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Gepard was a happy man today.
Well, for the last couple days really, if he were to be beside his duties and admit it outright. But for these last 24 (now 10) hours. From the moment he woke up and watered his surprisingly lively flowers, to where he was now, managing the Frontlines and preparing a hopefully quick speech that Madam Bronya insisted he announce, Gepard Landau’s heart was not as heavy as usual. His comrades, his subordinates- the Silvermane Guards could tell. His sister could tell, but that was no surprise. Pela, with all her overbearing and somewhat unapproachable nature, could tell.
His guards especially, as there were more alive to celebrate and witness his higher spirits with their own.
“We’re expanding Belobog’s borders.” He announced at last to his troops, masking his pride and satisfaction creeping onto his face. “Our Supreme Guardian, Madam Bronya, has officiated out advancement into the uncharted eastern territories. We’ll begin our campaign in sixteen days’ time. Your break? Eight.” A beat of silence before the head captain continued. “Don’t expect me to go easy on you once you return. I will not.” His quiet sigh was one of relief when his brave soldiers replied without hesitation. Underneath those helmets and geomarrow forged armor were his comrades. The ones he’s fought with, tooth and nail for the safety and sanctity of Belobog. If he, their captain and shining example of absolute resolve and tenacity was stirred by this uplighting news, then how do they feel?
It was an honest question, but one he felt was somewhat silly- ashamed even to have at this point.
“Just for this occasion…please, take off your helmets.”
And what struck the Head Captain was not arrows nor monsters, but rows of faces. Ones that were silently crying, smiling and attempting to put on a brave face even now, just as he had been. Faces that he could put to name and never forget. Faces that had joined him, that had stayed with him and bared the cold fronts. The sounds of their past victories always reached Gepard’s ears, and only now did they reach his eyes.
They had not lost anyone in seven months. The longest lack of casualties in Belobog’s armed forces to date.
Gepard finally said what was on his mind. “At the same time, don’t think for a moment longer that I am not thankful to you all. Because I am. And after the events of the previous Supreme Guardian’s passing, the Stellaron’s turbulence, and Stel- the Trailblazers’ insistent and successful efforts, the belief that things would get better was a cautious one. Yet they did. Regardless of our hesitation, our doubt, and disbelief. It is large in part thanks to them I can say the things I’m about to now. That I have become more susceptible to this belief and have witnessed it through myself and you all. To that I say, Silvermane Guardians of Belobog…Thank you. For surviving to see this day come to fruition and for protecting Belobog’s citizens with me. For all that you’ve done and continue to do, thank you.”
Gepard intended to keep that truth, this pride and smile, and extend it for as long as he could.
The streets of the Administrative District were busy as usual, the news of the Supreme Guardian’s upcoming announcement only just reached some ears. It took little wonder how it leaked so quickly.
Gepard did not mind. Given the gravity of the good news, it was bound to be known before the assigned date. He was aware he had no room to judge as he barely contained his smile while on patrol, fully intending to do the same with his loved ones. He stopped by Serval’s workshop. Is she here?
“Hey Geppie~” His older sister greeted him with a hug. “I heard the news from Pela. Big moment, eh?” He surprised himself by reciprocating the hug but didn’t shy away from his cheerfulness. “It is.” His eyes scanned the room.
“Aww. I bet you’re just dying to tell her. Don’t sweat it, big sister will be here, now go! I saw her right out front.” She saw right through him. A quick nod in thanks before he left.
Gepard deflated a bit when he checked his phone. The text had only just sent. Where is she? His cold eyes filled with dread as they glued on the nearest set of trash cans.
It was Dunn who vocalized it. “You know what must be done, sir. We’ve asked the ones stationed at the plains and the backwater pass areas.” Gepard could only sigh in response as he slowly approached the can lids.
…
He was usually so good at keeping his feelings in check. Yet as he came face to face with his rival, all that was on his face was repulsion.
Gepard opened the trash cans.
…
Nothing.
Well, that’s good…
What wasn’t so good was the unforgiving putrid stench of waste. Quickly weaving his head away, Gepard recalled the job description of being a Captain- keenly aware that rummaging through Belobog’s waste bins was not one of them.
I can’t believe I’m about to do this.
Before any citizen or passing guard could fathom what the head captain was up to, he dragged the half full can up in the air and drummed his Geomarrow arm armor against it’s steel surface.
Silence. And then…
“Hi Gepard!” A happy voice called out to him matching the mildly exasperated one.
The head captain had to wonder if he should be more concerned about this being more effective than calling or how he’d look if it didn’t.
“Excuse me for a moment.” Was all the captain said before leaving the can in another guard’s arms and walking towards the ash gray haired head that popped up from the the Goethe Hotel stairway trash can.
He was so ready to give her a piece of his mind, but the moment those rigid ice blue eyes laid on the creature scavenging through the souring material in the cans depths, Gepard felt himself smile.
“Stelle, what did I tell you about rummaging through our cans?” He gently reprimanded, taking out a clean cloth he now recently stored in his armor.
“Hehe. Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” It was a half-hearted apology, and he accepted it from her as he started his routine of wiping her face.
“I struggle to find what temptations are in the garbage bin that have you resisting in the first place. Hm, turn your head, you have something there.”
An all too eager reply. “Loads of stuff! Old manuscripts, failed recipes, love letters…I’m telling you, all of the citizens’ lives are right here!”
“Mhm. Okay. Sure.” Gepard was trying really hard not to comment on his girlfriend’s questionable form of prying. Or how that last bit sounded. Instead, he focused his efforts on scrubbing. “Did you get my text? I know the frontlines connection issues are still shoddy.”
“I did.” She squirmed a bit in his hold. But his grip was firm. “It’s not like you to leave stuff to surprises. I’m kind of excited. According to the echoes of the all-knowing dumpster, so are the citizens.”
All knowing wha-… “N-nevermind….that.” Gepard smiled. He had finished. What stared back at him was the bright eyed Trailblazer he fell in love with.
“Ahem. All I’ll say for now is that their excitement is warranted.”
“Hmm. Is that so?” He leaned in. The chilly air of Belobog dissipated as their faces drew closer.
“Yes.” Just barely touching, small breaths could be felt on each other’s cheeks. A tantalizing warmth any single Belobog resident would be jealous of.
If Gepard didn’t ruin it by yanking Stelle out of the trash.
Setting his human danger raccoon aside, Gepard closed the trash can lid. “Don’t let me catch you digging through this again.”
“Sir, yes sir!” He glared at her.
“Stelle.”
“Sorry.” He wasn’t mad. Out of all the nicknames and jokes passed between them, imagining her as one of his own subordinates felt…odd to say the least.
“No, no. Not that…U-um…”
No matter how many times they’ve had this conversation, seeing her- even if it was for an hour or two, covered in grime orsnow, right next to him(preferably) or a twinkling light beyond the stars- Gepard felt warm. A heat that never diminishes as it spread past his armor and onto his skin, flushing his face and relaxing the accumulated tension within.
Swiftly turning around, he held her shoulders and met her eyes for one brief moment before kissing her cheek.
“See you later tonight?”
He felt her hair brush against him. “Yeah, I’ll be there.” He couldn’t tell if the one smiling was her or himself, and Gepard was a bit too nervous in this public setting to find out.
A small wave was exchanged before the pair separated for the time being.
He wasn’t the type to outright ignore his feelings, but he had enough self-restraint and decorum to keep the urge to go back and hug her away. For now.
“In a good mood sir?” Dunn asked in passing. They were on there way back to their last posts for a while. It was a redundant question. It was evident on his face, in his complexion, despite the silence. But he gave it some thought anyways.
“Yes, Dunn. I think- no…I am.” Gepard could sense him smiling through his helmet.
“Good luck on your date then~”
“Dunn, I will make you run the entirety of Backwater before your vacation.”
“Sorry.”
Gepard Landau was a happy man today. Mostly thanks to her. He felt a little giddy, like a child. To think that this happiness would last longer. And there’s still 1o more hours left of it. Maybe more.