#hiddenfangirling

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, King of Faerghus, and his ever loyal vassal, Dedue, rested a moment on their path. They had been on a tour of the border for some weeks, something he personally did every year. As they sat atop their horses to drink from canteens, the forest to one side caught Dimitri’s eye.

Gleann na Duin was known to be the home of fairies, the Sidhe, and so was usually avoided.

Dimitri, despite the respect he had for Fae lore, couldn’t help but think this forest would be a fine place to hunt.

He climbed off his horse, the beast nickering and shifting from hoof to hoof as he set an intent gaze just inside the tree border.

"Give me a moment, Dedue. I would like to go check something."

“As you wish, your Highness. “ Dedue gave a small bow from atop his own horse, and began to rummage in a saddlebag for fruit and cheese for when his master returned.

Dimitri stepped through the thicket of trees with little trouble, pretty pebbles and stones skittering about his steel boots while his hands worked to push aside branches.  He almost had to fight a twig to release strands of blond hair, gauntlet swatting impatiently at the offending appendage before he was free.

He released a short exhale.

Then immediately felt how different the atmosphere was.

Hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.  His skin shuddered in soft prickles and the king had a strange urge to sneeze.  But none of it compared to how fast his heart began to thumpthumpthump in his chest.

Dimitri swallowed, recalling stories of men who experienced the same sensations - to fall for the allure of the bizarre and unique, only to disappear without a trace.  Never to be seen from again.

Yet there was a game trail ahead.  Something that was more nature-made, more familiar, then a string of stories that were told to him as a child.  And so he curiously followed it, wondering what kind of animal had made it.

A breeze wafted past his ear, carrying the sound of lilting flutes.  He focused, eyes closed and hand gripping his lance as his ears strained for the pleasing melody.

Soft high notes...long, gentle, wistful.

Dimitri turned to what he thought was the east and notes that it’s the same direction as the game trail.  How convenient.

The warrior King crouched and studied the soil, observing a mixture of game; rabbits, maybe a boar, even deer.  He blinked and stood up, curious at what other varying creatures reside here and how many could fill the tables and stomachs of the people in his home.

He ventured further in, careful to stay on the trail while straining his ears for the soothing melody.

As he ducked under a fallen tree, the King spotted claw marks on another nearby, possibly a bear. He must definitely make plans with the others for a grand hunt here. Dimitri smiled at the thought of his friend Felix, excited for a hunt but pretending not to be.

A moment more and he stopped in his tracks. The forest was nearly silent, the flutes were no longer playing.  He spun back the way he came, and realized he had gone much further than intended. The tree line was no longer in view. Instead, bright blue eyes focus on the tall stones he had just passed through, and the mushrooms at his feet. He cursed, and pushed back down the path with a new sense of urgency.

Then everything grew quiet.

A kind of quiet that rang in one's ears after a powerful spell.  The kind that set your teeth on edge and made your mind ache for the simplest of sounds.

Dimitri couldn't help but feel unnerved.  The back of his neck felt like it was burning while every inch of his skin grew cold with foreboding.

He sneezed before cursing under his breath, feeling like the noise echo loud enough to fill the entire forest.

The King looked around, on edge when he saw nothing but underbrush, trees, and stillness.

"I should head back…”  He said, unsure why he was talking out loud.  “Dedue will grow worried."

But as he looked through the trees, Dimitri realized he didn't recognize the path he just walked. The colors were different, the smells too. There were plants here that he had never seen before, and he realized belatedly one had snaked around his ankle and was attempting to pull him down. He recoiled in surprise(and maybe a little in horror), tearing the vine from the ground in the process.

His eyes scrambled to find something, anything familiar. Finding nothing, the King decided to take a chance.

"Dedue! Dedue can you hear me!?”

He yelled in the direction he thought he came from. His words don't seem to travel as far as they should - simply eaten by the trees.

The silence fell thick again and Dimitri knew he had to move. He picked a direction and started to walk. More plants, this time with thorns, crossed his path and he cut them down with his lance. He thought he saw eyes staring at him from the foliage but he ignored them, trying to look intimidating (he'd been told he's very good at it).

Dimitri looked for any sort of landmark he thought he could use, wildly wishing he had not gone on this adventure in the first place.  All of the trees felt like they were blending together, branches entwining and blocking anything resembling a path.  Bushes latched onto his armor and acted more like prickling thorns than normal leaves.  He found himself tripping over rocks, plowing through deep pools of mud, even push through what looked like a wall of vines.

“Blasted-!”

He stopped, suddenly feeling a gaze on him that made his entire body feel on edge.

The grip on his lance tightened as he spun around, arm raised at the ready only to face nothing but a wall of trees and brush that looked more overgrown than when he first walked through it.  Eyes narrowing, Dimitri slowly lowered his weapon despite how tense and on guard he felt.  He took no more than a few steps before he realized he could hear it again.

The flute.

Dimitri turned left the moment he felt the tune tickle his ear, making long strides and leaps as he chased after the ever-quickening melody - fighting off creeping vines and sticky thorns.

The music rose to a pitch, digging into his mind, and ringing in his ears as he shouldered past two trees that had fallen together. In his haste, he walked into something soft as it wrapped around his face. Spider webs clouded his vision and tickled his nose. Dimitri swiped at the threads in his eyes, and when they were clear he stopped dead in his tracks.

He couldn’t see it, but he sensed something large sneaking up from behind. He gripped Areadbhar tighter and rolled onto the balls of his feet, preparing for whatever may come. It happened quickly. A large, hairy, segmented leg punctured the ground in front of him and Dimitri dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the glistening fangs of a giant spider.  Its many eyes sparkled at the sight of its prey as it lunged again.

Dimitri had dealt with much worse than this, and the spider was too slow. He strafed again, underneath the giant foreleg, spinning his lance and removing the appendage before burying the blade deep into the creature's middle. It hissed in agony, venom spraying in all directions as the beast writhed, falling to the ground with a thunderous crash and curling in on itself before becoming still.

Adrenaline coursed through his blood like a burst of magic, making his skin tingle with energy and his breathing hard with exhaustion.  His grip on Areadbhar loosened as he closed his eyes and allowed the peace to wash over him.  But no peace came; not when worrying thoughts tainted his mind and making him wonder if he’d ever get out of this place.  It didn’t help that it was so quiet too - no singing birds or rustling of brush, just an eerie feeling and a gigantic, dead spider that left him reeling.

That was when Dimitri realized the music had stopped playing.

That is probably a bad sign,  the King thought while wiping his bloody blade on the grass.

Looking around, he spotted a dim light far in the distance as it filtered through the trees.  It seemed promising (and perhaps his only option) as he walked towards it, not noticing the corpse of the spider twist and twist until it bursts into a cloud of flowers and fairy dust.

Dimitri strained to listen for the flute, but found only silence that was both eerie and comforting on his trek - his escape - from this strange place.  Leaves rustled in the wind and he glanced up, watching them bristle against the sky while the tree branches stayed strong against the agitated gust. He noted he still couldn't hear any animals, a fact that kept him on guard in case there were more of those long legged beasts around.  

Scowling, he looked around again, finding he did not like this place one bit.  

With quickened steps, the King became more determined than ever to escape this maddening forest with it's insane, terrifying creatures.  Giant spiders.  Strange pathways and plants that try to trap and bind.  This place was certainly treacherous and bizarre - a death trap for all those foolish enough to venture in.  Foolish people like him.

Dimitri pushed through the tree line with angry, clumsy swipes of his lance; not allowing the branches and leaves to block his path to freedom and sanity.  Despite wishing he could direct his anger at himself for being stupid enough to be lured in, he couldn’t help but feel relieved when he stumbled into a small clearing.  

Though the surrounding forest signaled he had yet to reach freedom, he found the little area a welcoming sight from snagging brush and creeping trees.  Just the sight of what looked like a freshwater pond made him smile, but his eyes couldn’t help but flicker at the reflection that rippled across the surface.

His breath hitched and he looked up.

Dimitri thought visions like this only happened in fairy tales.

A girl, somewhere around his own age, sat next to a small pond surrounded by flowers and reeds. A ray of light shines through the treetops, perfectly haloing a head a fluffy light green hair that wrapped around a beautiful, placid face and shining green eyes.  They widened just slightly at his appearance, her body still as she sat at the edge of the pool with fingers dipped into the water and little fish nipping at the tips.  Dimitri's attention traveled down following a curvy torso covered in a simple dress to pale legs and bare feet.

He stood stunned, unable to tear his eyes away or keep himself from stammering like he had as a schoolboy. "A-Ah. Good -"

Dimitri was so mesmerized, he didn't notice the boar charging in behind him.

The girl covered her gasp with her hand as Dimitri is plowed into the pond; the grunting, grumbling, huffing pinkish-red boar stomping in place before she waddled off.  Just as she disappeared under the brush, the blonde stranger broke the surface, his arms flailing and head spinning around as he tries to find what had hit him.

The girl relaxed back on her knees and leaned close, face plain but eyes shining with slight concern. "Are you all right?"

Dimitri spun at the sound of her voice, mouth gaping and face lit with confusion, awe, and bewilderment.

"O-Oh, uh, yes!  Yes, I'm quite fine!"  

There didn’t seem to be a bottom to this pond. Luckily he knew how to swim since Sylvain had once pushed him into a lake years ago.   He reached for the edge and began to climb up out of the bank. The girl reached out and took his arm to help, and Dimitri thought he might fall back in from the shock he felt at her touch.

He clambered out, neck red with embarrassment as he tried to stand and look like the King he was, despite being a sopping wet mess. "Er...I'm sorry for..." His hand waved vaguely at the pond, and the forest beyond. "...this. F-for disturbing you." Her hand still hadn't left his arm and he imagined he can feel its heat through his gauntlet. "Ah. I think I am lost...I don't suppose...?" His eyes never left her face

The girl tilted her head at him curiously,  "You've must've walked a long way to end up here."

Dimitri couldn't help but rock on his feet at the sound of her voice, finding that it somehow made his heart tickle, but in a good way.

"Y-Yes, I must have."  He swallowed, mouth dry.  "You see, I was with my friend, Dedue.  We were out on patrol when I seem to have wandered off.  There was a trail and some music..."

Now he was just babbling like a fool while this pretty girl beautiful woman looked up at him with apt interest.

"-And then I found this clearing and you and...uh, well, you know the rest of course.".

Her eyes crinkled up at the side, and the corners of her mouth turn up just slightly. A tiny breath huffed out of her nose as she remembered the last few minutes. Such a small change and yet it was like the sun shining through the clouds.

"Ah. I- My name is Dimitri." He gave a small bow, tendrils of his damp hair sliding in front of his eyes. He was shocked when a small hand pushed them out of the way and the woman's face appeared in front of his own, much closer than before.

"Dimitri." He swore hers is the voice of an angel's. "My name is Byleth."

The King straightened up quickly, wondering if he would ever have a chance to get his feet back under him. "Byleth. I-It's nice to meet you. Do you...do you know the way out of this forest?”

Byleth frowned and placed her hand on her face in thought, "Not particularly."

Dimitri found he could not understand what she meant by that.  Did she live here?  If so, she should surely know the way out - or at the very least - around the area.

"I'm sorry, I don’t understand..."

But Byleth was looking away from him now, hand back on his arm, making him freeze as he zeroed in on it.  He couldn’t help but marvel at how small and fragile it looked against his rough, black armor.

He suddenly wondered how it compared to his actual arm and wanted to see.

"It's growing late," Byleth said softly.  "It would be unwise for you to wander around alone in the dark."

He looked up, trying to see through the tree tops. It had gotten darker and he hadn't noticed. But Dimitri knew he needed to get out sooner, rather than later, even if he could feel the temptation to stay tugging at him. He chuckled darkly.

"Despite the last few minutes, I can take care of myself. If you'll only point the way, I think I could be out before full dark."

He felt her hand twitch. Byleth shook her head slowly. "I don't think you will. My father's house is near. Come, get dry. You can try to leave in the morning."

Dimitri wanted to argue, but the truth was he was getting cold, and he had already had enough of this forest for one day. If he was being honest with himself, he wanted more time with this girl he had just met, as well. He nodded reluctantly, and let her start to drag him away.

Dimitri didn't even notice the slight pitches of the flute that came from each and every direction; a noise that made Byleth feel on edge the closer they got to her home. Normally, the King would question such behavior and find it suspicious but...

"There," Byleth gestured through the trees at a small, modest cabin and a barn next to it. "Father should be finished with dinner by now."

Dimitri swallowed, his mouth suddenly watering at the smell of potatoes and meat. Perhaps he could eat a little for his journey...

The lass turned to look at him, her eyes practically sparkling like star-light and making Dimitri realize that such dazzling eyes were not normal. Finally, he found himself all too aware of her slightly too large eyes, pert and lovely mouth, the pointed tips of her ears, and the soft glow her hair that seemed to radiate as the sun starts to set.

"I'm sure we'll have enough if you're hungry. You'll need the energy after a long day."

He stopped dead in his tracks. Suddenly, the reality of where Dimitri is crashed down on him like the side of a mountain. Gleann na Duin, this forest was said to have been haunted by fairies for ages. The villagers nearby used stories of this place to scare their children. Dimitri believed in the Fair Folk, had heard many of the tales himself, but he had grown up in Fhirdiad, a city far from anywhere that would be touched by the fae. He hadn't heeded the warnings, or even thought to. Even as he stared dumbstruck at the woman in front of him, the spitting image of some of the pictures the King remembered from books in his childhood, he was having trouble believing.

Had he struck his head? Was Dimitri dreaming somewhere on the forest floor, still well within earshot of Dedue? He honestly hoped so. The stories didn't often have good endings for men who trespassed on fae lands.

Dimitri had dropped his arm from Byleth’s hand when he stopped. She stared up at him, a mild look of wounded confusion on her face. Warnings about the fae belatedly cross his mind as Dimitri sheepishly tried to recover.

"I-I wouldn't want to give your father any ideas of impropriety. Please, go ahead." He motioned for Byleth to go ahead of him. She didn't look like she understood, but she nodded and turned back towards the little cabin. As the fairy(?) maiden took a step towards her home, Dimitri took one step back towards the forest - his mind whirling as she glanced back. He stood straight, giving her a meek look and a little wave before she turned back around, thinking he was following.

The King took this time to turn around and bolt it. Without so much as a glance back, the blonde was through the thickets and wildflowers before Byleth could be none the wiser. And so he ran. He ran and he ran and ran. Dimitri ignored how heavy his breath was to his ears, or how loud and hard his heart was pounding in his chest. He could not fathom the strange, almost frolicking music that seemed to match his steps.

It was toying with him. The forest was toying with him like a cat pawing at a meager field mouse. Dimitri could feel his anger rise at this stab at his pride, having gotten out of worse situations then this ten times over. Large scale battles? Whatever. A pack of wild, ravaging snow lions near the brink of starvation? As if. Hells, even Felix's snarky attitude was more of a challenge!

This forest was nothing! He would conquer it. Conquer it like the King he was.

Dimitri sped up and burst through a clearing, skidding to a stop when he realized he was back where he started.

This forest was toying with him...

And now the girl who'd only gotten halfway towards her home was looking at him like he is some fool. Gods, he felt like a fool. Especially when she rushed up to him with concern in her voice. "Are you alright? Did you suddenly fall ill?"

Dimitri was thankful that she didn’t notice his failed escape, but damn he was also angry and tired. He rubbed his hand over his face, trying to regain his composure and catch his breath. His eyes scanned Byleth, looking for any sign of duplicity. Either she is genuine, or a very good actress. Unfortunately for Dimitri, he didn’t know enough about fairies to be able to say one way or the other.

The King sighed, momentarily defeated. "Actually, I think I need to sit down." The fae girl (and it was still difficult to admit that that's what she must be) curled her arm around his elbow, and he barely noticed in his current state. They began to walk back towards the cabin together, while Dimitri tried to think of ways he might escape, when the door to the cabin opened and a grizzled older man stepped through.

Everyone stopped, the new man's eyes meeting Dimitri’s and then Byleth's, and then back to Dimitri's. He studied him thoroughly, as if questioning if what he was really seeing was true or not. Dimitri took this moment to study him too, his own gaze searching through his still damp hair. The King could add wet, tired, and cold to the list of things that had made this day worse.

And by the way the stranger was looking at the fae on his arm with a worried frown - Dimitri knew he would be adding "Protective Guardian" to that list as well.

The man turned back towards the door, not bothering to look over his shoulder at them. "Well, don't just stand there. Bring him in."

Byleth followed, pulling a reluctant Dimitri inside. It was a small cabin with a main living area and kitchen, and what he assumed are two cramped bedrooms to the side. He had to duck when he went through the door. The other man, Dimitri assumed must be Byleth's father, is setting a place at what looked like a hand-carved table up against one wall. The almost heavenly scent of meat stew came from a pot hanging over a fire in a fireplace, with a stuffed armchair nearby. It was a cozy home, and the King is just a little comforted by being inside.

The fae woman stepped away for a moment into one of the side rooms, and came back with a towel. She threw it over his head and began to rub his hair dry. It was so embarrassing that Dimitri forgot himself and took hold of her wrist. "It's okay! I can do this myself." He blushed at the look of disappointment that crossed her face, and chanced a look at her father, who just rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Well, don't just stand there. Come and sit down. Tell me what’s happened."

Byleth pulled away to walk towards the fire, and Dimitri reluctantly followed. He couldn't help but want to keep his guard up, especially with this fae girl's father staring at him like a collector would a butterfly.

He was pulled from their staring contest when Byleth forced him to sit in the armchair, letting the fire warm up his side as she began to dry his hair with the towel once more. Dimitri blushed but couldn't bring himself to stop her again, the more so because her father was within arm's reach and would probably do it himself just to scare him.

"H-Hello, sir." His voice didn't sound like it's usual deep and intimidating growl, the one he used to face opponents. He couldn't help but feel like a tiny boy again, squaring up with his instructor. "I...Got lost in the woods."

The other man stared down at him blankly, "I can see that."

"Ah, well..." This was certainly awkward.

The towel stopped moving as Byleth turned to her father. "He needs a place to stay the night." The older man scowled, and rubbed the back of his neck. Tired brown eyes moved between his daughter and Dimitri. "Just one night?"

The younger man gave a determined nod. "I will leave in the morning."

Byleth's father looked skeptical, one corner of his mouth pulling back as he examined the other in front of him. "You can sleep in the barn. My name is Jeralt, and you've already met my daughter, Byleth." His eyes narrowed at the last part of his sentence. Dimitri fought back the instinct to squirm.

Meanwhile, Byleth scooped a helping of stew into a bowl, and she handed it to Dimitri with a glowing smile. He was only just starting to relax again, but now the King felt every muscle in his back tighten up in nervousness. "You're hungry, aren't you? Please, eat something."

He stared at the bowl in his hands, at a loss for what to do. Now that he suspected where he was, all the stories he had been told were coming back to him, and all the lessons they gave. One of the more common themes was this one: never eat food given to you by a fairy. In fact, never accept any gifts at all, unless you wish to be beholden to them.

Dimitri looked around, desperate for some excuse. The best he could do, as his gaze landed on Jeralt, was a weak "I-I'm sorry. It's been a long day and I'm just too tired to eat." Jeralt looked back at him, and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Byleth's mouth pursed, her eyes looked fretful despite how very little her face moved. The look almost made Dimitri feel bad, especially when she glanced at her father for help. Luckily, Jeralt showed some mercy and took the King's bowl to give to his daughter.

"Don't push him too hard. He isn't a baby animal that needs coddling."

Byleth still looked put out, but didn't question her father as she took her food to the table to eat. Dimitri watched her go, a bit relieved that she wasn't forcing any kind of strange fairy magic on him. Jeralt cleared his throat, making the King turn back to him, face hot with embarrassment at being caught staring at the man's daughter.

"So," Jeralt grabbed a spare stool by the fire and sat in front of the blonde to talk low. "You got a life outside of this place?"

Dimitri blinked, finding the question odd. "Of course."

The man nodded, though he was scowling. "Then make sure you keep your eyes forward and off Byleth if you want to see it again."

Dimitri sank back into the chair, away from the older man. It was sound advice, even if it came in the form of a threat. "I intend to, sir. I really must leave in the morning."

Jeralt nodded. "How long were you lost?"

"Since this afternoon, if I had to guess." Was it really only a few hours?

"Did you meet with any trouble?"

At that, Dimitri let out a small, sad, laugh. "Trouble? Only plants that tried to hold me down, monstrous spiders, and animals knocking me into ponds." Not to mention beautiful women.

Jeralt groaned, and rubbed his temple with one hand. "Claude."

Byleth perked up from her spot at the table, spoon halfway to her mouth. "He's out in the forest tonight. We heard his flutes on the way back."

"Of course you did," Jeralt grumbled while scratching his head in frustration.

Byleth finished her bite, her blank gaze on Dimitri. He tried to keep from staring back, but he could feel her intense gaze on the back of his neck and he wasn't sure how much more he could take.

"Byleth, why don't you finish up then go to bed."

Said girl frowned and made a move to object but paused when her father held up a hand to stop her. "I'll set up the kid's bed for the night - you need to rest. You spent most of the day cleaning."

Byleth continued eating her stew, pouting now as she went back to staring at Dimitri. It still made the King feel nervous and...well, excited? He had to squash that feeling. There was too much for him to worry about. As much as he appreciated the attention of a nice, interesting, beautiful girl, there is too much danger here and Dimitri sensed that she was at least a small part of it - possibly was quite a large part of it. So he tried to ignore the hairs rising on his neck, and the flush creeping up his face. "Er. W-Who is Claude?"

"He's a friend." "He's a monster." The other two spoke at the same time. Byleth let out a huff of annoyance. "Papa, you know that isn't true."

"Tell that to the scarecrow he used for target practice. Or the skin I was drying that he used to paint that lewd scene. Today I discovered that all of our buckets have holes in them, and I'd be willing to lay down money that is Claude's fault too." Jeralt turned his eyes to Dimitri and his face said he'd had it up to here already. "Claude is a trickster, and you'd be better off avoiding him entirely. But it seems you've already caught his attention. It's for the best you ended up here, instead of wandering out in the trees tonight."

He sighed tiredly and stood up. “When you're ready, come with me and I'll get you settled in the barn.” Dimitri raised his brows and quickly stood, casting one last gaze at Byleth as he followed Jeralt out the front door again.

Byleth watched them both leave the house closely, her eyes catching hold of Dimitri's just as he stepped out the door. Her reward for finally catching his gaze was a soft, pink blush that spread all across the blonde's cheeks while his mouth opened and closed, as if thinking twice at saying anything before he followed her father from the home.

Jeralt paused as he lead his horse from the barn, gear in his other hand. "That was likely Claude. I'll distract him. Go back the way you came, don't stop for anything."

"Why are you doing this?" Dimitri took the saddle from Jeralt and threw it on top of the horse.

The old man sighed. "I don't want you to be stuck here like me."

Dimitri took a moment to study the man, noting he looked less fuzzy then his daughter, less...magical. In fact, the male looked grizzled and more human than anything he'd seen all day. Crows feet lined his narrowed eyes, and his hair was windswept with a bit of dust and braided back in a normal style.

It was a vast difference from Byleth. Though he could see the similarities between them with their blunt way of things, she held a more grace, her steps were light and her skin unblemished and hair wild, yet beautiful and silky-No No No NO!

He shook his head and looked to Jeralt, "Is it her that keeps you here?"

That made the man snort, "Don't ask too many questions or you'll end up with answers that just weigh you down. If you really are trapped here too you'll have plenty of time to grill me later. Get going."

Dimitri reluctantly mounted the horse. He didn't like leaving this man here if he really was trapped, but he didn't even know how to save himself. Perhaps once he was free, Dimitri could come back with a rescue party. He nodded at Jeralt, and kicked the horse into a trot facing the way they had entered the clearing.

Jeralt waited until the young man disappeared into the trees, then walked into the forest on the other side. As he disappeared into the shadows, he could already feel the angry scowl on his face. He crossed his arms and yelled into the dark. "Claude!"

"No need to shout."

Jeralt tapped his arm impatiently as the faun practically de-materialized from the shadows of the trees. He was leaning back against one of the trunks, his horns looking slightly smaller than the last time the human had seen him. The man didn't care enough to ask, but he was positive the fae used his horns as carvings for flutes, talismans and sometimes odd gifts for his daughter.

He didn't really care for the latter.

"You can quit playing with the kid now - he won't be coming back."

A toothy smirk crept onto Claude's face. Bright green eyes sparkled with mischief. "Won't he? That seems rude, after you and the Lady welcomed him into your home. Did he at least stay for dinner?"

"No, he's smarter than that."

"Smarter than you?"

Jeralt grit his teeth. "He's important, Claude. I'm not sure how. He can't be stuck here."

The faun just shrugs with a chuckle. "What do I care if you think a human is important? Weren't you also supposed to have been great? And yet here you are, and thanks to that so is the Lady.“

He crossed his arms, mirroring Jeralt's stance. "She likes him. I saw it the moment they laid eyes on each other. So long as that's true, he stays."

"You don't like him," Jeralt challenged, noting the annoyance that crossed the faun's face.

But Claude took it in stride as he pulled out his flute, idly puffing into the holes for wayward notes. "It doesn't matter if I like him or not. My Lady Byleth does and that's all that matters."

The father scowled, knowing it would be useless to deny such a thing. Not after the way Byleth had been staring with keen interest at the boy, more so than anything him or Claude had ever shown her. Even more so than when he'd first pulled out his sword when she was a wee child and told her they'd be learning how to use it.

No, this curiosity of hers was dangerous. A dangerously human thing that Jeralt was sad he was trying to have to rip away from her.

"Don't worry so much. She'll tire of him soon," Claude chuckled good-naturedly.

Jeralt wasn't so sure. He had felt the sparks when Dimitri and Byleth had been in the room together. It had made him want to throw the boy back into the pond. "You'll regret it if he stays. He'll take her from you."

Claude's smile is thoughtful. "Even if she doesn't tire of the human, she and I are connected. I will always be with her regardless of anyone's feelings but my Lady's own. I don't believe that will be the case though. Byleth is fae! The boy is nothing more than a toy to be played with until he is broken or she becomes bored. Then I will quietly remove him." He motions as if sweeping something away.

Jeralt only sighed, and hoped that the kid has somehow found himself able to break through the cage. The sinking feeling in his gut said that he would fail, though. And so Jeralt started to plan for a future with one more person in it.

"She's human too, y'know." Jeralt growled, but his glare was as half-hearted as his words.

Byleth is half human, half of him, yet she appeared more fae than anything. It scared Jeralt and he sometimes wondered if his teachings meant anything. If he meant anything to her...

Claude huffed and stretched, "Yes, well, we don't talk about that part."

At the sound of hooves, the faun winked at Jeralt, who groaned. "Don't worry so much. You'll make yourself sick. Let Milady have her fun, and the human will be gone before you know it."

Jeralt turned to greet the confused and upset young man atop the horse as it rode back into the clearing. He knew that Claude had already vanished.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

His nightly escape had been a total failure. A complete and utter disappointment.

Well...almost.

Dimitri should have felt more upset (who wouldn't be?). He should be cutting down the very forest itself, rushing through like an unstoppable force ready to take down an unmovable wall. But how could he?

How could he be sad when Byleth gave him that smile.

Her pert, pink lips had only turned up slightly - a sight Dimitri felt is quite rare from the way Jeralt was staring. It wasn't just her smile that lit up, but her eyes. Dimitri could have sworn they glowed as beautifully as her hair.

Perhaps this failure wasn't so bad...

"You're still here."

The blonde bulk of a man stared dumbly as the lithe woman walked over and placed a hand on his arm. Her eyes were downcast and Dimitri had to keep himself from catching her chin to stop her.

"Yes, I'm still here." Dimitri couldn’t stop the smile from growing on his face or the flushed feeling that spread throughout his chest.

"I was worried," Byleth glanced up at him briefly then back to the ground.

Oh, if he were to die here, he was sure he'd be deliriously happy.

She took his hand and tugged, "Help me with the garden."

"O-okay."

Jeralt watched the two walk to the back of the stone cabin with a deep frown.

When Byleth had said 'Garden', Dimitri had thought a quaint little area with pretty flowers and herbs, colorful and beautiful like the woman who had a strange hold on him. He had not been expecting an entire farm.

"Ah..." Dimitri stared at her in stunned silence as Byleth placed a hoe in his hands.

They stood there for a few moments, gazing at one another as if waiting for...something, anything.

Byleth's eyes screwed up a moment and she motioned her arms as if she is holding a tool and swung at the ground. "Like this."

What? Oh. OH! Dimitri blushed darkly, "Y-Yes! I'm sorry, I was just..."

But Byleth merely nodded and patted his arm, as if praising him for understanding. He felt his flush creep down his neck in embarrassment when she walks away to pick some tomatoes.

She must think him a fool.

Perhaps she was right, especially considering Jeralt had caught him staring at his daughter for much longer then what was proper. Damn it. He just wanted to go home.

“Byleth, go water the potatoes."

The fae girl paused, brows furrowed just slightly with confusion. Dimitri couldn't stop himself from focusing on the little spot between her eyebrows, wondering if the scrunch there was normal for her or not. She was so hard to read and the blonde briefly wondered if all fae were like her.

"But..."

Jeralt didn't give her a chance to reply as he pushed a watering can into her hands. She glanced down at the tin can, then at her father. Dimitri expected her to talk back, but she only turned to go to the end of the field to water a plot.

He would have found the sight cute, but she surely couldn't water so much with a tiny can.

Ever the gentleman, Dimitri moved to help. But he was stopped by a hand on his chest. The touch made Dimitri recoil slightly, not used to casual contact. Normally he'd never take off his armor, but tilling a field was hard work and this oddly warm weather was making him break a sweat.

"It looks like a lot of work-"

"She'll be a while regardless." Jeralt grunted while gesturing towards the front of the house.

"I can help, it's no problem." Dimitri wasn't sure if it was safe with this man, even if he tried to help him escape.

But he had failed and the young man wasn't sure what the man planned to do. At least he knew what Byleth was doing.

Farming was easy. Fathers were scary.

"Don't bother," Jeralt motioned him to follow again. "We don't have any potatoes."

Dimitri faltered but caught on. There was no escape from this, it seemed.

Well, he supposed he would take it like a man, whatever this talk was going to be. So he trailed after the older male, lump stuck in his throat as they make it to the edge of the woods. Jeralt stopped, eyes set on the forest in front of him. Dimitri waited for the man to find his words. The King can’t help but recognize the look in his eyes.

Desire

For freedom? Peace? Dimitri wasn’t sure he’d ever know.

“You do know what kind of shit you’re in, right?”

Dimitri swallowed, unsure if he would put it that way. He nods.

“I’m not sure you do,” Jeralt grunted while kicking at a cat tail plant. “Where are you from? How’d you get here?”

The blonde explained what had happened the best he could (even if he didn’t understand it). He wisely omitted his family name and their, *ahem*, responsibilities.

“So from that direction.” Jeralt pointed to what Dimitri believed is the west and nods. The man looked thoughtful before speaking again. “Right. I suppose you’ll be better prepared to leave tonight.”

“P-Pardon?”

“You want to leave, don’t you?” Jeralt was annoyed now.

“Y-Yes, of course!” Dimitri felt like a fool, again. What was with this place?!

“Then we’ll be better prepared for your escape tonight. It won’t be easy.”

“I’m sorry, but what is this place? What is going on?” He was growing weary of all this. Surely someone would tell him something!

Jeralt gave him a pitying look and clasped Dimitri’s shoulder, making the younger male jump in surprise. “I’m sure you know what’s happening here.”

No! No he doesn’t!! “Wait, I need answers-“

“Byleth!”

Dimitri jerked away and glanced in the direction of the house. His eyes widen as a figure steps outside in black armor, HIS BLACK ARMOR. Jeralt had seen it too, and was turning toward her with an exasperated groan.

“Byleth! You take that off right now!”

The little figure waddled away, the collar of the chest plate reaching high enough to cover her mouth. Her mint hair was bundled around the shoulders and Dimitri almost laughed when she almost fell over in her escape.

No, wait!

He shook his head and grabbed Jeralt’s arm before he could get away. “Tell me what’s going on! Where am I?!”

Jeralt stopped, glancing back at Dimitri with a tilted smile that looked…sad.

“Kid, do you know the old tales? Of the fae and the rules?”

“Yes.” Dimitri was getting impatient. “Don’t eat offered food, don’t follow them to their home. Don’t step into a fairy circle.”

Jeralt laughed. “You’ve done a good job to ignore those warnings.”

“But I didn’t…” Dimitri scowled, refusing to believe what he had already started to suspect. “That would mean I stepped into a realm, THIS REALM! I didn’t cross any circle!”