Chapter Text
The first month had been a lot, to say the least. Byleth was good with names, so thankfully keeping track of everyone he met wasn’t an issue, since there were so many new faces, but there was just a lot that he had been unprepared for. Transitioning from the life of a mercenary to the domestic life of a Professor was something he never would have predicted in his own future.
On top of the sudden switch, there was keeping straight the rules of the Academy, having to figure out on his own how to teach, and learning so much about the world that he hadn’t even known… They were all challenges that Byleth wasn’t confident taking on. It had led to a point where he looked forward to every Sunday with growing anticipation, aching for time to himself and just a moment to figure everything out at his own pace.
The students of the Blue Lions House had been kind enough, and Dimitri was always supportive of Byleth’s methods; the Professor honestly couldn’t tell if the house leader was following him with blind loyalty, or just trying to spare him the embarrassment if his floundering instructional methods were exposed. He appreciated the kindness and willingness to learn, but a part of that made him feel even worse. As their Professor, he wanted to do well for these kids, to lead them and help them break through to their fullest potential. At least that side of teaching, he understood.
Despite this good intent, though, it was challenging to get close to them in a way that he would feel comfortable. He was already trying to set a good example for the students despite his inferior formal education, so establishing himself as an equal was not an option yet. He had to have the students respect him as an instructor before he could attempt to befriend them, otherwise the whole purpose of his stay there would be jeopardised.
His awkward social position was not aided by the fact that the Knights of Seiros here at the Monastery generally only pestered him about his father; Professors Manuela and Hanneman usually filled social time with bickering with each other, and Byleth got the impression that Seteth was not too fond of him at the moment. It was challenging to find a place he fit in aside from with the students, even as he wanted to. He didn’t exactly feel the need to talk to his father about it either, but as the days passed, those opportunities seemed to narrow imposingly on his sadly empty personal schedule.
In simple words, Byleth mused to himself as he gazed off the dock into the pond of clear water on another one of these slow, warm weekends, I’m lonely.
With a long sigh offering insight to his mood, Byleth spun on his heel, teal hair lifting slightly as the breeze caught up with the movement. He gazed at the stone structures before him, wondering where to go and what to do with his extensive hours of free time. He didn’t want to pester the students, since he had assigned them logged training hours or submission of an essay on the tactical advantage of the weapons triangle due tomorrow, so that was out of the question. The Professor looked down in defeat as he turned right from the pond, deciding to take a lap of the grounds and see what he sought to do from there.
The market seemed slow today, Byleth observed as he walked past it lazily. Some children were playing in the street, the cats were meandering about as usual, and all seemed at ease while big, puffy clouds rolled along the sky overhead. It was quite nice, and the young Professor only turned his head in time to come to a very sudden halt, only inches away from the shiny silver of a guard’s helmet.
The guard – which Byleth now recognised with pleasant surprise to be the Gatekeeper – took a small step back and saluted, a nervous laugh bubbling up before he spoke, “Greetings, Professor! You startled me there for a moment, but nothing to report today!” He dropped the salute, hands clasping behind his back as he bounced on his heels. “Speaking of, it is a lovely day, isn’t it?”
Byleth took a step back himself to be at a more respectful distance, noting privately with the ghost of a smile how peppy the Gatekeeper always was. It was energising, like fresh fruit on a summer day. “It is. Have you been enjoying your day then, Gatekeeper?”
The addressed man nodded, an adorable smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. They were the colour of honey, and when he spoke, something in them sparkled. “I have been, yes. The weather is perfect for this job – you know, just standing out here all day…” Those same eyes softened as he gazed out at the market. “I’m surprised more people aren’t out. Usually I watch them to pass the time, but it’s been quite slow today. I guess that’s a good thing though, right Professor?”
Byleth’s eyebrow raised as he nodded in response. “It is, it means you’re doing your job well.” This earned a flattered gasp from the Gatekeeper, a blush blossoming on his cheeks at the compliment. Byleth’s lips quirked up in a smirk. “I assume it’s rather lonely on leisurely days like this though.”
The Gatekeeper looked down, and Byleth realised that maybe he’d been a little too right. But a new opportunity appeared before his eyes, and he couldn’t help just the smallest of smiles pulling at his features; undetectable, but he knew when an idea was a good one.
“It does get lonely, but I have one day off a week that I can spend with my friends sometimes.” Soon enough, the Gatekeeper’s smile was back in place, shining like the bright day itself. A few tiny freckles dotted his nose and cheeks. Byleth wanted to poke them.
“Would you like to have tea with me today, Gatekeeper?” His apathetic expression barely changed as he asked, but a million emotions flashed across the features of the guard before him. The Professor could not help but feel a little pleased by this reaction, as long as it turned out to be a good one.
“I-I… um…” Face red, the Gatekeeper stuttered for a response. “Yes, I would love to, Professor! But…” He rubbed the back of his neck shyly, his helmet tipping forward a little to obscure his eyes. “My shift does not end until this afternoon. And by then it may be a little too late.”
“You have a lunch break, do you not?” Byleth’s soft hair shifted as he tilted his head inquiringly. “I can provide sweets and snacks, if you’re willing to meet me at the patio. And if you’re willing to let me treat you, that is.”
A smile soon replaced the embarrassed features of the guard, but it was still shy and absolutely precious. He bounced on his heels, fists clenched excitedly at his sides. “That sounds like a great plan, Professor! I… I look forward to it! Thank you for inviting me!”
Giving a gentle head-pat to the top of his helmet, Byleth nodded approvingly. “I’ll see you then. I look forward to it too, Gatekeeper.” With a last glance, he waved and turned into the entrance hall to wander about until teatime arrived.
The Gatekeeper grinned giddily as he watched the Professor leave. His cheeks hurt from how much he was smiling. Not only had his day gotten so much better than it already was, but maybe, if this went well, he’d have more days just like this in the future to look forward to. He tried to steady his fluttering heart as he reminded himself to take things one day at a time; he still had to stay focused on keeping the gate, after all!
~
Byleth twiddled his thumbs while he waited at the table. The regular tray of sweets was laid out to his left, and a sandwich sat next to the empty cup of tea. He had realised after leaving the Gatekeeper this morning that he actually did not know when his lunch break was, and so had decided to just wait when he felt it was the right time. He didn’t have much else to do that day, so it worked out well enough.
And the sandwich may have been a little extra, but he wanted to make sure that sweet Gatekeeper got to eat substantial food on his break. Byleth hated the thought of inconveniencing his new friend-to-be.
When the Gatekeeper entered the patio, his eyes met the Professor’s immediately and he beamed. In return, Byleth nodded, and felt a little something stir. That smile was just… so cute. He was honoured to be its cause, or perhaps it was the array of sweets laid out before him. Regardless, he poured the tea into both of their cups, the simple Angelica steaming pleasantly when his guest arrived at the table.
Removing his helmet as he sat, the Gatekeeper chirped his usual salutation. “Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report, well, nothing new since you came by to see me…” Byleth was momentarily captivated by the fluffy waves of hair on his head, how the locks almost curled but just didn’t quite, and how a few stray clusters fell forward into his eyes.
Byleth watched as the Gatekeeper picked up the teacup delicately, his smile turning relaxed as the aroma washed over him. “This is my favourite tea! Gosh, you’re the best, Professor…” He blushed faintly as he took a sip, setting the cup back down in its saucer before folding his hands politely in his lap. “So, um, what do you want to talk about?”
Byleth hummed in response over his own tea, taking a pensive sip before setting his cup down as well. “How did you become a knight here at the Monastery? Did you attend the Academy?” Damn, he forgot to ask his name. Well, he’d wait until he had another chance; the last thing he wanted was to rudely interrupt his guest, who was just maybe the happiest guy he’d ever met.
“I actually did attend the Academy here. I was a member of the Blue Lions, the same house you lead, Professor! Of course, that was about five years ago now…” He paused to take a sip of his tea, once again smiling softly at the flavour. “My parents and siblings live back in Faerghus still, but I wanted to work here instead of there in Fhirdiad. The weather is so much nicer, and plus, I have such fond memories of this place.”
Offering him a jam cookie, Byleth nodded. “I’m having a bit of a struggle adjusting, but it is very calm here. I enjoy it, despite it being a great change from being on the road so often.”
“What was it like being a mercenary?” The Gatekeeper accepted the cookie gratefully, munching on it thoughtfully while eagerly looking up for a response. “All of the knights here have such amazing stories about Captain Jeralt, but I personally never met him before your arrival… Why did he leave? He seems like such a great captain.”
A shrug was the only answer he received for a moment. “I don’t know, honestly. Being a mercenary was alright, I was with my father after all. Work was easy, and we got to travel a lot… although I’m surprised that I could remain ignorant to so much whilst going all over the continent.” A small frown tugged at the Professor’s lips while he stared into his tea. “I didn’t know anything about my father being a captain, or the Knights of Seiros in general. Or Seiros. If you have questions, maybe asking him would be best.”
The Gatekeeper frowned too, the abrupt change in his expression worrying Byleth that he had caused an offense. He quickly backpedalled, attempting to rephrase his last statement, when his guest interjected. “I’m actually not all that interested in talking to him, I’d much rather talk to you! You’re polite, kind, and really interesting if I may say so, Professor! Plus, you seem closer to my age, which is a nice change of pace…” He laughed quietly, taking a moment of pause to actually eat some of the food in front of him.
Byleth blinked in surprise, flattered. “You’re… not interested in talking to my father?”
Shaking his head, the Gatekeeper wiped his lips with a napkin before speaking. His manners were quite good, Byleth appreciated. “Not really. I’m just a gatekeeper, I do my training in my assigned troop, and it doesn’t really need to be specialised in any way. My job is Monastery security, not front-line battle, should we ever have a need for it.” He grinned and knocked on the surface of the round, wooden table at which they were seated, a superstition of good measure. “Plus, I’d really rather become your friend. I-I mean, if that’s okay?”
Byleth’s eyes widened slightly, and he froze with his teacup raised halfway to his lips.
“Oh, gosh is that out of place? I know there are a lot of rules about how we’re supposed to interact with the staff and… You can say no, I won’t be upset.” The guard’s cheeks were flushed a bright pink, those honey-coloured eyes looking away shyly as his brow creased.
“That would be quite nice.”
“It’s just, getting to have tea is really nice and I would really like to do it again sometime. But I know that you’re busy and I’m supposed to be respectful of your distance and keep up with my duties first and foremost, and it’s not -”
“Gatekeeper.” Byleth finally managed to cut him off by raising his hand. The smallest of chuckles rose forth from his chest, and was soon met by the Gatekeeper’s nervous laugh in response. “That’s exactly why I invited you to tea.”
“Really?” He sat up straighter, cheeks still bright but eyes just as much so, glittering in the early afternoon sunshine. “If you really mean it, I’d love that, Professor!”
“Of course, I mean it. I’m in search of a friend, and if you’ll have me, I find that I am quite refreshed by my time with you.” Byleth finished his tea, gently setting both cup and saucer aside. “Have you had enough to eat? I hope I did not keep you too long.”
“Oh, no worries, I can get back to my station soon enough. And thanks for the food, it was really excellent.” The Gatekeeper beamed as he got to his feet, flattening his hair to pull up his chainmail hood. Once he retrieved his helmet and settled it back in place, he swiped one last cookie from the tray with a childlike look of mischief. The expression swiftly changed to one of shy innocence when he glanced up to meet Byleth’s eyes. “When would you like to do this again?”
Byleth hummed pensively. “This time every Sunday would be nice, if you’d like to meet that often.” He found a part of him eager to learn more about this excited little Gatekeeper, who had seemingly plenty of good cheer to fill the entire Monastery. It was adorable, and he looked forward to getting to share teatime with him, and watch those smiling, honey-coloured eyes.
“Of course, it’s set then, Professor!” He saluted and grinned, giggling softly. “Have a lovely rest of your day, and remember, you can come to me if you need anything at all!”
“You as well, Gatekeeper.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, and Byleth felt prickles of heat on his own cheeks.
The young guard only continued to beam as he waved, taking a small bite of his cookie and heading off back towards the entrance to the market. The further away he got from the patio, the more his face heated up. He was sure that his blush reached all the way to his ears now, and he was once again thankful for the helmet shadow that obscured much of his face.
Teatime. With the Professor. Every Sunday. It hurt to smile this much, what had just been an observation earlier today was now a persistent ache, but he couldn’t help it. He his heart fluttered and he jumped once, an enthusiastic “whoop!” leaving his lips, before he exited the arching doorway and resumed his stance at his station.
The day seemed so much brighter than it had when he left, only an hour ago, or maybe it was just something getting to his eyes. Keep yourself together, Kyle! He scolded himself through a grin. It’s just tea.
Oh, but it wouldn’t just be tea for long, he hoped. He wished with all his heart that this was the start of something new, something exciting and maybe, just maybe, a little romantic. Of course, these were silly ideals, but with this much time standing watch at the gate, a guy had time to daydream, right?