Chapter Text
“Again, I just- it was like he was trying to kill you!” Rue says, voice taking a shrill tone.
“Oh, I daresay he was. Trying, that is. Trust me, dear Master of Ceremonies, he would not have succeeded. If anything, I would have killed him,” Hob assures them, breathing out hard and clutching their side.
“That is also not ideal- a murder, at the Bloom that I am hosting,” Rue huffs.
“Bandages,” Binx states, coming up to Rue’s side, “Apollo’s sword got you in the side pretty bad, it looks. Um-”
“My cousin is trying to source some healing potion, certainly there is something around here,” Chirp informs from near the door. “And to hold you over, I will fetch some calming tea! It will take just a few moments- I’m not used to heating the water myself, hah, but pillar boy assures he will help.”
Rue breathes in sharply and Hob sits up on the chaise longue they’ve had him seated on. Rue and Binx help cover Hob in the bandages she acquired, before Binx flits off again and they are alone.
“Thank you, though. Rue. For… coming to my aid, along with the rest,” Hob says. “Andhera’s healing magic was of great benefit, if not sufficient to close the wounds.”
“Thank heavens for that! If you’d been bleeding out the whole time we’d dragged you back here?” Rue sighs heavily, shaking their head as if to get the mental images out. “I hadn’t been prepared, emotionally, to see you in such a state, I-” they cut themself off, again, then start again in a more measured voice, “I apologize. I don’t mean to dwell on how your injuries impact me. You are the one who is hurting.”
“No, no. You could- you could do no wrong. Truly, it is of great comfort to me that someone as- as- radiant as yourself would even so much as worry over my state of being.”
“Captain Hob,” Rue says softly. “Of course I’d worry over you. I would like nothing more to be of comfort to you. But I certainly hope that it would come from not just idly worrying, but, well- actively helping you instead?”
Hob blinks, “Right. Well. Your presence here is greatly appreciated, and I am ever thankful for it.”
“Good,” Rue says, placing a hand over Hob’s. Hob stiffens, but Rue doesn’t move, just turns their head back to the door. “I hope Lord Airavis returns quickly. I hate seeing you in such pain.”
“You mustn’t fret, dear Rue. I’ve suffered many an injury and some greater than this,” Hob says, placing their other hand on top of Rue’s own.
“There you go, comforting me instead of the other way around,” Rue tsks. “Truth be told, just earlier today I’d wished to be comforted by you, but no-”
“Why?” Hob demands, sitting up ever so slightly, “What happened?”
“Captain,” Rue tucks their head down, “I don’t wish to burden you, not in this moment.”
“It is not- if anything, it is more distressing for you to withhold this information. Of-of course it is yours to share, or not share, I do not mean to make demands of you. I simply implore, if you can find it in your heart to tell me, I would very much like to know.”
Rue’s eyes warm greatly in their owlish way of smiling, and they nod. “Hob, I would tell you anything if you were only to ask. I’d hope you’ve come to understand that, given.. well. You know,” they say, a hint of.. something in their voice.
“I-” Hob furrows their brows, utterly perplexed. “You say you would tell me anything I wished to know?”
“Yes,” Rue says plainly. “Of course.”
“And, I am to understand there is a specific… reason behind this openness?”
“I.. Well, I would- I would hope,” Rue says, avoiding meeting Hob’s eyes. “You.. you read my letter, did you not?”
“A letter?” Hob’s ears move forward. “What letter? You- sent a letter?”
“I did. I-” a flash of great sadness darkens Rue’s eyes for a moment, and then they sit up straighter. All the while, their hand has never left Hob’s. “It must have been undelivered. Or.. lost, of course. Lost.”
“I concur. I assure you, if I were to receive a letter from yourself I would not delay in reading it,” Hob says, quite fiercely. Rue nods.
“I know this. I know. It’s okay.” Rue shakes the feathers on their shoulders then clicks their beak together just to hear the sound. “Okay. That’s okay. I can just… tell you what the letter said!” Rue laughs, sounding a little nervous.
“I would very much like that,” Hob says. “I- will also say. I- I have something I should tell you.”
“Oh?” Rue asks, tilting their head.
“Yes. But, you may go first. It was your intention to communicate something to me earlier in the day, therefore you should be the one to speak presently.”
“Right,” Rue says. “Well-” they start, taking in a full, deep breath.
“Tea!” Binx says, throwing open the door to the room.
Rue;s feathers ruffle, startled. Hob looks to Binx.
“Sorry! Did not mean to interrupt. I will just, put this tea down here,” Binx says, carrying a tray over to the side table next to the chaise.
“Not to worry Ms- Binx,” Hob says, polite as ever.
“Are you- are you feeling okay? I won’t stay long, I just want to check.”
“I am certainly fine. All of this fussing, it is appreciated, believe me. However, not strictly necessary. I will not bring up the issue of walking it off again-”
“No, you will not,” Rue agrees.
“-I only mean to say, that the truth remains the truth even when the matter has been put to rest,” Hob says, holding Rue’s gaze.
“O-kaaay. Well. Enjoy your tea! I will leave the room now. And shut the door, which is heavy and, Andhera assures me, very soundproof.”
“Right,” Rue says, and Binx nods.
“Got it!” Hob says forcefully. Binx smiles, then winks at Hob. “You seem to have something in your eye there.”
“Okay byeeee,” Binx says, and slams the door shut.
For the last time, Rue shakes their feathers, before forcing them down. They then go to pick up the tea and realizes they had still been holding Hob’s hand.
“Where were we?” Rue asks, looking back to Hob with the dainty mug clasped in their clawed hands.
“You were going to recite your letter to me,” Hob informs them.
“Ah, yes. I am not sure if I will be able to recall every word, of course, but, I can tell you what I remember…” Rue says.
“That will do,” Hob assures them. They stare at one another.
“I… Dear Captain Hob,” Rue starts, then falters. “I. Very much enjoyed our time at the ball?” they say, slowly.
“Point of clarification: Do you mean to phrase that as a question, or was the upwards lilt at the end incidental?” Hob asks.
“No, it’s not a question, I did indeed enjoy our time, I just- I am struggling to-“ Rue holds their breath for a moment and places their teacup down. “Fuck it. I will tell you not what the letter said, but the sentiment of the letter.”
“Alright, do as you will,” Hob nods, encouraging and inquisitive all at once.
“I love you,” Rue blurts out, and Hob wheezes. “Oh- are you-”
“I’m fine,” Hob gasps, holding his side where the blade hit.
“I want to be with you,” Rue continues, reaching out help Hob stay upright in his seat, since he has doubled over, “I want to know you, hold you, cherish you- I, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Just. Peachy,” Hob says, coughing, and finally looking up to try to convince Rue of their statement.
“You’re crying,” Rue tells him, eyes filled with concern. “Oh, I should not have dropped this on you, with you in a such a state!”
“No, no, I- this is news of great importance, Rue- Delloso, I. I can’t imagine not having heard these word and, as such, knowing now what I know, if it had been delayed any longer and if I were to know it was delayed- I would be beside myself. I would rather know.”
“I… Okay,” Rue says, and Hob leans back against the chair.
“Rue,” Hob says, once his breath is caught.
“Delloso is fine,” Rue says, and Hob bites back a beaming smile, despite pained eyes. “What are you thinking, Knickolas? Tell me what is on your mind.”
“I must hastily tell you that which I wish I could phrase more delicately,” Hob says, reaching and taking Rue’s hand this time. “Delloso, I have been ordered to marry a member of the seelie court.”
“WHAT?”
Hob squeezes their hand, “No, no, it’s no matter. What you’ve said, it- changes everything. I would have never dreamt of saying these words, but rest assured, you will believe them to be true: I will gladly, easily, forsake my court orders for you,” Hob speaks quickly, in a manner almost manic. He holds Rue’s hand in what must be a bone-breaking grip, but Rue just stares, anguish in their eyes. “That is to say: I love you as well.”
“Oh,” Rue says, nodding very slowly. “Okay. That’s a lot- a lot to take in. But, net positive!”
“Yes,” Hob says, nodding very quickly. “Yes, we love one another. A love that we share, between us, and we will- we will figure out the rest.”
“Of course,” Rue says, and leans forward to press their beak to Hob’s furry cheek.
At that moment, the door bursts open once more.
“The healing potion has been acquired,” Squak announces, holding out a little vial.
Rue pulls back from Hob and clears their throat. Hob mutters, only loud enough for Rue to hear, “oh come on,” and Rue laughs lightly.
“Well, I expected a bit more fanfare at my saving the day, however, it appears you two are busy, soo,” Squak brings his arm back, “Rue, catch.”
Rue holds out a hand and grabs the potion out of the air. “Why thank you, Lord Airavis. We are deeply grateful for your service.”
“Glad to help,” Squak says. “You need a sock for the door, or-”
“Get. Out!” Rue shouts, and Squak slams the door shut, cutting off his own laugh in the process. Rue huffs loudly. “Anyway,” Rue says, turning back to Hob, “you should probably take this potion, now.”
“Of course,” Hob says, and Rue hands him the potion. He drinks it and sits up, removing his hand from his side. It will take a few moments to fully repair the damage, but Hob is feeling better already.
“May I… join you on the chaise?” Rue asks, and Hob looks at them almost incredulously.
“Of course,” he repeats, “it would please me greatly to share this space with you. Any space, with you.”
Rue stands from the ottoman that they’d been sitting on and takes a seat next to Hob, once more taking his hand, and then leaning closer.
They will have much yet to face. From tarnished friendships to forsaken court orders. For the moment, they are content just to sit next to one another.