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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...]
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...]
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[...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.]
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That kind of promise and all of that hairplaying is just making Lin absolute putty right now, he doesn't even care if it's too intimate. He doesn't want it to end, he doesn't want this moment to have to end--]
As will I. I can't wait to celebrate it with you...the new world that Her Majesty will usher in, and that we'll have survived it. That we'll be able to celebrate it freely, and...compare our findings, in the tower...
[Their findings about their feelings, anyway!! It totally counts, and Linhardt sounds utterly reverent.]
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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.
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He's getting too excited thinking about this. Just one day more. Just one day more, and he can act on those feelings.]
I do too. I know that this new world will not be easy to navigate, but with her guidance and our work...we will create a path forward. That much, I am certain of.
[He smiles, letting himself ease against Hubert's hand.]
...I look forward to meeting you there.
[...]
Ah...I hope it would not be too much to ask...but...when your work is done, would you...
[Linhardt's gaze goes back towards the bedroll for a moment as he winds up getting tongue-tied, hinting slightly at what he'd like; for Hubert to join him, one more time. He's hoping Hubert won't admonish him too much for just...wanting him by his side one last time, before this battle begins.
Certainly, it'll all go according to plan and not haywire.]
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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.]
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Though they had to separate earlier than intended, Linhardt tries his best not to let himself worry as he joins with a few of the other healers in the army; Marianne, Mercedes, and Annette all are more than prepared to go, and go they do, clashing with the army along the way. Her Majesty cuts a path of soldiers for them to follow, more than close enough to be able to cast healing to the soldiers as needed and keep them all in tip top shape. Especially Her Majesty and Hubert; they're leading this charge, after all.
Between the four of them, any stragglers who try to get by or get behind them are taken care of; Annette is surprisingly terrifying in a battle, her magic coming all too easily as foes are felled. Mercedes is much the same, and while Marianne and Linhardt don't seek out the fights, they're more than willing to respond in kind to any soldier who dares to get too close or think themselves so slick as to try to get by them to them with Nosferatu. Even as they're focusing on different flanks, they're coordinated, and that coordination is what's going to assure their victory.
He can't help but keep his eyes on the path ahead, if mostly to watch Edelgard and Hubert destroy the enemies in front of them while he heals the injured alongside the others. They're doing well; they're all doing well, and doing their part to forge the path forward. His battalion is still holding strong, pushing forward and both ensuring the injured are healed, and any enemy that tries to sneak from behind is swiftly defeated.
Nothing will stop them. Linhardt intends to ensure it.
It's not long before they're at the gates, and the battle begins anew; Felix, Dedue, and King Dimitri are more than strong enough opponents to hold the final line, and Linhardt and the other healers keep up the pressure. It's a battle of attrition at this point; as long as they keep doing their jobs, they'll win. They have to.
They have to. Linhardt will wear himself down to the bone to ensure that.]
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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.]
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It's because of that, that he doesn't wind up seeing King Dimitri until it's far too late. Linhardt's eyes widen when he catches sight of the behemoth of a man, raising his lance in the air as he runs as fast as his legs can carry him. No, no, no--he can't lose him, he can't lose him, not when they're so godsforsakenly close to the end, he can't lose him--
The lance comes down before Linhardt can even attempt to cast warp, and Hubert falls to the ground. Linhardt doesn't stop running; a genuinely strangled cry leaves him as he continues running, as he tries to save the man he loves--]
Hubert!
[First thing's first, however; King Dimitri needs to get the hell out of the way. Bolganone isn't quite the strongest spell in his arsenal, but he needs all of the energy he can to try to save Hubert. No. No, he will save Hubert, he has to, he has to, he can't just let him die--
He's hoping the force of the Fire spell will knock Dimitri back far enough so that he can get to work without any problems, but Linhardt is too distracted. He needs to save Hubert.
He breaks out every bit of Faith magic he can manage on Hubert, in an attempt to close that godawful wound. Hubert must have passed out from the blood loss, but maybe, just maybe, the magic can rouse him. That's what he's banking on--that's what he's hoping for, that his abilities will be enough, that he can save Hubert with all he has.]
Hubert...Hubert, please wake up, please--
[You will not lose me. Nothing in this world could stop me from helping fulfill Her Majesty's ambitions. I will not die on you, I promise.
His vision starts to blur.]
There's so much I need to tell you--so much I wish to, so please--
[You won't lose me. I promise. I will always be here by your side.
Tears are already falling, desperate, clinging to some kind of hope that he can save Hubert.]
Please wake up...please, we can't lose you here, not when we're so close! The Empire needs you! Her Majesty needs you! I need you!
[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...
He can't keep that promise until he knows Hubert is okay. That wound is taking so long to close, to mend itself, and Linhardt's focus is entirely on that--
He's not even sure if Dimitri has fallen. That's perhaps the most terrifying thing.]
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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.]
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[Linhardt's voice is incredibly firm, and he pushes himself harder--he has to, he has to, or else the man he loves will die. What would he do then? What would his future look like without Hubert in it?
It's not a thought he wants to confront, and he's got a horrible case of tunnel vision going on. He can't move away from Hubert or else he'll die. He can't stop casting or else Hubert will die, and there won't be any way to save him, there won't--]
I can't--I won't lose you. If that boorish "king" wants to take you, he can pry you from my cold, dead hands.
[The other's voices are distant, but he hears the galloping of a horse and harried footsteps as he figures someone is trying too catch up to them. They're probably shouting for him too. It sounds like they're having to deal with some stragglers, and that's--]
Please, don't move. Hang on a little while longer, please...
[Linhardt's not working fast enough, nor hard enough, and he's not sure if it's because the wound is too much or if he's just strong enough. It pains him, as he tries to watch the wound mend itself, but he still sounds like he's dying and Linhardt doesn't know how long he can keep this going before passing out. Either way, he tries to keep Hubert down, so he can work, so he can have a chance at closing the wound.
Or Dimitri comes to take his head, which seems a likely possibility. He can feel the king's footsteps, but Linhardt can't bring himself to move. He doesn't know how close he is, but he can't move from this spot. Not until he knows Hubert is going to live.]
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[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.
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[Linhardt winces at the grip on his hand, but he doesn't abate with his magic--if he does, then Hubert will die with certainty. Linhardt can't allow that, he has to do everything he can--]
I'm...I'm sorry I cannot keep my own promise, but I can't lose you here. Not when we're so close to the end of this war. There's so many things I want to say to you, so many promises to keep, and so many places I want to see with you. I...
[Linhardt knows he's crying now, but his voice remains even, as he does everything in his power to save Hubert.]
I cannot follow your orders. Please, let go and let me do this. You're--you're not allowed to leave me behind, I won't allow it--
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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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But Hubert's words are causing him to break, slow but sure. He can feel his heart breaking something fierce, and all of it is his own fault for not being strong enough.]
Don't--don't say that, Hubert, please--
[Linhardt's tone starts to shake in earnest as he feels his own inadequacies start to pile up in front of him, but he has to keep trying, he has to, even as his hands start to hurt and his vision starts to blur as he struggles not to choke out a sob, he has to. He can't be alone again, he doesn't want to, he's already lost so much in this war and he can't let it take another.]
I don't want to lose you--you mean the world and more to me, and I've always wanted...I've always wanted too take you to my home, to show you the places I enjoyed--to travel all of Fodlan, to see all sorts of beautiful things by your side--I want that future, for us. So please...please don't go...!
[Linhardt grips Hubert's hand tightly when he reaches out, Faith magic still coming from him as hard as he can push it out. Linhardt's terrified of losing Hubert, he knows he can't save him now, but his heart is fit to break.
Linhardt's going to lose Hubert. He's going to lose the man he loves, and he's going to be alone. He'll never be able to meet Hubert again in the goddess tower again. Hubert will never be able to see the world he's worked so hard to painstakingly create with her Majesty. Linhardt will never be able to show Hubert how much he loves him, how much he cares. They'll never have a happy ending to call their own.
And that breaks Linhardt's heart far more than anything Dimitri could do to him, if he caught up to him and decided to kill him.]
Hubert...Hubert, I...I lo--
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"Your majesty--please, clear the way!"
All Linhardt registers is a bright flash of light that shoots it's way above him, and he startles something fierce. That's Aura, isn't it? A powerful faith spell that not even Linhardt has managed to master flies overhead, likely leaving a large impact on the ground itself where ever it lands--to say nothing of whatever could have been caught in the blast. Startled as Linhardt may be, magic doesn't stop flowing from his hands into Hubert, but his vision is less tunneled; he makes out shapes moving by him, running as fast as they can to join her Majesty (Is that...Mercedes and Annette?) as they break through the enemy line. And then there's the sound of a horse, and then it's owner getting off and--
The owner's hands, aglow with faith magic, as Marianne kneels down next to Hubert and begins to work alongside Linhardt.
Linhardt's stunned, really. He's not registering much--he knows Marianne is likely saying something to him, but he barely can make out her soft voice among all of the cacophony as they both work together. Marianne pushes herself too, and something in Linhardt finally pushes itself back together, just for the moment.
Enough to hear the last of Marianne's words.
"No one...is going to die tonight."]
...You're absolutely right.
[Maybe alone, Linhardt could not have saved Hubert. Such a grievous injury could have killed Hubert--it likely should have, if that was what fate had in the cards tonight.
But perhaps it takes a village to save a person's life. As he works in unison with Marianne, pushing as hard as he can alongside her, he hopes that will prove true. He prays it'll be true, he wishes--
No.
"Wishing won't get you anywhere, and putting so much faith in it can only end poorly."
"I do see the merit in what you say, as there isn't any tangible proof that the Goddess blesses nor curses those who make wishes here. But to say that wishing won't get one anywhere...I am curious, why do you think that it won't?"
"Wishing is relying on someone else to do the work for you. The Goddess, fate, whatever powers may be other than your own. Holding on so tightly to wishes is a waste of time. If there's something you desire that badly, you go out and get it for yourself. Carve your own path forward. You won't have any need of wishes if you have the power to grasp what you desire."
Linhardt will carve a path through the fate laid out before them, even if it takes everything he has to do so.
Hubert's taught him that much, at the very least.]
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Hubert blacks out.
He wakes up again less than a minute later.
It takes him a moment to recognize what's happening. Faith magic is flowing through him - stronger now than before, more than before - and he's in pain. So much pain, it's almost enough to make him black out again, but he can feel. He's healing, he can tell the injury is stitching itself back together.
He's going to live. In all honesty, he doesn't know how to feel about any of this, so he puts it aside for now.
His grip tightens on Linhardt's hand as he recognizes that Dimitri is no longer advancing - Her Majesty and Annette and Mercedes are fighting, and Marianne is beside Linhardt healing him.]
Linhardt, Linhardt, I—
[He's able to pull himself up a bit now, and when the words leave him, they leave him in a rush.]
I can't wait another day, I have to tell you...
[It doesn't matter that Marianne is right there, that Her Majesty and the others are nearby, probably killing Dimitri as they talk. What matters is the spike of adrenaline through him and the reminder that he's alive, that he's going to live.]
I love you; I love you so much...
[He knows they were supposed to wait, but how can he when he nearly died? He's admittedly not going to be awake for much longer; the adrenaline is temporary and he'll need plenty of rest to actually recover from the broken ribs or the massive slash down his chest, but for now... For now he's worked up and all too excited to finally tell Linhardt what he's wanted to say for so long.]
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Hubert's grip on his hand tightens, and as much as his own vision is starting to swim--as much as his hands are starting to ache, as much as his own energy is being overextended--Linhardt's gaze looks up at Hubert with the most shocked eyes, his mouth agape with shock.
They had done it. They--they'd actually done it, Hubert was going to live, he was going to see the end of this war and the world her majesty would create--
It's all so much. Linhardt's chuckle is genuinely delighted as the sound of magic overwhelming echoes in the background; needless to say, there was no more holding back.
...In multiple regards, as Linhardt listens when Hubert finally utters those three little words that make his heart soar out of his chest, and with faith magic unabating and not even a shred of annoyance for the promise they'd made being broken, he grasps Hubert's hand tighter and finally speaks the words he has longed to, for years upon end--]
I--I love you too. I love you more than anything, Hubert...you're so intoxicating a person to be near and I love it, I love you so deeply--
[Linhardt openly weeps a bit--the tears coming from a little bit of everything. The despair of nearly losing Hubert, the elation at him being alive, the joy of his love being returned, the pain in his hands from overusing all of that magic...everything all at once leaves him, and the smile on his face is so utterly relieved.]
Please--never leave me again.
[(It's a little awkward, but Marianne seems to smile a bit as she watches and works. Needless to say, she'll be telling Her Majesty all about this later on...)]
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[He finally lets go of Linhardt's hand and reaches up to gently trail his fingers over his cheek.]
I'm so happy to hear it, Linhardt...
[But the world is already fading to black again, and he passes out quickly. The wound is healing just fine - he'll certainly live.
Hubert wakes up some time later, the pain mostly gone and an unfamiliar ceiling above him. He looks around to find an unfamiliar room as well. A quick check confirms that he's covered in bandages and his ribs are probably still bruised badly. He finds that out by poking them, like the absolute genius he is.
He's able to sit up easily enough despite the mild pain, and leans back against the pillows. Moving tires him out, so he's sure he won't be getting up and leaving any time soon.
Still, he wonders... Surely Linhardt is around somewhere. He'll see him soon, he can't imagine Linhardt would be away from him for long.]
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[Hubert passes out again and Linhardt's tone shifts to worry, but Marianne is quick to abate his fears; she tells him that he's just exhausted, and that he'll need to rest once the battle is done.
But they did it. They ensured that Hubert did not have to die that night, and Linhardt has never been more thankful for both his and Marianne's skills in Faith magic in his life.
The battle is soon won after Annette and Mercedes assist in taking down King Dimitri; Dedue goes down soon after, and while Felix puts up a surprising fight to the finish, Edelgard cuts him down after a grueling battle and claims victory for the Empire. They've won. They've finally done it--the world is about to change, and all for the better. Her Majesty conquers the Holy Kingdom, and soon, all of Fodlan shall be united as one.
There is still much work to do; Edelgard has to deal with many of the other nobility, while most of Linhardt's efforts are focused in the infirmary alongside many of the others. There are many injured to take care of, and even how own injuries to look after, once confronted on them. Mercedes had chided him as she wrapped bandages around his hands, her own faith magic soothing the ache only slightly; he had overextended himself a bit, but it was all worthwhile. Every bit of it was, from their victory over King Dimitri, to having Hubert back at his side at last.
Linhardt does keep a close eye on Hubert alongside Marianne while they all stay in Fhirdiad, and she's really only here when she's able to; he has to find a way to thank her at some point, really, even if she's starting to get those bags under her eyes again. He simply hopes that Annette and Mercedes are helping to take some of the burden off her, if only a bit. But it's mostly Linhardt that keeps an eye on Hubert, watching him as he rests off his pain and breathes, alive and well, and his heart warms.
It's today that Linhardt's out of the room for a bit, out for supplies, mostly; he gets back a little after Hubert wakes up, the door opening with a soft click as he carries the supplies in--]
Oh! Oh, my--
[He's definitely not expecting Hubert to be awake, however, and it sees his eyes go wide. Linhardt literally can't put down the supplies fast enough as he scrambles to get them out of his hands, before Linhardt goes over by Hubert's bed and freely takes one of the man's hands.]
I wasn't expecting you to be awake already...good morning, Hubert. I'm glad to see you're back with us.
[Back with me. He says it so nonchalantly, but it hides the sheer joy in his tone, and how soft his eyes go once he sees Hubert awake and alive.]
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[He takes the man's hands easily, frowning when he feels the bandages. He'll get to that in a moment, though.]
What happened? How long was I out? Are we in Fhridiad?
[...Well, of course he's got something else on his mind first. He doesn't like not knowing what happened.]
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[Linhardt's more than happy to inform him, with a smile.]
We are in Fhridiad, and well...we've all but won. Her Majesty is out dealing with some of the leftover nobility while we heal our troops from the battle we faced; it's only a matter of time before they give into her demands, or face her down alongside her loyal soldiers. King Dimitri has fallen, as have his loyal soldiers...
[...Gods, she's probably being defended by the fuckboy squad and Dorothea, that's bound to be a trip for the ages--]
The world is about to change, very soon, Hubert. There is still much to be done, but...we have all made it this far.
[There's genuine joy in Linhardt's tone when he says it.]
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She's almost done it, then. Her Majesty will soon have complete control...
[He sounds so proud, so happy for her. It's been a long, difficult road, but it's been worth it. Every step has been worth it.]
Thank you, Linhardt. I wouldn't have survived without you.
[He moves to lace his fingers with Linhardt when he's reminded of the bandages again.]
Ah, you're hurt... You over-exerted yourself, didn't you?
[He already knows, of course. There have been plenty of times when his hands have been bandaged in the same way. Not for healing, of course.]
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[Linhardt smiles a bit at the praise--he doesn't want to sound too prideful, considering how harrowing the experience was, but...he's still so happy to finally be able to see this new world with Hubert by his side.]
Think nothing of it, Hubert-- [Ah, gods dammit, Hubert noticed his hands. He does a little sheepish.] --But ah, perhaps a touch. It's hardly a scratch in comparison to what you faced, however, so...please do not worry.
[...They still ache like all hell but He Can Deal With It, basically. Linhardt would do it all again in a heartbeat, after all; injuries and all.]
How are you feeling?
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[His hand tightens a bit on Linhardt's anyway.]
I've certainly been better, but I'm recovering. I wouldn't have thought it possible.
[His free hand trails over the bandages for a moment before he settles again.]
I cannot thank you and Marianne enough. I should have died there.
[He squeezes Linhardt's hand.]
Thank you, for saving me.
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[Linhardt almost laughs at the irony of such a statement--Hubert really doesn't have a place to talk about that, but he supposes he'll give Hubert this one, just this once.]
I'm quite glad, but I had better not see you up and out of that bed until Marianne and I have given you the clearance to do so. You need to rest after all of that--you deserve to.
[Linhardt doesn't flinch when Hubert squeezes his hand, though he has to avert his gaze a bit--that should have died bothers him somewhat, but he winds up squeezing Hubert's hand back, and his free hand joins the other and envelops Hubert's hand.]
It's no trouble. Really, I'm... [He smiles.] ...I finally understand what you spoke of, back there--about how...if you want something so badly, you need to go out and get it for yourself.
Marianne and I, we carved that path forward to saving you. We carved through whatever that so-called fate had in store...and brought you back here, safely. And...I could not be happier...
[...There's something on the tip of his tongue, and it dies, so he tries to move past it. Why is he so uncertain? They already admitted their love, and yet--]
...I owe her a debt of thanks, myself. Perhaps once you are better, we can find some way to thank her for her assistance.
[...]
Thank you for holding on. I...I don't even want to imagine what could have happened if you...
[He trails off, gaze averting.]
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