locked to darkseal

[hevring]

[Truthfully speaking, this Ball was nothing more than a glorified dance class in Linhardt's mind. They were practically obligated to attend and partake, dancing with people and exchanging smiles and pleasantries; a ball like this was at least somewhat important to the nobility, Linhardt was sure, but as far as he was concerned? He had no business here, and the first chance he could get out, he took gladly.

He wasn't altogether sure about where to go, honestly; he could certainly just turn in for the night on his bed, or get back to his crest research, but there was another curiosity that he wanted to take a look at; the Goddess Tower. The details were a little fuzzy in Linhardt's mind, but he had heard some so-called rumors about what happened within the tower. Something interesting would happen if two people entered the tower...was it that they would be blessed by the Goddess if they shared a vow, or that they would be cursed for defiling her tower? Linhardt couldn't really recall off the top of his head, as it wasn't a topic that interested him too much, but...well, it was an interesting research opportunity and there was certainly a first time for everything.

But of course, he knew very well he wasn't exactly destined for much in the love department. As far as he was concerned, the Goddess Tower would be a once in a lifetime napping spot, and Linhardt intended to take the bait. It was surprisingly quiet, though he didn't doubt that there were people waiting to come in and try to find their 'true love', as they would likely call it. Linhardt finds his way to a nice spot within the tower, settling himself in for what's likely to be an interesting sleep, if nothing else.

Who knows, maybe he'll get to eavesdrop on some unlucky sap within the tower before he nods off, or perhaps even hear someone find the love of their life. The latter would certainly be a nice thought, for one of the others, perhaps. That would at least be interesting to hear...]

Comments

[hevring]

Well...

[...Linhardt actually gets a bit of an idea from his own tiredness, before his eyes seem to light up.]

Perhaps I would have you join me for a nap. I was planning to take my mid-afternoon one, and I'm quite certain that a nap would be the perfect thing to help you relax.

Will you join me?

[darkseal]

[...

Well, that's unexpected. He had thought maybe Linhardt would ask to take the books from him (which he wouldn't have allowed anyway; he doesn't need Linhardt looking into what he was working on), but this...

Needless to say, Hubert looks completely dumbfounded.]

You would have me join you for a... nap.

[He repeats it, as if he needs to hear it again.]

[hevring]

Yes?

[Linhardt says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world.]

Quite simply, it's the only way to ensure that you relax properly. Besides, a good nap would certainly assist in getting rid of your troubles, I'm sure.

[He sounds very convinced.]

[darkseal]

[...Linhardt isn't going to let this go unless he agrees, is he.

The solution is obvious, but it isn't one he likes. It's awkward in a way he can't quite place, and it's doing something to stir up his troublesome feelings again. How annoying.

But there isn't any way around it, is there?]

...You'll let this go if I agree and... [sigh] ...take a nap with you?

[hevring]

[Linhardt actually smiles at that. It's stirring up feelings inside of him, too, and...well, he can't say he minds, even if he's assuming Hubert feels nothing but contempt.]

I shall, yes. Because it will at least ensure that you're getting proper rest, so that you may be even more useful to Edelgard.

[He looks at the piles upon piles of books--they don't look like anything he recognizes, but...]

Will you be needing assistance in putting those away, before we go?

[darkseal]

[...Well, he can't deny that. Perhaps he would be more useful after he's rested. Looking over all of this with fresh eyes could help. Maybe this won't be a complete waste of time.

Maybe he can calm the strange things his feelings are doing as well with a nap.]

Ah... I suppose you won't let me do it myself.

[It's wry, but he takes a moment to close the books and push one stack toward Linhardt. You'll probably notice that most of them seem to be either accounting records or history books - the sort that go into dry detail about battles and tactics, hardly anything that would be halfway interesting to most people. The books don't really seem to have anything to do with one another, and Hubert's already packing up his notes before you can get a look at them.

He'll move to put away the other books, of course. He's steady on his feet, so don't worry about him fainting again.]

I'm ready to go when you are. I imagine we'll be going someplace... private?

[...He'd prefer not to let Lady Edelgard catch him napping, and who knows what sort of rumors would spread if anyone else saw them...]

[hevring]

[Linhardt chuckles a bit at the comment, nodding his head in response to Hubert's wry comment--it's absolutely true, and he doesn't plan on letting Hubert potentially overwork himself. Besides, it causes that fluttering feeling in his chest to intensify the slightest bit while he works. Whatever hex Hubert's cast on him, it's definitely affecting him somehow while he does stuff for him...how curious.

At least, a hex is what he assumes. He's not sure there's another explanation for this. Either way, his eyes are mostly on the books, so Hubert's notes don't get much, if any mind paid to them. He's plenty distracted as is.

Once they're finished, Linhardt will signal for Hubert to follow him.]

I do believe I am ready now. Come; I'll show you one of my favorite spots.

[Sure, this puts him at risk of Hubert finding him here when he's actively looking for Linhardt in the future, but...who knows. Maybe he wouldn't mind being found by the man. Too much, at least.

Either way, he'll lead Hubert to surprisingly secluded little place; it's not a place that receives much traffic, if the overgrown plantlife is any indication. There is a certain beauty to it, though, and the grass is quite soft looking...]

It's not quite paradise, but...I do quite prefer this place above most others around the monastery. It's rather quiet, and private...a wonderful place to relax, eat sweets, or read a few books when the moment strikes...

[His tone seems genuinely prideful, honestly, and he'll gesture for Hubert to join him when he lays down in the grass. You coming?]

[darkseal]

[A favorite spot, hmm... Well, he'll be sure to keep this place in mind when he has to track down Linhardt next time he skips a lecture or doesn't show up to a class meeting.

Anyway, the place Linhardt leads him to is secluded - it's a bit strange to find a place within the monastery that isn't carefully taken care of. The overgrown plants are almost calming, but perhaps that's because it's an indication that they won't be bothered. After all, this wasn't exactly the most obvious place to get to.

He glances over at Linhardt before returning his gaze to the surrounding area.]

It certainly is secluded. I can see how you would lose track of time in a place like this.

[It's a bit difficult to say that it's something he likes - he's always placed function over beauty, and that certainly remains true even now.]

[hevring]

[hubert why, that's so mean!!

Either way, Linhardt gets himself comfortable while nodding his head--letting a yawn out, and stretching his arms and legs.]

I'm glad that you can appreciate this as I do.

[He pats the spot next to him idly.]

Join me, won't you?

[get over here loser, it's naptime, if you awake youse a fake

...And once again, Linhardt von Hevring proves he has no idea how to not be overly forward, I am so sorry Hubert.]

[darkseal]

[It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but that forward invitation gets him to look away, his expression darkening as the color rises in his face.

In order to prevent Linhardt from seeing - or even worse, getting any ideas about what could throw him off like this - Hubert moves to settle down nearby. He's not particularly close to Linhardt, and he doesn't really seem to know what to do with himself once he's down here. How... does one relax...]

[hevring]

[Linhardt's eyes are closed by the time he hears Hubert finally settling down, arms folding behind his head in a fashion that allows his head a nice place to rest.]

Good night, Hubert...just try to forget about your troubles for a bit, won't you?

[It's idly said while he starts to doze off, another, much larger yawn escaping from him. You just gotta empty your mind, Hubert!! It's so easy!!]

[darkseal]

[Forget his troubles? How can he possibly forget what he was working on for Lady Edelgard? If he doesn't do this, it will fall to Lady Edelgard, and he would never dream of sticking her with something like this. It's tedious and time-consuming and more confusing than he'd care to admit, and if he's having difficulty with it, he certainly wouldn't want to stick Lady Edelgard with it—

...In short, he's not going to be able to shut his mind off and rest, even though he's found a (slightly) comfortable position for the time being. He rests on his back with his hands folded on his stomach, staring up at the clouds like that might help.

It's just surreal to try to sleep in the middle of the day...

He'll glance over at Linhardt after a moment, though he's expecting the other man to have already fallen asleep.]

[hevring]

[Hubert would actually be correct about that, if the steady rise and fall of Linhardt's breath is any indication. He looks at peace, really; he's done this a million times before, after all, and it certainly helps shut off his mind.

...Well, if he didn't turn in his sleep ever so often, which Hubert is likely to feel, at least somewhat. He's perfectly asleep while he does so, but his body moves involuntarily one way or another, and he even smiles a bit as he sleeps. Perhaps he's even dreaming already? Huh...there's even a light bit of snoring going on there. How the hell is this man so blissfully asleep already??

Either way, Linhardt doesn't seem to be much the wiser, honestly. He's just out like a fucking light.]

[darkseal]

[Ah, that's...

Weird. Yes. Very weird. How could he possibly fall asleep so easily? Doesn't he have plenty to think about as well? Surely he should be concerned with his research, or his tasks, or even his homework...

...

He does look very peaceful while he sleeps... It's almost—

Ugh, he's never going to rest at this rate, and Linhardt will never let him leave until he's slept... Hubert closes his eyes firmly and tries to push all thoughts from his mind.

Especially ones about Linhardt.]

[hevring]

[Hubert. You act like anything short of the goddess-damned apocalypse would separate him from his naps. You fool. You absolute buffoon.

Either way, though, he seems to settle a bit while he sleeps, and while Hubert at least tries to rest--he's blissfully unaware to the other man's troubles, and just seems more than content to sleep literally everything off.

...

And continue snoring. It's actually getting slightly louder, especially as he tosses and turns again. Hopefully that doesn't disturb Hubert's slumber too much?]

[darkseal]

[Have a sense of duty, Linhardt!!!

The snoring is absolutely distracting; he's used to complete silence when he tries to sleep and Linhardt is not helping. He opens an eye after a moment, glancing at Linhardt before sighing. This is absolutely not working. Maybe he should just leave... Linhardt probably won't wake for at least an hour, right? That would give him some more time to work...

...But Linhardt will undoubtedly make good on his threat to tell Lady Edelgard...

The snoring is certainly not helping his concentration, so after a moment he reaches out to nudge Linhardt, hoping to get him to roll the other way or settle a bit or something so he can figure out the best way to handle this.]

[hevring]

[No!!! You can't make him, dammit!!

Either way, the shoving will at least get Linhardt's snoring to...well, abate, at least a little bit. He seems to finally find a comfortable position to sleep once that's all done, so that's good!

...

There's just one problem, however. On what perhaps seems like sheer instinct, Linhardt seems to grasp at Hubert's arm with one of his own, before just...kind of slowly dragging it over towards himself. If Hubert's not careful, Linhardt's going to just kind of nudge his way over and just. Bury his face there with perhaps the most contented look in the world.

I. I am so sorry?]

[darkseal]

[...

Hubert von Vestra has made a horrible mistake.

Okay. The absolute last thing he needs to do is panic. For one, there's simply no reason to panic - ever, especially not something over so incredibly stupid - and two, this is an easy situation to resolve. He just needs to take his arm back and...

...

Linhardt, why is your grip so strong.

Okay, new plan. He'll just push Linhardt off—

...

???????????

No, he is refusing to give up. He is not going to let Linhardt cling to him like this regardless of how insignificant it seems. He is not the sort of person to back down from a challenge and he has entirely too much to do to spend his time here with Linhardt clinging to him.

If shoving the man won't work and pulling his arm out of that death grip isn't an option, then the correct solution is to punch him. It's not an eloquent solution, and it's not like Hubert is nearly as strong as high height would suggest, but it would at least get Linhardt to wake up and maybe give up on this foolish idea of looking after him. He doesn't need or want that, and it would be satisfying to punch him. It might even crush those pathetic feelings that are only getting even more riled up right now.

He shifts a bit so he can get into a position where he can properly punch Linhardt despite how utterly ridiculous it'll be.

...

.........

Instead, he drops his hand with a frustrated sigh. It certainly wouldn't look good on Lady Edelgard if Linhardt ever spoke of this incident. Punching another noble is beneath him. There simply has to be a better way to handle this situation.

...A way that doesn't involve murder.]

Linhardt.

[His voice is stern, louder than normal and a bit too tense for his liking. He tries to free his arm again, more forcefully than before.]

Wake up.

[hevring]

[Oh goddess above, what was going on now. Linhardt stirs a bit at the stern words, all too easily being reminded of those times when people would wake him up from a perfectly good nap. Really, he was having such a nice dream, too--he doesn't even know how long he napped for before being so rudely woken up, but he groggily opens his eyes and looks at Hubert with an unamused expression.]

Ugh, what on earth is it--

[...Wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

It takes a few seconds for Linhardt to realize just what the hell has happened, though his words stop suddenly when he realizes he's pressed up against something...well, surprisingly comfortable. It's actually kind of nice? Really, this is more comfortable than most of his stuffed animal collection, but when did he bring--

...

Well, congratulations, Hubert.

Linhardt usually isn't one for emoting, or at least, expressing himself in a manner that's more than the bare minimum. He's always been a little blase, even when happy, angry, sad, or...well, anything.

This, however? This sees his face going a rather stark shade of red as he unhinges himself from Hubert, practically jolting out of his dead sleep with wide eyes as he pushes himself up and croaks out--]

I'm--I'm sorry?

[Congratulations, Hubert, you may have gotten the most genuine emotion out of Linhardt that anything has ever gotten. It's not much of an achievement, but it's something? Honestly, he doesn't even know what to say, but uh.

Congrats, he's awake and un-koala'd from your arm now???]

[darkseal]

[Success!! Hubert doesn't exactly relax (because when does he ever relax), but it's good to have his arm free and...

Honestly, it's kind of hilarious to see a genuine emotion from Linhardt. Even though he'd just been absolutely embarrassed by what was going on, he's now suddenly gifted with a wonderful opportunity to turn the tide of battle.

(Perhaps thinking of this like a tactics drill is not the way to go about it, but that's far easier than addressing what just happened.)]

I'm surprised you didn't notice. Were you truly that comfortable?

[The words are a bit sharp, pointed as he tries to turn this back on Linhardt, to make himself more comfortable.

Even now he's still more comfortable pushing people away.]

[hevring]

[Ohhhh, goddess damn it all, this is actually kind of distressing? This is actually kind of distressing. Linhardt kind of pointedly averts his damn gaze at that, trying to get some manner of under control--]

I...I knew not what I was doing until I woke up. It didn't even register to me that I was doing such a thing until...

[Well. You know. He's pretty sure he doesn't even need to say???

That isn't an answer to Hubert's question and Linhardt knows it, but he's hoping Hubert will back down or just walk away, at this point. Anything would be better than this? Is this the true goddess's curse? Because he hates it and he especially hates that sharp tone, this is about to be a bad time, isn't it.]

[darkseal]

[This? This is good. This is situation he can have control over. This is exactly how things should be, with no trace of those obnoxious feelings.]

And here I thought you were the most experienced in napping. To think you'd lose control of yourself in such an undignified display... How embarrassing.

[The words are more harsh now, not quite dripping in venom and not sharpened by anger but pointed and aimed like a dagger. If he's perfectly honest with himself, he doesn't know why he's lashing out in his own undignified display, but for a moment it makes him feel like he has control again, like things are as they should be.]

[hevring]

[He should have expected this--this is just how Hubert has always been, and it was stupid to think that this would all just magically fix itself after all was said and done. Honestly, it's causing those feelings of his to bubble and boil as he feels like he's being stabbed in the heart, and he hates it.]

I--I must have thought you were one of my stuffed--

[His words catch in his throat, dying and withering away, and he really can't deal with this anymore. But he can certainly run away from his problems--run as far away from them as humanly damn possible. And if Hubert's going to be a problem, then...

Well, Linhardt gets up, and he turns on his heel to walk away.]

Forget it. Go back to the library; I'm taking my leave of you.

[The words are harsh, forced out as Linhardt walks away in a manner that's faster than he's ever walked before. He's not sure if Hubert intends to pursue, but Linhardt doesn't care at this point.]

[darkseal]

[Linhardt gets up and leaves, and Hubert's once again won. He's succeeded at being an absolute asshole and pushing someone else away, preventing Linhardt from ever hindering his work again. He probably won't see much of Linhardt after this, but does that really matter? It's not like he needs to socialize with anyone when he should be working for Lady Edelgard.

...

So why is there this sinking feeling in his chest, almost as if he's done something wrong? It isn't guilt - it certainly can't be guilt - but it's not a pleasant feeling and one that almost makes him want to give chase. Linhardt certainly can't be faster than him, he could catch up if he really wanted to.

He shakes his head as he moves to stand. Ridiculous.

Regrets, guilt - what need does he have for either of those? His duty is to Lady Edelgard and there is nothing in this world he could ever want more than assisting her. He has plenty of work to get back to, and he will not be interrupted again. Not by anything or anyone, and certainly not by feelings.

(He ends up making sure he doesn't overwork himself, and there isn't a repeat of the fainting incident. But that's just a coincidence.)]

[hevring]

[It's been at least a week since the incident with Hubert.

Linhardt's...well, to most, he hasn't been acting any different than usual; he's always been one to shirk his duties and fuck off to nap elsewhere without any regard for his duties, his classwork, or the like. But he's been remarkably more evasive, lately, than most are used to; he's practically putting Bernadetta to shame with the sheer level of dedication to which he doesn't want to be found. There's always new hiding places to be found around the monastery, and Linhardt has been making some use of them for sure.

Hell, even while he's been in class (which he seems to be avoiding more than even usual), he's been distant. Linhardt doesn't really know why he's been cutting himself off so bad, lately, but...the last thing he wants to do is be bothered by others. Especially by Edelgard or Hubert; he's pretty sure if he saw either of them, he'd be liable to snapping at them, and...well, as much as Hubert deserves the snapping in Linhardt's eyes, he isn't really in the mood to actively piss off the house leader or her beleaguered second in command. His heart feels...well, it's been feeling vaguely empty as of late.

He's at least trying to ignore it, though, despite how...weird and distant it's making him, but surely it's fine.

Either way, it'a another day if barely being in class and avoiding everything like the plague, and Linhardt's actually stepping towards his room--he's got a hot date with his bed and pillow that he's absolutely not going to miss for the world, because he's very here to sleep right about now. As he's walking in, though, he feels his feet crunch on something, causing his eyes to dart to the floor.

His room is usually a mess of the highest order, so he usually doesn't pay any mind to stray papers, but...this isn't familiar to him at all. He's not sure what it's doing here, but...well, he's feeling a little nosy today.

Let's see what this is.]