#servicide

she did knock first, but edelgard has long since fallen into the rather impolite habit of simply entering after she has done so, at least where hubert is concerned. never yet has he not been ready to receive her, and never yet has she caught him in the midst of any egregious acts. at least, not until now, when she finds him kneeling to scrape what looks like leftover carp from the afternoon’s selection at the dining hall into a small bowl, and a little black ball of fluff that she had been so avidly searching for waiting patiently for him to hand the dish over. her words come to a sudden halt, collared by an amused smile and a twinkle in her eye that might say edelgard will remember this. 

     dorothea has a hand pressed against the wall as she catches her breath, her hair caught in a windswept mess and an unseemly sweat running down her face. she was very fortunate to catch hubert leaving his dorm room, but even more fortunate that those were the first things to fly out of her mouth. 

kisses // @servicide // accepting 

☀️ — During a war, there wasn’t much time for MERRIMENT. Even so, there were still attempts to make some lightness in dark times. While they were haphazard, they were appreciated if only to cut through the doom and gloom. Byleth recalled, with some melancholy, five years ago when the holidays came through, and multiple students had stopped him in particular archways for an unknown reason, often huffing off in frustration. It wasn’t until EDELGARD explained the tradition of mistletoe did he realize what had been happening, with some measure of embarrassment. 

But, in this case he has MISCHIEF in mind, something not often gracing his mood nowadays. In fact, it’s a sudden sort of feeling, as he’s lingering in an archway, only just noticing the sprig of mistletoe above him when Hubert is walking through. He had stopped, perhaps to ask a question or make a comment, but Byleth didn’t let him finish. He wraps a hand around the back of the other man’s neck, pulling him down as to peck a kiss against his cheek, just as quickly releasing him so he can straighten again. 

A beat of silence, a rare break in both expressions - an iota of SURPRISE in Hubert’s and a SMIRK from Byleth - ending with Byleth once again interrupting Hubert before he can comment with a gesture to the arch above them. 

“Mistletoe.” Byleth says it as if it’s the only explanation he needs, “anyway, did you have a QUESTION?” 

how long has it been since edelgard felt a feeling as light as excitement? the war rages on caught in a near-stalemate, days upon days spent in impermeable tension birthing headaches and guilt alike. silence breeds time to think, time to doubt, hours standing waist deep in blood and fearing that all this time she has been wrong, that these lives given for change have been in vain. but not today. today, edelgard is so excited that she has forgotten herself, charging straight into the reason for hubert’s summons before even thanking him for answering them. 

    “i have a gift for you.” 

@servicide​ sent: ❂ = wiping blood off their face .

☀️ — WHILE HE WAS PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF IT, BYLETH NEVER ENJOYS FLIGHTING AT LONG RANGE. He is far more suited to being the immediate threat to his enemies, looming over them, eyes ever vigilant, ever DARING. He had to learn as a professor to be wary of his students’ varying skill sets, however. As a mercenary, nearly all his comrades fought at close range. Even the archers had a means to protect themselves should they get rushed. Here, that was not always the case. Some of his students were not so well-equip, in great danger unless they maintain a distance. 

He’d seen the enemy run past from the corner of his eye, watched Hubert just turn around to meet their eye. Byleth draws back the sword of the creator, about to strike - only to watch dark magic erupt between the two. Dust settles, and the professor is already rushing to to the aftermath, finding the bandit dead at his feet, wreathed in corrupted tendrils before they fade. Azure eyes shift to his student, just passing a pale hand over his face, the enemy’s BLOOD darkly staining his lips. 

 Byleth’s shoulders relax, but only just, “are you alright?” 

valentine’s applications! / closed / @servicide​

Name: “hubert von vestra.” Age: “20.” Do you like to cuddle?: for a moment, hubert hesitates. dorothea taught him what this word means. “you are handsy, mercedes. i do not dislike such affection…” he smirks. “i suppose i will allow it, for you.” Can we make-out?: ah, that smirk drops rather quickly, doesn’t it. hubert clears his throat. “i… am uncertain that i am prepared. without experience, i don’t know if i could make such activity enjoyable for you. you would be quite masochistic to wish this upon yourself. if you insist… we can discuss it.” A night in or dinner out?: “a night in. i am not certain you understand the implications of being seen with me so often… i would be more comfortable with you in a space between naught but the two of us.” Ice cream or chocolate covered strawberries?: “ice cream is too sweet, for my own tastes. strawberries are more subtle. though if you prefer ice cream, i would be more than capable of fetching some for you prior to the evening.” What makes you a good Valentine?: “i… do not know, truly. that you would want me to be the center of a holiday based on romance baffles me, if i am being honest. i can only promise my company for the evening. whether that is good or bad in a romantic setting is to be determined. lady edelgard has insisted that i take the night off. though i could bring shadow along, if you wish? ” Would you cook for me?: “hm… cooking is intense work if you want to make a truly wonderful dish. that being said i would prepare dinner if you so desired it.” Would you let me cook for you?: “that is preferable, but i will assist in any way i am able.”

    “i understand the implications very well, hubert.” and her winning smile seems to stand to the contrary. “it’s just that i find the benefits of staying in the company of a handsome, intelligent and devoted man far outweigh the implications.” for someone who on occasion shows such pride in his work, the lack of self-value is rather remarkable in hubert. then again, mercedes wonders if she is one to judge, or if she should simply accept the invite for what it is; the closest she will get of a declaration of love. her smile deepens and dulls at the same time.

valentine’s applications! / closed / @servicide​ 

Name: “hubert von vestra.” Age: “25.” Do you like to cuddle?: “it could be enjoyable, yes, but i understand if you do not desire to do so. i am acutely aware of my unfavorable reputation.” Can we make-out?: hubert blinks. “i… do not understand why you would wish for this, but i suppose… well, let us see how the evening plays out.” A night in or dinner out?: “a night in. i would not wish the results of being seen arm in arm with me in public upon anybody.” Ice cream or chocolate covered strawberries?: “strawberries are preferable to myself. what do you enjoy, marianne?” What makes you a good Valentine?: “i would devote myself wholly to the evening and ensure that everything is how you would want it to be. i also do not request any affection in return — should you decide you despise being with me, i will leave, no questions asked.” Would you cook for me?: “cooking has never been my favorite passtime, but if you are unwell or do not wish to partake in the making of dinner, i would certainly produce something enjoyable.” Would you let me cook for you?: “i will admit that i have never tasted food of your making. certainly, you do not have to. if you wish to however, yes.”

    marianne, like any resident of garreg mach has not been made a stranger to the rumour that flocks around hubert von vestra. some call him the eagle on edelgard’s shoulder, eyes trained upon any who would dare approach and judge them welcome or not. others, less favourably, liken him to the raven that harks death, that crossing his path is unlucky. it’s familiar, to say the least. this questionnaire he mentions is likely hilda’s idea of gently encouraging marianne to talk to people outside her usual safe bubble, but perhaps, since he is here and with such honest and irrefutable answers, her is lonely too.