[ Oh, there she goes, trying to distract him again-- well, perhaps not on purpose, but how is he supposed to focus on anything else when she's claiming his personal space with an arm around his and a kiss to his shoulder, all sweet affections and playful intent like he once could only dream of? It may not be so much of a rarity these days, not so unexpected as to catch him off guard, but he doesn't think he'll ever have it in him not to treasure every second of it.
So he indulges for yet another moment longer, presses his own lips to the crown of her head, buries his nose in her hair so to devote more of his senses to her-- taste, smell, sight, touch. Hearing registers last, and her suggestion earns a small chuckle from him. ]
I see no reason to postpone it.
[ Does her impatience surprise him? Never. But the fact that, for once, that trait of hers has her eager to share the status of their relationship sure does-- normally that would be his role! But he's clicking through links in the network before she has the chance to change her mind, the bracelet on his wrist held up between them so she can also look at the screen as he explores their options. ]
Ah, here it is. [ A few more clicks and a moment to hum to himself. He's had more than long enough to grown used to all this technology, but trying to edit an anonymous post is a brand new experience to him. ] It seems I can no longer assign it to my name, but I do still have access to the body of the message itself...
[ Meaning he technically can't un-anon the post itself, but he can edit it! Which is good news, but still leaves them with one problem: how are they supposed to make this announcement together on a post that only he has access to?
It's only when he spots his comment thread with one other "anonymous" user that he has an idea, breathing out another laugh. ]
Or, we could both make a comment-- with our names attached, this time. What would you prefer?
[ Her hold on his arm loosens so he can work on finding the post but she's curious and watches the screen he conveniently positions between them. Just as anonymous posting was new to her then, she has never edited anything she's said on the network.
In retrospect she can think of a few conversations she would like to... remove. There's nothing wrong with any of the questions she found herself asking of people early in her sexual education but must it all remain public?
But when he makes his suggestion she lets out a small thoughtful hum. ]
It seems appropriate for us to both sign off on it, don't you think?
[ Just give her a moment; now she's using her own bracelet to access the network; she leans in again -- just a bit -- to double check the date of what's on his screen to make her search go faster. ]
Let's leave no room for doubt.
[ If they're going to update this public disagreement let them do it with purpose! ]
[ Oh, of course he agrees they should both sign off on it, and perhaps it is silly of him to still be so caught off guard by her prompt and enthusiastic response even though their current relationship is a far cry from what it was at the time of his posting, and yet it surprises him, still. Perhaps deep down, it will never cease to surprise him, to see how much (and how terribly fond) they have grown.
(It's a good kind of surprise, though. The kind that will always remind him to not ever take the gift of her heart for granted.) ]
We shall see to it with haste.
[ He pulls away from her only long enough to type a message on his bracelet, eyes skimming over the contents once he's finished-- or, once he thinks he is, though he makes one last-minute addition with an all too amused smile playing on his lips. Now it is truly complete. ]
There. [ Once the message has been sent, he shifts his gaze back to her, expectation mingled with a subtle flair of mischief. ] I should hope it is to your liking, beloved.
[ Even though it is decidedly a jab at her old anonymous comment to him, but hey! They can afford to make jokes about it now! ]
[ She looks up in the middle of reading his message, the affectionate jab in it making her eyebrows arch and her cheeks just a bit pink, but there is still no protest out of her mouth. She had been so frustrated by his every response when they originally had this discussion!
She has rarely been frustrated with him since, although it helps to be separated from the most important issues they differ on. ]
It wraps things up nicely.
[ But she still has to comment herself, of course, and she takes a few minutes -- her typing much improved over the years -- to do so.
When she finishes she takes a moment to smile up at him, once again a flower leaning for the sun. There's an odd giddy feeling in her chest; even making the announcement for whatever faceless strangers may one day read their news feels significant
Of course none of their friends will be taken by surprise at this point but it still feels nice to take the step together. This is what they have chosen. He is who she has chosen. ]
In fact, I think you should consult me directly this very moment, Dimitri. Right on my lips.
[ Oh, her face. If only he could tell his past self that one day their public disagreement and once reason for contention would turn into light-hearted jabs and minor embarrassment they can look back on with fondness, then perhaps that old Dimitri wouldn't have to feel as troubled as he did, wouldn't have to constantly examine his conflicted feelings for Edelgard.
(Yet, he would gladly do it all over again-- every right step and mistake alike, both equally important in building their trust up and strengthening their bond. Their love.)
For the moment, her reaction earns the most smitten of laughs from him, his arms casually snaking around her waist as she works on her own verification. When she looks up at him again, he leans further over, chin resting on her shoulder so he can read the message off her bracelet instead of his-- his wrist and hand are put to much better use idly stroking her sides, you see, maybe even straying just a bit to her hips. Mostly innocent, but there is intent to it. ]
Always so impatient.
[ A small tease, a distraction as his hands find new purpose yet again and swiftly hoist her onto his lap without effort; it's not quite the lifting he's grown so used to, but it's as best as he can do while they're both seated. ]
But from today onwards, neither of us will be made to wait.
[ And so they don't, his lips "consulting" hers as he has and intends to continuing doing every single day. She never has to wait for his kisses; he finally no longer waits for her to become his bride. ]
[ The first few times he ever said that to her she had no idea that he was drawing from a longer shared history than she imagined. Then, once she knew differently, she had to reflect on what she could remember and weigh how impatient she thought herself as a child.
But it's never -- never -- sounded like a complaint so much as sly observation. If he has ever cursed her for being so quick to act it hasn't been here. ]
If I didn't know better, Dimitri, I'd say you were a little impatient yourself.
[ Being perched in his lap positions her perfectly for kisses and it just so happens that she thinks he has much to consult her about.
And the consulting doesn't stop there. While she still maintains a certain regal composure while they're out, she's never been so free with her kisses in public of her own free will. She kisses him after they make their announcement and toast to their friends; she kisses him with faintly champagne lips as they leave the restaurant; she kisses him like it's a reward after she skates across the ice to him, only wobbling once; she kisses him when it's just the two of them again, reentering their apartment to a solemn mrow from Shadow that suggests he's ready for a little attention of his own, thank you. A dozen times in between she kisses him - the fact that she can't do everything she wants here is no longer the same kind of obstacle it once was. There is happiness to be had and they should have it.
When they finally embark on their late-night walk the sky is black, barely dotted by stars, and there's just a hint of a breeze. She keeps a leisurely pace, her hand in his, but there's no question that she walks with purpose and she dressed for it, in easy-to-remove sandals and a long lightweight skirt she can easily gather when the time comes. Her long ponytail gleams in the silvery ambient light. ]
I hope you had a good day.
[ A good day-that-we've-adopted-as-your-birthday. ]
I think I can say with certainty that I'll never forget it.
[ She knows what it's like to hold certain memories so close that they act as a raft in a turbulent sea. With a memory like today and Dimitri's ring beside her heart how could she ever give up? ]
[ The last time they met so many of their friends at the restaurant, Dimitri had nearly drunk everyone under the table; if he feels light-headed tonight, it is most definitely not thanks to champagne.
(He's always known her kisses to be inebriating.) ]
It is the happiest I have had on the island. Possibly, throughout my entire life, as well.
[ An easy truth as his response, though it still surprises him to say. Happiness, or even simple moments of joy, have never been a constant in his life; he has plenty of wonderful memories from his childhood, a few more to treasure from his Academy days, and so much to be grateful for since finding his heart again, but this? This inescapable flutter in his gut, the unrelenting urge to smile and laugh, her unforgiving onslaught of affection? That is entirely new, the lightness in his chest at odds with the overwhelming weight of happiness as he's never known. Like he once thought he never would.
But he has and he does and it's right here, right within his reach, in the fingers interlaced with his. So he pauses in his tracks and lifts them to his lips as he's done so many times before, the gesture so casual now but ever so full of meaning. ]
Thank you, my beloved. [ Will she ever tire of his gratitude? It is a much better alternative to apologies, at the very least. ] I would never have such memorable moments to cherish if not for you.
[ There is weight to his words, too, but he doesn't want to linger in dark sobriety, not tonight of all times. So he gives her hand a gentle squeeze -- reassuring, grounding -- and picks up their leisure pace again, a good humored smile already tugging at his lips. ]
Ah, I suppose I should get started on making plans for your birthday next. Although outdoing today might be quite the tall order...
[ A smile, quick and genuine and full of melting warmth, spreads across her face before she even manages to form words. ]
There is no need for a competition, my love. What will please me most is being able to spend it with you.
[ The briefest pause as their joined hands fall to their sides again. She answers the squeeze he gives her hand with one of her own, an affectionate echo. ]
My husband.
[ A husband to share whatever birthday adventures she wishes to have. It wasn't so long ago that she could barely even imagine it. She steals a sideways glance up at his face, her eyes betraying how much she likes the sound of this little possessive term.
Soon it'll be obvious that they're moving toward the beach. It's not so odd -- she likes picturesque locations to enjoy on her walks -- but it is a less common route at night. ]
[ He is just about to make a retort in good humor, that he reckons Edelgard likes winning a little too much for their rivalry to be set aside, but his will to tease dies out at the mention of her husband. It makes him feel giddy, and though it is far more subdued than the time they exchanged vows, it is more solid, more grounded, built on a foundation of genuine trust and affection. It is the happiest he has ever been.
Perhaps their old picture is due for an update, one that reflects this happiness they have truly put in the work for, and chosen for themselves. ]
Of course, I shall be by your side. And when the occasion comes, I hope my wife will not make deliberate use of such terms of endearment to gain unfair advantage.
[ It is entirely too effective, but the smile he openly offers her says he doesn't mind losing in the least-- in this particular way, at least.
Once it becomes clear they are heading towards the beach, though, his pace slows down to a stop again, ready to turn on his heel. ]
Ah, we seem to have strayed a bit too far in our scenic route. Is there anywhere else you would like to go, or shall we return home?
[ Saying there is no need to make a competition out of their birthday gifts certainly doesn't mean that she doesn't like winning when there is a competition. Even now she has a particular idea for one, perhaps something they should try in honor of their first few days as husband and wife. Something they'd have more trouble doing off the island.
But she can see it in his eyes, his reflection of her own joy at calling him her husband, and he is not wrong: there is power in it, isn't there?
Fortunately for him, she mostly intends to call him that because it will be factual and she likes the sound of it. But how much he likes it isn't lost on her at all. ]
Once we are married I think it will not be unfair in the slightest.
[ As his pace slows and he asks about redirecting their course she gently tugs at his hand. ]
Worry not. This is the path I intended to walk tonight. [ In fact, they're close enough that this seems like an excellent time to take off her shoes. Without removing her hand from his, she stops long enough to step out of her sandals and take both in her free hand. ] It's time to show you something I've learned.
[ She doesn't exactly mean swimming but it does encompass swimming. His lessons are a large part of what has enabled her to do this tonight. ]
[ The pair of narrowed eyes he offers her as a response seems to say that, hmmmm, no, he thinks it will always be unfair, because he doesn't foresee the term ever losing any of its impact; he will be her husband, and she will be his wife, and there won't be a single day when he won't open his eyes and wonder if the sight before him isn't some sort of dream.
(He also fully expects her to be a little vixen on occasion, and deliberately take advantage of this weakness to disarm him. But only as his friend, his beloved, never again as a bitter enemy.) ]
Oh? [ His brows arch when she continues, his smile ever widening. ] You truly are full of surprises today, are you not?
[ So he will follow suit and kick his own shoes off, then gather them up in his free hand-- and she had made sure to suggest he should wear trousers he could easily roll up, hadn't she? He can't say he would mind dipping his feet in the water, but Edelgard has always been reluctant to, all the more so at nighttime. What other delightful secrets has she been keeping? ]
Very well. Lead the way, and we will follow hand in hand.
[ His question prompts a pleased curve of her lips. After sharing their lives for over a year and being intimate... friends(?) for some time before that, it's safe to say that he knows her better than almost anyone.
(The possible exception is Hubert but if he saw her tonight, hand in hand with Dimitri and smiling about it and willingly walking toward the shoreline late at night, he would question it.)
Still, she's managed to treat him to a series of nice surprises today and that feels good. She continues to smile as they reach the beach and walk boldly down to where gentle waves lap at the sand. She stops where cool water can wash over their bare feet and looks out over the dark ocean.
When her smile does fade, it's gradual. Natural. Not caused by deep-rooted fear. She takes a breath and exhales, then glances toward Dimitri. ]
It will be some time before I find it beautiful, I think. [ If she ever can. During the day would be a different story; she has gained an appreciation for the blue-upon-blue of a sunlit sky meeting the water. At night the inky darkness of the ocean and its perpetual threat of overpowering still easily disquiets. ] But I do not feel scared. I have learned from Ferdinand and even Constance and especially you, the man who was willing to teach his sometime enemy how to swim.
[ And at a time when she was having trouble seeing him as more than that (...and a regular sexual partner) herself. Her hand squeezes his. ]
Earlier you said that you hoped every day I wear my ring I will be reminded that I am never alone. I can say with certainty that I will because you have taught me that. [ She smiles despite herself, the undercurrent of amusement in her voice hitting a note of self-consciousness. ] I know it was more difficult to teach than swimming has been.
[ He watches her cautious steps into the waves, and if he stays silent as he follows along, it's because he does know her well-- because he still remembers her hesitation when they had to fight those creatures of decay on this very beach, because he can never forget how the first of many nightmares she has shared with him had an ocean starring as the source of her terror. Yet here she stands tonight, facing her fear head-on, irrefutable proof of the strength she carries within.
She doesn't need his strength, he knows. Doesn't even need his protection. But he offers it all the same, with a single squeeze of his hand once she breaks the silence--and the longer she goes, the longer he thinks the gesture is all he can do, as words are hard to find. All, save for one. ]
El...
[ The one that always rolls sweetest off his tongue, too short a syllable for the depth of affection it holds. ]
That was a lesson I have had to learn, myself. One that cost me so much more than time and a little persistence.
[ It cost him his last parental figure, and nearly his entire Kingdom with it. Far too steep a price, a lesson felt wasted on a man who may never truly deem himself worthy of his blessings. ]
I know we have sworn to share our burdens-- [ If she'll let him, he'll take the pair of sandals off her hand and set them aside next to his on the sand, freeing their fingers for just a moment. He wishes to face her fully, connected with both hands and eyes that have nothing to hide. ] --but I ask that you allow me to carry the brunt of this one on my own. You needn't lose anything more, and if time and a little persistence is all it takes, then it will be my pleasure to teach a most difficult student in every lifetime we may cross paths again.
[ A kiss to both sets of her knuckles marks the end of his melancholy -- he has too much to celebrate, too much to be happy about today -- and the huff of amusement that follows is close enough to hers. ]
You did almost lose your dagger, however-- on this very beach, years ago. Earning your forgiveness then may have been nigh impossible a task.
[ Dimitri has shared quite a few sweet sentiments with her over the course of their relationship but something about the way he says her name always manages to hit the sweetest notes.
Once he moves her sandals, she's all too happy to place both hands in his and meet his eyes as though they exchange vows right here on the beach.
(In a way, they do.)
As soon as he's kissed her knuckles, her fingers rest against his cheeks. ]
I would like for neither of us to lose anything more. [ Loss is a part of even the most peaceful lives and she knows that well but so much of the loss they've experienced has been premature or unnatural or simply traumatic. She will never forget the look on Dee's face when their shared dream took them to Duscur. ] At the very least I hope our joy will outweigh loss.
[ Even after all this time it's so strange to think that she has come from a point that must be considered the beginning of the end of the war and he has come from its final days, that the time between those points will differ so greatly for them. She meant what she told him earlier today, though: they write their own stories now and there are a great many stories she wishes to write with him.
As her hands lower from his face she positions them in a clear invitation to dance with her right here with waves lapping over their ankles. ]
Had I lost my dagger on the beach that day I would have been quite upset. [ She can admit that with a smile. ] But I would not have blamed you for it.
[ As though conditioned by months of unrelenting affections, he leans into her touch as he often does, eyes closed and an easy smile playing on his lips; right there, with his face held between the hands of a former enemy, is where he feels safest. ]
We cannot escape loss entirely. [ A harsh truth, one that he knows she understands as well as him, though one he yet hopes to soothe with his large hands dwarfing hers. ] But knowing I will not lose you to this island nor to war... That alone fills me with such joy and strength that I can face whatever comes my way.
[ And should she one day depart before him as she so fears, he still means everything he said when she told him of hers concerns: he would not trade a day of such sublime happiness by her side for a longevously lukewarm lifetime by anyone else's.
But again, he doesn't want to dwell in such doom and gloom, and she is so kind as to take his hand and lead his steps and his thoughts away from the dark. Oh, and how far she has come: once terrified of the ocean at night, now she moves with him in the pale moonlight, saltwater licking at their ankles as they waltz without song-- and if it looks as though she has also conditioned his rhythm to match hers, if their one-two-three is timed to perfection, it's because this is where they have always belonged: right in each other's arms, dancing past every sunset and sunrise alike. ]
I must say, I'm not as confident to think you would not have blamed me-- [ Not entirely a lie, though his smile is mostly playful. ] Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say you would have resented me for it. I was little more than a temporary ally at the time, and only out of necessity.
[ And that, she thinks, is one of the best feelings in the world. Drawing strength from someone while they draw strength from you. It's all the sweeter because their lives aren't (currently) being threatened; they help each other just by existing, being near, being a lover and a friend and a reliable partner.
She wasn't wrong when she thought he would make a fine partner for someone. She hadn't expected this outcome at the time but some surprises are very good.
Soft wet sand clings between her toes as they dance, their feet leaving prints in the sand that the waves immediately smooth. Did she... compliment Dimitri on his dancing when they first met here? How little she knew. ]
I was the one who impulsively threw it to you, fully aware that you may not hear me call out or manage to catch it. I would not have blamed you for my choice.
But [ A corner of her smile twitches, threatening to grow wider. He isn't wrong. He knows her. ] that isn't to say that I wouldn't have resented losing it or that I would not have scolded myself bitterly later for losing my precious dagger while trying to save an enemy who was almost certainly going to drown to death if the strength of the tentacle didn't crush him first.
[ She doesn't know what it was like to be grabbed like that by the half-hidden creature, to be swung over the shoreline. Witnessing it was enough of a nightmare. ]
But we needed each other that day.
[ Her hand squeezes his. She can meet his eyes when she says it. The need was mutual. ]
And any resentment I held over losing the dagger for your sake would have been challenged by the revelation that you are the one who gave it to me, don't you think? [ Now her smile really does broaden - and sharpen, playful. ] I thought of the boy who gave me the dagger as my first love.
[ They needed each other that day, she says, and he has to employ all of his strength not to immediately retort that they still need each other now. Not for mere survival, but for a happy and fulfilling life they both once thought beyond their reach.
And while she can meet his eyes as she admits to that mutual need, he can return the gentle squeeze of her hand with a confession of his own. ]
If such revelation had come to pass as it did, yes. I was such a fool to keep it from you for as long as I did, and without the island's influence, I often wonder whether I would have told you of my own accord...
[ It's hard to keep the self-chastising from slipping into his tone, hard not to bemoan his own incapability to be more straightforward with her despite proof after proof of how well they could work together-- on that dance floor, in her bedroom, on this very beach turned battlefield, a perfect match in every way, a joint force to defeat all odds. ]
Perhaps... across those infinite timelines, there can be a Dimitri who is wiser than I. [ Less stubborn? No. Just wise enough to seize his chance when he sees it. ] One who will reach for your hand without hesitation, just like that boy who once helped a little girl stand on her feet again.
[ Back then, she was a lot more trusting, enough to reach back without little thought as to whether she could or should. He doesn't think any Edelgard who has been put through the same ordeal as his El would ever be quite like that again, but he was at least wise -- and stubborn -- enough to keep trying. ]
Regardless-- [ His smile regains strength-- he draws it from her, always. ] --I may no longer be that boy, but I feel rather confident to gift you more daggers now, perhaps to mark our every anniversary forthcoming?
[ Forgive him if it's not a standard move in a dance, but he feels the need to lean in closer, his smile ever widening. ]
How would you like that? A new blade for every year spent with my first and only true love.
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So he indulges for yet another moment longer, presses his own lips to the crown of her head, buries his nose in her hair so to devote more of his senses to her-- taste, smell, sight, touch. Hearing registers last, and her suggestion earns a small chuckle from him. ]
I see no reason to postpone it.
[ Does her impatience surprise him? Never. But the fact that, for once, that trait of hers has her eager to share the status of their relationship sure does-- normally that would be his role! But he's clicking through links in the network before she has the chance to change her mind, the bracelet on his wrist held up between them so she can also look at the screen as he explores their options. ]
Ah, here it is. [ A few more clicks and a moment to hum to himself. He's had more than long enough to grown used to all this technology, but trying to edit an anonymous post is a brand new experience to him. ] It seems I can no longer assign it to my name, but I do still have access to the body of the message itself...
[ Meaning he technically can't un-anon the post itself, but he can edit it! Which is good news, but still leaves them with one problem: how are they supposed to make this announcement together on a post that only he has access to?
It's only when he spots his comment thread with one other "anonymous" user that he has an idea, breathing out another laugh. ]
Or, we could both make a comment-- with our names attached, this time. What would you prefer?
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In retrospect she can think of a few conversations she would like to... remove. There's nothing wrong with any of the questions she found herself asking of people early in her sexual education but must it all remain public?
But when he makes his suggestion she lets out a small thoughtful hum. ]
It seems appropriate for us to both sign off on it, don't you think?
[ Just give her a moment; now she's using her own bracelet to access the network; she leans in again -- just a bit -- to double check the date of what's on his screen to make her search go faster. ]
Let's leave no room for doubt.
[ If they're going to update this public disagreement let them do it with purpose! ]
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(It's a good kind of surprise, though. The kind that will always remind him to not ever take the gift of her heart for granted.) ]
We shall see to it with haste.
[ He pulls away from her only long enough to type a message on his bracelet, eyes skimming over the contents once he's finished-- or, once he thinks he is, though he makes one last-minute addition with an all too amused smile playing on his lips. Now it is truly complete. ]
There. [ Once the message has been sent, he shifts his gaze back to her, expectation mingled with a subtle flair of mischief. ] I should hope it is to your liking, beloved.
[ Even though it is decidedly a jab at her old anonymous comment to him, but hey! They can afford to make jokes about it now! ]
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She has rarely been frustrated with him since, although it helps to be separated from the most important issues they differ on. ]
It wraps things up nicely.
[ But she still has to comment herself, of course, and she takes a few minutes -- her typing much improved over the years -- to do so.
When she finishes she takes a moment to smile up at him, once again a flower leaning for the sun. There's an odd giddy feeling in her chest; even making the announcement for whatever faceless strangers may one day read their news feels significant
Of course none of their friends will be taken by surprise at this point but it still feels nice to take the step together. This is what they have chosen. He is who she has chosen. ]
In fact, I think you should consult me directly this very moment, Dimitri. Right on my lips.
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(Yet, he would gladly do it all over again-- every right step and mistake alike, both equally important in building their trust up and strengthening their bond. Their love.)
For the moment, her reaction earns the most smitten of laughs from him, his arms casually snaking around her waist as she works on her own verification. When she looks up at him again, he leans further over, chin resting on her shoulder so he can read the message off her bracelet instead of his-- his wrist and hand are put to much better use idly stroking her sides, you see, maybe even straying just a bit to her hips. Mostly innocent, but there is intent to it. ]
Always so impatient.
[ A small tease, a distraction as his hands find new purpose yet again and swiftly hoist her onto his lap without effort; it's not quite the lifting he's grown so used to, but it's as best as he can do while they're both seated. ]
But from today onwards, neither of us will be made to wait.
[ And so they don't, his lips "consulting" hers as he has and intends to continuing doing every single day. She never has to wait for his kisses; he finally no longer waits for her to become his bride. ]
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But it's never -- never -- sounded like a complaint so much as sly observation. If he has ever cursed her for being so quick to act it hasn't been here. ]
If I didn't know better, Dimitri, I'd say you were a little impatient yourself.
[ Being perched in his lap positions her perfectly for kisses and it just so happens that she thinks he has much to consult her about.
And the consulting doesn't stop there. While she still maintains a certain regal composure while they're out, she's never been so free with her kisses in public of her own free will. She kisses him after they make their announcement and toast to their friends; she kisses him with faintly champagne lips as they leave the restaurant; she kisses him like it's a reward after she skates across the ice to him, only wobbling once; she kisses him when it's just the two of them again, reentering their apartment to a solemn mrow from Shadow that suggests he's ready for a little attention of his own, thank you. A dozen times in between she kisses him - the fact that she can't do everything she wants here is no longer the same kind of obstacle it once was. There is happiness to be had and they should have it.
When they finally embark on their late-night walk the sky is black, barely dotted by stars, and there's just a hint of a breeze. She keeps a leisurely pace, her hand in his, but there's no question that she walks with purpose and she dressed for it, in easy-to-remove sandals and a long lightweight skirt she can easily gather when the time comes. Her long ponytail gleams in the silvery ambient light. ]
I hope you had a good day.
[ A good day-that-we've-adopted-as-your-birthday. ]
I think I can say with certainty that I'll never forget it.
[ She knows what it's like to hold certain memories so close that they act as a raft in a turbulent sea. With a memory like today and Dimitri's ring beside her heart how could she ever give up? ]
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(He's always known her kisses to be inebriating.) ]
It is the happiest I have had on the island. Possibly, throughout my entire life, as well.
[ An easy truth as his response, though it still surprises him to say. Happiness, or even simple moments of joy, have never been a constant in his life; he has plenty of wonderful memories from his childhood, a few more to treasure from his Academy days, and so much to be grateful for since finding his heart again, but this? This inescapable flutter in his gut, the unrelenting urge to smile and laugh, her unforgiving onslaught of affection? That is entirely new, the lightness in his chest at odds with the overwhelming weight of happiness as he's never known. Like he once thought he never would.
But he has and he does and it's right here, right within his reach, in the fingers interlaced with his. So he pauses in his tracks and lifts them to his lips as he's done so many times before, the gesture so casual now but ever so full of meaning. ]
Thank you, my beloved. [ Will she ever tire of his gratitude? It is a much better alternative to apologies, at the very least. ] I would never have such memorable moments to cherish if not for you.
[ There is weight to his words, too, but he doesn't want to linger in dark sobriety, not tonight of all times. So he gives her hand a gentle squeeze -- reassuring, grounding -- and picks up their leisure pace again, a good humored smile already tugging at his lips. ]
Ah, I suppose I should get started on making plans for your birthday next. Although outdoing today might be quite the tall order...
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There is no need for a competition, my love. What will please me most is being able to spend it with you.
[ The briefest pause as their joined hands fall to their sides again. She answers the squeeze he gives her hand with one of her own, an affectionate echo. ]
My husband.
[ A husband to share whatever birthday adventures she wishes to have. It wasn't so long ago that she could barely even imagine it. She steals a sideways glance up at his face, her eyes betraying how much she likes the sound of this little possessive term.
Soon it'll be obvious that they're moving toward the beach. It's not so odd -- she likes picturesque locations to enjoy on her walks -- but it is a less common route at night. ]
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Perhaps their old picture is due for an update, one that reflects this happiness they have truly put in the work for, and chosen for themselves. ]
Of course, I shall be by your side. And when the occasion comes, I hope my wife will not make deliberate use of such terms of endearment to gain unfair advantage.
[ It is entirely too effective, but the smile he openly offers her says he doesn't mind losing in the least-- in this particular way, at least.
Once it becomes clear they are heading towards the beach, though, his pace slows down to a stop again, ready to turn on his heel. ]
Ah, we seem to have strayed a bit too far in our scenic route. Is there anywhere else you would like to go, or shall we return home?
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But she can see it in his eyes, his reflection of her own joy at calling him her husband, and he is not wrong: there is power in it, isn't there?
Fortunately for him, she mostly intends to call him that because it will be factual and she likes the sound of it. But how much he likes it isn't lost on her at all. ]
Once we are married I think it will not be unfair in the slightest.
[ As his pace slows and he asks about redirecting their course she gently tugs at his hand. ]
Worry not. This is the path I intended to walk tonight. [ In fact, they're close enough that this seems like an excellent time to take off her shoes. Without removing her hand from his, she stops long enough to step out of her sandals and take both in her free hand. ] It's time to show you something I've learned.
[ She doesn't exactly mean swimming but it does encompass swimming. His lessons are a large part of what has enabled her to do this tonight. ]
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(He also fully expects her to be a little vixen on occasion, and deliberately take advantage of this weakness to disarm him. But only as his friend, his beloved, never again as a bitter enemy.) ]
Oh? [ His brows arch when she continues, his smile ever widening. ] You truly are full of surprises today, are you not?
[ So he will follow suit and kick his own shoes off, then gather them up in his free hand-- and she had made sure to suggest he should wear trousers he could easily roll up, hadn't she? He can't say he would mind dipping his feet in the water, but Edelgard has always been reluctant to, all the more so at nighttime. What other delightful secrets has she been keeping? ]
Very well. Lead the way, and we will follow hand in hand.
[ Not just on this beach, not just tonight. ]
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(The possible exception is Hubert but if he saw her tonight, hand in hand with Dimitri and smiling about it and willingly walking toward the shoreline late at night, he would question it.)
Still, she's managed to treat him to a series of nice surprises today and that feels good. She continues to smile as they reach the beach and walk boldly down to where gentle waves lap at the sand. She stops where cool water can wash over their bare feet and looks out over the dark ocean.
When her smile does fade, it's gradual. Natural. Not caused by deep-rooted fear. She takes a breath and exhales, then glances toward Dimitri. ]
It will be some time before I find it beautiful, I think. [ If she ever can. During the day would be a different story; she has gained an appreciation for the blue-upon-blue of a sunlit sky meeting the water. At night the inky darkness of the ocean and its perpetual threat of overpowering still easily disquiets. ] But I do not feel scared. I have learned from Ferdinand and even Constance and especially you, the man who was willing to teach his sometime enemy how to swim.
[ And at a time when she was having trouble seeing him as more than that (...and a regular sexual partner) herself. Her hand squeezes his. ]
Earlier you said that you hoped every day I wear my ring I will be reminded that I am never alone. I can say with certainty that I will because you have taught me that. [ She smiles despite herself, the undercurrent of amusement in her voice hitting a note of self-consciousness. ] I know it was more difficult to teach than swimming has been.
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She doesn't need his strength, he knows. Doesn't even need his protection. But he offers it all the same, with a single squeeze of his hand once she breaks the silence--and the longer she goes, the longer he thinks the gesture is all he can do, as words are hard to find. All, save for one. ]
El...
[ The one that always rolls sweetest off his tongue, too short a syllable for the depth of affection it holds. ]
That was a lesson I have had to learn, myself. One that cost me so much more than time and a little persistence.
[ It cost him his last parental figure, and nearly his entire Kingdom with it. Far too steep a price, a lesson felt wasted on a man who may never truly deem himself worthy of his blessings. ]
I know we have sworn to share our burdens-- [ If she'll let him, he'll take the pair of sandals off her hand and set them aside next to his on the sand, freeing their fingers for just a moment. He wishes to face her fully, connected with both hands and eyes that have nothing to hide. ] --but I ask that you allow me to carry the brunt of this one on my own. You needn't lose anything more, and if time and a little persistence is all it takes, then it will be my pleasure to teach a most difficult student in every lifetime we may cross paths again.
[ A kiss to both sets of her knuckles marks the end of his melancholy -- he has too much to celebrate, too much to be happy about today -- and the huff of amusement that follows is close enough to hers. ]
You did almost lose your dagger, however-- on this very beach, years ago. Earning your forgiveness then may have been nigh impossible a task.
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Once he moves her sandals, she's all too happy to place both hands in his and meet his eyes as though they exchange vows right here on the beach.
(In a way, they do.)
As soon as he's kissed her knuckles, her fingers rest against his cheeks. ]
I would like for neither of us to lose anything more. [ Loss is a part of even the most peaceful lives and she knows that well but so much of the loss they've experienced has been premature or unnatural or simply traumatic. She will never forget the look on Dee's face when their shared dream took them to Duscur. ] At the very least I hope our joy will outweigh loss.
[ Even after all this time it's so strange to think that she has come from a point that must be considered the beginning of the end of the war and he has come from its final days, that the time between those points will differ so greatly for them. She meant what she told him earlier today, though: they write their own stories now and there are a great many stories she wishes to write with him.
As her hands lower from his face she positions them in a clear invitation to dance with her right here with waves lapping over their ankles. ]
Had I lost my dagger on the beach that day I would have been quite upset. [ She can admit that with a smile. ] But I would not have blamed you for it.
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We cannot escape loss entirely. [ A harsh truth, one that he knows she understands as well as him, though one he yet hopes to soothe with his large hands dwarfing hers. ] But knowing I will not lose you to this island nor to war... That alone fills me with such joy and strength that I can face whatever comes my way.
[ And should she one day depart before him as she so fears, he still means everything he said when she told him of hers concerns: he would not trade a day of such sublime happiness by her side for a longevously lukewarm lifetime by anyone else's.
But again, he doesn't want to dwell in such doom and gloom, and she is so kind as to take his hand and lead his steps and his thoughts away from the dark. Oh, and how far she has come: once terrified of the ocean at night, now she moves with him in the pale moonlight, saltwater licking at their ankles as they waltz without song-- and if it looks as though she has also conditioned his rhythm to match hers, if their one-two-three is timed to perfection, it's because this is where they have always belonged: right in each other's arms, dancing past every sunset and sunrise alike. ]
I must say, I'm not as confident to think you would not have blamed me-- [ Not entirely a lie, though his smile is mostly playful. ] Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say you would have resented me for it. I was little more than a temporary ally at the time, and only out of necessity.
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She wasn't wrong when she thought he would make a fine partner for someone. She hadn't expected this outcome at the time but some surprises are very good.
Soft wet sand clings between her toes as they dance, their feet leaving prints in the sand that the waves immediately smooth. Did she... compliment Dimitri on his dancing when they first met here? How little she knew. ]
I was the one who impulsively threw it to you, fully aware that you may not hear me call out or manage to catch it. I would not have blamed you for my choice.
But [ A corner of her smile twitches, threatening to grow wider. He isn't wrong. He knows her. ] that isn't to say that I wouldn't have resented losing it or that I would not have scolded myself bitterly later for losing my precious dagger while trying to save an enemy who was almost certainly going to drown to death if the strength of the tentacle didn't crush him first.
[ She doesn't know what it was like to be grabbed like that by the half-hidden creature, to be swung over the shoreline. Witnessing it was enough of a nightmare. ]
But we needed each other that day.
[ Her hand squeezes his. She can meet his eyes when she says it. The need was mutual. ]
And any resentment I held over losing the dagger for your sake would have been challenged by the revelation that you are the one who gave it to me, don't you think? [ Now her smile really does broaden - and sharpen, playful. ] I thought of the boy who gave me the dagger as my first love.
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And while she can meet his eyes as she admits to that mutual need, he can return the gentle squeeze of her hand with a confession of his own. ]
If such revelation had come to pass as it did, yes. I was such a fool to keep it from you for as long as I did, and without the island's influence, I often wonder whether I would have told you of my own accord...
[ It's hard to keep the self-chastising from slipping into his tone, hard not to bemoan his own incapability to be more straightforward with her despite proof after proof of how well they could work together-- on that dance floor, in her bedroom, on this very beach turned battlefield, a perfect match in every way, a joint force to defeat all odds. ]
Perhaps... across those infinite timelines, there can be a Dimitri who is wiser than I. [ Less stubborn? No. Just wise enough to seize his chance when he sees it. ] One who will reach for your hand without hesitation, just like that boy who once helped a little girl stand on her feet again.
[ Back then, she was a lot more trusting, enough to reach back without little thought as to whether she could or should. He doesn't think any Edelgard who has been put through the same ordeal as his El would ever be quite like that again, but he was at least wise -- and stubborn -- enough to keep trying. ]
Regardless-- [ His smile regains strength-- he draws it from her, always. ] --I may no longer be that boy, but I feel rather confident to gift you more daggers now, perhaps to mark our every anniversary forthcoming?
[ Forgive him if it's not a standard move in a dance, but he feels the need to lean in closer, his smile ever widening. ]
How would you like that? A new blade for every year spent with my first and only true love.