#Thread: Leopold

[radicalrascals]

@miidnighters for [ Call my muse by their full name! See how they react! ]

"Leopold Konrad Friedrich Grimm~" from Bella, in more of a 'i recognise you'/crooning kind of way - maybe they've run into each other somewhere in their past?

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. What is in a name, if not soul touching intimacy? Not who you are. Not what you did. But how people recognise you. Leopold had not been recognised in a long time. Just a shadow of his former self, a vigilante and hunter, hidden in the dark. His prey didn't need to know his name, his handful of allies accepted were happy with only crumbs of it.

But when he heard the familiar string of given names, like beads on a cord, he felt touched to the core and froze immediately. "Wer...?" Who? Who was talking? He looked up, slowly, as if any rushed movement would scare the other away like a wild animal. "Isabell?" Could this be true? After all these years? Decades even?

"You... it really is you. But... how? I thought I'd never see you again."

[radicalrascals]

Leopold stalked the shadowed street, his long, heavy coat trailing behind him, the night air thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth and decay. A sudden impact jolted him, and as he turned, his eyes locked onto a face that shattered his hardened composure.

There stood a man, the very image of his long-dead lover, with eyes that mirrored the depths of his memories. Time seemed to splinter, the past bleeding into the present as Leopold's gaze traced the familiar lines of the jaw, the beautiful brown eyes, the tousled hair he had once caressed. His weathered, scarred face twisted in a mix of agony and yearning, each detail flooding back -- how his lover's hand had felt in his, the warmth of his touch against his skin. A wave of sorrow and desperate hope crashed over him, his voice a raspy whisper:

"No… it cannot be. How...? It is you." The man's apology only deepened the vampire's despair, as he realised he was gazing at the ghost of his own haunted heart.

closed starter for @radicalrascals very loosely based on (x)

"Oh good lord, I am so sorry!" Tristan was hurrying by as he turned the corner and had bumped into someone, totally lost in his own thoughts. "Are you alright? I wasn't even looking." His hands were up apologetically, he didn't want the man thinking he was some drunk - it was quite late after all. He had spent the evening at the studio getting some work done in time for a gallery's deadline and was tired above all else.

[vievieveda]

busy | leo & veda

@leopold--dawson

Few times did Leo make an entrance into the local tavern and tonight was one of the reasons why.  The place looked out of control, it made the fae nervous to walk further inside.  However, he was hoping he may come across a man he ran into a few weeks prior. “Excuse me?”  Leo questioned, completely taken back by the woman’s words towards him. It took a moment for Leo to regain his composure and not lose his temper at how he was being talked to, but he managed to take in a breath and offer a soft smile.

“I did not realize a lady would use such language,” he commented.  Although his blue eyes were looking her up and down and perhaps he was playing loosely with the term ‘lady.’  Letting out a sigh, he nodded.  “A glass of wine shall suffice, do you think you are capable of providing the beverage?”

.

"I did not realize you were here looking for a lady," she shot back, lips quirking slightly in amusement. "We're quite in short supply. Though I hear the brothel around the corner has a few of those if you're keen."

The idea that anyone would even imply she was a lady was laughable to Veda; growing up largely under Duarte meant that she was constantly in the tavern, soaking up the foul language and questionable behavior of its regulars. Manners weren't a priority for her patron so much as educating the human and ensuring she could handle herself. it was one of the reasons she took no shit from her customers and didn't like advertising her weaknesses. Vee took advantage of others when necessary and refused to be taken advantage of in return.

"A sorry excuse for an owner I would be if I were incapable of pouring a simple cup of wine." It wasn't the first time someone had made what could be considered an unusual request for a tavern. But Vee did have a few bottles of Madeira stashed away for odd occurrence. She disappeared only for a moment to come back with a corked bottle, grabbing a wooden cup to serve the man before putting it before him at the counter. "And precisely what brings you to my establishment, Emissary Leopold Dawson?"

[kanaloasteele]

Hiding in Plain Sight

On a business matter for one of the royals, Leo strolled down the pavement of the city.  Usually, he remained in the royal court not wanting to wander too far given his position.  However, to retain his spot he needed news and to find valuable information to maintain his worthiness.  So, he decided to mingle with the commoners.

While he walked, something…actually someone caught his attention.  A large man with muscles missing a shirt.  The fae stood there for a moment completely mesmerized.  He had seen many muscular men, but none to that degree.  Curiosity struck him and he made his way over towards the stall and started to look down at the sharp objects.  As his blue eyes gazed up towards the large axes, he wondered if he could even lift it.

@leopold--dawson

Kanaloa caught sight of the man that was watching him but chose not to say anything at first.  Instead he busied himself with his craft, shuffling the bar deeper into the coals so it would heat up faster.  He was content to let the man watch him for now, keeping an eye on him while he worked.

When the steel began to glow Kanaloa ran his hand along the metal to gauge its temperature before pulling out the bar with his bare hand.  “You planning on buying something or are you just gonna oogle me?  Not a bard to be putting on a show.”

[sawyermarshall]

who: @eclvpses (leo)

where: phantom manor

Sawyer steps up behind him, a wide smile on her features as she takes him. It takes her back to when the two of them spent those few weeks together in Chicago, losing themselves and the haze. Sometimes, sometimes she wishes that one night never happened and that they were still back in that hotel room. Maybe, it was selfish to think like that especially because the haze was not good for either of them but everything was always so easy with Leo. She swears all he has to do is look at her and he knows exactly what she's feeling, thinking... She's never had to explain herself, never had to worry about him getting lost in the good parts of her because he took her as she was. "The Goblin King, huh?" She muses. "Remember that night when we watched the Labyrinth?"

[radicalrascals]

Leopold smiled at the stranger, hesitating. How deep could one's belief in the unexplainable run, if one's own existence was - in fact - unexplainable? He scoffed in want for words and turned his back, prepared to walk away. How deep was her belief in the paranatural? How genuine her offer? Would she flinch if she found out he belonged to the night? Not quite knowing why, the vampire turned back around and extended his hand. "Here?"

"that depends, how deep is your belief in the things that cannot be explained?" gillian grinned, still holding her hand out to take their own. "if you trust me, i am sure i could tell you something about yourself." it was a cute party trick, read the palms of a stranger and you end up holding their hand, even if only for a few minutes, it's enough to make a connection. @radicalrascals

[loosesodamarble]

Changes, Big and Small

Wrote some quick drabbles based on the prompt "New Look" from @thoughtfullyrainynightmare's Fire Vermillion Month.

Made sure these were quick, just about 300 words each. It was fun creating these blurbs! I hope you enjoy!

..........

Mereoleona's Change

Mereoleona stared at her reflection for a moment longer. She picked up a lock of her hair.

“You’re growing it out, I see!” her mother remarked with a grin. “What brought this on?”

“Lady Acier’s hair is long and she’s strong. So if I grow mine out… It can be a sign of my strength too!” Mereoleona’s reasoning was shallow and silly, but she’d only been nine at the time.

“It’s quite the look on you, like a mane of fire,” chuckled her father as he ruffled Mereo’s hair.

Mereoleona smiled at the memory. Of her childish logic. Of her parents’ unwavering support.

In the years since, her hair had only grown quite long. Partially because she was away from society so often and didn’t set aside time for a visit to a hairdresser. And also because she simply did like having long hair. There was some fun in imagining herself, with her hair billowing around her with her clothes in the midst of a fight.

However, in recent times, Mereoleona felt a need for a change.

With a deep breath, Mereoleona pulled her hair back, as if to tie it up.

But instead, she lit a fire in her palm. She exercised finer control than she usually did to singe her hair and cut loose her long, curling locks.

Goodbye, my mane of fire.

There was no sorrow for a loss in the thought. Nor a sense of pride in shedding a weight.

Cutting her hair was simply a change that she had wanted.

Mereoleona looked into the mirror once again. She looked different and yet still very much like herself.

In place of the fake fire she’d worn as her hair, Mereoleona swore to become a true flame that would burn all life away.

...

Fuegoleon's Change

There was a click as the lid of a box snapped into place.

“That should be the last of them,” Fuegoleon remarked with a sigh.

He watched as servants carried away the boxes that had been packed with most of the shirts Fuegoleon used to wear. The clothes would be put to good use. The seams would be cut and the fabric reworked into clothing for the children that Sister Theresa took care of.

It might’ve been poor practice to show such favoritism but Fuegoleon reasoned with himself that this would be a one-time thing. That his regular donations to orphanages around the country balanced it out.

Of course, some shirts and tunics had been kept. He had ensembles of formal wear as a prince rather than a captain. Other shirts were sentimental articles that were given as gifts to him.

But for the most part, Fuegoleon had emptied his closet and dresser of the clothes that no longer… matched his appearance.

Fuegoleon reached to touch his right shoulder but stopped right before he did.

He could’ve easily kept his old attire and tied the right sleeve of his shirts so they wouldn’t simply hang off his body. And his robe would cover his shoulder anyhow. But Fuegoleon had decided to order new clothes that would lack a right sleeve altogether.

Fuegoleon avoided any clothes that would require tying a part of it. He thought “if I tire and cannot maintain the spell to form the arm, I shouldn’t wear anything that would be difficult to put on or remove with only one hand.”

Quietly, Fuegoleon sat on his bed. He took deep breaths.

There was no going back to the way things were. He had been changed, for better or worse, and he would adapt.

He was starting small, with his clothes, and would work his way to bigger things from there.

...

Leopold's Change

For some reason, Leopold felt more fired up after his most recent training session than he did before. Perhaps it was the rush of showing his Mana Method spells to the Crimson Lion Kings. Or maybe he was excited to be back with his companions after so long in Heart Kingdom. Either way, Leopold was practically bouncing through the halls, on the way to shower off the sweat and grime from the sparring matches.

“Your flames have grown quite brilliant, Lord Leopold,” Forte remarked, while gesturing his arms out. “It’s truly incredible!”

“There was no doubt that you’d come back much stronger,” Randall patted Leopold on the shoulder as he said this.

“Aw, man. You guys don’t have to flatter me so much,” Leopold replied. “But thanks. I’m glad my work is showing.”

“There’s something else I’ve noticed,” Blaire, one of the women of the squad, said with a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Hold still for a moment, Leo.”

“Hm?” Despite his confused look, Leopold stopped walking.

“Now stand up straight. Best posture you can manage,” she instructed and Leopold followed suit. “Ben, you’re nice and tall. Back-to-back.”

Leopold and Ben stood with their backs to each other. After a moment of the Knights looking on curiously…

“Lord Leopold, you shot up!”

“Look at that growth!”

“You must’ve grown a whole ten centimeters!”

The Crimson Lion Kings laughed and clapped Leopold’s back.

“C’mon, it’s not such a big deal!” Leopold’s face heated up as his squadmates teasingly fawned over him.

But… It was nice.

To have his co-workers acknowledge his growth, in multiple ways, and celebrate it. It was a warm encouragement that kept him going, pushing him to strive even more to grow into a man that they could be proud of. That they might one day follow as their captain.

Leopold’s face broke out into a grin. He wasn’t his brother or sister. He would never become them. But he’d become a better Leopold whose flame would burn just as bright as theirs.

[isabelguzman]

who: @eclvpses (leo)

where: outside somewhere

Grabbing a couple of boxes, Isabel reaches out with her foot to push the door open. She slips through the little space and adjusts the boxes in her hand, at least she was doing something helpful. Her friend needs these boxes to get delivered to the flower shop down the street. She walks down the street, her eyes raising up to see Leo walking in her direction. "Fowler," she laughs. "Hey... It's been a minute."

[radicalrascals]

@brimfire-and-hellstone liked for a starter - Kriemhild & Leopold

"Bitte," the vampire pulled his hood back to allow Kriemhild a good enough view of him through the gap in the door. His face was weatherbeaten. Remarkably young and exceptionally old at the same time. Fresh scratches met ancient scars on a canvas mostly obscured by a raggedy beard and long hair falling in front of olive coloured eyes.

His gaze briefly wandered up the street eastward, the red of the morning sun was quickly creeping over the horizon. It made him shudder and pull the hood deep into his face again.

"Let me in, bitte," the vampire pleaded, "I will find a way to repay you. But please. Do not condemn me to burn in the light of the sun."

[elysiium]

& 𝐑𝐄.  AURALINE & LEOPOLD WAYNE / @violentdesires

COME WHAT MAY . it was a vow leopold and auraline made to each all those years ago — when she was just a simple girl and he her guardian . when the world was such a perfect place and all they had were each other . a vow never forgotten even as the seasons changed ( winter to spring , autumn to summer ) . as storm clouds gathered , a river wide separating them for a time . even then their love never died . it never would . not even with the end of time . and it did take time for them to get where they are now . by each other's side once again , everything revolving around each other as it was meant to be . yet even after all this time , she never knew that it could feel like this — like she's never seen the sky before . not until she watches her warlock climb those steps , each one closer to her , his eyes bright like the glowing moon . as he stands by her side in front of her court , taking her hand in his , making that same vow . come what may . not just for her , but to her people . to be their king . the king that they need . the king they deserve . her heart sings to him and she knows he can hear it : telling him that she is giving him everything . everything that she is — from that simple girl she use to be to the queen she is now . the tears in her golden eyes reflect back every single memory that took them to where they are now — the good and the bad , and all the good that has yet to come . and when their lips meet , the stars collide overhead ; she vanishes in his kiss , sealing their vow once again . come what may .

with crowns on both heads , they turn to the crowd , standing together . and auraline knows that the greatest thing she'll ever learn is this : to love and be loved in return . together , they are stronger . singing out their song . come what may . and their love , their vow , will strength her court . their court . the celebration that follows moves with such perfect grace — leopold spinning her in his arms , over and over again , the two dancing among their fae until she's dizzy with ' i love yous ' and come what mays and she's out of breathe . she pulls him away from the crowd , feet still dancing as she leads him out of the room and into another — an empty balcony away from prying eyes ( guards standing at the entrance , doors closed to give them privacy , a moment finally alone ) . her cheeks are flushed as she looks to her king , hand still in his . ❛ so how does it feel ? having all of this as yours ? ❜ she asks , free arm gesturing out to their land below them , trees and the hidden creatures in them spanning till where green meets the night sky .

[descended-from-legends]

And We’re Lost

@oflcgicalsway

Jemma gasps as she awakens from the mind prison. What on earth is going on? She looks around to find Enoch standing there, the other Chronicoms deactivated at his feet.

"Enoch." Fitz sits up from where he's laying next to her, looking around the room in shock.

"I have taken bold action. We must go." Enoch's matter of fact words barely register for the two as they finally embrace. After all this time, they're finally together. They traveled the stars to find each other, and now they'll never let go. Unstoppable together.

Enoch sets the Chronicom transporter device down on the floor and activates it. They need to go, before reinforcements arrive. He holds out his arms for the other two. "Embrace me."

They join him in the circle on the floor, holding onto him tightly as the device begins to send them somewhere else, anywhere else.

Jemma looks up at Fitz and smiles, her eyes lighting up for a moment. "Oh, I almost forgot. You're a grandfather."

Fitz' eyebrows scrunch in confusion and concern, looking between Enoch and Jemma for some sort of explanation. "What the bloody hell does that-" His question is cut off by the transporter finally sending them off to where it's programmed. When they rematerialize, none of them recognize their location. It almost looks like a ship of some kind. “-mean?!”

"Very Star Trek," Jemma muses as she lets go of the boys and moves along the hallway.

Fitz gives Enoch a look that would have him six feet under and buried. "Enoch, where the bloody hell did you send us?"

Enoch looks around the room. In all his years, he hasn't seen anything quite like where they are currently. "Apologies. It was my first attempt at using an Interplanetary Conveyance Disc. In theory, it should have returned us to its last location. Instead, it has sent us here. Wherever here is." He reaches out to feel for the computer in the walls, small little tendrils coming out of his fingers to find an access port in the hopes of gaining information.

Fitz throws his hands up in the air, and runs his hands through his hair. "Great. Thank you, Enoch. Now we're on the run from the Chronicoms, and we're lost! You are the absolute worst!" He grabs Enoch and pushes him a little, frustrated and angry beyond belief at the moment.

"We'll figure it out. We always do.” Jemma sighs and shakes her head. “Look on the bright side, I don't think this is a Confederacy ship."

She hears footsteps coming down the hallway and she grabs onto Fitz' hand. They don't have any weapons. There's nowhere to run. All she can do is hope that the people they've found are friendly and not trigger happy with strangers.

[oculiaperticlausi]

leo's place — @eclvpses

"I have a question for you," she asks, the two of them laying on the floor as the three children lay beside them passed out after crawling around for the last few hours. She looks up at the ceiling, chewing on her lower lip. "When you..." She clears her throat even though it's been over a year since the incident, it sometimes still haunts her to know how close she was to losing him, how months before that she was close to losing herself. "The incident," she says. "What did you see?"

[radicalrascals]

"I am not sure I make for good company," Leopold worried. His voice was low and thick with a peculiar accent he had been unable to shake in all these decades. Regardless, company sounded like a desirable thing at the moment, and tea - if not usually on his menu - was something he could at least digest. "Thank you. Can I help?"

starter for @radicalrascals

" Come sit." Noel gestures towards the seat." I can make us some tea and you can tell me what is on your mind. I would appreciate the company, being by myself does become lonely at times."

[poorbaker]

closed starter @entrelysinful​

          her  mind  was  tainted  ,  her  mind  remains  with  him,  despite  wishing  it  was  anywhere  else. she  knew  it  wont  work  ,  their  relationship  ended  based  on  stature,  and  to  begin  to  comprehend  a  world  with  him  in  it,  was  only  going  to  cause  her  further  heartache. she  ,  however  ,  could  not  deny  that  she  missed  him  ,  and  everything  that  made  him  so. she  was  infatuated  ,  memories  of  which  brought  her  significant  joy  encompasses  her  mind. in  this  moment,  she  could  not  be  stirred  ,  her  mind  is  deep  in  the  unquestionable,  things  she  should  not  be  feeling  or  thinking. she  only  wishes  he  was  here  ,  and  how  the  very  home  in  which  tainted  their  relationship  ,  she  continued  to  live  and  work  within,  she  despised  the  pendlebury  house,  and  what  memories  it  brought  along  with  it. she  only  wished  she  could  find  a  way  out  ,  but  fortune  was  not  in  her  favour. she  could  barely  make  ends  meet,  and  with  added  pressures  of  leaving,  finding  a  new  job  within  a  community  where  there  was  none  ,  she  could  not  bare  the  risk. ​  

          the  paper  remains  captured  in  her  grasp  ,  the  slightly  crumbled  exterior  changes  no  purpose  or  thoughtfulness  of  the  writing  within. the  person  who  wrote  them  seemed  to  understand  ,  though  ,  she  only  wished  she  knew  who  the  writer  was. for  weeks  now,  she  had  received  notes  ,  caring,  love  provoking  notes  ,  of  which  encased  some  money  for  her. she  was  unsure  who  would  wish  her  such  good  fortunes  ,  but  she  had  to  admit,  she  was  beginning  to  find  this  person  appealing. she  only  wishes  she  can  thank  them  properly  ,  but  she  had  held  back  on  replying  thus  far. she  was  fearful  ,  knowing  she  had  not  been  gifted  with  good  will  with  love. she  did  not  know  if  it  were  worth  sacrificing  her  heart  for  again.

          the  sound  of  footsteps  startled  her  mind,  the  thoughts  that  race  immediately  hid,  in  fear  of  judgement. the  darkness  made  it  difficult  to  decipher  who  interrupted  her. though,  as  the  figure  moved  closer  ,  it  became  easy  --  only  he  would  be  the  one  to  be  by  her  side.

          ❝ cannot  sleep? ❞  she  mused,  moving  to  the  counter  top  to  pour  a  hot  cup  of  coco  she  had  prepared  moments  ago  ,  sliding  it  across  the  counter  to  him. ❝ this  should  help  ,  i  cannot  sleep  either. ❞  she  avoided  his  gaze,  gnawing  down  on  her  bottom  lip  as  her  gaze  fixated  onto  her  own  steaming  cup.

[sawyermarshall]

who: @eclvpses

where: sawyer's place

Sawyer plops back onto her side of the bed, breathing out as she looks at the ceiling. "You have no idea how bad I needed that," she mutters. It's been three whole weeks since the text message. Sometimes it takes everything in her not to ask about him when she sends Leo a message to come over to release a little tension.

( Which has been more lately than usual. )

She almost misses with Leo breathes out his name. She doesn't look at him, an expression covers her features. "Don't do that," she keeps her eyes on the ceiling. "I don't want to talk about him."

[nachotrash]

Leopold x PersonalGuard!Reader

A/N: finished this in 4 days based on this thread with the lovely @rosenclaws. Now I have 23 tabs open with Victorian era customs and etiquette and other facts (half of which I didnt even use) so yippieee. Haven't written since august so I'm a lil rusty bear with me lol

Tags: Violence, blood, reader gets injured, Lord Millard, Otis is your dad, the angst is not as angsty as I'd like it to be--might write a seperate drabble based on purely the angst, laundanum (opium) as a painkiller mention, Leo being whipped for you

Wordcount: 3k

“Your Grace? The carriage is ready.”

Leopold nodded, turning back to the richly dressed woman in front of him with a polite smile. “Well, I’m afraid that we will have to cut our time short, Lady Isabelle. It was an honor to be in your radiance tonight. I wish you the best.”

He kissed her hand with a short bow, leaving the hostess giggling before he followed his escort to the carriage at the front gates.

“‘Your radiance’? That’s bardic, even for you.” You commented with a grin, one that only grows wider as he looks you up and down. We’re it any earlier, he’d have replied with more banter.

“Tired?” You open the carriage door for him.

“I am.” He breathes, sinking into the velvet cushions of the cart. You climb onto the perch up front with an understanding hum.

“Try to get some sleep then,” you advised. “It will be just you and me for about 4 to 5 hours if everything goes well. Don’t be alarmed, I won’t be disruptive.”

——

Everything did not go well.

They were maybe an hour or two away from home, the forest seemingly endless while engulfed in the nightly abyss. Leopold had long dozed off to the sound of the horses hooves clip-clopping against the dirt road when he was suddenly awoken by someone knocking on the very window he was leaning on. It was you.

He was immediately wide awake once he recognizes the knocking pattern.

tok tok tok… pause… tok tok

This was the code you two had agreed upon in case you weren’t able to verbally communicate due to possible danger. It was merely just meant to alert the other and you never really thought that you’d need it, but here you are.

Your heartbeat quickened while your gut churned in uneasiness. Something was wrong. Something had changed in the ambiance around them. Someone else is with you in the forest and they don’t seem friendly.

You kept riding, keeping the same pace as you did before. There is no way you could give yourself away. It would be too dangerous.

Just as they were starting to near the edge of the forest and into town, as you were about to sigh in relief, a lanky man leaped out of the bushes in front of your horse. You remain quiet.

“Excuse me, sir? We would like to pass through, thank you.”

He grinned in such a way that made your skin itch. “Sorry sweetheart. Nobody is going past this point any time soon.”

He pulls his sword, and so do you as you hop off the horse. Your gun is tucked safely in your coat, only to be used in emergencies.

The moment your boots hit the ground he lunges at you. You barely managed to parry it before he throws… sand? In your eyes. You stagger back, groaning as you furiously wipe away the sand and try to find him.

He was beside you, grinning creepily before it’s replaced with a yell in pain, blood oozing out from where you had just struck him.

With a furious roar, he charged at you once again, swords beating against eachothers as you each try to take the other out.

You glance back at the carriage every so often, just to make sure that Leopold is okay, until your eyes widen at the sight of him struggling against two more abductors. You knew that Leopold could stand his own ground if he needed, but he’s still no match against two more experienced men. You had to help him.

You thrust the other’s sword to the side, spinning around to get to Leopold when something crashed into the back of your skull. Your vision flickers, going black completely before it returns.

You look around, heart and head pounding.

6 more people have joined the fight. There is no way you can fight them off. You’re gonna have to make a run for it.

BANG BANG

The two men trying to drag Leopold out of the carriage drop limply onto the ground, who now stared at you in pure shock. For a moment, the world went quiet.

Then the adrenaline rushes past your ear again. You parry a strike from the guy behind you and shove your gun back into your coat, motioning for Leopold to grab the horse.

“Leo! We’re going! Get on the horse!”

He nods, sprinting to the now panicked animal with you right behind him. You cut off the leashes tying the horse to the cart with one swing of your sword and just like that you were gone.

You rode in silence for a bit as both of you caught your breath. There is no time to waste though, who knows what else may be waiting for you?

“Your Grace, are you hurt? Where have they injured you?” You ask without looking up, making sure the horse was galloping as long as he can. You’d giggle internally at how Leopolds arms tighten around you with every jolt of the horse, but you couldn’t afford to let your guard down now.

“I-I’m… i’m alright. What about you? You were the one actually fighting..” he panted, concern rolling off his words in waves.

“I’m good. Just a cut to the calf and upper arm. Nothing serious.” You replied curtly. Your entire body burned and your head was pounding, but that’s normal with these levels of exhaustion.

——

The sun was already rising as you finally arrived at the estate. The horse was soon taken away by Otis, who appeared at the front gate when he heard the clipping of hooves against pavement approaching.

Exhaustion rolls off your backs once you finally step into the main hall. Now that the adrenaline has worn off, the pain from your injuries slams into you at full force. You stagger, clutching your pounding head while your vision flickers. For a split second, everything goes dark. You feel yourself falling.

Leopold breath hitches as he sees you slump to the floor. He’s by your side in an instant.

“Where are you hurt? Come on, hey..!”

To prevent you from hitting your head in the tiled floor, he reaches down to hold it up.

His stomach drop as his hands meet something sticky.

Blood.

Now that he gets a chance to look at you properly, he realized just how bad in shape you are. Blood seeped through the navy fabric of your coat, smudging onto the cold tiles as you writhed in pain.

He had to help you.

Your body jerked as you feel two arms wrap around your waist and knees and hoist you up, the sudden change in friction causing pain to shoot through your body.

Everything around you happens as if it took place in another room. Somebody was talking to you, but you couldn’t make out what they were saying. All you knew was that whoever picked you up—probably Leopold, you think— was really warm and soft. And you’re cold and tired. Some sleep won’t hurt, right?

Meanwhile, it was as if Leopold was in a completely different building instead of his house. He doesn’t remember the last time he went to the physicians himself, but lord, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if he lost you because of it. He glanced down as he paced through the hall, fingers clutching your body even tighter as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

“You’ll be alright. I-I promise. Just… stay with me, hang on.” He whispered, not sure if he even believed his own words.

He didn’t want this. He never wanted you to get hurt because of him.

Some part of him foolishly believed that as long as he’s around, he’d be able to protect you. That he’s be able to keep you safe instead of the other way around, no matter that you were ‘technically’ supposed to protect him.

The two of you have known eachother for longer than anyone else. He could still remember the day Otis was introduced to him, when he’d just arrived at his uncles after the death of his parents. Millard had taken the terrified boy back to his manor so he wouldn’t have to suffer more than he already had. Yet, it took him weeks to be able to sleep in his own room without crying. In an attempt make him feel less alone, Otis had brought his child with him so he could have some company of his age. And that child was you.

You two warmed up immediately. While he was often ‘disgraceful’, as per his uncle’s words, he has never once made you feel like you’re less important than him. Perhaps that’s what strengthened your silly little childhood crush on him. You’ve always been extremely aware of your difference in social status, having been reminded countless times by your father and Lord Millard throughout your childhood. Maybe that’s the reason you shook off the way Leopold would look at you when you’re strolling in his garden on a summer night. Maybe that’s why you purposefully pretended that you didn’t know from whom the letters were that appeared outside your windowsill every February. Maybe that’s why you slowly stopped calling him by ‘Leo’ and changed to ‘Your Grace’.

You feel like you can read him like a book, yet you can’t seem to be able to figure out what to do with it. On the off chance that he does feel the same, you’d be risking his wrath or even everything that he had should Lord Millard decide to disown him for it. You couldn’t do that to him. So you held back, planning to never tell him the truth despite it slowly crawling itself up your guts.

As you two grew up, you started hanging out less and less, both being obligated to your duties. It would not be before his coming of age party that you’d be reintroduced to him, now as his personal guard. Thankfully, there was no awkward phase, and you quickly became close again.

Except… now that he’s of age, his uncle would get more and more desperate at pushing him to get a wife. You’d nod in agreement when Leopold would complain to you about it and add more snarky remarks to his vocabulary, but deep down you were crumbling. The only positive thing you can get out of this is that he seems like he doesn’t like to marry others either.

Sometimes, you’d reread the letters he wrote you when you were little, which would leave you all giddy yet leave your heart aching because you know that it’s just not possible. However, just being around him is enough.

So you made up your mind. Being no more than his friend and guard is what you’ll stay. And you’d do anything to honor that.

——

Sounds start fading back in and the first thing you notice is how heavy and sore you are. You slowly open your eyes, adjusting to the light in the room as the blurriness slowly fades way.

“How is your vision?”

You turn to the side to see your father standing nearby, his tailcoat hanging off a chair.

“Ah… father..?” You croak out, surprised at the dryness of your mouth. He nods as he hands you a glass of water which you gulp down greedily, wincing at the pain from the sudden movements.

“So? How is your vision?”

“…it’s good, I think? I can see fine.” You take a deep breath.

“Father, I know that it’s not—“

To your surprise, he cuts you off.

“I know. The young master told me everything I needed to know before he… fell asleep.” He motions to the other side of your bed, where you now realize Leopold sat hunched over the white sheets. You open your mouth to speak but was shut off again.

“We’re both very aware of what I have always told you, so I will spare you it tonight.”

He turns around, grabbing his tailcoat again and putting it on.

“Oh, and dear?”

“Yes father?”

“I believe you did the best you could in this situation. I’m not upset. Just glad you’re alright. Proud of you, sweetheart.”

Maybe it was the laundanum in your blood or the exhaustion in your bones, but you feel yourself tearing up. You quickly wiped them away, smiling sincerely back at your father.

“Thank you, papa. I love you.”

“I love you too. Now, I have been called to tend to His Grace, so I’ll be taking the young master with me. Try to sleep, alright?”

You nod, and he walks over to put Leopolds coat over his shoulders, causing him to jolt awake. He glanced around frantically, body physically deflating in a relieved sigh when his eyes land on you.

“Oh… thank goodness you’re awake. I… for a moment I thought..” he didn’t finish his sentence. “Since you hit your head and all and…”

“Your Grace, why are you here? I-I mean, not that I don’t appreciate it.” You added quickly “I just thought you might be in your quarters resting instead.”

Leopold stared downwards for a moment.

“Otis?”

“Yes, young master?”

“Could you please leave us some space?”

“As you wish.”

Once your father has left the room, Leopold immediately turns closer to you.

“I wish you’d told me about your injuries.”

“I apologize, your grace. I—“

“Leo.”

You blink.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Leo. Just… call me Leo again. Please.” The whispered plea sends your heart rate up, and for a moment you had no response.

“Ah.. um.. Leo. Look, I only had one objective and that was to get you to safety. It’s all part of my job, you know?” You can’t meet his gaze, afraid you might break and spill everything.

There is a bit of silence, and you’re scared to have angered him when the next thing you feel is a warm embrace. Your breath hitches before you melt in his arms. Leopolds hands were shaking as he held you, making sure to avoid your wounds.

The comfortable silence stretches on for a while as you hug him back. It’s soon broken by another whisper.

“…Can I… tell you something?” He pulls back and you look at him with slight confusion.

“You can tell me anything?”

His eyes trail over your face, lingering on your eyes before blinking.

“I think I’m in love with you.”

The world stops around you once you process what exactly came out of his mouth. In love? With you? The blood rushes to your face and you find yourself scrambling for a reply.

“…What?”

You see him hesitate for a moment, still looking back in your eyes.

“I am in love with you. Will you allow me to court you?”

He’s practically shaking with nervousness, chewing on his cheek for a moment but speaking up hastily when you still haven’t responded, staring at him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

“Please forgive me. I-I’m aware that one should always write a formal letter to their partner prior if he wishes to court them,” the young duke started pacing back and fourth, rambling with a red face. “Worry had overcome me when I started to realize I may not see you again because you injured your head a-and I didn’t get the chance to write you anything. I know! I’ll get Otis to bring me some—“

“Leo!”

He froze at the sound of your voice. Anxiety grips his heart when he realized just how un-put-together he acted in front of the one person he’s been trying to impress all his life. But when he turns back to you, he finds you smiling up at him with glossy eyes.

“Of course I wish to enter a courtship with you. I’ve wanted to for years.”

You swear you’ve never seen him light up this much before. He practically leaps to the sit on the side of your bed and grasps your hand.

“Y-you’re sure about this?”

You nod.

He couldn’t believe it. He’s been convinced that he’s lost his chance to be together with you once you two grew older. The way you stopped calling him by his name, instead moving onto his title. Or how your smile feels slightly off when he’s telling you a joke. That little drawer in his quarters hold at the very least a dozen of nearly sent letters where he’d confess his love, but he always backed out at the last minute, because there is no way you’d reciprocate. He’s blown his chance and he’ll have to deal with that regret for the rest of his life.

But then the last 24 hours has changed his view completely. Leopold has always been scared that he’s going to have to leave you someday, not realizing that there is a chance that you might leave him instead.

Thumb absentmindedly drawing circles on your hand, his gaze flickers between your eyes and lips.

“May I…” he stops himself, feeling his face grow red again.

“May I kiss you?”

You nod, maybe a little too eagerly. He smiles softly.

“I’m afraid I’m going to need a clearer answer”

You wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

“You may kiss me.”

Leopold wastes no time, letting go of your hand to cup your face as his lips meet yours. You’ve never kissed anyone before but you do make a mental note of how soft they are. You can feel your heart hammering against your ribs and you’re pretty sure he can feel it too with how close you are. The fingers tangled in his hair, how one of his hands slide down to your neck…

You pull back with a giggle, noticing how he chases after your lips a little with a dazed look in his eyes before he realized that you stopped kissing. You giggle again and he swears he’s about to lose his mind with how sweet you sound.

Then the exhaustion from the past 24 hours finally comes crashing down on the both of you. Leopold takes off his shoes and you scoot over as he slides under the cover next to you. He makes sure not to touch your bandaged body parts as you feel his chest press up against your back and you feel all the tension leave your body.

“Didn’t your uncle need you for something?” You hummed.

“I’m sure Otis can handle it just fine without me.”