locked to sleepyscholar

[darkseal]

[It was supposed to be just an ordinary class outing to take care of a bandit problem.

Oh, sure, these class outings are usually dangerous; bandits aren't simply going to roll over and allow a bunch of students to kill them, but this is hardly the first time the Black Eagles have been tasked with such a thing. They head out and take care of the problem with no real issues. Sometimes some of them are injured, but Linhardt can always keep them healthy until they can be taken care of back at the monastery.

So Hubert wasn't really expecting anything different today. The woods they've engaged the bandits in are thick and make traversing through them difficult, however; that's most likely how they managed to get separated from the rest of their class. The sounds of a clash can still be heard distantly, but for now...

Well, for now, he and Linhardt are separated from the others. That isn't necessarily a problem; he likes Linhardt well enough, and while Linhardt doesn't like to fight, Hubert can certainly look out for both of them. The bigger problem is that Linhardt is their healer, which means Lady Edelgard is out there without a healer in case she ends up in a bad situation. Rejoining the rest of their class is the top priority.

(It has nothing to do with the fact that being alone with Linhardt is... not exactly ideal. They're friends, yes. He likes Linhardt, yet. The problem is that he likes Linhardt entirely too much and being alone with him sends Hubert's pulse skyrocketing and those thoughts become almost impossible to ignore. He cannot afford to split his focus like that in battle, not when something could happen to Lady Edelgard and he isn't even there to protect her right now—)

Needless to say, he's very antsy as he picks his way through the trees and bushes. He's on high-alert, as always. Most of the bandits are most likely fighting their fellow students, but they've had to fend off a few stragglers so far, so he certainly isn't about to let down his guard.]

We need to make it to the others quickly.

[This would be easier if the trees weren't so overgrown... How are you doing, Linhardt?]

Comments

[sleepyscholar]

[In the end, all of this just makes Linhardt feel utterly exhausted.

That's a good thing. If he's tired, then he doesn't have to spend time awake in his room feeling awful about everything that's happened. By the time he next wakes up the ball will be long over, and he can resume his usual activities.]

If you say so.

[With that, Linhardt turns and continues in the direction of the dorms. Between the party and everything that came after, he's definitely sapped the remainder of his mental and physical energies. With that last bit of adrenaline faded away after Hubert kept calm throughout his outburst, there's really nothing left to keep him awake other than the remaining steps to his room.]

[darkseal]

[He nods and follows, keeping pace just behind Linhardt. It isn't as though it's very far back to Linhardt's room. There's really not much of a point in this, but it will at least put his mind at ease to know that Linhardt's made it back safely. Linhardt's likely to sleep for the rest of the evening, so there won't be anything to worry about once he's made it to his room.

Hubert doesn't speak as they walk; as far as he's concerned, they've said all that needs to be said. He gave what explanation he could for his behavior, and Linhardt... well, he more or less accepted that that's how things are going to be. Linhardt will move on and Hubert will return to his duties for Lady Edelgard and that's going to have to be good enough.

There simply isn't any other option, after all.

They don't run into any trouble on the way back, which probably just makes him look paranoid. Still, it's fine for Linhardt to assume he's paranoid if it means that Linhardt's safe. Hubert pauses by the door, his gaze lingering on Linhardt for a moment too long before he looks away.]

...Goodnight, Linhardt.

[And even though they'll see each other again tomorrow and every day after until Lady Edelgard springs her plan into action, it almost feels like he's saying goodbye.]

[sleepyscholar]

[He doesn't bother to think much of Hubert's decision to follow him back to his room. It's a short, quiet walk, and once he opens the door, he turns back to face his companion.]

Goodnight.

[With one last look of regret, he closes the door and prepares for bed.

He will try to move on from this... all of this. Part of that will be halting pursuit of anymore romantic relationships. If he keeps his focus on his studies and doing the things he enjoys, then he won't have time for that anyway.

Perhaps he'll try again when he's older. Perhaps not. It's foolish to make major life plans in a moment of weakness, but he can at least make goals for the next few months.]