[ As far as Shez is concerned, those three initial words would suffice. Yet, he recognizes Byleth is grappling with his emotions, processing and trying to make them solid in the shape of words, so the considerate thing to do is to acknowledge his effort and see it through to fruition.
Maybe the act of waiting isn't entirely selfless, either. Maybe, and no matter how awkward the attempt, it's just... nice to hear it. Nice to know, in no uncertain terms, that he's managed to carve a space all to himself in that (unbeating yet never unfeeling) heart. ]
Then that's all I need to know.
[ There is relief in his smile, of course, the answer as favorable as he had hoped for. But even if it had been different, even if Byleth had decided their bond wasn't worth the effort of fending off an overwhelming force neither of them could truly predict, Shez's unwavering resolve would have remained, and he would still have walked the same path as they have so far, hoping-- no, ensuring this fork in the road would not be permanent, if he had to dig up a shortcut to reconnect both paths with his own two hands.
It would've been terribly lonely, though. He never wants to have to fight alone again. ]
This bond we have? I can't say for sure if it's despite or because of everything we've been through, but it's very special to me. No matter where we started, all the hatchets we've had to bury, or even however many times more we're pitted against each other, I choose you. I'll always choose you, even if we have to face greater challenges from here on out, so...
[ So, he opens his palm to reveal the whistle again. There was a promise made when he first gifted one to Byleth, and it stands to reason to make another, now that he's on the receiving end of this exchange. ]
If bad luck comes our way, let's just agree to make our own good fortune. And if it's true that fate wants to keep trying to tear us apart, then that's all the more reason for us to stand together.
[ Well. Maybe this much is selfish, too, but he smiles anyway. ]
If I'm gonna be facing impossible odds, then who better to rely on than the mighty Ashen Demon?
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Maybe the act of waiting isn't entirely selfless, either. Maybe, and no matter how awkward the attempt, it's just... nice to hear it. Nice to know, in no uncertain terms, that he's managed to carve a space all to himself in that (unbeating yet never unfeeling) heart. ]
Then that's all I need to know.
[ There is relief in his smile, of course, the answer as favorable as he had hoped for. But even if it had been different, even if Byleth had decided their bond wasn't worth the effort of fending off an overwhelming force neither of them could truly predict, Shez's unwavering resolve would have remained, and he would still have walked the same path as they have so far, hoping-- no, ensuring this fork in the road would not be permanent, if he had to dig up a shortcut to reconnect both paths with his own two hands.
It would've been terribly lonely, though. He never wants to have to fight alone again. ]
This bond we have? I can't say for sure if it's despite or because of everything we've been through, but it's very special to me. No matter where we started, all the hatchets we've had to bury, or even however many times more we're pitted against each other, I choose you. I'll always choose you, even if we have to face greater challenges from here on out, so...
[ So, he opens his palm to reveal the whistle again. There was a promise made when he first gifted one to Byleth, and it stands to reason to make another, now that he's on the receiving end of this exchange. ]
If bad luck comes our way, let's just agree to make our own good fortune. And if it's true that fate wants to keep trying to tear us apart, then that's all the more reason for us to stand together.
[ Well. Maybe this much is selfish, too, but he smiles anyway. ]
If I'm gonna be facing impossible odds, then who better to rely on than the mighty Ashen Demon?