Chapter 14 takes place at the same time as Chapter 4 of Bellflowers (So it takes place during the same War Conferment Ceremony as in that story)

A Few Months Later
Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
The Capital
Magic Knights Headquarters
The Grand Hall
Day of the War Merits Conferment Ceremony

Kirsch's cousin, the Wizard King Fuegoleon was as regal as ever, as a handful of Magic Knights stood in the Grand Hall of their headquarters to honor those who had done exceptionally well in the past six months. "Thank you all for coming. Today we recognize the deeds of some of our fellow Magic Knights. Four of our newest Magic Knights even got promotions. We haven't seen that happen in a few years now. So congratulations to our newest Magic Knights-Princess Theodora Kira Clover of the Silver Eagles, Crown Prince Constantine Kira Clover of the Purple Orcas, Miss Maylan Naylor of the Golden Dawn, and Miss Aubrey Waters of the Purple Orcas. But new Magic Knights weren't the only ones embodying the spirit of true Magic Knights. Misters Zora Ideale, Magna Swing and Luck Voltia of the Black Bulls, Lord Leopold Vermillion of the Crimson Lions, and Lady Nebra Silva of the Silver Eagles for all of their continued hard work and determination. Now, I won't bore you with any more of a speech, so please enjoy the food."

Kirsch clapped politely with everyone else. Though he had been disappointed that no one from the Coral Peacocks got a promotion, he was there to be Zora's moral support. It's not every day when your partner got a promotion to 3rd Class Senior Magic Knight. In Kirsch's opinion, it was a promotion long since due to Zora, considering everything he did for the Kingdom.

Originally, Zora hadn't wanted to come, because "I don't do this because I want to be praised," but Kirsch insisted they go to the event, arguing it was to honor Magna and Luck too. Besides, Kirsch loved seeing Zora in a fancy suit. This one Kirsch helped him pick out.

"Thank God that's over," said Zora, impatiently. He stood next to Kirsch. Zora was so gosh-darn handsome in his suit. "Can we go now?"

"Don't you want to eat?"

"I'd rather eat your cooking," said Zora.

"What about celebrating with our friends," Kirsch asked, slightly chiding his partner of four months.

"I see them all the time," Zora argued. "And I just got back from a mission last night, shoved in a fancy suit and stuck in a fancy room with people who annoy me, when I could be catching up privately with my cute partner that I hadn't seen since our shopping trip date three weeks ago."

Kirsch paused. It was true that they hadn't seen each other in three weeks, due to the influx of missions in the time before the War Merits Conferment Ceremony. And it didn't help that there were some rumblings of succession issues for Crown Princess Klotide of the Diamond Kingdom that might spill over into the eastern part of Clover, if they weren't careful. Kirsch had gotten back two days ago himself from protection detail for the emissary to the Diamond Kingdom from the Clover Kingdom.

And dang it, Kirsch really missed Zora too.

"Well, we should stay for another ten minutes to congratulate everyone and then we can go," compromised Kirsch. It would be rude to leave too early.

Zora smirked. "I can live with that."

True to his word, Zora did make sure to give some words of praise and also some criticism to everyone who had gotten a promotion. Because that's Zora for you, Kirsch watched fondly as the younger Magic Knights took Zora's words seriously. The girl from the Golden Dawn even took notes. Exactly ten minutes later, Zora was dragging Kirsch out of the Grand Hall, which Kirsch didn't mind in the least.

Holding Zora's hand as they walked was the best.

"Someone's in a hurry," said Kirsch, teasingly.

Zora's mask hid most of his face, but Zora's ears turned red when he blushed. "The house is empty, including Henry who took a room out of the house with him to go bird watching with Secre."

Kirsch's eyes widened as Zora gripped Kirsch's hand a little tighter. "Zora, lead with that next time!" He had the afternoon off from his Vice-Captain duties too.

Zora said, "Well, hurry. Who knows how long that'll last?"

Quiet, time and privacy were hard to come by so they had to jump on this chance. Kirsch quickened his pace, wishing for once that Finral had come today instead of a date with Finesse. "Oh, wait."

"What," Zora asked, irritably.

"I forgot to tell you today," said Kirsch, smiling. "I love you."

Zora faltered for a moment and said, "Love you too. Now, move your cute ass, I wanna nap."

Kirsch laughed. "You read my mind, Zora."

~fin for now

Zora and Kirsch's journey, together, continues soon…

Notes:

Thanks so much for reading everyone! I know I'm the only who writes Zora/Kirsch, so I'm glad that others like reading about them.

The Next Installment of the Gladiolus series will begin Sept. 12th. Zora and Kirsch will definitely feature in it.