Fire Crested Professor

He paused to just stare at her for a few moments.

“Yes, I suppose it is better that I’m more comfortable speaking with you about more things if we’re to be friends,” he finally said.  “I’m guessing that is what you want, with how many times you’ve invited me to tea and to eat with you.”

Byleth nodded. “It’s hard to befriend someone without knowing much about them. Or spending time with them.”

But the way he said it made her feel...strange. Anxious? She remembered what Sylvain had said before.

“Well, I suppose when you have us all together in the barracks, it’s bound to get ah… that way.” He cleared his throat.  “Ear plugs are quite useful on some nights.”

“That sounds annoying. You could always get a room at an inn in town.”

“Very low on my priorities list, yes.  If I found the right person it may rise but…” Another careless shrug.  “I’ve been here at the monastery for a couple years now and for being full of religious devotees, there is quite a bit of… canoodling, as it were, though.”

Byleth stared at him for a good minute after that before blinking. “I’ve only heard Dimitri call it that.”

And been laughed at for it. Byleth had to imagine it was an old-fashioned term.

A long pause, and then he cleared his throat.

“A-at any rate, I suppose I should apologize for thinking I needed to treat you differently just because you’re a woman.  You would think I knew enough to realize that doesn’t mean you’re automatically attracted to me, but when one spends their life with quite a few admirers…” It wasn’t bragging so much as just stating the truth.

“It doesn’t matter. You said that you weren’t interested in that,” Byleth said, looking over at him.

Had that sounded accusing? Hoping to soothe any oversteps she’d made, she added, “It’s okay to not be interested.”

“Which is not something I’m willing to do,” he said with a shrug.   “Feel free to do it in my place if you feel the need.”

“…unfortunately we do not resort to violence in polite society.   Covering it simply gets rid of the need for any of that in the first place.”

A pause, and then, “I’m going to be honest, it was about hiding it at first but now it’s more about making sure it’s not touched.  People seem fascinated when they can see the injuries.”

“…thank you.” That got a smile out of him, even if it was a small one.  “Your honesty really is refreshing, professor.  It’s no wonder the students admire you so much.”

The praise earned a smile in return -- one that was rare, but also seemed to put a spark of life in her eyes.

“Thank you. Remember that your worth as a person doesn’t depend on what you can or can’t do.”

They’d managed to cross the grounds by then, reaching the dorms.  So he took shade under one of the overhangs.  And then he pulled the cape off his arm.

“My whole life, I’ve always been the brave, dashing hero. The one kids look up to, who women go crazy for.  And even though I still manage to have that reputation here, I have a reminder every day of my shortcomings.  So hearing those things from you, or anyone, makes me feel conflicted.”

Byleth’s gaze fell back to his scarred arm. The way he’d taken the cape off seemed to indicate he wanted her to look. Or, maybe, that he was tired of always trying to hide it.

“Well, where would I be if I didn’t trust my friends’ judgement, hmm?” He managed a smile.  “And I’m not upset.  It’s a bit more complicated than that.”

Complicated? Byleth tilted her head, gazing at him quizzically.

A pause as he took that all in, and then he cleared his throat, looking embarrassed.

“Well, I never was a very good judge of my own character, but if you say so I suppose I have to believe it, eh?”

“You don’t have to,” Byleth replied. “But it’s the truth.”

“No,” he said with a laugh.  “If anything, it reminds me a bit of home.  I suppose it’s the one thing that will follow me, even if my reputation didn’t.  All I wonder is what exactly I did to become such a hot commodity here as well.”

That was easy to answer, at least.

“You’re kind, and honest. You’re easy to get along with. You’re attractive and well-groomed. Despite your circumstances, you aren’t bitter or angry towards anyone. You ignore the pessimism of others and hold fast to your optimism. In the face of hardship, you persevere.”

Byleth met his gaze.

“Well- yes.  My friends all tend to be male, and ones who definitely aren’t actually interested in me,” he said with a laugh.  “Perhaps I’m projecting, because I may not pay it much attention, but I do know I’m quite popular here.  I’ve had to tell female knights I went out on missions with to focus more than anything else.”

“Yes, you’re popular,” Byleth agreed. “Some of the students have complained about it.”

He cleared his throat at that.  “I wouldn’t want you getting the wrong idea, is all.  I realize literally just now there’s a difference in using those jokes with my friends back home and…” He waved his hand at her.  “No need for you to think I’m coming-on to you, yeah?”

The more he continued, the more Byleth found herself confused. He couldn’t joke with her? Or was it that she didn’t understand jokes at times?

All he did was gesture at her, and she wasn’t sure what that meant.