Any more Claude????
(Claude coming home to his wife and babies...!!!)
You were standing by the front gates before the sun was even up, which proved to be worthwhile. You spotted Claude’s wyvern in the sky, a brilliant spot of white that quickly grew as Claude seemed to be speeding towards the monastery.
In a single movement landed the wyvern, jumped from its back and scooped you up, spinning you in his arms.
“I’m home, By.”
“I missed you.” You replied with a kiss, Claude more than pleased to capture your lips for the first time in weeks.
“Gods, you’ve got no idea how bad I missed you, too.” He whispered to his wife, holding you a moment longer before you insisted it was time to head inside.
“I think I've got an idea.” You replied, hand in his while you started up the steps of the monastery. “You wrote an awful lot of letters talking about how upset you were that you had to stay longer.”
“Of course I was upset. You think I want to be away from you and the twins? I can barely stand it when I’m gone for a few days, let alone two whole weeks!”
“14 days isn’t that bad, Claude. You’re just being dramatic.”
“Dramatically filled with love for my family.” He huffed, but grinned all the same. “I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt that way.”
“You weren’t.”
“Why do you sound so unconcerned?”
“I wasn’t.”
“Really feeling the love here, By…” He chuckled weakly, trying not to let his wounded pride show.
“Oh, I wasn’t talking about me, Claude. I meant the children.”
“The twins?” He immediately brightened back up, “Aww, were they worried about me?”
“They were upset that their favorite playmate disappeared.”
“That makes more sense.” He laughed bright and joyful, “I hope they like the presents I brought them.”
“More presents?” You glanced back at him with a slightly annoyed expression, “You’re going to spoil them worse than Seteth did.”
“It’s only natural! I have to out-spoil him since I’m their real dad. Can’t have them thinking their caretaker likes them more than me. Besides, I figured they’d really like these.”
“What did you get them?”
“Just a couple little-”
“PAPA!!”
You both started at the shout from the top of the massive staircase, finding a pair of children that looked far too much like Claude to be mistaken for anyone else’s children.
He beamed at the pair of little ones, barely older than four, who were now barreling down the steps.
“Careful, you two!” You called worriedly, knowing toddling feet were far less balanced than grown-up ones. Your worry was for nothing, though, because they rocketed down the steps so quickly you couldn’t even think about catching them.
No, instead they blew straight past you and they barreled straight into your husband’s open arms.
He had crouched to the ground and dropped his satchel just in time to receive his son and daughter, both of whom clung to him and were shouting all sorts of nonsense that they just had to catch him up on.
“There are my two favorite people,” He peppered their faces with kisses, “Oh, Papa missed you both so much!!”
“I missed you, too!”
“I missed you more!”
“Nuh-uh, I missed’im more!”
“No, I did!!”
“N-no, I did!!”
“Okay, okay, there’s plenty of me to go around.” Claude chuckled, separating the children onto each knee and hugging them close. “I’m just glad someone wants me around.”
“So dramatic.” You scoffed, though you both knew full well you’d be letting him know he was sorely missed, as well.
“And not to worry, there’s plenty of love to go around.” Claude added as he retrieved his bag, “I’ve brought some gifts for you both.”
“Presents?!” They gasped, grabbing onto his tunic and tugging excitedly. “Presents!! Presents!!”
"Whoa, now- slow down.”
You giggled as you watched him attempt to wrangle the two children that were assaulting him and trying to bust into his bag. He held them in place on his knees long enough to reach inside, and give them both their presents.
Little fingers quickly worked at the parchment wrapping paper, tugging off the twine and wax to reveal two little toys that would wind up on the floor of their bedroom like the rest of their trinkets.
“Whoah, a toy!!”
“My toy is not like yours!”
“I like your toy and my toy! I wanna play with both of them!”
“I’m glad you like them, children. Anything you want to say to your Papa?” He prompted them, his grin wide and expectant for the shower of affection and thank you’s.
Instead they both wiggled from his lap and tumbled towards the stairs.
“I play with my toy and you play with yours- then we trade!”
“I don’t wanna trade!”
“No no, just for a second! Then you play with my toy and I play with your toy! Then trade back!”
“You promise?”
“I promise!”
Claude looked even more defeated than when you shut down his teasing, earlier. You held your hand out to your husband, helping him to his feet.
His shoulders remained drooped, his defeat apparent.
“It looks like you were wrong, once again…”
“‘They only want me for my gifts…” Claude sighed sadly, hiding his face in your neck. You patted his back somewhat sarcastically.
“There, there.”
“I can’t believe it...I-I feel so used…”
“Can you blame them? You bring them a souvenir every time you go off somewhere. You’ve trained them to expect toys to come home, instead of you.”
“Why not both?” Claude faux-sobbed, looking up at you with those massive puppy eyes. You almost felt bad for him.
“There’s only one solution, Byleth- we’ve got to have another child.”
Almost.
“Come again?”
“I need another chance- if I can have a fresh start with a new baby, I can teach them to love me and want to be around me, since I’ve clearly been abandoned by my wife and other children.”
“I don’t think having another baby will solve that problem for you.”
“We won’t know ‘til we try, though, right?” He looped his arms around your waist, leaning into you so closely your foreheads pressed together. “Come on, sweetheart- don’t tell me you haven’t thought about having another baby. One that I get to be around with, this time.”
“It’s crossed my mind a few times…” You admitted, “But I think your lack of intimacy with your wife has clouded your judgement.”
“You’re not wrong- two weeks without you under my blankets has been an absolute torture. It’s been impossible to endure ever since I had to go back to Almyra all those years ago. Why do you think I avoid taking long trips, nowadays?”
“Oh, I knew the reason. I was just hoping it’s because you missed your kids, and your wife for completely innocent reasons.”
“Of course I do, that’s not a question at all.” He snickered, kising your cheeks and your lips. “But baby, if you think that’s the only reason why I miss you, I’m afraid you’re terribly mistaken.”
“And you’re just terrible.” You grinned at him, before you nodded your head up the steps. “We’ve got a few hours before dinner. The twins have their toys. I think we can make something work, real quick.”
“I don’t work quickly, Byleth-”
“Don't worry...I've already set plans for just the two of us, this evening.”
He was unable to fathom just how lucky he was that you were his wife.
“I am so incredibly glad that you do.”
