The curious case of Latte Gail

Carnations in the Snow

Latte let out a shaky breath once they were inside. His gaze staring at his grip on the door handle and he let go, letting his arms fall to the side. Azul's panting was the only sound at the moment, exhausted by the sudden workout he had to endure by his ex-friend's antics.

From the corner of his eye, Latte saw him rub his wrists. Azul was hunched back, his glasses crooked and his usually neat hair was a mess. Latte himself adjusted his uniform, which was now wrinkled all over the place from running around.

But other than that, there was only silence. A silence that always seemed to linger with him whenever he hesitated to communicate. Latte slowly turned to face Azul, only for the other to shove his pen to his face. His gloved hand, adjusted his glasses and his brows were furrowed due to his scowl. Though, he still looked tired.

Latte took note of the newly formed bags under his eyes, they were faint, not as intense as his own.

"You look...awful." He commented.

Azul scoffed. "I've been working."

"..."

"..."

Once again, it was quiet. Latte opened mouth, he wanted to explain himself as to why he suddenly sought out Azul after avoiding and ignoring him for who knows how long. Maybe he should start off with Leona's request? No, it would make him look like he was only going to Azul for a favour. But that always was the case, wasn't it?

Everything tied back to him at the end of the day. From how he ended up in Twisted Wonderland to being the key to his way back home. He wondered what was going on in Azul's head. The other teen sounded surprised to even see him at the hall of mirrors, let alone drag him to some private space.

Azul cleared his throat, shuffling his pen into the front pocket of his uniform and turned to his side with his hands to his hips so that he was no longer facing Latte and instead, looked at the flowers or maybe he was just staring into nothing.

But he didn't say anything and Latte didn't know whether he should be relieved or annoyed with himself.

"Listen, Azul–"

"You want something from me, don't you?"

The way Azul interrupted him made Latte freeze. He should have known that when it came to favours, Azul would recognise when someone wanted one.

"I...I just want to find a way home, okay?"

Azul glared at him through his glasses before letting out a dry laugh.

"Apologies but I can't do that."

He raised a brow and bit the inside of his cheek. "What do you mean, you can't? You were willing to help before!"

"I just can't, okay?"

It was obvious that Azul wasn't going to budge. Latte racked his brain to figure something out, what could possibly make Azul talk?

"...I saw him during the holidays."

"Saw who?"

Azul looked like he could care less but with the way his body tensed, the way his back straightened, they both knew who they were talking about.

"Latte Gail. Your friend. I saw him through the mirror in his room."

"Don't be ridiculous. Maybe you just–"

"No, Azul." Latte shook his head. "I really did see him. I saw him in my body."

That look of apprehension flickered through, breaking his usual confident façade. Azul stared at Latte with disbelief and took a few steps forward, grabbing onto his forearm with a sudden force. He shook him slightly and stuttered out a few words.