Embers of Sun and Flame (Fuegoleon Vermillion x OC)

Chapter 20 The dismissal

Fuegoleon had stayed in his office for the rest of the day, only talking to Randal as he dropped off some documents with a worried and hesitant expression painted onto his face. After all, the news had travelled fast, all being grateful of Solara's survival, but unsure of what precisely had happened.

But the Captain had given his promise to address it on the following day, which is why Randal didn't press it; only taking the cape to be fixed, on Captain's orders. The tattered piece of fabric offered no answers, making him wonder for a brief moment about what to do with the cape once it was fixed. But the conclusion ended up being 'store it away'.

The work progressed slowly as a result of the turmoil, but in the end, the day did draw to an end, as all days do. Fuegoleon's steps carried him closer to his bedroom as longing swirled in his chest. I wonder if I should still see her today, he thought to himself before passing a window, seeing the starry sky while everything else was painted in darkness.

His gaze turned away, falling onto the floor as he resumed walking, the lonely echo of his boots bouncing from the walls. No, it's better that she gets to rest for today. She probably has been sleeping for a good portion of the day, and I shouldn't disturb her. Memories of her sleeping form returned to him, making his lips tug up. Yes... She might claim to be alright, but she still needs to get checked up. Tomorrow. After breakfast. And once she's gotten treated, we need to talk about the information she gave me. I also need to inform the squad about today's events. His train of thought paused for a moment, as he was left to wonder what that would be. I can't just tell them about what we discussed, but I do need to explain the strained atmosphere somehow.

His bedroom still seemed empty to him, but this time, the solitude didn't haunt him. And so, he was able to, eventually, climb into bed without feeling the need to toss and turn. Though, he still settled onto one edge of the bed, instead of laying himself into the middle. Somehow, occupying the entire space seemed unnatural for him. The image of her, sleeping next to him, was still vivid in his memory. His fingers inched over to the other side as there was a tender smile implanted onto his face.

Soon, he thought. Soon, with your consent, I'm able to hold you in my arms. But for tonight, I hope that you'll sleep well. So, rest well... my dear. He hesitated, even in his own mind, while trying not to lull himself into something that still wasn't quite a reality. Today has been rough, for both of us, but more so for you than for me. But tomorrow will be better. That I promise you. Good night... He thought before his fire arm faded away, his consciousness drifted into sleep.

---

The next morning, he got up later than usually, opting to join the squad for breakfast. To him, everyone was much quieter than usually, but he put it down as lingering worry as Solara still hadn't joined them.

This brings up memories of the attack, I presume, making them feel more uneasy than they otherwise would, he reasoned to himself. Since instances where a squad member would have been severely injured, were scarce. Or rather, had been, if the occasional attacks by the Diamond Kingdom and battles in the neutral zone were excluded. It's been emotionally straining for all of them during these past months; this past year. Quite frankly they've been processing it better than one would expect. So, if this is the point where it all adds up to, I can't blame them.

Each pair of eyes at the table occasionally shifted to him, wanting to ask him, but settled in hoping that the events would be addressed shortly. Only Mereo didn't shy away from his form, looking up and down at him. Her brows furrowed, seeing relatively little emotion on her brother's face.

Leo on the other hand stared onto the depths of his plate, with his chest still feeling tight as it was barely able to contain all of the emotions that swirled inside of him.