Chapter Text
Chapter 1: C Support
It’s an ordinary day. Swords clashing can be heard within the training yard. Claude asked the Ashen Demon to show him some tips on handling a sword. Though if Claude is being honest, he’s mostly doing it so he can get to know her better.
He’s not sure why there was a part of him calling to her, it’s not like him to even give such things a second thought, but if Shez and the others have taught him anything, there isn’t anything wrong with being open with those you see as friends, especially with someone so skilled. Claude has actually ended up learning a lot from her. Who knew the Ashen Demon was such a good teacher.
After a few more dodges, Claude actually manages to perry her!
“Good Job Your Highness!” Byleth says with a slight smile. Claude has yet to see her make a full one, but maybe that’s just how she is. He remembers how long it took Marriane to make a full one too.
Claude puts his training sword down as he says “Thanks, but no need to be so formal. You can just call me Claude.”
Byleth seems a bit confused. “You’re our employer though.”
“Hey, no need to be so serious. I for one would like to consider you a friend and want to get to know you better, and we can’t exactly do that if we let titles get in the way of that. Friends should be casual with each other anyways.”
“Friends?” Byleth said, still looking confused.
Claude smirked. Guess it’s his turn to be a teacher. “You know a friend. Someone you want to spend time with, get to know, brighten each other’s day, and someone who would have your back as much as you have theirs.”
Byleth remains with a flat expression. “The only person like that I know is my father. We kind of went from battlefield to battlefield, and even in the towns we stayed, no one really wanted to talk with me.”
“Guess being known as the Ashen Demon doesn’t make it easy to make friends.” Claude responds. He should have figured. Being known with a name like that isn’t exactly an open invitation for friendship. Must have been lonely. Maybe the only way she could cope was to just focus on the next battle, since that’s all she was known for and can shine.
Claude notices she gets a little sad after he says that and he tries to recover. “Oh I’m sorry, did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Byleth sighs, almost like she’s embarrassed to answer. “No it’s just…I never liked that name.”
“Ashen Demon?” Claude says surprised a little. They have been calling her that even before she joined their ranks. She has not said a thing about it. Have they been making her feel bad this whole time?!
“Yes. I know showing emotion is hard for me, but I never thought I was demon. It always made feel like I could never be anything more than that title cause that’s all people would call me. I guess that’s why it was easy for me to just focus on being an efficient mercenary.” Byleth shared still looking a little down.
Before Claude can respond, one of the mercenaries from Jeralt’s company comes over. “Sorry to interrupt, but Jeralt wants to review the battle plans with you.”
Byleth nods. “I should go, I’m sorry your high-I mean Claude.”
She grows a slight smile before she goes. Maybe dispute the sad topic they just talked about, there was a part of her happy to address someone as a friend. “I hope we can spend time together again. It was nice talking to a friend.”
Byleth then walks away, leaving Claude to think on what she said by himself in the training yard.
“Guess she’s an outsider just like me. It must have been awful carrying that name around. Feeling like less than a human and that no one will ever see you any different… just like I did.”
Claude facepalms. “I’m such an idiot. Of course a nickname like that would make anyone feel bad, and we’ve been calling her that this whole time.”
Then Claude gets an idea. “That’s it! Maybe all she needs is a new moniker. I’ll have to think of something, but if I want her to feel more like our friend then our employee, we’ll have to find a name that makes her feel less like the Ashen Demon and more like her true self.”
Claude smiled to himself. “Hard to believe something as simple as a nickname could have such an effect on a person. Hopefully a better nickname will have the opposite effect on her.”
Claude then leaves the training yard. His mind briefly goes to that short moment she gave him a light smile, which somehow gets himself to smile a little too as he walks towards his tent. He’s still not sure why his heart felt like it was calling to her, but he’s looking forward to finding out.