It's sad boi hours. Sorry in advance.

Also, I know this one's a bit shorter, but I wanted to get something out. Enjoy!

"A boy as handsome as you shouldn't be crying alone on New Year's'. Dry those tears, Ferdinand." Lorenz huffed when he got no reaction from the ginger. After Hubert left, there was a silent agreement that the party was over, so everyone left.

Everyone except for Lorenz.

He made his way up to Ferdinand's room with the help of Ludwig, only to find him sobbing into his pillow. He made a mental note to text Dorothea.

"Look, Ferdinand…I'm sorry, but I tried to warn you. Hubert only brings about trouble and I know it's not something you want to hear but-"

"It isn't his fault," Ferdinand finally replied, though it sounded muffled in his pillow.

Lorenz paused. "Then whose is it?"

"It's my own." He sat up with a sigh, still avoiding Lorenz's gaze. "It's my own fault that I even thought I could make this friendship work. It's my own fault that I fell in love with Hubert when I knew it wasn't ever going to work-"

"Relax, Ferdinand." He grabbed a tissue from the ginger's desk. "You're getting yourself all worked up for nothing." Lorenz hesitated for a moment before he spoke again. "...He had nothing but good things to say about you to your father."

"He did?"

"'He's such a bright and gentle soul' or something like that." He paused to look at Ferdinand. "You really like him, don't you?"

"I do…but thanks to my father, everything's ruined. I don't understand why we can't be friends just because of some stupid rivalry between business. But I guess it's been a "tradition" even before my father, so I can't do much about it."

I can't believe I'm saying this. "Just break tradition."

"What?"

"I hate von Vestra, but I hate to see you upset even more. I was insensitive to your feelings towards him. But if you like him, you have my full support. I'll be the first to admit that your father is very controlling of you, but you're practically an adult. You deserve to do what makes you happy."

"Lorenz…" He started tearing up again. "Thank you…but I don't know how to make things right with Hubert."

"You'll find a way. And if he likes you back, he'll understand."

"I really messed up, didn't I?"

"...It could've gone better, I'll admit. But I don't think Ferdinand is mad at you-"

"You think I can ever show my face to him again, Edelgard?"

"...You openly admitted that you enjoyed his company. That he's made you a better person."

"But he didn't hear me say that."

"But everyone else did. You're finally admitting to yourself that you don't dislike him."

Hubert kept his eyes trained on the road. "I never have disliked him."

"Well, you need to tell him that."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

Hubert missed Edelgard smirk in the passenger seat. "If I tell you, you have to actually do it."

"How bad could it be?"

"How was your break, Ferdie?"

"...It was alright. You?"

"I went to go visit my dad. It was a little awkward, but it could've been worse. Why do you look so sad?"

"It's nothing, Annette. I'm fine." He flipped through his binder, watching as notes swam across the page.

"He's just a little moppy today, is all. Once we start class, he'll be his chipper little self again. Right, Ferdie?"

He turned to Dorothea, his frown only growing. "Yeah, of course. I'm sorry to worry you, Annette." The two watched as the ginger went to go talk to some of the other girls in her section.

Dorothea sighed. "Still nothing?"

"It's been three days, Thea! He still won't change his mind. If I ask one more time, he'll probably ground me for the next year."

"So what? You're just going to give up?"

"No? I don't know! What can I do? I can't show my face to Hubert after New Year's."

"And why not? Don't you think he deserves an explanation?"

"He's as aware as I am about our fathers' rivalry. He made that clear to me on the first day.

"I think you should at least talk to him." The bell rang, signaling the start of class. "If the two of you dance around each other for any longer, one of you is bound to trip and fall."

"Hubert-"

"Ferdinand-"

The two had managed to catch each other after the last bell right outside the student council room. Ferdinand ran a hand through his hair. "You go first."

Hubert sighed. "I just wanted to apologize."

"For what?"

"For New Year's. I didn't realize I would cause you and your father so much trouble-"

"No!" His outburst shocked them both. He cleared his throat, laughing awkwardly. "You…You don't need to apologize. It was my fault. I should've…I'm sorry that my father treated you that way."

No, I caused trouble-"

"Me and my father have never really gotten along. I promise everything is fine now."

"Still…I think it'd be best if we didn't see each other anymore."

Ferdinand felt his heart stop. "...What?"

"...I don't think we should be friends anymore."

"But-"

"I've heard the things that Lorenz has said. Those rumors will spread farther than your friends."

"But Hubert…you're my friend!"

Hubert couldn't help but feel an ache in his chest when he looked at Ferdinand's face. He turned away. "It won't be for long…Just until everything boils over." He started to walk away.

"Hubert, wait!" He couldn't bring his feet to move. "By leaving me, you're only giving my father what he wants." He felt something wet roll down his face.

Hubert stopped, not turning around. "Goodbye, Ferdinand. I'll see you tomorrow."

Ferdinand couldn't help it. He continued to watch as Hubert walked away before he broke down in the middle of the hallway.

I know that I've said this so many times, but this story does have a happy ending. We just have to get there.
Keep up the reviews. They mean a lot.
Also, if you have any story requests, you can PM me. I'm looking for some more ideas.
See you guys l8tr!