since the dimivain brainrot is very real:
can i get kiss prompt 9 with dimivain please?
(the brianrot is real indeed. here’s hoping this can satiate the rot for now)
Sylvain knew what is was like to have to kill your own sibling. No matter how angry you are with them, no matter what they did-- killing family leaves a hole in your chest where something can no longer be. Even if it wasn’t there to begin with.
That’s why Sylvain lingered just outside the throne room doors. The other Lions were taking care of the remaining Beats lurking though the adjoining castle courtyards. Seteth and the Knights of Seiros had left to search for Lady Rhea. Outside, the rest of the Kingdom army had their hands full securing Enbarr.
Everything was under control-- Sylvain could afford to stand and wait. To worry. To remember facing his own sibling-turned-monster.
The door opened. Sylvain straightened his shoulders and tried to read Dimitri as he and Byleth stepped out. Who did Sylvain need to be right now? Did Dimitri need Joking Sylvain to lighten the mood, or Big Brother Sylvain to throw an arm around his shoulders and get him away from everyone for a moment? Or-- Sylvain thought miserably as he spotted Byleth tugging Dimitri along by the hand-- did he just need Sylvain to leave and spread the news?
He still hadn’t determined an answer when Dimitri stopped before him. “Well?” Sylvain prompted, as if he didn’t recognize that look in Dimitri’s eyes.
“It is done,” Dimitri said. He looked to Byleth, who nodded and let go, walking onward towards their allies. Those nearby took notice and began to cheer. Sylvain watched with some amusement as Felix all but sagged against a nearby wall and Ingrid let out a half hysterical laugh and buried her face in her pegasus’ neck.
He turned back to Dimitri. There was blood on his shoulder, Sylvain realized now, and he had dropped Areadbhar to the floor. “There is something I vowed to do once the war was won,” Dimitri continued. “It hardly seems the time but, if I don’t do it now, I fear I will lose my courage.”
Good. Some solid direction. Sylvain flashed a smile. “Sounds like you better get it done, then. How can I help?”
Dimitri peered at Sylvain through blond bangs. All the cries of celebration around them and yet Dimitri looked at Sylvain with such focus. Determination, even. As if fighting against some instinct.
A gauntleted hand rose to cup Sylvain’s cheek. “You can hold still.” In one swift motion, Dimitri leaned forward and kissed Sylvain.
In all Sylvain’s wildest fantasy, he had never once conceived of this kiss happening outside the Enbarr palace throne room. He felt Dimitri relax as Sylvain kissed back, pressing closer and covering Dimitri’s hand with his own.
Then he took hold of that hand and pulled it off. Sylvain had been greedy enough. “We can’t do this. You can’t do this.”
Dimitri tugged his hand away and tilted Sylvain’s chin up. Distantly, Sylvain wondered if anyone had noticed them yet. Dimitri was right-- now had definitely not been the time for this. The king needed to be seen among the troops and assure everyone the war was indeed over.
Instead, Dimitri’s face softened in observation as if he had all the time in the world to spend with Sylvain. “Why not?” Dimitri asked at last.
First, Sylvain thought of heirs. But no one was more aware of Dimitri’s royalty than Dimitri, so either he had a work around Sylvain didn’t know about or he planned to go into this situation heart first and hope tradition moved with him.
Second, Sylvain thought of Byleth. The two had grown close in a way Sylvain couldn’t quantify. And yet-- Byleth had left at Dimitri’s behest just a moment ago. They weren’t the one with Dimitri’s full attention.
Third, Sylvain thought of the one thing that always got in the way of his happiness.
“Because it’s me,” Sylvain finished. “You know what I’m like. How could you--”
“Yes, I do.” Dimitri was close enough that their noses brushed. “I know you, Sylvain. And I hope to know you for the rest of my life, if that is acceptable.”
Sylvain swallowed. He did know, didn’t he? Few were as well informed on Sylvain as Dimitri. Everything Dimitri had seen from Sylvain over a lifetime of friendship-- and he was still speaking so sweetly, here, at the end of the longest road they had ever walked together.
Now Dimitri brought up his other hand, holding Sylvain’s face carefully, pinky finger skating against Sylvain’s neck. “Whatever you think, I have done what I swore to myself I would do. The next move is yours.”
He brushed his lips to Sylvain’s, slid his hands down to rest briefly on Sylvain’s shoulders, then Dimitri stepped away entirely. Sylvain watched him leave to join with the army still celebrating beyond their corridor. Those people probably needed Energetic Sylvain to rejoice with, or possibly “I have about 2 Heals left” Sylvain.
As soon as Dimitri rounded the corner, Sylvain leaned back against the wall and touched the spot where Dimitri’s hand had been just moments ago. Perhaps there was someone who could handle all sides of Sylvain.
Perhaps there always had been.