As Byleth stepped into Claude's home, she couldn't help but feel the surge of guilt take over her chest once more.
Claude was waiting for her as he sat on the couch, watching television. He hadn't noticed that she'd come in as he was intently focused on the tense scene. Byleth swallowed the lump in her throat before she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Claude-"
"GAH-!" He jumped straight up before he noticed who he was speaking to. He placed one knee onto the couch before he turned to face her, his face bright red. "Ah, Teach...! I didn't hear you come in."
"Sorry, sorry!" Byleth quickly apologized before she walked around the couch to sit next to him. He was watching a black and white sitcom. "...That's interesting taste, Claude."
"Well, it was on. Then I got intrigued, simple as that."
"Ah, I see," the smile faded from Byleth's face as her gaze dropped to her hands in her lap. The guilt began to eat her up once more. "Claude...I-"
"It's okay, Teach," Claude said softly as he placed his hand on hers. "Everything's okay. Why don't you just come watch this movie with me, yeah?"
"...You're...okay with this...?"
"If it's your decision, I'm going to stick through it," Claude replied gently, and she laid her head on his shoulder. His hand embraced her head, engulfing her in a nice warm embrace. "I'm hurt...but I'm with you."
"...Thank you, Claude. I love you."
"I love you too. Now...tell me what you did today! All I did was work...so I could use a little excitement."
"Oh, well, uh..." Byleth didn't exactly want to tell him that she had felt guilty the entire day, especially since he was trying so hard to pretend like everything was okay. "I went out for ice cream with Sothis. She was just how she usually was. I also went to the church and saw the Archbishop."
"Rhea?" Claude visibly perked up before he sighed. "Well, she didn't know anything, did she?"
"No. But it was nice to see her," Byleth smiled, "you really didn't do anything exciting today?"
"Well, I suppose I left one detail out," Claude squirmed, and Byleth raised a brow, knowing that he was hiding something. Claude grinned sheepishly. "But you're going to have to wait."
"Oh, that's-that's not fair. I don't want to wait!" Byleth couldn't help but complain, having been caught off guard by his teasing ways. He chuckled.
"Sorry, Teach. I can promise that you'll love it."
"Well, that makes me want to know more," Byleth huffed before she snuggled further into his side. She felt so safe with him... "You're not going to budge on this, are you?"
"Nope."
The laughter from the sitcom played, and the couple turned toward the television, smiles on both of their faces.
"...You're not going to tell anyone, right?" Byleth asked, and he cocked his head to the side in confusion. Byleth grimaced; "about, well, you know. I just...don't want anyone to blame you. After all, this is my choice-"
"If you don't want me to tell, then I won't. I think your father would probably kill me."
"No, he wouldn't."
"Are you sure?"
"...Okay, maybe he would. But he's just protective as always..." Byleth's voice trailed off as her tone grew thick. Jeralt...he was going to be so destroyed with her death...She was going to miss him so much. Sothis, too...but she had to do this, no matter what. "Heh. He is."
The two snuggled together before they were interrupted by the sharp bark of a husky. Claude chuckled as Magnolia barked loudly, demanding attention from them both. A ball was prodded with by Magnolia's front paw as she stared at the two expectantly. Claude chuckled before he threw the ball, sending the puppy racing down the hall excitedly.
"I always wondered why my dad never bought a pet," Byleth mused. "They're so cute, and so much fun..."
"Lots of work, too. But you're right; they're incredibly adorable. When I was a kid, I actually really wanted a lizard," Claude chuckled, "clearly that changed. I'm more of a cats and dogs person now."
"Me too! I mean, people always get boggled down with the cats versus dogs argument...why can't we just agree they're both fantastic, and leave it at that?"
"Agreed."
"As a kid, I wanted a tarantula," Byleth admitted, and Claude stared at her, wide eyed.
"A tarantula-"
"I thought they were interesting! Fuzzy, and cute!" Byleth squealed before she composed herself, her cheeks pink. "I know they're not very conventional, and the legs freak people out...I just thought they were super cute."
"You know...yeah, okay. No. Nothing should have more than four legs, if you ask me," Claude just shuddered. "I've got a bad history with bugs. Pesky little things..."
"Well, I'm not going to disagree with that. I've been lucky enough not to have been stung by a bee, but mosquitos are the worst."
"Stupid little bugs."
"True," Byleth laughed before she gently turned her head to kiss him. They melted into the brace until another sharp bark from Magnolia interrupted the two. Byleth smiled, pulling away to throw the ball.
"I love you so much, Teach."
"I love you too...Magnolia."
"Hey-"
"I'm just teasing, haha! Hey-no tickling-!!"
YOU ARE READING
Race Against Time
Fanfiction"BYLETH, YOU'RE DYING." Those were the words Byleth Eisner had heard her entire life...but it had never rang true. She had always known that the doctors were wrong, that she was going to keep living, but the fear of death was constant. Born with a h...
