the brightest green [Leonardo]

[panic]

The wind whistled through the trees of Esterwynne, the branches swaying in the cold breeze. The small village, one of many, was quiet at this time of night. A majority of the people were finishing up their day and heading to bed. However, some where still out and about. No one had much to be worry about in said small village. It was nicely hidden within the thick forest and was guarded twenty-four hours a day. Speaking of guards, hopefully they were doing their job.

The red-head sat in the tree top platform above the entrance gate of the village. She twirled a piece of hair between her fingers. A sigh escaped her lips as she looked out toward the dark woods. Guard duty at night could be rather boring. But it was at night that much action could occur.

A factor that had made the young woman want the job in the first place. And of course the rather adorable looking uniform. It made her feel like she was someone of great importance to her home. But she was known in the village. Well almost everyone knew each other in the village of just under two hundred people.

The place was more of a resting spot for travelers. It didn’t have too much to it but it sufficed for the people who lived there. In fact the woman’s family’s inn was the only one in the village. And it was a good idea that they built one since they got plenty of business over the years.

But of course there was a down side to having parents who owned an inn. You were expected to help out around the place. And that was exactly what the girl had to do during the day. It was rather exhausting to have to clean rooms. Especially when one didn’t like cleaning in the first place. But she was asked to help her mother with the cooking some days and that was a plus.

Daphne moved her hand away from her hair and leaned back, supporting herself with both her hands behind her. She was more bored than usual tonight. Her partner was home sick so she had no one to chat with. Daphne sighed louder this time as she fell onto her back. Her green eyes gazed up into the starry sky. She folded her hands over her stomach and dangled her feet over the edge of the platform. Boy was today very uneventful.

[Leonardo Aldridge]

The faint sound of hoof beats could be herd echoing through the forest. A horse that was all black in color carrying a young man who was dress in clothes that would seem nicer than the clothes most people had. The young man had black hair with bright violate colored eyes that seemed to stand out on his face. Leo was making his way towards the village of Esterwynne. It had been a while since he had last visit the village. It was one of the few place that he went to a lot. There was a reason for that there was a friend that he visit there a lot. That friends name was Daphne Reed she was someone he had meet when he had first runaway from his life as noble. She had of course never told anyone about who he really was and he was grateful to her for that. As he continued to ride a smile came to his face he wounder if Daphne would be excited to see him since had been about a month since his last visit.

Yes he was always only coming to visit for a short time even though he really knew that it had become much safer for him to stay in one place longer. Leo was sure that his father had given up sending people to look for him he was sure they most likely though he was dead. If his sister though that she would most likely be sad and he did fell bad about having to abound his sister. Yet he knew that he could not have been able to take care of her and himself. So maybe some day he would be able to return to see his sister. Thunder continued to moved at a quick pace. Looking ahead he could see the village coming into view even if was a bit hard to make out since it was almost completely dark out. With it being this late he knew that Daphne would be on her guard duty. So once he made to the entrance of village she would see him coming in the village. Pulling the rains he stopped Thunder when he knew that he was not to far from the entrance to the village.

Jumping of Thunder he took the rains and started to walk the rest of the way. It was a very pleasant evening out not to warm, yet not to cold. Leo was sure that Daphne would want to see some of the new art work he had done while he was away. She enjoyed seeing his art work and he was always glade to show it to her. yes he was a very talent artist he had been since a young age it was his mother that had been the one that got him to like art. His mother he missed her a lot, but he knew he need to not dwell on the past. So he continued to walk leading Thunder. With every step he got closer to the village and he could see it more clearly now even though it was not completely dark out. Many people were scared to come out to this forest since there were rumors of the area being cursed. Though Leo never believed those stories. No he was always willing to go to place no one else would dear go. Finally he could see the entrance to village and he slowly started to approach the village. Anyone close to the entrance would be able to see him walking in.

[panic]

Daphne twiddled her thumbs as she continued to look up into the sky. She was trying to see where the first star would appear. So far she couldn’t spot one that shined through enough. The girl seriously contemplated leaving her post and just heading back home for the night. Her shift was over in half an hour or so. What was wrong with leaving a little early? Well some intruder could come and make their way into the village. What were the chances of that? The red-head stood up on the platform and stretched. Then again if the next shift came to see her not around she was sure to get into trouble. Daphne wondered why the village even needed to be guarded all night.

Then she remembered about the story of the lands being cursed. She was a little ashamed to say that some of these stories were her own fault. You see the young woman was a demon and could curse people or things. So a few times in her youth she had become angry and cursed a tree or two. But that was the extent. All the other storied she had heard she had no idea about. But it didn’t worry her. She enjoyed her village having a spooky aspect to it. Made her want to stick around a bit longer. That and she couldn’t dream of abandoning her family. It wasn’t in her. Unless she was given a good reason, the red-head was no fan of abandonment.

Her ears perked up as she heard a noise echo in the distance. What could it have been? An intruder. Would she finally be able to fight like the job description said? Daphne bit her bottom lip as she debated whether or not to use her eyes to see what the enemy looked like. She decided she would. The girl excitedly went to the edge of the platform and held onto the railing. She closed her eyes and focused. She then opened her eyes and they had turned a bright yellow/green color. She focused to the spot where the noise was coming. But instead of finding an enemy she spotted a familiar face. Her heart skipped a beat and she smiled wide.

Daphne waited though for the boy she knew for so long to come closer to her. She closed her eyes and they returned to their normal color. But with her power came a side effect. Daphne was now blind but luckily since she didn’t use it for so long. So she wouldn’t be blind for too long. So the girl sat down on the platform and listened for him to approach closer.

Within a few minutes the sound of feet was below her. Daphne smiled as she closed her eyes and jumped down. She yelled as she came down. “Master Leonardo!” The skirt she wore flew up as she fell but she didn’t care. She was still temporarily blind after all. Daphne landed on her feet and quickly stood up, her eyes still closed. She outstretched her arms to try and feel for the male. Her palms rested on his chest. Her hands moved up and down. She did enjoy flirting with the young prince. “I always seem to forget how mature you are.” Daphne finally opened her greens eyes, now able to see once more. She came upon the boy’s face and smiled once again. She then moved forward and hugged him.

[Leonardo Aldridge]

Leo continued to walk closer to the entrance of the village as he past by a large tower. Then he herd a a familiar voice “Master Leonardo!” there was only one person that called him that. Looking he saw Daphne just as she landed on her feet on the ground. Leo was a bit surprised that she had been able to jump from that high and land perfectly on her feet. Though she was not a normal girl no Daphne was a demon which something that only a few people knew about. He was one of those few people that knew she was a demon and of course she knew his secret as well of who he really was. Daphne knew that he was a noble that had runaway from his life as noble. She had never really told anyone else that and he did not tell others she was a demon. So they had a deep trust of one another and so when Daphne did introduced him to people she just introduced him as he wondering artist friend. That of course was true that he would wounder around going to different place to work on his art. Then of course he would always return to show his art work to Daphne and tale stories about his travels.

Leo noticed that Daphne's eyes were closed as she reached out with her arms. He knew she much have used her enhanced eye sight so she was temporarily blind. Then she had finally walked close enough to him he felt her hand start to moved up his chest. This caused him to blush a it and he knew that she enjoy flirting with him. “I always seem to forget how mature you are.” he smiled at what she said. Yes his body had grown a lot since he had first meet her since then he just been a fifteen year old boy. Now he was 18 which was consider a adult since at that age you join the order of knights that worked for the king. Of course Leo had never had interested in joining them since he did not enjoy fighting that much. No he did know to fight though it was mostly for self protection or to protect others. It had been part of his up bring as a noble to learn how to sword fight and so he did carry a sword and n fact the sword he had was one that had been passed down through his family. Yes and he had stolen it on the night he had run away from him and he was sure his father was not to happy about the sword being missing.

Yet Leo felt it would e better sever being with him than leaving it with his father. Then he noticed that Daphne had open her eyes and she moved to hug him. He let go of Thunders rains and put his arms around Daphne hugging her back. "It's nice to see you too Daphne." Leo said with a smirk on his face. It really was nice to see her again since had missed her. Yes she was the most important person he had in his life now so it was always hard for him to leave and go travel. Every time he was going to leave he try to get her to come with , but she always said she could not leave the village or her family. So he would always have to come back to see her. Well so he was back now though maybe he would stay longer than he normally did since he had missed Daphne a lot. Letting go he stood back from her to have a look at her and she looked as beautiful as every. They were always flirting with each other though it never really to anything mostly he would just kiss her hand. Or she would give him a kiss on the cheek nothing more than that. "So how have you been Daph?" he asked her. He stood waiting for her to answer him and maybe found out what she had been up to while he was away.

[panic]

The red-head enjoyed the warmth she received as she hugged her good friend. It made been maybe a month or two the last time she was able to hug the runaway prince. Luckily it was a year like it used to be for the two when they had first met. Daphne smiled wider as Leonardo said it was nice to see her as well. Yep, the deep voice was also a sign of how mature the boy really had become. The young woman hoped that this time her friend would stay even longer than before. He had his room in her family’s inn and was always welcomed.

The room was actually one of three that was on the first floor. One room was Daphne’s parent’s room, the other was her own, and the final room was to be for her younger brother’s. However, due to his passing it wasn’t used for the longest time. But as the two teens became closer friends, Daphne was able to convince her parents to let Leonardo claim the room for his own. So it was his whenever he came into town. Like how Leonardo tried to convince her to come with him on his travels, without much luck, Daphne tried to convince the prince to stay in the village. But he always told her the same thing. He was destined to travel. And she respected that. She sometimes wondered what it would be like to travel the world like he did. But she also couldn’t think about leaving her family.

Daphne moved out of the hug just as Leonardo did. She looked up at him with a smile. She noticed he still wore fancy clothing. It must have be the only type of clothing he owned. But the garments suited him so well. He was as handsome as ever. "So how have you been Daph?" he asked her. “I’ve been good. Enjoying my job as a village guard and I love this new uniform they gave us. What do you think?” The red-head asked Leo as she took a step back and twirled around so he could take a look at her outfit. Until recently the guards could wear pretty much anything they wanted. But then the mayor of the village decided to make the job seem more official and had uniforms made. The woman’s outfit consisted of a white shirt with a turtle neck-like collar. Over that was a black blazer with a yellow ribbon. It also had a black pleated shirt, black knee high sock, and black shoes. It consisted of a lot of black so that the guards could be concealed in the woods.

Daphne gave a chuckle as she stopped twirling. She then walked toward Leo’s horse Thunder and began to stroke him softly. “And the inn is still up and running. Although the village has been seeing a bit more weird phenomenon. Although no one has been hurt so the mayor isn’t too worried about it. And this land is known for being cursed. But we both known some of those stories were things that I did so I’m not worried.” Daphne responded with a chuckle. With the ability to curse things, the girl would so just such when she was angry. But she didn’t do that as much anymore.

The red-head then moved to stand next to Leo. She moved her left hand to grab his right. She held Leo’s hand softy and smiled at him. “Come on. We can head to the inn. I’ll make you some dinner.” She responded with a grin. She waited for Leonardo to take a hold of Thunder’s reins again. She then remembered she was still supposed to be on guard duty. But she looked up at her platform to see the next shift already there. The man gave Daphne a smile and motioned her to go home. She gave him a thankful smile and then looked back at Leonardo. “So how have you been?” she asked as she proceeded to begin the walk to her family inn, walking through the gates as they opened for the two and the horse.

[Leonardo Aldridge]

“I’ve been good. Enjoying my job as a village guard and I love this new uniform they gave us. What do you think?” he smiled as he watched her twirl around to show off the uniform. The uniform really did look nice on her. Daphne was rather well attractive girl yes and over time she had grown more beautiful. Leo had grown fond of her and he did enjoy when she flirt with him and of course he would flirt back with her. Yes on his travels she was the only girl he really though about never flirting much with any other girls he met. When he did come back to see her he was always happy to be able to spend time with her. Leo watched as she stopped twirling around and then walked over to Thunder to star stroking the horse. Thunder usually did not let many other people touch him though Daphne was able to. Leo really cared for his horse which was way he had taken it when he ran away from home. No he could never have left his horse at home to be used by someone else. Still there were times that he missed being home since he had left his sister behind who he was sure missed him a lot.

“And the inn is still up and running. Although the village has been seeing a bit more weird phenomenon. Although no one has been hurt so the mayor isn’t too worried about it. And this land is known for being cursed. But we both known some of those stories were things that I did so I’m not worried.” Leo smiled as he listen to her. Yes he was sure that the inn was fine while he was away. That place had become like a second home to him. In fact he did have his own room at the inn that had once belong to Daphne's brother. It had taken a lot of convincing on her part to get her parents to agree to let him have the room. Leo most used the room to leave some of his things behind. Yes he knew about her power to curse things and he had seen it first hand usually though it only happen when she got upset. So Leo always try his best to not make her upset. Though there were a few time she got upset mostly it was when other girls try flirting with him. Which was something that happen a lot since he was a very handsome looking young man. Yet Leo never flirt back much since Daphne was the only girl he ever though about still she was his friends so he did not want to ruin there friendship so he kept his true fellings for her to himself.

Leo then watched as she walked back over to him and took his right hand with her left hand. She smiled softly at him and he smiled back at her that smile of her always made him smile. “Come on. We can head to the inn. I’ll make you some dinner.” he was felling hungry since had not eaten much all day. Most of the day he had been traveling to come Esterwynne. Then using his left hand he took Thunders rains. Daphne looked back up at the guard tower there was another person ther who seemed to give Daphne a sign she was done with guard duty for the day. So Leo started to walk holding Daphne's hand still and leading Thunder. “So how have you been?” he herd ask him as the kept walking together to the inn. Well what could he tell her he had been fine though he really had missed being here with her. "Oh well I have been fine traveling working on my art seeing many different things." Leo said to her with a smile. Still even with traveling he really had missed Daphne just to spend time with her. Leo wish she would come with him, but he knew that would not happen. Maybe it was time he stay here longer than just a few day. Yes he felt that he would stay longer. "Though I have really missed being here with you and I think I might stay for much longer time than normal." he said. Now he was sure that would make her really happy to know that he was going to stay for a longer time than just a few days. Leo continued to walk holding her hand leading Thunder towards the inn.

[panic]

Daphne nodded with a smile as Leo told her he had been traveling and working on his art. He was such a great artist. She knew first hand since he would show her his work whenever he came to visit. The male also sometimes left a bit of his work behind at the inn. So she would sometimes sneak in just to see what he had been working on. They were just as beautiful even if they weren’t finished. Daphne really was amazed at his skills. And she sometimes envied the things he was able to see on his journeys. But for now she was happy with just hearing the stories.

"Though I have really missed being here with you and I think I might stay for much longer time than normal." Daphne stopped in her tracks as she gave a surprised look. Her eyes were wide and her mouth a bit open. Did she hear correctly? Did Leo say he was going to stay for much longer than he usually did? It soon registered in her mind and she smiled wider than before. She moved in front of Leonardo and gave him a big hug. She closed her eyes as she held the tall boy. “Do you mean it, Leo? Oh thank you! I’m so glad we get to spend more time together!”

Daphne happily let go of Leonardo and held his hand once again. She speed up her walking a bit so they could reach the inn faster. She wanted to get as much done with him as she could. And a good start was showing him her great cooking skills and making him dinner, a late dinner but dinner none the less. And she wanted to chat with him more before it was time for the two to go to bed. The red-head did have a job to do at the inn in the morning and her mother would be sure to wake her up bright and early.

The walk went by pretty quickly since the inn was located somewhat close to the gates of the village. It was there to attract the attention of travelers in need of shelter for the night early on. The sun was now almost down for the night by now. And the usual fog was beginning to drift into the streets of the village. It added to the whole “cursed” vibe of the village. But Daphne actually liked the ominous fog. Maybe it was the demon in her that was drawn out at night. Whatever it was, Daphne loved the scary nights the village tended to have.

The two, plus the horse, finally made it to the front of the inn. It was a large building. Two stories with a large attic. The first floor had about six rooms, counting the three that belonged to the owners. The second story had eight rooms, some that could accommodate one person and the others able to hold more people. It was actually a very nice looking place. “Home sweet home.” Daphne told to herself as she looked up at the tall building. “You can put Thunder in the barn back there and then meet me in the kitchen. I’ll get started with the cooking.” Daphne told Leo as she let go of the male’s hand.

When the two had first met and become friends, Daphne and Leonardo decided Thunder would need a place to stay while he visited. So those few days the red-head convinced her father to help her and Leo make a small stable that could hold the horse. And Mr. Reed decided it would be a good business move to make the stable able to hold a horse or two when more than one visitor with a horse came to stay at the inn.

Daphne made her way into the double doors of the inn, taking her key out and unlocking one door. She turned on a dim light as not to wake anyone. She slipped off her shoes and moved them into the closet near the door and the reception area. She then walked to the left and to the large kitchen near the back of the inn. It was larger than a normal kitchen because her mother and her mother’s cooking assistant had to make all the meals for the guests at the inn. So maybe it would be easy to make dinner since Daphne new there was bound to be leftovers from what her mother made this evening.

The red-head unbuttoned her uniform jacket and placed it to the side, rolling up her sleeves as well. She moved to the fridge and opened it up. She smiled as it seemed they had a bit of pork leftover. She decided she would heat it up in the wooded stove and make a bit of stew to go with it. Her own secret recipe in fact. So the young woman got to work, taking out all her needed ingredients and starting the fire for the oven. She began to make her soup in a large pot on the stove. She then placed the pork into the oven to warm up.

In her cooking mode, Daphne concentrated on her work at hand. She continued to cook her stew, adding spices here and there. She then moved to the cabinets to grab two bowls and two plates for them. She placed them on the table. She moved back to the stove and moved her hand into the stove to see if the pork was hot once again. It in fact was and she quickly took out her hand, shaking it vigorously. She put out the fire with some water and pulled out the pork, placing the platter on the table. With one final taste Daphne decided the stew was done as well and moved the large pot to the table as well. She grabbed untesils for them and placed them down. She smiled to Leonardo. “Dig in. I hope you like it!” she responded before placing food on her own plate and in her bowl. She was starving as well.

[Leonardo Aldridge]

Leo felt Daphne stop walking after he told her that he was going to stay longer than normal. Looking over at Daphne he saw a smile start to form on her face. Then she moved so she was facing in front of him and then she hugged him. “Do you mean it, Leo? Oh thank you! I’m so glad we get to spend more time together!” he smiled he was so glade to hear how happy she was that he would around. Yes well maybe it was time he stay in place for a lot longer since he was sure that no one was looking for him. His father and sister must have though that he was dead since he had not return home in over three years. So maybe now it was safe that he could stay here with out worrying about someone finding him and trying to make him return home. Then Daphne let go of him and garbed his hand again and they started to walk again towards the inn. It seemed Daphne had sped up her walking so they could reach the inn faster.

The good thing was the inn was not to much farther since Leo knew it was close to the entrance of the village. That made it a good way to get people to stop by the inn to stay since was not to far from the entrances. Finally he could the the inn coming into view it would be nice to be back in place that he consider a home. Finally they made it to the front of the inn. “Home sweet home.” he smiled as he watched her look up at the inn. “You can put Thunder in the barn back there and then meet me in the kitchen. I’ll get started with the cooking.” he nodded his head at her as he lead Thunder by the rains toward the back of the inn. As he walked he could see the barn coming into view. He remember when he and Daphne convinced her father to help them build it. They knew that they would need a place for Thunder to be put up at while he visited and her father though it was would be good for business. That other travels with horse would use it and the inn could make more money. So they had work on the barn that could hold up to three horse. making it to the barn he open it up leading thunder inside it. Open the stall on the left that one was Thunders favorite. Once he gor the black horse inside the stall. Then he took down a small sign that was hanging on a nail.

Closing the stall he put the sign on the stall door hanging off a nail. The sign had a horse painted on it that was black that looked like Thunder and then it hat Thunder name on it with white paint on the horse. Leo had made this sign so people would know the name of his horse and also so people would know this stall belong to Thunder. With his horse take care of Leo started to walk out of barn closing the door to it behind him. Then he started to walk around back around the inn to the front door. As he did he notice that a fog start to roll in covering the streets. That just add to the eeriness that people felt about this town. Yet he really did not mind the stories people told about this town he found them interesting. Open the door to the inn that Daphne had unlocked he stepped inside. Then he could see the light coming from the kitchen and head towards the kitchen. He made sure he was quite so she would not hear him come into the kitchen. Noticing the table in the Kitchen he made his way over to it to sit down at it. Then he watched as Daphne worked on cooking there meal. She had always been a really good cook and he guessed she learn how to cook from her mother. Daphne mother was the one who made all the meals at the inn along with her cooking assistant.

Leo then watched as she went to the cupboard getting out get out plates and blows. Then she moved over to the the table placing a plate and blow in front of him then one on the opposite side of the table. Then she moved back to the stove to continue cooking. Then she moved to take something out of the wood stove that she had been cooking inside it. After sh put the fire out in the wood stove she brought over the platter that had pork on it. Then she went back to the stove brought over the large pot that had stew in it. Then she went to get untesils for them and gave him his untesils. “Dig in. I hope you like it!” she told him as he started to sever himself. Once he had gotten his food he started to eat as he watched Daphne sever herself. As he started to eat he found the food tasted really good. "This is good Daphne." Leo said as he continued to eat. Leo really did think Daphne was a good cook she would make someone a good wife someday. Think that way made him blush a bit. Yes he was not sure if she would even ever want to be married. Though he himself would not mind being married to Daphne. That thought made him blush even more. So he tried to shake that thought from his mind as he continued to eat his food.

[panic]

Daphne began to eat her food furiously. The girl had a bit of an appetite. But she didn’t eat just anything placed in front of her face. The red head liked her own food but loved her mother’s. It was the only food she ate in the village and pretty much her whole life. Everyone else’s cooking paled in comparison to the older woman’s. That might have been because her mother’s cooking was the first and most delicious thing she had ever eaten. Before that Daphne was alone and had to fend for herself. She usually ate bugs and berries and the occasional dead animal. But she never liked to do that since Daphne loved small animals and hated to see one dead. So she never killed herself, she just ate ones that has already passes away.

This is good Daphne.” The young woman looked up from her plate to Leonardo with her cheeks full of food. She tried to talk but knew it was impolite. So she smiled and chewed her food completely. She then swallowed with a gasp and blushed with a wide grin. “Sorry about that. And I’m glad you like it! I tried to make it good even though I didn’t have much time. It’s a special welcome back meal! Just for the two of us.” The red head responded with gusto as she threw her arms up into the air. She was always so much more cheerful in the presence of Leonardo. He had that affect on her.

The rest of the dinner went by rather quickly with idle chit chat. The two friends were getting to know each other again. They made their friendship stronger this way. And something always seemed to be happening in their lives that gave them things to talk about. Even though Leonardo’s stories were much more adventurous and interesting in Daphne’s mind. She kept him up to date on her newest bruises or scratches she received working as a guard. She even lifted her up to expose her belling during dinner to show Leo one bruise on the left side of her body. The girl could be a bit of a tomboy at times and didn’t think before she acted. But it was Leo, her great friend. They could share anything.

Dinner soon ended and it seemed all the food was gone. The two must have been hungry. Daphne got up from her seat and took all the dirty dished and placed them in the sink. She could wash them in the morning for her mother. Even though she was going to be forced to wash them whether or not she used the dishes. She placed the last dish in the sink and turned to Leonardo. “So I guess it’s time for bed. Your room is ready and everything. So let’s just have a good sleep and talk more in the morning when I’m not exhausted from work.” The red-head laughed as she walked to the male and grabbed him by the hand, leading him to the rooms.

She walked into a hallway with three doors. The first on the left was her parent’s room. It was large so it took up most of the area but there was another bathroom for Daphne further down the hall. On the right where two doors. The first was Daphne’s room and the other was Leo’s. Daphne walked to the second door, Leo’s room. She stopped at the door and turned to him. “Have a good sleep okay? I’ll see you in the morning! Sweet dreams.” Daphne then moved and placed a soft kiss on Leo’s cheek. She blushed but luckily he couldn’t really see it because the hall was dim. Daphne then left go of his hand and quickly walked to her room and closed the door.

Her room was a standard, plain room. She had a bed, two dressers, a desk, and a vanity. And something that stuck out was the painting someone in the village painted of Leonardo and Daphne the year they had first met. The painting hung on the wall. The two looked so young. Daphne looked at the picture every now and then when she missed Leonardo a lot.

She sighed as she smiled. She was so happy to be able to see Leonardo again. It caused a whole new feeling inside her. He was so mature and manly. She missed him when he was away and when he was back, her heart beat faster. Although she was always happy to see him when he returned, this time seemed different. And the young woman didn’t know why. She walked to her dresser and pulled out her pajamas. Her sleeping clothes consisted of a cloth shirt and bottoms that resembled panties. She changed quickly and put her uniform on her desk to be washed in the morning.

A devilish plan then came to Daphne. Leo and her always flirted when they were together and this seemed like the best time. She grinned as she opened her door and closed it quietly. She tip toed to Leo’s room and knocked on the door. She slowly opened it and tried to put on a sad face. But she was smiling inside. “Leo, can I sleep in here with you? Like we used to when we were younger.” Daphne walked inside the room and closed the door behind her. She stood at the door for a few seconds so Leo could see what she had on. She didn’t used to wear things like this to bed. But now that she was older she thought it was a good change. Even if this was a part of her plan Daphne couldn’t help but blush. She slowly walked to the bed and bent down at the edge of it. “Please?” she said in an innocent voice.

[Leonardo Aldridge]

“Sorry about that. And I’m glad you like it! I tried to make it good even though I didn’t have much time. It’s a special welcome back meal! Just for the two of us.” Leo's smiled as he watched a she saw her stick her arms in the air. She did seem really excited that he was back here. Well Leo was glade to be back here with her it was nice to be around the one person he was truly close with even if he did not see her a lot. Well that was going to change now since he had deiced he would stay here for while maybe he would not travel as much just going trips for short amount of times than he usually did. That was sure to make Daphne happy. As he continued to eat he wounder how surprised her parents would be in the morning when they found out that he was here. They were really nice people who allowed him to stay here, but usually he would repay them by doing work at the inn. Leo really did not mind working here it was fun to chat with the different people who came to the inn.

There meal continued with the two of them making idle chit chat mostly he told here stories of his travels which she listen. they even shared a few laughs. This talking was helping to make there friendship strong again after being separated for so long. Daphne of course made sure to keep him up to date on every new scratch and bruise she got. She even lift her shirt to show him one that caused his face to go red with blush. Sometimes she was not thinking since she had always been a bit of a tomboy. Still she could have try to remember it was not a very good idea to do something like. Though he was still glade to know she never got hurt to bad. No he did not know what he would do if she was every hurt badly. He knew she liked to put herself in danger and sure she was much stronger than him. Leo could not still help, but worry about her since he could never stand to see her hurt. They finally finished eating there dinner and he was now stuffed after finally getting something to eat. Yes he would have to try to remember to try to get her to cook again since the food had been really good.

Watching Daphne she got up from her seat and started to pick up all the dish. She took them over to the skin that was located away from the table. Finally she put the last dish in the skin and Leo got up from his seat. “So I guess it’s time for bed. Your room is ready and everything. So let’s just have a good sleep and talk more in the morning when I’m not exhausted from work.” yes he was tired himself from his long day of traveling to get to Esterwynne. Then he watched as she walked over to him and grabbed his hand to lead him to there room. Walking down the familiar hallway he saw the three doors. Then one at the end of the hallway which was double doors was her parents room. Then the two doors next to each other where there rooms the first door was Daphne's and the second one his. They stopped at the door in front of his room and turn around to look at Daphne. “Have a good sleep okay? I’ll see you in the morning! Sweet dreams.” he smiled when she said then watched as she moved closer to him. Then she kissed him on the cheek which caused him to blush smiling more. Then she walked to door of her room and open it going inside her room. Then he turn around and open the door to his room.

Once inside his room he did not close the door all the way he left it cracked open just a bit. It was so nice to Daphne she had grown more beautiful while had been away she turning into such a lovely women. His face become red from blush for thinking like that was alright to really have such felling for his well best friend. Shaking his head he tried to forget those thoughts for now and get ready for bed. Walking over to the dresser he started to take off his clothes and he put on just a pair of black pants made from a light cloth material. Tonight he deiced to not sleep with a shirt on show that he well toned chest was bare. Walking over to the bed he moved the sheets and got in bed laying down. Then he herd a knock on the door as he herd it open so he sat up in bed to see Daphne. “Leo, can I sleep in here with you? Like we used to when we were younger.” turning his head he saw Daphne and then his face become red with blush from what she was wearing. She had on just a cloth shirt and what looked like panties which made her look very sexy. Trying to shake the blush from his face he could not get it to go away. The look on her face was was going to make it hard for him to say no to her about letting her sleep in his bed. Though he was not sure if was really alright since they were not young any more. No they were consider adults, but still he knew that he could not say no to her with the face she had.

“Please?” he herd her ask him as she came over to the bed bending over at the edge of it. "Yes alright you can share my bed with me." Leo said to her his face still read with blush. Lifting the sheet up so she could get under then with him. If she looked she would see that he did not have a shirt on so she would be able to see his well toned chest. Leo waited for her to get in the bed with him so that they could get some rest. Yes he did remember how they did use to share the bed a lot, but back then they had still been kids. Now he just wounder if it really was okay with how he was felling for her now. it was differently going to make it hard for him to sleep. Still he knew that he could never had said to no to her. Then he started to fell Daphne crawl into the bed and felt her right next to him putting the sheets over her. He turn so that his back was facing her he really did not want her see him blush right now. Laying with his back to her he was quite, but he did not try going to sleep he just laid there on his side with his eyes reaming open his face still red with blush.

[panic]

Daphne gave a big smile as Leo allowed her to sleep with him tonight. She was sure by now this light flirting was having some time of effect on him. Hell it was having a little effect on her to. But she needed to concentrate and move her feeling aside. And this petty flirting wasn’t enough for her. No, now that the two were old the flirting had to be turned up a notch. But what was she going to do? She hadn’t thought about it much from the short walk from her room to his. But she would just improvise for now. It was something she was good at.

Daphne grinned as Leo lifted the covers for her to enter. It seemed she couldn’t stop the blush that appeared as she witnessed the broad, toned chest that was Leo’s. Fantasies zoomed through her mind of her dainty fingers running up and down that wondrous chest. Having it pressed against her own as her and Leo playfully rolled around on the bed. Laying her head on that chest, kissing that chest, simply listening to the prince’s heartbeat from that chest. It all passed through her mind in that second. She almost lost herself. A creak from the wooden boards underneath her was the only thing that brought her back.

Daphne, completely embarrassed about what just went through her head, stood upright once more before moving her body onto the bed and under the sheets. She hesitated whether or not what she was planning was a good idea. Especially with that burst of lust still flowing through her veins. But she didn’t want to go back now. So Daphne placed the sheets over her body and smiled as she got cozy. “Thank you Leo!” she responded in a happy whisper. She wondered if the two of them should talk for a little bit before they went to bed. Or was Leo too tired to talk. Just as she was thinking this a yawn escaped from her lips. She guessed she was also too tired for a conversation. Then she had to act fast before they both fell asleep and this night of friendly flirting ended sooner than it should have.

Daphne turned to lie on her side so she would be facing Leo. She was expecting to see his face but was sadly met with his back. What was this? Trying to get away from her was he. That wouldn’t happen yet. Daphne placed her hands on Leo’s shoulders, biting her lower lip to stop the urge to run her hands down his back. She began to shake and pull his body. “Leonardo! Don’t fall asleep just yet! We haven’t had enough time together today!” she whined as she pulled him harder. She wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

[Leonardo Aldridge]

Leo was still laying with his back to her since he really still did not want to look at her. His face was still red with blush with all the thoughts going through his mind. “Thank you Leo!” he herd Daphne say to him. Yet he did not say anything back to her he just remain quite. Why couldn't he get the thoughts he had go away out of his mind. All he wanted to do was turn around and do things with Daphne that were well very mature. Leo knew that it was wrong to have these thoughts about his best friend. Yes she was his best friend he could be having the thoughts about her that he was having. Yet no matter how much he wanted them to go away from his mind they just would no leave his mind. Leo really did like Daphne a lot and sure they had always flirt with each other a lot. They had never actually done anything past just holding hands. Sure Daphne had kissed him on the cheeks a few times, but they had never kissed each other on the lips. It really was so confusing him right now maybe it he should have just said no to her about letting her share his bed with him.

Leo then felt Daphne's hands touch his shoulders which caused him to blush more. The touch of her hands on his bare skin felt nice her hand were really soft. She then started to shake his body with her hands still on his shoulders. “Leonardo! Don’t fall asleep just yet! We haven’t had enough time together today!” he knew she was right they had not had a lot of time together today. That was due to the fact he had come here rather late. Sure they had eaten together, but he guessed that had not been enough time for her. And he was not really felling tried now that he had a lot on his mind right now. Though he was not sure if she should turn over to face her. Yes was that safe with the thoughts that he was having about. Of course he knew that he could never resist Daphne when she wanted him to do something. So he guessed he would just have to try his best to ignore the the thoughts in his head. Turning over so his face was facing her so he could now see her. The blush on his face did not go away Daphne was just well so sexy look laying there next to him. And the thoughts in his head had not gone away and he knew they would not go away for a while.

"Okay I won't go sleep yet Daph since well I am not tried." Leo said. His violet orbs moved to looking at her lips. He wounder what it would be like to kiss her on the lips. Leo was sure he lips would fell nice if he kissed them. The blush on his face became much more darker. Shaking his head he tried to get rid of the thoughts in his head. Yet no matter how much he wanted them to go away they would not go away. Finally he deiced that maybe he should stop fighting his fellings and maybe give in to them. Moving his hand he gently placed them on Daphne's waist pulling her closer to him. Now he could fell her chest pressed up against his bare chest. Then he slowly started to move his face closer to hers. Finally his lips meet hers as he kissed her gently and softly on the lips. Her lips felt so nice against his and it was almost as if this kiss was meant to happen. This was his first kiss with a girl and he had never expect it to fell so right. Leo had never expect that his close friend could end up being the girl that he could fall in love. After a while of kissing her broke the kiss his face red with blush. "I am sorry Daph." he said to her.That was all he could think of saying to her since he was not sure if he had done the right thing by kissing her like he did. Yet he did not regret doing since it had felt nice. Now he was quite while his hands remind holding her waist with her chest still pressed against his bare one.

[panic]

Daphne was shocked for an instant as Leo turned around without much fuss on his part. She was happy he hadn’t fallen asleep before her. It would be no fun to be the only one in the room awake. How else would she entertain herself if Leonardo was asleep? She simply gave a smile as Leo now faced her. Although it was hard to see his face in the dark room. Daphne moved her hands to rest under her head as she lied on her side. She seemed content like this and she wasn’t completely sure why. She shook the thought. She tried to open her eyes wider and tried to get the picture of Leonardo. She stopped when she knew the only thing she would be able to see was his dark form.

“Good! Can’t have you falling asleep on me.” She responded with a smile and a laugh. She tried to stifle the yawn that made its way out of her mouth. Maybe it was a good idea to stop the flirting for tonight and just let Leo have a good night’s sleep. And her as well. Daphne yawned once more before a shiver went up her spine. Her eyes opened wide as she felt a pair of hands on her hips. Well they had to be Leonardo’s, no doubt about it. Daphne looked downward, even though she wasn’t able to see his hands, and then back upward toward Leo’s face.

She was about to speak when she was pulled toward him. She gave a squeal of surprise and turned beat red as she came in contact with Leo’s chest. It was as hard as she imagined it would be. Her hand inevitably ended pressed between their two bodies and she was unable to move them. She gave another small noise of distress, not used to such a position. She tried to examine Leo’s darkened face, as if trying to find a reason for these actions. But it was too late. He did it.

Two warm, soft lips made contact with her own. Was Leonardo kissing her? Yes, he in fact was. Her best friend for many years now was kissing her gently on the lips. Daphne was conflicted. She was over the moon at the fact that she was finally kissing the man she had slowly grown feelings for. But felt strange at the fact she was actual kissing her best friend. Friend being the keyword. What would this do to their wonderful friendship? Daphne couldn’t bare not having the boy as a friend. What was the red-head to do?

Leonardo pulled away after a few seconds. Daphne’s face was burning as her blush was almost neon red. She was in a daze until Leo spoke up. “I am sorry Daph.” he responded. She shook her head a bit, still red in the face. What was there to be sorry about? She highly enjoyed the kiss with the boy. But he didn’t know that. So Daphne had to reassure him his actions were appropriate.

So with a little struggle, Daphne was able to loosen her arms. She moved them to Leonardo’s neck. She placed one hand on the back of his neck and tangled the other in his soft locks. She couldn’t believe what she was about to do. But it just seemed right. Her romantic feelings for the prince had seemed to overtake the doubt she was feeling.

Without saying a word, her eyes a little glossed over, Daphne pulled the prince to her. She slammed his lips on her own. She pressed her chest harder against his, pulling her body as close to his as possible without actually being on top of the guy. She had to restrain herself a bit after all. Although she did mover her leg and placed it over Leo’s body, to add that bit of flirt. She opened her mouth and pushed her tongue into Leo’s mouth to have a little fun with him. She wasn’t sure if this was his first kiss but it wasn’t hers. But she would be sure not to tell him that. It was a long time ago when the two were just friends and only thought of each other as friends.

She quickly moved her thoughts back to what was going on at the moment. She continued to kiss Leo hard. She couldn’t stop herself now. She would blame her demon traits for the aggressiveness if Leo disapproved.