Chapter Text
The pouring of rain on Byleth’s head and back is merely an afterthought, as is all the world around him. He hardly notices Dedue, Felix, and Sylvain rushing over, though they stop a short distance away with shocked expressions on their faces. Perhaps they’re too stunned to say anything, or perhaps they just want to give Byleth space with the beast. It doesn’t matter now, in any case.
Dimitri’s chest continues to heave as he tries to catch his breath, but his blue eye slowly opens as he lifts his head to see Byleth kneeling over him. In contrast to the mercenary’s sorrow, however, he feels a sense of peace and relief wash over him. “You… You came back…” he says quietly, a smile spreading across his face in spite of the pain his body is feeling. Knowing that Byleth hadn’t sent the townspeople to kill him, and that he’s here now, means more than he can express right now.
“Of course I came back.” Byleth shakes his head, and he reaches down to run his fingers gently through the beast’s blond fur. He’s so warm and soft, so kind and gentle… He doesn’t deserve to die like this. “I couldn’t let them…” Byleth’s voice trails off as his emotions begin to overtake him, in spite of his best efforts. All of this is so new and strange to him still, but Byleth knows that he would do anything he could to save the beast. Guilt over having told the villagers about him fills his mind, the villagers’ jeering voices echoing in his head. He should have killed Edelgard sooner, but he had never liked senseless violence. Plus, if he’d gone through with it, Byleth probably would have been branded a murderer, which wouldn’t have been good for him or his father. “This is all my fault… If only I’d gotten here sooner.” Byleth closes his eyes and lets his tears run down his face as he holds the beast’s head in his hands and rests his head on the beast’s chest.
Dimitri’s mind races with thoughts as he listens to Byleth’s words, his consciousness clinging to every one. There’s so much he wants to say to Byleth that he can’t articulate. He shouldn’t blame himself for this, and he did come back. Byleth is here with him now, and that’s all that matters to him. …Especially if he was going to be stuck as a beast for the rest of his life anyways. “Maybe it’s… it’s better… better this way…” Dimitri says in between coughs, each one sending more blood gushing from the wounds Edelgard had left on him. He isn’t sure if his curse being made permanent would make him a beast not only in body, but in mind as well, and if he may lose his sanity, he’d rather go out like this.
“Don’t talk like that.” Byleth scolds him almost instantly, despite the shaking in his voice. He lifts his head and continues to stroke the fur of the beast’s face to try and comfort him. “You’ll be alright… We’re together now, everything’s going to be fine…” Byleth forces a shaky smile onto his face, wanting to reassure the beast that he’ll be alright, even though they both know that it’s too late. Byleth doesn’t understand how the beast seems so at peace, and even happy, with the end that he’s facing.
Dimitri just continues to smile at Byleth, and weakly lifts his arm to caress his face with his paw. His palm touches the soft, smooth skin of Byleth’s face, while his fingers gently run through his bright green hair, which seems even brighter against the dark backdrop of the storm clouds above. Byleth looks heavenly to him, even now, with tears in his eyes and sorrow all over his face. “At least… At least I got to see you… one last time…” Dimitri feels Byleth’s hands move to touch his paw to hold it against his face, the way he leans into his touch making the beast’s heart skip a beat. His grip on consciousness is fading quickly, but he wants to hold on as long as he can, for Byleth’s sake, at least.
“Please… Don’t leave me.” Byleth shakes his head, closing his eyes and concentrating on the warm, gentle touch of the beast’s paw against his skin. Thunder rumbles distantly, but he hardly notices it, his eyes opening to look at the beast once more. Seeing that his eye is slowly shutting, Byleth raises his voice to get the beast’s attention. “Look at me… I’m right here.” He gives his paw a gentle squeeze and watches the beast’s eye flutter open again to look at him. “You know… I remember telling Annette that I didn’t want to be here… that I wanted to go home…” Byleth takes a deep, shaky breath in and lets it out to compose himself before speaking again. “She said that maybe one day, I would see the castle as a home. I found it ridiculous at the time, but…” He makes sure that the beast is looking at him before finally finishing his thought in a voice that’s merely a whisper. “I’ve found my home… with you…”
Dimitri’s vision blurs slightly, but he focuses on each word that Byleth says. The mercenary’s words make a lump form in his throat, not of sadness, but just pure emotion. Dimitri opens his mouth to speak, but is cut off by a coughing fit as pain sears through his side. “I… I’m glad…” His voice comes out strained and rough, and his thumb gently strokes Byleth’s cheek. “No matter what… I’ll never… never regret the time we spent together, Byleth.” Dimitri clenches his teeth and inhales sharply, and the paw that isn’t touching Byleth’s face claws at the stone of the balcony beneath him. “You… were the… the best thing… to ever happen… to me…” Blood continues to spill out of Dimitri’s wound as his breathing grows shallow. He can feel his heart fluttering in his chest as it begins to give out, and with one final breath, his eye rolls back in his head, which hits the ground below him.
Byleth gasps as he hears the beast’s words and feels the paw sliding off his face. “No…” He sees the beast’s arm fall limply off to the side, and his powerful chest no longer rises and falls, instead staying stagnant. Despite all that the beast had said to him, and how happy and at peace he had seemed, Byleth feels as though a hole has opened in his heart. One that could never be filled by another. The tears continue to race down his cheeks with increased fervor, and he clings to the beast’s shirt desperately, as if holding onto him would keep him from leaving. All he can let out is another weak “no” as he sobs against the beast’s chest.
Dedue, Sylvain, and Felix all watch the scene, too stunned to speak. Their master and friend is gone now, and they’ll never be human again. Thunder roars and rumbles, rain falls, and lighting crashes through the sky in a mournful display from the heavens. All they’d done had been in vain, and the sting of loss cuts them deep. The loss of their humanity, the loss of time, the loss of hope, and most of all, the loss of Dimitri. Dedue turns his solemn gaze downward, feeling guilt and shame over not having been able to protect Dimitri in the end. Sylvain’s flames are doused with the rain, though it’s not like he would really want them to be shining at a time like this, so a single drooping petal of the enchanted rose is the only source of light in the rain. He places a waxy “hand” on Dedue’s back as a silent gesture of solidarity. Even Felix’s expression softens slightly with his sadness at the situation. He’d never really hated Dimitri, despite what he might say to the contrary. What he hated most was how Dimitri had gotten them all cursed along with him, and had just locked himself away and stewed in hopelessness and despair for such a long time. Now, when they finally had hope, it was extinguished, along with Dimitri’s life.
“Please… Please…” Byleth is still pleading with Dimitri, despite him already being dead. He tries to calm himself with deep breaths, but he just trembles and clutches onto his shirt more. “Please don’t leave me…” he begs, his voice still just a whisper. Byleth doesn’t want to go back to a life where no one but his father really cared for him, he doesn’t want to go back to the village, where nothing happens. He just wants to stay here, with the beast, who had grown to be so kind and thoughtful, who had supported and enjoyed his interests alongside him, who had given him so many wonderful memories. Feelings had been growing inside of him for a while, but he’d never known what exactly they were or how to express them… until now. “...I love you…” Byleth whispers as the final petal that had been clinging to the enchanted rose falls, floating down to the table. Its magical glow fades away, but the only ones to see it are Dedue, Sylvain, and Felix.
All is silent, save for the rain falling on the stone balcony, the distant thunder rumbling overhead, and Byleth’s sobs as he mourns the loss of the one he loved. It seems his confession had come too late, but what did it matter, now that Dimitri is dead? Everyone is at a loss for what to do, still in shock over the beast’s death. Even inside the castle, things come to a halt as the remaining magic of the rose fades away. With the final petal having fallen, their fate had been sealed.
Byleth’s eyes are closed as he sobs, only hearing faint bursts of wind from time to time, or at least that’s what it sounds like. He doesn’t think much of it until the whooshing sounds continue, along with flashes of light that are noticeable even with his eyes closed. At that, Byleth slowly opens his eyes once more, looking incredulous as strange lights like shooting stars fall from the sky, shining brightly and dissipating harmlessly when they come into contact with a surface. “What…?” He wipes his face off and looks up, confused and surprised all the while. The beast’s body beneath him begins to slowly rise off the ground on its own, leaving him further stunned. “What is happening…?” He asks the servants, having finally noticed them nearby. They too, have wide eyes and disbelieving looks on their faces as they watch the scene. Byleth quickly backs away towards the edge of the balcony, but can’t tear his eyes away from what’s happening in front of him.
The beast’s cape, though it had been torn up while fighting Edelgard, encircles him, wrapping him up like a blue cocoon. His body remains suspended in the air for a bit, and Byleth can’t help but think that even in all of his time as a mercenary, he’d never seen a death like this. Twisting and turning slightly within the confines of the cape, the beast suddenly seems to break free, but he also doesn’t seem to be conscious, his body moving on its own. His paws burst from the cloth, but to Byleth’s surprise, they begin to change… The golden fur begins to retreat, the claws retract, and the pads of his paws begin to fade, slowly but surely, until the hand looks… human.
Byleth takes another step back, his face filled with confusion and concern for the beast. The beast died, he saw it… He felt his heart stop beating and his lungs stop breathing. So what is happening to him now, and why?
The beast’s hind legs show themselves next, their wolf-like structure changing shape and size, the paw pads disappearing while his claws retract and his fur vanishes, just like had happened on his arms. Along with them, the wolfish tail fades away and his body shape changes, everything becoming more human. The beastly head remains, but not for long, as the fur retreats, and the lion muzzle shortens and reforms into a human nose and mouth, the ears shift downwards and change shape, and finally, the draconic horns atop his head, fade away in a bright flash of light that blinds Byleth momentarily. A human man is slowly lowered to the ground on the balcony, just lying there.
Byleth’s mouth hangs agape at the transformation that had taken place in front of him. He takes a cautious step towards the man, reaching towards him. But more surprising than the transformation itself is when the body begins to stir, the man taking a deep breath in. He stands up and looks at his hands, unable to believe what he’s seeing. Not only is he alive again, but he’s human, too? There’s only one possible explanation for this… he turns around and spots Byleth behind him, his mind and heart being overwhelmed with emotion.
Byleth can only stand there in stunned silence, his eyes taking in the sight of the man before him. He has a lean, yet muscular build, broad shoulders, and blond hair that reaches to his shoulders and frames his face beautifully. Byleth is at a loss for words, looking into the man’s blue eye as his affection returns for the one he loves once more.
Dimitri looks at Byleth and tilts his head slightly, wondering if the silence means he doesn’t recognize him. “Byleth… It’s me,” he says with a warm and gentle smile as his big, rough hands take one of Byleth’s smaller, warm hands in them. Dimitri watches as Byleth reaches his free hand up and plays with a few strands of his blond hair while looking into his eye.
A smile spreads across Byleth’s face, and he can’t contain his emotion and joy right now, wanting nothing more than to cherish this moment. “I know it’s you,” he says in response, his voice warm and affectionate as he finally finds it. The gloomy setting around them does nothing to dampen Byleth’s spirits, his attention solely focused on Dimitri and the connection they share. It doesn’t take words to let him know that he must feel the same way that he does.
Dimitri moves his hand, gently brushing aside some of Byleth’s green hair so he can get a better view of his gorgeous face. They both know what’s coming next, leaning forward and closing their eyes slowly, stretching the moment out as long as they can… And then their lips connect, and Dimitri feels just how soft Byleth’s are against his own. He wraps his arms around Byleth, pulling his body up against him in a tight embrace, never wanting to let him go again. Byleth really loves him… and now their shared love for each other can finally break the rest of the spell.
Fireworks illuminate the sky above, and the dark clouds quickly retreat, making way for the sun to shine once again. The light shines on the gloomy exterior of the castle, racing along its surface and restoring it to its original state; the grotesque gargoyles are replaced with beautiful angel statues, and the colors of the entire castle become brighter and more vibrant. The interior is bathed in a warm glow as well, and the paintings, statues, and all the decorum inside return to their former elegance, even the destroyed furniture that had been in Dimitri’s room. He and Byleth only notice the change once they finally separate from their kiss, but they remain standing together and holding each other’s hands.
“I can’t believe this…” Dimitri murmurs, feeling like he could cry from happiness upon seeing himself and his castle back to the way they should be. He’s in the midst of processing it all when he notices Sylvain hopping over to him and Byleth. The candelabra floats into the air and is engulfed in a magical glow before landing, now human again. “Sylvain!”
The man gives a grin and a wink to Dimitri and Byleth, his red-orange hair looking bright in the sun. “Looking good, Your Highness,” Sylvain jokes, looking delighted to be human again, but playing it cool. Or at least as “cool” as he can.
Popping up next is a navy blue-haired man, a fair bit shorter than Dimitri and Sylvain, with amber eyes and wrinkles beneath them. “Felix!” Dimitri exclaims happily, putting one arm around the clock-turned-human, and the other around Sylvain. Just when he thought he couldn’t get happier before, his friends are all changing back into humans now as well. Even Felix has a smile on his face, just looking relieved to be human again.
The gray teapot on the ground soon changes into a tall, dark-skinned man with white hair who stands several inches above Dimitri and Sylvain, and nearly a foot above Felix. There’s a kind look on his green eyes as he looks down at the others. “It is good to see you again, Your Highness.” He gives a respectful bow to the group, but before he knows it, he’s pulled into the hug by Dimitri as well.
“Dedue!” Dimitri can’t stop beaming, and he squeezes his friends close, even lifting them all slightly off the ground in the process. “Look at us!” The prince laughs happily, his heart feeling full of joy. He sets them all down once he hears someone else coming, seeing a certain teacup.
The teacup promptly changes into a freckled young man with gray hair and green eyes. “We’re all human again! It’s been so long…” He looks at the others on the balcony, and then out towards the horizon. Good things seem to be in store for them, and love and laughter fill the air.
Dimitri lifts Byleth up into his arms and spins around with him, smiling with fondness at the mercenary. The two continue to laugh together, even though nothing particularly funny is happening. “It’s a miracle, Byleth… Thank you so much…” He sets Byleth back down and embraces him closely, knowing that theirs is a love worth celebrating.
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The entirety of the castle ballroom is bathed in a warm glow, sunlight streaming through the large windows that encircle it. A thrum of voices fills the air, with people dressed in their best clothes and partaking in the fine food and beverages that are being offered. Elegant music and the singing of a choir rise above the crowd in a joyful chorus. With the spell broken, the people remembered their prince and the castle, and they had all been invited to a grand ball in celebration, not just as a reunion, but as a way to rejoice in the love that Dimitri and Byleth share. Couples twirl their way around the room to the sound of the music, dancing and having fun, all taking in the atmosphere of the castle.
This includes Dimitri and Byleth, who pause in their dancing to look into each other’s eyes before sharing a kiss. They’re both clad in the attire they’d worn for their private ball back when the spell was still in full effect, though fortunately for Dimitri, his clothes seemed to have changed size to suit his human form as well. Byleth is wearing his golden dress, which catches the sunlight perfectly and makes him look even more beautiful than usual, like the true prince he’ll be upon their union. Dimitri is his blue dress jacket and golden vest, complementing Byleth’s dress nicely. The two soon separate and return to their dance once more, while the castle servants enjoy the festivities in their own ways.
“Nothing like love, is there?” Sylvain sighs and shakes his head as he watches the pair. He’s snapped out of his thoughts as he sees a woman with light hair, fair skin, and purple eyes walk past him. “Oho, Mercedes, I missed seeing you like this!” He says, grinning and thinking that maybe he should try to get her to dance with him.
“Is that so?” Mercedes smiles and looks over her shoulder at Sylvain. “Well, I think you should be a bit better behaved for the ball, Sylvain. We wouldn’t want people complaining about you, you know.” She laughs softly as she walks away. Though Sylvain tries to follow her, he’s cut off by a disappointed-looking Felix.
“Seriously, Sylvain? Is flirting and chasing women all you think about?” He asks in a disgusted tone of voice. Though Sylvain looks past him and at Mercedes longingly, Felix doesn’t budge, eventually getting Sylvain to look at him. “Just let it go.”
“But Felix, we’re finally human again! Can’t you let me have just a little fun?” Sylvain sighs, slightly annoyed that Felix interrupted him and Mercedes, but he hides it behind a smile. The smile becomes a cheeky grin as he nudges Felix with his elbow. “You know, I did say Byleth was gonna be the one to break the spell,” he says, watching Felix shake his head in annoyance.
“So what? Why do you think I care whether you were right or wrong? I’m just glad I’m not a clock,” Felix huffs while crossing his arms. This sort of occasion isn’t one he’s fond of, and he doesn’t need Sylvain trying to rile him up to make it any worse. The only reason he’s even here is because he feels he owes it to Dimitri and Byleth for helping them all, otherwise, a formal dance is the last place he wants to be.
“Suuuure, Felix. It’s too bad I can see right through you.” Sylvain gives him another nudge before glancing out at the dancing couples. “You’re just upset that I was right and you were wrong. Have a little more faith in Dimitri, yeah?” He continues his banter with Felix while watching the dancers, his mind drifting and making him wonder if he should jump in and find a partner.
Felix glares at Sylvain, getting more and more annoyed with the other man’s teasing. Fortunately, they don’t seem to be disturbing the other guests too much, so Felix decides to up the ante. “Shut your mouth for once! Or is your head still full of wax?” He gives Sylvain a shove, trying to make him take the hint and go away.
“A broken clock is right twice a day, my friend, and this is not one of those times.” Instead of backing off, Sylvain gets more into poking fun at Felix, elbowing him once more. This gets Felix to cave and throw a punch at Sylvain, who quickly moves away from him, as the pair begin fighting in the background of the dancing. Things truly are returning to normal.
Ashe and Dedue are standing near Jeralt, who still seems to be processing everything, but he’s happy for his daughter. “It’s just like a fairytale, isn’t it Dedue?” Ashe chuckles, looking up at the taller man with a cheerful smile. He’d always liked happy endings the best, and it seems that this story is receiving one of its own.
“Hm…” Dedue watches the dancers for a bit before looking down at Ashe and nodding his head in agreement. “Yes, I suppose it is like a fairytale.” He takes his time to just appreciate the atmosphere of the ballroom, even though he isn’t the most social person himself. The light shining throughout the space refracts through the crystals of the chandeliers above, as if the sky is part of the celebration of warmth and joy.
At the center of it all are Dimitri and Byleth, though they’re mostly in their own little world that’s just the two of them. “You know… when we had our dance before, back when you were a beast… I felt like a princess, but I never imagined I would actually become royalty.” Byleth smiles up at Dimitri, watching the way the sun shines on his hair and the way the light shines in his blue eye. He’d never been one to care much for appearances, but even he can’t get over how handsome Dimitri is. “And who would have thought that the big, fluffy beast I danced with was actually a prince himself?” Byleth moves a hand to Dimitri’s chest, remembering the way he’d rested his head there during their private ball.
“What, you don’t think I looked the part?” Dimitri responds jokingly, giving Byleth a quiet, playful growl that makes the mercenary’s eyes widen with surprise and a slight blush appear on his cheeks. Dimitri smiles when he sees that, before replying on a more serious and genuine note. “I’ll never understand how I got so lucky, that someone as kind-hearted, smart, strong, and handsome as you, would love me.” He closes his eye and rests his forehead against Byleth’s as they slow the rhythm of their dancing.
“Maybe it wasn’t luck. Maybe it was all the effort you put in to be more kind and gentle, the time you took to get to know me and enjoy my interests with me,” Byleth whispers, his voice soft. “And in doing so, you helped me feel and express things that I had never felt in the past. It means more than I can say.” His hands move up from Dimitri’s chest to his cheeks, Byleth’s thumbs gently stroking Dimitri’s skin as he lifts his head to look at the prince. The two are close now, feeling one another’s breath on their faces.
“I suppose love changed both of our lives, then.” Dimitri’s warm smile doesn’t fade, though his gaze soon drifts to Byleth’s lips, which are so close to his own. “And I couldn’t be more grateful for it, or for you…” he murmurs before leaning in and letting their lips connect in a gentle, loving kiss. Everything is as it should be, and all is right for the couple as they savor their love and happiness. Surrounded by people who care for and admire them, the two turn the page to a new chapter of their lives, one where neither of them will ever have to be alone again as they had once been. And for the rest of their days, they are grateful for the love that broke a curse.