Disclaimer: once again, I don't own Star Ocean: The Second Story or any thing even slightly related to it, they are the legal property of Enix

Authors Note: Sorry this one is so late, I've been having problems with my family and haven't gotten much time to use a computer ^_^;; BTW anything in between asterixes means it's what the character is thinking.



Chapter 3, A Gift From The Dragon



"I can't believe they reacted so horribly." Groaned a VERY annoyed Claude

They had just came back to the room after being horrified by the reactions of their friends towards the coming out of Claude and Ashton.

"I almost feel bad about not being straight, I mean look, did you see Precis's face? She was so hurt!" added Ashton

"Maybe you should talk to her, it might help her come to terms with the current situation!' replied Leon, still a little shaky after what happened earlier

"You might be right, I'll go check on her right away." Continued Ashton

"Be careful, we don't know what the others will do if they see you." Finished Claude

Ashton quickly left hoping to help Precis calm down about this, meanwhile back at the room…

"Now that he's gone we can talk about your little problem," stated Claude

"Why do you want to talk about it? Are you just going tell me to forget about him because he's yours?" replied Leon.

"I want to talk about it because there are some things I need to talk to you about and no I'm not going to rub it in Leon" answered the young earthling

"Fine then, shoot." Said the inquisitive fellpool

"Okay, I have a couple of things to say; 1, I think you should tell Ashton about your "little problem" he's the one you like so he should be able to help solve it much better than I can. 2, If any of the others say something mean about me, Ashton or you, ignore them then tell me later, I don't want you getting hurt on my behalf. And 3, although this may seem odd to you now, If you hear strange noises during the night, ignore the noises, and try to go back to sleep!" lectured Claude

*Strange noises waking me up? Okayyyyy that's is odd* thought Leon

While this conversation took place, a other group of two were facing their own problems…

Knock, knock, knock…

"Precis, can I come in?" asked Ashton

"Go away! I don't want to hear your voice!" sobbed Precis

"Precis, we need to talk, your taking this way to hard!" replied Ashton

"What do you mean "I'm taking this to hard"! You were MINE and then you stab me in the back by telling me your gay and you love Claude in front of everyone!" Precis yelled

"Precis, you have to realize something, I was never "yours" to begin with, I've always had loved Claude, it was love at first sight when I met him and we've only just recently gathered up the courage to tell each other that Precis! I assumed you of all people would be happy for me when Claude and myself told the group." answered Ashton

"Happy for you? Over something like THIS? You really thought I'd be HAPPY for you? If you actually thought that then you have a lot less sense then I thought! How could I be happy to hear that I lost the man I care the most for because he loves another guy! There, I've told you my side of this, now leave before I sick Bobot after you!" Precis snapped

* that didn't go exactly has I hoped it would, It's really a shame she can't see past her vanity* thought Ashton as he walked back to the room



* * *

Ashton walked back into room; ready to tell his Lover and Leon how poorly the encounter with Precis went, when Claude interrupted him.

"Ashton, I believe Leon has something to tell you. Go on, you can tell him Little Brother," interrupted Claude

"Umm, Ashton, I have something to tell you, it's, well, I… have… a… crush… on… you…" Leon turned crimson as the last few words escaped his mouth.

"Oh Leon, that's sweet of you, but you know I love Claude, I'm sorry if this hurts you but that's just the way things rolled out." Ashton answered as gently as he could.

A tear started to swell in young Leon's eye, then another and another and another as he ran into the washroom.

*Why am I crying? I expected that! I already knew he loved my big brother so why does this hurt? * Leon thought, still a little red from what he previously said.



* * *

Two hours passed without a sound in the hotel room, aside from the occasional sound of Claude and Ashton kissing. By now it was 8 p.m.

*I might as well get to bed* Leon thought * I don't have anything better to do*

He silently left the washroom hoping to not disturb Claude and Ashton, he realized they were sleeping a bit before leaving the washroom.

Leon slid into his night cloths and into bed, as he laid there, he realized Gyoro was staring at him.

"What? You want to crush me to?" Leon said quietly

The dragon waved his head as if to say no, he stretched his neck a bit and moved over next Leon's cheek, giving it a quick motherly peck, as an attempt to comfort him, before pulling back to his host.

*Thank you, if only it were Ashton.* were Leon's last thoughts before drifting off into sleep…

Author's note: There chapter 3 is fininshed, I hope you enjoyed it, it was certainly a hassle to write. This might be the last chapter, I'm not sure, it all depends on the reader's response to this chapter.