Fell Star

“Yeah sure.” He said with a nod before reaching for the packet of seeds, “What do you have planned to plant, Professor? This seems like quite a lot. Has Dedue given some help too?”

He let out a soft groan as he hid his embarrassment behind his armored hands. Now that he was pulled out of his dark days, the old innocent boy he once was slowly started to rise up from where he once locked that facet of his personality away. Sure, he’d love nothing more than to run and hide, but that’s not what King’s do.

perhaps it was out of place, but byleth found themselves enjoying this display-- after the long dark days that hovered over the blond. the smile remained upon their lips and wondered how long the other will continue to hide his face. truthfully, byleth felt some embarrassment as well, it had taken some courage for the words to leave their mouth. and time.

          Long days and nights spent at the cathedral more often than not left his muscles to ache. Yet, they could never hurt more than the voices and demons that followed him like his own shadow. But even he needed a break from standing in one spot even if it meant he took a quiet wander around the sleeping monastery. Or so he thought it was until he caught sight of his professor and the lingering warmth that always extended from them.

          “I will sleep when I’m tired.” It’s a jerk reaction. One so snappy that these days it makes its way so easily to his tongue. Truth be told he was exhausted, and it was evident in every reflection he saw of himself. Regardless, he would not waver. What was a little loss of sleep compared to the sins that he bared?

          His sharp gaze then turns to the kettle, and for a split second he feels himself deflate. “What kind of tea?”

the response hadn’t offended them, byleth had-- grown accustomed  to the harsh tone and rough wall that now surrounded the blond. different, and uncertain. nevertheless, it didn’t deter them. perhaps someone might question why they continued in the first place. was it guilt from failing him? failing their students by not being there for them, those five long years? of course, there was guilt, byleth should have been there, should not have gone after rhea, should have done many things.

but, that wasn’t what kept byleth by his side, by their side-- the former mercenary simply loves cares for them; attached. 

“hm,” a tilt of their head, “i hope you do,” but he won’t. no matter how badly byleth might wish to urge the blond to gain some rest. even briefly. they constant worry. please sleep. let me help.

slow and lazy movements, they reached for the tea-- a few options, but their eyes settled on one. “chamomile,it was your favortie,” they remembered, but the tea itself was calming. byleth had yet to plant the specific herbs for a better option. this would do. 

“No…” He said as he looked away nervously, “Dedue did after Gustav told him I’m afraid. Gustav might have given me a stern talking to, but it’s nothing compared to what Dedue did.”

such a bright color, it made byleth recall days long passed when the other was younger, and when things were less dark. or at least, hidden so well that the light hardly exposed them. byleth arched a brow, their expression remained ever stoic, at least for a few moments.

the corners of their lips twitched upwards. it’s a blush, and it was--

byleth does suffer from a decent amount of anxiety, they just never really put a name to it. during childhood it’s what drove them away from interacting with people, encouraged by jerlat keeping his child sheltered/safe. it always felt like a squirmy sensation that would slowly spread out and make them feel hot, yet cold at the same time.