Dorothea x Mercedes?
Minor angst with some friendly comforts?
When Mercedes woke up the the middle of the night, Dorothea wasn't there beside her. Her side of the bed was still fairly warm, but the blankets hadn't been put back into place. Her robe was missing, and the bedroom door had been left slightly ajar.
Quietly, she rose from the bed, grabbed her robe, and headed out.
This had become a frequent occurrence the the more recent months. Ever since they'd opened the music school beside the church in this little farm town, Dorothea had frequently risen from sleep to go sit in the pews, staring up at the statuette of the Goddess. Sometimes Mercedes would find her asleep. Occasionally, Dorothea would be singing a prayer. But most nights, she was simply sitting. Staring. As if lost in a world a million miles away.
Tonight, as well, Dorothea sat. This time, it was at the very front of the hall, in the front left bench, close to the aisle. Her hair seemed to take on a gentle blue glow in the light of the moon filtering from the stained glass.
Mercedes quietly came up beside her and sat close, taking her hand in hers. "What are you thinking about, love?"
"Tonight?" Dorothea asked absently. "I'm thinking about Edie. I know I shouldn't, but..."
"I understand," Mercedes assured. "You two were very close."
"We were. I wouldn't say we were best friends or anything, but...I still miss her." She leaned her head to rest on Mercedes's shoulder. "I know I shouldn't dwell on it. I try not to. I try not to care, but... it hurts my feelings. I can't stop thinking about....the what ifs, you know?"
"I understand. I still think about Emile the same way." She pressed a kiss to her temple. "I think it's good that you remember her. So many people forget she was our friend, once. People are often so caught up in their laments and regrets, they forget to remember the good times."
Dorothea let out a shaky breath. Tears welling in her eyes. "Do I have any right to remember the good times? After all the blood I spilt?"
"I do. You deserve to remember the good. Because even with her sins....Edelgard was a cherished friend. You're allowed to grieve her, Thea."
"...do you still grieve Emile?"
"I do. Every day."
"Do... you ever cry for him?"
Mercedes thought over it carefully, eyes burning. "I rarely ever cry these days."
Dorothea wrapped her arms around her, burying her face in her shoulder. "Maybe....you should. I mean....you didn't get to have him at our wedding. I know that must have hurt. And I'm sorry we couldn't have him there."
Tears slowly started to spill as Mercedes held her close. "And I'm sorry we couldn't have Edelgard there for you."
The two stayed like this for what felt like hours. Holding each other close. Occasionally halting their sobs just long enough to dry the tears off each other, before the weight of their grief started the cycle again.
When the tears finally ran out, Dorothea held her wife's face in her hands, pressing their foreheads together. "Mercie? Promise me something?"
"Of course, Thea. Anything."
"....let's get married again in the next life. And this time, let's have everyone there. Okay? The Professor. Edie. Emile. Everyone. No matter what."
Mercedes smiled.
"Okay. It's a promise."
