Chapter Text
After a moment, Dimitri started to get better.
He had not escaped the darkness by any mean, still plagued by nightmares and voices. Instinct and survival were his driving forces. His days were spent alone brooding in the ruined chapel, when he was not on the battlefield offering corpses to the dead. His words were few, harsh and cutting. He had no need for compassion, and no patience for the living. His guard was never down, listening and looking out for foolish visitors. They were few: mostly Dedue, always loyal to his liege even in his state. Dimitri never moved, and Dedue never approached.
The only one for whom the prince would respond was Byleth.
The professor often visited him, silent as always. Sometimes, he would stay behind him, meters away, and Dimitri would feel his eyes on his back, watching him like a hawk. Despise the vulnerability of the position, Dimitri would allow it. He couldn’t explain why.
Other times, Byleth would approach him and stand by his side, still not uttering a sound. They were so close that it would take nothing but an instant to stab each other. To kill each other. Byleth was often disarmed when visiting Dimitri, except for the decorative dagger on his belt. It would take so little to turn to his side and break his neck.
When those dark thoughts were floating in Dimitri’s head, Byleth would turn to him, and their eyes would meet. Gazing at those pool of green, Dimitri would be reminded of another predator. Byleth expression was far from blank or empty: it was calculating, analysing, waiting for the moment to strike. Two beasts sizing each other.
The thoughts would go away.
Dimitri was far from better. But he was starting to listen to Byleth. To allow himself some trust. He was not even aware of it. It was so natural for the professor to stand by his side. There was no gentle coercing, no unnecessary talk, no pity. Just… a sort of companionship.
The beast that was Dimitri had taken interested. Byleth was worthy. Always has been, always will be. Remains of an adolescent love went to his mind. How to assure the man will always stay by him? That he will always be at his side?
There was but a unique path.