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Today was February 14th. Leonard’s birthday.
When Klein learned that Leonard’s birthday was on Valentine’s Day, he thought it must’ve been on purpose. It seemed like everything about the man was romantic in one way or another.
Klein smiled as he stared at Leonard’s prayer star. The man was currently at his desk, working hard as always. The Church of Eternal Darkness really was overworked…
Eventually, Leonard took a small break. Klein had insisted the man do so. Somehow, after Klein and Captain Dunn’s deaths back in Tingen, Leonard had become a workaholic with the one goal of killing Ince Zangwill. A huge difference from the laid-back self-centred man when they had first met.
Klein kept forcing Leonard to take breaks which worried Leonard immensely, as the man literally had a religion to run, that he eventually began taking breaks so Klein didn’t have to worry about him. Leonard’s break oddly consisted of him beginning to write more of his terrible poems.
When Klein woke up and Leonard had learned that Klein was actually Mr. Fool, Leonard had grown so embarrassed and stopped righting them.
It was really quite endearing, seeing the man flush furiously as he accused Klein of toying with him. But once Leonard learned Klein actually really enjoyed his poetry and it helped him keep his humanity, he resolved himself to keep writing his shitty poems.
He stood up, preparing to go and meet Leonard. He had planned a lot for this day.
This world didn’t have a Valentine’s Day, of course. But as a god, he made it happen.
A few days ago, as Gehrman Sparrow, he made a visit to the Fool’s Cathedral in the New City of Silver, giving Alger quite the scare while Derrick was happy to see him.
“Mr. World!” Derrick greeted cheerfully.
“Hello, Mr. World,” Alger greeted respectfully. They all knew Gerhman Sparrow was actually the Fool, and Alger still couldn’t help but be terrified of the man. “Is there anything you need?”
“Come into the office first,” Derrick spoke, leading them to one of the back rooms in the cathedral. Alger hurried to prepare them all tea as they sat down at the sofas.
After a brief beat of silence, Klein spoke. “I’d like to add a holiday that the Church of the Fool celebrates.”
Derrick nodded. “Is it one of the ones you celebrated in your hometown?”
“Yes. On the 14th shall be known as St. Leonard’s day,” Klein replied. He was quite grateful that most of his shame eroded with his loss of humanity from the way Alger looked at him dubiously.
“If I recall correctly, that was known as Valentine’s Day in your hometown, right?” Alger asked.
Klein nodded. “I’d like for you to base this holiday off of Valentine’s Day. I shall grant you both a wish for this, you both have my thanks.” He stood up and bowed, before disappearing before their eyes.
—————
Ever since the apocalypse ended, the Church of the Eternal Darkness had been busier than ever, that even as an Angel, Leonard had been helping out the Red Gloves, rejoining his old team.
As a Beyonder of the Sleepless pathway and now a Sequence 2 Angel, Leonard hardly needed sleep anymore and had been working for days without rest. But this morning, Cindy barged into his office with Bob following shortly after.
“Something happen?” Leonard asked, looking up from the paperwork he was working on, which Cindy promptly snatched from him.
“It’s your birthday today, go and be free, you workaholic,” Cindy smiled. Leonard attempted to protest, but Cindy cut him off. “I’m the Captain now, you have to listen to my orders.”
‘I am literally a Deacon of the Church and an Angel,’ Leonard thought but held back upon seeing Cindy’s side eye.
He hadn’t even celebrated his birthday in years. He had even forgotten it was his birthday today.
“Leonard, it’s fine,” Bob said. “You’ve worked yourself to the bone lately, we’ll be fine for one day. By the way, we’re going to the restaurant at 8 tonight to celebrate your birthday.”
“You can’t say no!” Cindy chimed in.
Leonard scratched his head. “Ah, alright…”
Then, Cindy and Bob practically kicked the man out of his office, leaving the surprised Leonard who had not a clue what to do.
He figured he’d probably walk around town for a bit, maybe bother Klein if he wasn’t busy… Leonard walked into the Church’s hall, conversing with the believers there.
“Ah, Mr. Mitchell!” A young woman smiled and greeted him.
“Hello Miss,” Leonard greeted politely.
“Did you hear? The Church of the Fool has started celebrating a new holiday today. It actually has the same name as yours, it’s St. Leonard’s day! They say this day is a celebration of love, and it is a tradition to write a poem to your lover.”
Leonard was a pretty common name, so while amusing for people who knew of the Deacon who served in the Church of Eternal Darkness, many assumed one of The Fool’s many angels was named Leonard.
‘… Klein?’ Leonard knew differently however. There was, of course, only one Leonard in the Church of the Fool. That part about poems only further solidified it.
Suddenly, the voice of a prayer sounded in his ear.
“My Dear Poet, are you free?” Leonard heard the voice of Klein!
“My apologies Miss, but I must cut our conversation short,” Leonard said to the lady.
The lady nodded. “Apologies for taking up so much of your time as a Deacon!” She bowed politely before heading off into the prayer hall.
Leonard hurried outside, a block away from the Church before concealing himself. He smiled and quickly began to pray, confirming he wasn’t busy.
Leonard stood up and waited for Klein, and sure enough, the man appeared in front of him shortly after, walking out of a door that appeared out of thin air.
“Klein!” Leonard eagerly smiled, immediately hugging the other man tightly.
“Leonard,” Klein smiled back. “Happy birthday, my Dear Poet.” He stepped back and extended a hand. “Won’t you spend the day with me today?”
Leonard smiled and intertwined their hands. “You knew it was my birthday?”
Klein snorted. “Of course I did. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I couldn’t even remember that?”
‘Boyfriend…’ giddiness surged through Leonard at that word. They’d been dating for a year now, but every romantic thing they did together still made them both flush like a teenage couple.
“Heh, I’ve even heard the Church of the Fool has been celebrating a new holiday known as St. Leonard’s day…” Leonard looked amused at Klein, who embarrassedly looked away. “I heard it’s a tradition to give a poem to your lover too~”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a carefully folded poem. Read it later, won’t you?”
“Of course,” Klein smiled, pocketing it. “I have another gift later, but…” Klein pulled out a small box. “A gift, for a handsome man such as yourself.”
Inside was a pair of topaz earrings. Klein himself wore a pendant with an emerald gemstone, a gift from Leonard that reminded Klein of the man’s gorgeous eyes. Leonard had a dopey smile as he accepted them. Now they had accessories of the other’s colour.
“Thank you,” Leonard spoke softly. He happily put them on and took Klein’s hand as he guided Klein into town.
Leonard’s eagerness infected Klein as well, as the two chattered about the most inane topics all day.
Klein had planned this day, and first, Klein led the two to a restaurant for lunch. He had a reservation at this upscale restaurant that was quite popular and apparently really good. The price, though, made him wince despite now being a god. But today had to be special, for what Klein had planned for later.
Afterward, Klein led Leonard to the theatre. Recently, they had come out with a new play based on Roselle’s works. Despite Roselle being a fraud and a plagiarist, Leonard still enjoyed such stories and was excited to see the plot play out.
That twinkle in Leonard’s eyes as he smiled…
Klein knew Leonard was far more reserved around everyone else. Such an elated smile was reserved for only Klein. And Klein took it in eagerly, like how a plant needed water. He really did love Leonard, the man who always managed to restore Klein’s humanity.
By now, the sun was setting. The two went on a walk around the city and stopped by a bridge over a river with an amazing view of the sunset.
Leonard’s smile was filled with adoration as he took Klein’s hand in his and said, “Thank you Klein, for today. I really love you…”
“You know, my Dear Poet,” Klein said. “I still have one last gift for you.”
Leonard looked at Klein with anticipation as Klein stepped back.
Suddenly, Klein pulled out a box from his pocket and opened it. It was a ring with white gold metal and intricate floral patterns on the band, and an eye-catching topaz gemstone.
Leonard froze, wide eyed as a furious blush crept onto his face. The sunset caught and the gentle breeze just made Leonard so beautiful at that moment.
“Klein, you–” Leonard stuttered, before letting out an elated laugh. Out of his pocket, Leonard also pulled out a similar box.
Inside was an emerald ring and a white gold band with swirls on the band.
Absolute adoration filled Klein’s being at that moment. The erosion of humanity seemed like it all washed away at this moment. Leonard had wanted them to spend the rest of their lives together, just as much as Klein did.
Despite the red on his face, Klein laughed and got down on one knee anyways. “I really do love you, Leonard. You already have my heart, but even so, will you marry me?”
Leonard laughed as he wrapped his arms around Klein. “Klein… Of course! You never even had to ask…”
Klein stood up and gently placed the ring on Leonard’s finger, Leonard placing the ring he bought onto Klein’s finger shortly after.
“We should get married soon,” Klein said, holding both of Leonard’s hands. “As much as I’d like to get married at the Church of the Fool, you’re a Deacon of the Eternal Darkness…”
“We can say it’s an alliance between the two churches,” Leonard replied cheerfully. “The Goddess has approved of us so far, it should be fine.”
“Hmm… I’ll have a new church be made, then. Saint Leonard’s Cathedral, we can hold it there,” Klein said.
Leonard smiled, hand cradling Klein’s face. Their breaths mingled as Klein tilted his head to kiss Leonard. Klein’s arms wrapped around Leonard.
Klein pulled away to breathe and their foreheads rested against each other.
“Happy birthday, my Dear poet, my anchor,” Klein whispered adoringly. “I really love you, so, so much.” Leonard smiled wider as he leaned in for another kiss.