A moment before meltdown
“Are you ready?” The parakeet haired woman placed a hand on her husband’s back in concern.
The pair were stood in the battlefield, awaiting Edelgard’s presence. While the others were rested further ahead, Hilda and Marianne entrusting of Sitri’s safety, much to her dismay, as Lorenz and Yuri fought alongside Khalid. They were surrounded by Soldiers keeping them at guard as they spoke privately.
Claude smiled sadly down to Byleth, a hesitant look on his face. “Is there ever a time to be ready?” He paused, looking towards the enclosed walls surrounding them. Byleth’s mouth remained parted, thinking of an answer to his question. Dragging an audible sigh, he continued. “I’m not afraid to admit this whole situation is sending shivers down my spine. As stupid as it sounds for someone like me, I’m terrified… bringing our children into a matter of life or death is harsh.”
Her mouth once again opened to share some encouraging words but as she imagined non came out. The feeling was mutual. The night of her vision had not escaped her mind throughout the last few days, it was the only thing she could think of. Her eyes softened in sympathy.
“Do not think like that, Claude.” She stepped to be in his eye range, despite the height difference between them. He adverted his eyes from the structure and looked to Byleth, still clearly hesitant after her statement. She continued, “I know trying to focus on the battle will be hard for the both of us, but we have to place our trust to Khalid and Sitri. They both have had the necessary training for years now. And rest assure, they both have powerful protectors there to watch over them for us. Right now, we need to focus on winning this war for good. Then we can return to a more civilian life, again.”
Taking in her words, he smiled half-heartedly. Most his worries had faded in that moment which made him visibly relax. “Thank you, Teach.”
“Of course, Claude.” She smiled back, slinging her arms around his neck taking him in an embrace. It made her smile, the little nickname he had for her. Even after all these years, she will forever be his ‘Teach’.
Claude’s smile widened as he bended his back to return the wholesome gesture in a more comfortable position. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
“We will win, I promise.” She descended her feet back on its heels, since she was on the balls of her feet, and pulled back with her hands still on his chest. “And when this is over, we can go on a vacation away from here. Just the two of us.” She twirled the piece of hair that fell in front of his face, lost in thought.
“What are you suggesting, Teach...?” He cocked an eyebrow with a playful smirk. Oh he knew what she was suggesting, he thought it was a perfect alinement to be a tease.
She stood confused, not understanding what he meant. And then it clicked. All the blood has rushed to her face as she everted her gaze. “Claude! - Not like that!” She smacked his shoulder and stepped back beside him, nervously looking to see if anyone overheard.
All he could do was laugh. In this moment, they forgot where they were. They forgot what they were doing. Until a voice brought them back to reality.
“Your Highnesses, they have arrived.”
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Standing at the opposite side of the battlefield, stood Edelgard. Her cape flowed gracefully behind her as the summer breeze danced around her. The relic she possessed, Aymr, was embedded into the ground, as she leaned forward using it for support.
From beside Edelgard, Aydin took the scenery to his advantage, gawking at its beauty. The sun was peacefully nested perfectly between the sky and land, painting the skies with a variety of colors. It brought a smile to the teenager’s face, although it quickly vanished when his Mother cleared her throat, bringing him back to reality.
“ Is this some kind of joke?” Edelgard straightened her posture, outlooking all the soldiers with a scowl on her face. On the opposite side of the battlefield were towering walls that seemed to interwind in all directions. At a few walls, you could make out the figures of Wyvern Riders and Archers, preparing their guard. Hubert glanced nervously between her Highness and the army, unsure of what she meant.
“ Y-Your Highness…”
“ Silence!” She huffed, “ This is ridiculous! Bringing back former academy students!? Claude must be off his mind.” Edelgard continued her way onward, ignoring Hubert’s pleads.
The older man sighed and pinched the brim of his nose in annoyance. “ Must she does this everytime-“ He seethed, then noticed the surprising distance Edelgard had walked in the short period of time. “ Y-YOUR HIGHNESS!?” The elder man swiftly flicked his hand forward and rushed to catch up with Edelgard. On que, all surrounding mercenaries began walking again, filling the open area with the noise of clanking metal.
After a long-aspirated sigh, Aydin followed in suite. He hung his head low in hopes that he could play his part and leave the battle unscathed.
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“THEY’RE HERE!? ALREADY!?” The blush-haired woman exclaimed, staring bewildered at one of the Alliances defenders. The leading fighters were informed of the approaching opponents so they can stand their territory. If not obvious, Hilda was not expecting the sudden arrival, causing her sudden meltdown.
“I- Miss Goneril…”
Hilda furiously shook her head. “ HAVE YOU SEEN HOW MANY THEY ARE!? I’ll need more than Sitri and Marianne here to fight for m- fight WITH me.” She said, waving her hands everywhere as if she had ice down her shirt. On her right, Marianne stared at her feet and occasionally looked to Hilda to speak but quickly shuts her mouth a short while after. Behind the couple, was the shorter girl they were ordered to keep an eye on. She was humming at tune to herself while waiting impatiently for the bickering to end. They were surrounded by large walls with only one opening. Luckily enough for them, the stone barriers reflected Hilda’s voice inside them
“Y-Yes Ma’am, we will send some of our recruitments to help if you are in need of it.”
“RECRUITMENTS!?” Hilda screeched; her eyes widened. “Oh for the love of Serios!-“
“Hilda…” The quiet but well heard mumble from Marianne was enough to stop Hilda mid-sentence. Almost to tease Hilda more, the cerulean beauty had placed her hand caringly on her shoulder causing scarlet to wash over her cheeks. Fortunately for Hilda, she had her head hung low like a child who had been scolded for something that was not their fault. “We should be fine, thank you for the information, Sir.” She said, bowing her head in appreciation.
The sudden confidence Marianne had built up soon washed away as defender retreated to his original spot. Her posture slouched and the hand she had wrapped on Hilda’s shoulder fell limp to her side. A sudden silence settled in the air, making nerves flip in Marianne’s stomach from the intense gaze she felt at the back of her head.
“Uhm-“ All it took was for Hilda to squeal to frighten the life out of the remaining people between the walls.
“YOU SPOKE! WITHOUT STUTTERING!” Hilda exclaimed. Then hastily turned to face Marianne, grasping both of her hands into her own. “ I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!” The nearby soldiers turned their heads to look at the loud woman after recovering from the ear-splitting squeal. Their face were mixed with confusion and judgment. “ Sorry..” Hilda smiled sheepishly as they tutted and moved their heads back.
“Well, I can’t disagree they were rude, but did you SERIOUSLY have to scream THAT loud!?” Sitri hissed with a peeved look. Hilda looked to the surprisingly intimating girl who was now next to them.
“Duh! This is a big moment, young one. After we will have to get tea and celebrate!”
Both girls replied at the same time, from their combined words Hilda made out that one said “If you call me ‘Young one’ again…” while the other replied, “ Oh Hilda no! It wasn’t a big deal.” Completely ignore the answer she assumed was from Sitri, she answered.
“Oh Hilda yes! I mean come on Marianne. You need to get out of your shell more often!”
“Hilda… I-I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
“ Come onnn! Just one night, pleaseeeeeeee?” Hilda’s face dropped into a pout. She continued, “ The two of us! No Claude, No Lorenz. Just you and me.” Meanwhile a certain brunette tapped her foot impatiently, her expression never changing from peeved. It was like the two had forgot about her, talk about third wheeling.
“W-What!? I mean… if it makes you happy…” Her voice grew small as she lowed her head to stop the rising blush crawling at her neck. Sitri had enough of keeping her silence and spoke up.
“Oh for the love of Serios- We have a BATTLE to fight! This isn’t some dating gig.”
Both heads turned to the petite girl, one holding a look of annoyance while the other was apologetic.
“ I’m sorry, Your Grace. You are correct.” Marianne said with a small smile. Hilda crouched down to retrieve her weapon, Freikugel, that lay on the dead grass. With it now in her grasp, she rose to her feet and slung it’s head across her left shoulder.
“What are we waiting for! Let’s kick some Adrestian Ass!”