Chapter Text
5 years later
Ferdinand gently set his teacup and saucer back on the table and sighed as he looked to the message he’d received that morning. He mourned his father only briefly realizing he was more upset regarding the lack of closure than anything else. He sat back in his chair and looked into the sky.
“It is odd to see you so melancholy,” he heard Hubert’s voice say from behind him. “May I ask what is troubling you?”
Ferdinand offered a small, sad half-smile as he looked over his shoulder at Hubert approaching. He held up the message. “My father broke out of house arrest and was killed on his way to Hrym territory. From what I am told, it was not a clean death and there is nothing of him or his to recover.”
Hubert gave a curt nod. “I see,” he said.
Ferdinand chuckled and pocketed the note. “It is all right, Hubert. You are not one for condolences and I fear I have already completed my mourning. Besides, you made your hatred of the man perfectly clear. I was not fond of him either. Honestly, I would not be alone in saying he got what he deserved. Still, I have my regrets. I did not communicate with him in any fashion these past five years. I do not know if he is…was…aware of my accomplishments. I do not know if he was ever proud of me.” Ferdinand bowed his head.
After a long, lingering silence, Hubert moved to stand across the table from Ferdinand. “Do you wish to know what I think?”
Ferdinand looked back up to him, considering. Over the years, their animosity had waned only slightly. They still argued, but it felt more respectful than it used to. In fact, Ferdinand considered Hubert’s advice to have merit more often than not. How much they had both changed and Ferdinand was unsure how much of it was due to their continued, undefined intimacy. “I do.”
“I think it would be a bigger victory for you if he wasn’t. Your ideals never aligned; you’ve told me as much. Why would you want him happy with you if it means abandoning the man you’ve strived to become? Take comfort in knowing you have grown and matured into an irreplaceable asset to the Empire entirely despite and without your father’s influence. You have earned everything you have gained on your own. And if you still wish to measure your worth based on someone’s pride in you, you have plenty of other, better people to choose from.”
Ferdinand sat in stunned silence for only a brief moment before smiling gently. “That is the nicest thing you have ever said to me, Hubert.”
The soft smile was returned. “Let us not make a habit of it.”
Ferdinand shook his head. “I fail to see why we should not. After all this time, we still seek each other out for advice as well as…other…activities. Yes, we still fight most of the time, but I wouldn’t trade that at all. You challenge me to be better. And now I know I’m succeeding. I hope the same can be said for me. You seem a lot friendlier these days. Perhaps that is my influence on you.”
“Hmm, perhaps,” he said. He traced his fingers along the edge of table. “Ferdinand?”
“Yes?”
“Once you asked if we could try at being friends.”
Ferdinand felt his cheeks grow warm. “I did, yes.”
Hubert nodded. “Good, you remember. Well, I…” his voice trailed off and he cleared his throat. “I would like to make an attempt. If your offer stands.”
“Hubert? After all this time, you are finally asking to join me for tea?” He shook his head, a playful smirk on his face. He wasn’t sure when he started to become playful and teasing with Hubert, but it felt more comfortable than not. “Explain yourself.”
“Let’s just say,” he said with a small smile, a rosy blush coming to his face, “I figured something out.”