Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron | 071

[discard]

[this is a catch-all for boyfriends

here's a list

- ice cream ✓
- seasickness
- stahn sacrifice ✓
- reunion: judas ✓
- taming stahn's hair ✓
- piggyback rides ✓
- just imagine
- family dinner
- why is there pow hammer
- possessive leon
- apologies
- post-barbatos afterlife meeting
- AND MORE]

Comments

[discard]

[When he meets Stahn's gaze like that, and when there's that much warmth and certainty in his expression, it's hard to do anything but believe. Leon has to believe in the words Stahn is saying, because Stahn believes in them. He believes in them with his entire heart and soul, and what Stahn believes in--well, it must come true, right? They've come a long way together, but what Leon has learned from Stahn is that when he really pours himself into something with all of his being, nothing can stop him from accomplishing that goal.

So it's okay to trust in him, isn't it?

Leon thinks that here and now, it really is okay. Because even after all of that, Stahn's certain that this is the right decision. Even after all of that, Stahn says that even if things go wrong, they'll make it the right decision, and that is what really settles him in the end. After those words, his shoulders slump in what can only be relief, and while he looks away in what's probably embarrassment, it might also be to hide the fact that his lips are quirked into a small smile despite himself.

They'll...make it right, is that right?

For the very first time since beginning this, Leon actually feels completely confident in it. It's as if those words have made thing click for him, and now he can understand. It fits with his world view--sure, it may not be the perfectly right decision, and things may still go wrong, but if so...they'll just make it right.

It's so beautifully simple.]

Of course. In that case... I, Leon Magnus, will take on any challenge that might try to stand in my way.

[He's so over the top sometimes, but on the other hand... maybe it's the relief. The relief that it makes sense to him now, and that he has something he can believe in completely. Stahn and he...they'll just make everything that goes wrong right.]

Naturally, in that case, we shall be successful.

[majinken]

[that confidence and over-the-top response is... so very leon. it's so very leon in the best way possible, really.

it brings the brightest of grins to his face, because for the first time, he feels like leon is committed to what they're doing now. even though he knows that it wasn't a decision that was made lightly (leon doesn't make true snap decisions, after all), there's always been an edge of uncertainty that followed it. the slight reluctance and nervousness, and maybe even a lack of trust that stahn would follow through on his word.

stahn doesn't blame him for that, of course. the idea of what they're doing is still new to him too, after all. when this journey started, he was sure that he just needed to prove himself as worthy enough to be a soldier, he was sure that leon would be a valuable ally that could help him improve his swordsmanship. he expected friendship at best—never what it's turn out to be. he didn't expect the invigorating feeling of holding hands, he didn't expect the way his heart pounds so fast on those rare occasions where leon smiles. he didn't expect that even something as simple as agreeing on their choices could make him feel a little breathless.]

Right. We've never lost before, so there's no reason to start now! [they're a good team, after all. on the battlefield, they've always been good at covering each other's backs, especially as times when they were the only melee fighters in the group. and if they could do that... well, they'd be good partners in any situation, stahn is sure of it.

it's strange, to be on the same page with leon in this sort of way. but it's a good kind of strange. it's the kind of strange he wants to embrace, or bottle. it's the kind of strange he knows will carry him through. they have so much to look forward to once tomorrow is through, and any doubts he may have had about that... or about their status are completely erased now. even if they're just standing there hand-in-hand, watching their breath in the cold air as they were before... it feels different. warmer. more secure.

if this is what the future holds, there's no way stahn made the wrong decision. it's just impossible, right? it has to be. this is... the right choice for them.]

[discard]

[It's nice, really. It's nice to feel like he's made the right choice here for once. For once, he's given the correct response, and watching Stahn's face light up just makes that all the clearer. This is the outcome he wanted, more than anything. He wanted Stahn to smile like this.

It's a little strange to realize that all of a sudden, but it's not a bad strange at all. No, he's so relieved over this, and it takes him a moment to respond, because he was still smiling as well, and once he realizes it, he has to wipe that expression off of his face first.

A-ahem.

(But it's so warm and so satisfying. He can do this too. They can do this together. They're a team, they've never lost before, and they'll conquer this too. It's a nice thought, isn't it?)

So Leon's equally confident now; this much is easy, now that those doubts have been somewhat laid to rest. It's still a major leap of faith for him, but...somehow, he's fine with that now, more than he ever has been before, especially with their fingers still intertwined, and completely warm.]

Naturally.

[and then because he's Leon, he has to be a butt.]

But don't lose your focus. Tomorrow is still the first challenge.

[They can think of making sure this choice is entirely and completely right after that.]

[majinken]

Mm, I won't!

[his free hand clenches into a determined fist... they can't do the rest of those things that they're promising if they don't get past tomorrow's fight after all. and now that they've really and truly settled on a path they want to work towards, stahn feels his mind and heart at ease. there's no way he would have been able to get a restful sleep if not of this conversation... if not for standing here alongside leon in this way.]

I guess we should rest soon though, huh? So we're really ready for tomorrow. [even though... part of him really doesn't want to. he wants to stay here with leon in this moment, holding his hand and just embracing the warmth that comes with it. it feels like... a truly peaceful moment. the calm before the storm, without a doubt, but... letting go doesn't feel easy, even if it's only temporary.]

[discard]

[Leon knows the same feeling, of course. He doesn't really want to let go of Stahn's hide like this (he's pretty sure after this, his hands will feel even colder) but it's true that they have to go back and rest. And Leon's always had a great deal of willpower for what needs to be done.

He sighs softly, shaking his head, and slowly sets to untangling his fingers from Stahn's, if with a good deal of reluctance.]

Yes. We need to be at our best for tomorrow. Greybaum must pay for the trouble he has put us all to.

[Asshole.

And also completing their duty and saving the world etc etc etc.

With his hand finally free, Leon fights the urge to clench it into a fist (it is cold now) and instead strips off the glove from his other hand, offering it back to Stahn.]

[majinken]

[he can admit to himself that he hates the feeling of leon separating from him like this. it's... absolutely a necessary thing, and one he sort of instigated on his own by bringing up the inevitable. but still... he hates letting go.

though it's not a bad thing, right? because they'll get through tomorrow, they'll defeat greybaum, they'll go back to darilsheid... and be able to move forward with their lives. there will be more time to share nights like this and enjoy their time togther. maybe it's because it's just still so new and exciting that he doesn't want to.

but stahn won't complain, because he knows this is what's right. he'll take back his other glove (though it's accompanied by a look that asks if he'll be warm enough) and put it back on before turning to face the inn once again.]

We'll put an end to this. So we can finish this mission... so everyone can be safe. So we can look to the future.

[it's all established already, but he feels a need to repeat it once more, strengthing his resolve further.]

[discard]

[They'll get through tomorrow, and...they'll be together. They'll have something to look forward to in the future. It's still a strange thing for Leon to have something to really look forward to, but it tastes so sweet. He's so used to a life where it's just mission after mission, and the biggest thing he had to look forward to was speaking with Marian, and having her tea.

But now he legitimately has something new and bright to look forward to. When they complete this mission he'll have...what will he have? He's not sure, but he knows it's going to be good.

It's going to be excellent.

And so he simply nods, and then he starts to walk towards the inn, with a final response.]

After tomorrow, we will properly look to the future.

[But first, they have to face tomorrow, and honestly? Leon's not worried at all.]

[majinken]

Yeah.

[that's all that needs to be said, really. they're both confident in what tomorrow—and the rest of the future will hold, right? they have so much to live for now, so much to strive to achieve. tomorrow is just once step towards that.

at least now, stahn knows that he can rest easy as they head back inside to their respective beds. they've got this... they'll do this. this is the surest of anything stahn's ever been. and he's glad that leon is by his side to take on this task.]