Work Text:
Don’t get him wrong, Hubert wasn't being neurotic, far from it. This was simply him considering the whole situation and getting as much information as possible. Even if that meant discretely tailing Edelgard on her carnival date with Dorothea.
Too bad for Hubert that a certain someone also had this exact idea.
"You do know that your presence here is not required,” Hubert’s tone bordered on exhaustion.
“And abandon the two of them as soon as it gets dark? I should think not.” Ferdinand snapped, his tone unrestrained.
This was how it had been all evening. Neither of them were happy about it, but neither were willing to budge.
They were out of eyeshot as the two girls chatted over a fried elephant ear covered in sickly sweet fruit and cinnamon sugar, revolting. "Rest assured, should anything happen, Edelgard is more than capable of handling the situation."
"Very convincing, considering you still happen to be here, or do you not trust your own words?" Ferdinand shifted his weight, hand on his hip.
"I am simply here—"
"Because you do not trust Dorothea, we've been over this."
"Yes, and you the same with Edelgard, but as you have already observed, your worries are unfounded." Hubert waved at him dismissively between crossed arms.
"I will be the judge of that. Ah, they're moving again."
The girls had made their way through the bustling crowds of the food trucks and back to the attractions. The bright lights of the rides twinkled against the backdrop of night.
One ride in particular loomed overhead, the Ferris wheel. Hubert silently cursed every god as they got in line. This was one place he desperately did not want to follow, but backing down now meant it would be Ferdinand's win.
They got in line a few couples behind. Hubert decided to stare at the pavement instead of the creaking death wheel of metal and lights.
"Next!"
He felt Ferdinand harshly elbow him and realized the man operating the ride was motioning him to get on. "Or do you intend on going alone?"
"No, I shall accompany you." He could not help the shaking in his legs as he scooted next to Ferdinand in that sad excuse for a seat. The buckle was on his companion's side, and he froze in place as Ferdinand locked them in. The operator pulled down the bar and went back to his podium.
And like that, they ascended into the air.
Just don't look down. Keep your eyes on the girls. If he repeated those phrases, he was sure he could make it through the ride. Were they behind them or above them at this moment? Sadly, both from the angle and the dark, Hubert could not tell. All he knew is that if he tried looking behind him one more time it was over.
The subtle rock of the chair and sounds below growing fainter caused him to clench the metal bar in front of him until his knuckles went white. It was only when he felt a hand on his shoulder that he realized Ferdinand was talking to him.
"Hubert, you look terrible. Are you alright?"
He wanted to snap back at him, but the words caught in his throat. His chest felt tight too. Maybe if he closed his eyes then he could—the wheel lurched and he gasped in spite of himself.
"Hubert, can you hear me?" His voice was calm. "I need you to keep your eyes closed and breathe in nice and slow."
"What, not going to gloat?" Hubert managed to get through clenched teeth.
Ferdinand simply repeated his instructions. Hubert could feel a hand against the fabric of his shirt, steady and reassuring. His heart felt like a freight train, what choice did he have but to comply?
Breath in, nice and slow.
Ferdinand began counting. Upon reaching 10, Hubert exhaled. They did this a few more times until he felt comfortable opening his eyes. Ferdinand who was staring back at him.
"Better?"
"Marginally."
Ferdinand chuckled quietly. "You made me a little worried there."
"You, worried for me?" Hubert tried to put on his best sneer, but it lacked bite. He could still feel that hand upon his back. His heart still hammered in his chest. It is clearly the fear, yes, the fear and nothing else, not the way the carnival lights made Ferdinand's eyes sparkle or the way he was handling him with so much care despite their previous grievances.
"I must apologize."
He's so in shock, Hubert almost interrupts.
"I admit it was childish of me to be worried for Dorothea's sake. Deep down I know Edelgard would make her happy. I just—I consider Dorothea a friend and maybe I was upset because if this date goes well what if she stops being my friend?"
Alas, the foolish part of Hubert sympathizes, as he feels the same about Edelgard to a degree.
"Let us call a truce," Hubert says at last. "On the condition you decrease your badgering of Edelgard during council meetings. If you truly need someone to bicker with, am I not already there?" Wait flames, why did he say that?
Ferdinand seems stunned at this sudden hospitality before laughing. And ugh, why does Hubert want to see more of that expression?
"I accept your proposal, Hubert." They decide to shake on it and Hubert really tries not to overthink what just happened. "Oh, would you look at that, the ride is over."
This means that Ferdinand removes his hand from his back, a touch he's inwardly mourning. Though, he is grateful to finally have his feet planted on the ground again.
"Wow you were right Edie, that was Hubie and Ferdie." Dorothea's voice cuts like a knife as Hubert realizes the two of them are waiting for them as they get off.
Ferdinand's apologies to Dorothea, fall deaf around him as Hubert sees Edelgard's smile. He cannot seem to meet her gaze. Oh flames, she knows, doesn't she?