Work Text:
It was not typical for Minister Vestra to linger at a celebratory ball. While he always made a short appearance out of duty, he would excuse himself early on in the evening. Large gatherings of people were simply not his idea of fun. His paranoia would have him scanning the crowd for any signs of foul play among the guests. A crowd of this size was a perfect place to stage an attempt at assassination due to the chaos that would ensue. It would be easy for the perpetrator to sneak out in the middle of all the screaming and frantic running. These sort of thoughts tumbling around in his brain usually made it more difficult to enjoy the light hearted festivities.
Besides fearing a breach in security, Hubert also was not a nobleman who enjoyed frivolous dancing or drinking. Due to his strict upbringing, he has refrained from such activities for the majority of his life. Alcohol may have been a vice to many, but his own palate preferred the bitter bite of coffee. Thus, he tended to avoid partaking in much drinking or feasting during a party. One of the few exceptions being his own wedding, but even then he had been cautious with the amount of drinks he had to avoid making a fool of himself on his and Ferdinand’s special day.
However, Edelgard was hosting a ball to welcome both Petra and Dorothea back to Enbarr. The two had left Adrestia to live in harmony in Brigid. Together the women ruled as Petra took her position in power as their princess with a loving wife by her side. The relationship between Brigid and the Empire had immensely improved after the war. Keeping to her promises, Edelgard had built a new foundation where the two nations could be allies instead of enemies.
Hence, a party was hosted to celebrate their visit. Everyone from the Black Eagle Strike Force had promised to make an appearance to visit their dear friends. In an attempt to show compassion for her beloved pals, Edelgard had a large selection of food and drink from a mixture of Brigid and Fódlan cuisine prepared for the evening. She hoped to please the taste buds of everyone who attended the ball. No expense had been held back. The emperor had decorated the ballroom extensively and hung glass chandeliers from the rafters. There was also a live string quartet with an accompanying piano to provide beautiful music.
Under the expectations to appear as a good host and better friend, Hubert had sat at the large round table with the rest of the eagles during the special night. While he was not the type of man to concede to social pressures often, he had grown a pinch softer with help from his darling husband. Ferdinand was able to bring out a gentler side of him underneath his jaded exterior. He shared in their laughter and mirth, listening to the stories the others shared about their adventures and journeys traveling Fódlan and its neighboring countries. Hubert seldom left the palace. His duties kept him within these walls or beneath the floors in the cellars. So, it was enjoyable to listen to people like Caspar and Linhardt recount their trips.
The food was filling and delicious, and the company was even better. As the drinks were poured and flowing, Hubert found himself curious enough to take a few sips. The wine was one that he had never heard of before since it originated from Brigid. It had a richness that went smooth down his throat, and he ended up having two glasses. A faint rosy hue spread across his cheekbones, and his perpetual frown turned to a timid smile across his lips. Leaning against the palm of his hand, he stared across the table with a glossy look in his eyes.
The recipient of his stare was the Prime Minister on the opposite side of him. Holding a drink in hand, Ferdinand was talking to Caspar at his side. Both of them were roaring with laughter, but Hubert was unable to hear whatever joke had amused the two men. His lover’s face was decorated with a warm smile that captivated the intoxicated mage with its brilliance. Sighing softly, he ogled his husband without shame. His green eyes followed the way one of Ferdinand’s fingers toyed with a strand of his hair, twirling the orange curl as he idly conversed with their friends. He had left it down instead of braiding it tonight merely because Hubert had told him he loved the sight of it freely flowing down his shoulders and back.
Reaching for another glass of wine, Hubert nearly tipped over the bottle with a shaky hand. Luckily, Edelgard beside him grabbed it and steadied his grip. Her worried look disappeared the instant she saw the crimson tinted tips of her retainer’s ears.
“Hubert, may I suggest you take it a little slower? It’s been quite some time since your last drink…” She spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting to draw any attention to them. It was not her intent to embarrass him.
“Huh?” Hubert took the glass and pressed it to his lips, slowly sipping as his eyes drifted back towards Ferdinand. He looked dashing as ever. Dressed up in a newly tailored maroon waistcoat and jacket, the Prime Minister was decorated with his husband’s brooch on his neck to keep his cravat securely in place. “Oh… I suppose, but I think I’m quite alright.”
Tilting the drink back, he sipped and felt a comfortable warmth resonating inside of his body. It was a pleasant fuzzy feeling that was spreading quickly from his head to his toes. His mind grew a bit foggy, and he began to tunnel vision solely on his spouse. Glancing down at his hand, he saw the golden band that sat around his scarred finger shining within the bright lights of the ballroom. A burst of giggles escaped his throat as he held his hand out, astonished to see such a ring upon his hand. The sound caught the attention of the other guests at the table.
“You alright there, pal?” Dorothea asked, turning towards the mage with a raised brow.
“Wonderful. I just… I remembered something quite fantastic,” Hubert spoke with a giddy intonation in his words. “I am married. Me! How peculiar.”
Stifling a laugh, Dorothea put her hand to her lips. She knew something good was about to happen, and she eagerly strapped in for the show.
“Oh? Do tell me more about your discovery.” She prodded him for more, a devious grin across her painted lips.
“You see this ring? I was given it by that handsome man across the table,” He paused and pointed towards Ferdinand. The other man caught the gesture in his peripheral vision and turned to look at Hubert with a curious stare. “It is quite a contrast to these ugly hands, yet he says it fits me just fine.”
Babbling without a filter, Hubert was earning the entire table’s attention. He met with Ferdinand’s gaze, and he attempted to wink towards him. However, in his drunken state both of his eyes closed simultaneously. He tried a few times, but each time he only ended up blinking aggressively. It was a pitifully cute display.
“Darling, is there something wrong? You have been making a few odd faces.” Ferdinand spoke up, concern laced in his words. He saw Hubert shake his head, blushing profusely.
“Not at all. I feel fine. In fact, I feel like… like… dancing!” He jumped up from his seat, causing the chair to fall onto the floor with a thud. The sound was startling to other patrons in the room, but Ferdinand was quick to try and smooth things over. He rose from his seat and clapped his hands together.
“I believe it is time for our first dance of the night. Please, honored guests, do join us on the floor for a waltz.” Ferdinand announced out loud, gathering many couples from their tables to stand and make their way towards the center of the ballroom. The Prime Minister quickly took Hubert by the hand and tugged him along, wishing to obscure the spotlight his husband had uncharacteristically put upon himself. He ignored the boisterous chuckling from his allies behind them.
Turning to face his spouse, Ferdinand grabbed a hold of Hubert’s hand and set his other upon the man’s hip. He stepped a little closer, brushing their chests together as Hubert placed a hand upon his shoulder. Their eyes met, and he noticed the glossy sheen in his partner’s gaze. His green eyes were covered with heavy lids, fluttering his curled lashes. At this distance, he could smell the wine of his lover’s breath and feel the heat radiating off his cheeks. He was indeed intoxicated from merely a handful of drinks. The higher alcohol content within the gifted wine must have far exceeded his ability to hold liquor.
The band began to play a slow song, and the sound of the strings and piano carried their feet away. Ferdinand led them through the movements, guiding them with practiced ease. While Hubert was no expert, he knew the basics of a waltz due to his noble upbringing. Unfortunately, it seemed his coordination was suffering as he nearly tripped or stepped on Ferdinand’s toes while swaying across the floor. It was by pure luck and anticipation of his lover’s stumbles that Ferdinand avoided the crushing of his feet.
“You look pretty tonight, well every night.” Hubert muttered to him, pushing their foreheads together. “But I digress, you are too good for me. An angel. A piece of the sun itself.”
“Thank you,” He replied, a shade of pink covering the freckles that were speckled across his nose and cheeks. It was not often that Hubert used such honeyed words towards him. It was simply not his nature to speak in a courtly tongue, but he had other tactics to show his devotion. Still, it was a pleasant surprise to hear such heavy praise. “You are foolish, though. We have been over this before, Hubert. If I am the sun, then you are the moon and all of the stars combined. Without either of us, the sky would be incomplete.”
Reaching forward, his hand brushed over the pronounced cheekbone of his spouse. His thumb glided over the soft skin, and he bumped their noses together. Despite all the rough edges, he knew that Hubert was incredibly soft inside. Tonight only proved that further. His usual tight lips were loosened and spoke sincere truths from his heart.
Tilted his head forward, Hubert brushed their mouths together and met for a kiss. Their lips gently pressed into each other, moving together in perfect harmony. It was as easy as breathing to kiss one another. He daringly let his tongue slip out and brush over Ferdinand’s supple bottom lip, begging for entrance. In a moment of weakness, he caved and allowed him access to his mouth. It was indecent to kiss so deeply in the middle of a public ball, but he couldn’t push away the desire. He rubbed their tongues together, whining into the other’s mouth as he was devoured so eagerly.
“Hubert, we mustn’t… not here.”
“Then, may we excuse ourselves, Prime Minister?” The way he spoke his title sounded more like a salacious pet-name than his position in governmental affairs.
“It is still early in the night, it would be rude to—”
“I want to eclipse you. I wish to encompass every part of your body with my own embrace. Leave with me. We can return after a… ah, quick intermission.” He whispered in a heated rush of longing.
Trembling, Ferdinand looked over the scene as the first song came to an end. This was their time to escape, while couples were exiting and entering the floor. Filled with anticipation, he nodded, quickly pushed through the crowd, and headed towards the exit. Getting Hubert to drink on occasion might have its benefits after all.