Interludes;

[kalisona]

gift

It was the strangest gift to receive, honestly--the touch of a hand in his, the warmth of Leon leaning on him, even if vaguely, and while Stahn was used to birthdays with more outward, exclaimed joy than this, there was something special about this, too.

cover

He wasn't sure if he was angry or touched when he looked up from the collision of fire and electricity that had ended up in an explosion to find that Stahn was crouched over him, just in case-- (and Leon smacked him anyway, exclaiming that he didn't need Stahn's protection, but even so he was glad to have it, and he was honestly just afraid of what almost could have been.)

wretched

There was something wretched about Hugo like this, dying and weak and reaching out to Rutee as if for some sort of absolution, but Stahn could feel Leon rigid at his side, hardly breathing, and found it hard to forgive even someone as pitiful as that, in the end.

enflame

Leon would never say so, because Leon hated to admit even things like this, but there was something really awe-inspiring about seeing Stahn in the midst of battle, flames around him and lighting up his eyes and face and hair--it was like a work of art, and just like art, Leon didn't entirely understand the feelings it evoked in him.

curved

Leon got fussy before he saw the curve of Stahn's lips and processed that he'd been joking, and possibly riling him up on purpose, and in frustration and irritation, Leon huffed, reached out and grabbed the front of Stahn's shirt to drag him into a kiss--it was embarrassing, but even so, it was worth it to wipe that look from his face and lips.

inspire

To Stahn, Leon was strong, and brave, and powerful, the perfect image of a knight--and to Leon, Stahn was warmth and honesty and hope, the true standard of a good person, to whom nobody could ever truly match up.

train

"Leon, it's okay to smile a little, you know..." And Leon's response was a snapped, "I don't see any reason to smile!" but he relented a little at the look on Stahn's face (equal parts kicked puppy and general unimpressed-ness), because Leon had been the one to ask for training for meeting Stahn's family, and they both knew it.

attack

Stahn had seen Leon in so many different battles, and so many different battlefields, but he'd never seen him so intense as when he was injured in what should have been a routine fight (and while Rutee took care of the injury without any trouble, it was still something that left a lingering impact, because Leon's feelings had never been so clearly on display).

fabulous

"They just like how you look, Leon," Stahn said, tilting his head and failing to see the big deal; Leon scowled, responding sharply, "I didn't dress nicely for them", and even if it was absolutely rude, it was a little warming too.

tease

By far one of the worst discoveries (or best? He still wasn't sure) of their relationship progressing and Leon growing comfortable with physical affection was that he had no issues with using what he had to get what he wanted; Stahn had never really been prepared for the combined impact of Leon's hard-headedness, general cunning, and enthusiasm for how he tasted.

entangle

Sleeping in the same bed was fine (better than fine, really), except that the first morning Leon woke to mullet-hair in his face and tangled in his hands, he didn't hesitate to kick Stahn right out of the bed (even if, in the end, it might've been his own fault).

brave

They'd faced countless monsters, battled against Hugo and Greybaum, and had fought to save the world, but true bravery was Leon facing down Lilith with his head held high (but his hands clenched into nervous fists) to admit that yes, he was interested in her brother romantically, and that wasn't going to change.

earth

There was nothing elegant about earth artes, nor anything particularly stunning, appearance-wise, and yet sometimes Stahn thought it was a work of art, the way Leon could combine his dancing sword steps with the jagged edges of earth he could summon, and it was something he knew he'd never tire of seeing.

absurd

"It's just...it's a little absurd, isn't it...?" Philia had asked, both plaintive and gently amused despite herself; Rutee crossed her arms, inspecting the subtly held hands between Leon and Stahn and had to admit, "Maybe, but don't you get the feeling that this is how it was going to be all along, too?"

free

Freedom--from Hugo, from duties for a time, and from that fear and terror constantly pressing down on Leon's shoulders--was a strange feeling indeed; it had been so long that Leon really didn't know what to make of it. He had so many choices, now. There was such a massive, sweeping opportunity before him, in a way that he'd never had before.

But Leon woke pressed to Stahn's side, their fingers still loosely intertwined; Stahn was still asleep, unsurprisingly, but this time, he wasn't bothered in the least by that. That final battle, and everything leading up to it--it had taken a lot out of him. Out of all of them, but it had been Stahn who had always been supporting Leon and everyone else, and Leon knew it. He deserved the rest.

Still groggy from sleep, Leon inspected Stahn for a long moment, somewhat blearily. There was a lot that still had to be decided, and a lot that had to be done.

But for now, it was easy to just rest his head on Stahn's chest, too sleepy to be embarrassed by what would undoubtedly be flustering later, and let his eyes slide shut. He would handle this terribly frightening sensation of sweeping freedom later; right now, with Stahn pressed close, he was shielded and safe, and that was enough.