middaeg | • Hey, hey, you, you, I could be your girlfriend

Entry tags:

• Hey, hey, you, you, I could be your girlfriend

Who: Nico + Hubert
When: Mid-Feoveuer
Where: Hubert's place
What: A confession and some roses
Warnings: TBD!

( Nico is aware that what she's about to do involves no small element of risk. Dinner had been ... eventful, to say the least, and not in a particularly good way, but Hubert doesn't seem like the type of person who'd let Nero's bad attitude impact his behaviour towards her. If he and Nero will need to be kept at an arm's length from one another going forwards? So be it. She can deal with the men in her life behaving badly - heck, she's pretty much used to it by this point.

The risk isn't so much to do with her relationships back home, but rather Nico is risking whatever it is she has with Hubert. It's been a pleasant, nameless thing since they kissed two months ago, but instead of fading to something unremarkable, Nico's feelings for Hubert have only deepened with the passage of time. It's ... unusual, to say the least, for this kind of thing to happen to Nico, and she's decided to make this one of the moments in her life where she doesn't just bury it under work. This time she's going to face it head on.

It takes her a moment to psych herself up as she stands there on Hubert's doorstep. There are all sorts of ways this could go wrong: Leslie could answer, Hubert might not be at home, Hubert might be elbow-deep in a new potion, but instead of letting those doubts gain a proper foothold?

Nico pushes them aside and knocks on the door.

A beat of silence follows, during which she adjusts the weight of the bouquet of roses lying cradled against her front. Flowers are nice, right? Sure, it's usually the guy who gets the girl the flowers, but Nico sees no reason why it can't work the other way around. There's also the fact that the bouquet of roses serves a greater purpose in her plans: the gift of a dozen roses must be a universally understood gesture of romantic affection, and she fusses with the bow around their stems as she waits to find out whether this really was a bad idea. )

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[The bark of a dog answers immediately from somewhere within the the sizable house. It might've even taken Hubert a minute to answer had he walked to the door; instead, with a small effort of magic and a blink of purple, Hubert's answering the door in only the few seconds it'd taken him to put the book down.]

[Teleporting from room to room might've seemed... utterly needless, but it kept his mana expenditure up. Even with two familiars to balance out his bondless state, they would be useless if he let the magic accumulate.]

[In a rare sighting, Hubert's without his coat for once, but still sporting a warm wool shirt to ward of winter's last grasp.]

Nico, [He says in greeting, a faint surprise tinging his tone. Pale eyes glance down to the flowers, brow raising in curiosity before flicking up to her face; Hubert steps aside while holding the door, gesturing her in out of the cold.] This is a surprise. What brings you?

[Because clearly, some part of the point has flown over his head, Hubert's first inclination to assume this was related to the shop, or Kyrie's cottage decorations.]

( Nico opens her mouth, closes it again, and allows herself to be ushered inside. )

I ... yeah, sorry I didn't message ahead! I kinda wanted this to to be a surprise.

( An ever so slightly nervous chuckle follows, but it's easily soothed by the familiarity of Hubert's company. It's hopelessly sappy, but lately she's found she just feels better when Hubert is around, which apparently still applies even when she's in the middle of trying to admit her feelings for him. )

Um ... oh! These are for you.

( She offers him the bouquet of roses, a matching flush touching her cheeks as she glances up at those pale eyes. )

I don't know if you do Valentine's Day back home? It's a holiday where you either spoil your partner with gifts, or ask someone to be your Valentine. That second one, it's kind of like ... uh. Declaring your interest, I guess?

( You're rambling, Nico. Get to the point! )

A-Anyway. I was wondering if maybe ... maybe you wanted to be mine?

( She exhales softly, then shakes her head in a tiny effort to keep going. )

... My Valentine. I like you, Hubert, an' if you want me as well, then I'll be yours right back.

[For him? Hubert blinks as he accepts the roses, his eyes dropping to eye-catching bundle. Magic certainly made such things more available, even in the dead of winter, but... magic or no, this couldn't have been a cheap gesture.]

[A holiday to spoil your partner, or find one. The paper wrapping crinkles with even the slightest shift of his fingers, and Hubert drags his gaze back to Nico's flushed face. For all his lack of interpersonal graces, Hubert wasn't unaware of... of whatever it was developing between them. He kept Nico's company far more than he kept any other's aside from Leslie's, and over the creeping of months their easy banter and collaboration had become joined by fond smiles and board games and fleeting touches, and... whatever that was, at the start of winter.]

[Hubert enjoyed Nico's company and affection, and there was no more to it. Even though the slow growth of their relationship wasn't the subtlest, this was still something so very unique about being presented a gift like this and a confession with it. He, Hubert von Vestra, sinister enforcer of the Empire and figure that stalked precautionary tales.]

[Nico knew none of it. Even if she had known something other than a business partner and alchemical associate, Hubert doubted that would change much. Her spirit and tenacity reminded him so much of Dorothea's, and doubted she'd be intimidated. After taking in Nico's words, her nervous little gestures, her meaning over the course of a moment, Hubert smiles, mouth quirking at the corner.]

Why, Miss Goldstein... it sounds as if you're courting me. [It certainly wasn't where Hubert expected to be, the day he met her because of a scarecrow.]

[Teasing aside, something a little more serious settles in his eyes, even if the smile remained.] ...you would ask that, even knowing the nature of our existence here? Ethereal, and fleeting?

[Either one of them could disappear tomorrow, whisked away to a world the other would never see. And Hubert, if offered a choice in the matter, would return to Fódlan at first opportunity, no matter what he built here.]

[He knew where he stood on the matter, but it felt important to hear Nico's side.]

Edited (minor errors I can't stop fixating on) 2021-02-06 06:24 (UTC)

( Nico takes another steadying little breath. )

I know. I know all that, an' I know that your Lady Edelgard is always gonna come first. That's why this is kinda hard for me — I'm not used to bein' second best.

( She laughs a breathlessly, then lifts a hand to card through the mess of her hair. )

But the fact is, I still wanna do it anyway. Even if it's just for a little while — better to give it a shot and have it as a memory than never bother at all, right?

( Hubert is smiling, but Nico cringes as she realises she might really have got the wrong end of the stick. )

... Uh, unless you don't agree? In which case we can forget about all this and pretend it never happened! I'm okay with that too.

[Second best. ...it's strange, how that stings—perhaps it stings because it wasn't anything other than true. Hubert's smile fades as he shifts the flowers to tuck under one arm. He offers a gloved hand palm-up, hovering in the space between them.]

There's no need. I do agree. ["It's okay to want something."] The Mirrorbounds' nature isn't anything other than a metaphor of life itself, condensed; we cannot be sure of our tomorrow, nor our reality. It's because we are transitory is exactly why we should treasure our fleeting instances.

[Hubert watches Nico's face. Even if she was someone so earnest and expressive, he couldn't help feeling utterly blind. This was completely out of his depth.]

I cannot compromise who I am, nor my ideals, nor the future Lady Edelgard is forging. And I... I realize I leave much to be desired in a suitor. If you would still have me, despite what that would ask of you...

[To be second-best, to his liege and his world. That was no small thing to ask of another. Hubert takes a breath of his own.] Then I... would be honored to be your Valentine, Nico.

( Maybe he does leave much desired in a suitor. Maybe everything he's saying should serve as a warning against having thrown caution to the wind — but instead of that, all Nico feels is an overwhelming sense of relief in realising that he wants to try this too. She places her hand in his, hesitant at first, before letting her fingers curl around his palm in a gentle little squeeze. )

Wait — really? You're sure?

( But her expression is already brightening as hope begins to swell in her breast, her eyes a little wider and her pulse a little harder for his agreement. She swallows hard, then moves a step closer as she continues: )

'Cause I wanna try, Hubert. I really do. An' I know it might not be perfect, but I still think it could be good.

( Only dimly aware that her smile is turning giddy, Nico places a hand against Hubert's chest before lifting it to touch the line of his jaw. )

So yeah, I'll still have you. Of course I'll still have you.

[Something in Hubert's faint smile softens, and his fingers curl around here in return. ]

I am sure. This is an opportunity it might not have had otherwise; perhaps we don't know how it will turn out, but it is worth trying, as you said.

[That smile falls some. ]

Even though you intended this to be a surprise, and I'm unfamiliar with your holidays, I still wish I had something to give you in return.

( Nico just shakes her head firmly, for all she might actually be kind of smitten with the idea of Hubert getting her something a little romantic and silly down the line. )

Hey now, don't gimme that face. I like it better when you're smilin'.

( Cheesy? Kind of. Right now, Nico doesn't much care, and she bumps up onto the balls of her feet to place a light little peck against his lips. When she drops back down, the flush in her cheeks has darkened just a shade: )

Anyway, that's not what this is about. Just agreein' to try somethin' between us is enough for me.

[Hubert lets out a long breath that's shy of being a sigh, and his faint smile returns almost as if begrudgingly. Nico's smile leaves something in his chest warmed, and his grasp of her hand tightens a fraction.]

If you insist. [A pause.] ...Would you care to stay a while? I wasn't doing anything other than magic exercises.

[Because, admittedly, Hubert was at a bit of a loss. Did they carry on as normal, but more affectionately? Take part in the holiday of Nico's world? He expected Fódlan's culture of relationships was more than a bit different from Nico's world, as well.]

( Nico brightens at Hubert's offer, clearly pleased that he's invited her to stay. She nods, then moves to shrug out of the thick wrap of her coat, which she hangs next to the door before turning to him again. )

Magic exercises, huh? Would you show me?

( In this, she seems genuinely interested. )

Your magic is pretty different to mine — I'm kind of a mess.

( A chuckle follows, but it's only a little self-deprecating. )

They way you use it ... you can tell it's somethin' that makes you feel at home.

[That was part of why they fit so well together, despite their superficial differences, Hubert though. Where most people saw his magic study as a chore, Nico's curiosity always seemed to light up.]

Yes, my abjuration isn't as reliable as I would like. And, yes, I've been studying magic in Fódlan since I was young. It takes a far different form— [Hubert's happy enough to prattle on about it, but not for the sake of merely talking. The differences in form, in effect, in scope. Reason and faith, vs intent, and moving on to the practice barriers he had been working on, quietly pleased Nico was willing to study with him.]

[Perhaps not a standard Valentine's date, but it suited them. Hubert wasn't expecting to enjoy the simple company that much. And, well, when Nico later leaned to whisper in his ear...]

[It wasn't difficult to make arrangements for Leslie. The girl seemed just as enthusiastic as Ozymandias at the idea. Hubert's room was... honestly, more like a large closet because of the vampire-friendly nature of the house, spartanly decorated with little else besides books and other practical accessories. The rats had a sizable cage by the far wall, and even little platforms along the wall and hanging from the ceiling for exercise in the even Hubert let them out. The bed wasn't selected for anything other than a single person in mind.]

[And quite suddenly, it all seemed rather inadequate for hosting another, particularly the windowless state. That wasn't what left Hubert tense; intimacy, of all kinds, was rather new to him. There was a quiet enormity to it, this holiday of Nico's, this experimental relationship, her comfort and confidence in these matters that made him feel suddenly so ignorant.]

[But that was part of the attachment, wasn't it? That uncharacteristic, crawling fear of disappointing another? He might be lacking as a suitor in more than a few ways, but Nico seemed determined to accept him anyways, and she deserved Hubert's respect of her decision.]

[Stooping to kiss Nico softly and warmly seemed the best way around the apprehension drawing his shoulders tight; it was simple, and increasingly familiar, a smaller step in place of tackling something larger.]

[And, well. Hubert wanted to.]

( Studying with Hubert is nice, but it doesn't quite match the way her stomach swoops when they move up to to his room. Leslie is away for the night, after all, and Hubert had seemed to enjoy kissing her the last time she was here, and a tingle of anticipation races the length of Nico's spine as he pushes open the door to invite her inside. The decor is ... sparse, yes, but Hubert has already proven himself nothing of not practical - although the little wall-mounted platforms are a touch she hadn't been expecting.

Of course, all thoughts of Hubert's taste in living space melt away to nothing when he steps in close to kiss her. She's almost surprised by the fact that he's feeling bold enough to take the initiative - but this isn't their first time kissing, now, and he's had a bit more time to come to terms with the act. That there's want of his own tangled up in there doesn't go unnoticed by her either, and she lets her arms slide up to drape around his neck as she returns it with a soft heat of her own. )

Mm.

( When they part, there's a warm flush of colour in the apples of Nico's cheeks. Her fingers stroke into his hair, gently soothing as she pecks at his lips again, before glancing towards his bed with a mischievous little smile. )

How about we take this over there?

( A bed made with one person in mind, sure, but Nico has made it work with less space before. )

If nothin' else, sittin' down will be more comfortable than standin' around.

[He was truly beginning to enjoy that feel of fingers carding through his hair, brushing along his scalp. Hubert hums mildly as an answer, but he shifts nonetheless to guide them that way.]

As you say. I have no choice but to defer to your expertise, [Hubert says with a small smile and no small amount of dry humor. He settles on the edge of the bed.] I hope that you'll excuse my inexperience.

[He leans closer for another kiss.]

That's right - I'm in charge now, Mr. Refined.

( She teases, following him onto the bed and setting a knee either side his lap as she gets comfortable atop him. It feels good to be here again without that little beat of anxiety telling her it's too much - it's just them, they know where they stand with one another, and Hubert has invited her up to his room.

This is happening. )

An' it don't matter how inexperienced you are. I'm a great teacher.

( She tosses him a cheeky little wink before leaning in to kiss him again, one hand cupping the line of his jaw as the other slides down to splay against his chest. Hubert is lean and wiry - incredibly attractive - and Nico hums her appreciation into their kiss, her hips tilting closer as she dips her tongue against his.

At least he'll be prepared for it this time? )

[A little more prepared for it, anyways. It's still a strange sensation, but Hubert doesn't stumble this time, instead tugging off his gloves behind Nico's back and making a practiced (blind) toss to the nightstand. One bare hand settles upon her knee and the other circles low around Nico's back to hold her closer.]

[By only Fódlan's stuffily repressed standards would it be bold that Hubert's ungloved fingers find where the hem of her shirt has tugged up, running his fingertips along that bared stripe of skin. It's thrilling for him, at least, that first touch of her skin to his hands. After a moment, his hand settles there, digits resting just under her shirt along the smooth curve of skin beside the spine, just savoring the touch.]

( The sensation of being held closer is both welcome and encouraging. She smiles against his lips as she hears his gloves hit the nightstand, kisses him a little deeper when he touches her again, and tries not to let herself get too caught up in the fact that finally, finally she's feeling his bare hands against her skin. )

... You can touch.

( She murmurs, her hands drifting up to tease at the button sat neat at Hubert's throat, which she unfastens with a little twist of her wrist before moving on to the next one. What she wants to do is fairly obvious - her goal here is undressing him - but she's going to give him time to come to terms with the idea before simply tearing everything off. )

You can even help me take it off, if you want.

( Her skirt, Hubert. She means her skirt. )

[After a moment, his hand dips up farther under her shirt, palm mapping the smooth expanse of Nico's lower back, then sliding around her side to her stomach. Unfortunately for Nico's lack of specificity, he interprets it as her shirt—his fingers start at the lower buttons as to not tangle their arms.]

[He chuckles.]

"If I want?" I thought you were in charge.

( You know? There's only so much Nico can do in the face of that little tease: she's trying not to be too full-on, she really is, but Hubert's teasing question pulls at something low in her gut. So, then. He wants in charge in charge?

You better believe she can do that.

One of her hands moves away from his shirt to cup his chin, guiding his gaze up to her face as opposed to the task on hand. )

Y'know, if you're gonna give me attitude I'm gonna stop tryin' not to spook you.

( She sighs, falsely put-upon. )

Here I am, goin' out of my way to be nice an' patient, an' not make you do too much too soon ... ( But she's smiling playfully, warmth and affection bright in the brown of her eyes. ) And all I get for it is cheek. Unbelievable.

( She considers him for a moment, her lashes low as she contemplates what to do with him, before sliding off his lap to stand over him with a mischievous smile touching her lips. )

Strip.

[It'd been nothing more than a playful, off-hand quip; Hubert didn't expect anything of it, perhaps other than a swat. The surprise that crosses his face is mild like most of his expressions, but plain in the slight widening in his eyes as Nico lifts his chin. That nearly feline look in her eyes catches Hubert utterly off-guard.]

[It's entrancing. Exciting. Nico's tone, her smile, the glint in her eyes—as disorienting as the sudden shift was, Hubert's heart beat a hair faster for it, arousal curling a little tighter in him.]

[He's left there, blinking dumbly for a moment after Nico slides from his lap, processing what just happened.]

...very well. [He rises to do just that, his hands finishing what Nico's had started at his shirt. There's a surrealism to it, in his mind, but the garment falls away quickly enough, and the rest of his clothes to follow; even in dressing and undressing, Hubert was almost comically efficient as always. His hands fold behind his back out of raw force of habit, and the familiar mannerism helps to distract from the twinge of uncertainty in baring his body to Nico for the first time. Pale, scrawny, touched periodically by scars of war and subterfuge. Curiously, this is a single tattoo—a line of purple runes—ringing his left bicep, the faintest touch of magic in the ink.]

( Honestly? Nico hadn't know what to expect from giving him such an order, but when it becomes apparent that Hubert is going to play along - and play along well - the smile on her lips grows that bit wider. He's somehow methodical about this, too, in a way that makes her want to chuckle, but even she knows that now isn't the best time to let her playful nature get the better of her. The very last thing she'd want to do is trip them up now.

When the last of his garments is put to the side Nico takes a step back to really look at him. He's slender without his clothes - not skinny, exactly, but certainly very lean - and when her eyes drift over his scars she can't help but think about what he's told her of life back home.

She isn't surprised to see that injury has never stopped him in his tracks. )

Well, look at you.

( Nico's tone is appreciative as she lifts a hand to touch his chest, before skimming it down to settle at a very trim waist. Her other lifts to touch the purple line of runes: )

What's this?

( The tail-end of an eyebrow ticks up. )

Aside from real sexy, of course. I never figured you'd be a tattoos kinda guy.

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• Hey, hey, you, you, I could be your girlfriend

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