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While trips to the market were not a strange occurrence for Hubert, he usually walked through the streets to collect supplies for the war effort. It was rare that he would scan over the wares of merchants for any personal purchases. However, there was a particular occasion that would require him to locate a fitting gift for a certain noble that he had been growing closer to as of late. It had not occurred in a day, but three long years and the stress of an entire war on your shoulders does help to push childish rivalries behind you.
Once a nuisance and buzzing in his ear, Ferdinand was now a respected general in Lady Edelgard’s army. He had matured immensely since the siege upon Garreg Mach. While Hubert struggled at times to agree with his methods, he found that their arguments were fruitful for the war effort. Their clashing was no longer school boy mockery; the two men were able to hold full conversation and debates in order to come up with a common ground between their polarizing views in order to help Edelgard’s success in battle.
Not only that, but Hubert found himself agreeing more with Ferdinand. Oddly enough, he felt that the other man held similar beliefs with him. He was just as dedicated to seeing the dawn of a new age for Fodlan as Hubert was, and it was reassuring to have someone to lean upon. While he tries to refrain from ever showing vulnerability, Hubert had found himself opening up little by little to Ferdinand. The mage could never show weakness to Her Majesty; he had to be strong and unyielding for her dream.
But when he was alone with Ferdinand, there were times where Hubert could just be...himself.
He was allowed to be human. He could show more range of emotions, allowing for his fear or anguish to show after facing a grievous loss in battle. He could complain about all the worries that were stockpiled on his head over a cup of tea, and Ferdinand would just smile and try to soothe his mind. When injured after a covert mission, it was Ferdinand who would still be awake and catch him attempting to sneak off without treatment; then, he would see to it that he got healed with what little faith magic the redhead could muster.
In between the constant coming and going from battle marches, Hubert felt that an amiable nature had grown between the two of them. He had a sense of trust in Ferdinand, knowing that he would do what was right. His earlier skepticism about the loyalty of an Aegir in the beginning of the war had been proven wrong, as Ferdinand met every hardship head on. He did not look back, and he took each step with the confidence needed of a commanding general. Despite the drastic change in lifestyle, going from nobility to surviving on rations, Ferdinand was a superb leader and someone Hubert dared to call friend.
Hence, with the young man’s twenty-first birthday coming up, Hubert wished to offer him a gift. The last two years he had merely wished him a pleasant day, but that was not enough for this year. He wanted to show a token of their forming bond, and the best way to do so seemed to be with a present. So, he roamed through the streets, arms behind his back as he went through various shops and carts of goods from vendors. He was dressed in his usual cloak and uniform, and his long bangs covering over one of his eyes. He wasn’t sure exactly what to give to him, but he knew it had to be something unique to impress the cavalier.
Catching the glimpse of a pair of boots in the window of a shop, Hubert paused his footsteps. He approached the glass, looking through to stare at the burgundy, leather riding boots that are laced up on display. He only had to look at it for mere seconds before knowing it was the perfect gift to offer to Ferdinand. The intricate trim across the top, the length reaching to the knees, and the shine of the leather all clearly screamed of Ferdinand’s personal taste.
Without wasting another second, Hubert entered the shop and asked to see the boots. He did not even need to inspect them further, although he did let his gloved hand trace over the leather and white laces. He could see Ferdinand bending over to tie these boots, then smiling widely as he wore them with pride on one of his morning rides before his personal duties began. His trousers tucked away within the top of the boot, wearing a beige linen shirt that was growing a bit too tight on his chest, and his hair sitting just barely past his shoulders. The orange curls swaying with the morning breeze as he enjoyed a short moment of peace on the saddle.
“Good morning!” Ferdinand would greet him when he passed by the stables, “Lovely day, is it not?”
Yet, Hubert would shrug and give an ambiguous answer. Ferdinand often spoke of how beautiful a morning looked before the start of their council meetings, but Hubert had trouble agreeing. The days felt like nothing special, but the company was usually quite pleasant.
When the shopkeeper told him the price, Hubert felt his little fantasies come to a screeching halt. He had very limited funds, as everyone did in the army, for most of the gold was collected and used for supplying their battalions, feeding their soldiers, and tending to the injured. Rations were quite low, even for his own esteemed position. He was not much of a spender, but he did enjoy splurging on an imported coffee on occasion. Plus, he had to be certain his basic needs were met.
Yet, he reached into his pocket, untied his sack of coins, and then handed the gold over to the shopkeeper without a fuss. He requested for the boots to be securely wrapped and hidden, and the man was kind enough to do so for him. Fitting the boots into a box and then tying it with plain twine, the shopkeeper hands over the gift. With open arms, Hubert took the inconspicuous box and returned his much lighter pouch into his pocket. He would have to be frugal until the end of this month, but he was sure the expense would be worth it. He was not a man who made friends easy, and he didn’t wish to squander this chance with Ferdinand.
While Hubert was not known for being a big spender, he did struggle more than he assumed he would with surviving through the next few weeks on such a small amount of coins. He never realized how his little expenses would add up. Even though he was not known for being a bubbly person, his attitude began to sink into an even grumpier manner than usual.
The first major issue being his lack of a good cup of coffee for over two weeks time. He had unfortunately run out of his favorite blend right after purchasing the boots. He liked to brew a very rich and bitter cup, and that required beans that were often important outside of Fodlan. However, his lack of funds forced him to purchase a very cheap and miniscule amount of already ground up coffee from a traveling merchant. It was sold as an easier alternative to having to grind the beans by yourself, and it boasted that the time saved in brewing the drink was also a gigantic plus side. But as soon as Hubert got a whiff of the coffee in his freshly poured cup, he knew that it was going to be of poor quality.
Upon tasting the brew, Hubert despised it. The taste was bland and felt like he scooped dirt from the ground and called it coffee. Also, it did not give him the usual energy boost that he thrived upon, due to his severe lack of sleep. He felt himself growing tired and needing to refill on a new cup much quicker than his usual roast. Which was unfortunate, as he made disgusted faces while forcing himself to drink the cups of muddy coffee to push through his paperwork and other responsibilities.
Along with headaches from withdrawals of his usual caffeine intake, Hubert found himself irritable from lack of proper meals. He was known to skip a meal or two, often because he got lost in his work. Plus his hours for eating were rather unusual. This was due to his schedule often leading him to stay up into the late hours of the evening and growing hungry at times when the dining staff would be asleep. Hence, he often bought himself small amounts of bread, fruits and berries, smoked meats, and cheeses. These were easy foods that did not have to be cooked, so he could quickly eat a few slices of bread and cheese or pop a handful of berries into his mouth while still up in his study looking over maps for battle planning.
He had been chastised before by Ferdinand and Lady Edelgard for skipping meals, but he is certain both would be quite disappointed that he was not able to even snack upon a few slices of cured meats. Instead, he only managed to buy a few days old loafs of bread and a cheap spread of a mixed berry jam for some type of substance and flavor. His taste buds were very vocal in their complaints though, as he grew sick of the sweet jam quickly. Still, he continued to eat it with his slightly stale bread and watered down excuse for a cup of coffee.
Although free time was scarce, Hubert also did miss the chance to experiment with his concocting of poisons and other potions. He was running low on many crucial ingredients, and he also needed more vials to collect and hold his mixtures. It was extra salt in the wound, knowing that he was unable to partake in one of his few guilty pleasures.
Yet, Hubert resigned himself to his prudent lifestyle without verbal complaint. He knew that the sacrifice would be well worth it. Every time that his hand shook and made his cup jitter with the plain, grubby coffee, he reminded himself that it was only for a short while. He would glance to the tied box that was within his quarters, and a smile would fill his somber face. Remembering that this gift would help to solidify the budding friendship between them, Hubert was willing to push through the troublesome obstacles and inconveniences.
. . .
Three days before Ferdinand’s birthday is when all of Hubert’s plans go down the drain.
It was well known that the mage did not treat his body well, often neglecting its needs due to his devotion to his duties, but he was usually lethargic or grouchy at the worst when he was not taking care of himself. On the contrary, this time it did not go as smoothly. The combination of lack of sleep and nutrition, while still carrying an overbooked work schedule, was the cause of his temporary demise.
Attending a meeting within the early morning, Hubert felt exhausted and was running on fumes. At this point, his body was lacking the energy it needed to function normally. Multiple warnings were sent to the mage with his growling stomach, hazy vision, and pounding headache. None of them were heeded. His stubbornness towards attending the council meeting for Her Majesty outweighed any logical sense to stay home and rest for the day. Upon standing up for his turn to share his proposal, Hubert felt the dizziness rise.
Grabbing onto the table, he attempted to present his recent research and suggestions for their next course of action, but he lost his train of thought and much more. His tongue tied within his mouth, and suddenly it felt as if his head was swimming. His vision was blurring, and no amount of closing and reopening his eyes seemed to fix it. Head pounding and body feeling heavy like lead, his sense of balance slipped away from him. Voices mixed together in an incoherent wall of sound, and his consciousness began to fade out.
Before he realizes what has happened, he faints and falls into a deep slumber.
. . .
When Hubert comes back to his senses, he realizes that he is no longer in the council room. Shifting his head, he can see that he is draped in a blanket in his own bedroom. Perplexed how he got here, he slowly sits up and glances around the room. He doesn’t see anything out of the ordinary at first, but then the door knob jiggles and then it swings upon to reveal Ferdinand carrying a tray that holds a large bowl of spicy fish and turnip stew, a glass of water, and a hot cup of cinnamon tea.
“Ah! You are awake!” Ferdinand chirps, going over to set the tray on Hubert’s nightstand. He stands at his bedside, a smile across his lips at the sight of him looking more lively. “Please, eat and drink. You fainted at the meeting, and it was quite concerning!”
Hubert struggles to gather his thoughts. He felt groggy after being asleep for about six hours, and he was confused as to why Ferdinand was here in his quarters with a meal. As he was racking his brain for ways to respond, he cannot help but notice that he had a few stains on his shirt and its cuffs. Even though his brain was slogging forward, he notices that the color of the stew’s broth matches his stains, and the pieces click together in his mind.
“My apologies. I sabotaged our meeting, and now have forced you to watch over me like a sick child.” Hubert sighs, glancing back at the tray. The stew smelled scrumptious, and his stomach let out a small grumble, much to his embarrassment.
“Oh, be quiet! I will feed you myself and truly treat you like a kid if you do not begin to eat right this moment.” Ferdinand threatens him, pointing at him with an accusatory finger.
“I would rather avoid that much shame.” Hubert says in a murmur, reaching for the tray once he is fully seated upright. He sets it upon his lap, taking the spoon and blowing on it, and then swallowing a mouthful of the stew.
His eyes widen as he is greeted with a delicious flavor. There was a wonderful amount of spice, and he found himself eagerly taking another bite. It was soothing down his throat with its warm temperature, and his body is grateful for a home cooked meal. There was perhaps a tad too much salt, but it was a minor complaint at most. Swallowing another spoonful, he looks to Ferdinand and feels a gentle warmth spreading across his chest, although it wasn’t from the soup.
The other man looks radiant before him, shining like a glorious beacon of sunlight. He can really notice how much he has changed at such a close proximity. His hair looked vibrant and soft, twisted in loose waves of copper as it sat at his shoulders. He also had a few freckles across his cheeks, along with smile lines that formed when he grinned wide. Not to mention, the stained shirt upon his shoulders fit him well; it did not leave much to the imagination, seeing his maturing body and growing muscles around his arms and chest.
“Is it alright? I went to grab the ingredients and attempted to cook one of the soups you told me was a favorite of yours. I am sure it is not the best version you have had, but...I hope it suffices.” Ferdinand chuckles nervously, fiddling with his thumbs.
“It is perfect.” Hubert quickly replies, not allowing the other man to doubt himself. “You did not have to go through all this effort for me, but I am most grateful.”
“True, I did not have to do anything, but I was worried. We all were!” Ferdinand leans in closer, watching as Hubert sips from his cup of tea. “You have looked a little more pale than usual, and I had a feeling something was wrong. I did not expect you to be malnourished and pass out in the middle of your speech, though!”
“Oh…”
“Linhardt and Manuela looked over you before I carried you back here, and they both agreed that you have not been eating enough, nor getting your recommended hours of rest.” Ferdinand feels a bit motherly by nagging, but he was truly concerned.
Hubert’s face heats up with a crimson blush when Ferdinand mentions carrying him here. He did not expect to learn such a detail, and it took him by surprise. He hides behind the cup a little more, unsure what to him. He did not wish to lie to Ferdinand, or at least, not when unnecessary. Keeping secrets for espionage was one thing, but keeping information from a man he held compassion for was different. Yet, he doesn’t want to spoil his surprise gift, but he may have to for honesty’s sake.
“Well, yes, that is a fair statement for them to make. I have been...neglecting my meals and sleep.” Hubert admits with a sigh. “I am a bit short on funds as of late.”
“Huh?” Ferdinand looks puzzled at his answer. “But you are one of the most unwasteful people I know. You do not seem the type to spend your gold so recklessly. So how did you run so low, and why did you not speak up? I would have happily split some of my own coins to you.”
“Your kindness is touching, but my pride forbade me from begging for assistance. I do not regret my decision though. In fact, I have only become more assured that it was a worthwhile purchase after today…”
“Hubert!” Ferdinand exclaims, “How?! You fainted from exhaustion today! What could be worth that?”
His amber eyes glare at the other man, feeling angered that he would dare suggest his well being was lesser than some purchase. He shakes his head, making his hair fall out of place. Before he can speak up to argue that his worth was far superior than any item that could be bought, Hubert points towards the opposite corner of the room. Following the finger, Ferdinand spots a brown box wrapped with twine.
“I should not tell you this, since it is a few days early, but...that is your gift. I was struggling to find something you would like, but then I saw these and knew I had to buy them.” Hubert explains, stirring around his stew and eating a few more spoonfuls quietly.
“Wait, are you saying that...you got a gift, for me? That is the reason you have been taking such poor care of yourself?” Ferdinand frowns, moving a hand to grab onto Hubert’s own. He gives it a tight squeeze, staring down at the tray in his lap. “I would never wish for you to do such a thing to yourself for me. You are foolish, Hubert.”
The beating of his heart skips a little faster as Ferdinand holds his hand, and Hubert knows he is a bit stupid to spend all his coins on a single gift at his own health’s expense. But he doesn't regret it. He would do it again, if it meant that Ferdinand would be happy with his present. Hence, he must know what he thinks. He cannot wait; he wishes to see Ferdinand open his gift this very moment.
“I am. I will not deny this in this particular scenario. Still,...I would appreciate you accepting the gift. You could do so now, if you wish.” Hubert gives a pleading look, and Ferdinand is incapable of refusing his request.
“Fine, but I stand by what I said. Nothing is worth your health! You are a valiant leader in our army, and we would be lost without you.” Ferdinand’s face heats with a slight pink tint for a brief second as he speaks before getting up and moving to grab the box.
When he picks it up, it is not very heavy. He brings it back over, taking his seat by Hubert’s bed. His fingers work on untying the twine, pulling out the bow that sits on the middle. Once the pieces fall off, it is easy to lift off the top of the box and reveal the treasure inside. As soon as his eyes land upon the shoes, Ferdinand feels as if he swallowed an entire swarm of butterflies. His stomach feels nearly queasy with their fluttering, and his body grows incessantly warm.
“Hubert…” He breathes out his name, bringing a hand to run across the burgundy colored boot. The leather is smooth across his fingertips, and he feels a rush of excitement at the thought of wearing these at the stables. Their color was gorgeous, and the craftsmanship was high quality.
“Yes?” Hubert replies, apprehensive.
“These are gorgeous.” He gushes, pulling the boot out and admiring it with a wide, proud grin.
“R-Really?”
“Yes! They remind me of boots I used to dream of having as a child.” Ferdinand admits with a sheepish look. He traces over the laces next, pulling at them a few times for good measure. He desires to try them, but he also did not want to forget about the fact these boots were the reason Hubert had mistreated himself and ignored his needs.
“That is most reassuring to hear.” Hubert says with a smile, finishing off his cup of tea.
“But! I still am upset with you!” Ferdinand huffs, putting the boot back into the box and closing it up. He sets it on the ground beside them, crossing his arms across his chest sternly.
Hubert feels himself shrink at Ferdinand’s scolding. He bites upon his lip, averting his gaze towards the tray once more. However, a pair of strong hands take the tray and set it aside on the nightstand once more. He expects the other man to lecture him on the proper use of his funds and to not splurge on such pricey items. Yet, when he raises his head to look at Ferdinand, he’s surprised that his expression is more of a pout than a scowl or grimace.
“Again, my apologies, Ferdinand. I simply wished to offer you a gift. You did present me with that tome of spells for my own birthday.” He struggles to find the right next words. He wants to tell him that he wished to show how much he appreciated Ferdinand’s presence now and in his life. “I wished to return the favor for someone...important to me.”
There are no words for a brief second, and Hubert worries if he said too much.
Before he can backpedal, Ferdinand throws his arms around him in a tight hug. He squeezes him tight, nuzzling his face into the curve of his neck. He can hear Hubert sputtering out of surprise, but Ferdinand does not pull back or loosen his grip. In fact, he hugs him a bit harder and inhales the comforting scent that the older man wears.
“Enough! I cannot be upset with you when you speak like that.” Ferdinand lets out a laugh, blushing once Hubert’s arms rise and embrace him in return.
Ferdinand wishes that this moment would last forever. There was a sense of peace, sitting here in Hubert’s room and holding onto the other man so tight. No one else is watching them. There are no worries about combat plans. It was only the two of them, and Ferdinand felt like Hubert was truly beginning to understand him. He could feel their intimate bond, and the respect that has bloomed between the two of them.
Yet, he cannot hug him for too long, or else it might seem odd. Hubert was not a touchy-feely type of man. Ferdinand respects that, and so he pulls back and smiles gently at him. Hubert finds himself lost in that smile and the way his hair frames his face. It falls in perfect curls, and it makes him wonder, would he look even more handsome if he let it keep growing? Would it become stronger, longer, and smoother to the touch?
His mind diverges further.
What about the two of them? Would their relationship continue to grow, similar to Ferdinand’s luxurious hair? He supposes time will tell, but he has his hopes for the future.
“Happy early birthday, Ferdinand.” Hubert whispers to him, feeling his heart flop with his ribcage.
“Thank you, Hubert. Your gift is well appreciated.” Ferdinand beams, folding his hands on his lap. “Although, I do hope you plan to say those words on the actual day.”
“Well, yes I-” He is interrupted.
“By that I mean, I would be honored if you would join me for a ride upon my birthday. I have to test out these boots, yes? I would appreciate your company upon my ride in the morning. We could get breakfast after. Does that sound agreeable?” Ferdinand tilts his head to the side.
Mornings were the absolute worst time to interact with Hubert von Vestra, and the man himself was well aware of this. Despite that detail, he nods.
“Perfectly agreeable.”
On the thirtieth of the Great Tree Moon, Hubert von Vestra rises early and traveled to the stables. With wariness in his limbs and the bags under his eyes, he pushed himself forward.
When his eyes land upon Ferdinand, dressed down for an early morning ride, he finds the strength and energy he needed as if he had sipped from his favorite cup of coffee. The other man’s energy exuded off of him, and Hubert found it contagious. Pleasant greetings are exchanged, and Hubert admires the appearance of Ferdinand.
His loosely buttoned top, his high waisted trousers, and of course, the burgundy boots that look perfect upon his calves. Watching Ferdinand saddle up his horse for the ride, he knows the gold was well spent. Those riding boots were made for the cavalier. They fit him perfectly, curving to his muscular legs with finesse. No one else was worthy of such a fine pair of boots.
Once they were ready to ride, Ferdinand hopped on first and offered his hand towards Hubert. He pulled him on top of the saddle, instructing him to hold onto his waist. Although nervous, Hubert listened and loosely held onto the other man. He tried to keep his arms high, not wanting to slip too low or make things awkward. He had thought they were going to each ride on their own horse, but he was pleasantly surprised that Ferdinand wished to show off his skills. It may have been a bit of gloating, but it was his birthday, so it was excusable.
Starting off with a slow trot, the two headed down a path in the woods nearby. The sun was still rising on the horizon, the sounds of birds singing filled the air, and the warmth of Ferdinand’s back pressed against Hubert’s chest made the mage’s heart skip a couple of beats. The air felt crisp as it gently whistled through both of their hair as Ferdinand picked up speed. Even while gripping a bit tighter and pressing his face onto Ferdinand’s shoulder, Hubert still could admire the way his hair caught the sunlight and danced within the morning breeze.
Time seemed to be slowed in that moment, and Hubert was grateful for it. He basked in the utter joy that left Ferdinand in the form of laughter. He was having a marvelous birthday already, and the sun had barely set in the sky.
The ride may have only lasted an hour in total, but the experience was priceless.
During the breakfast that followed after, Hubert found himself unable to stop the red tinting of his cheeks whenever Ferdinand chuckled or looked upon him with his gleaming amber eyes. His heart rate ran far too fast, there was an aching to his chest, and his head felt fuzzy and lost in sentimental thoughts. He was slightly worried if he was catching a fever.
Alas, he did not let those symptoms stop him.
Ferdinand had a wonderful birthday celebration, and Hubert felt lucky to be a part of it.