sranks | we're flying through the night

we're flying through the night

[There are a lot of things Hubert knows for certain.

He knows that Lady Edelgard will take the throne and usher in a new era for Fódlan. He knows that his duty is to serve Lady Edelgard, regardless of personal cost. He knows that he would do anything and everything for her. He knows that his entire being is devoted to her, completely. He knows that nothing can stand in the way of her conquest or of his devotion.

He also knows that he's been coughing up flower petals for exactly a week now.

Hanahaki Disease is certainly not uncommon in the monastery; most of them are a bunch of stupid teenagers, it certainly isn't surprising that several of them have managed to find themselves developing feelings for someone. Such a stupid, pointless thing should have been limited to the dumb teenagers who have nothing to worry about but grades and their stupid, pointless feelings for one another.

This shouldn't be happening to someone like him. Perhaps he would be taking the situation more seriously if his feelings were for Lady Edelgard - although a situation like that is a bit horrifying to imagine. He would never betray her trust in such a way. He loves her, certainly. But not like that. That would only cause problems.

No, these feelings have come from someone else; someone entirely unexpected.

Marianne.

It's been four months since they met. In truth, he doesn't recall much of their first interaction. Claude had called Lady Edelgard over (which meant he had come with her) to introduce the others in his house as they ate breakfast. All he can remember is assessing the individuals to see if any of them could potentially be useful to the future Empress or if they could pose a threat. Marianne hadn't stood out at the time.

She hadn't stood out much when they'd first ended up talking either. It had been during some downtime, when she was tending to the animals and he was doing his usual patrols around the grounds. He'd startled the horses she was tending to so badly it had taken her quite a long time to calm them down. He had lingered a bit - curiosity compelling him to stay and watch - but he doesn't recall much of their conversation that day. Marianne was just as quiet as he had figured.

They met a few times like that, where she took care of the horses and pegasi and he watched. Despite being the most intimidating student in the academy (because he was certainly more intimidating than Dedue), she had let him remain there without much in the way of commentary.

Eventually, she ended up joining their class. Professor Byleth is certainly a skilled instructor (despite their lack of experience in teaching), so it was no surprise that Marianne had eventually left the Golden Deer to join up with them. Not that he's really aware why Marianne had joined - he hasn't asked her. It's the most logical conclusion, though.

From there, they were set to stable duty together. He'd tried to get the professor to change their mind and stick him with Lady Edelgard, but they had refused to budge. Lady Edelgard also seems to be fine with her current job with Dorothea, so he supposes he can't complain too much... Even so, it's left him with a lot of time to get to know Marianne.

Oh, sure, they don't really talk that much. At first, it was difficult to work with her. She was so quiet and he was completely inexperienced at tending to animals, and the whole thing was a mess. But eventually she started explaining how and why she was doing things to help calm the animals, and while they certainly don't like him, they're beginning to warm up a bit.

He would have just left it at that, and maybe this whole Hanahaki disaster wouldn't have happened. But instead, he decided he needed to be three steps ahead - as always - and asked Marianne to teach him to ride. A horse, of course, he wouldn't dare get near a wyvern or a pegasus. Hopefully no one was aware of that little problem.

Marianne had agreed, and riding lessons have been going surprisingly smoothly. Hubert was taught to ride as a child, but his mastery of horses is... lacking. Desperately lacking. If he has to fight on horseback, he'll definitely die. So learning to train a horse and teach it to respond to his commands is important, and Marianne has been helping tremendously.

Well, she was helping. Before the whole Hanahaki disaster thing.

He hasn't seen her in three days. Not that he's avoiding her. Or keeping track of the days. No, that isn't it at all. It's just that he's been terribly busy with Lady Edelgard's plans - they still can't do anything just yet, but every step is another one closer to her victory. It's slow-going, but it's a necessity.

In truth, he's been distant from everyone, even her. He has work to do, certainly. But he also has to keep these stupid petals to himself so no one finds out. Admitting that he has a problem sounds like a horrible idea. It would just cause Lady Edelgard to worry and the other students of the Black Eagles house to tease him mercilessly. So no, he won't do that. Once he has the time, he'll simply track down Professor Manuela and make her remove this stupid thing. The memories he'll lose don't matter to him.

(Never mind that he could do this at any point and waiting only makes it worse.)

Today isn't really any better than any of the days before it. He can usually get through the days with only two coughing jags, and he's been lucky enough to hide it from everyone. Today continues that trend - but only barely.

It strikes him when he's in the library, searching through financial records for information that could assist Lady Edelgard. The near-choking feeling hits him suddenly, and he coughs up more than a handful of delicate, white petals. The fact that they're still white is good - it hasn't been long enough to risk staining them red. Perhaps that's the one good thing about this - at least he's coughing up light-colored petals.

Linhardt is in the library, but even the rough, nearly-pained sounds of coughing up flower petals isn't enough to wake him. Hubert can be thankful of that much, but he's certainly not wasting any more time in here. He puts the books away, grabs the petals, and leaves. Hubert heads back to his room in a hurry, those petals clutched tightly in hand so no one will see them. No one can know about this.

...He's missed a single petal, but surely that isn't important.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...Marianne's way too nice of a person to say it but. You're right and you should say it Hubert, goddess above.

Either way, Marianne smiles just the slightest bit before nodding her head.]

I'd like that. The professor said that my main problem was...a lack of rhythm, I think. So seeing you follow it might help...I hope.

[Marianne may essentially be a Disney Princess but do Not let her have a musical/dance number. She will fail. Spectacularly.]

Very well. I'll show you the steps.

[...Hopefully she'll get it without the music, because he really doesn't want to try to hum a tune to help her out... That's a bit more embarrassing than even the dancing...

Anyway, he bows to her, then offers a hand. Given the smirk, he's obviously not taking it very seriously.]

Thank you, Hubert. I promise to do my best.

[But...but that'd be so cute...let Hubert hum!!

Marianne does feel her cheeks heat at that, but she'll take his hands easily, giggling very softly. Let's get this started.]

[He takes her hand easily, guiding her other one to his shoulder. He settles his other hand on her waist once she's in position.]

You'll be expected to lead during the White Heron Cup, so for now watch my steps.

[Once they're settled and ready, he begins. Each step is in time to the beat of the music he's entirely too familiar with for someone who hates balls as much as he does. It's not a particularly complicated routine, but how is Marianne holding up anyway?]

[Ah, this is nice. Marianne does feel her face flush a bit at being so close, but it's fine! All of this is fine.

...Except it's not, because even if Marianne's keeping her eyes to the ground, she has. Absolutely no style. Not even a shred of grace. Marianne's steps are kind of a disgrace? She's clearly trying, but she's either a beat or two too slow, or she very nearly steps on his foot and jumps, missing the step entirely and nearly losing her footing entirely--]

I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry--

[The nervous apologies come when she misses the steps, and it's clear Marianne is just. Very damn nervous. So it's not going too well, even if it isn't complicated, and she clearly feels guilty about it.]

[Hmm. He can certainly see where the professor was having problems with this... Someone with more experience (or at least a better disposition for teaching) would probably be able to help her out easier, but in truth he has no idea where to start.

He pauses for a moment, still holding her close as he considers how to proceed.]

Don't apologize. You're still learning, and it's not as though you'll injure me if you step on me.

[He was prepared for that, really... He wasn't exactly prepared for this level of difficulty, but it's fine. He's (probably) got this.]

Let's try again, but I'll take it slower. This is half the speed, once again watch my feet.

[He'll start again, still managing to keep to the music in his head despite slowing it. If she can't keep up with this then he does have another idea, but... Well, hopefully this will work??]

I'd just like to avoid that...

[Marianne's expression dampens pretty significantly, but she doesn't even look up at him before nodding her head. Maybe slower will do her some good.]

I'll try, I promise.

[Well, the half speed does help--a bit, at least. She's a little less wobbly on the steps since she has more time to react, and she's getting it a little bit more. She's...still having issues, though it's mostly with overstepping now; she still jumps a tiny bit when she does, and tries to settle back in place. It at least works a little better now that it's slower, but it's...far from perfect...

Marianne looks like she's trying not to lose all hope, really, but she is trying. Maybe that's the difficult thing, that she's trying too hard--she's definitely a little rigid and trying to focus.]

[She's certainly doing better now, and half speed isn't bad for learning the steps. Surely there's something more he can do to help her— Oh.

Once he's reached the beginning of the steps again, he pauses.]

This time, don't look at my feet. I want you to look at me, and follow along. Do not look down.

[Do not look away, but that... Well, he doesn't want to frighten her. Once she's ready, he'll start again. She has a basic idea of the steps by now, and he's still going at half speed, so perhaps it will be easier for her to follow if she isn't trying to stare down at their feet.]

[...Marianne does look up, but she looks more shocked than anything. Is Hubert really trying to put them both in danger like this???]

I--are you sure? I don't want to...well...

[Well, alright, here we go again at the very least. Perhaps surprisingly, this helps a bit more; Hubert can probably hear her trying to hum some sort of tune that she's heard before to stay in step, she doesn't look away from him. As much as Marianne's face is heating a bit and she wants to look down, she doesn't; her steps are still a little jumpy and nervous, but they're a lot less rigid, and she only manages to step on his toes once near the end--

And...well, she doesn't look down but her eyes shut a bit, a little frustrated but she does at least manage the very end.]

...I think that was my best attempt, and I still messed it up...

[Marianne sighs a bit.]

Can we try again? [...] I'm sorry, this must be rather frustrating for you...

You're improving.

[Like he said, it's not like she's going to hurt him if she steps on him, so no worries! Besides, it really does seem like she'll have an easier time if she can relax a little...]

Repetition will only make it easier. We'll keep practicing until you're confident with it.

[Once again, half speed. This time he hums along to the music, trying to ignore the fact that he's certainly going pink at it. Thankfully it's not singing, but even so it's a bit embarrassing...]

[Oh, that's...that's actually nice to hear. Marianne's dampened, frustrated expression settles a bit, and it's actually nice that Hubert's willing to be patient with her.

And that she's improving. Her gaze averts for a second, flushing, before they start again.]

Thank you. You're...very patient...

[...Oh no he's humming. Marianne's eyes light up and she hums along with Hubert, and she honestly feels a little more at ease when they dance at half speed--sure, there's still a few things to work out, and Marianne does wind up getting his toes in the middle this time, but she honestly seems like she's actually having fun.

Maybe it's worth a couple missed steps, but she is improving!]

[She's doing very well, and even better, she seems to be relaxing. Once more at half speed, and he continues humming through it. Then once he brings her back to the starting position, he pauses.]

This time, I'm going to dip you. I promise I won't drop you.

[It's almost said jokingly, but of course he means it. He doesn't give her long to prepare for that and instead starts humming again. Ready to be dipped??]

[It's honestly nice to be having fun like this. Marianne feels herself getting a little more into it, and--

Oh.]

O-okay! I've never done this before but...I'm ready!

[Marianne is a little nervous, but she's ready when he is!! Surely this won't end in disaster, right...]

[It'll probably be fine?? He's at least got the strength to dip her properly (not that Marianne is heavy, anyway) and that all goes properly and in time to the slower music.

There isn't really a problem until he pulls her back up - a dip requires a certain amount of space between partners. In other words, practically none. So once she's back up, there's scarcely any room to breathe between the two of them and Hubert's suddenly very aware that his pulse is spiking and he should really take a step back...]

[Marianne practically feels her heart skip a beat when he dips her--she lets him do so, trusting him to bring her low and then back up, and...

And...

Oh. They're very close, and Marianne is realizing that as the seconds go by. Her face starts to redden in earnest, her face heating up by the second, and she feels a lump forming in her throat. Her own pulse is spiking too, and he's so close yet so far away, and her nerves are consuming her alive--]

Ah...Hubert?

[Her voice comes out a bit of a squeak, honestly.]

[Right, he should... move back. He should give her some space, because even though nothing's happening, this is entirely too close to be considered appropriate and—

And quite simply, he doesn't want to pull back just yet. He wants to keep her close and hold onto this stolen moment for just a little longer. It's selfish - more selfish than he could ever allow himself - and that damning thought is what spurs him to take a half-step back, just enough to set them back to where they should be.]

...My apologies. It's been quite some time since I've last danced. I'm a bit out of practice.

[The words would have made this a nearly flawless recovery were it not for the flush and the damning moment of indecision.]

Would you... like to continue?

[The hesitation isn't a good look either. But he wouldn't be surprised if she's suddenly entirely too embarrassed to keep going. Really, it was stupid of him to think that he could be that close to her...]

[...Oh no, he moved back. Marianne's look seems slightly put out for a moment, and the deflection is...not unexpected. But Marianne can't deny the allure of being a little bold, just this once--]

You're better at this than I am. It's...fine, Hubert.

[...]

I'd like to, but...um...could you come back? If that's okay...and not too much to ask...

[Marianne hesitates too, not sure if that's too much to ask for, but...she's trying not to die here, even if her brain is screaming at her not to be so selfish. That closeness is just too wonderful.]

[Oh, that's...

For a moment, all it gets is a blank look out of him. He tries not to be caught off-guard so easily, but honestly he never would have expected Marianne to want this, much less be so bold about it.

It's a really nice look, though. That expression falls away easily and he moves back in, holding her close.]

I can't say this is the proper way to dance in public, but who knows. Perhaps it will help you memorize the steps.

[That's almost sarcastic, though there isn't an edge to it. A joke, perhaps. He guides her through the steps again, still humming the tune softly as he goes. It isn't as though the dance is quick usually, but something about slowing it down and having her so close is really, really intimate... It's almost breathtaking.]

[For that brief moment, Marianne wonders if she's overstepped her bounds. Maybe she's said too much, maybe she was being selfish, and she was about to apologize for it, but--

He moves back to holding her close, and Marianne feels herself practically melt. It's genuinely nice, and comfortable, in a way Marianne doesn't feel like she deserves, because she's wretched, she's cursed, and--

No. No, those thoughts can quiet down.]

I...I think it might...

[Marianne says that much with a giggle, and she simply listens to him hum and let herself ease into it. She's actually doing well, this time; she's not too rigid, and following his steps a lot better than what she was before.]

I'm having a lot of fun, Hubert...um...thank you. For everything.

[She looks up at him when she says that, and Marianne's smile is very warm as she does.]

[He returns it unthinkingly; it's still a bit of a guarded expression, even like this, but it's genuine. It's open too, at least moreso than it usually is.]

You don't need to thank me just yet. We still haven't worked up to the proper speed, and you haven't taken the lead yet.

[In other words, we're probably going to be here for awhile. Not that he minds at all - quite the opposite, really. He can't dream of letting her go just yet.]

[Hubert's smiles are so nice to Marianne...they're so pretty. Marianne's expression is likely as warm and fuzzy as she feels.]

That is true, but...it helps that I have such a good teacher. I think I'm really starting to get it, and that's all thanks to you.

[True to her word, she is getting much better--she managed to not step on his toes even once! A miracle!!]

You make it so much fun.

I'm pleased I can help you. Truthfully, I wasn't sure I'd be any good at teaching this. Dancing is something I've never had much interest in.

[He continues guiding her through the steps several more times, just to be sure she has it. Then he brings her to a stop.]

Would you like to try leading now?

It isn't? I'm surprised...you're very good at it.

[Marianne does get better and better, as he repeats the steps--she thinks she's got it down enough that she's able to nod when he stops her and asks.]

Yes, I would like to. Um...let's see...

[...Does she need to place her hand elsewhere--you know what, no, it's fine like this, she thinks. Marianne will lead, replicating the steps...a little shakily at first, but she does get a little more confident when she starts to hum, urging him to follow.]

[That gets a quiet laugh out of him (though it's still entirely too evil-sounding) and he follows along until she reaches the end. No dips here, of course - though it will be expected in her dance for the White Heron Cup. Thankfully, that doesn't require a partner.

Once she's finished, he'll bring her to a stop.]

You've certainly improved, but you've made one rather large mistake.

[He taps the hand at her hip as an indication.]

The partner who leads takes this position.

[Instead, he moves his hand to her shoulder.]

It's a bit awkward given our difference in height, but let's try that again.

Oh! I...

[Marianne chides herself inwardly--she should have realized that! That's why his hand was at her hip, that makes...a little more sense, even if it is weird with their height...]

I'm sorry. I'm sure I'll get it right this time.

[Marianne's hand will go to his hip, and she'll lead again. She's a little more confident now, and hell, she's even giggling like the school girl she is while she does it. It's cute.]

Is this better, Hubert?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject