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Ledo leaned against the section of wall he was guarding with a tired yawn. Down below Anor Londo glowed softly in the starlight as wisps of fog weaved their way through the quiet streets. He was prepared for a long, dreadfully dull round of guard duty. But his night was about to take an interesting turn. Not long before midnight one of his fellow silver knights approached him.
"Report to the Captain, he wants to see you." They said curtly. Ledo could tell by their demeanor they were one of the guards who usually kept watch in the cathedral. They were always so prim and proper, and they were often quick to turn their nose up at the wandering knight. "Alright, just keep an eye on things while I'm gone." Ledo said as he hefted his great hammer over his shoulder. "Perhaps some fresh air will you do you some good you uptight bastard." He murmured when he was just out of earshot.
Entering through a side door he made his way through the empty halls. The torches flickered in the evening breeze and painted the pristine white walls in warm orange light. Ledo couldn't help but smirk at the comical shadow that awkwardly followed alongside him, but he was quick to compose himself as he neared Ornstein's office. He could hear his captain talking in a hushed voice, another much deeper voice boomed through the door and into the hall despite the speaker's effort to be quiet. "Can you say that again babe? I don't think they heard you in Vinheim!" Ornstein replied with annoyance and sarcasm.
Their conversation was cut short as Ledo knocked on the door. "Enter." Ornstein called quickly. Ledo stepped inside and closed the door behind him. The dragonslayer was sitting at his desk working on writing a report, nearby the Sun's Firstborn was seated on a bench leaning against the wall. His eyes twinkled with mischief and the amused smile on his face was less than innocent. Perhaps it was because of the beer in his hand? Ledo didn't really care to know, but he did pause to greet his Lord with a respectful bow before stopping in front of Ornstein's desk.
"It took you long enough." Ornstein said flatly as he dipped his quill into an inkwell. "Well, I was posted near the upper ramparts. It's no quick stroll you know." Ledo replied. Ornstein looked up with an annoyed glare and sighed. "You're being reassigned." Ledo raised an eyebrow at this, "I'm not aware of any transgressions that would warrant reassignment."
"Transgression?" Ornstein asked. "No, if I were to punish you i'd make you stand guard in front of Lord Gwyn's chambers while wearing cement boots." The mental image made Ledo shiver, Ornstein was crafty in his punishments. "The Bishop is in need of an assistant for training the clerics and on diplomatic missions abroad. He recommended you personally." Ornstein explained as he shuffled through a few papers on his desk. "Go to the barracks and retrieve your things, you'll be staying with the Bishop at his home, per his request." As the dragonslayer looked up he swore the silver knight was vibrating with excitement.
"This is wonderful! Captain I could hug you!" Ledo replied cheerfully. "Please don't." Ornstein said flatly. This made the Sun's Firstborn chuckle, he gave an apologetic grin as Ornstein shot him a look. "Get out of my office, Ledo." He sighed. Leaving quickly Ledo hurried down the hall and took an elevator leading to the city streets. He couldn't help but pinch himself as he made his way to the barracks. He was going to move in with his boyfriend, it was literally a dream come true for him. He might have been a little too excited because when he arrived at the barracks he swung the door open a little too hard causing it to slam against the wall.
Several knights jumped from their beds, upon seeing Ledo one of them cursed at him. Several more glared or threw their pillows at him. "Ledo! Get outta here ya' prick! Some of us have morning patrol!" One knight closest to the door groaned. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you." Ledo whispered. Cautiously he crept across the room and retrieved his trunk from under his bunk. He felt the daggers being glared at him as he hurried out and shut the door behind him. They will be much happier without me there, he thought. His fellow knights weren't terribly close, most felt he was too rebellious and free spirited to be a proper knight. He followed his Lord's will just like all the others, but he chose to ignore orders that were particularly stupid or unreasonable.
Shouldering his weapon and carrying his trunk under his arm he turned down a side street. At the end of an alleyway he came across a patrol. One of the passing knights paused a moment and looked him over. "You're finally being sent away! Praise the gods!" He sneered. "Nope, I'm off to acquaint myself with your mother you flaccid prick!" Ledo grinned. He ducked around the corner as a lightning spear whizzed past his head. The patrol leader began furiously berating the knight, and Ledo used this opportunity to sneak away.
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Havel's house sat next door to the city park and down the street from the training yard. It was a simple two story that looked rather plain and small compared to the grand homes of the nobles that surrounded it. To Ledo's disappointment the door was locked and the lights were out, that meant the Bishop was not home. Tacked to the door was a note, picking it up Ledo read it over.
Key is on top of the doorframe. Make yourself at home, pardon the mess. -H.
Reaching up Ledo searched the frame and found the key. Unlocking the door he stepped inside. Fumbling around in the dark he lit a candle and looked around. He was in what looked like a living room, against a far wall was a woefully neglected fireplace filled with soot. Dust and cobwebs were in abundance in the kitchenette tucked in a corner. The only furniture was a couch and a small dining table with two chairs, all were draped in cloth and coated with dust. Going up the stairs near the doorway he found himself in a bedroom.
Havel's desk was tucked in a corner, up above it was a shelf with scrolls and old books. Over the bed was a large green tapestry decorated with intricate knot work and dragons. Two armor stands sat near the bathroom door one was clearly larger and reinforced to handle his hammer's weight. Along the opposite wall was a bookshelf filled with trinkets and a few ornamental weapons and shields were neatly displayed. The bedroom was clean and orderly, the exact opposite from downstairs.
A moment later it dawned on Ledo that there was only one bed in the room, and it was clearly meant for someone larger than Havel. The implications of this made his face turn red. He had slept next to him many times, but it was usually in his own sleeping bag. This was something new and it had him beaming with excitement.
Setting his weapon down on its new stand he took off his armor. He wouldn't need it until Havel returned so he would unpack and clean the house. Opening his trunk he took out the handful of trinkets he'd collected and set them alongside Havel's on his shelf. One was a dragon statue carved from green stone, another was a beer stein from Catarina. A third one was a ritual dagger from the Northern Realms, and the last one was a stone bead necklace from the Great Swamp. As he laid these out neatly he noticed something sitting on Havel's desk.
Prominently displayed was a simple wooden trinket box, inside a strange magenta colored gem levitated of its own accord. Ledo learned it was worthless but Havel had been overjoyed with the simple trinket. Sliding the trunk under the bed Ledo went downstairs. Searching a closet he found the cleaning supplies and got to work. First he dusted all the furniture, then he cleaned the fireplace and got it lit. Then he cleaned the windows and swept and mopped the floors.
"How does a man live like this?" Ledo asked as he knocked a cobweb from a corner out of reach. But then he had to remind himself that Havel spent most of his time either on the road or in the cathedral. Quietly he decided he would give him a proper welcome home.
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Havel was sore and tired by the time he returned to Anor Londo. After a long trip from Zena he was looking forward to just falling into bed. But he was surprised to see the lights on and smoke lazily drifting from the chimney. He raised an eyebrow as he quietly crept inside. The house was clean from top to bottom and someone had placed a vase of colorful flowers on the table. Something delicious was cooking on the stove, the scent was making his mouth water.
Peering into the kitchen he saw Ledo standing at the stove. He was wearing a dark green tunic and brown pants with black boots. He had his hair tied up in a short ponytail and was humming to himself while he stirred a pot. "Ledo?" Havel asked. Ledo jumped and turned sharply, but quickly relaxed when he saw his boyfriend. "Hey, baby! Welcome home!" He grinned. Kneeling down he gave Havel a warm hug. "Don't do that! I'll get you all dirty!!" Havel tried in vain to push him away.
"You know I don't care!" Ledo smirked. As he stood back up Havel looked around. "I like what you did with the place, it looks like someone actually lives here." He nodded approvingly causing Ledo to grin. "Dinner is almost ready. Would you like to take a bath before you eat?" Ledo asked. "That sounds lovely." Havel replied. Going upstairs Ledo laid out a fresh set of clothes and got a bath ready while Havel took off his armor.
While he was bathing Ledo finished cooking and set the table. He had made a beef stew with a side of vegetables. Sitting down at the table he waited patiently for his boyfriend. A few minutes later Havel joined him and they ate in peaceful silence, it was a pleasant change from the clamor and organized chaos of the dining hall. "This is nice. I wish we could eat like this every night." Havel said quietly. "I'll cook every night if you'd like." Ledo replied happily. Havel laughed softly in response.
As night fell they both got ready for bed. Ledo laid down next to Havel but found himself unable to sleep, he was both nervous and excited. "You know, I've never had one of these before." Ledo said quietly. He felt a warm puff of air against his ear as Havel laughed quietly. "What? A proper bed?" He asked. "No, a home." Ledo replied softly. "Wasn't a home till you got here." Havel murmured sleepily. He couldn't help but smile as he felt Ledo pull him closer in a warm hug. For the first time in ages he really felt like he was home.