[ He doesn't know how else to tell him how his feelings stand- but together with all of this, there's so much he has to think about. And yet...
And yet.
It's so much easier knowing all of this because he knows Byleth is here, with him, for him to take it all at all. And hearing those words...
He reaches out to take Byleth's hand, tugging him in close as he drops his head near his. Strange, how much smaller he feels against him, even if he's experienced Byleth just being- so much more to him. Like an embrace he never wants to break free of.
His face settling in against the side of his, he closes his eyes as he inhales and lets his thoughts melt against his. ]
I'm glad.
[ Simply, easily... ]
... because my feelings for you cannot be shaken, no matter what this place does, my beloved. I don't...
[ He holds him closer. ]
I don't want to be without you for even a moment. Not in thought, or presence... I want to stand by you no matter what we have to endure.
[ Even now, it's hard to let him go, but he does, slowly- enough to give Byleth some room before he looks into his eyes. ]
I'll speak to her, but when I am ready. If it is alright... I would rather focus on our time now. It's selfish... utterly selfish. But I don't want to be weighed down by things I cannot change while in a place we cannot escape.
[ He's had enough of feeling guilt and shame, and he will never stop feeling them. But if he can have his happiness, even for a moment... ]
... is that alright to want? With you?
[ Is he allowed to be at peace without Byleth doubting him, and without him doubting Byleth's feelings for him? ]
no subject
And yet.
It's so much easier knowing all of this because he knows Byleth is here, with him, for him to take it all at all. And hearing those words...
He reaches out to take Byleth's hand, tugging him in close as he drops his head near his. Strange, how much smaller he feels against him, even if he's experienced Byleth just being- so much more to him. Like an embrace he never wants to break free of.
His face settling in against the side of his, he closes his eyes as he inhales and lets his thoughts melt against his. ]
I'm glad.
[ Simply, easily... ]
... because my feelings for you cannot be shaken, no matter what this place does, my beloved. I don't...
[ He holds him closer. ]
I don't want to be without you for even a moment. Not in thought, or presence... I want to stand by you no matter what we have to endure.
[ Even now, it's hard to let him go, but he does, slowly- enough to give Byleth some room before he looks into his eyes. ]
I'll speak to her, but when I am ready. If it is alright... I would rather focus on our time now. It's selfish... utterly selfish. But I don't want to be weighed down by things I cannot change while in a place we cannot escape.
[ He's had enough of feeling guilt and shame, and he will never stop feeling them. But if he can have his happiness, even for a moment... ]
... is that alright to want? With you?
[ Is he allowed to be at peace without Byleth doubting him, and without him doubting Byleth's feelings for him? ]