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crying-over-spilled-feels · 1 year

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The Magic of Beginnings

Disclaimer: I do not own either of the canon characters. They belong solely to Intelligent Systems and Nintendo. No monetary gain is being made from this drabble. I did, however, re-name my female Byleth in-game to Atarah, as I thought Byleth was the name for the male hero since that was the name in my fiancé’s playthrough when he would play as I studied for Nursing school exams nearly two years ago. Oops. So, any mention to Atarah is indeed a blue-haired female Byleth.

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When Atarah the blue-haired daughter of the famed Captain Jeralt first begins her position at the monastery, Claude is instantly by her side.

“You came!” he happily chirrups, and almost blinding smile appearing on his lips. “I’m so happy you did,” the leader of the Golden Deer adds, dropping the volume of his voice to nearly a whisper.

“That I did,” Atarah softly grins, a small quirk of her lips and nothing more. “Apparently my father and I are in high demand around here,” the famed mercenary continues as she and Claude walk through the courtyard together. “It seems we both have our work cut out for us.”

“Indeed. Though, from what I saw of your skill in battle when you saved us from those thieves, they’re right to proposition you to stay,” Claude compliments, his eyes shining at the recent memory. “Although, I hope their offer was not as tactless as Dimitri’s and Edelgard’s were,” he laughs, thinking of those two house leaders trying to recruit Atarah immediately following the battle with the thieves.

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“Is there something you wanted, Claude?” Atarah inquires some time later as she realizes they have nearly reached her quarters and the heir to the Alliance is still animatedly chatting with her.

“Hmm?” Claude hums, slight confusion etched on his brow. “Must I want something to spend time with you, Atarah? After that battle and our journey here, I would consider us to be friends,” he admits, suddenly pulling up to a stop as they reach Atarah’s quarters.

Atarah’s cheeks quickly develop a scarlet blush in embarrassment as she looks up at Claude.

“I’m sorry, Claude. I… I…” Atarah stammers, and she can’t help but use one of Jeralt’s favorite curses in her head. “Of course I didn’t mean it to sound like that. My social skills will need some work, it seems,” the blue-haired mercenary admits, the color still painting her cheeks. “Floating from battlefield to battlefield with my father never left me the option of speaking to those my own age, I’m afraid,” she continues, and Atarah wonders what the smooth-talking heir of the Alliance could possibly be thinking about her now.

Claude gently laughs, clasping Atarah’s hands in his warmer, larger ones before he speaks again, his green eyes locking on Atarah’s azure blue ones.

“Atarah, I mean what I said about thinking of you as my friend,” he assures, squeezing Atarah’s hands gently. “Let’s just spend the next year or so learning about each other, little by little,” Claude suggests, that dazzling smile of his appearing and making Atarah go weak at the knees.

(Goddess, he truly is handsome!)

“I’d… I’d like that very much, Claude,” Atarah smiles back.

“Then I bid you goodnight, my Lady,” Claude grins, dropping a kiss to the back of her hand before turning back towards his own quarters.

The new professor of the Blue Lions quickly closes her door with a sigh, slumping to the floor with a dreamy far-off look in her eyes.

Whenever they both have a free moment, Claude and Atarah are nearly inseparable. They walk through the grounds of the monastery, talking about anything and everything, ranging from their unnatural upbringings to discovering their birthdays are only a day apart, with Atarah’s being the day before Claude’s. As they walk and explore the monastery together, Claude learns that Atarah feels most at peace in nature and can handle a sword better than anyone, other than Felix, that he’s ever met. Meanwhile, Atarah learns that Claude is a terrible cook, as she learns the hard way when he burns the meal they were cooking together in the dining hall, and that the heir of House Riegan would rather shy away from any responsibility in favor of aiding those he cares about. They fall into a sort of pattern this way, spending time uninterrupted with each other at least every other day to the point that everyone else has begun to take notice. No matter. Let them be jealous of their newfound companionship if they wanted. It’s not like the opinions of others has ever mattered to Claude and Atarah, and it’s not like they are breaking any rules.

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When Lady Rhea discovers that Captain Jeralt’s only child’s birthday is fast approaching, she quickly and happily announces there will be a ball held in honor of Atarah as the newest professor of Garreg Mach Monastery. Knowing of Claude’s love of music and his birthday being the day after hers, Atarah suggests a joint party to Lady Rhea and Seteth. At this suggestion, Seteth speaks of “favoritism” and that it would mean they should have celebrated Edelgard’s birthday in this way, which had already passed. Atarah knows that very well, thank you very much, as she sent Edelgard flowers and dined with the leader of the Black Eagles to celebrate. Oh, well. She had tried, and no one can fault her for that.

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Atarah’s birthday and subsequent party quickly approach, and everyone at Garreg Mach is abuzz with energy. Jeralt begins the festivities by bringing his daughter breakfast in bed like he did every year prior with a smile on his lips and a second tray for himself.

“For you,” Captain Jeralt suddenly announces, producing a gift from seemingly nowhere with a grin lighting his features.

“It’s beautiful, Papa!” Atarah gasps, throwing her arms around Jeralt’s neck and pressing a kiss to his cheek at the sight of a brand new, handcrafted sword.

“You’ve been training so much that I knew you’d love a new one. Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Jeralt whispers, and Atarah thinks of how privileged she is to be the only one alive who gets to see Captain Jeralt, her fearless father, at his kindest. After her breakfast with her father, Atarah walks into the Blue Lions lecture room to find everyone waiting for her, which is definitely strange since Sylvain is almost always late.

“What’s all this, then?” she inquires, taking in all of the excited faces.

A chorus of “Happy birthday!” soon rings out. Atarah’s heart swells at the gesture.

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That evening, the party commences after dinner and is planned to last halfway through the night, despite tomorrow being a training day. If there is one thing that does not mix well with Atarah, it’s being the center of attention in a social gathering. Due to her upbringing on many battlefields, she isn’t very talkative in general, preferring to listen and offer advice or an input when necessary. There are a handful of people who can consistently engage her in conversation, one of whom is coming towards her.

“You look beautiful, Teach,” Claude compliments, his voice breathy with emotion as he takes in the sight of Atarah wearing an emerald green dress that honestly matches Claude’s eyes.

“Thank you, Claude,” Atarah quietly returns, the tips of her ears turning pink as she meets Claude’s gaze. “You look quite handsome tonight,” she shyly grins, her blue eyes twinkling in the low light. “I really wish you’d stop calling me that, though.”

“Ah, c’mon, it’s funny!” Claude laughs, taking Atarah’s hand in his own. “I will try not to do it quite as much, then… Teach,” he continues, and Atarah playfully smacks his upper arm.

“You’re such an imp,” Atarah chuckles softly, the smallest quirk coming to her lips.

“Ah, but that’s one of my many charms,” Claude grins, showing all of his white teeth to the woman in front of him. “Now, c’mon, let’s have our one obligated dance we’ve agreed to, and then we can sneak on outta here,” he suggests, offering Atarah his hand as they prepare to join the other dancers.

“You mean it? You really want to dance with me?” Atarah inquires, hope evident in her voice as Claude gently pulls her on to the dance floor. “What if I step on your feet?”

“Of course I wanna dance with you, Atarah,” Claude answers in earnest, using one of his hands to tuck a loose strand of blue hair behind her ear. “I did tell you I was a treasure on the dance floor, and I intend to show you that,” he teases, his emerald eyes shining in mirth. “And don’t worry about stepping on my toes. I’m sure I’ve sustained many more injuries training against Dimitri and Edelgard.”

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After they dance to two slow songs and one fast dance complete with plenty of spinning and twirling, Claude and Atarah sneak out of the side door and head for the grassy field behind the monastery. Neither of them do particularly well in large crowds, and with everyone living at Garreg Mach in attendance, the room was practically filled to the brim. Once they are far enough away from the hustle and bustle noise of the party, Atarah and Claude flop down, the grass tickling against Atarah’s pale, bare legs.

“There! That’s much better! Isn’t it, Teach?” Claude happily sighs, reclining in the grass with his arms behind his head.

“It absolutely is,” Atarah agrees, the smallest of smiles on her lips as she sits next to Claude. “You are quite the splendid dancer, Claude. I could hardly keep up,” she compliments, her blue eyes locking onto his green ones.

“You aren’t so bad yourself,” Claude admits, his smile radiating in the darkness. “I’d gladly dance with you again, just say the word,” he winks, and that silent blush returns to Atarah’s cheeks.

Atarah simply grabs Claude’s hand and gives it a gentle squeeze, one of their many forms of silent communication they have built over the past few months. With that, they both settle into the grass to watch the stars shining down from above.

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The bell over the monastery chimes as it does five minutes before the end of the hour, and that snaps Claude and Atarah out of their silent reverie with the stars.

“Teach, quick! Make a birthday wish before the night’s over!” Claude declares, jerking himself upright, pulling Atarah up with him until they are sitting practically nose-to-nose.

“Whatever would I wish for?” Atarah inquires, not quite remembering if she has ever made a birthday wish in the past.

“Whatever your heart desires! C’mon, give it a try,” the leader of the Golden Deer urges, clasping Atarah’s hands in his own.

Quirking her brow at him before acquiescing, Atarah closes her blue eyes and makes her birthday wish. Suddenly, flashes of light appear even behind her eyelids and when Atarah opens her eyes, Claude and the rest of the world before her are bathed in the lights and colors of fireworks.

“Whatcha think?” Claude inquires, holding Atarah’s right hand tenderly with his left.

“It… It’s magical!” Atarah gasps, the breath nearly leaving her body. “I wonder how they…” she begins to question before Claude cuts her off.

“I told them. I knew how much you’ve always wanted to see fireworks, Teach.”

“Claude, I… Thank you! I don’t know what to…”

Suddenly, Claude acts on impulse and crashes their lips together, his right hand coming to rest on her cheek while his left curls protectively around Atarah’s waist. Atarah is originally shell-shocked due to never being kissed before, but she quickly matches Claude’s rhythm, switching from gentle and demure to more demanding effortlessly. As the clock strikes midnight, switching from the 23rd to the 24th of Blue Sea Moon, they part.

“Happy birthday, Atarah,” Claude whispers, a satisfied smile on his lips.

“Happy birthday, Claude,” Atarah gently returns, her heart swelling with the magic of new beginnings.

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Author’s Note: So, I started my first Fire Emblem: Three Houses playthrough a few months ago and picked the Blue Lions house because I liked the rest of the students from the house the best out of all the cast. However, in my heart of hearts, my female Byleth (here named Atarah because when I made my playthrough I didn’t realize that Byleth was the canon name for the protagonist until my fiancé pointed that out to me) falls in love with and marries Claude because his storyline and the interest he shows in female Byleth/Atarah in my game is just so insanely precious. So, yes, Atarah in my playthrough is the professor for the Blue Lions house but she is courting and then ends up marrying Claude. This is the first step on their journey together in which per the in-game dialogue, Claude says he wants to “spend the next year or so learning about each other, little by little”, which is what inspired this fic to take hold. I know I technically wrote it for the “A Drabble a Day” challenge that I have fallen behind on- and subsequently backdated some of my works because I had this fic and about thirty others written at the end of December 2022, I promise, but my work schedule gets in the way of posting- even though this is very clearly a story much longer than a drabble. Anyway, all this to say I hope you sincerely enjoyed my first Claude/female Byleth (Atarah) story and expect to see more of this pairing from me in the future as I continue to play the game once I have a break from work and once my wedding is in just more than two weeks! Until next time, my dear readers! Have an amazing day, afternoon, or night!

P.S. Let me know who your favorite Fire Emblem: Three Houses popular pairing is and who your favorite Fire Emblem: Three Houses rare pair is!

#fire emblem: three houses #claude von riegan #claude/byleth #female byleth #byleth #my female byleth is named Atarah because my fiancé didn't tell me Byleth was canon until after I made my character #oops #my female Byleth will thus always be referred to as Atarah #a drabble a day #writing every day

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