He knocked softly before entering the office, “Dr. Oldham?”  He called out apprehensively. 

A small child came out from the book stacks of the office, “Ledo, the Doctor is out for the moment, but he should be back shortly.  Are you not feeling well?”  She was the nurse that usually followed the doctor around.  It was strange to see her not around him, but maybe he was in a meeting with Ridget.

The silver haired teen nodded, “not feeling well.”  He still had some troubles speaking fluently, but he was much better than before.  The child nodded and pointed to the bed in the corner of the room.  Ledo understood that he was to wait there then.  After a good five minutes of sitting on the bed his mind began to wander and he felt the sickness come back.  He laid down and curled up.  He didn’t understand why he was feeling like this.  Was this some earth sickness?  Was it a disease?  What if it was contagious?  He didn’t have Chamber to keep anyone safe anymore.  Chamber.  With a bit of movement he drew out the device that used to be Chamber.  “You’d tell me what this was wouldn’t you, Chamber?”  He murmured holding the device.  Chamber didn’t reply, he couldn’t.  Chamber was gone and had been for a while.  It had been over a year since that fight with Krugel or rather Striker.  Chamber had destroyed himself to protect him and Gargantia.

Ledo was beginning to nod off when he hear the door open, “ah, Ledo.  What are you here for?”

“Not feeling well.”  He repeated after sitting up.

Dr. Oldham looked at him in surprise, “you?  That’s certainly different, but there does seem to be a virus going around.  However, it doesn’t look like you have any of the symptoms.  Why don’t you tell me what your symptoms are?”  Ledo nodded, after all since he was originally from space he might have different symptoms despite being human as well.

“It doesn’t happen all the time.  It’s on and off.”  He was speaking slowly with uncertainty.  “My pulse quickens, start sweating, can’t breathe well, temperature increases, and get jumpy.”  Ledo was twirling his thumbs.  He could feel the sickness starting to come back. 

Dr. Oldham hummed in thought.  He checked Ledo’s physical reactions among other things.  He couldn’t find anything that was a physical cause.  Perhaps it was mental?  “Ledo, are you experiencing any vivid dreams?”

“Dreams?”  He didn’t understand what the word meant.

“Yes, visions or pictures when you sleep.”

Ledo thought for a few seconds before slowly nodding.  “They’re different from the ones I saw in the Galactic Alliance.  They’re my…”  He paused trying to find the Earthen word, “…memories, but… when I’m asleep they change.  I’ll do different actions than I had really done.”

“Like what for example?”

Ledo fidgeted, he wasn’t sure if he should say.  Why?  There was nothing wrong with saying it.  Still he didn’t want to say it out loud.  What if it was wrong?  Earth was much more lax than the Galactic Alliance, but he still messed up sometimes.  “One…”  He gulped nervously again the feeling was coming back.  “One of them was during the abandoned ship.  Amy kept clinging on me in fear of that ghost creature.  I kept her close, but that’s when it changes.  I start displaying the symptoms and then… I just continue to hold her instead of continuing on like what really happened.”

Dr. Oldham was about to open his mouth to speak when a knock was heard before the door opened.  “Dr. Oldham, you have a delivery.”  The cheerful voice of Amy was heard.  He noticed how Ledo flinched and his face seem conflicted on whether it wanted to drain of color or become red as possible.  “Ledo, what are you doing here?”  He watched as Ledo looked away.

“It seems Ledo isn’t feeling well so I’m trying to diagnose him.”  The Doctor said taking the letter and signature slip. 

While he was signing Amy went over to Ledo.  “You do look sick.  Let’s see if you have a fever.”  She said before placing her forehead against the other teen’s.  Ledo froze and his eyes went wide.  He tried to look anywhere but at Amy however he had trouble doing such.  She backed away, “you don’t seem to have a fever, but your face is all red.”

The doctor laughed having figured it out now.  “Now, now Amy, he may be contagious so I wouldn’t stay around too long.  Besides you still have work.”  Amy nodded then said her goodbyes.  Ledo didn’t calm down for a while.  “Well, I know what you have now, Ledo?”

Ledo’s mind seemed to blank for a second before he remembered, “What is it?  Can you cure it?”

The old man laughed at Ledo’s eagerness, “It’s a disease everyone gets.  Sometimes multiple times.  Unfortunately there is only one cure.  You have to tell your feelings.”

Ledo’s purple eyes looked at the man in confusion.  “I don’t understand.”

The old man nodded, “You’re not going to die from it, so you’re fine.  It’s just a thing you have to experience.  That’s all I can really tell you.”

Ledo stayed silent in thought before he stood up.  “Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Oldham.  I still don’t understand, but at least I know that it is something that is natural on Earth.”  Ledo left after the doctor bided him farewell.  Ledo wondered around until he ran into Bellows. 

“Ledo!  You still don’t look well.  What did Dr. Oldham say?”  She asked.  Ledo remembered, he had messed up yesterday during work so Bellows told him to take today off and to go see the doctor.

“He said I have a disease they everyone gets at least once in their life.  He wouldn’t tell me the name only that the only cure was to ‘tell my feelings’.”  He paused his face distorting in confusion.  “I don’t understand that.”

Bellows lightly toyed with her chin in thought.  “That is a rather strange diagnose and cure.  Hmmm… Then try on me.  Tell me your feelings.”

“I don’t understand the feelings part, Bellows.  It’s not something I’ve been allowed to really have.”  He still was having so much trouble adjusting.

Bellows frowned, “Ledo, do you remember when I told you about desires?  Desires are like feelings.  Feelings is happiness, anger, sadness, and fear.  Feelings tell you what you want.”

Ledo recalled that night of the festival.  Bellows and Pinion was trying to get him to work for one of them.  That was also the night of Amy’s dance. Amy’s dance… That was the first time he expressed what he really wanted.  He had asked Amy to dance since he didn’t see all of it before and he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her when she complied.

“Ledo?  What in the world did you remember to have you blushing like that?”  Bellows asked with some concern.

He looked down, “Amy’s… dance…”  He said quietly.

Bellows could barely hear him, but she did.  He said Amy’s dance.  Did he mean from the festival?  That reaction too.  Slowly the pieces came into place.  “Ah,  So you’ve got that disease, huh?”  She gave a big smile.

“What is it?  I don’t like it…”

The redhead laughed, “It’s called love.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Love is a complicated feeling, but it means you really care for that person.  You want to hold them and make them happy.  That’s what you think when you think about Amy, right?”  Ledo nodded after a few seconds.  “Then you love Amy.  You want to be a part of her family.”

“Family?”  Ledo looked up displaying a mixture of emotions.  He knew about families.  It was a responsibility.  That was why Chamber destroyed himself and Striker.  Family-shame.  It was a reproductive process on Gargantia.  Two individuals came together reproduced and that was a family.  At least that’s how he understood it.  “Then… that means that I…” His face turned even redder and he started speaking in him native tongue.

Bellows just laughed; she had worked with Ledo long enough to understand some of his thought processes and she could guess at what he just concluded.  She placed her hands on his shoulders to get his attention and to calm him down.  “That part doesn’t come until much later, Ledo.  You’ll have to date her first.”  When Bellows saw that confused look she explained.  “Dating is what we call the courting process, you know what that is right?”  Ledo nodded, “Good.  Then that’s what you have to do.  It will probably take a while though, so you don’t have to worry about making a kid.”

“Then… how do I date Amy?”

“First you have to get her permission and for how to do that you have to tell her how you feel for her.”  She saw him frown, “You’ll figure it out.  I know, why don’t you tell Bebel?   It’s an ancient tactic, but some people ask the family if they can date the person first so they know that they’re serious.”

“So I should tell Bebel that I want to date Amy?”  He seemed to have a little bit of hope in his eyes.  Bellows nodded while smiling.  “Then I will go.”

“Good luck, Ledo!”  She cheered waving him on.

  “Bebel?  It’s Ledo.”  He called out to the locked door after knocking.  He heard a sound before the door opened.

“Ledo?  It’s strange of you to visit without Amy being here.”  He said as he opened the door to allow Ledo to enter.

“I wanted to ask you something.  It has to do with Amy.” 

Bebel froze a bit hearing that before he followed Ledo to the living area.  “Amy has been saying that she feels like you’ve been avoiding her.  Do you not want to be her friend anymore?”  He had a hint of sadness.

“That’s not it.”  He said immediately.  He looked at Bebel with seriousness and opened his mouth to say something, but closed it soon after not being able to find his voice.  Bebel was a bit unnerved.  He had only really seen Ledo this serious when he was going off to kill the whalesquid before they found out that they were originally humans.  Bebel stayed silent waiting for Ledo to finally speak.  “I want to ask Amy… to date me.”  It sounded awkward even for him.

The child laughed lightly, “That’s not something to really ask me, Ledo.  You haven’t even told Amy that you liked her have you?”

The teen shook his head, “Bellows told me that it was an ancient tradition to ask the family for permission first.  You’re Amy’s little brother.  You’re her only family.  Besides… I’m still… unsure if I want to tell her.  What if she….”  He fell silent having not even thought of Amy declining. 

“I don’t think she’ll do that, but even I don’t know her heart.  I know that she does cherish you though.  You’re an important person to her.  However—“  The child fell silent as a noise was heard from the door. 

“Huh, the door’s unlocked.  Bebel?”  Amy rushed into the room in worry.  “Oh, so you let Ledo in.  Ledo, are you feeling any better?  What did Dr. Oldham say it was?  Do you want to have lunch with us since you’re here?”

Ledo stood up, “N-no… I-I have to go.” 

“Ledo.”  Bebel’s voice stopped the teen in his tracks.  “My answer is yes, but make sure you are clear about it.”  Ledo nodded and said his thanks before leaving.

“What was that about, Bebel?”  Amy asked looking at her brother suspiciously.

“It’s nothing really.  Just guy stuff.”

“Guy stuff?  Have you been listening to Pinion again?”

  Ledo sighed looking over the waters that spread out over the horizon.  Now he had permission, but how was he going to tell Amy?  He still didn’t understand much of this.  Why was he experiencing something like love now?  He had been on Gargantia for close to two years now so it should have come up before.  Had it always been there?  He just hadn’t notice it before?   He then heard some approaching, rather two people, and from the sound of their voices it was Pinion and Lukkage.  As he turned to face them he noticed that they were holding hand.  That was strange.  He didn’t see many people do that.  They stopped when they noticed him and before they could say anything Ledo spoke, “what does holding hands signify?”

Embarrassed, Pinion tried to retract his hand, but Lukkage wouldn’t allow him.  “The kid is interested in holding hands with someone?  Holding hands means you’re dating.”

“Dating?”  Ledo’s was in shock a bit.

“O-oi…  I said I didn’t want—“ Pinnion started to speak, but was silenced with a finger on his lips.

“How did you start dating?  How did you ask?”  

Lukkage was interested and now Pinion was with how urgent Ledo seemed.  “L-ledo… are you planning on asking someone on a date?”  The blond asked then watched at the silver haired teen gave a confidant nod.

“Very well I will teach you how to get anyone you please.”  The aggressive woman said releasing Pinion.  “First to get their attention sneak up behind them and blow on their ear.  Pinion, you do it to Ledo so he knows how it’s done and how it feels.”

“Eh?  Why do I have to do it?”  He complained although complying by walk over to Ledo.”

“Because I want to see what kind of face he makes.”

Ledo frowned, something didn’t feel quite right, but he had asked them.  “Why do you have to snea—“ He gasped feeling the air on his ear.  His eyes went wide and he felt weak.  He both liked and hated it.

“Oh my, what a delicious expression.”  Lukkage cooed in happiness.  Pinion moved back to his original spot and silently agreed with the lobster queen.  Ledo still hadn’t moved and his expression was rather cute for a guy.

“Ledo!”  Pinion called out sharply and finally the kid seemed to be returning to his senses.  “You ready to actually learn some lines or you wanna stop?”

Ledo shook his head, “No, I’m fine.  I asked you to tell me so do so.” 

  By the time evening had rolled around Ledo had memorized some pick-up lines as they called them and had some on a paper.  Ledo was roaming around, halfway in thought and halfway trying to find Amy.  He was about to enter the restaurant he usually had dinner at when he noticed that Amy was there at the counter.  She seemed to be waiting for something.  Maybe dinner for her and Bebel?  He was about to call out to her when he remembered Pinion and Lukkage’s lesson.  Amy seemed distracted enough so he didn’t have to sneak up on her that much.  Although when Grace noticed him he placed a finger to his lips and she seemed to understand.  He knew he had only one chance to get this right so he cautiously acted and blew on her exposed ear.

Amy squeaked, clamped a hand over her ear, and stumbled back into him.  “Ledo?”  Her cheeks were completely red.  “What was that for?”  She said turning around and lightly hitting his arm.

Ledo took a second to gain his breath and calm down.  “S-sorry.  Did I hurt you?”

Amy took a calming breath a shook her head.  “No. I was just surprised.  Are you okay?  We haven’t really talked to each other for a few days.  I’ve been worried about you.”

He nodded, “I’ll be fine.  What are you doing here?  Picking up dinner?”

“Not really.”  She crossed her arms.  “Bebel told me to come here around this time and that I’d get a surprise.  I wonder if it was you talking to me.”  She laughed then like it was a joke and Ledo followed suit although less earnest about it.  So Bebel was trying to help him. 

It was now or never, right?  “Would you want to interlock with me?” He nearly blurted out.  Amy looked at him in confusion.  Crap.  Maybe he said one that she didn’t know?  He could feel heat on his cheeks.  What were the other ones?  He couldn’t remember.  He tried to bring out the paper, but as he did so he lost all nerve.  “N-nevermind.  Forget that.  I’m sorry.”  He turned tail and ran out of the establishment not hearing Amy call out to him.

  Ledo ran until he couldn’t anymore and he fell.  Breathing heavily Ledo eventually found strength to sit himself up and leaned against the railing.  He messed up.    Now he’d definitely avoid Amy.  What in the world made him think that Pinion’s words would work?   He regretted it so much.  He knew Pinion and Lukkage meant well, but maybe he should have just listened to all the others.  He should have just told her his feelings even if they didn’t make sense to him.  Once he had caught his breath Ledo pulled out his flute and stood up.  As he looked over the darkened sea and sky he began to play the flute.  He had gotten better from the last time he had played it in from of Amy.  Amy.  He really did care for her.  He’d protect her with his life.  He’d try everything to make her happy.  Even if he was a complete mess up at it.  He stopped playing as he noticed someone beside him. “A-amy!” 

“Please don’t run again.”  She said quickly and after a few moments she spoke again.  “Could you play your flute a bit more?  I like hearing it.”  Ledo nodded, relaxing a bit, and playing again.  He watched as her bright blue eyes closed and she seemed at peace.  He relaxed even more, she liked his flute playing.  A minute or two passed before the song came to a soft end.  “Ledo—“ She stopped what she was going to say when the male teen suddenly hugged her. 

She went to push him away in uncertainty, “Please… Let me do this for a little bit.” She stopped struggling.  This was what Ledo wanted and she wanted him to be happy.   What seemed like minutes or hours passed before Ledo spoke again, “I want to protect you, Amy.  More than anything.  You’re very precious to me.  During that fight with Striker I was ready to die to protect Gargantia, your home. However as I was getting ready to die I had a single regret. I wanted to meet you again.  I wanted to see you smile again.  I wanted to hold you.  I want to stay by your side.  You give my life meaning, Amy.  I’m still unsure about what these feelings are, but I know they’re there.  I’ve been told that these complicated feelings have a name… Amy…”  He paused feeling the girl in his arms gripped his shirt and shake.  “Amy… Could you please look at me?”  He felt her shake her head, but she looked up tears falling down her tanned cheeks.  Knowing that she was crying he didn’t want to say it.  Was she already denying him?  He couldn’t say it then.  If it was already causing her pain then he shouldn’t say it.  Ledo released her, “I’m sorry.”  He then went to her wrists to remove them from gripping onto his shirt.

“Say it.”  She demanded.

He looked at her in fear, but complied.  “Amy, I love you.” 

She moved her hands, but only to hug him, “I’m… the same.  I’ve felt the same for a long time.”  Her voice was weak due to her crying that didn’t seem to be stopping.

“Then why are you crying?”

Amy laughed lightly, “It’s because I’m happy silly.  Tears don’t only mean sadness and pain.”  They smiled at each other for a few seconds before tightly hugging each other.  For minutes they stood like that, enjoying the closeness and warmth of each other.  When Amy’s tears finally stopped she pulled away and rubbed her face.  “Hey, Ledo?”  Her voice was still weak so she wait until she knew that Ledo’s full attention was on her.  “Why did you say what you said back there at the restaurant?  Do you even know what that means?”

Ledo felt his cheeks heat up and he looked away.  “Pinion told me to say that.  He said that it was a line I could use to get you to date me…  I don’t think it worked.”

The female laughed happily, “Yeah, it didn’t work.  I was more creeped out than anything.  It didn’t match you.  Besides, you shouldn’t take Pinion’s advice too seriously.  That’s why he has trouble finding anyone to like him back.”

“Really?  But him and Lukkage is together.”

“Eh?  Seriously?”  Her voice was in shock so Ledo could only nod.  “ Hmm, well I guess it’s not too unbelievable.  Lukkage has stayed around instead of becoming a pirate again.  I wonder if he’ll settle down with her… although she doesn’t seem so tame.”  Ledo wasn’t following too well and Amy noticed that.  “Well, don’t worry about it.  I’m only rambling.  Shall we get going?  I think Bebel might be getting worried by now.”

Ledo nodded with a smile, “I’ll walk you home then.”  He let go as Amy did and she started to walk off.  “Um… Amy?”  She stopped and looked back at him.  “Could we hold hands while we walk?”  He could see Amy blush before smiling and nodding.   She came back to his side and quietly interlaced their fingers together.  With that Ledo joined her in walking.  Nobody seemed to notice them holding hands. 

That was until, ”Amy?  Ledo?  Holding hands?  Saaya!  We’ve lost to Amy again!  She got the hottie!”  It was Melty and Saaya, Amy’s co-workers and friends.  Melty made a sound of defeat while Saaya just smiled.  Amy and Ledo both pulled their hands away from each other and looked away. 

“My…  Well it’s not as if it’s really unexpected.  When did this happen?”  Saaya seemed to be taking the news better than Melty, but even she still seemed a bit downtrodden.  Did those two really like him?  He always thought that they were teasing him like everybody else seemed to do.

“Just… Just a few moment’s ago.”  Amy murmured toying with her bag’s strap.

Melty whined, “Well as long as the both of you are happy I’ll accept.  Ledo—“  She focused on the space boy.  “Considering I know Amy would never have confessed you had to have been the one, but what was that I saw earlier today with you, Pinion, and Lukkage?”  Ledo looked at the blonde in surprise.  She had saw that?

“What does she mean?”  He heard Amy ask him.

“Ah… That was probably when I was getting advice from them.”  He said touching his ear to signal to Amy that he had learned that from them too.

Amy took a moment to realize the signal then blushed madly and looked away.  “I see. That’s when you were getting Pinion’s advice.”

Melty frowned, “Am I missing something?”

The black haired teen lightly patted the blonde’s shoulder.  “Now, now Melty.  When they’re comfortable enough they’ll tell us exactly what happened.”  She then went and grabbed one of Amy’s and Ledo’s hands and put them together.  “Sorry we disrupted your evening.  Please go about what you were doing.  We’ll seen each other bright and early tomorrow.”  Saaya and Melty waved good bye and walked away. 

“Who was it exactly that taught you that ear thing?”  Amy asked interlacing her fingers with Ledo’s and walking.

“Pinion did it to me, but Lukkage was the one that brought it up.” 

Amy laughed, “Must’ve been weird to have a guy do it, huh?”

“It was.  I didn’t really like it.  Did you not like it, Amy?”

The female teen blushed lightly, “Well… I wouldn’t mind you doing it again, just not in public.  Could I try it on you one day?” 

“I don’t mind.”

The two then switched subjects to their work and talked like they normally did.  Eventually they made it to Amy’s home.   “Well then this is goodnight.  Thank you for walking me home, Ledo.”  The female said before reaching up and kissing Ledo’s cheek.

He stared at her in surprise and quickly placed his hand over where her lips were.  “What was that for?”

“It’s a goodnight kiss, silly.”  She giggled lightly.