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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...]

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[Oh, good question—]

It looks as though he's occupied by Dorothea. Judging from how animated she is, I assume we have quite some time before she'll let him loose.

[He reaches out for Linhardt's hand, to gently guide it away from his face.]

The blush looks good on you too, my love.

[If he's doing this great now then proposing's totally going to be a breeze. Why was he worried??]

Oh, thank the gods. [Beat.] Though I suppose I feel bad for her for having to deal with the esteemed heir of--h-hey!

[Nooooooo, let Linhardt keep his hand there, it's his only defense!! He's gonna Die, oh my god--]

You're--you're just saying that to embarrass me-- [Linhardt huffs a bit, though he's definitely losing that war to keep his hand near his face, so Hubert can see him in all of his red-faced glory.] But...I suppose I can accept such compliments from a tall, dark, handsome man such as yourself.

[This means war!! A war of compliments!!]

[He laces his fingers with Linhardt's to keep him from protecting his face again. It's fine, there's no one nearby to catch them...]

Do you think I'd say something solely for that purpose? I say it because it's true.

[And because it embarrasses his boyfriend!!]

You'll have to try harder if you want to fluster me. It's very sweet that you're attempting, but I'm afraid I already have the upper hand.

[This isn't fair--he almost wants to use his free hand to cover his face, because surely, surely Hubert couldn't trap his other hand...

Not that he'd want his occupied hand to be anywhere but entangled in Hubert's fingers. Linhardt opens his eyes, and huffs a bit at Hubert.]

Should I call you adorable, then? [Linhardt winds up taking a step closer--if there's nobody around, he doesn't have to care about how this is being viewed, right?] Charming, lovely, precious, the cutest man alive whom I have ever met? I will find a way to get the upper hand back, you know.

[Linhardt takes another step forward, looking right into Hubert's eyes. He's not sure if this is too much, or if he's being too bold, but dammit he's not gonna let this stand!]

[He doesn't back away, and Linhardt's words only get the smirk to relax into something that's almost a smile before he catches himself.]

If you aren't careful, I'll find you entirely too endearing and kiss you right here in front of everyone.

[It's partially joking, partially serious, somewhere between a threat and a challenge.]

And what if I want you to...?

[Linhardt's own smirk forms, something of an emulation of Hubert's expression, as he takes another step forward and looks up at his boyfriend.]

What if, if you don't...I'll kiss you in front of everyone, without the slightest hint of shame?

[All Linhardt needs to do is go on his tip toes, at this point, to meet Hubert's lips--but no. He waits to see if Hubert will take the bait.]

What makes you think there would be any shame at all in it?

[Hook, line, and sinker.

There isn't far to go, they're already so close to one another. He keeps one hand laced with Linhardt's, but the other comes up to the back of his head easily and it's like the kiss is the most natural response in the world. It doesn't matter that Dorothea's facing them, or that she's stopped talking and Ferdinand's looking over his shoulder at them, or that Mercedes and Annette are here too, and Her Majesty and everyone else are somewhere around here and probably staring at this point - and it certainly doesn't matter that someone (probably Sylvain) just whistled.

All that matters is Linhardt, and he's more than happy to take the bait.]

[Linhardt doesn't get a chance to answer that question, not before Hubert's lips are on his and the man is kissing him, and Linhardt's own free arm wraps around Hubert's neck to pull him close and keep him there, just for a bit. Nothing else matters; the people can say what they want. This is what they want to do, and they're going to do it.

(It's not going to matter, once they get to the Goddess Tower--but that's only if he's analyzed Hubert right, and isn't making a mistake in what he intends to do next...)

He won't make any moves to deepen the kiss, this time; just a simple kiss is fine, and Linhardt separates after a moment with a smile.]

You really are too perfect...

I believe that's my line.

[He doesn't pull away from Linhardt, though he doesn't move to kiss him again. Before either of them can say anything else, music starts and several people make their way onto the dance floor. Her Majesty is among them, perhaps to draw attention away from Hubert and Linhardt. He wouldn't be surprised. Her Majesty is always good at knowing when to intervene.]

I suppose we'll have to dance at some point.

[He sighs, like it's such a hassle, but it's not as though he really minds. Not with Linhardt right here, anyway.]

[So it has...Linhardt's eyes drift over to the people going to the dance floor, and he knows they can't avoid it forever. They may as well face the music (ha) now.]

I suppose we will...the sooner we get it over with, the better, hm?

[Linhardt's smiling, though--he makes a small noise to get Hubert's attention before he leaves, though, cupping his hand in a way that makes it so most of the people can't see what he's saying as he whispers--]

Let's sneak off and meet in the Goddess Tower in a little while, alright? Once this gets boring for us.

[Linhardt winks, and he'll start going to the dance floor--you coming, Hubert?]

[He nods at that, simply because it feels like his throat has closed and he won't be able to respond verbally. It's only natural that Linhardt would want to sneak away, but what if he's already aware of what Hubert wants to ask? There's no way he could know, the only other person who does is Her Majesty, and she certainly wouldn't have let anything slip. It's possible Linhardt's figured him out on his own, but maybe it's just a coincidence. The Goddess Tower is where all this started, after all, so perhaps he thinks it'd just be nice to pay a visit, and maybe try making another wish now that they've sorted everything out.

Whatever it is that drives Linhardt to ask him that, it certainly isn't something he's going to be able to ask him right away. It seems everyone is excited to dance, and the moment he steps toward the dance floor, he's whisked away by Her Majesty. She looks somewhere between proud and vindicated and thanks him for helping her with a bet she was certain she'd win, but refuses to elaborate any further. She also manages to tease him mercilessly for the duration of the song, and he would have greatly preferred retreating to hold up the walls for awhile, but he's not nearly lucky enough for that.

Ferdinand is there immediately afterwards, and with a sigh, Hubert allows him a dance as well. He's somehow even more embarrassing than Her Majesty's teasing with his sincere compliments and well-wishes. Once that's over with, he does make his retreat, finding a nice spot against the wall to watch everyone.

It's nice, really. This is the first time in years that they can all really relax and unwind and start to piece together their lives after the war. Peace isn't really something that fits him - he is Her Majesty's weapon and always has been - but he can't really say he minds it when everyone looks so happy like this. He wonders when exactly he started befriending these people and finds that he's not sure. Battles have a way of bringing people together, he supposes.

Eventually he leaves, abandoning the hall and retreating to his room to change clothes. He'll keep the dancer's outfit, if only because Linhardt is so fond of it. His clothes are necessary, however, because he can't do this if he's not comfortable. Never mind the fact that his hands are already shaking and all that earlier confidence has abandoned him, he isn't going to back down. This is the best time, the best place for it. He has to ask, regardless of how difficult it feels.

The Goddess Tower looks the same as it did five years ago, and while Hubert always finds himself drawn to the shadows, he remains standing where Linhardt can see him as soon as his boyfriend ascends the stairs. He keeps away from the edge so he can't see how far up they are, and while he attempts to stand still at first, he ends up pacing. Each word of the speech he's rehearsed bounces around in his head and he's certain, certain that he has it down and has prepared adequately for this, though he can't help but feel like he's forgotten something important...]

[Linhardt's honestly thankful that Marianne goes out of her way to find him once he and Hubert separate; he's definitely beginning to notice that the others are staring as he goes onto the dance floor, and her gentle demeanor and lack of questioning is such a wonderful reprieve from all of the hustle and bustle.

Of course, it doesn't defend him entirely; some of the others dance their way over to him and say things, things that Linhardt doesn't really understand nor appreciate all that much, but he supposes it can't quite be taken back; Dorothea tells him, with an all too pleased smile, just how happy he's made 'her Edie'. Sylvain says he 'never knew Linhardt had it in him'. (Which, Linhardt only surmises, could be about kissing Hubert in public, and that's set to make him flush.) Even Annette and Mercedes, who seem to be dancing together without a care in the world, come over and talk, and they're probably the only ones he doesn't want nothing to do with because they simply seem so happy in general, in a way that doesn't feel smug or superior.

...Though Mercedes does congratulate him a bit, and Annette seems to giggle a bit before Marianne herself seems to whisk him off; he's all too thankful that she guides their dance toward the wall, and even towards an exit, though he quirks his brow a bit--]

Marianne, what are you doing...?

["Oh...Hubert just left." She smiles a bit at him. "I thought...you might want to join him."

...Oh. Linhardt has to look away at that, a little embarrassed on being so easily called out; Marianne speaks again.

"P-Please don't worry. I'll...I'll cover you." Her smile is soft, gentle as she gives his shoulder a supportive pat. "Have...fun. Okay?"

...Marianne's always been a little too sincere for her own good, but it's what he appreciates about her; Linhardt smiles and gives his thanks before she covers his exit, seeing himself off while she heads back to the dancefloor all too easily, in hopes of distracting the others.

Linhardt doesn't think to go back to his own room to change his clothes; the dancer outfit isn't the most comfortable thing in the world to be in, but Hubert likes it well enough; he'll keep it. But getting his own outfit back on would prove to take too much time; Linhardt's worried that he'll lose his nerve to ask the thing that's been on his mind for so long, the thing that his parents have approved of, something that makes Linhardt...rather nervous, honestly, because he doesn't know how it'll go.

So it's partially laziness and partially trying not to lose his nerve that sees him coming up the steps to the Goddess Tower in that outfit, as he adjusts the ring and letter he's hiding. Linhardt winds up finding Hubert after ascending several flights, pacing back and forth as if he has something on his mind, and it suddenly hits him that maybe--just maybe, Linhardt should have changed.

Oh well. No going back now, is there?]

Hubert! There you are. [Linhardt smiles easily, brushing some of his long hair out of his face as he goes to join his boyfriend.] I hope I did not keep you waiting for too long.

Edited 2019-08-25 17:22 (UTC)

[Hubert's in the middle of mentally reciting verse three (out of five) of his proposal when he hears footsteps and turns in time to see Linhardt. Ah, he's... still in the dancer outfit...

He hadn't been lying when he said it suits Linhardt - his boyfriend is tall and perhaps lanky, with long limbs that haven't been filled out by muscle or natural build. He finds it charming, and the way the dancer's outfit is both loose and ornate in a way completely different from Linhardt's usual attire draws his eye. Honestly, he could spend all day looking at Linhardt in the outfit, and that sounds like a damn good idea right now, but Linhardt's addressed him and he returns his eyes to his boyfriend's face.]

Ah, no, you didn't. I just... needed a break. From all of that.

[...But that makes it sound like he didn't want to be up here, hang on—]

Not to say that I... [mmnngh] I'm pleased to be here with you.

[Entirely too formal, but fine. It's good enough. Now all he has to do is recite the words he's spent entirely too long preparing and repeating over and over again like a mantra, because this is something he needs to do, wants to do and it has to go as smoothly as possible...

...

.........

How has he managed to forget every single word of his proposal.]

[Linhardt doesn't even notice Hubert's eyes staring at him in the outfit; he's just happy to have Hubert alongside him, and he'll go and stand near Hubert. He's...acting a little strange, but maybe Hubert's just nervous about something?

...Or maybe he really should have changed...]

Well, I would hope so. This is the place that started it all, isn't it? [Linhardt smiles easily. He's not sure why, but...this place is filling him with confidence, slow but sure. Is this the Goddess's blessing...?] Being here with you, up here--it feels like yesterday we were simply content to spy on the others and observe this tower's effects. It's truly nostalgic...

[Linhardt pauses a bit, before he finds some words to get what he wants to say started.]

...This place has allowed me to stand at your side for years, and I've found that there is no place that I'd rather be. Do you know that?

[Linhardt's close now, and he really should find something to say—

But perhaps Linhardt's sensed his nervousness or maybe he's just lucky, either way, he's brought a topic of conversation up, and that's something Hubert can cling to while he tries to get his bearings and figure out how to salvage this.]

I'm pleased that it has brought you to my side. I've never had any fondness for nostalgia, but it is nice to be here with you again.

[Still a little stiff, but that's fine, he can work through it.]

I don't know how things would have turned out if you hadn't made that wish.

[Not that he believes the wish was the cause of everything, because of course it wasn't. He still doesn't believe the Goddess Tower and any wishes made here hold any power, but hearing Linhardt express it was most likely what set him on a path to better befriend the man. It hadn't been a conscious decision at the time, but had Linhardt not spoken it, he might never have bothered.

It doesn't do to dwell on what-could-have-beens so he ignores it.]

I'm... happy to be back here with you now.

[It's the truth, even if it's a little difficult to express it at the moment.]

Neither do I, you know. [Linhardt has to look away a bit at that.] ...But I never want to think about a world where I could never be with you--right here, in this moment. In all of the moments we've shared, really, because...each one of them is precious to me.

[Linhardt feels his confidence building, though, and he winds up holding out one of his hands for Hubert to take, if he so wishes. He's running on impulse alone, at this point--he has to ensure that he doesn't lose his nerve.]

I'm happy too. For that reason, and...because I feel like I know you so well now. I know so much more about you, than I did before, and it's all because we seized the opportunity and forged this path.

Do you feel the same?

[Linhardt can do this. That's what he tells himself, at least.]

[He takes Linhardt's hand and grips it tightly, like a lifeline. There isn't any reason for him to be scared, he knows that. He's analyzed Linhardt as thoroughly as he would have any person Her Majesty asked him to dispose of, and he knows that Linhardt loves him. There isn't any doubt about that in his mind. But there's a difference between being in love and courting and getting married, and it's that difference that frightens him. If he's wrong, if Linhardt isn't ready to take that step just yet—

He has to remind himself to breathe, and to listen to what Linhardt's saying.]

Of course I do. This isn't a path I would have ever thought to find myself on, but there's nothing else I would ever want. I am - and always will be - Her Majesty's, but I've found that there's more to me than just my service to her. All that I have left, I would give to you, Linhardt.

[Linhardt's own grip is surprisingly tight--surprisingly nervous. If he's wrong about this, Hubert could run away again, and Linhardt's not sure he could stand another bout of silence after all they've been through. There's so much at stake here, so much that could change, and Linhardt feels his stomach starting to tie itself in knots--]

I-I'm...I'm glad to hear that, Hubert. Rather glad, in fact.

[This is as good an opportunity as any. Linhardt decides to go for it.]

In that case...I'd like to ask you something. A once-in-a-lifetime question, if you will.

[Linhardt is doing a good job of keeping his attention, and it's getting him to settle a little bit. He still doesn't recall anything of his planned proposal, and he's still nervous because he doesn't know how to bring it up or how to even begin asking, but... Well, his attention is focused solely on Linhardt right now.

He tips his head slightly to the side at that, studying Linhardt for any indication of what he wants to ask.]

I'll answer. What is it?

[...there it goes, right over his head...]

[Linhardt makes sure to breathe before he asks his question. His nerves are firing up in all of the worst ways, but he's gotta try.]

...You've said that all you have left, you would give to me. And I would like to take you up on that, Hubert; I would like to occupy your time in a way no one else has--in a way that not even Her Majesty does, though I...don't intend to take anything from her, of course...

[Shoot. He's losing his nerve, isn't he?]

But...I...

[Linhardt's not sure how to finish that, and he knows he's just saying something to make the air not so awkward or tense--which it likely quickly becomes after that, since Linhardt's feeling his throat close on him.]

[...

Wait.

Wait, hang on, is Linhardt—?]

Are you asking me to marry you?

[It's blunt, perhaps entirely too much so, and he can't really do anything besides stare because this? This is somehow the last thing he expected, even though this is exactly what he came up here to do. He doesn't sound opposed to the idea, just confused.]

[Linhardt feels his face heat as he looks to Hubert when he says that, nerves consuming him whole but--]

...Yes? [...] Was I not obvious enough in my intentions?

[Hubert's not the only one who's staring at this point. Linhardt looks so confused? Hubert doesn't look...opposed, so that's good, but.

There is such an audible ?????? in his tone.]

[...

It's at that moment that Hubert realizes (yet again) that he is supremely bad at this whole courting thing.

The laugh that leaves him is undignified and unrestrained, and he has to duck his head to try to get himself under control. This? This is the funniest and stupidest damn thing he has ever witnessed, and if this doesn't sum up their entire relationship, he doesn't know what would.]

I'm not... My timing was awful, I'm not laughing at your proposal. I came up here with the same intention, and with a well-rehearsed speech that I promptly forgot the moment I laid eyes on you.

[He brings his free hand up to the side of Linhardt's face, resting it there gently.]

I would love nothing more than to be yours for the remainder of our lives. Yes, Linhardt, I'll marry you.

[Linhardt's confused at first by the laughter, wondering if he'd done something wrong--but then Hubert explains himself, and the knots in Linhardt's stomach undo themselves all at once and Linhardt finds himself the most expressive he's ever been in his life as he laughs as well. It's unrestrained and free, and the fact that they both came up here with the same idea is all too hilarious.

But that's just the way he likes it, honestly, and he looks back up at Hubert once he brings his hand to the side of Linhardt's face, and Linhardt leans into it with deep contentment.]

I didn't even come here with a speech...truly, I was simply hoping to wing it and hope that you might say yes--I wouldn't have ever dreamed that you would come up here with the same idea...!

[Gods, he's so happy.]

Ah, but I should--hold a moment, I need to ensure I do this part properly, if nothing else. I have a few things, but...

[Unfortunately, this means that Hubert's hand is likely going to have to disconnect for a moment while Linhardt goes down to one knee--idly, he worries about messing up the dancer outfit by doing so, but he doesn't care. Hubert said yes.]

Now, this is rather hilariously out of order, but-- [Linhardt digs through his outfit a bit--the letter from his mother, a surprisingly thick envelope with the seal of House Hevring on it, falls out while he searches, but he finds what he's looking for; a silver ring with a deep green gem laid within it. He presents it to Hubert while he looks up at him. There's no fancy box, but...] --this is for you, Hubert.

Edited 2019-08-25 18:50 (UTC)

[Linhardt moves away and it's only when he kneels that Hubert understands what he's doing. He can feel his heart pounding in his chest and it takes him a moment to realize what he wants to do.

He kneels beside Linhardt and moves to pull him close, holding him tightly.]

Thank you, Linhardt. I'll gladly accept.

...Unfortunately, I don't have a ring for you. Given the circumstances, I thought it might be best not to give you House Vestra's.

[He has the ring, sure, but he killed his dad so uh. That's awkward.]

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