[He watches her expression as she examines his hand, and the size difference between them is so very prominent. His is calloused and scarred beneath that black material, and hers appear so delicately unmarred. Fingers and palm untouched by the cut of steel in battle, as if driven off by nothing more than sheer willpower.
It is another thing impressive about her, he realizes, in a long list of admirations that have grown since the day they met. Even when he was still angry and lost, he would watch her in battle — watch her sword cut through enemy lines as she practically flew through them. Byleth represented the grace of assuredness found in strength; and he was little more than blunt-force rage, covered in blood and sin, a forceful imitation of true prowess compared to her. It had frustrated him at the time, oddly enough. And the kindness she showed him outside of battle, more so. He did not believe he deserved it, not from someone like her.
Sometimes, he still doesn’t.
Belatedly, his realizes his heart has beat all the way up to his throat, and his breathing once again requires cognizant effort to remember to do it, and he suddenly shudders out a breath when she lets go, like time is moving forward again without warning.]
You have done so much for me. For everyone here. It’s unfair to ask you not to remember those who used to walk these halls.
[Even Dimitri sometimes finds himself lost in those memories, halcyon days.]
It would be counter to your demeanor, always wanting to help, always concerned for the state of those around you. It is one thing of many that I admire about you.
no subject
It is another thing impressive about her, he realizes, in a long list of admirations that have grown since the day they met. Even when he was still angry and lost, he would watch her in battle — watch her sword cut through enemy lines as she practically flew through them. Byleth represented the grace of assuredness found in strength; and he was little more than blunt-force rage, covered in blood and sin, a forceful imitation of true prowess compared to her. It had frustrated him at the time, oddly enough. And the kindness she showed him outside of battle, more so. He did not believe he deserved it, not from someone like her.
Sometimes, he still doesn’t.
Belatedly, his realizes his heart has beat all the way up to his throat, and his breathing once again requires cognizant effort to remember to do it, and he suddenly shudders out a breath when she lets go, like time is moving forward again without warning.]
You have done so much for me. For everyone here. It’s unfair to ask you not to remember those who used to walk these halls.
[Even Dimitri sometimes finds himself lost in those memories, halcyon days.]
It would be counter to your demeanor, always wanting to help, always concerned for the state of those around you. It is one thing of many that I admire about you.