[It is true, of course. Many who work in political and social circles of import cross paths with their significant others on frequent occasions, but until now, Hubert had always considered that a disadvantage. A distraction, as he said, the danger of emotional investment intersecting lines with the practical necessities of work. How he had looked upon such couples, not with disdain, but something close to it — never understanding why either party would find the situation agreeable, or without awkward hurdles to surmount that were surely not worth the effort.

And now here he sits, the very same considerations turning over in his head, argued to him by a man he was quite sure he hated in the burgeoning stages of their acquaintance. How strange. If Hubert believed more in fate, he would accuse it of having a twisted sense of humor.]

…As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with that, too.

[Out in the open as it is, now it’s something that they must address. It was why Hubert wanted to approach this with a more subtle hand before Ferdinand decided to completely derail his focus by being… Ferdinand.]

And yet despite all of that, I cannot say that I regret our dance. [The spark that made the rest of it unravel.] Or any of it, really, though I never thought I would utter such words in my lifetime.

[Never thought that errant desire would demand a portion of his focus, that being in the presence of another was equal parts comforting and all-too stimulating.]

But I’m not terribly good at sentiment, nor anything related to the tedious dance of courtship. You know that, don’t you?

[This surprises no one, Hubert.]