[Dimitri's long-distance relationship with Claude is definitely not the easiest on him.
He understands that they both have so much work to do before they can consistently be together, but that doesn't stop Dimitri from missing Claude endlessly when they're apart. He never doubts Claude's love - the other man has his schemes but he is always honest about his feelings - but he craves closeness. He wants the warmth of Claude in his arms, stubble tickling his cheeks. He wants the calm melody of Claude's voice to lull him into contentment or, on worse days, chase away the voices that still linger. He just - wants him. All the time. He's selfish.
The clamor about the castle pulls Dimitri from his thoughts. Someone has arrived unannounced whilst Dimitri is reading letters at his leisure: dressed down, inelegantly slouched at his desk, hair in disarray. He can only assume his unannounced guest is an over eager noble, having arrived far too early for a later meeting, so his servant - and Claude - catch him in the middle of pulling himself together so he can be presentable though still mildly irritated.
But, then it's Claude.
He rushes to the door, swinging it wide open.] Claude?
[ Claude's hands twitch ever-so-slightly by his sides as Dimitri appears before him, dressed down yet still so handsome. Oh, how he wants to just run his fingers through that messy hair, ruining it further, and kiss him with zero regard for the anxious servant standing beside him. Moments like this are a painful reminder that he longs for the same things - his warmth, the sound of his voice soft by his ear, his smile - just as desperately.
But he reminds himself to pull yourself together, Claude and bows his head, a show of proper politeness with company in mind. ] Sorry to stop by unannounced, Your Majesty. [ no, he's not. ] I was hoping I could have a moment of your time. Not for anything formal or official, I assure you - call this a personal visit. [ A wink. ] If you're not busy, of course.
[Dimitri straightens in the doorway. Their relationship isn’t exactly a secret amongst some of the castle staff, but Claude’s demeanor and words remind him that – he too – needs to be a bit more proper in the audience of others.] N-Not at all, My Lord. It would be a pleasure. Please, come in.
[Moving aside so Claude can enter his chambers, Dimitri also ducks down to the poor servant who had to witness that. He thanks them, really, and asks for a pot of Almyran Pine Needle be sent up to them.
With the doors closed behind him, Dimitri sighs, perhaps a too heavy sigh, and sinks with his back against them. Good eye closed one moment, it snaps open in a second and Dimitri is making his way across the room to wherever Claude has settled. And he scoops the other man into his arms, hugging him tightly.] Claude -! You – you should have told me you were coming -! I would have gone to greet you, I –
[I missed you. Terribly. Deeply. All the way to his bones, his core.]
[ Claude gets as far as stepping into the room and shedding his heaviest coat before Dimitri sweeps him up into his arms. Not that he has any complaints - not when Dimitri is so warm compared to him, and is able to lift him off the ground so easily. His easy, casual smile grows fond and affectionate as he wraps his arms around his shoulders, pressing his (cold, sorry) cheek against his king's. ]
Well, it wouldn't have been much of a surprise if I told you I was coming, now, would it? [ He presses a soft kiss by his ear. ] Besides, what I said was true - I'm only here to spend time with you. Formal greetings weren't necessary.
What need is there for a surprise? [He asks, a laugh clear in his tone, but Dimitri does not mind at all. Claude being here is a rather nice surprise; his day had been pretty lackluster thus far. Not bad, but not his best either.
Dimitri sets Claude back on the ground, but he does not release him from his embrace. Rather, he adjusts his arms so he can cover more of Claude’s body. If only he’d been wearing his cloak, he could wrap him in it. But holding him, and rubbing his hands in circles on Claude’s back to generate warmth will have to do.] You’re cold.
[ With a content sigh, Claude presses closer to him in turn. While perhaps not the most effective heat source, Dimitri is certainly the most comforting and handsome. ]
In case you forgot, your winters are pretty cold. But here I am anyway, frozen to the bone, just for you. [ He's clearly teasing, but his voice softens as he tilts his head slightly to peer up at him. ] I know I'm a few days early, but... I wanted to be here for your birthday.
[Of all the things Dimitri has forgotten over the years, Faerghus' cold winters is not one of them. However... ] My birthday?
[It's possible that Claude can feel his eyelashes against his cheek and how they flutter as Dimitri blinks quickly. His birthday? Somehow that doesn't feel right. But, well - Dimitri stills as he thinks it over it in his head - it is the Ethereal Moon, which means Pegasus Moon is due in two moons - and what was the last date he'd written on his papers?
Oh, by the goddess. He's forgotten his birthday again.] My birthday! [He says with confidence.] Right, that's coming up. That's right around the corner, isn't it? [He says with less confidence. Dimitri hasn't had reason to remember his birthday in years. It was out of the question during his five years of madness - time hadn't been real then. And after that...
Dimitri's honestly not sure he even remembers how old he is. How old he's turning.]
Is it? [Dimitri startles, pulling away to look at Claude's face. He's as surprised as Claude is. Is it truly so important?
Age had only been important when he had been too young to be crowned as king. And even at that time, he only remembered his birthday in relation to Felix's - exactly two moons after his own.] Claude, how do you even know when my birthday is?
[ Claude blinks again. Why is his guess Felix? He can't remember ever speaking with the guy one-on-one. And honestly, he's not sure Felix even likes him.
But anyway. ]
No - it was the professor. [ Archbishop, technically - but they'd always be the professor to them. ]
Oh, of course. [Of course the professor would remember. They were always very good at picking just the right gift for all their students, weren't they. Dimitri looks down at Claude, still in his arms, and it suddenly hits him how very silly this conversation has become.
Dimitri's expression softens and he reaches to caress Claude's cheek.] I'm sorry, that's besides the point isn't it. You came to see me and I - thank you.
[ Ever since he set foot in the castle, Claude's cheeks have been ruddy - but as Dimitri stares at him with affection shining in his endlessly blue eye, his face heats up just slightly. His lips curl up into a fond smile and he meets his gaze. ]
... Yeah. I missed you too. [ His hands slide down to his shoulders, and he leans up on the balls of his feet to kiss Dimitri, soft and sweet. ] Why don't we get a little more comfortable by the fire? I'm still feeling pretty cold. [ And curling up with Dimitri after spending a long time on the saddle of his wyvern sounds so nice. (plus, he can take the moment of separation to grab a couple of the smaller gifts from his bag - if dimitri think's claude's presence is his only birthday present, then he's terribly mistaken.) ]
[Dimitri essentially makes a nest of the space in front of the fireplace with all the blankets and pillows from the room. As he's loading blanket upon blanket onto the ground, because they are going to be undignified and cuddle on the floor, a maid also comes by the room with their tea.
He settles, wrapping himself into a kingly burrito, and invites Claude in with open arms.]
[ At his invitation, Claude happily settles into the now double king burrito with Dimitri. With his back against his chest and head tucked by his shoulder, he hums, content. ]
Oh man, that's so much better. [ He takes a sip of his tea, letting its warmth seep into his system, before taking one of Dimitri's hands to play with his fingers. ]
Now, I know you're going to say I didn't need to get you anything for your birthday. But you forgot it, so you don't get to protest. [ Would he have let Dimitri protest, had he remembered? No.
Claude opens up Dimitri's palms and places two wrapped gifts in them. One's a bit large than the other, but they're both rectangular and fit easily in his hand.
The first gift is a book - "You asked me once about what poems I liked. Well, this is one of my favorite collections." - and the second... well. ] Be careful with that one. [ It's a box! And inside that box is...
a dagger. A very beautiful, ornate dagger, covered in crystals and yet still functional. ] I heard there's a tradition in Faerghus surrounding daggers. Something about using the blade to cut a path forward? [ And, okay, maybe he heard some of the details of that ol' dagger fiasco of his childhood from Sylvain. (but not the bit about edelgard.) ]
[Dimitri colors, instantly knowing who might have told Claude about that tradition and what story might have been told alongside it (sylvain is never going to let him live that down is he?) But Dimitri can’t be too fussed about it. Not when Claude is presenting it to him so earnestly and the dagger is beautiful, really.
He takes the dagger out of its box carefully, oh so carefully, to turn it over in his hands are really admire it. The craftsmanship is amazing, each detail purposeful and more beautiful than the next. The crystals shine by the firelight and while it is still functional, Dimitri can’t imagine every sullying it.] Claude... this is stunning. You really didn’t have to – this must have cost a fortune. [Claude has already given him too much just by showing up for the birthday he couldn't even be bothered to remember. But the book? And this? It’s so much.
Dimitri takes a shuddering breath and gentle places the dagger back in its box so he can wrap his arms around Claude.] I love it. I love you. Thank you, Claude. Truly.
[ Claude chuckles, light and fond, and presses his (scruffy) cheek to Dimitri's. ] Even if it was a fortune - which, by the way, it wasn't - it would've been worth it to make you happy, my loveliness.
[ He rests his hands against Dimitri's forearms and leans into the embrace as much as he can. ] But, in all seriousness... I love you, too. More than I can say.
[ This honesty - this vulnerability - has never come easily to Claude. But love can make even the most calculated and careful of men bold. ]
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He understands that they both have so much work to do before they can consistently be together, but that doesn't stop Dimitri from missing Claude endlessly when they're apart. He never doubts Claude's love - the other man has his schemes but he is always honest about his feelings - but he craves closeness. He wants the warmth of Claude in his arms, stubble tickling his cheeks. He wants the calm melody of Claude's voice to lull him into contentment or, on worse days, chase away the voices that still linger. He just - wants him. All the time. He's selfish.
The clamor about the castle pulls Dimitri from his thoughts. Someone has arrived unannounced whilst Dimitri is reading letters at his leisure: dressed down, inelegantly slouched at his desk, hair in disarray. He can only assume his unannounced guest is an over eager noble, having arrived far too early for a later meeting, so his servant - and Claude - catch him in the middle of pulling himself together so he can be presentable though still mildly irritated.
But, then it's Claude.
He rushes to the door, swinging it wide open.] Claude?
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But he reminds himself to pull yourself together, Claude and bows his head, a show of proper politeness with company in mind. ] Sorry to stop by unannounced, Your Majesty. [ no, he's not. ] I was hoping I could have a moment of your time. Not for anything formal or official, I assure you - call this a personal visit. [ A wink. ] If you're not busy, of course.
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[Moving aside so Claude can enter his chambers, Dimitri also ducks down to the poor servant who had to witness that. He thanks them, really, and asks for a pot of Almyran Pine Needle be sent up to them.
With the doors closed behind him, Dimitri sighs, perhaps a too heavy sigh, and sinks with his back against them. Good eye closed one moment, it snaps open in a second and Dimitri is making his way across the room to wherever Claude has settled. And he scoops the other man into his arms, hugging him tightly.] Claude -! You – you should have told me you were coming -! I would have gone to greet you, I –
[I missed you. Terribly. Deeply. All the way to his bones, his core.]
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Well, it wouldn't have been much of a surprise if I told you I was coming, now, would it? [ He presses a soft kiss by his ear. ] Besides, what I said was true - I'm only here to spend time with you. Formal greetings weren't necessary.
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Dimitri sets Claude back on the ground, but he does not release him from his embrace. Rather, he adjusts his arms so he can cover more of Claude’s body. If only he’d been wearing his cloak, he could wrap him in it. But holding him, and rubbing his hands in circles on Claude’s back to generate warmth will have to do.] You’re cold.
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In case you forgot, your winters are pretty cold. But here I am anyway, frozen to the bone, just for you. [ He's clearly teasing, but his voice softens as he tilts his head slightly to peer up at him. ] I know I'm a few days early, but... I wanted to be here for your birthday.
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[It's possible that Claude can feel his eyelashes against his cheek and how they flutter as Dimitri blinks quickly. His birthday? Somehow that doesn't feel right. But, well - Dimitri stills as he thinks it over it in his head - it is the Ethereal Moon, which means Pegasus Moon is due in two moons - and what was the last date he'd written on his papers?
Oh, by the goddess. He's forgotten his birthday again.] My birthday! [He says with confidence.] Right, that's coming up. That's right around the corner, isn't it? [He says with less confidence. Dimitri hasn't had reason to remember his birthday in years. It was out of the question during his five years of madness - time hadn't been real then. And after that...
Dimitri's honestly not sure he even remembers how old he is. How old he's turning.]
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... You forgot your birthday? [ THE ENTIRE KINGDOM LET YOU FORGET YOUR BIRTHDAY???????? ] Isn't that, you know - kind of important?
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Age had only been important when he had been too young to be crowned as king. And even at that time, he only remembered his birthday in relation to Felix's - exactly two moons after his own.] Claude, how do you even know when my birthday is?
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Of course I know when it is - we've been courting for years! [ what kind of boyfriend do you think he is????? ] You remember when mine is, right?
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He remembers Claude's, Felix's, and his father's birthday. He remembers what moons Ingrid and Sylvain's fall under but...
that's besides the point!] You must have told me at some point. But, how do you know mine when I don't even remember?
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A little birdie told me, since you didn't tell me yourself.
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Felix?
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But anyway. ]
No - it was the professor. [ Archbishop, technically - but they'd always be the professor to them. ]
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Oh, of course. [Of course the professor would remember. They were always very good at picking just the right gift for all their students, weren't they. Dimitri looks down at Claude, still in his arms, and it suddenly hits him how very silly this conversation has become.
Dimitri's expression softens and he reaches to caress Claude's cheek.] I'm sorry, that's besides the point isn't it. You came to see me and I - thank you.
I've missed you, Claude.
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... Yeah. I missed you too. [ His hands slide down to his shoulders, and he leans up on the balls of his feet to kiss Dimitri, soft and sweet. ] Why don't we get a little more comfortable by the fire? I'm still feeling pretty cold. [ And curling up with Dimitri after spending a long time on the saddle of his wyvern sounds so nice. (plus, he can take the moment of separation to grab a couple of the smaller gifts from his bag - if dimitri think's claude's presence is his only birthday present, then he's terribly mistaken.) ]
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He settles, wrapping himself into a kingly burrito, and invites Claude in with open arms.]
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Oh man, that's so much better. [ He takes a sip of his tea, letting its warmth seep into his system, before taking one of Dimitri's hands to play with his fingers. ]
Now, I know you're going to say I didn't need to get you anything for your birthday. But you forgot it, so you don't get to protest. [ Would he have let Dimitri protest, had he remembered? No.
Claude opens up Dimitri's palms and places two wrapped gifts in them. One's a bit large than the other, but they're both rectangular and fit easily in his hand.
The first gift is a book - "You asked me once about what poems I liked. Well, this is one of my favorite collections." - and the second... well. ] Be careful with that one. [ It's a box! And inside that box is...
a dagger. A very beautiful, ornate dagger, covered in crystals and yet still functional. ] I heard there's a tradition in Faerghus surrounding daggers. Something about using the blade to cut a path forward? [ And, okay, maybe he heard some of the details of that ol' dagger fiasco of his childhood from Sylvain. (but not the bit about edelgard.) ]
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He takes the dagger out of its box carefully, oh so carefully, to turn it over in his hands are really admire it. The craftsmanship is amazing, each detail purposeful and more beautiful than the next. The crystals shine by the firelight and while it is still functional, Dimitri can’t imagine every sullying it.] Claude... this is stunning. You really didn’t have to – this must have cost a fortune. [Claude has already given him too much just by showing up for the birthday he couldn't even be bothered to remember. But the book? And this? It’s so much.
Dimitri takes a shuddering breath and gentle places the dagger back in its box so he can wrap his arms around Claude.] I love it. I love you. Thank you, Claude. Truly.
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[ He rests his hands against Dimitri's forearms and leans into the embrace as much as he can. ] But, in all seriousness... I love you, too. More than I can say.
[ This honesty - this vulnerability - has never come easily to Claude. But love can make even the most calculated and careful of men bold. ]