bakerstreet | Let the water rush over you.

There were... complications. Things best not spoken of.

[He had no shame in what the Empire did, but he did have some shame in his part in this- in working for those monsters. Those creatures that stole the very blood from Edelgard's veins, that killed or drove to madness nearly a dozen children. More, now that they knew for sure Lysithia was a prototype. He had bowed and scraped and been a pleading dog to them to help Edelgard reach her dream of flames, biting on command and accepting the lashes- and had failed.

So all he had left was the stain of his actions and nothing to show for it. So maybe he could be forgiven for wanting to hide that shame now.]

It's too late to kill her quietly now, you realize. Your best option is to hide her away somewhere and say she is 'living out her life in quiet peace'.

[His boots come off, and he starts on his cape, scowling]

[He has no intention to ask Hubert to elaborate. There would always be secrets. Always be things the other would never know. He understood that and he understood why the Empire was working with those slithering monsters.]

I'm aware... she's too important a figure to the people and to my allies. That doesn't change the fact that she's absolutely infuriating.

["My" allies. Not "Our" allies. They may be working together for now but he's not so foolish as to not make that distinction.]

I could always accidentally let you get close to her. But then I'd have to execute you and I rather like having you around.

Of course the problem may well take care of itself if Seteth can't convince her that going to Shambhala is only going to make her a liability. I will not spend man power protecting her stubborn ass.

Perhaps it's for the best that she wishes to go. With their most hated enemy there, in their lair, in the flesh... oh they won't be able to resist the need to kill or capture her.

[without his boots he's shockingly quiet footed, padding over to the bath and placing his hands on the lip, leaning over Claude's shoulder to murmer in his ear]

If it was just you and your army oh, the things they would promise you. Temptations of secrets un-imaginable. Magic and machines no one in any of our nations could dream of. They would promise they could give you the peace you've worked so hard for and against your better judgement you'd believe them. And at the time what they would ask for in return would seem so little.

But it's never enough. Don't for a moment let them speak, tear thise split tongues from their mouths, Khalid. Do not make my mistakes.

Oh they're after Teach just as much as Rhea.

[Which is precisely what he's planning on when it comes to strategy. Not that he keeps that thought in his head with Hubert leaning over him like that, his voice inky velvet that makes Khalid draw in a deep breath. It truly is unfair how arousing just the closeness of him and the texture of his words can be.

He's pretty sure Hubert could say anything like that and it would spark a fire in his blood.

Khalid lifts one hand out of the water, reaching up behind himself to curl his fingers over the back of Hubert's neck, keeping him bent over like that. Near enough that when Khalid turns his head he's able to kiss him, warm but short lived, a quiet groan trapped in his chest.]

And why would listen to them when I have my own little sliver of darkness murmuring temptations in my ear?

[It's flirty and some might think dismissive of the power Those Who Slither possess but his face is set, his gaze determined. He does not need power or magic or their mechanical monstrosities to achieve his goals. He has never relied on others and he never will. The only person one can trust is themselves. He knows damn well Hubert understands that.]

[something about Khalid's words burns hot and bright in his chest. But he ignores it for now, the outline of his wry smirk noticeable against Khalid's neck when he stops kissing him.]

My temptations are much less grand, I'm sad to say. But maybe a but more enjoyable?

[he steps away to finish undressing]

Speaking of the Professor, I find it... wonderfully ironic that the one Rhea claimed was chosen by the Goddess aligned themselves with a forgien man who has no loyalty to the church. It would only have been sweeter if they had turned to Lady Edelgard- either way I would almost say they were sent by a very different deity just to spite her. If I was the type to believe in such things.

Mmmhmmm~

[More than a bit more enjoyable, that's for certain. And the fact that they are not grand is precisely what makes them so tempting.

Hubert steps away to undress and Khalid shifts in the tub, twisting so he can cross his arms on the edge of the tub, smiling softly as he lays his head on his arms, watching the other man. Perhaps it is strange how much he enjoys watching the way Hubert moves but there's something about it that is fascinating. Much as the way the man's mind works there is a beauty in the way his hands move with the same kind of deft precision. Perhaps not traditionally handsome but how brilliantly capable he is counted for far more of Khalid's attraction than anything physical ever could.]

There's plenty to be said for Fate but no, I think this was actually Rhea's own machinations coming back to bite her. Teach wasn't chosen for shit... Rhea did something to them as an infant. It's why the Captain left. He was terrified of what Rhea was planning to do with his kid.

She may well have killed their mom, even. All we have is Jeralt's account of it but... it's a rough read.

...

[Hubert was finally down to his pants when Khalid's words hit him. He freezes. He rarely shows anger, his face always looking slightly angry but rarely in any explosive way. But his eyes narrow even more than they did naturally, the corners of his lips growing tight.

He's furious]

... and yet she claims to be any different from those who slither. Humans are nothing but pawns to them both.

[He hisses the words out like venom]

That's how they gained the Crest of Flames. Just like... like Lady Edelgard.

[Khalid frowns, reaching a hand out to touch wet fingertips to Hubert's arm. He has to stretch a little to do it but he wants to offer that small measure of support if he can. This is the difference between knowing on a greater scale and knowing the personal pains of a thing.]

I agree, she's just as much a monster as our enemies. The things they did to Lysithea and... your Lady [A slight nod, an attempt to give Edelgard the weight of importance she deserves without twisting Hubert's fury to him.] There's no excusing or forgiving that.

But even Byleth understood that Rhea is a symbol. We have to use that. And once we've stripped her of all the power she once had and placed it with someone the people believe she trusted... well then we can dispose of her one way or another.

[It really is a shame that Edelgard refused to talk to him. Gods he could have helped her make this entire transition so much smoother and left Fodlan to her instead of Byleth. She wanted it, was a skilled politician, maybe a little too opinionated for his tastes but he'd respected her. Patience and planning and within ten years they could have achieved both of their goals and been done with the whole thing. Minimal bloodshed, strategic battles to take out a few small dissenters.

Even Dimitri had never been made for kingship, the man was too earnest, to fragile. His madness proved that beyond a doubt but there were ways to handle that without sending the entirety of Fodlan into chaos. It was so frustrating at times. How differently things could have gone.

But it wouldn't help either of them to dwell on what ifs.]

We deal with them first. There will be time to deal with her after.

[No apologies, no reassurances, nothing to soothe his anger. He was right to be angry and that anger was a valuable tool. Just a reminder of the plans that are in motion, when and where he will be able to use that anger. Hubert wasn't the type of man to need or care for condolences. He was a man of purpose. Just like Khalid.]

[The light touch startles him, and his visible eye widens slightly, like he might lash out... but listening to Khalid's words brings him back down to stewing instead of fury.

Damn it all, only a short while ago he never would be this reactive. He was controlled, dedicated, focused. Not this mess of a man the end of this war made him into. He scowls, but finishes undressing- no shame, considering Khalid had already had his hands on him before.]

If I didn't know better I would think you're already planning new things to throw in front of me, Khalid.

[New plans and targets, new goals. New things to keep him going. Alive. He's not sure how to feel about that.

[The scowl is so familiar but now, having seen more soft expressions than he'd once thought the man capable of, he is eager to chase it away. Enough that he pushes up onto his knees so that he can reach out for Hubert once he finally naked, snagging his wrist and his hip and drawing him close to the side of the tub.

He can't reach to kiss him so for a moment he just leans his head against the other man's stomach, a gentle nuzzle before looking up at him again.]

Just because your goals end in Shambhala doesn't mean I have any less work ahead of me.

[He will not force anything on the other man, that's a choice he has to make for himself. All he can do is hope that Fate is kind enough to make some adjustments to his plans.

But he'd much rather think about here and now than some unfathomable future when it seems like more and more and more keeps cropping up in his way. Sometimes it feels like he will never see home again.]

C'mere~

[Feel warm human flesh against his bare skin is enough to cool his anger a small bit- down to coals he can stoke back to embers and flames when needed. So he sighs and nods, slipping away from Khalid to step into the tub.

He makes a small surprised noise when he sinks in- he's tall, and it's rare a tub is measured well to him, let alone for him and another person.]

It must have taken quite the effort to get this in here.

[Khalid is reluctant to let him go at first, fingers trailing over his skin as he moves. But he immediately smirks, clearly pleased with himself, when Hubert slides into the tub with him. The surprise is cute, charming even, and since Khalid had been curled up against the side of the tub anyway he uses the excuse to shift, careful now with the water level much higher.

He slides over on his knees, braces against the sides of the tub to lean in and kiss the other man, soft at first but increasingly enthusiastic if he'll allow the distraction from his anger. Then he turns, laying back against Hubert's chest just as he had been against the tub's edge earlier.]

Wouldn't know. I didn't do it. Mages, y'know?

[He tips his head back on Hubert's shoulder to lay a kiss under his jaw.]

They're not uncommon in Leicester. Supposedly Almyran style. All well and good when they think they're stealing exotic luxuries just so long as they don't have to actually interact with anyone too dark.

[Even as he says it he lifts one hand out of the water, just watching the way the droplets slide across his skin, clinging to the dark hair on his arm. More of the same old bullshit.]

[The kissing is enough to distract him from what Khalid is doing, and suddenly he has the other man tucked against him like he belonged there.

It's not an unpleasant image, but does nothing to hide the slight... interest... he has in all this, even as their conversation is a bit grim]

I would also guess it's nothing actually like the original?

[The dripping water is fasinating, and he leans over Khalid's shoulder, bringing his hand and arm to his lips to catch them. Not too disimilar to their last encounter]

Metal? In that heat? Are you mad?

[He huffs out a disgusted sigh. Of course these things are nothing like the Almyran baths. Large pools set in stone floors and tiled to keep in cool moisture. A metal tub like this would become scalding far too quickly in the desert heat.

Not that he's able to think on that for very long, not when Hubert's lips are moving down his arm like that, making the next sigh something soft and wanting instead.]

Are you trying to distract me?

Wasn't that the intention of this little surprise? Or do you not appreciate it when your plans are used on you instead?

[he smirks against his skin, rubbing the soft hair against his cheek]

Edited 2020-08-15 23:03 (UTC)

[There's something so viscerally satisfying about feeling Hubert's smirk pressed into his skin. It makes him shudder slightly and lean back to press another kiss to his throat, eyeing the spots where he'd left previous marks, curious if any still linger.]

The intention was to give us both a chance to relax... I know I certainly need it, especially when there's still so much that isn't finalized. Can't be. Because no one else will commit to a damned thing.

[But he is, for now, content to soak and just lounge back against the other man, enjoying the soft touches. They can continue discussing some of the more pressing things about the upcoming battle or-

Or they can just enjoy one another. He's perfectly content either way.]

[They still do, his skin so pale that there's no hiding them unless they heal completely.]

Now is the time for bold action. I never would have expected the Professor to be the type to dither.

[He releases Khalid's arm, letting him work at his throat instead]

... I am not a man that relaxes easily- but I find myself with too much spare time otherwise.

[There's a sigh and then Khalid arches back against him to leverage himself up the last couple of inches to be able to get a good grip with his teeth, worrying at a spot that's still slightly off color, muffling a playful little growl of frustration against his skin. Once he's quite certain the mark will be even darker than before and still be visible above his collar he slumps back down against him.]

They're not, not really. But there are a few points no one is willing to compromise on. Rhea insists on coming. Byleth wants extra defenses for her. I absolutely do not. We have no idea what the conditions are going to be and I don't think it's particularly wise to bring in horses. At least the wyverns and, to some extent, pegasi have more maneuverability but some terrain will make horses more of a hindrance than a help.

Try convincing Lorenz to leave his steed behind, though. Ugh.

[He reaches up behind himself, carding his fingers through Hubert's hair, letting his nails skim lightly over his scalp.]

Most of them think it's insanity to bring you, too... But they've finally stopped fighting me on it. So long as you don't leave Petra's sight.

... wait. How long have you been advocating for me to come?

[He's started enough to not even notice how nice his nails feel against his scalp or to give his opinion on if the mounts would even likely FIT where they're going. He just... blinks owlishly at this information]

[He actually sits up a little to be able to better see Hubert's face. He sounds so... surprised. The way he just blinks at him gets him a warm smile, a chuckle pressed softly to his lips.]

When did we take those cuffs of you?

[He stares down at Khalid for a long moment... and finally laughs softly]

You... are a fool, Khalid. There is no way you could have plotted that I would not turn on you all the moment I was free.

And give up the chance for your revenge?

[He shakes his head slightly, this time sitting up properly so he can move to straddle Hubert's lap, arms draping over the other man's shoulders, perfectly comfortable having this conversation between kisses.]

You wouldn't. If you were going to attack us it would be after Shambhala. But even you know you alone are not enough to kill all the people you want to. You'd have to make choices. Byleth is too infuriatingly and unknowably powerful. Rhea is certainly an option and if you decide you want her dead after Shambhala is handled I don't care.

[Another kiss, finger curling into black waves that seem to be at least a little smoother. Maybe it's the lingering oils in the bathwater but Khalid wants to think it's at least partially due to the extra meals that Hubert's been getting. Forcibly at times.]

And if it's me you want dead, which I doubt, you've had ample opportunity. Besides... [His expression sobers for a moment, carding damp fingers into his hair so he can see into those strikingly serpentine eyes, searching and vulnerable in equal measures.] If you wanted you could destroy me so much more thoroughly than simply killing me. You don't even know how effectively you could.

[As Khalid shifts to straddle him, Hubert moves his hands to his waist, his mouth to his neck to worry at his pulse point- after all, he can't argue with the man's assessment. But when he runs his fingers through his hair it pulls him away long enough for Kahlid to look into his eyes, searching, open.

Oh.

Certainly, he could. And the fact that Khalid allowed him to gain so much weaponry against him, physically, mentally, emotionally... in a way that too was a trap. Hubert was a cruel man, but he had his own kind of honor too. They weaved their webs around each other, both becoming more tangled in the attempt to gain over the other.

There was something very... intense about that. Intimate.]

... you seem like a man that longs for a bit of destruction.

Edited 2020-08-18 04:20 (UTC)

[There was a very particular kind of honor among spies and thieves. They were both, in their own ways, built for dishonesty, for dirtying their hands for the benefit of a cause. It's just that Hubert's cause had been a person and Khalid's was something impossibly broader than anything Edelgard had planned for, by his very nature it had to be. Which was exactly what made it so unfeasible.

There was so much of him and his plans, his dreams that Hubert didn't even know about and yet he also knew more about him than anyone else in Fodlan. Nearly anyone else at all.]

If the very foundations of a thing are rotten... destruction is the only way for progress to occur.

[Something that applied as much to Fodlan, to his home, to all these places and their ideas and prejudices against all those who are other. In some ways... it applied to himself as well, he'd had to remake himself from nothing here in a land that was not his own in order to become the man he was now. Even that boy he'd been before Edelgard had revealed her plans had been swallowed up in the fires of her war.

And he was a better man for it, however much suffering it caused.

In some ways it was just another way he had needed to do the same with his own traitorous body, destroy the defining things that made it... wrong so he could rebuild himself in the image that was true to him.]

...

You sound very much like her.

[His words are soft, pained, but only noticeable to someone who recognized the subtle differences in his tones. If he had focused more of his spying on 'Claude' back then, would he have been able to learn this? Or were his false smiles and distractions so good that even someone like Hubert- especially back then when he was so self-assured, so angry and high on the fumes of his own young purpose- couldn't see the bitterness under it all? Anyone with eyes and some patience to LOOK could see the budding darkness in Dimitri, so his focus had been there.

He was a fool.]

Her drive was, as much as she would argue against it, highly personal. Is it the same for you, Khalid? I'll admit finding out is an effective lure for someone like me.

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