[Felix shakes his head, guilt eating at his chest at those words. If only he had loved Dimitri more the first time around, perhaps this situation would never have had to come to pass...]
Then... I'll play a more active part in the rescue, then.
[It probably is for the best as the professor puts it. Considering it's the path with least unknowns and would likely ensure both their survival for the time being.]
How about you, Professor? What are you going to do?
Just be careful not to make too many changes until he's out of the city. If he dies early on, then that might shift history all on its own.
[And it would be a terrible waste if neither one of them survives, wouldn't it?]
I'm not sure yet. If possible, I'd like to change Edelgard's path... what would happen to me?
[He turns to Sothis again, only looking mildly curious instead of afraid.
"You are my vessel, and you are capable of shifting time all on your own. I believe you would live on. Despite the knowledge of a possible future, you are still from this time, after all. If you are the one to enact the change, it may even provide some protection for the little one... though there would still be no guarantee."]
[It's eerie to see Byleth radiating calm rather than any of the emotional turmoil making Felix a little sick to his stomach, but then again, should he be surprised? Byleth has been quite the stoic--only ever truly shaken by the deaths of those closest to him.
Jeralt, then Edelgard.
Still, the possibility of averting a future as cursed as the one he came from and maybe, just maybe, living through it... The way it's phrased isn't very reassuring and he might as well operate unknowing of it, but it's still better than nothing.]
That would put us on opposite sides of the war.
[A simple statement of fact.]
Communication... won't be easy. Provided you don't disappear the way you did the last time.
Ideally, I'll be able to prevent most of it from happening, but yes — we may end up opposing each other temporarily. If I move to fight her as I did in your memory, I have no chance of changing things. I have no intention to allow her to seize the continent by force, though, and will turn my blade on her if I must.
[But he doesn't want to. He really, truly doesn't want to, so much so that thinking about it happening makes him sick. Grimacing, he continues:]
You know Dimitri far better than I do. It would be better to be able to communicate, but I think these are tasks we can carry out on our own for the most part. We still have five years before the battle where he's fated to die — make your decision sometime before then and let me know, provided I don't disappear as you said.
[Not that the knowledge of what's to come gives Felix any comfort.
Felix casts his gaze towards the window, pensive.]
I'm no longer feeling ill. [Physically for the most part, even if his stomach awkwardly flops when his thoughts drift towards what has just been discussed.] Would it be fine for me to return to my room?
[Dimitri... must have been sent back by Byleth. Likely not getting any sleep, despite Byleth no doubt telling him to.]
[Felix nods, and once Byleth and Sothis have left the room, he proceeds to tug on his vest. Other than that, it seems that his belongings have been shipped back to this room, so he follows after--
--Only to find someone waiting by the stairs as he makes his way out.]
Dimitri...?
[Puzzlement still creases his expression, despite the fact that this shouldn't really surprise him given the way Dimitri frets.]
[Byleth might have ordered him to get some rest (that he needs, no doubt), but that didn't stop Dimitri from lingering nearby, waiting for Byleth to leave. Instead, Felix walks down first, and he looks rather surprised to see him up and about.]
Felix...
[Unheeding of anyone around them, he crosses the distance between them and scoops him into a hug.]
[A soft noise escapes Felix at the hug, completely unexpected given where they are right now. But could he blame Dimitri, really? After that scare Felix no doubt gave him...
Giving up for the moment, Felix wraps his arms around Dimitri's waist in a tentative motion, leaning in despite the guilt that twists his stomach at the fact that he's indulging in Dimitri's at all.]
...and I am sorry I scared you, [he says softly, lifting one hand from Felix's back to cradle his head instead. It's undeniably intimate, but it's late right now and surely no one will pass by.]
[It definitely is a lot more intimate for something they were planning to keep under wraps, but Felix does not exactly pride himself on his willpower that moment as he sinks into that embrace, squeezing as if that would keep Dimitri here, away from walking down the path he witnessed him tread.
But a sense of shame does kick in eventually, and he tries to extract himself from the embrace a few moments later. But Dimitri holds on as if he's having similar thoughts as Felix, so he just sighs and remains where he is.]
It's late. We should go back to our rooms.
[Is all he says in the way of that, content despite the fact that he should worry about where they are a bit more.]
Most everyone is in bed, so... just a little while longer, please.
[How pathetic. Even being separated from Felix for a few hours while knowing he was unwell is enough to make him want to cling like this. It's an indulge he allows himself regardless of how embarrassing it is, lowering his face to Felix's shoulder and turning it toward the crook of his neck, feeling his warmth and taking in his scent until enough of his anxiety has faded to pull back. He tucks a stray lock of hair behind Felix's ear before drawing away entirely, cheeks flushed a light pink.]
[If Felix's earlier thoughts didn't drive it home already, the way Dimitri just clings as if tomorrow may not come more or less confirms what may become of Dimitri should Felix cease to exist in some manner.
Finding a way for both of them to pull through is non-negotiable at this point. It's a must, for Felix as much as it is for Dimitri, tall task as it is.
Felix lowers his gaze, a little pink himself after that tender touch.]
We... can talk more later. In my room, or yours.
[Is this Felix's way of saying he doesn't mind sleeping over? Yes, yes it is.]
[After a brief glance both ways down the hall, Dimitri leans in to steal a quick kiss, smiling.]
I'd like that.
[Really though, when would he not like "talking" with Felix? He can't get enough of it. Blessedly, Felix seems to feel the same way. Always wanting him would be difficult to endure otherwise. He'll start making his way out of the main building then, mood lightened considerably.]
[Felix trails after Dimitri closely, still not the most at ease, but definitely less tightly wound compared to earlier. His exchange with Byleth and Sothis isn't something that's easy to forget, especially when walking down the path back to the dormitories is familiar enough...
...At least until the point where Dimitri stops, looking like he's sensed something. Felix blinks, a little confused as he gives a casual look around, not really sensing anything off.]
[Dimitri can't take it. At the very least, he has to see what they're up to. After flexing his fists a few times he starts walking, swift steps heading toward the market.]
[With that prompting, Felix stills, sorrowful as he eyes Dimitri. It's too similar to the way he almost lost himself earlier, bringing to mind the beast who could no longer hear Felix's voice. But he is starting to see what Dimitri means, given the air that makes his hair stand on end as they near the castle walls.
[Kronya, Thales, and the Flame Emperor himself — herself, but Dimitri doesn't know that yet.
He'll wish he didn't all too soon.
"Is she offending you? Unfortunately, we cannot take our eyes off her, so there is nothing to be done. You are our greatest creation. We used the defiled beast's blood as the fuel to your flame, that you may burn even the gods. Now is the time to cleanse Fódlan of that power, and bring forth our salvation," Thales says.
"There will be no salvation for you and your kind. Those responsible for such gruesome deeds in Duscur and Enbarr," the emperor replies.
That's all it takes. Though Dimitri manages to stay where he is out of fear that whatever overcame Felix will happen again if they come to blows here, he can't stop his crest from activating as fury roars through his veins. He takes a shuddering breath, looking every bit as unhinged as he did that night on the bridge.
Unfortunately, he's not the only one with keen senses. The Flame Emperor turns in their general direction and starts to pull a dagger, only for Thales to stop him.
"Even if someone overheard us, there is nothing they can do. There have always been rats in the walls, and there always will be." Before the Flame Emperor can change his mind and investigate, Thales teleports them all away.
The Flame Emperor doesn't notice the dropped dagger. Dimitri does, though. He rushes over to pick it up, hoping that the make of it might hold some clue, even the smallest of hints —
But what he finds is painfully clear. He stares down at the dagger in his hands in disbelief, mixed nausea and impotent rage locking his throat up.]
[Felix watches Dimitri with a troubled gaze as the exchange goes on, his hand hovering over Dimitri's when he looks like he's about to jump in. But Dimitri restrains himself, and Felix is left hanging as Dimitri rushes over and picks up something one of them drops.
The expression on Dimitri's face now is a different kind of frightful. While it has chills running down Felix's spine the way it had with the manner Dimitri looked earlier at the mention of Duscur, there's a level of betrayal to it that just breaks Felix's heart as he takes it in from the side, as his eyes fall upon the dagger and everything starts to click into place with regard to what Felix knows from before, and what Dimitri knows now.]
...You know something, [Felix whispers from the side, solemn as he keeps his eyes on the dagger held by Dimitri.]
[Dimitri shakes his head slowly. It can't be. It can't — but why else would the Flame Emperor have this dagger? He knows Edelgard still had it, he saw her draw it that first night the professor saved them. Bile rises in his throat, burning strongly enough that he almost feels like he can taste it.
But he promised not to pretend with Felix, didn't he? Dimitri swallows it down, though his voice still sounds rough when he speaks.]
[Felix leaves it at that, leading the way back to the dormitories as they travel back in silence. From the corner of his eye, he could see Dimitri trembling slightly, and much as Felix longs to hold his hand to reassure him, he feels it's an act that would have trouble getting through him that moment.
He skips his room in favor of Dimitri's, closing the door behind them once they're both inside. That said, he'll be waiting for Dimitri to be ready to speak, bracing himself for the truth that he already knows.]
[Dimitri thunks down on his bed, unable to find the words to start explaining the tumultuous mess of emotion churning inside him. It'll take him nearly a full minute before he turns the dagger over in his hands and holds it out to Felix, speaking softly.]
[Despite wanting to relax slightly, Felix is cautious when he sinks next to Dimitri on the bed, a little guilty at the way he's on edge with the aura emanating from him. As if he's a beast waiting to pounce--not on Felix, but something that feels just as close.
Felix takes the dagger from Dimitri, and his pensive expression is not at all faked when he gazes upon it, considering the same turmoil churning his stomach once another puzzle piece falls into place.]
...Yes. It's the same one you gave to that girl in the kingdom before she left.
That's right. She was being forced to return to the empire by her uncle — I could tell that she did not want to go. That she was afraid of him. We were both children, powerless... so I gave her that dagger, hoping it would give her the strength to cut her own path.
[Bitterly, he laughs. He'd hoped that path would lead back to him, but not like this. Goddess, not like this...]
That's not all. The woman you all knew as my mother was actually my stepmother. Giving birth to a child with the crest of Blaiddyd when you do not have one yourself is difficult. My birth mother died when I was still an infant. It was kept quiet, though, because my stepmother was born in the empire.
[Felix listens through the revelation in silence, a confirmation of some things he knew and not. He lowers his gaze at the mention of cutting through, not exactly the same meaning he wished to ascribe to the gift he gave Dimitri just yesterday, but it's still a feeling he recognizes, sympathizes with. It's what has his heart twisting in momentary jealousy before he squashes that feeling, moving to lay a hand over Dimitri's.]
...I see. So you think... the Flame Emperor has something to do with her.
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amewsbox2020-01-09 12:53 pm
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Then... I'll play a more active part in the rescue, then.
[It probably is for the best as the professor puts it. Considering it's the path with least unknowns and would likely ensure both their survival for the time being.]
How about you, Professor? What are you going to do?
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[And it would be a terrible waste if neither one of them survives, wouldn't it?]
I'm not sure yet. If possible, I'd like to change Edelgard's path... what would happen to me?
[He turns to Sothis again, only looking mildly curious instead of afraid.
"You are my vessel, and you are capable of shifting time all on your own. I believe you would live on. Despite the knowledge of a possible future, you are still from this time, after all. If you are the one to enact the change, it may even provide some protection for the little one... though there would still be no guarantee."]
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Jeralt, then Edelgard.
Still, the possibility of averting a future as cursed as the one he came from and maybe, just maybe, living through it... The way it's phrased isn't very reassuring and he might as well operate unknowing of it, but it's still better than nothing.]
That would put us on opposite sides of the war.
[A simple statement of fact.]
Communication... won't be easy. Provided you don't disappear the way you did the last time.
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[But he doesn't want to. He really, truly doesn't want to, so much so that thinking about it happening makes him sick. Grimacing, he continues:]
You know Dimitri far better than I do. It would be better to be able to communicate, but I think these are tasks we can carry out on our own for the most part. We still have five years before the battle where he's fated to die — make your decision sometime before then and let me know, provided I don't disappear as you said.
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[Not that the knowledge of what's to come gives Felix any comfort.
Felix casts his gaze towards the window, pensive.]
I'm no longer feeling ill. [Physically for the most part, even if his stomach awkwardly flops when his thoughts drift towards what has just been discussed.] Would it be fine for me to return to my room?
[Dimitri... must have been sent back by Byleth. Likely not getting any sleep, despite Byleth no doubt telling him to.]
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Yes. Get some rest. We'll speak more at a later date when both of us have had time to think it over more.
[But not too late. By the end of next month at the latest.]
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--Only to find someone waiting by the stairs as he makes his way out.]
Dimitri...?
[Puzzlement still creases his expression, despite the fact that this shouldn't really surprise him given the way Dimitri frets.]
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Felix...
[Unheeding of anyone around them, he crosses the distance between them and scoops him into a hug.]
Thank the goddess.
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Giving up for the moment, Felix wraps his arms around Dimitri's waist in a tentative motion, leaning in despite the guilt that twists his stomach at the fact that he's indulging in Dimitri's at all.]
I'm sorry I scared you.
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[It definitely is a lot more intimate for something they were planning to keep under wraps, but Felix does not exactly pride himself on his willpower that moment as he sinks into that embrace, squeezing as if that would keep Dimitri here, away from walking down the path he witnessed him tread.
But a sense of shame does kick in eventually, and he tries to extract himself from the embrace a few moments later. But Dimitri holds on as if he's having similar thoughts as Felix, so he just sighs and remains where he is.]
It's late. We should go back to our rooms.
[Is all he says in the way of that, content despite the fact that he should worry about where they are a bit more.]
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[How pathetic. Even being separated from Felix for a few hours while knowing he was unwell is enough to make him want to cling like this. It's an indulge he allows himself regardless of how embarrassing it is, lowering his face to Felix's shoulder and turning it toward the crook of his neck, feeling his warmth and taking in his scent until enough of his anxiety has faded to pull back. He tucks a stray lock of hair behind Felix's ear before drawing away entirely, cheeks flushed a light pink.]
I suppose you are right. It is fairly late.
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Finding a way for both of them to pull through is non-negotiable at this point. It's a must, for Felix as much as it is for Dimitri, tall task as it is.
Felix lowers his gaze, a little pink himself after that tender touch.]
We... can talk more later. In my room, or yours.
[Is this Felix's way of saying he doesn't mind sleeping over? Yes, yes it is.]
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I'd like that.
[Really though, when would he not like "talking" with Felix? He can't get enough of it. Blessedly, Felix seems to feel the same way. Always wanting him would be difficult to endure otherwise. He'll start making his way out of the main building then, mood lightened considerably.]
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...At least until the point where Dimitri stops, looking like he's sensed something. Felix blinks, a little confused as he gives a casual look around, not really sensing anything off.]
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Can't you feel it? They're so close...
[Dimitri can't take it. At the very least, he has to see what they're up to. After flexing his fists a few times he starts walking, swift steps heading toward the market.]
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Those voices... are those Kronya and Thales?]
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He'll wish he didn't all too soon.
"Is she offending you? Unfortunately, we cannot take our eyes off her, so there is nothing to be done. You are our greatest creation. We used the defiled beast's blood as the fuel to your flame, that you may burn even the gods. Now is the time to cleanse Fódlan of that power, and bring forth our salvation," Thales says.
"There will be no salvation for you and your kind. Those responsible for such gruesome deeds in Duscur and Enbarr," the emperor replies.
That's all it takes. Though Dimitri manages to stay where he is out of fear that whatever overcame Felix will happen again if they come to blows here, he can't stop his crest from activating as fury roars through his veins. He takes a shuddering breath, looking every bit as unhinged as he did that night on the bridge.
Unfortunately, he's not the only one with keen senses. The Flame Emperor turns in their general direction and starts to pull a dagger, only for Thales to stop him.
"Even if someone overheard us, there is nothing they can do. There have always been rats in the walls, and there always will be." Before the Flame Emperor can change his mind and investigate, Thales teleports them all away.
The Flame Emperor doesn't notice the dropped dagger. Dimitri does, though. He rushes over to pick it up, hoping that the make of it might hold some clue, even the smallest of hints —
But what he finds is painfully clear. He stares down at the dagger in his hands in disbelief, mixed nausea and impotent rage locking his throat up.]
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The expression on Dimitri's face now is a different kind of frightful. While it has chills running down Felix's spine the way it had with the manner Dimitri looked earlier at the mention of Duscur, there's a level of betrayal to it that just breaks Felix's heart as he takes it in from the side, as his eyes fall upon the dagger and everything starts to click into place with regard to what Felix knows from before, and what Dimitri knows now.]
...You know something, [Felix whispers from the side, solemn as he keeps his eyes on the dagger held by Dimitri.]
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But he promised not to pretend with Felix, didn't he? Dimitri swallows it down, though his voice still sounds rough when he speaks.]
...maybe. Let's — let's get back to the dorms.
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[Felix leaves it at that, leading the way back to the dormitories as they travel back in silence. From the corner of his eye, he could see Dimitri trembling slightly, and much as Felix longs to hold his hand to reassure him, he feels it's an act that would have trouble getting through him that moment.
He skips his room in favor of Dimitri's, closing the door behind them once they're both inside. That said, he'll be waiting for Dimitri to be ready to speak, bracing himself for the truth that he already knows.]
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Do you remember this dagger, Felix?
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Felix takes the dagger from Dimitri, and his pensive expression is not at all faked when he gazes upon it, considering the same turmoil churning his stomach once another puzzle piece falls into place.]
...Yes. It's the same one you gave to that girl in the kingdom before she left.
[The same one Felix helped pick out, in fact.]
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[Bitterly, he laughs. He'd hoped that path would lead back to him, but not like this. Goddess, not like this...]
That's not all. The woman you all knew as my mother was actually my stepmother. Giving birth to a child with the crest of Blaiddyd when you do not have one yourself is difficult. My birth mother died when I was still an infant. It was kept quiet, though, because my stepmother was born in the empire.
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...I see. So you think... the Flame Emperor has something to do with her.
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