#dywer

Vote Dwyer CYL6

“Rejection”

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The sight of children playing was one he hadn’t seen for many years. In the lush meadows dotted with wildflowers, the sweetsmelling air filled with the sweet sound of birdsong and joyous laughter, it was easy to forget that there was a war going on. After all, how could one think of death when every inch of this world exploded with life? Of course, this world was not their own. It existed alongside it, akin to that wretched hellhole, Valla. An “astral realm” as Lilith called them, when she first brought them to the lands she hailed from so that they could be given a few moments of respite. It was not a vacation, but a break in their journey born of necessity. It had happened so suddenly one day- Nerr had been marching at the forefront of the infantry when she paused suddenly, and swooned. A thousand fears ran through Gunther’s mind as he forced his way through the crowd to see his liege. A few minutes and a quick once over by Princess Elise later, and she was back on her feet insisting everything was fine, but by then, there had only been one word on the soldier’s lips. Pregnant.

When they made camp that night, Prince Xander ordered a meeting of the entire battalion to warn them that further fraternization was hereby prohibited. But it mattered not, the damage was done, and their leader spent the next five months out of commission… well, five months for her. Time passed much faster in the astral realms than it did in their world, and when she returned two weeks later, everyone had been shocked to see her belly no longer swollen. Now, her duties had doubled, for she was no longer just a captain, but a mother as well. Once a week at the least, once she was done overseeing things in camp and contributing to the war council, she and her husband would return to the astral realm where she had given birth. And, as they were wont to do, her family insisted they accompany her. She let them, of course, eager to have her son grow up surrounded by loved ones. Nerr, Elise, and Camilla sat in the middle of the field, probably still weaving daisy chains. Gunther smiled from where he sat near the tree line. He wished she could stay here; this place did her good. A small body settled beside him, and his smile faltered.

“Dywer. What are you doing here? I thought you were with your mother and aunts?” The young boy (he had been two the last time he saw him; now he was going on five) frowned deeply, slouching against one of the tree trunks.

“It’s hot over there. I wanna stay in the shade with you, Grampa Gunther.” The old knight felt his jaw tighten, but said nothing. Angry, hateful words burned his tongue, but he would not give into his weakness and voice them aloud.

“If you don’t wish to stay with your mother, you should find your father. He’ll be worried if you simply wander off.”

“Nuh uhn.” Dywer shook his head, his perpetually messy teal mop falling into his eyes. He had his mother’s hair, and her pointed ears, but the similarities ended there. “Mommy said I could sit with you, so it’s okay.” Gunther dug his nails into the flesh of his palm to keep silent. Of course she did… He looked back at his liege, and this time, no warm feelings washed over him. Only cold, bitter memories.

The Hoshidan sun was so bright in Izumo it was impossible to ignore, but she had still looked straight up. Just as she always did. Sometimes, he thought to chastise her for not thinking, but the truth was, he cherished these brief moments when he saw her ruffled and undignified. It was only at times like this when he could forget, if only for a moment, that he was so far below her station. He needed to forget if he was to ask what had been burning his mind for months now. She had nodded at him, poised once more, though he could still see bits of grass sticking to her tights.

“All right, then. Ask away.” Gunther swallowed hard, trying to loosen the lump in his throat. It was just a simple question, he told himself. It didn’t mean anything.

“Is there anyone- in camp, perhaps- that you have… particularly strong feelings for?” He could barely hear himself over the sound of his heart pounding in his chest. Across from him, Lady Nerr gasped, shocked or perhaps even affronted.

“Wh-why would you ask that? Where does a question like that even come from…?” ‘From having no other thought occupy mind mind for ages…’

“I don’t believe you set any stipulations regarding what I could ask and why.” He deflected her inquiry, terrified of how she might respond if she knew the truth. “You agreed that I could ask a question and you would answer me honestly.” Her shoulders slumped a bit and she looked away from him, casting her gaze to the ground.

“You’re right… you’re right, I did agree to that… There is someone in camp, yes…” The older man felt as though his heart would burst from his chest.

“Really?” He cleared his throat slightly, berating himself for sounding so eager. “I see. Then… Tell me, my lady- who is this person?” Nerr glanced back up at him, her pale cheeks darkly fushed.

“You really want to know, Gunther?” He nodded silently, not trusting his voice at that moment. “It’s… Well, it’s… Jakob.” At once, he felt his heart shatter.

“…Jakob.” She nodded, blushing even brighter.

“Yes. I-it’s a secret; I haven’t even told him yet, but… I plan to.” In that moment, Gunther wished he was dead. That he had simply been left in Valla to rot, for being torn asunder by those monstrosities would’ve been less painful than forcing himself to smile at those awful words.

“I’m happy for you, my lady. I hope that boy knows how lucky he is to have you.”

He was pulled from his thoughts by the slight pressure and warmth of a body pressed against his. Dwyer had scooted down and made himself comfortable, using the knight’s leg as a pillow. For one horrible moment, Gunther was tempted to push the boy away, to snap at him to go annoy his parents and leave him be, but no sooner than the thought came was it washed away by guilt. It wasn’t his fault. He had not asked to be brought into the world, nor was it Nerr’s fault, for one could not control who they did, or didn’t, love. Gods knew that was a lesson he had learned all too well. Sighing deeply, he rested his hand on the child’s shoulder. As painful as it could be at times, he would not renounce his duty as a knight, and as he protected his lady liege, so too must he protect her children… even if he despised them for not being his.

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A/N- “It’s over, isn’t it; why can’t I move on?”

Despite Dwyer’s competitive nature, he’s not so keen on competing with Mama Camilla. Which is kind of funny if you consider how in Jakob and Camilla’s whole support, they were competing over who loved Kamui best. Makes me wonder: has Dwyer even joined in in these competitions, and if so, has Kamui been embarrassed to death by their smothering affections? 

Twitter: torisudesu