I saw your FE 3 houses headcanon for Dimitri! Could you share one for Claude?
This is for a few anons that requested it, enjoy! This would’ve come out sooner if the Jeritza request didnt tempt me so.
TW: Gaslighting, manipulation, toxic relationships
Hoo boy, I adore Claude, but to be honest he’d be one bitch of a yandere.
He’s the text-book definition of a manipulative. He’s tactical, cunning, patient and oh so charming; a dangerous concoction when mixed with obsessive infatuation.
He’ll be extremely flirtatious and suggestive, assaulting you with a barrage of dirty jokes and innuendos until your cheeks are burning and you’ve been reduced to a stuttering mess.
But of course, every quip is accompanied with a lighthearted tone and a sly wink. This makes the authenticity of his words uncertain - he’s known for being mischievous, right? So what if this is just how he is around everyone? It’s not like you’re special or anything. Claude uses his reputation and knack for strategic thinking to get the upper hand; he’ll make you doubt yourself, make it seem like your the one hopelessly head-over-heels.
Claude will condition you to crave his authentic affection and praise. After a session of flirtatious banter, he’ll lower his tone and look you straight in the eye;
“You’re so beautiful, (y/n).”
You’ll find your breath hitching, your heart skipping a beat. After he’s shot you a smile and turned away, he’ll be completely content knowing that your just losing your shit. Claude , the Claude, called you beautiful? He sounded serious, so he must be for real? You’ll suffer, overthinking every annunciation of his words, finding any hint of deception or mockery.
Of course Claude means it though. He means everything. But you can’t know that. Sabotaging the battlefield is one of Claude’s favorite tactics after all.
After giving you those delicious crumbs of affection, he’ll make sure to withdraw for awhile. It pains him to avoid you, but he knows it’s a sacrifice he has to make. When he finally approaches you again, you’ll be so adorably desperate! You’ll worry so much, does he hate you? Why is he ignoring you all of a sudden? Did you do something wrong?
He’ll tightly embrace you, savoring that sweet flustered expression on your face. He’ll reassure you so kindly, but he’ll keep shaking your self confidence, making you seem like a desperate mess for him.
“Oh, I’m so sorry (Y/n)! I never meant to worry you, I’ve just been so busy, ya’know? But if you missed me that much, I’m sure I can make a better effort.”
Claude will make sure to be there during your most vulnerable times. Your just so malleable, and he’ll be there to comfort you - to condition you.
He wants you to be emotionally dependent on him, to crave him as much as he craves you.
He may just very well be the mastermind behind the tragedies that send you into such a distraught state. Were you demoted, or worse, fired? There was a rumor you were stealing the supplies, you say? That’s just horrible.
Claude is a pro at keeping his calm composure, and hiding his true feelings. But man does this boy get jealous. He’ll lace every word against any one he deems competition with venom. Every sentence he spews is just crawling with underlying insults and passive aggression.
If he deems things to have gone too far, he’s not afraid to get directly aggressive.
We know he’s a master at mixing poisons. Expect potential romantic rivals, hell even overbearing relatives, to fall dangerously ill. Whether he decides to permanently remove them from the picture or not, is really up to how merciful he’s feeling.
If he feels extremely slighted, however, his composure snaps. If he sees another person kiss you, expect chaos. Sometimes he’ll be so overcome with rage that he’ll pummel them into the ground right there. Other times, he may be more methodical with his retribution. He’ll consider them lucky if they get an arrow with a hotly worded warning on their front door, instead of through their head. But what can he say, sometimes he’s not so forgiving.
When he finally takes things to the next level, he’s ensured victory from just how well he’s trained you.
If he ever senses even a hint of doubt from you, any clue that your thinking of leaving him, he’ll emotionally wreck you.
He’ll gaslight you, tell you how damn lucky you are for him to settle for you. He’ll remind you of all the times he’s been there for you, how much he’s done for you. How your nothing without him.
Saying all these hurtful things pains him so much, he just wants your unconditional love, is that so hard? But he’ll consider it all worth it when you’re sobbing into his chest, spouting apologies and begging for his forgiveness. Totally submissive, totally his.
“It’s fine honey, I forgive you. But never even think about leaving me, okay?”