"just go talk to her, you've never had a problem before, why now?"
"because!" sylvain slammed his hands down on the dinner table, "it's y/n. every other girl was just me shooting my shot, not caring if i miss. but i can't possibly ruin it with her. she's so... different."
ingrid rolled her eyes. "that's so cliche. if you want her, don't say she's not like other girls. you should know damn well that move doesn't work."
sylvain put his hands on his cheeks and looked longingly across the dining hall towards you. you had decided to sit with some of your friends in the golden deer house today instead of your normal team. sylvain was glad to see you happy and smiling around your friends, but he only wished it was him that you were smiling to.
ingrid followed his gaze, but then her eyes brightened. "why don't you ask manuela? im sure she'll give better advice than you just sitting around staring like a creep."
suddenly, dimitri spoke up. "or just, yknow, be yourself."
"i can't do that!" sylvain exclaimed, "she'll hate my real self. even byleth said i'm an asshole."
"c'mon, just ask her to tea. have a genuine conversation with her instead of the stupid lines you tell. let her know the real you."
"the real me sucks!"
——
"hey, uh, y/n, would you like to go get some tea sometime?"
"AWFUL." ingrid's voice echoed through the blue lions' classroom, "you can do better than this! one more time. i know you'll have it this time."
"okay," sylvain took a deep breath, "hi, y/n, you look really pretty today. would you like to go get tea with me later today?"
"perfect-"
"are you saying i don't look good any other day?"
sylvain whipped around at the sound of your voice. you stood at the doorway of the classroom with a smirk on your face. the boy suddenly flushed red.
"n-no! of course not, you look good- no, great. no, gorgeous- every day! it's just that.. you look even prettier today and-"
you laughed a little and walked up to him. taking ahold of his hand and lacing his fingers with yours, you began to gently tug him out of the classroom.
"and to answer your question," you smiled, "i'd love to have tea with you."