Exchanging Weaknesses

Byleth was walking the grounds of the monastery like he usually does. It had been a month since he became a Professor for the Black Eagles. But, at first, he was against becoming a Professor here at the Monastery. But after a month, he started to like it since he got a good sense on what his students were about especially after the mock battle. All of them were Nobles and had their own unique personalities though he had to watch out for Hubert, he had caught him giving him chilling stares and even had threatened him. Regardless of Huburt's threatening aura, there was one person who was the only non-noble in his class and her name was Dorothea. She was...interesting to say the least. Everytime he talked to her; it would start out as a normal conversation but then she will say something that would make any man blush but they weren't as bad as Manuela who was more...direct. But what was interesting to him, was it all seemed like she was forcing it, her outgoing and flirty personality. But he had seen her going on dates with random men who looked like they had a lot of money and she was friendly person. Except for Ferdinand, who she had a condensing tone with. So, it made him think that she hated certain types of nobles because she would talk to everyone in class without that tone.

"Well, I had fun today. Of course, you'll want to see me again, yes?"

Byleth stops walking when he hears Dorothea talking to another one of her men.

"O-of course! I'd love to, Dorothea!" The knight says excited that she would want to see him again.

"Well, until we meet again!" She waves him off and that's when Byleth walks up to her, "Oh! Hello, Professor. Were you...watching that?"

"Somewhat, though I just happened upon it." He looks at the knight walking away, "I've notice that you date a lot of different men."

She looks at him with mild annoyance, "Yes...Is there a problem with that?"

He shakes his head because he didn't have a problem with it, "Not exactly, but you said that you would want to see him again. Wouldn't that hurt him?"

That makes her laugh, "Oh professor! You misunderstand me, I said if he would like to see me again, that doesn't necessarily mean I want to see him again and yes, there's a reason I don't." She sighs when he doesn't say anything, "Look, professor. I know what I am doing. I won't have my acclaim as a Diva for very long. I will get old and lose all of it. So, I'm just looking out for my future."

"By playing with these men? That doesn't seem right."

She sighs again, "Look...I'm not just playing games with these boys. This is for my future. So, you have no right to object. I very much want to find a good partner here at the academy. Someone who will take care of me for the rest of my life."

"But is that what you really want? To just look for a man to take care of you?" He says that because of what he had noticed.

She chuckles, "Finding someone to take care of me? Of course, it is! Who could ask for anything more?" She shakes her head, "Anyway, I value your opinion, Professor, but I won't have you interfering with my plans. Unless you'd like to take care of me into my old age? That'd be something, eh? How about it, Professor?"

"May I ask you a question, Dorothea?" He says completely ignoring her teasing.

She looks at him confused because she wasn't expecting that kind of response but she nods slowly a little worried about what he might ask, "Of course, Professor."

"I'm sorry if I sound rude but I've noticed that whenever you're happy, flirty or just outgoing in general. It seems like your forcing it, like what you did now. Like it's all an act...Why is that?

She sighs, "I knew it...He can see right through me." Throughout the month while he was here. Whenever she talked to him, his eyes always seemed like he was accusing her. That he could see right through her act and it made her feel uncomfortable. So, she would just flirt with him because she just did what she was used to. Teasing her way out of a situation. But no, he wouldn't blush, smile, or even have a look of discomfort in his face which made it more uncomfortable, "So I was right. You can see right through me."

"Is that supposed to be a bad thing?"

She shakes her head, "No...it's just..." She looks around noticing people were looking at them, "Can we go somewhere a bit more...private? Like the Greenhouse. I don't see many people there." She says in a serious tone.

He nods, "Of course."

Greenhouse

They soon make it to the greenhouse and Dorothea was glad that there was no one there except for the gardener. So, they sit on the planter near one of the windows and Byleth waits for her to start talking, inwardly surprised that she was being quiet.

But she soon starts talking, "I'm sorry for dragging you here. But I rather we talk about this alone since I feel so vulnerable now when you told me that you realize the truth about me which is surprising considering you've only been here for a month. Though it was probably because ever since you started talking to me, I felt so uncomfortable when I look in your eyes that I end up flirting with you because that's the only thing that I'm good at, acting like a diva...It's kind of like my defense, I guess."

He shakes his head, "That's not true, there is probably more to you than you think."

She scoffs, "Oh please Professor. I know I'm your student and you're trying to give me motivation. But you don't have to lie to me." She shakes her head, "Anyway, the reason I say that is because I don't have anything to call my own. No land, no birthright, no fortune. Little knowledge or battle skill. I think that's why I always clung to my popularity as a diva. Even after leaving the stage behind, I sort of kept up the act."

He looks at her, "I don't have anything like that either. I just have battle skill and knowledge and that's only because I learned it from my father. I was just a mercenary with a crest and just because I have a crest. That doesn't mean I'm any more special than you or anyone else."

She smiles at him, "I wish everyone had the same thought as you." But she then looks down, "But no, everything is based off of if we have Crests...If you don't have a crest then you're practically worthless."

He nods because she was right, from what he heard, even if you're a noble and don't have a crest, you're still considered worthless.

She looks at him smiling, "Anyway, about you seeing my weakness. Can you show me one of yours? Just so I don't feel so vulnerable around you..."

He looks at her confused internally, "What do you mean by weakness?"

"Well I mean by your biggest fear. Or do you not feel fear?"

He nods understanding what she was saying, "I do feel fear but...I am unable to show it and it's not only fear. I can't show any expression..."

She chuckles half believing him, "So, if I kissed you now, you won't feel anything?"

"I don't know. Because I don't think I have a heartbeat either..."

She mock gasps, "Ha, don't be so silly... Huh? It really isn't beating?!" She then starts laughing, "Is what I'd say if I was more gullible. You're just fooling around, Professor. I'm not sure how you did it, but that was a good one."

"I wish that I was fooling around. I honestly don't feel my heart beating. That's why, no matter how much you tease or flirt with me, I won't be affected by it."

Her face turns to shock because she realizes that he is being serious, "How is that possible!? You shouldn't even be living if you can't feel you heart!"

"I'm not sure...I asked my father but he always avoids the question."

She shakes her head out of shock, "I can't believe it...You really are a strange man but it does make you unique in your own way." 'I can't believe that he doesn't have a heart...'

"Thanks...I guess."

She smiles, "Well it may not be a weakness or fear. But it is something that only I know about you. So, thank you for telling me that."

"You're welcome." He then holds his chin, "You know, if you want, I can train you to be a better swordswoman so you can be more confident in your battle skills. I don't know much about magic though."

She smiles big, "I would actually like that, Professor. I can't believe that I actual get to have private lessons with the Professor...Maybe we can do more." She teases.

He nods, "Only if you do a great job."

Her eyes go wide in shock, "Did you just tease back!?"

"Maybe. I think you're already starting to rub off on me."

She smiles, "Maybe I am." She looks in his eyes, "You know, when we're alone like this. Your eyes don't make me uncomfortable, they actual look great."

"I'm glad to hear that." She keeps looking at him, "Are you okay Dorothea? You've been staring at me for a little while."

"Huh? Oh!" She quickly shakes her head, "I'm sorry, Professor. I don't know what came over me." 'I can't believe I got lost in his eyes.'

"It's alright." That's when the bell rings.

Dorothea gets up when she hears it, "I can't believe it's already late. We've been talking for a while. I'm sorry that I've taken your day."

He shakes his head, "That's alright. But Dorothea, if you ever need to talk to someone or you just need a break from acting. Just come find me."

She smiles, "Is this between Professor and student? Or between friends?"

"I guess this would be considered friendship from what I hear. So, yeah and you can call me Byleth instead of Professor when we're alone."

She smiles big, "Then let us have this be our first conversation as friends then...Byleth. I will see you tomorrow then, goodnight." She starts walking back to her dorm after seeing goodnight, "He didn't judge me at all when I told him a little bit of my past and I felt so free like I could be my actual self without any worry when talking to him. But how does he not a heartbeat? Maybe if I open more of myself to him, maybe it will awaken his heart? Or is it my imagination running wild again...Anyway, next time I will tell him more about my past, I hope he doesn't mind..."

"Goodnight...Dorothea." That's when his mouth curves just a little bit, giving off a miniscule of a smile.

[End Notes: All I got to say, writing Byleth is hard. I have to keep remembering that he can't show emotion. Anyway, as you can see, I put her C and B support together and that's the only time that it's going to be based off of supports. So, each chapter is going to be about what happens after the missions of each month and them buliding their relationship together. So, there will be around 22 chapters in this story since this is the Goddess Route.]