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It was finally the day.
His tactician, his wife, his beloved was coming back today, after needing to be in Garreg Mach for Saint Macuil day. The kids weren’t due back from their trip until evening and Dimitri had cleared his entire schedule. He ordered Byleth’s favorite treats from Mercedes, made sure the picnic basket was ready to go, and even made sure her favorite horse was rested and ready for a ride.
He just had to get through the next few hours and she would be there.
The rain started falling around midmorning.
Dedue came in at noon. “I have a report.”
Dimitri stood up abruptly. “Is there word from the Archbishop?”
“The rains have wiped out a road -”
“And it’s blocking her path?” Dimitri anxiously filled in.
“No. The path to Fhirdiad remains passable. However, the messenger reports that the Archbishop and her party have stopped to help clear a nearby road that is blocked.”
That was so like her. Dimitri supposed he couldn’t be too disappointed, her generosity was one of her qualities he so adored.
He kept busy with the mountains of paperwork that never seemed to end. Occasionally, he took a break to pace, wondering how much longer it would be. The treats arrived, new meetings made themselves, and time crawled on.
Still she had not returned.
The sun began to set and Dimitri grew antsy. Dedue must have sensed his thoughts as he arrived to deliver another message. “The repairs are taking longer than expected, but they should be delayed by no more than a few hours.”
Dimitri sighed. He supposed it was good he never needed much sleep. He paced. He got their younger child in bed. He paced. He organized their weapons. He paced. He double checked their picnic basket. He paced.
And he waited.
It was near midnight when the Archbishop and her retinue finally arrived. Dimitri rushed out to meet his wife, spreading his arms to embrace her at last when -
- an outstretched arm stopped him. With her palm on his chest, Byleth quickly explained, “I’m all muddy.”
And indeed, now that he really looked at her, she was covered head to toe in mud and dirt and who knew what else. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips instead. “My beloved, I missed you more than you will ever know.”
She smiled in that knowing way that he so adored. “I’m glad to be home.”
A bath was run and Dimitri reluctantly watched the bathroom door shut. Even after a decade and a half of marriage and two kids later, Dimitri was still too shy to ask her to bathe together. Still, he could wait. He lay down on their bed. It wouldn’t be much longer before he could hold her in his arms again.
Byleth stepped into their room, fresh and clean, and wasted no time climbing into bed next to him. Dimitri breathed a sigh of relief, finally holding her, feeling her curves against his body. It relaxed him, to have her so near.
Byleth pressed a kiss to his cheek. “How were you and the kids?”
Dimitri buried his head into her shoulder, all the weight of the world rolling off of him “We were fine, but we missed you. Especially Daphne.”
She ran her fingers through his hair and the softest giggle escaped her. “I’m not surprised.”
Wrapped in her warmth, Dimitri’s eyes felt so heavy. But he had been so anticipating her arrival, he couldn’t sleep yet. “We counted down the days until you returned to us.”
“As did I, my dear.”
Her response more rolled through him then was actually heard. She kissed the top of his head and then -
It was morning.
Dimitri awoke with a start. How could he have just fallen asleep? He must have been more tired than he thought. He did always sleep better with Byleth around.
He stared at his sleeping wife. The woman with mercenary instincts, who had used to wake at every minute sound, was still fast asleep. She must have been exhausted from the long day of travel. He pressed his lips to her forehead, and still she did not stir. Dimitri smiled. Tonight they would spend time together.
Garland Moon was historically busy with meetings, and this year was no exception. Dimitri was booked solid all day, not even including the meetings that went over. The kids had been so excited to see their mother, it was well past their bedtime when he finally pried them from the training ground.
All their time today had been with others. “Finally,” Dimitri mused with a sigh of relief. “Today was a much longer day than expected.”
“You moved all your meetings from yesterday, didn’t you?” Byleth said observantly.
“Was I so obvious?" Dimitri laughed. “My beloved, you should know by now I’ll always clear my calendar for you. I promise we will get a time together soon.”
“I look forward to it. Though… I can think of a few things we can do now,” she said alluringly, brushing her fingertips against his cheeks.
Dimitri covered her hand with his. “Indeed?”
Byleth stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, and it wasn’t long before she pulled him to their bed. Dimitri followed, eager to run his hands along the lines of her body. He was more excited than he would care to admit at the prospect of holding her close, chests pressed together.
He trailed his tongue down her neck, teeth grazing her soft skin. His hand wandered to her waist, sneaking under her nightshirt, her form divine. His beloved.
She squeezed him as hard as she could, the pressure grounding him in this moment. Her hands traveled to his hair, smoothing it back. Dimitri groaned appreciatively and was all too happy to move to the next part when -
“Mommy?” came Daphne’s distressed voice from the door.
Dimitri immediately rolled to the side as his wife beckoned their daughter over.
“What’s wrong sweetie?” Byleth asked.
“I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you?”
As frustrated as Dimitri was, he would never deny the kids time with their mother. He scooted over to his side while Byleth helped the child clamber into the middle between them. The hushed sounds of restful breathing soon filled the room.
Well, there was always tomorrow.
“The Almyran delegation will be arriving today,” Dedue announced once Dimitri settled into his office.
That couldn’t be. They weren’t due for another week. Was this some sort of tactic to throw him off? Or had they really just made that good time getting here? Either way, there went the entire day, again. At least Byleth would be in those meetings.
He and his wife met Claude and his entourage for lunch, and the day devolved into meetings about making meetings for trade deals, church outposts, mutual aid and so on.
Finally, the last meeting of the day was winding down. Finally, they would break for dinner. Finally, Dimitri would get to spend some time alone with his wife when -
“Daddy, Roddy gave Jill a dagger and now everybody is yelling,” Daphne said innocently.
Claude looked down at the girl, with a raised eyebrow. “A dagger? Is that so?”
Dimitri rubbed his face. Of course their son Rodrigue would cause a commotion with Claude’s oldest daughter. He should have expected something like this when news of the Almyran King’s visit had gotten the boy so animated. “I am sure he means nothing by it -”
Claude clapped his arm around Dimitri’s shoulder. “Your Majesty, I know you invited me here for talks, but I didn’t think this was what you had in mind. You’re going to celebrate our new alliance with me tonight, right?”
Dimitri looked forlornly at Byleth who was shaking her head and shrugging. “I… suppose so.”
After settling the kids down, he explained to Rodrigue that he shouldn’t just give daggers away, because that was not a custom everywhere, and some of the attendants had thought it was a declaration of war, and even though Jill knew the meaning, he had to be careful across cultures, because he was a prince and these things could cause an incident. Jill was as insufferable as her father, acting betrayed that my dear Roddy had already changed his mind, but Byleth managed to smooth things over with their Almyran guests.
Still, they couldn’t say no when Claude dragged them both to the dining hall and guilt tripped them about breaking his daughters heart, all the while drinking the Faerghan King and Archbishop under the table.
The next morning Dimitri clutched his head while Dedue read through the days agenda. Negotiations, meetings, working lunch, paperwork…. it was never ending. Dimitri couldn’t hold back any longer. In the middle of Dedue’s list, he interrupted, “How can this be that there is still no time for me to just spend with my wife?”
“You have responsibilities, Dimitri,” Dedue said matter of factly.
He knew that. Of course he knew the people of Faerghus came first. It’s what Byleth would want as well. “What about tomorrow?”
Dedue looked at his papers. “You promised to take Daphne to Ingrid’s pegasus knight demonstration.”
Couldn’t move that. “What about after that?”
“Sylvain needs you to look at the trade deals with Sreng. It is approaching their holy days and he must provide an answer before then,” Dedue said after shuffling more papers.
He had promised a thorough review of the terms. “How about Sunday?” Dimitri asked hopelessly.
“Byleth has church services to perform and then you are to hear the petitions of the people.”
Those were longstanding events. No getting out of them now.
He groaned. His wish that no one be unjustly taken from him anymore had fallen on deaf ears. Sure, he was with Byleth day and night, but he hadn’t been able to just be with her, either out and about, or in bed holding her close, feeling her skin against -
Dimitri shook his head. He was starting to sound like Sylvain, or worse, Rufus.
Dimitri steepled his fingers and tried to recall the last time it felt like he truly had consistent one on one time with his wife. During the war…
No. Instigating a war was not the solution to finding time to spend with his wife, no matter how much the voices of vengeance whispered it might be. Almyra hadn’t done anything deserving since Claude took the throne, even if arriving a week early should be considered an act of war -
He had to get it together. Dimitri rubbed his temples, his hangover clearly muddying all his thoughts. It was important to honor his commitments, even meetings with Claude, as he had to set a good example as the leader of a unified Fodlan. His responsibility was to his people above all else.
Yes, he had to think of his people.
“You ready to talk information sharing?” Claude asked, waltzing in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for their first meeting of the day. The man didn't even have the decency to seem hungover.
Dimitri stared at him. It was not Dimitri or Byleth’s fault that Claude had arrived so early, so why should they suffer for it? Half their discussions couldn’t take place until the Goneril party arrived, which wouldnt be until next week at the earliest. Without their input, what would really be accomplished? It wasn’t in the best interest of his people to waste time on discussions that couldn’t be finalized.
His mind was made up.
“No,” he said to Claude’s face. “No, I am not ready and in fact I will not be ready until I have spent some time with my wife.”
Claude looked dumbfounded, but only for a second before he burst out laughing. “Did my early arrival mess up all your plans? You know, it’s not very hospitable to change your plans like this, Your Majesty. As your guest, perhaps I should take this as a slight.” Claude smirked before laughing again. “But go right ahead, I’m glad to see you live a little.”
Dimitri was a little nervous about Claude’s words, but he pushed it away. If he didn't reschedule today, who knew how long it would be before he could spend time with Byleth. Remembering his manners, he tipped his head to Claude. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Dimitri swiftly walked out into the hallway, followed by a clearly consternated Dedue. “Your Majesty, what about -”
“Move all my meetings today,” Dimitri ordered. He stopped outside of Felix’s office. “Felix, you’re in charge of any meeting that can’t be moved.”
Felix looked at him in confusion, “Wait, what?”
Felix was yelling at him down the hall and Dedue tried to respectfully shout something about being back for dinner. But Dimitri could waste no time explaining himself.
He had a beloved to find.
Byleth blessedly agreed to his sudden change of plans, despite her own packed schedule. The fresh air would do them good, he had argued.
The horse ride while hungover, not as much. They persevered, however, and found their way to a grassy hill just outside civilization. Dimitri pulled out the picnic blanket from the basket and laid it out for them while Byleth secured the horses.
“It’s a beautiful day,” Byleth observed, sitting down next to her husband. It had rained the last two days, but today was decidedly sunny.
Dimitri gazed at the sky. “All the more beautiful with you in it.”
Byleth blushed as a small smile crossed her face. “I was surprised when you stormed into my office. But glad too. It seemed like everything was trying to keep us apart these past few days.”
“Indeed. I hope you do not mind that I have taken you away from your duties.”
Byleth leaned over to press a chaste kiss to his cheek. “Taking a break is good for the mind. And we have both had alot to attend to lately.”
Dimitri couldn’t argue with that. He went back in the basket to get out the snacks he had ordered, but to his dismay they had gone stale. “Drat,” he muttered.
Byleth looked over his shoulder. “Are those Mercedes’sweet buns?”
“I fear they have been in this basket a little too long. I’m sorry, this is all my fault -”
Byleth took one and held it in her hand while magic glowed from her fingertips. “They’re just a little over, a bit of heat will fix them right up.”
Dimitri took the warmed pastry from her hand and took a tentative bite. The texture was still not as good as it would have been fresh, but it was certainly better than what he had pulled out. “You always come to my aid, even when I am trying to do something for you.”
Byleth heated up a second bun for herself and took a big bite. “I wouldn’t have had anything at all if you hadn’t ordered these,” she said, delightedly swallowing another piece.
Truly, Byleth was ever his savior. Dimitri enjoyed the cool breeze on his face, the fresh air and sustenance melting his hangover away. “I do not deserve you.”
Byleth leaned against him. “We’re a team, Dimitri.”
He smiled and leaned in as well. “I cannot dispute that. You did great yesterday, defusing the scene Rodrigue caused.”
“I’m afraid that was my fault to begin with. I let Sylvain and Felix tell him stories of your youth,” Byleth admitted.
“I do wish they had told stories of us, though I imagine Claude would have been even more intolerable if Rodrigue had given Jill a ring.” Dimitri looked down to his own hand, adorned with the ring Byleth had given him so many years ago.
“We would have never heard the end of it,” Byleth chuckled.
They sat in each others comforting presence for a minute as Byleth polished off the rest of the sweet buns. Then Byleth pulled on Dimitri’s shoulder, encouraging him to lay his head down in her lap. “Rest, love.”
Dimitri did as she wanted and contented himself with the feeling of her hands carding through his hair. A still unfamiliar lull of peace and sleep called to him now that he was in his beloved’s safe and loving arms.
He dozed off, but it couldn’t have been for long as the sun had barely moved. Some time must have passed though, because he looked up to Byleth dropping a crown of flowers on his head. “Is this for me?”
“Who else would it be for?” Byleth teased, her warm, affectionate smile incomparable to any other sight in the world. “I’m sorry they aren’t the traditional white roses.”
“I care not what flowers it’s made from so long as you are its maker,” Dimitri said, sitting up and adjusting the ring of flowers on his head. “I know the custom is for women to make these, but I find myself wanting to make one for you as well.”
Byleth handed him the extra flowers she had picked. “Do you know how?”
In theory, he did, but it had been years since he last tried, and his dexterity in such crafts was lacking at best. But he wanted to make the effort. “Show me?”
Byleth demonstrated the technique, but Dimitri crushed the first batch of flowers. Byleth merely smiled while they picked more. The next try, she held his hands and guided him through the process. Her touch was the most wondrous thing he could ask for as they weaved the stems together.
At last, something that could be loosely considered a flower crown was made. It was colorful but lopsided and the flowers uneven. Dimitri could feel his cheeks heating up as he looked at his wife. “I’m sorry, it was foolish of me to try -”
Byleth held his hands and guided his creation to her head. “It’s perfect.”
Dimitri was beside himself. In her hair, the flowers looked like they belonged, a radiant celebration of color and life. Byleth, his dearest. He smoothed his hands down her back and pulled her into an embrace. “I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you by my side. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” She kissed him then, a searing, needy kiss that left Dimitri weak in the knees and a little lightheaded.
Dimitri collapsed back onto the picnic blanket, overwhelmed with joy. Byleth fell on top of him, and he tightly held her to him.
After a few moments of snuggling, Byleth murmured, “We should head back. Now.”
Dimitri mumbled a muffled affirmative into her neck.
Dimitri couldn’t wait to get back, to go to their room, to press kisses along her neck and -
A cart was stuck in the mud.
Near the castle, the roads were splotched with muddy puddles from the rain the last two days, and a merchant’s cart had gotten stuck in a particularly deep one. Dimitri sighed. It was not a situation he could ignore. He and Byleth unanimously decided to stop and help, Dimitri easily lifting the cart out of the mud and back on the road.
The merchant thanked him and departed, leaving Dimitri and Byleth smiling at each other. “There’s always something,” Byleth said.
Another cart raced by, avoiding getting stuck, but splashing the royals with mud. Dimitri looked at his wife and couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “Indeed.”
When they arrived at the castle, covered in mud, their attendants made quite a stir. The kids escaped their classes and demanded to know what was going on.
“Mommy, did you play in the mud? You said I can’t play in the mud,” Daphne complained.
“We didn’t play,” Byleth explained gently. “We helped out a cart stuck in it, and this was our reward.”
Rodrigue, on the other hand, was completely uninterested in their appearance. “Dad, if you can ditch all your meetings, does that mean I can skip lessons to go wyvern flying with -”
“No.”
“Mommy, where did you get the flowers?” Daphne asked, pointing to Byleth’s head.
The mud had missed their heads, leaving the colorful flowers as a bright spot in all the brown. Byleth beamed at Dimitri and said, “Your father made it for me.”
Daphne jumped up trying to reach them. “Aw, I want flowers too!”
“Daphne Glenda Blaiddyd, get back here right now!” her governess yelled.
“Next time, daddy!” Daphne shouted before she fled the scene.
Rodrigue looked around concernedly and then he too ran off before his own tutor could come screaming.
Dimitri and Byleth looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
When her mirth subsided, Byleth sighed and tried to shake out her clothes. “Two times in one week I come home to needing a bath.”
“You can go first,” Dimitri said resignedly.
There was no doubt he needed a bath too, but his heart sank. Another delay, another factor keeping him from his wife. He knew he should be grateful they spent some time alone together today at all. But still he felt the gnawing frustration that he couldn’t hold her close, feel her skin against -
“Would you care to join me?” Byleth whispered close to his ear.
Dimitri couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.
Refreshed from a full day together, nothing could bring Dimitri’s mood down. His beautiful wife was by his side, the sun was shining, and his hangover had long since passed.
Hand in hand, he and Byleth walked to dinner. There was no avoiding every duty today.
“You look like you had a good day,” Claude observed, already sitting at the table. “Does this mean I can convince you to fully fund the repairs on the roads around Fodlan’s Throat?”
Dimitri had guessed his earlier goodwill would be a ploy to curry future favors. Claude would certainly ask for more when they were in formal discussions. But right now, he was too content to care. With Byleth by his side, he had confidence he would do what was best for his people, regardless of Claude’s schemes.
Dimitri was just about to make his way to his seat when -
“Daddy! There you are! Roddy made Jill a flower crown and said ‘that’s what a king does for his queen’ and now everybody is yelling again,” Daphne reported innocently.
Byleth’s face fell and she ran out of the room to smooth things over yet again. Claude rested his chin on his hand and smiled at Dimitri, one of his eyebrows twitching in hopefully exaggerated fury. “Is this what amounts to diplomacy in Fodlan these days? Seducing sweet princesses so you can get an upper hand in negotiations?”
Dimitri was appalled at the accusation. “We would never -”
Claude’s face relaxed and he laughed. “I’m teasing Your Majesty, I’m teasing.”
“Ah.” Dimitri attempted to smile back.
Claude abruptly stopped laughing and turned serious. “But if your son leads my daughter on…”
“He wouldn’t dream of it!” Dimitri quickly defended. “He’s a young man trying to express -”
“Relax, relax!” Claude said, switching from dour to cheerful in a second. He was truly a tiring man. “If anything, I’m glad his role model is you, and not some of your other associations.”
Dimitri was skeptical of the sincerity of those words, but he did have to admit to a small swell of pride. Rodrigue was copying his show of affection.
Byleth dragged the youths before their fathers and once again it was explained that, as royalty, these sorts of things could be very serious, and required much more consideration and they could play if they wanted to, but they were too young to be talking about marriage.
After the hoopla had died down, everybody was settled in to dinner. The kids were allowed to join, if just so they didn’t get into more mischief. Dimitri surveyed the dinner table. His guests, the king of a country they were improving relations with, his rambunctious kids, and finally, his dearest wife. None of this would have been possible without her. They could spend the rest of their lives together, and it would never be enough.
He reached for Byleth’s hand and brought it to his lips. “My beloved. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
Her smile was fond. “I couldn’t ask for more than what we have together.”
“Jill,” came their son’s voice. “Can I have your ha-”
“Rodrigue!” Byleth and Dimitri shouted in perfect, chagrinned unison.
Dimitri squeezed his wife’s hand. Byleth suppressed a giggle and said, “Well, at least he’s learning from the best.”