Years ago Claude and Dimitri made a promise to each other: If either of them were to remain unwed by a certain age, they’d run off and start a new life of their own together. Dimitri considered this outcome unlikely as Claude’s charms would grant him a bride sooner or later. Claude on the other hand held silent hope that their promise would be kept.
Unfortunately, that hope wouldn’t last long, as Byleth disappears and in their absence a new age of war emerges with rumors of a rage driven boar being the cause.
The Golden leader persists and takes action, praying that the responsibilities of war can silence the ache in his chest.
Years pass and the war comes to an end, and Claude receives a letter from Byleth, informing him that they have negotiated with Dimitri: He’s coming home.
Unable to process the rest of its contents, he tucks the letter away and tells everyone that they’ll be paying their old professor a visit; There’s someone he needs to talk to.
There is barely time for any formalities before Claude finds himself being urgently dragged off by Byleth, who refuses to tell him where they’re going. The pair soon stop in front of a small tent, he opens his mouth to speak but Byleth is already gone.
Hesitant, he goes inside, where he immediately freezes.
Sitting there on a small cot is Dimitri, but not quite the one that Claude once knew. His hair is long and matted, his once vibrant blue eyes are now dull and-...Was he missing an eye? He had a multitude of questions but for now those could wait.
He sits down on the other side of the tent, unsure of how to initiate conversation. Dimitri looks up at him and stares, it’s evident in his face that he’s trying to decide something, but whatever it is he doesn’t say.
Taking in a deep breath, Claude tries to break the silence but Dimitri beats him to it with a simple question.
“Why did you come back for me?”
The leader finds himself at a loss for words. What did he tell him? That he wanted to make sure he was really alive? That he missed him? That he still loved him? Was that even okay to think about that anymore? So many options…
But he settles for one, one that is easy and that they will both understand
“Do you remember our promise?” Claude asks.
Dimitri nods quietly, but remains silent.
“Then that should answer your question” He concludes.
The two sit in silence for several seconds before Dimitri suddenly stands up. Internally Claude panics, worried that he has upset him somehow. However, his worries soon subside as Dimitri reaches out a hand.
“Do you want to keep it?”
He smiles and practically leaps off of the cot to take his hand.
