Lee ~2 Years Ago~
In the time Lee had lived in Eiridelium, he hadn’t made much of an effort to make friends as Ken took up much of his energy. Wherever Lee went, there was Ken, as chipper as ever. Always greeting him with his signature wide eye smile and never once letting Lee have a moment of peace. However, recently, Lee had noticed Ken becoming increasingly worrisome. Ken hadn’t done any of usual shenanigans of poking and prodding Lee till Lee would grab him by the head and throw him across the area. Although, granted he had only known Ken for all of two months, he had known him to be quite the chipper lad. Especially since he hadn’t minded any of the habits Lee had. He had observed Ken quietly as Ken wandered towards a wooden shack aptly named “Terra’s Workshop.” Ken knocked on the door.
Terra: We. Are. Closed.
Ken: It’s me. Open up.
As Terra opened the door, life had just looked as if it had not visited her in weeks. Jittery agitation detailed every fiber of her being. For a slight second, every part of her body was either twitching or vibrating. Felt as if the tiniest huff of wind would cause a minor inconvenience to her.
Terra: WHAT!?
Ken with sorrow in his eyes,
Ken: W-Why didn’t you tell me you got kicked out of your place??
Terra: Cause it’s none of your fucking business!!
Ken: Yes, it absolutely is! I’m your guard.
Terra: That doesn’t mean you’re in charge of my life 24 fucking 7!!!!
Ken: I-I know that…b-but…
Terra: And don’t go acting like fucking I matter to you now you ass! I know what I mean to you.
Ken: Y-yo-
She shut the door before Ken could let another word out. Words that just could never make it out, words that should have been said were all lost to a door being shut. And Lee would suddenly grow a soft spot for a side of Ken that barely surfaced in the months he had known him. All Ken could do is just softly thud his head onto the closed door. And at that moment, Lee had cursed his demon soul as he heard the soft sobs echoing, from behind closed doors. Perhaps that is why he allowed Karin to make the decision to invite Terra to live with them. A decision he would only regret when she became too inquisitive about the nature of Faustus, yet he would regard her as a friend. And in due time, she would do the same.
Lee ~Present~
He found himself roaming around the halls in the early morning. The peace and quiet gave him solace. Though he normally would have loved to spend the morning in bed and cuddling, but both Monique and Lee have agreed to spend a couple nights apart, well up until the trial date anyways. And thus, he found himself roaming around from area to area. Some had been all too familiar to him while others felt brand new. Like the hall decorated in art in the North Wing. His feet halted themselves at a painting all too familiar, a painting that felt too close to home yet so mysterious to him all at once that his mind had to reel back into place. It was a portrait of the Lord and the Lady of the house, underneath the very same flowery arch Lee had given Monique the flowers. The fairies would fawn over the moment as for them, it felt like watching the painting come to life. Seconds would register as hours and within that time frame, he’s heard Faustus speak.
See you in the next life,
My love.
What?
As he tried looking at the portrait, he felt a wincing pain grow by the second. Voices emerged from a place so unfamiliar.
Faustus: I’m sorry.
: My love, I don’t regret meeting you. I-I hope to see you soon again.
Faustus, with tears in his eyes: I…I promise…I will find you in the next life……
Faustus’ soft cries echoed throughout Lee’s mind. Breath growing shallower and shallower, the same wincing pain he had felt that night he had accidentally fallen asleep in Monique’s room the first time. And it didn’t subside until he had felt someone’s presence.
Terra: You, okay?
He nodded.
Terra: You’ve just been staring at this for like…an hour.
Lee: That…that long, huh?
Terra: Something like that.
Lee: What brings you out here?
Terra: I think Momo is the only one that can sleep in these dire times.
Terra was now looking at the portrait, Lee just stared at her and started chuckling.
Lee: I’m glad to know one of us is getting sleep.
Terra: Ahh you can’t sleep either huh?
Lee: The entire situation has become so bothersome.
He just went back to staring at the portrait.
Lee: You shouldn’t be punished for existing. I don’t think Sanctua or Veritiline like that idea.
Terra: But they see all paths…right? They must see that somewhere down the line I then evil or something.
Lee: I’m sure theology is the only class I aced? But either way, no person should be punished for an action they haven’t committed. That would just be rude. That’s basically asking you to commit the action.
Terra: Yeah but…
Lee: No buts. I don’t even think your uncle would have liked that.
Terra: You…you know about him?
Lee: Ken talked about him a lot.
Terra, sighing: Ken should keep his mouth shut. It’s not his business.
Lee: Dunno how to break it to you, but everything about you seems like his business.
Terra: It’s so fucking annoying. Like I get it, Oba-O put him in charge of me but that doesn’t mean he’s entitled to everything about me!
Lee began laughing, this time a little too hard. Terra turned red.
Terra: IT'S NOT FUNNY.
Lee: Oh gods, you’re so fucking dense.
Terra: A-am not!!
Lee: Are too! You literally can’t put two and two together huh?
Monique
She found herself awake and wandering the halls and for some reason she couldn’t bring herself to interject herself in the conversation she heard between Lee and Terra. It was one thing to come from a place where everyone was your enemy, but it was entirely different to enter into a group where everyone already knows each other. And perhaps this acidic, vile, sickening feeling piling at the bottom of her stomach would actually have a name.
You’re jealous aren’t you?
Maybe you’re just not cut out to be his one and only?
She learned to ignore Ezekiel’s snide comments and would just turn away trying to forget it all. But the longer she waited, the worse it all became. So desperate of yearning to belong yet still misplacement was all that ever riddled itself in her bones. How awful must it be to go from two significantly opposite ends of the spectrum and still feel so completely alone. She kept her eyes focused on the ground beneath her, not once looking up to see, until a fleshy surface had knocked into her. When she looked up and saw the same loneliness in Ken, she figured someone had sent her a sign to be there for someone in need. She looked up at Ken who looked at Terra then back to her and whispered.
Ken: Hey…I…have a question to ask of you.
Monique: Um…sure?
Ken: How good are you at going to places undetected?
Monique: I’d like to think I’m pretty good. I mean I can teleport in and out of areas, and I can notice a lot of activity within a certain square mile radius.
Ken pondered what that meant for him and had an idea populate in his head.
Ken: Would you like to commit a crime with me, then?
Monique: That depends, what does the crime entail?
Ken: Stealing back Terra’s crystal. It’s with my sister, unfortunately.
Monique: Alright. I’m down.
Ken: Good and don’t tell anyone, promise?
Monique hesitated: N-not even Lee?
Ken: Hm, he is known to get jealous….
Jealous!? She panicked.
Ken: I don’t want him to know I have feelings for Terra after him being really, really, vehement about it. But I will let you tell him you were helping me out. Maybe that’ll help? Hopefully. Come on this way!
Ken didn’t give her time to think, consider, or do much else. She just hurried and followed along.
Lee
Another annoyance to add with having incredibly sensitive was just that, he could hear even the tiniest of voices whispering. Picking up on hers made things worse. What would she want to do with him? As Terra was talking to him, all he ever noticed was the two of them, talking and then suddenly leaving. Thoughts started swirling as his face sullen. He had always been envious of Ken’s nature. So cherry and carefree, like nothing had ever bothered him…aside from his own inner turmoil. But Lee had always been one to doubt himself. Especially when it comes to relationships. Prior to Alice, he had issues maintaining a relationship for 3 weeks. Too gloomy, too messy, not enough attention on them, not enough of anything. A pretty face, handsome guy, charming as ever, surprisingly well rounded until anger all but consumed him. No one ever cared for the former when volatile rage comes through. Rumors would grow, spread until it ostracized him. He instead became the guy to take down, the guy to fight constantly. The guy who was never going to make it anywhere, the guy who just didn’t have anywhere to go and then, just a guy in a strange world. In a strange land. And maybe that’s what she abused the most. The fleeting feelings of isolation, of everyone else moving on without him. Of just the constant anxieties and separation. All at once, thoughts would be thwapped away by the sounds of Terra clapping her hands in front of him.
Terra: Dude, why the hell are you so spacey?? I’m complaining about Ken here! This is gold material that I. Am. Not. Repeating!
Lee: Shit, sorry…I…got lost.
Terra: Anything wrong?
He avoided her eyes.
Lee: Nah.
Terra: Come on, it sucks to say but like you and Monique are kind of like my only best friends here.
Lee: Ouch.
Terra: What?? I’m only being honest! You’re like one of the few friends I have here. And I don’t have many friends.
Lee: Sheesh, very lonely.
Terra: Hey, I don’t see you throwing any raggers any time soon.
Lee: I choose to live a solitary life. Thank you very much.
Terra: Uh-huh, how do you even explain us living in your space then?
Lee: Castle’s big, I can just choose to not see you guys for days.
Terra: You’re right you did do that for like a month. But I’m so glad you’ve finally admitted this place is a castle and not just a “big house.”
Lee: I mean, everyone’s basically talked me into it.
Terra: Yeah, and now I’m going to talk you into telling me how you really feel.
Lee: Fuck.
Terra: Yeah, fucking tricked you, you dumbass, what happened!
He sighed as he started wandering around the parts of the castle that still had portraits up.
Lee: The fuck am I supposed to say? I’m jealous?
Terra: Yes, we all know you are.
Lee: C... come again?
Terra laughed: Oh my god you are so obvious!
Lee: Dude.
He had a stern face, a face that would tell anyone what was actually going on inside his head. And she would stop teasing him.
Terra: Sorry, all jokes aside, the only emotions that ever surface on your face is anger and jealousy.
Lee: No…??
Terra: Come on…or maybe you don’t remember.
Lee: Remember what!?
Terra: When you brought what’s her face…Alice here.
Alice.
Alice.
Had it really been about…Alice? A girl he seemingly brought to wonderland only to take away all the joy and wonder out of his life till he met her?
Terra: You were so upset when she’d talk to Ben or Ken but who could blame you? She-
Lee: Yeah I know she cheated on me multiple times then told me I was wrong.
Terra: So what? You think Momo is going to do that with who?
Lee: Ken.
He began to walk away from Terra, this wasn’t a conversation he was ready for. His heart sank, while his stomach could no longer churn. Like all the acid had just solidified.
Terra: Don’t be ridiculous.
Her voice sounded coarse, as if the words were meant to be chuckled at Lee to get him to his senses.
Terra: That idiot’s as dense as ever.
Lee, bitterly: But he’s better than me at just being a functional person.
Terra, jokingly: Is he or are all of his brain cells so far gone that he just looks that way.
Lee just scowled at Terra. She sighed.
Terra: Look, I may have known Monique less than you have, but the way she looks at you? She looks at you like you’ve put all the stars in the sky.
Lee, dismissive: I think she looks at everyone like that.
Terra, angrily: No, I’ve seen how she looks at everyone else’s and it’s just mild curiosity at bet. She’s not had friends remember? Not even a functional relationship.
Lee: Wouldn’t the bar be extremely low then?
Terra: Probably? But you like her don’t you?
Lee: Yeah but I’m afraid I’m just not…good enough. Like I am jealous of Ken but it’s because there’s things about him I wish I can be. And I know I can’t. Because I can barely hold a matchstick to any of that.
Terra: She doesn’t like Ken.
Lee: Then why did they just up and wander around the castle without us?
Terra: Because I’ve been avoiding Ken and maybe he just really wanted to look around and Monique wanted to look around and was trying to find you.
Lee: Doubtful she was like ten feet away…and…why the fuck are you avoiding Ken??
Terra: Remain on topic! This isn’t about me! It’s about you and Momo!
Lee just sighed. He just wanted this conversation to be over.
Terra: Are you really just going to give me attitude for not letting you talk yourself down?!
Lee just rolled his eyes.
Terra: You’re fucking impossible. Who the fuck cares what they’re doing…she doesn’t like Ken like that.
Lee: How are you so sure?
Terra: Because she wouldn’t just do that to me okay!!!!
Lee was taken aback.
Terra: Look…I told her okay? When she recommended we go out, I told her about the Lucky Leprechaun and said it’s my favorite place because Ken told me about it and I just started talking about it and she gathered in her own head that I like him and I admitted it! That’s why I’ve been avoiding him. I don’t honestly know what they are up to and I’m trying to convince myself she’s not Alice. Because she isn’t. Because Alice never cared about me! Alice tried kissing Ken and Ken got upset because he likes you and wants to be your best friend! That’s all he fucking talks about!
She took a deep breath then just walked the other way.
Terra: I don’t fucking know what your deal is right now, but don’t go dragging Momo into this and seriously ask your self if you actually liked then why can’t you consider yourself good enough to be hers!!
He was left alone with his thoughts, a place he never liked being.
Monique
The two shuffled away, attempting to not be seen or heard by the other two. He led her to a place unnoticed or seen by anyone. It was yet another hall but this one seemed to have aged a lot more. Floors that had been marched on, wallpaper that seemed to be peeling away from the walls, as if the fairies had just never bothered here.
Ken: Come on this way!
Monique would just follow along while taking more of everything.
Monique: How did you find this hallway?
Ken: I don’t technically live here, just crash here from time to time. Sometimes I cuddle with Lee.
Monique blushed as Ken chortled.
Ken: Isn’t he the warmest and sweetest?
Monique: I…didn’t realize he also liked men.
Ken, trying to stop laughing: I-I’m sorry. I-I can’t. He’ll actually kill me if I said things like that. No, I think Lee and I are actually strictly straight. I’ve tried dating guys but I guess I just didn’t feel the same spark. Not the same way I like girls. And I know Lee has said the same in passing. But I’d like to think we’re such great friends, he’d let me cuddle with him.
Monique, furiously shaking her head: N-no, I’m sorry. I…don’t really understand the concept of friendship let alone two straight guys just sleeping with each other.
She twiddled her thumbs as Ken stopped making jokes.
Ken: Has it been rough?
Monique: Kind of? It’s nice not having to wake up constantly feeling like I’d have to watch my back or feeling like someone wants to constantly murder me.
Ken: YEEEEESSSH. I’m sorry. It’s not like I don’t know…? But…the vicious glares I’ve been getting have been increasing. Specially since I saved Terra’s life. And specifically, since I’ve been hanging around Lee.
Monique: Why do you?
Ken: Because the gods don’t care if you’re a cultist or cursed with a demon. They look at everything. What you’ve done and what you are becoming. But…in all honesty, I wouldn’t have met Terra nor Lee if grandma just didn’t say anything.
Monique looked at him curiously. Ken kept walking down the hallway, his face devoid of any cheer.
Ken: You should know by now I’m the son of the Chief. Chief Kyluhi of the Nakai. And his mom, my grandma, Oba-O…she’s the only one with sense. But maybe that’s because she still communes with the gods. She’s the one that told me to just try.
Stolen novel; please report.
Monique: Try what?
Ken: Be different. Things…haven’t been the same since the attack on the Evergreen clan. At least that’s what she’s told me. And I can’t see any reason why they’d try to kill an innocent girl. And even in all the years I’ve known Terra, I can’t see the reason why they have so much animosity towards her.
As they exited, they found themselves in the other side with an open plain. And there it was across the field. A small village just east of them. While the city they had been to was hustling and bustling, brimming with life from all around and Barkamsted had felt the same, this place wasn’t.
Ken: It may look small, but it’s mostly because we’re a little more widespread. The one closer to the capital is more like…uhh…headquarters.
Though the houses were newly built, there were only 15 of them built with a huge building at the center. The center, he would tell her, is where the court proceedings took place and that his house would sit on the edge near the entrance towards the town.
Ken: Terra’s only seen it…a couple of times.
Monique: So…when did you start liking her?
Ken: I don’t know? I just…
Without much thought, like he had thought of the exact wording. All present, all there, just waiting to be prompted for someone to ask.
Ken: I just started noticing that I couldn’t stop thinking about her. That even when I tried just being around or even dating other people, I couldn’t stop thinking of her. And life seemed kinda dull without her in it. And I know she doesn’t feel the same. Which I’m fine with, I don’t really want anything more than this. I just want to give her back one of the few things her uncle left behind.
No jokes, no musings, just notes of vexed sorrow made their way out of his mouth.
Ken: That was the worst day. For any of us. But for her specifically. I…couldn’t be there. Not in the way that it mattered. And when I tried, Julie stopped me. I still remember being at their house door and hearing her cry from the office. That office was her safe space. It was a place they shared the most of anything.
And as he stood there, his hands would come up to his hips as he took in a breath of fresh air and exhaled.
Ken: BUT!! Enough of that sad talk! Let’s get down to business, shall we? How far did you say you could sense someone?
Perhaps she had it all wrong about Ken. Maybe all Ken was, was just a firmly built façade so he would never have to relive anything remotely sad. That he too just hid away all of his sorrow, anger, and tears and tucked them into a place to release when no one was around. Like the middle of night when all was quiet, and tiny sniffles could be heard. Ken looked at Monique who had already been observing him up and down.
Ken: Alright, here's the battle plan.
As he went over the battle plan, she couldn’t help but think about Terra. To her, Ken always just looked like a lackadaisical person, no one who thought of anything too seriously. What does Terra see in him? He took out an identical crystal, one that looked almost like the one Terra was wearing at the Lucky Leprechaun and she realized that perhaps she just needed time to figure out who Ken really was to give a final result.
Monique: You sure no one else is going to know?
Ken: If I’m right, or at the very least if I read right…Julie should be out training with the pup squad, dad should be out in meetings, and Oba-O has sanctioned this little crime spree.
Monique: Excellent. So, how tall is Oba-O.
Ken: The size of a toddler, why?
I swear to the gods, why has no one just examined his brain?
Monique: I need to know what her general height is, it helps me detect everyone. I’ve seen your sister and she seems to be about your height…
Ken: Ah! Dad’s ‘bout half a foot taller than me.
Monique: I’m convinced you’re all goliath's, or sentient trees.
Ken: Now you’re learning the ropes!
Monique: What ropes?
Ken: The art of joking with people!
That wasn’t a joke! I’m really convinced!! Monique just shook her head and continued along the trail.
Ken: I think you’d make a fine sassy addition to the gaggle.
Monique: The…what’ll?
Ken: The gaggle!
Monique: That’s a flock of geese…
Ken: Yes! A destructive flock of angry, cobra chickens…that very aptly…describes us…
Monique: You didn’t know what the term gaggle meant, did you?
Ken: In every bit of honesty? I really, really thought it meant a gang of laughing people.
Monique looked at Ken with genuine concern.
Monique: How do you leave your house in the morning?
Ken: One step at a ti-
He tripped over some gravel as they walked over towards his house. He made a big “Oooof” sound. Monique just sighed. As they got to the back of his house she slowed her steps and concentrated, each step she took matched her breathing as she focused in on the entire estate the chief resided in. Two stories, six different rooms and possibly one short being. That was possibly Oba-O.
Monique: We are in the clear.
Ken: Excellent, we get in, we get out. And no one will ever know a thing!
Monique hoped that would be it.
Lee
He wandered around the corridors until he was finding himself in a dead end. He wanted to go back but for what purpose? No Terra to talk to as she had made her statement very clear. No Ben to hang with as he was busy doing the things that needed to be done outside the castle. No…no Ken to talk to as he was out with….the only one whom he wishes to spend any actual time with. And the feelings that he has tightly jarred away we’re now sitting out of their broken glasses. The words that Terra had said would echo throughout the empty hallways. Why did I like her? Sassy, bubbly, kind, caring, audacious, brave, nervous, broken...ah…that’s right…broken. Just like he is. There was comfort in that. Comfort in the standards he needed to exceed, comfort in meshing with her, being a stable point but when she was all but repaired what would he be left with?
Is that all you see?
A broken mess?
He found Faustus talking to him. And as much as he wanted to dismiss his thoughts he couldn’t. He just found himself staring at an entirely different portrait. This one….was of them again. How many portraits of the Lord and Lady of the castle must they own? But this…was different. There, in the background stood a cradle. And there the lady was, the happiest she could be. Her features all too similar to Monique and his…his features…all too similar to his…and even he was happy. In all the portraits that were in the castle, he had never seen one so clear, so detailed.
I never once saw that in her.
Tell me, what do you see in that girl?
Not the girl in the image, the girl on your mind.
Why had he liked her to begin with? Proximity helped, so did sparing her, and possibly because she was unlike anyone he had ever been with. So willing to do what was right, to speak her opinions, so trusting, so kind…and would that kindness slip away from him? Would that be the thing that pulls her from him? Or was he just like her ex? Just like Ezekiel….just…abusing the fact she hadn’t known anything. And he would remember it wasn’t true at all. That the only reason she had ever taken his hand, taken the chance was because she saw what he had always seen: just a couple of lost souls in a world that would never accept either of them. Ezekiel was far too attached to his world. He was native, he belonged. But neither Lee nor Monique belonged in their worlds and never were given a chance to live, to explore another.
Lee: She’s clever, she sees and hears things that are beyond me. And I could live off of how she looks at the world. How she looks at Eiridelium with such wonder in her eyes. She…doesn’t have to look over her shoulder she’s safe to…exist…to live…despite so much of the shit she’s given, she still has that part of her that had never left. That soft, wonderful, kindness of hers that feels terrifying when someone infringes in on it.
He stared at the painting as if it gave him all the answers he ever needed.
W…why did you like her?
Your wife I mean.
The purest of souls.
Caring and loving,
Despite all the red that surrounded her.
And that's seriously what made you fall for her?
Love is quite humorous
Sometimes it happens in small moments.
The small moments we find ourselves smiling in for no other reason than just Them being in the same space as you.
And sometimes it happens all at once.
And for me it was always when she was surrounded by nothing but a chaotic, Disastrous mess.
Because she was the one that shined the best.
And Lee had understood what he needed to. He found himself looking for her, finding her in a castle far too big for one singular being to inhabit all on their own.
Monique
They sneakily made their way inside Ken’s home. This was all in part of the fact that Monique was not supposed to be seen anywhere outside of Castle Faustus. But to hell with it all! Monique figured if she was going to be in trouble, get into bigger trouble while she was at it. What else could they pin on her that wasn’t blatant murder? Although Monique could have teleported them in, she wasn’t entirely sure how she could have accomplished that when she had sensed many things that were too sensitive to magic. As they walked inside the hallways that led to the living quarters, Oba-O came out. She was quite small indeed. She stood about 4’8” and had a permanent stern look. Her hair, although still retaining its thickness, had all been grayed and the bags under her eyes looked like she hadn't ever rested. She wore a purple long skirt and a red linen dress shirt that had intriguing triangular design with layers of beads and necklace. Her features read as a history book that had been read over and over again.
Monique: Hello I’m –
Oba-O: I know who you are.
She spoke with such authority that Monique felt as if she were falling in line with a commanding officer yet again. Ken gave her the fake crystal in exchange for the real one. Ken then tried to give it to Monique.
Oba-O: You both should go now before–
: I’m home!
Before she could even speak another word, the door that led to the front of the house swung itself open. It was Julie. Now the way the hallway had looked, only Ken could see as he still had the crystal necklace in his hand. Oba-O, who stood next to Monique took it and gave it to her, forcing Monique to leave the area. Oba-O quickly gestured her inside the only other open room that wasn’t in Julie’s sight.
Julie: H-How dare you.
Oba-O: This is none of your concern Julie.
Julie: You are making him give it back to that little venomous snake?
Ken, angrily: Don’t you fucking dare.
Julie: So you’re defending her? How much pride do you even have left as a Nakai?
Ken: Fuck off with it you don’t have any. You’re willing to make a fucking mountain out of my decision to not kill a child? An innocent?? What would Sanctua and Veritiline think of you!?
Julie: Don’t you dare bring them into this! They did NOT sanction the sparing of an Evergreen’s life and you know it!
Ken: They know she was just a kid! You weren’t there to see what I saw!
Julie: What I see is a spineless coward!
Ken: So you would admit to killing a child?
Julie: You know as well as I do what threat she poses! The things she could have done!
Ken: The things she didn’t do! You don’t know Terra like I do she’s not like what you all make her out to be she- she’s
Oba-O: ENOUGH, let this rest.
Julie: Not until he returns what is confiscated.
Ken: It’s not yours it’s the last gift Bear ever gave her and you know that.
Julie: I know it was the gift you gave you! I know Bear Berg took it from you the minute you bought it because he was going to give it to her for you! Because what?
Ken: Fuck off Julie.
Julie: By the gods, you love her! She enchanted you and tricked you into loving her.
Before Monique could step in to say anything she heard a grizzly man move. Her entire body froze. In her peripheral vision she saw a man, or rather a soldier, in that mirror that was all scared up. Even though his tattoos had done most of the coverings, a soldier of war had always been all too familiar to her. Before he could grab her she managed to get her nerves in order and teleported back to the entrance to the hallway that would lead her back to the castle. She held the necklace tight and triple checked to see if it was there. And it was indeed there.
Monique: Shit. I…I should have been more careful.
She punched the wooden door. She then waited for Ken to come back knowing deep down inside, he wasn’t going to. That he was stuck with people who just couldn’t understand. She brought the crystal up to her eyes and stared at it.
All for some stupid trinket?
Was it really worth it all?
To him, it was probably worth everything.
She began walking back and started thinking to herself.
He probably really wanted to give this to Terra, but couldn't.
Coward.
Like you would ever understand. He’s not like you, he thinks about Terra a lot..
Jealous? Because Lee wouldn’t?
Lee would…
Wouldn’t he? Hadn’t she always known that about Lee? Never once did he ever have to offer her free lodging, take her to her appointments, offer to take her out of her shitty situations, offer her a new lease on life, heck even offer to get rid of the people who had doomed her in the first place. He had done more than what others could ever do for her. He had offered her the world on a golden platter even with the additions of a group of people that were more than understanding. A group of people who had expected so little of her yet brought her more than she could ever ask for.
And that in itself made her heart grow fonder. He had done more than enough for her and what did she do in return? Cause a fire near his house…but…that wasn’t on purpose, she was forgiven for that even. But there was more, wasn’t there? She yelled at him in the middle of a city…had she…had she ever told him how sorry she was for that? Or grateful for him wrapping up her already healed wounds? Had she ever once explained to him how much she couldn’t stop thinking about him? That when she was facing the worst possible day in the academy weeks ago, seeing him made it feel just a tad bit better? Or how she appreciated the fact he never acted like Ezekiel when she bested him in a sword fighting match. Or how he had always made it essential to his day just to see her. Had…she ever told him how much she likes him? The way he tells her? She received so much yet reciprocated so few.
Monique: I’m sorry…
She found herself whispering. And she would hear someone come dashing from behind. When she turned, she fooled herself into thinking it was Lee but unfortunately it was Ken.
Ken: Don’t be?
He had looked as if he was beaten in a fight. Physically and spiritually.
Monique: What happened?
Ken: Just the usual. Nothing some of Karin’s homemade ointment can’t fix up.
His brave smile had cracks in them.
Ken: Please tell me you have it.
She gave it back to Ken.
Ken: I think y-
Monique: You should give it to her
Ken: Wh…why?
Monique: It was what you wanted to give to her anyways. And besides, she’d really appreciate that it is from you.
He blushed as they continued walking back down the hallway into familiar areas.
Ken: You think so? She’s been avoiding me.
Monique: Probably because she’s panicked. But if she sees that…I-I think things will be alright.
And as they approached her room Ken got the last minute jitters. She heard him gulping.
Ken: Alright…I-I can do this!
He turned to look at Monique and smiled.
Ken: And thanks.
Monique: I would do this again.
As he walked away towards Terra’s room. She had then seen Lee waiting nearby and smiled. But this was not reciprocated. Questions ran through her mind, and each time Ezekiel would try his best to respond but she would just pile on more questions such as Why wasn’t he smiling? What happened? What’s wrong?? Did I do something to upset him? Does he know?? That I went and committed a crime? He was alright with murder, but stealing was frowned upon?? But, he shouldn’t have known she left…it couldn’t be about that…she made sure of it. She was sure he wasn’t paying attention. She looked at him as he was walking towards her room.
Lee: What were you doing with Ken?
But before she could answer, her super hearing picked up Terra opening the door to her room and asking him to go away. She swiftly took Lee into her room and shut the door behind her. Telling him to shush in the process.
Monique: S-s-sorry. I-I made a promise to not tell.
Lee: So you’re keeping things from me?
Monique: S-s-sorry. I. I. Don’t know how to put it in any way that breaks the promise b…but Ken wanted help getting something for Terra a-and I wanted to help because I-I wanted to do something for her too.
Things were made so much worse when she heard Terra agree to going on a walk with Ken as Ken had given her the necklace back and wanted to make amends. She needed to cover Lee’s mouth but with what?? Her hands went to his mouth. And she would learn that this was not the best option, her face immediately went red. Now her hands were in the one place that had only ever touched her forehead and her whole entire nervous system would fire every which way.
Ohnoohnoohno he’s got soft lips!? Why are they so soft!?!? Who the fuck has this soft of lips!?!
Her thoughts had spun in every which way direction that even Ezekiel couldn’t commentate.
Lee
When he saw her enter her room at a peculiar hour, his face soured. An hour in which was too odd, even for her. Things were made worse when he had seen Ken thank her as well. And the thoughts of volatile resentment swirled all around once again. The scars of yesteryear had continued to surface, all reasoning lost. All the things he had said prior to this? Shoved somewhere else. As he marched towards her room, she noticed him and had a panicked look. She pulled him into her room.
She’s not like her. She’s not like her..
Then why hide?
Why the panicked look?
Alice looked that way when she was getting caught.
She’s just like her.
Lee: What were you doing with Ken?
Monique proceeded to shush him as she quickly closed the door. They both heard the sounds of footsteps increasing and decreasing. He scowled at her.
Monique: S-s-sorry. I-I made a promise to not tell.
Lee: So you’re keeping things from me?
Monique: S-s-sorry. I. I. Don’t know how to put it in any way that breaks the promise b…but Ken wanted help getting something for Terra a-and I wanted to help because I-I wanted to do something for her too.
As Lee was about to say something snarky, she put her hands over his mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise, as if she was hearing something outside the room she wasn’t supposed to hear. Her face flushed as red as her hair. And in a whisper that only he can hear, she started explaining herself.
Monique: I just…I just wanted to know why he was willing to do so much for someone he was taught to hate and when he started giving reasons why he was doing what he was doing it made me think about me and you.
His heart dropped. How could I... he’d think to himself. What was she going to say now? That they were done? Over with? That she would rather have someone as happy go lucky as Ken than someone as broken as him? And it would all make sense to him. He already accused her of cheating on him with his friend.
Monique: And I realized a lot of what Ken had said about Terra is how I feel about you. Well…not entirely but it just made me think about you a lot. I was doubting myself and my relationship with you because I’m so fucking scarred from Ezekiel and all I can hear are his commentaries and how much I don’t deserve any of this…and the other night’s episode didn’t help at all…and…and all its made me feel awfully horrible as you’ve just been so patient and kind even when you have every right to be upset with me. A-and if I think it’s something I’ve done something to hurt you, you tell me otherwise. And even if it’s been once or twice it’s enough to make me believe that these feelings I have of you is more than just an infatuation of you saving me. I really, really, like you a lot and I’m so afraid of messing everything up. And I’m sorry for yelling at you in San Francisco and I-I can’t ever explain how grateful I am about the entirety of it all and I don’t think I’ve expressed how much I deeply care for you.
And his heart sank further. He thought to himself, how could I…I’m so…convinced Alice is telling me I don’t deserve her…that Monique is betraying me just like Alice would…that I forget she's been gone long enough. It’s just me. And not her. That she wouldn’t be talking about herself in a third person. That Alice never needed to impose those ideas; they were always just there… His eyebrows knitted as every fiber of his anger dissipated. Monique immediately realized what was going on and apologized profusely. Lee just shook his head, took her hands off of his mouth and held them.
Lee: I should be apologizing. I got really jealous. I’m not as put together as I make myself out to be and I was worried I was losing you. And honestly I couldn’t blame you since Ken’s a lot better than I am.
Monique furiously shook her head.
Monique: I don’t like him the same way I like you, though!
Lee, softly smiling: I know that now. I’m sorry. I’m trying to be a better person, and I’m thankful for your patience with me as well.
Monique blushed. He then let go of her hands, holding her face instead. Her hands just found their way to his chest. Heart beating in immeasurable rates.
Monique: You’re enough for me. Perfect even.
Lee: Stop. My heart isn’t all that ready for it.
Monique looked at him with pleading eyes.
Monique: But you are enough for me. You’re more than enough.
He laid his forehead onto hers, his eyes closed while still having his hands on her face.
Lee hummed: Now I’m really tempted to kiss you now.
Monique: What’s stopping you?
Lee: Probably the fact that I would like to know if its okay.
Monique: If you don’t, I’ll be severely disappointed.
And as she finished speaking, Lee immediately pulled her in, pressing his lips on hers. Her hands held onto his shirt, pulling him closer, as if wanting to be as close as possible. When they parted, her body collapsed onto his as such a passionate moment removed all feelings in her limbs. Before he could ask if she was okay, she looked up at him, pulling him into an intense kiss once more. Daring to not pull away. Home was here, with her.