#seteth x byleth | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

acethatlovesdinos · 5 months

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I made a post way early in my blog about how certain fe3h characters would be better if they weren't so dedicated to a single other person or ideal.

for example; Seteth and Flayn are wonderful people, with unique personalities and a well-developed design and backstory.

At several points in the story, regardless of route, you can even see Seteth question some of Rhea's actions and decisions....and it left me longing for a story in which I could fight alongside the Empire but maintain a bond with my beloved saints. (I'm sorry I really just don't like the archbishop leave me be lmao). Plus she kinda loses her mind during CF too, and I'm positive they'd catch on and be concerned.

Anyway so this story is gonna take place at some point along Crimson Flower, and Reader is meant to be the former professor of the Black Eagles. Whether it's Byleth or a self-insert, that's for you to decide, anyway enough rambling let's goooo

1.6k words, angst galore

first person SetethxReader(Byleth?) Alois also makes an appearance

warnings: Literal warzone in the beginning. Reader is shot (with arrows). not sure if it counts as a warning but I used the term "saints" and "goddess" in the context where we usually would say "god" since it seemed fitting lol

~~~~~~~

I sent off the last messenger hawk, watching it fly over the horizon and out of sight.

Communication and negotiations have gone surprisingly well so far, and the Church has agreed to meet up and talk. Edelgard and I agreed that talking it out would be a good first step to avoid more bloodshed, but just in case they had other plans, we would be bringing an army with us.

The day we set for negotiating finally arrived, and we rode up to Magdred in droves. Seemed they had the same idea, as an entire army stood behind Seteth, sat nobly on his wyvern's back.

I stepped off my horse, leaving my sword with it. The only movement in the field was between the high priest and myself, slowly walking toward one another. It was eerily silent, the wind whistling through the trees hushing every other sound.

We finally met in the center of the field, and I parted my lips to speak. "Seteth. I-"

I froze, my ears perking up just in time to pick up an all-too-familiar sound. I knew what it was, but I couldn't react fast enough.

SHNK.

All at once, before I could even move, three arrows found their place deep within my chest.

My heart pounded in my ears. I stared at Seteth, shock, fear, and betrayal rampant in my expression. I was unarmed. I was there to talk. Why did they...? But his eyes seemed to share the same feelings. It...didn't make sense.

Everything was silent, all sides too taken aback to even realize what happened.

My stance swayed, I staggered for a second, then I fell, the metal pieces of my armor clanking as they met the dirt.

Hell broke loose once my head hit the ground. I heard roars from both sides as each army advanced, enveloping the field in violent noise that had been silent mere moments ago.

Someone grabbed me. I...I couldn't tell who. My eyes wouldn't focus, my body felt cold. I was pulled into a protected embrace, and a distant voice echoed in my ears as the warmth of rushed, desperate healing spells washed over me.

"Y/N! Y/N, listen to me! Keep your eyes open! I need you to stay awake, please! Hold on!"

Saints above, everything ached when my eyes opened again. My pained groan alerted the guardian at my side, Alois, who looked like he hadn't slept in days. A shaken gasp made way for a relieved sigh and a tired smile, and I could tell it took a lot of internal force for him not to hug me.

A proper look around made me realize I was in the infirmary back at Garreg Mach, and three bloodied patches of bandage stretched across my torso. Ouch. Manuela knelt by a different cot, no doubt tending to another casualty from the fight.

"I...I don't remember much. I walked up to talk, and I heard the arrows...then...?"

Alois sighed. "Yeah. We had to retreat afterward, but so did they. We're...still trying to figure things out." As if he sensed the rising panic in my mind, he immediately followed, "your class is fine. Edelgard took the lead after you fell." I nodded, relief overtaking the stabbing pain in my chest. They weren't my students anymore, but I still call them 'my kids' now and again. He smiled weakly. "...just like you to be worried about your allies despite your own injuries."

I chuckled, but the moment was brief, and I clutched my chest. The rumble of laughter just shot the pain through me. With a sigh and a stretch, I pulled myself to sit up, getting a better look at the room. As expected, there wasn't a single empty cot in the room, and my heart ached for the wounded. My eyes scanned the room then froze as my gaze set on a guest, sitting in a chair near the door. His emerald eyes locked with mine, and a sneer pulled at my lips. His name fell from my mouth like acid, as if I spat a curse between the syllables.

"Seteth."

He almost flinched at my voice, looking away with so many emotions behind his eyes. Alois put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Ease up, kid... he's the reason you're still breathing..." I paused. The...reason? No, that couldn't be right. "...he shielded your body with his own back, Y/N. Didn't dare leave your side til the battle ended, and after the fact, he carried you here himself."

So the arms I felt before I passed out...the relief of my injuries on the field...that was...him? I scoffed. "That can't be right..."

I looked back at the holy man, who had stood up and begun to approach. Now that I got a better look at him, he was completely different than how he once held himself. Tired circles lined his eyes, and his usually perfectly styled hair lay askew. His gilded headband was gone, and after a moment's realization, so too were his priestly robes, replaced by one of Hanneman's suits. Unable to help myself, I grinned. "Oh Saints, you look terrible. You a hostage now or something? Did we capture you?" I knew it was petty and childish, but Goddess, it felt good to get back at him in some way. Watching his cheeks redden at the comment made it even better.

He sighed, familiar frustration returning to his tone. "Y/N, the answer to this predicament is simple, you need only to listen." He took a breath, crossing his arms. "I have elected to resign from my position as Rhea's right hand."

...What?

He took a deep breath. "After careful consideration, I determined it would be safer for Flayn and me to make some...adjustments." he sighed. "If you truly are the goddess incarnate as Rhea said, then I have not yet abandoned my faith, but even if you are not, then I will not stray. I...I fear Rhea has...lost herself, in her efforts to overcome this. She is not who she once was, and I feel strongly that she no longer possesses the same values she once held."

I could only laugh, if only at the irony of the situation. "You've suddenly switched sides, and ever so conveniently now that we've got the upper hand. Siding with the victors, I see....can't say I blame you."

He frowned. "Beyond that, the battle that unfolded those days ago was the last time I was going to tolerate her going behind my back." At my confusion, he continued. "I questioned the archers after the fight, specifically the three who fired at you. I had given them explicit instruction not to make a move unless the Empire struck first. We had arranged that meeting out of mutual trust, and I had full intent of respecting that."

That made me frown more. "So then, why did they-?"

He sighed. "Rhea apparently pulled them aside before we left. She told them that you would be conniving and that you would attack me when my guard was down. She told them that once you were in range, they were to fire. Those directions were not known to me until I had practically interrogated them after the battle."

He shook his head. "My negligence caused you grave injury, and I felt...fully responsible for that. At this point I can only beg your forgiveness."

I was quiet for a long while, trying to process his words. "...You and I have stood as enemies for the last five years. Why weren't you just grateful for my downfall?"

"....because...we didn't...I..." he paused, trying to find the words. "I never wanted to be your enemy. But...I was blinded by my obedience to the Archbishop, and my dedication to Seiros. I never wanted this to happen. Flayn has been more at risk in these last five years than she ever was in years past, and the sooner we can conclude this war, the better it will be for us.

I sighed. Of course it was about her. Its always her when it comes to his concerns.

"But...more than that..."

I paused. There's more?

"I am well aware that there are no excuses...but I'd like to explain why I acted how I did." He sighed. "I've seen you fight for years now, watching you lead hundreds of battles to victory. Each and every time, you looked...ethereal, almost divine....untouchable. Somehow, in your incredible strength, your elegant visage, it left my mind that you could get hurt." He frowned. "I'm sure it sounds ridiculous now, but...that was it. And...the moment I saw the arrows pierce your flesh, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared. The realization, that...you could get hurt...that...that you could...die? I just...I don't know. I couldn't....I didn't want to face the possibility of a world without you in it."

He took a deep breath.

"Y/N. That scare made me realize something I should have seen long ago...and that I wish I could have pursued at a better time. But...the truth is...it is that I love you, Y/N."

I sat silent, shocked at every word as I stared up at the fallen priest. What? After everything that unfolded, after all that happened...so much going on...this is what he has to say? I didn't even know where to begin.

My face shifted, void of any feelings, any possible thought. A cold scowl hid my confusion and frustration.

"Get out."

He paused, opening his mouth to speak, but I held up a hand to interject.

"This...really isn't a good time for something like this. Please...just go."

Seteth stared at me, so many thoughts behind his now glossy eyes, so many words under a bitten tongue, but he nodded wordlessly and excused himself from the infirmary. Alois gently put a hand on my arm, but I brushed him away and laid back down. "Not now...please." i let out a shaky breath that I didn't realize I had been holding, and hugged myself as I tried to still my racing mind and heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aaaaaaaa that went so much longer than I expected but I hope you guys liked it! Let me know if a part 2 interests anyone! Aaaaa i love writing :]

#angst my beloved #setleth #seteth x reader #seteth x byleth #fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #three houses #saint cichol #black eagles #crimson flower #silver snow #fanfic

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fe-fictions · 10 months

Note

Oooh no Seteth ma boi... ANYWAYS DO YOU RECALL THAT STORY WHERE HE FOUND BYLETH STABBED ? If you do, and remember it quite well, would you mind rewriting it maybe..? Thanks and have a nice day !!

(I still have this story and it is easily one of my favorites of all time,,, let's torment Seteth!! ; 7 ; // )

Seteth dragged his feet along, trying his very best to make it all the way to bed without collapsing on the way. It had been a terribly long day.

He longed for a respite, but not only for himself; he missed spending more than a few hours at a time with you, alone. How often you would be asleep before he came, or he would sleep the moment he touched the bed.

It was all so demoralizing, only having those long, dull moments in meetings or going over tasks and papers. He would make it up to you. As soon as he coild force a few days into the schedule without any work, he would have the two of you.

That was his plan, he thought, pushing open the door to your quarters. Then he found a trail of blood in front of him. The horror that followed was indescribable.

The Archbishop collapsed to the floor with a knife in her stomach.

The air flew from his lungs when the scream ripped out of him. His eyes were wide and un-blinking, staring in shock at the sight before him.

The noise alone was enough to alert the guards stationed too far away.

When someone frantically appeared in the doorway, you were in his arms, crushed to his chest. He was sobbing hysterically, echoing your name over and over, begging you to open your eyes.

Why wouldn’t you respond? Could’t you hear him?

The staves stored in his personal chest were worthless- the wound was too deep and too far for his weak Mends. Where was his Caduceus- or Flayn’s- surely she could help-

Seteth’s entire reality was crumbling into worthless pieces. You were so very cold. Your face white as a sheet. The blood having warmed you leaking onto the unforgiving stone.

When Flayn broke into the room with a slew of clerics, she was worried. When she But the sight of her father sobbing over you was enough for her own tears to spill over.

He was speaking a frantic confusion of Nabatean and modern language. Seteth was engulfed by an irreconcilable fear.

His wife was dead.

No...close to death.

Not quite gone.

Seteth remembered Flayn pleading with him to let you go, that they needed to take you so they could save you. He did not recall being brought to the medical wing.

But he was there, pacing, wildly afraid that the last he had seen of his wife was another arbitrary, pointless meeting among apathetic, stubborn old fools.

But worst of all was the realization that you were failed. By himself, and the church, and everyone who had sworn to protect you.

Somehow someone had found a way past his defenses, his painstaking, anxiety-filled nights of installing every possible barrier between you and a potential enemy.

They had to have known you would be alone. Out of his sight for just a few moments.

Long enough to drive the blade into your flesh and end your life.

But who could possibly have enough knowledge or skill to achieve such a thing? It had to be someone who knew. Who had been studying. Watching...waiting. Someone who wanted you dead.

And anyone who posed a threat to his family needed to be taken care of. But if they weren’t found in time, he risked losing everything, once more.

No. There was only one solution that had ever n in protecting his loved ones, before.

He wasn’t going to wait for you to be harmed, again. Certainly not after seeing how close to the brink you were when he wasn’t able to protect you. Or even for you to be able to protect yourself.

Both of his girls had to be safe. He needed them to be.

Flynn knew this, all too well. She could see it in his eyes with every turn of his feet.

It was time to go.

-------------------------

“This isn’t the right solution, Father. You know it’s true, deep down.”

“There is no other way. You have both been in life-threatening situations here, and it’s only a matter of time before it happens, again.”

“But both times we survived! Byleth will wake up soon. And she’s the one who rescued me when I was kidnapped. Bad things happened here, yes, but-”

“They never should have happened.” Behind the static that filled your ears, you could hear the distinct sound of your husband snapping at Flayn.

You were awakening, slowly, and you were disoriented by the waves of blurriness that washed over your vision. There was a spot of dark green that fidgeted back and forth at your feet. A blossom of mint by your side, pleading with him.

You were not in your bedroom.

But you were with your family.

“We have stayed here far too long- it was a matter of time before someone figured out who we really were. It’s high time we left, now more than ever.”

“Please-”

“Enough.” Seteth cut her off, his tone violent and impatient. “I have watched my family fall prey to danger again and again. My decision is final!”

The fuzzy flower on your left suddenly disappeared from view. The door across the room swung open and slammed with an angry bang.

Just in time for your hearing to come back.

“That child…” Seteth muttered to himself, continuing his work at the foot of the bed.

You watched him in silence, seeing him methodically moving his arms over and over, folding fabrics and pressing them into a satchel.

You assumed this was what Flayn had been referring to.

“Seteth.”

He startled at your voice. His long ears perked like a puppy, swiveling around to find you awake and staring at him.

Seteth all but leapt onto the bed, darting to your side and taking hold of your face with a fragile touch.

“Byleth…!” Your name trembled on his tongue, gaze misty as the fear spilled over and out of his system. At last, he could rest easy. At last, you were awake.

His eyes swept over you in search of any discomfort or injury that had somehow been missed. You were still frail and on the cusp of recovery, that much was clear.

But you weren’t in immense pain. For that, he was immeasurably grateful.

“My love, how do you feel?”

“Alive.”

“Indeed.” A humorless laugh. “Is there any discomfort? Anything I can take care of?”

“My head is swimming.” You spoke honestly. Seteth ran his thumb across your forehead gently, before he shifted away to retrieve something.

Soft warmth radiated on your skin when he returned, a hot towel placed where your hair was brushed away.

“This should help.”

“Seteth...why was Flayn upset?”

“For reasons outside of your concern, right now. More importantly,” He sat back, finding your hand on the bed, “What happened?”

“I don’t know. I was going to bed, and I heard a noise...I was listening for more, I sensed someone there, but...next thing I knew, there was a sharp pain. And now I’m here.”

“You didn’t see them? You didn’t hear their voice, or smell anything, or-?” With each shake of your head, he became more and more deflated. “I see.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You mustn’t apologize.” He shook his head, and squeezed your hand. “You were the victim of an attack, one which almost cost you your life. You have no need to feel anything other than relieved.”

You turned your hand over so you could hold his, interlacing your fingers with your husband’s.

He softened some at the gesture, though he was still clearly troubled.

“Besides, Catherine and the Knights of Seiros are already deep into the investigation. The former leader of the Ashen Wolves...Yuri Leclerc. That one has found several promising clues. We’ll have a lead and a perpetrator in our hands in no time.”

“Then we have nothing to worry about.” You replied in kind, though Seteth did not reciprocate those feelings.

Instead he looked away, prompting you to question him once again.

“They’ll be apprehended, won’t they? So we can rest easy.”

“I am sorry to say that we cannot.” There was a sigh which followed his words, as his hand pulled out of yours. “Not until we are far from this place.”

“What do you mean?”

Silence.

Seteth wordlessly left the bedside, returning to the project he was working on before you had reuturned to him.

With your vision slowly clearing, you could make out what exactly he was packing away. A mixture of your clothes, his and Flayn’s.

The knapsack was much larger than for a camping trip or extended vacation.

“Seteth, we can’t.”

“We must.”

“We have duties. Lives, here. We can’t just...leave.”

“And I cannot stand idly by while my family is threatened over and over!” Seteth’s glare was as cold and sharp as his words.

The hurt that your eyes reflected made him recoil some, though his resolve remained.

“Please, my love. I already had this debate with Flayn. I haven’t the patience to do it again.”

“I'm afraid you'll have to.” You argued.

His brow furrowed. “What?”

“You cannot dismiss us, Seteth. We do not want to go.”

“What you want does not matter if your lives are at stake.” He argued with you, pulling the strings so tight it closed with a snap. “I do not care what you want if it means someone is after your life!”

“I am the Archbishop of an entire continent. I have duties, to my family and to the countless people who live here. I cannot abandon them out of the blue. Certainly not when everything is still so fragile.”

“But it is because everything is so fragile that we must!” He persisted, returning to your side.

His hands fell on your shoulders, practically begging you to hear him.

“I have no doubt the reason they came after your life is because there are many who do not want another Archbishop. Who seek to tear apart our peace.”

“Then we have to stay. To keep it in place.”

“We have to go. It is too dangerous. This was not the first attempt, and it will not be the last! And I cannot protect you if I am in a position that forces me to spend so much time away from you and Flayn. Perhaps if I had been there...if I hadn’t been locked up in that Goddess-forsaken office- I could’ve protected you- I could’ve been harmed in your stead! But because of this work, because I keep being pulled away from you- can’t you see how vulnerable you are?”

“Well...it wouldn’t have been any better if you were hurt.” You told him softly, “I wouldn’t want to live if you died in my stead.”

“Surely then you can understand why I feel the way that I do?” He pointed out, “Our feelings are the same. You must see better than Flayn that we cannot stay here any longer.”

“I understand you, Seteth. But I...I still do not think we should leave.”

“Byleth-”

“We have a duty to stay here, and to make sure that this country moves in the right direction. We took this responsibility on ourselves. We can’t leave, no matter how dangerous it is.”

“You would willingly lay down your life rather than spend it with your family?”

“I want to be with my family, here. For however long together we have left. And so long as you’re by my side, it will be centuries.” You murmured, but Seteth was very quickly reaching his wit’s end.

“Did you not hear me? If I have this position, I cannot be beside you! I am your right hand, and yet I am so rarely near you! It’s asking for trouble. I could surround you with security and it still wouldn’t be enough, because I’m not there to protect you!”

“You don’t trust anyone else with me, do you?”

“Of course I don’t! There are sentries posted everywhere in this damnable monastery and you still found yourself close to death.” He snapped, “And I refuse to continue this way.”

“Then don’t.”

Seteth found pause in your last two words, analyzing you.

“...You would have me leave?”

“No. I want you to resign as my advisor.” You corrected him. He was even more perplexed. “You aren’t just my right hand anymore. You’re my husband. And our duty to stay close to each other is more important than any assignments you might have been given.”

He found himself unable to argue your point. His hand was taken and held to your chest, your fingers lazily fidgeting around his.

“You can protect me, and be by my side at all times. Then you can ensure that your wife and child are safe.”

“But Flayn would never agree to being with us all the time. She would sooner run off on her own than give up what little freedom she has...”

“I don’t mean to have Flayn become our shadow. But with the freedom that resigning gives you, you’re able to check in on her more often than you can now.”

“I...suppose so.”

“I’ll even give you an offer you cannot refuse.” You said with a gentle tug on his wrist, drawing him closer to you.

Seteth’s nose nearly touched yours, your husband’s worry still glimmering in his eyes.

“If you do not feel you can protect us well enough, even after your change...if something happens again...I will leave with you, no questions asked. But we should at least try and make sure that our home is stable before we leave it in the hands of others.”

Of course he knew you were right; it was atypical for you not to be.

And as begrudgingly he felt otherwise, that he wanted to shoot you down, he knew that you had a very good point.

Without the distractions of his office, he could tend to his girls much easier. If he was by your side during meetings and the like, he’d still be able to give input in that regard, as well.

He wouldn’t be completely removed; it was a brilliant plan. Of course you’d come up with it.

“I am reluctant to admit...that your plan is...feasible.” He said carefully, though you didn’t bother to hide your victorious smile. “You truly think this is the best idea? You would rather this than escaping away? Just the three of us?”

“It is a very tempting offer, dearest. But we have centuries of time to do that.” You murmured, “And it will be even better once it’s just the two of us.”

“You don’t want Flayn to be there with us?”

“I do. But I also want you to myself...just for a little while.” You brushed your hand against his cheek. He blushed.

“You’re still recovering. Clearly delirious from the pain.” He huffed, kissing your forehead. “Rest. We can discuss our plans more once you’ve healed more.”

“So we’ll stay, then?” You asked as he pulled away once again. His sigh was deep, but not without concession.

“We will. Until I determine it is no longer safe to do so.”

“If you’re with me, I doubt it will be.” Your amusement only ruffled his feathers more, but he smiled all the same. He allowed himself to relax some, running his fingers through your hair.

“Rest, woman. You’re saying ridiculous things.”

“Hm.”

Though Seteth would never outright admit it, he found it was much easier to protect you once his resignation went through. Yuri Leclerc took over as your head advisor, and he as well-versed in the politics of it, as any one man should be.

There would still be attempts on your life, at least until Those Who Slither were finally eradicated; but not a single one broke through his defenses.

Eventually, when the winds of change blew through the monastery grounds the last time, you decided it was time you and your husband made your graceful exit.

Flayn wouldn’t tag along with you, when Seteth told her that he was leaving Garreg Mach together with you.

She would visit frequently, though...especially when her darling little sister was born shortly after you disappeared together.

Seteth was simply happy to have his family safe, together and at peace. And it would stay that way for centuries to come.