hauntedking: (27)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-11 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Dedue is always there for him. He always has been, ever since they first met. Dimitri isn't quite sure he's worth it, though. If Dedue really understands who he's dedicating himself to - a beast pretending to be a prince. He tries, though. He buries his anger and hurt and strives to be that prince, to be someone worthy of his people in the future. That means study and working hard to achieve success.

But he cares for Dedue, too. There have been moments when he thought that it might be something more - when a touch lingered too long, when he found himself watching Dedue do some mundane activity. But that wasn't appropriate, was it? To think about such things. Maybe it was just another part of his beastliness - thinking of taking advantage of another young man who was so devoted he would do anything asked of him.

So how could Dimitri ever say anything?

It's a late night in the library when Dedue appears (seemingly out of nowhere) with a cup of steaming tea. Dimitri's eyes light up for a moment and he laughs a bit sheepishly.
]

I do, Dedue. Please, don't worry on my account. I'm... simply trying to make sure I'm prepared.

[ He pauses. ]

Thank you, though. You should join me.
hauntedking: (21)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-12 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
Just keep me company. That's all.

[ Dimitri offers Dedue a little smile as he lifts his tea cup and takes a slow sip. There's no taste, but the heat warms him and helps him feel a little more energized. ]

It's always something of a relief to have you around.
hauntedking: (24)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-12 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Some conversation wouldn't be amiss.

[ Dimitri smiles and takes another drink of the tea. ]

Honestly, it's hard for me to say what I'd do without you Dedue...

[ He pauses. He wishes he could put more of his feelings into words. It's just - does he deserve that? Does Dedue really need to be burdened? ]

But I would like it if you relaxed a little.
hauntedking: (32)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-12 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
That's rather flattering to hear, honestly. Sometimes I'm afraid that being around me just makes you... tense. All you ever want to do is look out for me and... well. I'm grateful, Dedue. More than you realize.

[ He pauses and laughs again. ]

Perhaps I should... tell you more often. Or at least say thank you.

[ He clears his throat. ]

In any case, I'm just glad you feel more relaxed around me. I simply wish that I could see more of your relaxation... or perhaps I'm simply missing it.
hauntedking: (18)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-12 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
Oh? What other ways would those be?

[ Dimitri does seem less rigid when it's just the two of them. Like some part of him feels as if he doesn't have to hold himself quite so straight or keep himself constrained. ]

I'd be interested to hear about them.
hauntedking: (27)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-12 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I think I've seen you doing that before.

[ Dimitri smiles. ]

I've seen you gardening once or twice. I enjoy seeing you so at peace, honestly. It's... reassuring.
hauntedking: (19)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-13 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Oh - no. It wasn't concerning. I just - I like seeing you when you're not... when you're not trying to put on a face for everyone else.

[ He reaches out on impulse to put a hand on his wrist. ]

It feels like... like something private. For just me. That's - oh, listen to me.

[ Dimitri shakes his head. ] I'm being foolish.
hauntedking: (24)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-13 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh. The touch of their hands, however brief, makes him start just a little. It's... soothing. He wants more of that. But is that truly appropriate? ]

I - I'm glad. I wish I could show you that side of myself more often.

[ He truly does, but it seems like a struggle at times. ]
hauntedking: (18)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-13 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh. Dimitri actus without thinking, closing his fingers around Dedue's hand as he tries to pull it away. He doesn't want him to leave. Not yet. ]

Dedue, you deserve the world. If anything, you do more for me than I've ever done for you.

[ His hand is warm; the callouses from weapons practice seem to fit perfectly against his own and Dimitri thinks his face might be flushing. He presses on. ]

I - I think the world of you. I don't know if I can put it into words.
hauntedking: (18)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-13 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Dedue...

[ Dimitri doesn't quite know what to say to that. He's always known that Dedue had strong feelings about him. How could he not? But this sounds... like something else? Or perhaps he's merely reading too much into it. He squeezes his hand in reply. ]

I would like you to live for yourself. But... if you have to live for me... I suppose that isn't all that bad a thing.
hauntedking: (27)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-14 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ Dimitri smiles and it's another of those genuine ones. Those are a bit rarer these days, but it still shines through. ]

Then... stay with me. For as long as you can. That's all I ask.

[ Which is dangerously close to a confession in of itself. ]

I would miss you dearly if you were to ever leave.
hauntedking: (21)

[personal profile] hauntedking 2021-03-14 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
Dedue-

[ Dimitri pauses, feeling a little ashamed, a little unsure. His heart is racing in his chest and for once he feels suffused with a warm glow. A sense of happiness. Is he being selfish? He doesn't know. ]

I-

[ He looks at him. Thinks of all the sidelong glances he's given Dedue. Thinks of the way he wants to spend time with him. ]

...do you know what I'm asking?

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