have i made progress on tkws chapter 2? no. have i spent the past week thinking about tkws chapter 2? yes. have i been calling glenn silly nicknames in my head while thinking about this chapter? also yes. allow me to list some of the nicknames i have been calling glenn in my brain
- glennifer
- glennjamin
- glenn diagram
- glenny girl
- glep. like from smiling friends
i need to make these public knowledge just in case i end up calling him glennifer in a yap post or smth. i love glenn he’s like a son to me. this is because im dating his father. rodrigue can get it anytime. anyway,,,,
i feel like nobody saw my last tkws update so HERE IT IS!!! read it enjoy it consume it. do whatever you would like with it
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
I UPDATED TKWS BEFORE 2026!!!!!!!!!!! REJOICE!!!!!!!!! sorry it took genuinely forever lmao it took be a little bit to decide exactly what glenn's voice should be, + i realized i am very inexperienced with writing ingrid and she is Kind Of Important here so i did some more research to figure out exactly what to do with her. i actually intended for this chapter to have more stuff happen in it but that was getting to be A Little Much so i've essentially cut the chapter in half. on the bright side, next chapter should come way faster because i already know exactly what to do with it lol. i hope all my glenn girls like ittttt :3
i do!!! i’m on ao3 with the same username as on tumblr
aaaaand i’m also gonna use this ask to say that I FINALLY STARTED A FIC!!!!! it’s the glenn lives one that i was yapping about a few weeks ago. i don’t know why this is the one i was most inspired to start on but. here we are!!!!
spreading my “felix is autistic” propaganda through fanfic (he literally says in tea time that he doesn’t like to look people in the eyes it’s practically canon)
I'd love to see you write a little one shot on timeskip Dimitri (after he's kind of sane again or before, completely up to you) around horses. Reason for this is because I adore the headcanon that the reason Great Lord Dimitri isn't a mounted unit, in spite of the armor actually being riding armor, is because his old horse died at some point during the 5 year gap and it was like losing the last friend who he still had. Only if you're comfortable with it though!
all that i can really say is i hope this is worth the wait anon 😭 i rlly have no excuse for taking this long to write this lol.
His Noble Steed
cw: animal death, ptsd
“So, Your Highness, you’re gonna keep the scolding to a minimum, yeah?”
Sylvain always started their chores that way, and every other time Dimitri would roll his eyes and launch into the same lecture about how if Sylvain only took things seriously, he wouldn’t need to worry about being scolded. Only this time, he found himself silent as he faced the daunting task of entering the stable for the first time since his time as a student. He’d been refusing to do any chores for the past few months of being at Garreg Mach, but after coming back to himself a bit more and realizing what a nuisance he’s been to his allies, he decided to start pitching in some more. This meant taking over Felix’s shift on stable duty, which was to be accompanied by Sylvain.
Except that, for some reason, the Prince couldn’t bring himself to walk inside.
The smell of straw was what did it. Dimitri had no problems whenever he’d see the stable on his way between the cathedral and the gates, and even watching his comrades fighting atop their own mounts gave him little trouble. But, for some reason, the smell was what brought him back to his beloved Snow.
Snow had been an awkward, timid colt that Gustave introduced Dimitri to when he was nine years old. He had been the one to desensitize him, train him, and take care of him since Gustave decided that it was essential for a king to have a steed that would follow him for the majority of its life.
Snow had the most gorgeous white coat, but all that Dimitri could remember of him was the time it had been drenched in red, and suddenly the red was all over himself too. He was still standing up, but in his mind’s eye he felt himself horizontal, laying in a puddle of his best friend and clinging to the bones that he had cleaned for whatever meat his canines could gnaw off. He was just so hungry…
There was red in front of him, but it was more vermillion this time, and accompanied by snapping.
“Dammit, Dimitri, get back over here! The Professor’s gonna kill me if he sees that I broke you, please just lecture me or something!”
Right. Stable duty.
Dimitri blinked back into awareness and swatted Sylvain’s hand away, before remembering himself and clearing his throat. “I-I’m alright, I’m alright. I apologize.” He mumbled, his throat tight.
Sylvain wasn’t satisfied with that. “What’s wrong? I thought starting with the stables would be easy for you, you used to love horses when we were in school. It was hard to get you off of Snow back in the day—“
“Do not mention that name.” Dimitri doesn’t mean to growl, but he’s been doing that a lot lately.
Sylvain either doesn’t get the hint, or he’s playing dumb with him. Either way, it’s deeply unpleasant. “What happened with Snow?”
Dimitri’s silence says all that it needs to, but he still forces a response. “I had been attacked by Imperial soldiers who recognized me. Snow… did not make it through.”
It was now Sylvain’s turn to be silent, but that only lasted a few seconds before he started talking entirely too much. “Oh… Oh no, I should’ve known something like that happened. It didn’t make any sense for you to be fighting as infantry, but— shit. I’m sorry, Dimitri.”
“It’s… it’s alright. I should not allow such things to interfere with our work.”
“Yeah, but it’s not bad if it does. Felix doesn’t like heights, so he doesn’t help with the wyverns. Annette doesn’t like lifting, so she doesn’t deal with rubble. Just do what you can, y’know?” Sylvain tries to reassure, trying to remember how Glenn would’ve said it. He was always so much better with this stuff.
“Yes, but I don’t wish to shirk responsibilities for my own comfort. I will assist you in caring for the horses.” Dimitri tried to sound confident, but it just came out pathetic. This whole thing made him feel so pathetic.
“Alright, if you want. Let’s go.” Sylvain takes Dimitri’s hand and starts to pull him into the stable, and for some reason the Prince finds himself allowing this to happen.
Dimitri has gone through the motions of stable duty enough for it not to be a terrible experience. He sweeps the floors and refills the horses’ food and water while Sylvain cleans the stalls and brushes each horse, paying special attention to his own mare, Buttercup. Typically, Dimitri would have done far more (and given Sylvain a stern talking-to about making contributions to the community) but he found his hands shaking every time he got too close to any of the horses, and whenever they’d acknowledge him in any verbal manner, he had to resist the urge to jump away with every bone in his body. He’d need to remember to sing his friend’s praises to the Professor when it was time to give their report.
“Hey, Dimitri.” Sylvain called as Dimitri finished sweeping. “Wanna brush Buttercup? I think she’s missed you.” He asked casually. Buttercup, an older, pitch-black mare, had been Sylvain’s since he was only six. Their relationship had a rocky start (if Sylvain wasn’t bruised and battered by Miklan, it was from the damn horse) but they had grown into the best of friends, something that Sylvain boasted about frequently.
Dimitri froze at the question, before remembering that a question like that typically required a verbal answer. “I should not, I wouldn't want to hurt her.” He declined, only to receive a scoff in response.
“Hurt her? Please, she’s tough enough to deal with getting her hair pulled a bit. Even a Blaiddyd pull.” Sylvain held a curry comb out to Dimitri with a warm smile, similar to the one he used when trying to lure women into his bed. Few were able to resist his charms, and Dimitri was no exception. Hesitantly, he took the comb into his shaking hand and approached the mare, who was still unbothered.
“…Hello, Buttercup. It has been quite a while since we last met this way.” He spoke formally, as if the horse was a noblewoman. The horse in question just sniffed, earning an undignified yelp from Dimitri that Sylvain had to stifle a laugh at.
“You’re fine, Your Highness. You know her, remember? It’s fine.” He tried to reassure. Dimitri took a few deep breaths, but his hands were still shaking as he started to comb through Buttercup’s mane, the thick hair already free of tangles thanks to Sylvain’s attentiveness. The mare was as well-behaved as ever, standing still and unbothered while the flustered Prince combed through her mane. The next time she moved, Dimitri flinched quietly, and by the time he had finished, he was all but composed while handling his friend’s horse.
“Good girl…” Dimitri whispered as he finished brushing her tail, much to Sylvain’s satisfaction.
“See? You’re so good with her. Wanna take her for a ride next time?” Sylvain offered with a grin, but Dimitri shook his head.
“I don’t think so. But… thank you, Sylvain. I had been wanting to re-acclimate myself with horses for some time now.”
“Anytime, Dimitri. I told you to rely on me for these things.”
Drabble idea: Dimitri and Raphael talking about grief?
i actually had loads of fun with this one!!! this was such a wonderful prompt i love these two together. their support chain should’ve been more like this i feel like, especially since their backstories have a LOT in common.
Small Talk
cw: parental death, grief
"Hey Dimitri! Wanna get something to eat? I'm staaaarving!" The familiar sound of Raphael's voice boomed from behind, just as Dimitri was headed to the front of the cathedral. Choir practice had always been difficult for the crown prince, but it was especially hard when the Professor had him do it with Raphael. He didn't mind Raphael as a training partner, but he had a tendency to be a bit much as an… anything else partner. Still, he gave him a practiced, princely smile.
"You can go on without me, Raphael. I was planning on praying while I'm here." He said politely.
Raphael nodded, as if remembering something. "Right, I forgot how you noble types like to pray. I'll meet you at the dining hall, yeah?"
"Yes, I will catch up with you there. I wouldn't want to keep you waiting."
Raphael took that as his cue to leave, waving at Dimitri as he exited the cathedral and made his way to the dining hall. Meanwhile, Dimitri found himself a spot near the front of the cathedral and started his prayer, as was routine for him on his free days.
Merciful Seiros, please ensure that the souls of my father, my mother, my stepmother, Glenn Govan Fraldarius, and all who were lost in Duscur find peace in the heavens, and give me the strength to avenge their souls by any means necessary. Also… please give me the patience to study for my next certification exam.
When Dimitri arrived at the dining hall and took his seat, he found that Raphael was already halfway through his meal. He didn't mind though, especially since he knew that Ingrid had given Raphael more than a few lectures on his manners. He wasn't one to be a stickler for those types of things anyway, since he often needed to remind himself of them.
Raphael greeted him with a warm smile, as always. "Heya Dimitri, how was praying?"
"How… was it? It was fine, I suppose. I tend to pray for many of the same things every time, so there is not much variation." He chuckled at his attempt at humor, which didn't seem to land judging by Raphael's expression, which was more confused than anything else.
"Huh… y'know, I've never really prayed before. My folks were never devout like that. Whaddaya usually pray for?"
Dimitri wasn't used to that question; maybe asking such things was normal in Leicester? "Oh, I tend to pray for my family. It, ah… it brings me some comfort. I'd feel terrible praying for anything else."
"Riiiight, I forgot you lost your folks too!" Raphael spoke in a tone entirely too eager for what he'd just said, and Dimitri couldn't help a chuckle despite how grim it was.
"Yes, my, um, folks did pass away. You and I are alike in that way, it would seem." He thought out loud.
"Sure are! But, wait, you said you'd feel terrible if you didn't pray for them. Why's that?"
"Well, in Faerghus, they say that the dead cling to the living the more they were loved. And… the people I've lost were loved dearly. I would never forgive myself if they were to be forgotten."
"Really? I've never thought of it like that," Raphael took another bite of food. "The way I see it, my parents would've just wanted my sis and I to be as happy as we could! Doesn't do anyone any good to live in feelings like that."
Dimitri opened and closed his mouth, trying to figure out how to articulate his bafflement at this mindset. "I have found that to be easier said than done. Especially considering what happened." His voice dropped to a mumble in the last sentence.
Raphael hummed quietly. "Yeah, that makes sense. It's real hard to bounce back from stuff like that. Maya and my Grandpa keep me going most of the time. You've probably got someone like that, though."
Did he? Dimitri wasn't sure. Technically, he still had friends, but it had been so long since they'd treated each other companionably that it almost felt wrong to refer to them as such. Felix had no desire to look him in the eye, Ingrid was mad at him for discouraging her devotion to chivalry, and Sylvain was so keen to continue his skirt-chasing ways that he'd taken to avoiding him whenever possible. He wanted to call Dedue his friend more than anything, but the man was so keen on reducing himself to a retainer that it felt impossible to do so in earnest.
"That is… rather remarkable, Raphael. I'd never considered that moving on could be anything other than a solitary battle."
Raphael beamed, a smile Dimitri only wished he was capable of after everything. "Nah, it's no big deal. We've all gotta work together to keep each other afloat, yeah? Even you."
That managed to coax a smile from him. "Yes, I suppose even me."
