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"Was the show really that bad?" Byleth asked when she spotted her outside of the opera house. She had meant it as a joke, but even she had to admit to the sliver of truth to it.
When will this cycle of bloodshed end? the main character's voice rang out in the auditorium. Are we doomed to continue it until nothing is left?
Edelgard merely gave her a resigned smile before turning to overlook the river below in silent request for her to join her.
Byleth approached. The cool night air bit into her hands as she reached her. Her fingers felt frozen as she held them to her lips. She blew into them, her breath turning to steam as she did.
Spring was arriving soon, but the winter wind still lingered.
Byleth moved to place her hands into her jacket and Edelgard watched her movements before quickly catching her hands between her own. Her hands were much warmer than Byleth’s pockets would have been. She had always radiated warmth, but Byleth had never longed to be so close to her until her own crest had disappeared along with the shattered remnants of the stone in her heart.
In that moment, Byleth wanted to wrap herself into her and never leave.
If Edelgard noticed the flush on her face, she didn't mention it. She merely ran her hands along Byleth's shoulder to straighten her shirt collar and fix her jacket before returning to clasp her hands.
Byleth basked in the proximity. She was just glad she was so near to her, no longer distant.
Edelgard eyebrows came together until a frown was present on her face. Her fingers fiddled between their intertwined hands.
"Do you think they were right?" she asked.
"Who?"
"The characters in the opera," Edelgard said. "I have ended a five year war only to plunge my forces back into another one. And who knows how long this one will last. We don't know what truly awaits us with those who slither in the dark."
She heaved a sigh and Byleth contemplated how to answer.
It was true what Edelgard said, but what other choice was there? They could not live in blissful ignorance while the man that stole her uncle's skin roamed free. The dark forces that seeked to control the continent would not be laid to rest if they turned a blind eye to them.
When Byleth remained silent, Edelgard continued. Her voice was strained as she spoke. "I have uprooted you from everything. First, when I brought you to the monastery. And again, with Jeralt."
"That wasn't your-"
"And yet no matter how much you say otherwise, I cannot shake the guilt I feel. Your life changed again when I declared war on the church. Even now, after the war, I am still forcing change into your life."
"Edelgard," Byleth started. "El, my life was always going to change. That's what life is. A series of endless changes."
"You are just starting to settle into life in Enbarr and soon we will be marching out of the city for an unknown length of time. Another war that no one has asked for."
It was clear as she spoke, that these thoughts had been sitting within her for a long time. They were only amplified by the panic growing in her chest.
Byleth desperately wanted to smooth the crease in her brow and ease her pain, but she was unsure how.
“Byleth,” Edelgard said sternly, her eyes fixed on her. She could feel her gloved fingers tighten around her bare wrists. She couldn’t tell if she was trying to keep her in place or squeeze her out of existence. “Don’t you want a future? A nice, peaceful future? One that’s not full of endless bloodshed and cycles of violence. I can’t give you that. I can’t. How long before you leave again? Before everyone-”
Byleth shushed her, pushing the air sharply between her lips. Slowly, she pried Edelgard’s fingers away until she held both of her hands between them.
“You’re my future,” Byleth said solidly.
She guided Edelgard through a few shaky breaths and watched as the tension slowly started to recede from her shoulders. Her eyes returned to the present as Byleth grounded her.
A cool wind blew and buffeted Byleth’s already messy hair, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She smiled.
Yes, their lives were changing.
But, there was one part that couldn't change fast enough as she gazed down at the ring she had gifted Edelgard.
“I do not mind the change,” Byleth told her. “Especially when I get to change next to you. We can change together.” She brought her hand to her lips and kissed her ring. “I won’t leave. All of me wants to be next to you. As long as we are together, that is enough for me.”
They pressed their foreheads together. The golden, horned crown knocked against Byleth’s face but she didn’t mind. She never did.
“As long as we’re together,” Edelgard repeated and sighed with relief.
Byleth loved her. She'd tell her as often as she needed to hear it.