listening to his own heart was something cloud used to be very skilled at ─── used to be ; it wasn’t until radiant garden’s fall when everything changed . the swarming darkness of the lanes between that made his own erupt into something cataclysmic was the beginning of a soft heart being pummeled and crushed under his own hands , something he desperately tried to cage in search of safety , security ; the light was not lost however ─── and despite the fact he’d never voiced it ─── leon was one of few solid forces that fed it , like an odd second ― hand reminder of the boy he once was . it was refreshing , though admittedly tiring at times too .
cloud found himself stiffening up as leon encouraged the conversation , head turning to finally break that usually ever content eye contact ─── an awkwardness , an uncertainty slinking in between bones . leon was right , spoken word was rarely a necessity with them , cloud felt they were better getting the truth out in more showing ways than telling … but there were some things glances alone could not express , and sadly this was one of them .
however … he found it wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have right off the bat , inwardly kicking himself for not spending a little more time in comfortable silence with the brunet before slipping into seriousness ─── but leon was waiting , and cloud was being increasingly unresponsive . he had to say something , lest the other assumed the worst . ❛ i … ❜ he’d practiced this conversation to himself in his head the entire trip home , so how was it that he’d forgotten practically everything he’d previously decided on the moment he needed it most ? ❛ … in one of the recent worlds i went to , i met a boy … i found him ─── or i guess he’d found me ; he’s … alone , no parents , only … about nine , i’d say . ❜ an irritated sigh , arms crossing . he wasn’t … good at this . with the shake of his head cloud forgoes a touching explanation , head turning back to the other as he simply decides to tackle the matter like practically all of his problems . bluntly and uncertainly .
❛ i’d like … to adopt him . but i … ❜ … want your approval ? cloud still wasn’t sure . what they had together was something they knew , instinctively they did , but on paper … in words … was it this ? were they … this ?
the way cloud averts his gaze & slips into awkward unsurety is unironically charming to leon , who doesn’t even try to hide the beginnings of a smile at the edges of perfectly bowed lips . he couldn’t say it , but it reminds him of the cloud he met many years ago , now ; the shy & awkward boy he always seemed to find himself ‘ running into ’ ( their encounters were almost always intentional one one end or another , leon can’t deny that anymore , now that he’s so much older ) , the one he felt this bubbling fondness for , despite how sour of a person leon had been , back then . cloud is still that same person , just under a protective layers . leon had somewhat grown out of his suit of armor , whilst cloud had grown into one ——— this could be one of the reasons why they understand each other so well .
after a stretch of expectant silence & no response , a sienna eyebrow raises , ultramarine eyes subconsciously studying cloud for any trace of pain or discomfort . had something happened while he was away ?? would he tell leon something that fosters the potential to upset or destabilize him ?? considering how casually cloud had come in , it isn’t likely , but quiet always allows the mind to wander a little too far , especially when there’s already so much to worry about . he doesn’t pry , though . he’s a patient man in general, but especially when it comes to cloud . he knows the blonde just needs sometime to gather his thoughts .
when the words gradually start to come out , leon’s other eyebrow raises to join its twin , painting a rare expression of genuine surprise along his features . being the ‘ fatherly ’ type himself , he is ultimately quite pleased to hear the news ; even elated that cloud had managed to bond with someone out there in the cosmos , someone who clearly needs him . it reminds him of sora once again , though the boy was already a teenager by the time they met , but he can attest to how hugely meaningful it can be to forge a connection with a child , to take a parental role in their life .
he wonders why exactly cloud seems to be seeking his . . . approval ?? he doesn’t want to assume that’s what’s happening here , but the pieces to that puzzle are fitting together curiously well . nevertheless , leon is smiling , the soft & mellow kind of curve he selectively shows , accentuating his heart-shaped cupid’s bow . he instantly wants to meet this child , wants to witness their bond for himself ——— he wants to connect himself to the one that’s found his way into such a special place in cloud’s heart . despite his emotional handicaps , leon understands the nature of his relationship with cloud , even if he’s reluctant to admit it . perhaps , if the stars align , they could look after the child together . is that what you want ... ??
“ i’m surprised , ” he says light-heartedly , head canting faintly with interest , “ but , i think that’s wonderful . and it would be good for you , as well as for him . ” dark lashes fan out over bright eyes , leon taking a moment to look out toward the darkening heavens from the window’s view , noticing that the stars are out tonight . how many nights had they spent in the coldness of hollow bastion , looking out at an empty wasteland of a sky ??
“ but , what ?? is there something holding you back ?? ”
snowghoul
blakekathryn
dailybridgerton
romaincrisis
