last wish

stolen time

pairing: m!byleth eisner x gn!reader

summary: you get kidnapped during the war and after five years, byleth returns to save you...

tags: kidnapped reader, reader is in a bad shape, implied mistreated reader, death, byleth kills edelgard (i'm sorry :/)

both you and byleth vanished when the war started. yet only he returned. 

the day he reunited with his former students was when he found out about the events of the last five years. how after edelgard started the war, you went missing. you, his former colleague and the one he had been interested in, yet never got to confess to.

rumor had it that edelgard was the one responsible for your disappearance. you were supposed to lure byleth to her. yet edelgard'd plan failed, since byleth went missing as well, at the same time you did.

but now that he was reunited with his students, byleth knew that he had to come save you! of course, he knew that he'd be running right into edelgard's trap. but he was also convinced that he could take her on! nothing could keep him away from you! and he still hoped he could reason with his former student…

but things didn't work out the way byleth had hoped. edelgard was set on her goal and there was no way to reason with her. perhaps, in another life, byleth could've stood by her side and fought alongside her. but not in this one. not when she went as far as putting the one he loved in danger, just to get what she wanted. byleth couldn't accept that! and so, with a heavy heart, he had to kill his former student. there was no way around her. if he wanted to see you again, she had to be gone…

when byleth finally reunited with you, you were in a bad shape. you had bruises all over your body, had lost a visible amount of weight and had dark bags under your eyes. you must've been in here for years now. perhaps you even gave up hope of being saved altogether. after so many years, who wouldn't? 

"byleth…?"

you thought you were hallucinating when you saw your former colleague rattling on your cell door, trying to break it open to get inside to you. had you finally lost it now? 

"it's me. you don't need to worry anymore, y/n. i'm finally here…" 

his words sounded so comforting. just the thought of getting out of this cell was enough to make you tear up. you hadn't seen the sky in years. you longed to feel the grass beneath your feet again or to see the colors of sunrise once more. but more than all of that, you had longed to see him again. 

finally, byleth had managed to break open the door, rushing towards you and pulling you into his arms. you hesitantly wrapped your arms around him, feeling his warmth as your bodies were pressed together. 

"i've got you… i'm not letting you go again. i've got you…"

byleth quietly mumbled as he held you close. he wouldn't let anything happen to you again, that he swore to himself! nobody would ever lay a finger on you, not as long as he was around…

A train of unrequited crushes (perhaps not so unrequited later in life who knows)

ARO EDELGARD!!!!

While I like her with Dorothea I’m also a HUGE FAN of aroace Edie!!! In her paired endings she only has kids with one person (Ferdie) and even her “romance” endings are more like “she and this person enjoyed each other’s company :)” so I’m absolutely here for aro (and aroace) Edie aaaaaaaaa

Arodelgard Acedie,,,,,,,,,, omg,,,,,,,,,, we're all so real for this I love us all so so so much

Do you think Edelgard would be worried about having children because she's worried that they might inherit her crests? That they might suffer in the way she suffered? I imagine it eats her up inside considering what happened to her and her siblings. She'll have a child or children out of obligation to her empire and her Fodlan but if she didn't have that obligation I think she'd just adopt so she can have kids without the worry of them suffering like she did :)

Also something that's fucking me up actually. Nothing of huge note is said in Tana/Peony duo's bio, but the associated characters...... they're all either someone's brother or in Eirika's case, someone whose brother is extremely significant to her esp as her twin

And. That paralogue dialogue again.

I am. So. I'm. This HAS to be intentional WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

me: man i’m so nervous to talk about edelgard what if i do something wrong

also me: queues like. a million edelgard posts

Rating: Teen and Up (Heavy emotional themes; strong language)

Fandom: Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Relationship(s): Byleth Eisner & Leonie Pinelli; Edelgard von Hresvelg/Byleth Eisner

Words: 7.2k

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Shaping a new world isn't easy. Life has been difficult for the Emperor and her trusted right hand lately, and Byleth could use a friend right now. Fortunately, Leonie’s in town to talk some sense into her.

So we are one singular support cutscene into Edelgard’s route through Three Houses and holy shit, she’s gonna fuck me up so badly. As much as flirting with Dorothea would be fun and all, Christ the cross, the angst. She’s going right to the top of the ‘unhealthy obsession with traumatized women’ right below Harrowhark Nonagesimus. Does she beat Riza Hawkeye? Remains to be seen

…I may have a problem

You mentioned that you tend to work through a Nobody Dies lens. Does that apply to Dimitri, and what is his relationship with the Hresvelg siblings?

Thanks for the ask !! ^^ It took quite some time for me to make up my mind about this specific thing and yes, that lens does apply to Dimitri. There's a few reasons to this decision, which I need to recontextualize a bit in regards to the Hresvelg siblings:

I'll start by this: Aline and Adel do not consider Dimitri as their sibling at all. This isn't due to the fact that they are not related by blood (they both have different mothers than Patricia), but rather because they have basically never met before the Academy nor developed a meaningful relationship during their time there. Both of them always had in mind that they would end up betraying and declaring war on everyone in Garreg Mach, and that Dimitri would end up being one of their fiercest enemies as King. Moreover, Adel has never liked him because they are both faced with very similar mental health issues and he has some internalized trauma that he doesn't like to see reflected in someone else. As such, if it had only been for the two of them and Edelgard, Dimitri's death, although incredibly sad and unfortunate, could have been a logical conclusion to his arc in Crimson Flower.

The real issue here is Loki. For some context (although I just linked his character sheet), he is Patricia and Lambert's kid and since their couple was already Going To Shit™ by the time he was a toddler, he mostly stuck to his older brother's side. However, during the events of the tragedy of Duscur, during which he travelled with his mother, TWSTID decided to abduct him rather than kill him, and raise him to be a puppet with a legitimate claim to rule Fodlan in case Edelgard ever decided to rebel against them. And although he got brainwashed by his uncle Thales/Arundel, he never forgot about Dimitri and deeply wished to reunite with him; this also means that when he first got to meet with and learn about the existence of the rest of the Hresvelg siblings thanks to Kronya (I'll go over this in a later post) as a young teenager, his whole world was completely shattered. Long story short, that led him to join the Hresvelg siblings and get to be part of a family again. However, Loki never once forgets about Dimitri, on the contrary: realizing that Edelgard and him are on their merry way to fight each other to the death only amplifies his wish to see him again after all those years and convince him to make peace with her, because he just wants to have his whole family back and alive. As such, seeing any of his siblings die would absolutely destroy him.

That means that Dimitri could survive in Crimson Flower. and if he doesn't Loki might never recover. But then, how so ?

Sadly, it is in my own opinion unlikely that Edelgard and Dimitri could ever see eye-to-eye and become allies, even with Loki as a middle ground. Especially since Loki doesn't care for the Kingdom per see and feels a lot closer to his Agarthan culture of adoption and his focus is on bringing TWSTID down. Any attempt at discussion would just end up being a repeat of their Azure Moon talk at best, because their world visions are just too different.

This entails that any of Loki's attempts at convincing Dimitri to make peace with his sister would be unfruitful. First, because Dimitri would've thought Loki had died a long time ago, and finding out his little brother is alive would be a pretty big blow: but you know what would be an even bigger blow ? Finding out that he was raised by and thus, helped TWSTID, the same people who are responsible for the genocide of Duscur and their parents' death. And that he is still technically helping them by standing at Edelgard's side, the very person who betrayed all of them. The only way they could rebuild a stronger relationship would be if Loki decided to join his side, something that he is unwilling to do since A) he has three siblings on the imperial side and B) all four of them are planning to take down TWSTID. Unfortunately, this means that all of Loki and Dimitri's interactions post-timeskip end up in disaster- although none of them ever physically hurts the other in battle. This depresses Loki quite a bit, and enrages Adel, but he eventually accepts that he cannot take responsibility for his older siblings' actions and settles on one goal: keeping them from beating each other to death.

However, Loki brings something new to the table regarding Edelgard and Dimitri's relationships: memories. At his contact, El makes the connection and remembers the time she spent in Faerghus with the prince, which does make her take a step back. Although that is definitely not enough to make her negociate, it is to make her consider sparing him in battle- a bit like how in-game, Claude can be spared. Her unwillingness to back down from her ideals, though, makes it absolutely necessary that Dimitri is removed from any position of authority, else he could always rally support against the Empire. The Kingdom of Faerghus as a geopolitical entity may survive, but the Blaiddyd monarchy needs to go.

So... Where does that lead us ? To a rather bleak solution which is far from perfect, but has to make-do in their complicated circumstances where both sides can't meet in the middle. Edelgard agrees to spare Dimitri in the battle of Tailtean, and lets him go- letting Loki take the lead on this one. This means that Loki has to accept that he might never see him again, and that he might never forgive him. This can turn one of two ways:

I do believe that if Dedue survives and hasn't turned into a demonic beast yet, he can convince Dimitri to go without pulling a stunt similar to the one Edelgard pulls with the dagger in Azure Moon in a last desperate attempt to kill the Empress, because he still has him to cling to.

Otherwise, Dimitri truly loses everything and everyone: in which case convincing him to seize the opportunity to stay alive would be pointless. In that eventuality, Loki forces his hand and just teleports him out- making it impossible for him to make it back to the battlefield before all is lost. Which... is an even bleaker alternative.

In any case, that means that the Hresvelg siblings and Dimitri have to cut contact, at least for a good number of years. Maybe someday, when Fodlan (and especially Faerghus) is rebuilt, they might get in contact again- once both Loki and him can have some time to heal. Maybe slowly rebuild a semblance of a relationship, who knows ?

... Well damn. That was a BUMMER and incredibly angsty. Sadly, not all things can have the best ending for everyone involved. =(

=D Thankfully, Claude and Edelgard's relationship would be a lot better- no fucking thanks to Aline !

[ rainfall ] sender finds receiver out alone in the rain

It is raining at the academy, a sudden downpour of the evening after classes conclude for the day. Her bag drops to the cement with a heavy thud. Weightless, Lilina, without knowing why, strides out to the yard to stand in the middle of the storm.

Rain pelt her face and soak her clothes in cool droplets. It is out of the ordinary to enjoy weather such as this, but she would take it over Ilia’s freezing snowfalls any day. Her head tilts back to look up to the sky. Rain, snow, any weather as immutable as what they had witnessed that day in Ilia. The smell of death set in those rooms and the soulless stares of their enemy who she had once considered an ally.

What a blessing and a curse to feel everything as passionately as the flames that licks at and scorches her fingertips. She wonders now, and back then too, if there ever was a chance for redemption, a chance at a different life for the siblings. Though she died with anger tangled in the threads of her heart, these recent days of solitude have her pondering and perhaps even wishing that things could have been different. “Sometimes, we must face things we do not like.” Her own words echo back at her. 

“Lady Edelgard,” she greets finally upon seeing the other standing a ways from her. She had felt her presence before she made herself known. 

Lilina is hesitant to ask for her opinion, though what they had been through felt so realistic she could not be certain. What would she think? Or maybe it was a question of how. It may be best for now to look towards the present and the future than to chase far-flung answers that are no longer in her control. Were they ever? 

The Ostian spins on her heels, losing her balance and traction with a practiced lilt of a laugh as she rights herself. Brushing away sopping wet bangs from her forehead, eyes are skyward, she exclaims, “Doesn’t the rain feel great?” To grasp something that is real and present with her. Moments later Lilina makes her way back to shelter. “Though, I suppose we shouldn’t stay out here for much longer, no matter how refreshing it feels.”

haunted by our past mistakes

pairing: edelgard von hresvelg x gn!reader

summary: after the last battle, you became quiet and withdrew yourself from everyone. when edelgard confronts you, she learns about what happened...

you hadn't told edelgard about what happened during the last battle. you thought it wasn't worth mentioning to her, yet your girlfriend could see that something was eating you up from the inside. you had gotten quiet since that last battle, barely ate or left your room anymore. 

after you had skipped yet another meal with the rest of the black eagles, edelgard approached you in the comfort of your own room. 

"what's going on with you…?"

she was direct, but her voice remained calm. she didn't want you to think she was scolding you. 

"ever since the battle in fhirdiad, you've been so quiet. was it because it was your hometown or…"

"mer..cedes…"

you struggled to say her name. it was like your throat was tightening and you had to hold back tears just thinking about her. 

"she begged me not to do it… but i… i had to…"

that was all you could get out, before the tears overwhelmed you. you balled your hands into fists, leaning over and quietly sobbing. edelgard immediately stepped closer and wrapped her arms around you, in an attempt to comfort you. 

"you mean… you were the one who killed her…?"

edelgard asked carefully, only for you to nod softly and begin to sob even louder. edelgard tightened her grip on you, fearing you'd slip away from her if she didn't hold on tight. 

she had heard that a few of the blue lions, your former classmates, had been killed. but edelgard had never once thought that perhaps you had been forced to kill one of them. if she had known you'd face them, she wouldn't have deployed you for that battle. 

"i'm so sorry… you suffered all this time and i didn't notice…" edelgard gently caressed your cheek, wiping away tears that had escaped your eyes. "the burden to kill a friend… it's too heavy for one to bear by themselves. you shouldn't have to suffer like this. i should've been there, trying to find a way for her to join us. but now…"

now it was too late. but edelgard didn't need to say that out loud, you both knew. all she could do now was hold you and be there for you, while you suffered. it would take a while, but eventually the pain would get less. and while you'd never be able to forget what you had done that day, perhaps you'd be able to forgive yourself one day…

Me, innocently writing: :D

Me, accidentally mentally tapping into the deep well of sorrow that exists at the heart of Hubert von Vestra: *sobs*

@universalcarnival​ asked //  “ did you do something different with your hair? it looks amazing! “ ~ Claude @ Edelgard

familial/platonic prompts (this time blue threw a wrench into the machine) // accepting.

.. ah. right. her hair...

the golden deer’s housewarden would see clear as day that the adrestian empire’s heiress’s expression faltered at the statement, almost as if trying to think of some form of excuse as to why her hair was as white as freshly fallen snow rather than as as brown as the bark of an oak tree.

and the screams. the screams... the cries for help from the siblings that’d been snatched away from her too soon - part of her wished they were still here, even coming to the officer’s academy with her. part of her wished she joined them.

she snapped out of her thoughts in hopes to deflect the question - or at least give claude a good enough answer.

“it was... just some braids and ribbon, that’s all,” merely a half-truth was brought out, but... truthfully it was the best she could think of. it took so much of her mental strength not to break down.

Crimson Flower! Seteth is like. Fully depressed. Fully feral. Trauma and flashbacks coming back at 200%.

I wanna write him so bad fjsjjf.

Making my writing debut with the most angsty shit I can think of for my fave Adrestian Trio and Lorenz 🥲🥲

Please check the tags before reading because this fic gets really sad (since it does get into AG spoilers)

Now join me afterwards to cry and replay SB cuz AG ends right when Ch 9 ends 🙃🙃

Rating: Teen and Up

Fandom: Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Relationship(s): Claude von Riegan & Byleth Eisner

Words: 9.5k (Chapter 1 of probably 3)

By Fódlan's calendar, it's Imperial Year 1253, though it's been nearly seventy years since Claude left the country. The Officers Academy, the years of war, the friends and hopes and dreams he buried... all those things are a thousand miles and a lifetime away. Claude has barely even thought of them in half a century.

Then an unexpected guest arrives at his humble Almyran estate, and it's like she's walked straight out of his memory and onto his doorstep. The United Kingdom of Fódlan was left stunned and grieving when their queen disappeared a few years ago, but she’s alive—and while time has weathered Claude’s body and withered his senses, she doesn't seem a day older than when he last saw her, back when he was still a brash young man whose world had yet to be changed forever.

He could tell her to leave. He could say the word and have her back in Fódlan or sitting in an Almyran dungeon before the week is out. But there’s serenity in no longer being the last of a dying breed. Claude could use some company in the quiet and lonely days of his retirement, and seeing a familiar face after all this time might do Teach some good, too.