Taco ran towards the woods, smiling as she saw Leafy standing beside a tree. Leafy smiled back at her, waving excitedly. "Taco!" She cried out.

         Taco skidded to a halt, grabbing Leafy's hand. They both entered the forest, walking to their usual hang out spot. Taco felt her heart race slightly.

          Never before had she felt this way, and it confused her. Was she getting sick? Taco certainly hoped not. As they both walked towards the log, Leafy turned to look at her.

          "How's the contest been?" She asked. Taco rolled her eyes. "It could be better." She chuckled. "Book has started acknowledging me again, so there's that."

          Leafy huffed slightly, putting her hands on her sides. "Let me guess, she's doing it in a mean way, isn't she?" Taco nodded. "Yep. You hit the nail right on the head."

          Leafy glared at the ground, grumpily plopping down on the log. "Ooh, I'd like to give her a piece of my mind!" Taco laughed, sitting beside her.

           "How? You're literally so nice!" She said, as Leafy looked back up at her, blushing in surprise. "W-What's that supposed to mean?!" Taco chuckled as Leafy's face grew more red.

           "I mean, you'd have to be pretty harsh with Book. Her head is a bit to thick to listen to reason." Leafy stared at Taco, as she clenched her fists with determination, and smiled.

           "I-I can be harsh!" Taco smirked. "Okay, probe it." She playfully said, crossing her arms. "Pretend I'm Book." Leafy inhaled, then calmly exhaled.

           "Book, I've noticed you haven't been treating your teammate well lately, and-" Taco waved her hands in the air. "Blah blah blah! I'm Book!" She playfully mocked.

            "Taco abandoned us! Something something, dictionary!" Leafy snorted, before she fell backwards off the log, dying from laughter.

            "OH MY GOSH- TACO!" She laughed, clenching her stomach. Taco helped Leafy up, her voice becoming a little quieter. "T-That was so b-bad!" Leafy giggled.

             Taco laughed. "I know, I know. But can you blame me?" Leafy nodded in understanding. "I can't. She's acting pretty irrational, I understand."

               Leafy's smile faded slightly. "...I'm sorry..." Taco looked at her in confusion. "For what?" She asked. Leafy sighed. "I'm sorry for how she's been treating you. It's unfair!"

              Taco still stared in confusion. "Wait..." Her look turned to one of concern. "Why are you apologizing for something someone else did to me?" She asked, tone sincere.

             Leafy tensed slightly. Why was she apologizing...? "I...don't know..." She admit. "Maybe...it's because no one will?" She looked at Taco, who stared back in shock.

           "Who says it's up to you to apologize on their behalf?" Taco asked her, slightly agitated. "If you didn't do it, you don't need to apologize, Leafy..." She gave Leafy a soft look.

           "Let them handle it themselves." Leafy looked away slightly, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "I-I...okay-" She sputtered, unsure of what to say.

           She looked down, and flinched, blushing. "Uh...Taco?" She said, as Taco stared at her expression in confusion. "What?" She asked in a half-laugh.

           Taco glanced down towards where Leafy was gazing, and blushed too.

She was still holding Leafy's hand.

             "O-Oh." Taco nervously chuckled. "Would you look at...that..." Leafy looked back up, avoiding her eyes, as her blush darkened. "Y-Yeah..."

               Taco felt her heart race again, as she felt the same feeling from before. Only...it came back stronger. She smiled slightly, all the nervous energy starting to fade away.

            She felt happy, just glad to be there with Leafy. However, she couldn't help but wonder if Leafy felt the same. Taco didn't want to cross any boundaries, but she was curious.

             Taco looked away for a second, conflicted. Her anxiety started to rise. She was scared to try anything. Leafy was the first object she felt comfortable around for the longest time. Her first real friend.

             What if she messed it up because of a stupid feeling? Leafy suddenly stood up, startling Taco from her thoughts. "Hey, I-I want to show you s-something."

             Leafy started to lead Taco deeper into the woods. They walked for a while, and when Taco started to hear the peaceful sounds of rushing water, they stopped.

            Taco looked around, amazed. Leafy has lead her straight to a quiet little waterfall. It wasn't a major one, as the source of the water just came from a small creek, but it was still breathtaking.

            The waterfall was technically split into three, as water rushed down rocks that jutted out from the cliff face, almost like stairs in a way.

           There was also a few water lilies in the pond it drained into, bouncing and waving with the current. Taco smiled as she took in the sight. "Leafy, this is so pretty!"

           She turned to look at her. Leafy blushed, rubbing the back of her head. "I-I thought you might l-like it!" She stuttered, her blush growing bigger.

Taco stared at her for a moment. The sun was starting to go down, and it's rays were shining on Leafy like a spot light. Her eyes shimmered like ancient gemstones.

They reflected so many emotions, so many memories, so many things Taco wished she knew about Leafy. She wanted to know how Leafy felt about her.

Leafy glanced at her, flinching when she caught Taco staring. Taco flinched too, her face flushing an even brighter red. "I-I'm sorry-" Leafy cut her off when she hesitantly grabbed Taco's hand.

She smiled, a slightly concerned look on her face. "What's on your mind?" She asked. Taco's heart raced even faster, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She wanted to take a risk.

Taco's fingers intertwined with Leafy. Leafy stared back in concern. Taco's arms were shaking, as her blush darkened. "Are you getting sick?" Leafy asked, putting her free hand where Taco's forehead would be.

Taco deeply inhaled, and shakily exhaled. "L-Leafy. I have t-to tell you s-something." Leafy smiled at her. "You can tell me anything." Taco paused for a second, nervous to meet her eyes.

Was she really about to risk her friendship?

She regained composure, calmly closing her eyes.

"Leafy...I..."

She turned away from her, wincing.

"I love you!"

They both went silent. Taco, her eyes still closed, could hear the rushing water drip into the small pond. The gentle rustling of the leaves even seemed to stop.

Almost as if the wind itself paused to watch them. Taco started to grow nervous, as Leafy hadn't spoken up in a minute. Finally, she heard a gasp.

"W-Wh-" Leafy started to stutter. "Y-You...M-Me..." She paused. "You...love me?" Taco covered her face. "Y-Yes, I'm sorry!" She apologized.

"No, wait-" Leafy quickly said. She cleared her throat. "I-I mean- It's f-fine!" Taco opened her eyes, turning to Leafy in surprise. Her face was flushed.

"I-I...I think I l-like you too-" She nervously tapped her fingers together, closing her eyes. It took Taco a minute to process that. "Wait...r-really?" She asked.

Leafy nodded, and Taco shook her head in disbelief. "You...You aren't just saying this out of pressure...are you?" She asked, slightly skeptical.

"No!" Leafy said, opening her eyes. "I can't help b-but think about you a-a lot!" Taco blushed. "You're so sweet, and k-kind..." Leafy said, smiling.

"Funny, and comforting...I-I love hanging out with y-you!" She sheepishly looked away. "I didn't understand this f-feeling...but I-I think it is love."

Leafy looked back at her. "I-I love you too!" Taco's heart was practically exploding at this point. She could have never dreamed Leafy would return her feelings.

She smiled, stepping closer to Leafy. Hesitantly grabbing her hand, Taco intertwined her fingers with Leafy's again. They both stared at each other for a moment.

Then Taco started to lean closer.

They both closed their eyes, as they kissed. It was short, but it was sweet. Neither knew what they were doing, or how a kiss actually worked.

It was just something they felt the need to do. Afterwards, they hugged, snuggling into each other. The hug lasted longer than the kiss did.

Taco felt a weight lift off her shoulders, as she finally sighed in relief. She was glad she finally got that off her chest. Once they broke the hug, Taco walked Leafy back home.

Leafy walked back up the steps, and quickly turned back towards Taco, smiling in bliss. "So I'll see you tomorrow?" Taco asked, leaning on the railing of the porch.

Leafy blushed slightly. "Or...you could stay the night...?" Taco frowned slightly. "I'd love to, but I don't want to hear another rant from Book." She sighed.

"She's looking for any excuse at this point." Leafy frowned. "I'm s-" Taco playfully glared at her. "Hey, don't forget our chat!~" She chuckled.

Leafy sighed. "I know..." She smiled back, as Taco waved goodbye. "I'll see you soon." She reassured her. Leafy waved back, and watched as Taco disappeared into the forest.

She stepped inside the mansion, closing the door behind her, and leaning against it. She sighed in bliss, blushing heavily.

"Welcome home, friend."

Leafy looked in front of her, flinching when she saw an angry Firey sitting on the first step of the grand staircase.