[ Hilda doesn't remember precisely when they had started sharing a bed together; the nights that they had at the Academy are all blurred and wrapped up in soft, warm light like the precious memories they are. She wants to preserve them for the days that would become more difficult, for the times when she felt the most alone. For all she knew, it could have started accidentally, a post-dinner nap turned sleepover where she had fallen asleep and then had to drag him into bed when she woke in the middle of the night to lantern light and the sight of Claude hunched over his desk still reading.
Whatever the reason, it had become a normal occurrence for them that they continued to do so despite Lorenz's lectures on "modesty", and the detentions handed to them by Setheth for the same reason. It didn't matter that what they did had merely been the innocent act of sharing a bed — or at least that's what they told everyone, sometimes the mystery of it was more fun as was sowing some chaos and scandal — because what they did behind closed doors was for them to know.
It had only started again recently before Hilda had left. If Claude would burn the midnight oil she would be there to coax him into bed, pouting and claiming she was cold or that the light, despite being so dim, was keeping her up. He often didn't have a choice in the matter; sleep was good for him and what good was a tired leader? And forget retainer - what kind of friend would that make her if she didn't look out for him? There hadn't been many moments when sleeping in his bed or vice versa had been for her benefit, at least that's what she told herself. She knows that Claude would always agree, no matter the reason or circumstances, which is what makes this embarrassing to some degree. She can't meet his eyes in the mirror, keeping a steady gaze on her hands instead. ]
I know. [ Her voice is quiet and so unlike her. ] But you share a room with Sylvain and I just figured... [ Her voice trails off. There's nothing in it implying anything, she just simply doesn't want to be a bother. Insecurity and uncertainty in their friendship gnaws at her, rearing its ugly head for perhaps the first time ever when it came to him. ] I just wanted to be sure.
no subject
Whatever the reason, it had become a normal occurrence for them that they continued to do so despite Lorenz's lectures on "modesty", and the detentions handed to them by Setheth for the same reason. It didn't matter that what they did had merely been the innocent act of sharing a bed — or at least that's what they told everyone, sometimes the mystery of it was more fun as was sowing some chaos and scandal — because what they did behind closed doors was for them to know.
It had only started again recently before Hilda had left. If Claude would burn the midnight oil she would be there to coax him into bed, pouting and claiming she was cold or that the light, despite being so dim, was keeping her up. He often didn't have a choice in the matter; sleep was good for him and what good was a tired leader? And forget retainer - what kind of friend would that make her if she didn't look out for him? There hadn't been many moments when sleeping in his bed or vice versa had been for her benefit, at least that's what she told herself. She knows that Claude would always agree, no matter the reason or circumstances, which is what makes this embarrassing to some degree. She can't meet his eyes in the mirror, keeping a steady gaze on her hands instead. ]
I know. [ Her voice is quiet and so unlike her. ] But you share a room with Sylvain and I just figured... [ Her voice trails off. There's nothing in it implying anything, she just simply doesn't want to be a bother. Insecurity and uncertainty in their friendship gnaws at her, rearing its ugly head for perhaps the first time ever when it came to him. ] I just wanted to be sure.