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?

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[backstreetbard]

Dorothea watches Dimitri's face as he dozes off, only letting herself fall asleep once she's certain he's resting first. In the morning, she wakes curled against his chest, the noise of the camp outside the tent rousing her to a groggy consciousness.

She kisses his cheek and nuzzles him gently, peeling back the covers and sitting, then stretching, then sighing.

"I'd better get back to my tent, darling," she says, once she's sure he's awake enough to register. "I don't want us to be delayed because of me. It's going to be another long day of traveling."

And so it is, and so is the next. It isn't an easy journey to Fhirdiad with so many people in the convoy, and Dorothea wonders if everyone is going to be too weary to fight when they reach the city. She certainly feels like she might be.

Soon, the morning dawns when their paths will lead them to the city gates. Dorothea wakes beside Dimitri, as she has every morning of their trip thus far, and kisses him gently.

"Whatever happens today, I'll stand beside you. I promise. I love you, darling."

[hauntedking]

In the morning he's entangled with her, curled around her, and reluctant to let her go. He stirs as she does and starts to sit up. He blinks blearily, but he's used to having to wake up. To having to go. To having to do everything that's needed of him without much question. But he still doesn't really want her to go.

"You needn't..." He starts to say and then stops himself with a sigh, starting to shake himself more fully awake. She's right. And they have to keep moving. The journey seems to drag on and also rush by in an instant. By the time he sees the familiar walls of his home city, he's not sure he's ready.

But he'll do what he must. Because there's no alternative.

"I love you, too," he says and despite the confidence he tries to project, his mouth his dry. He blinks rapidly and then tugs her close for a fierce, tight hug.

"...I want this to be over with already."

But it won't be. Not for another day or two yet. And so he dresses and takes his lance and prepares to go into combat. It's going to be a long, bloody day and the worst part is he's going to be killing his own countrymen. Men and women who should be his subjects.

"Just stay safe," he tells her before they start. Before they really wade into blood.