Not Perfect is GOoD

And it is mentionned at the beginning of the chain that he has met the man before he left for the Church too (and that he actually looked worse when they met in Fhirdiad, which was probably soon after the Tragedy overall, and now I am wondering if Gilbert was present when Dimitri saved Dedue that day but that's idle thinking)

(also shout out to Gilbert smiling when mentioning how much Dedue has grown idk I t)

And then, in their B support...

... :)

There's something really neat about Dedue specifically mentioning that he also needs Gilbert being part of this war / part of the people here with them, and that he still relies on him (and how Gilbert answers back)

Honestly with all the BS Dedue has faced in Farghus (and he doesn't hold his tongue about it frankly), it makes me think that Gustave was probably a person he thought Dimitri and he could rely on - which frankly would explain how strongly he reacts to the fact that Gustave left. They didn't meet much, they both say, but it makes me feel that at least those few meetings were positive, despite how exhausted and haggard Gustave was. In addition to Dimitri's stories about Gustave, it built a specific picture in mind for Dedue - one he held in high enough regard that he modeled his behaviour toward Dimitri from his understanding of Gustave ?

It's not just for Dimitri that Dedue is angered about Gustave's leaving. He says it explicitely about Dimitri, that Dimitri needed Gustave, but it's not just for Dimitri that he's angered.

IDK

There's something kind of neat about this relation. A lot more than what people usually talk about. It's both distant model of chivalry (and don't forget that Gustave was the one who saved Dimitri and brought him back to Fhirdiad - something I think Dedue would always think about) and this. idk how to say it. But I think they both get to understand / see more about the other and their respective place as knights that they don't really get to have be seen or understood by others ? That in a way they share an understanding of what their duty means to them.

Which is a huge deal ??

He was well known and respected, and him being crestless didn’t impact that