all her voters. "Your weight."
"He did his fair share of the work, we all did," Dimitri added, picking his beer stein. He lips twitched slightly, a suppressed laugh and there was a mirthful twinkle in his eye when he looked at Claude. "Despite his…antics."
"What a sophisticated way to say pranks." Claude shook his head. It really did feel like they'd taken their old school arguments and fast forwarded them five years. He curled his hand around his whisky glass, the amber liquid inside carving a burning path down his throat as he took a sip. They'd always had their differences; even their drinks weren't the same. Edelgard preferred a dark red wine, Dimitri his beer, and Claude his scotch whisky.
Yet despite that, they'd all become fast friends, free with each other in a way they couldn't be with others.
"It really has been too long," Dimitri said with a laugh. He gently tapped the table as he glanced at his companions. "I didn't realize how much I missed this till now."
Claude chuckled too, unable to help himself. He set down his glass, the ice clinking. "Me too. I guess we got busy."
"Perhaps after the election," Edelgard mused, swirling her wine languidly. There was the barest hint of a smile, and Claude wondered if he should get glasses. "We could…resume this."
Claude laced his fingers and rested his chin on his hands, leaning forward with a cheshire grin. He teased, "Careful, or we might think you care."
Edelgard shot him a dirty glare. Really, it was a pity the press weren't around to see her like this, unguarded and messy and human, so unlike her polished image. Perhaps she'd win a few of his supporters. Then again, the press would also see him relaxed and Claude liked to keep a few cards close to his chest.
"El has always cared," Dimitri cut in, oblivious as usual to her ire. "She used to tutor Bernie, remember?"
Claude snickered. Now, that was an image he couldn't forget, their shut-in classmate getting dragged into the library after school, the unrelenting Edelgard pulling out a lesson plan as thick as a binder. She had taken her duties seriously, almost too seriously. "I don't think anyone could forget that. Especially Bernie."
"Need I remind you of your juvenile pranks?" Edelgard clicked her tongue in warning before turning to Dimitri and changing the subject abruptly. "Do you think you'll return to politics?"
He pursed his lip, contemplating the question. He rapped the table faster now before letting out a long breath and shaking his head. "No, that chapter of my life has closed. Between my axe and the cemetery, my hands are completely occupied."
Dimitri, the lumberjack and graveyard keeper. That had been a truth for a few years now and yet it still didn't feel quite right. Even Claude wanted to dig into his friend's reasoning, if only to wrap his head around it. In school, Dimitri had been a rising star, almost blindingly so. The shadows were no place for a man like him.
"We really need to meet more before you start talking to ghosts." Claude sighed, studying Dimitri. "You miss it?"
Dimitri flinched. His response was slow and measured. "Sometimes. It would be a lie to say otherwise. Yet…" he paused. "I believe I am happier this way."
"Happier?" Edelgard questioned, her disbelief matching Claude's. She crossed her arms as she pressed. "Your positions are quite isolated. I have never taken you as one for solitude."
She wasn't wrong. Dimitri had always been sociable in school, surrounded by friends of all stripes. Claude had always wondered how much of that had been an image and how much reality. As a lumberjack, there was little time to converse with others, and few visited the graveyard on the outskirts of the town's borders.
There was another long silence as Dimitri stared at his beer, as though to divine the answers from its murky depths. "I am not that alone. I often come into town and—"
"You spend more hours out than in," Edelgard interrupted. It was quite unlike her. Claude filed that away for later analysis; anything that gave him an edge in the upcoming election was useful.
"…I cannot deny that." Dimitri sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It is peaceful out there. You might enjoy it too; it is easy to sort out your thoughts."
Really? Claude refrained from asking. Whether Dimitri really believed that or was merely running away, in the end, it was better for this election if his only opponent was Edelgard. There was always time after he won the mayorship to deal with Dimitri's fears.
"I suppose that's all one can ask for," Claude replied instead. "Oh, on second thought, I'd ask for Hubert." He pouted, turning to Edelgard. "You already have Monica; you don't need two assistants."
With no hesitation, Edelgard scoffed at the very idea. "If you think Hubert would work for you, you are clearly not fit for office."
Claude winked flirtatiously. "You clearly underestimate my charm."
"No, I have measured that quite well," Edelgard retorted. Despite her sharp words, her tone was light, and, if he didn't know any better, he'd think she was teasing him.
"Want to place a bet? How about you, Dimitri?" Claude smirked, lounging back in his chair. "Think I can seduce Hubert away?"
Edelgard rolled her eyes. "Is it a bet if we all know the outcome?"
"You'd have a better chance seducing El," Dimitri replied, taking another swig of his beer. A moment later, he realized what he'd said, and his ears flushed a dark red. "I mean—that wasn't—"
Dimitri had always been easily flustered. It was good to see that hadn't changed either. Claude snickered as they fell into old patterns. "So you want to change the bet?"
"I did not mean to imply—" Dimitri quickly replied, his blush growing worse. "That isn't—"
"What do you think Edelgard?" Claude asked, his smirk growing wider. "I'm game either way. If I win both yours and Hubert's heart, maybe I should aim a little higher than mayor."
"If you want to lose that badly, you might as well drop out of the competition," Edelgard deftly replied. She clucked her tongue as she glanced at Dimitri. "It's fine."
"That…my apologies." Dimitri rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"It's fine," Edelgard repeated, her expression softening a smidge. Another thing to file away for later. Perhaps this meeting would give him all sorts of dirt on Edelgard.
Though, the best shot would be to somehow steal Hubert away, as impossible as it was. While Claude didn't know their history well, he knew that Hubert and Edelgard had an almost unbreakable bond. It would take a miracle to get to him.
And Claude was never the kind of person to rely on miracles.
"Don't you want a challenge?" he asked Edelgard. "We can even the playing field. No assistants, just you against me."
"Claude." Edelgard gave him a look, though it wasn't as sharp as it could be.
His ploy had a chance. She'd fallen for it once, during their school sports festival. Younger and more foolish, she hadn't yet learned to ignore every challenge that came her way. In a setting like this, filled with memories of the past, maybe she'd fall for it once more. "It's a chance to test your skills and show your true strength. I won't even ask for a handicap."
It had worked a few times in the past, but the Edelgard today was far smarter than her high school counterpart. She delicately held the stem of her wine glass, her gaze never leaving his as she drank. When the silence had lasted long enough, she finally replied, "If you cannot find anyone to run your campaign, consider dropping out."
Well, he had given it his best shot. Claude held his hands up in resignation. "I give, I give. I just didn't want to make things too easy for you, princess."
Edelgard wrinkled her nose at the old nickname. Maybe he should use it at their next debate. "I doubt you can make things hard."
"We'll see about that."
As if on cue, Dorothea sauntered in with a large tray, three plates arranged carefully on top. A delicious aroma filled the room, seasoned chicken and warm bread warring for attention, and Claude wet his lips. As usual, Ashe had outdone himself, mixing in imported Almyran spices with Fódlan dishes.
"Ready for lunch?" Dorothea chirped as she set Edelgard's plate first.
"Thank you," Edelgard said, a polite smile on her lips as she slipped back into the politician. It was a little funny to see the act considering how well Dorothea knew them.
"Fine work as always," Dimitri said as Dorothea placed a casserole dish in front of him. "My compliments to the chef."
"Don't butter him up too much or it'll go to his head," Dorothea joked as she set a hotplate in front of Claude. "He's already a little cocky."
"Cocky or confident?" Claude asked, glancing at the sizzling meat in his dish.
"Both. It's terrible." Dorothea winked as she left. "Call me if you need anything else."
With the food in front of them, it didn't feel right to go back to a political banter.
Almost.
Claude smiled at Dimitri before he could take his first bite. "You'll vote for me, right? I'll pay for the meal."
"Claude!" Edelgard and Dimitri said at the same time, Edelgard's a stern reprimand while Dimitri's was an exasperated groan.
He chuckled. "You can't blame me for trying."