GOLD-FLAKED.

hey everyone! something of an update. as i’m sure you guys have noticed, i’ve been very inactive, so i wanted to go ahead and give myself a fresh start now that i’ve got a bit more time and clear my current active starters/threads unless we’ve already discussed it beforehand. if you’d like to keep a thread going even if i haven’t replied in awhile, you’re welcome to IM me too! but i need a clean slate to get back in the swing of things.

he wasn’t expecting the hand to close around his, but he made no move to separate as he was pulled along out of harm’s way, enjoying the temporary warmth. he wasn’t certain of claude’s words– they went against everything byleth knew. there were many things he had learned since leaving the church that directly contradicted its teachings, but this was different still: everything changes, when byleth knew the exception.

he wasn’t sure how to address it, if it should even be addressed in this atmosphere. not all of his thoughts were supposed to be spoken the moment they arrived, it was just the moving on from them that proved difficult…

so wrapped up in his dour thoughts was byleth that he only noticed their hands were still attached when claude dropped them, and he looked curiously at claude’s sudden interest in the opposite side of the road. he looked too, and nothing was there. ..interesting.

claude was spared a probing question, about his sudden embarrassment or further questioning the nature of change byleth wasn’t yet sure, when they turned the corner in question and the scene suddenly changed. the low rumbling of people had been building as they approached, but byleth was so used to the white noise of busy school hallways he’d hardly noticed. now, it was impossible to ignore.

lights, colors, sounds, smells, there was so much to take in that for a moment, byleth simply stopped. everything around them was so energetic, so lively, so alien.. “it’s.. a lot to take in. i’ve never seen a place so vibrant.” he wasn’t sure yet if he liked it or not, but his first reaction wasn’t negative… just a bit overwhelmed. only just at the cusp of the festival, and yet, “i have no idea where to start.”

his hand twitched towards claude’s sleeve instinctively again, but he resisted, instead just shifting his body closer to the claude’s, the familiar in the face of so much unfamiliar. he couldn’t just stay passive, though, he couldn’t rely only on claude to shepherd him, it wasn’t fair. “we..” he tried to sort through what felt like a hundred sense experiences, to isolate one or even a dozen to focus on (uncomfortable but not unpleasant, a pressure he wanted to get away from but not so intensely as to interrupt their night), finally he landed on the scents of foods wafting through the area, too mixed to tell just what was being served, but at least it was something. “..could try some of that ‘junk food’ you were talking about..” he offered as a nudge of direction, uncertainty as plain in his voice as it was in his body language.

claude’s a perceptive guy. he kind of assumes most of the people around him are as well-- it’s hard not to when you grow up in that kind of environment, with a million eyes scrutinizing your every move at every given moment in time. he’d rather overestimate than underestimate people-- he’d rather assume byleth noticed than not.

and, well. goddamnit.

because all that regardless, claude’s still gonna ignore it. because he may be perceptive, but he doesn’t have the guts to just out and confront his feelings like that when it took months to get byleth to even go on a date with him.

naturally, his feelings disappear from his throat and back into the bottom of his stomach the second he takes note of byleth’s face at the festival, though. claude admittedly doesn’t know as much as he’d like about byleth-- only little tidbits and details here and there, admissions from the boy himself. the rest were simply things claude had inferred from the months of spending time with byleth, and his preference for quiet and solitary places was... definitely one of those things, now that he thought about it.

maybe this wasn’t the best idea. good job, claude.

byleth seems determined to give a shot though, and claude’s never been a coward; so he swallows his fears and gives his best award-winning smile. “do you have anything you want to try? there’s plenty of options.” there was dozens of options to choose from, from crepes, to kebabs, to turkey legs, to gyros, and even a bustling ramen stall down the way.

whichever byleth chooses, claude guides him over gently, careful to direct him away from the worst of the... excitement. “you really haven’t been to many festivals or anything like that, then?” he asks while they stand in line, making small talk.

character headcanons – currently accepting!

how your muse responds to stress

claude is notorious about being cool in the face of highly stressful situations. he doesn’t show discontent outwardly, and in general it’s relatively difficult to push him to a point where he’s openly distressed about anything.

he’s a workaholic and thrives in stressful environments, and generally only gets 5 hours of sleep at most on the majority of nights because he keeps himself so disgustingly busy all the time. claude balances work and play too well, and sacrifices sleep for it-- but it’s fine! he’s fine. he hasn’t had more than 6 hours of sleep a night since he was 16, so might as well use that time to be productive, right? :)

when it comes to other things, claude is a little different. in highly stressful incidents and situations, most of the time, claude excels in taking the lead and either deescalating or forcefully stopping the problem if needed.

character headcanons -- currently accepting!

habits and mannerisms

claude is a very meticulous man, and this shows in how he carries himself. despite the fact that he’s visibly laidback and relaxed, he’s still controlled-- every hair is perfectly in place, no fly-away threads on his clothes, no unintentional wrinkles. he is always composed, by some definition of the word, and this is clear in almost everything he does. 

that doesn’t take away the sincerity of his personality, though! he really is as calm, jovial, and laidback as he comes off, which also shows in the things he does. when claude talks, he often gestures widely to help illustrate whatever picture he’s painting with his words.

Usually her head was too into what was going on on stage to really notice who was and wasn’t there–but it was one of those days that she actually did, and noticed someone who certainly wasn’t any actor or tech crew she remembered in the back, watching.

This would’ve been more odd if it was anyone else, but she’s seen him around–just not here. 

The director called rehearsal for the night, and she went to the front rows where her books were to gather them before stopping by where the man was sitting, trying to sneak a peek at his phone.

“And what brings you here today? Don’t expect any flaws you saw to be in the final product, by the way.”

claude’s always got his nose in everything going on, in one way or another. (social, anyway.) he makes his rounds in the various different cliques on campus pretty regularly, and this week he’s taken an interest in blackwood’s theatre group.

he expertly tilts his phone back just as the star of the show comes down to chat, deflecting her words with an easy smile. “what, can’t i enjoy a performance for what it is? i wouldn’t know any flaws if there were any-- but if you ask me, making things too perfect is a little boring.”

Hannibal didn’t often eat or drink out, being so particular about what he put in his body, but as he strolled the late autumn streets, the smell of fresh coffee drew him in. The Grindhouse, he’d heard of it, a few of his students worked there. It seemed rather slow, though perhaps it was the time of day, or the chill in the air. He was the only person in line, not to mention the only customer currently in the cozy cafe. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, so he didn’t mind the jovial laughter coming from the back room - likely the employees enjoying a bit of tomfoolery in their downtime - nor the wait it entailed. 

slow days were both a gift and a curse in customer service. on one hand-- it allowed workers to relax, to drop the cheery (fake) smiles and slump their shoulders a little. on the other hand, it could get so fucking boring that it would get mind-numbing; today was one of the latter days. claude’s got most of the staff in the back laughing at his phone over some of the videos he’s filmed in the last few days (but hasn’t posted), and he almost misses the tell-tale jingle of the front door.

“you may have,” Will replies with a slight shrug. “i’m primarily working for the campus in the library, though. so if you’ve had books…” the sentence trails off without a proper end, it didn’t need one when it was obvious. it takes Will a moment to glance at the offered hand, and then another to properly take it in the briefest of contact, hardly a shake. “yes, nice to meet you Claude.” he says while continuing to lack eye contact.

he nods, “it’s not very different from planting potted plants, and you’re right it’s not the same as playing in the dirt.” Will leans over to gather up a premature tree in his arms and turns to walk down the path with rows of holes already dug up. this explained Will’s already dirty jeans. Winston trots obediently at his side, his paws a little dirty too which might suggest the dog have some fun digging of his own. he did.

“but it’s not difficult.” Will says as he sets the tree down beside the hole before leaning up to direct his attention at Claude. “We’ll be putting some manure down, put the tree in the hole and then pack it tight.” it was pretty simple and peaceful in it’s own way.

“ah!” claude’s hands clap together in realization, and he nods along, like that’s it, yes. he’s so casual about dropping will’s hand, taking the other’s obvious awkwardness in stride. “that’s why you look so familiar. no wonder.” the number of times claude has ridden out the world’s worst hangovers in the library is... too many to count, and he briefly considers offering an apology to the dodgy man, but he decides against it. doesn’t hurt if you don’t bring it up, right?

he follows after the librarian obediently, trailing at heels much like the dog accompanying them, watching his movement with curious eyes. claude would be lying if he didn’t make a face when will said manure, but he’s not so stuck up as to refuse-- he just nods along, glancing over to where he assumes the stuff is. “this here?” he gestures, before kneeling down to examine it, rolling up his own sleeves.

“I mean, in my defense, you’re one of the only ones who make my coffee the way I like it.” She said, laughing a little too hard. “Rest is for the weak! And I have a calc midterm today, so I cannot.”

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she clears her throat. The sun was starting to get brighter, which meant it was nearing closer to class time. Debating on skipping entirely, she sighed. Her grades needed to stay up in order to stay in her current major. Calculus was easier than her graphic design class, which really bummed her out. 

 Shuffling, she had an idea. 

“I have to get to class, but do you want to get lunch after?” She blurted out, desperate to get him to agree. “Please let me make it up to you, or else I won’t be able to let it go.”

claude makes a face at that. “that sounds like you need sleep more...” he says, and even though his tone is cheery, there’s a very clear undercurrent of worry still present.

[txt] hold your horses

[txt] im comin down

It’s a bit odd to find himself walking out in the dead of the night without the convenience store being his only destination. He couldn’t even remember the last time he went out this late with a companion. But now that he’s thought about it, he’s never really tried hanging out with anyone outside the family or the clan so to be out with someone who he sorta respects to some degree but still doesn’t consider a friend is a whole new area for Hitoshi.

Just as expected, he finds Claude waiting for him outside. It’s still a mystery as to why this guy would even give someone like Hitoshi the time of day but that’s another insecurity for another day. The young art major digs his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and makes his way to the other male.

❝This Denny’s better be worth it.❞ He says as a greeting. 

claude snorts at his phone at hitoshi’s reply, balancing his weight as he shifts back and forth in the elevator. he’s not the impatient type, necessarily-- but he’s not fond of tight, enclosed spaces. he breathes out in relief when the elevator doors open, and by the time hitoshi appears in the distance a few minutes later, claude’s already refreshed his twitter feed at least three times.

“it won’t be, and that’s just part of the experience!” claude jovially replies, flashing that trademark grin of his. 

it’s not so far that they’ll have to bother calling a cab. claude states as such out loud, before continuing with “and besides, you kind of look like you’d clock anyone who tried to pull something, anyway!” he’s always been the cheeky type. “it’s just a few blocks down. we probably won’t be the only students there, at this hour.” they might be the only sober ones, though.

there.

claude’s words were earnest, passionate, no hint of irony, and byleth listened with a fully captured interest. though he couldn’t fathom the golden spoon, coming from a rather humble background himself, the idea of giving back, providing as much as possible to others, resonated clearly. as he had suspected, it was at least a piece of the source. when claude spoke, he shined.

byleth wanted desperately to keep seeing it. and when claude turned to him, and smiled, he felt a smile cross his own lips unbidden– a real one.

in his touch of awe he almost fell behind as the light turned green, and claude started walking, had to jog a little to catch up at the other end. his fingers caught the edge of claude’s sleeve as he neared– an old (though not especially old) instinct from when he had still followed at his sister’s coattails day in and day out. “thank you, claude.. i understand the significance of this gift. i’ll keep it safe.” knowledge where others had none. a glimpse at his light.

“change…” claude’s path, however mysterious it remained, was one of change. byleth’s was one that wouldn’t change. what did that mean, then? “i hope i’m not wasting your time, with a friendship that may end by circumstance alone.” he didn’t want it to, of course, he had only just claimed this friendship by name today. it seemed a shame to discuss its death so soon. “i hope i can at least provide some happiness, until then.”

people have told claude repeatedly that he has a talent for leading, that others have a compulsion to follow him. that was something he used to his advantage, having been born with a natural charisma that had carried him through the years above hostility and vitriol from every side. he lets most things slide off his shoulders, but at the same time, being the outsider after so many years still had it’s impact on him.

byleth doesn’t see claude as other. he just sees him as a person, and only seems fascinated in him for who he is-- not because he’s the pretty stranger from Not America, the cute tiktok guy, everyone’s friend. maybe that was why he was so drawn to him; it was nice to talk to someone who wasn’t in it for the novelty of him.

he starts at the hand at his sleeve, though-- he looks back with a surprised expression, about to open his mouth to respond before the sound of the signal warning them to get moving interrupts his thoughts. claude doesn’t think when he gently takes byleth’s hand to rush them onto the sidewalk, the signal changing just as their feet reach the concrete, one angry driver honking on their way past.

“everything changes. that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate what we have-- and that doesn’t mean everything is going to end someday. i don’t believe in fate or providence-- we forge our own future. anything can happen, and i wouldn’t just leave you behind because i’ve got big dreams.”

in the states. so he was from another country, or traveled so much it didn’t matter. byleth didn’t know enough about any country, even america, to really delve into that one yet, but he filed it away for later all the same. learning, perhaps, he took the shoulder-nudge and bumped lightly back as they walked, though he felt he couldn’t grasp the same playful energy claude put into it.

“from what i’ve heard… almost everything is a private matter to you.” in fact, a good handful of people had asked byleth details about claude after seeing how often the enigmatic man visited him, and hadn’t even been that surprised when byleth had come up empty (not, of course, that he would betray such trust, once it was given). “so i had hoped that, without a potential audience, i could learn more about you. as your friend.”

the question of what to ask, now that the moment was upon him, was one he had naturally considered in advance. he wasn’t trying to trick claude into revealing anything, had no strategy to it– he could only ask what he was most curious about. that light… that shine.

“after you graduate… what will you do?” ‘do you know?’ was the natural follow-up.. but he couldn’t imagine claude not knowing.

he supposes it shouldn’t be such a surprise that byleth is curious-- everyone always is, naturally. it’s part of the mystery that comes with keeping to himself as much as he does, and claude just hums along in agreement with the statement.

the thing was, despite how endearing byleth is, there was that question of whether or not it was worth it to divulge much. blackwood likely wouldn’t follow claude into the next stage of his life, no matter how much he might treasure his time here; his plans for the future were far greater than anything he might do during his university years.

was byleth someone claude wanted to bring with him into that future, then?

the signal changes before claude answers, the silence stretching between them as he thinks. it’s not until they’ve crossed the street that claude speaks, tone different from his usual playfulness. “growing up, i didn’t really have to want for a lot. financially, i mean-- everyone has problems, but there’s a scale to it all, y’know?” he gesticulates lightly as he speaks, although he isn’t looking directly at byleth.

“and most kids born with that kind of golden spoon in their mouths tend to be pretty blind to everyone below them. i’m not gonna say i’m not like the other guys,” he jokes, interjecting humor into his words, “but my parents raised me to be humble. to give back, in whatever way i could. philanthropy and all that.”

they turn a corner, and claude goes quiet again for a moment. “i’ve just always thought, ‘well, if we’re going to give back, shouldn’t we do more? is this really enough?’ most of my peers would disagree with that kind of sentiment, but i’ve never really fit in, anyway.” they reach another intersection, and claude turns to byleth with a simple, brilliant smile. “so i’m going to go further. and probably piss a lot of people off, but change never comes easy.”

as he had suspected, claude looked different here. the stark lighting of the office did him no justice; the evening glow of streetlights much more suited him.

“i haven’t,” he answered, something he was too used to saying. eventually, he thought, his experiences might catch up to half of what others had, but for now he would have to burden his friend – friend – with his lack of experience once more. “i’ve been to.. a farmer’s market, to do some shopping. but if there’s junk food, it’s probably something different.” though he could see the appeal if it was like a farmer’s market, he’d quite enjoyed those forays.

“i’m happy..” he started before he had fully formed the thought, “that we’re walking. i was hoping for the opportunity to speak with you.” to peel back the layers, layers, layers, that made up someone like claude, or at least one or two of them. there were things he could learn by observation alone, but not nearly so many as he could listening. many students were more than willing to unload their feelings on byleth while they waited, but as many times as claude had come through the office, not a single layer had come off. the professional atmosphere, maybe, too much for comfort. now, maybe, maybe…

a farmer’s market, then? “that’s not that far off, actually, but still different,” claude admits, waiting for byleth to fall into step by his side before starting their trek, leading the way. “i mean, i would assume as much, anyway. i’ve never actually been to any kind of festival in the states-- they can’t be that much different.” and whether or not the festivals claude can recall from his childhood really count as the same thing in the first place is up for debate, but he won’t know until they get there.

if there’s one thing claude’s learned by now, though, it’s that he should never doubt how even the simplest things could be wildly different in different countries-- especially on different continents. it baffled him when he found out they have vending machines for every product imaginable in japan when he visited with his father a few years past. it’s one of those things you’d never even expect variation in until you actually see it for the first time.

it was a nice and thoughtful way of giving back to the community and learning a lesson in nature. Will loved the outdoors, and much preferred to be out in the middle of the woods rather than living in the city. thankfully this place had a lovely park.

though he volunteered as a supervisor to the tree planting event he also wanted to plant a few of his own. he liked getting his hands dirty. the outside environment gave him an excuse to bring along his dog Winston as well, provided he wasn’t too much of a distraction.

“i hope you’re ready to get a little dirty.” Will advises as he takes a very brief glance up to the first to arrive in the section he was supervising. Will himself looked farmer ready, eager to dig into the dirt. somehow he already had dirt and soil on the knees of his jeans. Winston’s leash was around left wrist with enough slack for the dog not to get tugged as he held out a gardening shovel. “i’m Will Graham, no need to call me mister anything. Have you done anything like this before?”

despite having such a busy schedule, claude always finds a way to get himself involved in everything-- and blackwood’s latest initiative to improve the environment was no exception. he was getting less hours this week, so it gave him a little more extra time-- so why not see what this is all about and give a helping hand?

claude’s just stepped into the general vicinity of where he’s supposed to be assigned to when a familiar stranger speaks up, and claude blinks before offering a smile as he took the offering. “nice to meet you officially-- i think i’ve seen you around campus. i’m claude,” and he holds his hand out to shake, having swapped the shovel to his other hand.