The first of thirty OTP Challenges! I'm not sticking for one pairing for this, as there are waaaaay too many FE pairings that I adore (although you should expect repeats if you plan on reading this the entire way through). I'll probably do another series of these once I'm done for Pokemon, but that won't be until, well, thirty days pass. Okay, I just want to do a huge shout out to misslaheela, who wrote an absolutely lovely JillxHaar fic which really gave me the inspiration I needed for this. Now that that's out of the way...

Pairing(s): Leonardo/Edward

Words: 1,204

Rating: K+

Warnings: The only thing I can really think of is the fact that it's a one-shot devoted to a pairing between two guys? So homophobes, be gone! (Or just skip to the next chapter.) OH WAIT. I suppose there's spoilers for the Radiant Dawn endgame. But that's it?

Leonardo can't believe it.

How can he? It doesn't seem like too long ago since he was being held captive by Begnion soldiers, since he was weak. And now, suddenly, he's here, being chosen as one of Yune's strongest soldiers?! He doesn't even feel proud of the achievement; all it does is form a dreadful lump in his throat that he can't swallow no matter how many drinks he takes from his canteen.

He's going to die.

He still has no idea how he made it this far, even. As loathe as he is to admit it, it is probably due to Edward. The myrmidon is much quicker on his feet than Leonardo could ever be, and the brunet is always at his side, whether they're on the battlefield or no. If it weren't for Edward's quick feet and rash thinking, Leonardo would be stuck like a pig on the end of some Begnion soldier's lance long ago. Even before they met Micaiah and Sothe, that's how things worked; Leonardo would nearly die, and then somehow Edward would save him.

Every. Single. Time.

So why in blazes did Ike and his tactician choose to bring him here?

Edward seems to be much more eager about their final expedition than Leonardo is, but he supposes that is to be expected. Even at times like this, when the safety of the entire world is tipped off-balance, Edward is still himself. It's a reassurance on Leonardo's part, even if the brunet's rash nature makes him want to bash his head against the wall in aggravation. Since he lost his family, Edward and the rest of the Dawn Brigade are the only things in this world that Leonardo feels that he can truly rely on. And with Micaiah becoming Yune's oracle and Sothe being solely devoted to Micaiah as usual, it's a relief that at least Edward can stay the same.

... Well, Nolan hasn't really changed either, but Leonardo has always been closest to Edward, despite their childish banter.

Clenching the bow that Micaiah had presented to him, Leonardo allows a shaky sigh to slip past his lips. He shouldn't even be here; he should have been turned to stone, just like just about everyone else in the world. He is not strong. All he's good at is keeping a cool head and keeping Edward on a leash (which he's only sometimes good at, at that).

Glancing to his side, Leonardo can't help but smile slightly. Edward bounces on the balls of his feet enthusiastically, tossing his sword into the air and catching it by the hilt restlessly. Scolding him comes to mind, but the sudden realization that this could be the last time they have a moment like this makes him quickly decide against it. Taking a shaky breath and glancing around him to make sure that none of his comrades are watching, Leonardo reaches out and takes Edward's hand in his.

Instantly, the myrmidon stops bouncing, and his sword clatters to the floor as he is too stunned to catch it on its way down. Seconds that feel like decades pass with the two of them standing there stiffly, and Leonardo glances over at his comrade to see the brunet's cheeks painted a bright scarlet.

Although he imagines that he's probably blushing just as furiously, Leonardo does not pull his hand away, instead giving it a tight squeeze. "Don't die in there," he orders, although his voice quavers slightly as he continues, "You're my family now. We're going to go back home together, remember?"

Edward nods slowly, not daring to glance over at the blond who is currently holding his hand. Too many incomprehensible thoughts are bouncing around his mind right now for him to come up with any sort of meaningful answer, so he hopes that the nod is enough to let Leonardo know that he understands. Biting his lip, the myrmidon gives the archer's hand a squeeze of his own. For whatever reason, all he can think of is the archer's hand. It's incredibly soft, he notes. Despite living on the streets for the past few years, he still has a noble's hands... They're cold, too. And sweaty. Edward swallows nervously, well aware of how his heart is thrashing in his chest as though attempting to escape. Finally, Edward spares a small glance in Leonardo's direction.

The archer, thank the goddess, is not facing him. His sapphire eyes are dead-set on the doors of the Tower as their allies prepare for the upcoming battles around them. The wind gently buffets his golden strands, and Edward quickly looks away. He has always thought of his friend as looking somewhat girly, but in that moment, he was almost...

Leonardo is pretty. The thought is frightening, and the brunet is quick to banish it from his mind as he gives his friend's hand another squeeze. Edward closes his eyes, finding himself recalling all the times Leonardo ever scolded him (which was a lot of times!). Sure, he would roll his eyes and tell Leonardo that he worried too much, or that he was too pessimistic, but Edward isn't stupid. He never missed the look of concern that Leonardo regarded him with when in the midst of a lecture. He never thought that it was just Leonardo being, well, Leonardo.

Leonardo appreciates him. Leonardo doesn't want him to die. Leonardo cares about him; a simple-minded boy from the streets who serves to cause nothing but trouble. Despite who he is, and who Leonardo once was, Leonardo just wants him to be safe.

Edward would be lying if he were to say that he didn't care about Leonardo. He just doesn't know in what... He doesn't know what kind of caring he feels for Leonardo. Sometimes, just watching his back is enough. Sometimes, Leonardo is just his family, as much as Sothe, Micaiah, and Nolan are (although Edward feels significantly less close to Sothe than he does the others). But other times... Other times, Edward finds himself wanting to run his hands along Leonardo's jaw, or through the archer's hair. Other times, he wants to hold the blond's hand (as he is doing now), or just... Hold him. Period.

And Edward doesn't feel that way for Nolan or Micaiah. At all. (Although he would be lying if he said he didn't find Micaiah attractive, but Sothe is much too protective of her for anyone to even think of making a move on the silver haired maiden.)

They might not make it through this... Would now be an okay time to give in to the temptation of touching his friend's hair? Would it be okay to hold him the way he has been wanting to for so long? Could he... Could he even try to kiss the blond? His heart hammers harder against his chest and his head grows dizzy at the mere thought.

... No. He won't do it.

He and Leonardo promised; they're going back home together after this is all over. They'll both make it out of this. Edward will make sure of it.

So for now, the gentle squeezes they give each other's hands as they wait for the others to finish preparing is enough.