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Cheka hummed, waving to the passing students as Yuu carried him through the bustling corridors of Night Raven College. Cheka’s visits were never scheduled — if they were, they wouldn’t happen. Though, even with the element of surprise, Leona always found a way out of it. The role of babysitter had been given to Yuu by Jack, who had been asked by Ruggie, who had been ordered the task by Leona -- and though Yuu enjoyed their time with Cheka, they were a bit spiteful having been forced on child-care duty.
It wasn’t hard to find Leona, he only ever frequented a handful of spots. They found him easily lying under a familiar oak, bathing in the sun. The moment Leona was in sight Cheka wriggled out of their arms. He raced toward Leona, ending his sprint in a pounce that knocked the wind out of his uncle. Even from afar, Yuu could hear Leona huff and hiss.
“There you are,” Yuu chuckled as they caught up to Cheka, “I’m sure you were worried sick looking for your nephew, right?”
Leona heaved as he sat up, Cheka’s arms and legs holding onto Leona like a monkey on it’s mom, doing his best to stay attached to his uncle’s chest.
“Absolutely wrenching with concern,” He hissed trying to pry small hands and legs off of him.
“We found you!” Cheka cheered, “We were looking at all the places you sleep at, unca!”
Leona groaned, finally able to pull the child off him, “And it looks like you had help.” Glaring up at Yuu, Leona sighed.
“Mhm!” Cheka nodded, sitting on the ground, his tail beating the grass behind him. “Yuu helped me!”
“Yes, well--” Leona began, cut off as Cheka blurted out, “Papa doesn’t think they’re real.”
Both Yuu and Leona looked at Cheka. “What do you mean?” Yuu asked, crouching down beside the two.
“He said it wasn’t possible you have a special friend, but I said you did!” Cheka giggled, his tail swinging lightheartedly behind him.
“He said that?” Leona hissed, his tail thumping on the ground beside him, his ears pinned back.
Cheka paused, his tail falling between his legs and his ears turning downwards at Leona’s sudden sour mood. Yuu took Cheka’s hand and chuckled, attempting to break the tension, “Oh, well, maybe Farena’s just being silly?”
Directing their attention to Leona, they continued, “C’mon, play nice. We’re saying goodbye. Zaniu is coming to pick him up soon.”
Still obviously upset, Leona sighed reluctantly and stood. “Yeah, fine.” He mumbled, ruffling Cheka’s hair as he passed by the toddler, making his way towards the hall of mirrors. Yuu and Cheka followed, the latter trying to grab Leona’s tail as they walked only to be hit with it whenever he got close. Yuu watched, both amused and curious how Leona knew where Cheka was without looking.
Cheka puffed his cheeks, pouting as Leona’s tail once more batted his head. He decided to take a new approach and pounced, grabbing onto Leona’s leg. To his credit, Leona continued on, carrying the clingling child the rest of the way to the hall of mirrors. Zaniu was already waiting, his arms crossed. Struggling to walk with Cheka attached to his leg, Leona hissed, “Get your problem child.”
Zaniu grimaced at Leona’s tone, but called Cheka to him, “Young master, come along.”
Cheka pulled himself away, waving goodbye to Leona, Yuu and the rest of campus in the mirror hall.
Zaniu regained himself, putting forward a suitable noble demeanor as he held out a letter and began, “Prince Leona, second heir to the-”
Leona snatched the letter, “Get lost.” He growled.
Zaniu puffed his chest, raising his chin to look down at Leona, despite the latter being considerably taller, “King Kingscholar has requested you come home for the holiday,” he huffed and turned away, though under his breath continued, “Seven knows why he still tries with you.”
Leona growled but Zaniu and Cheka were gone before anything else could be said. Turning on his heel he quickly made his way down the hall, Yuu following after him.
“Leona!” They called, catching up to him. “Don’t let him get to you.”
“I’m not!” Leona hissed, the letter in his hand crumpling as his grip tightened.
Yuu sighed, “You look like you’re trying to take someone out with the way you're batting your tail, you’re not exactly subtle.”
Leona huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Maybe you should go.” Yuu pointed out.
Leona immediately looked to them, his brow furrowed and growling as he spoke, “Why would I? What are you on his side now too?”
“I’m on your side, Leona, and don’t growl at me.” They bit back, “I just thought since it’s a weekend holiday it would be shorter so it may actually be more enjoyable.”
Aside from muttering a brief apology under his breath Leona stayed silent as they made their way back to his room. It didn’t take long. The moment they set foot in the room, Leona shut the door and fell into his bed. He buried his head in the mass of pillows before turning his head to look at Yuu, expectantly.
Yuu fought not to smile. Leona could just be so funny when he wasn’t trying. It was cute. They followed his silent request, sliding off their shoes before climbing beside him and finding a comfortable way to sit. Leona rearranged himself, putting his head onto their lap and Yuu’s hand tangled into his mane out of habit, gently pulling loose the tangles. It didn’t take long to feel a muted rumble coming from Leona’s chest.
“You know, I could see if I could take the weekend off too.” Yuu offered.
Leona let out a long sigh, “Why?”
“I mean,” Yuu paused, “I’d like to meet your family… I feel like it’s something that’s important, you know?”
“No.” Leona responded immediately.
Yuu stopped with his mane, looking down at him, brow furrowed, “What do you mean ‘no’? Do you not want me to meet them?”
Leona cracked open his eyes, looking up, “It’s a waste of time.” He huffed.
Yuu pushed his head off their lap, and stood.
“Yuu— come on!” Leona huffed, sitting up.
“What do you mean it’s a waste of time?” They asked, anger evident as they turned back to face him, “What? ‘Cause I may not be here long enough for it to matter?”
“I didn’t say that,” Leona hissed.
“You said when we started dating that we'd treat this seriously!” They continued.
“I am!” He answered, standing up as well, “Just because I don’t want you to meet my family doesn’t mean I’m not taking us seriously.”
Yuu crossed their arms and sighed. Pinching the bridge of their nose, they stood still for a moment. “I’m sorry.” They sighed, looking back to him, “I just… want this to be normal.” they sighed again, holding their arms tightly.
Leona knew they were homesick. He knew that as the year went by they were losing hope of getting back. Leona sat back down on the bed, “We can go.”
“We don’t have to.”
“I know,” he huffed, lying back down, “I can put up with them for two days.”
—
The Afterglow Savanna was hot and dry. Immediately upon stepping out of the mirror, Yuu covered their eyes to the sun.
Before their vision could adjust they recognized the sound of Zaniu’s shrill voice, “Ah… what a pleasure you’ve decided to join us.” As their eyes adjusted, they squinted at the man. Zaniu was always easy to spot given he was always wearing a similar blue agbada. He continued, looking over to them, “Oh, and you brought company… unannounced, of course.” He tsked.
“Can’t figure out an extra seat?” He chided, making his way past Zaniu and nodding for Yuu to follow.
The palace was made of a warm sandstone and built in a way to have both the natural light and a fair breeze drift through the halls. Art decorated the empty space, drawing Yuu’s eye from piece to piece as they carried on down the hallway.
“You’re going to trip over your own tail if you keep looking around like that,” Leona jabbed, looking down at them, clearly feeling some sort of pride at their wonder.
Yuu rolled their eyes, “I’d be more likely to trip over yours, smartass.”
“Then watch out,” He bit back, grin still present as his tail whipped back to hit their ankle.
Before they could respond the two came to Leona’s room. Setting their bags down, Yuu looked about the room curiously. The room was far larger than his dorm, which wasn’t a surprise but a bit shocking in that they’d never seen a bedroom nearly as extravagant. It was, of course, neatly made and clean, ready for a person to come back to.
Leona fell onto the made bed, a tired sigh leaving his chest as he placed his elbow over his eyes to block the sun.
Yuu clicked their tongue and stared for a moment, admiring their boyfriend sprawled across the bed.
“Don’t tell me you’re taking a nap now.” They hummed, slowly drawing closer.
Seeming to pick up on their tone, Leona peaked from under his arm, his ears up, “I was planning on it. You got a better idea, herbivore?”
Coming to the edge of the bed, they sighed, a bit too put upon to be genuine, “Well, you could say that, but I suppose if you’re too tired…”
They turned to walk away, when in a flash, they felt a pair of strong hands around their waist pulling them down. Leona easily pounced, pinning them to the bed, his knees on either side of their legs with one hand still on their waist, the other above their head, holding his weight.
“I ain’t say that,” Leona hummed, a familiar rumbling sound coming from his chest, tail slowly swishing behind him.
Yuu smiled, they couldn’t help but chuckle. Both happy and because it was just so easy to get him riled up. Yuu placed their hands on his chest, taking their time feeling the hills and valleys of his muscle.
“Didn’t think you were so eager,” Leona began, preening at the admiration, “You got a royalty kink or something?” He teased.
Eventually their fingers met at the button of his shirt, popping it open, “You wish I did.” Yuu smirked, easily undoing the few remaining buttons.
Leona dove down, teeth clacking as they met. The hand on their hip, easily made its way under them, pulling them closer. Yuu complied, arching their back to follow, pressing their body against his. Wrapping their arms around his neck, they carded their fingers through his mane.
Breaking for air, Leona sank further, his lips hovering just beside their ear. He chuckled dryly, the warm air sending shivers down their spine, “You are talking to royalty. Maybe you should act like it.” He murmured.
“Maybe if you acted like royalty, I would.” Yuu whispered, grinning.
“Always something with you,” Leona tutted, sharp canines barely grazing the skin of their neck.
Yuu hummed, settling comfortably under him, purposefully shifting themself against him. Detangling their hands from his hair, they settled their hands on his shoulders feeling their way back before gingerly settling their nails on old scratch marks scattered along his shoulder blades.
“I don’t think you’d like me as much if there wasn’t al—”
A loud knock broke through the room. Both Yuu and Leona jumped, wide eyes locked on the door.
The knock came again.
“Get the door.” Yuu whispered, pushing the Lion off of them. Leona huffed, pulling himself away and quickly redoing the buttons of his shirt as he came to the door. Yuu stood as well, fixing themself as Leona opened the door.
“What?” Leona hissed immediately.
“Brother!” Came a deep jovial voice and with it two arms wrapped around Leona pulling him into an unrequited hug. Yuu watched the scene, covering their mouth to stop the barely contained cackle trying to escape them as Leona literally hissed at his brother.
Falena must have heard their stifled laugh as he looked over Leona’s shoulder, “Ahh and you must be Ruggie? I believe we’ve met?”
Leona elbowed his brother, “Ruggie is a hyena.”
Falena blinked, then laughed, dropping his hand on Leona's shoulder, “Ah yes! Of course.” Looking back at Yuu, he reached out a hand, and instinctively Yuu took it, which was a mistake. Falena’s grip was like iron and they were certain they were about to lose a shoulder, “Leona always brings around such interesting people.” Falena mused, finally letting go of their aching hand. Falena continued, looking down at them, “First the hyena, now a human!”
Yuu furrowed their brow, unable to truly follow what he was saying and instead looked to Leona for some indication of what to do. It wasn’t helpful. Leona was pissed, his tail snapping behind him, arms crossed, glaring at Falena.
Falena turned to his brother and chuckled, once more patting Leona’s shoulder merrily, “Oh come on, don’t be so sour. I’m just saying you’re… open-minded.” Leona looked ready to bite before Falena pulled away, moving towards the door, “Come join us in the lounge. The family’s all keen to hear about your college adventures.”
“No.” Leona huffed, attempting to push Falena out enough to shut the door.
Falena on the other hand seemed to take Leona’s aggression as play and laughed and he fought back. Of course Leona wasn’t enthused and Yuu could easily see this wouldn’t end well.
“We’ll come.” Yuu interrupted, “We just need a minute if that’s fine.”
Both men stopped, Falena glad and Leona looking at them as though they’d just thrown him under a bus.
“Fantastic!” Falena clapped, “Don’t take too long or you’ll miss the food.” He removed himself rather easily once getting what he came for, and it was just the two of you once again.
“What the hell, Yuu?” Leona huffed.
Yuu looked back at him, “We’re here to see them, we should, you know, see them.”
Leona rolled his eyes, grumbling about how he was more keen on their ‘other plans’ than hanging out with a bunch of stuck up aristocrats, but relented. Yuu smiled, and though this is what they wanted, they felt as though a pit had been mined in their stomach. They ambled over to the large ornate mirror hung on Leona’s wall, staring at their reflection.
Yuu and Leona often fought about gifts. Yuu always had a hard time accepting the nice things he wanted to give them given they could never return the favor. It felt awkward to accept something so much more expensive than they could afford. Though when Leona had offered recently to get them something nice to wear home, they were happy to accept. The last thing they wanted was to make a bad impression on his family and the clothes were nice. Stunning even. Hand crafted, beautifully dyed and tailored to fit them— but the longer they stared the more they thought how out of place they looked. Sure they could dress up nice, but these sorts of people always knew… right? Anxiously they tugged and picked at the outfit, trying and failing to make it seem right.
Leona joined them, standing behind them and settling his chin on their head, “What are you doing?”
Yuu huffed, meeting Leona’s gaze in the mirror, “What should I say to them?” They turned to face him, “And what do we say about us?” Running their hands through their hair, they continued, “I get it if you don’t want to tell them we’re dating. I’m just keen to meet them. I appreciate you doing this for me, so I don’t want this to be more difficult than it has to be and—“
“Shh— shh. You’re overthinking this.” Leona mumbled, “Look, the only person there worth making a good impression on is Cheka, and you’ve already done that.”
“Awh, you do like him.”
“Shut up. Point being, Falena is an old fashioned dick, Sarabi is more interested in Cheka and the kingdom’s politics than people and everyone else is a bootlicker.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?” Yuu asked, looking up to him.
“No.” Leona answered easily, “They aren’t worth your worry.” He bumped his forehead on theirs, a gesture they had to learn for the feline beastfolk was affectionate, “It's probably best not to mention dating, as much as I’d like to show you off,” he hummed, wrapping his arms around their waist, “You’ll get a lot more attention if we mention it.”
Yuu nodded, taking a deep breath and sighing. “Right. Okay.” They placed a quick kiss on his cheek, “Thank you.”
Leona nodded, and they broke apart. He held the door open for them, and they began down the halls to the lounge.
“So… what is this holiday anyways?” Yuu asked.
Leona made a sort of half grimace as he drew in a breath, “It’s not a great one.” Leona answered, but continued when Yuu prompted, “It’s the anniversary of a battle from a while back. Pride Rock, which is the city we’re in, threw out all of the hyenas and forced them to live outside the city to what’s now Elephant’s Graveyard. Hundreds of hyenas starved so, of course, we celebrate by having a feast.”
“Oh…” Yuu fumbled looking down at their feet, trying to think of what might be appropriate to say.
“It’s fucked up.” Leona assured them. “I don’t usually do anything for it.”
Yuu nodded idly as they came to the lounge. Even from outside solid wooden doors, they could hear the sound of celebration. Music, cheer and the smell of cooked meats spilled into the hallway as the doors opened. There was an audible pause from the small crowd as they entered, eyes all on Leona. Falena raised a tankard, “Brother! You’ve found us, come, sit, drink!”
The room resumed after that, the doors shutting behind them as they entered. There were about twenty people milling about the room, half of which were already well on their way to being drunk. They felt somewhat relieved by the messy atmosphere, it was far less formal than they were expecting. Falena stood up and clasped Leona’s shoulder, “Ah how fortunate we are to have you with us.”
“Right,” Leona grimaced, shrugging his brother’s hand off.
Falena and his wife were sat at the head of the long banquet table. He gestured to the open setting to his left for Leona to sit. “Come, sit. You have a lot to tell us about!” Falena grinned, He stared at Yuu for a moment as they followed behind Leona, “You hardly needed to bring your servant, we have plenty attending tonight. They can go celebrate with the off-duty staff in the kitchen.”
Leona let out a low growl, his ears pinned back sharp, shoulders tensed, tail whipping. Yuu put their hand on his arm and instead introduced themself.
“I think there may be a bit of a misunderstanding. I’m Yuu. I’m Leona’s friend from school.” They explained through a forced smile.
"Really?" Falena blinked, his surprise unmistakable and unapologetic. "I see..." His eyes lingered on Yuu, studying them intently, before he shook himself out of his reverie. "Well then, come in," Falena beckoned, his tone notably subdued this time.
The two followed him to the head of the table where they sat to his right.
“So! Night Raven College! My mortal enemy,” Falena laughed. Yuu had heard he was a Royal Sword Academy alum. Leona rolled his eyes, “You must like it quite a bit to spend a fourth year there!”
Leona glared, “It’s fine.” Reaching across the table he began to serve himself. Yuu watched, looking at his plate for reference. It was all… meat. Nothing but. He gestured that they could serve themself and their gaze went to the array of cuts and pieces and heads and legs across the table. Overwhelmed, they picked the dish closest to them and took a piece to try. Leona had already begun to eat, so they followed suit.
“Puh—” Falena gestured to Yuu, exasperated, “A whole feast and your companion eats like a deer.”
Yuu looked up, and like Falena’s comparison, felt a bit like a deer in the headlights.
“Do you not enjoy our feast?” Falena asked.
“Oh,” Yuu squeaked, “Of course. Thank you for having me. I—“
“Thank me by eating! Tonight is a night to feast!” Falena grinned, and Yuu carefully put a few more pieces on their plate.
Sighing, Falena looked to Leona, “These herbivore types never appreciate a good feast.”
Yuu cringed inwardly. The term "herbivore" sounded more like an insult coming from Falena than the playful jabs from Leona. Leona barely looked up from his plate, telling Falena to stop bothering Yuu before digging into his own meal with force. Yuu looked back to their plate and picked up their utensils to cut off a bite. They popped it into their mouth and were a bit surprised to find it was sweet, or at least the sauce was. It was syrupy with a bit of spice on very savory meat. Honestly it was a bit much, but not bad.
Falena laughed again, though this time condescending as he turned to his wife and gestured to them. They couldn’t totally make out what he said, but heard ‘flat teeth’ and put the joke together as he mimicked them cutting their food. They looked to Leona, indulged in his own meal, and copied him as he pressed a fork into his food and bit it to tear it apart. They struggled a bit. It was chewier than they were used to.
Falena, ever the charming host, seemed determined to draw Leona into conversation, despite his obvious reluctance. With each pointed question and insincere compliment, Leona's patience wore thinner and thinner. At one point, Falena turned to Yuu with a saccharine smile. "And what about you? How do you find our humble abode?"
Yuu hesitated, unsure of how to respond without offending their host. "It's... lovely," they replied diplomatically, offering a polite smile.
Falena's smile widened, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that didn't escape Yuu's notice. "I'm glad to hear that. We pride ourselves on our hospitality, you know."
Before Yuu could respond, Leona interjected with a scoff. "Hospitality? This is just a thinly veiled attempt to show off."
Falena's expression darkened, his facade slipping for a moment before he regained his composure. "Oh, Leona, always the cynic. Can't you just enjoy the evening for once?"
Leona bristled, his tail lashing behind him. "Enjoy being surrounded by a bunch of pompous hypocrites? No."
The tension in the room became palpable, with whispers and sidelong glances exchanged among the guests. Yuu shifted uncomfortably, feeling like an outsider caught in the midst of a family feud.
A welcome distraction came as a weight was thrown onto their back. They braced themself on the table, but still groaned in pain as their chest hit the stone tabletop.
“Yuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!” Cheka squealed, “You came too!!” He had his arms around their neck hanging off their back and though they felt very loved, they couldn’t breath.
Leona grabbed the back of Cheka’s shirt, lifting him up and Yuu took a deep breath. Leona dropped Cheka once they were breathing normally and immediately Cheka came back, and crawled into their lap. Yuu smiled, opening their arms and letting him up.
“Hey little man,” they wheezed and cleared their throat.
Looking up at them with big round eyes, Cheka’s smile was contagious, “You’re here!” He squealed, “I can show you my room and my toys and my garden and my friends and–”
“Shut up.” Leona huffed, glaring at the child.
Yuu grinned, “Awh, jealous?”
He rolled his eyes.
“Cheka is a warm soul, but for him to run to you instead of his uncle, well, it’s unusual,” Sarabi hummed, looking over to Yuu with a curious eye.
“I told you about Yuu!” Cheka huffed, “Yuu is Unka’s special friend.”
For the first time both Falena and Sarabi’s gaze targeted ghem.
“My dear, when you say special friend, what is it you mean?” Sarabi asked.
Leona glared at Cheka, his fork held with white knuckles as he whipped his tail.
Yuu chuckled awkwardly, “Oh I just spend a lot of time in the Savanaclaw dorm. I have some friends who—”
Sarabi simply raised a finger and Yuu fell silent. Once more she looked to Cheka.
“Uhh I meannn they’re special friends.” Cheka hummed, tapping his tail in thought. “Like mommy and daddy.”
Falena stood, fists on the table, chair pushed far behind him, “WHAT?”
Leona quickly matched him standing up as well, ears pinned back, shoulders tense as he squared up. Poor Cheka cowered, hiding his face in Yuu’s chest. Once more the room fell silent.
Falena bristled, looking between the two, “Tell me brother right now that this is not true.”
“Oh fuck off.” Leona hissed.
Sarabi stood then with a grace unbefitting of the situation. Sweeping to their side she took Cheka from them, who immediately wrapped his legs and arms around his mother.
“You three, take it outside.” She muttered before turning to the onlookers, “Please all, there is still so much to eat and drink. We must celebrate our victory and our heritage. To our pride!” She raised a drink. The crowd cheered and with that the three made a swift exit.
Entering a nearby lounge room Falena quickly turned back to Leona, “Is it your goal to make a fool out of me?”
“You do that pretty well without me.” Leona bit.
Falena puffed his chest, “Don’t mock me. I have done everything I can to have you here brother, but you choose to ruin yourself!” He shouted his voice shaking the room, “All this sulking! All these bridges you burn. You embarrass us! The monarchy! The family! You flunk school, you sleep all day and now this! I had hoped you’d have some shame left in you but to partner yourself with some magicless, statusless human?!” Falena gestured to them.
It would have been kinder to simply shoot an arrow into their chest the way their heart broke. Apologies jumped in their chest, itching to make their way to their lips. Sorry for coming. Sorry for being here. Sorry to have thought they’d be allowed. Sorry for being so stupid, so ugly, so small. The grandiose room felt giant around them. Their clothes felt like a costume that didn’t fit. Falena was right though, wasn’t he? They were an embarrassment to Leona. Even at school people would say it. Much of Savanaclaw thought Yuu wasn’t good enough.
Yuu was brought out of their shock by the crisp sound of knuckles striking face. They watched nearly in slow motion as Leona’s fist made contact with Falena forcing the man to stagger back.
“If you ever talk about them like that again, Falena, I will bury you in the plot next to our parents.” His voice was a growl barely contained in his chest rumbling with a sincerity that was unmistakable.
Turning on his heel he tucked Yuu under his arm and pulled them to leave. They stumbled along with him down the sandstone halls now painted a bleak blue in the evening light.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t start,” Leona huffed.
Yuu frowned. “You didn’t want to come. I shouldn’t have pushed it. It’s my fault.”
Leona stopped outside his room and turned to them, “If I thought he’d say some shit like that I wouldn’t have let you come. That was a new low for him. It’s not your fault he’s a racist asshole who can’t keep his mouth shut. I want you to see my home and I’m not going to let him ruin it.” He bit, stepping inside and gathering their bags.
Yuu blinked, “What are you doing?”
“We aren’t staying here after that. There are plenty of other spots in the city worth seeing.” Hiking the bags over his shoulder. Yuu followed behind him, their mind constantly replaying Falena’s words. They couldn’t shake the feeling that no matter how much Leona denied it to them, it had some truth to it.
Leona made some calls and a car came to pick them up. They stopped in front of a hotel where the front staff seemed already aware of their arrival. They handed Leona a card and took the bags from him. Magic or otherwise when they got to their room the bags were already there. It was luxurious, but still dull in their eyes.
Yuu sat on the edge of the bed, pulling the clips from their hair and removing the jewelry from their person. Though it was all authentic they couldn’t help feeling as though it looked fake on them.
“Yuu,” Leona mumbled, sitting beside them, nuzzling himself onto their shoulder, “None of what he said about you is true, don’t let the opinion of a rich bastard in your head. It’s not worth your time.”
Yuu sighed, letting their hands fall to their lap, “I mean… he’s not the only one who thinks that.”
“It doesn’t matter what people think,” Leona huffed, “Fuck them.”
“You could do better than me.” Yuu mumbled. It’s what everyone was beating around, subtly or not. The prince of a nation should have a better partner, someone practiced and poised, someone magic and beastial and just better than them.
They expected Leona to argue, try to placate them with words they wouldn’t believe, however instead, they found themself being lifted up and tackled. They hardly were expecting to be moved so it was with great ease Leona pinned them to the bed.
“I could do better?” He asked, “Really? You think I could find someone else to put up with me?”
They rolled their eyes.
“I’ve been sitting here worrying my ass off that you’d realize you could find someone half the work I am, and you’re telling me I can do better?” Leona huffed, leaning down to the crook of their neck.
Yuu huffed a half hearted chuckle, “You’re just easily jealous.”
“Obviously,” he bit. It caught Yuu a bit off guard given he’d usually not admit to a character flaw without some heavy prodding. “Obviously, I’m jealous. I don’t want someone else to take you away. You’re the best thing to happen to me in a long time.” His voice hovered just above a whisper with a soft sincerity that was hard to miss.
Snaking their arms around him, they pulled him into a close hug, “You’re sweet, Leona.”
He pulled back, pressing a chase kiss on their forehead, “Just for you.”