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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.]
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.]
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Is it really fair to deny her happiness just because he's not sure he's good enough for her?
Hubert exhales slowly, then starts forward.]
Thank you, Marianne. I... If I may be selfish, then I would like nothing more than for you to join us on this path. I want to keep you by my side, keep you safe... Because I...
[The words he needs to say so desperately don't come and he glances away, frustrated.]
...I care deeply for you. I never would have had to deal with those flowers if I didn't, and all our time spent together has only confirmed it. You mean so much to me, and I can never apologize enough for all the pain I have caused you.
[All the pain I may cause you.]
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He cares pretty deeply for her too. It's something that sees Marianne walk a little closer to him, just...kind of nervous but very, very happy.]
Of...of course you can be selfish. I was...selfish enough to ask to join you, too. I want to stay by your side, and help both you and Edelgard make the world better...
[Marianne gently holds out a hand for him.]
I care deeply for you, too, and I...I forgive you, Hubert. I've only fallen for you more, too. So I...I want to stay with you. Because you mean very much to me. And I want to see the world be better for you, too.
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What a strange thought. It's almost baffling that Marianne would want something like that, when the world hasn't been nearly as cruel to him personally as it has to her or Lady Edelgard, or even quite a few of their peers. But it's also a nice thought, and one he wants to cling to.
He takes her hand easily, clinging just as tightly.]
Thank you. For... all of this. For everything.
[For trusting me.
He's quiet for a moment before speaking up again, his gaze darting.]
What you said at the Goddess Tower... I feel the same way. I'm afraid I don't have the words to express it just yet. Please be patient with me, and someday I'll be able to say it properly.
Until then... I will endeavor to prove it to you.
[Over and over, for as long as it takes.]
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[Marianne says that much with confidence she didn't even know she was capable of, but she means every word as she laces their fingers together. She doesn't want to let him go ever again--not when he wants to get her father to agree to let her help them, and maybe, just maybe, she won't have to lead an unhappy life...
It's a lot to think about--the worry that her father may say no is far from her mind right now, as Hubert speaks up again.
Marianne's face goes pink and she gasps, very slightly--she shouldn't be so surprised, but to have it confirmed makes her feel like she's on cloud nine, and it's more than worth the patience that she'll certainly have to wait to hear him to say it outright.]
Oh, Hubert...I...
[Marianne's look is utterly overjoyed, like she might just faint--but she winds up grasping the hand she's already holding with her other one, blushing brightly and unable to really look up at him, so she settles on looking at his hand.]
I-I understand. I really, really do. You're doing so much by saying even that and I'm...I'm so happy. You've made me so happy.
[Seriously, she looks like she's going to bounce off the walls here.]
I'll make sure I prove it to you, too. Just...just how much I...care for you, too. Because I know you'll prove it to me. You already have.
[...She's worried if she says love he'll run away again, so she bites it back.]
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I won't let you down, then. I'll do everything I can to ensure you'll never regret the decision to join us. I'll make the world we so desperately seek a reality and then...
[He brings his free hand up, resting gently against the side of her face. He's not trying to get her to look at him, he just wants the contact.]
And then when you're truly free, I hope you'll continue to choose me.
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And then when you're truly free, I hope you'll continue to choose me.]
Of course--of course I'll choose you, Hubert. Always.
[Yeah, any and all caution has officially gone out the window--Marianne lets go of Hubert's hand before at least attempting to hug him. She's not sure if it's the right choice.]
And I'll...I'll help. I'll do whatever I can to. I-I promise.
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I know you will. Thank you. Thank you for hearing me out and choosing this path...
[The words trail off there, but he's not quite done yet. The next ones are soft, but she's certainly close enough to hear.]
...Thank you for allowing me another chance.
[He won't let her down. Never again.]
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You're very welcome. For...for all of that, Hubert. I'm sorry I was so stubborn at first, but I'm...I'm glad we both took that chance.
[...]
Um...if Edelgard doesn't have anything pressing for you to do, would you...mind if we stayed together? For a little while?
[--Ah.]
P-Probably not in here. My room is...a bit of a mess, despite my best efforts. I'm sorry you had to see this...
[...Among other things. Marianne's hair looks like an absolute mess as well, especially now that she's standing. Seriously, her hair looks more like some kind of monster that could detach itself from her head, it's so messy.]
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[At her words, he does glance around her room again. Yeah it's... pretty bad...]
Lady Edelgard doesn't require my assistance right away, so I would enjoy spending more time with you. Would you prefer to find someplace private?
[If her room isn't an option, then his own certainly is. Though that's still a bit awkward if anyone catches her... There are plenty of other places around the monastery that won't be crowded, especially at this time of day. Of course, that's assuming she'll want to be in public...]
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[Marianne thinks for a moment.]
Well...if Ferdinand isn't trying to bother you today, I wouldn't mind going to your room. It's much nicer than in here, and I'm, um...worried other people would bother me, if they saw me outside...
[So if he's cool with it, she is too. Of course, her hand goes to her messy hair...]
Oh, but um--I-I should take care of my hair first. It's probably a mess...
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[No big deal. Ferdinand will leave if the door's locked and he thinks Hubert isn't there. This is a bit of a weird time for Hubert to be back in his room anyway.]
Would you like me to wait outside for a moment? Or would you prefer for me to head back to my room first?
[The latter is probably easier to avoid suspicion, but he'd be lying if he said he'd prefer it. He doesn't ever want to let go of Marianne.]
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[...going to ask for help with her hair, but Marianne flushes and averts her gaze some. No, no, that's so embarrassing--]
Y-you can wait outside, if you'd like. I'm...I'm going to need a little bit to take care of this, but I'll let you know when I'm ready...
[She really doesn't want to let go of Hubert either.]
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Oh no, she's cute...]
What is it, Marianne?
[He's pretty sure she's not flushed for absolutely no reason, after all.]
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I-It's nothing! It's nothing, I was, um....
[Marianne already wants to hide under her bed or something, but she whispers out the next words, and they're practically smooshed together so that they sound like one word.]
Going to ask if you could help me with my hair.
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I'd be happy to help you.
[One of his hands comes up easily, reaching out to brush his fingers through the loose strands at the side of her face.]
I won't pretend I'm an expert, but I used to help Lady Edelgard with her hair when she was younger.
[He sometimes helps if she wants a particularly complicated style, but that hasn't happened since they arrived at the monastery, so it's not worth mentioning.]
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O-oh, you did? That's...really nice of you. I, um--
[...Let's just get in front of the mirror she has, she's fine.]
I'm...really happy you're so pleased to help. I-I haven't had someone else take care of my hair for a long time...
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[There's something relaxing about it, honestly...]
I'll be sure to be gentle.
[He follows her to the mirror, and once she's passed him the comb, he'll get started. True to his word, he is very gentle. He runs the comb through, detangling any knots he finds and otherwise working her hair back out into long waves down her back.]
Your hair is beautiful; I must admit, I was captivated seeing it down during the ball.
[Not that her usual hairstyle isn't pretty, because it certainly is, but seeing it down like that was certainly charming...]
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[Let her just get him the comb and just relax a little bit--there's quite a few tangles and knots throughout. Marianne usually has to keep on top of brushing it or else it'll just work itself into knots while she sleeps...
She does blush a little more when he brings up her style at the ball.]
Oh...well, um, that was thanks to Hilda and Dorothea...they thought I'd look really nice with my hair down, and I'm glad you thought so too...
[She's so embarrassed--]
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[His hands still for a moment as he looks at her reflection in the mirror.]
...Though I imagine you could wear your hair in any style and it would be breathtaking.
[He's sort of smirking once that's out there, and he moves to begin working Marianne's hair back into her usual style. He's only ever seen it and never tried to replicate it, but he'll probably be able to manage a decent attempt at it.]
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But that, of course, is a mistake as Marianne gets red to her ear tips oh dear goddess above--]
H-H--Hubert! I-I'm pretty sure that's not true at all...!
[Yep, there goes her hands, flying right to her face to hide it right then and there. She's gonna die.]
But...um...thank you. For doing my hair...
[It definitely feels like he's got the style down right, at any rate...but it's fine, she just lives here now?]
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I believe it's true. Doesn't that count for something?
[That is absolutely an unfair question and he knows it, given that he's smirking... But thankfully he won't tease Marianne for much longer. He finishes tying her usual style off, moving to rest his hands on her shoulders.
...Well, it's an attempt at her style, anyway. He knows how to braid and he knows how to get the basics of the style down, though it's a little simple compared to what she normally does. Her hair is all pulled back neatly, with only the strands at the front and her bangs remaining exactly as normal.]
There. How does it look?
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[Seriously, you could cook an egg on her face from how warm it is. Between the evil laugh and the question itself that's absolutely unfair, Marianne is sincerely embarrassed as he finishes up, his hands resting on her shoulders, and she opens her fingers a bit to peer into the mirror...
...Well, she shuts them shortly after for a moment, but she does bring her hands down and rest them in front of her after, looking at what he's done with a smile. It's simpler than hers, but...]
It looks wonderful, Hubert. You did a really good job with it. Thank you... [She'll turn her head a bit to try and face him.] This would have taken much longer if I had done it myself.
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[Still, he looks pleased, even though he's once again looking away... He realizes that and corrects it, returning his gaze to Marianne.]
Thank you for trusting me with it. It's... nice.
[...listen, he's bad at this...]
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It's...it's no trouble. It was, um...really nice to have you do my hair like that. It felt good.
[She doesn't mind if it's simplistic, really. It's nice, and Hubert did it, so as far as she's concerned that's a plus!!]
Shall we be off, then...?
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[He moves so she has enough room to stand, though he offers her a hand anyway. Holding hands where anyone can see them probably isn't a good idea... but given the time of day and how few people will be heading to their rooms, it should be fine. He wants the contact, at least for right now.
Once she's ready, he'll lead the way back to his room. His room is - as always - perfectly neat and tidy, with nothing out of place or much to imply he actually spends time here, really...]
Make yourself at home.
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