Work Text:
The fire roared as men celebrated, slapping eachother on the back and feasting on meat-covered bones.
Even though they were the prince's people causing such a ruckus, prince Dimitri didn't particularly feel up to such an activity. He was exhausted from the battle, and tense due to the fact that the next one wasn't far away.
Tranquility was impossible these days, however, perseverance was, because that would get them to the tranquility it was worth it.
Dimitri titled his head upwards, and the small fire he had set up for himself came into view. It was nothing compared to the one of the celebratory crowd, but it worked.
His mind couldn't help but be filled with other things, such as the whereabouts of his lover. It was to his understanding that he had survived the day, but if he hadn't, may the goddess of Fòdland forgive him for whatever he would do to the person who was responsible for head-counts.
Claude walked around the camp, looking for his lover. His company was most enjoyable, and he needed a break. From all of this.
After a moment of consideration, he walked alittle farther from the main fire. Knowing Dimitri, he had his own somewhere. His face lit up when he found he was right, and he jogged up to an eating Dimitri.
The blonde reacted quickly, standing and readying his lance. When his eyes, blue as the sea, met ones that were the color of sunshine, he dropped the weapon.
"Please forgive me, beloved, it has been a long day and-"
Claude snickered, some may call his way of doing it a laugh, but to Dimitri it was an important distinction. "No need for formal explanations. If there is anything I can do for you, don't bee afraid of asking."
Somehow, despite it all, Dimitri still smiled up at Claude as if they were back in garreg mach. Claude smiled back, of course, and it reached his eyes.
The moment passed, and they both sat down. Dimitri continued his meal, and Claude watched silently.
The bread and cheese was one of the best meals he had ever had, he thought that of every ounce of food after a long day, though.
It was like this for a few moments, until Dimitri remember this may be the last time they speak. Either of them could die tomorrow, everything was unknown.
"I love you, Claude. As sure as the sun rises, I love you."
There's a pause, a quickening of breath, before a response is uttered. "I love you too, I always will."
Dimitri casted the empty cloth aside and connected his lips to Claude's. The kiss was slow, fueled by nothing except love. He pulled away and kissed his nose. As soon as he had learned of the Almyran custom, he was sure to do it every time they kissed.
"I am terribly sorry you cannot be home right now, I'm sure even being in the alliance sounds amazing."
"That place wouldn't be home without you there, don't worry your pretty little head about a thing."
And somehow Dimitri's worries left, quelled by Claude. How could such a man exist? The prince would never know.
"You are truly an anomaly to me, Claude. You're wonderful." He breathed, slowly, and then came a dismissal wave of his hand. "But enough of that, how was your day?"
"It was alright, more of what I've grown accustomed too." It was clear that it wasn't alright, it was hell. Claude's hollow voice showed that
Something about that sentence made Dimitri want to cry. The fact that the war and bloodshed was normalized terrified him. He didn't speak of the matter, though.
"Don't worry, love, one day we will done with this."
He reached over, collecting Claude in his arms and whispered small comforts. It may only be temporary, but it was soothing.
It was true, though, one day they would be free. They just had to wait. Wait for the day that waking up would mean picking up a pen, and not a sword.