Chapter Text
The journey back to Fhirdiad passes without incident. Dedue is nervous that being in the capital again will be difficult for Dimitri, but it does not seem to faze him. In fact, he seems eager to return so he can begin enacting his new reforms.
Dedue meant it when he said that he did not expect Dimitri to ever make their relationship public, but a fire had been lit inside his husband. Dimitri immediately set to work dismantling the Kingdom's antiquated ways, not just for them, he assures Dedue, but for every single person who feels the way they do.
Dimitri is determined to change everything, and his enthusiasm is contagious. He whispers his ambitions and ideas to Dedue during their nights together, which is the only time they have where it is just the two of them. Dedue couldn't be prouder of him, even as he worries that Dimitri is pushing himself too hard, too soon. But the king truly seems empowered in a way that Dedue has never seen before.
And there were still bad days, of course there were. Dimitri struggles with finding restful sleep, and there are still nights he wakes up weeping or screaming from a particularly horrible nightmare, but he has also started to ask for help before he reaches his breaking point.
Dimitri now comes to Dedue and requests his presence when he is feeling weak and worn down instead of hiding it from him. And Dedue allows himself to do the same when he feels his worries overwhelming him. They are both breaking down walls that have existed for almost ten years, piece by piece, bit by bit.
Dimitri starts by setting up meetings with Queen Petra of Birgid, Claude, the leader of the Alliance, and even the Duscar emissary, these being the most notable lands that accept any and all relationships as valid. Each person provides helpful insight, but at the end of the day, Dimitri still faces the struggle that is the antiquated ways of the Kingdom. Change is slow to come, if ever, but Dimitri does not let that stop him.
A few months after their return to Fhirdiad, Dimitri releases a proclamation stating that an heir did not have to be of noble blood as long as the current ruler acknowledges them. It also states that crested children will not carry any more weight in a matter of inheritance than a child without a crest. Dedue does not envy Dimitri as his days following the edict are filled with non-stop meetings with outraged nobles.
It is a radical decree. One that might do away with nobility entirely over time as the bloodlines thin and crests become rarities instead of necessities. And this means that Dimitri is not as pressured to produce an heir. The older nobles still want it, of course, but they can do nothing more than voice their dissent, which they do, often and loudly.
Dimitri does not back down, though. He hears all of their concerns calmly, but refuses to budge on his new decree. Dedue has no idea how Dimitri can stand listening to them squabble day in and day out, but he does his best to give Dimitri as much support as he can with his presence if nothing else.
~~~
Dedue and Dimitri are returning to the castle one afternoon when a gaggle of children darts in front of the procession. Many children live on the palace grounds, mostly sons and daughters of the servants and staff, but a few are war orphans as well, whom Dimitri has given quarter to.
One of the older children realizes that they are in the way and begins to usher the younger ones out of their path. A boy of maybe seven years becomes frustrated that he can't continue playing. The wooden toy sword he's holding suddenly snaps in two, drawing both Dimitri and Dedue's attention.
It's obvious to Dedue that such a feat of strength can only be crest-induced. If he squints, the child even looks a bit like a young Dimitri. Perhaps he is one of Rufus's bastards?
Dimitri looks...shocked? Curious? Dedue isn't sure. The children are moving again before either of them can say anything, but Dedue makes note of the boy and the house he disappears into in case Dimitri wants to inquire after him at a later date.
Dimitri shakes his head and continues toward the palace. They do not speak of the incident, but days later, Dedue finds a half-written letter on Dimitri's desk which appears to be intended for the mother of the boy, letting her know she can reach out to him at any time if he has questions or difficulties with his crest.
A few days later, Dimitri approaches Dedue with a nervous expression and asks him to help seek out the boy and his family so they can deliver the letter. They find him playing in front of a small house near the outskirts of the palace gates that Dedue had noted from earlier. His eyes go wide when he sees the king approach him.
The mother is...grateful for the visit, but also wary. Dedue does not blame her. Even if the child does carry the crest of Blaiddyd, he is her son first and foremost. There is no father in the picture, leading more credence to the idea that he might be one of Rufus's ilk. But she assures Dimitri that all is well with her and her child, and they need no further assistance.
Dimitri leaves her with an open invitation to the palace if she ever needs anything or wants any testing done on the child to verify his crest. She declines again. Dedue can tell they've overwhelmed her, so he gently whispers to Dimitri that they should take their leave.
"You did a good thing," Dedue reassures Dimitri later that night.
"Did I?" Dimitri murmurs sullenly. He pushes away from his desk, his shoulders hunching as he sighs, a pensive expression on his face. "I disrupted their lives. After declaring that bloodlines do not matter, I went against my word and invaded his home, all because he might have a crest."
"But your intention was not to claim him as an heir or to take him away, you were merely concerned for him. That is very different, I think," Dedue points out.
"Perhaps...I was worried that he might feel lost, I suppose. I struggled so often with my crest. Normal activities became perilous. Friends began to avoid me out of fear. But at least I had my father to help me through it when I was younger. I just wanted that boy to know he wasn't the only one out there if he felt alone. But I fear I have only disrupted his life."
"He seems like he is happy and loved," Dedue says. "And if he has questions, he will come, but you did nothing wrong. You acted out of compassion, not selfish intentions."
"You are too kind to me." Dimitri smiles weakly. "But perhaps you are right. His mother was kind, and he had friends who did not shy away from him, even when he broke that toy sword. My experiences are not his. I just...I don't know."
"I think..." Dedue pauses, taking a moment to think through his reply, "you had so many pressures growing up as a prince, and coupling that with a crest that is quite destructive in nature, you were always on edge, always under observation. This child has been allowed to be simply that, a child. So it may not be affecting him the way it did for you."
"You are so wise," Dimitri chuckles, "but that does make me feel better. I am worrying overmuch again."
"You are allowed to, but if you can, I would suggest that you put him from your mind. He is happy and healthy, and the hand has been presented. Whether he will take it or not is out of our control." Dedue holds out his palm in an imitation of his words. Dimitri laces their fingers together and allows Dedue to pull him onto the bed next to him.
"You're right, as always. You should be the king, not me." Dimitri chuckles wryly.
"You know that would be a terrible idea, even if it were possible," Dedue chides him. "But for the sake of pretending, what would you do in the future, if you did not have to be king, if you were free to choose your own path?" It's a silly question, but it has its intended effect of distracting Dimitri from his earlier thoughts.
"That is not fair," Dimitri whines. "I...I do not know. I have been trained from birth for this. But I would not choose it." Dimitri pauses briefly, his single eye glistening as he gazes at Dedue. "I think...if I could have any future in the world, I would want to abdicate the throne and spend the rest of my years with you somewhere we could just be us. I know it's silly. If I did that, everything we have worked so hard for would crumble...but-"
"I would like that too," Dedue says.
"And you?" Dimitri turns the question around. "If you could be anyone, go anywhere, what would you do?"
"The easy answer is that I only want to be at your side, whether you are the king or a beggar. But..." Dedue continues when he sees Dimitri about to protest, "I think I would like to make a home with you, perhaps in Duscur. One that we build together. With a garden and a view of the ocean."
"That is a lovely thought." Dimitri's expression changes into the concentrated one that Dedue has learned means he's working out some sort of puzzle in his head.
"It is," Dedue agrees while he tries to decipher what the king is thinking. He is distracted from his thoughts by Dimitri's lips against his, and no matter how he enjoys their talks of the future, all he wants is here, in this bed, in his arms.
~~~
The following week, Dimitri writes a royal decree stating that same sex marriages will be recognized as valid and binding. The announcement is followed by an almost non-stop stream of nobles who wish to air their grievances with the king. Instead of hearing them one by one, Dimitri decides to host them all at once.
"This is just absurd," the new Duke of Itha whines. "We are not savages, or the Alliance. You have already pushed your luck with the decree about children not needing to be of noble blood, but this? It is obscene!"
"I agree," Marquis Erebus adds on. "This is not honoring the ways of the Kingdom."
"You are destroying everything we stand for!" Count Charon says.
"Your father would never-"
"I think you know very well that he would," Dimitri cuts Count Duval off with a sweep of his gloved hand, his voice emerging in a menacing tone, dangerous even. "My father was a progressive man, as am I, and if you are unhappy with the direction I have decided to take my rule, then you are more than welcome to leave. I will not be invading your halls and telling you how to live, but no longer will I let the Kingdom rot in the past."
"You are the rot," Count Geraint shouts, and Dedue has to force himself not to retort aloud, no matter how heated his blood is getting. The scar on his lips twinges as he bites down on the sensitive skin.
"Ummm...that's our king you're talking to," Sylvain cuts in just when Dedue is moments away from snapping. He is now the new Margrave Gautier since his father had decided to step down last month due to his declining health. "I would ask you to speak to him with the respect he deserves."
"Your father would not agree with this either," Count Duval speaks again, but Sylvain waves him off with a laugh.
"Actually, he would. We are both in full support of the king, and I think we should all get on the same page. And now that I have royal permission, I might as well come out and say that I asked Duke Fraldarius to marry me last week."
Gasps fill the room as all eyes turn to Felix, who is burying his face in his hands in an attempt to hide the bright blush dusting his cheeks. Sylvain slides closer to him, and Felix drops his arms and laces his left hand with Sylvain's, a silver band noticeable on his ring finger.
"Do you all have a problem with that?" Felix hisses as the murmurs increase in volume. His earlier embarrassment is erased by the eerie intensity that only Felix can produce as he glares at each person in the room. The other lords quiet down, although a few disgruntled comments still fill the room.
"This is insanity," Count Charon spits as he vacates his chair and leaves the room. A few nobles follow him, but not all.
"Now then," Dimitri continues as if their absence meant nothing. "If anyone has any other concerns that I can address, please voice them now. And congratulations to you, Duke Fraldarius and Margrave Gautier. I am so very happy for the both of you."
~~~
Things settle down over time. Dimitri throws Sylvain and Felix a grand wedding in the palace, and he makes note of which nobles attend and which refuse. Dimitri asks Dedue if he is comfortable with him announcing their marriage soon, and Dedue agrees.
He knows the nobles will hate it even more than they do Sylvain and Felix's union. At least they are both nobles, but Dedue is a commoner from Duscur. To be named king consort will be an insult added to injury, but if Dimitri is willing to face the backlash, he is too.
They wait another two months to make the announcement, and when they do, it is met with grudging acceptance instead of blatant outrage. Most of the recalcitrant nobles have started avoiding the palace altogether. Dimitri is aware of those lords, and he has people keeping an eye on them, but so far they have not caused any real trouble.
There is one instance when Dedue finds Dimitri at the training grounds in a fury. They do not utilize the space as much as they once did, but Dimitri is prone to coming here when he is upset and needs to burn energy.
"Your Majesty," Dedue greets him, not wanting to startle Dimitri when he is in this state. One of the training dummies is already completely destroyed, and another is well on its way to being irreparable.
"Dedue." Dimitri jolts and drops his lance. "I...hello."
Dedue glances around, ascertaining that they are mostly alone before he moves closer and grasps Dimitri's hands, engulfing them in his own. Not that they have to keep things secret anymore, but old habits are hard to break.
"What happened?"
"Nothing." Dimitri slumps against him, his head dropping into the crook of his shoulder. "Just...I overheard some of the servants talking about us...about you. I lost my temper."
"My love," Dedue soothes him. His heart contracts in his chest when Dimitri blinks rapidly, signaling tears lurking below the surface. "We knew this would not be easy."
"I just—I hate it! How dare they utter such filth about you? They are no longer employed by the palace, but how many more of them are there right under my nose, slandering your name?" Dimitri rages.
"They will always exist, but we do not have to allow them the power to hurt us. I have told you before that they do not bother me, not as long as I have you by my side to support me," Dedue reassures him.
"But it's partially my fault. If I didn't insist on making our marriage public, you would not be under such scrutiny."
"Do not say that." Dedue gently pushes Dimitri away from him, forcing the king to look him in the eye. "I want to stand at your side. I would never have agreed to this if I were afraid of what others say. If anything, I am more upset that they have caused you distress."
"You are the kindest man I have ever met."Dimitri laughs under his breath. "If only everyone knew you like I did, no one would dare say a bad word about you."
"But you do know me, and your opinion is all I care about."
Dimitri slumps against Dedue's chest and wraps his arms around his waist. Dedue holds him close, pushing his sweaty hair out of his face and pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.
~~~
The day of their public wedding comes and goes rather like a flash fire. It is a lavish affair as is expected of the king. Everyone is invited, including their classmates from Garreg Mach as well as Archbishop Byleth. Even Claude attends, although he does show up late and disrupts the proceedings by arriving on his white wyvern, which most Kingdom natives have never seen before.
Things go smoothly, all things considered, given that so many leaders and high-ranking officials are all in one place. Dedue is on edge most of the time. He's gotten better at dealing with crowds and formal events, but the number of people and stimuli is overwhelming. He reminds himself that this is part of being married to a king, and it is utterly satisfying to dance with Dimitri in public for the first time.
They schedule a week for themselves after the announcement. Dimitri suggests they spend the time in Duscur. Dedue assures him that they do not have to, but Dimitri is quite firm about it, and even if the king is doing it for him, he can't deny that he would love to spend their time alone away from the palace.
The king has been making more visits to Duscur of late. Dimitri had entrusted Dedue with most of the communication with the Duscur emissary, but he accompanied Dedue any time he was able to escape the palace walls.
Luckily, relations have been going so well between Duscur and the Kingdom that Dimitri is able to make the trip without a royal retinue, especially since they are not going in any official capacity. For perhaps the first time since Dimitri ascended the throne, the two of them are allowed to be alone outside of their chambers.
The journey passes by quickly. Dedue has finally forced himself to overcome his aversion to horses since riding is the only way to make it to Duscur within a day, outside of a carriage, which would involve a driver and a groom and maybe even another guard. It is a small penance to pay to have to ride to be able to make this trek with just Dimitri.
Dimitri had purchased him a massive gelding for his birthday, which he named Florian. The horse is as docile as a mouse and large enough that Dedue doesn't feel as if he will crush the animal with his weight, even when he's wearing armor. He has even grown slightly fond of him, and he finds himself adding the stables to his list of daily stops to make sure Florian is happy and to slip him the occasional sugar cube or apple.
Dimitri asks Dedue to close his eyes as they enter the main village where Dedue spends most of his time. Dedue does so without question. Dimitri has been thrumming with energy the entire day. Dedue isn't sure what he's up to, but he doesn't press him. He's sure he will find out soon enough. Dimitri takes Dedue's reins and steers them off to the left.
"Can I look now?" Dedue asks when Dimitri halts their mounts.
"Not yet," Dimitri says. Dedue can hear him dismounting before he feels Dimitri's hand in his own. Dedue leaves his saddle as well, using Dimitri's steadying grip to guide him to the ground safely.
"And now?" Dedue asks as Dimitri gently turns him around. He can smell the sea in the air, so they must be close to the cliffs bordering the edge of the village.
"Open your eyes."
Dedue gasps as he stares at the cozy house that fills his vision. It is small, with whitewashed walls and a thatched roof. The painted door is a soft green color. Dedue knows this building was not here when they worked on restoring this village. It's a new build, mixing Fódlan construction with Duscur material and style, which must mean...
"This is ours?" Dedue whispers, his gaze darting in Dimitri's direction before his attention is once again transfixed by the building. He can't stop drinking in every small detail, the planter boxes in the windows, the small flowering vine already trying to crawl up the building, the cobbled path leading to the rounded door.
"It is. I have been working on it whenever I have spent time here. It was very difficult to keep it a secret, but I wanted to surprise you. I had help of course, from almost everyone in the village, actually, but this is my belated wedding gift to you, to us. Something I helped make with my own hands in the Duscur tradition."
"You made this...for us." Dedue steps forward haltingly, his hand reaching back to clutch at Dimitri's. "Can we go in?" He is at a loss for words in the best way. He has no idea how Dimitri managed this, although in hindsight, he often disappeared during his meetings with the Duscur emissary, but Dedue assumed that was his way of letting him take that lead. He could never have guessed that he had been working on something so thoughtful.
"Of course," Dimitri says. "It isn't completely furnished, but I thought we could do that together over time. I know we won't be here often, but I wanted a space that was just ours."
"It's incredible." Dedue can't stop smiling as he opens the front door. The space is dotted with simple pieces of furniture, a small table, a few chairs, a large bed frame with a mattress that Dedue hopes is as soft as it looks. It is simple and plain and so different from their rooms in the palace, but he loves it, and he can tell Dimitri does too. He is practically beaming with pride. "I can't believe you did this."
"I have always wanted to give you the world," Dimitri whispers as he follows Dedue further inside. "This is not even a fraction of what you deserve. But to see you smile like this, I feel like I am the one who has been gifted something precious."
Dedue pushes Dimitri against the nearest wall and kisses him senseless. He drinks him in as the sun slowly sets. Dimitri gasps against his mouth and tangles his fingers in Dedue's hair. He cannot stop grinning, even when Dimitri licks into his mouth. He is so happy that he cannot express it in words, only through touch and action. The fact that Dimitri did this for him is unfathomable.
"I did not think it was possible to love you any more than I already did, but you have proven me wrong," Dedue admits when they pull apart for air.
Dimitri smiles up at him with pure adoration in his eye. He kisses Dedue once more, soft and tender, his hands wrapping around Dedue's neck in a gentle anchoring motion.
"My husband, my beloved, my sun, I feel that way every day. Sometimes I think I will burst with how much I love you."
Dedue's eyes are growing misty and his throat is thick with emotion. He glances down at the ring adorning his hand, then to the room around him, the house, the home they now have together.
This is heaven. Even if they cannot stay here forever, even if they have to go back to the palace soon and face hatred and trials and discontent, they will always have this space, and that is more than Dedue could ever ask for.