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Rain began to lightly fall outside, just as Klein was getting ready to leave Blackthorn. ‘Really, just my luck? At least Melissa reminded me to bring an umbrella…’
As Zhou Mingrui, he never liked the rain. It made him sick and cold. Even the memories of Klein disliked the rain. But whatever. It was just another part of life he had to get through.
He was disappointed though, as he had planned to buy some bread and vegetables while out, but since it was raining, the shops would probably close early. At least they still had some leftover stew from yesterday, so he didn’t need to worry. He did want to try some new dishes, though, but that could be saved for another time.
He sighed and stood up to leave, only to find a certain colleague standing outside of Blackthorn under the overhang that was above the door, staring as the rain fell harder and harder.
Leonard Mitchell.
Klein was glad the man didn’t notice him. Out of everyone in Blackthorn, Leonard was certainly the most… intense. He was suspicious of Klein and never bothered to hide it. Plus, he always wore an annoying grin and loved teasing Klein.
In general, he was a nuisance.
Then, he watched as Leonard shook his head and sighed, beginning to walk despite the rain.
‘… Is he stupid or something?’ Klein shook his head.
He walked outside and opened his umbrella. Just then, the rain began to fall even harder and pedestrians around them rushed to board carriages or went inside buildings. Even so, Leonard continued walking, only looking uncomfortable. Well, even if Leonard wasn’t his favourite colleague, there was no reason to leave the man out here like this when he could help. Klein himself hated the rain. It was cold and he constantly got sick as a child from the rain and it was even worse when he had to walk home after working in the office in the rain.
Leonard didn't look favourably on the rain either. Maybe this act would show Leonard he was not secretly corrupted and out to kill them.
Klein sighed, speeding up until he made it to Leonard’s side and raised the umbrella to cover Leonard as well. “Didn’t bring an umbrella today, Leonard?”
Klein couldn’t help but snicker as the man jolted in surprise. “Ah, Klein, thank you,” Leonard smiled, attempting to play it off. “Well, I didn’t expect the rain to be so heavy today…”
“Distracted, aren’t you? Maybe you should use your head for something other than coming up with terrible poetry and plagiarising Roselle…”
Leonard gasped in mock offense. “I’m no plagiarist! I’m merely… inspired.”
‘A plagiarist plagiarizing a plagiarist…’ Klein laughed. “Perhaps you should find something else to inspire you, something other than trope-filled plays with ridiculous characters.”
“It’s not ridiculous! It is art shown in its rawest form!” Leonard argued, though he was grinning and laughing as he did so.
“Yeah? So it’s not ridiculous for a girl to fall in love with someone after one night without ever seeing his face?”
“You’re missing the message of young love! Of how conflict tears people apart!”
Klein laughed as they debated Roselle’s works. Leonard was actually pretty nice to talk to, when he wasn’t sussing out Klein’s every move or calling them ‘protagonists of the era’ or whatever. Leonard’s arm wrapped around Klein’s shoulder as he talked, gesturing around with his other hand. Klein stiffened a bit at the action, but it’d be rude to just shove the man off…
‘Poet, are you this touchy with everyone? He is really quite warm, though,’ Klein remarked. At least being close to Leonard like this warmed him up from the cold of the rain. The rain continued to fall around them, but the umbrella was large enough that neither of them got wet.
For some reason, though, Leonard made this somehow feel pleasant. The cold he hated was replaced by warmth and the platter of rain was drowned out by Leonard’s pleasant voice, because of course even his voice had to be beautiful.
The roads were mostly silent and empty as the two walked, but passing an alleyway, Klein suddenly felt his spirituality go off and sensed danger down the alleyway they were passing and froze. 'Are you serious... As if the rain wasn't bad enough, I have to deal with Beyonders off the clock...'
“Klein?” Leonard asked curiously.
“I think something’s happening down there,” Klein frowned. Hopefully Captain Dunn would give them a bonus for handling this, especially in this weather...
Leonard nodded, easily trusting Klein's spirit vision. “Alright, we should go deal with it then, are you ready?”
Klein sighed and nodded before tapping his glabella and activating his Spirit Vision. Leonard slowly walked down the alley, Klein following close behind.
“Two Beyonders, one losing control, the other one panicking…” Klein whispered.
Leonard nodded. “Wild Beyonders, then. Probably didn’t realize the threat of losing control. I’ll chant a poem.”
"Lacking clothes and food, they have no shelter in the cold; They are drenched by rains, and huddle around the rocks for lack of shelter; They are orphans snatched from the breast, hope lost on them; they are the poor that have been forced off the proper path; The Evernight did not forsake them, but bestowed them with love."
Leonard’s voice was melodic as it echoed through the empty alleyway and Klein watched through his Spirit Vision as the one losing control gradually calmed down and the one that was panicking stilled and calmed down. Klein himself felt as if all of his problems had been lifted off his shoulders before he shook his head and refocused. Leonard rounded the corner and looked at the Beyonders that barely acknowledged his existence from the tranquility he put them in. It was pretty clear they were in no shape to fight back, but for good measure, Leonard chanted another poem to put them to sleep.
“Calm is the morn without a sound; Calm as to suit a calmer grief; And only thro' the faded leaf; The chestnut pattering to the ground.”
Leonard smiled and looked at Klein. “It’s good they hadn’t fully lost control yet. Go report this to the church, I’ll stay here and watch over them.”
“Ah, alright,” Klein nodded. Leonard was more experienced, so he trusted him and began to run to the church. Thankfully, this was a relatively easy ordeal to handle and soon, the church took over in taking care of the Wild Beyonders. He was even promised a bonus for working despite being off the clock!
By the time he met up with Leonard again, the man was soaking wet. Klein’s eyes widened at the sight. “Sorry, I should’ve given you the umbrella. Are you alright?” It was still raining, so he rushed to cover Leonard with it again.
Leonard let out a laugh. “It’s nothing to worry about. Let’s get going.” Despite the disruptions, Leonard continued their conversation from earlier like nothing happened until they made it to the front of Leonard’s apartment.
“Would you like to come inside? It’s still raining outside,” Leonard offered.
‘Hm, it’s still raining pretty heavily… Benson and Melissa know to eat without me if I come home late. Would it be rude to accept? Whatever, Leonard was the one who offered,’ Klein decided. “If you don’t mind…”
“Not at all,” Leonard smiled. He grabbed Klein’s hand and led him inside.
Leonard led Klein into his modest apartment that was surprisingly cleaner than Klein expected. It didn’t have many decorations but there were quite a few poetry books scattered around. Leonard told Klein to make himself at home as he headed off to shower.
Soon after, Leonard came back from his shower. But he hadn’t properly dried his hair and it was still damp. A towel sat around his shoulders to prevent his clothes from getting wet.
“Hah, Leonard, you really ought to be less careless,” Klein said. He walked up to Leonard and dragged him to the sofa. “Sit, I’ll dry your hair properly.”
Leonard looked surprised at that. “This really isn’t necessary…” he mumbled. “It’ll dry on its own.”
“It’s bad for your hair to let it stay wet for so long,” Klein insisted. Leonard relented and sat down.
With Leonard’s back facing Klein, Klein used the towel to dry Leonard’s hair as best he could. ‘So Roselle could plagiarize Shakespeare and tarot cards but not invent a hair dryer?’ They sat in silence, listening to the rain platter from the outside.
Once satisfied, Klein patted Leonard’s shoulder and stood up. “Hold on, I’ll be back in a second.” He walked to the bathroom and returned with a comb.
Klein always had the itch to fix Leonard’s unruly hair. The man probably didn’t even bother combing it in the morning, but since he must’ve been blessed by the Goddess for his good looks, he always pulled it off effortlessly.
He took his time, gently combing and smoothing down Leonard’s hair. He had to be extra gentle, as Leonard winced every time he combed a knot. It was like he never had anyone do this for him before. Even so, he acted like a docile dog and was pretty content to allow Klein to do whatever he wanted.
“That’s better,” Klein said after smoothing Leonard’s hair one final time.
Leonard looked at Klein with an expression of contentment. “Are you hoping to gain my trust and lower my guard with these acts of goodwill? Kidding, kidding,” Leonard laughed as Klein looked visibly annoyed. “It’s getting late, would you like to stay and have dinner? Though, I’m not a very good cook…”
Klein let out a chuckle. “If you’re fine with it, I can cook for you.”
“Really?” Leonard smiled and looked excited. “Ah, but you really don’t need to, you’ve done so much for me already…”
‘Why is he excited over that?’ Klein snickered internally. “It’s no problem.” He stood up and walked into the kitchen, Leonard following closely behind.
Leonard’s kitchen was practically empty. Only a few stray vegetables and a piece of beef that was on sale was all he had to work with. But whatever, it was enough for a stew. “Alright, can you sear the beef?” Klein asked, trying to find a pot and a pan.
He turned around to find Leonard with a blank look on his face.
‘This man doesn’t know how to cook, does he…’ Klein internally groaned. At least Leonard had steady hands to cut vegetables.
Klein was practically ordering Leonard around which he felt bad for, but Leonard seemed eager to follow whatever Klein told him to do. It was a relatively simple stew, and Klein soon served both of them a portion.
They talked some more as they ate, occasionally letting beats of silence fall between them. In one of those, Leonard spoke up.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done today,” the man smiled.
“… It’s nothing, just what a good colleague would do,” Klein replied.
Leonard’s smile turned wistful. “I’m serious. I know I seem like an airhead at times. Just… I’ve never had anyone do these things for me before.” He turned to look at Klein with his more usual joyous smile, the trace of wistfulness now gone as if he was trying to hide it. “Really, thank you partner. I think we can be more than just ‘colleagues’ now, friend.”
‘Oh.’ Klein thought dumbly. Leonard’s eyes usually looked like those of an innocent young child more than anything. But now, they looked at Klein with this… adoration and fondness.
Leonard… He was actually a nice person to be around. And…
If he could spend more moments like this, debating Leonard on inane topics, cooking together and feeling that warmth again…
He almost wanted it to rain more, just so he could spend time with Leonard like this again.
‘Agh, what the hell am I thinking!? Am I a teenage girl with a crush or something!?’ Klein looked at the floor in embarrassment. ‘No, no… I just find Leonard’s company enjoyable… He could be considered the first friend I made in Klein’s body! That’s all!’
“… As long as you know you’re an idiot,” Klein forced away his embarrassment and rolled his eyes teasingly at Leonard.
Leonard laughed. “How about this, tomorrow, I’ll treat you to a restaurant as thanks for doing all this. Order anything, I’ll pay for it.” He wore a knowing smile on his face. Klein wouldn’t turn down free food, after all.
“… I’ll hold you to it then,” Klein sighed with a fond smile. Internally though, he couldn’t help but anticipate the next day.
By the time he made it home, late at night, he was still smiling, wearing clothes that weren’t his.
His siblings worried over him initially, but upon seeing the look on his face, they shared a look and began whispering to each other.
… They definitely had the wrong idea about something.
Even so, Klein found himself in anticipation for tomorrow.