a lion among ladies

[backstreetbard]

[ Dorothea doesn't exactly love spending time in the cathedral of Garreg Mach's campus, as stunning as the stained glass windows and flying buttresses are to behold. She hasn't put stock in the Seirosi faith since she was six years old.

In spite of that, she can still be seen there often in the days following the mission to quell the Western Church's rebellion in Gaspard territory, her hand rubbing circles in Ashe's back. She understands what it feels like to lose a parent, though she doesn't speak of it; instead, she only listens as he very gradually works his way through the shock and pain. Sometimes the only comfort is commiseration.

It's draining, though. She has to step back eventually, to try and shake off the old familiar feelings that watching another orphan in mourning dredges up in her.

Standing on the bridge that leads to the cathedral, she inhales the fresh mountain air and releases a sigh as she looks out over the scenery. A flash of blue in her peripheral vision catches her attention, though, and she's back on stage, turning to face her new house leader. ]

On your way to pray?

Comments

[hauntedking]

Dimitri manages a smile - more for her than for himself.

"Alright," he replies, "I'll see you afterwards, then."

He spends too much time in the bath. He has to convince himself to get out and get up and go to dinner, because he doesn't have appetite and the prospect of another tasteless meal doesn't do much to motivate him. He arrives a little late and eats a touch woodenly, but he does eat, so it's not as if he's starving himself. It's only when he and Dorothea have some time by themselves that some of that exhaustion falls a way. Bit by bit.

The door is shut and they're close again. For a little while he can feel alive. There's just Dorothea and the rest of the world is chased away from his thoughts. That will have to do, won't it?

So Dimitri kisses her in return, squeezing her tight to his chest, mouth already open as he deepens it, his breath escaping in a sigh.

"I need you..." He murmurs, "Now more than ever."

[backstreetbard]

Oh! All right, then. Dorothea initially hadn't been sure that Dimitri would be in the mood to reciprocate, and she'd been ready simply to hold him in her arms all night long if that's what he wanted. He wants her, though--no, needs her. This is something only she can accomplish.

"You have me, darling. Now and forever."

She guides him back, sitting him down on the edge of her bed and unclasping the gold buttons of her uniform. Her garments fall away, tossed aside haphazardly and kicked to the side. When she's fully nude, she begins to disrobe him next, taking over if he's already begun.

"Let me take care of you tonight, Dima."

[hauntedking]

"Thank you..."

Being close to her helped; losing himself with her helped even more - at least for the moment. It chased away other, darker thoughts, let him concentrate on something that wasn't his own morose thoughts, the misery of the day. Instead there was her and him and that was all he needed. As she starts to strip, he follows suit and by the time she's nude, he's trying to get his trousers off.

"I - I don't want you to have to take care of me all the time," he murmurs, face flushed, "...but I may not mind for tonight."

[backstreetbard]

She urges him to lie back so she can get those trousers off of him, adding them to the growing pile.

"We take care of each other, then, but I want you to feel special tonight. Extra loved. Because there's no one in the world I love more than I love you."

Once his pants are no longer a barrier, the strain on his smallclothes. She pulls those down as well and tosses them behind her, only checking to make sure they didn't land on her lantern before she begins stroking his cock.

There's a deepening familiarity now with all aspects of his body that hadn't existed a few short weeks ago, but it does nothing to replace the awe she always feels when they so much as touch their fingers together. Leaning down, her tongue swirls around the head of his cock, flicking under the tip before she takes him in her mouth.

[hauntedking]

"Dorothea..." Dimitri murmurs in response. He's not sure he has the words for anything else. The rest of his life has become so overwhelming that she is a single shining bright point. A relief. Even with arousal and heat coursing through his veins. He leans back with a low sigh and watches her, eyelids fluttering as his cock umps under her touch and pleasure dances up his spine.

"You're so beautiful..."

[backstreetbard]

A pleased hum is her response to his praise, and though she does glance up at him, her mouth is occupied in ways that preclude talking. She's taking things slowly for now, her head bobbing as she strokes his cock with one hand and runs the other up and down his thigh, over the muscles of his abdomen, gently caressing as much of him as she can reach.

When she eventually releases him, it's only to begin planting a trail of kisses from his hipbone and up his stomach, gently nipping every now and then to keep him on his toes. "I adore you," she murmurs against his skin, nuzzling into the divot between his pecs when she reaches it. "I would do anything for you, I love you so much. You're the world to me."

[hauntedking]

Her touch is gently and enticing and it makes his body sing. He shivers and closes his eyes as he tries to hold himself in check - he doesn't want to let himself go too early, after all - and he takes a long, slow deep breath as she starts kissing against his hip and stomach. He reaches down, hands carding into her hair and over her neck and shoulders with a low, soft sigh.

"And I love you. I love you so much. Beyond words."

He urges her up, wants to kiss her.

"Thank you for being here with me."

[backstreetbard]

"There's no place I'd rather be than here with you," Dorothea says, scooting up and in to kiss him deeply. She takes her time, their lips still joined as she moves to straddle his hips. The kiss is hungry, possessive, as is the way she touches him, but she doesn't want to tease him too much more or he won't last long, and she isn't close to being done.

Instead, she aligns their bodies and holds his cock in place just long enough for her to sink down onto his erection. Dorothea sighs and nuzzles his face, waiting a moment to let her body adjust before she begins to roll her hips.

[hauntedking]

"Good," he murmurs. The pain of the day fades a little as he draws her closer and the two of them kiss. Heat and arousal burn through everything else and for a little while he can forget. He kisses her in turn, just as hungry - if not more so - and then he shudders and gasps as she sinks down onto him. Worrying about whether they're going to be heard is a secondary concern to him for now. His hips rock up to meet her and he makes a muted noise against her lips, his hands grasping at her hip and at her breast, his desperation bleeding into his motions.

[backstreetbard]

Maybe it's selfish to be this gratified by how much he wants her, needs her, but she doesn't care. Maybe she needs to be needed this much--it means she's indispensable, irreplaceable, and the way Dimitri holds her makes her certain of that fact.

She sighs and moans into his mouth as each movement sends electric charges shivering up her spine. The size of him and the way her body has to stretch to take him all in is viscerally gratifying, even if it means she has to take things slow at first to avoid hurting herself. Dorothea sets a very deliberate pace, gradually increasing the speed until the bed creaks with their rhythmic motion.

To make things even better, she tugs at the hand on her hip, adjusting its position until Dimitri's thumb is over her clit. The added pressure and friction makes her lightheaded, and she whines softly as makes her whole body shiver.

[hauntedking]

He does still need a bit of guiding from time to time - but he learns quickly and he's just happy to please her. Eager to do it, really. So his thumb circles and drags against her clit in a light little touch as she rides him and his own hips rise to meet her. HE can let the rest of the world fade away and fall into their own mutual pleasure. He can just focus his thoughts on her instead of worrying about anything else. It's just the two of them and that building, enticing heat.

His lips trail from hers to leave a little love-bite against her throat and then the hollow of her shoulder. His breath rolls out in short, sharp pants against her skin and her name is on his lips with every movement he makes.

[backstreetbard]

In the ecstasy of the moment, it doesn't even occur to Dorothea to worry about the fact that she won't be able to cover the mark that the bite on her neck is certain to leave. All she cares about is him, and the places where their bodies meet. His big, strong hands on her and the way he feels inside her have her skin flushed and beaded with sweat. The room feels almost too hot to bear, but really it's just the two of them.

She whimpers aloud and quickly covers her mouth, her movements becoming more jumpy and erratic. Climax hits her like a bolt of lightning and her entire body goes tense, grinding down against him even as she clenches around him.

[hauntedking]

He isn't quite there yet - even with her body clenching tight around him and making him feel as if her body wants to milk him dry. His thrusts and the rolls of his hips are erratic; hard. He hitches his hips again and then again, fingers gripping at her with almost bruising force as he forgets his own strength for a few heartbeats. And as she shudders over him, he finally comes apart as well with a muffled noise of pleasure, his cock pulsing and twitching as he buries himself as deep as he can.

He has long ago stopped worrying about safety.

[backstreetbard]

There will definitely be bruises on her body in the morning, there's no doubt about that. She slumps, curling up on Dimitri's chest like a tired cat, nuzzling at his face and throat as she catches her breath.

"You're amazing," she murmurs, reaching to pull the covers over them. It's been an excruciatingly long day, and in the warm post-coital haze, Dorothea finds she can barely keep her eyes open.

Which is probably why she sleeps like a rock through the night once she falls asleep cuddled up in Dimitri's arms. The morning light in her eyes is what wakes her, and while she'd been glad to throw caution to the wind last night, it only makes things that much more urgent now.

"Dima, wake up," she whispers urgently, bolting upright and hopping out of bed. "We overslept!" And even though they don't have class today, it isn't as if they can spend the whole day locked up in her room without anyone taking notice. Her skin still feels sticky with dried sweat and... other bodily fluids, but she begins to get dressed, picking each garment up off the floor and shaking it out before hurriedly tugging them on.

[hauntedking]

Dimitri is in much the same boat; he just wants to curl up with her and be done with the world for a little bit. So he does - and promptly falls asleep curled up with her and for once he sleeps like the dead. And much like her, it's the morning light that wakes up. Once he realizes what's going on, a jolt of adrenaline gets him awake and he pops to his feet with a muttered oath. Like her, he hurries to get dressed.

If nothing else, he needs to go have a bath.

"If we hurry, maybe we can beat everyone else. They're probably still asleep..." He grimaces, "I'm sorry, Dorothea - I didn't mean for this to happen..."

[backstreetbard]

After last night, the both of them could use a bath.

"Don't blame yourself," she says, shimmying into her skirt and starting on the buttons of her jacket. "We obviously needed the sleep, and it's still early. The bells haven't even rung for breakfast yet." Once she's fully dressed, she nods and goes to the door, looking back at him as she grasps the handle. "All right, I'm going to check and make sure the coast is clear."

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly to calm herself, Dorothea opens her door to peek out into the courtyard and--

Yelps in alarm, jumping back with her hands flying up into an instinctively defensive position for a moment, which allows the door to swing farther open than she'd intended. Gilbert is standing at the threshold, fist raised in preparation to rap on the door. Though someone who knows that Dorothea grew up being beaten by old noblemen could understand her fearful reaction, Gilbert just looks surprised, as does Seteth, standing a few paces behind him. Manuela is there as well, looking more concerned than anything.

Recovering quickly, Dorothea rushes to grab the door again, closing it until the opening is only wide enough to show her face, as she had originally intended.

"How can I help you all this lovely morning?" she asks, completely nonchalant. Gilbert crosses his arms, looking entirely unamused.

"I came to inquire as to his Highness' whereabouts. We have urgent business with him."

"Oh? Well, I'll be sure to tell him the--"

"Do not waste my time, young lady," Gilbert interrupts, his expression darkening. "This is the last place on the monastery grounds we thought to check, so certain were we that his Highness would not debase himself by--"

"Miss Dorothea," Seteth steps in, sensing that Gilbert's words are only going to become angrier going forward, "we saw Prince Dimitri in the room behind you when the door swung open."

[hauntedking]

Oops. Dimitri's eyes are frozen wide, staring at the group of older adults just outside the door as they try to sneak out. His lips work for a long moment, his cheeks starting to color, the blush starting to spread to his entire face as the enormity of what they've run into starts to come crashing down on him - although it's not all embarrassment. There's a flash of anger at Gilbert's mention of debasement. It shakes him free of himself and he nods, reaching forward to tug the door open a little wider to show himself. He's... a bit rumpled, to say the least, but he tries to maintain some dignity. Even if he is red as a tomato.

"I'm here. You don't need to keep looking any longer," he comments with a slow intake of breath, lips pressed together, "I - I was most certainly not debasing myself in any way-"

That's said with a meaningful glance at Gilbert, anger flashing behind his eyes.

"...I was spending time with my fiance after the arduous day we had yesterday. I - we - lost track of time and were so exhausted that we simply fell asleep on top of the bedclothes together and didn't wake up until this morning. You needn't cast aspersions on a woman who is very dear to me."

It's a terrible lie, but one that will hopefully help everyone save face. Even with the fiance bombshell thrown in for good measure.

[backstreetbard]

They've practically been caught in the act; Dorothea's heart is about to hammer its way out of her chest, but Dimitri pulls open the door with an air of authority--like a prince. Like a king. The way he stands up for her brings a fresh wash of color to her face, especially when his eyes cut to Gilbert, and she can feel her fear subsiding. He loves her, and he won't back down, even when the Knights of Seiros come to call.

The next bit is significantly more surprising, however. It's lucky for them that she's a consummate actress, able to keep her expression even. His fiancée? Yes, of course this isn't the first she's heard of it, thank you kindly. The reactions of the gathered faculty and staff vary, however, from Manuela's delighted shock to Seteth's neutral surprise to Gilbert's thinly-veiled anger.

"You intend to marry this girl, Your Highness? A commoner with no crest?" It seems that he's forgotten their indiscretion for the moment, for which she's thankful. "Does Rodrigue know of this? Have you discussed it with anyone? Do you have any idea how this will affect the Kingdom?"

"Now you just hold your horses a minute," Manuela interjects heatedly, hands planted on her hips. "Don't you act so high and mighty about this. What exactly are you trying to say, here? Dorothea is an amazing young woman! You think you're too good to have someone like her as your queen? And besides, I thought you gave up your connection to the Kingdom ages ago? Why make such a fuss about it now?"

"Please, everyone, restrain yourselves! This is getting well out of hand," Seteth says, finally deciding to bring order to the growing chaos at Dorothea's door. "Prince Dimitri, Dorothea--I trust you are both aware that this sort of fraternization is strictly prohibited, even if the two of you are engaged to be married. That is an issue that we can revisit at a later time, however; the reason we were trying to find Prince Dimitri remains of far greater urgency."

Gilbert crosses his arms, clearly not satisfied at being unable to answer Manuela's rebukes, but he nods once.

"Your Highness, this matter is best not discussed in... such a venue. Make yourself presentable and meet us in the Archbishop's audience chamber. Her attendance is not required," he adds, gesturing to Dorothea.

"Hey! Where he goes, I go," she counters. "If it's important to him, it's important to me."

Seteth pinches the bridge of his nose but doesn't seem prepared to press the issue.

"Both of you should present yourselves. See that you do not keep Her Holiness waiting."

[hauntedking]

Dimitri is about to get into it with Gilbert, eyes flashing dangerously despite the obvious embarrassment he feels at being thrust into such a situation, but fortunately Seteth is there to (sort of) defuse the situation and after a long moment he takes a breath and centers himself again. This whole thing is giving him a headache and he wishes he and Dorothea could just go back to bed.

"Dorothea is quite correct; she deserves to understand what's happening with me. Especially since I intend for us to be bound for the rest of our lives."

That last is a rebuke aimed at Gilbert, clearly.

"But I'll clean myself and then we'll be happy to attend to the Archbishop."

With that he gives a slight bow and before he can let himself think twice, he heads off to get cleaned up, shooting a slightly apologetic look at Dorothea. After that, it's a whirlwind of activity and hastily splashing water on himself and trying ot make sure he's semi-presentable before they're both standing in the audience chamber. What on Earth is going on? He shoots Dorothea a look he hopes is reassuring.

They'll get through this.

[backstreetbard]

Dimitri's exit leaves Dorothea alone with Gilbert, Setefh, and Manuela, and as much as she would like to talk with the latter, she has no intention of sticking around to deal with the former.

"Yes, if you'll excuse me," she says, "I need to make myself presentable."

She can tell without it needing to be said that each of the assembled faculty and staff will want to have words with her for various reasons, but she'll deal with that eventuality when it comes. They disperse, and she takes a fresh set of clothing with her to the bathhouse to wash off as expediently as possible, dressing and leaving last night's garments to be laundered before rushing to the audience chamber. She doesn't even bother with her hat, since she doubts that Rhea would appreciate headwear in her holiest of presences.

Dorothea wishes she could reach out for Dimitri's hand as they stand before the archbishop, but Seteth and Gilbert are there, watching them both like hawks. Byleth, at least, is present as a sympathetic figure. Rhea, meanwhile, is a tall, imposing presence, and frankly, Dorothea finds her unsettling.

"I have just received word from Duke Fraldarius of a situation most dire that is currently unfolding in Fhirdiad," Rhea begins without preamble, though she does briefly level her eyes at dorothea in a way that suggests mild displeasure at her presence. No matter, she isn't leaving without being forcefully ejected.

"Prince Dimitri, it seems as though your uncle, Rufus, has declared war on house Fraldarius and seized the capital. He has penned a manifesto claiming that House Fraldarius means to install you as a puppet, and is calling on the western lords to come to his aid.

"In light of these events, I am discharging you from your duties as house leader, that you might go to the aid of the people of Fhirdiad. Know that we of the Church of Seiros do not take this matter lightly."

[hauntedking]

Dimitri is not expecting what Rhea says to him. He blinks and he sucks in a low breath. There's a moment where he's not sure what to say. The idea of his uncle turning on him - it isn't a complete surprise, but still. He swallows and then straightens himself.

"...Lady Rhea. You and the church have always been strong supporters of Faerghus. Thank you for informing me - I will of course leave immediately to deal with this threat to the peace of Fhirdiad and of Fodlan. And... I suppose I shall be taking much of my class with me. As much as it pains me to have to cut their school year short."

He glances at Dorothea and then back to Rhea.

"Whatever help you can grant us would, of course, be welcomed. The last thing my people need is a period of conflict and pain."

[backstreetbard]

"The Church has stood fast by the Holy Kingdom since its inception--we will not abandon it now. While I cannot offer you the full compliment of the Knights of Seiros, I have ordered a battalion to accompany you to Fhirdiad."

"Besides the knights, the Iron Company and I will be coming as well," Byleth adds, stepping forward. "I'm behind you all the way, Dimitri."

Rhea nods her assent, gesturing to Byleth in that magnanimous way of hers.

"Yes, Jeralt's mercenaries will be a great boon to you in this campaign. Know that the Church prays for your success. We can no longer abide the Regent's impious rule; how can one such as he hope to rule justly over the people when he does not carry the blessing of the Goddess?"

Beside him, Dorothea presses her lips thin but holds her tongue. This isn't the time or place for a debate.

[hauntedking]

"Whatever help you can provide us is... most welcome, Archbishop. We remember very well that Faerghus owes a great debt to the Church," Dimitri replies with a little nod and bow of his head.

"If... that is all, I would like to make my preparations to depart as soon as possible and let my classmates know what's to be done," he continues after a moment. He sees no reason to draw this out longer than needed.

[backstreetbard]

"That is all," Rhea confirms. "There are more details in the missive sent by Duke Fraldarius, but it would be to your benefit to read it for yourself. Beyond that, I have only one piece of advice for the future king: it does not benefit the righteous to consort with nonbelievers. We do not wish to see the Goddess withhold her blessings from the Holy Kingdom, after all."

Rhea does not so much as glance at her, but the message is clear all the same. Dorothea can feel the color rising to her face, but she doesn't dare speak or even move, lest she speak out against the archbishop in her very audience chamber. From where she stands, Byleth's eyes narrow marginally at Rhea, her head canting slightly as if some unseen figure is whispering into her ear.

"You are dismissed. I have sent Gilbert to gather your classmates so that you might hold a briefing with them before you prepare for your departure. May you go with the blessings of the Goddess."

It's rude, she knows, to turn and leave without bowing, but Rhea has made her opinions perfectly clear. Why is everyone against them? Whether it's because of her childhood of poverty, her lack of a crest, or her irreligiosity born from years of abuse without the church or their precious goddess so much as lifting a finger to help her, every aspect of her personhood seems to be unacceptable in the eyes of the people in power around them. Has she no redeeming qualities? She wants to cry, but she keeps a neutral face for the moment, jaw clenched as she walks at a pace just short of a jog the moment she exits the audience chamber.

She should wait for Dimitri, but she doesn't. She has to pack her things, at least enough to get her through this trip to Fhirdiad. Will they even be coming back to the Academy after that? Part of her never wants to set foot in Garreg Mach again. No one here will miss her anyway, it seems, but the fact of the matter is that there will be no escaping the church and all its judgment once she and Dimitri are married (if the church even allows him to marry a crestless libertine peasant like her). Faerghus is called the Holy Kingdom for a reason, after all.

Her door shuts behind her, just shy of a slam. The room still smells of their coupling the night before, so she throws her windows open to let some fresh air in while she packs. There's no way that Seteth or Gilbert believed Dimitri's lie about the two of them simply having fallen asleep together, but there's no time for the other shoe to drop. They're leaving, likely to never return, so whatever punishment they might have planned is effectively moot. Small favors.

They'll have to travel light, and it will be cold in Faerghus, so she exchanges her uniform for the sturdiest, warmest garments she has and hopes they will be enough to shield her from the cold. Hot tears run down her cheeks as she hastily stuffs the one travel bag she'll allow herself, unwilling to be a burden on her classmates. This is going to be a hard trip.

[hauntedking]

Dimitri has so many things to worry about now. About how everyone seems opposed to his relationship. About how his uncle seems determined to kill him. About how he has to fight a war now just to make sure his people can live in peace for a while longer. He's upset, of course. Who wouldn't be? But he can't let himself slow down. He has to keep moving. He has a responsibility. So the first thing he does is inform his classmates. If they don't want to assist, he's fine with that - if they want to go home to their families - but he hopes they'll come with him.

He's relieved when they all indicate that they'll stand by him, through thick and thin.

It's then that he also announces his intention to marry. Possibly sooner rather than later. The reaction is a bit mixed. Felix is skeptical. Sylvain keeps his mouth shut. Ingrid seems happy for him - so do Annette and Mercedes. Dedue is Dedue. Ashe is supportive, of course. They're his friends - not just subjects or pieces on a playing board. And he's grateful to have them.

After that he has to pack what he can. Nothing too heavy or that will take too long. Clothing, his armor, his weapons, the few books that he'd like to hang onto. He's going to miss the Academy; it's been a place for him to feel... almost safe at times. It's where he met Dorothea. And once that's done, he has to go find her - no matter what Gilbert might say.

"Dorothea?"

Is she still in her room? Or maybe out in the courtyard with the others?