Chapter Text
“You know,” Finana began, finishing up the first coat of polish on his nails. “You do have to talk to me eventually”
Claude sighed. “Can’t you just be grateful I’m letting you paint my nails?”
“What do you mean ‘let’ me? I literally always do your nails! You specifically always go to me for— No, stop distracting me!”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Claude dodged, avoiding eye contact. He had been uncharacteristically quiet today, only bothering to weave the conversation away from anything about his life.
But, as good with words as he was, Finana could always see right through him. Elira said she had sisterly intuition, though Finana was pretty sure Claude was just too expressive for his own good.
“We both know that won't work on me, Claude.”
“... Do we have to do this today?” He sighed.
In lieu of responding, Finana set down the teal nail polish. twisting the cap shut. She gently moved Claude’s freshly painted right hand to rest on the desk, before starting to rummage around her nail care box for some top coat.
“Finana…” Claude started, a bit more urgently.
She hummed as she found the clear polish, setting it down next to the nail file. When no further words came from Claude's mouth, she looked up, schooling her face into one of innocence. “Oh, so should I text our friends that I can actually hang out tonight? Since we aren't busy?” She pulled out her phone, making a show of opening up the group chat.
Claude jolted forward, snatching Finana’s phone out of her hand. His expression reminded her of a disgruntled cat, and she had to resist the urge to smile fondly at his pout. She huffed and schooled her face into irritation.
“You don't want to see me when I'm angry,” she began, the start of a frequent bicker of theirs.
“Meh meh meh, you're the least scary person out there. And I’m literally terrified of women.”
“Hey!” Finana cried out and crossed her arms. “What are you trying to say?!”
The tension in Claude's shoulders eased the slightest bit. Even though others rarely understood the way they communicated, there was something truly comforting about bickering with each other, far more than affectionate words could convey. Underlying each back and forth was a sense of stability, the knowledge that no matter what happened, Finana would be there to reignite Claude's fire and urge him forward.
“How did you know that something was off with me?” Claude finally asked, an olive branch that Finana took gratefully
“Are you kidding? You're so quiet.”
“But I’m always quiet?”
“Not like this,” Finana insisted. “And not with me.”
Claude sighed again, heavier. He handed Finana's phone back, thousands of thoughts evidently running through his mind as he decided how to begin.
“Last month, Leo told everyone he didn't need any new dates.”
Finana nudged Claude to scoot over and sat down next to him. “Yeah, I remember.”
“The most recent guy… It's real. Leo likes him. A lot.”
“Claude…”
“Leo likes him,” Claude repeated, distraught. He exhaled shakily, staring adamantly at his lap.
“He’s liked people before.”
“Not like this.”
Finana placed a hand on Claude's shoulder, the greatest comfort she could offer right now.
“He's gone on three dates already with him. And now every time we hang out, Leo keeps singing his praises about him, about Marcus.”
“Leo always sees the good in people, though.”
“... usually he leaves early and complains for two hours about his date while we get food together.”
“Your favorite hobby,” Finana teased, but she could hear the hollowness in her own joke.
Claude managed a halfhearted scoff. “Used to be, maybe.”
“Then… what's the plan now?”
He shook his head. “He looks happy.” Leo might have, but Claude certainly did not; his eyes were vacant, voice cracked, heart yearning.
At this, Finana got riled up. All her protective instincts boiled over. “He was happy with you! We all tried to get you to confess because we didn't want to risk this happening and you getting hurt, Claude.” She stood up, needing to pace around and get the excess energy out. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't her brother just prioritize his emotional wellbeing the same way he did his physical?
“Finana…” His hesitation made her anger fizzle out, as quickly as it had flared.
As much as she was upset that Claude never spoke up, she understood how much he had to push himself to overcome fear, and why he couldn't do it now. Finana did not have it in her to direct more anger towards him. He was surely self flagellating already.
“Sorry, Claude. You're just… you know. I don't want you hurting. Not for real.” You're important to me, she despaired, hoping the unspoken was received.
Claude pulled his hands close to his body, pretending to examine his nails as an excuse to do something with his hands. "I know. I just always thought..." He trails off.
“Thought what?"
"That eventually he'd realize." The words sounded stupid out loud and he nearly recoiled after hearing what he had said. Then, as if to justify it, he stumbled on. "Not because I deserved it. Or that I thought he would reciprocate. But just…"
“You've been in love with him for years."
"Yeah. I have. And he never noticed.”
After the blunt words, there was nothing but silence. Finana’s heart ached.
“Claude.”
“Maybe I wasn't being obvious, but I wasn't hiding it, either. Am I… that bad at showing it? That he means everything to me?”
“Claude.”
“Am I that bad at loving him?”
“Claude Clawmark,” Finana's voice hardened. “Don't you dare say that. Everyone, including him, knows you love him. It's in your every action and glance, every word you speak with or without him around. Just because he thought it was fully platonic doesn't make it less real.”
But it wouldn't be Claude if he didn't find a way to evade positive words about him. “I think some part of me has just been living like there was a deadline. Like if I waited long enough, he would know."
"And now?"
“Now he chose someone else.” The sentence hurts. Both for Finana to hear and for Claude to say.
He barreled on to avoid the sting. “He made his choice, and I have to live with it.”
Finana was torn between urging Claude not to give up and supporting him in moving on. What was the right choice?
Claude continued, "And I don't even get to be angry at him because he didn't do anything wrong." He laughed bitterly, humorlessly. "That's the worst part."
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Did you do anything wrong?” Finana watches him carefully.
“... Leo wants me to meet Marcus soon.” Claude redirected instead, a strange determination filling his words.
Finana blinked at the new tone. “Huh?”
“I’m going to. Because Leo's my ride or die. And I'm going to be a supportive best friend and meet the guy that Leo likes.” Finana could read between the lines, hearing the unspoken ‘even as it breaks me inside.’
“Claude.”
“I’m not allowed to mourn him, Feesh. Nothing has changed.”
It's true that their friendship wasn't gone. But the future Claude secretly longed for was now so much further away.
And Finana could do nothing but watch her brother turn and force himself to take step after step away, the hope he always tried to suppress finally being set aside forever.
.........
stop calling hangouts wilsoneer club meetings
wiwa
we should all watch a movie tomorrow at 18:00!!
shubert
sounds fun c:
willy
i’m down
wiwa
yippee!!
another club meeting :D
willy
NO
READ THE GC NAME
feesh
i’ll join!
and for the record
i am NOT a wilsoneer
vox
I am
shubert
we know vox
vox
I think Willy’s great
wiwa
we know vox
leo
Sorry :( I have dinner plans already
willy
oh?
leo
Date :3
wiwa
omg
ugi
rip claude
leo
What?
clark
stfu uki
have fun bro :)
leo
Oh okay! I will!
Sorry I can't make the hangout D:
wiwa
LMAO leo you’re so sweet
oblivious and so sweet
shu
it’s already an incomplete wilsoneer meeting since kaelix is out of town, don’t worry
willy
yeah we can hang out another time too
wiwa
oh so it’s only a Problem when /i/ say it’s a club meeting
willy
i mean
it’s shu??
wiwa
kya~
i love my awesome sugoi life
willy
what is wrong with you
leo
Have fun :)
I can stop by and meet you all after!
feesh
maybe you can bring marcus too!
.........
“Claude rides a motorbike too!” Leo grinned and tapped his fingers excitedly on the table, ecstatic that Marcus had yet another shared trait with his best friend.
Or well, maybe he should clarify. “Or he used to. But then he got way more into mountain bikes… He's training for a triathlon!” Leo hyped his duo up, beaming towards Marcus with the same enthusiasm as before.
“You could start training for one too,” Marcus teased Leo. “A bit more sunshine could do you some good.”
Leo giggled. “You sound just like Claude! He's been trying to be my P.T. for years now.”
“Oh, did he get licensed for that? It takes a while.” Marcus questioned politely.
“Yeah, one of his many sidequests,” Leo rolled his eyes. “Remember, Marcus, how I told you about all the licenses Claude has? This guy's crazy. Makes me feel inadequate that all I have is my teaching degree.”
“Don't say that about yourself,” Marcus interjected immediately. “You're kind, smart, and charismatic, Leo. It's really admirable.”
Leo blushed, picking at the food on his plate. He may have been a masterful flirt, but when genuinely directed towards him, he often became a bashful mess. At least, whenever Marcus flirted with him. Or the rare times his duo jokingly did too.
“You really are too kind,” Leo nudged Marcus gently. “You're great too, you know? Considerate, a great listener, witty, humble…”
Marcus hesitated. “Would you say Claude is similar?”
“Mhm! You both protect people, for one. He works as a support for some of the heroes here, suppressing magical disturbances using tech. And you're a former police officer turned security guard! But even outside of that, you have really similar personalities.”
Marcus hummed. “Yeah, you've said he's a great listener too. Funny without trying. Really good with words. Constantly redirecting the praise you give him” Leo nodded alongside each set of words. He definitely saw the resemblance between Marcus and his best friend.
Marcus looked at Leo expectantly. Leo didn't realize he had finished speaking.
Leo scratched his head awkwardly, a beat late. “Oh, sorry. I didn't realize I spoke about Claude so much.”
Marcus laughed. “You didn't realize how much you gush about him?”
Leo felt protective instincts, ones that always seemed to concern his duo, flare up. “He's my best friend.”
“Yeah, I know. There's nothing wrong with caring about him.”
Leo took Marcus’s hand, his anger dissipating as quickly as it arose. “I'm glad you're okay with that. Most people I go on dates with get irritated.”
“Yeah?”
Leo nodded. “A lot of people get really weird about it. I never understood why.”
Marcus hummed, thoughtfully. “A lot of people don't think exes can stay just friends. They're probably insecure about how close you two are.”
Leo jolted, hand going taut. “Exes? What are you talking about?” He felt like every part of his brain was rebooting. Exes?
Marcus raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. His handsome face was schooled into an expression of confusion.
“We— We never dated.” Leo managed.
Marcus paused, mulling something over in his head. “Ah, my mistake.”
“Why would you think that?” Leo could hear the desperation in his own voice.
An analytical glint entered Marcus’s eye. He stayed silent for a long pause. Leo became antsy, shifting around nervously, feeling like he had been caught despite not having done anything wrong.
Marcus finally nodded. “I see now.”
Leo jerked. “See… what?”
“You talk about him constantly. Every compliment you give me is followed by saying that I'm just like Claude. Every decision you make, you first consider what he would want for you. And apparently when you're together, you are so aligned that you finish each others’ sentences and actions without a second thought.” Marcus listed with not a trace of malice in his tone, staring past Leo as more examples came to mind.
Then, after another brief pause, he turned to Leo and spoke in a gentle, too quiet voice.
“Leo, did you not know that you're in love with your best friend?”
Leo couldn't help himself from thinking back to all his failed dates before, and every moment with Claude afterwards. Every movie night, every late night ramen hangout, every begrudging gym session, every exciting Valorant grind— the way he felt so happy when his duo was around.
But wasn't that normal to feel about a best friend?
And Leo really did like Marcus, didn't he? Marcus was attractive, strong features contrasted by soft hair. He was so good at conversations despite being a man of few words. He was really funny underneath the serious exterior. And, of course, Marcus’s voice was deep and comforting, one he felt ever so drawn to.
Marcus caressed Leo's face, trailing his fingers over Leo's features so delicately Leo wondered if he might be made of glass. “You really are beautiful, inside and out.”
As he spoke, he leaned forward. His hand cradled Leo's chin and guided him closer. Gently, he placed a kiss, so soft, too soft, on Leo's lips. It was so brief that Leo didn't have time to respond before Marcus had already pulled back with a small smile.
“I’m sorry for my selfishness. I just had to give you a kiss before things were over. You are ethereal, Kuga Leo.”
Leo put his hand over his own lips. He wasn't able to process everything. “Over?”
“I don't think you're dating someone who reminds you of Claude.”
Leo could feel the distance between them too clearly as Marcus pulled back entirely out of Leo's bubble.
"I think you're dating me because I remind you of Claude.”
That couldn't be true. Leo would have known if he felt that way about Claude.
Wouldn't he?
Marcus continued, drawing Leo's attention back to him. “I never thought I would fall for someone so quickly, so thank you for teaching me that I could.”
“You… you fell for me?” Leo found his voice shakily.
“I did.” Marcus laughed breathlessly. “Of course I did. You're so easy to love, Leo. If I were any more selfish, I would keep being with you… You deserve the world, Leo. But I think that even if I gave that to you, your heart would still yearn for Claude.”
Leo wanted to protest, but he couldn't find the words. Why couldn't he find the words?
"You deserve to figure out what you're feeling. I don't hold it against you, Leo.” Marcus didn't immediately make a move to leave, offering his brand of quiet support as Leo stumbled through his thoughts to find a thread of an answer.
Leo's phone buzzed on the table and a familiar name flashed at the top of his notifications.
THE DUO <33
bro you almost here?
Leo glanced up at Marcus, who gave a knowing look.
“I don't know what I feel.” Leo said honestly. “But I do know that you really are too kind, Marcus.”
Marcus pat Leo's shoulder as he stood up to go. “I just want you to be happy, Leo.”
“You’re not on the clock, you know. You don't need to protect me.” Leo teased, but his heart ached.
“... Well, the job’s never finished.” Marcus offered Leo a wave before he left, taking with him any last hope Leo had of resolving this. Whatever this was.
Leo glanced down at his phone, unsurprised to see the many more messages from Claude.
THE DUO <333
we just finished the first twilight movie
elira and uki are trying to roleplay it with wilson lmao
idk if wilson caught on yet
shu def has but bros just laughing
Leo
Lol good luck Wilson
And I'm not feeling great
I'll meet up another time
THE DUO <333
yo what
where u at? i can head over
what do you need?
A fond smile tugged at Leo's lips at his duo’s eagerness to help, but a strange sensation seemed to bubble up inside him too. He didn't want to figure that out, though. He just wanted some space.
Leo
Don't worry, I'll be fine
Just need to be alone
THE DUO <333
whatever you need
just lmk
when am i meeting marcus btw?
Leo
Not happening anymore
Don't want to talk about it rn
THE DUO <333
okay
love you dawg
take care <3
.........
Leo walked home, thoughts in disarray.
Claude always gave Leo the time and space he needed to formulate his thoughts, but he always made it clear how much he cared. Usually, all Leo ever wanted was to be by Claude's side and enjoy himself, the sound of his duo's laughter the quickest remedy to any inner turmoil Leo was facing.
Of course he felt differently around Claude than other friends of his. After all, Claude and Leo had clicked immediately, falling into a rhythm so natural it had felt like they had known each other for years even during their first meeting. Leo didn't have to be on edge, terrified of speaking too much or too little, with Claude. It was just that, with Claude, things were so easy.
If Marcus was right, if Leo did feel that way about his duo, when would those feelings have even started? It felt like, from day one, Claude had fit into Leo's life in a place never before occupied. He hadn't realized there had been something missing until Claude made him feel complete. There was never a moment for Leo’s feelings to become anything other than what they had always been.
Which was what? How did he feel about Claude? Leo admired him, certainly. He obviously loved him, wanting what was best for him. And, sure, Claude had always been so pretty, but anyone would have been able to tell that. That didn't mean anything definitively.
Leo thought back to the fleeting kiss Marcus had given him. It was— now that Leo’s mental facilities weren't actively rebooting— very sweet. Did he want that from Claude?
Leo imagined a scenario where his best friend would kiss him. But no, Claude was often scared to make the first move in interactions, so it would be Leo. Leo would flirt with Claude, calling him an affectionate teasing term like “babes”, and then swoop in once he saw Claude's face redden. He would grab onto Claude's broad shoulders and tiny waist and pull him close. And, even though Claude was more than strong enough to shove him away, he would instead melt in Leo's arms, fluttering his beautiful teal-purple eyes closed and inhaling with anticipation. And then, Leo would murmur how cute Claude was into his ear, before slowly trailing his lips over Claude's warm cheeks, grazing over the corner of his lips. Finally, Claude's impatience would make him yank Leo towards him for an actual kiss, and it would be meaningful and passionate and not at all enough, so Leo would kiss him again and again and—
Oh.
So, maybe Leo did have feelings for his duo. Huh.