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[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...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[yes!!!!!!!!]

That might be the most adorable thing I've ever heard...

[what was that, make it worse

if you insist!!!

(there are literally people dying outside you two, oh my god???)]

...Why are you like this.

[It's not even a question. He's just resigned to this being his punishment. He deserves it. But also: please??? do not????

(now is exactly the wrong time but hey it's fine at least we're making up????)]

It's simply an observation, Hubert.

[Beat.]

And it's one I don't necessarily hear you denying...

I assumed the denial was implied...

[ohhhhhh my god, just let him turn away and hide the lower half of his face behind a hand, he isn't blushing that's just your imagination.]

[accept your punishment hubie!!!]

But I thought you were getting so good at stating your intentions. Besides, it's hard to argue with the facts, isn't it? Especially the ones laid out before me. Like those pink cheeks of yours, for example...

[Linhardt might actually be enjoying this. A lot, honestly.]

[blushing intensifies]

You're absolutely merciless. How long do you plan to keep going?

[he is gonna die, lin, please]

Well, if I tell you the answer, you'll stop doing it. I remember the last time this happened quite well, after all. And truly, until it stops being so fascinating.

[Linhardt does try to move from the bed a bit, at least enough to try to lean over to remove the hand hiding half of Hubert's face so he can see it.

He's fully expecting Hubert to make him stay in the bed, but he's gotta try!!]

[Oh hey look, something else to focus on!!]

Oh no you don't. You're not moving until your leg is fully healed.

[And back you go, he'll push Linhardt back into the bed and keep his hands on the other man's shoulders to keep him there.

(He's definitely still red, okay.)]

Oh, what ever will I do...

[There's a glimmer in his eyes as Hubert does that, as if the man has fallen for his trap while he stares at Hubert's face. Just as planned.]

But I suppose my hypothesis is correct; your face is much cuter when you're not hiding it.

[listen. he's had four years to stew on this shit and he's having the time of his life. don't take this from him!!]

[hubert von vestra walked right into an ambush and was brutally slaughtered, can i get an f]

I— Cute, of all things...

[He's going to move to sit in the chair over here and. try not to die of embarrassment. That's giving Linhardt entirely too much satisfaction so he won't do it!!

(He's totally doing it.)]

[do we respect this man enough to press f for him, is the real question

Either way, Linhardt chuckles and lets himself sort of. Flop back on the bed. It does sound like the fighting is dying down out there, but only barely...hopefully that's a good thing.

...But still--]

Is it really so bad to call it like it is, Hubert? I would think that you might respect that.

[he says, all too knowing about how embarrassing this is]

[stop stop he's already dead!!!]

I could respect it were it not aimed at me.

[At least he's honest...

Anyway, he leans back a bit in his chair, crossing one leg over the other and folding his hands on his knee. He seems to have settled a bit, at least.]

If you're done teasing me for now, are you in any pain?

[He figures Linhardt isn't, but he wants to check, and he should probably head back outside to make sure the battle has ended as predicted. Not that he wants to leave, of course...]

Just a little sore, but that's nothing that can't be rested off. And I promise you, I will. So...please don't worry for me.

[Linhardt knows. He smiles, though.]

...Bring them crushing victory, Hubert. I know you can do it.

[Go go, fight the power!! ~~Wait, aren't we the power, this seems wrong.~~]

[It gets him to smile as well, before he carefully composes the expression into something more neutral.]

I can't promise I won't worry about you. But I promise I'll destroy anyone who remains.

[...hubert do you ever think about how terrifying you are??]

I'll be by to check on you as soon as I have a chance. Until then, get some rest.

I shall do so, then.

[Linhardt gets himself comfortable on the cot and lets himself drift off, then.

...A silent part of him hopes that one of his own soldiers will be able to bring his bags up to his room, he doesn't...wanna have the humiliation of trying to explain to Hubert that he kept Nyx for all this goddamn time, but even that drifts as he conks the fuck out.]

[The Alliance is crushed - the soldiers left are wiped out. It's a brutal victory, but it leaves no room for the Alliance to counterattack any time soon.

Of course, Hubert has more things to worry about. He does have plenty of other things to attend to before he can return to Linhardt, and it's fairly late by the time he's able to make his way to the infirmary. He realizes about halfway there that he... never asked anyone to bring Linhardt his things...

So he goes and retrieves them himself, though uh... Well, he's very careful when he brings Nyx with him (and tries not to think too much about it).

How are you doing, Linhardt? Hopefully you haven't been too bored here... He'll head on in with all your stuff packed neatly up, as well as Nyx carefully tucked under his arm, of course.]

[Not really, actually--he at least made a decent attempt at sleeping, but honestly, he was far too worried about Hubert to actually get some decent shut eye. That, and well, he may still have some lingering paranoia of his own to sort through about falling asleep here; surely, it'll be fine though.

(He tries not to be too embarrassed when he sees Nyx in Hubert's arms--she's definitely had more wear and tear over the years that's been messily stitched back together, but it's fine, it's totally fine.)

Either way, a few days will pass, and Linhardt's leg is at least starting to heal a bit. He still has some of his subordinates bring him various letters and the like while he heals up, mostly to give him something to do, as much as some of the letters fill him with annoyance. Ugh. House Varley really isn't calming down, and House Bergliez is being annoying as ever--among other things.

Linhardt's putting some of his letters aside for now, simply to work while Hubert works over yonder.]

I can't stand these people, sometimes. It's as if they're genuinely looking to start trouble all of the time...

[uuuugh--]

I trust that your work is perhaps going a bit more smoothly?

[Hubert can't really help the smile, though he's able to subdue it into something a bit less open by the time he reaches Linhardt's bed.]

The ones I had to deal with were incredibly frustrating. I'm glad I don't have your job.

[He sets the bags down nearby where Linhardt can reach them, and sets Nyx down next to Linhardt without a word before moving to take a seat.]

They're undoubtedly testing Her Majesty's rule, and our patience. I would have thought they'd be a bit more cautious... [considering what happens to those who get in lady edelgard's way] ...but I'm sure you'll be able to find some way to get them to settle.

[He inclines his head a bit.]

Take a break and return to them in a bit; perhaps you'll have some new insights.

[He'll just. Proceed to take Nyx into his arms, setting her on her lap like he usually does. Bless this stupid, cuddly bear, she's so good for stress in these trying times. And he'll get his nice, feathery pillow out so he can prop himself up a bit, sighing.]

Testing that and more, all be told. I'm starting to worry that House Varley is actively trying to cause a problem--which could very easily have something to do with...

[...He trails off there, but Bernadetta has been gone for quite a long time. He doesn't want to think about that right now, but he nods his head--he will get them to settle. He has to, after all.]

I think I will, then. The less I have to do with those letters, the better, right now... [Sighs.] ...Is there anything I might be able to assist you with, then? I'm not quite tired enough to drift off yet...

[He knows. Bernadetta's disappearance isn't making things easy on House Varley, but even his network of spies hasn't managed to find her location. If someone's gone from his sight, it's definitely a worry. Bernadetta isn't someone he can see being a threat to Her Majesty, but he'll do what he can to increase his efforts into finding her.]

While House Varley may be... difficult to work with, I doubt they would be acting so irrationally and drawing attention to themselves if they planned on doing anything dire. Keep an eye on them, and I'll see if I can learn anything about Bernadetta's location.

[He drops it at that, though. He has no interest in reminiscing about a classmate from so long ago.]

As for what you can do to help me... Well, you can start by relaxing. You aren't going to heal if you're constantly working. I did come here to check on you, after all. I can't very well leave if you're pushing yourself, now can I?

[Linhardt nods his head, bringing Nyx closer to himself--that may be just what's needed in order to smooth relations, at least, so he's more than happy to move on.

...And then pout because Hubert, dear gods...]

To think that years ago, this wouldn't even be a matter of discussion...I'd be asleep like a lamb, utterly oblivious to the world at large. You've both done something to me, I'm sure.

[...Not that he still couldn't nap so freely, but it's definitely a little harder nowadays. At least somewhat, especially when there's work to be done.]

...But of course, you assume I would want you to leave, you know.

[Which he doesn't.]

You're very lucky I'm free for the rest of the evening.

[Even though it's already pretty late...

Something Linhardt's said there makes him pause, though. Hubert rests his chin against his hand and folds his other arm beneath his elbow. His gaze has drifted away while considering his question, and when he asks it, his voice is perhaps intentionally blank.]

...Do you regret joining us?

[Don't...don't let me regret this. That is all I ask.

Not a day goes by without him wondering about it.]

[Linhardt chuckles a bit at that first bit--he supposes that Hubert is right, honestly. It's something that makes that warmth bloom in Linhardt's chest, really...

The question doesn't make that abate. Even though Linhardt gives it serious thought--the regrets still linger, vaguely, over Caspar's death; he was a needless death in the face of everything that happened. There's been a lot of needless death in this war, in this great upheaval that will change the world as they know it. Linhardt had always viewed death as a hideous thing, but...

He's changed. He knows that much. Linhardt doesn't know if it's all been for the better, really. He's stained his hands red for the sake of the Empire, though not as much as some of the people here. He's healed the wounded, he's dealt with the nobility, he's been the far more yielding left hand to the Emperor, while Hubert remained brutal and steady. He's become more motivated, at least enough to properly do his own work and ensure his place in the Empire's ranks.

While many thoughts run through Linhardt's mind, the answer he gives Hubert comes quickly, and very easily, with the open honesty Linhardt is known for.]

I've no regrets for pledging my loyalty to you, and Her Majesty. I do not regret the things I have done in the name of the Empire. Were I given the option of an easier life in exchange for erasing all that I have done, to do it all differently...I would say no without hesitation.

[...]

Because a world where I am not by your side would be a world most dreary.

[And all of that is true. The world has been fraught with hardships aplenty, but even if given the opportunity, Linhardt would never want to go back and deal with a 'pretty' future.

He meant what he said when he wanted to face everything head on. He was going to have to face it sooner or later, but he's glad to be doing it by Hubert and Edelgard's sides.]

[He waits patiently for the answer, expecting it to take longer than it actually does. As always, Linhardt is entirely honest and a bit too forward with it, but he can't say he minds. Even so, it takes him a moment to finally look at Linhardt again.]

I'm pleased to hear that. Sometimes I'd wonder...

[He trails off there, though. Something's occurred to him that takes his attention away for a moment; Her Majesty had once asked him something similar, hadn't she? She'd wondered what his life would be like if he wasn't sworn to her service. It had been such a bizarre, outlandish question to ask.

Perhaps Linhardt feels the same way.]

You've changed so much since we first met.

[He decides to focus on that instead.]

I was always impressed with your intellect, and I had hoped you would devote yourself to a worthwhile cause. I'm pleased it is ours.

[...]

And personally... I wouldn't want you anywhere else.

[There is perhaps just the slightest hint of a pout at the talk of a worthwhile cause--Linhardt has always believed that his crest research would at least prove valuable for something, thank you very much. Even so, he has to admit, his research has taken some turns as he's starting to realize that outside of war, these crests may have no real use; they may have been simply meant for war...

That's a topic Linhardt can focus on at another time, however. Linhardt knows he's changed due to the environment that he's been in; he's adapted to what Her Majesty needs of him. What Hubert has needed of him, too, at least somewhat. Even still, Linhardt hasn't lost his own values, his own self in the ever churning tides of war.]

...I would not want to be anywhere else, you know.

[He's the one who said that they should avoid their feelings until the war is over, but Linhardt's first thought is to finally give word to those feelings in his heart, the explicit words he's wanted to say for so long.

He quiets the thought. Decides to lighten the mood a bit with a chuckle.]

After all, someone had to teach you how to properly relax, right? You wouldn't have been able to do such a thing on your own.

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