章 62: Chapter 62 - Friends reunion
— You're gone, man!
The three students soon wrapped Leonardo in a tight hug, only releasing him when they heard his cries of pain. Only then they noticed his bandaged hand.
— Did you hurt yourself?
— Ah... it's a long story.
— Oh my God!
— What's wrong, little one?
— Are you crazy?
Pointing behind Leonardo, the boys turned around noticing the presence of the boy wearing cosplay. Peeking their eyes, they seemed to recognize the boy from somewhere...
— H-He's... That guy I told you about.
— What guy? — asked Juliano confused.
— T-That one, the main attraction of the mall.
— Hey, don't you recognize him? — Leonardo laughed, pulling the blond by the shoulder — It's Aslan. Remember I took him to the bar that time?
The three of them widened their eyes in surprise. Had they really not recognised Aslan? There wasn't much difference in his appearance when he was all dressed up like that. Or had Leonardo gotten so used to it that he didn't notice?
— No way!
— Are you a friend of the plaza's manager?
— Hey, young man! Didn't you recognize him? You said your sister took part in his make-up workshops.
Aslan tilted his head in silence. Leonardo spied him from the corner before giving him a brief nudge. Was he by any chance afraid that they would treat him differently now that they knew who he was? In the end, Aslan was still someone who cared what others thought. When Leonardo saw the nervousness in his face, he let out a low laugh and continued to hold his shoulder and comfort him.
— I'm sorry for not introducing myself properly last time. But Leo had said to keep it a secret...
— Are you really the rumour manager? The guy in the cosplay?
— Kind of an obvious question, right Rafinha? — Leonardo laughed — Even though you are so surprised to know who he is, there is no need to treat him differently. We are all friends here, aren't we?
The three boys swallowed and nodded.
— 'Of course! If he is your friend, then he is ours too.
— But hey, why did you disappear? Mrs. Berta wants to know when we can play again.
Leonardo raised his bandaged hand and smiled.
— I'm grounded for a while, besides I have a lot to do around here.
— Wouldn't it be better if we went to lunch? You can tell them what happened.
Aslan's suggestion didn't seem like a bad idea, but Leonardo was worried about the reaction of a certain trapeze artist if he didn't see his young master at lunch. The boy had not yet told his friends about his new relationship, they probably had no idea that a Benjin even existed in his life.
But he had no reason to hide it either. He was just anxious not knowing how they would react.
— Hm... That guy will throw a tantrum if I don't go see him now at lunch.
— I can go get Ben while you update your friends.
— All right, then. I'll meet you at the restaurant, okay?
Aslan nodded and then left, leaving the four university students behind. It didn't take long for Juliano and Rafael to hug Leonardo's shoulders.
— What's up? What's going on? Spit it out!
— Huh? What's up?
— You don't even know what happened these days?
Scratching his forehead, Leonardo realised that he really didn't know. The problems he had to deal with in Dreamland alone were enough to take hundreds of years off his estimation, imagine if he dealt with the problems outside of it.
— Let's get to the restaurant before it gets crowded. We're going to need a big table, since more people are coming.
— More people?
— And also... I need to tell you something.
Curious, the three just agreed and followed Leonardo through the park. Unlike before, it seemed so quiet, the singer was very talkative. He asked about the friends' holidays, laughing at Juliano's tears, who still had to go to college to make up his grade. They had given a break to the band's presentations because of the period of college tests, but Leonardo also stopped going out with his friends because of his new routine.
He missed it.
The chosen restaurant was at Bluemoon Plaza. Because of the time, there was a long queue of clients. Leonardo was about to choose another place when he saw Vicente talking to some employee.
Should he turn around and pretend he didn't see him?
That would be good, right?
About to turn around his heels, his look crossed Vicente's. He immediately dismissed the employee to go to the four boys.
— I thought you were at home resting... Leonardo.
A shiver ran down the boy's spine. Vincent always called him young master, but calling him by his name seemed to hide a reprisal between the lines.
— Hehe... I just went out to meet my friends, and I ended up meeting the college students. You've seen them, haven't you?
Vincent leaned over, noticing the three pairs of eyes that shone with curiosity.
— Certainly. Hello, I am Vicente, Dreamland's administrator.
— What?!
— W-Why does this guy...?
— Wasn't he the one who was at the college looking for you?
Leonardo made a slight frown. He was hoping that none of them would remember Vicente, but Gustavo and his genius memory had to get in the way of his plans. Before they could ask more questions, Leonardo turned to the administrator and whispered.
— Can you find a private place for us to have lunch? I think the others will come too.
The look that the clown threw at Leonardo already made it clear that he had noticed his intention to dismiss him. He was even afraid that he would mention something, but in the end Vincent just nodded.
— As you wish. If you will excuse me.
Vincent bowed formally before leaving, leaving everyone a little confused with such formality for a student. But before they could question, Leonardo hurried up.
— I got in big trouble around here. These days I found Alex and his troupe walking around here, and we kind of... got into a fight.
— But what?
— What do you mean?
— That thug? — Rafael held Leonardo's wrist and sighed, facing him seriously — Did he do that again with your hand?
— Yes... I'll tell you what happened.
Before he started to tell in detail, Leonardo noticed Vicente's signal. Calling his three friends to follow him, they entered the restaurant without having to face the line. The boys felt a little embarrassed to receive the stares and hear the indirect complaints, but Leonardo didn't seem bothered anymore.
The large table set up on the third floor had absolutely no one at all. It was there that they sat down, wondering about the treatment they had received.
— Hey, Leo, is it ok if we stay here? We didn't even have to stand in line.
— It's fine, don't worry.
— But you're just a trainee... Or does this have something to do with the fight with Alex?
— You could say you're partly to blame.
Leonardo told about the fight he had with the former vocalist of the band. He made it clear that he got sick right after the exam period, and that when he could finally return to work, he fell out with Alex. He did not tell the details of the fight, only saying that Alex invaded the circus to provoke him and ended up getting into a fight.
— So, that administrator is watching you. Aren't you in danger of being fired?
Leonardo wanted to laugh, but he held back. Vincent would tear up any dismissal letter that his young master was going to give him. And if it was necessary to humiliate himself, he would grab his ankle and prevent him from leaving. Not only him, but the others could throw a tantrum as well. Unfortunately this was something Leonardo didn't want to tell his friends yet.
— It's okay, Vincent knows that I was doing my job and that Alex was the one who broke into the circus. Nothing is my fault.
— That guy... I knew he would explode again. It was just a matter of time.
— Ever since Patricia asked about you, I could tell something was up.
— Hm? Patricia? — Leonardo took the menu to place his order, but quickly put it down when he remembered — I think Alex said something about her, but I didn't pay much attention.
— You're over it, huh? — Rafael asked cautiously.
— I'm already in another one.
— Ha! I don't believe it! What's up?
The conversation was interrupted when a waitress came to take the orders. While they waited for the food to arrive, Leonardo continued telling about the fight, as Rafael and Juliano told about Alex and Patrícia's sudden end.
Just as he imagined, Leonardo did not feel uncomfortable hearing about his ex. The last time they saw each other, he had already noticed that something had changed. As if he had overcome it. There was no longer that anguish, anger, and jealousy... Or even the feeling of having failed. He was at peace.
As he thought about it, the image of a smiling puppet popped into his mind.
Benjin had come into her life like a hurricane and stolen all her attention, in a way worthy of a leading man in the show. Although he was embarrassed to deal with his endless lust, Leonardo was nevertheless grateful for it.
And just by thinking about him...
— Leo~ I finally found you!
A pair of arms embraced Leonardo from behind.
Ah.
He still hadn't told his friends that he was going out with another guy.
Fearful of their reaction, Leonardo raised his head, seeing them pale and petrified.
What was their reaction?
Had they seen a ghost?
Leonardo quickly remembered the small detail that turned Benjin into someone unusual. Turning back, he noticed that the trapeze artist and the magician were staring at the three university students with clear irritation. But to his relief, without any non-human traits stamped on them.
— Who are...?
— It's-it's the guy from the park! That's Ray! — Gustavo tapped the table with his eyes shining — He's the magician, and that's the circus guy, Benjin! Wow, I can't believe I'm seeing you guys in person!
— Who are they, Leo?
— My friends from college, the ones I play with on Fridays.
— So, would this be the famous Gustavo? — Ray smiled mischievously, leaning towards the boy, who blushed — We heard about your talent on the drums.
Benjin squinted his eyes.
— Hehe, I'm not as talented as Leo — Gustavo laughed embarrassedly, making Benjin growl slowly.
— Hm... So you're the one who's...
— I'd love it if you two behaved yourselves in front of my friends.
Although Leonardo smiled, Ray and Benjin realised it was an order rather than a polite request. Forming a pout, the trapeze artist let go of the hug and sat down next to the brunette.
— You became friends with the most famous guys in the park? Wow...
— That's impressive, Leo.
— They win by exhaustion — Leonardo smiles.
— But you helped Leo with this Alex thing, didn't you? So I'm grateful you're on his side.
— Rafa...
— What's up? Of course I'm worried that that idiot Alex could come after you after his relationship is over. Don't let your guard down. If he is capable of hurting your hand like that, it means he would be capable of doing worse things.
— Hahaha, but who would be the fool to touch that little gem?
Before Leonardo could cuss Ray out for his debauchery, Aslan was quicker to slap him upside the head.
— He told you to behave, don't you know what this is?
— My little piece of cloud, you don't have to be jealous. I'm only complimenting our Leonardo.
— Don't talk too much, your voice is annoying.
Juliano and Rafael looked at Leonardo without understanding what was happening between them. Did they have to be surprised with such an interaction? I mean, Ray and Aslan always teased each other when they saw each other. Was that so strange for someone who had never met them?
— Yeah, Leo. But you said you were seeing someone else. Who is it?
Leonardo wanted to shut the little guy up.
Oh, shit.
Now Benjin stared at him, his eyes shining like a child in front of a toy shop window.
— Aren't you going to introduce the girl to us? We're not eye catchers like Alex.
— Was that supposed to be a joke? — complained Juliano.
His friends never complained about his decisions, always supporting him when necessary and protecting him too. Of course he would do the same for them. There was no reason to hide so many things from them, especially since some of them would soon become public.
Leonardo just likes to stay like this forever. Everyone gets along together, with no problems to solve. Then he should try, shouldn't? If he trusted them, it was time to prove it.
Leaning his elbow on the table and pointing his thumb at Benjin, Leonardo took courage.
— I'm going to marry this guy.
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