Battle of the Heart

Escape

"We have to go back!" Emil screamed.

   Mikkel, Lukas, and Berwald stood before him not able to make eye contact. They knew it was wrong that Leon had been left behind but they couldn't risk going back while Ivan's men were still on the lookout.

"We can't leave him there!"

"Emil please." Lukas tried to sooth. "Leon knew what he was getting into."

"He risked his LIFE for us!"

"We know, and we'll get him back, but right now...." Mikkel tried to help.

"Right now? Right NOW is when he needs us! Later he could be hanging at the end of a rope or WORSE!"

"Emil stop!" Mikkel yelled. "If we go back we will all be captured. Then Lukas, Berwald, you and maybe even Leon will be killed, my mother will win and we will lose everything!"

   Emil knew he was right but it didn't stop his anger and heartbreak from taking over. "If you won't go back for him then I will! He may just be a rogue healer tool to you, but he's my friend and I care about him, enough to risk my life to repay him for risking his!"

"Awe, is that a confession?" A voice rung behind him. 

   Emil turned around to see the dark haired boy standing behind them disheveled and tattered. But the pastel eyed boy didn't take notice to any of that, he was already flying into the man's arms hugging him tightly. Leon smirked hugging him back and holding himself up with a bookshelf. When Emil saw his struggle to stand he quickly let go and grabbed his waist leaning him against himself.

"What happened to you? How did you get out?"

"Well," Leon laughed. "After I kicked those two sorry guards butts I ran to the meeting point, but before I got there one of the loose dogs got a hold of me. When I finally managed to break free I high jacked a horse and tailed it after you, now here I am, needing a bath more than ever." He joked.

"Oh, come on you big baby." Emil said throwing Leon's arm over his shoulder. "Let's go get you cleaned up."

"Leon?" Mikkel stepped up. "I'm sorry...."

"Honestly I would have called you all idiots if you came back for me." Leon smiled. "So don't worry about it, besides, if my great escape gets a cute boy to undress me that's a win for me."

"Don't push it." Emil growled.

   Leon flinched in pain. "Alright, just be gentle."

"Fine, come on." 

   They watched the two young princes off and then they looked at one another. Mikkel looked at the queens unconscious body.

"Now to deal with the real situation."

**************************************************************************

   Leon sat on the edge of the bed with Emil behind him sponging the scratches on his back with a damp cloth he dipped in a basin of warm water.

"Does it hurt?" Emil asked.

"Not at all." Leon lied. "I hope they leave scars."

"Yeah, I won't tell anyone they were from a dog." Emil smiled. "You'll impress all the ladies."

"Ah, but will it impress you?"

"Well...." Emil changed the rag. "knowing the true story, and being one of the idiots in it, I'd say I will be the most impressed of us all."

"That's good-" He paused as he winced at the cloth hitting the next cut. "You're the only one worth impressing."

"Me?" Emil smirked sarcastically.

"I mean.... You ARE the only one dumb enough to come back and save me."

   Emil paused and placed the cloth on his lap looking down at the blood soaked rag. "I'm sorry." His voice shook.

   Leon turned and was shocked to see tears dripping onto his hands. The boy refused to look up and tried so hard not to cry.

"We should have waited...."

   Leon grabbed the boys face and lifted it up to look into his eyes. "Emi, I'm glad you left."

   Emil's shivering eyes shook and his lip quivered. "W-what..."

"I saw those woods, they were crawling in dogs and Ivan's men, they would have caught you for sure if you didn't get out of there.... And I-" Leon's face grew serious and he looked deeper into Emil's eyes before slowly slipping his hands into the boys. "Would have never forgiven myself if you had."

   Emil couldn't hold back his tears any longer, his face broke and he fell into tears. Leon moved closer and held the boy in his arms.

"I'm sorry." Emil blubbered. 

"Yeah, yeah. Shoosh." Leon pet his hair.

   Emil wrapped his arms around Leon's arm weeping into his shoulder. Leon looked down at the boys bright red face, he wanted so badly to wipe away his tears and make him smile.

"Emil." Leon interrupted. "Is it weird that I want to kiss you right now?"

"What?!" Emil cried annoyed. "Your timing is awful!"

"But you didn't say no." 

   Emil looked up at Leon, his tears had slowed only leaving red cheeks and tired eyes. His sadness had turned to embarrassment and frustration.

"So can I?"

"If you have to ask then no." 

   Leon moved his hand back up to Emil's face resting it on his cheek. He slowly moved his face closer but paused to enjoy the fragile boys face. He smirked then kissed the boys forehead before letting him go.

"What was that?" The boy asked.

"You're still a bit too young, I wanna wait a while longer."

"For a kiss?!"

"A first kiss is suppose to be special." Leon reminded.

"Who says it's my-"

"Oh you and I both know it's your first kiss."

"You are such a jerk."

"A jerk you almost kissed, what does that make you?"

"An idiot."