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Hob stumbles across Andhera in the maze while the sun is sliding down the blue sky like a spit fireball and casting the hedge shadows wide and purple. Andhera looks relieved to spot someone he knows and rushes forward, thoughts repeating grateful sentiments to see the Captain.
Hob nods to them as they skid to a stop in front of him.
“Thank goodness, Captain. I was getting quite lost with all the-- the twists and turns . Do you think they make it this confusing on purpose? Well. I suppose-- I suppose they must . That’s the point of these things, hm?”
Andhera forces a little chuckle. His thoughts are waves of panic and embarrassment and scrambling for solid ground. Hob throws them a bone and laughs with them, clapping the Unseelie on the back.
“That does appear to be a truism!” Hob smiles with the least amount of teeth showing, just in case that is factoring into Andhera’s nerves.
Andhera smiles back, clumsy and genuine. Hob lets a few more teeth show, relaxing in the boy's presence despite himself. Their sparring match that morning went well. He really had improved quite a lot since they first met on that rainy war field, Hob struck with how young the child was while standing over them, halberd at the ready. It’s nice to see that he’s also trusting Hob more and more, even after all that.
From a strategic place only, of course. Hob was already wrestling with too many sentiments as it was.
“All I got in the potion selection was comprehend languages-- so at least I can understand the ants swearing at me for stepping on their houses. Stupid yellow potion.” Andhera says under his breath, and kicks the ground. He looks up at Hob, “Although I suppose you’re not much better off, with all that pink running through your system.”
Hob blinks and tilts his head, ears flopping in confusion. He ran back through his actions of the night, double checking. “I’m afraid you’re suffering under some incorrect intel. I drank only the purple potion.”
Now Andhera is the one who looks confused, but they do it in a much more aesthetically pleasing way, no wrinkles or stray hairs in sight. Just a tap on his chin and a little humming noise.
“Well, that can’t be right… They way you were looking at Rue earlier, I was sure--”
Hob stiffens.
Andhera looks at him. Dread boils cold in the captain's stomach, as he’s forced to watch, helpless, as comprehension dawns on the man’s face. Andhera’s eyebrows slide up and up and his mouth turns into a surprised and delighted ‘O’.
“Oh, Captain !”
Hob growls low. It echoes around them, and Andhera flinches, but it does nothing to dissuade them from the correct conclusions they’ve drawn.
“You simply have to tell me everything. I mean-- Only if you feel you need to talk to someone-- But I admit I’m also dying of curiosity-- Rue? Out of everyone at the entire Bloom you fall for--!”
“Enough!” He cuts Andhera off. He doesn’t need to hear anyone else's opinion. He has the Lady Boil’s, and that’s the only one that matters-- other than Rue themselves, and they’ve made their feelings on the matter perfectly clear.
Andhera, to his credit, quiets and looks a little bashful. “I apologise, Captain-- I wasn’t intending anything cruel, just that it is… unexpected. You don’t seem the type--”
“I’m not.” Forceful. Brutal. Andhera knows it isn’t aimed at them, only at Hob himself.
“Hob-- KP. If I may.” Andhera’s voice is softer and higher suddenly. Hob likes the sound much better. “You know how you said that stuff about your door being off its hinges? Mine is too. The thing about cave systems is we don’t really even have doors-- Which has led to a few embarrassing moments on my part with Advisor, let me tell you--” They trail off, reliving some tense memories. They snap back to attention rather quickly for Andhera with a loud clap of their hands, “but that matters not! Tell me of your troubles, dear Captain. I wish to ease your burden.”
Hob uses the potion, just a little. Peers into Andhera’s mind to test the truthfulness there.
I hope he agrees. I’d rather him a friend than an enemy any day. The poor man must be struggling something awful out here, alone but for his court. I know how that feels, but at least I have Advisor here with me. Maybe he needs friends as badly as I do--
Hob pulls himself out of Andhera’s thoughts. He doesn’t need anyone but his court. He doesn’t.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Andhera, but I’m afraid you’re much mistaken. About all of it. I’m fine. Content. Happy, even. We’re at the event of a lifetime and I’m fulfilling all my duties and bringing honour to my court.”
Andhera’s face finally wrinkles as their brows furrow.
Oh. He’s shutting me out. This shouldn’t hurt like this, we hardly know each other but…
“I mean no offence to you.” Hob speaks softly and steps closer, hand on the prince's shoulder. “There’s expectations of me for the good of my entire court, and I will not fail them--” The ‘again’ almost slips past his fangs. “I appreciate your offer to speak, and if I have anything that needs to be discussed, know I will seek you out. Andhera.”
They smile hearing their name. Give Hob a slow nod, patting the great furry clawed paw resting on their shoulder.
“I assure you I have no particular feelings toward the honourable Delloso de la Rue.”
Just then the mistrix of the Bloom explodes through the hedge wall, making a sort of screeching sound.
+++
“Go on, Rue.”
“I really shouldn’t…”
“What’s the harm in joining in the game! Having a little fun after all the planning you’ve done!”
“It still wouldn’t be proper…”
“Who cares about proper--! You don’t know the maze layout! It’s hardly cheating.”
Rue smooths down the folds of their high waisted dress and feels the feathers on their neck start to fluff up with excitement. So many years searching for and preparing each Bloom. So many years hiding their real form to get the chance to do these things that they are excellent at. Rue had never once joined in the games. The closest they have ever been was the hart hunt, and well. That hadn’t gone… cleanly.
They shake out their rising feathers and rise up to their full height, towering over Wuvvy. She doesn’t look cowed in the slightest. On the contrary, she’s beaming wickedly.
“No one could stand a chance.” She says, smug. “Not with that plant magic potion running hot through your veins, and your glorious true form finally unleashed.”
Rue doesn’t want to admit that it does feel a bit like fate.
“Come on, Rue. What’s one more scary thing for the day? Not to mention… Think of all the people you might run into. The conversations you could have with them. While in the privacy of the hedge maze. Completely alone.”
Rue gives Wuvvy a side eye. She grins up at them, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.
“Come on Rue. Let yourself have something, for once. Or should I say, get something.” Wuvvy makes a big show of winking.
Rue huffs and moves to sweep off for the hedgerow before stopping and turning back to Wuvvy. “You know I’m sorry, right? I should never have done that to you.”
Wuvvy nods. “Yeah. I know. Don’t ever do it again.” There’s a little steel in her tone before Wuvvy brightens back up again. “Now please go kick everyone’s ass at this game.”
Rue does a little salute, “I’ll dedicate the win to you.”
“You better!”
Rue moves to the edge of the hedges as Wuvvy lets out a cheer behind them. The warmth in their chest beats healthy and happy. Rue’s going to make it up to her.
“Take me where I need to be.” Rue whispers to the hedgerow, and it softly parts its branches starting a new winding path for them to follow.
They follow the path, letting themselves feel their body for the first time in centuries. It’s strange being so wide again. So tall and sweeping, holding onto the grace of their previous form. They let their wingspan out wide enough to brush either side of the hedges, which burst into flowers where they trail. It’s fragrant and beautiful and serene and so at odds with how fey parties normally feel. They enjoy the moment, winding ‘round and ‘round where they are led.
Eventually, however, it does grow tiresome.
They lean down and whisper to the hedge. “Could we take a more direct route, perhaps? Something a little faster?”
They have a split second to get concerned about their wording before a vine snags around their waist and yanks them through the maze, ripping their dress and sending feathers flying from the ferocious speeds.
Rue doesn’t notice they are screaming until they have stopped hurtling through the topiary and land face first into the dirt.
They groan.
“Rue? Are you alright?” Andhera demands as they help Rue back up on their feet.
They look up to thank the prince of the Unseelie and instead find Hob holding their wing, delicate and close. Andhera is several feet away, standing on tiptoe and teetering back and forth trying to get visual to make sure Rue is unhurt.
“I’m okay.” They whisper, not taking their eyes off Hob’s. He’s so close. How did he get so close. Oh, I can’t breathe properly. I can smell him.
Hob nods once, and moves to step back. The vine around Rue’s waist lashes out and yanks him back where he was. Closer even, Rue couldn’t feel the Goblin breathing before. Now it’s all they can think about.
“Well thank god for that!” Andhera calls, marching closer, “That looked really nasty. I’ve face planted like that a few times myself. Awful. Especially on a rock. I do not recommend.”
Rue hasn’t looked away from the captain's face. He has a tiny purple flower tucked behind his ear. It offsets the yellow of his eyes in an enchanting way. He has not tried to move away again, pressed against Rue’s big befeathered body without a word.
“Oh! You two appear to be rather tangled up !” Andhera says it like it’s a punchline of a joke he hasn't told. Rue’s annoyed. They don’t mean to be. It’s not becoming to be. But they would really rather just be alone with Hob for a while.
They don’t say it aloud, but the hedges hear Delloso De La Rue anyway. They cut Andhera off, mid-step. Rue hears them spit out a mouthful of leaves and call through the plants.
“Okay well! I’ll let Wuvvy know you’re stuck in there! I’m sure she’ll be able to come help, whatever crazy magic is doing this must be at least partially her doing, yeah?”
Rue tugs at a feather on their shoulder that feels uncomfortably out of place. “Yes, Andhera. That’s a.. A good idea. Wuvvy will know what to do.”
“Alright! I’ll see you two soon, then. Let’s hope I can find my way out again.” He mutters to himself as he starts weaving his way back out of the maze, “How is it harder when you can see the sun?”
Rue can feel Hob’s breath on their beak.
Rue can feel each grain of sand slipping through the hourglass as the silence wanders on. They lose track, just feeling the seconds tick by without number as Hob refuses to meet their gaze, ears pinned back and mouth shut tight. He looks incredibly uncomfortable.
“Thank you.” Rue says, when they can stand it no longer. “For your support. At the tea. It means a lot, especially after… Well. Yesterday.”
“Yes. Yesterday.” Hob sounds cold, but then closes his eyes and takes a careful breath. Rue takes a moment to observe without being observed. Hob’s fur looks especially soft under his ears lining his jaw. His whiskers are white and twitching. The fur above his eyes has strands of deep red in it. It’s strange looking at him from dead on. From the same height instead of up at him. A nice strange. Rue likes it. Could grow far too used to it. Hob opens his eyes again and says, “I would give nothing but my support for an act as brave as that, Rue. I’ve been to war with soldiers armed to the teeth who were far less brave than you in your taffeta and peonies. It was something to behold.”
Rue can feel their knees getting weak, leaning a little more deeply into Hob. “That… That means the world, my dear captain.”
Hob winces.
“What’s the matter?” Rue asks, panic flying into their tone. Their wings check Hob over for injuries, worried that the vine yanking him close had somehow injured him. Cracked his ribs, perhaps.
“May I ask a favour of you?” Hob asks, low. He’s avoiding eye contact. Still.
“Anything.”
“Don’t call me that.”
Rue’s hands stop their frantic tour of the man's body. “I… Oh.”
“I know you don’t mean it as I hear it. I’d prefer your intent and my interpretation match.” Hob is standing completely still, staring at the hedge behind Rue’s head. “Such endearments have… repercussions from your mouth, Rue. I just ask you to treat your words with care, and only say precisely what it is you mean. It’s the only way I can bear it.”
“Bear it? Bear what?”
“Yesterday’s events.” His lip curls back and his upper fangs are visible for a brief moment. Rue can feel Hob’s body strain against the vine before he calms himself again. “I swear to you, I will bear it. You won’t hear again the sentiments that proved so offensive to you, I swear that as well. But all I ask in return is-- You… You do treat me with care.”
Owlbears are very physical creatures. Most do not learn language and so choose to communicate through body movements and heavy eye contact. Rue instinctively falls back on this now, wrapping Hob up close in their wings with a rustle and woosh. Hob starts, taking quick stock before realising what’s occurred. Rue’s dark green wings have spread wide enough to block out the sun, warm and smelling of dust and plants nestled beneath the feathers.
“My dearest, most handsome, charming, confusing, sweet and loyal captain. What sentiments do you refer to?” Rue murmurs it into his fur, a press of their beak with every sincere compliment.
Hob has stopped breathing.
“Breathe first. Then explain. Thoroughly, please. For both our sakes. I fear there has been a catastrophic misunderstanding.” Rue tilts their head and tags softly on the tip of Hobs ear with their beak. It seems to shock him back into functionality.
“Mistrix…” he murmurs.
“I have already told you to call me Rue.”
“Indeed. You have. I admit I’m.. I’m quite lost here and--”
“My darling captain. I’m very fond of you--”
Then, Andhera’s voice comes floating through the shrubbery once more.
“Okay, I swear it’s this one. On the wind that is my mother. I know we can’t have walked in another circle Wuvvy, I’m positive--”
“Mhm.” Wuvvy sounds fed up.
Rue flicks back to looking into Hob’s eyes. He looks more confused than ever, something deeply vulnerable lining his edges and teeth.
“What’s the matter?” Rue whispers, sending an apology to Wuvvy, who they can hear stomping back and forth at the dead end.
“I… I took the purple potion. I heard your thoughts earlier, when you first arrived-- I couldn’t stop myself. It seems that the first brush of meeting projected them into me without my consent, and perfectly without yours. I heard your fear. Your discomfort with my closeness. Your trouble breathing at my odour --”
“Oh, captain no--”
“Not to mention yesterday's duel, Rue!” His voice is getting louder. Wuvvy will hear him very soon. Rue tries to gesture for silence but that seems to frustrate Hob even more. “You had your attendant fight me and refuse to tell me how I made you cry! It’s clear I disgust you! My attempts at warmth and kindness and intimacy were so revolting that--”
“ Hob .” Rue snaps. “Don’t you dare put such hateful words in my mouth. You think that poorly of me? I-- I’m enchanted by you. I was overwhelmed with you so near me earlier because I could hardly catch my breath! Hob you… You make me want things I haven’t wanted in millennia. You make me want to risk everything. All of it. I came out here today like this, as me -- while for me, yes but… I couldn’t stop feeling as if I were lying to you. I wanted you to see the truth. Before I… Before I asked you anything else.”
Wuvvy clears her throat inches from where Rue and Hob are tangled up, making them jump.
She calls out loudly to Andhera. “I think you took me in a circle again, Shadow prince! I can't sense them! Or hear them. At all. No words from either of them. Zero. Which is a great thing! Because as much as I support our dear mistrix of the bloom following their heart it would still be rather unbecoming to be discovered in a compromising position! Wouldn’t you say, Andhera?”
“I mean. I suppose so. But I’d never say that to their face.”
Rue can practically see Wuvvy’s evil little smile, “Oh? What else wouldn’t you say to their face?”
“I probably wouldn’t say anything about Captain Hob’s rather large crush on them, either.”
Wuvvy makes a high pitched and delighted sound.
Rue looks at Hob fondly. Hob looks very embarrassed.
“Wait. Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything to you either-- oh god. Don’t tell him I told you, okay? We have only just started to be friends and I can’t have betrayed his confidence like that-- He hasn’t even told me in as many words! It’s just… Well. It’s a little obvious.”
Hob groans and allows his head to thunk down on Rue’s shoulder. Rue feels rather lovely about the whole thing. They will call out to Wuvvy in a moment.
For now Rue will let Hob rest his head, and they will enjoy his closeness.