“WHY don’t you sit there first?” Leo invited Aki into his room and directed her to the table and chairs in the middle.
Aki bumbled inside and perched lightly on the edge of the closest chair. Leo decided it was better not to sit directly across from her and chose to flop back on the side of his bed. He thought she would have an easier time talking about what happened with Elias if they were sitting farther apart.
Leo reclined back on his elbows, crossed his feet on the back of the nearest chair, and casually brought up the topic while he stared at the ceiling. “…So? What happened? Did Elias say something mean to you?”
It wasn’t hard to guess that Elias, in his depression, would have lashed out at Aki because she came to see him first. Elias clearly loved her. So Leo could see how he might’ve hurt her in a moment of venting since she was someone he didn’t have to filter himself around.
She looked at Leo with wavering eyes before her expression darkened and she lowered her head. He waited patiently for her to talk on her terms, but several silent minutes passed with her motionlessly staring at her balled fists on her lap.
Leo scratched the back of his head as he looked at her dejected side profile out of the corner of his eye. She probably won’t talk until she can gather her thoughts.
He let out a long sigh, smacked his knees, and swung his feet back onto the ground. “You can tell me when you’re ready… Why don’t we have something to drink first? I’ll go ask for drinks downstairs.”
The entire second floor was reserved for guest rooms, while the first floor served as the lobby and simple dining area.
He hoped chatting over a sweet drink would lift her spirits.
“You don’t have to go through the trouble for me,” she mumbled.
“I’m doin’ it for me. I wanna drink something sweet to restore my magic,” Leo said, making an excuse he knew she would accept, and then he left the room alone.
He quietly closed the door behind him and glanced at Elias’s room. Absolute silence suggested there was no one inside.
You heard her crying, didn’t you? Leo thought with a sigh as he stared at Elias’s sealed door. There was no way he hadn’t heard her wailing just outside his room.
Did he stay cooped up in bed pretending not to hear her despite knowing he was the cause of her tears? Had he bit his lip and clenched his fists to resist the urge to go out and console her? Was he just trying to wait out her tears thinking that would make it all go away?
Whatever the reason Elias had for his actions, Leo couldn’t forgive any man—even his best friend—for making the woman he loved cry. Actually, it was even worse because his best friend was responsible for hurting her.
What do you think I backed down for? I was trying to give up on Aki because I wanted you both to be happy together. But if this is how it’s gonna be, then I ain’t letting you have her, Elias, Leo announced in his heart as he headed downstairs, imagining his friend with his head buried in a pillow.
✦ ✦ ✦
LEO descended into the dining room on the first floor where he was greeted by his party members who were in such high spirits it drove away his dampened mood. They were chatting around a circular dining table and all broke out in smiles when they noticed him coming down the stairs.
The lone woman among them sprung from her chair and welcomed him with an energetic wave. “Hey, Leo! I’m glad you’re up! How are you feeling? Doing all right?”
Leo waved back and flashed a roguish grin. “Hey there. Yeah, I’ve still got all my parts thanks to you guys.” He didn’t need anyone to tell him the rest of his party members were responsible for saving him after he lost consciousness. He figured as much. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime,” she responded, pounding her fist against her chest and settling back into her seat.
The dining room was taken over by Mina, Louis, Sutcliff of the Shadow Tribe, and Johann, who sat up ramrod straight as he always fussed about appearances. He had shed the heavy, pure-white vestment he always wore for a casual turtle-neck shirt and pants. There weren’t many opportunities to see Johann dressed in comfortable clothing, so Leo felt like he just got a rare peek into his friend’s personal life.