[Claude's brow furrows as the man speaks and seems to recognize him. His voice is familiar too, just off enough from what he knows that it's difficult to place.]
The others? Who are the others?
[Claude tensed as the man's grip tightened on his weapon, and he knew he was dead in that moment. Not at all the way he thought he'd go, on the end of a madman's lance, but there's nothing he can do to defend himself. All he can do is meet his death head-on, at least keep that tiny sliver of his pride.
The lance slams into the stone beside him, the strength of the blow destroying the stone and the lance. It's the unearthly strength in the man that makes it all click, the impossible fact of the man's identity.]
...Dimitri?
[Green eyes stare up at him, wide with shock. How could this man be the same boy he'd seen earlier that day in the library?]
( Dimitri kept still, lance against broken stone, and a single blue eye lowered to Claude. He could see the tension in the other's body, the surprise in his expression. This ghost, this image of Claude was so unlike the others - regarding him so differently from the images of his father and Glenn. )
My father. Glenn. The others.
( Every person in his life he'd loved and lost in some way or another. Had his draw to Claude truly been so intense, so deep, that his mind felt a need to torment him this way as well? Had he wronged Claude too? )
Am I that unrecognizable to even a ghost?
( The thought was enough that he laughed, a dark sound that shook his shoulders and chest. )
[So not only is this definitely Dimitri, but he's crazy. Great.]
I'm not a ghost. For one, I'm not dead. [At least, he sure hopes he isn't. Hard to rule anything out at this point. He is bleeding out, so put that firmly in the not-dead column.
He takes a calculated risk, drops the knife and brushes his fingers against Dimitri's cheek-- not on his blind side, not wanting to startle him. It's just that that's the only bare bit of skin on him. If he's going to get any real answers, and more importantly, get his wound taken care of, he needs Dimitri to understand that he's actually there.]
( There was a thought that if this were anyone else, he would have been all too eager to snap their fingers, crush the bones in their hand. But somehow, the sight of Claude reaching towards his face, brushing the warmth of his fingers across his fingers didn't trigger that particular reaction.
Instead, his fingers lost their grip on his ruined lance, letting it clatter to the ground beside him. He lifted his hand towards Claude's own, towards Claude's own to curve around the back of it. Holding it against his cheek, letting the warmth of it sink in as if even now, the idea that Claude was here was truly here was difficult to accept. )
You haven't changed. At all.
( He murmured, brows furrowing. He hadn't allowed himself to think about how Claude might have changed throughout the years, but looking at Claude now, he knew this couldn't be right. The same size, hair the same as he remembered, still in his academy uniform even... It was difficult to think this man - this boy - in front of him was a Claude touched by chaos and war.
Another thought kicks in quickly, though, fueled by the scent of blood. His eye dropped to the wound before lifting back to his face.
Whatever ghost of gentleness might have been behind the touch to Claude's hand was gone as Dimitri stepped back, closed his hand too tightly around Claude's wrist in favor of leading him away. )
[Claude's breath catches as Dimitri holds his hand more firmly against his cheek. Whatever he's been through that's turned the kind, polite Alpha he knew into this-- Claude can't begin to imagine. But he thinks he can see a hint of that now, and it makes his smile tilt more genuinely. It's clearly been a long time since he's been shown any human kindness.]
There's a reason for that, I think... something very strange has happened here.
[He smiles ruefully, the look in Dimitri's eye as he notices the wound in Claude's back putting him back on edge. Rightfully so, as Dimitri's firm but gentle hold on his hand turns into an iron band around his wrist, making him hiss a sharp breath at the tight grip.
Dimitri practically drags him away, and Claude has no choice but to stumble after him, wincing as the motion aggravates his injury.]
Hey, hey, hold on. You don't have to drag me, just tell me where we're going! To the infirmary? [Hopefully] 'Cause, I'd like to have this wound taken care of sooner rather than later, y'know?
( Dimitri couldn't explain the instinct that told him he needed to take Claude elsewhere, to tend to his injury, to keep him away from whatever other dangers might be lurking in the shadows of the monastery. Something strange was happening here, and another part of Dimitri reasoned that whatever it was, didn't matter. This was a Claude who, as far as he knew, was untouched by Edelgard and the war she'd brought down on their lands.
This was a Claude he could protect like he should have done before when chaos had reigned down on the monastery.
He stopped at Claude's words, turning to regard him carefully. )
No. The infirmary is useless to us now. ( His brows furrowed, gaze dropping down to Claude's injury before returning back to his side.
He released his hold on Claude's wrist in favor of stepping forward, sweeping Claude into his arms instead.
If Claude was going to resist and ask questions, he would simply carry him to where they needed to go. They infirmary might not have been useful anymore, but the small space he'd made for himself to rest and tend to his own wounds would be adequate enough. And he'd find a way to keep Claude in one place to gather more supplies if needed. )
[Perhaps that shouldn't be a surprise, given the state of the rest of the monastery.]
Then, where-- [Claude's question is cut off with a sharp, pained gasp as Dimitri hefts him into his arms.] O-Okay, alright, that's-- fine. Guess it'll be a surprise, who doesn't like surprises? [It's... not as nerve-wracking as it should be, given how easily the arms holding him could snap every bone in his body. Maybe all that flirting and teasing had garnered some good will?
Or maybe Dimitri's sensing something Claude's managed to keep secret all this time. It hits him suddenly that he won't have his heat and pheromone suppressors here. His last dose should still be in effect for now, but it's only a matter of time...]
So, uh... last time I saw you was a couple hours ago in the dining hall, for dinner. Ethereal Moon, 1180? I'm just taking a wild guess here that-- it's been a bit longer for you. [Look, if he keeps himself talking, it's easier not to focus on the pain.]
( Dimitri shifted his arms around Claude, prepared to catch him if he tried to escape his hold. But when Claude seemed to settle and accept what he'd done, he continued walking without a word about their destination.
He glanced down with an arched brow, though, as Claude began to speak again. He considered what he was being told, what he should say in response. A part of him reasoned Claude would know the truth in due time, but another part argued this was a Claude untouched by war and destruction. Something in Dimitri reminded him that this was a chance to protect Claude, to keep him from a world that would only bring pain. )
It is Verdant Moon, 1184. I last saw you in 1181.
( There was a coldness to his voice, a tone that spoke to the conflict that followed Edelgard's betrayal. )
[Claude turned that information over in his mind as Dimitri carried him off. Almost four years... but Dimitri had to have seen him again after he'd disappeared.]
So... then there must be a way back, if you saw me as late as that. Right? That makes sense.
[Yeah, like Claude has any damn idea how this crazy shit works. He was so curious what had led to the Monastery (and Dimitri himself) being in such a state, but he was also uncertain how well his continued prying would be taken.
Well, it'd been fine so far, right? Might as well keep pushing his luck.]
What happened in 1181? [It's a pretty fair guess, given Dimitri's brevity, that whatever Happened... it was then. And clearly Something Happened.]
( Claude was asking questions Dimitri had no answer to, and the thought frustrated him. It was certainly the first of many questions he would be unwilling to answer, and the angry, bitter part of himself that had detached itself from the world very nearly dropped Claude to leave him to his own injury. Lost, confused, and injured in a time that wasn't his own.
But that same thought made him tighten his hold slightly on Claude as he made the journey towards one of the many rooms throughout the monastery that remained intact despite having been picked clean by bandits and other scum before his arrival.
Still, Claude's question hit a nerve for Dimitri. Tension rose quickly in his shoulders, and his grip tightened further. There were flashes of memories of the chaos at the monastery, his own arrest and imprisonment followed by a bloody escape. )
We went our separate ways. ( He responded finally after a long moment of silence, sharply nudging a door open with his foot. It was enough that the barricade swung back dangerous, bouncing against the stone wall with a bang that rattled the hinges.
He wasn't at all concerned by the sound, stepping inside and making his way towards the corner where he'd gathered an assortment of blankets, furs, and pillows in an attempt to make himself a bed of sorts.
As Dimitri made his way closer, Claude might have been able to see the golden blanket folded neatly, tucked partially under his pillow - the same blanket Claude had used on his bed during his days at the academy. It's color was bright, the fibers surprisingly clean and well cared for despite how the rest of the material in his "bed" appeared worn. )
...Alright, then. [On second thought, maybe he's pushed far enough. At least for now. The look on Dimitri's face when he'd asked-- yeah, Claude had seen what he was capable of back there. At least while he was quite literally holding Claude's life in his hands, he'd back off on the questioning.
The sound of the door nearly falling off its hinges just from Dimitri's kick makes him jump in the man's arms, jostling his injury. He grits his teeth against the pain.
Dimitri's bed situation looks an awful lot like a nest, but the only scent is Dimitri's. The Alpha smell is strong enough to affect him a little even now, when he's still fully on his suppressants.
Yeah, he definitely needs to get out of here before that dose runs its course. Or at least, he needs to find the ingredients to make a new batch.
He spots the folded bit of cloth, noticeable for its cleanliness and order amongst the chaos, but he doesn't immediately recognize it at first. Not until he's close enough to make out the distinct Almyran patterns that create a border along the edge.
Now, how did Dimitri manage to acquire that? He wouldn't have left it behind unless he had no choice. Claude wasn't prone to a lot of sentimentality, but it was one of the pieces of home he'd brought with him to Fodlan and he would have been loathe to let it go. At least Dimitri seems to have taken surprisingly good care of it, which is-- an entirely separate fact to digest. Later. Right now, the wound soaking his clothes with blood feels more prevalent.]
So, what's the plan here, big guy? You got bandages stashed away in here? Vulneraries?
( If Claude had pressed further, Dimitri was prepared to drop Claude onto the ground to leave him to tend to his own injuries. But Claude seemed to understand how vehemently he didn't want to discuss that topic.
He lowered smoothly onto one knee, laying the younger man out across the bedding with a surprising amount of care. It was only when he was certain the other was mostly balanced in his position that he moved his hands away. His gaze dropped to the injury, brows furrowing as he took in the sight of the blood soaking into the dark fabric. There was a violent twitch of disapproval in his thoughts at the sight, chased by a thought that he needed to handle this quickly. )
Remove your clothing.
( He spared Claude one final look before standing, moving to collection of items not far from his nest. Among them was a number of items - mostly weapons - but there were a few other things arranged in a couple different piles and baskets. He took his time to carefully dig through one basket, brows furrowing. It only took him a moment to gather a (clean) bandages and small jar of ointment. Items he rarely, if ever, bothered to use on himself. )
Bandages are the only option for the time being. ( He explained as he made his way back to Claude, looking down at him expectantly to remove whatever layers he needed for Dimitri to get a proper look at the wound. ) Do you have any other injuries?
[That Look seemed to say "don't even think about trying to run". Well, Claude had no plans to just yet. Not until he had his bearings and was at least healed enough to get around on his own without reopening the wound. He certainly wasn't going to argue the point when Dimitri seemed willing to help him out at least this much, so he stripped out of his clothes from the waist up.
It might come as a surprise, the amount of scars he already has-- and this newest injury isn't the first made by a dagger to the back.]
Nah, you showed up just in time. I don't think I thanked you for that yet, actually, so... thanks.
[It set every instinct he had on edge, turning his bare back to Dimitri, but he had little choice.]
( There was a couple of seconds where Dimitri stood watching Claude begin to remove his top before he forced himself to turn his eyes away as if to give the other some small bit of privacy. It was unnecessary given he would have to look at Claude to tend to his wound anyway, but...
He found himself grateful that Claude turned his back to him, even if a part of him knew it couldn't have been an easy thing. Claude had always been a suspicious person, he'd learned early on, and now, Dimitri understood fully the threat the rest of the world could be to a single person. If things had been different over the last couple of years, he might have been able to offer Claude some comfort in hopes of soothing whatever instincts the gesture had to go against.
Breathing out quietly, Dimitri settled beside Claude to examine the injury. His gaze struggled to stay on just the injury instead of the sight of the other's skin on display. And the sight of those scars might have caught him off guard years ago, but now-- Dimitri was never surprised to see the scars on people's skin after having seen the darkest side of people. )
Hold still.
( He ordered in lieu of a proper response to the thanks, forcing himself to focus as he pulled off his own gloves and reached for a cloth to begin cleaning Claude's wound.
The first time his fingertips brushed Claude's skin, his instincts howled for his attention, his memories of his feelings for the other man fueling them. For the first time in years, Dimitri felt like the person he had been before the rest of the world seemed to fall apart. For a moment, it was as if he was sitting across from Claude over a meal or tea, flustered by his teasing and what he'd always hoped was flirting. His heart would always beat furiously in his chest in those moments, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. And now, he felt his heartbeat quicken, heat beginning to rise to his cheeks.
He swallowed, wetting suddenly dry lips. A part of him was reminded of how often he'd imagined getting to see Claude like this - undressed in some way. He was reminded of the shameful fantasies of having Claude laid out bare for him, pleading for his attention, and how desperately he'd worked his cock to those thoughts. He never would have thought he would find himself here, able to touch Claude, even if it was for a reason such as this.
Dimitri forced himself to focus by biting sharply on the inside of his cheek as he reached for the ointment to spread it across the length of Claude's wound. )
It isn't deep. You'll stay here to make sure it doesn't re-open.
( There was a roughness to his voice, the only real indication that he was struggling to keep focused. As he reached for the bandages, there was a damning thought that the rest of the world was beginning to melt away - replaced only by thoughts of Claude. )
[Claude obeys the order, if only because he'd really like to not bleed out over Dimitri's pile of blankets. He couldn't contain a shiver as Dimitri's warm fingers brushed against his bare skin. The touch was-- surprisingly tender.
It had to be instinct. There was no other explanation, and with how Dimitri was apparently living-- it just made sense. At least it was working to his advantage at the moment.]
I'm in no rush at the moment. [He shrugs one shoulder, on his good side, quiet for a moment before he speaks again, softer.]
Hey, Dimitri... how long have you been on your own here?
[It's an educated guess-- there are no signs of anyone else living here with him.]
( It was hard to ignore that shiver. It made Dimitri want to touch the other again, to feel along one of those scars to see if he might earn the same reaction from Claude. He silenced those thoughts in favor of rolling out the bandages to begin winding them around Claude's torso to properly cover the wound. He did allow himself to spread his hand over the warm skin in that instance, holding one end in place as he continued to secured the bandages.
The question almost made him pause, but he managed to keep moving, sliding his hand away to secure the other end of the bandages properly. )
A few months. ( He answered simply, setting the items in his hands aside in favor of reaching out to place one hand on the back of Claude's shoulder and the other on his chest to guide him to lay back in the nest of blankets. There was enough force in the gesture to say he wouldn't accept any resistance, but he was still as gentle as he could manage for the time being. )
No one knows I am here.
( There were the stories from nearby villagers, of course, ones that whispered about a beast haunting the monastery. But those outside the Imperial army and their cowardly followers were convinced of his death. A time would come when Imperial soldiers would find him here, an inevitability he'd been planning for for some time. But that was hardly something he needed to discuss with Claude. )
[A few months. Where had he been before then, and why come to the Monastery? And how can it be that no one knows where the Prince of Faerghus is? Or... would he have been made king already? Every answer begets more questions, but the urge to keep asking is abruptly interrupted by Dimitri gently but inexorably pushing him down onto the blankets.
If he thought Dimitri looked looming and huge before, it was nothing compared to how he looked hovering over Claude like this. The instincts he'd honed from life experience clashed with natural omega instinct, and he could only hope the conflict wasn't blatantly obvious on his face. A wry smile twitched reflexively to his lips.]
( Despite how easily Claude went down to the blankets and his lack of pressing for further information, Dimitri knew he'd piqued the other's interest. Claude was certainly wondering what had turned him from the polite and proper prince to this. It was only a matter of time until those words made it to the surface. )
Yes.
( It shouldn't, but the thought thrilled something inside of him. After all these years he finally had the opportunity to indulge in Claude's attention. The circumstances were far from ideal, and his own alpha instincts kept reminded him that he wanted more and more. )
[Claude was wondering a lot of things, but it seemed like he'd gotten all he was going to out of Dimtiri for now. He wasn't exactly in a mood to sleep but he was in even less of a mood to argue about it, so he shifted onto his side with a grimace and tried to relax. He tended to heal quickly, even without faith magic or potions, a useful side-effect of his crest-- and it would help make that happen faster if he got some rest.
Days pass with him healing under Dimitri's care, Claude prodding him with questions whenever he seems in an amiable enough mood to answer them, always backing off when he senses he's pushed too far into dangerous territory. Claude is all too aware of how fragile his situation is. Dimitri told him about the war, but had little details to offer, particularly on the state of the Alliance. But then, he'd been in hiding for the past several months, so it's not as though he was getting any updates himself. Claude didn't know near enough about what was going on out there to make any real plans for what to do if he left, other than try to make his way back to Alliance territory and hope for the best.
So, for now, he intended to make the best of things, search for more information, and maybe gather up some supplies, if he could get away from Dimitri long enough to do so. As soon as he was able to get around on his own without much pain, the blond followed in his steps like a shadow, almost never letting Claude out of his sight. This was especially a problem because Claude was overdue for his next dose of hormone suppressants. As far as he could tell, Dimitri still hadn't discovered his status, and he'd prefer to keep it that way-- he was already extremely overprotective of him for some reason. While Dimitri was out hunting down their next meal, he sneaked out to where the greenhouse once was, hoping it had gone mostly overlooked by thieves and bandits.]
( As the days passed with Claude under his care, Dimitri found himself wondering more than once if this entire situation were a blessing or a curse. As the days continued to creep past and they spent time in one another's company, he could feel a sense of calm and focus that was steadily pushing against his feelings of anger and need for vengeance. It made him aware of how little patience he had after all these years, encouraged him to try and work through his anger and impatience under Claude's constant questions. It was a product of his instincts, he decided one evening as he left a sleeping Claude in favor of bathing and washing both Claude's clothing and some of his own.
Dimitri couldn't quite make sense of his own thoughts at first, but after a handful of days he'd finally understood. These changes were because of Claude - his alpha instincts encouraging him to care for Claude, an omega. An omega, something in him kept whispering, that was inching closer and closer to a heat. That thought was dangerous, he reminded himself constantly. And it hadn't been easy to ground himself against it.
It made him grateful to go hunt for their next meal, to breathe in air that Claude didn't cloud so thoroughly. He wanted more than anything to curl into the nest beside Claude, to hold him close, breathe in his scent... Among other things. But at least out here, he could focus on other things.
The hunt had been quick, more so than he'd been expecting, and he'd gathered up the beast he'd killed to carry it back to the monastery. He would take care of it there, after he checked on Claude.
He made his way towards the lake, prepared to properly clean and skin their meal there when he noticed one of the doors of the green house open. Dimitri dropped the beast he carried near the lake before making his way into the green house. Even through the scent of blood and dead foliage in the greenhouse, he was dangerously aware of Claude. )
Most plants in here have long since perished. ( Dimitri explained calmly, eye sweeping the plants as if for trying to spot one that might still be living. There was evidence of recent attempts to plant some herbs in one corner, his own small tribute to Dedue. But Dimitri didn't call attention to it as he stepped further into the greenhouse and closer to Claude. )
[Claude tenses when Dimitri speaks up from behind him unexpectedly. How the hell can a man that huge move so silently? His shoulders slowly lower from where they'd hiked up somewhere around his ears in surprise, his expression smoothing out into a trademark grin before he turns around to meet Dimitri's eye.]
Yeah, I'd noticed... That's unfortunate. I was never very into the gardening aspect myself but I know my way around a lot of plants and their effects. Thought I'd check out what was still here, see if there were any medicinal herbs left. Anything useful. I can't just lay around looking pretty all day!
( It wasn't hard to miss the tension in Claude's shoulders, and Dimitri watched him carefully as the younger man turned to face him with that familiar grin. Always so quick to hide what he really felt...
He sighed as Claude explained, brows furrowing. He doubted there was anything nefarious behind Claude's real intentions here, but he couldn't find it in himself to entirely believe what he was being told.
His gaze shifted away briefly at the mention of Claude "looking pretty", desperately telling himself not to rise to that bait. )
I have been told many omegas enjoy such things. ( Dimitri responded carefully after a few, long seconds of silence, attention turning back to the other's face. ) I suppose it isn't a surprise to hear you're an exception. ( The calm in his voice said Dimitri was certain of what he was saying and there was no ill intent behind his words. )
[All the tension that had been in his shoulders is still there in his smile. He suspected Dimitri didn't entirely believe him-- not a surprise. Claude was hardly trustworthy, and Dimitri no longer the overly-trusting boy he'd once been.
He struggles not to react when Dimitri drops that he knows, his eyes widening. Well... there's not much point in trying to deny it.]
Yeah, I'm not a very conventional guy. So, when did you figure it out? [He cocks his head to the side questioningly, his smile tight. Coming from someone else he might take offense-- usually people don't mean it in a complimentary way when they say something like that. But Dimitri still had that straight-forwardness about him in his tone of voice.]
( Claude was surprisingly calm in the face of Dimitri's reveal, but he suspected under the surface, Claude was anything but. )
Within the last day or so. ( He replied honestly, taking a few careful steps towards Claude. There was a desire there to reach out and touch Claude, to try and ease some of that tightness out of his smile. But his touch would be unwelcome, he was sure of that. )
Even so, know you are safe with me, Claude.
( For a moment, Dimitri stood quietly watching Claude. More than anything, he wanted to touch Claude, to try and reassure him in some way. To emphasize how fiercely he would protect him. But this was Claude. A man who had such little trust in anyone. He doubted anything he might say or do would change that.
The thought made him turn to leave the greenhouse and return to his task, and he made it a few paces away before he paused. )
You are always beautiful, regardless of what you are doing. ( Whether he was sitting, standing, laying around... )
[So, about the time his last dose ran it's course. That's a small comfort, at least.]
I know you're not the kind of person to take advantage like that. [There's a lot that's changed about Dimitri, but enough hasn't that Claude can still trust his impression of him. But there's a big difference between that and trusting Dimitri.
The blond turns away and Claude fully intends to keep looking through the greenhouse, just in case, but Dimitri surprises him again.
Claude knows he's attractive-- exotic is the word usually used in Fodlan. Handsome, even pretty... but beautiful feels... different. And Dimitri says it like he does everything else, like he means every syllable because he does. It throws Claude off his guard, blood rushing to his cheeks. He recovers quickly, though, huffing out a laugh.] Always, huh? Trying to win me over with flattery, I see.
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The others? Who are the others?
[Claude tensed as the man's grip tightened on his weapon, and he knew he was dead in that moment. Not at all the way he thought he'd go, on the end of a madman's lance, but there's nothing he can do to defend himself. All he can do is meet his death head-on, at least keep that tiny sliver of his pride.
The lance slams into the stone beside him, the strength of the blow destroying the stone and the lance. It's the unearthly strength in the man that makes it all click, the impossible fact of the man's identity.]
...Dimitri?
[Green eyes stare up at him, wide with shock. How could this man be the same boy he'd seen earlier that day in the library?]
You're-- Dimitri, aren't you? What happened?
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My father. Glenn. The others.
( Every person in his life he'd loved and lost in some way or another. Had his draw to Claude truly been so intense, so deep, that his mind felt a need to torment him this way as well? Had he wronged Claude too? )
Am I that unrecognizable to even a ghost?
( The thought was enough that he laughed, a dark sound that shook his shoulders and chest. )
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I'm not a ghost. For one, I'm not dead. [At least, he sure hopes he isn't. Hard to rule anything out at this point. He is bleeding out, so put that firmly in the not-dead column.
He takes a calculated risk, drops the knife and brushes his fingers against Dimitri's cheek-- not on his blind side, not wanting to startle him. It's just that that's the only bare bit of skin on him. If he's going to get any real answers, and more importantly, get his wound taken care of, he needs Dimitri to understand that he's actually there.]
See? Warm, alive, and real.
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Instead, his fingers lost their grip on his ruined lance, letting it clatter to the ground beside him. He lifted his hand towards Claude's own, towards Claude's own to curve around the back of it. Holding it against his cheek, letting the warmth of it sink in as if even now, the idea that Claude was here was truly here was difficult to accept. )
You haven't changed. At all.
( He murmured, brows furrowing. He hadn't allowed himself to think about how Claude might have changed throughout the years, but looking at Claude now, he knew this couldn't be right. The same size, hair the same as he remembered, still in his academy uniform even... It was difficult to think this man - this boy - in front of him was a Claude touched by chaos and war.
Another thought kicks in quickly, though, fueled by the scent of blood. His eye dropped to the wound before lifting back to his face.
Whatever ghost of gentleness might have been behind the touch to Claude's hand was gone as Dimitri stepped back, closed his hand too tightly around Claude's wrist in favor of leading him away. )
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There's a reason for that, I think... something very strange has happened here.
[He smiles ruefully, the look in Dimitri's eye as he notices the wound in Claude's back putting him back on edge. Rightfully so, as Dimitri's firm but gentle hold on his hand turns into an iron band around his wrist, making him hiss a sharp breath at the tight grip.
Dimitri practically drags him away, and Claude has no choice but to stumble after him, wincing as the motion aggravates his injury.]
Hey, hey, hold on. You don't have to drag me, just tell me where we're going! To the infirmary? [Hopefully] 'Cause, I'd like to have this wound taken care of sooner rather than later, y'know?
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This was a Claude he could protect like he should have done before when chaos had reigned down on the monastery.
He stopped at Claude's words, turning to regard him carefully. )
No. The infirmary is useless to us now. ( His brows furrowed, gaze dropping down to Claude's injury before returning back to his side.
He released his hold on Claude's wrist in favor of stepping forward, sweeping Claude into his arms instead.
If Claude was going to resist and ask questions, he would simply carry him to where they needed to go. They infirmary might not have been useful anymore, but the small space he'd made for himself to rest and tend to his own wounds would be adequate enough. And he'd find a way to keep Claude in one place to gather more supplies if needed. )
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Then, where-- [Claude's question is cut off with a sharp, pained gasp as Dimitri hefts him into his arms.] O-Okay, alright, that's-- fine. Guess it'll be a surprise, who doesn't like surprises? [It's... not as nerve-wracking as it should be, given how easily the arms holding him could snap every bone in his body. Maybe all that flirting and teasing had garnered some good will?
Or maybe Dimitri's sensing something Claude's managed to keep secret all this time. It hits him suddenly that he won't have his heat and pheromone suppressors here. His last dose should still be in effect for now, but it's only a matter of time...]
So, uh... last time I saw you was a couple hours ago in the dining hall, for dinner. Ethereal Moon, 1180? I'm just taking a wild guess here that-- it's been a bit longer for you. [Look, if he keeps himself talking, it's easier not to focus on the pain.]
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He glanced down with an arched brow, though, as Claude began to speak again. He considered what he was being told, what he should say in response. A part of him reasoned Claude would know the truth in due time, but another part argued this was a Claude untouched by war and destruction. Something in Dimitri reminded him that this was a chance to protect Claude, to keep him from a world that would only bring pain. )
It is Verdant Moon, 1184. I last saw you in 1181.
( There was a coldness to his voice, a tone that spoke to the conflict that followed Edelgard's betrayal. )
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So... then there must be a way back, if you saw me as late as that. Right? That makes sense.
[Yeah, like Claude has any damn idea how this crazy shit works. He was so curious what had led to the Monastery (and Dimitri himself) being in such a state, but he was also uncertain how well his continued prying would be taken.
Well, it'd been fine so far, right? Might as well keep pushing his luck.]
What happened in 1181? [It's a pretty fair guess, given Dimitri's brevity, that whatever Happened... it was then. And clearly Something Happened.]
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But that same thought made him tighten his hold slightly on Claude as he made the journey towards one of the many rooms throughout the monastery that remained intact despite having been picked clean by bandits and other scum before his arrival.
Still, Claude's question hit a nerve for Dimitri. Tension rose quickly in his shoulders, and his grip tightened further. There were flashes of memories of the chaos at the monastery, his own arrest and imprisonment followed by a bloody escape. )
We went our separate ways. ( He responded finally after a long moment of silence, sharply nudging a door open with his foot. It was enough that the barricade swung back dangerous, bouncing against the stone wall with a bang that rattled the hinges.
He wasn't at all concerned by the sound, stepping inside and making his way towards the corner where he'd gathered an assortment of blankets, furs, and pillows in an attempt to make himself a bed of sorts.
As Dimitri made his way closer, Claude might have been able to see the golden blanket folded neatly, tucked partially under his pillow - the same blanket Claude had used on his bed during his days at the academy. It's color was bright, the fibers surprisingly clean and well cared for despite how the rest of the material in his "bed" appeared worn. )
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The sound of the door nearly falling off its hinges just from Dimitri's kick makes him jump in the man's arms, jostling his injury. He grits his teeth against the pain.
Dimitri's bed situation looks an awful lot like a nest, but the only scent is Dimitri's. The Alpha smell is strong enough to affect him a little even now, when he's still fully on his suppressants.
Yeah, he definitely needs to get out of here before that dose runs its course. Or at least, he needs to find the ingredients to make a new batch.
He spots the folded bit of cloth, noticeable for its cleanliness and order amongst the chaos, but he doesn't immediately recognize it at first. Not until he's close enough to make out the distinct Almyran patterns that create a border along the edge.
Now, how did Dimitri manage to acquire that? He wouldn't have left it behind unless he had no choice. Claude wasn't prone to a lot of sentimentality, but it was one of the pieces of home he'd brought with him to Fodlan and he would have been loathe to let it go. At least Dimitri seems to have taken surprisingly good care of it, which is-- an entirely separate fact to digest. Later. Right now, the wound soaking his clothes with blood feels more prevalent.]
So, what's the plan here, big guy? You got bandages stashed away in here? Vulneraries?
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He lowered smoothly onto one knee, laying the younger man out across the bedding with a surprising amount of care. It was only when he was certain the other was mostly balanced in his position that he moved his hands away. His gaze dropped to the injury, brows furrowing as he took in the sight of the blood soaking into the dark fabric. There was a violent twitch of disapproval in his thoughts at the sight, chased by a thought that he needed to handle this quickly. )
Remove your clothing.
( He spared Claude one final look before standing, moving to collection of items not far from his nest. Among them was a number of items - mostly weapons - but there were a few other things arranged in a couple different piles and baskets. He took his time to carefully dig through one basket, brows furrowing. It only took him a moment to gather a (clean) bandages and small jar of ointment. Items he rarely, if ever, bothered to use on himself. )
Bandages are the only option for the time being. ( He explained as he made his way back to Claude, looking down at him expectantly to remove whatever layers he needed for Dimitri to get a proper look at the wound. ) Do you have any other injuries?
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It might come as a surprise, the amount of scars he already has-- and this newest injury isn't the first made by a dagger to the back.]
Nah, you showed up just in time. I don't think I thanked you for that yet, actually, so... thanks.
[It set every instinct he had on edge, turning his bare back to Dimitri, but he had little choice.]
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He found himself grateful that Claude turned his back to him, even if a part of him knew it couldn't have been an easy thing. Claude had always been a suspicious person, he'd learned early on, and now, Dimitri understood fully the threat the rest of the world could be to a single person. If things had been different over the last couple of years, he might have been able to offer Claude some comfort in hopes of soothing whatever instincts the gesture had to go against.
Breathing out quietly, Dimitri settled beside Claude to examine the injury. His gaze struggled to stay on just the injury instead of the sight of the other's skin on display. And the sight of those scars might have caught him off guard years ago, but now-- Dimitri was never surprised to see the scars on people's skin after having seen the darkest side of people. )
Hold still.
( He ordered in lieu of a proper response to the thanks, forcing himself to focus as he pulled off his own gloves and reached for a cloth to begin cleaning Claude's wound.
The first time his fingertips brushed Claude's skin, his instincts howled for his attention, his memories of his feelings for the other man fueling them. For the first time in years, Dimitri felt like the person he had been before the rest of the world seemed to fall apart. For a moment, it was as if he was sitting across from Claude over a meal or tea, flustered by his teasing and what he'd always hoped was flirting. His heart would always beat furiously in his chest in those moments, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. And now, he felt his heartbeat quicken, heat beginning to rise to his cheeks.
He swallowed, wetting suddenly dry lips. A part of him was reminded of how often he'd imagined getting to see Claude like this - undressed in some way. He was reminded of the shameful fantasies of having Claude laid out bare for him, pleading for his attention, and how desperately he'd worked his cock to those thoughts. He never would have thought he would find himself here, able to touch Claude, even if it was for a reason such as this.
Dimitri forced himself to focus by biting sharply on the inside of his cheek as he reached for the ointment to spread it across the length of Claude's wound. )
It isn't deep. You'll stay here to make sure it doesn't re-open.
( There was a roughness to his voice, the only real indication that he was struggling to keep focused. As he reached for the bandages, there was a damning thought that the rest of the world was beginning to melt away - replaced only by thoughts of Claude. )
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It had to be instinct. There was no other explanation, and with how Dimitri was apparently living-- it just made sense. At least it was working to his advantage at the moment.]
I'm in no rush at the moment. [He shrugs one shoulder, on his good side, quiet for a moment before he speaks again, softer.]
Hey, Dimitri... how long have you been on your own here?
[It's an educated guess-- there are no signs of anyone else living here with him.]
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The question almost made him pause, but he managed to keep moving, sliding his hand away to secure the other end of the bandages properly. )
A few months. ( He answered simply, setting the items in his hands aside in favor of reaching out to place one hand on the back of Claude's shoulder and the other on his chest to guide him to lay back in the nest of blankets. There was enough force in the gesture to say he wouldn't accept any resistance, but he was still as gentle as he could manage for the time being. )
No one knows I am here.
( There were the stories from nearby villagers, of course, ones that whispered about a beast haunting the monastery. But those outside the Imperial army and their cowardly followers were convinced of his death. A time would come when Imperial soldiers would find him here, an inevitability he'd been planning for for some time. But that was hardly something he needed to discuss with Claude. )
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If he thought Dimitri looked looming and huge before, it was nothing compared to how he looked hovering over Claude like this. The instincts he'd honed from life experience clashed with natural omega instinct, and he could only hope the conflict wasn't blatantly obvious on his face. A wry smile twitched reflexively to his lips.]
Guess it's just you and me for a while then, huh?
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Yes.
( It shouldn't, but the thought thrilled something inside of him. After all these years he finally had the opportunity to indulge in Claude's attention. The circumstances were far from ideal, and his own alpha instincts kept reminded him that he wanted more and more. )
Rest. You need your strength.
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Days pass with him healing under Dimitri's care, Claude prodding him with questions whenever he seems in an amiable enough mood to answer them, always backing off when he senses he's pushed too far into dangerous territory. Claude is all too aware of how fragile his situation is. Dimitri told him about the war, but had little details to offer, particularly on the state of the Alliance. But then, he'd been in hiding for the past several months, so it's not as though he was getting any updates himself. Claude didn't know near enough about what was going on out there to make any real plans for what to do if he left, other than try to make his way back to Alliance territory and hope for the best.
So, for now, he intended to make the best of things, search for more information, and maybe gather up some supplies, if he could get away from Dimitri long enough to do so. As soon as he was able to get around on his own without much pain, the blond followed in his steps like a shadow, almost never letting Claude out of his sight. This was especially a problem because Claude was overdue for his next dose of hormone suppressants. As far as he could tell, Dimitri still hadn't discovered his status, and he'd prefer to keep it that way-- he was already extremely overprotective of him for some reason. While Dimitri was out hunting down their next meal, he sneaked out to where the greenhouse once was, hoping it had gone mostly overlooked by thieves and bandits.]
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Dimitri couldn't quite make sense of his own thoughts at first, but after a handful of days he'd finally understood. These changes were because of Claude - his alpha instincts encouraging him to care for Claude, an omega. An omega, something in him kept whispering, that was inching closer and closer to a heat. That thought was dangerous, he reminded himself constantly. And it hadn't been easy to ground himself against it.
It made him grateful to go hunt for their next meal, to breathe in air that Claude didn't cloud so thoroughly. He wanted more than anything to curl into the nest beside Claude, to hold him close, breathe in his scent... Among other things. But at least out here, he could focus on other things.
The hunt had been quick, more so than he'd been expecting, and he'd gathered up the beast he'd killed to carry it back to the monastery. He would take care of it there, after he checked on Claude.
He made his way towards the lake, prepared to properly clean and skin their meal there when he noticed one of the doors of the green house open. Dimitri dropped the beast he carried near the lake before making his way into the green house. Even through the scent of blood and dead foliage in the greenhouse, he was dangerously aware of Claude. )
Most plants in here have long since perished. ( Dimitri explained calmly, eye sweeping the plants as if for trying to spot one that might still be living. There was evidence of recent attempts to plant some herbs in one corner, his own small tribute to Dedue. But Dimitri didn't call attention to it as he stepped further into the greenhouse and closer to Claude. )
Are you looking for something?
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Yeah, I'd noticed... That's unfortunate. I was never very into the gardening aspect myself but I know my way around a lot of plants and their effects. Thought I'd check out what was still here, see if there were any medicinal herbs left. Anything useful. I can't just lay around looking pretty all day!
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He sighed as Claude explained, brows furrowing. He doubted there was anything nefarious behind Claude's real intentions here, but he couldn't find it in himself to entirely believe what he was being told.
His gaze shifted away briefly at the mention of Claude "looking pretty", desperately telling himself not to rise to that bait. )
I have been told many omegas enjoy such things. ( Dimitri responded carefully after a few, long seconds of silence, attention turning back to the other's face. ) I suppose it isn't a surprise to hear you're an exception. ( The calm in his voice said Dimitri was certain of what he was saying and there was no ill intent behind his words. )
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He struggles not to react when Dimitri drops that he knows, his eyes widening. Well... there's not much point in trying to deny it.]
Yeah, I'm not a very conventional guy. So, when did you figure it out? [He cocks his head to the side questioningly, his smile tight. Coming from someone else he might take offense-- usually people don't mean it in a complimentary way when they say something like that. But Dimitri still had that straight-forwardness about him in his tone of voice.]
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Within the last day or so. ( He replied honestly, taking a few careful steps towards Claude. There was a desire there to reach out and touch Claude, to try and ease some of that tightness out of his smile. But his touch would be unwelcome, he was sure of that. )
Even so, know you are safe with me, Claude.
( For a moment, Dimitri stood quietly watching Claude. More than anything, he wanted to touch Claude, to try and reassure him in some way. To emphasize how fiercely he would protect him. But this was Claude. A man who had such little trust in anyone. He doubted anything he might say or do would change that.
The thought made him turn to leave the greenhouse and return to his task, and he made it a few paces away before he paused. )
You are always beautiful, regardless of what you are doing. ( Whether he was sitting, standing, laying around... )
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I know you're not the kind of person to take advantage like that. [There's a lot that's changed about Dimitri, but enough hasn't that Claude can still trust his impression of him. But there's a big difference between that and trusting Dimitri.
The blond turns away and Claude fully intends to keep looking through the greenhouse, just in case, but Dimitri surprises him again.
Claude knows he's attractive-- exotic is the word usually used in Fodlan. Handsome, even pretty... but beautiful feels... different. And Dimitri says it like he does everything else, like he means every syllable because he does. It throws Claude off his guard, blood rushing to his cheeks. He recovers quickly, though, huffing out a laugh.] Always, huh? Trying to win me over with flattery, I see.
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