An All Hallows Eve With You
Summary: It’s the day before Halloween. The Savanaclaw dorm revels with laughter and firelight. Yet, a well-familiar beastman keeps to himself. You and Leona know each other well. It is up to you to perceive whether you are friends, dating, or something else.
The Savanaclaw dorm was louder than usual that night. The raucous laughter and the crackling of the bonfire outside echo faintly through the stone walls; celebration and mischief in the air.
But Leona’s room was like an island apart. Lit with a flicker of a single lantern. You find him laying on his bed, as always with his arm over his eyes; his tail flicking lazily. He doesn’t stir when you walk in.
“You’re skipping the festivities” You murmur, closing the door behind you.
“Tch. Don’t see the point of dressing up. Half of the school’s already jumpy around me as is.” He replied, voice muffled by his arm.
You smile softly, setting a small pumpkin shaped pastry on the table. A peace offering or maybe an excuse to be near him. He doesn’t look at it. You know he probably won’t eat it either. You sit beside him anyway.
Outside, someone howls, laughter or perhaps a ghostly echo. The silence between the two of you hums, alive and waiting. Until Leona shifts, lowering his arm, eyes half-lidded and impossible to read as the lantern glows.
“You don’t scare easily, huh?”
“Not really.” You replied.
“Guess that’s why you’re still here.”
You blink. He’s looking at you now. For once, there’s no teasing or edge in his tone; but a loneliness that sounds all too familiar.You could say something then. You could tell him what’s been weighing in your chest for months. That you wish he’d stop hiding behind that lazy drawl, the desire to see him let down his guard, or to remind him you care.
But you don’t. The words stick, swallowed by the soft crackle of smoke curling through the room. Instead, you lean back, and his tail brushes your wrist. Neither of you move away.
“You say that like you don’t want me around.”
“Didn’t say that.” His tone is flat, but the pause after it says more than he means to. The lantern crackles softly. The scent of smoke and dry grass hangs in the air.
“Do you ever think,” you murmur, “you make it too easy for people to leave?”
“... People leave no matter what you do.” He turned away, his voice quieter now with a tone that sounded like regret.
His eyelids lower again, and you watch as he drifts somewhere between waking and dreaming. The silence grows soft around you. You rest your hand lightly against his in a show of comfort. Surprisingly, he doesn’t pull away. But when you whisper his name, he pretends to not hear.
Later that night, when you finally doze beside him, Leona opens his eyes again. The lantern light trembles against his face, turning gold to ash. He watches you for a long while, the rise and fall of your chest, the faint smile still clinging to your life, before he lets his own expression soften. Just barely.
“...Happy Hallow’s Eve.” He whispered under his breath, too quiet for you to catch.
And then he closes his eyes, letting the words vanish with the candlelight, like every other feeling he’ll never say aloud.
divider created by cafekitsune
Hello everyone, this is part 2 of my little scenario October series. Leona is something I struggle a lot with writing (despite his similarities with Idia). So it took me a while, I attempted to show his issues by using subtext AKA his depression, self-esteem, loneliness, etc. However, I found it underwhelming in the end. Maybe it's my writer's block? I don't know, but I hope you enjoyed it regardless of my dissatisfaction.
Also, another update on my condition. It’s been worsting. I am unable to walk properly due to constant injury. I experience constant pain throughout my body. Updates may reflect my condition. So expect them to be a lot more slower, sorry.