AN: Revised Chapter 9/21/2016

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With the deed to the chateau signed and transferred, his bags packed and his flight booked, Leon was ready to go tomorrow afternoon.

Finally.

Fortunately, he was back in Aimeric's household once the legal issues were handled. Staying at the estate of the late Grandfather Dubois for nearly two weeks had been enough family drama to last him the rest of his life. All he needed now was for the even more estranged Oswald family - the few members from his father's side - to suddenly take an interest in him after more than a decade of avoidance.

Leon scoffed under his breath. Like I need that sort of stress.

"Cousin Leon," came Aimeric's voice from behind. "Dinner's ready."

Leon absentmindedly nodded, his eyes still on the old photo of his mother as a young girl. Aimeric waited for Leon to say something in response to his comment, but when he didn't, Aimeric inwardly sighed and started to turn around.

"Aimeric," Leon quietly said, making his cousin pause. "Would it be alright if I take this photo?"

Aimeric turned around to look at the photo in question. His mother had put it up when Grandfather Dubois had come over for dinner in an attempt to reach his heart.

"Your mother was the favorite of the family."

Leon turned his head towards Aimeric. "I wasn't aware that spite was a form of favoritism," he said with a bite in his tone.

Aimeric sighed. "It isn't," he acknowledged as he ran a hand over his face. "I think the spite came hard because she was the favorite. Grandfather had been deeply disappointed with her decision while the others resented the attention."

Leon hummed.

Aimeric didn't know what else to say on the issue. "You can take the photo." He started to walk off again but then stopped once more. "I can take you to the airport tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Just because our parents didn't get along doesn't mean the cousins can't."

A critical grey eye narrowed on Aimeric. "You avoided us too."

Aimeric shifted on his feet. "I was an only child and then suddenly I had two cousins around my age in the house - two cousins that might as well have been strangers. I didn't know how to deal with such a situation." He let out a long breath. "Honestly, as I grew older, I didn't think you'd welcome my presence."

The critical eye stayed narrowed for a few seconds more and then eased.

"You learned because of Madeline."

Aimeric laughed. "My friend's been a positive influence in many ways."

Leon let out a faint smile, but from where Aimeric was, he couldn't see it. The silver haired performer unhooked his mother's photo and then turned fully to Aimeric.

"Would you care to come to a wedding?"

Aimeric blinked. He hadn't expected this happening; the surprise brought a smile on his face.

"Yours?"

Leon nodded.

"I would be honored."

SL

Leon fell asleep on the long plane ride back to Cape Mary.

Near the end of his slumber, he faintly heard the 'ding!' sound of the 'Fasten your seat belts' light and then the pilot telling the passengers of their descent. Leon debated about resting a little more when the plane shook from turbulence, waking him up fully.

So much for that idea.

He stretched his arms above his head while turning his head from side to side. He was used to traveling by now but the periods of stillness made his muscles itching for movement. Perhaps some practice on the trapeze will do the trick. He was sure Sora would not mind that even though they're supposed to continue working on their fencing. He leaned back in his seat and took a look outside of his window.

He wondered if Sora will meet him at the stage or his apartment.

He closed his eyes.

SL

At the Cape Mary airport, Sora stood by the exit gate Leon's flight was scheduled for.

Being 6 in the morning, she sported a light jacket for the chill but wore wedges and a short, vibrant blue skirt. The silver star earrings Leon had given her adorned her ears and she bit her lower lip in anticipation as some of the passengers came through the gate.

I wonder if he'll know to look for me here.

She hadn't been sure if she could find a ride to the airport so early in the morning since Jerry tended to start work in the later morning. But Dr. Kate had to come in to her office early and had offered to drop Sora off. She sent him a text message as soon as she found out she had a ride, but Leon might have turned off his phone while on the plane.

If that was the case, well shoot.

She hoped he saw the message. Like how he listened to your voicemail before calling you back? her mind quipped. Because that sure turned out to be embarrassing. She pursed her lips. There was a good chance he didn't read her text. She craned her neck to see around the people and even went on her tip toes but without much success.

I might have to page him.

She could see it now: "Paging Leon Oswald to the information desk. Your fiancee is too short to find you, even with wedges on. Please come and get her."

"That's not humiliating," she mumbled to herself as she placed her hand on her forehead.

I knew I should have made a sign.

Some scuffle of shoes sounded behind her, which was normal enough especially in a place like an airport. But when she felt warmth at her back and someone's arms wrapped around her waist, she started.

"You came here," a familiar voice murmured into her ear before he nuzzled her neck.

"Leon!"

"That is my name," he chuckled, "you are free to wear it out."

She laughed and turned around to give him a heartfelt hug. "I think the phrase ends with, 'don't wear it out.' "

His eyes closed as he felt the solidness of her against him as they hugged. "The phrase suggests that the speaker doesn't want the name repeated." He slightly pulled away from her to give her a grin. "But I do want you to say my name. Repeatedly and as often as you can."

Her cheeks tinted. "Conceited!" She lightly smacked his shoulder, knowing that he probably barely even felt it. "So," she said with her own grin. "Where's my souvenir from France?"

He looked at her for a few seconds and then he gave her a smirk.

Without warning, he tipped her back.

She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck as his arms held onto her, making sure she didn't hit the ground. He covered her mouth with his own. His lids half closed as he felt her soft lips and a shiver went down his spine when he brushed his tongue against hers. Her face was flushed from the very public kiss and the clapping of some of the people around them, a whistling sounding off here and there as well. He immediately slanted his mouth more, bringing out a soft whimper from her.

Just as quickly as he tipped her back, he straightened her up. They disconnected the kiss, though her arms stayed wrapped around his neck, making her feet dangle in the air a little.

"I know what that type of kissing is called," she said, quickly nipping his nose in reprimand, "That doesn't count as my souvenir."

"A pity," he murmured, "for I had planned to give you one for every day I was gone."

She smiled, her eyes glinting with his suggestion. "Well then, this must only be one gift out of several."

He blinked at her response, having thought that she would turn a darker shade of red at his words. But upon seeing the playful light in her eyes, he decided that this was a far better response than he had anticipated.

"Allow me to continue with the gifts," he rumbled out.

Before he could connect with her lips again, her cheeks darkened and she shook her head. "Not here," she muttered and then loosened her arms from around his neck. "Later will be better."

And there's the red.

Extreme PDA still made her blush like no other.

"How was the flight?" she asked, grabbing a hold of his laptop bag and then slipping her hand in his free one.

"Fine, except for some turbulence," he replied, picking up his luggage, "Though, I do have some other news regarding our wedding." He stared at the star earrings and then looked up at her eyes. "I've invited a cousin."

A big smile bloomed on her face and her eyes watered a little. She was aware that he was not speaking to his extended family so she knew how much of a step up this was for him. She brought his hand up and kissed it twice.

"I'm so happy for you!"

The affection she freely gave made his heart clench.

Her care and understanding of him was so deep, so vast that he was often in awe of her ability to love. Anyone who was once her enemy was now her friend, rivals worked side by side with her, and the lonely wolves on the outskirts, the lost souls such as himself were warmed and welcomed by her heart.

Despite her earlier protest, he leaned down and kissed her again. "I truly missed you," he murmured against her lips. "More than you will ever know."

She could not find it in her to chide him for kissing her a second time in so public an area. She could practically feel his ache for companionship that he suffered during his trip away and she only found relief in the coming happiness in his eyes. Instead of scolding him, she pressed her lips fully onto his and he pressed back with gratefulness and affection.

With such emotions making her head spin, how could she not kiss him?


Sora couldn't bring herself to let go of his hand.

Even when he was driving them back to the stage, she kept her hand threaded with his. He didn't seem to mind, merely adjusting the hold so he could shift gears while keeping contact with her. He pulled up into the parking lot, disconnecting their hands as they got out of the car.

But like a magnetic, her hand immediately found his again. They walked a little and then he paused, pulling her closer to him. The pull made her free hand go to his shoulder for stability, especially since she was in wedges. His arm went around her waist, bringing her against him.

"How much did you miss me?"

She blushed a little. "A lot."

He put his face against her neck, breathing in her shampoo. He just couldn't get over the feeling of being missed. Knowing made him ache for the loneliness he caused her to feel, but also filled some part of him that made him feel important.

It was so strange.

He kissed her pulse. "How much is a lot?"

"What do you mean how much, silly?" she lightly laughed. "A bunch."

He slowly kissed up her throat. "On a scale of 1 to 10."

"8."

He lifted his head up. "Not 10?"

She smiled at him. "Minus two because I knew you were coming home." She brought her hand to his face. "How about you? How much did you miss me?"

"…20."

She frowned a little. "Was it really that bad?"

"Overall, yes."

She pursed her lips. "That sucks." She smiled at him. "I got something for you." She pulled his hand, making them walk. "Something to make you forget."

He followed along, a lazy grin coming on his face. "You found a better kissing spot?"

"Shush you." Her face flushed. "Ever since you got off that plane you've been stuck on kissing."

He looked at her lips and then back to her eyes, his lids lowered.

"Seriously?"

"You say that as if you don't want to."

"I didn't say that. There's just a time and place for it."

He stepped up to her, making her back lean against the door of the building closest to them with a blush. Quickly, his sly grin was forgotten as she felt herself tipping backwards, the door not having been shut.

"Gaah!"

He winced as she grabbed a bunch of his hair. He quickly grabbed her waist so she didn't make him have a bald spot.

"Surprise!"

Leon blinked at the welcome back banner and room full of people.

"…Is this for me?"

Sora straightened herself, pointedly ignoring Mia's grinning face. "Yes it is." She pulled him further in. He followed behind in a bit of a stupor. "We have cake and pie. I wasn't sure which you prefer."

A couple of people welcomed him back or waved.

He slowly nodded back as a light warmth entered. "Depends on the flavor."

She grinned at him. "I had a feeling that was going to be your answer."


Leon's welcome back party was casual and relaxing.

People chatted about the room, eating desserts. Every so often, someone would approach Leon and they'd exchange a few words.

Ken frowned.

He spent a good number of days looking for more letters from Aliya. That one letter had felt incomplete and he was correct in thinking there were more. But why did Kalos have them? Ken felt his hand twitch as Sora leaned up against him.

Why did he let Leon stay, given what was inside?

"Why are you sulking in the corner?"

He gave May a flat look. "I'm not sulking."

"And I'm Miss America, stunning personality and all."

Ken bit into his cake and chewed for longer than what was needed. May rolled her eyes and then leaned against the small table he was sitting at.

"Look, I can understand needing more time to adjust," she eyed the wonder couple in the center of the room and then looked back at him, lowering her voice some more, "But you don't have to be so obvious about it."

"I'm not jealous, May."

"Right."

"I'm not! I just –" he lowered his voice back down when he caught a few heads turning. "He's not right for her."

She sighed. "I'm going to be blunt 'cause I'm running out of snarky comebacks." She stuck her face right in front of his, making him blink. "That's not for you to decide."

"But – "

"Ah uh!" May wagged her finger. "Any other retorts, and it's just the old green fiend talking."

Ken snapped his jaw shut tightly. Satisfied, May walked off for a drink. But I'm still right. May couldn't keep him from thinking what he knew to be true.

He just didn't know what to do with the information.

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AN: Just pushing more of Ken's doubts to make more sense this time around.