Just a Place to Drop My Writing

On AO3 @sorbriquette Currently deeply fixated on writing f/f ferdibert

[sorbriquette-writes]

WIP Wednesday Ferdibert, in which I give you a half baked drafted because I realised I've already posted an excerpt of the fake dating chapter that would be getting WIPed this week

Ferdinand went to top up their tea and nothing came out, he lifted the lid, frowning into the pot. “I suppose it goes much faster when we share.” “My apologies for drinking the tea as you demanded,” Hubert teased, hoping against hope that the half smile he gave did not somehow spell out his wicked thoughts. Ferdinand chuckled, leaning back in his seat and stretching. “I suppose it is high time you got some rest, regardless.” The dread seeped back into Hubert’s veins, thick and viscous. “Quite,” he said as he swallowed done the bile climbing his throat. Ferdinand stood first, began stacking the tea set so he could take it to wash up. Hubert watched the delicacy with which he handled the crockery, wondered what it would be like to have those gloved fingers in his hair, against his lips, under his shirt. Heart pounding in his head, knocking lose more of his faculties by the moment, Hubert stood. “Thank you, for the tea,” he said, adjusting his cuffs and hoping his breathing would steady. When had the air become so dense, so hard to choke down. Ferdinand turned a dazzling smile on him, candle light glinting off amber eyes. “Of course, I hope it helps you rest.” And Hubert found himself transfixed for a moment, suffocating in the two thick air, the beat of a war drum drowning out his thoughts, his limbs too heavy to leave. He stared at Ferdinand’s lips. They formed his name. “Hubert?” Just once. In case they both died. So he would know what it was like. Why not? What was the harm? If Ferdinand hated him for it what did it matter? They might not even see each other again. Just once. Hubert caught Ferdinand around the back of the neck, dragging him in to a searing kiss. Finally, finally, allowing his lungs to start working again as the weight was lifted from them. His thoughts settled a moment, and while his heartbeat did not slow, it was not all he could hear any more. The sound of shattering porcelain echoed between them.

[sorbriquette-writes]

WIP Wednesday f/f Ferdibert on the precipice of renegotiating some of the terms of their fake relationship.

They settled back on the rug by the fire, either side of the chess board with a mug of tea each. Away from the bright lights of the kitchen, Ferdinand found herself oddly struck by the version of Hubert before her, cast in firelight and toying with a pawn. And sharp as ever. “Why are you staring at me?” Ferdinand chuckled, unperturbed by the accusation, and answered honestly. “Today has been unexpectedly pleasant, as has your company.” The whites of her eye glinting orange in the light, Hubert glared at her. “I shouldn’t have asked.” Ferdinand ignored that, and the gentle flush that might have been making its way across Hubert’s face. “Shall we have another game?” she asked, gesturing to the chess board. Hubert shook her head. “No, you are hopeless.” There were any number of reasons Ferdinand might have responded to such a blatant attack as she did. She decided to pretend it was because she knew it would unsettle Hubert more than any other response. “Or perhaps you are just brilliant.” Hubert’s lip twitched, her eyes narrowing. “We said no flirting,” she reminded Ferdinand. “It was an observation, not an advance,” Ferdinand insisted to them both. Loosing interest in the pawn, Hubert let it fall from her fingers and clatter to the board, laying on her back with poorly acted disgruntlement. Ferdinand mirrored her, crossing her legs at the ankles and admiring the crowning on the roof as she indulged in the gentle crackling of the fireplace, the ambient orchestra of the forest outside, and the soft breathing of the woman beside her. “Is it suspicious that we never flirt?” Hubert asked eventually. Taking a slow breath, Ferdinand deliberated. On what she ought to want, on what she had to pretend to want, and on what Hubert deserved. Hubert had never dated before, and Ferdinand suspected that there was a part of her that wanted to know what it was like. The part of Hubert that doted on bouquets she was given, and melted at the touch of a hand in her hair, and grew flustered when complimented. A part of Hubert that, despite all appearances, wanted to be flirted with. So of course it was altruism that made Ferdinand concede, “Perhaps I was too hasty in taking it off the table when we started this.”

[sorbriquette-writes]

A brief WIP Wednesday because as I have complained about extensively, I have not been writing much lately :( Anyways impending f/f ferdibert for when I get my act together CW for emetophobia

Hubert woke up some hours later to muffled voices, at the very least all of her vomiting was not for nought. She must have thrown up whatever it was making her sick in the first place. She was exhausted, and her throat still ached, but the headache was fading, and she could feel the rest of her symptoms receding. She showered and dressed quickly, she had wasted enough time. “— might need to. I cannot handle rodents,” Edelgard admitted, her face twitching into a grimace, “especially —“ The conversation cut off quickly when Hubert opened her door. Edelgard and Ferdinand looking to her instantly. She would almost think she had been being discussed if not for how they both devolved into patronising her. “How are you feeling?” Ferdinand asked, her eyebrows far too upturned for someone who did not actually care about Hubert. And, “You are looking better,” accompanied Edelgard’s appraising gaze. “I am fine, thank you for your concern,” she told Edelgard before directing a stern, “Do not fuss,” at Ferdinand, and getting a pout in return.

[sorbriquette-writes]

Very much a WIP for this Wednesday. Some Ferdibert I wrote in the park on Monday that requires a hefty amount of scene setting and planning. But I think you get the point. Ferdie does what Hubert cannot bring himself to.

CW for implied/impending child murder - as such, all under the cut

Ferdinand was surprised to see Hubert paused. To see him swallow, fingers shaking where the spell sputtered around them. Not the inky flow of dark magic coalescing. Gritting his teeth, the magic spiralled limply around his fingers, as if unwilling. But it was not the magic that hesitated, just the man behind it.

Placing a tentative hand upon Hubert's shoulder, Ferdinand felt him flinch under the touch. "You are sure of your conclusion?"

"Yes," Hubert spat through gritted teeth. "It's her. I just need a moment."

His breathing was heavy and ragged, even through the touch on his shoulder.

Ferdinand sighed and nodded, coaxing Hubert into a sitting position on the courtyard floor. "Then take one."

Hubert glowered up at him, either conceeding or too pained to stand. "So now I seem not just a monster but a weak one."

"I only see a man, struggling as any would with such a burden."

Hubert said nothing, his head kncoking against stone as he leaned back against it.

"You are sure?" Ferdinand asked again, setting his jaw.

"Yes," Hubert hissed at him, vicious and angry.

Nodding resolutely Ferdinand stood. "Very well."

"What are you doing?" Hubert hissed once more, urgently, as Ferdinand walked away.

Ferdinand did not answer. Did not look back as Hubert attempted to scrabble after him but seemed to loose strength, dry heaving towards the cobbles.

Ferdinand understood better why as he drew closer to the girl.

She was short, even for her age, her hair was a pale blonde, almost white, and her eyes an icy blue that almost seemed to shift purple in the torchlight.

She spotted him soon enough, now that he was in the open and striding towards her. "Sir," she said with a curtsey and a broad grin.

"It is awful late for a child to be wandering out here, are you all right?" He asked, already steeling himself for what was to come.

Her grin faded and she looked down, awkwardly shuffling her feet.

[sorbriquette-writes]

WIP and/or Wednesday. If you notice that this mayhaps is not the fic I'm currently posting then shhhhh, I have not been writing as much as I should. Anyways have some ferdibert from an as yet untitled fic that I have done a snippet of before

Hubert pursed his lips and folded his arms. “Her Majesty does not care so much for coffee.” “No, but you do, and you would not be able to give feedback on my courting prowess if I do not tailor things to you at all.” Ferdinand’s cheeks had steadily worked towards the same heat as his smiles, but he glanced pointedly between the seat and Hubert once more. And the fool that he was, Hubert relented under the idea that Ferdinand was going to be courting him, at least for the day. “Please act within reason.” Ferdinand settled into the seat opposite him. “Of course. If at any point you feel I am being unreasonable we can discuss it.” Hubert raised an eyebrow at him that Ferdinand payed no heed to. They relegated their conversations to non-political matters, as was wise outside of the walls of the Imperial Palace. But that still left them many topics to debate, the latest opera that was showing, whether Ferdinand’s horse care routine was excessive (it was), news of Caspar and Linhardt’s travels. And of course their opinions on the samples of coffee, tea, and cakes. They were on their third, and what was surely final, round. This coffee had a faintly floral taste to it that Hubert could not decide if he liked or not. What he did know was that he did not care for the Noa Fruit tea Ferdinand was sipping on. The food pairing was a selection of sandwiches, which Hubert found mostly inoffensive. “Are you enjoying yourself?” Ferdinand prompted him, putting down his teacup. “It is adequate,” Hubert undersold. He was enjoying himself. The variety meant that he had enjoyed much of what he ate, and it gave them more to bicker over. The smugness of Ferdinand’s smile told him that he was not so deceptive as he’d hoped. “This is the part where I would perhaps take my date’s hand, if I thought things were going well.” And just like that Ferdinand’s gloved fingers settled over his on the table top.

[sorbriquette-writes]

Some f/f Ferbies fake dating for y'all as I succumb to exhaustion

"We should probably pretend to make up soon." And unfortunately, Hubert agreed, so she silently nodded. Which it seemed was all the invitation Ferdinand needed to worm an arm between Hubert's waist and the back of the lounge. Hubert's first instinct was to go rigid. To freeze and figure out how to get away. The logical part of her mind told her it was necessary for their act. The less rational side luxuriated in the contact and demanded it end before Ferdinand’s touch seared through her skin and met bone. Because she wanted it. And she hated herself for that. But she has a facade to keep up. So she tried to force her muscles to loosen, and instead focused on revenge in the form of her hand falling to Ferdinand's knee. Ferdinand did not recoil, did not stiffen and panic. Another reminder of how very out of her depth Hubert was. Her first retaliation foiled, Hubert gathered herself for a few minutes, and then slipped her arm around Ferdinand’s shoulders. The glower she got when Ferdinand slowly turned to look at her felt like a victory. And yet, in winning the battle, she had set herself up for a devastating blow in the war. Ferdinand set her jaw, tightening her arm around Hubert’s waist and using the other to scoop under Hubert’s knees and deposit them across her thighs. A position far too close to sitting on her lap. But she could not move. Not when they were supposed to be pretending to make up. Not when she had escalated the conflict between them. Her cheeks seared in humiliation, Hubert leaned in, putting faux-warmth in her tone as she murmured, “I hate you,” into Ferdinand’s ear.

[sorbriquette-writes]

Boop, new f/f ferbies fake dating chapter is up and I am despairing over AO3 not having a chapter 0 label for the prologue throwing all my numbering out

https://archiveofourown.org/works/78525806/chapters/210020946

[sorbriquette-writes]

I shall endeavour to have the next chapter of my f/f ferdibert fake dating fic up this weekend (and stick to that schedule hereafter) but for now, a sneak peek.

Hubert seemed like a red wine drinker, though if Ferdinand was to play her faux-girlfriend, she really ought to have asked. But it was too late, and it would give away the surprise, and by process of elimination, if Ferdinand liked white wine, Hubert would surely prefer red. It was a ridiculous thing to worry over — she did not even like Hubert — but she strove to do her best in all things, even awful, painful, despicable things. So she hooked the slim black gift bag onto the fingers of her other hand, the one already occupied by the bouquet. Another thing she doubted Hubert would care for, but roses were traditional, and the deep burgundy snapdragons would hopefully make it dark enough to be acceptable. She knocked, and clearly, she was being waited for because the door opened almost immediately. Glancing down, a dainty gold watch informed her she was not late but 5 minutes early. Hubert’s barely-there eyebrow shot up as she surveyed Ferdinand. “What is all of this?” “We are dating,” she carefully omitted the truth of it, looking behind Hubert for any trace of Edelgard, “I wanted to get you a gift.” Her way into the apartment was barred for a few moments more as Hubert stared at her, a soft flush creeping its way up her face. Shaking her head sharply, Hubert stepped aside in the kind of stiff and prompt motion the military could only dream of instilling in its soldiers. “Edelgard is already aware that this is a ruse.” “Well then we have wine for dinner and you can add a little colour to your abode.” She offered the flowers to Hubert, who eyed them as if they were the bait under a particularly violent mousetrap, but did slowly acquiesce. “I will find a vase,” Hubert muttered, shutting the door behind Ferdinand.

[sorbriquette-writes]

No new chapter today

I lost my laptop charger while moving house and all of my writing is on my laptop 🙃

No wip Yesterday for the same reason

[sorbriquette-writes]

Lil bite size prologue of the f/f ferdibert fake dating I've been sign posting for uhhhh… months. Hoping to update like weeklyish which should be manageable since I have the first 3 chapters written

https://archiveofourown.org/works/78525806/chapters/205876651

[sorbriquette-writes]

Chapter 1: the girly pops scheme over tea and coffee

https://archiveofourown.org/works/78525806/chapters/205876651

[sorbriquette-writes]

Points to whoever can guess which completed fic this could be a theoretical bonus to (as if I don't claim that I have an idea for an additional chapter on all of them)

Usually Ferdinand slept deeply, though the war had seen to that some. The day's events had seen to it far more. Blood, and daggers, and the mournful memories of times long passed clashed behind his eyes until he was awash with it. Restless and fitful. It was almost a relief to be startled awake. Ferdinand jolted back from the sound before him, sucking in a sharp breath. He forced his eyes to open despite the weight of them, wrapped his fingers into fists though his muscles felt as if they were not complying, opened his mouth to bark a demand, though all that came out was a small yelp. Hubert mirrored him, going rigid and pulling back quickly. But where Ferdinand relaxed at realising who had woken him, settling back onto the pillow, Hubert only became more defensive. “Oh, it’s just you,” Ferdinand sighed, his heart still hammering, even if it was no longer entirely for the same reason. “I am sorry for waking you,” Hubert said, scrambling to sit up. Had he been lying down beside Ferdinand? “You have been snoring…” he trailed off, his eyes averting. “Am I keeping you up?” Ferdinand asked, the heaviness that seeped through his body returning to fill the gaps that adrenaline steadily started to vacate. Hubert shook his head sharply. “No, you stopped,” he hesitated a moment more, but Ferdinand’s vision was too blurry, it was too dark, to properly make out his expression. “I was just making sure you were still breathing.” “Oh.”

[sorbriquette-writes]

Lil bite size prologue of the f/f ferdibert fake dating I've been sign posting for uhhhh… months. Hoping to update like weeklyish which should be manageable since I have the first 3 chapters written

https://archiveofourown.org/works/78525806/chapters/205876651

[sorbriquette-writes]

F/f ferbies fake dating from my phone for this WIP Wednesday because I am drowning in work rn an am gonna collapse into bed the moment I get home. (Though this is from the next fic I'll be posting so the most WIP a Wednesday can get)

“Well I would rather not touch you.”

She did not receive a glower in response, but a smirk. “That feeling is very much mutual, I promise you that. But would it not be suspicious if we did not touch at all?”

Ferdinand thought back on her previous relationships. Certainly it was not uncommon for an arm to fall across her shoulder at the table, a hand to hold hers in the backseat of a car, or a peck on the lips in greeting. But could she suffer that with Hubert? The thought made her stomach roil.

“I think that is up to us,” Ferdinand admitted with a shrug. “You do not seem the type for public displays of affection, but we should perhaps not cringe away from one another.”

Hubert chuckled to herself, sipping at her coffee and glancing out the window to the lazy street beyond. “That would be optimal. What of flirting?”

“Like how much we should do?” Ferdinand pressed, shocked to be even considering it. Yet she got a solemn nod in response. “I do not think I am much of a flirt, to be honest.”

A thin dark brow raised as Hubert looked at her once more. “I would have thought you the type for flowers and serenades.”

“That is romance, not flirtation,” Ferdinand corrected. Perhaps it also served to tell Hubert her assessment was correct because her lip curled in disgust. “But you need not worry about me serenading you any time soon.”

“Or ever, ideally.”

[sorbriquette-writes]

I will level with you team, for some reason tumblr isn't letting me post this one as is, ergo yall can have the same screenshot treatment as bluesky. So idk lemme know if this format is easier to read I guess? What I am actually working on is my f/f ferbies fake dating AU, but I've posted a few WIPs of that recently so instead for this WIP wednesday have 900 words of Hubert confronting Ferdinand about proposing to Edelgard in their A support. Frankly I'm not sure how to continue on with this one so I'll just drop it into the aether here.

[sorbriquette-writes]

For this week, some established relationship f/f ferbies I dunno what to do with. If I'm being real this was selected based on me already being cosy in bed and not wanting to get up and get my laptop.

"Ferdinand, are you unaware of how to keep correspondence professional?"

Ferdinand looked up at Hubert, giving her an amused smile. "I missed you while I was away, surely I can include that in the reports I send back."

Hubert sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "While I appreciate the sentiment, you are aware I have to burn those reports after reading?"

Ferdinand looked unperturbed. "Not to worry, I shall write you more personal letters so you may keep them."

A flush darkened Hubert's face as she looked away. "That will be unnecessary." She pulled two scraps of paper, penned in a hand Ferdinand recognised as her own, from her desk drawer. "If you could relegate it to one half of the report it will be easier to extract the confidential information."

Ferdinand could not help but smirk, swaning over to Hubert, leaning against her, trapping her against the desk. "Oh you are so very sweet."

"Don't be absurd," Hubert muttered, her hand brushing stray ringlets behind Ferdinand's ear.

"Can I address it with endearments and and sign it off with love, or will that compel you to keep both of those lines too?" She teased, leaning forward to press a kiss to Hubert's heated cheek.

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WIP Wthursday (I was busy last night sorry) I also straight up forgot to post here last week (sorry) so here's last weeks NYE f/f ferbies from bluesky, and I have migrated the mermaid AU bits from here over to there to square things away :)

“So tonight,” Ferdinand began, twirling a curl around her finger in the elevator up to Dorothea’s apartment, “are you expecting to kiss?” Hubert had been dreading this question, had known it was coming. It was New Years Eve after all, and they had supposedly been dating for several months now. It might be seen as strange if they did not share a kiss at midnight. But she was hesitant to agree to it. Not because she didn’t want to kiss Ferdinand, but because she very much did. “Are you?” Hubert shot back. “I am okay with it.” Despite her attempt at appearing unphased, a dusting of pink settled across Ferdinand’s cheeks. “If you are unsure, I will let you make the decision when the time comes.” Ah, so in attempting to avoid answering first, Hubert had made her predicament worse. How wonderful.

[sorbriquette-writes]

This WIP Wednesday? Hubert, thinking he is the smartest man in the world: If Ferdinand marries Lady Edelgard then he will have to stay with us forever :)

“Then why, Hubert?” Her eyes met his in the reflection of her mirror and told him that she already knew the answer.

“He is a good match,” Hubert reiterated, only drawing his lady’s ire further. “He is competent, and diligent in his work, and committed to improving the Empire. He is very caring and compassionate, but will always speak his mind — even when he shouldn’t. He would never stray from you or disrespect you. He is the ideal person to help you reign.”

“He is,” Edelgard insisted, “as my Prime Minister, not my husband.”

“What of after you retire, or he does?”

“Then I will no longer need anyone to help me reign."

So what then, Ferdinand was just gone from their lives? Hubert frowned to himself, the clatter of pins into the box on the vanity cacophonous in the silence between them.

He had a million reasons that Lady Edelgard and Ferdinand should marry. But he would not argue with her, only persuade. Though he had not thought much persuading would have been necessary once he got the pair of them in the same room. Hubert had taken tea with Ferdinand more than enough to know that a few hours alone with him was enough to charm someone.

Edelgard’s eyes narrowed, but he could see the slight shift in her face from where she bit her cheek to stop herself from smiling. “Besides, I do not find myself attracted to him physically.”

“What?” Hubert snapped perhaps a little too fast.

Unable to suppress her smirk any longer, Edelgard’s eyebrows rose in silent prompting for him to continue.

And despite the obvious trap he did. “His hair is quite a striking colour, his physique is very well maintained —“ white eyebrows raised ever higher in the reflection, “— he is quite handsome, and sometimes his left cheek dimples when he smiles.”

“Oh?” mused Lady Edelgard, reminding him starkly of Dorothea and her particular brand of antics. “I can’t say I’ve noticed.”

Hubert pursed his lips tightly. Perhaps a moonlit date was not ideal, Ferdinand did glow in the sunlight, after all. Though Hubert had thought it bright enough to cut through the darkness perhaps he had been wrong.

He would have consider that the next time he planned them a date.