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Leo has been preparing for this day since it was announced, the annual “bring your children to work day”. As of last year, Leo wasn’t able to participate because he didn’t exactly have a youngin’ of his own, but this year was going to be absolutely different. A surge of excitement filled his body once this day was posted on the board in the commons room— it was the one day the Captain got to show his son the true ins and outs of his job, his pride and joy.
From then on, Leo slowly built a little corner dedicated to his son while he grinded through the never-ending reports. Toys, treats, trinkets, books, and little doodles Chase made and gifted to the Captain were dedicated to that corner with such love. Leo loved what his son gave to him, and he wanted to give back in full capacity. A few days before the “Children’s Day” rolled around— the King entered his office with the same exhausted flourish that the Captain was accustomed to. With a lopsided smile, Leo left his desk and knelt down low—his knee touching the ground like an angel kissing the earth, head bent low, and arms resting in such a position worthy of a knight severing the King.
“Your majesty,” Leo said airily, touching the wooden floor with a gloved hand. He watched as the King’s boot stopped right at the very ground Leo bowed, then a boot moved back. “Rise.”
“Sir,” Leo stood, folding his hands behind his back— his features neutral. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“…Well,” The King slid an eye to the kindly decorated corner, then to the Captain with a minute smile. “I am simply here to check on you. You’re always so engrossed in your work, it’s almost disheartening. Yet, I was hoping to break that religious taboo of yours and send you home early tomorrow for Children’s Day.”
Leo’s brows rose. The King smiled widely— revealing more of his teeth through the curtains of his gently graying mustache. “Although, I’m glad to see that you have also prepared effectively for this day. It is safe to say that you’re excited…?”
“Beyond ecstatic, sir,” Leo beamed, just barely keeping his composure tight. “I cannot wait for my son to see how we work down here. Hopefully, it will be the catalyst of inspiration for him! Ooh, or maybe an opportunity for him to make some friends! O-oh, I am well aware that dear Constatine has two daughters of his own— maybe Chase will befriend them first… ”
The King’s expression softened even further at the mention of his subordinates' children— a kind reminder of his own. “Actually, if you don’t mind…” He trailed off, watching as Leo’s brows furrowed when he realized he was talking too much. “I was wondering if my Luke could meet with your son…?”
The Captain stood there for a bit— allowing his mind to piece together many different thoughts and feelings about his dear Chase meeting with the highest power in the Kingdom… then he stopped, pursing his lips and sighing low. “It would be my honor,” Leo nodded. “I’m under the impression that the prince doesn’t really interact with anyone else outside of you and his servants?”
“Essentially,” The King sighed— his aging features now too visible on his face. “He’s spoken a few times to royalty of neighboring kingdoms and fellow captains, but he is yet to meet someone of his age group. It is nonetheless myself but to blame, since things have gotten hard since my wife passed away-“
Leo held up a hand, frowning slightly, but allowing for some room for the King to react. “I understand, sire. Pardon my rudeness, but it is in my place to hold the burden of some of your long-standing difficulties. If not for me, your own personal guards.”
“…You are too kind,” The King sighed. “Think nothing of it, I will return soon.”
Leo nodded— finally bowing low and beckoning the king off. Once the door shut behind him, the Captain let out an uncharacteristic squeal.
The day was coming soon— he had only one job: to wait.
.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖⋆
Seven moons passed, leaving the night before “Children's Day” shared between the father and his dark-haired son. They cuddled under the sheets together, Leo holding his dear Chase tight, while Chase lay sprawled across the sheets, the two basking in the moments under the crawling light of the sun. Chase finally snorted awake when the sun snuggled in a warm spot in the sky, the boy ripping off the sheets and jumping on the bed with unmatched joy.
“Papa!! Papa!!” He yelled, watching as Leo snorted slightly, yet barely opened his eyes. With a pout, Chase got louder. “Pa pa!!! ” He whined, jumping flat on the bed and kicking his legs furiously. “It’s time to get up!”
Leo finally cracked open his eyes, blinking acutely as Chase shoved his face as close to Leo’s face as possible— a warm smile beamed on his rosy cheeks. The Captain could only hope but to return it gently— pitching Chase’s cheek as he yelped. “That’s for jumping on my bed, kiddo,” Leo purred, then smiled wider, his eyes creasing with his mouth in tandem. “Morny Chase.”
“Good morning!!” Chase perked, standing up to jump on the bed again. “Let’s get ready! Let’s go go go go go!!”
Leo sighed, running a hand through his bangs. Today was to mark the most joyful occasion in his life— both of their lives. And he just couldn’t help but to fall in love more with the boy he found on the coast one day.
The duo prepared together— Leo helping the bright eight-year-old get ready— sitting in the bath together and even brushing their teeth together. Leo pulled the little of Chase’s growing hair into a low ponytail, letting the tied hair sit on the boy’s shoulder, then focused on his own braid, weaving fingers in and out of the matrices of his hair. Leo fitted Chase into a warm vest, the color matching his ebony locks of hair– not akin to the white shirt that was bound by the leather sleeve garters that cupped Chase’s forearms— shorts that stopped right above the boy’s knees, a vest and tie chained to the middle button on the vest, socks that crawled to the boy’s knees and loafers that Leo couldn’t stop from admiring. Leo, in tandem, bore the uniform befitting of a Captain– the epaulettes, various ribbons and medals, the royal crest twinkling in the morning sun, while two aiguillettes dangled from his shoulder as he plugged multicolor earrings throughout the various holes in his ears, before fitting the laurel onto his head— the clear and evident sign of his Captainhood. They then walked into the kitchen, where Juna and Uncle Thomas waited with smiles.
Thomas bent down to Chase’s level, reaching out a hand to ruffle the boy’s hair. “Are you excited for today, champ?”
Chase merely beamed, shaking his hands excitedly. “Yes! Yes yes yes yes! Papa said he has a surprise for me!!” He shook Thomas’s hand with an excited bounce. “But he says it's a secret and he won’t tell me.” Chase finally pouted, throwing Thomas’s arm and pouting deeply
Thomas gave a wry look at Leo, who put a hand on his hip and smirked. “That’s the whole point, kiddo.”
Juna turned from the kitchen counter, nestling a metal bowl of eggs on her hip while whisking in an urgent fashion. A distant smirk growing on her face. “Glad to see someone’s excited,” She purred, pointing the whisk at her nephew. “Just don’t break anything, alright, Chasey?”
Chase nodded with a grunt. “You got it, Aunty Juna!”
“Attaboy,” She winked, then turned back to the task in front of her. It was a beautiful scene— one that Leo couldn’t help but to play back in his mind over and over… The clatter of the dishes, the smooth running of water from the tap accompanied by Chase’s rambling and Grandfather Thomas’s staccato’d grunts… it almost made Leo wonder if this was his mornings with his parents when they were still alive. A clenched jaw faded into a morose smile. Grandfather Thomas clapped a hand on Leo’s shoulder, ripping the Captain away from his thoughts with a proud smile on his aging features.
“Hazel, your father, would’ve been proud of you,” He said strongly, watching as Chase dangled his feet on the chair, humming something of a familiar tune while swaying to the sizzling of the eggs. “What you’ve built here is something for you to be proud of– rebuilding your father’s property from the ground up is no simple feat… and now you’re sharing that opportunity with your own kin.”
Thomas looked at Leo straight in the eye– past his glasses–while tears rimmed his eyes. “Go on, enjoy this day one step at a time. Juna and I will hold the fort.”
Leo nodded, pulling Thomas into a hug– burying his face in his chest with a staggered sigh. “Thank you, grandfather.”
.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖⋆
After eating, Leo and Chase rushed to the stables and paddock for their journey northeast to the castle. The Captain quickly tacked up Aether, his beautiful white-grey stallion with a naturally curled mane and a long tail that climbed to his cannon, while Chase dashed around with the equipment, bridles and reins spilling from his arms— nothing more powerful than an eight-year-old struggling to bring a saddle to his father. Finally, once the duo tacked up the stallion to a T – his breastplate patterned with the crest of the City Branch, followed with the breeching that mirrored the breastplate in the same manner. Leo pressed his face against Aether’s nose. Words being transmitted through silence.
I need you to be calm, okay, boy? Leo whispered kindly through his thoughts, Aether merely snorting in a taunting manner. I’m serious— you could really hurt us both if you’re not careful.
This One can handle himself! Aether said proudly, pawing the ground with a hoof covered by a brass horseshoe that shone silver under the rays of the sun. This One has protected His Boy from many bad people. He can handle The Small One. This One learned from Mother how to be gentle. This One will not disappoint.
A soft smile and a hand ran through his curls. “Thank you,” The Captain said out loud, breaking away from Aether with a kiss. Then, with a crooked smile, Leo focused his attention on the beaming child on his left. Chase tugged on Leo’s pants. “When do I get to ride… uh.. E…”
“Aether?” Leo tilted his head slightly to the side, gently feeling as his braid hung on his shoulder. Chase pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. “I-I was getting there! Eater.”
“Aether,” Leo corrected with a smirk. “Come on now, you’ve been messing around my horses for months now.”
Chase frowned. “But I never see him.”
“...Hm,” The Captain grunted finally, a solemn look on his face. While it occurred to him that he had never actually been around on the ranch enough to hang with Chase, he truly didn’t expect the effects to be this painful. He loved the boy– he was like some sort of sun that Leo just wanted to give and keep giving to. What they had both lost was found between them. Leo wanted to honor that to the fullest. With a sigh, Leo picked up Chase from the ground– wrapping his hands around the boy’s pits and hoisting him high above his head… then Leo frowned, lowering Chase a bit. He’s too short for this. Two shorts don’t make a tall positive. Chase kicked his legs and arms about, as if being lifted like this wasn’t something of a privilege. “ Chase,” Leo found himself whining as he pulled his son away from Aether’s side. “Stop kicking so I can put you on his back.”
“No!” Chase yelled, kicking even harder because he just wanted to at this point. “I wanted to do it by myself!”
Leo finally set Chase down, watching as tears formed in his eyes as he stomped on the ground with a screech, “I want to be like you! Papa is so cool when he mounts and rides and jumps and trains! I see it all! I want to be as cool as you!”
The Captain looked with a weary eye– finally bending down to Chase’s level and wiping his tears with a gloved thumb. “You are as cool as Papa, didn’t you know that? Not only that, but super strong too.” He paused to smile softly– looking Chase right in his golden eyes.. Just like Leo’s own. “I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long, but I’ll make it up to you– right here and right now. You are Chase Winpar, the best son I could ever ask for.”
Chase looked up with a minute smile. “Really?”
“Really. Now, do you want to try this again?”
Chase merely beamed—the smile of a proud eight-year-old who shone brighter than the sun, nodding his head rapidly while Leo gently took him by the hand. The duo stepped up the stacks of hay that Leo had lined up in a small corner of the paddock, then stopped with a nod. Leo then pulled Aether’s reins over his head and a bit closer to his body. Chase squeezed his father’s hand, and Leo squeezed back.
“Alright,” Leo said calmly to both Chase and Aether– eyeing them both with a strict eye. “Aeth, I need you to stay as still as possible, and whinny if you’re uncomfortable.” The stallion snorted. Leo fluttered an eye to his son, “And Chase, I’m going to need you to follow my every instruction to a T– okay?”
“Okay!” Chase whispered excitedly, squeezing his father’s hand tighter. Leo merely fell into a soft smile. “Good.”
With a grunt, Leo bridged his hands (after pulling off his gloves, of course) and watched as Chase timidly hovered a foot over Leo’s hands, before planting his knee firmly on the Captain’s bridge. Leo blinked as a wave of confusion washed over him, before he pieced together that Chase wanted him to launch him into the saddle. With a shrug, Leo complied. “Ready?”
Chase grinned. “On three!”
“...Two.”
“One!” and the boy was launched straight to the saddle with an unsatisfying thump. Leo winced as Chase’s excitement fell with a pained whine. With some consolation later, Leo joined Chase on Aether’s back with a stressed sigh. With a low whistle, followed by the sharp click of the tongue– Aether hopped into action, jumping the fence bordering the ranch and galloping off in the direction of the Castle.
Leo pushed himself off of the saddle and bent just ever so slightly over Chase’s head as he giggled to the two:four of Aether’s gallop– feeling as the wind dragged his tumbling ponytail into a race of its own while his father teased the reins, speeding up the stallion’s gallop into more of a sprint. “Papa!” Chase giggled, all while bouncing in the saddle. “Faster, faster!”
Leo looked down with a smirk– nodding ever so slightly to Aether as he pushed more of himself off the saddle and flicking the reins with a rough cry. Hearing his son’s giggles burst into cheerful yelps and whoops warmed the Captain’s very soul . Like not one inch of this moment was going to leave him astray, alone, nor forgotten, no. The sun beating down on their faces as they pushed into the rising rays of light was more than enough for the three of them.
They were one.
.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖⋆
Leo tugged back on Aether’s reins with a low grunt, slowing the stallion down to a walk once they arrived amongst the gates. Chase marveled at the sights of the town once more– the toppling castle with its box-like towers pointing high into the sky, while many Alicians ran around the square to and fro. Leo simply navigated the stallion around with a dulled expression, all while Chase hopped on the uppermost part of the saddle– his eyes sparkling in marvelment as his father pulled him back.
“Papa! Look! There’s a toy shop right there! Can we get one?” Chase squealed, shivering in the saddle while Leo feigned a grin.
“Didn’t Papa say he had a surprise for you?”
Chase turned back, crossing his arms with a very audible pout. “But I want the toys now! ”
Leo sighed, whispering a “ now trot,” to Aether while running a hand down his face. “Now I see what the Old Man was going on about– spoiling children and all,” he muttered. Chase merely perked up– the town fading away from view and the overhead gates of the castle arching above Chase’s head– the training field coming into view while billions and millions of knights greeted the Captain with some level of flare– others with respect. Chase merely felt his eyes crease, a rush of excitement galloped through his body while the air of curiosity twinged at his nose.
The unknown– his papa’s workplace– was to be known very, very soon.
As they dismounted, Leo lifted Chase to his shoulders, having him rest on top of him while the Captain waved over a few stablehands to help him out, watching as their kids bumbled by. With a light chuckle, Leo shot a message at the stallion.
Ya’ ain’t kickin’ one of their kids, yeah? And if you do try it anyway, I’ll know.
Aether flinched, turning his head back to where His Boy was, feeling as some distant anger found itself again. This One is NOT an asshole. He shot back, flaring his nostrils. This One cannot believe you think so lowly of him. Came out as a whine, Leo could only hold back a rough chuckle as the stablehands gathered around the stallion with a lead rope. My Boy is so mean.
Leo simply smirked something mean before leaving the stables with Chase on his shoulders. The duo hopped up the stairs– Leo nodding at the co-workers and their children while Chase giggled loudly, entertaining them with a brief wave of the hand and then forcefully slamming his palm on Leo’s head. The two ascended higher, before finally landing on the floor where the Captain’s office lay. With a sharp exhale of air, Leo pushed the door open– light pouring out of the windows and trickling onto the Captain’s oakwood desk, then a little past that… a small section of the office illuminated in the light of the sun— the drawings that Chase gifted Leo were pinned on the bookshelf’s shelf, accompanied by a small table that fit Chase’s small 3’11” stature to a T— drawing and coloring utensils littered the oakwood of the mini-captain’s own “desk”, toys and trinkets were tucked away in two drawers behind the boy’s chair, all kept together by a little heart-shaped rugthat bled the color blue, gifted by the king himself. Chase’s eyes merely widened at the sight— a little area just for him. He felt as if the hands of his parents, who had left him, were guiding him to this spot, and to the man who organized it so clearly. So many aspects of Chase was kept in one place… Chase had a little office of his own. He could genuinely be like his papa.
He adored that completely.
Leo put Chase on the ground before hooking his thumbs in the belt loops of his uniform, eyeing his son with a curious eye. “Whatddya think, kiddo?”
Chase tugged at Leo’s pants— tears welling up in his eyes. Leo frowned, feeling as an uncomfortable amount of complex emotions were present— the yearning of Chase’s old family, the one that left him behind, the kindness and care Leo showed oh, so perfectly to the mini-captain, and the overall love of the Captain to the boy that shared so many similarities to him settled on his face. A grimace turned teary face was all that was left when Leo knelt down to Chase’s level.
“Papa,” Chase said all seriously, staring his father in the eyes. “I love you.”
Those three words were enough to fuel the waterworks that Leo’s been damming for years. He hiccuped lightly, wiping his tears off with a thumb, then he wiped a thumb on Chase’s cheek—ignoring how ugly his tear-faced self was. “I love you more, kiddo. Let’s test out your little area, just you and me.”
Chase bopped his head low— then raised a hand to Leo’s cheek with a smile– tugging it lightly and rubbing off one of his tears with a crinkled eye. “Papa,” Chase whispered– ignoring how Leo raised a gloved hand to Chase’s own, squeezing it softly. “Come draw with me.” Chase pulled Leo by the hand to his little sanctuary— home away from home , just for him. Now to be shared with his father.
The two sat together— Chase taking the chair of his honorable desk, and Leo sitting on the floor near him. Chase wanted them to draw, so Leo complied with a small smile. The Captain was really unsure of what to do— the only thing he had truly drawn were strategies for future and impending battles, but never really… whatever he wanted. With a frown, he pulled one of the quills from the table and started sketching Chase. It wasn’t a very good sketch, the facial structure was all too wonky, he failed to capture his son’s hair and eye shape well, and every aspect of his son that he came to love just didn’t come out right on the paper, but there was a layer of love to it. He couldn’t get it right, but he loved all that he could see. Chase’s little nose, his rosy cheeks that Leo couldn’t help but to rub whenever the boy was sad, nor his fussy brows that somehow always gave the impression that he was always judging— just some part of Chase that Leo didn’t notice came to life on paper and quill. With a sigh, the Captain laid back on the floor.
Chase made some sort of noise before tilting his head ever so slightly at his father on the floor— drawing of his little self still in his hand. A brow raised, “Papa, what are you doing on the floor!” He giggled, Leo simply gave a crooked smile, exhaustion remnant in his eyes.
“I’m thinking of napping, after all, your old man gets tired real easily.”
Chase made a face before pointing and laughing at him. “You’re not old, Papa! You’re 18!”
“Don’t rub it in,” Leo shot up and started wiggling his fingers, smirking low. “Or else I’ll do this to you!”
Chase found himself on the floor after being quite literally attacked by the “Tickle Knight,” as his father called it— fingers running up and down his hips like spiders, laughing ever so joyfully as the morning sun faded into the afternoon light. Once they settled down, Leo took mount on his desk, sitting with a blank look as he signed report after report, yet, his eyes lingered every now and then to find his dear Chase sputtering and bubbling sound effects for the toys in his hand– a horse and a mini figurine of a knight, who of which were fighting. Leo sighed deeply, running a hand through his bangs– ready to remount report signing again before he was interrupted by the sharp rap of fists on his door. He watched as Chase paused with a sharp eye– staring the door down like a spooked mare, nostrils flared, ears perked in the direction of the sound, but almost ready to bolt behind Leo’s legs. The Captain stood up slowly, eyeing Chase with a worried frown, then walked over to the doorframe. With a sigh, he opened the door only to be greeted by eight pairs of eyes looking him down with curious looks and devilish grins.
“Hello, everyone,” Leo deadpanned, watching as the unwelcome group of eight made various faces– some of interest, others of boredom, but one stuck out as clear as day– Constantine. He had his chestnut hair slicked back and a practiced, yet sharp smile dancing in his eyes. “What do you want?” Leo’s voice faded into a deep baritone as he stared Constantine down. Con smirked, tilting his head to the side and resting a hand on his neck.
“I promised to show you my daughters, right?” He purred, cupping a hand on Leo’s shoulder. Leo frowned, looking down low.
“I was drunk.”
Con walked past, waving a hand behind him– his daughters tumbling past with a curious eye. “Yeah, yeah. We all know that, Captain.” He stopped at where Chase stood in a stasis, shoving a hand in his pocket while stretching a hand out towards the raven-haired-golden-eyed boy.
“Constantine Heathrone,” He said carefully. “At your-” Leo merely rushed over, grabbing Chase by the waist and hoisting him up on his hip with a frown. Con looked appalled, but he held his tongue with a slight tsk . Chase shivered on Leo’s chest, clenching the fabrics and moaning softly– his tears stained the Captain’s navy uniform, but Leo did not move. He gave a stray look at Chase’s little play area, now littered with Keith’s kids, playing with Chase’s toys without his permission. His lips pursed as he carried his son and dragged his coworker to the couch, sitting on the opposite couch while Keith, Lynia, and a kid that looked similar to the Captain’s Second-in-Command took seat on the opposing side to Leo. Con made himself comfortable near Leo while his daughters struggled to get on the couch near him.
“Afternoon,” Leo said carefully, watching as Keith’s kids started throwing paper at each other once they got bored of Chase’s toys. He watched as his son’s face fell, but held himself firm– he just wanted this interaction to go by quickly for Chase’s sake.
Keith caught Leo’s eye with a minute frown, then shot a sharp look to his kids– they dropped the paper and quickly stacked it up together in tandem, then walked slowly to their father with a frown. Con whistled something low as he lounged on the crimson chairs. “Noon, Captain. Lynia proposed that we should at least visit you, seeing as you would be lonely on this day.” He paused to grin low, quite literally taunting the Captain. “But it turns out her report was wrong.”
“If you value your position and job, I request you shut up right now,” Leo said harshly, voice lowering deeper. Con simply smiled patiently.
“Anyways, what’s the boy’s name? How old is he?”
Leo frowned, pulling Chase off his chest and having him face his co-workers and Lynia. “Do you wanna talk?” He whispered gently. When Chase shook his head slightly, Leo opened his mouth with a pleased eye. “This is Chase, and he’s eight.”
Con saluted. “A pleasure to actually meet you,” He purred, then stopped to pick up one of his daughters and have her sit on his leg. “This is Cathrine, the girl tugging on my pants is Cassie. They’re twins. You wanna guess which one is older?” He preened. Chase merely squinted, shaking his head softly.
Leo gave a weary look before turning Chase closer to his chest. “He’s just shy.”
Con shrugged, wrapping his arms around Cathrine, then deeply sunk his elbow into Lynia’s side. The Medic shoved her arm into Constatine’s hip, scrunching up her face once the older man winced ever so slightly, yet she turned her attention to Leo. “This is Adonis, my younger brother.” She made another face, furrowing her brows then pursing her lips. “He’s 15.”
“16,” Adonis corrected, then swept his hazel bangs and frowned back. “I’ve been 16 for a month, Lyn. Mom’s right, you really are selfish.”
“Shut up, gnat,” Lynia huffed, then settled herself down with a feigned smile. “ ‘Donis has been working on a uh, small business, I think? I don’t really know what he does, but he’s pretty impressive for being my little brother. It’s just a shame he’s not like you, Leo.”
Adonis furrowed a brow. “Lyn, we talked about this on the way here - I sell grooming products with the ability to heal. How did you already forget?”
“Probably ain’t important,” Lynia shrugged, her bob bouncing on her shoulders. Adonis’s face fell, but his gaze never left Lynia’s eye.
“Wait, wait, backtrack,” Leo stepped in with a deep frown. Lynia and Adonis only shared a muted look with raised brows. “What do you mean ‘not like me?’ You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
Lynia shot one final look at Adonis– the sharp violet of her eyes drowning out the cerulean in his. “It is. He could strive to be as mature as you, considering you’re both in the same age group and all~”
“I’m 16 ,” Adonis droned, then pointed a finger straight in Lynia’s face. “Have you seen yourself? You act like a freaking overprivilged four year old! Actually, I can name 12 four-year-olds who act better than you!”
Lynia pointed her nose skyward. “I’d like to see you try, you bi-”
Leo pursed his lips together– watching as Chase's grip on his chest tightened up. “I’m just going to stop you two right there.” He looked at Adonis with a gentle eye, standing up to shake his hand at the bare minimum. “What you’re doing is amazing, Adonis. I hope, as you continue forward, you gain the support and respect you deserve to keep your company rolling. You already have one big supporter from the military.”
Adonis shook his gloved hand with a smile, then shot Lynia a look. “You could learn a thing or two from him.”
“I already have,” Lynia purred, crossing her legs with a smug eye. “Not to be like him.”
Leo sighed, shifting his gaze to Keith’s with a forced smile. “How are you doing, Keith? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned your kids.”
Keith blinked twice, pointing at them both. “...Maya,” He whispered, gesturing at his daughter. “Sean.”
Leo nodded, bending low to their level while Chase continued to cling to his chest. “Leo. An honor to finally meet you both.”
Maya merely stuck out her tongue, mostly at Chase rather than Leo, then turned to Sean, who furrowed a brow.
“Sorry about her,” Sean whispered, if not softer than his father. “She’s…always been like this.”
Leo frowned, eyeing Keith with a concerned glare. Keith shrugged. “A work in progress, as my wife calls it.”
With a nod and a set of pursed lips, Leo finally gave in. Chase wasn’t comfortable in this environment, and his co-workers had officially overstayed their welcome. The Captain shot a look at Keith, who blinked slowly for a bit before pushing himself out of the couch— a wary eye at his fellow coworkers. Keith rested a hand on Leo’s shoulder, whispering low into the Captain’s ear before breaking away— the rest of the crew leaving as quickly as they entered.
A deep sigh of relief once Chase loosened his vice grip on his uniform. “You okay, Chase?”
Chase looked up with a weary eye. “I’m tired.”
The boy yawned for quite a bit before flopping pathetically in Leo’s arms. The Captain made a curious face—his brows raising in amusement while a crooked smile stayed planted on his features—but shook Chase awake for but a second. “We have one more guest, kiddo,” Leo said gently, while walking towards his desk and slowly getting himself comfortable in his chair. “I’m not going to keep it a surprise from you, but the King and the Prince are visiting.”
He watched as Chase’s face scrunched up, then fell with another yawn. He looked up at Leo for just a moment, before closing his eyes softly, much like an angel, and falling asleep.
It was a rare moment of silence from the boy, but Leo took to it kindly. After all, he did have a fair amount of reports he had to go through, and playing with Chase earlier in the day almost hindered that. As he signed report after report, Leo found his hand brushing Chase’s hair to and fro— it was mindless, small, but the little grunts and the soft rising and falling of his chest spoke more to the Captain than he realized. The future of Alicia was in the hands of the children— they were to be protected just as kindly as they were raised. Leo wrapped his arm around Chase’s shoulder, studying the reports on his desk with a hardened gaze.
He just wanted this moment to last a little longer.
The sun clicked slowly across the sky— the afternoon rays melting into a crisp ombré of oranges and purples, ending in a vibrant pink. Leo quietly adjusted his reading glasses as he read through a report from the Countryside’s branch— a distant plea regarding their increasingly concerning situation, but it was nothing more than a report. Just grounds for Leo to judge on, not act. He sighed low, hearing as Chase stirred ever so quietly in his sleep— a half-lidded groan as he turned on Leo’s lap and mumbled something about his bed being too bumpy. The Captain chuckled softly, running his hands through his bangs, ready to return back to the task at hand…
BAM!! Leo snapped to attention as his doors were shot open— the aforementioned arrival of the King and the Prince had dawned on Leo far too late, he quickly shook Chase awake as the boy frowned low and deep, but followed Leo’s instructions as quickly as they were whispered. “Follow my every movement from this moment on,” Leo hissed, kneeling down to brush Chase’s vest and pants down, then combing his hair with his fingers as well. “You will speak when you are spoken to, and you will speak articulately, respectfully, and gently. Do you understand?”
Chase furrowed a brow, but nodded slowly in agreement. “Yes, Papa. Will I get to go back to sleep after this?”
“Yes,” Leo sighed, ripping off his glasses. “Now, pay attention.”
Leo stood up tall, watching with a weary eye as Chase followed—puffing up his chest as well— stepped out of the desk and kneeled low, a knee touching the floor while another leg propped him up high, his arm planted on the floor while his other rested on the propped knee. Had he had a sword in his hand, it would be on that hand— his head bent low. With a sharp look, he closed his eyes, praying that Chase would follow to a T.
He heard four different clicks of shoes, two stopping at his head, and another two stopping at his door. Leo breathed low, praying this moment was cut as quickly as it was started.
“Rise, both of you,” The King boomed, watching as Leo and Chase both rose from the ground, Leo folding his arms behind his back, and Chase doing the same in a less honorable fashion. The King made a gesture to the figure behind him, who went around his father with a cool gaze, stopping right at Leo. He looked at the Captain for a second, and then at his son.
“Father,” The boy breathed, eyeing Leo with a frown. “Are you sure this is the Captain you have been speaking of? If you ask me, he looks far too young and underqualified for this job.”
Leo stared blankly. Chase looked up with his lip curled, Leo knowing damn well that he was going to be laughed at, but he said nothing. The King sighed, rubbing his temples. “He’s 18, and he’s worked hard for this position. He is, by far, one of the best captains we have to date.”
The Captain watched as the Prince’s emerald eyes widened, then softened back into a curious gaze. They said nothing to each other, then finally, the Prince spoke. “Father, we should give them permission to speak.”
“As you wish.”
Leo sighed, lowering his shoulders just a tad, while Chase dropped stance completely and walked over to the Prince with a sharp eye. “My name’s Chase,” he said gently, bowing low and then staring at the Prince again with a curious eye. “Chase Winpar. I’m eight and I want to be a racer when I’m all grown up! What about you?”
The Prince did not break eye contact, yet, he bent down to Chase’s level, knee and all, holding the young boy’s hand with some level of grace. “My name is Luke ver Alicia. I am eleven years of age.”
Leo watched as the two kindly greeted each other– Chase with his wild hand motions and Luke with his patience beyond his years– Leo couldn’t help but to break into a soft smile, watching as the two simply melted in each other’s presence.
Chase pouted. “What’s your dream! You’re already reallly big, and you haven’t told me your dream yet!” Luke raised a brow in response, a curious question.
“Well,” He said softly, running a gloved hand through his curtain-like bangs, blonde and brown etching from the roots and flowing into his hair. “I am duty bound to being the next King of Alicia, you see…” Chase crossed his arms, frowning slightly as he continued. “But, I would really like to travel the world, just once.”
Chase blinked slowly, then stretched out an arm with a soft and gentle smile. “That’s a good dream,” he whispered, watching as Luke’s own hand fell into his open palm. Chase grabbed it slightly, squeezing gently with a sigh. “Let’s make both of our dreams come true.”
Luke nodded, a stray twinkle in his emerald eyes. “Now then,” He eyed the little table and chair near Leo’s own desk– feeling as Chase’s hand warmed the very skin beneath his glove. Chase’s eyes sparkled back, a light charm indicating his attention hinging on every single word of the Prince’s. “Why don’t you show me that little area of yours?”
Chase practically burst into stardust, pulling the prince by the hand to the little sanctuary built by his father’s hands– now shared between the two. The Prince of the very kingdom that the mini-captain’s father served, and the son of the Captain closest to the Crown joined hands, Luke sitting on the floor– an unusual custom of his– something that was completely beneath his entire being– guided by a mere kid four years younger than him– and Chase excitedly showing the Prince a world that’s never befallen him– the world of imagination– free thinking, daydreaming. Something that the boy lacked in isolation. He stared at Chase as he edged a little wooden horse closer to his hands– the reds and whites of his uniform fading into plain whites and a boring beige set of pants that puffed at the knees– something so unfamiliar– equality.
Luke was seen as an equal to the Captain’s son. It was something so small, yet special and dear to him. It was so much better than being treated like incompetent scum from the other kingdom’s royalty, it felt so much more humane – he was, at the bare minimum, human to Chase. And that’s quite literally all he needed.
The two played, muting the small chatter between their fathers and focusing in on each other– Chase’s gentle nature shining like the sun, while Luke’s patience and understanding peeking out like the crescent of the moon. They complemented each other in ways better than none– a desire to simply make each other laugh and smile led for more pushes– more pictures drawn, more and more figures gifted– hands wrapped into one. Luke loved, a budding oath and silent plea he prayed to keep to himself when he was ready, and Chase basked in the warm rays of moonlight.
They were one that night. One being, one soul, one.
.°˖⋆ ℧ 𓃗 .°˖⋆
The moon stood tall, proudly over the buildings and castle, a soft lullaby telling all to rest and prepare for a new day. Leo waved the King and Prince off with a low bow, his bangs shielding his eyes and his braid dangling from his shoulder. A deep sigh shook his entire being, then with a creased brow, Leo found himself brushing a gloved hand down Chase’s bangs as he curled up on his father’s chair like a cat. Not even his couch, but the very chair he sits and works on. Leo couldn’t help but to smile, his lips curling at a perfect angle, a perfect degree– tears tinging at his eyes. He picked up Chase like he was some sort of missus, watching softly as he breathed low into Leo’s chest… the waning night of the moon coming to a beautifully soft close.
He carried his son downstairs… past all the empty offices and desks that laid among the castle floors, and into the stables, where a fully tacked Aether stood with a curious eye. He stared down Leo for a bit, then tilted his head to the side, rubbing his nose on Chase’s dangling arm. Once he could tell that the boy was asleep and not dead, he snorted– shaking his mane proudly and pawing the ground lightly. Leo walked forward, lowering his head a bit– a gesture that only Aether knew how to read to a T.
The stallion rested his nose on Leo’s forehead– the duo closing their eyes in sync.
This One wonders if His Boy and The Little One had a good day today. Aether whispered through Leo’s thoughts, a gentle nicker escaping his lips. Leo pursed his lips, then broke into a soft smile.
A perfect one, beloved. I don’t think I’ve seen Chase so happy… so free. Leo exclaimed, then rubbed his head against Aether’s nose a bit. I wonder, was I the same?
Aether snorted. This One remembers that His Boy was a little brat. Running around and harassing This One with those winged leathers.
…Books? Leo frowned. Aether nodded. Yes. That one.
Leo sighed, rolling his shoulders back once he felt the slight discomfort of carrying a human being who was old enough to walk on his own. Yet, the same human being who Leo quite literally babied at his age. Well… Looks like we got to go home. It’s late, after all, beloved.
Aether opened his eyes, watching as the moon hummed gently in its place in the sky, then back down at His Boy with a bounce of the curls. So be it. This One will carry us home, safely and swiftly.
Leo nodded, smiling softly. Aether shook his mane again before bending his knees under his hooves, getting down low enough for Leo to gently rest Chase on the stallion’s back. He listened as His Boy grunted softly as he put Chase on his back, then slid his legs over Aether’s back. Once he felt the weight of two human beings over his back, Aether stood—albeit slowly—then wheeled around without command.
Leo breathed low, grabbing the reins with a shake of the shoulders. He gave one final look at Chase— watching as he mumbled something incoherent in his sleep, how his brows furrowed yet his mouth opened. With a crooked smile, Leo pushed Chase’s jaw up and chuckled when Chase fanned his hand away.
One more sigh. Aether panned an ear back— flicking his tail when Leo looked skyward, finally giving the moon the light of night… peace and comfort rang throughout the land. An honorable mark of a day well spent. With a low click of the tongue, the sharp whistle of air, and a tickle of spurs… Aether galloped into the night, breaking into the dawn as Leo held his head up high.
Signaling a new day, a fresh start, and an oath to his son. For him to grow within Leo’s embrace, and to develop into being the racer he’s always wanted to be: free.
