One-Shots! (Male Reader)

Tonight, Tonight (Claude x Female!Reader)

I can't believe I've finished it.

Here's a bit of context- I began this story back in December, originally planning to make this a Christmas special. Well, we all know how that turned out...

Yeah, this story is a tad different to what I usually do- my first female reader story! Don't expect this to become a norm, and this doesn't mean I'll be allowing it in requests just yet- only did this for a friend, and I don't think I'm confident enough in writing these to make them more common. 

Without further ado, into the story! 

This one-shot was requested by 

--Y/N POV--
I sighed and turned the page of the book I was holding in my hands as I leaned out of the window of my room. Christmas was coming. That "wonderful" time of the year that was meant to be spent with your loved ones. 

Not like I would know. What loved ones? My father and mother had decided to spend the holidays in Brigid, and my brother was off with friends, leaving me out to dry. I had absolutely nothing to look forward to, apart from watching the soft snow carpet the landscape and guessing how many overweight priests it would take to hang up the decorations. 

Wait. Where are my manners? Let's start from the beginning. I'm Y/N von L/N of the Golden Deers.  As the eldest daughter of a noble family, a lot of pressure was put on me, partly why I preferred to keep to myself and study rather than socialize.

Of course, that could also be attributed to my anxiety. Being around so many people... especially energetic ones... somehow made me panic internally. And having that problem was big trouble when your house leader was Claude von Riegan. 

Claude was... practically the opposite of me in a lot of ways. He was outgoing- that kind of attitude made me want to bury my face in the ground in embarrassment. How could anyone stand being like that? Beats me.

Then there was that laidback aura about him. With such an oppressive life from an early age, taking classes anything but seriously made absolutely zero sense to me. He criticized me all the time on this point of view, but it fell on deaf ears. When it came down to the expectations of my father versus Claude, there was hardly a contest. 

--Flashback--
Claude: I just feel that you should rest a bit more! You're hardly spending any time with the gang!

Y/N: Please, Claude. I can take care of myself!

Claude: I've no doubt of that, Y/N. But everyone needs social interaction. It isn't healthy to spend this much time locked up in that room of yours.

Y/N: ...Okay... I'll try to tone down the studying a bit more...

He grabbed me by my shoulders suddenly, earning a startled squeak from my lips. I looked up into his eyes, feeling blood rushing to my head. Why was his face so close to m-mine? 

Claude: Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me.

He let go of my shoulders before he could notice my prominent blush, walking off before turning and flashing me a cheshire grin.

Claude: I'll see you around, okay?

Y/N: Ok-kay!

--Flashback End--
Despite my promise, I found it difficult to pull away from my habit of seclusion. Every time I tried to, my father's voice echoed throughout my head- "Y/N, I hope you understand what is required of you. If I catch wind of you acting out or not working hard enough during your stay at the Monastery, I will be... disappointed."

The last thing I wanted was my father to be let down... But the sad look on Claude's normally cheerful face had me questioning that. Hopefully these holidays would give me time to clear my head...