Byleth softly leans against Shamir during one of their quiet moments together, and for a time, she looks lost in thought. Her breathing seems a little less controlled, as if she were trying to keep herself calm, but Shamir doesn't get any time to question it, as Byleth speaks up almost immediately after. However, what comes from her mouth isn't Fodlanese, but, of all things, Dagdan... And in Shamir's native tongue, she says... ["I love you."]
Private moments like this had been becoming far more frequent— stemming from a strong urge to be near the former professor whenever possible. Shamir had long since stopped trying to resist these feelings, finding it absolutely pointless in the end. Why bother when just one look from Byleth, even just a smile, made her feel… weak. But not physically weak— it was the type of weakness that comes from letting someone in too close, opening up your inner walls and desperately hoping it wouldn’t be a mistake you’d regret later.
Byleth had not only snuck into her heart like a serpent, but also her brain as well— slithering in and coiling around her mind, consuming nearly every waking thought as of late. It had made it impossible to stray too far from the woman’s side, which part of Shamir found annoying in all honesty. It wasn’t because she didn’t enjoy Byleth’s company, far from it in fact, it was more so because she’d let herself get attached— to allow herself to love again after so many years.
Those feelings hadn’t been voiced however, not yet anyway, since she’d just realized them rather recently— and how could she anyway? For so long Shamir had prided herself on not needing anyone, on being comfortable with her solitude. It had just been easier that way, it certainly made her jobs easier as well on top of that. But here, in this moment? There was no place she’d rather be. She’d heard people say ’home is where the heart is’ many times in her life, but Shamir had truly never understood it’s meaning until now— Byleth had become her home, her safe place, where she wanted to be always.
So, one could imagine the concerned look she was giving the other woman, after having noticed that her breathing seemed off. They’d been sitting there silently, just enjoying each other’s company as had become one of their normal moments together. But there’s no window to question it, no matter how badly she wanted to, when Byleth finally speaks her mind.
For a long moment, Shamir struggled to understand what had happened. Did Byleth just… speak Dagdan of all things? When was the last time she’d even heard another person speak to her in her native tongue? Far too long to be sure. But the meaning behind the words themselves had shaken Shamir to her very core— I love you.
Three simple words had practically knocked the wind right out of her, and as such she was finding it extremely hard to breathe due to the rapid beating of her heart. All the mercenary could do was sit there, staring for the longest time and trying to come to terms with her feelings— because she was conflicted. Her last partner had passed away, leaving a crater in her soul that hadn’t been filled since. Nothing in life was permanent, Shamir knew this, and wouldn’t be able to promise Byleth things would last. People die— either of them could, leaving the other to suffer.
And yet… the dull ache in her chest at the thought of not being by Byleth’s side was great, far greater than she had thought possible. When it came down to it, there was no ignoring the immense love she felt for this woman. Even if it ended up being her undoing in the end, there was nothing her heart wanted more than to love her— to be with her as long as possible.
Wordlessly, a hand is lifted to cup Byleth’s face and tilts it upwards, gently forcing their gazes to meet. There’s a smile on Shamir’s face, probably the happiest one she’s ever worn in the last few years. [“I love you, too—”] Those words were spoken so softly in return, feeling almost foreign on her tongue as they left her mouth from how long it’d been since she last used them. But that was fine, no one else needed to hear them. Her love was meant for Byleth, and only her.
A soft sigh escapes then, as Shamir leans forward and gently presses their foreheads together. Eyes slipped shut, and the smile on her face didn’t falter even once as she just enjoyed this simple connection between them. [“—Always and forever, partner.”]
