azure moon rising.

[etlivnheart]

— * . felix

&&  — HOME. there he went and said it again , the exact thing that they were feeling. awkwardness muddled in with it , yes , but home was the feeling that stood out the most. home where , as soon as they walked through the doors , they were reminded of it. his place was cozy - a lot … different from how their own four walls had begun to be for them. one that felt lived in , and not like an empty shell of someplace someone was supposed to stay. 

they turn back to him as he talks , immediately shaking their head. “ oh , i don’t really like… ” they trail off. was it rude to just dismiss the idea of a drink ?? they weren’t really sure. “ i’m good , i don’t really need anything. ” of course , it was a bit of a lie. their mouth was dry , their throat scratchy and while maybe a cup of tea or even just water would calm their nerves , they weren’t planning on drinking it anytime soon. 

they’d never heard anyone say that their name reminded him of a hero , though , an eyebrow arching in response as they listened to his ramble. “ a hero ?? ” they can’t help but laugh - genuinely so. they’d never seen themself as a hero , much less envisioned anyone else getting that from a simple word like their name. carefully , they sit down , arms crossing the minute they hit the cushions before simply waiting. they didn’t need to rush him , after all. 

“ it’s yours. ” they nod , the slight doom of already know what was coming next taking over. how do they explain how this is his ?? oh , hey dimitri , we fought in a fucking war and i happened to get your cloak ?? there wasn’t a way to explain it like they wanted to , it seemed , and the more they hesitate , the more peculiar it had to look. “ i … i just know it’s yours. this is the one thing where you might need to take my word for , just for now. ” they don’t mean to silence him , honestly , but it’s true, they simply don’t have the answers to that yet. “ not that you have any reason to take my word for it , but… ” 

there’s a moment of silence that follows their statement as they look over him once again , their own question forming on the tip of their tongue. what does he remember ?? clearly if not everything , what is the limit ?? they straighten up. “ i hope you don’t mind but … i’m gonna take this question thing first ways , ” pause. their immediate gut reaction to ask why they called annette , well , annette - it seems appropriate , given the circumstances but they don’t. 

“ what … happened to your eye ?? ” they immediately regret the words as they hit the air , realizing just how rude it might seem. “ not that it’s like , bad or anything i just don’t remember you having- ” fuck. they look up to the ceiling , shaking their head before laughing. “ goddess , nevermind , ignore that , ignore all of that. ”

   — IT’D MAKE MORE SENSE FOR DIMITRI TO BE FRUSTRATED ; because it’d be more beneficial to get straight answers. However . . . there’s a sense of trust that holds him back from pressing , a sense of trust that tells him it’s okay if he finds things out along the way instead of in this moment. And Dimitri’s not DUMB - he’s smart enough to deduce that whatever connection he has to the cloak , it finds another connection back to Felix as well , so if there’s anyone he can trust about it . . . It makes sense that it’s them.

   . . . And after all , what exact reason could they possibly have to LIE over it ??

   He can’t find one.

   So he nods , fingers digging once again into the velvety blue fabric that sits in his palms. He sometimes can feel a slight sinking feeling in his chest when he looks at it , unaware of exactly WHAT it’s coming from , but there’s a few things that tickle his sense in flashes that he can’t exactly pinpoint until they’re gone - after a split second , of course , and Dimitri’s only left to wonder how out of place he could possibly be.

   There’s the smell of pine trees , the nipping cold of winter , the taste of iron on his bottom lip . . . It’s weird. That’s the best way he can describe it. WEIRD. But he puts it off , doesn’t ask questions - both because he doesn’t know if he should wait , nor if Felix would even remotely know anything about it.

   When they ask about his eye , he immediately replies ,  ❝ I-It’s fine - don’t worry , it’s fine. It’s not something I’m insecure about. ❞ He opens his mouth to reply , before he realizes that it comes . . . FUZZY to him. To try and remember how it happened. There’s a scar , as well as the milkiness , that he has to explain - but he can’t remember how , just that . . . it’s always been that way. ❝ . . . Cat , ❞ he lies through his teeth , to hide his embarrassment of not knowing. ❝ Just an accident when I was a little kid - it’s one of the few things I remember about my childhood. ❞ The latter part isn’t a lie ; whenever he tries to remember back , things grow fuzzy and Dimitri grows dizzy. When he thinks about his family , he grows dizzy. When he thinks about his friends , he grows dizzy . . . Maybe there’s more reasons that one why Dimitri leads such a LONELY life here. ❝ I normally have my eyepatch to cover it , I’ve just . . . honestly been here by myself all day ; didn’t think to put it on , and couldn’t find it when I heard you knock. ❞

[etlivnheart]

— * . felix

&&  — FINN FEELS THEIR HEART IN THEIR CHEST as the cloak leaves their hands , cheeks flushing as they await something , anything. maybe he’ll respond with nothing , just taking the cloak before going back inside , but maybe he’ll remember everything in that instant too. everything that happened , everything they’d been through … they didn’t really know what was worse. and as their eyes met again , just for that brief second - there was some sort of hope. 

that was until he said that one word , the one thing that immediately crashed finn - no , felix’s confidence. he knows their name. it’s this realization that takes their own breath away , face paling as they take another step back. what does he know ?? they feel like they’re spinning , crossing their arms once more to deflect themselves of anything that may come their way , but really … nothing does. or , well , nothing hostile at least. just the desire for answers , ones that they aren’t entirely sure they can even breath out.

they take a moment to collect themself , gaze still low to the ground before they finally exhale. “ felix. ” they haven’t heard him say it in years at this point , but he did. “ you can call me felix , ” they pause , rocking back onto their heels for a moment. they could stay too , maybe ,  just a little bit. long enough to get a gauge on how he’s feeling , on if this was now another bridge they’d burned down in the spawn of a week. 

and again , it’s not a bridge he’s ready to lose. despite it all - the war , felix’s own choice , they don’t want to lose him. not now , not again. not when his laughter rises the tension from the depths of their chest , not when he so clearly and vividly reminds them of a home they’d long lost. he is their childhood , the last link to some sort of vision that doesn’t seem as fucked up as they do now. and they can stay for that , they can try to preserve that if it’s even possible to at this point. 

“ i’ll stay. ” they’re more sure this time , their voice stronger than it had been when previously speaking. they take another step forward , finally daring to meet his gaze again as they nod their head. “ i’ll do my best to answer whatever the fuck you have to ask. ” it’s all they can offer , after all.

   — HE ISN’T EXPECTING THEIR SUDDEN CORRECTION ; Dimitri was more so expecting maybe offense , perhaps the feeling of failure for making such a simple mistake. But not only do they assure he should call them by what he originally stated , but they tell him that they’ll stay . . . And Dimitri , standing tall with one hand clinging to the fabric and another resting upon the faux brass doorknob , his neutral expression of confusion instead relaxes , extending to one of content HAPPINESS. Like maybe things will feel better - things will feel right. It’s a step in the right direction , he’ll cherish the time for however long it lasts.

  ❝ Thank you , make yourself at home . . . ❞ Blonde replies , motioning for Felix to follow after him. Both hands go on the fabric as he heads into the small kitchenette , and he bites his bottom lip for only a fraction of a second as he takes a further LOOK at this thing - it looks like it was fit for a king . . . And Dimitri frowns. A king of battles , a king . . . a king forever caught in the web that the weaver of war has woven . . . And maybe his heart does sink , but instead of that , he tries to further CLING to the snippet he thought of before.

   Devotion. Trust. Healing. Hope. CHANGE.

   It’s funny , because those feelings still linger when he looks in Felix’s direction - maybe that snippet was meant for them , too , but he doesn’t point it out. No , no , that’d sound strange.

   ❝ I’ll brew tea - do you have a certain kind you like ?? I have a few , but I prefer CHAMOMILE . . . ❞ He holds up a box of cheap teabags , setting them to the side as he gently places the navy object on the kitchen table. Though , truth be told , the kitchen table doesn’t look like it’s been touched in perhaps weeks , save for cleaning & dusting - Dimitri doesn’t like to talk about it much , but he does live alone. It only emphasizes the feeling to sit at a table with nobody else around you. 

    ❝ But - I . . . I do have to say , I LIKE the name Felix a lot , ❞ he says with a genuine nod.  ❝ It reminds me of like . . . some sort of . . . hero of sorts. It has a power to it , maybe an EDGE but . . . power . . . If. If that makes sense - forgive me if my words sound dumb. ❞ He tucks a lock of blonde hair behind his ear as he walks back into the living room , the blue . . . cloak once again held between his fingers. And giving them as much as room as possible on the couch , he sits in a single chair , suddenly sandpaper tongued at a loss of words. Those questions - if he had those questions , where are they now ?? 

   He bites his lip again as he tries to think , head now racing . . . Well , of course , one may find it best to start off with the obvious. ❝ So . . . This is mine , ❞ he repeats , gaze now looking into theirs. Another deep breath , before he asks , ❝ I don’t . . . I unfortunately don’t recall ever owning something like this , so . . . How . . . How is it mine ?? ❞ Despite the fact they claim it’s HIS , he still feels wrong to take it. Especially as he runs his hands over the blue base , the unknown black , white , and grey fabric on the top . . . It looks graceful , but also like it’s been through the ringer. He just doesn’t know if it’s right for him to take it.

[etlivnheart]

— * . finn

&&  — THEIR HEART SINKS INTO THE CHEST THE MINUTE HE OPENS THE DOOR , the weight now even heavier against their shoulders. they’d never thought they’d seen what was under the eyepatch but there it was , the pair of eyes staring back at them so familiar yet so foreign at the same time. they clear their throat , attempting to give a laugh at his words , but they can’t ; instead , it hits the air awkwardly and tensely , making it too clear that they were here for different reasons. “ well , uh … ” they stop. they could go inside, spend the day with him really , but they shouldn’t.

 and they know that. they know they shouldn’t go , yet their feet stay planted , a certain hesitance as they look to him , them back to the cloak , then back to him. “ i , uh , i think we should wait before deciding that. ” they swallow hard , eyes adverting down to the cloak before reaching out to hold the fabric out. this needed to come first - this , before anything else. 

“ this … this is yours. ” their voice is shaky , teeth immediately sinking into their bottom lip. they didn’t get it - if this was the right thing to do , why were they so … iffy about it ?? they straighten up , taking a deep inhale before continuing. “ i should have just … given it to you before. and i know you’re gonna try to argue with me but just take it , please. ” there’s an urgency in their voice as they hand it over to him , immediately taking a step back as the deed is done.

“ i , uh , i do think i should go now. ” but they don’t. they stay , almost as if waiting for him to dismiss them. they regret it now - regret that they showed up , regret that they gave it to him , regret that they even considered it. and they can’t take it back , instead just waiting for maybe some sort of answer before they left.

   — AND SUDDENLY DOES THE AIR TURN THICK. And suddenly , the mountain of questions that Dimitri’s been trying to ignore climbing over suddenly grows taller and steeper as they hold out the blue tapestry - or , well , Dimitri doesn’t think it’s a tapestry anymore - in front of him. To take. It’s his , according to them , but . . . but IF IT WAS . . . how . . . and . . . and why . . .

   Yes , such questions leave a forgotten king to grow confused.

    ❝ It’s mine. ❞ HE MEANS IT AS A QUESTION , but it comes out like a statement - as if the inflection of his voice is suddenly out of his control , and it’s telling him that there is nothing to wonder here - they’re right , and he is the rightful owner of the blue fabric in his hands. So he hesitates only for quite a few seconds , before he reaches out and takes it within his fingers and suddenly does he feel STRANGE.

   The air grows cold , Dimitri’s face turns warm , and it’s like white noise starts ringing in his ears as he hears muffled words speaking in his direction. Devotion , a vow that a beloved would make to a king , to repair and to HEAL once was lost as they look into Fodlan skies & Faerghus winds to take upon what was down before , and make it better. Together. But Dimitri can barely make that out as it happens in such a BLUR to where he blinks , and it all stops , and he thanks himself he’s good at keeping up a farce because the vertigo that hits him is nothing short of intense. But with them in front of him . . . and for him to take in the split second of what felt like a glimpse into another world . . . something is connected. Something is RIGHT. But that doesn’t mean anything is answered.

   ❝ Please don’t , Felix - ❞ Dimitri suddenly finds himself protesting , and the name falls from his lips on impulse before he figures out his mistake. Is it a mistake ?? Hesitance , before he corrects himself ,  ❝ . . . Finn. ❞ It comes out more so like a sigh. ❝ . . . P-Please , um , you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to - I-I’m horribly sorry , but I also . . . ❞ His grip tightens on the cloak , like it could tear if he doesn’t cling much harder. ❝ . . . I also would not mind if you were to stay. And I . . . I would enjoy it , if you stayed. . . . Maybe I have questions. ❞ Maybe , but of course . . . why does he have any reason to believe Finn might hold the answers ??

   Because , of course , that short moment. That short moment of feeling the inkling of a CONNECTION where Dimitri only has intuition to piggyback off of - because that feeling is that something is right. And he wants to feel that again , because it will give him answers , and . . . maybe , the other , he’s simply drawn to. The other feels right.

   Felix. The name feels more comfortable to him. Feels more suitable than Finn. But he won’t dwell on it , he’ll only mentally repeat it. Felix. 

[etlivnheart]

— * . finn

@etlivnheart​ reacted for a starter !!

&&  — THERE’S A TIGHTNESS IN FINN’S THROAT as they stand in front of the door to dimitri’s place , the heavy cloak folded in their arms as they wait for something. maybe for some sort of sign from the universe that this was the right thing to do , or for the goddess to come down from the heavens and smite them on spot. nothing was really happening though , at least other than the acceleration of their heart rate as a slight anxiety took over them. they couldn’t stand here forever , surely … eventually that would get weird and it’d be better to rip this bandaid off like they had with ingrid , right ?? 

well , that’s what they were hoping. truth be told , they were just more nervous about dimitri’s reaction to the article of clothing they held in their hands. would he hate them ?? after all , they only got it because … no. they couldn’t and shouldn’t think of that right now. they were just going to back out again if they did. hesitantly , they knock on the door - straightening themself out immediately afterwards. this was just a bandaid , just rip this conversation off like a bandaid , felix. 

   — THERE ARE DAYS THAT DIMITRI CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS UNMOVING ; they seem to grow more frequent the later he stays awake at night , more so entirely lost in his own thoughts & feelings in which sudden feelings of . . . loneliness & yearning tend to spike. Like he is more than well-aware a piece of him is missing - but in where so ?? What form does this piece take ?? How does he find them ??

   Such thoughts will BLEED into the wee hours of the night and render Dimitri awake until he must call into work the next morning , inform his boss he’s taking a sick day - which of course , is something he rarely does & immediately sparks concern. But a few polite quips & shrugging off such will settle the conversation , and now he sits , melting into his bed as he sits and stares into the journal in his hands. Where his thoughts , DREAMS are etched . . . And the vague images he sees in his dreams. One - a swordsman - keeps popping up. How peculiar. 

   Around the corners of his small apartment , Dimitri hears knocking , and he finally drags his eyes away from the pages of his journal , feeling around to find his eyepatch ( it only covers a scar & a milky eye , but Dimitri wears it for comfort primarily ) and cursing it to himself when a few pats of the hand can’t uncover it. Bah , leave it. He’ll be fine - especially if the interaction is minimal. So he , in t-shirt , sweatpants , & all , stumbles out of his bedroom and opens the door as quickly as possible. And immediately he REGRETS not taking his time to make himself look more . . . presentable. Because there is Finn and yes there is a desire for Dimitri to try and make a good impression. They’re deserving of such , at least , especially in granting him a surprise when he didn’t know he could need one.

   ❝ . . . I - I am so terribly sorry that I didn’t have the decency to answer in anything else but my PAJAMAS , ❞ he bashfully states , running a hand through his blonde hair. And he purses his lips together , stepping aside. ❝ Would you - Would you like to come in ?? You don’t have to , but . . . um . . . I can . . . I can make tea or something. ❞ Please come in. It’s a mental beg that Dimitri already feels himself pleading , screaming silently they offer him their time despite the calm visage & semi-sleepy look in the eyes.

[etlivnheart]

— * . sylvain                  

          His grin only grows wider as he watches the redness creep into Dimitri’s cheeks. Whether he thinks Sylvain is being serious or not (sometimes he is, wants to make his genuine affection known; but sometimes he very much doesn’t, afraid of messing it up, as he frequently does), Sylvain still got the reaction he was looking for. He can’t help pointing it out, keeping his tone light.

          ❝ Hey,  it did me a whole lot  of  good,              thank  you   !!   Wouldn’t  trade  that              cute blush for anything else. ❞

          ❝ But no,  there’s nothing really going              on.  Besides  work and  pissing  my               parents off. Hanging out with you is              pretty much the highlight of my day. ❞

          He only hesitates for a split second before deciding to talk about the notes he’s been getting - it’s far tamer than the stories he used to tell about his girlfriend of the week, and definitely cuter. 

          ❝ Oh,  and  I’ve  been  getting  these              love letters lately. You’d like them,              I  think  -  these  kind  of   romantic              gestures   are  exactly  your   type.              Whoever’s  writing them could put              my  pick-up lines to shame  -  and              that’s a big compliment. ❞

   — MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE HE’S AT A LOSS FOR WORDS - maybe it’s because he’s been called out and he knows it. But Dimitri’s eye averting from Sylvain’s , he buries his mouth into his palm ( to hide the smile creeping on his features from the embarrassment ) and clears his throat , unsure of what to say. He can only stifle out a muffled , ❝ I am not blushing. ❞ But he knows he’s lying , and he isn’t good at it. The heat is on his cheeks like the fires his words liken Sylvain to , and there isn’t any way he’s getting out of it.

                        ❛ I only hope my words will reach you ,                            not only to express words that I will never                           so say in person - but as to tell you that you                           are as deserving of the sweet nothings you                           whisper into another’s ears as they . . . ❜

     He’s content with bashfully hiding still until Sylvain mentions the letters , and for a second does Dimitri nearly freeze in his seat. His eye slowly trails back up , blinking twice , before he sits up straight and rattles out a breath. ❝ You’re receiving love letters ?? ❞ He asks , hoping his acting will go unnoticed. ❝ Who’s sending them to you ?? ❞  

[etlivnheart]

text / finn

finn: [...]

finn: [...]

finn: no, it's fine. you're never a bother.

finn: i'm fine, though.

finn: don't worry about me, okay?

finn: [...]

finn: i don't know if i'm going to be the best at conversation right now.

dimitri: It's alright, I promise you that you aren't obligated to talk to me.

dimitri: I just wanted to make sure you were alright, but I also want you to know if you need anything, I'm right here for you.

dimitri: I'm not doing much at the moment except sitting here and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my week off, so my attention would be yours.

[etlivnheart]

text / finn

dimitri: Hey, are you alright?

dimitri: I don't mean to bother you - you don't have to respond to me if you don't want to.

dimitri: I noticed you left Isolde's group chat, I just wanted to check in. I tend to get nervous in group chats, so if that was the case, I more than understand.

[von-riegans]

i am not good with facial expressions. is my smile passable at present?

[etlivnheart]

text / dimitri, finn, sylvain, annie

isolde: hello!

isolde: thought i would make a group chat for everyone i unfortunately didn't see at midnight ... and annie, even though i know she's here somewhere.

isolde: a very happy new year, everyone!

finn: ah, thanks.

finn: you know, if you guys are up for it, we could do something today

finn: [...]

finn: actually, nevermind.

annie: oh dw isolde i just wanted to give you and owen some time alone ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

annie: but happy new year !!

annie: no not nevermind !! don't tease us like that !!

annie: you're evil felix :(((

dimitri: be nice, annette. they're not evil.

dimitri: i like the idea of spending time together.

[etlivnheart]

—  * . gideon

“How else am I supposed to entertain myself when I’m on shift and yet have no work to do?” Gideon demanded, “If they don’t want to be seen then they shouldn’t be in public? Especially doing things that get notice.” It was sound logic to Gideon, but he knew what was sound logic to him tended to sometimes be hard to comprehend to others.

   — ❝ WELL , IF I’M BORED AT WORK WITH NOTHING TO DO , I . . . I always either try to make myself work , or perhaps read a book. Maybe you could try the latter ?? ❞ Dimitri lifted his hand , of course now holding some five dollar novel he bought in the book section of the nearest department store. ❝ Though , ❞ he retracted his hand & the book quickly , ❝ perhaps not . . . this one. The writing , it isn’t superb. ❞ He then stood , putting the book down and peering out the window before turning to Gideon. ❝ I’m not sure if people who do so really think about being watched - but as they notice it , it becomes an insecurity or a bother. Does that make sense ?? That’s always how I’ve felt , but . . . ❞ Dimitri had also never really been . . . experienced on public displays of affection. He never dated much , that was simple fact.

[etlivnheart]

— * . el

she  simply  hums  as  he  speaks  ,  her  mind  flashing  back  to  that  battle  .  at  the  end  of  the  line  ,  she  didn’t  want  to  do  it  if  she  didn’t  have  to  —  but  she  declared  any  ally  of  the  church  to  be  her  enemy  as  well  .  her  resolve  was  too  strong  to  waver  for  anyone  .  and  what  did  he  do  ?  put  the  both  of  them  in  a  position  she  couldn’t  ignore  .  she  doesn’t  blame  him  ;  she  doesn’t  think  she  ever  did  .  it  was  misfortune  ,  and  a  lot  of  it  ,  that  led  them  to  their  paths  .  in  a  way  ,  they  were  opposite  sides  of  the  same  coin  .  edelgard  remembers  the  aftermath  as  if  it  happened  yesterday  .  byleth  asking  if  she’s  crying  ,  only  for  her  to  brush  their  concerns  off  .  a  private  moment  of  lamenting  the  death  of  her  last  brother  ,  before  handing  off  his  cloak  to  one  who  still  deserved  it  far  more  than  she  .  goddess  ,  it  was  suffocating  to  even  relive  in  memories  .

“  yes  .  while  i  believe  in  making  our  own  fates  and  that  no  divine  being  should  have  a  say  in  it  ,  i  have  a  …  strong  suspicion  our  paths  are  unavoidably  linked  ,  one  way  or  another  .  ”  edelgard  pauses  in  thought  ,  sighing  quietly  as  she  continues  .  “  someone  once  gave  me  a  gift  as  a  child  and  told  me  it  symbolized  carving  ones  own  destiny  .  at  the  time  i  didn’t  realize  how  important  it  would  become  to  me  and  my  journey  ,  but  i  never  did  get  to  thank  him  properly  …  ”

her  expression  is  vaguely  mournful  as  her  gaze  stays  on  him  ,  half  trying  to  gauge  a  reaction  and  half  just  to  see  him  again  .  because  to  see  him  when  they  aren’t  going  at  each  other’s  throats  ?  it  hardly  feels  real  .  it  almost  feels  like  the  childhood  that  was  torn  from  them  both  .  almost  .  “  i’m  not  sure  why  i  decided  to  tell  you  all  that  ,  ”  she  lies  smoothly  .  “  i  suppose  you  remind  me  of  him  .  ”

   — HE MAKES SURE HE LISTENS WITH THE UTMOST INTENT ; picking out her words carefully and allowing only her his attention & time. His eye briefly shifts to other areas as if he feels he’s being watched , but he doesn’t know by who , or for what reason. But he feels like this is conversation that isn’t supposed to happen , like things are meant to be different and the universe , if it had its way , would not allow it. He crosses his arms to further bundle up in his coat , blonde head nodding as she speaks to further signify he’s listening.

   ❝ HOW . . . poetic , ❞ Dimitri comments , taking a breath as he finally responds. But he feels like those are words he knows too well , words & a pact & a promise that he feels he should know more about. That does not feel foreign , that does not feel new. And suddenly , the dagger he keeps in his bag ( not as much to protect himself as it is to give him a safety blanket of sorts ) feels heavier by the minute , like he’s carrying around a brick instead of a simple blade. . . . He’d take it out , but he doesn’t want to horrify her. Even though he feels he should.

   He fiddles with his eyepatch as he figures out what else to say , never much of a wordsmith - but soon he can find a reply in , ❝  Whoever gave you such a gift must’ve obviously cared about you and your fate . . . I find no other reason why anyone would gift you with such words. ❞ He cares about her destiny , but he just met her. Isn’t that a little strange ??

   Dimitri’s tongue feels like sandpaper and his mouth feels dry ; but nevertheless , he asks , ❝ May I ask what the gift was ?? ❞

[etlivnheart]

— * . sylvain

          The latest letter from his little secret admirer is tucked safely in his pocket - flowery little phrases that, honestly, he should probably put a little more thought into replying to. It’s natural for him to be wary though, to regard every (admittedly beautiful) word in that letter with suspicion. It’s easy to hide your intentions when everything is in writing, after all.

          He pushes the thoughts away once he spots Dimitri, though. A stranger hiding behind poetic letters is one thing, but spending time with one of his favorite people - who truly understands who he is - is another. He laughs at the other’s comment as he sits down across from him, the compliment lodging its way into his heart, and he never really did get rid of that little infatuation towards Dimitri, did he?

          ❝ Hey,   come   on.  I   look   nice              everyday, for one thing.  But for              another,  you got me  -  I did try              a little bit harder today,  and the              person  I  was doing it  for  just              noticed it. So, no broken hearts              this time !!   ❞  

   ⁠— THE COMMENT IS TYPICAL OF SYLVAIN , HE SHOULD’VE EXPECTED IT. And yet there Dimitri is , letting out a sigh as he continues his thoughts , trying desperately ( more so hoping ) to keep his cheeks from heating because yes Sylvain makes comments like such all the time but yes they still hold the same effect over Dimitri as anyone else. Maybe , of course , even more so.

   ⁠❝ While I do appreciate your attempts to flatter me , I’m not sure how much good it would do you , ❞ he replies in attempts to sound cheeky , but he keeps his usual , polite tone. That adds to it.

                         ❛ The words you give me are not reserved in my name ,                          I am aware , and yet I find myself entrapped by the soft                          threaded blanket they have woven for me. But I believe                          what truly draws me to you , yet saddens me to my core . . . ❜

   Dimitri leans forward and takes another breath , tilting his head. ❝ What’s on the agenda for you today ?? Anything new ?? ❞ His cheeks are scarlet - his efforts to hide are futile.

                        ❛ You are unaware of the beauty that you carry on                          your own. Fires of winter , hues that set my heart                          ablaze. ‘Tis of course in the eye of the beholder ,                           but what must a beholder do if their words & sights                         are simple fact ? ❜                         

[etlivnheart]

— * . felicity

it’s nice to have someone understand them so easily; felicity hasn’t had that in a very long time. usually they don’t even bother trying to pantomime their words and feelings out, falling back onto their trusty little notebook instead. but dimitri gets them, even from behind the box. it’s a relief, at minimum. he doesn’t come off like a grinch to the other; if anything, the smaller one understands. christmas is a rough time for them too, their solo go of each holiday only accentuated by the twinkling lights and spirit of coming together. yeah. i can’t stand it either - nose scrunches up, eyebrows furrow, almost in disgust, but not quite. in… tiredness, maybe.

when he offers to take the box, though, their whole demeanor changes - the brunette stands up a little straighter, smiles wide. i’m okay! it’s not a heavy box, just a bit awkward against their person. i’d love some help putting things up though, they add with a silent nod of their head to the flower shop’s bare awnings and empty windows.

   — ❝ ARE YOU SURE ?? ❞ He asks , just to reassure - it’s in his character. His eye peers around to survey the area , what might have to be decorated , seeing what he can reach without much effort ; it’s one benefit to at least having his height. Some might find him intimidating - he’s happy that Felicity doesn’t. 

   ❝ But if I can help with putting things up - I’d love to ; just tell me where you need everything to go , and I’ll put it up. ❞ Hands in his pockets , he continues to walk , maybe a tad bit EXCITED at the notion of helping despite not being too much in the Christmas spirit. But maybe that has nothing to do with it - maybe it’s something different.

    And he asks , as he stops , ❝ What exactly do you have to decorate ?? ❞

[etlivnheart]

— * . finn

&&  — SOMEHOW , HE ALWAYS MANAGED TO MAKE THEIR ICY CORE MELT AWAY. it was just their dorky , endearing personality , really , a small smile forming on the corner of their mouth as reached him again. “ you won’t overstay , i mean , i am offering. even if you did overstay… ” they trail off for a moment , shaking their head. “ well , there’s no need for an if because you won’t. i promise. ” they offer him a smile , trying to ease his worries before turning away. they were never good at comforting people , but fuck , they were trying. regardless though , they had more things to worry about other than dimitri wanting to stay at the moment , such as the cold now nipping at their skin. they brush past him , looking back to make sure he was behind them before walking over to their door , unlocking it and propping it open for him to go first. “ it’s , uh , it’s not much , but it’s something. ”

truly , it was empty. nothing really on the walls , nothing really in the fridge. it was desolate , small articles of clothing such as their jacket , the hoodie they stole from sylvain , and some shoes were scattered around but that was it. the only clue into their life was the assortment of instruments littered around the area , most notably the drumset in the corner , but that was it. it was what they assumed a place would look like , but upon entering , they immediately felt a tug of embarrassment. would dimitri really care ?? it looked barren in there and they didn’t have an excuse for it. “ um , ” they clear their throat. they just want to impress him , but they dont know why - they’ve met him before , it’s still dimitri , so this shouldn’t matter but fuck , it does. they hold the cloak closer to their chest , practically hugging it as a safety measure. “ it’s , uh , it’s kinda empty. i’m not usually home… i’m just now realizing this is the first time you’ve been over here. uh , i have a wii with like… wii sports resort. i just really like… the fencing game. ”

   ⁠— IT WAS HUMBLE ; IT WAS A HUMBLE APARTMENT , NOT MUCH , but Dimitri liked it. He liked the humble feeling ; he thought it made the home more of a home and less of a show to give to someone else. It was lived in , it served his purpose , and that made the blonde feel . . . better about it. Because maybe his apartment was the exact same way , boasting a lack of family pictures , personal & sentimental items because in true Dimitri had none , and only the comforting furniture which was what he used the most. 

   It leaves a smile upon his features , to survey the area and let out a small sigh as his eyes float towards Finn. ❝ No - No , I like it , ❞ he genuinely replies , crossing his arms to try and heat himself up further as a hair would tuck a lock behind his hair. He takes a few steps forward , and the drumset catch his eye , impulsively reaching out a hand to touch before turning back around to face the other. ❝ Sorry - do you . . . do you play these ?? It’s so . . . I’m sorry , I-I really don’t have any musical talents , it’s just fascinating to see someone else take a part in it. And . . . ❞ He takes another deep breath , the smile still sticking. ❝ I-I’m also not the best at video games - just because maybe I get a bit too competitive. Are you sure you want to . . . you want to . . . ❞

   But he becomes sidetracked.

   He becomes sidetracked as his eyes drift from Finn to the cloak in their arms , and suddenly , he stops. His train of thought goes elsewhere and he’s hit with a slight pang in his heart and his head , and he feels the need to say , ❝ I’m really happy you got your . . . um . . . is it . . . is it a tapestry ?? I’m really happy you got your tapestry back . . . If. Um. If that’s what it is , my apologies. ❞

[etlivnheart]

   — @monitorism​ ( gideon ) said ,  ❛ i saw someone kiss a girl, right outside! it was fascinating. ❜

   — ❝ IS THAT SO ?? HOW . . . WARM , ❞ Dimitri responds with a small smile upon his lips as he folds towels , of course keeping conversation with Gideon as he does so. Maybe he tries to peek out if he can see the couple for himself , before his eye settles on his coworker once more. ❝ I know of course that I’m nothing short of the largest hypocrite saying this - considering , I just took a look myself - but you best not try and stare too long when you PEOPLE WATCH , Gideon. People . . . may get angry at the possibility of being snooped on. ❞

[etlivnheart]

— * . el

a  look  of  surprise  flashes  across  her  face  .  a  nickname  no  one  —  besides  dahlia’s  twist  of  ellie  —  has  said  in  …  well  ,  she’s  unsure  how  long  it’s  been  .  it  feels  like  an  eternity  ;  hearing  him  say  it  now  gives  her  a  heavier heart  .  “  i  …  yes  .  you  may  call  me  el  .  actually  ,  i  would  prefer  it  if  you  did  .  however  ,  i  don’t  believe  i  caught  your  name  ?  ”  it’s  easy  to  feign  cluelessness  —  not  that  it  was pretending  a  while  ago  ,  but  as  more  and  more  of  her  memories  resurface  ,  she  has  to  wonder  .  all  that  time  spent  pretending  she  had  no  idea  about   the  flame  emperor’s  plans  …  edelgard  holds  in  a  sigh  .  that  is  the  past  and  nothing  can  change  it  .  yet  as  she  allows  dimitri’s  words  to  sink  in  ,  she  doesn’t  know  how  to  describe  it  .  remorse  ,  bittersweetness  ,  the  childish  longing  of  wanting  to  keep  him  close  despite  doing  everything  that  would  inevitably  push  him  away  .

the  final  sentence  of   ‘  farewell  king  of  delusion  ’  buzzes  in  her  ears  as  she  absentmindedly  nods  .  did  he  always  have  an  eyepatch  ?  she  can’t  recall  and  she  doesn’t  remember  one  .  is  it  her  mind  playing  tricks  again  ?

“  i  see  .  ” her  voice  is  smooth  ,  neutral  .  (  is  it  wishful  thinking  to  perhaps  hope  this  life  might  allow  them  to  be  kinder  ?  )  still  ,  hesitation  seeps  into  their  speech  —  into  their  actions  —  and  it  doesn’t  go  unnoticed  .  or  at  least  it’s  how  she  feels  ,  because  if  this  life  has  taught  her  anything  thus  far  ,  it’s  that  not  everyone  is  against  you  .  it’s  a  hard  ,  terrifying  concept  to  let  people  see  you  in  a  position  that’s  readily  available  to  overpower  .  but  ,  she’s  taking  baby  steps  .  so  if  anything  ,  she  can  extend  it  towards  the  only  family  she  thought  had  left  for  the  longest  time  .

“  i  have  to  agree  ,  it  left  a  sour  taste  in  my  mouth  afterward  —  though  i’m  alright  now  as  well  .  ”  while  she  still  might  not  understand  how  people  back  in  fódlan  placed  blind  faith  in  the  goddess  ,  she  almost  prays  that  dimitri  has  a  better  life  here  away  from  it  all  .  a  tragedy  :  fully  aware  she  can’t  lament  on  what  if  scenarios  ,  but  it  doesn’t  make  it  any  easier  .  stuck  in  a  loop  of  leaning  in  and  subsequently  tearing  away  .  “  it’s  strange  .  i’ve  had  a  revelation  of  sorts  since  that  night  .  ”  edel  realizes  he  may  not  understand  the  meaning  behind  her  chosen  words  ,  although  in  this  moment  she  doesn’t  suppose  it  matters  anyway  .  “  tell  me  ,  do  you  believe  in fate  ?  ”  the  question  comes  out  before  she  can  stop  it  .  it  clearly  wasn’t  fate  for  them  to  have  their  paths  intertwine  peacefully  back  home  ;  though  now  anything  is  possible  .

   — HER VOICE CUTS THROUGH THE AIR , not as much in a way that leaves him intimidated as much as . . . well , the only way he can describe it as so as that he finds her voice haunting. Again , it’s like he’s looking at a GHOST - but in what way exactly can he pinpoint that she is so ?? It almost feels . . . foreign , like this is someone he feels like he should KNOW but also is entirely different. But she asks him about fate , and for a few seconds , Dimitri enters what feels like millenniums of just straight thought. Because he remembers a dream from not too long ago , picturing it in his head.

   Three rolls of ribbon - yellow , red , and blue - unraveling beside each other. But then suddenly , the yellow and red ribbons turn - one falls off the edge of the table , never to be seen again wherever its gone , and then when the BLUE crosses over the RED . . . the red ribbon is cut. Like the flow of a path of blood , suddenly stopping in its wake.And when he looks at her , he feels like she represents one of those ribbons. And he hates it , because if he had it his way ?? Nobody would be trampled on , nobody would be CUT. Ribbons can be tied together , roll in the same way , be a part of the same bows & threads . . .

   And yet , he’s felt like he’s failed her in the sense that he became what cut her ribbon - even though it’s never what he truly wanted , as much as a past version of himself would SCREAM for it. That was never it.

    ❝ . . . Yes. Yes , I do. ❞ Maybe he’s not the most religious person to exist , but he’s had faith in a HIGHER POWER or an unseen force - because some things , they can’t be explained by simple fact or science. There’s always something else that pushes it - always something behind the scenes. ❝ I am only to assume that you believe in the same - and , possibly . . . ❞ If such feelings in his chest are correct . . .  ❝ Perhaps your fate & mine , their paths are somehow intertwined. Is that why you ask ?? ❞

[etlivnheart]

— * . iris

       THE REACTION IS UNEXPECTED  to say the least ,  far from what iris had expected to hear after such a collision .  in her head ,  the events would have played out as the man telling her he was indeed alright ,  but to be careful from now on ;  and yet ,  the brunette was greeted with the same question she had  so worriedly  posed .  when was the last time someone had shown half as much concern for her well being ,  especially a stranger ?  it seemed  rare  —  as a matter of fact ,  she couldn’t quite remember such an event .

        with porcelain cheeks turned to a faded shade of pink ,  iris shakes her head in a dismissive manner ,  ❝  no worries ,  sir ,  i’m quite alright .  it really wasn’t your fault ,  please don’t worry about it .  ❞  the brunette insisted ,  all too familiar with the sensation that even a thousand apologies were never enough . 

         ❝  of course !  yes ,  please ,  ❞  she insists with a laugh when asked about the flower ,  gaze moving briefly to the bouquet in her hands before settling on the man .  ❝  i still have a few in my bouquet ,  and i’d like you to have that one .  i know it is just one  single flower ,  but …  consider it a small present for being kind even after i bumped into you .  ❞  a pause ,  head nodding to reassure him of her words .  ❝  white camellias  bring  luck  when given to men ;  i hope this one helps you with whatever you may need luck for !  ❞

   — HE NODS , LISTENING INTENTLY & CAREFULLY as she speaks. Now , flower language isn’t something that’s he’s well-versed in , but again , it’s always interested him. Even so , he still cannot look at them without thinking of snowy white hair , dark skin , kind but calloused hands when he closes his eyes. And - that of course it’s not a BAD thing. Those thoughts , they makes him feel . . . warm , protected , safe , and most importantly , not alone. 

    To be your friend...is what I have always wanted.

    He feels the sting of tears prickle the corners of his eyelids , but he’s quick to blink them away. The flower remains in his hands , and like much else , he’s still afraid of accidentally damaging such a gentle item. He’ll have to put this away , take care of it , keep it somewhere safe - because if they bring people luck , then he needs a bite more of luck in his life.

   As do others.

    ❝ Does the shop normally sell maybe a few of these in a bundle ?? ❞ He asks , looking up at the woman with a blue eye sparkling , an IDEA in his head. He thinks of dark hair , fierce mahoghany eyes , and lips that speak sharp words yet hide a care that you’d have to dig to see. . . . They need a bit of luck. Dimitri would gift them with it. ❝ I . . . Maybe I could give a few. To a friend. ❞