(Dimiclaude) Visions of another future ? ❤️
A peaceful day by the lake, Dimitri had promised. A day away from Fhirdiad, from the court, from responsibility. That was Claude's birthday gift from his husband.
The pair had spent the morning knee deep in the water, skipping stones and talking about nothing of import. Summer in the Kingdom was kinder than summer in the Alliance. Claude sighed into the cool breeze that stirred his hair and ruffled his untucked shirt, holding in a laugh as Dimitri’s next stone plunked inelegantly into the lake.
Just past noon, Dimitri kissed the top of Claude's head. "I will retrieve our lunch, Beloved. Stay here." Claude watched him go with a content smile. Life could certainly be worse than having the King of Faerghus fetch him food.
The water churned abruptly. Claude stumbled as the waves picked up, white caps ambushing his thighs and midriff. Just when he thought he would fall gracelessly onto the rocky shore, the lake stilled, becoming smooth as glass.
Before Claude's eyes, images appeared on the surface. A haggard version of himself was standing with his hands up, bow broken at his feet, a lance against his neck. A very familiar lance...
The image of Dimitri appeared, holding Areadbhar to Claude’s throat with a glare that promised death. Then he spun and marched away. Claude reached out a hand to stop him but fell to his knees instead, blood pooling under him.
The Claude standing in the lake felt his loss acutely. Somehow he knew Dimitri was marching off to his death. His was going to lose Dimitri forever and he didn’t have the strength to stop it. Everything was falling apart, all his dreams, all his hopes for the future-- they crumbled with every step Dimitri took.
“Claude?” A hand on his shoulder had Claude turning around. This Dimitri looked whole and healthy. His hair was clean and even, not clotted with blood and chopped haphazardly. His face was kind, not contorted with rage. And he was alive.
Dimitri, Claude’s husband, cupped his cheek. “You were staring into the water and-- Beloved, why are you crying?”
Claude placed his hand over Dimitri’s and swallowed back more tears. “Nothing,” he forced out. “Just... glad to be here with you.”
Dimitri frowned like he didn’t quite believe that. But he nodded anyway and kissed Claude on the forehead. “I am glad to be here with you as well. Happy birthday, my love.”
[Send me an FE ship and a setting/AU for a short scene!]
