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Their mission was officially a success.
Not only did Madeleine and Espresso manage to locate the legendary Soul Jams; they found them still intact and attached to their respective ancient heroes! It had been no easy quest, months of traveling, alone or as a pair, battling foes and dragons on the way. -Espresso had insisted on making a detour to help Parfaedia fight, which Madeleine didn’t oppose of course! The paladin wasn’t the type to back away from a giant, fire-breathing, sharp-toothed, and swift-clawed dragon. Not at all. Easy peasy…-
All those adventures culminated in the ultimate face-off against Dark Enchantress goons, right in their homeland. They had once again saved all of the Crème Republic, with the help of their trusty friends and the ancients.
But most important of all, with the help of Espresso’s wonderful, amazing, genius new invention: the magic candies.
Madeleine did his best to be the scientist’s shield after he realized that he, the great knight commander himself, did not amount quite as much to anything, not next to his way less fortunately born and yet endlessly resourceful companion.
It was a challenging and bitter pill to swallow initially, a deep blow to his ego even. But never, at any point, had Madeleine ever resented the coffee mage for what was his own shortcomings. Espresso was brilliant, headstrong, talented, and hardworking. He played by his own rules and did everything to win, no matter what. -Even if that meant becoming a criminal and running from the law.- How could the Paladin ever compare?
If Madeleine’s task was simply to shield and help the mage instead of playing the leading role, the way he thought he would, then so be it. The Paladin found himself ok with that.
A realization he came to relatively late.
It was all over for now. The Crème Republic was peaceful once more, and the Soul Jams were to be brought home, along with their owners.
Their mission was a success.
Now it was time to part ways.
Like a proper gentleman, Madeleine offered his protection to the counsul, along with seeing the ancient hero off with an amicable farewell. They traveled all the way back to the Pure Vanilla kingdom, in the old continent.
The place Espresso would soon reside.
Clotted Cream went to bid his formal thanks and goodbyes, always flanked by his most trusted guard, Financier. While Espresso ran off to his businesses the moment they touched land. The Kingdom was bustling, celebrating their victorious return, or packing with haste, longing to go back home.
However, this wasn’t Madeleine’s case. His pace was slow as he took in the sight around him. Not really to commit it to memory. He didn’t need to. Instead, he was analyzing the old crumbling walls, mixed with the new and amateurish constructions. He tried to imagine Espresso’s days in this place. Would he truly fit in? There was only one inn after all. Granted, the man did voice his appreciation for their coffee, but would their little developing kingdom really be enough? The place was shabby and full of kids.
Ah, but then again, Espresso wasn’t one for luxury living. And, even if he never said it aloud, Madeleine had the feeling the professor did enjoy the company of youngsters. He was still a school teacher all things considered.
With a reluctant sigh, Madeleine thought he could, maybe, trust this place to take care of his quest partner. Yes, he would be happy here. Or at least he would be for a while. Madeleine tried to convince himself.
Madeleine stopped near Strawberry Crepe’s wafflebot hangar. He thought this would for sure be the place where he would find Espresso. It seems the commander had it wrong once again, Espresso truly kept surprising him. Truth be told, the scientist had bolted out of the airship the moment they landed, stating he had to talk to some people in the kingdom urgently for his move, leaving Madeleine in the dust, unable to follow him.
The paladin would be lying if he didn’t admit this hurt his feelings, even if just a little bit.
Well then! The professor was certain to show up here soon enough. Madeleine could take a small tour while waiting for him. It would satisfy some of his curiosity, while he also made sure this was a suitable place for his friend to reside in.
Quite a few boxes were scattered around, clearly belonging to the scientist. The paladin stopped in front of one, hesitating for a second. No, he was not nosy enough to open one and look through Espresso’s belonging! He’d never!
Madeleine hovered around the boxes for a bit, wondering if he could, perhaps, slip something in there. A gift, or a souvenir for Espresso to remember him by.
He got startled out of his pondering before he could make up his mind.
“My. It seems I already have an intruder. Should I call the guards?” A light mocking tone rang not far from behind.
Madeleine turned around in a quick motion, his whole body tense, ashamed to have been caught. He was met with Espresso’s signature slight smirk and joking eyes.
“Ha ha! No need for such things, dear Espresso! I was making sure the parameters were safe. I’m happy to announce there is no such thing as an intruder around this building.”
The Paladin got back into his usual cheery attitude fast, striking a pose for good measure. All he got in response was a snort from the professor, who approached until he was at an acceptable talking distance.
“Really? I doubt anyone would be hiding inside my personal effects. I sure hope you are not using this as an excuse to look through my equipment. “ The end of Espresso’s speech got suddenly cold; the man was deadly serious.
Madeleine spluttered for a second, stepping aside, away from the boxes, hands raised as if to show he had nothing to hide.
“Why! I’d never! I was making sure everything looked intact, for your sake! I know you hold all of it very dear. I would hate to leave you alone here with faulty or broken equipment.“
Espresso’s eyes softened. He glanced down at his pile of neatly packed gadgets and tools. The boxes looked untouched indeed. His posture relaxed again with a sigh, raising his arms slightly, palms up, and a dismissive look on his face.
“I do not recall asking for your assistance. “
“You need not. I’m more than happy to help you however I can. You know that.” It was Madeleine's immediate answer. He did not even think before talking. That was arguably one of his worst habits. At least, one Espresso clearly wasn’t too fond of.
The scientist looked taken aback by the sincerity of the other man’s words. It’s not like Madeleine never said those sorts of things to him before! But to his chagrin, Espresso never trusted or accepted any of his words. Right now was no different, as he could see the cold coffee-shaped pupils scan him up and down, skeptical.
The coffee mage then turned to his side, breaking eye contact, arms crossed.
“If you say so. Well, your help is no longer needed here. You are free to go. I wouldn’t want you to miss your flight.” He said, voice flat
Madeleine’s smile fell, replaced with a forlorn expression. He was used to Espresso putting so much distance between them, despite his best effort. He had accepted that his travel companion, well, now former travel companion, wasn’t one for eye contact. Espresso would often guard himself in this manner. It usually meant a conversation made him uneasy for whatever reason.
There was something Madeleine didn’t understand, why was his attempt at genuine friendship and care constantly met with this reaction?
Even more so on this parting day.
“Espresso.” The paladin started, his voice lower than usual. Piquing the concerned man’s interest, Espresso turned his gaze slightly toward Madeleine again. “Are you so quick in wanting me gone, that you won’t even grace me with proper goodbyes?”
The mage turned his eyes away again, silent for a couple of seconds. Madeleine’s breath stopped in waiting.
He sincerely thought they had made progress in their relationship, especially after all they went through together. After all the traveling and the banters, some arguably more friendly than others. And not to forget, after that day in the Republic where Espresso blessed him with one of his genuine laughs, and what Madeleine would call words of support toward his newfound goal and resolutions.
Yet here Madeleine stood, being given the cold shoulder again, and fearing having to walk away with no farewell, no honest last talk before they would part ways for witches know how long. Those seconds of silence were agony for the paladin.
Truly, only Espresso could have that sort of power over him.
When Espresso finally turned back toward him, it felt like one of the most tremendous reliefs Madeleine had ever experienced. The mage still wouldn’t meet his gaze, but this would do just fine. The paladin didn’t need anything more from him.
“I guess it would only be proper for me to.” The professor quietly said.
The smile returned to Madeleine’s face. He took a step forward, closing the gap between the both of them, his heart soaring when Espresso made no move to step away from him.
“I will miss you, my friend.”
Espresso's head shot up at those words, eyes blown wide, not expecting those kinds of declaration. His mouth hung open for a second. Madeleine found some pride in leaving the smart and quick-witted professor speechless. The paladin continued before the other man could regain his words.
“It was my utmost pleasure and honor to work alongside someone as brilliant as you. And to have been your shield throughout it all.” He took a deep breath “I have no doubt your expertise will do wonders here.”
Espresso blinked up at him a couple of times, then shook his head, a little smile creeping up his lips.
“Let’s be honest, your shields would’ve been useless without me covering your rear in return.”
Ah, a classic Espresso deflect. However, this only made Madeleine’s smile grow.
“You are right. That is why we worked so well together, isn’t it?”
That question got another snort out of Espresso, his eyebrows shooting up in evident surprise. It is true Madeleine was more often flaunting his own talents, and would rarely acknowledge others in return. But Espresso was different, and this was the honest truth.
“Don’t get too hurt out there without me around to babysit you.” Espresso shot back with a now visible smile.
Madeleine couldn’t stop himself. He took Espresso’s hands in both of his gauntleted ones.
“I promise.”
The gesture and sincerity surprised Espresso even more. The man glanced down at their hands clasped together, then back up to meet his eyes once again. There was a moment of silence between the two before Espresso found his voice again.
“Since when are you this serious?”
Madeleine laughed, bowing his head a bit at the comment. He always thought of himself as a serious person, a diligent paladin. Until the man before him made him rethink this aspect of himself.
“I guess that’s all thanks to you and your positive influence, professor.” That was his heartfelt reply, adding a wink at the end of it, for good measure.
Espresso once again adverted his gaze, but he never made a move to free his hands nor step away. His brows furrowed, a small and adorable pout on his lips. Was this how the professor looked when he was flustered?
The sight made Madeleine feels butterflies in his stomach, his throat contracting with affection, his cheek hurting due to the dumb wide smile on his face. All this time, he knew he had developed a rather strange fondness for the other man, as he learned to understand him, realizing how truly amazing he was. But there was no more doubt in his mind now.
The promise of goodbye and time apart made him finally come to terms with just how much he cherished him. How much he was going to miss him, him and his snarky banter and his smug attitude. Madeleine realized that maybe fondness was no longer an appropriate word to qualify his feelings.
What a tragedy it had to all make sense only now.
Espresso recomposed himself, facing him fully once again.
“Goodbye, Madeleine. Stay safe. “
The mage cocked his head slightly to the side, his, oh so genuine, so gentle, so beautiful smile on his lips. A smile that was so inviting to Madeleine.
“I will…” The paladin breathed out.
He felt himself lean slowly forward, his body moving without his consent. Espresso’s eyes left his, darting at Madeleine’s lips, then back up to his eyes again. A stupid and loud part of the paladin’s brain screamed that this was an invitation, that he’d be foolish not to take it.
But once again, Madeleine prided himself as a gentleman.
His movement halted.
He couldn’t be sure that this was what Espresso wanted. That this would be something the estimated coffee mage would be consenting of. Furthermore, Madeleine thought it cruel to burden the man with that affection, not right before parting ways. It didn’t feel right to Madeleine.
So he did the next best thing, raising one of Espresso’s hand to meet his lips. He closed his eyes and gave the hand a reverent kiss.
“Goodbye, Espresso. May we see each other again soon.”
Madeleine let go.
Espresso’s face was flustered once again, but he did not flee Madeleine’s gaze. The paladin flashed him one last smile, gave a courteous bow, and made his way out of the hangar, head high, like nothing had happened.
Despite his brain screaming, yelling in excitement and in agony. It urged him to go back to the other man. A small voice told him that he could never show his face to Espresso again after that. But another one was celebrating not being rejected, while also mourning what more he could’ve taken from the other man.
He walked back to the airship, being the last one to board before flying away, hoping none of this inner conflict showed in his expression.
Back in the Wafflebots hangar, Espresso clutched his hand to his chest. He wore a pained look on his face, one Strawberry Crepe wouldn’t miss pointing out later.