DIMITRI CATCHALL

[divineimpulse]

Comments

w6; sunday

[repress]

[ once all the raucousness of reunions and reveals passes, dimitri will just be inside with a to-go cup of tea, disassociating a little. long day. at his side is a gray cat, who is just lazily flicking his tail and vibing with him.

he's probably zoned out enough that he doesn't notice anyone coming, for once. ]

[divineimpulse]

[wordlessly, she slips in the seat alongside of him, a cup of tea in her own hands, wrapped around it.

she doesn't say anything, just quietly waiting for him to realize she's there to begin with.]

[repress]

[ it doesn't take long, what with streusel sliding over to bump his head against her hand. he blinks and looks over, speaking quietly. ]

...Sorry. Seems I'm still not used to having you back.

[divineimpulse]

[she pet the kitty, giving him ample scratches behind his ears.

for good measure, she puts a hand on his.]

I'm real.

[repress]

[ her hands are warm—even if it's plain to see that she's alive, feeling that for himself is a comfort. she's back. she's real. ]

...We shouldn't have lost you to begin with. I'm sorry that it wasn't enough.

[ he stopped one person, but not two. ]

[divineimpulse]

[she gives his hand a squeeze, and shakes her head.]

There's no blame to apologize for. We all did what we could, to the very end.

[...]

And we're almost out, now. [Almost home.]

[repress]

[ did they do all they could? he thinks so. he thinks not a single person in that terrible classroom ever gave up the idea that there was something more, that they wouldn't eventually strike at the heart of this cruel place and stop the weekly cycle of misery.

outsurviving everyone again was a nightmare. saving just denji wasn't enough. but it was something. he tries to remember that before he nods.

Almost home. ]

...Though there's quite a lot to do when we leave here, too.

[ this place is actually only a fraction of the mess that fodlan is. it's strange perspective. ]

I have to remind myself we have plenty of work ahead of us that we must attend to.

[divineimpulse]

[she nods, still holding on to his hand. weighing just on the horizon, looming just barely out of sight, was an absolutely monstrous task before both of them, fractious and tough work on a country-wide field of war scale, as opposed to their microcosm here.]

There won't be any time to rest when we return.

[...

but, then again...]

Dimitri. Have you thought about the wish at all? If it is real.

[repress]

...It's hard to consider it when it seems like such a fool's dream.

[ he's an idealist, but wishes and prayers are something he's burnt out on. ]

I wouldn't know where to start. Have you?

[divineimpulse]

The success of our campaign. Seeing Rhea safe. Something along those lines.

But I've also been told I should think more for myself.

[thinking on that sort of scale is a little bit new, and in a rare moment, the uncertainty expresses itself in her voice.]

[repress]

Not bad advice, for someone like you.

[ usually, he would not encourage conceit or selfishness. but byleth of all people could afford a little more of it. ]

...It's strange to see something you're a little clumsy with.

[ he sounds very faintly amused, like he's humored but trying not to sound that way. ]

[divineimpulse]

I'm only human, Dimitri.

[she's trying to sound stern, but it's not working. a little amused puff of breath comes through with a hint of a smile.]

I can always grow to be better.

[repress]

I don't think you have that much room to improve, professor.

[ she's already so incredible? and he's always grateful to see her smile, especially after all that's happened and where they are. so he just watches her a moment before, ]

Oh—before I forget. I wanted to return this to you. I've tried to keep it safe as best I can, but it belongs with you.

[ and he'll withdraw her ring, folded neatly in a handkerchief. ]

[divineimpulse]

[oh!

she takes it gently, with both hands.

...]

I wasn't sure I'd see it again.

Thank you for keeping it safe.