To Cut a Path to a Brighter Future

[crimsonflower]

[When Edelgard was called to the conference she did not expect to see Claude there, but after certain events it did make some sense. It gets her to tense up in the beginning, but when Claude mostly hangs back for the conversation he's mostly forgotten. For now.

So then the conversation between Emperor and King went as follows—

Dimitri: Edelgard. I did not think you would actually accept my request.
Edelgard: Call it a whim. Well then? What did you want to talk about?
Dimitri: I will get straight to the point. Why did you start this war? There had to be a way to change things in your territory without the need for so many senseless casualties.
Edelgard: It may be hard to believe, but this is the way that leads to the fewest casualties in the end. Don't you see?
Dimitri: How could I? Countless people have already lost their lives in this conflict.
Edelgard: The longer we took to revolt, the more victims this crooked world would have claimed. I weighed the victims of war against the victims of the world as it is now, and I chose the former. I believe that I have chosen the best path, the only path.]

Comments

[azuremoon]

[Byleth just sighs and nods in response. They know they aren't the best at words, and they really had no idea how to bring Edelgard and Dimitri together, even if they would prefer not fighting her as well... they're going to have to have an uncomfortable talk with Seteth and Flayn. Things certainly went in an unexpected direction in regards to Rhea, but Claude's relentless drive to seek answers is not a complete surprise.

Dimitri hangs his head briefly, sighing as well.]

I am afraid that Edelgard and I have some fundamental differences in our philosophies, even if what we want is the same in the end. Bridging that would have been difficult alone. Still...

[He glances back in the direction they came.]

It is heartening to see she has not given up on the notion of peace entirely.

[inaurate]

[Claude hums thoughtfully, nodding his agreement.]

I certainly don't agree with the way she's done things, but that isn't something that can be changed, and focusing on the past won't end this conflict any sooner. What will is Edelgard willingly changing the path she's on because we've presented a better one.

Now we just have to get everyone else on board. [He makes a face. Not an easy task, but a light stretching of his diplomatic muscles compared to the earlier conversation. It's just that these people will be around to give him shit for it up until they leave, and then some.]

[azuremoon]

I can do that much. If I am willing to forgive her and move on, the others have little room for argument. Though...

[Dimitri smiles again, this time coy.]

I will leave the honor of explaining why it is a good plan to walk right into Empire territory with such a small group to you.

[inaurate]

I don't know if forgiveness is something that needs to happen from everyone immediately, but they at least need to be willing to see this through.

[Alright, he deserves that. It's not his preferred plan to walk right into the Empire like that but he's sure as hell going to make it work and try to spin it like it's the best possible one.]

It's for the best that I'm the one to explain the complicated nuances of the situation, and the complex machinations of my mind that led to that decision.

[azuremoon]

[Dimitri being Dimitri, bless his heart, nods as if this is satisfactory and not just Claude flying by the seat of his pillow pants.]

I would appreciate it. Perhaps we can do something to help everyone relax, as well... Edelgard will need to return to the Empire and get things settled there, so we will have time. Professor Manuela is surely hiding some wine around here somewhere. What do you think, Professor?

[The look Byleth gives Dimitri clearly expresses that they think Dimitri is the one who needs to relax, but wisely, they don't say it.

"We'll put together something. A good meal and a light drink will lift people's spirits."]

[inaurate]

[ExCUSE him if anyone here is going to plan anything even slightly feast-adjacent, it's going to be Claude.]

I can call in some favors and get us some supplies. We could have a pretty good spread for tomorrow's dinner.

[azuremoon]

[Oh, thank goodness. Dimitri has no idea how to plan anything resembling a party, but he wants to make sure his friends know that even this small step is something worth celebrating! He laughs, sounding a little shy.]

Thank you. That sort of thing really isn't my area of expertise, either, but I would hate for everyone to worry too much. If they see that we are not worried, I hope that it will soothe them.

[inaurate]

[Oh Dimitri, you are truly turning out to be a man after his own heart~]

I've got it handled, your Kingliness, don't you worry. [He winks. He's honestly pretty pleased to hear Dimitri unknowingly echo his own leadership philosophy.] It's been a while since I had a chance to plan a feast. It will be a show of gratitude, as well as a celebration for the first steps made to a new era of peace.

[azuremoon]

It is certainly worth celebrating.

["Still, I was surprised to hear you suggest it. It sounds more like something Claude would say..." Byleth says, watching Dimitri carefully for his reaction. Unsurprisingly, Dimitri ducks his head, slightly embarrassed.]

Well, I admit that is where I got the idea. You have a talent for putting people at ease, Claude. I hope to learn to do the same.

[inaurate]

[Well it's a good thing Dimitri's ducking his head and Byleth is watching him do it, because Claude gets a little flustered too.

More at Dimitri's reply than Byleth's observation, though.] I'm flattered you think I'm someone worth emulating. You'll have to smile a lot more if you want to put people at ease, though. There's a free tip for you.

[azuremoon]

I have been told that before. I have also been told that I look strange when I smile.

[Granted, this was not long after Duscur, and any smile Dimitri forced out did indeed have an eerie edge to it. But he practiced, and by the time he got to the academy, it didn't look so strange anymore. Byleth even snorted in amusement the first time they had tea and Dimitri asked if his smile was passable or not, which Dimitri took to mean as "it's not" since Byleth's deadpan stare meant that he didn't realize they were laughing.

Which they do again, right now.]

Professor! It doesn't look that odd, does it?

[inaurate]

[Claude dutifully and unconvincingly turns his own laugh into a cough.]

Of course it looks strange, you're overthinking it. [And that's coming from Claude, king of overthinking everything always.] When you smile naturally, it's very charming.

[azuremoon]

[Flattering, if embarrassing. Dimitri's still a little red over having the professor laugh like that, but he does manage a small smile all the same.]

Thank you. Even so, I think it would be best if I do not try to force a smile too often.

[Doing that didn't end well for him. Look how often he used to "smile" back in the academy...]

[inaurate]

[They get back to camp, much to their friends' relief, and Claude is put to the task of explaining the plan and why he'd gone along with it. His Deer trust their former House leader's judgement after some explanation, but some of the Blue Lions take a bit more convincing. Okay, a lot more convincing. And Seteth is a whole other problem, but Byleth has taken it upon themselves to deal with him and Flayn.

Eventually everyone settles, and the plans for a big, celebratory dinner is met with much more enthusiasm.

It's totally worth the work he has to put in that night to make it happen. They needed this, good news, good food, and good booze. Claude has been enjoying the fruits of his labor, and is admittedly a little bit tipsy when he steps away from the center of the celebrations, just to take a break.

He finds Dimitri entirely by accident, anxiously pacing back and forth. Well, that won't do. This night is supposed to be about relaxing and rejuvenating themselves.]

Penny for your thoughts?

[azuremoon]

[The first day back wasn't so bad. There was a lot of planning and talking things out, and Dimitri was able to keep himself busy, thus keeping any unpleasant thoughts at bay for the most part. Sylvain's insistence on bringing up dagger girl aside (which he quickly hushes), talks go well, and people are excited to have a chance to celebrate and let loose a bit. And for a while, Dimitri even joins in.

But eventually, it's too much for him. He still doesn't feel like he has the right to enjoy himself like that, even though the professor tried to reassure him about it before. The more wine he has, the harder it is to silence that voice inside him. When he quietly excuses himself because he's "too hot", no one is really that surprised, and he's allowed to return to his own tent to strip off all those extra layers. Dimitri wanders around camp aimlessly after that, somehow standing even stiffer despite the fact that he's no longer encased in rigid metal.]

— ah, Claude. I'm afraid they are not terribly interesting... just nerves, I suppose.

[inaurate]

[Claude hums thoughtfully, eyeing Dimitri over. It's interesting seeing him out of his armor for once; he's dressed down a bit himself, all in the spirit of encouraging people to relax, of course.

It's not exactly a secret that Dimitri's been carrying around a lot of guilt, and it's probably keeping him from fully enjoying himself with everyone else. But he feels like there's something more going on here.]

Fortunately, this is a night meant for soothing nerves. Some relaxation would do you a world of good. [An idea half forms in his head and the wine pushes it out of his mouth prematurely.] I could give you a massage or something if you'd like.

[azuremoon]

[It's not an idea he's adverse to, not exactly, but it still seems like an awful lot of trouble to ask anyone to go to for him. Especially since Claude organized this party in the first place!]

Truthfully, I mostly wanted the others to be at ease while we are gone... you needn't trouble yourself for my sake. It will not affect my concentration on the mission, I assure you.

[He runs on little sleep and high tension all the time, this is perfectly normal and not at all something worth worrying about.]

[inaurate]

[Claude huffs and shakes his head.]

I know it won't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to unwind a bit. For your own sake, and for those who care for you. If you're anxious, they'll sense it, and it'll make them anxious too.

[He smiles, tilting his head to the side.] I wouldn't offer if I minded, you know. I prefer seeing you at your best.

[azuremoon]

Do you really think they will notice?

[No, of course they will. Bless them, they all pay attention to that sort of thing, though it's still difficult for him to accept these overtures. Especially a massage — he doesn't have zero experience with it (Dedue used to rub his neck back in their academy days when he got especially stiff), but he hasn't allowed anyone to touch him so directly for nearly five years now outside of patching him up when he's injured. He briefly reaches back to rub his thumbs over his own neck, grimacing when he feels just how tight it is. At this rate, he'll have a pounding headache the entire time they're trying to question Rhea.

All right. Edelgard and Hubert are both highly observant as well, he can't afford to be squeamish. If Claude thinks it might help, he should accept the offer. Dimitri glances away, letting his hand drop again.]

I suppose you're right. I do not really have anything for it, though.

[Unless bruise balm counts, because he has that.]

[inaurate]

[He doesn't even answer that, just lofts an eyebrow. Of course they'll notice. Dimitri comes to that conclusion himself a moment later, and Claude waits him out.

As predicted, he acquiesces. They don't exactly have massage oil on hand, but--] I'll figure something out. Or I'll just have to be gentle. [He winks playfully.]

[azuremoon]

[Usually, a wink from Claude doesn't bother him. In this context, though, it reminds him just how mischievous he is, and he's not entirely sure that's a good thing...]

I have bruise balm. It spreads well, at least.

[Over skin. That he'll have to remove his top causes no small amount of anxiety. All of his old scars tell a story he's proud of, but the ones he's collected over the past five years do not. Dimitri takes a breath, awkwardly nodding in the direction of his tent before he starts to shuffle on over that way.]

[inaurate]

[No mischief here! Not right now, anyway. Claude follows Dimitri over to his tent, his face feeling hot. Yeah, he's definitely tipsy.

It's starting to hit him what exactly he's offered once it's just the two of them in the close space of Dimitri's tent. Too late to back out now, though.]

So... do you want to do this laying down or sitting up? [Has he mentioned that he's definitely tipsy]

[azuremoon]

Oh, well — sitting up, I suppose? I get headaches fairly often.

["Often" meaning "always" in this case. So it's best to keep his head up if he doesn't want to worsen them. Besides, lying down just seems so... intimate. Since he'd rather not be teased about how shy he is, he'll keep that reasoning to himself. At least he had enough to drink to keep him from balking at taking his shirt off, though he will avoid eye contact after he's done it save to pass Claude the balm as he settles down on his bedroll.]

I know the scarring is a little... ghastly, but it does not pain me, I assure you.

[inaurate]

Works for me. [Claude takes off his gloves, and then is met with the sight of a shirtless Dimitri. Oh Gods, of course he knew the man would be well-toned but to be faced with the sight of it... he suddenly misses the chill of the outside air, feeling far too hot.

He manages something approximating a normal expression when Dimitri passes him the balm, settling down behind him and openly admiring the gorgeous sight of the other man's back. The scars don't detract from it at all in his opinion-- they suit Dimitri well.]

I've got no room to judge, don't worry about that. But I'm glad to hear they don't cause you pain.

[He opens the jar of balm, spreading it over his hands. The only thing that's going to get him through this absolutely massive mistake without Dimitri noticing anything amiss is the fact that he can stay out of his sight like this. He'll just have to be careful when he takes his leave.]

Alright, uh... just try to relax, I guess.

[He starts at Dimitri's shoulders, rubbing his hands over the whole of them to spread the balm before he starts digging his thumbs into the muscle, working at the knots he can feel there.]

[azuremoon]

[The alcohol and resulting vasodilation makes Dimitri hot to the touch, and the balm feels wonderfully cool in comparison. He shivers at the sensation, entirely unaccustomed to having someone touch him unless they're tending an injury. There's always a little pain having balm rubbed in any spot he can't reach to treat his bruises, but right now, there's none at all.

Still, it's hard for him to relax. His posture remains rigid, muscles tense on his neck and between his shoulder blades. His skin has the same amount of give as anyone else's, but it's going to take a lot of work to get those muscles of his to budge. Especially since Dimitri moves to cross his arms out of instinct, but then —]

Ah —

[Yes, Claude has most certainly found a knot that needs working out. Dimitri reddens slightly at the outburst, letting one of his arms drop but lifting a hand to cover his mouth with the other.]