"Hey. When is our next lesson? It's been a while, hasn't it? I miss Kiel, too." Frey watched Leon as he shifted some items into a storage box, sliding them under his bed, crouching. He had been doing some reorganizing in his room. Since doing lessons with Kiel and Frey, his room had taken a turn for the worse. There was scattered papers, whiteboards, pencils, spare notebooks, and various other teaching materials all over his room, in the wrong places. It desperately needed a clean, and Leon had been avoiding it. But after Leon had almost took a fatal fall to the floor that morning after slipping on a misplaced marker, Leon had decided today was the day.

Frey offered to come by to help, it being a hot summer's day, and having already spent the morning swimming, she had the rest of her schedule free. Initially, Frey did really help clean, but as the day went on and the heat increased, Frey mostly played around, quizzing Leon about Selphia, brushed Leon's tail again, and picked at his other belongings. It didn't bother Leon, it was nice to have a companion joining him.

"Well, I've taught you guys a lot. We studied for an entire season, you know mostly everything," Leon rests an arm on his legs. "There's not much else," Leon shrugs. He scans the room. After all these hours, and this room is still messy. We've been playing around too much. I didn't get much done at all. Leon smiles. I guess this is what dating's like, huh? Just enjoying the time together. It's a nice feeling. Not feeling bounded by time, but feeling free because of it.

Frey skips over to his bed and plops down. His bed covers had a red and cream color, and a swirly design on it. I wonder if he picked this? Is red his favorite color? Or maybe Lin Fa had this bedding before he came? Frey switches her attention to Leon, who is transferring notebooks and other materials to another storage box. Her eyes study over his holy markings, the blue and red detailed markings on his face.. I remember when he told me about those, Frey recollects. He had said they represent things. Native Dragon's blood. And the ones on his cheek, the meaning of his name.

Frey watches as Leon grabs a couple pens, putting them in their proper place. Her eyes rest on an item Frey had never considered. A vibrant jade colored fan, with intricate embroidery on its feathers, from a peacock. Ah, I wonder if his fan means anything? Frey sat criss cross on his bed. I never see him without it, it probably does mean something important! Frey's mind whirls as she tries to match a meaning to the fan. Maybe it represented wind, for Ventuswill. She's the divine wind dragon. Or maybe used in a dance? Ah, I'm so curious now!

"LEO!" Frey shouts energetically, startling Leon. "W-what is it?!" Leon huffs, panting. "You scared me," Leon frowns, blushing. She sure gets excited. Frey ignores his complaining, and eagerly asks her question. "What about your fan?"

Leon wrinkles his face, puzzled. "I mean," Frey scoots closer to the edge of his bed. "What does it mean? You know, like how your holy markings have a meaning." I'm probably right about the Divine Wind thing! If I'm right, he owes me dinner! And I'm in the mood for grilled needlefish.

Leon's expression rings surprised, and he slides open his fan, turning it around for inspection. "Oh, this?" Leon remarks lightly. "Nah, I picked it up from a cheap market back then. It was like three gold, I think."

Th...THREE GOLD? "What was it, a flea market?!" Frey stifles a giggle. Leon smirks, his ears twitching. He takes steps closer. "Are you making fun of my taste, right now?" Hr nudges the fan on her forehead. Frey lets out a giggle. "Hehe, no, no!" She resumes. "I just thought it was important, or something," she sneers, smiling. "It is important!" Leon crosses his arms, fan in hand. "Well...I mean, it looks cool, right? That was the point," Leon mutters, frowning. I thought it looked pretty good on me.

To look cool?! Frey tries to hold back her howling laughter. Mr. Cool needed a prop!? That's hi-la-rious. Frey jumps up, eye to eye with Leon, with a mischievous smile. She snatches the fan from him in a quick motion, and skips back. "Looks like I'm the cool one now," Frey teases, sticking out a tongue, fanning herself playfully.

"H-hey!" Leon shouts, laughing. "Do you know how much that costs?!" Frey puts a hand on her hip, and another on her chin, pretending to think seriously. "Hmm," she taps a finger on her chin. "Less than an old boot you find in a river?"

Leon walks closer, extending a hand, waving it. "C'mon, hand it over." Frey blinks innocently. "Hmm, methinks not!" She denies him the fan, jumping to the side, out of his immediate reach.

Leon laughs, shaking his head. "I see. A game of cat and mouse is what you want, is it? Aren't you supposed to be cleaning, anyway?" Frey giggles. "Yeah, I think I'll use this old thing as a duster. Probably works well, too." Leon lunges for her, but Frey skips out the way. "You're too slow, old man!" Frey laughs, avoiding his charges. "H-how'd you get so fast anyway?!" Leon exclaims, astonished at Frey's quick motions. Years training from battling must have really helped her, huh?, Leon thinks to himself. But I'll have the last laugh in this!

Leon rushes forward, trapping Frey between him and the wall near his door. The two laugh and pant, and Frey holds his fan up in retreat. "Since..haha...you worked so hard for it, here's your reward," Frey snickers. Oh yeah, I gave him a run for his money! Frey smiles confidently.

"Yeah, thanks," Leon grumbles reluctantly, smirking. Heh, such a troublemaker she is, Leon smiles to himself. Frey winks, revealing a giggly, coy smile, her bangs bouncing. She's so cute, Leon reflects. I can't believe she had choose me out of all people. I'm so fortunate to have her. Leon smirks, wiping her bangs our of her eyes. I can't believe I was so lucky to have her like me back. I've never thought I'd feel this way about anyone.

Frey freezes. She had expected Leon to tap her on the head, or make a comment about stealing his fan away. Instead, he had began brushing her hair away. Eh? Okay, normally Leon would do that, but somehow... the atmosphere now-it's totally different! Why hasn't he moved yet?! Frey internally panics. B-but this is fine, right?! We are boyfriend and girlfriend. It's totally normal. Get a grip, Frey! This is normal! This is my chance!

Leon acknolwedges his silence, and glances to the side, rubbing his neck, with an embarrased expression. Ack...I should've said something, Leon groans internally. Now it's a little awkward to say something randomly now. Leon grows uneasy. Now what do I do?! I can't just turn around or something!

Oh, his face...Frey reddens, taking a glimpse at Leon, who's mirroring Frey's blushing expression. Then, does he sense it too? The butterflies are back again, I can feel them. But it's a bit different this time.

Frey's eyes flicker up at his eyes, and then at his lips. In this moment, then do I kiss him? Because...I really want to. Frey takes a step closer, delicately sliding her hands up his arms, closing around the back his neck, her heart racing. I'm so nervous, I've never even kissed anyone, not even Vishnal. At least not a real kiss on the lips. I'm crazy nervous, but at the same time, the atmosphere is so nice...It's really comfortable...Frey leans closer to him, watching his eyes. But my hands seem to be moving on their own. It's okay right now, right? Our first kiss...can be right now.

Ark...I should've said something, but I let her continue, Leon groans grudgingly internally. He looks at Frey, noticing her demeanor. I'd know that adorable look anywhere. Just like Maria's. That endearing, admiring look. Leon's uneasiness intensifies. It's not like I don't want to, but I made a promise, and I can't just forget that! It's not like I can forget or erase Maria. I've got to end this fast fast!

I can't believe I'm making the first move, Frey considers to herself, closing her eyes. But I don't mind too much either. Someone has to, right? Frey pulls his neck closer, but before Frey has a chance to meet Leon's lips, he swiftly slides his fan open just in the nick of time. Frey's lips ends meeting the embroidery.

Huh? This feels strange... Frey slowly opens her eyes. H-HUH!? WHAT!? "H-Hey!" Frey squeaks, extremely flustered. Leon chuckles awkwardly, but then his laugh is replaced by his signature smug smile. "What? Were you expecting something more?" Leon smirks.

Frey releases her hands from his neck in surprise. W-w-was he teasing me? AGAIN? EVEN NOW?! But the mood was perfect! Frey fumbles over her words, trying to answer him. "W-well, no...uh, y-you know, uhm," Frey mutters, blushing heavily, taking a step back. The moment...that precious moment is gone!

Leon huffs, smirking. "Cat got your tongue? Anyway, I've got work to do," Leon sighs, shifting his weight. "Do you mind coming back tomorrow? I'm pretty busy."

W-what!? Frey gives a horrified smile. "B-but you said you needed help cleaning!" She stammers. How are you just going to go back on your word?!

Leon yawns, fanning himself, sitting at his desk. "Yeah, right. You're being more of a distraction than anything," Leon smiles. "Come back tomorrow, okay? I've really got to finish this."

I'm completely floored, completely..."Uh, sure, I'll be back later, then," Frey bashfully mumbles, bowing slightly as she steps backwards out the door. "I'll come back at a different time, then." Frey walks out into the hallway, stumbling down the stairs, her heart rate steadily dropping. No way, that was completely weird...Frey slides her fingers against the wall as she takes more steps down. Does my breath stink or something?! Do my clothes stink?! No...I took a shower before I got here, and brushed my teeth! I didn't eat anything! I made sure I looked fine before running over to Leo's! So then...that wasn't a tease. Frey's pace slows as she makes a horrifying realization.

That wasn't a tease. He... just flat-out rejected me! I can't believe this! I just want to disappear! Frey's hands tremble as she closes them into a fist, and dematerializes, using a return spell.

After arriving in her bedroom, Frey huffs, racing toward her kitchen. Frey jams a drawer closed, slams the seasonings she pulled from the drawer on the counter, and whips a pan out the cabinet and onto the stove in a rage. That was ridiculous! He rejected me! There's no doubt about it! Frey rushes to her refrigerator, pulling out a fresh fish, and slams it back on the counter on her cutting board. Frey retrieves a knife from her satchel and raises the knife up. I! Frey chops. Can't! Frey chops again. Believe! He! Just! Did! That! To! Me! And! Had! The! Audacity! To! Throw! Me! Out!

Frey glares intensely at the mangled needlefish. "Guess I made sashimi," Frey scoffs, carrying the plate to her dinner table and slamming it down. She pours some soy sauce on the plate, and folds her arms, leaning back in her seat. Why?! I can't understand that. He really just did that. Frey huffs, flipping a pigtail with her hand. Whatever, I'm over it. Who cares? I don't care. He missed out. What a waste. Poor Leon. Frey takes a couple bites of her sashimi, but her rush slows as she remembers the embarrassing event once again. She places her fork down.

I'm...I'm so humiliated. Why did he do that? Well, it's not that big of a deal I guess. I mean, we'll have another moment eventually. Every couple does. But do I have to wait until then? Ugh, how bothersome. Frey stands up, sighing, and plops down on her bed. Ugh, I've lost my appetite. Frey closes her eyes, hoping to fall asleep and forget the affair. But a twisting feeling appears. Frey gasps as she comes to another realization. "That promise...back then?" Frey's face scrunches. "Wait...he said something about marriage, didn't he?!"

-"I...I can't marry you, Frey," Leon spoke with a heavy conscience. "I decided long ago I wouldn't marry." ..."That doesn't matter," Frey laughs, finally releasing tears. "I love you Leon. Whether I'm married to you or not."-

Oh, man...Frey sits up, scooting to her bed's backboard. I had...completely forgotten about that! Frey jumps up, walking towards her wardrobe, sliding her blue nightgown off a hanger. Does it have to do with that? I agreed to it without ever thinking about it. I had even forgotten. Geez. I'm such a bad girlfriend. I really need to work on my memory.

Frey continues undressing, not thinking much about the words she had spoken. She freezes as she puts a leg through her nightgown. W-wait. Why did he say that anyway? The no-marriage rule? Frey scrunches her face, puzzled, as she lifts the bed gown's straps up to her shoulders. Is he afraid of committing, or something? Nah, he wouldn't do that. Leon's not like that.

Frey tugs at her pigtails as she walks back to her bed. Because he doesn't have money? Because wedding can be expensive? He's never complained about bills or anything, though. And really, I have enough for both of us. He knows that. Frey sighs, sliding into her covers. She blows out air, staring above. "I really don't get it," she complains to her ceiling. "But does the answer really matter? I trust him, don't I?" Frey turns to her side, laying her head on her hand.

"If Leon wanted me to know why he can't marry...he'd tell me," Frey whispered to herself. "It must be a reason he can't explain yet." Frey blew out a gust of air. Maybe that's why he rejected me. He's protecting himself?...Frey's mind wanders, and she slightly blushes. That could...probably be why...so then...I'LL NEVER EVER KISS HIM?! Frey flips around, covering her pillow over her head, blushing madly. Get your mind out the gutter, Frey! Well, it's not in the gutter! It's normal feelings. "I don't expect everything...at least a kiss..." Frey mutters, reddening even deeper. Frey flips back around, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. I'm not in a relationship for the lust, anyway. For love, Frey. For l-o-v-e.

Well yeah, I know that, Frey tells herself. But displays of affection are a given, married or not. Of course I'm thinking about it. He should expect that. Of course I'd want to kiss him, he should expect that too. Then...should I just be patient with him? What if he's just not attracted to me or something? Ugh...I don't know. It's really confusing. I should just get some shut eye and not think about it. I probably shouldn't think too hard about it.

Frey calms down, closing her eyes, settling into the bed. "If he didn't walk around," Frey suddenly mumbles quietly, sliding her pillow from under her head to above her, and slamming it on her legs. " EVERYWHERE FREAKING SHIRTLESS!"Frey shouts, huffs, blushing."UGH!"

Author's note: I'm finding my chapters harder to write. I wonder if it's just because the plot is getting deeper now, or if it's just because I'm trying to be more descriptive. I dunno. Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter~another one should be up by the end of the week. I've realized I wrote a LOT of Inescapable Time in the Spring, but I'm becoming more aware of seasons. This fanfic will end in the winter/early spring in-story though. I wonder how many chapters each season will have from now on? Hmm~ ^.^ Also, thanks for reading! ^_^