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Ferdinand was glad, enthused, delighted, even, that Hubert was on the receiving end of the attention he so duly deserved. Without a doubt, he was the hardest working man in the Empire, with his tireless devotion and resourcefulness. With the copious pots of coffee he drank, to the point it likely ran in his bloodstream, Hubert never ceased to work. Yet, he received little to no praise for it, not even an acknowledgement! Heinous behaviour, really.
Despite his joy, Ferdinand felt a strange bile swirl in his stomach as he watched a tall nobleman with flaxen hair and a chiselled jawline step in time with Hubert across the dance floor. It was absurd, Hubert hated dancing! He claimed it could hardly be relaxing when it was his former role on the battlefield.
So why did Hubert suffer that man? Could it be that he enjoyed his company? Quite possibly. He likely did not ramble on about the proper way to brush out a horse's hooves. Nor did he ceaselessly argue against Hubert in front of the Emperor's council. It was a wonder Hubert had the patience to deal with Ferdinand each and every day.
The music rose to a crescendo and their hands touched, thankfully Hubert never left his room without his gloves on, but that man had bare hands!
Crack.
Ferdinand stared at the broken glass in his fist, a server rushed over to clean it up but Ferdinand insisted on doing so himself. Clearly, Hubert was the subject of unwanted advances and did not wish to cause a scene by openly rejecting the man. If his theory did not hold true then perhaps Hubert had finally taken Ferdinand's advice to become more open with others. He knew the result would decrease the amount of time Ferdinand could spend with Hubert, but he never expected it to burn him up from the inside.
The band switched to a faster, upbeat tune and Ferdinand watched as he picked glass out of his gloves, as the man escorted Hubert off the dance floor and continued to devour his attention. He laughed and touched Hubert's arm with his ungloved hand. Hubert rarely allowed those within the Black Eagle Strike Force (whom Hubert once referred to as family) to touch him, yet alone a stranger! In response, Hubert stared at the offending hand but did not brush it away, and the bile rose up farther into Ferdinand's throat.
What could be the root of these feelings? Ferdinand often watched Dorothea dance with men and women alike, frequently leaving Ferdinand to ponder the substance of his glass. It was foolish, Ferdinand had many blessings to be thankful for, he had his health, his position within the Empire, his many friends and his faith. Yet, he never felt a fiery storm cloud his vision around Dorothea, nor did briars coil around his heart and plant their roots until they drew blood.
Perhaps, it would be better if he left, lest he err. His presence certainly would not be missed after all. However, to return to his quarters he would have to pass by Hubert. Could he manage to do so without scolding the man for enjoying the festivities? Ferdinand glanced between Hubert and the window, the moon rising in the sky meant the celebration would continue for many more hours to come. He would have to attempt it.
Surging past the throngs of merry couples, Ferdinand spared one last despairing glance in Hubert's direction, only to find the man whispering in Hubert's ear, and-was it wistful thinking or did Hubert appear appalled? A year of daily tea breaks and five years of furtive observations have taught Ferdinand how to parse Hubert's minute expressions. His eyebrows were raised an inch and the slight quirk to his lips had smoothened out.
Ferdinand halted. Despite the urge he felt to flee the Empire and start a new business as a blacksmith on the Edmund coast, Hubert was in need. While Ferdinand may not know why he felt such aggravation tonight, nor why Hubert was the most insufferable man in all of Fodlán. But, he might be in need and Ferdinand was above all else, a noble. Thus, he called upon his faith to grant him strength and pushed through the crowds to reach his friend.
Ferdinand had intended to simply provide Hubert with a distraction so he may escape, perhaps give that man a tongue lashing for hurting his dear friend. But as he reached Hubert, and the smell of coffee and sandalwood entered his brain, Ferdinand felt his shoulders relax and he took a decidedly alternative route.
Hubert stared at him with his stunning citrine eyes and at last his attention was upon Ferdinand! Only then did Ferdinand realise he had linked his arm with Hubert's, and flashed his most dazzling smile that he knew accentuated his dimples.
"Care for a dance, Minister Vestra?"
Hubert raised a quizzical eyebrow at Ferdinand's antics, but waved to his friend regardless. "I suppose I have time for one set, Prime Minister."
Though concealed through several layers of clothing, Ferdinand relished the warmth of Hubert's arm in his. But all politeness vanished when the music began.
"What is the meaning of this, Ferdinand?" Said Hubert sternly.
"I did not expect gratitude but certainly not animosity from you after I rescued you tonight."
Hubert narrowed his eyes, his piercing stare burned a hole through Ferdinand. "Rescued me, he says, from a pleasant conversation?"
"He was flirting with you, quite obviously so. He wanted you to leave with him, thus I simply offered my assistance,"
"Why would he wish to leave with me? Furthermore, what business is it of yours who I engage with?"
Could he really not see it? Was his vision so obscured as to not see it? "Hubert I am stunned at your ignorance, a noble must ought to be aware of their own charms!"
"Ignorant he says, do you have any idea who that man was?" Hubert hissed. "He is-or was the key to passing the primary education bill you've been blathering on about recently."
"Pardon?” Ferdinand all but gasped as he stared in bewilderment. “Did I hear you correctly, you were talking to him, for me?"
"More pressingly, why do you care about my apparent charms? Fearful I might entice some negligent maiden into my den?" Hubert asked as they drew closer in the dance.
"There is no need to be so coarse, I was simply concerned as a colleague and a friend! Now I wonder if I ever should have cared for you."
Ferdinand bowed as the dance ended, he almost broke out of the line when a hand pulled him back in.
"I know you have certainly lost it, did you say you care for me?"
"Well there is no need to sneer at me!" Ferdinand huffed, his back reared for a fight.
But when Hubert took his hand, his shoulders involuntarily relaxed. Though a cursory glance revealed, Hubert was only following dance protocol. But just as quickly as he grabbed it, did Hubert let go.
"Ferdinand, why is there glass in your glove?"
"Ah, a glass broke earlier, but do not fret, I cleaned it up swiftly." Ferdinand felt his ears burn as he failed to create an infallible answer.
Hubert was silent. There was a time where Ferdinand would have sung for joy over the sound or lack thereof of a quiet Hubert von Vestra. But now, his voice was the one quiet hum in the din of the hall that he wished to hear.
Following the other dancers, Ferdinand stepped in close, close enough that the scent of sandalwood reappeared and overwhelmed his senses. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, his palms grew sweaty, and finally, Hubert tilted his head, his lips brushed against Ferdinand's ear as he said.
"You were glaring quite a bit tonight, always at me. What have I done to enrapt your attention, so?"
A swarm of butterflies released in his stomach and swirled around to join the pounding pressure in his chest and head. It was too much and- he buckled.
Ferdinand bowed and all but ran out of the ballroom.
In a shocking state of decorum, Ferdinand pushed his way out into the courtyard where he gasped lungfuls of the fresh, cool air. How uncourteous it was for Ferdinand to leave Hubert like that, it was yet another reason for Hubert to dislike him.
Oh, but why did he care so much about what Hubert thought? It was only natural that Ferdinand appreciated what his quick witted colleague thought, his natural charm and intellect made him hard to ignore. But it went deeper than a professional admiration. Ferdinand caught himself, on numerous occasions, thinking of Hubert when drinking a bitter blend of tea. Or of what the man might think when signing documents, Ferdinand could contend with that. But when thoughts-no, if Ferdinand was honest with himself, they were more fantasies- of his dapper colleague haunted him at night. His hands danced in the air as they envisioned whether Hubert's hair was soft or coarse, or more scandalously, he thought of removing those dark leather gloves to reveal presumably bony hands.
Pocketing his gloves, Ferdinand groaned into his palms, it would be simpler if he dreamt of Dorothea, or of Caspar, but he had to fall for a man who merely tolerated Ferdinand's presence. He could no longer avoid it, being close to Hubert while dancing had felt right, like the final piece of the puzzle clicked into place.
As if to torment him further, Ferdinand heard light, cat-like steps behind him, Hubert had joined him in the courtyard.
“I am retiring for the night, I simply stopped to take in some fresh air.” Ferdinand cursed his defensive tenancies as he pushed against the wall and made for the East wing of the palace.
Hubert, however, fell into step with Ferdinand.
“There is little need to be so curt.” Hubert clicked his tongue in disapproval. “But very well, I acknowledge that I crossed a line," Hubert began suddenly. "It was not my intention to cause you discomfort, you have my sincerest-"
"It is I who should apologise," Ferdinand cut in with a sigh. "I had no right to drag you away from a business transaction due to petty feelings. Perhaps if you leave now you could secure it?"
Hubert waved the idea away. "He was dismissed, I have far more pressing matters to discuss."
Ferdinand's eyes widened, he had worked numerous sleepless nights alongside Edelgard to draft a concept for the betterment of education across the empire. For Hubert to throw all that away...
Hubert must have read Ferdinand's face like an open book, for the faintest colouring of his pale cheeks appeared for a mere moment, as he dipped his head and allowed hair to cover the sight.
"Lady Edelgard did not wish for me to discuss it with the new Baron Gillingr, but I surmised it would be in our best interest to sway him to our cause."
"You went against Edelgard’s orders? But why?"
"If my hypothesis is correct, it is for a similar reason as to why you intercepted my conversation with the Baron." Hubert lifted his head and made eye contact despite the flush that tinted his face, though Ferdinand could not tell if it was from the cold or something else entirely.
“That cannot be,” Ferdinand said with a shake of his head as he slowed his steps. “I acted out of pure, unbridled…” He hesitated, he did not wish to name the feeling but there could be no other explanation for it. “Jealously. It is not a good look on me, I know, it is coercive and possessive and I have positively no right to feel this way, but I do.”
“But you do.” Hubert repeated slowly, his expression a picture of bemusement.
“But I do.” Ferdinand almost groaned as he dragged his hands down his face. “I am terribly sorry Hubert, I can assure you this will not happen again. I simply will not allow it.”
“Well, that is a shame.” Hubert gave a low chuckle that almost startled Ferdinand. “I quite enjoy seeing the over zealous Duke of Aegir brought so low as to debauche himself with base human emotions such as jealousy. And over me no less.” Hubert added with a scoff of derision.
“This is not a laughing matter, Hubert.“ Ferdinand crossed his arms. “I might have ruined the chances of the proposal succeeding that we spent all those hours working on. Why? Because I could not stomach the thought of you flirting with another? Ridiculous.”
When Hubert did not respond, Ferdinand swept away towards his quarters with a scoff. Yet, Hubert followed him inside so clearly he did not view the conversation as finished.
“If it helps soothe your damaged ego, you may know that you are in fact the only person I am interested in corresponding with in such a way.”
Ferdinand stumbled at that confession. “You are?” He asked after regaining his balance.
The flush returned to Hubert’s cheeks as he bit his lip in deliberation over how to respond.
Eventually, he settled on, “I cannot truthfully give myself to you when a part of me will always belong to the Empire. But I can offer you what is left of this decrepit shell to be yours, for as long as you will have me.” Hubert extended a hand from his heart, leading to Ferdinand's knees nearly giving way.
“Oh, Hubert!” Ferdinand lunged forward and dragged Hubert towards him by his coat. Planting kisses over every inch of Hubert's face, Ferdinand enjoyed the warmth that steadily welled up under his lips. “Yours.” Ferdinand murmured against pale skin.
“Somehow.” Hubert muttered in response. His hands travelled across the planes of Ferdinand's back, unfortunately covered as it was by obstructive layers.
“Mine.” Ferdinand felt a shiver run up Hubert's back as he kissed the word into sharp cheekbones.
“Indefinitely.” Hubert replied, his hands moving up Ferdinand's neck and into his hair.
Ferdinand returned the gesture in kind with a sigh of contentment as his fingers carded through Hubert's fringe, his long-awaited question finally had an answer. Hubert's hair was soft, albeit a little akin to straw.
Buried in the crook of Hubert's neck, Ferdinand pressed kiss after kiss to a scar that lingered there. Gleefully, Ferdinand thought he could think of no better place to be than in the arms of the man he loved, a man who loved him too.