"So... Uhm..." Leo awkwardly fiddled with his hands... "Uhm... Want to hang out today?" Leo finally blurted out while blushing prefiusly and staring at the pavement...
Leo's question hung in air for a short while. His heart beating so fast it slams against his ribs threatening to pop out. His forehead growing damp from nervous beads of sweat. His body tensed bracing for Leonard's rejection as per usual. Or even the slightest chance of him- "Sure." Leonard answered pulling Leo out of his thoughts his eyes widened in surprise. "What?" Leo asked.
"I said, sure. I would hang out with you." Leonard said in the same calm, flat tone Leo is used to hearing. Leo stood there processing Leonard's answer He actually answered! Oh my God! I have him all to myself for the whole day! Leo thought in his mind getting a stupid smile on his face. When he snapped back to reality he sees Leonard is closer to him "Are you okay sir Leo? You seem flushed." He said pointing at Leo's flushed cheeks.
Leo touched his cheeks that are indeed warm. "Uh. I-It's nothing! J-Just- I think it's the weather. Y-yeah it's a little too hot these days." Leo responded while fidgeting with his green tunic. Sweat trickles from his forehead not making eye contact with Leonard. It's not even humid enough to be hot. Leonard thought before speaking again. "Your sweating Leo." The guardsman takes out a handkerchief handing it to Leo who takes it gratefully.
All the while Claire was watching them from a short distance from behind Leo. Not only is he a heretic but he's also a womanizer! Claire thought silently. She pretends to read a newspaper to hide her eavesdropping. She glance down on the newspaper while her focus was on the two men. The newspaper was just the usual updates like "The harvest is bountiful", "Peace has been established in the elven forest.", "The third princess is entering the academy-. Claire looked up seeing how Leonard leaned closer to Leo (Leonard was handing the handkerchief). "He has the audacity to kiss that woman so suddenly. Damn womanizer..." Claire muttered under her breath.
Leo finally steadied himself. "Uhm... So... Should we go now?" Leo asked. Leonard didn't respond rather he grabbed Leo's hand and started walking. Leo's heart stopped for a second before beating faster than before. He feels warm on the inside This... Feels amazing. Leo thought as his lips twist to a small genuine smile. Meanwhile Leonard is painfully aware of being followed. That red hair is still following us. He thought as he picks up the pace and they both stopped in front of a restaurant. "Are you hungry?" Leo asked hugging Leonard's arm looking up at him through his lashes. His voice now smoother and taking in a more intimate flare.
Back at the church, Maverick is drinking his tea when he's suddenly startled by his door slamming open. "Father! How long has it been!?". Maverick's tea spilled onto his head. "It's only been six hours child." He said cleaning the spilled tea off him. "And why do you keep asking every hour?" He asked.
The saintess is now pacing the room. "I'm just worried... I don't know what Claire would do. What if she causes another problem!?" Maverick finished wiping himself off. "Hmm..." He said stroking his beard deep in thought. "Have you no faith in her?" He responded. She was frozen for a solid minute. "I do... I definitely do but I just don't know. I have the feeling that she might cause another misunderstanding." She said sitting across from Maverick who is pouring tea on her cup and himself.
Back at the restaurant Leo and Leonard ate in a peaceful quietness. "So... How was your day?" Leo asked. "It's fine." Leonard responded. Completely out of it because his focus is still on their pursuer. Claire was on the adjacent table. She was eavesdropping. But to not look suspicious she ordered some food. Talk over food... I bet later he'll take her to the tavern to drunk her. Making her more susceptible to his intentions. Claire was pulled out her thoughts as her food came. The smell of grilled pork and mashed potatoes clears her mind. "I guess I should give it a taste." She took a fork that easily cuts through the pork like butter. She took a bite and the flavor exploded in her mouth. "So good..." She quickly wolfed down the dish ordering another one.
Leo and Leonard finished eating and had already left. After eating numerous dishes she sat down happy that she tasted such delicious dishes. Then she straitened realizing she had completely lost the two. "... Ugh. It's my fault." The sun was now setting casting a golde hue on the sky. The automatic mana light turned on. Leo was still holding hands with Leonard. Leo was all giddy and happy inside. "I had fun Leonard." He said happily the warm feeling in his body isn't foreign anymore now it's an amazing feeling that ye wants more of.
They walked to the market. "Oh! Lenny!" Marinda called out jogging her way to his side. "Oh? Leo is with you as well?" She stopped to think for a second "Hmm... Did you two go on a date together?" Her voice took on a teasing tone, she clung on to Leonard's other arm with a small smile. "U-uhm... It was- Hangout! Ye-yeah we were just hanging out." Leo voice came out as squeaky and higher pitches than usual. "I've hit right on the money didn't I?" Marinda teased back to Leo making him more flushed.
Meanwhile Claire went back the church. "Father?" she called out. "What is it child?" Maverick appeared walking down the stairs. "Father. That guardsman." Maverick raised an eyebrow "What about Leonard?" Claire paused "I think he's a womanizer and still a heretic!" She yelled out. "Child be kind to my ears." He rubbed his ears. "Oh. I-I'm sorry father..." Maverick cleared his throat "Why do you think so?" He queries from Claire.
"I saw him kiss that girl in broad daylight and I'm pretty sure he has bad intentions-" She rambles on "Hold on" Maverick stops her from talking "Could you describe this..." He gestures with his hand "Girl?" He asked. "Okay, she's quite petite, white hair, green eyes, beautiful face, and she wore a green tunic with a medium length skirt." Maverick immediately recognized it was Leo. "Hmm... How about you go ask them yourself? They are the Guildmaster of the adventurers guild." Claire immediately left against "This is a learning lesson for her. She will remember it more than an empty scolding." He walks back up the stairs to his chambers.
The sun has completely set with the waxing gibbous moon taking its place
Leo returned to his Guild now drowning in even more paper work because of his sudden absence. He sighs heavily "This is the consequences..." But it was totally worth it! His thoughts we're cut short as his door opens. "Who's there?" He couldn't see above his mountain of paper work. "Uhm... I'm Claire" Leo recognized the voice as the red head from earlier. "What is the reason for your visit miss?" Leo asked exasperated while filling out the papers.
"Uhm... We're you taken advantage of by that man?" Leo's pen stopped. "Excuse me?" He was confused to what she meant. "That guy who kissed you earlier did he do anything to you?" Leo got up from his desk seeing Claire there. "Are you referring to my friend?" Leo said offended that she'd think of Leonard that way. "Friend? Miss he was clearly taking advantage of you!" Claire said her voice slightly louder. "... First of all Leonard is not that kind of person. He is so dense that he thinks we're just friends..." He moved from his desk approaching her until their bodies are an inch apart. "And second I'm not a miss, I'm a man." He said in a low angry tone. "Leave my office because I have more important things to deal with." He sat back down at his desk continuing paper work.
Claire leaves with a flushed expression. Stupid, stupid, stupid. You idiot! That was so embarrassing. I- I definitely need to apologize to that guardsman. Her thoughts are disjointed with both embarrassment and the duty to apologize. She walked out the guild to see Leonard and Marinda together. "Leo seems a bit too overworked... So that's why we made this lunch box for him!" She said putting the box in the air. "I'll take it to him. You can go home." Marinda kissed Leonard on the cheek "See you tomorrow Lenny!" She walked off. Leonard now carrying the lunch box entered the guild to Leo's office. "Hey, me and Marin made food for you." Leo's hands stopped at their tracks as he heard Leonard's voice. "Thanks." Leo said with a fond smile on his face. Leonard approached his desk handing it to him directly. Their fingers brush against each other. Leo stood frozen even after Leonard left. "... I'll finish it all." He said with his eyes shining like emeralds at the thought of Leonard caring enough to bring the food so directly.
Leonard exits the guild stretching his arm up. "Uhm... Leonard?" Claire asked. "Yes?" Leonard paused seeing her in a close proximity. Leonard's hand twitches to reach for his sword. He immediately recognized the wound on her neck. This was the same knight who almost killed him...