Interviewing Garreg Mach (Fire Emblem: Three Houses one shots)

Observant (Claude von Riegan)

OKAY SO THIS IS ANOTHER REQUEST FROM MY PARTNER HI BABE

They didn't give me a prompt so I decided to take this into my own hands 

This was originally going to be a different prompt but I ran my fingers through my hair and a bunch fell out so... 

This is a chapter about alopecia! I have alopecia areatta which causes my hair to fall out in clumps then regrow blonde/grey/white and shorter or not grow back at all. It's one of my biggest insecurities but I never see this condition in fiction ever so I want to make all my fellow lovelies with this condition feel seen and loved. And who better to do that then the Master Tactician himself? 

Enjoy! 

Brief disclaimer: Reader can use any pronouns but has long/long-ish hair. 

[This chapter mentions anxiety and insecurities and involves a lot of fluff and words of affirmation.] 

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When you walked into the classroom wearing one of Dorothea's hats, barely anyone cared. 

Lysithea and Marianne even complimented you, saying you looked really great and the hat framed your head really well! Lorenz said you look stunning. No one else really seemed to notice your new outfit choice. 

Besides a pair of deep green eyes that seemed fixated on your form. 

Claude seemed to be hyper-analyzing your new hat. Sure, his eyes would wander to you occasionally when class was a bit too boring. Yet this was a new change. He'll have to ask you about it later. 

The goddess or fortune seemed to be smiling down on him seeing as Professor Byleth assigned a partner project as the homework for the week. He immediately gravitated to you when the project was announced. 

"Hey, Y/N, would you mind being my partner for the project?" The question was innocent, sure. Yet the smile he gave you didn't fully reach his eyes which instead seemed to be analyzing you. Waiting for your response. 

You looked into his eyes to see if he was planning anything malicious. The usually hard to read master schemer didn't hold any bad intentions in his gaze. It seemed like he genuinely wanted to get to know you. 

"Sure, Claude. I'd love to," that's all he needed to hear before he was dragging you by the arm from the classroom to the bridge in front of the cathedral. He sat on the railing of the bridge, opting to swing his legs over the edge. You decided to remain standing, deeming his actions a bit too dangerous for your liking. 

"So. What's with the hat?" His questioning hit right out the gate. You didn't exactly know how to respond. 

You knew Claude before class started. You knew everyone. Your class had been at the monastery for a few months before classes officially started. You were originally going to join the Black Eagles yet Claude managed to charm his way into your heart and brain, and you joined the Golden Deer instead. Edelgard was a bit upset but understood your decision all the same. You still had tea and lunch with the Black Eagles class on occasion. 

You still hadn't responded to Claude. He had turned his head to look at you. You were still looking out over the monastery from the bridge. The view was captivating at this time of year. 

You gently sighed. Do you lie to him? Would he be able to tell you're lying? You could just say it was a new fashion choice. Would he believe that? Sometimes you swear he can see right through you. It was useless lying to him. He would just press you and press you until you finally told him exactly what was bothering you. He does that all the time.