And here's chapter two! This one is a bit heavier and deals with some serious topics like major illness and comas. 

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Last chapter recap: Your eyes scanned around the group, looking for a sign, anything, that the man you spent all these years wishing was still alive was here.

Your heart sunk to the floor. You felt bile rising in your throat and tears threatening to spill from your eyes. Everyone besides Dimitri looked at you with concern as you fell to the floor, unable to hold in the emotions you've been bottling up all these years.

He wasn't here.

Felix, Ingrid, and Sylvain watched you closely. Sylvain who was closest to you dropped to his knees and held you while you cried, gently rubbing circles into your back. Dimitri was the first to speak up.

"Get that sniveling wench off the floor. We have a war to prepare for," his words were harsh but true. You were in the middle of a war. That doesn't stop your tears. With your red headed partners help, you got back on your feet. Tears still ran freely down your face but you help a more stoic expression.

"He's right. We must prepare," you said and marched towards the cathedral. You moved with such conviction, you must know what you need.

Your partners stared after you. They didn't know if what you wanted was space or a comforting word or a tight hug. Figuring Felix might be the best equipped to handle something like this, absolutely ironic, the raven haired swordsman followed after you.

Back in your academy days, you could be found praying quite often. It wasn't a surprise to find you here at all. What was a surprise was how destroyed it looked.

The elegant stained glass windows were destroyed and splayed all across the floor. There was rubble from the ceiling having collapsed and the pillars keeping the place stable had fallen. The statue of Saint Seiros that used to stand tall and proud in the back of the cathedral was turned to dust, entirely crushed.

Felix found you with your head bent, praying.

"Hey," he gently placed his hand on your back. He didn't know exactly what to say or do in situations like this. It took a lot of practiced self restraint to hold back any snarky comments he may have wanted to make. You turned your head at the contact.

"I must apologize on the Boars behalf for the comment he made earlier. He's nothing but a war ravaged animal with no care for others," he made that last comment through gritted teeth and his whole body tensed. He relaxed sort of when your sad eyes met his.

"Felix," your broken voice echoed throughout the ruined chapel. "He's... He's not dead, is he?"

Felix couldn't respond. He knew what you wanted to hear but saying that would be entirely unreasonable. There's only one person who knows and currently that person looked about ready to murder someone at any given second once his buttons were pushed the wrong way. And it seemed pretty easy to push his buttons. Instead of responding, he gave you a look. He hoped that look conveyed everything he was thinking.

He didn't fight the tight embrace you gave him that he would typically only allow in private.

Your other classmates, no, soldiers, came into the cathedral after a few minutes. Felix didn't let you keep hugging him but allowed you to keep one arm linked around his. Ingrid came to your other side, giving you a hug from her position. Sylvain stood beside Ingrid and took your hand with his. He brought it up to his lips to give your hand a kiss before lowering it.

Byleth blinked at the four of you. They were curious about the nature of your relationship. They assumed it was a romantic one. However they were going to attempt to puzzle this together themselves before outright asking.

First, there was Sylvain kissing your hand. Byleth knew Sylvain better than most would ever take the time to try to. After he threatened to kill them out of pure jealousy over their upbringing and lack of knowledge of their crest, he was actually quite multi faceted. He was very intelligent. He could've been a top student back in his academy days, they mused, if he ever chose to put in the tiniest bit of effort. The thing is, though, he never did. He would flirt with girls non stop. That seemed to be all he was. At least, that was true on the surface. All he really wanted was to settle down with someone who cared not for his status but for who he truly is.

Second, there was Ingrid giving you a side hug. Byleth never thought Ingrid to be a huge fan of PDA. But here she was, holding onto you like her life depended on it. Ingrid always had a huge line of suitors waiting for her whenever she would visit Galatea territory. They, in fact, had a battle with Dorothea to fend off some wild suitors who wanted to steal Ingrid away to marry her against her will. So to see her happy with three somebodies was a heartwarming sight.

Third, and most confusing, was Felixs' involvement in all of this. He didn't seem like an awkward fourth wheel, he seemed to fit in perfectly. But... How did he get involved? And he's allowing, however minimal it may be, PDA??? It's almost like something flipped in Felix and he's less of a stick in the mud. His glare was still ever present on his face but it seemed softer? And not aimed at anyone but Dimitri as of this current second.

It seemed they all came together for one reason: You.

Byleth nor Dimitri knew about your son. Both of them had been presumed dead once the war started. It makes sense that they would have no idea.

Evelynn gave you a quick glance and a smile before turning back to Dimitri who cleared his throat.

"There is a war raging on outside these walls. We have one goal and one goal alone: To kill Edelgard. If you do not join me, you will be considered my enemy and I will hunt you down just as I will her," Dimitri said, showing no remorse for threatening to kill anyone who dared to stand in his way. Byleth sighed and pinched the bridge of their nose.

"The goal is to stop the Empire, hopefully with peace talk. If no agreement is made, then we resort to violence. No sooner," Byleth clarified, looking around at their students. You all seemed more at ease with their words than with the intimidating blondes. Your mind quickly jumped to your son in Fraldarius territory. You should've asked Rodrigue to write you updates. Is Lukas okay?

Ingrid sensed your slight panic and held you a little tighter.

That's when some unknown pairs of footsteps made their way into the cathedral.

New footsteps, new people, a new hope.

"Professor? Is that truly you?" Some turned and other parted to reveal Seteth, Flayn, Cyril, Catherine, Shamir and Alois. Everyone in your group had various levels of reactions to these new people. Dimitri and Felix didn't, Dimitri seeming more burdened by more people than before. Ingrid, Annette, and Mercedes all shared a hopeful smile. Ashe and Sylvains eyes widened in surprise. Byleth was a little spooked but still happy to see them.

And you?

Once it was revealed he wasn't amongst them, you were crestfallen. Your new hope had been diminished as soon as it was reborn. You didn't want to cry again but you felt awful. You lowered your head, unable to look at anyone.

The Knights of Seiros pledged their allegiance to your cause. The Professor, child of Jeralt Eisner, the Blade Breaker, was alive, and Alois was now sworn to protect them in their late fathers stead. Your side now had a small army backing you. The early years of the war took out a significant portion of their numbers but there were enough of them left to make an impact on the Empires forces.

You all were surprised to find your old dorm rooms in tact. For the most part anyway. They weren't entirely destroyed but the amount of dust layering your room was noticeable nonetheless. Once you had cleared your bed of dust, you lay down on your back. All you could do is stare at the ceiling and think. It wasn't late enough to sleep and you weren't tired. You just couldn't think of anything else to do.

You thought about Lukas and Rodrigue. Are they safe? Does Lukas miss you? Have they fallen into the clutches of the Empire? Will Lukas be okay without any of his parents there? Does he have any questions that he wants answered?

You didn't sleep. Night came and went. It was the next day before you knew it. You didn't make an effort to leave your bed. Morning passed, afternoon passed. Someone knocked on your door during what would've been dinner time.

"Y/N? Honey? It's me," Ingrids voice was muffled by the thickness of your dorm room door. You could still tell it was here. You said nothing in response. "I brought you some dinner. No one said they saw you at breakfast or lunch so I assume you haven't eaten." Silence once again. "Okay, well... I'm coming in." You had left your door unlocked. Ingrid easily made her way in with a plate of food. She took one look at you and knew you hadn't slept or left your bed that day. She moved your desk chair next to your bed and sat down beside you.

"Hey honey. You look like you haven't eaten. Can you eat something for me?" You didn't move an inch. You didn't even look at her, just stared up at the ceiling. Ingrid put her hand to your forehead to make sure you're okay, which you were. Her hand moved to your pulse on your neck to then check if you were alive. You were. She sighed in relief. "Can I help you sit up?" You said nothing but sat up on your own. You knew you had to eat, you just didn't have the energy. "It's just mashed potatoes and some bear, it's not too chewy. I can... Feed you, if you want." Silence. She assumed she had the go ahead to do so, which she did. She put some mashed potatoes on the fork and brought it to your mouth. You opened slightly and she fed you the potatoes. It was nice. Well seasoned and you didn't have to expend a lot of energy by chewing. This continued until everything on the plate was gone. Ingrid sighed for the second time that evening.

"I'm glad that you ate something. I'm so relieved. Have you had any water today? You probably haven't. Let me get some for you," she moved to leave. She promised she'd be back in no time. You went to stare at the wall, knowing in order to drink water you had to stay seated and lying down only to have to get back up seemed like a waste of energy you didn't have. Once Ingrid came back with the water, she sat back down in her chair and had you drink. She wasn't satisfied until you had finished the whole glass. She put her hand against your forehead again when you were done with it. Recoiling her hand quickly, she noted that you felt warm and sweaty. It wasn't very warm outside, being the beginning of the colder moons. You felt like you were burning up.

"Honey, I'm going to go grab Mercedes. I'll be right back. Please lie down while you wait, alright?" Ingrid said and you lay back down on your bed.

In waiting for the two to return, you fell asleep. You couldn't keep your eyes open any longer. You needed to sleep.

Suddenly, you were back home. In Fraldarius territory. Lukas was there! He was there and running into your arms! He was there! Rodrigue was there too. And so were... Your parents? Your mom and dad were standing next to Rodrigue. Your dad had his arm around your mothers shoulder. Felix, Sylvain, and Ingrid were smiling at you.

Were they?

You... Couldn't quite make out their faces. Anyone's faces. You only felt a warm energy radiating from them so you assumed they were smiling.

Lukas hugged your legs so tightly. He felt so real, like he was right there! And Rodrigue, your parents, your partners...

This was all a dream. You knew it. It had to be. This combination of people in this place... It couldn't be possible. You gave everyone a look of sadness before

Your eyes groggily opened. Your eyelids felt so heavy, you didn't want to open them. So you closed them again. Your breathing seemed to stabilize. How long have you been sleeping?

The person holding your hand sprung to life once they heard your breathing pick up. Who was this? You felt them bring your hand to their lips and mumble your name.

"You're... You're awake? I... We thought we lost you... I can't believe it," their voice was shaking. Their breathing was ragged and it sounded like they were about to cry. Once you felt tears hit your hand you knew this person was crying.

"Sylvain." You recognized their voice and their actions. Their eyes shot open when they heard their name whispered from your lips.

"Y-yes, my angel?" His voice wouldn't stop shaking.

"How long have I been sleeping?" Your voice was non existent and your throat hurt from not using it for however long.

"Three... Three whole moons," you shot up in bed at that. Sylvain was quick to push you back down onto the bed in the medical room. You recognized that's where you were now. "You need to relax, my love. You've been out for so long, please allow yourself to rest."

"Where's Lukas? Is he okay? Is Rodrigue okay? Did anything happen to any of you?" You were panicking. Your mind was racing, going a mile a minute. You couldn't relax! Not when you needed to see your son or at least know how he was.

"Felix sent a letter to Rodrigue once we learned you were under a coma. As soon as he heard the news, Rodrigue and Lukas made their way over here as quickly as they could. They've been staying at the monastery for two moons. Dimitri... Looks at Lukas funny. He hasn't laid a hand on him. I'll see him look at Lukas and mutter under his breath, something about 'Have you come to haunt me too?' Lukas would come to visit with one of us every now and again. He would," Sylvain had to pause, his voice breaking, his breathing growing heavy. "He would ask me 'When is mommy going to wake up again?' It would always break my heart to tell him 'I don't know.'" Sylvains grip on your hand tightened slightly. You couldn't help the tears forming in your eyes as well. Mostly out of relief, partially out of sadness. Your son is okay! So is everyone.

"Can... Can I see him?" Sylvain gave you a look filled with heartbreak.

"He's asleep right now. Tomorrow morning, I'll tell him you're awake when Mercedes comes to check on you. You can see him then," the tears feel freely now. You selfishly didn't want to wait to see him but you still understood. "Now, please keep resting. Mercedes will be here in the morning."

"Actually, I heard a commotion while making the rounds," the healers voice caused Sylvain to jump and you both to look at her. "I'm so glad to see you're awake! You must be so confused. From what I know, Ingrid came to get me when she sensed you had a fever. She said you hadn't slept or had anything to eat or drink the day before up until the evening she found you. I rushed to your side as soon as I could. Fortunately, it was just a fever. The lack of food, water, and sleep plus the added stressor of being away from your son aggravated your condition. I'm sure you know you've been out for three moons. I'm so relieved you're awake now, though!" She smiled at you and you mustered a smile back.

"Thank you for saving my life, Mercie," you said softly and she shook her head.

"That's what friends would do for each other. Besides, everyone would be devastated if we lost you, including Dimitri," she commented. "He did visit, once. He kept asking if you had died and were going to haunt him too now. Once I was able to reassure him that you were alive, he left. He hasn't visited again." You chuckled a bit at the thought of the feral man visiting and being confused so he leaves.

"Is he okay?" You asked, caring about the terrifying blonde.

"Y/N... He hasn't been okay for five years. This war has really taken a huge toll on his psyche. He's only interested in revenge against the Emperor," Sylvain spoke up for Mercedes. Your smile dropped a little bit. You knew something was eating at him when you first laid eyes on him when you saw him again five years later. You were both missing something... Someone. You resolved you would talk to him once you were cleared from the medical bay.

"For now, I'm going to monitor your stability, okay? You've been out for three moons, recovery may take a while. Please feel free to ask anything you may need of me. Don't worry about annoying me or bothering me, taking care of my friends is never annoying or a bother, okay?" Mercedes gave you another smile before placing her hand on your forehead the same way Ingrid did so many moons ago. She nodded when she deemed your temperature non feverish.

"Rest, Y/N. You need all your energy back," Mercedes said and you took that as permission to fall back asleep so you did.

You woke up the next morning. Sylvain and Felix were talking outside the door, Mercedes was arranging something for you to drink. When she turned around and saw your open eyes, she smiled widely.

"Good morning, Y/N! I hope I didn't wake you by making too much noise," the blonde healer said.

"Oh, no, the boys did a good enough job of that on their own," you said jokingly and Mercedes giggled.

"I'll reprimand them for you so they won't wake you up next time," she had a slightly mischievous glint in her eyes and you laughed.

That seemed to alert the men outside and before you could respond they had come in to the room. Felix basically ran in and stopped when he saw you. Sylvain strolled in more casually, holding the hand of...

"Lukas!" You almost cried again when you saw your son. Lukas saw you awake and jumped for joy, running to your bedside.

"Mommy!" Lukas grabbed your hand that was over the bed and held it tight. "Mommy! Mommy, you're okay! I'm so glad!" Lukas mimicked what Sylvain usually does and kissed the back of your hand. Sylvain laughed loudly and Felix hit him in the back of the head.

"Keep your voice down, she might get a headache," Felix scolded him. Sylvain only laughed again and Felix couldn't help the tiny smile that graced his face. Mercedes cleared her throat a little.

"If you could give Y/N a bit of space please, I have something she needs to take in order for her to heal faster," Mercedes moved to your side and put a small cup up to your lips. You drunk it down then coughed a bit.

"Mercie, that was gross," you said softly.

"I'm sorry," she said while giggling, "but this is going to help you heal. You only have to take it twice a day." You groaned and everyone laughed.

"Mommy's going to be okay!" Lukas grasped your hand again and you smiled widely.

Eventually Ingrid made her way into the med room. Her eyes widened seeing you okay and ran to kneel by your bed. Your small family spent the day catching up, more so Lukas rambled on while Felix, Sylvain, and Ingrid corrected him while you laughed.

Three weeks passed. You were back to full capacity. Byleth had filled you in on this mission: Invade and capture the Great Bridge of Myrddin. You volunteered to join the army again. Everyone looked at you like you'd grown three heads. You had just fully recovered from a three moon long coma! But you were set, your resolve steeled.

Before the mission, one night, you joined Dimitri in the cathedral. If he noticed you come in he didn't say so or turn to look at you. You weren't even sure he did hear you come in. You stopped when you were right by his side. Neither of you said a word to each other for a while.

"Leave," he uttered softly yet still tried to command you.

"No," you responded curtly, assuming that was the only way to get through to him.

"Fine," he said angrily. You two stood in silence again. You felt your feet start to get tired but you wouldn't cave. You would silently show Dimitri that everything is fine, that he has someone there.

"That child, he looks like a ghost," you knew he meant Lukas. Your child was the only one he didn't address with disdain. You had to piece together the crypticness of his words but you understood what he meant.

"He does, doesn't he? Almost exactly like him," his height, his hair, his complexion, but your eyes. For the first time, Dimitri turned to look at you. To actually look at you. He saw you facing ahead, stoic and yet grieving. He saw a strength that was much like a mask, as though it only existed for those around you and you weren't truly being strong for your own sake. He turned his head forward again.

"He's been raised well," a compliment coming from him, you assumed. And he was right. All four of his parents did their best to raise him, the rest of the Blue Lions playing a critical roll in his upbringing as well.

"That he has," was your gentle response. He nodded once.

"His father sacrificed his life for mine. Make sure to preserve his last remaining memory," and with that, he left you. You did not know that.

You were left frozen in place. So he really was dead, huh. You swallowed the bile threatening to rise in your throat and blinked away the tears. You kept staring straight ahead.

Dimitris words echoed in your mind. 'Make sure to preserve his last remaining memory'. His last remaining memory... Was a son he never knew he had. And now? He'll never know. He was never given the chance.

You took a deep breath and moved back to your dorm room to sleep.

The next day, Dimitri woke you up.

"Breakfast," was all he said after knocking roughly on your door. You got the message and got ready and out the door quickly, not wanting to keep him waiting. He led, more like walked very fast and you scrambled to catch up, to the dining hall. You got a plate of food and sat down. Dimitri took a while to decide on what he wanted before he sat down next to you to eat. You were there before everyone else, you noticed. Once all the other Blue Lions started filing in, they noticed you and... Dimitri? This was the first time he'd been in the dining hall with everyone. Your partners tried to sit next to you but Dimitri glared at them and had them sit across from you. The only person allowed to sit next to you was your son. You gave Felix, Sylvain, and Ingrid apologetic smiles but they were just happy to see Dimitri eat!

After that day, you had an eye looking out for you and Lukas at all times.

The fated day finally came. Time to capture the Great Bridge. You reassured Lukas that you'd be safe and Alois will be looking out for him. Rodrigue would be joining you on this mission. He knew the road well and would be able to ensure a quick journey. It came after the decision to make your way through Western Alliance territory. Lorenzs' territory. You did not want to aggravate the Sitting Duke of the Alliance himself so you strayed as far from his lands as you could.

As Rodrigue promised, your army made it to the Great Bridge safely.

There, you came face to face with Ladislava, a powerful general in the Imperial army and... Ferdinand von Aegir. You did not want to kill your old friend! You knew him! He was meant to be the next Prime Minister of the Imperial territory!

But this is war. War cares not for your feelings.

You took a deep breath and clutched at your quiver. Ashe noticed and nodded at you.

"I know," he nodded. He felt the same way about killing your old friends. All of the Blue Lions did.

"Army, march forward. Leave no body behind!" Dimitri's voice boomed. His words were still quite terrifying but, once again, this is war. The enemy would not hesitate to kill you all in cold blood. It's them or you. You have a son you can't leave behind. You must live, if not for yourself but for him. If that means you must kill to survive... So be it.

You understood now why the water under the bridge looked pink. It was stained with the blood of soldiers lost in this war. You would shudder with every cry of pain that would echo in your brain every time someone was hurt or killed. Even worse when it was one of your friends. You would turn away every time you saw a body bleeding out. You couldn't stand the sight, especially since he was once a person but he was now a casualty of the war.

Or so you thought.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Your Highness."

That... That couldn't be his voice...

You must've been imagining it.

You heard a lance fall to the ground. A gasp ring throughout the air. A name called.

"Dedue..."

No. No no no no no. It can't be him. It can't be. Dimitri said so himself! He's dead!

You couldn't stop yourself from turning around.

You dropped to your knees.

It was him.

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THE REVEAL! Although I'm sure it wasn't too much of a surprise to anyone after the first chapter went up XD

Anyway! New chapter out eventually? And tell me if you want this as it's own book or a part of this!

See y'all soon <3

4.5k words and 5 hours