[Byleth's response was prompt, almost unthinking, because - of course not. Shez was one of the very first friends he had ever made, miraculous considering Shez had also been his very first murderous rival too. To Byleth, the bond they had formed was precious to him, and would remain precious even if one day Shez turned around and plunged his twin blades into his unbeating heart.
To Byleth who had never experienced friendship before his fateful defeat to the Kingdom's forces, he'd never regret or think ill of Shez's friendship. Even if it brought him nothing but ruin, even if it resulted in his eventual death... how could he think it a terrible thing?
(It was this, that actually helped Byleth understand Jeralt a little bit more, understand why his father put himself in such an exhausting, thankless position all for Byleth's sake. When it was for your precious person, you could endure a lot.)
But he didn't know how to word this. The emotions were there, the feelings were... but the ability to form them into coherent words was beyond them. He tried, floundering, his next words much more halting:]
I can... never regret the path we took. Even if, one day, you were to kill me, well-deserved or not, I'd never regret it. I'd still treasure our friendship. It was... it is a good thing to experience.
[He trailed off, feeling like his words were so clumsy, but this was the best he had.]
I'm happy you're my friend, Shez.
[But sometimes, the best words were the most simple ones.]
no subject
[Byleth's response was prompt, almost unthinking, because - of course not. Shez was one of the very first friends he had ever made, miraculous considering Shez had also been his very first murderous rival too. To Byleth, the bond they had formed was precious to him, and would remain precious even if one day Shez turned around and plunged his twin blades into his unbeating heart.
To Byleth who had never experienced friendship before his fateful defeat to the Kingdom's forces, he'd never regret or think ill of Shez's friendship. Even if it brought him nothing but ruin, even if it resulted in his eventual death... how could he think it a terrible thing?
(It was this, that actually helped Byleth understand Jeralt a little bit more, understand why his father put himself in such an exhausting, thankless position all for Byleth's sake. When it was for your precious person, you could endure a lot.)
But he didn't know how to word this. The emotions were there, the feelings were... but the ability to form them into coherent words was beyond them. He tried, floundering, his next words much more halting:]
I can... never regret the path we took. Even if, one day, you were to kill me, well-deserved or not, I'd never regret it. I'd still treasure our friendship. It was... it is a good thing to experience.
[He trailed off, feeling like his words were so clumsy, but this was the best he had.]
I'm happy you're my friend, Shez.
[But sometimes, the best words were the most simple ones.]