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: (♝ 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.]
darkseal: (♝ 14)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
[He's dying. He's doing all he can to remain conscious, to hear Linhardt's words and reply to them, but he can't, he just can't

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.]
darkseal: (♝ 03)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
I won't. I won't, Linhardt. I'll be right here by your side.

[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.]
darkseal: (♝ 09)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
Linhardt.

[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.]
darkseal: (♝ 05)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
[...Her Majesty deserves better...]

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.]
darkseal: (♝ 01)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Be careful not to push yourself too hard. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.

[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.
darkseal: (♝ 01)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
[That gets him to laugh quietly.]

Yes, you did. Wishing alone wouldn't have saved me. I'm proud of you.

[Of both of them, really, but for now he's focused on Linhardt. After a moment he reaches up with his free hand for the side of Linhardt's face, fingers lingering gently there. It's like the last of his barriers and resistances have been broken down and he can finally express himself a bit more openly, at least while no one else is around.]

I'm here now, and I'm not going to leave your side. I... wish I had never worried you so much. [Mm, that's not quite what he wants to say...] I am... I am very sorry I worried you.

[It sounds a little stilted, but at least he manages the apology.]
darkseal: (♝ 12)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Another laugh leaves him, louder this time. Maybe it's still the adrenaline from the faith magic, but he feels almost giddy. It's strange, he never would have thought that he could feel like this.]

Do you want to give it a name? I can think of a few... though perhaps that's best saved for the... ah.

[Oh. Right.]

The Goddess Tower. I meant to wait and tell you everything there, but... Well, I suppose I got a bit caught up in the moment.

[To say the least.]
darkseal: (♝ 08)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
[He recognizes that gesture, of course, and that's... really cute, honestly...]

You don't need to be embarrassed. I believe I can understand some hesitation and anxiety, however.

[He squeezes Linhardt's hand and rests his other on top of Linhardt's.]

I'll ask, then. Linhardt, will you do me the honor of...

[...]

Ah... courting me?

[The confidence lasts up until then and then it just sort of dies, like he's suddenly not sure Linhardt will agree despite the words they exchanged just a couple of days ago. He was trying to make this easier on Linhardt, and in the end he's only ended up worrying himself...

There's... also something more he wishes he could ask, but that's entirely too much right now. One step at a time. He's not sure how Linhardt feels about courting, but it can't hurt to take a small step in the right direction, right?]
darkseal: (♝ 03)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[That's what gets him to laugh, and he finds himself covering his face as well without thinking about it.]

It isn't easy to say, is it? Even though we know, it seems so difficult... I suppose we'll become more accustomed to it in time.

[He's smiling, the expression open and honest and easy, like he's never had a damn problem with expressing such emotion in his life.

He moves then, scooting over to one side of the bed and gesturing for Linhardt.]


Join me. I want to be near you.

[Closer to you is more accurate.]
darkseal: (♝ 14)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
[He'll remain on his back, because any other position could probably open his injury up or otherwise hurt his ribs. There's space beside him though, and he'll easily tuck Linhardt into his side.]

Good. I don't want to be apart from you.

[Not right now, at least. After a moment, he returns to their earlier topic.]

I'm not exactly... experienced in courting. I hardly know the basics. It was never something that I thought I'd need.

...I would like to meet your family at some point, though. When you're ready.

[Obviously Linhardt's going to have to tell them about him at some point, so he'd like to make a good impression...]
darkseal: (♝ 05)

[personal profile] darkseal 2019-08-24 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course. I don't particularly care what anyone else thinks of us, after all.

[He moves to thread his hand through Linhardt's hair as the other man continues. It earns a noncommittal hum from him for a moment while he considers his response.]

I am aware of my... reputation among the nobles.

[It's carefully spoken, with no sense of judgment or discomfort with the idea. While he doesn't personally care what anyone thinks of him, it would be hard to ignore the whispered rumors. His father's sudden and violent death and his emergence as Her Majesty's right hand are surely no coincidence, and the nobles have always been the sort to talk when they really shouldn't. There are those who believe he's Her Majesty's enforcer; an assassin who kills those who disagree. It's not exactly far from the truth, but it doesn't paint him in a favorable light.]

That's why I would like to meet them for myself, so they can ease any doubts they may have about me. I wouldn't want them to think I would do anything to harm you.

[He couldn't, not even if Her Majesty ordered it.]

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 00:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 00:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 02:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 02:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 03:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 03:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 03:53 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 05:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 05:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 06:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 06:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 06:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 06:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 06:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 07:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 07:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 16:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 17:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 17:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 18:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 18:12 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 18:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 18:33 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 19:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 19:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 19:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 20:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 20:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 21:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 21:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-25 22:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-26 02:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-26 02:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-26 02:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-26 02:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] darkseal - 2019-08-26 02:56 (UTC) - Expand