[Linhardt's gaze drops and there's something so sincere in his apology. It's a bit startling, but perhaps even more startling is Linhardt's very sudden departure. Hubert should have a reaction to this - he should stop Linhardt, try to explain better or... or something - but ultimately he doesn't. He lets Linhardt go.
Somehow, he gets the feeling that was the biggest mistake he could have made here.
Time passes. The days turn to weeks in the blink of an eye - or maybe that's just because Hubert's been keeping himself busy. He doesn't like being idle to begin with, but it's even worse now. He has to keep busy to help with Lady Edelgard's plans, of course, but now... Now whenever he has time to himself, he can't help but think about Linhardt.
Are the two of you still... Lady Edelgard had asked, ending that with a hand gesture that didn't exactly indicate anything, and yet indicated everything. He'd told her that no, they weren't, and it wouldn't cause any problems for them. She'd given him an odd look but ultimately had dropped it, which was for the best. He doesn't want to talk about it. He doesn't want to think about it.
But if he's perfectly honest with himself, he's spent more sleepless nights than he'd care to remember wondering what he could have done differently. Perhaps even wondering if there could possibly be some way to fix this.
He isn't mad at Linhardt. No, it's the opposite - he's angry at himself for being unable to find a better way to handle it, or at least something better to say in response. He didn't hate it, Linhardt didn't ruin anything, and even if the experiment was a failure, that doesn't mean that the whole thing was.
Sometimes he finds himself thinking that he'd like to return that kiss someday, and then he buries his face in a pillow and tries very hard not to scream.
It's nearly been a month since that incident. Studies have resumed as normal and they're being sent out on a mission today. Though the Professor has been taking things hard since Jeralt died, they seem to be more than willing to fight today - and who could blame them? This should be their chance at revenge, after all.
Lady Edelgard isn't pleased to be dealing with Solon and Kronya right now, and neither is Hubert. He's been waiting for a chance to finally kill them, and today's the perfect opportunity for it. The Professor deserves the chance to kill them both, but Hubert isn't letting any of their ilk escape. That's what sees him split off from the others once they've finished off the majority of them - some of the mages are fleeing into the forest. Those Who Slither should all be eliminated - starting with these two. If they return to Thales, who knows what they'll tell him.
So Hubert suddenly veers off the path; he's fairly sure he's lagging behind the others anyway, so it's not like anyone should notice he's vanished for awhile. He was injured earlier in the fight and keeping up has been a bit more of a pain than usual; it's only his left arm that's taken a hit after all, and it isn't bleeding heavily - but it's not like he has to move too quickly to chase down these two. The first one is easily dispatched with a spell, but the second is able to dodge out of the way and hurls one back in his direction. You may want to look out!]
[A month is certainly a long time to hold a grudge against yourself for how you've acted, but Linhardt's got that down to a science by now. In truth, it's something that keeps Linhardt up more than he cares to admit; he's been trying to put his all into studying, to actually doing something for the class, but more often than not his mind goes back to that night in the goddess tower, that brief kiss, and--
Gods, what an idiot he was. He ruined everything. It had all been fine before, and he had to go ruin it with his...well, Linhardt's still kind of confused by what he was feeling at the time, but he's narrowed it down to two factors. He either put his experimentation above ethics and basic human decency, or he really and truly fell in love with Hubert von Vestra, of all people. The latter is the most absurd idea of them all, and yet...the more Linhardt thinks, the more his mind wanders back to that day, to how much he wishes he'd stayed a little longer, to how he could have asked Hubert how he felt about this--
Well, it doesn't matter. What matters right now is the battle they're taking part in; the Professor finally has a chance to get revenge against the people who killed Jeralt, and that's all well and good. Fighting still isn't Linhardt's strong suit; he's much happier in the back and healing, all while everyone else goes on ahead to get people's asses.
Of course, being in the back has certain other benefits too. Namely, that he sees Hubert--with his injuries, going after two mages. Dorothea's keeping up ahead with Edelgard and the others, so that means...
Well, it falls onto him to make sure Hubert doesn't bite off more than he can chew. Linhardt winds up fleeing after Hubert, veering off the path as well. He's pretty sure Hubert went this way, he just has to follow the sounds of battle, and he'll find him. And find him Linhardt does, but--]
Gah--!
[Yeah, two guesses who got hit with that spell and the first two don't count. Thankfully Linhardt's resistance to magical attacks is quite high, but it's damaged his uniform more than anything. That's gonna be a pain to fix, but...]
Let's get this over with--
[Hey Hubert, might wanna look out real quick, because Linhardt's aiming a Cutting Gale right at that other spellcaster! And it's not gonna be pretty! He'll deal with the awkwardness to come later, for now he's got to make sure Hubert doesn't get his dumb ass killed.]
[Hubert's able to dodge the spell easily enough, but the shout from behind him startles him. He turns around as if he needs to confirm who it belongs to - but he doesn't, not really. He'd recognize Linhardt's voice anywhere, even crying out in pain like that. Hubert shakes his head and forces himself to focus - they can't get distracted just yet.
Linhardt's spell slices through the air and hits its mark. The mage cries out but is immediately silenced when Hubert's next spell strikes him down. He takes a moment to catch his breath before going to check - both mages are definitely dead. If Linhardt wasn't here he'd search the two of them to make sure there's nothing identifying or important on them, but looting the bodies seems like a bad idea when someone else can catch him.]
...Are you alright?
[It's a quiet question that's almost cautious; Linhardt can take magical hits better than physical ones, but that still seems like it hurt.]
[Thank goodness. Linhardt isn't sure what on earth could have happened if that mage didn't go down, but thankfully, he's no worse for wear. Except for his uniform jacket, but that's at least something that can be replaced.]
I'm fine, Hubert. Nothing that a vulnerary can't fix.
[...Never mind the fact that he doesn't have one on him, but we'll cross that bridge if we get to it. But now that the battle is over, Linhardt really can't deny the fact that this is...kind of awkward, if he's gonna be honest. Being confronted with the friend who he's ruined things with is definitely not how Linhardt wanted to spend this day, but...
Well, Linhardt walks closer to Hubert, gaze going towards Hubert's own injuries.]
Give me your arm, Hubert. It looks awful. [Linhardt starts to prepare a healing spell, and his look goes almost frustrated.] ...What were you thinking, going after them alone with your injury?
[He raises an eyebrow at that, but chooses to let it be. If Linhardt doesn't think it's all that bad, then it should hopefully be fine. It's not like he has a vulnerary on him, and it doesn't seem like Linhardt does... but they'll undoubtedly return to the rest of the Black Eagles soon enough.
But of course Linhardt isn't going to let him go without some scolding, and Hubert scoffs at that.]
It isn't as though I need this arm for casting. Besides, the Professor would be disappointed if we let any of them escape. Who knows what else they may have planned?
[Better to handle them all here and now; it's the practical - and brutal - answer that fits the image Hubert has built for himself, so that should suffice. He holds out his arm for Linhardt to examine to give him something to focus on just in case; no sense in drawing any more attention to that line of questioning.
The injury he's sustained isn't terrible, but it's definitely not comfortable either. His sleeve has been slit up his forearm, with a line of blood drawn up to his elbow. It will heal easily and cleanly with no real issues, but it isn't the sort of injury one should leave open for very long.]
You could have at least brought someone with you to do so. Or informed anyone where you intended to go. What if something happened to you?
[Linhardt gets a look at the wound and...oh, joy of joys, blood. Alright, alright, don't go getting lightheaded now, he thinks to himself as he begins to cast the healing magic, raising his hand over Hubert's injury and shaking his head.]
...If you left this untreated for much longer, it could have gotten infected. [The healing magic should at least close the injury up and make sure it doesn't bleed anymore, but...] As right as you are about them getting away being a terrible thing, that doesn't mean you should be reckless, Hubert.
Do you have the means to wrap this injury up?
[It might not be wholly necessary once Linhardt gets done, but it is better safe than sorry. And well, if not...Linhardt does have an idea.]
[It's a struggle not to roll his eyes at the scolding, but Hubert manages to succeed. He does end up scoffing at the idea of being reckless... But technically speaking, Linhardt isn't wrong. It was reckless to run off on his own; he only did it because he was certain everything would work out, but that doesn't stop it from being a dangerous decision.]
I can use my jacket, if necessary.
[He isn't in the habit of carrying bandages on him and he really doesn't have anything else he could use, so that will have to do.]
[Oh. That's actually what Linhardt was thinking, but...]
You took the words right out of my mouth; I could offer mine, if necessary.
[But that's...awkward, the more Linhardt thinks about it, so he shakes his head. The spell should be done with soon, anyway, and yet the proximity is finally hitting Linhardt a bit and he looks elsewhere. He doesn't want to think about this now, but here it is, hitting him in the face.]
...Never mind. We should get going. It's likely only a matter of time before everyone is finished with the battle over there, yes?
[Hubert moves to start unfastening his own jacket before pausing. Maybe it'll be better to do that once Linhardt's done with his arm... It's only now hitting him just how awkward this truly is. It was easier to overlook it before but now that the adrenaline's wearing off...]
[...Linhardt's real glad he kept his gaze averted, he's sure Hubert looks fine underneath the jacket but he's already been confused enough lately!!]
It's no trouble. Let us be on our way.
[Aaaanyway, Linhardt is at least going to try to lead the way? Which is at least slightly a problem because uh. Linhardt does not remember where the hell the way back is. He seems confident at the start of it all, simply going backwards, but Hubert's pursuit seems to have lead them deep into the forest, and uh...]
...Hubert, do you happen to remember the direction you came from?
[It's not like he managed to get turned around so easily. Linhardt came from this direction, so obviously back this way is where the others should be. Hubert moves to take the lead once Linhardt's done with his arm, removing the uniform jacket as he goes and rolling up what's left of his sleeve to properly fix the jacket in place to function as a makeshift bandage. Linhardt's healing should be good enough to prevent any serious problems, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
...It becomes clear all too soon that maybe he was a little overconfident in his ability to return to the group. These trees don't look familiar at all... but it's not like he was paying attention to the trees to begin with, so surely this is the right way...?? But it's been awhile, shouldn't they at least hear sounds of fighting by now...?
[Gods. The sooner they can get back the better, the more they walk along the more Linhardt's thoughts drift a little bit to that night. Not that they hadn't been already for the past month, but even so, there's a lot that's still on his mind about it. And this situation right now is not helping matters any, not at all, and--
...We've been walking for quite a while, haven't we. The sun is starting to go down from the looks of it, and this seems like the worst case scenario.]
...Hubert, we're lost, aren't we?
[this day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it]
Perhaps we should try to find somewhere as temporary shelter? At least for tonight. Our classmates and the Professor must be looking for us, after all.
[This really isn't going like it was supposed to, and Hubert can't really blame Linhardt for that. He likely would have been just as lost if Linhardt hadn't chased after him. That doesn't make it any less frustrating, but now it's awkward. He can't stop thinking about that night in the Goddess Tower which really isn't helping with finding their way back and...
And Linhardt at least doesn't linger on it and offers a valid solution. Hubert nods, trying to ignore the embarrassment that comes with acknowledging that yes, he absolutely messed this up.]
I'm sure they'll find us soon enough.
[Thankfully, we aren't going to have to wander aimlessly for too long. There's a cottage out here - or at least, what once used to be one. What it's doing all the way out here is a mystery, but it looks like it was probably a cozy little place at one point. There's a fenced off, overgrown garden and while the place is long since abandoned and run-down, it's certainly sturdy enough to provide shelter for the night.
Even better, it's abandoned and safe. It looks like someone may have been using it somewhat recently since the interior has been cleaned up and repurposed as a proper shelter, but they're likely long since gone given that there isn't any personal belongings left behind.]
[Dear gods it feels like there's a Demonic Beast in the room that they don't have the ability to acknowledge. Nor really the desire to acknowledge? Linhardt's really not sure what it is at this point, but boy is this. Awkward. Several shades of it in fact, and in a way Linhardt's almost glad when they manage to find somewhere to stay for the time being. It's actually kind of cute...]
Huh. I do agree with you, truly. Really, I can only imagine what this house must have looked like before nature began to reclaim it; it's rather cute looking.
[Whoever lived here clearly must have been living their best life. This absolutely isn't a distraction from the elephant in the room, what are you talking about. (Okay it kind of is but shh--)]
Let us get inside, then. We may as well make ourselves comfortable with this boon.
[Linhardt's definitely going to try and lead the way inside this time--though, he does yawn a bit. Maybe there'll be a nice comfortable place to rest on the floor in there...]
[Unsurprisingly, Hubert enters first just to ensure it's safe. He motions for Linhardt to follow him soon enough, and ends up taking up a space near the window where he can look out. It's not exactly a great place to keep an eye on everything, but it'll work well enough for now.
Not that this really addresses the much larger problem of all the things they aren't saying but... that's not something he really wants to bring up right now. Linhardt's likely to doze off as soon as he's settled in, and considering the injury he sustained earlier, it would likely be for the best. It certainly isn't because Hubert's avoiding the topic!!]
I'll wake you should the others pass by here.
[Or if we're attacked by bandits or something, but that seems unlikely all the way out here.]
[It's a good thing Hubert decides to take the lead here; Linhardt absolutely would've just straight up bumblefucked into whatever traps were laid here if there were any, but thankfully we don't have to deal with that today!!
Either way, Linhardt will be taking up some real estate on the floor here--taking off his old, torn jacket and folding it up to use as a makeshift pillow. It's certainly not because he's playing avoidant either, not at all, he'll totally be able to sleep and ignore the fact that it feels like his stomach is fluttering, and...
Well, Linhardt turns to look at Hubert when he speaks up, a little surprised.]
...I'm surprised you're not chiding me. Nor asking me to serve as a secondary lookout. [...Linhardt of course has to look away because staring at Hubert is hard, but Linhardt will take a moment to get himself situated. Lay down on his back and keep his gaze at the ceiling.] Is everything alright, Hubert?
[Is everything alright? Of course it isn't. But bringing that up now seems... stupid, really. He had his chance and he missed it. There isn't any point in thinking about it, and certainly no point in focusing on it now. Linhardt seems to have moved on well enough; why can't he?]
You should rest, considering you were hurt in that fight. I can keep watch for both of us well enough.
[All very true, and he doesn't need to add that he doubts they'll be attacked here and now.
As for the question... Well, there's no real need to answer that either, is there?]
You know, you were injured as well--far worse than I was, and I don't see you resting. I could very well keep a lookout, if needed.
[It's a bit of a pedantic statement and kind of missing the fact that Hubert at least got healed, and it's one that sees Linhardt at least look at Hubert. He doesn't like thinking about this; he wants to avoid it forever, he just wants to move on, and yet--]
You didn't answer my question, Hubert.
Edited (you know what that didn't make sense) 2021-04-07 05:33 (UTC)
I wouldn't be able to rest even if you hadn't healed me.
[They're lost in unfamiliar territory where they could be attacked; Hubert has a hard time resting to begin with, of course he wouldn't be able to manage it here and now.]
You haven't been healed, however, so you should rest.
[...Linhardt realistically can't argue with that, if he's going to be honest. It's legitimate advice; Linhardt might not be in too much pain after that injury, but it's certainly going to leave a bruise. And it will make him inevitably more useless than Hubert at this, and...]
...I suppose I cannot argue that point, but why do you continue to avoid my question?
[Linhardt's voice is a little smaller at that, gaze going to the ground. Trying to address this nonsense is...honestly, it's too much, and he doesn't want to, but...well, he is honestly concerned. And maybe deep down, he does want to work through it, or at least go back to the way things were before Linhardt decided to do that experiment.
The fact of the matter is that he just doesn't know how to, really, and if Hubert's avoiding it so much...did he...?]
...I would at least like to apologize, if I am the cause of things...well, not being okay.
[...Ah. So they're actually going to talk about it. Truthfully, he was hoping Linhardt would continue to avoid it and that they'd be found soon so they could return to the new normal; it may not be satisfying, but it's easy. It's so simple just to go back to how things were and not address any part of this - his feelings, Linhardt's, or whatever may come next.
But Linhardt's brought it up, and he doesn't exactly have any easy way to get out of talking about it. He could clam up and refuse to speak, but it's the apology that gets him to glance over. His expression betrays nothing and for a long moment he just watches Linhardt, like he's looking for... something. An indication that this is real, maybe.]
...I'm not angry with you for anything that happened that day.
[It's a simple start, but it's best to begin there. It's important Linhardt know that, if nothing else.]
[Linhardt finds himself glancing away when Hubert stares for that long moment. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything; maybe they'd both gotten so comfortably numbed by this that maybe it's for the best that things ended up like that. It's not like Linhardt knows how to address everything that happened there, how the experiment certainly failed, how much he genuinely wanted to kiss Hubert (just to see what it was like, he thinks, but is that the truth? he doesn't know), and--
Hubert's words get Linhardt to glance back, mouth agape for a moment as he props himself up. That's...]
You aren't?
[...He appreciates the clarification there, at least.]
I thought...well, I genuinely thought I may have angered you, by springing that onto you. [...] I appreciate knowing that much.
Edited (wording and tenses) 2021-04-07 06:17 (UTC)
I was surprised and I didn't know how to react. But I wasn't angry then, and I'm not angry now.
[It's complicated, and the more he considers it, the more he wonders if he should just stop here. Leave it at this, and see if things will go back to the way they were before all this. That would be for the best, wouldn't it? They'd be back on friendly terms again and there would be no risk of saying something he'd regret.
...But isn't the problem that he didn't act last time?]
Why did you... decide to kiss me?
[Is it unfair to ask that question? Maybe, but he wants to know what Linhardt's reasoning was. Maybe that will give him an idea of how to handle this. Maybe it'll give him the courage to proceed this time.]
[That's...actually good to know, if Linhardt's being honest. He'd honestly been convinced that he screwed everything up and put his curiosity over basic decency, and it actually helps Linhardt ease just a bit. Maybe getting that much cleared up will be enough.
But of course it isn't, because Hubert asks him the question that Linhardt's only truly narrowed down the answer to in recent times. It is a little unfair, really, but...well, was Linhardt being fair either, when he kissed Hubert? He...]
...I was quite confused, as this experiment went on. [It's not an easy admittance.] I understand that certain actions that we performed could have certain effects on the both of us, but the more time went on, the more I wound up puzzled by what was happening to me. It felt as if I understood less and less as time went on, and...
[Linhardt rubs the back of his head a bit, glancing away from Hubert and...]
I thought that I would gain a greater understanding, through doing so, of...how I felt. [...] But I suppose that the simplest answer of all, is that I wanted to kiss you. Because I thought it would be nice to do so, and at the time...it felt right.
In the end, it...truly, it made me even more confused.
[...this dumb motherfucker still hasn't realized it.]
[Linhardt's explanation makes sense; Hubert would be lying if he said he didn't feel similarly, after all. This experiment drew them closer together, and it's only natural that they ended up a bit confused about where the line between fiction and reality was. It isn't really a surprise that that's what led to the kiss and why Linhardt wanted to, but it sounds like...]
I believe I understand. I wasn't sure how to react because I didn't know how to feel about it, but truthfully... it's been on my mind frequently since then.
[Admitting even that is difficult, but it's a start.]
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Somehow, he gets the feeling that was the biggest mistake he could have made here.
Time passes. The days turn to weeks in the blink of an eye - or maybe that's just because Hubert's been keeping himself busy. He doesn't like being idle to begin with, but it's even worse now. He has to keep busy to help with Lady Edelgard's plans, of course, but now... Now whenever he has time to himself, he can't help but think about Linhardt.
Are the two of you still... Lady Edelgard had asked, ending that with a hand gesture that didn't exactly indicate anything, and yet indicated everything. He'd told her that no, they weren't, and it wouldn't cause any problems for them. She'd given him an odd look but ultimately had dropped it, which was for the best. He doesn't want to talk about it. He doesn't want to think about it.
But if he's perfectly honest with himself, he's spent more sleepless nights than he'd care to remember wondering what he could have done differently. Perhaps even wondering if there could possibly be some way to fix this.
He isn't mad at Linhardt. No, it's the opposite - he's angry at himself for being unable to find a better way to handle it, or at least something better to say in response. He didn't hate it, Linhardt didn't ruin anything, and even if the experiment was a failure, that doesn't mean that the whole thing was.
Sometimes he finds himself thinking that he'd like to return that kiss someday, and then he buries his face in a pillow and tries very hard not to scream.
It's nearly been a month since that incident. Studies have resumed as normal and they're being sent out on a mission today. Though the Professor has been taking things hard since Jeralt died, they seem to be more than willing to fight today - and who could blame them? This should be their chance at revenge, after all.
Lady Edelgard isn't pleased to be dealing with Solon and Kronya right now, and neither is Hubert. He's been waiting for a chance to finally kill them, and today's the perfect opportunity for it. The Professor deserves the chance to kill them both, but Hubert isn't letting any of their ilk escape. That's what sees him split off from the others once they've finished off the majority of them - some of the mages are fleeing into the forest. Those Who Slither should all be eliminated - starting with these two. If they return to Thales, who knows what they'll tell him.
So Hubert suddenly veers off the path; he's fairly sure he's lagging behind the others anyway, so it's not like anyone should notice he's vanished for awhile. He was injured earlier in the fight and keeping up has been a bit more of a pain than usual; it's only his left arm that's taken a hit after all, and it isn't bleeding heavily - but it's not like he has to move too quickly to chase down these two. The first one is easily dispatched with a spell, but the second is able to dodge out of the way and hurls one back in his direction. You may want to look out!]
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Gods, what an idiot he was. He ruined everything. It had all been fine before, and he had to go ruin it with his...well, Linhardt's still kind of confused by what he was feeling at the time, but he's narrowed it down to two factors. He either put his experimentation above ethics and basic human decency, or he really and truly fell in love with Hubert von Vestra, of all people. The latter is the most absurd idea of them all, and yet...the more Linhardt thinks, the more his mind wanders back to that day, to how much he wishes he'd stayed a little longer, to how he could have asked Hubert how he felt about this--
Well, it doesn't matter. What matters right now is the battle they're taking part in; the Professor finally has a chance to get revenge against the people who killed Jeralt, and that's all well and good. Fighting still isn't Linhardt's strong suit; he's much happier in the back and healing, all while everyone else goes on ahead to get people's asses.
Of course, being in the back has certain other benefits too. Namely, that he sees Hubert--with his injuries, going after two mages. Dorothea's keeping up ahead with Edelgard and the others, so that means...
Well, it falls onto him to make sure Hubert doesn't bite off more than he can chew. Linhardt winds up fleeing after Hubert, veering off the path as well. He's pretty sure Hubert went this way, he just has to follow the sounds of battle, and he'll find him. And find him Linhardt does, but--]
Gah--!
[Yeah, two guesses who got hit with that spell and the first two don't count. Thankfully Linhardt's resistance to magical attacks is quite high, but it's damaged his uniform more than anything. That's gonna be a pain to fix, but...]
Let's get this over with--
[Hey Hubert, might wanna look out real quick, because Linhardt's aiming a Cutting Gale right at that other spellcaster! And it's not gonna be pretty! He'll deal with the awkwardness to come later, for now he's got to make sure Hubert doesn't get his dumb ass killed.]
no subject
Linhardt's spell slices through the air and hits its mark. The mage cries out but is immediately silenced when Hubert's next spell strikes him down. He takes a moment to catch his breath before going to check - both mages are definitely dead. If Linhardt wasn't here he'd search the two of them to make sure there's nothing identifying or important on them, but looting the bodies seems like a bad idea when someone else can catch him.]
...Are you alright?
[It's a quiet question that's almost cautious; Linhardt can take magical hits better than physical ones, but that still seems like it hurt.]
no subject
I'm fine, Hubert. Nothing that a vulnerary can't fix.
[...Never mind the fact that he doesn't have one on him, but we'll cross that bridge if we get to it. But now that the battle is over, Linhardt really can't deny the fact that this is...kind of awkward, if he's gonna be honest. Being confronted with the friend who he's ruined things with is definitely not how Linhardt wanted to spend this day, but...
Well, Linhardt walks closer to Hubert, gaze going towards Hubert's own injuries.]
Give me your arm, Hubert. It looks awful. [Linhardt starts to prepare a healing spell, and his look goes almost frustrated.] ...What were you thinking, going after them alone with your injury?
no subject
But of course Linhardt isn't going to let him go without some scolding, and Hubert scoffs at that.]
It isn't as though I need this arm for casting. Besides, the Professor would be disappointed if we let any of them escape. Who knows what else they may have planned?
[Better to handle them all here and now; it's the practical - and brutal - answer that fits the image Hubert has built for himself, so that should suffice. He holds out his arm for Linhardt to examine to give him something to focus on just in case; no sense in drawing any more attention to that line of questioning.
The injury he's sustained isn't terrible, but it's definitely not comfortable either. His sleeve has been slit up his forearm, with a line of blood drawn up to his elbow. It will heal easily and cleanly with no real issues, but it isn't the sort of injury one should leave open for very long.]
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[Linhardt gets a look at the wound and...oh, joy of joys, blood. Alright, alright, don't go getting lightheaded now, he thinks to himself as he begins to cast the healing magic, raising his hand over Hubert's injury and shaking his head.]
...If you left this untreated for much longer, it could have gotten infected. [The healing magic should at least close the injury up and make sure it doesn't bleed anymore, but...] As right as you are about them getting away being a terrible thing, that doesn't mean you should be reckless, Hubert.
Do you have the means to wrap this injury up?
[It might not be wholly necessary once Linhardt gets done, but it is better safe than sorry. And well, if not...Linhardt does have an idea.]
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I can use my jacket, if necessary.
[He isn't in the habit of carrying bandages on him and he really doesn't have anything else he could use, so that will have to do.]
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You took the words right out of my mouth; I could offer mine, if necessary.
[But that's...awkward, the more Linhardt thinks about it, so he shakes his head. The spell should be done with soon, anyway, and yet the proximity is finally hitting Linhardt a bit and he looks elsewhere. He doesn't want to think about this now, but here it is, hitting him in the face.]
...Never mind. We should get going. It's likely only a matter of time before everyone is finished with the battle over there, yes?
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...Yes, of course. I appreciate your assistance.
[It's stilted thanks, but thanks nonetheless.]
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It's no trouble. Let us be on our way.
[Aaaanyway, Linhardt is at least going to try to lead the way? Which is at least slightly a problem because uh. Linhardt does not remember where the hell the way back is. He seems confident at the start of it all, simply going backwards, but Hubert's pursuit seems to have lead them deep into the forest, and uh...]
...Hubert, do you happen to remember the direction you came from?
[please. please tell us we're not lost.]
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[It's not like he managed to get turned around so easily. Linhardt came from this direction, so obviously back this way is where the others should be. Hubert moves to take the lead once Linhardt's done with his arm, removing the uniform jacket as he goes and rolling up what's left of his sleeve to properly fix the jacket in place to function as a makeshift bandage. Linhardt's healing should be good enough to prevent any serious problems, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
...It becomes clear all too soon that maybe he was a little overconfident in his ability to return to the group. These trees don't look familiar at all... but it's not like he was paying attention to the trees to begin with, so surely this is the right way...?? But it's been awhile, shouldn't they at least hear sounds of fighting by now...?
So uh. Looks like we may be lost.]
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...We've been walking for quite a while, haven't we. The sun is starting to go down from the looks of it, and this seems like the worst case scenario.]
...Hubert, we're lost, aren't we?
[this day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it]
Perhaps we should try to find somewhere as temporary shelter? At least for tonight. Our classmates and the Professor must be looking for us, after all.
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And Linhardt at least doesn't linger on it and offers a valid solution. Hubert nods, trying to ignore the embarrassment that comes with acknowledging that yes, he absolutely messed this up.]
I'm sure they'll find us soon enough.
[Thankfully, we aren't going to have to wander aimlessly for too long. There's a cottage out here - or at least, what once used to be one. What it's doing all the way out here is a mystery, but it looks like it was probably a cozy little place at one point. There's a fenced off, overgrown garden and while the place is long since abandoned and run-down, it's certainly sturdy enough to provide shelter for the night.
Even better, it's abandoned and safe. It looks like someone may have been using it somewhat recently since the interior has been cleaned up and repurposed as a proper shelter, but they're likely long since gone given that there isn't any personal belongings left behind.]
This should serve well enough for the time being.
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Huh. I do agree with you, truly. Really, I can only imagine what this house must have looked like before nature began to reclaim it; it's rather cute looking.
[Whoever lived here clearly must have been living their best life. This absolutely isn't a distraction from the elephant in the room, what are you talking about. (Okay it kind of is but shh--)]
Let us get inside, then. We may as well make ourselves comfortable with this boon.
[Linhardt's definitely going to try and lead the way inside this time--though, he does yawn a bit. Maybe there'll be a nice comfortable place to rest on the floor in there...]
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[Unsurprisingly, Hubert enters first just to ensure it's safe. He motions for Linhardt to follow him soon enough, and ends up taking up a space near the window where he can look out. It's not exactly a great place to keep an eye on everything, but it'll work well enough for now.
Not that this really addresses the much larger problem of all the things they aren't saying but... that's not something he really wants to bring up right now. Linhardt's likely to doze off as soon as he's settled in, and considering the injury he sustained earlier, it would likely be for the best. It certainly isn't because Hubert's avoiding the topic!!]
I'll wake you should the others pass by here.
[Or if we're attacked by bandits or something, but that seems unlikely all the way out here.]
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Either way, Linhardt will be taking up some real estate on the floor here--taking off his old, torn jacket and folding it up to use as a makeshift pillow. It's certainly not because he's playing avoidant either, not at all, he'll totally be able to sleep and ignore the fact that it feels like his stomach is fluttering, and...
Well, Linhardt turns to look at Hubert when he speaks up, a little surprised.]
...I'm surprised you're not chiding me. Nor asking me to serve as a secondary lookout. [...Linhardt of course has to look away because staring at Hubert is hard, but Linhardt will take a moment to get himself situated. Lay down on his back and keep his gaze at the ceiling.] Is everything alright, Hubert?
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You should rest, considering you were hurt in that fight. I can keep watch for both of us well enough.
[All very true, and he doesn't need to add that he doubts they'll be attacked here and now.
As for the question... Well, there's no real need to answer that either, is there?]
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[It's a bit of a pedantic statement and kind of missing the fact that Hubert at least got healed, and it's one that sees Linhardt at least look at Hubert. He doesn't like thinking about this; he wants to avoid it forever, he just wants to move on, and yet--]
You didn't answer my question, Hubert.
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[They're lost in unfamiliar territory where they could be attacked; Hubert has a hard time resting to begin with, of course he wouldn't be able to manage it here and now.]
You haven't been healed, however, so you should rest.
[And stop pestering him with that question!!!]
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...I suppose I cannot argue that point, but why do you continue to avoid my question?
[Linhardt's voice is a little smaller at that, gaze going to the ground. Trying to address this nonsense is...honestly, it's too much, and he doesn't want to, but...well, he is honestly concerned. And maybe deep down, he does want to work through it, or at least go back to the way things were before Linhardt decided to do that experiment.
The fact of the matter is that he just doesn't know how to, really, and if Hubert's avoiding it so much...did he...?]
...I would at least like to apologize, if I am the cause of things...well, not being okay.
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But Linhardt's brought it up, and he doesn't exactly have any easy way to get out of talking about it. He could clam up and refuse to speak, but it's the apology that gets him to glance over. His expression betrays nothing and for a long moment he just watches Linhardt, like he's looking for... something. An indication that this is real, maybe.]
...I'm not angry with you for anything that happened that day.
[It's a simple start, but it's best to begin there. It's important Linhardt know that, if nothing else.]
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Hubert's words get Linhardt to glance back, mouth agape for a moment as he props himself up. That's...]
You aren't?
[...He appreciates the clarification there, at least.]
I thought...well, I genuinely thought I may have angered you, by springing that onto you. [...] I appreciate knowing that much.
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[It's complicated, and the more he considers it, the more he wonders if he should just stop here. Leave it at this, and see if things will go back to the way they were before all this. That would be for the best, wouldn't it? They'd be back on friendly terms again and there would be no risk of saying something he'd regret.
...But isn't the problem that he didn't act last time?]
Why did you... decide to kiss me?
[Is it unfair to ask that question? Maybe, but he wants to know what Linhardt's reasoning was. Maybe that will give him an idea of how to handle this. Maybe it'll give him the courage to proceed this time.]
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But of course it isn't, because Hubert asks him the question that Linhardt's only truly narrowed down the answer to in recent times. It is a little unfair, really, but...well, was Linhardt being fair either, when he kissed Hubert? He...]
...I was quite confused, as this experiment went on. [It's not an easy admittance.] I understand that certain actions that we performed could have certain effects on the both of us, but the more time went on, the more I wound up puzzled by what was happening to me. It felt as if I understood less and less as time went on, and...
[Linhardt rubs the back of his head a bit, glancing away from Hubert and...]
I thought that I would gain a greater understanding, through doing so, of...how I felt. [...] But I suppose that the simplest answer of all, is that I wanted to kiss you. Because I thought it would be nice to do so, and at the time...it felt right.
In the end, it...truly, it made me even more confused.
[...this dumb motherfucker still hasn't realized it.]
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I believe I understand. I wasn't sure how to react because I didn't know how to feel about it, but truthfully... it's been on my mind frequently since then.
[Admitting even that is difficult, but it's a start.]
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