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Ferdinand had to bite his tongue as another bolt of black magic passed just mere inches from his head. Turning his horse to address his enemy head on was nearly impossible in the corridors of Shambhala and it left him open to another attack coming from the left. Side hopping just in time, sweat pooled at his brow. Everything about the battle unnerved him - and as the great Ferdinand von Aegir, he shouldn’t buckle in a fight. The labyrinth that was Shambhala undid his bright demeanor though. The dark tunnels, the still air, the shudder and clang of ancient behemoths all proved to be worse than the very real enemies before him.
As the air came alive with battle, Ferdinand had flung himself fully into it. The fight for Fodlan’s future ended not long ago and it had filled him with hope and determination, as well as certainty for what he could accomplish alongside his peers. The only thing keeping Edelgard’s vision from becoming a reality was the continued existence of who he heard Hubert call Those Who Slithered in the Dark. Ferdinand knew little about this group, though according to the Emperor’s shadow, they had served their purpose and had to be disposed of. Ferdinand had wanted to ask questions, seek an understanding of what they were fighting against but Hubert was unusually secretive.
Perhaps he should have pushed harder because now his lack of knowledge could be his undoing. Ferdinand wasn’t the only one caught off guard by the technology and magic at their foe’s hands but he was certainly the one being most punished. His mount was becoming increasingly unyielding to his orders, the stress of the darkness and the heat and crackle of the black magic becoming unbearable. His stress wasn’t helped by the fact that Those Who Slither were clearly working to separate them all. Glancing around, Ferdinand realized with a shiver that he couldn’t even see half of his comrades. Petra’s sword gleamed faintly in the distance and he could see the glow of Linhardt’s magic but they were the only anchors of familiarity he had.
Taking advantage of his uncertainty his attackers aimed another spell towards him, which hit him square in the shoulder. The pain from the strange magic blinded Ferdinand, drawing a sharp gasp from his lips as he fought for control again. The feeling of the saddle left him as he tumbled off his steed as the friction from the blast finally caused the poor creature to break.
Ferdinand groaned when he realized there was a pause to the violence. Finding his strength again, he picked himself up, not letting his legs shake and he adjusted his grip on his lance. He wouldn’t give the enemy the satisfaction of seeing his loss of composure. Standing up fully, Ferdinand realized that his opponents had torn their attention from him. Finally, finally, someone had come to his aid, though perhaps it wasn’t someone he was expecting.
Hubert fought with a fury that Ferdinand had never seen from him. His usual scowl was replaced with a concentrated anger as he countered their spells with his own. Usually Ferdinand would make a remark about how he looked right at home amongst these shadows but he was too stunned to see the determination that Hubert displayed.
“Are you alright?” He asked as soon as he was close enough, a gloved hand raised to ready another spell. It wasn’t like Hubert to ask something like that. Did he truly look so haggard? The possibility that the man actually cared existed but Ferdinand didn’t dwell on that thought, not unless he wanted to be lost to the butterflies the idea gave him.
“Of course I am,” Ferdinand breathed, careful not to shift his weight too much. “I am Ferdinand von Aegir. I would never let a single spell get the best of me.” He didn’t notice the way Hubert rolled his eyes.
The two fought side by side, Hubert keeping their opponents at a distance while Ferdinand took care of those who made it past his barrier. To Ferdinand it seemed like the figures just kept on coming. Every time one fell it seemed like another took their place. He did his best to keep pace but the wound on his shoulder slowed him down. He kept looking to Hubert, noticing the strain on his face. He was struggling too.
“I would not fault you for falling back,” Ferdinand spoke suddenly as an opening in the scuffle appeared. “Neither would Edelgard. It wouldn’t do for you to exhaust yourself. Or for you to fall.”
Hubert scoffed without turning to him. “I would tell you something similar. Knowing you though, you would have ignored my advice.” He would have. Ferdinand would not draw back when so much was at stake. Deep down, he knew Hubert wouldn’t either.
“Very well. Just - ack!” Ferdinand choked when another bolt of magic hit him square in the back. Jolts of pain traveled up his spine as the effects of the spell sapped the strength from his bones. Falling to his knees he was vaguely aware of the fact that Hubert was calling his name, but seemed to grow more distant.
The brief pause in the fight was used by Those Who Slither to regroup and now the two were completely overwhelmed. As they were further separated, Ferdinand lifted his lance again, trying to come to Hubert’s aid, but it was easily knocked from his grip. Even with his blurred vision he could tell he was surrounded. None of the shadows that clouded his vision belonged to Hubert and that loss of comfort sent him further into a panic. He tried to scrabble to his feet but was knocked down yet again, the stinging becoming a familiar sensation.
The air became a swirl of indiscernible colors as Ferdinand fought for his life. It was like he was trying to fight his own shadow; every time he advanced the figure in front of him vanished, replaced by another as the line of fire appeared from another angle. Every nerve in his body screamed at him as his heart pounded heavily in his chest. He clung on for as long as he could but eventually even he couldn’t continue. Collapsing to the ground, the last thing he could hear before succumbing to the darkness creeping into his vision, was Hubert shouting his name.
———
Waking up was a painful experience. His head thudded quietly as he slowly opened his eyes, taking in the familiar tent walls. Ferdinand couldn’t remember how he got here, surely he died in the suffocating tunnels he fought last in. But the twitch in his arms and legs confirmed he was still very much alive and recovering.
Hearing the light clink of a porcelain cup, Ferdinand slowly turned his head to the source, pausing when he saw Hubert, clutching his hands together as he looked at the floor. “Hubert?” He said, surprised to hear how hoarse his voice sounded.
The other man quickly looked up with uncharacteristically wide eyes, surprised and relieved, both emotions that Ferdiand would never associate with him. “You’re awake.” He stated.
“I would think so,” he responded, still taking in his appearance. “Unless I’m caught in some strange dream. Out of everyone I can imagine who I would find at my bedside, you were not on my list.”
Hubert was silent for a moment before he looked away. “Edelgard was with me earlier. After the medic assured us that you would recover fully she took her leave to address some other pressing issues. I wanted to stay though.” He explained slowly. “I did not want you to wake up alone.”
Ferdinand blinked, surprised by his words. Maybe he really was still dreaming. Where was the callous Hubert he was so used to? Not that he disliked this side of him. “That’s…thank you, Hubert. I appreciate your forethought.” He thanked him with a small grin. Turning his attention to the cup, he glanced at it quizzically. “Is that tea? How very unlike you to drink tea.”
Shaking his head, Hubert pushed the tea closer to Ferdinand. “It’s for you. I thought you would like something warm to drink when you woke up.”
Now Ferdinand was baffled. Staying at his side, getting him tea - what was all of this? Slowly as to not pain his body any further, he sat up and took the tea in his hands, wincing as the heat seemed to affect his sensitive hands more than he was used to. “You’re very thoughtful today. Should I expect bad news?” He tried to joke before he realized. “Wait, the battle, did we-.”
“We won. Barely though. The Agarthans anticipated our attack and rallied their forces in time to thwart most of our advances. We will have time later to finish what we started.”
That was a relief. “Were there…any casualties?”
“No, we all made it out, some worse for wear.”
Ferdinand released a sigh. Thank goodness. Though the battle didn’t go as planned at least they aren’t worse off. Though he had his answers, his biggest question still remained. Why was Hubert acting like this? “Why are you here?” He asked suddenly before realizing how cruel the question sounded. “I mean, why be at my side waiting for me to awake when you can be at Edelgard’s side as her advisor. Being her aid is far more important right now than waiting for me.”
Another stretch of silence followed as Hubert supposedly searched for an answer. “Because I was concerned for you,” He said quietly. “When I saw you collapse I felt like I was about to lose something dear to me. Like you were being taken from me and I wanted to do anything I could to stop that. Now that you are safe I want to make sure you are comfortable and cared for.”
Shocked, Ferdinand didn’t know what to think. “You were scared of losing me?” He asked quickly.
Hubert frowned at the question and fumbled with his hands, confirming Ferdinand’s hopes. “Well, yes, of course, you are a valuable asset to Emperor Edelgard and though I consider some of your mannerisms to be pointless, I do admit that I find your presence to be worthwhile.” He mumbled, looking anywhere but Ferdinand. “Though I -.”
He was cut off by Ferdinand, who raised his hand suddenly before beckoning him closer. After a moment, Hubert indulged him, standing from his seat to approach his bedside as Ferdinand carefully pulled himself up further. Once closer, the red haired man closed to gap between them wordlessly with a kiss.
For just a moment he was worried he misunderstood Hubert’s words but then he reciprocated with a kiss of his own. The press of his lips against his own seemed to chase the pain away, replacing it with an elating feeling. Hubert moved his hand to cup his cheek, pulling him closer and Ferdinand grinned into the kiss.
When they eventually pulled away, Ferdinand continued to smile. “You could have just said that you have feelings for me.” He pointed out.
Hubert scoffed, seeming almost flustered. “I did not think today was an appropriate time for me to confess my affection for you. Only you can take a near death experience and turn it into some romantic tale.”
“You’re the one who valiantly came to my rescue,” Ferdinand chimed. “Though I did not ask for your help. Still, I must admit, I don’t know where I would be without your help today. Or how lonely I would feel if I had woken up alone. You’re rather thoughtful when you want to be.” He said as he rested his forehead against Hubert’s.
“Consider this a special occasion. I don’t often get to play the part of your savior.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to again. Nevertheless, I’m thankful you were.”
“I’m glad I could help you.” Hubert responded with a small smile. “And I would do it again in a heartbeat.”