#poor leander man knows his bestie doesn't think of him as a bestie :(

[amara-laz]

This be a cool prompt :)

Leander took a drink from his canteen, carefully eying Issaiah's reaction.

"Why haven't you chosen a side in this, anyway? I mean, look at you: Vice Captain Issaiah Lark," he said. "Generally, it's an easy choice for someone in your position,"

"I mean, I'm obviously on the Duchess' side," Issaiah said. Leander didn't miss the way his knuckles tightened on the training sword. "I don't see what's up with all this rumour I'm not-"

"The rebel leader," Leander interrupted. "What's his name again? Tide, right? His first name was a type of sword... Rapier. There we go. Rapier Tide. He's your friend, isn't he?"

"Well, given the treachery... not really," Issaiah said reluctantly.

"But before this," Leander gestured. "Before this whole plot to assasinate the duchess and all. I remember you two spending a lot of time together," he said, recapping his canteen. "I can see why some might think you're on their side, Lark,"

Issaiah drew breath. "I can assure you, Captain--" Leander waved it away.

"I'm not accusing you of anything. And let's speak informally; it's just the two of us. Plus, it's weird given everything we've gone through,"

Issaiah laughed. "When did you become the wise one, Pine?"

"When did you become the troubled one, Lark?" Leander grinned.

"That's something I'd like to know too," Issaiah sighed. "It really shouldn't be this difficult for me to publicly denounce a traitor."

"He was your friend." Leander shrugged. "It'd be hard for me to denounce you if you were part of this little revolt."

"I didn't know I mattered that much to you," Issaiah said, surprised.

"Well, you were maybe the only person who actively supported me when I first became Captain. Of course I think highly of you." Leander hesitated. "Even if you don't think the same of me."

"Of course I think highly of you!"

Leander laughed. "I know. I know, Lark. But you're also kind of an open book."

"What?"

"I know you're hiding something from me." Leander leaned on his training sword. "Like I said, you're a painfully open book."

"Pine-"

"Again, I'm not upset," Leander dismissed. "I'll wait for you to be comfortable enough to tell me. It's not my business, anyway."

He didn't miss the small sigh of relief Issaiah breathed.

"Lark, whatever you choose, whichever side you end up on, I'm not going to judge you," he continued. "I just... I just hope we never end up on opposite sides of the battlefield if things keep going the way they do."

Issaiah bit his lip, staring out at the empty training field.

"Yeah," he said finally. "Me too."

“Neutrality just means you’ll be hated from all sides. You never chose one so of course you’re the target.”