*sees your Leonie positivity post* MY TIME HAS COME!
Ahem. If I might request, good cultured sir, might I request a ficlet of Leonie and Byleth looking all over Garreg Mach for their first child after they went missing?
(They're hiding in Abyss with Uncle Yuri because they think its funny.)
In Sauin Village, if you wish to become a hunter, the first thing you are taught is how to control yourself so you don’t panic.
Panicking at best would scare away game and at worst get you killed by an angry large animal.
It was a lesson Leonie kept to heart during her time in the Academy and fighting through the war.
She had been face to face with possible death more times than she could count and never broke… but now Leonie could finally feel all the panic she’s held back ready to burst.
All because of four words from her husband, “I can’t find Conrad.”
She knew her and Byleth’s son was a restless boy and loved to explore but he never wandered far from Garreg Mach. He usually was found and brought back to them by Flayn or Seteth or even the Gatekeeper.
But none of them had seen him since this morning thus she, Byleth, and everyone in Garreg Mach searched for him.
Byleth looked in the mess hall, hoping the boy was trying to sneak some snacks but no luck.
She looked in the stables, even searched the horses’ pens to see if he was hiding inside. But she also found nothing.
The more they looked, the more they worried.
Even all these years after the war, she and Byleth still dealt with obstacles. Corrupt nobles angry over the old ways changing, former loyalists of Edelgard attempting to finish what she started, and the remnants of Those Who Slither in The Dark. If any of those groups laid a hand on Conrad, Leonie would make them regret it.
It was sunset by the time she and Byleth finished their search, empty-handed.
Leonie did her best not to panic, if only for Byleth’s sake. She’d seen his current expression before… that awful day when the Captain…
She took his hand and rested her forehead on his.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, we’re going to find him. We’re not going to abandon him and-”
“YOUR MAJESTIES! SOMETHING TO REPORT!”
The sound of the Gatekeeper’s enthusiastic voice brought a glimpse of hope to the two of them. They quickly pulled away from each other and looked towards the young man…
Seeing him crying tears of joy as he stood next to Yuri, holding a cheerful and unharmed Conrad.
Leonie and Byleth rushed over, Byleth reaching Conrad first and pulling their son into a tight hug.
However just as quickly, Byleth gave the boy a very stern expression that very much reminded Leonie of her mentor
“Where. Were you, kid?” He asked
“Um…”
“We were looking everywhere for you! We were so scared that something bad happened!” Leonie joined in
Conrad looked remorseful as he answered, “I wanted to play hide & seek and Uncle Yuri always says Abyss is the best place to hide.”
Immediately Leonie and Byleth turned their glares towards their (soon-to-be former) friend who just laughed and shrugged.
“To be fair, I didn’t realize Conrad didn’t tell you. It wasn’t until word about the two of you tearing apart the Monastery looking for the little guy came down our way that I found out he was keeping secrets.”
Conrad just hid his face into Byleth’s chest. He was a smart boy, he knew he was in a world of trouble.
…But first…
Leonie took a deep breath and ruffled her boy’s hair just as her own father did.
“Well the important thing is, you’re okay. You’re still in trouble buster but we’ll talk about that tomorrow.”
Byleth nodded and looked back at Yuri.
“Thank you for at least keeping an eye on him.”
“Eh, no problem. Not sure why the kid likes me so much but hey. On the bright side, I’d say he’d be quite adept at trickster training. You know when he’s old enough, obviously.”
Leonie and Byleth exchanged a… nervous look before both let out a nervous laugh.
“We’ll… keep that in mind.” Byleth responded with a sigh