#seteleth

So you surrendered to your fate, knowing Seteth would not be in bed that night. He remained buried in paperwork until he had to join you at some ceremony or gathering or whatever was expected of such an important public servant.

Since the war's end two years ago, this was your life. But unlike Seteth, you had reached a point where you could carve out peaceful times of day, and could get more than four hours of sleep at night.

While the reconstruction of Fodlan was top priority for most of that time, the demand of the job had finally started to slow down.

Seteth could also afford to slow down now, you thought. If the Archbishop could find time to breathe, surely her second in command could, too.

Such was your reasoning while heading to his office one rainy afternoon.

The weather was dull and dreary; perfect for an afternoon nap. With your own duties cleared until later that night, you planned to have Seteth join you.

A couple inquiries along the way confirmed he was toiling away in the office. When you arrived, the closed doors did not deter you.

Two polite raps against them didn’t get a response. You sighed to yourself; he was definitely buried deep in his work.

Testing the handle led it to open without resistance. And the scene that greeted you was your beloved…buried under the parchment, as always.

“Forgive the intrustion…may I come in?”

Your voice did the trick. His hunched shoulders suddenly straightened, brows raised when sharp green eyes locked on yours.

“Byleth!” His surprise gave way to a pleasant smile, “Apologies, I didn’t hear the door. By all means, come in.” 

“Thank you,” The doors clicked shut behind you. Seteth rose from his chair with a stretch that resulted in an audible pop- startling you both.

“I take it you’ve not stood up in a while, dear?”

“Perhaps I’ve been sat here longer than I thought.” He replied, sheepish from his body’s complaint. “Nothing some stretches can’t fix.”

“Would you consider taking a break?” You asked as he rounded the desk, leaned against the wood frame. He opened an arm to welcome you to his side, which you were glad to accept. 

It was something of an open secret that you were together. You maintained a polite distance in front of students, but behind closed doors you could be a bit more affectionate.

Well, as much as Seteth would allow before his shyness got the better of him.

For now, though, you were glad to settle against him, wrapping an arm around his waist.

“...Hm. You feel a little thinner, Seteth. Have you been eating properly?

“Well-” He hesitated, though he grew flustered when you glared. “I have not missed any meals on purpose! I simply…you know.”

“I can see how that might have happened.” You gestured to the stacks of parchment all around you. “...Are you certain I can’t take some of this off your hands? This is far more paperwork than any one man should do. Especially if it’s interfering with your health.”

“I have suffered through worse, I assure you.” He sighed, “But I would be lying if I said this wasn’t a bit overwhelming.”

“So I can help?”

“No, no. It’s fine, I assure you. It simply means I must work harder to clear it away!”

“Dearest…” You felt him shift under your warning tone. “You've been working hard for several days. I suspected you were overdoing it again, but now it’s clear. Which means you don’t get to say no to any of my plans for the day.”

“Oh, no. You have plans for us?” He frowned, dreading the derailment of his schedule. “I have several deadlines due tonight, Byleth. I cannot afford to shirk my duties. And if I recall correctly, you have meetings this evening.”

“I do- which is why my plot need only occur this afternoon.” 

“...Plot?”

“Indeed. My plot to drag you to bed and nap with me.”

“Nap-?” He repeated with a scoff. You pulled back to look at him indignantly. “We aren't children! Why would we do that?”

“Because you hardly come to bed at a decent hour, and I haven’t seen you outside of meetings in days. You are gone before I wake, and you’re in bed after I’m asleep-- assuming there are days you get there, at all!” 

“I suppose…you are not wrong, but-”

“I want to spend time with you outside our obligations. Not just for me, mind you, but because you need to before the work finally buries you!”

Seteth did attempt to brush off your warning, though it was ineffective.

“I would love to spend time with you too, dearest, honestly. But I need to prioritize some of this before I even think of doing anything else. Would you be open to a compromise?”

“A compromise?” You echoed, “What do you have in mind?”

“If you’ll allow me one hour to finish my more pressing tasks, I swear to set aside the rest of my afternoon for you. Is that amenable?”

“...And it will be a single hour, nothing more?” You stepped closer, your hands on either side of him against the desk. 

You were awfully close- he felt slightly trapped.

“Yes…not a second more. Then I will be wholly yours to force into a nap, even if it is unnecessary.”

Your eyes narrowed, assessing his offer. “...Very well. I accept your terms.” 

He hummed in surprise when you kissed him then, sealing the deal with a teasing little peck.

At least he thought it was; then the floor fell out from under him.

The hum turned into a muffled squawk when you pinned his arms over his head.

In a single move you swiped his legs from the ground with one boot, and pressed your chest atop his, pinned fully against the desk.

When you broke the kiss, you were so close your noses touched.

You were both blushing, but where there was confusion, excitement and a hint of fear in his eyes- yours were much more dangerous and calculating.

“...But it would be unwise to keep me waiting.”

You released him as suddenly as you toppled him.

It was as if he blinked and you were across the room, already moving to open the door.

He was still leaned against the desk, though more out of fear his knees would give out if he did not. And the discomfort in his trousers was--

“I will see you in an hour, dear.” You smiled as if nothing happened.

He stumbled to his feet, just as the door opened wide and saw students walking past. 

He could only nod, and watch lamely as you disappeared from the room.  He was rooted to the spot, utterly stunned by your daring behavior. The excitement swirling in his head-- gods, had he actually enjoyed you pinning him like-

He shook his head violently, banishing the impure thoughts from his mind.

No, he would not allow himself to be distracted from his work. He had negotiated an hour, so he would fill that hour properly!

Numbly he sank back into his seat, and the quill returned to his trembling hand.

‘Work for the hour…use the full hour, otherwise Byleth will…’ 

The image of Byleth pinning him to the bed flashed in his mind.

He'd barely made it through a single sentence before he rocketed up from the desk.

He made a beeline for the door and strode after his minx of a wife. There would be a conversation about proper etiquette and intimiate behavior in his office late, but he had much more pressing matters to deal with.

Perhaps his work could wait an hour longer, after all.

…Perhaps until tomorrow.