Genshin Impact: Frostburn

"Why are you here?" Leo asked, his voice heavy from exhaustion.

"Is it wrong for me to worry about my dear fragile brother?" Leon said with a sarcastic smile on his face.

Leo rolled his eyes and hefted a small tree bark onto his shoulder, the other side dragging on the ground.

"Need some help?" Leon leaned closer and attempted to carry the weight from the back.

"If you want to get scolded, sure, help me." Leo snapped and sped up, sweat falling down his face. He laid the bark on the ground in front of an under-construction office and took a hatchet from the hut on the right of the site, where workers rested. Moments later, he exhaled as he brought down that axe.

"You sure did get punished huh..."

"If you're just here to watch, then go home. I still remember what you did to me."

Leon tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Come on, It's been a long time already, you're still holding it against me?"

Leo paused, the hatchet hanging mid-swing as he looked at Leon. "It's just three weeks, and yes, I won't forgive you for that." With a grunt, Leo resumed hacking the wood, each strike heavier than the last. He muttered under his breath, "I can't believe I fell for that... Tch."

Leon exhaled defeatedly as found himself a comfortable stump to sit in silence.

***

The sun's rays fell down and the blanket of night crept in as the workers packed their bags. Leo wiped himself with a towel and got ready to leave. "That's the full week of labor, whew."

As he was about to leave, the corners of his eye caught a glimpse of Leon, snoozing on the side. He waited.

He exhaled, hefted his bag, and approached the sleeping Leon. He looked at him as Leon murmured indescribable words, his drool slipping to the ground.

With a sigh, Leo tapped his brother's shoulder. "Leon, it's about to go nighttime." Leon seemed to have been sleeping well. No matter how much he tried to gently shake him, he didn't wake up.

He sat beside him and whispered in his ear, "Dinner's ready. We're having Sweet Madame.."

Slowly, his eyes opened. Leo got up and started to leave.

"Huh? Where's the food."

"Let's go," He said his voice fading in the distance. 

"AH! Wait up!"

hey passed through the streets of the freezing city. Snow and dirt mixed on the ground as the cold winter air refused to relent. The noise of the masses echoed as they passed. Merchants called for attention, people haggled for goods, and guards silently roamed the streets as night approached.

Leon followed Leo, his body restlessly twitching. "Leo...um..."

"What?" Leo replied, his voice laced with ice.

"I'm sorry," his voice low and guilty. "I didn't know it would..."

Leo paused. Turning around, his eyes were greeted with the tearful ones from Leon. With a sigh, he took his arm. Now you're gonna cry? Tsk.

He looked away, exhaling deeply in guilt. "Don't do that again,"

Leon's face lit up, his eyes beaming with joy. "You, forgive me?" 

They continued toward the Mansion in the distance, its golden ornaments visible even from afar. The crunch of the snow grew lighter as they reached the place where wealthy merchants lived. The streets were cleaner and more lights illuminated the area.

"Leo, about the orphanage,"

"They're fine, no one got hurt and..." He paused midway, his mind reliving the night of battle. "anyway Dad would help them rebuild since he stood up as their guarantor, there's nothing to worry about."

Leon walked beside him as he playfully bumped his side. "What about you? You were asleep for two whole months and now you're doing labor."

"It's something I deserve," Leo murmured under his breath. "To be honest, I should be having a worse punishment."

Leo shook his head as he shooed away his unhealthy thoughts. "Anyway, what about you? Is your training with Lord Capitano going well?"

A self-deprecating smile appeared on his face, his hands held the other. "It's going well," he then murmured to himself, tilting his head away from Leo. "aside from the fact that he beats me up every day."

Leo looked at Leon. His eyes scanned all over his whole body as he tried to deduce the strength Leon had and the way he could potentially beat him. "So it's going well? So... how strong are you now?" 

"Quite strong! I've beaten some Hilichulrs already, oh! And some bandits too!" Leon smiled proudly, his hands on his puffing chest.

"I-I see..."

Can I keep up with him? My vision would probably not work, and my powers are... I'm prohibited from using it... AHHHH!!! Let's just lose.

A dejected smile crossed Leo's face as he pondered about the punishment. Why did the Tsaritsa choose this? His mind swirled with questions, but the reality of the situation sank in. No one important had died—just Crucabena and a few of her lackeys. With a weary sigh, Leo thought, reassuring himself, Maybe I should give myself a pat on the back? 

They arrived at the gates of the mansion where maids waited with towels and food on hand. The guards opened the gates and together they reached the doors of the mansion.

"Thanks by the way," Leon said, his voice light, but there was a hint of sincerity. He quickened his pace toward the door.

Leo matched his pace with heavy breaths. "About what?"

"About what you did. Even though you burned the whole place down, at least that witch is dead... don't tell Dad I called her a witch."

With that, Leon rushed towards his room without letting Leo reply. He's... whatever.

A smile crept up his face, and a warmth spread through his chest. It wasn't quite a satisfaction, but something felt almost right. Whatever it was, it brought a quiet happiness he hadn't expected.