IN
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The familiar spices of Mario's Pizzeria gave Sora some comfort as she patiently waited for Leon to finish reading the article in the paper.
She idly rotated her straw in her glass of iced peach tea.
Leon placed the newspaper down, revealing the headline, "Kaleido Stage's Ex-Lead Signs Up for Competitor Circus." He took a sip of his lemon water as he thought about what to comment on.
"It explains why May didn't show up last week."
She sighed. "Yeah."
May's suspension ended a while ago, but she was a no-show for her trial. I guess she still couldn't stomach the idea of me being the leading lady. Sora felt like she was regressing rather than moving forward; after all, the stage she had in mind wouldn't have this kind of conflict within it.
She wasn't naïve enough to think that they'd all get along immediately but still… I thought there'd be a sort of understanding that the stage comes first before personal conflict.
It seemed like she still had some ways to go.
"Focus on your exercises," Leon rumbled out. "You still have your balance training to finish before we get to the actual maneuver."
Three months in and he was still having her hone in on her balance. She puffed some air out, making her bangs float away from her forehead. "I can handle more than you give me."
"Perhaps," came his vague reply. "Though there is no need to rush."
She pouted a little, not caring if she looked petulant. "You don't need to baby me."
His grey eye slanted over to her. Casually, he raised a hand to push her hair back; his thumb rubbed the impressive hickey that had been hidden underneath her collared blouse before he slipped his hand in.
"You have my word that I do not see you as an infant," he wiry stated.
Her face flushed, but it did not prevent her from responding. "I would hope not." She lightly pushed his hand away from her neck and gave a haughty tilt of her chin. "'Cradle Robber' doesn't sound like an attractive stage name."
He leaned over her in the booth, making her sit back along the cushion. She felt a strong sense of déjà vu with him being over her and her anticipating what he'd do. Sounds like a lot of scenarios. She nearly laughed at the thought, but his lidded eyes held her attention.
"What name would you prefer then?"
Quirky names, seductive titles and her old label of him as a 'Hunter' flashed through her mind, but none of them seemed to encompass all that he is. What about the silent care? The woeful heart? Or the inner strength? The God of Death was too narrow; The Pegasus of the Stage seemed to be a bit of a showy title.
No, those names would not do him justice.
It came to her then, the name that always has been a part of him and will always hold the greatest meaning. So simple an answer, yet complex in its meaning…
"Leon Oswald," she softly said.
He started a little at then, but then his eyes began to glow with inner fire and appreciation. His fingers tucked her hair behind her ear; the gesture made her heart flutter.
"Here's your personal pizza kiddies!" came Karen's perky voice.
Leon quirked a brow at what she called them. Sora shook her head with a smile on.
"Thanks Karen."
IN
It was nighttime.
Sarah had been unlocking a teen's door when she spotted Sora and Leon across the way. Well, more like heard them. Sora was talking and Leon responded with short phrases. Sarah was surprised to see their hands entwined.
"Sorry about this, Miss Sarah!"
The diva looked back at the new recruit. "Not a problem, doll. Just try to remember your key when you leave your room tomorrow."
The teen nodded and then wished her a good-night.
Sarah returned the good-night. She turned around to walk back to her room, pausing to see where the duo went. When they were nowhere to be seen she continued walking.
She whistled some random tune.
IN
They sat on the couch, though he could tell she was still feeling down about the situation with May.
Any other person would be glad to be rid of their rival, but not her. Her ability to empathize with even her enemy was an admirable trait; he could not see how she could be able to do that.
He shifted so that he was facing her form.
"Would you like to hear about the Angel's Maneuver?"
Her head perked up. He faintly smiled; he had been putting it off until she was done with her balance training, but he figured she could use the information now, rather than later.
"Yes, please!"
The shadow of a smile became visible. He motioned for her to come closer and she did so—more than he had meant for her to be as she crawled onto his lap. He adjusted his legs so that she rested most of her back against his propped right leg.
"In ballet, the ballerina gives the impression of weightlessness when her partner lifts her up in the air," he started, one of his hands came up to run his fingers through the hair along the front of her shoulder.
She nodded at the understanding. Yuri had said something similar to her.
"With the Angel's Maneuver, you will be weightless." He let that sink in for a moment. Wonder filled her face; she did get that feeling when she did a part of the maneuver. But for an entire routine to be filled with that sensation…
She wanted to do it even more.
He leaned forward and with the lightest touch, he brushed his lips against her ear. "You will be like a feather floating about," he murmured, "and I will merely be there to keep you in the air. But you," he nipped her ear and he felt her shiver, "You will be magnificent."
"That sounds wonderful," she breathed, but then she gave him a half grin, "though I think you're being biased for the last part."
She felt his teeth graze her pulse. She had considered that it was strange that she liked his teeth on her so much. Ever since he played Dracula, she had been fascinated with the sensation of his bites. There had to be something wrong with her if she preferred that over kisses against her skin. But then she shrugged the matter aside, realizing that overthinking it wouldn't change the fact that love bites made her dizzy with desire.
We all have our quirks, she idly thought as he moved down her neck, his fingers undoing the buttons of her collared shirt so he could work on making the already noticeable hickey even larger.
IN
They had been working on the new trapeze when Ken was sent to fetch them.
His hand clenched a little when he saw Leon's hand along her hip as they stood on a swing, waiting for him to speak. The jealousy wasn't as strong anymore, but it still came every so often.
"Kalos wants you two in his office."
IN
Sora stood with her mouth open.
When she had arrived with Leon in the Boss's office, she had been surprised to see Layla there, but even more shocked to see Yuri standing next to her.
Kalos's news had stopped her world.
Compete…against Layla and Yuri?
She had already heard that there would be tryouts for Odile, but she hadn't thought that the role of the leading lady, Odette, was on the docket as well.
The prince too, now that she thought about it.
For whoever was Odette would mean that the partner she had been training with would have to be the prince. The Angel's Maneuver dealt with trusting one's partner and being able to anticipate where the female would land so that her male counterpart would be there to spring her back in the air.
"The leading role tryouts will be this weekend," Kalos promptly stated.
Sora numbly nodded.
IN
Leon and Sora walked out of Kalos' office.
When they got to the area with the elevator, he pushed the down button and then scrutinized his partner.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"About what?"
She wet her lips. "I know you've been wanting to do this maneuver but because of my history with Layla, you'll have to fight for the role."
If she had been anyone else, he would have had an easier time fulfilling his promise. After all, it was because of her that Layla injured her shoulder and left the stage sooner than she should have, thus leading to her old partner's restlessness and desire to try for this new production.
She started a little when he firmly gripped her chin and made her look up at him.
"Enough of that," he sternly chided. His grip loosened a little when he realized that his tone might have come out harsher than he had intended.
"We're partners," he murmured. "I intend to follow through with this."
The corner of her lips tilted up. He was telling her that they were going to face this together. The thought warmed her heart.
"There's no 'I' in 'Team'," she cheekily said, "Is that what you mean?"
He lightly rolled his eyes at her. She laughed at the flat expression on his face.
IN
She stood with Leon on the platform high up.
Across from them was Layla and Yuri. For some reason, the sight made her stomach queasy.
"What's wrong?" Leon murmured.
"I think I'm gonna puke."
That made him turn his head completely towards her. Discretely, he shifted closer so she could lean on him.
I don't get it. It's just a tryout. I hardly ever feel nauseous for actual shows, but this…this competition is getting to me. She looked over at Layla again and she really looked at her. The tall blonde's hair flowed behind her in a high ponytail. Even from this distance, she could see Layla's face set in determination.
Am I intimidated? She let that thought mull around. It didn't quite fit the bill.
I think…I'm excited…
"We're competing," she murmured.
"Yes."
She turned to look at him. "I've never competed against her before."
She had been challenged by the cold beauty, but never had she been up against Layla directly. Leon tilted his head at the gleam entering her eyes. He thought about what it meant for her to be facing her old mentor.
"…You can overcome her."
Sora can finally step out of the tall shadow of Layla Hamilton. He felt a lightness inside at the prospect for his partner. Even in the time he had been here, which was under two years, the very walls of the Kaleido Stage constantly whispered the triumphs of Layla Hamilton.
They could now be silenced with Sora's name.
She pondered his statement. "You can finally beat Yuri."
His eyes widened a little. It was true, he never did get to compete against the man responsible for his sister's death. Perhaps with this I can be rid of him. To be able to perform the maneuver that Sophie always wanted and this time Yuri could not stop it…
Yes, winning today would mean a great deal to him as well.
"Let's win," she firmly stated as she slipped her hand into his.
He looked at her for a long time before she saw him decidedly nod.
IN
As the two pairs performed against each other, the competitors for the other roles watched from the audience.
Unbeknownst to Sora, May was there.
Kalos had sent an invitation for her to try out for the role of Odile as a guest performer. To the owner of the stage, he had a feeling that May would fit the bill quite perfectly; however, he would rather not have another incident like Leon's fall again. He was not certain if May was ready to rejoin this stage, so he left the invite as a temporary contract rather than a permanent one.
There was great potential in her as well, but only if she was able to overcome her jealousy.
May came, but she really didn't think she'd join the production. It was her current boss that had pushed her to at least try out since Kalos would be willing to pay the fee for her to perform. As of late, May was in low spirits; her boss hoped a change in scenery would do the trick.
Her electric eyes were fixated on their forms. Reluctantly, she started to follow Sora and Leon's performance, especially when they deviated from the set routine.
Soon, though, there were no feelings of resentment as she watched.
There was a smile playing on her lips as she thought about her siblings and how much closer they used to be before she started to compete in ice skating, and now with performing.
I forgot how nice that used to be…
IN
Leon followed her with ease.
He took in her spirited twists and the flares of her arms and legs. Her red hair cascaded through the air as she tossed her head back.
She was captivating.
It was only by the sudden gasp nearby that he noticed that Layla was now looking over at Sora. The blonde's eyes were wide; he could see that frigid ice crack as a smile bloomed on her face. Yuri noticed the change as well and he blinked hard, seeing if it was just the trick of the light.
Layla's lips were still in a smile.
Leon knew, then, that there would be no more trouble coming from her.
IN
He balanced her on his feet for half a second and then swung his legs upward, effectively launching her back into the air.
The morning light made her gossamer wings glimmer as she flitted about in the air like an ethereal being.
He thought he had been lost before during the try outs, but this image of her now…
She was enchanting, untouchable and yet completely tangible. How could she be both? He was not certain of that, but that was the impression he got from her.
She makes the stage alive. He adjusted his form so he'd swing from his feet. As he crossed his arms and her hands lightly rested on his shoulders, he watched, transfixed as her eyes lidded and she leaned down. He leaned up for her kiss as if this was the only moment in which he could receive one.
The faintest touch of her lips sent a shock to his system.
She pushed off of his shoulders, a playful smile on her face as she backflipped away from him.
"Each moment on the stage is unique and special," came his sister's words from years ago. "You never relive the same experience so treasure it when it comes."
How true that is. He was understanding his sister's words a lot more with Sora teaching him their meaning. He let out a half smile at the thought.
When had she started doing that?
IN
He stayed there, holding her for the longest of time.
She panted as she caught her breath after their performance. She heard a single person clapping; she looked and saw Layla standing up. Her eyes watered as her friend led the standing ovation that quickly occurred.
Cheering erupted. They could hear the happiness within them.
She looked up at Leon, her face stuck in a big smile. His eyes swirled with so much, she wasn't all that surprised when he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened it.
The stage was wild with giddiness. She could feel it thrumming in her blood along with her own excitement in achieving the impossible with him.
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AN: Ok, I guess the main story is done, but another idea popped in my head that didn't fit for this chapter however, I really want to add it in. XD
So...there's one more, I guess is what I'm saying...A bonus chapter, if you will.
In the meantime...
Thank you all so very very much for reading this! I have enjoyed your reviews and I am glad that this story is a favorite to several of you. :D