Fighting Grief

 Working through natural emotions with video game characters.

It wasn’t a great day in the Adrestian Castle, at least, not right now.  While she had accomplished all she had wanted to (and as a nice bonus, got to marry the girl of her dreams), Edelgard would still be miserable from time to time, sitting off by herself and quietly crying.  “El, what’s wrong?” asked Byleth, walking up to her love.  Edelgard sighed sadly.

“I just can’t get over it some days…” she muttered.  “The life I had stolen from me, the joy of my siblings, both biological and chosen…it really hurts to remember it and know it can never happen again…”  Byleth sat by her, looking at the tears roll out of her eyes.

“I hate to say this, El, but it’s probably never going to get better overall.” She said.  “Grief, the pain you’re feeling…heck, I still miss Jeralt.”  Edelgard turned to Byleth, surprised.

“You do?” she asked.

“He’d always say when speaking of my Mom and the pain of losing her…grief doesn’t die, it just changes forms.” Byleth said simply.

“Then…what do we do?” asked Edelgard.  “This hurts.”

“Well, what makes me feel better is knowing I made someone special, a sad little girl, smile again.” Replied Byleth, turning to Edelgard with a smile.  Edelgard chuckled.

“You’ve always made me so happy…” she smiled.  “I honestly refuse to speculate what would’ve happened if you had chosen Dimitri, Claude or the Church of Seiros over me.”

“I don’t think about it, either.  You were then, and still are, attractive, refined and knowledgeable.” Replied Byleth.  “You stick up for your values and are quick to rectify your mistakes, you are a strong fighter, a good friend and a compassionate soul.”

“Now you’re just flattering me.” Chuckled Edelgard.

“I’m serious.” Laughed Byleth.  “You make me feel alive.  I couldn’t imagine living without you, what I had before I came to Garreg Mach was so dry and flavorless by comparison.”

“Thank you, Byleth.” Smiled Edelgard.  She kissed her cheek.  “We should get going, we’re teaming with Samus and Zelda for a series of four vs. four matches in Smash this evening.”

“Yeah, we should go.” Sighed Byleth.  “This should be fun; I always like fighting in Smash with you.”

“Yes, it’s quite invigorating.” Agreed Edelgard.  The two women left the Castle, hand in hand and ready to face both Smash Bros. competitors and life’s challenges.

The End