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Legundo was just wrapping up tidying the room, and after he was finished he would go to bed. He was tired, probably due to spending his whole afternoon cleaning up the haphazard mess. Earlier, Olsted had given him the green light to attempt to make another potion, and… it exploded. Unlike the usual harmless little explosion that he caused when he usually made potions, this one could’ve actually been lethal if it wasn’t made in such a small quantity. He should’ve been more injured in the process, but for some reason he had found himself feeling fine, albeit a bit exhausted. And he could’ve sworn that the goggles and hazel rods he was using were humming, but now he simply dismisses that as his ears ringing. And that’s why he had to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the room. Why was it that any potion he ever made, even with the help of Olsted, always ends up exploding or something like that? He was starting to suspect that the issue might be himself and not the equipment. Whatever, Olsted was going to get rid of the absolute abomination that caused this mess and the recipe would never be recreated ever again. Ever. Definitely. There was no reason Olsted would ever do that. Why was he even thinking of this again? He could trust Olsted, that was fact.
He sighed and stood up as he finished, then was immediately brought back to the ground by a wave of dizziness. After waiting for his head to stop feeling like it was filled with mercury and for his vision to stop looking like he was under water, he stood up a second time, overlooking the now cleaned room. After being sure Olsted would find it satisfactory, he was immediately assaulted by a big yawn. Gods, he was exhausted. He needed sleep.
After trudging half-dead to his room, throwing on some ointment to help with his incredibly sore hands, he tucked himself in. And he would’ve passed out right then and there if it weren’t for the voices that he heard outside. Rolling over in his bed, he tried to ignore the weird voices and sleep- wait. Why are there voices outside?
Throwing himself off his bed and nearly falling to the floor, he peered out side the small window that he had made himself and took in the scene. There was the unmistakable figure of Olsted talking to two other strangers. As Legs continued to spy on them, he witnessed Olsted hand the two unidentified men something. Though it was hard to make out what it was, it appeared to be some sort of liquid in a bottle. But it wasn’t just any liquid. It was the serum that Legs had made (and exploded) earlier that day. And Olsted was… giving it to them.
No… it can’t be… Olsted…?
Legs jolted awake with a start, nearly falling out of his chair. Why was he in a chair? He had his backpack on, and his shoulders were very sore, especially where the straps sat. And why did it feel like something was moving around in his backpack? Once his vision cleared, he got his answer. Well, his answer to the first question.
He was sitting at a table, with various haphazard notes and books strewn across the table’s surface. Legs lifted his head, and immediately regretted it as he was forced to squint painfully and block out the oppressive morning light spilling from the ridiculously big windows. Once his eyes adjusted, he could see multiple towering bookshelves winding like a maze.
His heart still felt like it was going to burst from his chest, his eyes still darting around for an unforeseen threat that wasn’t there. Legs forced himself to take deep breaths, trying to calm himself down.
He isn’t there anymore. He’s in the academy. He’s safe, Olsted isn’t here but he knows that Legs is he won’t hurt anybody else iron in a soul could end the world he trusts these people the Storm Spy Master watched as the three spies left the cave he’s safe targets: The Iron Soul and The Fairy he won’t hurt people anymore all around the world magic shattered and blessings wore thin he’s safe-
Legs was jolted from his thoughts when more squirming from his backpack made the leather dig into his skin even more. He turned his head and ignored the slight dizziness, and was met with the sight of Gadget looking very uncomfortable.
Oh… he fell asleep in the library… with Gadget in his backpack…
That must’ve been so uncomfortable for him! Sitting in an itchy leather backpack for an entire night… he shouldn’t have fallen asleep. He even told himself that he wouldn’t! Yet, he had. Ugh, he was such an awful rider, he couldn’t even take care of himself, let alone a dragon!! How many times was it now that he had fallen asleep in the library, or just randomly passed out with Gadget trapped in his backpack? That must be awful for him! He feels so bad for Gadget, how terrible it must be to be permanently bonded with such an incompetent, useless, selfish, good-for-nothing, awful, mistake, helpless, naive, stupid, dumb, arrogant, ignorant, stupid, stupid, STUPID-
A nudge, paired with a louder, more firm squeak brought him out of his thoughts. When Legs turned his head, Gadget nuzzled his little coppery head against Legs’ neck. Legs freed Gadget from the backpack jail and the first thing Gadget did was curl up against him and snuggle. Somehow Gadget always knew when Legs was feeling down, and Gadget practically forced the comfort onto Legs. It was… nice. Olsted would’ve called him weak, but he doesn’t care for once. Instead, he allows himself to be snuggled by Gadget.
He felt awful. His head was swaying slightly, and he felt absolutely drained. When he stood up (much to Gadget’s protest) he was immediately assaulted by dizziness, along with his heart’s irregular, rapid beat pounding against his skull like a caged dragon. He leaned against the table, waiting for the sudden episode to subside.
He was so lost in his head that he somehow didn’t hear the footsteps behind him, nor the telltale ring of Graecie’s bells until she was practically on top of him. “Legs! Oh, blessed bells!” She shouted cheerfully, ringing said bells, which she had tied to her hand very, very tightly. Curse the mimic.
“AH!” Legs yelped, jumping almost comically from the table he was leaning on. He immediately casted Repulsion on instinct, throwing Graecie backwards, while promptly falling to the floor. “G- gah! Graecie!” He shouted, half surprise, half concern. “Oh, Graecie, are you alright? Did I hurt you?! Oh, I shouldn’t have-”
“No, no, you’re alright! I just scared you, that’s not your fault!” She reassured him, her voice bright with laughter. She pushed herself up off the floor, brushed the dust from her white dress, and smiled at him like nothing had happened. However, it did little to ease Legs’ guilt. He shouldn’t have done that, he should have better control over his magic-
“I didn’t come here just to scare you, y’know?” Her amused voice brought Legs out of his thoughts, and she looked at him expectantly. Legs, still on the floor, slightly dizzy and tired, was very confused. Graecie helped him up, still beaming.
“W- what’s going on?” Legs, completely lost and throughly embarrassed, accepted Graecie’s help and stood up. Graecie smiled even brighter, as if that was somehow possible.
“C’mon!” She giggled brightly. “You know what! Don’t be silly.” Legs didn’t say anything, but the confused look on his face must’ve spoken volumes. “It’s your birthday, Legs!” Graecie said, her tone somehow softening and brightening at the same time.
Oh. That’s what this is about. Dang, it’s his birthday already? Not that he really keeps track of it, he never had any reason to. He never really celebrated his birthday… now that he thinks of it, Olsted never celebrated anything, did he?
“Oh… t- that’s… sweet. You came to wish me happy b- birthday?” Legs said, his voice shaking slightly. He wanted to blame it on his not-so-pleasant awakening, followed by the slight episode, but then he’d be lying to himself. Oh well, what difference does that make? He lies to himself all the time.
“Not just to wish you a happy birthday, silly!” Graecie’s face and voice practically beamed like the sun itself when Sausage was using his magic. Her white hair and red ribbon caught the morning light through the stained glass windows perfectly. Her dress looked perfect, and her eyes were so bright and full of life and laughter. She was so pretty…
“Hello? Earth to Legs?” Graecie teased softly, jolting Legs out of his thoughts. Gods, he had spaced out again, hadn’t he? He has to stop doing that-
“S- sorry. You were saying?” Legs stuttered, his cheeks burning slightly, though luckily Graecie didn’t notice. Again, he’d be lying if he told himself it was from the embarrassment.
“I didn’t come here just to wish you happy birthday, though I do also want to do that.” Graecie grabbed her backpack off her back and started to dig around in it. Legs couldn’t help but notice that it was bulging unusually, despite Fleece not being in there at the moment. Maybe she’s with Penny or Twilight? But then why would Graecie have something in her backpack? It didn’t make any sense at all.
“Ta daaaa!” Graecie said, pulling a present from her backpack and holding it out towards Legs. “I got you a birthday present!” Graecie looked so proud of it, and rightly so. It was carefully wrapped with light blue wrapping paper that had little dragons on it, and it had a grand purple bow on top. It was clear that Graecie had spent lots of time on it, evidenced by the slight bags under her eyes and how nice the wrapping was.
“O- oh- Graecie…” Legs’ heart promptly melted, and he was at a loss for words. The idea that someone had spent so much of their own time to make something for him was just… impossible like his magic. Yet, here Graecie was, presenting a gift for him with a large smile on her perfect angelic face which was so, so pretty, not expecting anything in return. Doing it purely because she wanted to, just for him. He didn’t quite know how to wrap his head around the concept.
“Of- of course, if you don’t like it, I can always get you something else-” Graecie stammered after a few seconds of awkward silence, clearly misunderstanding Legs’ lack of response. This snapped Legs out of his stunned state, and he frantically shook his head.
“No, no, Graecie, I- I love- I- I’ve never- I-”he was struggling to keep his voice even, honestly on the verge of tears. Surely this was some sort of trick? Maybe Graecie had finally realized how useless and pathetic he was, how being nice to him was such a waste of time, how there was virtually no reason to even consider being friends with him. Maybe this was the inevitable goodbye that was bound to happen from the start, the betrayal that he had quietly prepared himself for. Yet, he had started to let his guard down, started to believe that just maybe, just maybe this time could be different. That he could finally began to rebuild the trust that had been trampled and shattered, that he could finally have friends, people who cared about him. Yet, it seemed that he was doomed forever more to a path of misery and loneliness as The Iron Soul.
…but maybe he’s wrong.
Because Graecie still stands in front of him, beaming and presenting the beautifully wrapped gift in her hands like some sacred ingredient for a particularly rare potion, her face beholding no malevolent intent. Her eyes still shine with her ever-present kindness and generosity, and maybe even a trace of hope.
Legs practically threw himself at Graecie, wrapping his arms around her tight. “I… I love it Graecie. T- thank you.” His mind was still reeling, but for once he just allowed himself to enjoy the moment. Releasing Graecie, who was still awkwardly holding the present, his cheeks burnt slightly. Probably from how hot it was. Gadget looked at Legs from the floor and did the dragon equivalent of raising an eyebrow, causing him to sputter.
Graecie handed him the beautiful gift with a smile. “Well, why don’t you go ahead and open it?” Legs admired the careful wrapping before methodically opening the present. Inside, he found… some funny looking socks. Ten pairs total, most of them being black but some other colors were also thrown in there. Graecie smiled.
“So… I know you pass out a lot and that there’s not much you can do, but I wondered if there was anything I could do to help with that! So I asked around the different towns, and I learned that there are these things called “compression socks” that apparently help with that! It took me awhile to find someone who could actually sell them to me, but I managed to get ten pairs so you hopefully won’t run out!” Graecie said rapidly, clearly excited and nervous to see if Legs liked them or not. She talked so fast that it reminded Legs of when she tried coffee for the first time.
“Oh, Graecie… that’s so sweet…” Legs’ heart was melting. Bless Graecie’s pure heart, it was going to make him cry with how sweet she is. “T- thank you…” He hugged her one more time, for good measure. Graecie laughed and returned the hug. Gadget, feeling left out, jumped onto Legs’ head, but him jump and yell out in surprise. Graecie laughed and enjoyed the chaos, while Legs burned of embarrassment.
Maybe, just maybe, this time would be different. Maybe he would have friends. Maybe he wouldn’t be doomed to a path of loneliness as the Old Iron Dragon had told him. Maybe that book was wrong.
He had friends.
————————___________————————
“Legs, are those new socks? I don’t think I’ve seen you wear those before.” Sausage looked over from what he was doing, and Legs did the same, prying his attention from his book.
“Huh? Oh, so Graecie somehow knew that yesterday was my birthday and gave me these as a present.” Legs explained.
Sausage just looked confused. “She gave you… socks? I’m not trying to be rude, but…”
“Apparently they’re supposed to help me pass out less. The only difference I’ve noticed so far is how uncomfortable they are.” Legs turned back to the book he was reading, and Sausage snorted.
“If they’re so uncomfortable, then why do you keep wearing them?” Sausage’s voice was now full of amusement and teasing. Before Legs could respond, he cut him off. “Oh wait, I know! You don’t want to disappoint her by not wearing them, huh, Hermoso?”
“…shut up.”