The Flow of Time (Sothis/Byleth from Fire Emblem Heroes) (Patreon)

The flow of time guided him here.

But the river of time, as mystical as it was, was cruel. Two souls could not stay together forever. Eventually, the current would make them drift apart.

Byleth knew this pain well. Many of his friends were currently not with him, and even before his arrival here, there were many he had lost already.

But there was one individual-- one he treasured above them all, that was a special case. They were bound together. Their very lives were intertwined.

What he didn't expect was how easily that knot could be undone. It mattered not that they were the only thing keeping his heart intact-- literally. The river of fate was merciless and spared no one.

Who could blame him for thinking they'd be immune?

After all, there was no reason to believe that two beings that were linked together, to such an extent that they shared an entire existence, could ever be separated!

Askr was a pleasant place. There was a good cause to fight for, and it was simultaneously enjoyable and nostalgic fighting alongside students he used to teach.

But these moments were minimal bursts of joy. They never lasted, as much as he tried to prolong them.

This wasn't the first time he had been separated from her, but much had changed since their reunion-- enough that the lack of her presence left him devastated.

When Byleth was summoned to Askr, Sothis was not brought to this world alongside him.

Her absence was immediately noticed and it quickly caused him a great deal of panic. Those present assumed he was reacting to the summoning itself, but he cared not for that; he had seen his fair share of extraordinary magic.

He was distraught by where she was-- or rather, where she wasn't. Even during the war back in Fódlan, he could still feel her presence within the corner of her mind, even after claiming she would disappear from his life forever.

It was unusual to feel… nothing. He had gotten so used to sharing thoughts.

He hated it. He had never felt so lonely before….

But Byleth was not one to lose hope. If he could be summoned, then, perhaps, so could she.

It was this possibility that led him to visit the summoning grounds whenever a summoning session was scheduled to take place. If she were to show up, she would undoubtedly be confused, and he wanted to be there to comfort her… and to tell her how much he had missed her.

But he was scared. He never showed it, for he didn't want to worry his students or his new allies. They believed he was the emotionless Ashen Demon, and it was for the best that it stayed that way. They didn't need to know anything more than that. This was his own, unique burden to hear. No one else would understand.

His main fear came from the fact that there were multiple versions of people he knew in Askr. Some were younger, some were older, and others were… different, to say the least.

Most importantly, it made him ponder something. If, hypothetically, Sothis were to be summoned, what were the odds she was the same one he had spent all these years with?

What if she didn't even know who he was?

What if she wasn't ever summoned at all? That was just as plausible of a possibility. More likely too.

Byleth sighed, sitting down on a meadow to soothe his body a little. It was early in the morning and the Summoner hadn't even arrived yet. As much as these doubts hurt him, he vowed to be present for every single summon… just in case...

He found his eyes drifting down towards his hand, staring at the ring that had never left his side since that fateful day.

He stared, and stared, and stared. He didn't know how much time passed while he did so  He was only brought back to reality when someone arrived.

"Good morning, Byleth," the Summoner greeted him as they always did. Byleth's presence was not strange to them anymore. "I hope this is the day you have been waiting for."

Byleth acknowledged them with a nod. He had answered their statement the same way many times. The Summoner already knew how he'd respond, so he saw no need to comment further.

All Byleth had to do now… was watch.

The Summoner didn't take long to prepare themselves. They readied the Briedablik and stood in front of the summoning ruins he once stepped out of, waiting for Sharena to make an appearance. She was the designated 'greeter' of the Order, helping new arrivals to Askr thanks to her charisma. Byleth remembered little of his summoning; the shock of it all (mainly due to Sothis's absence) was all he could recall. Sharena, bless her heart, had done all she could to calm him down while he freaked out. He regretted making her cry from worry, but he had since apologized. Naturally, she had told him that everything was okay, and although the response was as basic as it could be, she sounded genuine.

The first summon was a familiar sight, though it wasn't the one he was hoping for. Mercedes was a beautiful woman who he remembered being a talented healer and a good friend, but her arrival meant little to him; she was still in her academy days, after all. She wasn't the same one he had bonded with. She wasn't the same person he had told the truth about Sothis to.

He sat silently, hoping she wouldn't notice her, and fortunately, his mildly older appearance made certain of that. While he still looked youthful, he had acquired a small beard, which aided in making him look a lot physically older. He recalled someone in particular not being a fan of his facial hair, and while he had intended to shave…

Well, it was a way the individual in question would be able to identify him should she arrive in Askr, so he refrained from it.

Byleth was distracted from his thoughts due to the second summon, but as expected, it was somebody he was not familiar with. He tuned out the conversations that took place.

Unsurprisingly, the third and fourth were also heroes he was not familiar with.

Byleth sighed. He felt foolish for waking up so early, especially since the Summoner had only scheduled five summons in total for this day; they typically did far more.

He shook his head suddenly and rapidly. He didn't like feeling these kinds of emotions, and he wanted them out of his head as soon as possible.

...he missed her voice. She'd be criticizing him right now if she could. Her tough love was considerably missed.

"Ah?! What? W-Where am… ah… what, what?! I…"

...that was quite the extravagant reaction to being summoned.

But when Byleth played back those words in his mind, focusing on the voice rather than the words, and subsequently watched the bright light of summoning fade… he felt his heart skip a beat…

No, it didn't skip a beat… he felt it completely stop. The stability of his breathing vanquished in a moment while he comprehended what he was seeing and hearing. His heart hadn't felt like this before… could it be that…

It...

It was her.

It was her.

It was her!

This wasn't a dream, was it? There was no way it was. No way. No way.

No… there was a likelihood that it wasn't her. Just someone who looked like her. Someone with a similar history, but not her.

"B-Byleth? Byleth… Byleth…!"

He froze. Her voice… sounded so distressed-- she was terrified… but why?

"Where did you go?!"

...and she was calling out to him.

All of a sudden… it didn't matter whether or not this was his Sothis. He saw the despair on her face. He saw her barely able to control her body. He didn't know what was wrong with her, but what he did know was that he could not sit idly by and do nothing about it.

Somehow, Sothis was stumbling while floating. It was like she was losing control over her entire body. Regardless of what was happening to her, Byleth knew that she needed help… and not just from anyone. She had called out to him.

Byleth climbed back onto his two feet with haste, running towards her as fast as he could, attempting to grab her. Deep down, he knew doing such a thing was pointless, for they were physically incapable of interacting with each other… but he had to try!

...he truly believed his hands would phase through her, yet somehow… by some divine miracle... they did not.

Her skin collided with his, and immediately, he could feel how soft and fragile she was.

It was… so bizarre. To actually feel her! Her!

But as enchanting as her touch was, it mattered little when she was in such a distressed state. He wasn't going to let his priorities shift so easily, especially when her body continued to tremble in his very arms.

Although she was disorientated, she could ignore what her eyes were showing her. Stability gradually returned to her face, and he promptly wiped away the tears that were forming in her eyes.

"Sothis… I'm here..." Byleth tried his best to stay composed, not wanting the onslaught of his emotions to fracture his speech. The last thing he wanted was to make her worry about his well-being, especially when hers was so much worse.

She didn't respond for some time, but he was a patient man; he had already waited for so long, so what more were a few additional moments?

Sothis responded in an unexpected way, raising her hand and placing it calmly on her cheek.

Her expression was borderline unreadable. The only thing he could identify was that she had countless questions roaming in her mind as well.

But when he saw her start to smile, he knew everything was going to be okay.

"You look a little older… how strange..." she mumbled, her body voice weak… yet looking so relieved. "...and yet… you still haven't shaved!"

Byleth had subconsciously reassigned himself to the probable conclusion that this was Sothis… just not his Sothis.

But hearing her say such a thing was…

He didn't know how to process this… sudden happiness. It was a feeling he had experienced before, but… it had been so very long...

Too long.

The melancholy that plagued his mind for so long was fading away within seconds. He brought his hand up, placing his rough hand on her softer one. Sothis gazed at his face, paying particular attention to the hand that was caressing her. Her smile grew substantially, then she giggled a little, and then… she started to cry.

But this time, the tears were ones of happiness.

"...I can… really touch you, can't I?" Sothis's voice was tainted by happiness so strong she could not comprehend it. "This… is what you feel like…"

"Sothis…" his voice was quiet. He didn't know what else to say.

"I… I..." she mumbled, pausing momentarily. She then raised an eyebrow in confusion, something that also confused him… until he heard what she had to say. "I… don't like it! Your face is too… too fuzzy… I think that's the word! Facial hair does not suit you."

Byleth's grasp on her was strong, but hearing her speak with such a tone made him subconsciously increase his grip on her. It felt so… refreshing to hear her scold him like that, and now that she was in his arms, he didn't want to let her go.

"H-Hey… that feels w-weird…" she mumbled, her tone thrown off suddenly. "I think… that... hurts..."

That last word made him rectify his mistake immediately. He was too overwhelmed by an onslaught of emotions that he didn't notice she actually was as fragile as she looked.

"I… I'm sorry."

Knowing he had caused her any degree of pain was heart-crushing.

Byleth had not experienced such emotion in quite a long time. Many would consider him essentially emotionless, unaware it was because he had already shed all the tears he could produce.

And yet, here he was, experiencing such a siege of emotions that he could not help but cry.

"...ah… it's fine, I… am not sure what is going on, but…" she sounded more like herself, but couldn't help but feel bewildered. Despite that… "I feel safe with you, so please, do not cry."

Although it was characteristic of her to do so, she felt no additional temptation to tease. The distress she saw on Byleth's face, even if most of it had since faded, could not be ignored. She was physically not quite there, but he wasn't there emotionally, and to her, that mattered far more. Therefore, she kept her hand on his cheek, knowing her touch was providing him comfort.

"I am sorry," Byleth was still emotionally unstable, but his condition had improved. "I did not mean to cause you concern."

"I could say the same to you… my love," she spoke softly, never letting her warm smile leave her expression.

"...you really are her, aren't you?" Byleth had to resist the urge to cry again. It was difficult.

"You talk as if I have been gone for years," Sothis observed.

Byleth couldn't help but chuckle. "It's... only been a few months, actually."

Hearing that made her frown.

"Your misfortune is nothing to laugh at," she scolded him, sighing momentarily after. "To me, it has been… a minimal amount of time. For a moment… I noticed you had been snatched away from me, and… well, that matters not. I am here now, and when I was summoned, I felt the flow of time shift."

As much as she tried to prioritize her lover's well-being, she could not ignore how she was feeling, both physically and emotionally, either. There was so much to process, but she was glad she could think while in the comfort of his arms.

...she never thought she'd be able to experience this tranquility. She had seen countless couples embrace like this… and at times, she had been so, so jealous!

Sothis had always wanted to feel him, and it wasn't just for her own gratification. There were so many times she wanted to comfort him… but all she could give him were gentle words of wisdom.

Sometimes, that was enough.

Sometimes it wasn't. She could tell whenever that was the case. He couldn't exactly hide his emotions from her.

They were bonded together, and yet so far apart.

But now...

Being able to feel was as familiar as it was unfamiliar. Once, she had roamed the world as a physical being, but so much time had passed since that era. To feel not only another, but also experience what the world felt like… there was so much to wrap her head around!

She felt what she believed to be the wind, and she felt what she believed to be… a chill? It had been so long that she had forgotten what words to use to associate with the respective feelings! To suddenly go from not being capable of feeling such things, to experiencing them without warning, was boggling her mind.

Did this mean she… was a physical being now? It was one of many, many questions she wanted to ask. When another chill ran down her spine, she instinctively clung to Byleth, and he responded appropriately, embracing her in a hug that filled her with… warmth.

Yes, it was warmth, wasn't it? It wasn't an unknown feeling-- she had felt it quite frequently whenever she talked to him, even before receiving her corporal form. But now, the feeling was amplified dramatically in intensity… and it both thrilled and scared her. To be able to feel his body heat… his temperature… it was so, so strange, and yet… so surreal!

This was going to take some getting used to!

Despite that, she desired more, and it wasn't just because she was feeling greedy. Listening to her instincts, she wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him closer, shielding him from this strange place that had hurt him. Here, he could cry in peace, for as long as he needed to.

She was really starting to like how she felt. She felt… cozy… all fuzzy inside! A good kind of fuzzy, too! She could….

...why was she hearing a strange knocking sound? Where was it coming from? It sounded like it was close… and it was making her feel so bizarre...

Was it this strange realm? Where were they anyway? She had a quick look around, and upon noticing something, she returned her attention to her lover, but not before yawning.

Byleth's tears were beginning to diminish, perhaps because he had no more to shed, but she was confident he was at least feeling a little better, enough for them to chat.

"Byleth, dear… I have a lot of questions, but…" Sothis spoke quietly, tapping him on the shoulder. To finally perform the actions he had seen him do so many times was so bizarre… but she'd have time for reflection later! She had noticed something he hadn't. "We should… probably move elsewhere."

"...why is that?"

"We have attracted an audience, it seems," Sothis answered, yawning again shortly afterward. It was pleasant to actually feel tired-- it was a familiar state, so wasn’t going to cause her any surprise! "Many of them I recognize too."

Byleth gradually turned around, refusing to let go of Sothis, and in turn, she refused to let go of him, throwing her small arms back around his neck so she could hold onto him a little better. Their hug was a little awkward and certainly could be optimized, but right now, just being able to touch one another was enough.

After all, it was a sensation they never believed they'd experience. They were going to make the most out of it!

Byleth's little moment had attracted quite the crowd. Many of his students had shown up, perhaps hearing about their professor's breakdown. He wasn't quite sure how long he had been crying; he had rushed at Sothis without warning, so it wasn't shocking that news had spread of his seemingly uncharacteristic action.

"...are you feeling alright?" the Summoner was the first to speak up. They had been here since the beginning, after all. They had seen it all, but he knew they wouldn't think badly of him, at least. They had witnessed more than their fair share of strange summons.

"Yes, I apologize for the commotion," Byleth responded. His face was probably stained with tears, but his smile was genuine.

“It’s not like you to act so… well, like that, Teach,” Claude was the only one from the academy confident enough to speak up. His curiosity was always unmatched. “Who is the girl?”

...ah.

He hadn’t really thought about what would happen after Sothis showed up. He was so convinced she never would, so there was little need for him to think ahead.

But the way she was holding onto him right now… it was like he was giving her a piggy-back ride. It was something a parent would give to their exhausted child, and he fondly remembered times his father would do the same for him.

Hmm...

“...she’s my daughter,” Byleth answered.

It was a complete lie, of course… but he had been put on the spot. Fortunately, it was an answer that was believable. Although many of his students were presently still a member of the Officer’s Academy, they were at least aware their professor was from a completely different time. The prospect of their professor having a child would certainly be strange to them, but not unrealistic.

Byleth wondered what Sothis had to say about his excuse, but she strangely said nothing.

“I see…” Edelgard was the next to speak up. “She doesn’t look like you, so I was perplexed… and I believe I saw… ah, well, nevermind about that...”

Byleth had a hunch as to what she was referring to. Hopefully, Sothis’s ridiculously long hair would conceal any hints towards her true identity. It was best that nobody figured out the truth; he did not want to deal with the complications that would come from that.

“To be fair, Edelgard, Jeralt didn’t exactly look like our professor either,” Dimitri pointed out.

“Well, I’m not one to focus on looks,” Claude playfully scolded them about their priorities. “I’m just happy you’re reunited with your daughter, Teach.”

“Oh yes, I am as well, my apologies,” Dimitri slightly bowed, wishing to be respectful.

Seeing these three talking together was something he thought he’d never see again, but it was oddly comforting. Of course, they had been here for a while, but appreciating the things Askr had to offer had been difficult.

Endless worries would not let him enjoy himself… but they were dissipating now.

All because she was here.

He turned his head around carefully, catching a glimpse of the girl he loved.

...she had fallen asleep.

Of course she had.

___

When Sothis woke up, she initially believed she was dreaming.

It was only when she dreamt that she recalled traces of what it was like to feel, but she’d quickly forget those sensations upon awakening to a colorful world that she could see and hear, yet not interact with.

...so to feel a strange, comforting feeling coursing throughout her entire being, and to discover that it would not fade...

Well, it made her freak out a little.

And yet, she did not move.

It was… a nice feeling. She didn’t quite know how to describe it…

It… was nice. Nice!

Sothis groaned. That was such a dull word to use! So many words she had forgotten, merely because she could not associate with their meaning. It was frustrating!

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” a more than familiar voice called out to her. Her eyes dashed to the side, and she saw the man she treasured so much… but why did he look… sideways?

...and what was this thing surrounding her body, anyway?

She knew the word for this too! It was at the tip of her tongue!

She had scolded him countless times using this very same word whenever he overestimated his endurance!

Ah! She remembered!

“...I’m in bed,” she whispered.

“You’ve never slept in one, have you?” Byleth laughed a little. She gazed at him again, and she was a little astonished to see him look so… ordinary? Aside from him looking sideways, of course, but that was because she didn't feel any incentive to sit up. Most importantly, she had not forgotten how he looked before. The distress…

What was up with that?

Was that a dream as well?

No… it wasn’t.

Sothis raised a hand upwards, stretching one open. She then proceeded to poke the palm of her hand with a finger from the other.

“...that feels weird,” Sothis commented.

“Poking your hand?” Byleth inquired. She repeated the motion a few times, and he watched as her expression conformed into confusion.

“Yeah, and why do I feel… so nice…?” Sothis had a feeling she wasn’t making a lot of sense, but then again, nothing really was making sense, was it? Still, it was best to elaborate to the best of her ability. “I’m in your bed, and I don’t want to leave it. Why is that? Has it been enchanted with some magic spell, preventing me from moving?”

Byleth took a moment to respond, trying to analyze the situation.

Sothis wasn’t used to the sensation of feeling. That much was obvious, so it was undeniably and understandably causing a lot of disorientation.

...as for what she was describing, the answer was amusingly obvious.

“I think you are experiencing comfort, Sothis,” he concluded. “Do you not remember all the times you’ve had to yell at me to get out of bed?”

“I’ve never quite understood why it sometimes takes you so long to get out of that thing,” Sothis replied.

He scoffed playfully, his smile growing expeditiously. It hurt a little to grin this much, but he was enjoying this significantly.

“Well, now you know why,” he chuckled.

Sothis pouted at him, but she couldn’t stop her muscles from forming a smile either.

Byleth had taken her to his room after she had dozed off. Her arrival in Askr had exhausted her tremendously, so retreating into the familiar sanctuary of slumber was a good move on her part. Now that she was well-rested and not burdened by the shock of summoning, she could take things at a more reasonable pace.

Complete instinct led him to stroke her hair. If she was enjoying the comfort, then it was his job to magnify how relaxed she was.

He wasn’t expecting her to shiver, but fortunately, it was just because she hadn’t anticipated him to touch her so suddenly.

“...that feels weird,” she mumbled.

Her tone of voice suggested neither pleasure nor discomfort, so just to keep things safe, he retreated his hand.

...only for her to suddenly grab his wrist, and place it back on her crown.

“I didn’t say stop, you idiot!” she whispered, pouting once again. “...and while you’re at it… I have a request, if you don’t mind.”

“Anything for you,” he told her.

Sothis was used to him being considerate and willing to do anything to please her. She used to feel some guilt for it, for she often found himself nagging at him, but their deep connection at least indicated that he didn’t mind.

...that deeper connection…

It wasn’t present now, was it? She could no longer feel his emotions as if they were her own. She would have to look at his face, and judge how he was feeling by herself… and…

...that comment of his wouldn’t stop playing in her mind!

He'd do anything for her…

He had said it many times before… but this time… something was different!

She could feel it-- her cheeks, why were they blazing hot?!

It was perhaps a miracle they did not currently share that connection! Her emotions were currently turbulent, but she could quickly turn her body over and hide her embarrassed face from him without him realizing what was happening!

...doing even that was weird too!

Everything was weird!

Why was her body sinking so much into the bed? Why did it feel nice, yet so strange?

Why could she feel… heat? From her own body? Was it internally collapsing? No, she felt okay… well, as okay as someone could feel in her situation!

...part of her just wanted to go back to sleep. For once, it wasn’t her usual sleepiness making her feel that way either.

It was this stupid bed!

Bleh!

Sothis was sick of this!

Therefore, she did what any goddess would do while faced with distress.

She started to kick.

This stupid, comforting cover was too much for her to handle, and she had to rid herself of it immediately!

Byleth watched her little tantrum with a joyful smile on her face. These kinds of outbursts occasionally happened, but to see physical collateral damage was new. Sothis eventually managed to kick the covers off of her body, and attempted to leave his bed.

...but as she expected, doing so was also weird!

Sothis was too used to just… floating everywhere. She expected to be able to tumble off this silly bed and hover. She was looking forward to finally being free of this strange power of touch, at least temporarily.

Unfortunately, she discovered her ability to float was no longer an automatic process... the indicator being her completely falling off the bed instead.

Sothis had seen her fair share of falls in the past, so she was expecting to experience what she knew as pain for the first time… but instead, she once again felt comfort.

...this form of it, however, she did not mind.

Byleth had caught her, reacting hastily to her little tumble. His large hands were enough to mitigate the fall, and to feel the heat of his body as he embraced her was tranquil. He was kneeling, but her light weight made it easy for him to stand up again. Still a little astray by pretty much everything, Sothis latched onto him tightly, leading to an awkward hug. As clumsy as it was, to feel the full embrace of his body…

...ah… she liked it a lot!

“...sorry about that,” she whispered quietly, unable to not feel some embarrassment. "Thank you for catching me.”

“Don’t rush this, Sothis,” he was the one chiding her for once, but it was justified. “This will get some getting used to, but I’ll be here for you.”

There was that heat again! She hated it! She also loved it! But she hated it a little bit more, because it was confusing her overwhelmed mind too much!

...and to make matters worse, she was hearing that strange sound again!

It was a brief but continuous noise. It was like someone was knocking on a door, but it felt like it was coming from… within her?

That was another unfamiliar feeling, and as headstrong as she was, there was only so much she could withstand before it became a bit too much.

“Byleth… I feel… so weird…” she hated how she couldn’t adequately describe it! She could speak so sophistically, and yet could not figure out what word to associate with these foreign feelings. The best she could do was hope he'd be able to decipher it. Thus, she told him what she was experiencing to the best of her ability.

Byleth was naturally concerned over what she was saying. He couldn’t imagine what it was like being in her shoes right now (sure, she didn’t wear any, but that was beside the point).

But as he listened to her explanation-- the knocks from within…

Well, he couldn’t blame her for not knowing this one. When he arrived in Askr, he didn’t know what it was either. Something about this magical world had awakened a new feeling that they both had to experience and adjust to individually.

...he too, was experiencing that pleasant feeling alongside her.

But it wasn’t always pleasant. It had caused him tremendous grief while she was absent… but she was here now, and he doubted he’d ever experience such despair again.

He decided to test something, partly because it was also an opportunity to be cheeky with her.

Brushing aside some of the hair covering her forehead, he leaned in, and did something he believed he would only ever do to her in the most magnificent of dreams. His lips landed on her forehead, and he kissed it gently, satisfying the urge that had been brewing within him for some time. Byleth was quite curious to see how she’d react.

He had been tempted to aim a little lower too, but the thought of doing so made him hesitate. A kiss on the lips, while tempting, would overwhelm not only her, but himself!

...but that would come in time. He was certain of it.

“B-Byleth, w-what was that?!” Sothis was not expecting such a… such a… chill…? “That m-made me feel… really weird… and that knocking is even louder now! Y-You idiot…!”

That was just the kind of reaction he was hoping for.

“Sothis, your heart is beating.”

He was blunt yet vague with her. He knew she’d be able to figure out what it all meant.

And she did, and it was massively entertaining to see her reaction. First, there was bewilderment, like she was processing all the possible meanings. Not long after that came the adorable bashfulness he loved seeing from her as she realized why her heart was beating so frantically.

“...A-Ah… so that’s what it feels like…” she mumbled, once again avoiding eye contact by sinking her head into his chest. He didn’t need to be able to read her thoughts and emotions to know why-- he had already caught a glimpse and noticed how red in the face she was.

The duo stood still for some time, and although Byleth briefly thought she had fallen into slumber again, her tight grasp on him indicated she was still awake. Sothis was likely lost in thought, and naturally, he was more than willing to give her all the time she needed.

“...you feeling alright?” he asked eventually. She muttered into his chest, but upon receiving no response (it took her a moment to realize that her voice could be muffled now!), she gazed up, her eyes sparkling.

It was still odd to see Sothis appearing so… fragile, but the adorableness was off the chart.

“Yes… I apologize, there is a lot to process… a lot!" she answered with a reasonable response. "Uhm… I got a little sidetracked by my heart beating but... I still have a request for you."

"I'll do anything for you," he told her again, and he'd do so a thousand times if it kept her smile gleaming.

"...shush…" she mumbled, looking away momentarily. Byleth knew she'd eventually return to her normal self, but he was treasuring how precious she was currently being while it lasted. "A-Anyway… you've actually done half of my request already, but now I want… the real deal."

“Real deal?” he inquired.

She nodded slowly, attempting to say something, but no words came out.

The silence was short-lived, however, as Sothis grew frustrated with her timidness and forced the words she wanted to speak out.

“K-Kiss me!” Sothis instructed him. Her voice was loud and demanding, but also radiated so many nerves. “...on the lips, this time.”

Byleth and Sothis had been a couple for an astronomical amount of time, yet due to their unique situation, they were never able to do many of the things traditional couples could do. Sothis had clearly fallen in love with cuddling considering how she still clung to him, but she wasn’t content with just that. They had been granted a special gift. How this was even possible was beyond them, but neither honestly cared. What mattered was that they could, and neither wanted to let this opportunity go to waste.

Therefore, Byleth leaned in once again, placing his hand on her small check while she gazed up at him. She closed her eyes, waiting for him to fulfill a wish she once believed could never be granted. He paused moments away from her lips, needing a second to gather his bearings, but the thought of actually doing this was highly motivating.

They had been denied this for so long. Too long. The curse of not being able to touch, cuddle, or kiss… was tormenting.

But they had been strong. They had persevered in a world that did not wish for them to be together.

...and now, despite everything, they had been rewarded for their patience.

He closed his eyes, shivering upon feeling his lips intersect with hers. She responded similarly, tightening the grasp she had around his waist.

Byleth immediately noticed that her lips were soft. Unbelievably soft. His heart, already pounding ferociously, felt as if it was about to burst out of his chest at any moment.

Sothis immediately noticed that his lips were soft. Unbelievably soft. Her heart, already pounding ferociously, felt as if it was about to burst out of her chest at any moment.

Both departed from the other simultaneously, a faint, squeaky clicking noise emerging from their separated lips.

Their eyes opened simultaneously, and they both immediately noticed how red the other’s face was.

Sothis looked away briefly, biting down on her lip, but she could not help but gaze back. Was she embarrassed? Undeniably!

...but she didn’t really mind him seeing her this way, did she? Her new ability (if it was even right to call it that) had messed with her emotions a lot… but she believed she was getting used to it.

“...that was nice,” he commented.

“Mmhmm…” she murmured.

Byleth picked up on her lack of enthusiasm, and it made him worry. “Did you not like it?”

“Of course I did, you dummy…” she chuckled a little. “I just…”

“...just…?”

Sothis pouted and was ready to scold him.

However, her thoughts and emotions were shattered by him suddenly kissing her again. This smooch was not one she was prepared for, but she soon embraced the tranquility soaring throughout her body. Byleth was getting a little worried about his heart. It was beating so much! It was bizarre to think that once, it was incapable of beating; he felt like his heart was making up for all the lost time.

For the sake of his organ, he stopped the kiss before she was fully satisfied with it, causing her to pout yet again. He wanted to dig in right away, but he needed time to recuperate.

“It’s difficult to convey yourself now that we lack independent thought, isn’t it?” Byleth asked her, patting her on the head. She felt humiliation-- not because of what he was doing, but because she wanted to ask him for more of it! It felt… so nice… “Fortunately, I’ve been with you long enough to know what you’re thinking.”

Sothis raised an eyebrow. Really now? What a curious statement to make! She was intrigued. "Oh yeah? Well then, tell me what I am thinking right now.”

Byleth smirked, happy to accept her challenge. “You want to ask me for more headpats, but you don’t want to do so as you can’t help but feel embarrassed about it, even though it's me. Perhaps the ability to feel, and how new and strange it is, is messing with your emotions a bit, hence your bashfulness. Similarly, you also want to ask for more kisses, but refrain from doing so for the same reason. Also, you really like being held by me, since it makes you feel safe, and-”

“Okay! Okay! I get it!” she interrupted him, flicking his forehead. Doing so felt satisfying, and she made a mental note of it. “Hey… if you knew all this, then how come you've been getting me to elaborate on pretty much everything?"

“You know what I often think about,” Byleth pointed out. “You can figure it out.”

Sothis growled at him.

“Teasing me, is that it?” she scowled, though the sudden poking of his face indicated she wasn't too fussy. Eventually, she grew bored of the motion, but the sudden warmth emerging from her cheeks made him curious. What was she thinking about now? As much as he did just suggest he was a mind reader, the blush could signal a multitude of things… he'd just have to watch and make an estimated guess.

When Sothis gazed up at him, with sparkling eyes, he felt his heart begin to beat faster. That pleading look of hers was a weakness of his.

Sothis didn't know where these thoughts were coming from, but she supposed they were an inevitability. The possibilities as a result of them being able to touch each other were endless, but one specific thought was starting to become very prominent.

She blamed that stupid, stupid kiss! It had sent her heart on a rampage. Their conversation had briefly distracted her, but now she was playing back the kiss over and over in her mind. She hadn't forgotten how he concluded it before she was ready, either! She wanted more!

"You know… if I am capable of being… touched, then… we could…"

A knock on the door shattered her speech, and she greatly subverted the urge to scream.

"Teach! You doing alright in there?"

Sothis liked Claude. She thought he was charming, and had a good sense of humor.

Her opinion of him was not so great anymore! She wanted to kill him!

"Yeah, all is well," he called back, gazing down at his frustrated lover who was still cuddled up in his arms. Her pouting was off the charts.

"Listen, a lot of us saw or heard about what happened earlier," Claude got straight to the point. Byleth would have preferred his students hadn't seen him in such a state, but considering Sothis had returned to his life, he wasn't bothered by the minor inconvenience. "We've arranged a little bit of a gathering for people from Garreg Mach. A big tea party, if you will. We'd like you to come, and you can bring your daughter too, of course, assuming she's alright."

Sothis poked him in the face, temporarily diverting his attention.

"Daughter?!" she whispered.

Ah… right. He had almost forgotten about that.

Uh oh.

"Okay, Mister Claude!" Sothis called out suddenly, purposefully using a high-pitched tone. "We'll go, right, daddy?"

What.

"You told your kid about me?" Claude chuckled. "I must be some kind of big shot in your time. I'm honored, Teach! Anyway, I'll see you two there!"

The two waited some time for him to depart.

Sothis was the one to speak up first. Byleth was facing an unfortunate case of speechlessness.

"...I already knew you could be perverted… but it seems your degeneracy has escalated in my absence…"

That was a strange thing to say with an amused tone. It contrasted her word choice significantly. It was safe to say she was teasing him about it.

"I was put on the spot when asked who you were," Byleth explained.

"Very well, daddy," she chuckled, finding an enormous amount of entertainment in what she was saying. It was fortunate she was too busy giggling to really look at his face, and how bright red it was. "This will be very amusing! I'll pretend to be your daughter for the time being-- it means you'll have to give me lots of piggy-back rides, after all. I am not quite used to being a corporal being, so a personal transport system will do me good!"

"...can't you float?"

Sothis glared at him.

"Too exhausting of my energy," she answered. That was the first he had heard of that. "I would much prefer holding onto you while you take me to my next destination."

Byleth knew she was trying to paint this as her being lazy, but he knew better. She just wanted to be held, and because she couldn't quite admit it yet, she was trying to be clever. The worst part was that he truly had no problem with her using his shoulders as a throne, but he wasn't going to confess that just yet-- he wanted to see how subtly adorable she could be.

"Walking is out of the question, then?" Byleth was curious about one last thing.

"I, uhm… well, I… am… not sure… how to do that. How to walk, that is," Sothis was honest, and a little ashamed to admit it. Walking was… well, something everyone could do.

But she couldn't. She could picture how to do so in her dreams, and she had mimicked the action whilst conversing with him within their once shared mind.

However, this was reality, and considering how she reacted upon waking up within his bed…

Well, the idea of attempting intimidated her.

"I can teach you, if you like," he offered.

...all of a sudden, she didn't feel so scared.

"Okay, but… you have to support me, okay?" Sothis was insistent, expressing as such with her slightly shaky voice.

"Of course."

The process was a little awkward to initiate since he was still clinging to her, but slowly but surely, he lowered her onto the ground, keeping her standing while she clung onto him with her hands.

Upon feeling her feet touch the cold floor, she shivered, instinctively activating her floating ability and using it to wrap her body around his.

"Nope!" she whispered. "Nope, nope, nope! Absolutely not!"

Hearing her voice dramatically increase in volume and her panic escalate was amusing. She had been caught off guard by the cold floor, hadn't she? Byleth wasn't concerned about her distress; it was nothing some gentle head scratching and hair stroking couldn't fix.

"That was too weird," she wasn't happy about her defeat, but the sensation of cold had spooked her a little too much.

"We can try again at some other point, Sothis," he spoke calmly to her, noticing she was fond of having her hair played with. Sothis wasn't used to how it felt to be caressed like this… but that didn't mean she wasn't loving it. "Let's visit everybody first. You can stay clung to me, if you like, daughter."

She scoffed. "Very well then, father.”

“...that sounds too formal,” Byleth wasn’t too sure about that one.

“Daddy, it is then!” Sothis giggled. “Perverted indeed!”

This girl…

___

Byleth was glad to see all his students together again. He could tell they were all worried about him, and physically being able to see him well, and even smiling, was incredibly reassuring to them. News had also spread of their professor having a daughter, and it explained thoroughly why their professor was so unhinged beforehand, and how he had recovered. They were all immensely worried about him and wondered why he barely ever talked; at first, they believed something tragic had happened in his time, but in the end, it was simply a father longing for his daughter.

They were all happy to see him smiling, and conversing with everybody. He was apologetic, and despite insistence that they understood why he was so distant, he was stubborn about it and made sure to talk and talk, eager to make up for lost time.

Sothis was glad to see him speak so joyfully, and for once, she wasn’t just a mere spectator to these kinds of events!

Some of the students had even talked to her, and she made sure to act as child-like as she could. Sophisticated speech would make them a little suspicious. It was odd seeing all these familiar faces introduce themselves to her when she already essentially knew all there was to know about them.

It was fun at first, but she couldn’t deny the spectacle was starting to fade.

...she just wanted to be alone with him. There was still so much she wanted to do and say, and she just couldn’t right now. Such a problem was the byproduct of their new reality, for they no longer shared a mind.

But something happened that made things significantly more interesting, for better or for worse.

Seteth and Flayn made an appearance, and they were very intrigued by her presence. She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

“Oh! Your daughter is so cute, professor!” Flayn was the most enthusiastic. “Is it true that your name is Sothis? Did you know the goddess has that name as well?”

There was no point in lying about her name; they both knew Byleth would eventually slip up. They had prepared a story in case they were questioned about it anyway.

Sothis resisted the urge to bite her lip; they’d see it, and besides, it was a habit she wanted to rid herself of. In the realm of dreams, she did it whenever scolding him, but the twist of reality made it hurt a little! She didn’t like pain. Not one bit!

“Daddy says he named me after her,” Sothis talked quietly, wanting to sound all innocent and shy. She had a feeling Byleth was feeling similar nerves to her and she didn’t want him to answer, lest it muddle their story. “He told me the goddess saved him once, so he wanted to thank her. That’s why I have her name!”

They didn’t need to know she was tooting her horn a bit.

Byleth noticed she sounded a little exhausted, prompting him to head towards one of the nearby tables. Seteth and Flayn followed after him, and he carefully sat down, making sure to maneuver Sothis onto his lap before he did so. She had been basically riding his shoulders all day, so the lack of movement in her body was probably making her all stiff; therefore, giving her the opportunity to move her legs a little better would likely patch things up.

Though she wasn’t a particular fan of the bumpiness, it did feel nice to be sat like this. They were selling their father-daughter story quite well, she hoped!

So long as she stayed strong. Feeling his arms around her belly was warming her cheeks up. She adored his warmth so much.

“I’m glad she is here,” Byleth spoke as Seteth and Flayn sat down, the former placing the tea he had acquired beforehand onto the table. “I apologize for any concerns you had regarding my well-being. Rest assured, my sweet little pumpkin is here, and that is all that matters.”

Sweet little pumpkin?!

He was trying a little too hard, she thought!

“We are glad you are feeling well,” Flayn smiled warmly.

Byleth was naturally happy to talk to these two, but he didn’t wish to converse with them for long. They knew a lot about the goddess, so he had to be careful.

“Sothis, may I ask what your favorite tea is?” Seteth spoke up, having been strangely silent until this point.

Sothis was intrigued! It reminded her that she hadn’t tried any tea yet. She hadn’t experienced either the wonders of drinking or eating, actually!

…which probably explained why her stomach was starting to rumble a little. She only knew to associate this feeling with hunger because she had bugged him far too many times before to take a break and eat! She made a mental note to talk to her love about it in a moment.

“I haven’t tried tea before,” Sothis answered. “Tea is for grown-ups, right?”

Seteth was caught off guard by that comeback. This confirmed her suspicions; Seteth was trying to see if she would slip up! He was onto her!

Sothis loved Cichol and Cethleann. She really did.

But this wasn’t her era. Not anymore, even if excessively wanted to hug them and be there for them. Sothis knew they had adapted to a world without the goddess. Her presence would not aid them. Whether Rhea would be suspicious or not was yet to be seen. It was fortunate she hadn’t found her way to Askr yet, but Sothis believed the summoning of the archbishop was an inevitability. It was yet another topic she’d have to discuss with Byleth at a later date.

“You should try it, at least!” Flayn was awfully insistent. “Tea is a gift from the goddess. It tastes wonderful, and is incredibly soothing.”

Well, it wouldn't be so strange for her to comply. Her curiosity couldn’t be sedated that easily, either.

“I concur,” Seteth added, grabbing his cup and placing it in front of her. “Would you like to try mine?”

Seteth was even more insistent! Why were they so determined to make her try it?! She couldn’t help but wonder if this was a trick, but it was unlikely they had done anything to that tea… right?

“Don’t pressure her too much, my friends,” Byleth realized he probably should intervene. “Sothis, would you like to try? You don’t have to if you don’t-”

“Oh, I want to! I want to!”

Byleth honestly wasn’t that surprised. Tea was something she was always curious about, even back in Fódlan.

Sothis attempted to pick up the cup, but the weight made her wobble it a little. Fortunately, she managed to balance it, and if she weren’t the goddess herself, she’d be thanking her! How embarrassing it would be to spill it!

All she had to do was bring it to her mouth and let a little flow into her mouth, right?

It was a gradual task, but she managed to accomplish it successfully. Upon feeling the liquid drip into her mouth, she knew she was enchanted.

The texture was serene. The temperature was just right. There was an after-feeling that was simply divine.

This was... taste!

She was hooked. No longer was she going to let Byleth have tea alone! He’d be having it with her a lot from this point! Sothis always wondered why these kids always made such a big deal about tea, but now she understood!

“...w-wow… this is…” she mumbled. “It’s amazing!”

“It’s Angelica Tea,” Seteth continued. “It is a personal favorite of mine. It is said the goddess herself was quite a fan of it too.”

Well, of course she was!

...oh.

Had Sothis fallen into his trap? That smile of his was concerning.

“My preference is Crescent-Moon Tea,” Flayn added, taking a sip of her cup. “You should try it some time!”

Cethleann wasn’t picking up on things. She was glad about that.

Byleth recognized that Seteth was being suspicious, and while he didn’t believe any harm would come from him knowing the truth, he still wished to be safe rather than sorry.

“She seems to be a fan,” he chuckled. “Hopefully, she doesn’t acquire a craving for tea. I don’t want her getting too hyperactive.”

Sothis was tempted to scoff and make some sarcastic comment, but she had to restrain herself. How frustrating!

“Here you go, Mister Seteth,” she passed back the tea, and he accepted it with a smile. “It was very nice.”

Their attempts to lighten the mood by acting oblivious was a success. They were doing all they could to dampen Seteth’s suspicions and since he wasn’t trying anything strange anymore, they believed all was well. Silence reigned momentarily, and everyone simply enjoyed each other’s company. Byleth hoped he’d eventually be able to announce his departure, but he delayed speaking too late.

“Byleth, if you do not mind me asking,” Seteth spoke up. “Are you sure that everything is okay with you?”

What was going through this man’s head? Neither he nor Sothis was sure.

“Yes, of course,” he answered honestly. “As I said, I was not in the best mental state previously… but now, I couldn’t be happier. All is well.”

“...hmm, I see,” he muttered, looking as if he wanted to back off, but he mustered the courage to continue nevertheless. “Apologies if this is inappropriate of me to mention, but… I noticed you are wearing your mother’s wedding ring.”

Ah.

Both had almost forgotten about its existence. They were so happy to finally see each other, Byleth especially, that some of the little details regarding their unique relationship had slipped from his mind.

A ring was symbolic of an individual’s marriage. In Fódlan, it was common for both married individuals to possess a ring, but Byleth’s case had been a bit different.

The design of the rings would differ depending on whether a man or woman was intended to wear it.

Byleth’s ring was a woman’s ring for it belonged to his mother, but he could not give it to the woman he loved. She simply could not wear it. For that reason, she had suggested that he wear it instead, for the only thing that mattered was their love, not a ring.

However, from Seteth’s perspective, there was only one way to interpret the presence of a woman’s ring on a man’s finger.

“There is not much else I can say, but I am alright, I assure you,” he spoke vaguely, and that was all he needed to do. Seteth would understand not to inquire any further, and he was grateful for that.

He didn’t exactly have a believable story in mind.

“Did Sothis…?” Flayn was curious about the conversation, but shut her mouth upon reading the atmosphere a little better.

Fortunately, that was an easy question to answer. “She did not get to meet her mother.”

Sothis played with her hair, trying to give the impression she was not interested in the conversation taking place, but she was listening.

Byleth sounded sad.

She knew why. His story, on the surface, was false.

But deep down, he was simply echoing the tale of someone he greatly respected and loved.

Sothis knew this too; she was very aware he thought about his father a lot. He made sure to do so as a means to combat the fear of forgetting him. It had been too many years since that day.

“I see,” Seteth answered. “I apologize if we were insensitive.”

“It is all right, I promise,” Byleth wasn’t mad at them, but wished they’d drop the subject. There were only so many false stories he could set up before he started forgetting. “If you do not mind, we should head off. I’ve noticed Sothis has been getting hungry, and I’m quite famished as well.”

Seteth nodded, and so did Flayn. The latter wished to spend more time with them, but knew it was best to give the father and daughter the space they needed.

___

Sothis had discovered she really liked to poke Byleth’s face. She kept doing it, over, and over…

Attention was what she wanted, and he’d happily give it to her momentarily. Right now though, he was a little lost in thoughts, remembering both wonderful and sorrowful memories.

The two were sitting on his bed, having returned to his room after a rather uneventful walk back. While Sothis had found some entertainment in the sightseeing, she found it quite the challenge to focus on the view when so much was going through not only her mind, but his.

Recalling Jeralt always made Byleth feel a little depressed. She’d usually read his thoughts and offer some words of wisdom, but she had lost that ability, and it was frustrating!

The best she could do was give him some time to think. Her presence was all she could offer at the moment.

At the very least, the silence gave her some time to think about things too.

She found her mind racing back to the things she was saying before Claude interrupted them.

Sothis wanted to bring up that topic again, but was finding it challenging to do so. She didn’t lack the words, but she wasn’t confident about her… well, confidence.

Patience was not a strong characteristic of hers, however. There was a reason she was poking his face, and that was because she was tired of the lack of… well, anything!

…had he forgotten she was also hungry?!

Well, that could wait. She wanted to make sure he was okay, but he wasn’t responding.

…not until her stomach started to rumble rather loudly.

It made him chuckle briefly, prompting her to pout.

“D-Don’t laugh at me!” she complained, looking at him with an agitated expression. What she didn’t know was how adorable it made her look in his eyes. “C’mon… you said you’d feed me, didn’t you? I’m sure getting some food will help keep your mind off things too… Look, you know I don’t like seeing you sad, and I wish I could do more for you right now, but I just-”

She was silenced by the swiftest of kisses.

It was very brief, but lasted long enough to turn her face very red.

“Sorry,” he apologized. “I just remembered I could do that again.”

Sothis could not decide if she wanted to eat, or wanted to…

Well, option three was a good pick for the time being. It involved yelling at him, and it was always fun to do that.

“W-Warn me before you do something like that!” she was absurdly flustered. Her heart was racing so much too. This feeling of strong affection could be manageable on its own, but paired with the thoughts she was having was invoking a strange new feeling that she really liked… but also disliked, because it was new! New feelings freaked her out!

“I’m sorry,” he apologized again. “But not really. You looked really cute.”

Sothis could not stay mad when he looked so relieved. Had a kiss really distracted him that much? Well, she couldn’t be so sure of that, but it was undeniably effective so… so…

“...Byleth…” she spoke very quietly. “...can you… kiss me again? Properly.”

Byleth wasn’t sure what a proper kiss was in her eyes, but he wasn't going to decline an invitation to embrace her.

So he kissed her.

This time, the kiss was long-lasting, though there was still a degree of timidness between the two. Neither felt discomforted, of course-- far from it! However, this kind of affection was going to take a while to get used to.

Fortunately, the second kiss was a little less daunting.

During the third kiss, they could no longer feel anything holding them back.

It returned temporarily during the fourth, but that was only because Sothis slid her tongue against her lover's lips, asking for permission. Any anxiety faded instantly when he accepted her request and tongues started to twirl around each other. Though one was significantly larger than the other, the little one was putting up a valiant fight.

During the fifth kiss, they lost track of how many they had exchanged. Any resemblance of dignity faded, replaced by messy but vibrant passion.

Lust was not an unfamiliar feeling for Byleth, but this was the first time he could act upon it in such a way. It would be a lie if he said he hadn't thought about being intimate with her since she was summoned, but he put that all towards the back of his mind, believing there were larger priorities.

Sothis disagreed. The change of plan wasn't something he was against though, and to show her he was speaking her language, he stood up and picked her up. By this point, she was somewhat used to him holding her… but what she wasn't used to was him dropping her on the bed so suddenly!

Before she could start to think about how strangely comforting this bizarre object was again, she felt the weight of the bed shift as Byleth climbed onto it-- on top of her.

It took much of her willpower to avoid physically showing embarrassment. She didn't want to concern him or give the impression she wasn't ready for this.

Because she was.

She had been ready for a long, long time. She just couldn't act on it now. Before this, the best she could do was give him some eye candy in the form of her nude body, but now, he could interact with it!

He could touch her. He could kiss her.

...he could fuck her.

Byleth must have been thinking similarly, for he leaned in once more for a kiss, but it was short-lived. Before she could complain, she felt a cold chill surge down her shine as he kissed her again… just not on her lips.

He had aimed a little lower, targeting her neck. Sothis hadn't anticipated a mere neck kiss to cause such an extravagant reaction! Did this have to do with how magical his kisses were, or was her neck extremely sensitive? Had she even touched her own neck yet? She wasn't sure!

But there wasn't much time to think about it. A gentle moan had emerged from her lips without her permission, and this encouraged Byleth to continue his feast. What happened to her being the hungry one?!

...well, maybe she'd get a meal soon… albeit not a traditional one. She liked the idea of it through-- an unorthodox first meal for their bizarre yet wonderful relationship!

Sothis found it increasingly challenging to think. Byleth was not granting her neck any mercy, especially after being fueled by those adorable little yelps of hers.

The pressure was almost indescribable. Classifying it as 'good' didn't feel adequate enough! What she could describe was an increasing feeling of lightheadedness, like she was drowsy, but not quite. She knew she wasn't sleepy, so was her body starting to succumb to this immense pleasure? Was it unable to handle it?

Sothis was bewildered. All he was doing was embracing her neck and she already felt like this! To rectify this sense of unbalance, she listened to her instincts, tightly gripping Byleth's hair while he munched on her neck. She wondered if doing so would send the message that he should slow down.

It did not!

If there was any consolation, it was that his kisses were drifting lower, but that was creating a new concern!

He would eventually reach her breasts.

Now, she knew they were small, but she was aware he liked how they looked. That part wasn't what worried her.

What worried her was if he would like how they felt! Would he want to taste them? Would he like how they tasted?! It was reasonable to assume larger ones would excel in these areas, but considering she was basically flat…

Byleth quickly dispersed those doubts of hers. Since her outfit already revealed so much (and she loved to take advantage of that, teasing him with glimpses) it was not a challenge for him to reveal her small chest.

Upon feeling his rough hand touch her nipple, she shivered… and when he decided to greedily take one into his mouth, she was completely and utterly overwhelmed.

This was more intense than her neck being kissed, and that was already the most overpowering thing she had felt yet!

Byleth was addicted to her taste. She tasted just as sweet as he imagined her being, and now that dreams were coming true, he wanted this moment to last as soon as possible.

It was fitting to taste her this way too.

Sothis was a goddess. He was devoted to her, thus, it was appropriate to worship her.

This thought reminded him that they were other things to taste as well.

Eager to keep her intoxicated by pleasure, Byleth directed his smooches lower, targeting her tummy. Since he had discovered her nipples were sensitive, he kept them regularly occupied with his hands.

He was curious to see how she'd react if he drifted his tongue even lower, though he was concerned; she was already acting this wildly, and while he was curious to see just how outrageously crazed she could get, he didn't exactly want to overwhelm her.

"B-Byleth…" she muttered. He immediately noticed how fragile she sounded, and knowing he was the cause of such a tender tone left him feeling satisfied. "...I… need a second…"

She was also outrageously out of breath, so he did as she requested and backed off slightly. The sight of her entire body drenched in sweat and her attire looking so disordered was heavenly.

"Are you okay, my love?"

"Y-Yes… I am just… not quite used to all these sensations, I'm sure you understand," she answered.

"Want me to stop?"

"Absolutely not! Surely, you jest!" she would have snapped at him more if she wasn't so lightheaded. "I want you to keep going. I want you to worship me. I am your goddess after all, and you are my faithful servant."

Flaunting her title like that was undeniably a means to keep up an impression of dignity and stability. Byleth was fine with that; it was more encouragement to really drive her to the brink of insanity.

Therefore, when he dug back in, he did so with no concern for her well-being. He had decided it was best to take advantage of how overly sensitive she was while he still could. If he was lucky, he'd hear the pitch of her voice reach new heights.

Sothis was not anticipating the high frequency of kisses against her body, but since every smooch was making her feel so good, she was satisfied. Byleth dedicated some time to her stomach, but eventually drifted down towards her thighs.

Though her upper body was slim, her legs and ass were a completely different story. Her thighs were chubby and just as soft to the touch as he imagined they would be, and he was eagerly looking forward to copping a feel of her butt; after all, it was quite large!

But unlike her, he was patient. He had waited so long for her to even be summoned; he could wait a few more moments to ravage her butt…

Byleth was obsessed. Kissing her was so addictive! Listening to her unable to control her cries of joy was addictive. Simply being with her was addictive.

He loved her. He loved her so, so much!

But he had always found it frustrating how he couldn't physically show his affection. She hated it even more, but they made it work.

All this was a thing of the past.

Decades of waiting. Centuries of waiting.

All for this moment.

It was going to be sloppy and fueled by nothing but lust, but in their eyes, it was perfect.

Moving aside the clothing covering her crotch was effortless, and it certainly helped that Sothis never wore underwear. In hindsight, he probably should have asked her to put some on before they went to the tea party, but at least it was making things easier now.

It was nowhere near the first time he had seen her pussy, but he had never seen her so absurdly drenched before! The worship had really done a number on her.

That was good. The more fluid, the stronger her taste would be, and he was very much done waiting to taste-test.

Sothis knew what he was planning and honestly didn't know how to brace herself.

She wasn’t ready, but at the same time, she didn’t care.

"Byyllleeettthhh…." she purred so quietly. "Pleeeaaassseeeeee…."

She wanted to tell him that too, just in case he held back or was hesitant.

Things would be so much easier if they could still read each other's minds!

...or would it?

She could barely read her thoughts anymore.

Not after feeling Byleth's tongue against her snatch.

Sothis believed she had already felt the pinnacle of pleasure, but now she knew her previous experiences were all mere appetizers.

One simple lick was enough to send a long-lasting tingle surging throughout her body. Even when Byleth paused to check her reaction, she still looked outrageously lightheaded despite the respite.

She could barely see. She could barely hear. She could barely think!

...but she felt good. So good. Amazingly good!

She needed to find a way to tell Byleth that.

As luck would have it, her body’s subconscious reaction to everything solved her dilemma.

While she was correct to assume her lover would be concerned, it mattered not. Before he could think about backing away, Byleth found his face squished by her legs, locking him in place.

Byleth wasn’t anticipating to experience such serene comfort as a reward for his efforts, but he was thankful for it nevertheless, and it communicated her thoughts to him perfectly. He was glad to hear she liked it! He liked it too-- one lick was enough for him to discover she tasted delicious.

So he dug right back in, and Sothis completely lost it.

The grasp she had around his head tightened. She moaned so loudly, unleashing so many adorable noises he had never heard before. She was broken; she was a girl still trying to comprehend sensitivity, let alone an abundance of it.

Byleth knew if he wasn't careful, he'd grow so addicted to her taste (he already was, of course) that he wouldn’t be able to ever stop. The worst part was that he couldn’t conclude whether or not that was a bad thing. He searched desperately for her weak spots, listening to whenever her voice peaked to find out.

Of course, he knew she'd be especially sensitive around her clit… but not to this extent! Sothis was always on the verge of screaming whenever he stimulated her there. However, while the thought of hearing her voice soar to the heavens was tempting, he could not forget the false relationship they had established; he didn’t want anyone else to hear how she was sounding! It was painfully obvious she was being pleasured in an intimate way.

For that reason, he only played with it in passing, and though he had valid reasons for doing so, Sothis was not having it.

"S-Stop ittt…" she miraculously managed to speak. "...teeeaasssing meeee…!"

Even as she spoke, her body continued to shiver endlessly. The pleasure he was giving her was like an avalanche-- intense and escalating rapidly as more of her body succumbed to blissful exhaustion, and with it came an escalation to her voice that he couldn’t influence anymore even as he backed off a little. There were absolutely no signs of these pleasurable jolts ending anytime soon.

Byleth was fascinated by it all, and though he really did want to hold back due to the fear of overwhelming her… his self-restraint was weakening.

Deep down, he knew he wanted to make her first orgasm with him the best it could possibly be.

...and she wanted that too, didn't she?

It was very probable someone would hear them.

But he was starting to care about that less and less. It was an issue they could deal with after Sothis experienced a mind-blowing level of euphoria.

Therefore, his favorite girl found her clit consumed by an abundance of sucks and licks, and she shrieked in delight. Instability didn't feel like an appropriate word to describe Sothis's state, for she was really, really far beyond the definition of that word.

Despite feeling so hot, she wouldn't stop shaking! It was an unusual combination, especially for a being still not used to either end of the spectrum.

It was overpowering.

But… she was still a goddess!

Goddesses could not be defeated so easily, especially one as stubborn as her!

Sothis wasn't going to let her full dignity shatter, as mighty as that temptation was. She still wanted to be conscious by the end of this; she desperately wanted to return the favor!

Yet, attempting to keep hold of herself was proving to be an incredible challenge!

She couldn’t do it.

Byleth. Would. NOT. Stop. Licking. Her!

He was consumed by a hunger she had never witnessed before. It was very likely he had wanted to do this to her more than she wanted to receive it!

If there was any consolation to being defeated by her newly acquired sense of touch, it was that her lover had been the one to claim victory over her. If it was him, it wasn’t so bad, was it?

It was that single thought that shattered her lingering sanity.

And with it came a level of ecstasy barely even comprehensible by a god.

Sothis knew what was happening.

There was only one explanation for why she was literally crushing Byleth’s head with her most forceful grip yet!

Byleth witnessed Sothis completely lose it, and he thought she already had!

Her body was spasming endlessly. She screamed for a while, but a need to breathe silenced her lungs, replacing her noises with crackling sounds. It mattered not that he couldn’t read her mind anymore-- he likely would have seen nothing but complete incomprehensibility.

Even though she was losing herself mentally, Byleth still felt compelled to pleasure her, eager to prolong this astonishing state she was in. It certainly helped that her pussy tasted so sweet, though he felt a little guilty since she was the one meant to be hungry, and yet here was, feasting away…

As catastrophic as they were, climaxes were finite. Sothis’s breathing did start to repair itself whilst her body calmed down, and though the recovery was especially gradual, it was there.

Her weakened body made it easy for him to slip out of her thighs. He debated remaining there for the softness, but she needed a break. Byleth was still a little concerned about her well-being, but his doubts were put to rest when he saw how at peace she was.

…and how very much asleep she was, as well.

Either that, or she fell unconscious.

Regardless, her body was recuperating both physically and mentally.

All he had to do now was wait for her to fully wake up; he could not wait to see how she’d react. It was bound to be an utterly adorable one.

Though he was still turned on, he didn’t want to fool around with her while she was so vulnerable, even if he knew she wouldn’t mind if he did. Besides, he was feeling pretty exhausted as well. Before he could join her in slumber, he picked her up and slid her under the covers, wanting her to remain cozy and warm.

Byleth now had some unexpected time to spare.

But he was going to use it wisely, for he wanted her awakening to be one full of love.

___

Sothis was extraordinarily sleepy when she woke up.

But not sleepy enough to not feel frustration regarding this bed!

It made no sense! Was this thing designed to make her want to fall back to sleep? How could she even get out of this thing without assistance?! The allure of slumber was at its most prominent after an awakening, and this ridiculous bed was making that feeling thrive!

It made her feel terrible for the times she scolded Byleth to get out of this thing! She now understood the pain.

If she had one advantage, it was that frustrations led to physical tantrums. Sothis kicked the duvet away mercilessly, refusing to fall victim to its charm.

She was not used to this comfort and she doubted she ever would be! It felt so wonderful that it confused her!

…but it still paled in comparison to… to…

It was not uncommon for her to think she had dreamt something that had actually happened, and vice versa.

But she knew what she was remembering was no byproduct of her imagination! Never in her wildest dreams could she have experienced such… such…

“Good afternoon, sleepyhead,” Byleth greeted her once again.

She was so enraptured by her own thoughts that she hadn’t even noticed his presence. Upon gazing at him, she found her eyes drawn to a tray he was carrying, containing all sorts of foods.

Continuing its trend of speaking without her permission, her tummy began to rumble, enhancing her already heated blush.

“I hadn’t forgotten you were hungry,” Byleth continued. “So while you napped, I got you a bunch of snacks. Lots of them, too. I also got you a glass of water and milk. There’s a lot to try.”

“Thank you,” she accepted his offer, reaching out her arms to grab the tray, though Byleth seemed reluctant.

“...it’s a bit heavy,” he confessed. “You’re definitely not used to weight, so instead, how about I feed you myself?”

“Excuse me,” she scoffed at the suggestion. “I am not a child.”

She regretted the scolding immediately, not due to any fear of hurting his feelings, but because the offer actually did sound tempting the more she thought about it…

“Well, you are my daughter, right?” Byleth countered back, tempting her further with that convenient justification. “But if you don’t want to, that’s-”

“Fine! For the sake of the little lie we are telling, you have permission to feed me, okay?” Sothis snapped up a response. She wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste; not when she could get what she wanted without jeopardizing her pride.

...and immediately after, she felt rather silly. She was saying this to a man who could read her like a book! He knew why she was reacting like this-- there was a reason he was smirking a little!

Nevertheless, the hole she had dug herself into was rather comfortable, so she embraced it.

“This is an apple,” he offered a slice on a fork, moving it to her mouth. “It’s juicy, and very good for-”

“I know what it is!” she growled. “I just don’t know what it tastes like!”

His smirk grew, and while she didn’t want to admit presently, she loved seeing him look so happy! Gone were the days he was borderline emotionless. He was always the most expressive around her too. It was little details like that that showed just how much he loved her.

That was why, as embarrassing as it kinda was, she happily let him feed her.

...tasting something for the first time was unusual to say the least.

Byleth could tell. His lover was making all sorts of adorable faces as the slice of apple slid across her tongue and she eventually realized she could chew!

"...this thastes weally wheird…" she mumbled.

"You shouldn't talk with your mouth full," he teased her.

The pout he gave was very cute, but short-lived. Sothis returned the focus to eating the food, ultimately swallowing when she believed she had chewed enough.

"Feed me more," she instructed her servant.

That was a command he was happy to follow.

Byleth had prepared all sorts of foods for her, focusing on things that varied in taste. He had enlisted the aid of Dedue, Mercedes, and Lysithea to help bake all sorts of treats.

It was entertaining to feed her. There were many things she liked. There were many things she was indifferent towards. There were things she did not like at all!

No reaction was the same.

In the end, Sothis’s stomach reached its limit… but not before consuming the majority of the things on that tray.

“...no more…” she rejected a cookie. “I can’t… the thought of eating more makes me feel horrendous.”

“For such a little thing, you sure do eat a lot,” Byleth was greatly enjoying being the teaser.

“Not nearly as much as you do!" she fired back.

Despite how fun their conversation was, Byleth could tell something was amiss. Sothis had been eating gradually more slowly as time went on, which by itself wasn’t any cause for alarm, but he had noticed some unusual expressions painting her face, and not all were due to the food she was munching on. She looked distracted, as if something was on her mind, and whatever it was… it was causing a significant amount of frustration.

Whenever she acted this way, it was like a warning. A tantrum was on its way.

Usually a self-inflicted one, all due to growing frustrated… with her own frustrations, amusingly enough.

He had no idea what was troubling her though, and his inability to read her thoughts was once again backfiring. He wanted to help her! If he gave it some more thought, he'd be able to figure it out, but time was not something he believed he had currently.

"...hey," she finally broke the silence, speaking in whispers. The serenity of her voice was surprisingly soothing; whatever was on her mind, it was serious enough to force a calm and collected tone. "...I want you to lay down."

That brief moment where she gazed away to avoid eye contact told him everything.

For the time being, he was happy to play along.

But Byleth did not expect her to strangely sit up as soon as his head hit the pillow. He figured she wanted to snuggle up with him but wasn’t ready to admit it just yet.

However, when Sothis climbed onto his lap and gifted him with that devious smirk he adored so much, he realized what was happening.

The only question now was how long she'd remain determined.

“I’m tired,” she said something very confusing. Her current action did not correlate with that statement! “I’m tired of waiting.”

That clarified things, but it was also vague! “What are you waiting for, Sothis?”

“Do you want the blunt answer, or the fun answer?” she asked.

“Both at the same time,” he answered.

She forced a scoff, but couldn’t help but smile warmly. “Very well then. After a meal, it is customary to have dessert. Correct?”

“That’s right,” Byleth wasn’t sure where she was going with this. “Do you want something?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I do,” she responded, letting herself suddenly drop down in front of him, but not before stretching out her hands to let the bed break her fall. Her outrageously messy mane fell onto his face, but that didn’t stop him from seeing the cheeky look on her face. “I want… your cock…”

Although she clearly hadn’t rehearsed this (the hair falling onto him was a clear indication of that), Byleth could not deny he was charmed. He couldn't believe she was saying such seductive things!

His adorable little lover was very pleased to hear his breathing deepen.

“You could say I’m saving the best food for last,” she added.

Byleth couldn’t believe what she was saying.

It was cheesy. Where did she learn to talk like that? Seduction wasn’t something she particularly had to worry about until now, so he couldn’t blame her for the wonkiness.

But at the same time, he wouldn’t have it any other way. She was really trying to be sexy.

Fortunately for her, it really was not difficult to convince him to do what she wanted. That was partly thanks to him not minding being wrapped around her finger.

Satisfied she had him locked in place, Sothis returned to his lap by crawling down his body, but she opted not to sit back down on it. Instead, she positioned herself so she was kneeling in front of him, and though the feeling of the bed was still causing some (very adorable) frustrations, she managed to remain sane.

…for a moment. Her sanity was challenged when she realized she had to put a bit of effort in to claim her prize, and doing so was causing problems.

He incorrectly assumed it was due to a sudden burst of nerves.

When he learned the truth, he felt awfully silly.

“Uh…” she muttered. “How… do you take those off?”

“...do you want me to take them off?” Byleth suggested instead. “I think taking the time to teach you would dampen the mood.”

“Good point. Very well then.”

He was glad she approved of his suggestion. He wanted to get out of his clothes as soon as possible; his crotch was feeling awfully tight!

Sothis was not anticipating her lover to reveal himself so hastily. Seeing his cock spring into view shocked her, even though she had seen it plenty of times before!

…but this time, she could do so much more.

So. Much. More.

There was something surreal about seeing it this time-- all because she knew she could actually interact with it!

The timidness of touch wasn’t going to hold her back anymore. Her new ability had startled her endlessly, but now that she was about to fulfill one of her greatest fantasies. No longer were they restricted to merely showing each other their bodies and getting off to the view of the other masturbating! She was ready to try something new. She was ready centuries ago!

Overcoming the last remnants of hesitation, she carefully wrapped her tiny hand around his member. It throbbed immediately, and knowing she caused that was causing all sorts of fun internal reactions! Sothis was no stranger to experiencing a variety of emotions at once-- especially lately, but this time, she didn’t mind it.

She had always wanted to know what his cock felt like and how she’d feel touching it.

She was pleased with both results.

But touching was just the first step.

Slowly but surely, she started to experiment. She was baffled by how hard he actually was, and was curious how he’d react to a squeeze. A small but very noticeable groan put a smile on her face, encouraging her to continue.

Next, she tried jerking him off. She was more than familiar with the motions he performed, so replicating them was not an issue. She kept an eye on his expression, always excited to see how he would react to what she was doing.

Sothis was so, so happy. She loved seeing how he reacted to what she was doing to him!

There were countless times in the past where she wanted to give him this treatment-- to give him a warm body to play with and use, all as a means to provide him sexual gratification and comfort.

She had fantasized about both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. This gift she had been granted was not going to go to waste.

There would be days she would ride him after a long, tiring day, doing all the work so he could relax.

There would be days she’d let him pin her down and ravage her, venting out either his frustrations or his uncontrollable lust.

Thinking about it all was making her quiver in excitement.

Eventually, she was done fantasizing. Now was the time for action.

She had to deal with this little salivation problem.

Byleth found himself unexpectedly shivering too. It all happened in an instant. One moment, Sothis was jerking him off so lewdly, and the next, the tip of his cock had entered her mouth.

She wasn’t really sure what came over her either. Seeing a small amount of liquid forming at the top did something to her. She responded instinctively, eagerly taking his head into her mouth-- and then a few more inches!

Sothis wanted everything. She tried her best to take in as much as she could until her body restrained her. She found herself gagging suddenly, but she managed to put herself back together after forcing an inch out, giving her some much-needed breathing room without diminishing her lust.

A lot of the food he had provided her tasted delicious, but this was the tastiest treat of them all! Just being able to feel his throbbing cock deep inside her mouth was driving her mad.

She sucked and sucked and sucked, slobbering his shaft in her saliva. He tasted sweaty and a little salty.

She loved it.

It wasn’t only her taste buds being treated either. The stench of his cock was absurdly strong, and what was unusual was that she believed she’d find such a strong smell off-putting… but her unrivaled lust was making her think otherwise.

Her euphoric state was making it a challenge to focus on the blowjob, but her determination to bring Byleth to the same level of tranquility that he brought her to was keeping her as focused as she could be. While his response to being orally pleasured wasn’t as chaotic as her reaction (yet), it was still blissful to listen to. Sothis had never heard him groan quite like that before, and he was finding it difficult to keep his body steady as well.

Sothis wanted to please him more, so to do so, she took more of his cock inside her mouth. She knew doing so would invite a violent reaction, but he sounded so sexy whenever she deepthroated him! It was simultaneously sublime and scary to feel his cock breach her throat. Fighting back against her gag reflex took a considerable amount of effort, but she managed to persevere for some time, wanting to burn the memory of her throat being stuffed into her mind before she inevitably lost.

When she finally released his rod, she found herself coughing and panting a lot. This didn’t diminish how satisfied she felt, however, especially after seeing how ridiculously drenched his cock was in her saliva. It also baffled her. How did she manage to take this entire thing into her mouth?! He was huge, and she was small!

As unbelievably hot as it was to witness everything, Byleth couldn’t help but feel concerned. She was focusing too much on trying to make him feel good that she was neglecting her own well-being. He wasn’t a fan of how her body reacted like that when she let go-- an increase in pleasure mattered little if it was hurting her!

“Sothis…” he spoke in whispers, trying to articulate a sentence. “You… don’t have to be so… wild. If it’s hurting you, you can slow down and not take as much in.”

His suggestion was not received well by his goddess. He expected such a reaction, but he wanted to say his piece regardless. Nevertheless, she did realize he was genuinely concerned, thus she spoke with a calm and collected tone after her breathing had recovered enough.

“I can handle it, my love, I promise,” she told him. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long, you know. I’ve thought about it so much! I want to experience what it is like to please you through all sorts of means.”

“There’s no rush,” he pointed out.

“Certainly, but I cannot put emphasis enough on how long I’ve been waiting, my dear,” she was insistent. “I promise you that if it becomes too much for me, I will stop, and I will tell you. I want you to trust me, okay?”

Byleth couldn’t fight back against those words. He felt a little foolish for even speaking out.

Ever since she arrived in Askr, he had been unbearably overprotective, hadn’t he?

He couldn't blame himself for it, and neither could she.

But in the end, she was still the Sothis he knew and loved. This was a girl who shouldn’t even exist anymore, yet here she was, still kicking! A measly deepthroat wouldn’t take her out!

Seeing the smile on his face made her smile too.

“...heh…” she chuckled, shifting her expression so she looked ever-so smug. “Now then… I want you to tell me something.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you like me sucking your dick, daddy?”

Sothis hadn’t forgotten the little game they were playing, and when she saw his cock throb in response, it confirmed her suspicions-- he really was a massive pervert!

Sure, she already knew that, but this was new!

“Sothis…” he murmured, unable to say anything else. Her saying that before was all fun and games, but right after his cock had been in her mouth?

The little lie he had told really had paid off in the most unexpected of ways.

Satisfied he was comfortable, Sothis diverted her attention back to his member.

Something about seeing his cock out in the open like that and not buried deep down her throat was beginning to greatly upset her!

Thus, she quickly gobbled it all up again, not caring that she had barely recuperated. Exhaustion mattered little when his cock was in its new home and being pleasured from all angles. Sothis was not going to rest until she brought her lover to an orgasm at least as intense as hers!

Her incredible determination was paying off.

Byleth had never received a blowjob before. He was extraordinarily loyal and never fell prey to temptations just because Sothis couldn’t provide him with physical pleasure.

Now, he had been rewarded for that loyalty.

Seeing her work her magic as she took in his length and bobbed her head up and down, finally getting used to sucking him off so savagely, was astonishing. How she was able to do this was beyond him too. He wasn’t one to boast about his size, but he was forcing her mouth open by quite a lot, even if that was partly due to her own size.

Although the euphoria surging throughout his body kept him laid down, he still managed to raise an arm and place it on her head, scratching her hair lightly. It was a gentle gesture that heavily contrasted what was happening right below it, but he wanted to express his gratitude somehow… even if his moans were doing a good job of that.

…arguably; despite being the one doing the pleasuring, Sothis was making the most noise! He couldn’t tell what was louder-- the slobbering sounds of his dick being sucked, or the noisy groans of satisfaction she was letting out! It was thrilling to discover Sothis gave messy blowjobs, both from a physical and audible standpoint. He loved seeing her get so messy-- so disordered!

The only reason he hadn’t come yet was because he was doing all he could to resist.

He felt unbelievably good. He wanted this to last forever!

But his gorgeous girl wasn’t a fan of that. She was starting to overexert herself greatly, speeding up her bobbing and making sure the upper half of his cock spent more time wedged down her throat than anything else. He had a feeling Sothis was interpreting his lack of climax as a sign suggesting she wasn't doing good enough.

It was also very probable that she just really loved sucking him off.

Either way, her wish was soon to be granted. As mighty as his willpower was, he just couldn’t resist how amazing of a job she was doing.

He expected no less from a goddess.

“Sothis… I… ahh…” he tried to warn her. He really did! He knew she’d understand what he was trying to say, but he really wanted to say those words for her!

Thankfully, Sothis was happy to do it for him. She ejected his cock swiftly and without warning. “Cum inside my mouth. I want to taste everything.”

He was baffled by the words, but not as much as how she was able to say all that calmly before immediately swallowing up his cock with greed again.

Sothis broke records with her bobs, dedicating everything to this blowjob-- both physically and mentally. She frequently deepthroated him, and whenever a fraction of his length wasn’t being caressed by saliva, she kept it stimulated with her hand.

It was only appropriate that a messy blowjob was concluded with a messy load.

Byleth was so entranced he didn’t detect the beginnings of his orgasm until he was already overflowing this girl’s mouth with his semen. His mass, already hot as it could be, somehow amplified in temperature as her tongue and throat welcomed the boiling liquid. Determined to keep his pleasure as high as it could be, Sothis forced all his cock inside her mouth again. She had conquered her gag reflex and was being rewarded for it as load after load swam down her throat. However, her inexperience caused her to overexert herself a little too much, forcing her to eject her lover’s cock hastily all of a sudden. It wasn’t all bad, however, as the remaining spurts of cum splashed all over blush-stained face, making her look even sexier.

In the end, Sothis was left drooling cum as she collapsed onto his leg, unable to comprehend what heresy she had just performed. Byleth only knew because he felt the weight on his leg. He couldn’t exactly see nor hear particularly well, a common side-effect of an intense climax, and this one was especially excessive.

Byleth thought it was unreal that he had made her cum so violently. He never believed she’d be able to return the favor.

It was so strange. This was the first time they had done something like this, and the results were spectacular!

Was it because they had fantasized about it so much? Was it because of how well they knew each other? Was it because of how much they loved each other?

It was for all of those reasons, and many more.

They wanted to make the other happy, and they were both willing to go beyond their limits to do so.

In an amusing twist of fate, Byleth was the one to fall asleep.

They were different in many ways, but they had many things in common too-- this was one of them.

Sothis took a long time to regain what she considered a normal consciousness. That was partly due to her taking her time sampling the semen that had stained her face. There was a lot to clean up.

Once she was done and started fading back into normality, she was happy to see he had fallen into a deep slumber.

Of course, she was glad he was getting rest, but she was also glad he couldn’t see her! She had never felt so warm in the cheeks! Not even the first time they declared their love for each other had caused such a vibrant reaction! She wasn’t sure if she wanted him to see her like this or not-- on one hand, she’d hate the teasing… and on the other hand, she’d love the teasing!

Nevertheless, the time he spent asleep allowed her to recuperate a little bit, allowing her to crawl up and lay down beside him. The covers were messy and took some time to adjust, but she eventually surrounded both of them in their warmth. It was nice, but not as pleasant as his body heat.

For once, she didn’t mind being in bed, though that was mainly because she wanted to sleep.

…especially next to him.

…and perhaps… once she woke up… she’d do so before him, and be able to caress his hair lightly, and give him forehead kisses, and…

The embarrassment that came from sucking his cock was replaced by the embarrassment of ridiculously romantic thoughts.

Sothis found it tough to fall asleep because of that, but cuddling up a little more against her favorite person helped solve that problem.

___

“Wakey wakey, Teach!”

Byleth had been dreaming.

It was a wonderful dream, and of course, she was in it. He had recalled some of his favorite moments with her. The time they got engaged was one of them, as was their wedding. The latter was always fun to recall. It had certainly been an unusual one, for it had taken place in a dream!

It was the only way he could see her in a wedding dress, and a beautiful one at that.

As light entered his eyes, he started to think about if Askr could do something he thought was impossible-- give them an actual wedding.

…but he couldn’t keep hold of those pleasant thoughts.

Not when Claude von Riegan was staring down at him like that.

“Claude,” he mumbled, still feeling sleepy. “Why are you in my room?”

“You weren’t answering your door,” he answered.

“Okay, let me rephrase,” Byleth continued, rubbing his eyes as he forced his upper body up… noticing a strange weight on his lap. That at least told him where Sothis was, though he was concerned Claude would see her like this. It probably wouldn’t look too suspicious… but he couldn’t be too careful. “Why did you wake me up?"

“A bunch of us were wondering if you’d be willing to hold a seminar for us,” he explained. “Askr has a lot to teach us, but there’s still a lot we can learn from you too. A few of us are feeling a little homesick too, so this sense of familiarity might do them some good.”

It was baffling that this man could switch from a devious schemer to a genuinely caring person at times.

Byleth took some time to think of a response, mainly due to his sleepiness. That proved to be a disastrous mistake.

Sothis started to fidget. The motion was minimal thanks to the baggy covers, but he could feel her getting up to no good. She didn’t do a whole lot at first, likely due to just waking up as well. That prompted him to respond as soon as he could; he didn’t want her to emerge from the duvet so suddenly without realizing they had company!

“I don’t mind holding a seminar, Claude,” he gave the response the Golden Deer leader was hoping for. “Just… a little later, okay? I need to make sure Sothis is acquainted with Askr, and that she will be okay.”

“Oh yeah, of course,” he was content with the reply. “Where is that little daredevil anyway?”

“Knowing her, she probably went for a wander,” he answered with a quick lie, receiving an understandable eyebrow raise from Claude. “Don’t worry about her though. She is my kid. She can look after-”

His jaw shut without warning.

He had felt something he really didn’t want to feel right now.

There was no way she didn’t know Claude was here, so why was she working on removing his clothes?!

Could she not have waited a few more minutes?!

…no, of course not! Patience was never a strong quality of hers.

The apprehension worsened as she took her time fishing his cock out of its resting grounds. She still didn't know how to do it, so it was taking quite a bit of effort and experimentation.

“...Teach?” Claude was curious why his professor had bit his tongue so suddenly.

“Sorry, a shiver just went up my spine,” Byleth tried his best to come up with an excuse.

It wasn’t exactly a lie, though he didn’t want to specify why it occurred.

“Right, well, shall we have the seminar in the evening, then?” Claude suggested as soon as Sothis accomplished her goal, and before he knew it, he was feeling an intoxicating warmth surrounding his shaft. “Or how about tomorrow? Maybe the day after?”

He was starting to suspect Claude and Sothis had teamed up behind his back to mess with him. Claude was asking too many questions and his fragile mind could not comprehend them!

“Uh… tomorrow… I guess…?” he muttered.

“You alright there, Teach?” Claude inquired. “You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” he forced a response. “Tomorrow, alright? Tomorrow. Seminar. Tomorrow.”

He sounded like a wreck!

And it just HAD to be Claude! Anyone else would have brushed off his unusual behavior without too much cause for concern, but Claude was the curious type. The very curious type.

“Alright, I’m with you now,” Claude got the memo. “Don’t overexert yourself, Teach. If you can’t make it, we won’t hold it against you. We all know there’s a lot on your plate, and that you have your own needs.”

That response did diminish his concerns a bit; Claude was interpreting his behavior as a sign of being overwhelmed… probably.

“Yeah, of course,” Byleth maintained his sanity a little while longer. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow about the seminar. Just… not right now.”

Understanding his presence was no longer needed, Claude von Riegan took his leave, but not before Byleth saw the strangest of smiles appear on his face.

But it was no longer any of his concern once the door slammed shut.

He immediately peeled back the covers and was greeted with the sight of a very cute gremlin who presently had a cock far down her throat.

“Sothis,” he whispered in an aggravated tone. “What are you doing?”

The girl in question wasn’t too pleased with the notion she’d have to eject his dick to answer, but she realized she had to.

“Sucking your huge cock, my love,” she answered, mustering a cheeky grin. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes, the timing,” he scolded her. “Claude was right there.”

“I know,” she answered. “It made everything hotter. We were so close to being caught, weren’t we?”

Byleth never figured Sothis would be such a risk-taker. Her not being able to be seen by others until now certainly played a part in that, but since it was so easy to make her embarrassed, he didn’t think this was her kind of thing.

But being filled with lust was sometimes synonymous with a burst of confidence.

Although tasting his cock was incredibly addicting, Sothis wanted to diversify her diet a little bit. She trailed her tongue down his shaft with no care for his answer. Ultimately, she reached his balls and wasted no time in slobbering all over those as well while simultaneously jerking him off.

From Byleth’s perspective, it was bewildering to think this was only the second time she had given head. She was too good! Thoughts of scolding her for her behavior faded away due to the pleasure. He couldn't stay mad at her while she was doing this to him. The scolding could come later.

He expected her to return to his cock in no time, but instead, she opted to shower his body with kisses. Sothis trailed up his body slowly and intoxicatingly, returning the worship he had given her prior.

He wasn’t too sure why she was doing this until her body had shuffled far up enough that her butt was now resting against his shaft. Sothis turned her head back around, moving aside her outfit a little so she could position his cock in just the right way so she could…

Neither Byleth nor Sothis were prepared for how quickly his head would slip inside her.

Sothis reacted the most, tightly grabbing his shoulders as she collapsed onto him suddenly. She kept her lower half steady, not wanting to force more in before she was ready.

...she honestly believed she was too.

Byleth knew she would be tight and boiling hot, though he hadn’t expected such a firm grip. Despite how divine it felt, his attention shifted to the weeping girl resting on his chest.

“...sorry…” she spoke weakly. “It… really… hurts…”

The ability to feel was as tranquil as it was deadly. Sothis had experienced her fair share of unusual sensations against her body, but until now, none of them were truly unpleasant.

This was the first time she was experiencing pain.

Byleth felt extraordinarily guilty.

He knew he wasn’t to blame, but in a way, he had a part to play in his beloved experiencing agony for the first time.

“Sothis, I’m here for you,” he did all he could to remind her of his presence. Undoubtedly, her mind was in an agonizing state, so the best he could do was comfort her. He did so by gently wrapping his arms around her, bringing her into a warm hug. He did his best not to shift his position too much, lest it force more of his cock in.

“...I’m sorry…” she whimpered. “You… were right… I… was rushing everything… because…”

He hushed her with a mellow kiss to the forehead. “It’s okay. I understand why you’ve been so keen, but it’s important we do this right too.”

Overconfidence had been her downfall. She had given fellatio so wonderfully that she believed the next step would be just as easy.

The loss of her virginity had hurt far more than she expected it would. She wasn't even too sure what she expected, another contributor to her downfall.

Never had Byleth treated anything or anyone so delicately while he gradually lifted her off his body. While this position would grant her much control, what she needed more than anything was comfort.

It took some time, but he eventually managed to place her gently on the bed next to him. Satisfied she had sunk into a satisfying amount of serenity, he knelt up and maneuvered himself so he was positioned between her legs.

He gazed at Sothis and what he saw awed him.

Never had she looked so vulnerable.

She gazed back, mustering a small smile even though she was on the verge of tears.

“...this bed… isn’t so bad, I think…” she giggled.

One final tear slipped out of her eye. Byleth dashed a finger gently against it, wiping it away before kissing her.

It was the most tranquil kiss one could ask for. He wanted to make her feel at peace… and he was succeeding. The pain had caused Sothis to tense up considerably, but this reassuring embrace was subconsciously dropping her guard. It was a reminder that Byleth would protect her, and not cause her any more pain than necessary.

“...Byleth…” Sothis was still quiet, but there was a hint of excitement in her voice. “I’m… ready.”

“Are you sure?”

The pout answered him before she could. “Yes, I’m ready! Just… do it already…”

Just in case he still didn’t believe her, she seductively spread her legs and moved aside the fabric covering her crotch.

He wondered if Sothis would ever learn to have a little patience. At the very least, he was confident she'd be able to handle it now.

Pushing up his cock against her pussy made their size difference especially notable. It was impressive it was able to slip in so effortlessly before! Sothis must have been drenched. She still was, despite everything, meaning it wasn’t too tough to find the point of penetration and slip back inside. He started with just the head at first, unsurprised to hear her whimper a bit, but he was happy to see the discomfort was short-lived. He scanned her expression and noted that she was biting her lip, though the strength she was putting into it was diminishing with time.

As her face spoke volumes, Byleth used it to judge how she was holding out. Pushing a little bit more inside her renewed the agitated face, but it was fading away faster than the last time it was there. He had no doubt the worst of her pain was over, but he still had to be careful.

“...you can be a bit faster,” she suggested. “I can handle it, my love.”

Her words were spoken with a peaceful-enough tone that he knew they were trustworthy. Sothis wasn’t one to lie, but he wouldn’t put it past her to underplay her current condition for his benefit.

By this point, half of his member was inside her. He refrained from any movement temporarily, wanting to bask in how heavenly it felt to actually be inside her. Never had such a tremendous heat felt so wonderful, and the way her inner walls were squeezing him ruthlessly was amazing. He only restarted when Sothis started getting all adorably distressed about his lack of movement, allowing him to catch her off guard by plunging more of his cock inside her. The whimper that emerged from her lips contained both shock and an excited giggle. He suspected he had rubbed her in just the right way. The fact she looked so giddy was another sign of that too. A few more gentle nudges and he was firmly sealed inside her.

It felt incredible, and this time, Sothis didn’t complain when he took some time to bask in how amazing it all felt; she needed the time to get used to it too!

One thing still perplexed Byleth though.

How exactly did he manage to fit everything inside her? The difference in size was notable enough to make him believe he wouldn’t be able to do it.

He supposed a goddess had her ways. He wasn’t going to question it too much when it felt this stunning.

Pulling out was an easy task. Sothis didn’t whine too much, having more or less adjusted to how it felt to have his girth inside her. He had a feeling she was a little sore, but it was the type of mild discomfort she’d get mad at him for if he went easy on her because of it.

Slamming back in was a different story.

Not because it caused any agony.

It was the opposite.

The half-giggle, half-moan that emerged from her lips was something his ears desperately needed to hear. It eradicated his dwindling doubts, telling him there was nothing to fear.

She loved it.

“...Byleth…” she gifted him with the most gorgeous smile. Her eyes were still watery, but those tears were not ones of pain. “I love you...”

“I love you too, Sothis,” he leaned in, unable to resist the urge to kiss her one final time.

Love was extremely prominent, but lust was not far behind at all, and it was not happy with being ignored.

Byleth started to thrust. His motions were initially simple and slow, not due to any fear of hurting her, but because he had yet to break through her tightness! It made him learn he had to put in considerably more effort to please her, but he had no problem with giving her everything he could muster.

Especially when she looked so cute, and sweaty, and was blushing so much, and had he mentioned she looked really cute? He was the cause of that, and she was definitely satisfied she was the cause of his own turbulent state too.

Eventually, Byleth found himself in a flow that avoided tremendous exhaustion while pleasing the both of them greatly. His speed had doubled from before and he made sure to only start pulling out whenever he poked against her cervix.

Sothis had considered holding back her voice, but she had learned by this point that her moans of approval were fuel for her lover.

She couldn’t quite believe that he was able to fit fully inside her either, but since it was scratching all her internal itches, she was not going to question it much.

Both of them soon entered a trance, unable to focus on anything but pleasing the other. Their eyes never lost contact with each other, entranced by the unstable yet beautiful expressions they were giving each other.

Although she was a small girl, Sothis did boast quite a lengthy set of legs for her size. Not happy with keeping them idle, she used them to her advantage to communicate a very important message. Byleth could feel them pushing against his back all of a sudden, preventing him from pulling quite as efficiently. He knew this was a deliberate play on her part, especially when she attempted to smirk (the irresistible urge to moan made that a challenge) at him.

Byleth was happy to switch things up too. The position they currently had was acceptable, but it was hurting his knees a little. Therefore, he decided to climb over and on top of her. Sothis found her head buried in his chest, but she didn’t mind the altered position by any means. She could still lock her legs around him, and she could hold him too!

It took a moment to adapt to his position, but soon enough, Byleth discovered it was very easy to pound her with relentless acceleration. She was at his mercy, and he adored how she clung to him so tightly!

Sothis didn’t stay put and allow herself to be mercilessly fucked even if the temptation was there. She explored his back with her hands, feeling the scars he had endured through countless battles. Tracing her fingers across them caused him to shiver, prompting a giggle. The only downside to this position was that she couldn’t kiss those scars better!

His chest being right up against her face also muffled her moans considerably. That was a good thing-- she didn’t want Claude or anyone else to walk in on them while they were going at it!

Her wish was an amusing one as she hadn’t done a good job at making it come true. She felt foolish for forgetting to lock the door, but at the same time, the mere notion that someone could walk in and see their love-making going was quite hot too. It would look incredible from an outside angle; a large man completely dominating such a tender and fragile girl… how scandalous!

Perhaps that was why she really hadn’t put much effort into keeping things concealed.

All these thoughts made her realize he wasn’t the only pervert in this room.

Ultimately, Byleth succumbed to exhaustion. He was inexperienced as well so had no idea how to exactly optimize what they were doing just yet, but she was truthfully thankful for the break. There was something sensational about feeling his weight on top of her while his cock was submerged in her depths. The two lingered like this for a while, simply enjoying how the other felt.

In the end, Byleth stumbled off her body, allowing her to breathe a little easier . However, this was not the end of their love-making; neither had come just yet, and they weren’t going to stop until their bodies had brought the other to a mind-blowing orgasm!

The position they chose next was one that provided an equal level of comfort and satisfaction. Sothis found herself on her side, tired of being on her back. Byleth mimicked the position, wrapping his arms around her and enjoying how it felt to actually hold her. His squeezing was a little too tight as a result, but when she lightly scratched at his hands, he knew to loosen up a bit.

While cuddling like this was fun, their clothes were getting in the way. Sothis temporarily sat up so she could remove her attire, wanting to feel his hands across her entire body, and not have any of her outfit steal the warmth!

There was a degree of anxiety that originated from actually stripping naked… which was odd, since he had seen her nude before! Things were different this time though; he could touch her, feel her, and do so much more…

Perhaps it was due to a worry that her body wouldn’t feel satisfying enough for him...

Sothis quickly dispersed those doubts. They had come so far already! This was not the time to feel insecure. He had already touched her so much, and tasted her so much! It would be fine.

Byleth had taken his clothes off as well, wanting to feel skin against skin. When she returned to the bed, he hastily hugged her again, as if he could sense she was a little nervous about it all.

Since she was now fully accessible, he took some time to kiss her- in many, many places. He started at the back of her neck, making her shiver. He gradually shifted his smooches downwards, discovering even her back was especially sensitive.

It was feasible to believe that Sothis was sensitive pretty much everywhere. This was the first time she was feeling anything against these parts of her body though, so it wasn’t an incredibly shocking revelation. While he played with her, he made sure to keep one hand on her tits and on her butt, marveling at the difference in their sizes. They both felt phenomenal to hold and squeeze, and she was glad he adored them.

“Byyyleetttthh…” she groaned. “Stoppp teeeaaassing meee…!”

“I’m only worshiping my goddess,” he answered.

Her groan worsened. “That’s really great, but… your goddess… wants to be worshiped another way.”

Byleth started to maneuver back up her body, planting kisses against her spine before he reached her head again. Instead of opting for the back of her neck, he instead chose to experiment.

Sothis had very pointy ears, and he always wanted to know how they felt.

He had no idea he’d be touching them with his lips first though.

His lover yelped when he lightly nibbled on them, not expecting such an ambush!

“In what way?” he spoke so softly, but since his mouth was right next to her ear.

Sothis was shivering. It wasn’t because she was nude and subsequently cold though!

“She…” she murmured. “She wants you… to fuck her…”

This was another fun kind of roleplay he could get behind, even if it technically wasn’t roleplay at all. The whole fake father-daughter relationship was fun, but for their first time, he much preferred them acting more naturally. They could save the kinkier stuff for next time, and there would be a next time-- many next times.

Holding onto her shoulder with one hand, Byleth shuffled up a little so he could direct his cock back into her soaked snatch. It slipped in effortlessly, forcing out an abundance of adorable noises from her lips. To aid with their love-making, he grabbed one of her legs and tilted it up, holding into it firmly as he started to thrust.

Sothis liked this position. She liked the control he had over her, she liked how he was holding onto her in different ways, and she liked how overwhelmed she felt!

It was making her feel a little dizzy, but grabbing onto the bed sheets with a hand helped mitigate that.

Although he wasn’t as fast as he was previously, she was still in love with how it all felt.

Was it because they were in the nude? They were both completely exposed yet still embracing. It was all so surreal. His hard, battle-hardened body pushing up against her soft fragile one…

Her vision was starting to blur, but she did end up drifting her view to the hand on her shoulder.

It was then that Sothis discovered he still had something on.

It was something he had never, ever taken off-- not since putting it on for the first time.

But soon… that would likely change.

Her attention was redirected when he started to accelerate dramatically, finally adapting to this position.

Sothis felt nothing but extraordinary pleasure. The notion that this actually hurt at first seemed ridiculous.

Byleth couldn’t quite believe he was able to fuck her so ruthlessly fast either. She was still tight, but he had broken through her defenses and was able to constantly push up against her cervix. She always let out the cutest coo whenever he did so.

They were in harmony. The rhythm worked wonderfully for the both of them. For the first time since they arrived in Askr, they once again felt connected. They had no doubts the pleasure they were experiencing was also equally felt by the other.

“Byleeetthhh…” she cried out. “I… can feel it…”

“Me too…”

“Innnnsshiiideeee meeeeee…!”

Sothis was always a demanding thing, but he had never heard her want something so badly before!

He wanted the same though, so he was more than happy to oblige.

Neither had experienced such an overflow of emotions before, but they were thrilled to overcome it together. All of their senses were overloaded as they came simultaneously, the joint orgasms amplifying in intensity by the existence of the other.

Byleth could not comprehend just how incredible it felt to feel his cock squeezed dry by her contracting walls.

Sothis could not comprehend just how incredible it felt to feel his cum shoot inside her, his warm liquid already infiltrating her womb and warming it up.

The potential of pregnancy entered both their minds; it was something they never thought they’d have to think about.

But their conclusions on the matter were the same.

If it indeed happened, they would be happy beyond belief.

…though it would mean they’d have to reveal the truth about their relationship, lest they receive some very strange looks.

It was all something they could worry about later though.

Right now, their focus was the tranquility surging throughout their bodies. Neither really knew when their climaxes ended, for the transition from it into the sublime warmth their bodies felt cuddling up with each other was blurry.

“Byleth…”

He was on the verge of falling into a slumber when she called out to him in the softest undertone, reawakening him within seconds.

“...yes?”

“I love you…”

“I love you too.”

“Well… I love you more.”

“I love you the most.”

“I love you the mostest!”

“...that’s not a word.”

The two settled their little argument by cuddling up even more with each other. Sothis turned around so she could be enveloped by even more of his warmth.

“Do you want to sleep together?” Sothis suggested.

“We just did,” he couldn’t resist, but before she could get playfully angry, he continued. “But yes, I would like that.”

“Good,” she was happy with the response. “Go lock the door first though.”

Usually, he wouldn’t mind agreeing to such a request.

But not when he felt so comfortable!

He answered by squeezing Sothis some more.

“H-Hey… that’s not locking the door…” she couldn’t tell whether or not to giggle or scold him!

“You go do it…” he mumbled sleepily, not really thinking that if she did, he’d lose his source of serenity.

“I can’t,” she raised her voice. “I don’t know how to walk yet!”

“Ah… that’s right…” he mumbled, reluctantly letting go… which took an inconceivable level of willpower to accomplish. “Getting your feet cold really freaked you out.”

“Shush, you!” she hushed him.

As agonizing as it was to get out of bed to lock the door, he was soon rewarded by the return of her warmth, miraculously feeling grander now that he had spent just a few moments away from it.

Byleth wanted to fall asleep with her so badly, but there was one thing left lingering in his mind-- something that could not be ignored.

One last loose end, and he wanted to resolve it right now.

“Sothis…” he spoke gently, curious if she had fallen asleep already. She mumbled in response, but wasn’t content with speaking, it seemed. “Hey, don’t fall asleep. Not yet.”

“...hey, that’s not fair…” she muttered. “I thought we were about to sleep…”

“It’s important.”

The tone of his voice forced her eyes open. After a bit of stretching and rubbing her eyes, she was conscious enough to engage in a conversation again. “Well… what is it?”

He raised his arm towards her slightly, stretching out his hand. With his other hand, he did something that astonished her.

Byleth grabbed the ring that had been on his finger for as long as she could remember… and took it off.

This was the very same ring he refused to let anyone touch. The very same ring that was the last memento of his father. The very same ring that was a symbol of their marriage.

Resting it on the palm of his hand, he placed it in hers.

“This belongs to you, Sothis,” he said gently. “My wife.”

She was speechless.

Deep down, she had a feeling he would do this, but to actually witness it all happening…

“...a-are you sure…?” she stuttered. “This… was your father’s, your mother’s ring… it…”

“It was my father’s wish to give this to the person I loved,” he cut her off. “Until now, I have been unable to do so. I thought I would never be able to do it either, but now that you are finally able to wear it… I want you to. It is yours, Sothis-- my beloved wife.”

“...I… ah… I… thought… I had exhausted… all my tears…” she chuckled lightly.

Sothis wasn’t lying. She was crying-- a lot!

Byleth cleared her tears away, stroking her cheek gently.

Despite what her physical emotions were suggesting, she couldn’t be happier.

Sothis attempted to put the ring on, but her quivering hand made it tough to do so.

Thus, Byleth intervened, keeping her hand steady as he slotted the ring onto her finger himself.

“There we go,” he gazed up at her with a smile. “It fits you perfectly.”

He wasn’t wrong, and that made her realize he had been wearing something awfully tight around his finger for some time. She felt bad about it since getting him to wear it was her suggestion in the first place!

“...I… Byleth… I don’t know what to say,” she confessed, but the constant morphing of her expression told him she wasn’t giving up just yet. Always the stubborn one, Sothis was going to speak her thoughts even if it came out all messily. “Today… I… experienced so much-- things I never believed I would. This realm… I still do not know why it has granted me a body… but I am so happy. So, so happy! To finally be able to touch you… the possibilities are now… endless! I… ah… I don’t know! I’m just happy!”

“I love you.”

“D-Don’t just say that all of a sudden!” Sothis snapped at him. “I am not emotionally stable right now, dear husband!”

He smirked. He wasn’t sorry in the slightest.

“Sothis,” he started his own speech. “I really do love you. Being apart from you… it tore me apart, but you returning to my side put me back together. Being able to actually touch you is a bonus-- an amazing bonus, of course, but… I am just happy you’re here.”

“Hey… I… ah… l-look at what you’ve done to me! I do not believe I have been this flustered… ever!”

“It does make you look cute.”

“Okay. Okay. I have a suggestion. We should sleep. Now. Otherwise, I will most likely turn into a tomato before I have a chance to eat one!”

That was a wonderful suggestion. He was still very sleepy, after all, and he had done what he had set out to do.

There would always be more opportunities to declare his undying love for her. Many more.

Getting under the covers and cuddling up together was delightful, though Sothis proved to be quite the fidgeter.

“Sorry… wearing this ring… feels a little strange, you know,” she giggled.

“Then let me distract you from it for the time being.”

Before she could inquire what he meant by that, he intensified the grasp he had around, pulling her even closer.

When Sothis arrived in Askr, one of the first things she started to adore was warmth.

Her love for it, especially whenever it came from him, was never going to stop increasing.

It wasn’t long before they finally fell asleep, basking in the tranquility of each other’s presence. They both shared a beautiful dream.

___

Byleth and Sothis were used to either waking up before the other, or being woken up by the other.

Whenever it was their turn to wake up first, they’d nudge the other to wake up. Before Askr, it was through communicating through their minds, but now, they could actually physically wake the other! Byleth had almost managed to do it when she was asleep earlier, but she had woken up before he could do so.

…both wanted to be the one to wake up the other through some fun poking, but neither were granted the opportunity to do so.

Why was that?

They just so happened to wake up at the exact same time.

They suspected they had fallen asleep at the same time too.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Byleth greeted her first.

“...I was about to say the exact same thing,” Sothis pouted. “You only won because you have more experience with this bed!”

“You and this bed…” he rolled his eyes.

“Hey…” she opted to change the subject. No use arguing about who got to say hello to the other first, after all, even if it was playful fighting. “Last night… I really did enjoy it all.”

“I did too,” he leaned in, gently placing a light kiss on her forehead. “You were delightful.”

“Of course I was, and so were you!” Sothis responded enthusiastically. She was happy. Absurdly happy. He loved seeing her when she was like this. “I would suggest doing it again, but… well, I, uh, what’s the word for this…?”

As she tried to remember, her tummy started to rumble.

The subsequent shock on her face was very adorable to witness.

“Do you want to get some breakfast?” Byleth suggested.

“Yes! Absolutely! I want to eat a large, bountiful feast, something fit for the progenitor god!” she tried her best to hide her humiliation. Was this her body’s way to repay her for pleasing it so wonderfully last night!? How rude!

“I will have it arranged,” he answered, making her smile grow. As he started to get up, he noticed Sothis had raised her hand skyward. She was observing the ring he had given her, and he was fascinated by her reactions.

Happiness. Giddiness. Embarrassment. It was all there.

Only one day had passed since their reunion. So much had occurred in just a singular day.

They were going to be here for a long time, and both had no doubt each day would be exciting.

Byleth and Sothis had been married for a long, long time.

For many centuries, in fact.

His unique heritage and connection with Sothis had granted him a long life. It was all thanks to her that he was able to overcome the loss of all his loved ones.

Now, they were both in Askr-- the realm where dreams came true.

A mighty breakfast and a nostalgic seminar were scheduled for today. Already, he was tremendously excited. It was a far cry from how he felt the previous morning.

“Oh, before we leave, I have a request,” Sothis blurted out.

“Hmm?”

“Can you please shave? I kept feeling it scratching me last night, and the look does not suit you! Are you trying to copy Seteth or something?”

He ended up laughing, confusing her.

He had really, really missed those selfish scoldings of hers.

It felt good to laugh again.