Work Text:
In the cold of the night, on 14th february, there was a man leaning into one of the graves. That man was the only one on the graveyard, holding a piece of a strawberry-flavoured cake in one hand, a rose bouquet in another. There was a notecard attached to them, but it was impossible to see who it was from.
Long, black hair of his danced in the middle of the night, while he sat still with his dreamy eyes. After some time, he took a deep breath and started talking. It seemed like everyting was asleep, the only living creature being him under the red lights of the moon.
After some time, he locked eyes with the grave on his right, with a half-smile on his face.
"It's my first birthday with you, right? Wish me a happy birthday..." He lowered his eyes to the piece of cake, and after a moment, he put the rose petals on the plate.
For a moment, the wind on the graveyard got more stronger and ruffled his hair, making him a pretty mess with red, glassy eyes and long, now out of place hair.
The lonely man's eyes shined for a second, and quickly turned around, almost dropping the plate, and the rose, on his hand.
But, the only thing accepting him was darkness, with a low light from the moon, and strong winds. The lonely man chuckled at himself.
"What was i even thinking, he can't hear me after all…" The lonely man muttered the words in a breath, as if he was scared of someone finding out how stupid and naive he might be sometimes. Still, he wasn't able to wipe that grin off his face.
" I got a cake for you, to celebrate my birthday. I don't know why i did, really. I know you can't eat it, but... Well, at least a cat might feast on it, right? It's better than nothing... " The more he talked, the more his voice got lower, and the more the deafening silence took over the graveyard once again.
The lonely man kneeled down, put the plate next to the grave. With enough light, it was easy to see the words on it.
"I wish you were here to celebrate with me..."
The lonely boy's words echoed through the graveyard, while cold air threatened to blew out the candles.
Before the wind got a chance, the lonely man blew out the candle, while looking at the name written on it: Klein Moretti.
There was a great ship in the middle of the ocean, that was full of tired people going into their cabins and biding their loved ones 'goodbye's, 'sleep well's, and 'wish you dream of me tonight's. At the same time, the crazy adventurer, Gehrmann Sparrow, opened his eyes and got up from the bed abruptly. The crazy adventurer looked around, as if to remember where he was, then checked on the calender on his desk. Because of the dim light of the crimson moonlight, he squinted his eyes.
For a moment, the adventurer, Klein Moretti, just stood there, as if frozen by time, staring blankly at the calender.
"I can't believe it's that time already... Is it too late to celebrate?... Well, better late than never, as Roselle said." While murmuring to himself, Klein wore the creeping hunger, a little smile daring to creep out of that adventurer facade.
Just then, Klein saw his reflection on the window.
Gehrmann Sparrow. The Crazy Adventurer.
Klein's smile gradually vanished from his face, and he dropped the creeping hunger. The Crazy Adventurer's cold eyes returned again, while Klein returned to his cold bed.
Because he was Gehrmann Sparrow, the hunter. Klein Moretti was dead, while Gehrmann shouldn't have cared for anyone.
"That poet wouldn't believe me if i went anyway... He would probably call the other nighthawks for me, and things would get more messier. Certainly not a great present for him..." Klein sighed, and let his eyes wander on the calender, and as if remembering something, his body stiffened.
" Where did that bouquet even come from? Does he have admirers? I guess i shouldn't be surprised by it... Why did he even accept them? Did no one teach that man to not to accept things from strangers? Maybe they weren't a stranger..." Even though he was still looking at the calendar that read 14 February, Klein desperately tried to shut his eyes and go back to sleep.
"..."
"Leonard's eyes looked quite red..."
Needless to say, Klein didn't get any sleep that night.
15th February, in the Oravi Hospice Foundation, no one realized that the volunteer from yesterday was missing.
That same day, no one realized the existence of a certain black cat wandering off the graveyard, stopping on a certain grave, and staring at it. After some minutes, a man with a straight black hair and a top hat stopped on that certain grave, and looked at the cake near him. The man with the top hat kneeled and pet the cat for some minutes before picking up the strawberry- flavoured cake that was decorated with flowers. The cake's condition didn't look good, but still the man smiled and with his glowed hand, he disappeared.
When the lonely man came back to the graveyard later in the evening, all he saw was some cat paws and footsteps of a man. This made him smile, and he spent the rest of his day on high spirits.
In the Palace Above the Grey Fog, there were two people sitting across each other, a long-haired man seemingly complaining about something, and the short one with brown hair listening to him attentively, with a hand resting on his face.
It was Klein's psychiatrist's, Miss Justice's, thought to talk to some friend to relieve his stress of this nightmare, but Klein was surprised how much it benefited him. Knowing there was someone to talk to, having something to look forward to everyday was a nice feeling. Klein was still very much on alert for his most of his time on the Forsaken Land of the Gods, this whole thing was just a nice break from all of it. It was like breathing again, coming to home after a long and stressful day, and letting your stress wear off while listening to your beloved one. Sipping a cup of coffee while complaining about the world outside of their home, developing a more stronger bond with each other as days passed by.
At first, he was scared. Klein couldn't return to his home, he needed to walk down the path designed for him. No matter how dark the road became that it was so hard to see the road, or how cold it felt with each step. There was no going back. Klein lost his home, his family, and he could never go back.
It was unimaginable, to believe there would be someone waiting at each stop of the cold road, warming him with his words, giving him enough encouragement to stand up and walk again. It was unimaginable to Klein that, there would be someone that was willing to cross paths with him end of the week, taking his time talking to him. Leonard was the star that Klein didn't know existed, for he was afraid of looking at the sky to meet with darkness, but now that he knew about it he always waited for the night to come, to see it again.
That was one of the reasons why Klein wanted to propose to Leonard. Even though he knew it was a risky move to have someone so close to him, for this meant your enemies are his enemies too, he also didn't want to leave him. Klein was too used to having Leonard company that, he didn't know what would happen when he was out of the Forsaken Land of the Gods. Klein wanted Leonard's laugh, smile, his shining eyes, his attentive face on himself. Now that he knew what was like to have somthing like a home again, he didn't know if he would be able to live without it.
The other reason was that he was still feeling guilty about last year. Klein had his reasons, and Leonard long forgave him about it, but knowing those didn't make the feeling go away. Especially since unlike his expectation, Leonard didn't call the nighthawks for him or resented him after knowing the truth. It only made him feel more guilty for last year.
That's why he made up his mind to celebrate his birthday and confess to him this February 14th.
While Klein was listening to Leonard, his pupils dilated.
"Wait, can you repeat what did you just say?" Klein cutted Leonard's story abruptly.
"So even you won't listen to me? Am i only an eye candy?? Even my dearest friend doesn't care about what i think! I know i am handsome, but i have more qualities than that!!" Leonard put his hands around his heart and squinted his eyes as if he was hurt, but the smile on his face gave it away.
"Just tell me what you said please," Klein also couldn't help himself smiling. "To think anyone would care about a personality like that, you really have a narcissistic blood on you." Leonard's smile only grew bigger at that.
"...So you agree i am an eye candy," Leonard leaned against the table, and rested his head on his hand, his long black hair falling on his face magnificently. "Is it that narcissistic to tell the truth?" Leonard locked eyes with Klein, and there became a long silence in the palace.
"It is narcissistic because it is not the truth."
"Is that so? You just admitted i am handsome, but suit yourself." Leonard winked at the direction of Klein, while Klein locked his fingers and leaned down the table.
"I just said you shouldn't expect people to care about your personality, nothing about your looks were implied." Leonard leaned to the chair and locked his arms around himself.
"So you think i am not handsome?"
"... I never implied that. "
...
There was a loud thump echoing through the palace.
"Are you alright?" Leonard was on the ground, his face flushed and clearly on a shock.
Leonard fell down the chair.
In the palace above the gray fog, there was a great silence for a second, before Leonard tried to laugh it out.
"The chairs here really are old, huh? You should have told me that. You did not tell me anything before but still you definitely should have." Leonard was on the ground, looking down and trying to hide his flushed face, but his red ears gave it away.
"I guess you are alright if you can talk like that. I'm pretty sure the chairs are stable but..." Klein wasn't able to hold his laughter any longer, and soon his laugh echoed through the ancient palace while Leonard got up from the ground and pulled the chair up.
" So you wanted to know what i said before," Leonard cleaned his throat and sat on the chair, holding his hands on the edge of it. "I think old man is really exaggerating birthdays, so what if i won't take a day off? Why should i waste my day sitting and doing nothing while there is work to do? I may be lazy, but not to that extend. We are going through a busy session right now, it just feels unfair. Also it's not like i can just not go tomorrow. It's too late for that! But still the old man yaps about how i should not go and instead i should use my looks to hit on some people. He literally said if i am not going to use the only thing going on for me then what am i doing with my life." Leonard waved his hands to the air. " That should sum it up."
"Leonard... What is today's date?" Klein felt a smile creeping out of his face, asking uncertainly.
" Today must be the 13th... At least that's what old man said. Is there a problem with that?" Leonard straightened his posture. " ...Because you are scaring me a little. " Klein smiled for 30 minutes without blinking before massaging his face with his hands.
"No... There is nothing wrong. Leonard, can we stop the meeting for today? I sense something amiss..." Leonard's pupils dilated hearing the words, before calming himself down and letting out a sigh.
"... Alright. Let me know if it's something old man can help you. " Leonard got up from his seat, but before he can bow to Mr. Fool that was probably here somewhere, he felt the red lights blurring his vision.
"I don't know why i thought i can get out of this place that soon, who knows for how long i will be stuck in here," Klein, while strolling through the Forsaken Land of the Gods, tried to find a way out of this. " Now i have only a day to prepare everything..." Klein looked at the lightning bolts from above, and watched them instantenously appearing and disappearing within seconds.
" It's been a long time since i felt that unprepared for something. It's not a great feeling at all." Klein didn't dare stopping and watching the scene for too long, so he started wandering around once more while thinking what he could do for tomorrow. After silently strolling for 30 minutes, he pulled a pen and a paper from the historical void and started writing.
Birthday Checklist
- A Cake - Poet's favorite flavour. (???) -- Not Finished.
- Organizing a Place. - (The Gray fog?) --Completed?
- A Present. (I have an idea about this.) --Work in Progress.
- An Excuse. --Work in Progress.
...
Klein wrote everything he needed for the birthday, and thankfully most of the list were things he could prepare. There was only one problem: Klein didn't know much about Leonard's preferances.
Klein silently watched the paper burning down the ashes and remembered he doesn't have enough time to choose a present, mainly because he must not attract any attention from-
Klein looked at the dust pile on his hand and smiled. Klein got another pen and paper from the historical void and started working through his plan.
With crimson light not interfering his vision, Leonard found himself on his room yet again. Before he could think about anything, there came a voice deep down his mind.
"Did you enjoy your date with your boyfriend? Going on a date tomorrow with your lover would be a perfect way to spend a bithday." There was a sound of shuffling papers, and a newspaper opening. "So, how did it go?" Leonard sat on the chair, placed his foot on the table and sighed.
"Old man, for the last time, it is not like that. Klein is just... a special friend," Leonard picked a newspaper and opened it up. " I don't think he is interested in that kind of thing, and i don't expect for him to be. What we have right now is enough for me." It is more than i could dare ask for, Leonad swallowed his words and tried to focus on his newspaper.
"Oh you youngsters always making things complicated, have some faith on your charms for once." There was a sound of flipping a page of a newspaper."Even if he would reject you, at least it would be a more memorable birthday than wasting your day doing some unimportant work."
Old man always messed with him about his feelings. Ever since Leonard saw Klein, he felt like he knew this man would be the end of him. Yet, he still stayed near him, for Klein was also like him, someone different, someone sharing a secret and a burden. Leonard felt like he found his soulmate like the characters from one of Roselle's book, with how he felt whole whenever he was near him. Leonard felt like with Klein, nothing else mattered. Whatever problems they would face in the future would not be able to stand a chance between them, for they would always be there for another.
But life is not sunshine and rainbows, and it wasn't long before he realized how naive he was, how stuck he was on his own little world when he woke up after the Tingen Incident. Leonard was nothing but a moth attracted to flame, afraid of burning himself but still wanting to be near his side as much as he could. Leonard could endure pain, he endured it numerous amount of times that it was a normal occurence of him. Knowing how much of a use a moth can be at his best, he was just grateful to be this close to his dear one. Leonard just desired to be of use to people, but he knew his place. Leonard couldn't help Klein, just as he couldn't help Captain.
Leonard wasn't even able to stay awake during the fight with Megose, and only woke up after the fight with two dead corpses which, unlike him, fought with all they had while he was taking a nap. Leonard knew his place more than everyone else. So, he worked hard. Always tried to help people, do his work, and be careful not to cause any trouble for anyone. Even though he always acted laid-back, he always worked hard for people, and being of any help was enough for him. So, helping Klein was more than enough. It was more than he could ask for, he knew Klein didn't need someone like him all the time. Leonard couldn't dare ruining what they had for some unimportant feelings.
There would be a day when Leonard wouldn't be of any help to Klein anymore, and Leonard would be left all alone again. There would come a day where Leonard wouldn't be able to be use of the Church anymore, and he would have nowhere to go. Leonard knew that he should try his best, and expect the worst. That's the proper way to live your life, for it was impossible to be left heartbroken again if you expected nothing for life in return of your efforts.
Leonard wasn't able to save Tingen, his home, so he knew nothing would last forever. If you would always keep that in mind, you wouldn't get hurt.
Leonard's hallucinations of Captain's corpse asking him why he didn't try harder if he was actually a guardian was still visible on his mind.
While Leonard was lost in his own world, he didn't realize there was another person in the room before hearing a familiar voice clearing his throat.
"Klein? What's wrong?" Leonard straightened his posture, while Gehrmann gave him a closed letter. "Give this letter to Pallez, and make sure he keeps you out of it. Tell him to think things throughly, i wrote this for a reason."
" What..." Before Leonard could talk further, the creeping hunger glowed, and Leonard was left all alone again.
There came the sound of a newspaper falling. "It looks like a normal letter... What did he mean by keeping me out of it? Is he a seer or a charlatan? I feel like he just throw out some words."
"At least he uses his brain enough to talk like that. Open the letter." The old parasite's voice had a curious tone in it that made Leonard's tense shoulders relax, and at last he opened the letter.
"..."
Just after he finished reading the letter, Leonard felt goosebumps all over his body. Leonard's pupils dilated, and his body went stiff.
"Amon..."
In the letter, Klein was talking about why he cut off their meeting so abruptly. Apparently, he encountered Amon. The strange thing was, Klein wrote that he got word out of 'Him' and 'He' set his eyes on Backlund. Klein also asked questions, such as this part of the letter;" I suspected that might happen eventually, but i have questions: How do i keep 'Him' engaged? Is there anything 'He' is interested in? It might be anything, even 'His' sweet type is alright.
I feel like it happened too early. Was i not entertaining 'Him' enough, or does 'He' not like surprises as much as i assumed? I believe it to be the first, but these days i am realizing how less i know of 'Him'."
The letter ended with an advice on Klein, they should not leave their apartment at least without his notice, and assuring them that he would take care of it.
"... Looks like you are taking that break then, huh?... Tell your 'special friend' that Amon likes unexpected things, and your friend is probably the only thing he is interested in right now. Your friend himself should be enough for Amon. Hmm... I don't think Amon has a particular sweet flavour he favours..." Old man started giggling, but Leonard was baffled.
"Why do you sound so cheerful?! Old man, Did you finally lose your mind?! Amon is here and he has set his eyes upon you!" Leonard leaned on the chair and combed his hair. " I knew there was something amiss, but to think 'He' himself is here... What could cause this?" Leonard was trying to calm himself down, to no avail. Especially since old man was laughing at him.
"Kid, really, don't think too much about it. Didn't your friend said he would take care of it? Just enjoy your vacation while it lasts." The newspaper on the floor started floating once more, while Leonard got out of his chair and leaned on the desk, looking at the papers on it.
"I just dont want to encounter that monocle guy again... Who knows what might happen while 'He' is here?" Leonard sighed, trying not to feel helpless in front of this thread of events. The last encounter with him was still visible, and painful for him. Leonard just really didn't want Amon near his old man, or anyone really. Even though he didn't want to admit to himself, Leonard was scared of him needing to part ways with Old Man too.
Leonard prayed to the Fool, told every information he gathered from old man, and picked up a little notebook and a pen. As he slumped on the chair, he opened the notebook and wrote " Tarot Club: The New Cult?" on the first page with big letters.
"I might work on how to navigate this operation while i have time..." Leonard's laid down the couch like a dead man. " I don't want to work... I just want to laze around for these two days..." The newspaper shut itself down.
"Then just don't work. You just made up work for yourself, it is not something life-threatining kid," Leonard pulled himself together with great effort and started writing things on the notebook.
In the ancient palace above the great fog, on the morning of 14th February, a figure shrouded by the fog sighed. On the long mottled table of this great palace, there was a strawberry-flavoured cake, and a bouquet of flowers with a star-shaped notecard attached to it that read : For my dear poet, happy 14th February.
There was also a present wrapped in cotton, and tied with a green tie, but it was impossible to see the present itself.
" I still lack a main present... Pallez didn't give any useful details..." Klein Moretti's brows furrowed. " What did he mean by i am enough? Is he mocking me for not knowing which present should i get for him?" Klein smiled and rested his hand on one of his hands, while he played with the notecard on the bouquet with other. " Maybe he meant i should use my abilities? For example, making magic tricks... I wouldn't be able to have enough dignity to propose after that." He chuckled at the thought of proposing to him, in a clown costume-
"Wait," Klein stopped rapping his fingers. " Did he realize i was going to propose to him? That's what he meant by me being enough? But how?" The words echoed through the ancient palace.
" So, does that mean... It's going to end well? Did i just got his blessings??" Klein felt his ears getting redder and redder each second. " It's certainly more different than just knowing it's going to end well..."
Klein touched one of the crimson stars, and started walking towards a specific chair.
A long, black haired man with emerald eyes and a casual outfit opened his eyes, but his eyes were immediately shut down by a green cloth. The black-haired man immediately reacted to it, and knocked the attacker down the long mottled table. "Leonard, it's me..." Klein couldn't help smiling at himself.
"Klein? What's happening? Why did you tie my eyes?" Leonard got up and his hand worked through untying the clothing before his body tensed. "Don't tell me..." Leonard tied the green cloth again.
"No, 'He' is not here... i am sorry for worrying you unnecessarily. There is only two of us here." Klein got up from the table and made his way towards Leonard's back. " Even though it's just tradition, i wanted everything to be perfect. Please hold on for a little longer." Klein held Leonard's hand, and led them towards the Fool's seat.
"Yo are only making me more scared... Don't tell me, am i getting sacrificed to the Fool? Geniunely, Klein, what a great way to give someone a-" Leonard's mouth hanged open when Klein untied the cloth for him.
" Happy Birthday, my dear poet."
Leonard just stayed there, motionless. A cake was waiting for him, with candles on top. Leonard's eyes blurred, and Leonard felt like he was in Blackthorn Security Company again. Then, a tear dropped down his eyes.
"Klein..." Leonard wrapped his arms around Klein, and clenched around him tightly. Klein started stroking his hair, closed his eyes, then whispered onto Leonard's ear. " I wish your tears from now on may only be for happiness and joy." Leonard's ears got redder at hat.
"I-That was the last thing i expected today. Goddess, i am such a child, crying like that..."
"Yes, yes you are."
They held each other like that for some minutes, as if frozen by time.
Klein gave him a knife and gestured through the cake, while Leonard wiped his tears down and blew off the candle.
After the cutting ceremony, Klein gave him the present with a green ribbon on it. " I must say, i had a very hard time of thinking of which of the presents to get you, then i thought: Why not all? My poet will be in the need for all of them sooner or later," Leonard revealed the presents inside and sent a shocked glare at Klein.
There were two books of Roselle: Poetry in all it's Beauty, Floriogrophy: The beauty in expressing yourself elegantly. There were also a couple of green, yellow and black hairclips.
"Dear Goddess Klein, I can't believe you got me a poet book on my birthday. You are the worst," Leonard laughed relentlessly. Soon, Klein joined him on that too.
"It's not my fault you aren't gifted, and the hairpins are more for me than you. It just hurts me to look at your hair and do nothing," Klein picked up the bouquet, and turned it around to face Leonard.
Klein could feel his face burning as he silently gave him the bouquet, hoping for the best. Leonard was at first confused, then his breath hitched.
Leonard felt like he couldn't breathe.
The bouquet consisted of 4 different flowers. Tulips, Lillies, Orchids and... Green Carnations.
As Leonard was looking at the bouquet, Klein picked up the Floriography book.
" Tulips, particularly in pastel shades, are often associated with fresh starts. As one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, they bring a sense of optimism and joy. Their simple elegance makes them a favorite for celebrating life's new chapters.
Lilies are flowers meaning sorry that are often associated with forgiveness and renewal. You can convey your sincere desire to mend the relationship with their elegant and serene appearance.
Orchids, especially pink and white ones, are symbols of eternal love and elegance. They represent a deep and lasting connection that transcends time, space, and death.
Carnations, a classic choice for expressing admiration and gratitude, are among the most meaningful flowers that mean thank you. Their ruffled petals and long-lasting blooms make them an enduring symbol of appreciation, perfect for thanking loved ones. While Green carnations is more associated with and is also a way to identify-"
Leonard picked an Orchid, and a Green Carnation and kissed one, while plucking the other on his ear. "You do realize i am a poet, right? i know what Green Carnations symbolize." Leonard locked eyes with Klein, smiling affectionately.
"Well, you aren't a good one. I still haven't gotten a poem from you." Klein leaned closer and held the orchid on Leonards hand.
"You are serious," Leonard looked into Klein's eyes, with a hint of worry. "This isn't a joke, or a plot for something. It's geniune?" Klein smiled at Leonard and picked another green carnation from the bouquet, plucking one into his ear as well.
Leonard couldn't believe it, he thought things were enough as it is, hoping for more would make him get less. But here Klein was, standing in front of him with affectionate eyes. This wasn't a dream, the other hand holding the orchid on his hand made him remember. Eternal Love.
Leonard tied his hair with a green hairpin from the long mottled table, put his hands around Klein's waist, and leaned closer.
None of them would lose their home ever again, for they had each other for an eternity.
"...So, the Amon thing wasn't real, and i was terrified over nothing for a whole day." Leonard leaned down the chair that belonged to The Star. " Did i got it right?"
" Yes, except for the part where i did it because i needed to prepare for your birthday." Klein sighed. "I'm sorry."
"...And?" Leonard smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"I am not a child. I am not going to say it." After an exchange of cold looks, Leonard raised his hands above his head.
"Well, at least i tried. Just so you know, if you would make me worry again i am not responsible for the consequences."
"Alright, i get it." Leonard smiled at Klein, but he knew Klein didn't get it.
Leonard needed to work on his plans for Klein's birthday, it seemed.