realpolitik | Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron

[And Leon very much isn't going to argue that, because he is chilled--he wants to warm up quickly, so when Stahn brushes against his shoulder, Leon doesn't pull away.

Warmth. Warmth is always good.

But Leon's at least not going to back down at that, even if he can hear the slight chiding. But it really isn't that he thinks lowly of Stahn (obviously not, considering Stahn is currently in his room, in his bed. Someone he thought poorly of would never be there) so much as--]

It did surprise me. I am not used to you being quiet.

[So.

Still rude.

But at least it's not that Stahn can read.]

[wow. rude.

stahn's obviously going to scrunch his nose at that very unnecessary rudeness, because wow. just wow!!]

I'm not loud all the time, you know. [just most of the time, and he can't really help it. he's just got a lot of energy and a zest for life.

but now that life is starting to settle down a bit, things are catching up with him. he's tired sometimes, and he does enjoy the quiet when those days come around. he's still human, after all. with how much he had to give during their journey, sometimes stahn wants to just relax. maybe being around leon and his need for quiet time is partially an influence as well—he does always strive to do things that would make leon happy, after all.]

...And it just seemed like a good book. [he adds, still pouting a bit. he can enjoy things like books too, ok!!]

You could have fooled me.

[Won't be shamed!!! He'll be rude all the time because that's how Leon functions. Either way, he leans against Stahn a little more, shoulders slumping as he relaxes. Even if they are sassing each other right now, this is still pretty comfortable.]

Did it...

[Hm.]

What is it about?

[He can't deny he's curious, after all.]

[at the very least, stahn doesn't take it to heart too much. they may sass each other a bit, and leon may be rude as hell when he does it... but the way he leans against stahn is enough to remind him that nothing about it is too serious.

this is comfortable.

stahn's head tilts to the side a bit, almost lazily in leon's direction—he's a bit surprised that leon asked about the book, but it's not a bad thing. he just assumes that it's not the sort of book leon would be interested in. but since he asks? stahn will gladly tell him.]

It's about a legendary pirate named Aifread... It's about his adventures in leaving his treasures all over the world he's from. [which is so cool... sure, real pirates are a problem. but fictional pirates who go on adventures? cool! so cool! stahn's really excited about it.]

[Yeah, real pirates are the sort of problem Leon would probably be assigned to take care of if they were ever a problem in his jurisdiction--so he does make a vague face at first at that, but mostly just tugs the blanket closer around himself because he's finally warming up and it feels nice.

...hm.]

It is a fictional story, then.

[Is that right...? Legendary pirate adventures. He's trying to understand it, he's just not entirely certain he does yet.]

Mm! I don't think anything like this has really happened...

[of course, stahn's also not exactly much of a history buff, but if it was real, he can imagine they wouldn't be romanticizing pirates so much. pirates are problematic, stahn's not that dumb.]

That's what makes it so exciting to read, though! [people are so creative, to have the imaginations to come up with these kinds of stories. stahn couldn't picture himself doing that at all.]

[Hm... Leon's not very familiar with fiction in general--it'd never been on the curriculum, that's for sure. But now... Stahn seems to be enjoying it a lot, and Leon's bemused and curious both.

He tilts his head.]

Is it?

[Exciting, that is.... he's ready a lot of books (non-fiction) that were interesting, but...exciting?]

How so?

A lot of reasons!

[he says it with an egde of excitement in his own tone. leon's taking an interest in it, and that's enough for stahn to feel content with wanting to explain it.

because while fiction isn't something leon reads... it's what stahn prefers. he can read about things that happened, but that's not exciting (or even interesting or accurate, if what they learned from their swordians had been any indication). but fiction...]

Someone came up with these stories on their own... they make them up and write them. So you don't know what will happen at all—sometimes even if you think you know, there's a rtwist nobody saw coming! It's fun when you can't predict it, or if it's a mystery that needs to be solved and seeing what kinds of things end up being clues.

There's other things, too. Worlds that aren't like ours, or things that don't even exist! Adventures that could never happen, because it's just not possible for us. [there are a lot of reasons...

it's kind of funny really, how stahn can get excited about something he's never mentioned before simply because he just had no time to look around for something he wanted to read. clearly, he only takes interest in certain genres, but... reading is reading, right?]

[Huh... Stahn really does feel very strongly about this, doesn't he? It wasn't what Leon expected at all, but it's kind of nice to hear even so. He nods to himself quietly, folding his arms as he inspects the book in Stahn's hands. A completely made-up story, huh... which is what makes it exciting, because nobody has any idea but the author how it will end. He supposes he can see that.

Interesting.]

I see. I'd never bothered to read anything along those lines [never had been allowed, really, until he'd just dismissed them himself.] but I suppose there is merit to them after all.

[How can anything Stahn loves that much be bad?]

...Really? Never?

[okay, that actually does surprise stahn. the fact that he desn't make a habit of it isn't something that stahn would ever doubt, because leon is so pragmatic—and he's sure it was deemed unnecessary.

but to say he never bothered at all? that's unexpected.]

Maybe you should give it a try sometime! You might find something you really like. [maybe he won't. maybe leon will be better with nonfiction, but stahn's an advocate of giving things an honest try. and he really does think that leon could find things he liked if he just gave it a shot.

besides, wouldn't it be nice if they read the same books sometimes and could talk about them? the thought of that seems so nice to stahn.]

[It's not like it's a completely unexpected or irrational suggestion. Of course Stahn's going to suggest Leon try something he himself loves. Of course he wants Leon to enjoy it too, and maybe he will find something that he likes. Leon doesn't really know if he will, but it's not like it would be that much of a problem to try...

... Granted, he doesn't want to admit either that he's changing his view on this because of Stahn and nobody else.

That's a bit too much.

So he tries for a flippant note when he speaks.]

Very well then. When you've finished that book, I will read it myself.

Mm, that's a great idea!

[stahn looks to leon, grinning widely. flippant tone or not, it's exciting for him to hear that leon is willing to give it a try. it makes him happy to hear, because regardless of the reasons, it shows him just another way in which leon has changed.

there was a time when he's sure leon would have shrugged it off, suggesting his taste in literature was childish and it would be a waste of his time. even if that wasn't true, he could still imagine just how leon would have said it—so this is a big step forward.]

I saw some other books in the store I want to give a try after I finish this one. [he lets out a small laugh, then closes his eyes.] It's been a really long time since I was able to do that.

[it's exciting, and it makes him happy, too.]

[To Leon, he hasn't even realized how big of a step this is. He doesn't realize for himself just how much he's changed--he just knows that he doesn't have any reasons to argue it, and seeing Stahn this pleased and happy about it doesn't exactly dissuade him.

It's nice to be able to get smiles like that, especially for something as basic as offering to read a book.

Still, Stahn's second comment makes sense to Leon. The way things have been so crazy haven't really let them have a long time to go shopping for things like books, and he doesn't imagine that there was a huge bookstore in Stahn's hometown out in the boonies.

Well.]

I suppose you may as well get what books you want, then. [It's not like...they're lacking in money... Hugo may have been discovered to be a lying cheat and the Oberon Corporation may not exactly be functioning anymore, but it's not like all of that vast fortune he made just disappeared.]

There is no reason to hold back.

Mm... they have so many books at the store here in Darilsheid, I almost couldn't believe it.

[once a bumpkin, always a bumpkin. he doesn't seem to shy to admit it; he was absolutely amazed the first time he walked in there and could see just the variety of material in so many different genres.

even on the days they had to themselves during their journeys, they'd been so caught up in the stress of it all that stahn didn't even think about going to too many places like bookstores. so being able to do it now is just incredible to him. in a sense, it's still difficult to believe there are that many books. so it's nice. it's nice that the option is there, and even nicer that leon is encouraging it. stahn finds himself shifting a little so he can lean a bit closer to leon as he continues to say what's on his mind.]

Most of the ones I read before were books Gramps had or ones I borrowed from other people in Leane... [which wasn't even that often, most in the town probably didn't even know he had any interest in reading.

maybe if he spent more time on the pasture conscious instead of falling asleep with the sheep and the book in his lap, they'd have realized it?]

It's really cool how many there are here! [your boyfriend is excited about books, leon. how does this make you feel?]

[It...

It actually makes him feel pretty happy, if he's totally honest with himself, because Leon also loves books and learning and gaining new knowledge, and even if Stahn's more on the fantasy silliness side of things, reading is reading. Maybe he can get Stahn to read some of the simpler science texts he has in exchange for Leon reading about pirates...?

The possibilities are endless, because Stahn is actually really excited about books, and it's...

...

... It's cute.

Leon has to clear his throat at the realization, glancing away even as Stahn leans closer.

Ugh, it is cute and he doesn't know how to handle that, he can't remember the last time he thought anything was cute besides Marian once when she fell while carrying a bunch of flowers and ended up covered in petals--this is a nightmare.]

... Naturally... there are all sorts of books here... [Nailed it, he's definitely not trying to avoid looking at Stahn and he's definitely not a little startled and overwhelmed by that realization.]

[stahn would definitely be willing to try the books offered to him by leon—if it's something that leon is interested in, he's always willing to give it a shot.

even if the chances of him actually understanding a lot of it are slim, he'd still try.

but more importantly!]

—Leon? [obviously, stahn has noticed the way he responds. and he's also noticed the way he seems to be looking the other way.

of course this is a little baffling to him. stahn hasn't said anything particularly strange or embarrassing, and even moving a little closer to leon isn't that much of a big deal these days. considering they usually share a bed at night, this is hardly any excessive affection. so... why the sudden reluctance?]

Is everything okay? [did he do something wrong, or weird?]

[EVERYTHING'S...FINE...

Probably.

Leon wasn't intending to make Stahn worry, of course; it's a silly thing for him to fret over too, which makes it even worse.

So he gently coughs under his breath before nodding shortly.]

Everything is fine, of course. [Obviously.] Stop fretting over nothing.

[Leon's just embarrassed because his...boyfriendthing is cute and it's too much, okay!]

[stahn can't help but to fret and worry when leon reacts like that. usually, there's a reason that stahn can actually understand—when it comes so suddenly with no prompting, he isn't sure how to handle it.]

Okay... if you're sure. [he may still just be a little concerned—it's not like stahn thinks he was doing anything particularly notable. how is he supposed to know leon found it cute?]

Sorry—You surprised me, that's all.

You are--

[... stupidly cute over some things--

Nope.

Uh.]

--Never mind it. Nothing is wrong. It was just a thought. [An embarrassing thought.]

Uh...

[stahn is definitely giving him a very puzzled look right now. leon? leon... what?]

You can tell me, you know. [he'd rather know what leon's thinking than feel like he's being left in the dark here.]

Absolutely not.

[IMMEDIATELY.

Too embarrassing.

Nope.

Not happening.]

It was nothing important. [And then, in more of a mutter:] If anything, it was ridiculous.

It bothered you though, didn't it? Even if you say it's not important...

[why is he being so snappy about this? poor stahn, he's totally confused as to what's going on. he pouts a little, giving leon a look—hadn't they gotten past this stage of things already?]

[..... No.

Stop....]

Don't...look at me like that.

[It's critically effective, even if he just crosses his arms and looks away.]

It was just...surprising. [That's...all!!!] I had not expected to find you so excited. [Over books....]

That... surprised you?

[it's not like stahn can't figure out that it's because of the books. stahn's usually excited about one thing or another, so it's not like the general demeanor would be all that shocking.

so it has to be the books, right?

it takes a moment for the surprise of that answer to pass, and stahn's face relaxes into a smile once again. he lets out a small, gentle chuckle.]

I guess it is pretty surprising, huh? Even some people in Leane were surprised when I mentioned something I read in a book. [though he probably should take that as an insult that everyone things he's so dumb and uncultured that sticking his nose in a book is surprising.

but this is stahn, so of course he doesn't.]

Not that you read--though with the air you give off, I suppose that could be surprising to people who do not know you. [He scoffs that away with a wave of his hand, huffing. He does think that Stahn's hardly the most scholastically intelligent person, but that doesn't really matter when he's good at so many other things.

Besides, it's not like Stahn's a dumbass.

Leon would never have fallen for him if he was.

But he scoffs that off so quickly because...well, the reason he was surprised was because he was excited.]

Still, not everyone is capable of being able to be so excited over reading, regardless of their intelligence levels.

[So... it's kind of special, honestly.]

Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron | 071

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