Later that night, Nozel was out for drinks with Yami, the Captain of the Crimson Lions- Fuegoleon, the Captain of the Green Mantis- Jack, and the Captain of the Blue Roses- Charlotte. It was a fairly dull and uneventful evening, at least for Nozel, until the Captain of the Silver Eagles spotted Ellie at another table across the way.
Ellie was sitting with her friends, enjoying a night out with the girls, and noticed that Nozel was sitting with some of the other Captains. She offered him a small smile and a nod to acknowledge his presence, surprised that she received a nod in return.
Nozel barely paid any attention to the conversations going on around him and was just trying to finish his drink so that he could go home. However, when he noticed a couple of drunk men start trying to hit on Ellie and her friends- ignoring their requests to leave them alone- Nozel could tell that Ellie and her friends were panicking a little. Setting his drink down, Nozel stood and made his way over to their table.
Ellie felt trapped, having never been privy to this sort of experience before, and she was rather surprised when Nozel came over to "save the day".
"These young ladies have asked you to leave them alone," Nozel started, glaring at the men when they turned towards him, "I suggest that you listen before things become unpleasant for everyone."
The drunkards went white as a sheet and balked under his intense gaze, scrambling over each other to get away and heed his warning.
Nozel watched them flee the tavern, then turned to Ellie and her friends. "You ladies need to be more careful and learn to stand up for yourselves," he said, his gaze hovering over Ellie more than her friends.
Ellie nodded. "Of course, sir, and t-thank you."
Nozel turned and made his way back to where he was sitting with the other captains, ignoring the teasing Yami and Fuegoleon were giving him about saving Ellie and her friends from the "mean old drunk bastards". As he sat there finishing his drink, though, Nozel found himself keeping an eye on Ellie and her friends just in case.
After another hour or so, though, Nozel decided it was time for him to retire and bid the other Captains a good night- despite their protests as they ordered more drinks. Nozel took his leave and found Ellie outside the tavern, waving off her friends before heading off on her own.
Ellie noticed that Nozel had come out of the bar as she turned towards the path that would take her home. "Oh, h-hi, sir. Are you heading home too?"
"You best not be thinking of going home alone at this hour," Nozel replied.
Ellie blushed a bit, laughing nervously. "I was, actually, but I'll be fine on my own."
"If that was the case, you would have dealt with those drunk fools yourself."
Ellie sighed, knowing that he was right but hating the reminder he gave her as he started walking towards her.
"Come, I will escort you home."
Ellie looked up at him, taken aback by his offer. "Sir, that really isn't necessary."
"It wasn't a request."
Ellie could sense that he wouldn't budge on the matter and quickly fell into step with him. They walked together through the cobblestone streets until they reach Ellie's home.
"Well, this is me," Ellie stated, rubbing her arms sheepishly.
"This is your home?"
Ellie nodded. "Julius set it up for me. It's mine as long as I need and want it."
Nozel watched her a moment, as she continued.
"It's part of why I work so hard to repay him for everything he's done for me. He didn't have to save me, to take me under his wing, to help me build a new life here, but he did it anyway. I owe him so much." Ellie blushed when she felt Nozel's eyes on her. "S-Sorry."
"It's fine." Nozel looked back at the bakery. "I admire your commitment," he started, "and I... apologize... for my rudeness over the years."
Ellie's eyes widened with surprise for a moment. "T-Thank you, sir. I suppose I should apologize as well, for not making it easy for you to like me. It may be a long stretch, but I hope that we could maybe be friends someday."
Nozel scoffed at the idea, but commented, "We will have to see."
Ellie sighed but still took the answer. "Thank you for walking me home, sir, and for helping us with those drunks. Be safe going back home, yourself, OK?" She stood on her toes and planted a quick kiss on the cheek before making her way up the stairs on the side of the bakery to her upstairs suite.
Nozel was stunned by the sign of affection and watched as she hurried inside. He wasn't expecting anything from her, and after a few moments of processing what had just happened, he came back to his senses and started making his way home- unaware that a small smirk remained present the whole way.