Confuse feelings

Daniel tapped his fingers against the stone edge of the well, watching students pass by in the crisp morning air. The Hogwarts courtyard was alive with murmured conversations, footsteps echoing between the towering walls. Next to him, Ivy sat with her arms crossed, watching Leonardo Goldknight like a hawk.

Leo had been running back and forth all morning helping some third-years levitate their books, carrying crates of ingredients for Professor Sprout, and even repairing a broken broom handle for a first-year. His energy was boundless, but something about it felt forced.

Daniel had noticed it the night before, too. Leo had finally got some proper rest, but instead of taking things slow, he was everywhere at once, as if trying to outrun something invisible.

-- Have you ever seen someone so determined to exhaust themselves? -- Ivy mused, her tone dry.

Daniel exhaled. -- Not until I met him. --

They watched as Leo jogged past again, exchanging a few words with Hagrid before disappearing into the castle.

Ivy tilted her head. -- He’s been too helpful lately. --

Daniel raised an eyebrow. -- You say that like it’s a bad thing. --

-- It is when it’s Leonardo Goldknight. -- Ivy countered. -- He’s usually reckless and unpredictable. Always helpful, but now he’s avoiding conflict entirely, throwing himself into chores instead of causing them. -- She tapped a finger against her chin. -- That’s not normal behaviour. It means he’s overcompensating for something. --

Daniel sighed, glancing back at the entrance Leo had disappeared into. -- We still don’t know what he’s doing at night. --

Ivy nodded. -- Precisely. He vanishes right after dinner and doesn’t return until late night. And before you ask. Yes, I’ve checked with his roommates. --

Daniel shook his head. -- We’ve gone through every logical explanation, and nothing makes sense. -- He started counting on his fingers. -- He’s not sneaking out to Hogsmeade, he’s not annoying Filch, and he’s not secretly studying in the library. --

Ivy smirked. -- Agreed. --

Daniel hesitated, lowering his voice. -- That only leaves… the other possibility. --

Ivy’s expression turned thoughtful. -- That he’s hiding something supernatural. --

Daniel nodded. -- We already suspect he’s not a normal Animagus. What if his abilities are tied to something bigger? --

Ivy drummed her fingers against her knee. -- It would explain his connection to Hagrid. But why McGonagall is involved? --

Daniel’s jaw tightened. The secrecy, the disappearances, Leo’s occasional slip into a more primal nature… it all pointed to something different.

Ivy stood abruptly. -- We need proof. --

Daniel raised an eyebrow. -- And how exactly do you suggest we get that? --

She smiled, sharp and knowing.  -- We follow him. --

Daniel had been about to respond when Cassandra’s voice cut through the courtyard, sharp as a blade.

-- If you could call it, him an Animagus. I mean, disappearing every night like some brooding beast. It’s pathetic, really. -- Cassandra sat with her usual practiced elegance on a stone bench, her uniform immaculate, her posture effortlessly poised. A small group of students surrounded her, listening with a mix of amusement and curiosity as she spoke.

-- I suppose it’s fitting. -- she continued, tossing her golden curls over her shoulder. -- A failed Animagus to match a failed bloodline. -- Her lips curled. -- Honestly, if I had to look like that every morning, I’d disappear at night too. --

Daniel’s fingers clenched into fists.

Ivy let out a slow, measured breath beside him. --- She’s doing this on purpose. --

Of course, she was. Cassandra never wasted words every jab, every insult, was calculated for maximum effect. And now, for whatever reason, she had turned her sights on Leonardo again.

Daniel cast a glance toward the castle entrance. Leo wasn’t here to hear this. But that didn’t mean Daniel would let it slide.

He stepped forward, voice dangerously even. -- Strange. For someone so high-class, you waste an awful lot of time talking about Leonardo. --

Cassandra blinked, feigning surprise, then smiled like a cat catching sight of a mouse. -- Oh, Daniel, I didn’t see you there. -- Her eyes gleamed with mischief. -- Did I strike a nerve? --

Daniel kept his expression neutral. --I just find it amusing. You act as if you’re above him, yet you can’t stop talking about him. --

A few of the surrounding students exchanged glances. Cassandra’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something behind her eyes, annoyance.

-- Oh, I simply pity him. -- she replied smoothly. -- It must be exhausting, pretending to be something more than he is. I just thought someone ought to say it. --

-- Yet, he isn’t the one who needs an audience to feel important. -- A beat of silence.

Ivy smirked beside him.

Cassandra’s fingers twitched against the bench, but her expression remained cool. -- My, my, Daniel Bloody Page. -- She said airily. -- So quick to defend. I do hope you’re not too attached. He might just vanish one night and never return. --

Daniel’s patience snapped.

He took a step closer, -- You talk about him like he’s beneath you. But let’s be honest, you’re afraid of him not noticing you. --

Cassandra’s smile stiffened.

Daniel held her gaze a moment longer, then turned sharply on his heel. -- Come on, Ivy, -- he said coolly. -- We have better things to do. --

Ivy chuckled under her breath as she followed.

Behind them, Cassandra sat motionless, her carefully crafted expression just slightly cracked.

Daniel barely had time to savour his victory over Cassandra before he crashed straight into someone. They were solid, warm, and very familiar.

His heart immediately betrayed him, hammering against his ribs as he looked up it was Leonardo.

His golden eyes gleamed, bright against the morning light, a lazy grin tugging at his lips.
The uniform was slightly ruffled, his hair tousled just enough to make him look effortlessly handsome. Daniel swallowed hard, feeling his face heat up.

Before he could step back before he could even breathe, Leo moved, and he kissed him. Daniel froze.

The courtyard erupted. Gasps, whispers, and a few outright cheers rang through the air.

-- Did Leo just—?? --
-- Merlin’s beard! Cassandra looks livid! --
-- I knew it! I knew something was going on! --

And speaking of Cassandra. Daniel barely had time to glance in her direction before Ivy grabbed his arm, whispering gleefully, -- You have to see her face. --

It was magnificent. Cassandra sat stiff as stone, her mouth slightly open, her hands curled so tightly into her robes it looked like she might rip them. Her usual elegant composure was gone, her expression caught between horror and pure rage.

Daniel might have enjoyed it more if he wasn’t currently dying inside.

Leonardo pulled back, looking completely unbothered by the scene he’d just caused. -- You alright there, Daniel? -- He asked, amused.

Daniel’s brain short-circuited. What? His breath caught, pulse jumped, and his mind latched onto the unfamiliar word. Elskr, it was rolling around in his head like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit.

Leo tilted his head slightly, looking at him like Daniel was the strange one. -- Daniel? --

Daniel panicked. -- You… you can’t just…do that! -- he hissed, stepping back, his face burning.

Leo blinked, visibly confused. -- Do what? Express love to my boyfriend? --

Ivy cackled. Cassandra looked like she was about to explode. And Daniel? He just wanted to disappear.

Absolutely not. Daniel turned on his heel and marched away, face burning hotter than a cursed cauldron. Nope. Not today. Not in front of everyone.

The whispers, the laughter, the bloody nerve of Leonardo kissing him in broad daylight. It was all too much. His ears were ringing, his heart was threatening to leap out of his throat, and he had no idea what the hell elskr meant.

Behind him, Ivy’s laughter rang out like a bell. -- Oh, brilliant! Look at him go! --

Daniel walked faster.

Leo, ever the oblivious menace, called after him. -- Daniel? --

Daniel did not stop and did not look back.

Daniel finally stopped when he reached the wooden bridge. Gripping the railing, he sucked in a breath, trying to steady himself. His heart was still hammering, but whether it was from the walk or the absolute chaos Leonardo had just caused, he wasn’t sure.

Daniel gripped the wooden railing so hard his knuckles turned white. His breath came in sharp gasps, his chest aching as though⁹ someone had reached in and squeezed the air right out of him.

He had fought so hard. So bloody hard! To keep his feelings buried, to pretend. To smile, to joke, to let himself believe that friendship was enough. But it had never been enough, and now this.

Leonardo had shattered everything with a single kiss. He felt Leonardo's footsteps.

His pulse was hammering in his ears, his breath ragged as he fought to hold himself together. But it was slipping! Everything was slipping, like sand through his fingers, and he couldn’t stop it.

He spun around, voice sharp with anger and something dangerously close to heartbreak. -- Oh, for Merlin’s sake, Leo! You should be more worried about yourself! Running around like a madman, helping everyone, never resting and still refusing to talk about what happened last night! --

Leo looked taken aback, blinking like he hadn’t expected this. -- Is this about the… --

-- The kiss, Goldknight! Yes! -- Daniel’s voice cracked, frustration spilling over. -- The one you gave me in front of everyone like it was nothing. Like it was just some game. --

Leo shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. -- I… It wasn’t… --

-- Oh, wasn't it! -- Daniel let out a bitter laugh. -- Then what was it, Goldknight? Because to me, it felt like a slap to the face! --

Leo’s brows knitted together. -- A slap to the… Daniel, that’s not what I… ! --

-- Do you even understand what you did?! --  Daniel’s voice rose, throat burning with the weight of his emotions. -- I… I tried, Leo! I tried so hard to push this down, to ignore it. Not only that, but I convinced myself that friendship was enough because I knew… I knew, that you’d never feel the same way. -- His breath hitched, hands shaking. -- Then you! -- He gestured wildly. -- You go and kiss me in front of everyone like it’s nothing! Like it’s some joke for you to laugh about later! Do you have any idea what that feels like? --

Leo’s face twisted, his mouth opening, closing. Like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words.

Daniel clenched his fists. -- So tell me, Goldknight. Was it nothing? --

Leo’s golden eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. His voice, when he spoke, was firm. -- … No. --

Daniel scoffed, shaking his head. -- Right. Well, forgive me if I find that hard to believe. --

Leo stepped forward, suddenly urgent. -- Daniel. --

But Daniel took a sharp step back. -- Don’t. --

Leo stopped cold. For once, he looked lost. Completely and utterly lost, like he didn’t know whether to reach for Daniel or fall to his knees. His lips parted, but instead of words, all that came out was a string of frantic, desperate Old Norse, tumbling from his mouth like a plea.

Daniel didn’t understand the words, but he felt them like a weight in his chest.

-- Stop… -- He whispered, voice hoarse. -- Just stop. Please… --

Leo shut his mouth, his whole body tense, like he was fighting with himself.

Daniel exhaled shakily, wiping his eyes. -- I can’t … I can’t do this if you’re just going to keep playing games with me. --

Leo flinched.

Daniel sniffed, eyes stinging. -- You don’t get to do this. Not if you’re not going to be honest with me. --

Silence and then, with something close to desperation. -- … I am. --

Daniel didn’t even realize Leo’s hand was on his face until it was there warm, steady, and shaking.

He flinched just slightly. But he didn’t pull away.

It was a small, stupid thing, but it felt like a betrayal in itself. Like every ounce of resistance he’d been building for weeks, months, came crumbling down with the gentleness of that touch.

He could barely breathe, heart hammering as he tried to compose himself. But how could he, when everything felt like it was falling apart? Leo’s thumb brushed over his cheek, gentle, as though trying to soothe the ache that had been festering within him for far too long.

-- Daniel… -- Leo’s voice was low, but so pained, like his very soul was being ripped apart. -- Look at me, please. --

Daniel squeezed his eyes shut, holding back the tide of tears threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to.

But Leo wasn’t letting him off that easy. His thumb pressed a little firmer, urging Daniel to meet his gaze. And when he did. His breath hitched in his chest at the sight of those golden eyes, bright and haunted.

-- Please, just… please, Daniel. -- Leo whispered, his voice so raw, Daniel thought his heart might shatter.

-- Why? -- Daniel’s voice cracked. -- Why did you do this to me? --

Leo flinched, visibly hurt by the question. But it wasn’t enough to stop him from speaking, his voice trembling as he replied, -- Because I was scared. -- His words came out ragged, as if they were clawing their way out. -- Scared that if I told you, you’d leave. That I’d lose you. I knew I had to keep my distance, because if you knew. If you ever knew… you’d never look at me the same. --

Daniel clenched his fists at his sides, nails biting into his palms. -- You made me believe that nothing could happen between us. You made me feel like I was… like I was a fool for wanting this. -- He could barely breathe. -- But you did this, Leo. You kissed me in front of everyone, and now you expect me to just pretend it doesn’t mean anything? --

-- I never meant to hurt you. -- Leo’s voice cracked, his hand still cupping Daniel’s face like he was terrified he might disappear. -- Gods, Daniel, I never meant to! --

-- You didn’t have to hurt me. -- Daniel interrupted, his voice trembling with emotion. -- You could’ve told me the truth. You could’ve told me what you were feeling, Leo! Instead, I’ve been walking around like I’m the only one who’s stupid enough to have these feelings for you. -- He choked back a sob, looking away.

But Leo wouldn’t let him look away for long. He moved fast. Gripping Daniel’s face again, his touch firm but tender. -- I couldn’t tell you. -- Leo whispered, his forehead against Daniel’s, eyes closed. -- Because it wasn’t safe. For either of us. I don’t get to be selfish, not like that. Not when it’s this… complicated. --

Daniel’s breath hitched in his chest, his heart hammering. -- Complicated? How? --

-- Because I… -- Leo’s voice faltered, and for a moment, he didn’t seem like the confident, charming Leo that Daniel knew. He was something more vulnerable, more human. “-- Because I need you, Daniel. More than anything. But I’ve spent my whole life hiding this part of me. If others find out. If they know what we mean to each other… They’ll come for us. They’ll come for you, and I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you because of me. --

Daniel swallowed, pain lancing through his chest. -- You didn’t think I could handle it? -- His voice was barely above a whisper. -- You didn’t think I could handle you? --

Leo froze, his eyes snapping open, and Daniel could see the guilt and regret in those golden depths. -- No. I didn’t think you could handle this. -- Leo said, his voice hoarse with emotion. -- You deserve better than to be tangled up in all of this. But I couldn’t, couldn’t let you go, Daniel. And it hurts to think I might’ve lost you before I even had the chance to tell you everything. --

Daniel’s mind was a whirl of confusion, anger, and raw emotion. -- Then why didn’t you just tell me, Leo? -- He spat, his voice breaking. -- Why did you make me suffer in silence? Why did you think it was okay to make me think I was just… another fool? --

Leo stepped back, his hands shaking as they fell to his sides. -- Because I was scared of losing you, Daniel. I was scared of losing everything. I don’t, I don’t know how to be this open. To be this honest. --  He paused, chest rising and falling with the effort to keep himself composed. -- But you’re here now. All I need is you to understand why I did this. I require you to know that I’m sorry. --

Daniel’s chest tightened, the lump in his throat too big to swallow. He took a step forward, eyes locked onto Leo’s. “I don’t know if I can forgive you just yet. But I need you to promise me—promise me that you won’t keep running away from me any more.”

“I won’t,” Leo whispered, his voice raw with emotion. He reached for Daniel again, pulling him into his arms. “I won’t run any more, Daniel. Not from you. Not from this.”

And at that moment, as Daniel stood there, pressed against Leo’s chest, surrounded by the warm, comforting scent of him, he could feel something shift inside of him.

Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make this work.

The world felt like it had come to a standstill. The rush of emotions, the anger, the confusion. It all settled into something that was almost peaceful the moment Leo’s lips brushed against his.

It was soft, tender, like a balm to the open wound inside of Daniel’s chest. The kiss was unlike any other, gentle yet so full of unspoken words. It was an apology, a promise, a plea for understanding. It was everything Daniel had been longing for without even realizing it.

He didn’t pull away. In fact, he leaned into it, closing his eyes, letting the warmth of Leo’s touch seep into his very soul. For a moment, there was nothing but the feel of Leo's lips against his, the steady thrum of their hearts in sync. It wasn’t the kiss of someone who was reckless or unsure. It was one that told Daniel that Leo was there, really there, and that maybe, just maybe, things could be okay.

When they finally pulled apart, Daniel couldn’t help the shaky breath that escaped him, his forehead resting against Leo’s. He opened his eyes slowly, and he could see the rawness in Leo’s gaze, the vulnerability that was always so hidden beneath his confident facade.

-- Daniel. -- Leo murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. -- I need you to come with me tonight. To the dark forest. --

Daniel felt his heart jump in his chest. -- The dark forest? -- he echoed, confusion and trepidation swirling inside him. -- Why? --

-- I can’t explain it all here. -- Leo said softly, his golden eyes intense with an emotion Daniel couldn’t quite place. -- But I promise you, Daniel, if you come with me tonight, I’ll show you the truth. The truth about everything. About whom I am, about my family, about us. --

Daniel took a breath, the weight of the moment sinking in. He wanted to trust Leo. He wanted to believe that whatever secrets Leo was keeping, they would finally be revealed.

-- I don’t know what to expect. -- Daniel said quietly, his voice trembling just slightly. -- But… I’ll come. I need to know the truth, Leo. You need to stop hiding from me. --

Leo’s expression softened, relief flooding his features. He reached for Daniel’s hand, intertwining their fingers. -- I promise you, Daniel. After tonight, you’ll understand. But for now, just trust me, alright? --

Daniel nodded, squeezing Leo’s hand. -- I trust you. --  His voice was soft, but there was certainty in it. Despite the pain, despite everything that had happened, he trusted Leo.

Leo’s lips curled into a small, bittersweet smile, as if he couldn’t quite believe the words that had just left Daniel’s mouth. -- I won’t let you down. --

And with that, Leo pulled Daniel into a final embrace, holding him close as the world around them seemed to hold its breath, waiting for whatever would come next.