#oc:leaf

“You scared me!” You reprimanded the soldier and gave him a playful push which made the outgoing guard take a step back as more of his laughter filled the air. “Sorry- sorry” he spoke in a tone far too amused to be genuine in between his laughs. “I just came to see if my favourite gardener was doing alright. You looked so lost in thought” he explained himself after finally calming his laughter. You shook your head with a smile at that, if it wasn’t such a sweet move you could stand to be more annoyed at the fact Leaf forgot that you were working. “Yes I’m alright, just working out what’s wrong with the Blueblossom” you decided to explain, gesturing towards the small tree behind you.

Leaf’s light brown gaze shifted from you to the tree and one of his hands moved to his bare chin, pretending to stroke an imaginary beard as he thought about what was wrong with it. “In my very professional opinion” he started, a twinkle in his eyes already giving away his playful teasing, “I think it’s suffering from droopyitis”. You graced his comment with a snort. “Haven’t I told you already the branches are meant to droop?” You reminded him, nudging his shoulder with your own as your eyes rolled. Leaf laughed however it was unclear if it was at your explanation or his own joke, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s laughed at whatever amusing comment or story he’s shared with you.

After he finished laughing a comfortable silence settled between you and the clone. The quiet had a notoriously short lifespan with the talkative Leaf nearby but he tried to not disturb you when you had to concentrate. The sound of him shifting from foot to foot blended easily into the bustling background noise of the city. You tried to focus back onto the Blueblossom tree but you found your eyes and thoughts drifting to your companion instead. You didn’t know how long he had before he had to leave for his next shift but recently you’ve found yourself hoping for him to stay longer and longer. Leaf was good company, talkative and playful yet considerate. He was also good looking, most clones were but the little differences between him and his brothers that you had noticed in your time working in the senate gardens made him stand out in your mind. He had longer hair than most his brothers, it settled just above his shoulders when he let it out of its normal high ponytail and whenever he smiled the usually straight scar on his cheek bent as if even the damage done by the war smiled along with him and his jokes. He was a great friend but the way your heart ached when you referred to him as such was something you didn’t want to linger on in fear the soldier wouldn’t or couldn’t return the sentiment.

“Do I have something on my armour?” Leaf jested and once again brought you from your thoughts, noticing how distracted you seem. You shake your head ‘no’, heat blossomed across your face at the embarrassment of being called out for it, “Just thinking” you clarify swiftly for him. His brows creased in worry at that, hoping that nothing was wrong with you.. or with him. He enjoyed the time he spent with you and he was worried you had finally gotten annoyed with him hovering around you like a fly. His eyes traced your face for any signs you were about to shoo him away or for any sign that you were upset about something else. Even though he found nothing of the sort he couldn’t shake the worry that clung to him like leech. “What about?” He asked in a voice softer than his usual loud voice. You paused, not sure whether or not to admit it. You sucked in a deep breath to stall for time and your eyes flicked to the blue flowered tree that you were meant to be paying attention too so you could escape Leaf’s worry-filled brown eyes.

“You” you admitted quietly and Leaf thought he may of misheard you at first. He wasn’t sure what to say or whether what you were thinking was good or bad but even the simple idea that you were thinking of him made a small amount of warmth rush to his ears. You hadn’t spoken up to clarify and your unwillingness to look away from the tree at him made him worry, his eyebrows still furrowed in worry. Leaf didn’t want to press it, knowing he should hold his tongue as you didn’t look like you wanted him to question you but he never had been good at keeping himself quiet. “What about me?” He asked in a whisper, worried if he spoke any louder you would disappear with them. You blushed harder at that and focused more onto the tree, hoping that maybe the weeping tree would come alive and save you from having to admit the nerve-wracking truth to the sweet soldier. “I was thinking about how I don’t want you to leave” you admitted softly before continuing in an even quieter voice, eyes finally moving back onto Leaf “because I care about you in a way that i don’t think friends usually do”.

Leaf’s eyes widened at your admission and unintelligible stutters of sound left his mouth swifter than any podracer announcer you’ve ever heard. He couldn’t summon the words as his mind raced faster than he could turn into jests so he decided to let his actions show it instead. He closed his mouth and let a gloved hand come up to cup your cheek, his eyes settled on yours as he leaned in slowly to give you time to pull away if you wanted. Despite your burning face and hammering heart you leaned in to meet him halfway.

When Leaf pulled his lips away you found yourself longing for them again. His thumb gently stroked the side of your cheek as he sent you a loving yet apologetic look. “I have to go to my next shift” he explained in a heavy voice. Although he thought you were worth the lecture from Fox or Stone for being late he didn’t want them to have any reason to keep him away from you. “And you have to work out what’s wrong with that troublesome droopy tree” he spoke in amusement as his hand gently slid off your cheek. He backed away and offered you what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he walked to his post. You raised your hand in a small goodbye wave and tried to not feel too disappointed at how short your meeting with him was.