A Second Chance (Claude x M!Byleth)

Professor and Student (Part 2)

"Um Teach, you never looked away from me today. Is something up?" Claude asked, as he sat across from Byleth, who invited him for some tea time. Byleth sipped some of his tea then place his cup down. He narrowed his eyes at Claude.

"Something is wrong. Your stance. It's different from two days ago. It's more refined."

"O-Oh, did it? I felt like I should change my style... is it bad?"

"..." Byleth turned away, " No, it's good. That means you care about your training. Just.. Let me know if you need any assistance. I will gladly help you if you are struggling." Byleth stood up from his chair, "excuse me Claude, I have a meeting with the Arch-Bishop. I will see you this weekend for the flying training with Marianne"

"Y-yes"

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"So Sothis, everything is fine. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. " Claude said, sitting in front of the church, far away from society. Sothis sat beside him. Gazing out towards the tall towers of the monastery.

"Claude, I want you to be happy. However, I feel like I had made a mistake in offering you this chance. " Sothis said, avoiding Claude's gaze.

Claude just smirked as he continued to lay against the back of the bench, "Yeah, in normal circumstances, there is no way that I can do this all over again, to live in the young days where there were not many worries.... A chance to be with the professor again. But I do understand what you mean. It strains you, any mistake we make will ruin the future... I understand... However, I won't let you down."

Sothis smiled, "I know Claude, you matured well. Ah, speaking of the professor, he approaches."

Sothis disappeared and Byleth entered the patio to see Claude watching the view.

"Claude, what are you doing here? You never approached the Church before."

"Ah, Hey Teach. Yeah, only you would notice that would ya? I just thought instead of living in the library today, I'd take a break. Care to join me?" Claude said, as he scooted over to the far right of the bench and patted to the empty space beside him. Byleth walked over and sat beside him.

"You've grown."

"Uh? What do you mean?" Claude asked, completely off guard of the statement.

"You are more observant. Like you were in a war and came back a new person."

"Oh. I see. No Teach, I wanted to be more mature to impress you..." Claude mumbled and turned away.

"I am already impressed with you Claude. "

"R-really?"

"Yes, you are an amazing person. I am very glad that I decided to choose the Golden Deer House. I wish we could've met sooner. " Byleth said, turning away. Claude stared at him and noticed that his ears were red. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Thanks Teach, that means a lot to me. I will take it to heart."

Byleth turned to face him and gave Claude a soft smile. Claude took a deep breath and went out grabbed Byleth's hand.

"Teach... no Byleth.. I.. I want us to be something more... I know it might be too early or me being a student while you're my professor is unprofessional... I really love you. "

Byleth remained silent at Claude's sudden confession.

Claude continued to speak, " I want to protect you. I know you have your secrets but I promise that I will keep them as well. I don't want to lose you again.. Please.. " Claude brought Byleth's hand to his lips.

Byleth struggled to say his words, "Claude... " was all he was able to say. "I .. have the same feeling.. But we must wait.."

"Then I will wait. I will wait for you."

Byleth smiled and brought Claude into the nape of his neck for a hug, " Then is our little promise."

"Yeah... Thanks Teach.."

(I am so sorry if I havent been updating, College is getting to me. anyway see ya ciao)