Dear My Beloved Professor (M!Byleth x F!Reader)

Verdant Wind: Acceptance

Returning back the monastery brought wonderful memories back to Y/n. 

The halls were a bit torn down, but the serene energy back then was still there. Instead of students, however, it was filled with knights, soldiers, horses, and shops. You name it. There was so much that changed in the past five years. Y/n knows this. She has changed as well. Her self. Her goals. Her heart. So much has changed yet she was still the same little girl that she felt like before. Reliving the sweet memories of her monastery days. She missed her home. She missed her best friend. But she couldn't go back now. Not after all she has done to get there.

Y/n wasn't assigned to anything at the moment. All the other old Golden Deer students were busy, leaving Y/n to her devices. Y/n was by the pond, hiding between the bushes and the corner of the greenhouse to not attract any attention. However, her efforts were in vain as she felt a clothed touch on her shoulder. Turning to face the person, her eyes met with bright green eyes.

"It's good to have you back with us, Y/n. You sure have changed." An all too familiar voice she missed for a whole five years spoke. They joined Y/n by the pond, munching on a sandwich that they grabbed recently from the dining hall.

"Claude. It has been a while. I am sorry for my disappearance..." Y/n mumbled, her hands trembling on the laces of her boots as she undid them, then putting her feet into the cold touches of the water's surface. Claude motioned his sandwich towards her. She gave it a long stare before realizing that he was offering some to her, which she tore off a piece and ate it.

"Don't worry about it. When I heard you were imprisoned by Edelgard, I was up with Hilda and Lorenz to devise a plan to get you out. But when I heard that someone blew up the Castle and escaped with the only daughter of the L/n family, I knew you would be fine. After all, I think you got it pretty bad and all. Betrayal from your own blood is the worst feeling ever. I knew some knight would be dashing in to get you out of the hellhole. Glad it turned out to be okay."

"Wait, you knew? You knew Ashe would come to save me?"

"Yeah. You know, as much as it's flat-out obvious your adoration towards Teach was, his love for you was pretty bad too. I mean, I saw him always having his eyes on you when you ate in the dining hall with us. Or when you were tending to the weapons with Dimitri. Like REALLY obvious."

"How come you didn't say anything then?" Y/n frowned. Claude paused for a moment before continuing.

"You wouldn't like it if we barged into your problems. I figured you would be able to handle it yourself. Which you did...By the way,  you confessed. Finally."

"E-Er. Wait a second. How did you know?"

"Teach is expressing himself more no? Do you see how happy he is? Even much when you agreed to come back with us?"

Y/n remained silent. The information processing in her brain.

"If you knew what I was feeling now about the whole thing.. would you save me instead?"

"Well.. Maybe. Maybe not. But I think things rather be said than be undone. Sure you agree."

Y/n let out a sigh before lifting her feet out of the water and inspecting them. He was right. She rather talk it out with Ashe or Byleth if things came to be as they were. Claude was a smart man. Little too smart.

"Thanks. By the way." Y/n finally said before lifting her legs out of the water, using her hands to push off any excess that sat on her skin. Claude gave a small wink and bit into his sandwich. 

"No problem. And don't think too heavily about Ashe and Teach. Ashe gave his blessings because he cares about you. Not as a love interest but as a friend. He wants you to be happy."

The two remained silent for the rest of the evening. Claude munching on his sandwich and waiting with Y/n to finish drying off. Soon, night finally came and the two went their separate ways. Y/n was still a little confused about what to feel, but the talk helped her feel a bit better about her current state. She was lost in thought until she bumped into someone. Her face faceplanting into someone's hard chest. She looked up only for her face to turn red and quickly scampered away from them. She was slightly panicking before a chuckle caught her attention.

"I was looking for you Y/n. Do you have a moment? There's something I like to speak to you about." 

Y/n shyly looked at the person before her. The very man she confessed to the day before. His greenish eyes gazed softly at her. She nodded in response since she didn't have anything to do other than return to her room. He grabbed her hand into his and led them towards the main building of the monastery, to the balcony just past the room where Lady Rhea used to stand. 

"What is it that you wanted to show me Byleth?" Y/n asked, her hands feeling clammy in nervousness. Byleth let go of her hand, hoping that she feel a bit more relaxed. 

"Just a few moments. They'll come soon."

"they?" Y/n asked. However, her question was soon answered by a small yellow light slowly fading in and out in the dark. Soon, not just one or two, but a few others started glowing too. Soon the whole terrance was sparsly filled with yellow lights that drew her attention. The feeling of nervousness and anxiety left her body. 

"They are called "fireflies". I ran into them when I was thinking here the other night and thought of showing you," Byleth said. He walked slowly towards the ledge, leaning forward against the stone railing. Y/n followed suit, her eyes glued to the fireflies that danced in a graceful manner. 

"You know the ball we had before .. all this?" Byleth asked. Y/n turned to him and pondered. 

"The one for the battle of the Black Eagles and Blue Lions? Yeah. What of it?" She asked, leaning her back against the railing as well. Byleth slightly turned his head to look at her. His eyes still staring out into the night sky.

"Can I still ask for that dance?" 

Y/n couldn't help but smile. Man was Byleth adorable. She turned and did a small bow as Byleth pulled away from the ledge and bowed back.

"It would be a pleasure to dance with you," Y/n said as she let out her hands. Byleth took hers into him and soon they were off dancing to the quiet night's serenade.

(https://youtu.be/q4pm8-ihyPU?si=hMrt9Yda9Rj7zMtu) (something like this may be for this scene. Idk setting the mood)

The two danced for a few fleeting moments as their gazes were drawn to each other. Each step they took swiftly avoiding any rumble and the little ponds around them. Quiet footsteps fill the empty night.

"Y/n. I miss you. I didn't understand the feeling I had for a while but now I do. I love you. I love you so and very much." Byleth quietly spoke in a hushed tone as their movements began to slow. Y/n leaned against his chest feeling his warmth. There was no heartbeat but yet it didn't seem to bother her. His racing heart would match her own. She nuzzled into his chest as her hands pulled away from his shoulder and hand to wrap around his torso. His hands soon followed and hugging her close.

"I love you too. I waited so long for you."

"I am sorry to make you wait all those years. I am here now. I'll make sure to protect you. I promise." 

The night continued on like this. In each other's warm embrace. Her head is now clear. 

Acceptance.