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When Hubert and Edelgard begin their fourth and third year of college respectively, the last thing Hubert expects Edelgard to say is that they should participate in the theater’s department’s latest production.

“Are you against it?” Edelgard asks him after he does not respond for a good few minutes.

“Against? No. Just confused about where this is coming from,” he says. 

“Well…” Edelgard actually looks bashful, an expression Hubert can count happening in his presence on one hand, “it’s your final year and I’m finally starting my research, so I thought it would be good for us to get to do something fun. And together since you won’t be here next year.”

“I’m enrolling in the graduate program, you know. I’ll still be around.”

“Yes, but it won’t be the same,” she gives him a look like she wants to ruffle his hair for saying something childishly ridiculous.

“Okay,” he says slowly, “however, should we not be focused on our studies for those exact same reasons?” 

“You have a point, but now is the time to try something new!” she says with too much glee for that to be the only reason. Edelgard likes trying new things, but usually it has to relate to a goal she has. This idea is just too far out of left field for her. 

He sighs at the thought of this semester’s schedule, “Edelgard, I will barely keep up with the archery club this semester, which is something I actually enjoy.”

“And I’m busy with volleyball.” She leans closer and softens her expression. “C’mon, Hubert, don’t you think it would be fun to try out at least? We might not even get a part, but we should try.”

That makes the third or fourth time she asked him. What would make her so determined to be on stage with him. Neither has expressed anything more than a passing interest in theater. But an idea pops into Hubert’s mind: “Say I do this with you, then will you tell me the real reason you are bringing this up?”

“Real reason?” She leans back and watches him as carefully as he watches her. “What do you mean, I already told you. To do something fun with you before our time is up.”

“Yes, I suspect it to be a reason, not the reason. I know you just as well as you know me, remember?” 

They stare at each other’s eyes as their battle of wills starts. 

“Ugh, fine, deal,” she relents. “So I have your word you will show up at the auditions?”

“Yes. But I draw the line at auditioning for lead roles. Let others take the spotlight.”

“Good enough for me. As long as we both can be on the stage together, that’s all that matters.”

“So your reasons?”

“You’re not going to drop this, are you? Can’t you spare me the embarrassment?” If Edelgard were a lesser person, or not immune to years of staring down Hubert, she would have looked away. But she is his best friend for a reason. 

“Ordinarily, yes, but your insistence on doing this makes me too suspicious.”

“Fine, but you promise not to laugh?”

“When have I ever laughed at you?”

“Okay… So you know how… last semester I kind of met someone? Well, I heard that she was also auditioning… And we don’t have class together this semester, so I thought this would be a good chance to spend time with her instead.”

“Ah…” The full picture comes to Hubert. He slyly smiles, which looks less like a shared joke with friends and more of a scheming foe. “While I might not enjoy being in the show itself, I will be happy to help you get to know Dorothea Arnault during our breaks.”

“Hubert! Don’t just say it so casually!” Edelgard looks around them as if said actress is just behind them. “But fine, you’re right. It’s Dorothea.” 

“As careful as you are, when it comes to Dorothea, you tend to lose your head this summer.”

“Am I that bad?”

“Nothing extreme, but the changes this past summer were noticeable to me.” 

The sighs at her phones, the sudden interest in show tunes, and the desire to remake her entire wardrobe,  fulfilled of course and Hubert carried all her bags by her side, suggest plenty without giving a specific name. Until now. 

“I guess that’s what friends are for,” she says. 

“For embarking on a trek neither of us truly want to do, beyond external factors, together? Then, yes, I believe the phrase ‘that is what friends are for’ is apt here.”

“You know, you could leave it at, ‘happy to help’ and ‘anything for you.’” She smiles at him like a true friend.

“Those meanings were implied, yes?”

“Yes, you jerk with heart of gold.”

He frowns at those familiar words from a first year course. “You have clearly taken too many of Professor Eisner's literature classes.”

They sit back and enjoy the rest of their lunch. An excitement clearly takes over Edelgard and feeds into every action. Their conversation eventually moves onto other plans and topics, mostly what the rest of the semester will look like if they are in the show. 

Hubert thought they were done speaking of auditions, he gave his word after all, until the end as they stand to leave. 

“By the way, I won’t let you back down from this,” Edelgard says.

“I am a man of my words.”

“Good because I heard Ferdinand von Aegir is auditioning too.”

Hubert nearly takes the whole year off.

Hubert can not recall doing anything particularly objectionable in any of Professor Casagranda's classes he has previously enrolled in; a rare occurrence in his schedule in the first place. Yet, she feels the most suitable role for Hubert is Ferdinand von Aegir’s sworn enemy. The role is not something Hubert is completely unfamiliar with, as the character’s relationship does sum up his own thoughts about his opposing actor, but it means most of his scenes are with said man. For sworn enemies, the characters sure do go out of their way to engage with each other as much as possible. Even when the battles would suggest they would be better served doing something else.

"Oh, reckless hero. How foolish you are to come here without any of your sworn brethren."

"Vile villain, after all you have taken, it is only fair that I shall be the one to end your greed!”

Hubert does not hate Ferdinand von Aegir. At least, not anymore. In high school, that might have been true. No, Ferdinand von Aegir is, at best, a distraction and, at worst, a constant test of Hubert’s limited patience. The man is flighty, loud, a hazard, and a number of other things Hubert can name to get into character. 

Nevertheless, a promise is a promise and Hubert is curious to watch Edelgard win over Dorothea, so he makes it to every rehearsal without fail. 

He will never admit being a little disappointed when it appears his presence is not needed at all. Edelgard and Dorothea’s character spend most of the show traveling together and falling in love, though both believe it to be unrequited. 

After Edelgard reads him her lines as practice, he quips it is only a matter of time before Dorothea grows into the mask she wears so excellently. Edelgard throws back at him that by working so intimately together, he will grow out of his mask and like Ferdinand by the end of this production. He can only quote his monologue about his ultimate quest of ending his nemesis. 

"By my lance, with the heavens as my witness, you will fall to my might!"

"Must you always be dramatic? Very well then, my dagger will pierce you true!"

Meanwhile, the other characters, lords and ladies and the occasional commoner, play out their own plots before the finale, when everyone’s drama converges. He does not interact with those actors, but he is familiar with most everyone in passing.

Which just leaves Hubert and Ferdinand von Aegir to their solo scenes of plotting to politically destroy each other and their shared scenes of duels to physically destroy each other. While Hubert would not spend time outside of the theater with the man, he does start to trust Ferdinand von Aegir. He must when the other is swinging a lance at him for three scenes. A dull lance, but one that still hurts if hit just wrong. 

The most infuriating thing about Ferdinand, outside of his proclamations of true art about his own performances, is his constant need to help. It starts with painting the set, then organizing the costumes, managing ticket sales, and it eventually ends with teaching Hubert how to properly hold and fight with a dagger. Why Ferdinand knows such a thing is a question Hubert concentrates on as Ferdinand’s hands cover around his own gloved fingers. 

It reaches a point that Ferdinand choreographs their fights to show off their individual strengths when their characters are in the most power. He turns their fights into a dance and it is easy for Hubert to fall in step with Ferdinand by the time rehearsals are on the actual stage. 

If Hubert begins sitting in the audience to watch the stage when not acting, it is simply to see Edelgard flirt through her character and charm Dorothea. If Ferdinand’s voice happens to be louder than any other voice, it is due to Ferdinand’s well developed skill of projecting his voice. A skill that he practices off stage, to the detriment of everyone’s hearing. 

"Oh vile villain! You are the one to take Lady Miranda away from her land!"

“Reckless hero, if I had any hand in it, you certainly would not know of it."

At least until Dorothea herself talked to Professor Casagranda for a new ending for these two. 

"Why did you change the script?" Hubert asks as soon as Dorothea dumped the revised script in his arm.

"Because the drama of these two rivals, so focused on their oppositions, finally seeing their true goals are one and the same, is so much more heart wrenching and satisfying than if just one of you killed the other," Dorothea says with all the power of being the student director elects her; which is far more than Hubert’s when on stage and in front of Professor Casagranda and half the cast. 

"Yes, but is it necessary for me to die in Lord Hero's arms?" Hubert puts as much scorn in his voice as possible, but Dorothea ignores him.

"For a man solely focused on his goal, what better death is there for him than knowing his goals will be achieved by the person who knows him best?"

“’Knows him best?’ They spend three acts plotting against each other."

"And that requires intimate knowledge of each other, right? I know this change is pretty last minute, but I wouldn't push to go through with it if I didn't think you and Ferdie couldn't handle it. You are a better actor than I thought."

"Thank you?" 

"Great! Glad you agree, now start memorizing your new lines! Off-book rehearsals start next week!"

“When will you see, my reckless hero? I am you and you are I!”

“Never! I could never threaten Lord Gillian as you do!”

After rehearsing their new fight scenes, Ferdinand approaches him in his street clothes.

"Hubert! As we have a new ending, would you be amenable to practicing the new lines with me?”

Those new lines involve looking Ferdinand in the eyes and proclaiming Ferdinand as his true equal all the while standing close to Ferdinand. Very close. Hubert nods his head without more thought and Ferdinand plans out the evening for them. It is only then that Hubert realizes the extent Ferdinand wishes to go for a simple line reading session. It’s almost too much. 

Nevertheless, three hours later, Hubert returns home wearing Ferdinand’s scarf. 

"So that was your true motive? You... You vile villain… Why did you not tell any of us the truth..."

"Because... My reckless hero... You should not have to soil your innocence for those who will give no thanks."

"That was not your call to make."

"No... But if I have to entrust the future of the land... Who better than my rival..."

"Vile villain... You have finished your work, but you leave us the remains to clean up."

"Yes... It’s horribly unfair of me... Prove to me that... You were truly my rival... My equal."

The play, in the end, is perfect and a huge campus success. Hubert held little doubt that his and Edelgard’s roles would be anything but perfect. The other surprised him. Though he can hardly say he truly understands the world of theater, he can respect everyone that put the work into producing a perfect performance. 

As pointed out during Dorothea’s long winded speech at the wrap up party after closing night.

“And finally!” she shouts the word for the fifth time. “I love to thank my muse and inspiration that gave all of us a greater understanding of the political machinations. I sure don’t envy you gov majors if this is your future! And finally! To the lovely Edie! Miss Smith to my Miranda on stage and off!”

In true thespian fashion, Dorothea pulls up a blushing Edelgard to stand next to her on the center table. Hubert begins clapping with the others as it is clear that Dorothea’s speech is finally over. He also raises an eyebrow as Dorothea sweeps Edelgard flush to her side and bends down for a kiss. Cheers fill the room and the applause gets louder with each passing second that the two ladies do not come up for air. 

Hubert rolls his eyes, then he spots Edelgard’s curling lips and blush. A smile slips from his lips and his eyes dart away to give the new couple privacy from his eyes at the very least. That action has the unfortunate consequence of letting his eyes meet with Ferdinand von Aegir’s from across the room. The rising heat in the room is entirely the uncomfortable feeling of being caught without returning the favor from weeks ago. It is definitely not the growing realization that Ferdinand looks good in simple modern clothes as he did in period costume. 

If the temperature rises as Ferdinand walks over to Hubert, that is due to someone changing the thermostat or the fact that there are far too many people pushed together in a small room. Hubert drains the rest of his drink, spiked by multiple people given the abrasive mix of alcohol, and sways on the spot. Ferdinand has the gall to loosely loop his arms around Hubert; not unlike the way Ferdinand’s character held Hubert’s during the villain’s final breath. 

“Doing okay, Hubert?” Ferdinand asks loudly over the party voices singing along to some show tune.

“Fine, fine. Drinks are stronger than expected.”

“Yeah. Warp parties are the wildest parties of the year. Celebration for another finished production and blowing off all the pent up stress and all that.”

“Is it also always so warm?”

“Not to this degree.”

“Hmmm. I’ll step out for a moment.”

“Could I come too? It is getting unbearable at this point.”

“Do what you will.”

Hubert turns his head away from Ferdinand and searches for the nearest exit, the balconies look free from people, but his body remains attune and aware of Ferdinand walking right behind him. Almost leaving no space between them without touching, which makes the heat worse. 

Fresh air hitting Hubert clears his mind of any more foolish thoughts, which no longer seem foolish as he looks onto Ferdinand glowing from behind from the colorful party lights and the moonlight from the front. It creates an ethereal appearance that suits Ferdinand far too much. Hubert’s mind must be further gone than he thought if he is turning into a poet. Thankfully, he is not so far out of his mind that he says his thoughts aloud; at the very least Ferdinand does not react as if he knows Hubert’s thoughts. 

Turning his traitorous thoughts to anything but Ferdinand’s appearances, he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind, “I will return your scarf before the end of the semester.”

Then they will have no reason to meet again. Hubert supposes Edelgard and Dorothea are their point of connection, but it would never happen. Dorothea holds nothing for Ferdinand other than a cast member. 

“Keep it,” comes a soft voice that the new environment allows to carry. “I think you need it more than I.”

The phantom warmth brushes the back of his neck. “If you insist.”

“Of course I do.”

From the corner of his eyes, Hubert spots Ferdinand with his crossed arms and rubbing his hands up and down his arms. Ferdinand wears nothing but the light layers actors wear backstage for ease of movement and changing and now it is hardly fit for celebration or standing outside in the cold. 

“Yet, you are clearly shivering now,” he says.

“Well, do you have a scarf to lend me?” Ferdinand smiles a smile that could only be described as coy. 

“No, but I have a jacket,” Hubert says with a swift removal of said jacket to Ferdinand’s hands. He cannot, no matter how much he wishes to, gently rest his jacket on him. Not like how Ferdinand so smoothly wrapped Hubert up in his own scarf two weeks ago, so long ago. 

Ferdinand, perhaps for the first time in his life, is speechless and gripes the jacket in his hands. He doesn’t throw it at Hubert or on the ground, so he takes the chance to leave without any more silly thoughts or actions driving him. 

“Well, it would be silly to stand here in the cold like this, so I will return inside.” He turns around and faces the entrance to the party. In the time they stood outside, someone brought out a karaoke machine, and now a room full of drunk thespians are singing, without care for tune or notes or even the right words, pop songs. Hubert longs for the quiet conversations of the archery gathering the team captains decide to pull together once a semester in the name of building a team and community. 

“So soon?” Ferdinand's low voice asks and it is almost enough to tempt Hubert into staying in the cold.

A flash of bright red and purple ribbon inside anchors him in time and he says, “I ought to congratulate Edelgard. Good work on stage, and have a good break.”