I haven't written anything for La Esperanca in a while, but now that a lot of new stories are being published (yay! finally!) I decided I should find the motivation! I usually get really good plot line ideas, but can never follow through with them, so I've started off with little drabbles based on words that I pick randomly out of a dictionary (or random word generator, which are very useful). Fortunately they start getting longer as I write more and more, so hopefully I can start writing longer pieces soon. Unfortunately, college may get in the way of that. We'll see. So until then, I hope these will do!

Disclaimer: I know not everyone does these, but I guess I've just gotten paranoid over the years and I always make sure to write them. I don't own LaEs or its wonderful characters. There's no telling what would happen if I did :)

1. Middle

Georges groaned and let his head fall onto the desk with a loud thump; though he was immensely glad that Robert and Alain were friends again, it was unfortunate that they seemed to have the most fun at the expense of others, such as forcing a red-faced Henri to play monkey-in-the-middle as they tossed his beloved camera back and force across the music room where Georges had been trying to practice.

2. Lasting

Henri really didn't care that everyone else seemed to think Robert Jade was a changed man. He distrusted his mannerisms, disliked that older friend of his, and frankly was disturbed by the starriness that lit up Georges' eyes whenever he looked at him. His lasting impression was and always would be that Robert was no good- that's what he would keep telling himself. Not even their trip to Verda together would change that… right?

3. Regard

Georges felt a light pressure on his shoulders, but fortunately he didn't start, as he was currently pouring boiling hot tea into his cup. It was a familiar pressure, and he smiled as he recognized it. Out of habit, he started to pour an additional cup until a hand reached out and covered his, setting the teapot back down on the stove. Georges picked up his cup and turned all the way around, raising his gaze in order to look up at the figure standing in front of him.

Robert merely raised an eyebrow at him; Georges had learned well enough in the past two years that he wasn't big on formal hellos.

Georges held the cup up at him. "You don't like tea?"

Robert shook his head and started to turn and walk in the opposite direction. "Just coffee," he answered.

Georges made a face and followed after him. He always did like the smell of coffee, but could never stand the bitter taste.

Robert sat down on the sofa and leaned his head back on the rest, his eyes closed. Georges sat down next to him, wondering how Robert knew his way around the apartment so well when as far as he could tell, he'd only been there once (and while he was unconscious, at that). It seemed more like he'd been there several times, but of course he hadn't…

Robert's voice startled him out of his musings. "Have you started packing yet?" he asked, raising one hand to rub his cheek, which was still fairly red from where Georges had smacked him. Feeling a wave of shame and embarrassment, Georges answered, "No, not yet. I've got a few weeks or so. I don't really want to rush into it…" He looked down into his steaming cup. No, he really didn't want to rush things. He wish he could make time stand still, if that wasn't so impossible. Things were finally perfect- why did they have to change?

He looked back up to find that Robert's piercing blue eyes were open and regarding him with a gaze that was warmer than ones he had graced him with in the past. "That's fine," he agreed, now averting his eyes. "And I don't think anyone would mind if you decided to stay."

Georges smiled as he realized this was as sentimental as Robert would get (out loud, at least), but he realized what he was trying to say. He set his cup down and moved closer to where Robert was sitting. Closing his eyes, he gently brushed his lips over Robert's bruised mouth. "I love you," he said quietly, faintly worried about how he would respond.

Robert was quiet for a moment before speaking up. "You've got a funny way of showing it," he said gruffly, but with equal amount of affection underlying his words. He patted his red cheek and looked at Georges with that little half-smirk he couldn't help but love. Not being able to stop himself, Georges burst out laughing. Yes, this was perfect.

4. Mending

He was mending slowly, bit by bit. He didn't think that his heart could ever be put back together, nor the little pieces of his life be piecemealed into something relatively normal. But reality was gradually becoming better that being trapped inside his mind, and so he found himself receding less and less into himself. A year ago, if someone had told his father and brothers that he would actually grow to enjoy life again, they would have been doubtful. Hopeful, but doubtful. But now, things were different. Now, he realized that life went on. His own life would go on. And he wasn't alone anymore.

5. Tower

A bright chiming echoed throughout the St. Grollo's courtyard, and Georges noticed Freddy heave a great shudder beside him on the stone bench. Glancing curiously up at the bell tower in the distance, he asked, "Freddy? Are you feeling alright?"

The little prince's head snapped up and looked at him in shock. "Oh n- I'm just- no, I'm fine, Georges. Really." Even Georges couldn't be fazed by the casualness. "You don't like the sound?" Georges asked, his wide green eyes shimmering with concern for his friend.

Freddy blushed a little and shook his head. "The tower, then?" "I just don't like it, that's all," Freddy murmured, looking at the ground.

"But why?"

"Bad memories." Freddy looked up at Georges then, appearing confused. "You- you almost died there. And you still like it?"

Now understanding his friend's uneasiness, Georges smiled. "Of course I do. It's still beautiful, isn't it? And besides… it's what brought us together in the end. Right?" Georges elbowed him playfully and laughed his tinkling laugh. Freddy stared at him in wonder, lost for words.

Hope you liked it! I'm almost done with the next five, so those will be coming soon. Do you think I should do ten per chapter?