Leona's Arm Rest

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To my dearest friends, Qifrey and Olruggio,

My days have fared well, and I am still earning quite enough in my business. There is a new person coming in at least every other week. I am glad to be of help to people. One wouldn’t think you would meet so many kinds of people in this kind of job. Travelers, fellow artisans, mothers, grandmothers, and curious children.

Speaking of children, how are your apprentices? It has been awhile since I’ve asked, and even longer since I have last seen them. I do hope they are well.

I am doing well in my personal life as well. I met a man just the other week. He has brought me small trinkets and flowers every time he has visited me. We have talked about pursuing a serious relationship only yesterday. He’s stoic, but is also very kind and thoughtful.

Sincerely and with love, [Name]

You looked at the parchment as you finished signing it, smiling to yourself. Just as you were about to set the quill down in the pen rest, the overhead bell to your shop rang.

You turn around in your stool, looking up to who just walked in. Seeing the familiar silhouette, your smile widens, placing your cheek to rest on your clasped hands.

“My oh my,” you greet Easthies.

He tilts his head down, almost to hide the small smile he has, at your greeting.

“Hello, to you as well,” he leans down, his hand cups your chin as his thumb brushes over your lower lip, and leaves a light kiss against your cheek.

Your cheeks warm at the display of affection. Even if it’s early, and even if no one else is in your shop, you find yourself almost flustered at the thought of people seeing you two together doing such things.

“Easthies,” you whisper, moving your hands to cover your cheeks, closing your eyes and grinning. “How very bold of you this early morning!”

Easthies says nothing, but reaches out to grab your wrist, moving it away from your face.

You stay silent as well, only peaking open one eye to look at him, the grin still on your face. With your other hand, you reach out to touch his cheek. From cheek to jaw, from jaw to neck, and from there to his nape. A slow trip from start to end. Your nails travel lightly against his skin, leaving goosebumps where they once touched, but he doesn’t shiver from the feeling.

Easthies stays how he was, as if your hand has turned him to a statue. You lean in closer to him the closer your fingers get to his hairline at the back of his neck. Both your eyes becoming half lidded as you feel your breaths joining the other’s.

Your lips are a mere graze against Easthies’ as you speak to him, “Easthies?” Your voice was gentle, and airy. Such a light whisper.

“Hm?” Easthies let out a quiet hum, trying to match your volume.

“You’re so pretty,” your eyes close as you let out.

Easthies only closes the very small space that’s left between you, kissing your lips just as lightly as he did your cheek, making you giggle against him.

As you two broke apart, you looked up at him, smiling, before turning around to your writing area you've set up on your desk.

“I was writing to my friends before you came in,” you said, grabbing the letter and folding it into itself three times, then grabbing the spoon with already melted wax, sealing it closed with a stamp.

-

A knock sounded at the door, a small echo throughout the atelier as everyone was sat down, ready to eat whatever lunch was that day. Letting out a huff and a grumble, Olruggio got to his knees to stand.

“I’ve got it,” he makes his way to the door, a slight drag of his feet against the flooring.

“Hello, good afternoon, sir!” A cheery messenger greeted Olruggio when he opened the door.

Olruggio only stared at the other man, letting out a gruff “afternoon,” himself.

Feeling a bit pesky at the curt greetings, the messenger handed him a letter sealed with a familiar dark purple wax. “Here you are, sir!”

Taking the letter, Olruggio thanked him, making sure he went on his way before closing the door to the atelier.

Olruggio opened the letter, making his way back to the dining area. Only reading the first line, he called out for Qifrey. He only glanced at the other man before heading to the kitchen. Qifrey followed very soon after excusing himself from the table and the girls.

As Qifrey walked into the kitchen, he only saw Olruggio staring very sternly at the piece of parchment like it personally offended him somehow.

“Oh my,” Qifrey could feel an awkward sweat forming on the back of his neck as he smiled without humor. “Is everything alright, Olly?”

Taking his attention off the letter, he looks to Qifrey, “She says she’s met someone.”

Qifrey’s eyes widened, almost in an excited manner, “why, that’s wonderful!” He cheers, bringing his hand together.

-

Just a few days later, as the others were filled with lessons and patrols, certain people decided to pay you a visit.

Down in Kalhn, Easthies was just on his way to your small tailor shop, just as he was the other day. An inconsistent yet familiar routine. He was donned in his Knights of Moralis attire as he walked along the cobblestone streets. It was just as busy as it usually was around this time of day, so he wasn’t surprised when someone, a child no less, bumped into him.

He looked down after hearing the meek voice apologize. Easthies was not surprised that a child bumped into him, no. He, however, was surprised to see that Coco, one of Qifrey’s apprentices, was the one that had bumped into him.

“Coco,” Qifrey called out.

Speak of the devil…

Turning his attention to Easthies as he reached out to pull Coco away from the man. “Easthies,” Qifrey greeted with a terribly forced smile. “I’m surprised to see you here in Kalhn.”

“You as well. I am only doing a simple errand run.” Easthies wanted to keep the encounter short with the other man.

“Is that so?” Qifrey continued, “We are as well. So then, Best we go our own ways now,” he wanted to keep the encounter short as well.

Easthies said nothing, only nodding at the man’s words. He takes off in his original direction, stepping past the other two, and at some time, he passed by Olruggio as well. How rare to see him here, Easthies thought to himself.

-

You’re sat in your stole as you are most days, torn garment in hand and sewing needle in the other. Easthies stands at your back, rubbing at whatever small knot you have in your shoulder. You let out small hums of satisfaction every now and then.

The overhead bell rings, but you don’t look up. Keeping your eyes on the garment in front of you, you greet whoever just walked in, “Welcome.”

Easthies does look up to whoever just entered the shop. Seeing who it was, he stops his movements on your shoulder, pulling his hand away. That absence prompts you to look up as well. To him in question, then to the door in wonder.

Just in front of the door stands a shocked Qifrey, and behind him, an equally shocked Olruggio.

Surprised by their presence, it takes you a bit to speak up again. “Qifrey—and Olruggio?” You stand up and walk towards them. “Where are the girls?” You wonder aloud, peeking around them, seeing the lack of apprentices.

They both continue to look past you towards Easthies, who stares right back at them. They stay silent for what you think is a whole seven minutes, feeling every second pass, before looking at you, then back to Easthies, then back to you again.

They both say nothing for only a little while longer before shouting out in unison, “HIM?!”

You nod, straining your smile, feeling a headache coming on already at the future throw of questions from the two you would call brothers.

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