“Dimitri.” It had taken her a while to find him, the young prince wasn’t at any of his usual haunts and Dedue had probably lied to her face when she had questioned him about Dimitri’s location. Thankfully the man must have been concerned for his liege as well since he had suggested that Byleth ask Felix—it was probably the most disobedient action that she had ever seen the man make. Thankfully Felix hadn’t had any compulsion to hide where Dimitri was and had told her where to find him with a huff and muttering something along the lines of: ‘It was about time she did something about the boar.’

The blond started at her voice, he had been looking out in one of the small tucked away alcoves that littered the church. Normally bright blue eyes showed the first sign of life that Byleth had seen in a while as they widened in surprise as Dimitri whirled to face her. “Professor!” He breathed, a gauntleted hand coming up to press against his chest in surprise. She didn’t say anything as she waited for him to calm down, she never had to say a lot with Dimitri, he always seemed to understand what she was trying to say with her stares and silences. “You gave me quite a fright there.” Like she wanted he continued on, the spark in his eyes had died though and typically sharp blue seemed so dull. “Is there something I can do for you, Professor?”

Even when he clearly wanted to be left alone, going so far as to hide away in a place like this, he was always so polite. The picture of a perfect prince was slightly askew though, his hair was just a tad out of place. Dark bags were just starting to form under his eyes, making him look far older than his was. Normally ramrod straight posture was less than perfect as wide shoulders drooped a little, his clothes hanging off his frame just a bit. Byleth stared for a moment longer, studying her student before deciding to go ahead with what she wanted to talk about. “Your grades have been slipping lately. Why?” She finally asked.

He didn’t answer for a moment, staring at her as he considered her words before glancing off to the side. Eventually a deep sigh escaped him before he returned his gaze towards her running a hand through his disheveled hair and ruining it even more. “Nothing seems to escape your eye does it Professor?” He gave a small laugh, it wasn’t a happy one either.

Byleth chose not to mention that Dimitri hadn’t hid his distress very well, even Felix had noticed it... Or perhaps he had hidden it better than she thought, Felix watched Dimitri perhaps more than Dedue did, eyes sharp and his tongue never holding back from a scathing remark—except when it didn’t. Byleth wasn’t so sure what to think on that, on how to interpret Felix’s silence for once, or Dedue’s sudden insubordination for his lord. She didn’t know what to think about it so she didn’t, brushing it away and instead said nothing.

“The truth is, I haven’t been sleeping so well lately. I suppose that is why my grades haven’t been their best lately.” He continued on slowly. Walking over to him, Byleth leaned against the wall he was standing by, offering her support in her own silent way. She didn’t force him to talk, letting him speak at his own pace, her casual posture coaxed him to lean against the wall with her. Despite his relaxed posture, both arms were crossed over his chest still, as if to shield him from something, what she didn’t know quite yet. “None of my usual tricks to sleep have been working either.” He confessed. “It should pass soon though.” He sounded almost sad about that.

While Byleth didn’t quite understand still, she knew that Dimitri wasn’t willing to tell her anymore. She wasn’t willing to push him to explain but she also wasn’t about to let him wallow in his darkness. Besides, wasn’t it her job to motivate him as a teacher? To bring out the best of her students and lead them to a bright and happy future. Nodding to herself she made up her mind to do what she could to cheer Dimitri up—now all she had to do was figure out what exactly to use to motivate him. “Is there anything I can do to help?” She offered, probing gently for a solution. If he just needed some sleep then surely there was something she could do.

Next to her Dimitri shook his head in a no, his hand once again going up to run through his hair again while the other gripped his side tightly- she could hear the creak of leather and metal from his gauntlet. “Unless you want to stay up late and spar with me.” He shook his head at that, ever polite as he retracted his statement. “I wouldn’t want you to lose your own sleep just to exhaust me. That is how I have been getting what little sleep I have been getting lately.”

If all he needed to do was exhaust himself then there was an easier solution than training all night, one that was far more fun. “I have another solution Dimitri.” Byleth offered.

~~~

She had arranged for him to come to her room later if he found sleep to be elusive once more that night. While she was expecting him to show up, Byleth wasn’t going to be missing any sleep on her own and changed into her nightshirt before settling down for a nap while she waited for her student. Sure enough a few hours later a hesitant knock roused her from her slumber. Stifling a yawn, Byleth rolled out of bed and shuffled over to her door, slowly opening it to avoid the squeaky hinge. Outside a bone tired Dimitri stood, his blond hair shining like gold even in the minimal light escaping from her room. “Good evening Dimitri.” Byleth greeted as she opened the door a little more to allow the teen in.

Dimitri didn’t come in though, as tired as he looked he seemed frozen as he looked at her, his eyes wide and color coming back to his face in the form of a blush. “Pr-professor!” He stuttered out, his voice cracking a little at the end. His head turned quickly to the side, but Byleth could see his eyes slowly coming back to focus on her before snapping off to the side again as the flush started to spread down his neck and up to his ears. “Professor!” His voice was at best a loud whisper, like a first time conspirator in the dark. “What are you wearing?”

Not even bothering to look down—she knew exactly what she was wearing— her night clothes. Byleth reached out and firmly grasped Dimitri’s forearm and started to tug the boy into the room. “My night clothes.” She offered, putting a little more force in tugging the stubborn teen in, eventually she managed, causing Dimitri to stumble as he was pulled in. Once inside she carefully shut the door—she didn’t want to wake up the whole monastery with how loud the hinges squeaked. Turning back towards the prince, Byleth watched him as he stood there awkwardly, gaze averted and he grabbed his side once more in what was clearly a nervous gesture. “You couldn’t sleep tonight?” She asked as she went over to sit down on her bed once more.

Dimitri still didn’t look at her, his gaze off to the side as he fidgeted, his ears a cute shade of pink. “Professor, I think I should go.” He seemed so uncomfortable as he stood there. Despite his words though he didn’t make a move to leave, as if he was paralyzed. She caught a glimpse of tired blue eyes flash over to peak at her for a moment before the flush got a little darker and they darted back to the wall on the side. Perhaps his protest was more of what he thought he should do, not what he actually wanted—which was good since she was counting on his not so secret desire for her tonight.

“I said I would help you get some sleep tonight.” She would wait this out, see what he would do, what he would ask next, Dimitri was not one for waiting and inaction chafed at him worse than anything.

He shuffled a little, the glances were longer now, more lingering over her as he thought about his current situation. Eventually curiosity got the better of him and he finally fully turned his head to look at her, his gaze very firmly planted on her face. “What did you have in mind?”

Instead of answering, Byleth patted the place next to her, indicating her desire for him to sit down next to her. Dimitri only frowned, blue eyes shifting to stare at the place before going over to her exposed thighs for a moment before snapping back up to her face, he didn’t move. “Sit next to me.” Byleth voiced this time, making what she wanted explicitly clear.

The prince seemed to slowly unfreeze, his movements unsure as he carefully took a few steps over and gently lowered himself to sit beside her on the bed. “Professor?” He asked, his eyes looking everywhere but at her. “I am not sure how you plan to help.” He gave a nervous little chuckle as he looked at the lone table in her room that was covered in various bits of paperwork. “I had thought that you were just going to share a cup of tea with me tonight.”

A low hum escaped Byleth at Dimitri’s words as she mulled over them. They could have tea, that wasn’t the plan she had in mind though when she had invited him in to help cure his insomnia. “We can have tea if you want.” She offered, and Dimitri shook his head in a no, refusing her offer and leaving her concerned as to why he had brought it up in the first place. “You mentioned training yourself to exhaustion wasn’t working.” A nod in affirmation this time, he still wouldn’t look at her, very rude for the normally too polite Dimitri. “So I was going to exhaust you in another way, one that should leave you in a more positive mood.”

Time with Sylvain must have made the meaning of her words all to clear to the teen prince. A sharp inhale of breath sounded through the room as Byleth’s words registered in Dimitri’s mind. He hadn’t looked at her much this whole time until suddenly he was. Bright blues were wide—life back in them as they looked at her, a cocktail of surprise, amazement, and just the right amount of lust. “Professor, you can’t mean-!” He cut himself off, not even able to say it.

“I want to have sex with you Dimitri.” Dimitri choked at her words. “If you are willing that is.” She wouldn’t force him to do anything he didn’t want to.

Her companion opened and closed his mouth a few times- doing a remarkable impression of a fish- before shutting it with a click. She heard him swallow as she studied his face, waiting on his answer. He stared right back at her, as if studying her for any hint of dishonesty, as if he was searching for something. Eventually he managed a response. “Why?”

“Because I want to see you do better, it is my job as your teacher to do whatever it takes to ensure you are safe, happy, and healthy.” Apparently that wasn’t the right thing to say, he looked away, gaze downcast and a dark look clouded his face. Her normally emotionless face tugged into a frown as she watched him. Tentatively she spoke more. “Your training lately has been sloppy, your face dark and the emotions negative, you cannot get rest or find respite if you continue as you are. This is a more positive way to exhaust you.”

While he didn’t move, wouldn’t look at her anymore, he sat frozen by Byleth’s side. Somehow she didn’t think she had still given the response he wanted still, but she wasn’t sure on how to further explain. His shoulders were tense as he thought, his hands clenching and relaxing. Byleth would never force him to do this, she would offer and let him take if he wanted. Byleth found that she was willing to do a lot for the lonesome prince that she wouldn’t have considered for others. Eventually he sighed, his shoulders sagging a bit before he directed his perpetually sad gaze over to her. “Professor, I have to decline if you are just doing this because you feel like you have to, that isn’t your duty as a teacher.”

“I know I don’t have to do this, I want to.” Did he think that she would do this for anyone? That it was her job to do so?

At her words a low groan escaped her student as his hands clenched hard at his thigh. “Professor… please.”

Unsure what he meant by that, Byleth stared at him for a second before making up her mind. Leaning forward, pressing herself against his side, she reached out and gently took a hold of his chin, making him direct his eyes back to her. “Dimitri. You don’t have to. I just want to do this for you, not just as your professor, but as someone who cares about you.” It was true she had been worried about his grades, that the normally studious and serious prince had a deeper problem that she couldn’t help. “Let me help you.” She finished, unsure, or perhaps unable to properly express her feelings on her emotions here.

His breath hitched at her words, the worry disappearing from his face again and some of the lust that he had beaten down flashed behind icy blues. “Professor… I…” Before either of them knew it he was leaning down to press his lips eagerly against her own.

It was a fairly clumsy kiss, earnest and gentle, though in a way that Byleth found endearing. Slowly she tilted her head to the side a bit to carefully correct the angle a little, bringing a low groan to the prince who had shut his eyes before he pulled away slightly. “Pro-professor.” His breath was shaky as he seemed almost embarrassed.


Byleth just hummed as she watched delicate blonde lashes open once more to reveal the bright blue of his eyes once more. Not saying anything she reached over and took his hand, giving him a small smile— enjoying how his breath caught at the sight of it— before she turned her gaze down to the hand she held. “Let’s get this off.” She murmured as she started to tug at them. Dimitri had come to her room fully clothed, he hadn’t seemed like he had tried to really go to bed at all. Or maybe he had and upon failing he had redressed and come down to see her? The thought amused her as she took off his gloves, setting them aside. Eagerly she took his bare hands into her own, rubbing her thumbs over the marred skin that was hidden beneath. She could see now why he wore the gloves all the time. From a purely cosmetic standpoint they were not the most beautiful of hands, they were burned and scarred, a reminder of the tragedy he lived through. Byleth found herself liking them even more for the story they told. Gently she brought them up and placed a kiss on each of his knuckles watching him flush even darker.


It was easier to slide her hands up his arms from there, moving them up to rub her thumb under his collar for a second, taking in the smooth skin on his neck before finding the first button on his jacket and undoing it. Slowly she made her way down his jacket, feeling the tense muscle underneath as she undid the buttons. Up until the last one Dimitri was surprisingly passive, he stopped her though as she pressed up, enjoying the lean strength in his chest, as she made to remove his jacket. “Professor…” He started, then stopped, closing his mouth as his brows furrowed together.

“Do you want me to stop?” She asked, interrupting whatever he was going to say. She would stop if he asked, she found herself hoping he wouldn’t say yes.

He swallowed hard again, her gaze briefly distracted by the bob of his adam’s apple before going back up to icy blues. “No. I do not wish to stop.” A frustrated sound rumbled through him as he frowned, clearly not saying what he wanted to say. “I just… I don’t want to hurt you or… ruin what is—” He stopped here and huffed for breath. “-- It sounds presumptuous, but I do not want to ruin the relationship between us already. I do not think I would be able to handle it if you hated me from this.”

Byleth blinked up at him as she listened to his words, taking them in and digesting them. He had a point, but he was missing a key bit of information. Freeing her hand, he hadn’t been holding it too tightly, she reached up and cupped his cheek, enjoying how he unconsciously leaned into her touch. “Dimitri, I could never hate you. You’re my favorite student after all.” It was true, he was her favorite student, she didn’t like to play favorites but in this case she couldn’t help it. Dimitri had been the first person other than her father to see emotions inside of her, to recognize her feelings as something to be respected.

At her words Dimitri seemed to become incredibly— cutely, flustered bringing his hand up to cover his mouth as stared at her with wide eyes. “F-favorite?”


Smiling at him, Byleth nodded her head and reached up to pull his scarred hand from his face before leaning up and pressing a kiss to his lips. She didn’t know if Dimitri had anymore reservations but she enjoyed the way he gently kissed her back. He must not have had any more reservations about this as when she started to push his jacket off of him again Byleth found him helping her. Frustratingly enough he was wearing another layer underneath, what looked to have been a once neatly pressed white shirt, smaller buttons going down this one as well as the long sleeves that furthered covered the prince. For someone who was so sensitive to the heat the prince sure wore a lot of layers. Byleth had to take Dimitri’s hands away from the buttons on his shirt after he accidently popped three of them off in a clumsy attempt to get his shirt off. Instead she placed them on her hips, eagerly swallowing the low moan that escaped Dimitri as his hands found a new place to explore.

The kisses started to come a little harder, the blond pressing forward more, encouraged by touching her, a long standing crush, and probably a horrible cocktail of teenage hormones. Byleth was all too happy to let him press himself closer to her, let her strip him of his layers as he pushed her down into the soft mattress below. His hands felt so warm through her nightgown, the rough patches, calluses and scars might be unpleasant for other people, but the moment a hand slid past the fabric and to the bare skin of her thigh Byleth couldn’t help the moan that escaped her. Breaking away from the kiss she studied him as he knelt above her, his shirt hung open one sleeve pushed halfway down while the other clung to him still. There was a fire in his eyes again, behind blown pupils as he stared down at her, the hand on her thigh squeezed just a bit too hard for a moment before relaxing, clearly he liked what he saw.

Wanting to give him a little more to look at, Byleth reached down to the hem of her nightgown and made to pull it up, but found herself stopped once more, the grip on her hand far too firm to be comfortable. “May I?” His voice was rough as he met her gaze. Finding the idea of Dimitri himself removing her clothes far more appeal than herself doing it, Byleth nodded her ascent. Restless hands were at the hem of her gown in a second as Dimitri leaned back a bit to get a better view of the flesh being revealed before him. The prince’s breath got a little harder as he slid the top up, catching just a few times as certain places were revealed. She helped him with the last bit, pulling the shirt over her head herself before falling back to the bed, letting him have the look her so clearly craved.

Hungry eyes roved over her body as his hands hovered over her exposed body, bright blue eyes flashed up at her, clearly wanting to ask permission but unable to. Taking a shaky she lead it to one of her breasts while she leaned up, her other reached up to the back of his head and tangled into silky blond strands as she pulled him down to meet her halfway in another kiss. That seemed to be all he needed for encouragement, he pressed his weight onto her as he greedily kissed her.