Jo sat on a bench in the park next to Curt as he granted wishes. She kept her hand on his arm, but her attention was elsewhere. Isabelle had given her four more letters a few days ago, and Jo was replaying their contents in her head. One week. She had to wait one more week before she could see him. Distracted, she removed her hand from Curt's arm and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Oh. My bad. Sorry." She smiled and replaced her hand on his arm. Her eyes drifted back up to the sky as she watched the clouds go by, wondering how she had gotten so deep into the mess in the first place. Smiling, she remembered the day that she had pulled Leon out of the ocean and her eyes met his golden gaze for the first time. She wondered if she was hooked then and didn't realize it until later.

They made their way back to the mansion, talking briefly about wish granting and what the heavens were like as well as trivial human things that Curt found interesting. Once back inside, she snuck off to the back garden and found a spot in the shade to write her letters

Letter 1

Leon,

I have found that my life has been nothing but work, sleep, and more work. I miss having you around as a distraction. I wish you didn't have to be up there for so long. Everyone down here is understanding, but I can't help but feel a little weird knowing that they don't agree with it. They have been nice, even Scorpio. Please hurry back to me.

XOXO
Jo

Letter 2

My little lion,

I helped rehabilitate another manatee today. We took 'Old Betty' back to the alcove we rescued her from and I watched as she reestablished herself into the herd. It made me happy to know that I helped save her and give her a life without sorrow. I helped Axel today, but I'm really not that much help to anyone anymore. All I think about is you. Please hurry home. I miss you, terribly. Please come back soon for the sake of the other's sanity.

Love,
Jo

Letter 3

My Leon,

I headed to the coast just before sunrise and surfed well into the afternoon. I had a blast and I only wiped out once...okay twice. It made me remember the time I took you surfing. I feel like I'm no good at this. All I want to write is 'I miss you' 'I love you' 'please come home' over and over again until you appear in front of me. I feel so alone in your room. I have a hard time sleeping without the sound of your heartbeat. Please come home soon. I love you. I can't wait to kiss you again.

Yours forever,
Jo

She laid on the bed staring up at the ceiling, picking at a loose thread on the comforter. She had given Isabelle the letters, but felt a little guilty asking her to run back and forth. She didn't seem to mind though. She thought it was fun and was overjoyed that her god father had found something that pleased him other than work. Jo looked over at the calendar hanging on the wall and focused on the X in the small box. "Just a few more day," she sighed and closed her eyes, drifting restlessly off to sleep.

Leon had spent the majority of his life hating his job, hating earth and hating his power. He felt as though there would be no peace within in his mind or in his heart… until he met Jo. She was a bit brasher then he was used to and seemed genuinely infatuated with him with or without his powers. She seemed to love him for him and enjoyed being around him.

Sighing softly he finished up his final letter on day 0 and handed it to Isabelle. “Stay on Earth.” He said in a short and stern tone to her, her small body seemed to shiver and shake in surprise at his tone. It was obvious that something bad might be happening while she was gone and he had no interest in letter her stay around to find out what it was.

But did that stop the little girl? No it didn’t. The small blonde broke into the manor in a dead sprint heading straight to Lord Leon’s room. “Lady Jo!” She called out in a panic as she burst unexpectedly into the bedroom and dashed to Jo. Shoving the letter into one hand, she grabbed onto the other and pulled. “Lady Jo we have to go! We have to go now! Lord Leon needs you!”

The letter in Jo’s hand was simple ~

My dearest Goldfish,

I love you.

~Your Little Lion.

Isabelle pulled Jo from the bedroom without giving her much of a chance to argue. She drug her out onto the hallway and along it. “Hurry, we must hurry it’s starting soon and we won’t have time!” Her little voice was in a panic as they arrived at a giant golden door. “I’d love to give you a tour of the heavens but now is not the time.” Lacing her fingers in through Jo’s she tightened her grip, “It’s going to be bright, don’t let go.” With that she pushed open the door and pulled Jo through with the sound of protesting gods in the background.

The heavens were beautiful, lush and vibrant and full of life. But Isabelle showed no interest in the world around her and instead pulled Jo in a run towards a large lavish building. Inside the building the little blonde turned several corners before stopping in front of large doors with windows to view inside.

Inside the room was a massive amount of people and a lot of people from the Department of Punishments. A man in a Department of Punishments uniform stood at a podium and across from him was none other than Leon, missing his jacket, staring at the man with intense eyes. “Lord Leon of Leo, do you understand why you were brought here today?”

“Frankly no, I chose someone to love and therefor I am being punished. It would be bewildering to anyone in my position.” He said with a shrug, his large arms crossed in front of his chest.

“Your crime is breaking the law of the heavens. You love one human more than another and the relationship between a human and a god is against the law.” The Department of Punishments representative said in a stern voice.

“That is no crime.” Leon said with a casual shrug. “There is no evidence to support the law that loving one human more than another would do any harm.”

“The harm, Lord Leon, is favoritism.” The man snapped back at Leon who proceeded to uncross his arms. “We are meant to love all humans’ equality…”

“I never understood the meaning of love!” Leon barked, a large amount of authority in his voice, his large fist slammed against the wood paneling of the railing in the area he stood. “I never understood what it meant to do our jobs until I met that human. She turned me around and invited me to learn her world and from there I learned to appreciate and respect it. And in doing so I regained my feelings for humans and have chosen to love one as my partner. There is no evidence in our vast libraries that loving one human more than another could cause the world problems. Believe me I’ve been spending every waking moment I wasn’t working going through every single book in our libraries to find any sort of evidence and… there’s none. Therefor my relationship with the human is just and should be allowed.”

The Department of Punishments representative pulled his head back in surprise before fussing with his papers in a panic. “Well, uh… I mean…” He seemed to straighten out after a moment before letting out a cough. “Lord Leon of Leo. Despite your claims, the Department of Punishments finds you guilty of the crime of loving one human more than another. In light of your many years of service to the heavens your punishment will be to tie off all communications with the human…”

“No.”

“Uh… well…” The man flipped through his papers as if looking for the proper one. When he found it, the color drained from his face and he swallowed hard. “Then… by heavenly law, you will --- be… condemned to death….”

“Oh I will not die.” Leon said with an arrogant grin on his face. “The king will not allow that. He was the one who set all this up. He knew what was coming and this whole thing is a lesson for the heavens. Loving a single human does not negate the love of others. My human taught me what love is and for that I am grateful. But…” He cracked his knuckles; his whole body began to glow. “If you insist on killing me, I will wipe out the entire heavens. For no heavens should exist if they will deny people to love who they want to love.”

His voice rang with a throughout the room, demanding authority and control of the situation. When he stopped glowing, his heavenly form had appeared. Leon’s hair had grown to his shoulders and stuck out in a crazy fashion looking a lot like a mane of a lion. His body was dressed in gold and bronze robes looking a lot like what the Greeks wore. His body was covered in beautiful tattoos and his eyes went from their golden color to a deep fire red. “If I cannot live happily with the one I love than I will destroy all of the heavens along with myself. For to not be able to love the person you care most about is the worst punishment of all. How dare you insult me by telling me that I have to forget about her!” The room filled with a panic as Leon raised his hand above his head; a ball of light began to form in the palm of his hand.

Onlookers fled out the door screaming words of warning “The Wild Lion is loose in the heavens!”, “Someone call the King!”, “Lord Leon is going to destroy us all!” Men and women flew out of the courtroom in complete panic.

“If I cannot love the one I love, No one should be allowed to love. The heavens are about loving and helping humans! If I am not allowed to love then there is no such thing as the heavens!”

Jo looked around in bewilderment as Isabelle dragged her from her paperwork and throught the mansion at a blistering pace. Leon's letter clutched firmly in her left hand as the little girl pulled her by her right. The entered the large golden doors and Jo was instantly blinded. She gripped Isabelle's hand tightly as the breath was forced from her lungs.

Suddenly there were people everywhere. Not people, but gods and goddesses. Jo looked over her shoulder as the small girl pulled her along at a blistering pace. Jo was awestruck at the beauty of everything. Isabelle stopped just outside a large room full of people and shouting could be heard from within.

Peeking through the window, she immediately found Leon. He was on trial! Her heart sank and she dropped to her knees. "This is my fault," she whispered and Isabelle hugged her neck. Jo returned the hug and stood back up as people began to shout hysterically. That's when she saw him.

It was Leon, only he didn't look like Leon. She had caught one singular word throughout the shouting. "Death." Panic washed through her as she looked at the orb in Leon's large hand and without thinking, Jo pushed open the double doors with a loud crash. Isabelle shouted after her, but Jo could no longer hear anything.

"Leon." It was all she had to say. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at no one but her god before her. People shouted and turned to her, shocked, but she heard nothing. Jo ran to him and embraced him."Leon," she said again.

It was the only thing she could think to say. If they were going to put him to death, then they might as well kill her too. It would be less painful that way. Knowing she was insignificant, she wiped her tears and smiled up at him. Then she turned to face the man questioning Leon and the rest of the crowd, keeping him behind her as if protecting him.

"This is absurd. If you are going to kill him." Her voice rang out around the hall, defiant. "Then you will have to kill me too. To take him away from me, that would be a fate worse than death. This trial is ridiculous. Where is the king? Why doesn't he stand trial before him? After all, isn't everything in his plan?" Her chin rose up as she spoke, showing no fear. Jo turned her gaze back to the lion behind her. "I missed you too much to wait another day," she explained and winked at Isabelle still standing in the doorway. Her small mouth was in the shape of an 'o' as she watched Jo stand off against one of the punishment gods.

With his hand over his head, Leon showed no sign of hesitation. He was ready for, at any moment, to end the heavens as he saw fit. The idea of living without his little goldfish was unbearable, the heaven preached love, forgiveness and honesty; yet here they stand, denying him love, unwilling to forgive and not looking honestly into the facts of why it’s not allowed.

The ball of light in his hand grew exceptionally large until something latched onto him. “Huh?” He said before he looked down. To his surprise, his goldfish was holding him. What?! Now he was delusional! Now he wanted her there so badly that he was imagining her. At least that’s what he thought until he heard her say his name. The magic in his hand instantly vanished and his arms embraced her in the hug. “Jo…” He whispered softly tightening his grip on her. “You’re here…” Now wasn’t the time to question why she was here or how she got here but he needed her now more than ever.

His power slowly lowered within him but his god-form stayed present, proud and true. When she stepped in between the Department of Punishment’s representative and him, he smirked at the man. A devilish smirk that said, ‘This is my goldfish.’ Her words spat hard at the young man making him smaller and smaller as he spoke. He couldn’t kill a human that was against heavenly law.

“You… human… are in the heavens.” He said stumbling over his own words and shrinking in size due to the death stare of the serious human and the arrogant smirk of the powerful god standing behind her. “You… you have done n—nothing wrong hu—man. Falling in love with a god is not against the rules for you… just… just for h—im.” Between the human’s harsh words and the gods deadly stare the young Department of Wishes man was shaking.

Suddenly a bright light flashed in the room, on instinct, Leon leaned forward and covered Jo’s eyes with his large hand to prevent her from going blind. “Little lion, you are roaring quite loudly…”A heavenly soft voice filled the room as the light dimmed to reveal a man in a long white robe with nearly floor length golden hair. His sharp crystal blue eyes watching the two closely as the room fell to their knees as Leon moved his hand from Jo’s eyes to her shoulder. “Why do you roar?”

“Your majesty.” Leon said with a nod. “I believe you know exactly why.”

Jo opened her mouth to retort to the punishment god, but Leon covered her face with his hand just as a voice rang out and bright white light filled the room. Instinctively, Jo screwed her eyes shut and turned her face toward Leon, the punishment god all but forgotten.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself looking into a pair of clear blue eyes and a stern but gentle face. Her hand flew up to her throat and she seemed to be at a loss for words. She placed her other hand over Leon's and bowed her head low.

"I am so sorry to intrude,"she said meekly. "I was afraid something bad was about to happen and, well.." Jo looked up into Leon's eyes and grinned, her heartbeat sped up as he smiled back. "I love him," she explained. "But you already knew that, didn't you?" Jo said softly, peeking up at the king through her lashes. She did not want to cause trouble for Leon. "I do not know your custom or laws, but I can't back down and let you kill Leon. I know I'm human now, but I was once a goddess. Doesnt that count for anything?" She asked, desperate to keep her fear and panic at bay.

Leon tightened his grip slightly on Jo’s shoulder to show her that he was there to support her through this. They were in this together, even if it meant their end.

The king watched Jo stumble over her words, the man stood high and strong looking down at the two who seemed rather serious about everything. Her words said caused a thin smile to move across his face. “Your former status as a goddess means nothing to me.” He said in a cold voice, Leon seemed to tease before the king raised his hand. “But that doesn’t discredit your love for Leon of Leo.” He stepped forward. “As a human you shouldn’t be here in the heavens.” His gaze turned to the doorway; Isabelle let out an ‘eep’ and dashed away from the doorway. “However,” Moving his attention back to the two. “You came here without a second thought and are brave enough to stand up to the Department of Punishment and are willing to look me in the eyes. Most humans would not do such a thing.”

The king took a step forward only to have Leon stepped in front of Jo in a protective manner. “Little lion, I am not here to punish anyone.” The king responded softly, taking Leon’s left hand and cupping it with his own. “The human is right, I knew this would happen. And because I knew, I will let this be so.” His hand glowed cupping Leon’s. When the king let go, and in Leon’s palm sat two rings . “These are rings that will allow you to travel to earth without depleting your powers and will allow you to take the human into the heavens without any problems. Consider it a gift from me.”

Leon turned his gaze from the hands of the king to his face. His eyes were wide in shock, “Your majesty…” For the first time in the heavens, Leon bowed his head to King before turning to Jo. Walking to her he proceeded to get down on one knee and offer up her ring. “Jo, will you accept this ring?”

Jo watched in awe as the two interacted and the king took Leon's hand in his. Jo couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat as Leon bowed his head to the king and express is gratitude. The entire crowd had fallen silent as they watched curiously.

Her heart jumped into her throat as Leon took a knee before her, holding out a ring. There were no words. Jo stood before Leon and everyone else completely speechless. Nodding slowly, she held out her hand to him. The king smiled down at them as Jo embraced Leon.

Finally, the gift of speech returned to her. "Of course I do, you silly little lion." She held him tightly, not ever wanting to let him go. The entire room erupted in cheers and Isabelle came running from her hiding place and embraced Jo's leg.

Laughing quietly, Jo wiped her eyes and picked up the little girl, holding her between herself and Leon. "Thank you, your majesty, for your kindness and understanding. This gift is far more than we deserve, but still know that it is the greatest gift I ever received." Jo bowed her head to the king and then looked up at leon once more.

"My little storm cloud, I do not believe I have ever seen you quite like this." She touched his long hair, running her fingers through it before touching his cheek. "You look so..." she was at a lose for words again. "Handsome," was as good a word as she could think of at the moment. Isabelle giggled and hugged Jo tightly. What ad once been a very bad situation, had turned into possibly the best moment of her life. Beaming, Jo took a moment to actually look around the room. It was nothing short of spectacular.

The room was silent as they waited for her answer. The realization that he was doing this in front of at least 50 people made him slightly uncomfortable. Leon was, as she knew, a very private person but he had no intension on waiting. When she nodded and extended her hand to him, he slipped the ring onto her finger and stood up, placing the matching ring on his ring finger.

He returned her embrace and bowed his head along with Jo to the king to express his own gratitude. Her comment about him looking handsome made him scuff. “You speak as if this is new.” Gently wrapping his arm around her waist the three (Isabelle in her arms) left the room, some looks of dislikes from the Gods and Goddesses while others looked overjoyed for the couple; either way he could care less. As he passed through the doorway of the courtroom, his heavenly form faded away and he was back to the normal Leon she would see minus his jacket.

Stopping them in front of a room he took Isabelle from her arms and sat her on the ground. His large arms crossed over his chest as he glared down at the little goddess. “Care to explain why my goldfish is in the heavens?”

The little blonde suddenly became very shy. Her tiny hands cupped behind her back and her small feet played with the ground at her feet. “She missed you….” She said softly to the floor.

“I told you to stay on earth. Not only did you bring yourself into danger but you could have cost her life as well.”

“But everything’s fine… and now you have the approval of the king…” Her meek voice defended herself as she continued to stare at the floor.

Leon’s face crunched, sure she had a point but she still risked a lot and there was nothing to say that she might have killed everyone in the heavens; which would have included them, had Jo not jumped in when she did. “You’re still grounded.” He said pushing the door open to the room. Inside was a little girl’s dream bedroom and Leon pushed Isabelle inside. “Three hours, no complaints. Be glad I’m going easy on you.” With that he shut the door on her pouting face before turning his attention to Jo.

“You do not come to the heavens with anyone else but me, understood?” He said, his voice was sharp but his touch to her face was gentle. Leaning forward he placed his forehead against hers, his amber-golden eyes staring directly into hers as he softly whispered. “I missed you…”

Jo felt for the little girl, she really did. It was obvious that Leon was upset with her, but not angry. "She was only trying to help. I'm glad he did" Jo added quietly and closed her eyes.

"I'm so sorry that I burst in like that. I didn't think of what it would cost you. Isabelle said you were in trouble and I didn't think of anything else. I have been so miserable." Her words were quiet and came out rushed.

She opened her eyes and met his golden gaze. "I promise I won't, just with you. I missed you too," she added softly and ran her fingers down his cheek. The last few days had been a living hell for her and now...now he was here with her. "Well...since I'm here..." she said and raised her eyebrow at him. "Can I stay for a while?"

Despite his outside appearance, Leon always tried to stay understanding and find the middle ground in situations. In the case of his love for the goldfish, he doubted he would be able to find a middle ground with the heavens that allowed them to stay together, which is why their destruction seemed like the easiest choice. In this case, he could understand Isabelle’s thinking of bringing Jo to the heavens but, considering the trip alone could have killed his human, he didn’t want to think of what would have happened had he let out the energy he was building and killed her and his god-daughter in the process.

Her question caused him to jerk his head back in surprise. “You are getting greedy goldfish, first you want my eternal love and now you wish to stay in the heavens for a while. Greedy indeed.” He gently wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her too him. “However I am a greedy god. Therefor you can stay for the time being.”

A personal tour of the heavens conducted by Lord Leon of Leo was a girl’s dream, maybe because they really didn’t know who he was or just desired to be on his arm. But as he held his goldfish close and the other gods parted ways for them, it was obvious not everyone agreed with the king’s choice. Mainly the women who were not happy to see someone so close to Leon and wearing a ring gifted to her by him.

The tour included the building they were in: The Department of Wishes headquarters., his majasty’s royal palace where meetings and most hearings were heard, the Department of Punishment’s building and then they ventured into the local market area.

The market was buzzing with people who seemed to be more in shock that Leon was even the market than the fact that he had brought a human. Other gods and goddess called out to him, welcoming him and his guest to the bazaar as they attempted to flag them down to purchase the goods they had created. “The idea of a bazaar has fascinated the lower level gods and they have created their own here in the heavens. The purchasing is an act of formality for the creative gods and goddess who put time and effort into making something. If you see something you like I will get it for you. Feel free to browse and I shall follow.” He said with a simple nod to her, as his fine lips curled up into a small smile; nearly all the goddesses in the area could be heard either sighing or squealing at the sight but did he care? Not in the least, the only person he had his eyes on was his goldfish.

Jo felt a little self conscious as they walked through the heavens. Everyone was craning to see her or Leon. Either way, she felt like she was on display. She took a step closer to Leon as a group of goddesses glared at her and muttered to themselves. The market place was definitely busy, and gods and goddesses were milling about and talking and laughing joyfully.

She passed through rows of small shops and tents set up in the streets and couldn't help but look at everything. It was all so much to take in and Jo was fascinated by even the smallest trinkets. Everything seemed so extravagant and different than it was on earth. as she walked, she looked over her shoulder and gave Leon a small smile as he was only a few steps behind her.

Jo didn't know what to think of all of this. Her mind still hadnt fully caught up with her from earlier in the court room. She spun the ring around on her finger and bit her lip. What in the world had gotten into her? She had changed and grown so much in the last month.

A short, olive skinned god stepped in front of her and gestured toward his tent. "I have the best fruits in the market! Would you like to taste?" His voice was low and deep as he ushered her closer to his selection.

Jo looked back at leon to make sure it was okay for her to eat fruit from the heavens. She really didnt know anything about this place. Jo tucked her hair behind her ear and blushed slightly as the god blustered an stumbled over his words as Leon approached and draped his arm over her shoulders

Sometimes the other gods couldn’t quite get the hint. The hint being that this person belonged to him and that he belonged to her. Maybe he wasn’t being obvious enough with his actions to come across that they were together. The short god seemed to be under the impression that this goldfish as free for the taking, which meant that Leon’s put his arm around her shoulder to show how she was with,

However, that didn’t stop him from looking over the things available at the god’s shop. Without saying a word he pointed at a group small finger fruit sitting in a bowl. The god bowed his head, “Thank you for your presence Lord Leon. I will get it right away.” The man hurried off as Leon reached into the pocket of his white dress pants and pulled out some currency. He dropped it into the eager hand of the other god and took the bowl from him.

Plucking one of the star shaped fruit from the bowl he held it up to her lips with a playful smile. Yes, he intended to feed her in front of the whole crowd and lay claim to the little goldfish in front of all the praying eyes. Maybe, just maybe this display will finally give them the privacy he desired.

Jo arched her eyebrow at Leon as he pressed the fruit against her lip. He wasn't seriously...She blushed scarlet. He was! Jo cut her eyes to either side, suddenly feeling like everyone was watching her. The truth of it was that everyone was watching them. She knew that she was not getting away from this. Returning Leon's playful smirk, she opened her mouth and let him feed her the star shaped fruit he had picked from the bowl.

Flavor exploded in her mouth and she closed her eyes as she chewed. "This is so good! What is this?" she asked and opened her eyes again, searching the bowl for anything familiar. Each fruit looked just as foreign and strange as it did before. She couldn't quite put a finger on what the taste was. Slightly citric yet sweet and tangy. "Thank you," she said to Leon and then turned back to the other god and thanked him as well.

She wrapped her arms around herself and started walking again, stopping occasionally at a shop where everything looked different and foreign. This whole place was making Jo's head swim. Everything was so different and yet it still felt normal to her. She watched a group of gods and goddesses walk past, laughing at something one of them had said. Jo looked over at Leon and smiled slightly when she caught him staring at her. "This is...I don't know...It's so..." she couldn't find the words she was looking for.

Leon smirked as she opened her mouth and he dropped the fruit into it. The crowd around them seemed to accept the situation and left the two alone to continue on with their day. Humans and Gods functioned almost the same way to manipulating them was simple. Now they should be left alone, for the most part. “It’s called ‘Kanuka’ fruit.” With that he dropped the remaining amount into a bag and returned the bowl to the bowing god before tying the bag shut and ventured after his beloved woman.

Her stuttering and stammering over her words made him chuckle softly. “This is the heavens goldfish; it’s no surprise that you would feel so overwhelmed. But come.” He reached over and pulled her to him without giving any thought that they were in public. “We have had a long day; it is time for us to retire. We can return any time you like.” With that he snapped his fingers and the two vanished.

When they reappeared they were far away from the active city and appeared in front of a house.



“Welcome to our home in the heavens.” Leon said taking her by her hand and leading her inside. The house was lush and relaxing after being around so many people in such a short time. A relaxed look came across Leon’s face as soon as they entered the house. Looking up at the clock he let out a tiny sigh before flopping down on a nearby couch in the living room they had entered into. “Isabelle’s room is connected to this house; we have about an hour before she will come out from being grounded.” His head rose and fell with a nod as he placed his elbow up on the arm of the couch and put his chin in his hand, a smirk playing across his lips. “What would you like to do until she arrives?”

Grinning down at him, she let out a small sigh and sat down on the couch beside him. She craned her neck to look around the room, taking in every detail. This was Leon's home. The thought struck her suddenly.

The house was warm and welcoming, and Jo couldn't help but relax as soon as she felt Leon do the same. It really had been a long day for both of them. "This place...it's...incredible!" She whispered and pulled her legs up to her chest.

Isabelle. She had nearly forgotten about her. She looked over at Leon and rested her chin against her knees. "I don't really know. At this point, I've been through so much." She grinned up at him. "So you have any ideas?"

When asked what he wanted to do, many thoughts move through his head. There were plenty of things he could do to entertain himself. Then again, this is the most entertaining thing to happen to him in a long time. Reaching over, he grabbed her by her waist and with a simple pull, got her onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her body, he rested her in his lap like one would hold a child. But he didn’t care. Leaning down he let a feather light kiss on her full lips before gently rubbing her side. His hand that wasn’t rubbing her side reached forward and pointed at the fireplace. In a snap it was lit.

He then wrapped his arm back around her and rested his forehead gently against hers. A small content sigh left him as he closed his amber-golden eyes. “I wish to hold you for a while….” He then muttered softly, “Please let me do this.” As he tightened his grip softly on her; he missed her, he missed her so much.

Closing her own eyes, she took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him as he held her. "Did you really think I would ever deny you this?" She asked softly and kissed his nose tenderly. "Never in a million years." She whispered.

Jo wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him, never wanting to let him go. "I missed you. Every second I missed you," she confessed with a small blush. Her heart rate sped up just a little as she sat with him, reveling in the warmth and comfort that he gave her.

From the corner of her eye, she watched the fire dance in the fireplace and let out a long, contented sigh. "I still am mad though. You got to spy on me all the time, and yet I couldn't see you at all!" She pouted and bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling or laughing as she pretended to be angry.

He could feel her honesty as he held her, her comment about never denying him and how much she missed him. When he watched her he could see how lonely she was and nothing was more painful than knowing that he was causing her such loneliness. A small sigh left him as she commented about how he was spying on her and how he could see her but she couldn’t see him. “I gave you dreams about me every night. Apparently someone doesn’t remember their dreams.” He said teasingly as he tightened his grip around her, resting his chin on her head as he lovingly stroked her back.

“It was painful to look at you…” Leon whispered softly as he stared at the fire. “No matter how often I looked at you, the pain was always readable on your face. And I knew I was the one causing that pain. Worst of all the only wish you ever asked for was to see me and I couldn’t grant it. Know this goldfish; it was as hard on me as it was on you. Actually it was more difficult for me. I had nothing of yours to take with me and even though I got to see your face, I only saw the pain I was causing you.” Pulling her back from him, he placed his hands on each side of her face and stared her down. “No more sadness goldfish.” He said simply before leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers.

She nodded at his words, not moving a muscle as he rubbed her back. She smiled up at him as he pulled away from her and pressed his lips against hers. Jo sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. She poured her heart into that kiss, trying to comfort him just as much as he was comforting her at this point.

She pulled away and touched her nose to his. Her entire body relaxed as he moved his hands down her back. "I do recall some of them!" She made a face at him. "Thank you for those, by the way. I did have another lion that kept me company though," she teased and giggled quietly.

Jo leaned forward and rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. It was something she missed the most about him. That and his hugs and kisses. "He is very soft and fuzzy. I'll be sure to give you something before I leave though."

Feeling her against him again was the most calming thing in the world. Unlike the rest of the heavens, nothing made him as calm as holding her in his arms. Her head pressed against his chest listening to the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat. A sound only she was allowed to hear.

After a few minutes of holding her in his arms, a door could be heard opening from upstairs and a voice calling out –

“Can I come out now?”

[I'm sorry my mind is blank at the moment]