This is a commission for a huge Fire Emblem fan featuring DorotheaxByleth with a side pairing of PetraxEdelgard. If you'd like your own ideas brought to life, please contact me for more info!

Thanks go to GrimGrave for proofreading this. I do not own the Fire Emblem series, but I do own a copy of this fantastic game on Switch.

-Drawing the Line-

The mock battle between the Golden Deer, Black Eagles, and Blue Lions is in full swing. Though the other houses have suffered casualties, Byleth has managed to lead her team of four without incident. The blue-haired woman notes with pride how well her students work together and that stellar camaraderie is what basically assures their victory.

Byleth gestures to Edelgard and the Adrestian princess moves without hesitation to the indicated position. Claude's superior range has proven... not dangerous, but inconvenient and Byleth's students obediently melt into the cover of the foliage. Only a pale brunette wearing a brimmed cap hesitates and it's clear that there's something on her mind.

"Is something troubling you, Dorothea?"

She'd been so friendly and upbeat when Byleth had first been introduced to the Black Eagles, so her current behavior seemed out of sorts.

Dorothea makes a small sound, then plasters on a smile and shakes her head. "It's nothing, Professor. Let's win this!"

With Byleth leading the charge, the Black Eagles team closes the distance between their position and the Golden Deer students—while also remaining out of range of the advancing Blue Lions.

Edelgard swings her axe and Claude falls into his back with an 'oomph,' the air knocked out of him. His teammates fall to a combination of Dorothea's Thunder spell and Byleth's impressive swordsmanship and the blue-haired woman feels the intangible bonds that link them strengthen through her Crest. It's Byleth who corners Professor Manuela and the prim caster surrenders without a fuss. Apparently she's got a hot date later and doesn't want her hair messed up.

Then, they turn their sights on the Blue Lions.

Their House leader, Dimitri, is first to make contact. He's holding his own against the orange-haired noble, Ferdinand, with a smirk, the sound of metal against metal—iron lance deflected by iron sword—ringing out like a war bell. The blonde Church of Seiros devout, Mercedes, is crouched low in the brush, an arrow knocked and trained on the combatants. It's the foreigner from Brigid, Petra, who rushes her; nimbly dodging projectiles, she's able to disarm the older girl and strike a critical blow with her mace. Morale soars and Edelgard joins Ferdinand, while Dorothea and Byleth take down Ashe and Dedue. Their final opponent, Professor Hanneman, is a far more challenging opponent and he keeps them at a distance with powerful elemental spells. It's a risky strategy, but Byleth has Ferdinand and Petra flank the man and places herself directly in his line of fire. His arcane tomes don't last longer than their Vulneraries, however, and it's through attrition that they manage to take the older man down.

That victory brings the Black Eagles and their young, impromptu professor into the limelight within the Monastery.

"That was impressing, Professor! We gained a victory because of your great leadership."

"Impressive," Edelgard corrects gently.

Petra smiles embarrassedly. "Yes, excuse me. Impressive."

"You've all earned this celebration," Edelgard addresses the whole room. She's in a very good mood, post battle. Light laughter ripples across the gathered Black Eagle class and fair cheeks flush. "Was it something I said?"

The other students plan to take their merriment to the classroom, but Dorothea really just wants to go to bed. As a mage, she tends to get the short end of the stick on the field of battle and serving as Claude's pincushion hadn't been her idea of a good time. When the new professor agrees to accompany them, however, Dorothea quickly changes her tune. She'd been interested in this beautiful, enigmatic woman since she'd agreed to take responsibility for the young nobles' education.

During the mock battle between all three houses, Dorothea had seen the Professor in action and she'd been impressed with the blue-haired warrior's quick thinking and cool exterior. Now is her chance to see Byleth in a more relaxed setting.

...

Edelgard orders Hubert and Ferdinand to round up foodstuffs from the dining hall as she arranges herself on a leather chaise lounge. She looks like a princess on a throne, which is fitting considering her station. The other would be party goers chat amongst themselves and it's soon evident that Dorothea isn't the only one who'd thought to pick their brilliant tactician's brain.

Only Petra is hanging back and she takes a seat curiously close to Edelgard's, Dorothea notes. Green eyes study the pair: Edelgard has always had a soft spot for the foreign girl and seemed to take pride in teaching her the intricacies of their language. Was there more to that beyond simple pride in a companion?

"They seem friendly."

"Professor!" Dorothea says it a little more loudly than she'd intended, surprised to suddenly be face to face with the very person she'd wanted to see.

"Dorothea?" Something akin to amusement glints in dark blue eyes as they shift from Petra and Edelgard to focus on Dorothea.

Well, shoot. Now she couldn't think of anything to say. At point blank range, the aura of confidence Byleth puts off is a little intimidating.

"Great job today," she manages at last.

Byleth nods her thanks and an awkward silence descends over them both.

C'mon, Dorothea! Where was the playful, flirty brunette Black Eagle House had come to know and love?

At that moment, the boys return with provisions and the gathering releases a cheer. Byleth excuses herself and goes to help them set up, leaving Dorothea to berate herself for missing an opportunity. The food smells heavenly, however, and Dorothea's grumbling stomach interrupts her disparaging thoughts and spurs her into motion.

Though it was later in the evening, the dining staff had provided a sumptuous spread: beast meat teppanyaki, onion gratin soup, two-fish saute—and for dessert, peach sorbet.

The party picks up when someone produces a flagon of mead. All eyes go to the professor, gauging her reaction, and when she doesn't admonish them drinks are poured.

"To Professor Byleth," Ferdinand declares. The sentiment is mirrored by the other students, even those without drink in hand, and their teacher nods her thanks.

Hubert has refused to drink and his arms are crossed over his chest, his features a mask of disapproval. This is Lady Edelgard's idea and, as such, he's going along with it, but that doesn't mean he agrees with it. He, Ferdinand, and Linhardt are making polite conversation with Byleth when Dorothea spots her. Before she can head over, a short boy with spiky light blue hair swaggers over to the fourth student tucked away in that corner.

"Hey, Bernadetta! You doin' alright?" Caspar claps the purple-haired introvert on the shoulder and she looks supremely uncomfortable. "Never thought you'd stick around for a party."

Byleth is quick to separate the two and it's Hubert who volunteers to take the boy back to his room. He's led away by the ear like a naughty child, which prompts good natured jeering from the others.

Full of good food and more than a little sleepy, languorous Linhardt is the first person to bid the group goodnight. Edelgard is red in the face and it seems that it's only with Petra's support that she manages to remain upright. Petra, to her credit, is also flushed, but she manages to reign in her friend and they head back to the dorms together. The rest of the class slowly follows suit and, eventually, Dorothea finds herself alone with Byleth.

Opportunity has presented itself a rare second time and Dorothea isn't about to miss it.

"Professor?" She joins Byleth on the bench, a little thrill going through her as their thighs brush.

When had admiration escalated into a crush? Dorothea isn't sure, but her heart is going haywire.

"Mm?" Byleth has had a few drinks herself and her intimidating aura has all but vanished. Right now, she's a normal woman who had been enjoying the company of individuals close to her own age. She's still gorgeous as all get out and Dorothea bites her lip as the blue haired woman drags a hand through wavy locks, mussing them and somehow making herself look even lovelier. Dorothea very much wants to find out if they're as soft as they look and, before she realizes it, she's reaching out and doing just that.

Had she been drinking without knowing it? They call alcohol liquid courage, after all, and she isn't sure where this sudden surge is coming from.

Whatever the case may be, she takes advantage of the almost dissociative sense of fearing no consequence finds herself standing between Byleth's legs. Byleth frowns minutely up at her, but doesn't say anything. There's a wary light in dark blue eyes—a question that Dorothea isn't quite sure how to answer.

Where is she going with this?

"I'm done." The clack of the woman's mug hitting the table makes Dorothea start.

"I'll get you another, Professor," she says earnestly.

"I... don't think that's a good idea."

The mercenary is retreating. Dorothea has to stop her!

"Allow me to walk you back to your room. Please?"

Byleth takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Her eyelashes are long and the slight frown that creases her brow as she considers the request is adorable. Finally, she says, "Very well..."

...

The air outside is crisp. When had it gotten so late?

Byleth stretches her arms over her head, giving Dorothea ample opportunity to appreciate the mercenary's lithe form. How is it possible to be so physically accomplished without sacrificing any of your feminism? And what's more, what is it about the woman that draws people to her? The Black Eagles, though still boisterous, were certainly more mindful in her presence and they'd become that way without discussion or suggestion. To say Professor Byleth is an enigma is an understatement.

It's a short distance to the dormitories and the pair walks in silence.

Byleth swears quietly and the utterance is followed by the quiet jingle of her key hitting the stone walkway.

"I've got it." But she doesn't have it, having moved too quickly in her eagerness, and as Dorothea stoops to retrieve the keys, she loses her balance.

Even as she's bracing herself for impact, Dorothea finds herself sitting on something warm and soft.

"How...?"

Dorothea's face threatens to set the rest of her ablaze: Byleth is beneath her and leaning back on her elbows. How or when they had gotten that way was still lost upon the brunette, but it doesn't matter when she's straddling her professor.

"Uh..."

"..." Some of the sharpness returns to Byleth's gaze and, with it, her intimidation. What's most notable, however, is the pink hue of her cheeks.

Dorothea's heart thuds dully against the inside of her rib cage and her mouth is suddenly dry. To know she could affect the stoic woman like this...

Byleth shifts and Dorothea is quick to scramble to her feet. When the blue-haired woman takes her proffered hand, it's like a bolt of Thunder travels up her arm.

"I-I'm sorry, Professor. Please accept my apologies." She bows deeply to hide the grin that spreads across her face. "Goodnight!"

Byleth watches as the younger girl hurries off. Once Dorothea is out of sight, her shoulders slump and she shakes her head. What just happened?

"Was it really necessary to turn back the hands of time for that?" Sothis's voice asks, startling in that it comes without warning. Byleth still isn't used to that. "Falling on her arse would probably be good for that girl. And have you been drinking?!"

With one last shake of her head, Byleth lets herself into her room with the intent of going to bed. Sleep doesn't find her for some time, though, as her thoughts are focused firmly on a pretty brunette.