for the ferdinand/hubert prompts: “I think I deserve a kiss for this.”
Thank you for submitting a dialogue I don't think I've used before! We won't talk about how long it took me to come up with the dog's name. Or the book's title.
[submission info]
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Hubert was browsing the very back shelves of their private library when Ferdinand called out, "Dearest! I need you!"
The call was loud but not panicked. Rolling his eyes at his husband's dramatics, Hubert took up his cane and made his way across the room.
It had taken the better part of a year but the Prime Minister wing of the Enbarr palace finally felt like it belonged to Hubert and Ferdinand. The library was by far the most comfortable of the private rooms; boasting a grand fire place, floor to ceiling bookshelves of handsome dark wood, and an elegant-- though secure-- balcony.
Hubert now came upon Ferdinand sitting on the floor of said balcony. His sunrise colored hair fell over one shoulder as he twisted to look at Hubert. "Could you get my book from the mantle piece? She just settled." He gestured apologetically at his lap.
Athena, their Aegir hound, was asleep across Ferdinand's legs. Sporting a white muzzle and floppy orange-brown ears, it was understandable that Ferdinand wouldn't want to disturb her.
Athena was nearly 2 months old and already they doted on her far more than Hubert would have thought possible. Ferdinand was the most susceptible-- taking her with him to the stables to run in the yard with the horses, coming back to their rooms during breaks to give her attention, buying treats for her whenever he went into town. Dislodging her from a perfectly good napping spot was just not something Ferdinand was capable of.
With a solemn nod, Hubert crossed back to the fireplace and retrieved Askran Metals. Ferdinand smiled as Hubert handed him the book. "Thank you."
"I was in the middle of doing research for the Emperor's speech next week, I'll have you know," Hubert admonished without heat.
Ferdinand hummed as he opened his book to the marked page. "I think you stopped for a worthy cause." He smoothed a hand over Athena's ears.
"Perhaps." Hubert leaned down. "Still, I think I deserve a kiss for this."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed."
"Well then," Ferdinand tiled his head back, "if that is the minister's professional opinion, I suppose I have to oblige."
Hubert smirked and bent further to capture Ferdinand's lips. The novelty of the action had yet to fade, and Hubert hoped it never would. Never had he let himself imagine that a life of peace with a husband and a dog would be his fate. Yet here he found himself.
Ferdinand grinned when they parted. "You are happy," he whispered. "I can tell."
"So perceptive," Hubert praised flatly. He pressed a kiss to Ferdinand's forehead before straightening. That kiss alone could spur him through several hours of research, and so Hubert returned to his shelves, grip on his cane strong and heart content.
