latte [ twst oneshots ]

- per ardua ad astra. leona kingscholar.

"You promised that this would be the last time."

The late afternoon light lends the tip of his tail an unearthly halo, flicking lazily, his canines winking at you as he yawns a slow, slow yawn. "Yeah, yeah. I said that I'd try, that's all."

You take a moment to clench and unclench your fists, relaxing your jaw before you can grind your teeth down to nubs. If Leona took any notice, he made no sign of it, his ears twitching to get rid of a persistent fly, his eyes closed in a deceptive picture of relaxation.

You'd known him since he was a cub in the palace - bright-eyed, energetic, always raring to go, popular amongst the other kids because he came up with the best games and got into trouble on behalf of all of you. Certainly not... this, lazing around, letting the days pass him by in a haze of naps and classes, if ever mustering the energy to attend them.

"What're you still doing here?"

You meet his narrowed eyes; his fingers unfurl to hold his hand out at you. "If you're not leaving, stay for a nap."

You scowl. "I'm not taking a nap with you, Leona. Unlike some people, I have things to do."

"Ouch," he says, not sounding hurt at all, but his eyes slide away when he continues. "C'mon, herbivore. Like when we were kids."

You swallow, ignoring the longing flutter in your chest. No. Not when you'd promised everyone back home you'd solve the problem that was Leona Kingscholar, not when his family had written to you, specifically, thinking that a childhood friend of his might be able to help with whatever was going on in his head.

"I told what would happen if you didn't at least try." Perhaps it was too dramatic an ultimatum, but you'd told him that you'd transfer out and return to Sunset Savanna - surprisingly, his parents had secured a small job in the palace for you, and had promised to find an opening in one of their numerous schools. The opportunities wouldn't be as good as if you'd stayed in Night Raven College, but the royal family had given you their full support, and that was good enough for you.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on."

Before you can make your dramatic exit, Leona sits up, rubbing the back of his head with a hand. His gaze, guilty, avoids yours. "You were... serious about that?" 

Sharp tongue all but filed down, the tip of Leona's tail resolves its twitching to a nervous back-and-forth, a telltale sign you once used to prove his crimes in stealing your biscuits or toys.

"Have I ever made a promise I couldn't keep?" you retort, feeling very much like someone who'd stolen candy from a child. Because as much as you griped about his newly acquired bad habits, the fact remained that you'd both been close once - and did he have to look so hurt while pleading with you?

"Wait."

He stands up, and you take an involuntary step back. The action seems to bring him pain, wincing slightly as he holds an imploring hand out to you. "Herbivore, come on. You can't seriously want to leave me here alone."

When he takes your hands in his, you stand your ground, looking him dead in the eye. "Radical problems require radical solutions. And your family promised me a good life back home if even I couldn't get you up to standard."

He glances away, a frustrated action punctuated by a growl, his grip tightening on you possessively. "You can't just... you can't."

"Can't I?" 

"Don't say something like that." At your raised eyebrow, he pulls you in. "Don't say something like that so lightly."

You might have tripped over your feet trying to resist, but Leona is stronger and taller and coaxes you into a hug, propping you up against him when you slip. A low rumble in his chest, and one hand slides behind you, the other still circled around your wrist.

No. No. He smells like the ashy remains of a fireplace from lying in the light of the dying sun, the earthy notes of his leather vest, the ends of his braids tickling your face pleasantly. You can hear his heartbeat in his chest, pressed against him with no room to move (or, you nearly ask yourself, is it because you don't want to move?) and feel his trembling through the small of your back, and his warmth through his palm. 

"I don't want you to go anywhere."

The words resonate through your sternum before you register his meaning.

"Do you mean that?" Your voice sounds too small, too meek, and you shiver as he brings your intwined hands up to his face.

"I don't how many more hints I have to drop if you don't get this one." And because you aren't looking at him, you feel the exact moment his breath fans out over your pulse in a tense exhale, the exact moment his lips meet skin, and the exact moment he pulls away with an uncertain chuckle, sounding very much like a boy who's been in love for many long, long years.

Oh.

Your eyes must be comically wide, even as he chuckles again and begins to draw you toward his bed, guiding you gently around silk scarves and woolen socks scattered on the floor. 

"Get it now? You can't leave, even if you wanted to, even if my parents wanted you to."

Inseparable as children. Best friends forever. A promise you'd made, to never leave each other's side forever.

No, you think, as you curl up against him, a heavy hand stroking your hair. Not like when we were kids. Not anymore.