hevring: (😴 Six.)
Linhardt von Hevring ([personal profile] hevring) wrote in [community profile] sranks2019-08-08 06:11 pm

locked to [personal profile] darkseal

[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...]
darkseal: (♝ 09)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah, he was asleep... No surprise there, really. Hubert enters at Linhardt's words, his expression softening without him meaning to. He's been doing that quite a bit recently, hasn't he? Maybe he should try not to let it show so much...

Anyway, the tents are fairly large, but they aren't like the dorm rooms with a wall for him to lean against. So he ends up just sort of... awkwardly standing near the tent flap, folding his arms when he realizes he doesn't know what to do with his hands.]


I thought it would be good to come check on you; I didn't mean to wake you.

[It's not really an apology, though. Even if he'd noticed before speaking he still would have woken Linhardt.]

I'm fine. I came to check to see if you're prepared.

[His worries have already started to melt away, becoming nothing more than a quiet hum in the back of his mind. If Linhardt is able to fall asleep so easily right before the final battle, then surely there's nothing to worry about. They're so close to the end, it isn't as though they're going to fail now, not after everything they've been through.]
darkseal: (♝ 03)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
[That gets a soft laugh out of him and he glances away, raising a hand to his chin like he's going to cover the bottom half of his face again before he decides against it and leave it there.]

As do I. I'm looking forward to that more than I am to the war being over.

[It's perhaps a bit too honest, and maybe those words would be a bit concerning from someone else, but Linhardt knows he excels on the battlefield, this probably isn't surprising at all.]

Don't start preparing victory speeches for Her Majesty just yet, though. Dimitri may not be a strategist like Claude, but I have no doubts they'll be prepared for us. We'll need to be careful.

[There's something there that he wants to say, but isn't sure how to put it into words. He hesitates, but doesn't continue.]
darkseal: (♝ 08)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[He nods at Linhardt's words; the confidence in them is certainly help set him at ease, but...

Well, there's no point in hesitating. Linhardt's already caught on. He takes a step forward so he's closer to Linhardt, but doesn't really know what to do once he's there.

He hesitates again, suddenly unsure of himself. It's silly, really...]


I have something to ask of you. Will you...

[He exhales slowly.]

...Will you promise me that you will remain safe?

[It isn't something they can promise, he knows that. But...]

I understand that you will always try to heal as many people as you can. But should danger come your way... will you promise me that you will do all you can to protect yourself? I don't...

[His words trail off there, and he suddenly isn't sure if he wants to continue. This all sounds so silly. Here they are, standing on the edge of victory, and he's worried about something like this.]
darkseal: (♝ 01)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
[He looks up at Linhardt when the other man moves, though his eyes follow Linhardt's hand to his shoulder. He remains still for a moment, hearing Linhardt out before that especially honest remark.

His eyes dart, but his expression's gentle.]


You won't lose me. I promise. I will always be here by your side.

[He rests a hand over the one on his shoulder and it takes all of his willpower not to pull Linhardt closer.]

I don't... I can't imagine what I would do if something were to happen to you.

[He still can't look at Linhardt as he says it. It's honest, and so open it leaves him feeling defenseless.]
darkseal: (♝ 09)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
[He reaches out then, without thinking. No, that's not exactly right - he reaches out, without trying to stop himself or convince himself that it isn't right. He reaches out because he wants to.

His hand finds the side of Linhardt's face and lingers there for a moment before he brushes his fingers back into beautiful green hair.]


You won't ever have to worry about that, Linhardt. Nothing in this world could take me from you. I won't allow it.

[It's so easily said, as though he really does have the power to make sure that it happens. His magic is deadly - perhaps some of the strongest in the army - but that doesn't mean he's infallible. He knows that all too well. But he also knows that reassurance is what Linhardt needs right now, and so there isn't a trace of doubt or concern.]

Her Majesty will be with me. She's the strongest soldier in our army and no one will be able to get close. I understand your fear, but you won't be left alone.
darkseal: (♝ 03)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
There is nothing in the world that could keep me from meeting you at the Goddess Tower.

[...Well, okay, theoretically Her Majesty could order him not to go, but that's not going to happen and he really doesn't want to think about that, so! Close enough.

He'll continue to gently run his hand through Linhardt's hair, just like he's wanted to so many times before. It's intimate - possibly too intimate - but he doesn't want to stop.]


I will hold you to that. As soon as I can, I'll find you. We'll have much to celebrate after our victory.

[The words are confident, the earlier doubt and worry slipping away entirely.]
darkseal: (♝ 01)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
[That gets him to laugh; the sound's quiet, but certainly pleased.]

I look forward to seeing how our notes match up.

[But on a more serious note...]

I know our jobs will not be over with the end of the war, but I look forward to seeing where we go next. Her Majesty will still have plenty for us to do... but I am willing to put that aside whenever we have the opportunity to meet at the tower.
darkseal: (♝ 15)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
[He joins Linhardt that night, holding him closer than he ever would have dared to before. For the first time, he isn't plagued with thoughts of "should" or "should not" and his worries have melted away, leaving behind only a burning determination to see this through. For Her Majesty, for Linhardt, for himself.

A new day dawns and the battle begins.

Regrettably, he had to leave Linhardt earlier than he wanted to, but he repeated his promises to remain safe before departing to prepare himself and Her Majesty for war. When they march on the city, Her Majesty leads and he follows, just as always.

Unsurprisingly, the city streets are empty of civilians. There are plenty of soldiers here already - more than Claude's army - and fighting their way to the castle is no easy feat. Her Majesty cuts down anyone who gets in her way and continues undaunted; he follows in her footsteps, eliminating those who would dare get in her way.

The armies clash, and by the time the sun begins to set, the Empire is at the castle gates.

There are still soldiers there, of course, and wave after wave of them crash against Her Majesty's axe. They fall to her strength, his tactics, their battalions. And finally, only three real threats remain.

King Dimitri is not alone - Dedue is by his side as expected. Felix is there as well; despite his hatred for Dimitri it seems his patriotism won out in the end. There's a moment of stillness and it feels like their armies collectively take a breath.

Then Dedue throws himself at Her Majesty and the clash continues.]
darkseal: (♝ 06)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Dedue and Her Highness clash, his shield bearing the force of her axe with ease even as she pulls away to begin her assault anew. Felix is quick to fly into battle as well, with lightning-fast strikes and quick dodges that pull him out of the way of Hubert's attacks before they can land. A particularly devastating spell misses him by mere inches, and it's only then that Hubert realizes something absolutely horrifying.

Dimitri has vanished.

Where the hell did he go, he's a hulking behemoth of a man now, there's no way someone like that could simply disappear

That's about when he becomes aware that the king has approached on his right side.

Hubert had cut his hair short five years ago to prevent having an obvious blind spot, but for the very first time, he finds himself reacting to someone being there that he somehow missed seeing. He's pulling back and readying his spell immediately, but he doesn't have enough time to cast.

Dimitri isn't fast. Perhaps that's the one good thing about this situation. Unfortunately, he is monstrously strong and when his lance flashes downward, the force behind it could have been enough to cleave Hubert in two.

He abruptly switches from casting an offensive spell to the one defensive spell he has in his arsenal. It isn't warp, but it's a good enough substitute. The dark magic doesn't have the same prickling sensation as Faith magic - instead it feels almost like it burns even as it tugs him away and deposits him several feet away.

Unfortunately, he wasn't quick enough.

Dimitri's lance has left a massive gash - starting somewhere between his neck and left shoulder and ripping diagonally down his chest, ending at his right hipbone. By some miracle it hasn't killed him outright. The cry that leaves him is more furious than pained, and even though he's in no condition to move, (he's in no condition to be doing anything) he wills dark magic to his fingers and tries to aim.

Adrenaline and fury alone cannot support him, and the magic fizzles out before he can unleash the spell. He falls back to the ground as his vision begins to fade and the din of battle dulls. Pain feels like a foreign concept, and right before he blacks out - bleeds out - words spring unbidden to his mind.

It terrifies me, despite the confidence I have in you, and your skills...that in one moment, it could all be torn away, and...

He tries to fight, he tries to stay conscious, so at least he can apologize to Linhardt or tell him something, anything that will make this easier—

He doesn't succeed.]
darkseal: (♝ 08)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[The fire spell does send Dimitri backwards and he has to take a moment to stamp the flames out of his cape. Her Majesty attempts to finish Dedue or Felix so she can break away and stop Dimitri herself, but she hasn't had any luck with either of them. Ferdinand even shows up to help her, but they're still outmatched. And Hubert...

Perhaps it's the Faith magic coursing through his system, struggling to patch a wound that should have killed. He's always found Faith magic to act as an adrenaline boost; perhaps it's designed that way to keep the recipient from getting injured again while on the battlefield. Regardless, it's enough to push Hubert back into consciousness and he gasps for air.

Ah, the slash across his chest isn't the only damage, he realizes. He's got several broken ribs to deal with as well.

Still, he manages to catch his breath and he tries to get his bearings while the world swims around him. It doesn't take him long to find Linhardt. He's still alive, but... Hubert can see something hulking and blue from the corner of his eye - and it's advancing.]


Linhardt...

[His voice is soft and far weaker than he was expecting. It only occurs to him now that the pain from the injury and the pain from breathing are nowhere near as strong as they should be. He's definitely dying, then.]

Please... You need to... go, you can't...

[He's entirely too weak to push himself up or to prepare the spells he needs to fend off Dimitri. But he tries them both anyway, because he cannot - will not - let anything happen to the man he loves.]
darkseal: (♝ 06)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
You are not

[The exertion of trying to move catches up with him and he has to close his eyes tightly for a moment and remember to breathe. Linhardt's spells aren't doing enough to fix the damage, but they're certainly keeping him alive.

He breathes, ragged, then with more strength than he thought he possessed, he manages to prop himself up on an elbow, reaching out and grabbing one of Linhardt's hands forcefully. His grip is tight - probably tighter than it should be given the fact that he's dying.]


You are not dying here. You're going to leave - remain safe.

[It's an order, forced out despite the pain and how badly the world is spinning. He's gripping onto Linhardt's hand like it's the only thing keeping him upright, but he has to make it clear—]

You'll die if you stay here - there isn't time.

[Distantly, he's aware of someone getting in Dimitri's way and the sounds of a clash echo around them. It feels like they're miles and miles away and it's only him and Linhardt here right now.

Don't you dare leave me behind.

It isn't fair of him to ask this of Linhardt. It isn't, but he can't lose him - if Linhardt dies because of him...

Another deep, shuddering breath as he tries to push himself into a sitting position.]


Go. Now.
darkseal: (♝ 08)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-23 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[His head is spinning and he has to shut his eyes for a moment and will the world to stop turning so he can focus. Linhardt is speaking and he's beyond frustrated, because Linhardt's going to die here, and there's not a damn thing he can do to stop it.

The promise. Yes, of course, the promise, maybe that—]


Linhardt. I'm going to die here.

[It's blunt, with no emotion behind it. He's furious that he's going to die here and he doesn't want to go before Her Majesty has achieved her goals, before he has the chance to tell Linhardt everything he's wanted to say for four years - no, longer.

But he doesn't have time.]


You mean so much to me, more than I can ever express. If I... If I had another life to give, it would have been yours. I...

[His grip on Linhardt's hand weakens, then drops away and he presses it to the ground, to keep himself propped up.

...I can't lose you, Hubert. I want to be strong enough to protect you, too...I know I must become that strong. But...please...]


There isn't anything more you can do for me. Please...

[And even now, when he's dying and has nothing left to lose, he finds he can't say it. His struggles to remain upright are failing, and he falls to his back, wincing. He isn't going to make it to the Goddess Tower, so he needs to tell Linhardt now, he can't afford to hesitate any longer.

His vision is beginning to darken around the edges, and he knows he's close to blacking out a second time. He reaches out blindly for Linhardt's hand again, because as much as he wants him to leave, to save himself, he can't bear the thought of being apart from Linhardt in his final moments.]

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