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Byleth considered herself a patient person. A dependable, albeit flighty at times woman. An individual that was not prone to bouts of rage or violent outbursts. She was the kind of person who sought to understand others' perspectives and responded calmly, even in the face of frustration. These many virtues were the primary reason her friends affectionately called her "the enlightened one", for she seemed to possess a divine ability to remain calm, stoic, and compassionate in all situations. But in this moment, those virtues seemed to evaporate like mist.
As she gazed up at the tall blonde man holding the shattered remains of her camera, a fire ignited within her. Her eyes blazed with a fury she had never felt before, and a vein protruded from her forehead. In that moment, she was a different person, unrecognizable to anyone who knew her.
The camera, her precious device that contained all the essential photographs Byleth had taken at the Blaiddyd charity event so far. In a desperate attempt to retrieve the partial remains, Byleth fell to her knees, her heart racing with anxiety. She examined the broken fragments of her beloved camera, shattered beyond repair.
"My wife, her name was Cameron, tomorrow was going to be our anniversary, we’ve been together since high school. My dad introduced us, ” She looked up to the brute looming over her as she continued through clenched teeth, her voice trembling with fury, "How is it humanly possible to break a camera in half and to crush a battery pack?” She held up the shattered pieces in front of her in disbelief. “My love has died!!”
The blonde stood frozen over Byleth, his face painted with an expression of utter shock. His complexion turned bright red as he stammered out an apology, "I'm so sorry, honestly, from the depth of my soul, I am sorry. Please allow me to reimburse you for your camera!"
The blonde towered over Byleth, his frozen form staring down at her with an expression of shock etched onto his face. His long blonde hair was tousled and fell over his forehead, making him appear even more disheveled. A bright red flush spread across his features as he stuttered, "I'm so so sorry, honestly, from the depth of my soul, I am sorry. Please allow me to reimburse you for your camera!"
She looked up at the blonde home wrecker as she began to gather up her shattered camera, gingerly grasping the last fragments from his palms. His words were heartfelt, but they couldn't erase the damage that had been done. Her camera, and with it her memories, were shattered beyond repair. She tried to hide her pain as she gathered the pieces and placed them in her bag, taking out her backup camera. “Don’t bother, I’ll use Canonette, the mistress. Cameron was always jealous of her” she stood up brush off her knees, "excuse me I have to finish my job.” She turned to leave, hoping to put distance between herself and the blonde. His voice faintly reached her ears, asking her to wait, but she kept walking.
Byleth's eyes were fixed on her task, determined to complete the job despite the devastating incident that had just occurred. She pushed the thought out of her mind and focused on taking as many photos as possible of the charity event. Every shot was critical now, a chance to make up for the irreplaceable memories that had been lost.
Byleth steadied her camera, eager to capture the perfect moment. A child's laughter echoed in the serene outdoor banquet, their small hand intertwined with a parent's. The lush greenery framed the scene, adding to its natural beauty. But just as Byleth pressed the shutter button, a tall blonde handsome man appeared in the background, waving frantically to get her attention. She groaned in frustration, knowing that he had ruined the perfect shot. She turned away, determined to find a new opportunity to capture the moment without his interference.
Byleth was utterly wrong, no new opportunity would ever present itself. Her hands shook with anger as she swiped through the ruined photos on her camera, the blonde's face was etched in every single photo, like a haunting presence that could not be erased, sheepishly waving at her. Byleth couldn't believe it, she had taken hundreds of photos that day, yet this man had managed to ruin every single one. He was a tempest, a force of chaos that seemed fixated on disrupting her life. She felt a sense of dread and despair wash over her, as she realized the gravity of the situation. Her career was in shambles, her reputation tarnished, and all because of one man's actions. She couldn't even bear to look at the photos anymore, the sight of him waving in the background made her stomach turn. She knew that she had to confront him, but the thought of it made her feel sick to her core.
Byleth dragged her hand across her face, feeling the roughness of her fingertips against her skin as she exhaled a heavy sigh. The photos lay before her, evidence of a mistake caught on camera. She considered removing him from the pictures, but as she gazed at them, a wave of guilt washed over her. She knew he had no nefarious intentions; it was simply an accident. Maybe she was being too harsh, too quick to judge.
Byleth's head snapped up, her eyes scanning the event in a frenzied search. And there he was, the tall, handsome blonde standing beneath the ornate floral arch, his gaze locked on hers. Her heart pounded in her chest as she took her first step towards him, her resolve hardening with each passing second. "I'm sorry," she blurted out, as she reached him, her voice shaking slightly. "For my outburst earlier and for ignoring you throughout the event. It was a rude and immature. Can you ever forgive me?"
Byleth's breath caught in her throat as the tall blonde spoke, his voice deep and rumbling. She had expected anger or annoyance, but his response was the exact opposite. "Forgive you? You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one who should be apologizing," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "Please allow me to reimburse you for your damaged items. Anything you need, name it! Please allow me to make it up to you."
Byleth couldn't help but notice the twinkle in his piercing blue eyes as she felt a smile tug at the corners of her lips. They were like sapphires, bright and captivating, drawing her in like a moth to a flame. She found herself lost in their depths, unable to look away.
Byleth's voice was calm and collected as she explained, "You don't have to reimburse me for Cameron, my camera." The tall blonde looked at her, confusion etched across his face. "I've actually been trying to find the courage to retire her," Byleth continued. "I bought this replacement a few months ago," she gestured towards the camera in her hands, "but I could never bring myself to let go of Cameron. So, in a way, you kind of helped me - well, forced me - to finally start using my new camera. And for that, I am grateful. So, please don't worry about it."
Confusion flashed across the man's face, quickly giving way to a broad smile as he shook his head. "Sorry, I assumed you knew me. Oh goddess, that sounded arrogant. I'm sorry," he said, introducing himself. "My name is Dimitri. It's a pleasure to meet you, Byleth."
As they walked together, Byleth found her eyes drawn to Dimitri, as if he was a beacon of light in the darkness. She felt as if she should know him, and yet couldn't remember where they had met. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked in a quizzical tone, "I feel like I know you from somewhere, have we met before?"
Dimitri's chuckle was warm and infectious, spreading like wildfire through the air. Byleth felt her cheeks flush as he looked away from her. "I would remember meeting someone as mesmerizing as you," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. But then his gaze dropped, his chuckle short-lived. Byleth could see the pain behind his eyes as he continued. "I don't leave my home often," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "It's been five years since I've set foot in the outside world." She felt a wave of guilt wash over her, realizing how callous and dismissive she had been to him earlier. "But now," he said, his eyes flashing with determination, "I'm here with you, and that's all that matters."
Dimitri's voice was like a soft melody, filling the silence between them with its gentle sound, as he spoke again, "Does your significant other ever get jealous that you call your camera your wife?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Byleth's gaze lingered on Dimitri's face, taking in the strong jawline and intense blue eyes that seemed to pierce through her. She felt a sense of calm wash over her as she studied his features, each line, and curve etched into her memory.
Byleth's lips curled into a small smile as she spoke, revealing a hint of dimples on either side of her cheeks. Her voice was soft and melodic, a soothing balm to the tense atmosphere. "I'm single," she quickly replied, "but if I do ever have a partner, I'm sure they'd understand my passion for photography."
Byleth's eyes sparkled with amusement as she spoke, her voice light and carefree. "Do you like photography, Dimitri?" she asked, the corners of her lips twitching with a playful grin.
Dimitri's eyes lit up with excitement as he spoke, his voice eager and animated. "I must admit, I don't know very much about photography," he said, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Perhaps you could be my teacher, and help me learn more?"
Byleth's fingers worked their magic, adjusting the settings on her camera with a dancer's grace. Her eyes moved like the fluttering wings of a hummingbird, flitting between the subject and the screen on the back of the device. With a flourish, she handed the camera to Dimitri, watching as he raised it to his eye, peering through the viewfinder to capture the beauty of the moment. Her heart swelled with pride as she watched him click the shutter button, capturing the image with perfect clarity. "Allow me to demonstrate," she said, holding up the camera and presenting the image to Dimitri with a flourish.
Dimitri's cheeks flushed crimson, and he fidgeted with his hands, running them through his tousled hair. His voice playful as he spoke, "Though the subject was perfect, I fear I am a terrible student. I may need more than one lesson."
Byleth let out a soft chuckle, feeling a warmth spreading through her chest as she observed Dimitri's endearing nervousness. "Don't worry, Dimitri," she reassured him, a grin spreading across her face. "We can have as many lessons as you need until you become a master of photography." She added with a playful wink, "And I have to admit, you're really fun to teach."
As they entered the restaurant, Byleth's spirit soared. In the company of Dimitri, she felt alive once more. Surprised by the joy she felt, she savored each moment, looking forward to her future as long as Dimitri was there.
Byleth and Dimitri walked into the restaurant, and it was as if time stood still. The world around them faded away, and all that was left was the two of them. They glided through the restaurant, their steps in perfect harmony. The ambiance was serene, and the aroma of savory food filled the air. Byleth's heart was full, and she felt like she was living in a dream. She savored every moment, cherishing the way Dimitri's presence made her feel alive. In that moment, nothing else mattered except the beauty of the present and the promise of the future.