Chapter Text
There was a burning in his eyes, a yearning to prove himself, and yet just the way he approached the situation spoke volumes. Long gone was the stuttering angry child, the youngest prince of Hoshido was no longer so weak and fragile that he had to be tip-toed around. A war and the love of his family had bolstered him into the young man which stood before Leo now, confidence virtually radiating off of him. Was this still the Takumi he had met in that mucky graveyard? Had Corrin’s presence really been that nourishing to this angry boy that he could so quickly grow into a man? Leo wondered if the same would have happened to him had Corrin stayed. He would have much rather grown strong in the presence of his family than due to the forced obligation of a crown.
“Prince Takumi,” his head bowed slightly, Leo still used to the reflexes of a prince. He couldn’t see himself as anything more- Xander was the true king, dead or not. He was just a bastard with a crown.
“King Leo,” Takumi bowed further, a gesture which nearly surprised Leo. While there was no doubt Takumi was still distrusting of Nohrians, he seemed to have the decency to show respect when needed. Just more proof that the Hoshidan had grown from the angry boy Leo recalled in his dreams.
Before a blush could cross his face, Leo turned on his heel, walking toward the throne room and expecting Takumi to follow. “We have much to discus, come,” he said simply, too drained to think of some sort of quip to jab at the other male with. This was no pleasurable trip, not with decades of mistrust which needed healed, and Takumi was simply standing in for King Ryoma as the other took care of Hoshido’s pressing issues.
“You’ve grown, King Leo,” Takumi commented, following just behind the Nohrian, “or maybe you just seem taller now that you’re not weighed down by all that armor.” For a moment Leo thought that was some sort of insult, his temper quick from a lack of sleep and nutrition. Two steps later and after letting out a scoff (Xander never would have done that) Leo responded.
“We can’t all stay as short as you, Prince Takumi,” Leo said casually, his chest leaping and mind wondering if Takumi would rise to the bait. It had seemed to easy to tease him any time Corrin’s little army ran into his, yet here the Hoshidan prince was, surprising him again.
“Like I haven’t heard that before,” Takumi snorted, Leo wondering why such an obnoxious sound lit up a flame in his chest, “You’ll have to come up with some new material, King Leo, if you plan on getting under my skin.”
“Don't worry, I will figure something out,” Leo muttered, “I seem to excel in pissing off every advisor and nobleman who visits.” It wasn’t untrue, but Leo was surprised his tongue was so loose around the Hoshidan. Allies or not, they didn’t need to know every aspect of his failing kingdom- especially his own failures. Takumi would see enough during his time here, no need to lay it on heavy on his first visit.