Archive of Our Own ^beta

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If every animal on the planet got into a fight, who do you think would win?

I've got my money on an Elephant, but like the big male ones when they're in breeding season.

I've heard some people say Tiger, or Bear. But let's get serious about this, how's a tiger gonna kill an elephant?? They're bigger than some buildings I've slept in mate.

Also, if someone says like an insect of some kind because they can just hide, let's take this seriously now shall we?

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Oh!! If anyone is reading and is willing, can you put some of your favourite 3H ships in the comments? I'm curious to see how the readership trends for this.

I'll see you down there if you want to comment on it.

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Chapter Text

—--------------

Late afternoon was always such a wonderful time in Fodlan. The birds had sung their songs for the day and were finding places to rest their weary bodies. Creatures skittering through the undergrowth looking for somewhere to sleep where predators couldn't find them. But this afternoon was different. It wasn't every day that Fodlan welcomed a dead man back to its embrace.

Byleth Eisner walked carefully through the forest on his approach to Garreg Mach, the weakening light filtering through the trees bringing his mind back to the first time he walked this path with Edelgard, Dimitri and Claude.

Despite the fond memories, he found himself feeling very serious. He didn't know what had happened since the battle where he fell. How long had it been? A day? A week? Had Rhea destroyed the Empire army? With this in mind he stuck to the shadows as he approached, hoping against hope that he would find his students safe and sound inside Garreg Mach after a resounding victory. Most of all, he hoped Dorothea was ok. Well that, and also…

Why did I have to wake up in a Goddess damned river?? I've been walking for hours and my shoes are still fucking wet!!

Yes, well, wet feet aside, the journey had progressed well so far. No patrols and not a soul in sight. If Byleth allowed his mind to wander he found himself enjoying the peace. But most of all, his mind was occupied with worry.

The last he had seen was Dorothea alone on the bridge, and he had tried to save her. But all he really did, in his mind at least, was leave her to face down a mortal threat…alone. If any harm had come to her he didn't believe he'd ever forgive himself. And he hoped for Fodlan's sake that she was safe. If not, no one would be safe from what he would do in search of vengeance against Rhea.

Wait…what's that?

Byleth heard a sound and his heart rate soared. Was this a church patrol?

His training kicked in immediately as he catapulted himself off the road and into the overgrown bushes to observe. The soft rumble of a wagon approached as he saw the wagon come into view. It carried no identifying markers, though that was no surprise in a war. He'd torched more than a few supply wagons in his time.

He stayed silent as he watched the wagon roll past him. For a moment, just a moment, he was sure he saw a shock of messy blue hair peeking up from behind the curtain at the back of the wagon. He put that out of his mind though. What were the odds someone had stowed away in a supply wagon?

Ten minutes Byleth forced himself to remain in place. He was waiting to see if a rear patrol made itself known, but no such patrol came.

He dusted himself off and got back on the road, sheathing the Sword of The Creator as he did so.

I can't be far now.

And right he was. As Byleth climbed over a soft hill he began to notice familiar surroundings. Then, as he came over the crest of the hill he saw what he was looking for, Garreg Mach.

He couldn't see if it was under any particular control. There were no flags on the walls and no obvious patrols within his view. Despite this, he could feel himself being drawn there. His students were waiting for him, she was waiting for him. He just knew it.

As he walked towards the monastery walls, intent on finding a secret path inside, one thought echoed in his mind.

I'm coming Dorothea, please be ok.

—-------------------

“I still cannot believe you've forced us to sit in the back of this wagon?! Who does that?”

Sothis calm down it's a good plan.

“Plan?! Ha!! Little Boulder you have no plan.”

Do so! I've thought it all out. When we get to Garreg Mach I'll roll out the back near the shops and I'll sneak behind one of the stalls and…borrow a helmet. That way no one will recognise me.

“...”

What? Shocked by my brilliance?

“...”

Sothis?

“Huh? Did you say something? I don't know what that was but I felt something…familiar. Excuse me little Boulder, I need to rest, I'm suddenly feeling very tired.”

Oh…ok that's fine. Hope you feel better soon. And don't worry! My plan's totally gonna work!”

Rain and Sothis had been travelling in the back of this supply wagon for what felt like forever. But they were nearing Garreg Mach and soon Rain could put her “plan” into action.

She knew in her heart that she needed to be at Garreg Mach. She couldn't explain it, but she was drawn there. Perhaps the thought that if her father were alive this is what he'd be doing? She couldn't know, she barely knew anything about the man.

Once she got to Garreg Mach, she'd find a disguise and by day she'd try and find a way to help. At night she planned to visit Louis and Chloé and ask them if they could let her sleep in their quarters. They were old friends at this point despite the difference in age. She'd whooped their asses in enough spars that at least she knew they'd trust her to protect herself, unlike her mother.

Though, she couldn't help but wonder if something was the matter with Sothis. Ever since this morning she'd been…sleepy? It was almost like holding a conversation was exerting her more than it used to. Or like her attention was split. But whenever Rain asked her, she told her that “All is well little boulder. You'll see.”

Oh well, Rain could see Garreg Mach ahead now. Soon she'd be where she needed to be and she could finally put her skills to good use and help her family and her friends. Just like her father would have wanted.

—----------------

The sun was setting over the mountain peaks, amber light filtering down the valleys and trees. All in all it was such a wonderful sight. As Edelgard looked out upon such a gorgeous view from the Goddess Tower, she found her will becoming even more ironclad.

This world deserves better than what it has received. I'll make sure to deliver this level of peace to everyone I can. No matter who stands in my way.

The Flame Emperor's musings were interrupted by the sight of a flock of pegasus knights flying past the window of the Goddess Tower.

There you are.

Though she was reluctant to admit it, Edelgard's visits to the Goddess Tower had become far more common since she realised Ingrid flew her trainees past it every evening. She told herself it was to observe her troops being trained and to ensure that they were being prepared for the horrors of warfare. But in reality, she simply loved the way Ingrid’s hair filtered out from her helmet. Edelgard couldn't help but draw comparisons to the Valkyries of mystery and legend. Fair and beautiful knights on flying horses that were responsible for guiding fallen soldiers from the battlefield. Ingrid often grew sheepish under such compliments, but Edelgard couldn't and wouldn't stop, to her eyes, she was as breathtaking as if a true Valkyrie appeared before her. Though Edelgard had to admit, she was hoping that Ingrid's heroic tendencies wouldn't put her into any insurmountable danger, not when they had grown so close.

Coming here and watching Ingrid in flight was certainly better than continuously musing about the war, as she had often in the ladt year. She was approaching the 5th year of this conflict and while her confidence in their victory was unwavering, the cost on her people weighed on her.

My teacher, perhaps it's due to it being the anniversary again. But I can't help but wonder how things might be different if you passed been taken from us.

Edelgard knew the war would need to end soon, and she planned to make moves in the near future. If she were a believer in the Goddess she might have found herself paying for a miracle. The irony of which was not lost on her.

Suddenly, Edelgard heard the sounds of movement behind her. Most people would be terrified, a young ruler alone at the top of a tower, alone, and being approached by an unknown threat. But most people weren't Edelgard, and their closest friends hadn't spent most of her life sneaking in the shadows.

“Hubert…” Edelgard chuckled softly, “you're losing your touch. Even i can hear you coming now.”

Edelgard turned away from her view and peered into the darkness to smirk at her oldest friend. Hubert slowly stepped forward and revealed a muddy pair of shoes which she thought was strange.

“Edelgard…is that really you?”

No…it can't be. What trick is this?

Edelgard drew her dagger from its pouch and pointed it towards the shadowy figure.

“If this is some kind of sick joke you will find that I don't find it amusing. Step forward. Now!”

The figure chuckled at her. Chuckled?! Then as the figure stepped forward, Edelgard had to fight to remain standing.

“Yes, I cant think of anyone else you could be. Hello again Edelgard.” Byleth said with a wry smile as he stepped into the light.

It was the Professor…her teacher. He was…alive. And he had…a beard?

“My teacher…?”

Edelgard took a few tentative steps forward as her blade started to shake in front of her. The figure, or perhaps ghost, of her teacher stood before her smiling. She needed to be sure.

Once she was within an arms length, she struck out with her dagger as quick as her enhanced body could manage, straight for the armoured chestplate in front of her. The strike would certainly hurt, but wouldn’t kill her teacher, if this was indeed him.

For a brief moment the figure's eyes shot wide before he quickly brought his hands up and redirected her dagger over his right shoulder, cutting a portion of hair on its way through.

Not even a moment later, Edelgard found herself thrown backwards onto the ground with a sudden *thud*. She got up quickly to look back and found herself smiling at the all too familiar feeling of someone at her level.

“Yes, you really are my teacher.”

Not even a moment later she had thrown herself upright and sprinted forward and picked Byleth up in her arms. She spun him around as she tucked her face into his shoulder and did her best to hold back her tears.

“We've missed you my teacher. I did my best. I did everything I could to keep everyone together and keep us all safe. I'm just so glad to have you back!”

Edelgard held so tight to him that not even death would be able to take him away again. But while she fought back tears there was the strange sensation of warm liquid dripping into her hair.

“I'm so glad you're safe. Thank you for looking after everyone when I…when I couldn't.” Byleth said to her. For a moment she could have sworn he was crying. She felt it best not to mention it, happy reunions were few and far between these days; no need to ruin this one.

When reality finally brought itself back to the front of their mind, Edelgard pulled herself away and led them both to the nearby balcony overlooking the monastery.

Edelgard and Byleth spoke for what felt like an hour, as she tried her best to fill in Byleth on the state of the war and what had happened while he was gone.

She had to give him time to process everything, especially when he found out that he had been gone for 5 long years. Byleth must have apologised to her more than ten times for not being around for that time, despite Edelgard's efforts to tell him his apologies werent necessary. To her, and the rest of his students, hell even the country, he was a war hero.

Finally, Byleth seemed to pluck up the courage to ask something he had been avoiding.

“Is…is Dorothea…is she…?” Byleth asked, avoiding her eyes entirely.

Oh my teacher. How long have you been avoiding asking me this? Once again denying yourself to ask about the rest of us. I'll leave Dorothea to tell you everything…if she chooses to.

Edelgard placed a hand on her teacher's shoulder. “Would you like to see her?”

Even in the slowly fading light, Edelgard could still see his eyes light up.

“She's ok?” He asked her, relief flooding his voice.

Edelgard looked to the dark corners behind them and knew what she needed to do.

“Hubert? Can you go and fetch Dorothea? Don't tell her why though. I think she's earned a nice surprise.”

Byleth turned around, looking through the dark, not able to see Hubert. The only confirmation he got was a dark chuckle that seemed to come from everywhere all at once.

“It seems our Professor is out of practice. I will gather Dorothea at once Lady Edelgard.” The raven haird sorcerer walked into the light and graced Byleth with a slight nod, which for him may as well have been a tight embrace. “It is good to have you back in the fold. Welcome back Professor.”

“Glad to see you haven't changed Hubert.” Byleth said with a chuckle.

“Changed? Never Professor. I don't change. I only improve.” Hubert promised as he left down the dark stairs to find the love of Byleth's life.

—--------------------

Down by the Black Eagles old classroom, the monastery was almost silent in the warm glow of the orange sunset light.

All except for the sound of rhythmic tapping of shoes on stone and counting.

“One two three, one two three. That's great Bernie! You're picking this up so fast!” Dorothea complimented gleefully.

“A-are you sure Dorothea? You make this look so graceful, I'm sure I'm just messing it up.” Bernedetta replied as she spun, arms out, mimicking a waltz to the timing of her instructor, Dorothea.

The pair had been doing dance lessons like this for the last few months. Bernie had told Dorothea that she wanted to get more confident, and Dorothea insisted that practicing dance had always done wonders for her confidence. In exchange, Bernie was teaching Dorothea how to embroider and how to sew. An underrated issue with Rain aging quickly was that she went through clothing faster than Dorothea used to go through costumes at the opera! So, whenever Bernie would visit Enbarr, they would meet up and practice some dancing. Bernie was a lot better than she gave herself credit for as well! Though, she still wasn’t a big fan of some of Dorothea’s more…risque dances. Oh well, all in due time. Now that Dorothea was staying at the monastery for a while, it was the perfect time to continue their practice.

“I mean come on, even Rain got this quicker than me and she's a little kid.”

“Now Bernie I think you and I both know that Rain is no normal kid. She picks up everything so easily I barely get a chance to teach her anything!” Dorothea said, exasperated as she flicked her long hair over her shoulder.

“Now, no more doubting missy! You wanted me to teach you how to dance, and that’s what I'm going to do.”

“Oh uh ok. Sorry ‘Thea. I can do this! I am Bernie Bear and I'm unstoppable! Right…?”

Before Dorothea could congratulate her friend and start to count again, she heard the sound of a light chuckle behind her.

“Ah so this is the mythical ‘Bernie Bear’ I've heard so much about. She sounds vicious, I do hope I'll get to meet her.”

Dorothea had to stifle a shriek as Hubert seemed to just fucking MATERIALISE from next to her. She was just about to tell him off for interrupting them when Bernie did something unexpected.

“Hubert! You said you'd stop scaring our friends. It’s mean.” Bernadetta shouted as she walked forward, pointing a finger at the much taller man. Dorothea hadn’t seen the two of them together all that much given that she was based in Enbarr and Hubert basically never left Edie’s side. So seeing Bernie chastise someone that she used to be so scared of was…well it was interesting to say the least.

“Heh, apologies my dear. Going cold turkey just isn't in my nature. But, I assure you I've cut back. Besides, we are at war, there are plenty of…undesirables for me to have my fun with.”

Hubert turned away from Bernie for a moment to regard Dorothea with a look that she couldn't quite decipher. It held a promise of something, but she couldn't place it.

“Ms Arnault, Lady Edelgard has requested you at The Goddess Tower immediately. It is a matter of the utmost importance.”

Dorothea's heart nearly fell out of her chest. Was Rain ok? Did Yuri's spies hear something? What else could possibly be important enough to call on her this late?

“Is she ok Hubie? What's happening?”

Once again, he fixed her with that look and a slight smirk.

“I'm not at liberty to say I'm afraid. But I think you'd be best served not asking me, and simply going there to find out for yourself.”

Dorothea thanked Hubert for letting her know, said goodnight to Bernie and raced off to the Goddess Tower. She was hardly dressed for running either. She was wearing a long red dress with frilly sleeves, not to mention the heels and she hadn't even tied her hair up! If she'd known she'd be running, she wouldn't have worn such a nice outfit or done her hair.

Oh well, the price of beauty is a steep one I suppose. Worth it.

Dorothea stopped at the bottom of the Goddess Tower and caught her breath. Luckily there was a small pool of water nearby so she could check her reflection. Yes she was friends with Edie, but she was still, you know, The Emperor. Dorothea could hardly look like a mess if she was summoned.

Satisfied that her hair was in place and her dress was neat, she pushed open the wooden door and started up the stairs.

What could this be about? Of all days, it had to be today…5 years on. Just please don't let it be bad news. Sothis, if you can hear me, just don't let it be bad news.

As Dorothea approached the top of the stairs she saw the inner door swing open and Edie stepped out to greet her.

Dorothea immediately noticed that Edie had been crying and her stomach dropped. Has something happened to Ingrid?!

“Edie? Oh goodness sweetie what happened, are you ok?” Dorothea said as she climbed the last two stairs and started to fuss over her friend.

Dorothea was so focused on wiping away her friend's tears that she almost missed the smile gracing Edelgard's face.

“Edie?”

“I'm ok Dorothea. Amazing in fact! Thank you for coming so quickly.” Edelgard said through a beaming smile.

“Ok well that's great but, uh, why did you call me here then? I'm assuming it wasn't for fashion tips, as much as I still think you should let me help with your wardrobe.”

Edelgard laughed. “For the millionth time Dorothea, maybe after the war is over. But i'm not giving you access to the Empire royal funds just to dress me up like a pretty doll.”

Dorothea pretended to pout. “Aww but you’d be such a pretty doll!”

Edelgard laughed again, a sound that Dorothea hadn’t heard in a long time. “Dorothea, please this is important.”

“Ok, ok. What can I do for you?”

“Just…go inside and trust me when I say, no one I've ever met has deserved this more than you. I never had friends growing up, except for Hubert. You've been so wonderful to all of us, despite everything you've been through. Perhaps, this is the universe's way of thanking you for me.”

Dorothea was so confused, she didn’t even know where to start. “Edie what are you-”

Edelgard interrupted her by placing a hand on her shoulder. “Please ‘Thea, just go inside. You'll see.”

Dorothea looked into Edie's eyes and saw a contentment she hadn’t seen in years. Not since their time at the academy. Dorothea gave her a nod and reached for the door. But before she could turn the handle, Edelgard whispered to her as quiet as a mouse.

“I've said nothing of Rain. I thought that it would be best to leave that to you, if you decide to mention it tonight. If not, I will support you.”

Before Dorothea could clarify what the hell THAT meant, Edie had already left and started downstairs.

With nothing else to do, Dorothea swallowed her rapidly increasing nerves and opened the door.

The door creaked open as it revealed the room in front of her, painfully slowly. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was expecting, especially after Edelgard’s little speech. What the hell had she meant by saying that she hadn’t said anything about Rain? Who would even be there to tell?

As the door finally swung its way open, Dorothea took in her surroundings. It was the same old Goddess Tower that she had spent time in over the years. The one where she had so many fond memories. Especially her night with Byleth, what felt like a lifetime ago. The night where, if she was honest with herself, was when she felt the first flickers of a flame in her heart that, even over this amount of time, hadn’t faded.

She shook her head, trying to banish these thoughts from her head. Byleth was gone, he had been gone for 5 years now, and she needed to try and forget. Eventually she needed to banish the ghost of his memory from her head, before it killed her.

The tower was lit by the soft light of some torches that were scattered throughout the room, as well as the slowly fading sunlight drifting through the balcony. But she couldn’t see anyone, at least, not at first.

Her eyes were drawn to someone, a man, standing at the balcony in the sunlight. The orange light was shining against some, admittedly dirty, black armour. The shine was diminished, and the clothing was in desperate need of a wash, but it looked so familiar.

She looked slowly upward, and noticed a shock of green hair flowing down the man’s shoulders. Green hair that she had seen a thousand times before in her dreams, in her nightmares, and in her fondest memories. Dorothea didn’t want to believe it, she didn’t want to hope. If her eyes were deceiving her, she wasn’t sure what she’d do, it would destroy her. Eventually she gathered her nerve and walked towards the man, standing a few feet away and spoke in a quiet voice that she didn’t recognise, one that barely even sounded like her.

“Turn around…turn around, please.” she whispered to the man in front of her.

The man stiffened and slowly turned around. His long green hair swung in the breeze as he faced her, his bright green eyes boring into her own as he looked at her again. She watched as his eyes tracked from her own and took her in, took all of her in. His eyes tracked her hair as it ran down over her shoulder and down her arm. She watched as he looked down her body and back up to her eyes once more, pausing briefly to look at her lips for slightly longer than appropriate. Normally, Dorothea would chastise anyone for looking at her this way, but not him…never him.

She slowly reached a hand out and hesitated for just a moment before cupping his cheek, feeling the soft give of his skin against he hands. He was real. He was REAL!

“Byleth…is that really you?” Dorothea asked, her voice sounding so small that she almost couldn’t hear herself.

She watched as the face she knew, a face she adored, slowly grew into a smile that she had missed as much as she would miss her next breath.

“Hi Dorothea.” Byleth said as he stared into her eyes. The soft cadence in his voice, the way her name sounded coming from his lips, all of it was so familiar. Dorothea didn’t know how, and didn’t know why…but this was Byleth, this was her Byleth.

Appropriateness be damned, Dorothea covered the distance between them faster than an arrow from a bow. She pulled his face down to meet hers and pressed her lips to his own with as much force and love as she could manage. He stood there stunned for only a moment before his arms moved to her waist and pulled her into him greedily. The two of them froze in a moment in time together where nothing mattered. There was no war, there was no confusion, no one else in the entire world.

Just two people that loved each other, that had finally found each other again. And it was more than Dorothea had ever dreamed of hoping would be possible.

Reluctantly, and only at the demand of her lungs as they ordered her to breathe, Dorothea pulled away. But only far enough that breath could get into her pesky body so she wouldn’t faint. She rested her head on his chest and drank all of him in again. The feel of his hands on her back, the way his chest rose and fell with every breath he took. How in the hell had she ever managed 5 years without this?

That’s when she did something unexpected. She stepped back, looked up at his face, still smiling softly at her, and slapped him as hard as she could.

*SLAP*

“OOOWww!” Byleth exclaimed as he reeled back holding his hand to his rapidly reddening cheek.

“That’s for dying on me! Don’t you dare do that again!” Dorothea ordered as she stood, arms crossed and chin raised defiantly.

Byleth chuckled lightly. “Heh, apologies ma’am. I promise, it won’t happen again, not if I can help it.”

Dorothea smiled brightly and stepped forward. She moved his hand out of the way and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “And that is for coming back…Professor. You can keep the beard by the way. I like it, it makes you look…rugged.”

Byleth and Dorothea stayed there together, letting the setting sun warm their skin while they simply enjoyed being together again, something Dorothea in particular never thought would happen again. Byleth didn’t think that, largely because he had been rather…well…dead for the last 5 years.

They spoke about…well, nothing really. There were even long stretches of time where neither of them spoke, they simply stayed there together and enjoyed being in each other’s company again. But eventually, Byleth asked Dorothea a question that she had been hoping wouldn’t come.

“Dorothea, I know I’ve said it already, but I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for the last 5 years. I would have given anything to be here with you.”

“And I’ve told you, that you don’t need to say sorry.” Dorothea replied. “I’m just so happy that you’re back. Let’s just enjoy that and maybe things can go back to normal for a while.”

“Heh, I know, I know. I’ll stop saying sorry I promise. How are Jeralt and Manuela? They’re not jealous that you’re here and you’ve left them all alone back in Enbarr?”

All alone…not quite.

“Yeah…about that. They’re not quite alone back at Enbarr.” Dorothea said slowly.

Byleth, with nothing but trust and love in his eyes, asked her, “Really? Who else would be back there?”

Dorothea looked deep into the eyes of the man that she loved and, as the moment stretched into eternity, she fought a war in her mind. Once she told him about Rain, there was no going back. Would he be angry? She was the one that told him they were being safe after all? Oh Goddess, does Byleth even want kids?

Byleth is the resurrected hero of the Empire. The chosen warrior and instructor to the most powerful figure in Fodlan’s recent history. Would he really settle for a life where he was thrust into Fatherhood alongside a woman who had nothing to offer him. Yes, she loved and trusted him, and he said he loved her, but how far would that stretch?

“Oh, just Alois. He’s been helping JJ with the training for volunteer troops back at the Enbarr Academy.” Dorothea said calmly. She tasted the lie as it fell off her tongue, and it made her feel sick to her stomach. But that was nothing compared to the feeling that she got when Byleth respondent.

“Alois? That’s great! I bet Jeralt is loving having his old squire back. Heh, and I’m sure Manuela appreciates someone to get him out of the house every now and then.” Byleth responded. He trusted her completely, and she suddenly felt disgusted with herself.

Sothis…I’m sorry. Please don’t make me regret this. I’ll tell him soon I promise, I just…I just got him back and I can’t lose him again. I won’t survive that. I’m so sorry.

Byleth, none the wiser to the internal struggle going on next to him, simply pulled the woman he loved into his arms and watched as the sun set in front of them. Tonight had been a long time coming, and he couldn’t think of anywhere he’d rather be. Dorothea meanwhile, was panicking about how the hell she was going to convince all of her friends to help her hide this from Byleth until she was ready to tell him.

Edie is going to kill me…

—---------------------------------