It's been a rough few days, hasn't it? [ AS CALM AS EVER. ] I just realized we hadn't spoken since that run-in, so I thought I'd see how things had gone.
[It... has... it has definitely been a rough few days, Leon can't deny that, considering the way he'd felt when the entire situation with Stahn went down. The fact that they had to talk about it hardly helped, really--even if Stahn's back to normal now...
Well, the sight of Stahn reaching for his weapon will stay with him for a long time, he thinks.]
... I found Stahn. If you are concerned about him, he appears to be back to normal now.
I was, so that's wonderful to hear... [ Indeed, there's a good measure of relief in her voice. ] It looks as though the effects wore off for everyone around the same time.
[He can't say he's surprised. Stahn is sunshine, after all; of course people are worried over him. When Stahn isn't acting right, it's like the sun not being in the sky. It's just weird.
Clearly that's all she needs to worry about.]
It was the books, wasn't it? That was what caused this.
[Yes... that's what he was thinking too, but Otome seems on top of her shit. Not surprising; she's always seemed competent. Which is why... he hesitates for a moment, before he asks what's been plaguing him for awhile now--]
...Yes, I believe so as well. [But...] Was...there any basis in reality to their reactions, do you think?
[Did Stahn... actually deep down believe any of that?]
Leon grimaces for a moment (it's a good thing Otome can't see his expression), and for a moment, the silence drags.
... He can think of plenty of reasons for Stahn to at least be wary of him, honestly. Probably not fear--Stahn wasn't the fearful sort. But... it's not like anyone should really accept a traitor back into their lives with open arms, right?
And yet...]
... You don't know anything. Don't talk about what you don't understand.
[ Ah. It's time for the silence to inch by on Otome's end, if just because she's thinking. So there was something. Something Leon may not have entirely come to terms with, that she had touched upon not as gently as she would have preferred. ]
... I don't understand. I also don't intend to ask, until you're willing to tell me.
But I still believe what I said. His fear of you must have been entirely against his will.
[ Stahn didn't seem like the sort to be afraid of someone like Leon, and Leon's worry for him? There was a bond there, she's certain of it. ]
[He definitely doesn't want to talk about it, so that definitely classifies as "unwilling to tell her". Otome has been...strangely nice to him. Without good reason, really. But without any strings attached, too. She doesn't ask him for anything. She doesn't try to use her kindness against him like some sort of leverage.
He's starting to believe that this is just how she is--though of course, he'll have to wait and watch and see for a bit longer.
So... what would she think of him, if she knew? She knows Stahn, she likes Stahn. Of course she does--everyone does (everyone should, really). To learn that he betrayed Stahn, and tried to kill him... would she be disgusted? As disgusted as he is? Maybe.
He's quiet for a long moment, before he huffs, and it's only a little shakier than usual.]
Hmph. I don't recall asking for your attempts at comfort either.
[But.... even so, it helps to hear it. Stahn said it too, of course; Stahn was totally apologetic and upset over it. But even so... what if there had been something there? But if Otome thinks so too then... maybe he's just overthinking it.]
[ Softly. Don't think she didn't hear the slight tremble in his breath-- ]
Just my opinion, that's all. This event made things uncomfortable for a lot of people, and I'm sorry that it had to happen to the both of you.
[ Leon seemed so young, despite acting to the contrary, and Stahn had his own blinding sense of innocence. She could be annoyed, for what these books had done to them, to Trowa, to-- well, even Kogami.
Truthfully, she isn't happy with how things turned out at all. ]
[It's...her opinion. He can't deny that, but even so, his response is a bristling--]
I don't want it either way.
[Opinion. Comfort. It doesn't matter. He doesn't want it. He's fine on his own--he has to be fine, right?]
I'm fine, as I've said, and Stahn is-- [...well. Stahn is sad. But... Leon is sure he'll rebound. It's what Stahn does, right?
(It's what he needs him to do, because Leon doesn't know how to deal with a Stahn that doesn't.)] --he is too empty-headed to focus on such things for long.
But it doesn't mean he's entirely all right now. [ Otome knows better than most that not everyone can bounce back as quickly as they act. Leon probably included, but she's not about to call his coping abilities into question. ]
I'll check up on him in a bit, but if you could also look out for him... I'd appreciate it.
[... Well. If she's not questioning him, but is asking him to look out for Stahn... he supposes he can do that. For her.
Not like he already was totally going to do that anyway, because it's Stahn and Stahn has things to do back home and Leon is going to make sure that he gets home safely to do it--
Well. It's not like it's an unreasonable request.]
... It isn't as though doing something like that will be trouble for me. So there is no need for appreciation; he is impossible to get rid of anyway.
[Honestly.... he's already living with Stahn, so.]
It would be rude to assume, as you've so kindly reminded me already. But I'm glad to know that he's in good hands.
[ He has Leon looking out for him, it seems. She feels a little better about things already. And if Leon looks out for Stahn, odds are that Stahn is also looking out for Leon.
And Otome, of course, will look after them both when she can. ]
[Of course he has Leon--reluctantly or not, their destinies are intertwined now, and Leon can't deny that. Either way, he's embarrassed by what he sees as glowing praise, so he just coughs awkwardly.]
Yes, well. If nothing else, nothing would take Stahn down so easily.
[... That almost sounded like praise, Leon, better be careful.]
He is too idiotic to dwell on something like this.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
Well, the sight of Stahn reaching for his weapon will stay with him for a long time, he thinks.]
... I found Stahn. If you are concerned about him, he appears to be back to normal now.
no subject
no subject
Clearly that's all she needs to worry about.]
It was the books, wasn't it? That was what caused this.
no subject
no subject
...Yes, I believe so as well. [But...] Was...there any basis in reality to their reactions, do you think?
[Did Stahn... actually deep down believe any of that?]
no subject
no subject
And then he clears his throat. Focus, Leon!!]
Then it was just one of the strange situations this place puts people in, just as the other said. There isn't anything else to it.
[He may be trying to convince himself more than anything.]
no subject
[ Especially when Leon himself had been so concerned about him, poorly-hidden as that concern had been. ]
no subject
Leon grimaces for a moment (it's a good thing Otome can't see his expression), and for a moment, the silence drags.
... He can think of plenty of reasons for Stahn to at least be wary of him, honestly. Probably not fear--Stahn wasn't the fearful sort. But... it's not like anyone should really accept a traitor back into their lives with open arms, right?
And yet...]
... You don't know anything. Don't talk about what you don't understand.
no subject
... I don't understand. I also don't intend to ask, until you're willing to tell me.
But I still believe what I said. His fear of you must have been entirely against his will.
[ Stahn didn't seem like the sort to be afraid of someone like Leon, and Leon's worry for him? There was a bond there, she's certain of it. ]
no subject
He's starting to believe that this is just how she is--though of course, he'll have to wait and watch and see for a bit longer.
So... what would she think of him, if she knew? She knows Stahn, she likes Stahn. Of course she does--everyone does (everyone should, really). To learn that he betrayed Stahn, and tried to kill him... would she be disgusted? As disgusted as he is? Maybe.
He's quiet for a long moment, before he huffs, and it's only a little shakier than usual.]
Hmph. I don't recall asking for your attempts at comfort either.
[But.... even so, it helps to hear it. Stahn said it too, of course; Stahn was totally apologetic and upset over it. But even so... what if there had been something there? But if Otome thinks so too then... maybe he's just overthinking it.]
no subject
[ Softly. Don't think she didn't hear the slight tremble in his breath-- ]
Just my opinion, that's all. This event made things uncomfortable for a lot of people, and I'm sorry that it had to happen to the both of you.
[ Leon seemed so young, despite acting to the contrary, and Stahn had his own blinding sense of innocence. She could be annoyed, for what these books had done to them, to Trowa, to-- well, even Kogami.
Truthfully, she isn't happy with how things turned out at all. ]
no subject
I don't want it either way.
[Opinion. Comfort. It doesn't matter. He doesn't want it. He's fine on his own--he has to be fine, right?]
I'm fine, as I've said, and Stahn is-- [...well. Stahn is sad. But... Leon is sure he'll rebound. It's what Stahn does, right?
(It's what he needs him to do, because Leon doesn't know how to deal with a Stahn that doesn't.)] --he is too empty-headed to focus on such things for long.
no subject
I'll check up on him in a bit, but if you could also look out for him... I'd appreciate it.
no subject
Not like he already was totally going to do that anyway, because it's Stahn and Stahn has things to do back home and Leon is going to make sure that he gets home safely to do it--
Well. It's not like it's an unreasonable request.]
... It isn't as though doing something like that will be trouble for me. So there is no need for appreciation; he is impossible to get rid of anyway.
[Honestly.... he's already living with Stahn, so.]
no subject
[ He has Leon looking out for him, it seems. She feels a little better about things already. And if Leon looks out for Stahn, odds are that Stahn is also looking out for Leon.
And Otome, of course, will look after them both when she can. ]
no subject
Yes, well. If nothing else, nothing would take Stahn down so easily.
[... That almost sounded like praise, Leon, better be careful.]
He is too idiotic to dwell on something like this.
[That's better.]
no subject
I admire his resilience, then. I think a lot of people could do with some of that, after everything that's happened.
[ Not Otome, she's fine. ]
no subject
(Even if he really does think so.)]
Bone-headedness, perhaps, if you must call it something.
no subject
Although I get the picture.
no subject
He is not my friend!
[And since Otome doesn't seem to be getting the picture:]
I hate people like him, who are happy-go-lucky idiots without a care in the world, the most!
no subject
If asking you to help look after someone you hate was going to trouble you so much, I'm very sorry.
no subject
[It's... not like it's trouble or anything.... leave him alone, god!!!]
It isn't any of your business anyway.
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)