Three Houses Reader Inserts

Stay with me (Dimitri x Byleth!Reader)

Requested by kikilove485

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"Dimitri...."

"Leave me."

You crossed your arms and stood your ground. You knew that one conversation was not enough to heal Dimitri, but you expected what came next to be easier, not harder.

"I told you it's no use." Felix said from beside you, "He won't listen to reason. The boa-- Dimitri is stubborn." His usual scowl never left his face, but you could see the pain behind the look in his eyes.

"Oh?" you said calmly, "And you're not?"

Felix turned to glare at you, "Not as much as him. Would I be here if I was?" he hissed.

You gave him a half smile and your gaze softened. You put a hand on Felix's shoulder and sighed, "Go get some rest, Felix." He hadn't slept in a while, if the bags under his eyes were any indicator.

His eyes narrowed and he looked away from you, "What? I'm fine." he said while attempting to stifled a yawn.

"Felix." you said in that motherly voice that drew your students towards you despite you being around the same age as them, "Let me handle this for now."

He hesitated, but finally relented and walked to his room, which was only a few steps away. Before entering, he turned to look at you. There was a strange emotion on his face that you couldn't quite place.

For a second it looked like he had changed his mind about whatever he was about to say, as his eyes stared at the floor. But then he looked back up and met your gaze with an intense sorrow in his eyes, one that was not reflected by the rest of his face.

"I-- Thank you, Professor..."

You gave him a nod and he went into his room. You then thought to yourself. You hadn't really done anything... Had you?

You shrugged off your worries for the time being and knocked on the door infront of you once more.

"Dimitri, please."

"It is best you do not see me in the state I am." he answered, a bit too fast, making you confused if it was true or if it was just an excuse.

He did remember you had seen him looking like he was half in the grave and with blood caked in his hair.

"I'm coming in." you decided.

To your surprise the door wasn't locked. Did he want you to come in?...

"Dimitri?" you said hesitantly.

His intimidating form was currently huddled over in a corner of his room. By the shaky rise and fall of his chest, you could tell he had been crying.

Your brows furrowed with worry and you approached him slowly.

You reached out with your hand, cautiously aiming to place it on his shoulder. Maybe that could offer some sort of comfort.

You expected many things. Dimitri could lash out; he could yell or attack you in rage. Or maybe he would just stay silent and not react at all.

But you definitely did not expect the bear-of-a-man to swiftly turn and wrap you in his embrace.

You weren't sure what to do.  You had never been good with emotions. But you hugged Dimitri back nonetheless.

"I am a failure..." he whispered almost inaudibly.

"No, you are not." you stated firmly.

"How..." He stepped away from you and locked his gaze on the floor as he clenched his fists, "How could you say that. What kind of prince abandons his home... Leaves it defenseless. All to go on a bloody quest, no-- rampage for revenge?!"

The desperation in his voice was so cutting; it almost physically hurt to hear... You couldn't imagine what he was feeling.

But you could try.

"What kind of professor leaves their students behind, only to run right into a trap; all the while being blinded by revenge?" You answered his question with one of your own.

"That is not nearly the same as--"

"I know. But the weight on my shoulders was never as heavy as the one on yours." He stayed silent, so you continued, "It is true you cannot change the past... But, you can carve a path towards the future. You did not fail, you made a mistake... a big one, yes... but if you hadn't, you might be dead right now."

At this he finally looked at you.

You spoke again, "You did not fail, because, while you can not bring back the dead, you can reclaim their home. They died for what they believed in. And now I will help you live for what you believe in."

There was a lengthy silence after that. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't quite enjoyable either.

Then, Dimitri spoke again, his voice small, almost frail, "Could you stay with me for the night?"

He didn't want to be alone, and frankly neither did you.

"I will stay as long as you need me to."

You walked forward and gently wrapped your arms around him. You could feel the tension in Dimitri's muscles ebb away slightly.

Somehow, you knew he would be okay. You both would.