The truth is…

ㅤ Once again, Leon lost his temper for no apparent reason. If anyone around him had known that the cold and reserved man was capable of displaying such emotion, especially in public, no one would have believed it. But time after time Stahn got on his nerves. With the simplest, naive things. And their squabbles miraculously didn't escalate into a fight. "What's wrong with you!?" Stahn was rightly indignant. "What did I do wrong this time!?" "That's it!" Leon blurted angrily. "You basically never do anything right! How many times do I have to ask you to leave me alone!?" "But…" Stahn hesitated. This wasn't something worth shouting angrily. The image in his memory softened his mood, made him remember why the conversation had even begun. "You looked sad. I wanted to cheer you up," he muttered, looking away like a hurt child. Stahn's dejected expression calmed Leon as well. The emotions inside him were changing one after another, gradually fading. Exhausting… Suddenly Leon felt terribly tired. Doomed. "Learn to finally mind your own business," he replied calmly. "It would be nice if someone learned to respond normally to care," Dymlos mentioned casually when the owners finished arguing. "And no one even asked you," Leon said reproachfully: the last thing he needed was to get into a heated argument with a sword. "Come on, Dymlos," Chaltier interjected awkwardly, "you're asking too much. It's hard enough for the young master to communicate with Stahn." "So, maybe it's worth admitting that Stahn has become his best friend, so that the omissions don't interfere with communication?" Dymlos snorted sarcastically. "What? How…?" Chaltier was at a loss for words. "The young master's experience of friendship is a secret! How did you…?" A tense silence fell. Only the background noise from the street prevented Leon from being heard swallowing, almost choking. Chaltier realized he'd said too much. Stahn and Dymlos tried to process what they'd just heard. Dymlos was the first to break the echoing silence: "I wasn't serious…" Chaltier swallowed back an "Oops!" somewhere in the back of his mind. "So…" Stahn gradually began to understand. But before he could fully grasp the idea, Leon backed away and turned abruptly, walking away with the words: "Stay away from me!" The frantic pounding of his heart couldn't be stopped. Leon was too used to being alone, keeping his emotions under strict control. But he couldn't help himself when Stahn was nearby. That hopeless idiot had managed to breach Leon's mental defenses. It was terrifying. It made him want to run. Without looking back. But a stupid duty had linked their destinies, so for a long time they had to endure it in silence. And now… Falling into the ground wasn't enough to hide it from himself! And Stahn… "Leon! Wait!" Stahn grabbed him by the elbow. "Leave me alone!" Leon tried to turn away, but Stahn's grip was too strong. He couldn't hide his flushed, confused, and frightened face. He couldn't look away from the gaze that was looking at Stahn with apprehension. "So it's… true?" Stahn finally admitted. His heart skipped a beat, losing its rhythm. Then it began to beat faster, rejoicing along with its owner. "That's great!" "There's nothing great about that!" Leon countered. He was too high-ranking to consort with village idiots. He had cultivated the image of a stern and strong knight, needing no one. Except Marian, but he carefully concealed this weakness from outsiders. And then… It was worth letting his guard down for a moment, feeling the joy and relief of companionship, and Chaltier had already come to believe in the power of friendship. And out loud, too… But the irony was that… he was right. Which didn't stop Stahn from getting on his nerves, saying all sorts of stupid things, which Leon studiously ignored. Until he got tired of it. "Fool…" Leon said quietly, resigning himself. And then he raised his voice sharply: "That's why you irritate me so!" It took Leon a while to break free from Stahn's grip. He needed rest. To calm down. To organize his thoughts. To come to terms with it. After all, there was nowhere to run: Stahn didn't know the meaning of personal space… His voice still rang in his head. "Tomorrow I'll be miserable…" was the only conclusion Leon came to. He let out a resigned sigh, knowing full well he couldn't win against Stahn's simple-minded obstinacy. But until Leon officially acknowledged his feelings toward him, there was still a chance to build a wall, reinforcing his ignoring tactics. And no matter what Dymlos said, communication had become more difficult… ㅤ