#marching orders

As if summoned by the disappointment in Hubert’s head, he heard the clink of armour that heralded a certain ginger cavalier. His familiarity with that at was passable, at least. He could typically tell who was approaching by the sound of their clothes, or gait, or even the time of day. Petra and Shamir being the exceptions, of course.

Hubert did not look Ferdinand’s way, instead he continued to stare down Bernadetta’s pegasus like he could will it into approaching.

As he was willing Ferdinand to stop on his way.

A tug resonated through his chest when he could tell Ferdinand was, in fact, heading towards him. Another when he called, “Afternoon, Hubert.”

“Ferdinand,” Hubert greeted coolly, finally turning to face him. “What are you doing here?”

He looked a vision as ever. A dream. Perhaps more so than usual as he was carrying tack for his wyvern.

“I convinced Bernadetta to swap with me,” Ferdinand said, already marching over to rub at the wvyern’s flank and start to saddle it.

“I cannot imagine that was hard,” Hubert said with a half smirk.

Ferdinand paused where he was poised to start fastening straps to smile at Hubert. “It was harder than you would think. She is fond of you.”

Hubert had a hard time imagining anyone was overly fond of him, let alone Bernadetta.

He had been under the impression that the Professor had allocated the pair of them together in the hopes that Bernadetta’s fears would force him to allay his own. An attempt to leverage the protective streak that Hubert was failing to confine to Edelgard these days.

“Be that as it may,” Hubert pressed, “you have not answered my question.”

“You are afraid of heights,” Ferdinand said, as if that explained anything at all.

“You did not swap with me.”

“You also wished to become a pegasus knight.”

“If it is too much we can stop,” Ferdinand assured him. “But I already know you are afraid, and I will be prepared to catch you if you fall — which you will not.”

“As a child,” Hubert argued, unsure if he should be offended or touched that Ferdinand was trying to indulge his ridiculous flights of fancy.

“I am not sure I believe that.”

“Would you like to practice then?” Ferdinand held out his arms, cruelly inviting Hubert into them.

“I meant that I did not believe I wouldn't fall,” Hubert corrected.

“Then believe I will catch you,” Ferdinand affirmed. “I think you will agree I have a better chance than Bernadetta.”