Leo Montenegro

Leo Montenegro. 31. Father. Chef

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“It could hardly be classified as a love song. I was really enjoying violin practice and I thought I was suddenly this great musician. And in typical me fashion, it was all music. There weren’t really any lyrics. Even when I’m trying to be cheesy, I’m still not normal. You mean the next date? Sure. That could be fun.”

“That’s kind of cute though, that you went out of your way to compose something for your crush.” Leo figured it would be a little harder to get sillier stories with the way she had grown up, but it was alright because it wasn’t just about that. “I mean next as in after we finish playing the games, whatever comes to our minds that we would like to do we suggest it and try to do it.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I’m not a trouble maker. I guess…I guess when I was a kid I tried to write a love song for this guy I liked. It never saw the light of day though,” she blushed at the idea. She hadn’t been brave enough to actually show the kid. “I meant between us. You said you’re competitive right? So this is a competition? With a winner and a loser?”

“You wrote a love song?” His brows rose and his smile widened. “What was in this love song? I want to know now.” Leo was amused at the idea of her writing a love song and was very interested in knowing what it said. “Oh! Well winner gets to decide what we do next?”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I…I don’t know. I did what I was told. I practiced the violin, did my studies, watched after my sister. Give me an example?” She knew her childhood was boring, but she’d never thought it was quite so depressing before now. “So not at all then. I guess I’ll have to win my points somewhere else. Is there a prize for the winner?”

“What about at school? Did you ever do anything silly with your friends?” His life wasn’t so different. He may have not practiced the violin, but he did what he was told and took care after his younger brother too. And clearly he did his studies since he finished and went to college. “There’s a little reward shop where you can get prizes depending on how many tickets you get.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I don’t think there’s anything cheesy about me,” she laughed at the thought. “I’m not even sure what would qualify as cheesy.” To her, her life was boring. She never knew what to talk about because she couldn’t imagine people would be interested in knowing about it. “If it’s anything like playing a real instrument, I might be ok at that one.”

“There’s gotta be something, there’s no way you did’t have a cheesy moment in your life.” Even as kids, there were ridiculous things a kid did and there surely had to be something there. “I think the closest thing would be the drums because the guitar you’re just pushing buttons really and that’s why I’m good at it because of all the practice. I would be terrible playing a real instrument.” He chuckled. 

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I think it wouldn’t be you if it wasn’t at least a little cheesy,” she smiled. That was part of what she liked about him. That he loved things with absolutely no shame. He wasn’t afraid to broadcast it. “I don’t believe that for a second. Everyone has to have a favorite. It’s just how life works. I know one exists.” She took a sip of her drink.

“Tell me something cheesy about yourself. To even it out.” Leo was sure there was a lot more he had yet to know about her and this was a good opportunity for them to get to know each other better. “Maybe Guitar Hero? I can be pretty good at that one but it’s not necessarily my favorite.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“No,” she shook her head, not bothering to hide her smile at the way his face lit up when he talked about the place and how excited he was about it in general. “It’s clear you really love this place. I’m honored that you wanted to bring me here to show me. I can tell it means a lot to you.” she finally turned her body to face his, trying to reciprocated the obvious effort that was going into this date. “And yet you still don’t want to show me your favorite game?”

“It wasn’t kind of cheesy?” He raised a brow, giving her a sheepish smile. He felt like sometimes whatever came out of his mouth was too serious or way too embarrassing, but he still tried to own it somehow. The bartender served them their drinks and Leo clinked his glass to hers. “Cheers,” he said before taking a drink. “I told you, I don’t have a favorite one. I like a lot of them.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I’m not giving up, I’m just trying to be realistic about what I should be expecting,” she smiled and hopped up on one of the barstools. “A cider then. So how did you find this place? You seem to know it pretty well, and I can’t imagine you brought Mari here.”

“I’m not an expert, I’ll tell you that,” he chuckled, joining her on the barstool next to hers. He ordered them two ciders and turned to face her with his entire body instead of just his head. “It’s been around for a long time. I used to want to come here when I was in high school but it was always for those over 21 and what not and then I went off to college and didn’t get the chance to come here with high school friends until I finally turned 21 and it was summer so I was home from school and instead of getting wasted and all I just came here and loved it,” he shrugged. “That was probably the longest answer for a simple question,” he laughed. “But no I do not bring Mari here.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“Then I’m right and tonight is going to be you beating me at everything,” she teased, still trying to push it all to the back of her mind and pretend everything was like it was when she’d had dinner with him. The only problem was she was horrible at playing pretend. “Ok so then maybe not a red. Maybe…What do you think is good here?”

“We’ll see, don’t give up just yet.” Maybe there would be some instances he’d let her win but he was sure after a few tries she’d pick up on it and give him a run for his money. “They have some really good ciders if you don’t want to drink anything too strong.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“It’s cheating if you don’t tell me because you’ll get me to play it and then end up creaming me,” Willow jokingly side eyed him. She glanced down at their entwined hands as he led her to the bar. She still wasn’t completely sold on the idea that he’d put the entirety of their conversation the other day behind him, and the idea that he might just be pretending weighed on her mind. “Yeah, that sounds good. “I’ll take a nice red.”

“I like most of the games here so if we’re going by that rule then we’re going to have a very limited selection.” He pointed out. He’d be lying if he said that deep in the back of his mind he was thinking about their conversation from last time. It was something that wasn’t just going to go away out of nowhere, but she had a point before too. They should cross that bridge when they get there even if he knew that Cait would tell him he wasn’t making the right decision. “Um so I don’t know if they’ll have wine... usually places like this one is more beer or cocktails rather than wine.”

[willow-montenegro]

Game of Hearts || Leo & Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

Willow looked around at the arcade, not sure where even to begin or how to get started. “There are so many lights and sounds,” she laughed and looked up at Leo. “What’s your favorite game to play? I’ll be sure to stay far away from that one.”

@leo1x1

“Oh no, I am not telling you because we are not cheating here.” He laughed and took a hold of her hand to lead her to the bar. “Let’s get something to drink first? and then we’re going to play every single game here. We’re going to play all the quarters possible.”

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“Are you saying she needs to be bribed with ice cream and Chuck E. Cheese to be okay with this?” she half joked back before trailing off. “It depends on what you think is best. You’re her dad. But if I have a choice in the matter, I think I’d like to go and see the reaction for myself. If it’s bad I know you’d probably try to make it sound fine.” She forced a smile though it came across as nervous as she felt. “Can I ask…have you ever brought anyone home to Mari before? And how did it go? I’d love for you to meet her. She’s the whole reason I moved to Rockford, you know.”

“No that’s not what I’m saying at all,” he said quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. “I think I would like for you to be present. She already knows you and has been around you so that’s a plus and I mean well, we know what she asked you last time,” he let out a small laugh. “As my girlfriend? No, I never did. Believe it or not I never got that far to being exclusive with someone after Mari’s mom so I wouldn’t be able to tell you how it’d go, but I’m optimistic about this. I really am. I should thank her then, what’s her favorite sweet? If she’s allowed to have them.”

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I mean…if you’re sure. I don’t want to turn this into less of a date…” At the very least, she’d try to reign in the questions and prioritize, but there were definitely a few that were at the top of her mind. “I guess the first one would be about Mari and how we should go about telling her? And then you’ll have to meet my niece eventually too, but that’s not on the same level as your daughter.”

“I’m sure we’ll find a way to bring up the romance afterwards,” he joked. He would rather put a pause on their date and set her mind at ease than have her be thinking about it all night and not enjoy their date as much. “I can tell her tomorrow, I’ll take her out for ice cream or Chuck E Cheese to ease into it. I can tell her alone or you can come with if you’d like, whichever you feel comfortable with. I’d love to meet your niece, I’m great with kids as you’ve seen.”

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“I think she’s a great kid.” Willow smiled as he leaned over and her hands came up to cradle his face. She still didn’t entirely understand what it was he saw in her, but she wasn’t complaining. She was glad he saw it. She was glad he was giving her a chance, because he made her feel more at home than she could have imagined. “I have questions about what happens now, but I think we can leave the logistics for another day. You and I have a date to finish.”

Leo pressed his lips into a smile when she said Mari was a great kid. Every time someone was sweet to his daughter like that, it just made him like them even more. Leo gave her leg a slight squeeze and pulled back from the kiss. “Are you sure? I don’t mind answering questions right now, the sooner we discuss them we can get them out of the way and enjoy the rest of the date and whatever else comes after this date.”

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

Willow had never pretended to be an optimist. She knew that both of their lives here messy and complicated just like she knew that Leo was probably severely underestimating what her parents were like. But then she didn’t know how much of a tie she was planning on keeping to them and her old world now that she was seeing the world her sister had been trying to show her all along. It would be wrong to let the idea or the fear of them stop her from being with someone she really liked. “You really think she likes me?” she smiled at the idea. She had no illusions about the fact that Mari was and always would be the number one girl in Leo’s life. It meant everything that the little girl already thought well of her. “Ok,” she took a deep breath and let all her fears about what the future might look like go. “Then I would really, really like to be your girlfriend. If the offer really is still there.”

Leo wasn’t sure how he’d take it if she ended up saying no. Then again, it was nothing out of the ordinary for blossoming relationships to go south. He was getting used to rejection and things not working out on his end. There was almost a thought that he was cursed or something, destined to be alone without a partner. And even though that wasn’t the most important thing about life, he wanted someone to spend his time with romantically. “I do, yeah. You’re really sweet to her, she likes that and I certainly like that too.” He nods and offers her a small smile. “The offer is still there yes,” he grinned, leaning in to kiss her as his official girlfriend. 

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“Even if it meant in another universe you could be happily in love with someone else?” she questioned with a quirked brow. She smiled and kissed his pouted lips again. “How upset would you be?” she asked a little cheekily. It was amazing how at ease she already felt with him. She didn’t usually joke around, but with Leo, a lighter side came out. She was still amazed that someone as fun as him would want to be with someone like her. She tilted her head as he began speaking. It was obvious he was leading up to something, but when he got to it, she was taken aback. She felt giddy and nervous all at once, and she didn’t know how to answer. There were so many outside factors between the two of them that they hadn’t even begun to thought about. “I do! I would. I really, really would, but…I just want to make sure you’ve thought all of this through. I mean you’ve got Mari to think about and the custody battle and then we haven’t even talked about how crazy my family is, and if you dated me, you’d get all that crazy too…”

Leo hadn’t asked anyone to be his girlfriend since Isla and because of how that relationship had gone, he had been guarded about pursuing a serious relationship with anyone else. But with Willow, he wanted to try things out. He sense that things would be different and he wanted to give it a shot. When she had her questions, Leo wasn’t surprised at them and he sense that they’d be coming. Perhaps he hadn’t fully thought out everything because he was so in the moment and wanted to do what his heart called out for. “I can talk to Mari. We both now that she knows something is up and if she was against the idea of us, she would’ve acted out on it and she hasn’t. She really likes you. As for the custody battle, I know it’s a lot and I don’t want to involve you in the middle of it but I also can’t let it take over my life and Mari’s. We can’t live in fear and shut ourselves out. And your family... I can handle families. I would get if you have your hesitations about it but I’m not taking back my question.”

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“Look on the bright side. Imagine if she loved it and you ended up with her for the rest of your life? Where would you be now?” she joked and took the hand on his chest in hers. “Would you be terribly upset if I suddenly stopped?” she asked with a wide grin. “It’s in the past, I can’t change it. The important thing now is that I know the magic of bath bombs now.” A knowing smile crept onto her lips and she tilted her head, pretending to think. “Well he’s pretty cute. He’s got that rugged stubble thing going on. What really gets me though is his smile. And he’s a fantastic cook, but more importantly he’s really giving. He usually cooks for me at least once a week. Most importantly though…” her smile softened, “I like him very much. More than I ever thought I might when I first met him. And I hope he likes me just as much too.”

“I wouldn’t be on this date with you so that would be even worse to think about.” He smiled. “I would be so terribly upset you have no idea.” He nodded, pressing his lips into a pout again. Leo couldn’t help but smile so widely at the things she was telling him. He genuinely liked Willow a lot when at first he wasn’t even sure if she’d ever pay attention to someone like him, but here they were. it felt like there was nothing that could’ve prepared him for her little speech and he felt tingly feelings all over his body. “I like you very much too. A lot if I’m being honest. So much so that... I hope it isn’t too soon to ask this but... I really want to take the next step with you. I want to be in a relationship with you if you’d let me. Willow Deighton, would you like to be my girlfriend?” 

[leo1x1]

Starry Night || Leo + Willow

[leo1x1]

willow-montenegro‌:

“For a 14 year old that’s pretty impressive! You made your girl some sandwiches. So what if they weren’t the best? Not every 14 year old does that!” she defended his younger self with a laugh. “Something tells me that once you run out of stories, I might find another reason to keep kissing you.” She grinned and leaned in to kiss his pout. “Probably because I didn’t need bath bombs? I had a tub with jets. And yes, I know how bougie I sound, thank you.” She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m trying to learn, but I’m bad at it and there’s also this really cute chef that keeps trying to teach me, so if I wasn’t already bad at it, I might pretend to be.”

“I was devastated,” he admitted, putting his hand over his chest feigning being hurt.  “I hope you do. Imagine if we keep hanging out and you don’t kiss me?” he shook his head and sneaked in another kiss after she kissed him. “Wow a bathtub with jets that sure goes hand in hand with bath bombs,” he teased. “So this chef... like how cute is he? Is he good at what he does? But most importantly, how much do you like him?”