paperwork and muffins | lena
leo comes over to help with some legal stuff, but also to make sure nina is feeling okay.
Leo still felt really bad about the ball the other night. He knew it wasn’t his fault, but he felt like he needed to do better and make sure people weren’t left vulnerable to verbal attacks like that. He was going to try and make it better and hope things went alright. He picked up the paperwork from his attorney and then went and got some muffins and brought them over to her address. He knocked on her door, waiting patiently for an answer.
Nina was moving on from the things that had been said to her. After she'd found an article that mentioned Millie, the girl from the ball, being Leo's cousin, she'd told herself that was all she needed to know to accept that the woman had been crazy. She'd lied about that so she'd lied about all of it. Right? It made perfect sense. It just didn't help with the insecurities Nina had involving Leo. But she was trying to move past it. She answered the door with a smile. "Hey. Come on in."
Leo smiled immediately when Nina opened the door. “Hey!” he greeted, stepping in upon invitation. He hoped she was feeling better and was comfortable with him being here. “I brought some of the muffins you love,” he said with a grin, handing her the container. “I also have a lot of paperwork, which is less fun, but I’ll help you fill it out so it’s as painless as possible,” he said with a wide grin.
Nina took the container with a smile that widened. "Aw, that was so sweet of you. Thank you," she said. She wanted to hug him but she felt too awkward to. "Yay, paperwork. My favorite," she laughed a little. "Thanks for bringing it by. And a preemptive thank you for the help filling it out. I want to nail that cow to the wall for the things she said," she told him. "Come sit. I have a kettle on if you want some tea?" she offered.
Leo thought the muffins were a nice little treat to give her. He really did feel bad about what happened. “You’re welcome!” he smiled. He laughed with her and nodded. “I know. It sucks. I’ll help as much as I can, though,” he insisted. “You’re welcome! And you’re welcome. I want to nail that cow to the wall, too,” he said, letting out a little chuckle. “Oh, yeah, I’d love a cuppa,” he said, taking the papers to the table and sitting down.
Nina smiled widely when he called the woman a cow again. It felt so unlike him to use the word. She loved it. She had to laugh. "It's so funny to hear that in your proper, posh accent," she said playfully. "It's cute." It took her a second to realize what she'd said and she quickly cleared her throat. "Right. I'll get the tea. Uh, hang on a second." Smooth, she thought as she retreated. She wished Audrey had stuck around to run interference.
Leo grinned at the way she laughed, letting out a small laugh himself. “I though you’d appreciate it,” he teased. “Oh, thank you,” he grinned. He nodded, smiling at her. “Yeah, take your time,” he insisted. He got all the paperwork out and sorted it, again trying to make it easy. Audrey would probably have to sign a few things later, but he could help her make sure she knew where to get Audrey’s signature later.
Nina felt a little better when there was some distance between them. She poured two cups of tea and took a deep breath. She could handle this. She'd just let things settle a bit and she'd go back to normal. She took a deep breath as she picked up their cups and brought them back to where he was sitting. "Here you go," she said cheerfully as she set his down. She took a seat next to him and opened the container of muffins. "Aw man, these look just as good as I remembered."
Leo looked up when she walked back in, smiling at her. “Thank you so much, darling,” he said, taking the cup from her. He added a bit of milk and a sugar and stirred it before sampling it. “Mm, it’s perfect,” he said. He nodded. “They’re fresh! Just made this morning. They should be even better than they were last time,” he said with a smile. He picked up a lemon poppyseed one, breaking off a piece and popping it in his mouth.
Nina nearly faltered when he called her that. She nearly blushed. "Uh, yeah, you're welcome," she said instead. She picked up her tea once she'd fixed it properly and took a small sip. "Wow, fresh muffins. I'm feeling really spoiled," she joked. She broke off a piece of a blueberry one and savored the taste. "Oh, it's so good," she hummed. "Wow, I would die for this muffin, that's how good it is. It's perfect."
Leo grinned at that and let out a little laugh. “I think fresh muffins is the least I can do for you,” he said honestly. He felt bad that she’d had such a horrible night, especially on a night that was supposed to be filled with so much fun. “It really is. It’s so perfectly soft,” he said honestly. He laughed at how she described it. “That good, huh?” he teased. “They’re the best muffins I’ve ever had, hands down,” he said.
Nina thought that was kind of him. He didn't have to bring her anything but the paperwork but he'd gone out of his way. It was very thoughtful. She wanted to be annoyed by it so she wasn't charmed. "It's so good!" she laughed. "Nothing beats them. I wish that I could bake like this. I'd open a cafe too," she admitted with a laugh. "Can I try a little of yours?" she asked, already reaching out. "Please," she added with a smile.
Leo wished he could bake like that, too. He frowned a bit, realizing he hadn’t really ever baked much of anything. “You know, I was going to say me, too, but I don’t actually think I know how to bake at all,” he said with a small laugh. He nodded eagerly, holding it out for her to take some of. “Please do!” he said with a smile. He’d tried them all, but he didn’t think she had. She had quite a few now to try, though.
Nina wasn't terribly surprised by that but she still laughed. "Yeah, I can see that. You probably had people baking all your sweet treats for you," she teased. "My mum is an excellent baker and so is my grandma. I used to love helping out and stirring the ingredients. I'd make up little songs as I went when I was a kid," she laughed. Maybe she'd teach him how to bake something. They could handle biscuits, she thought. She took a piece of his muffin and popped it into her mouth, humming happily. "That is divine."
Leo laughed a bit when she did. It felt sort of embarrassing, but it wasn’t exactly his fault. He figured he could take the initiative to learn now, and he probably should, but he hadn’t yet. “Yeah, yeah I did,” he laughed, nodding. He grinned like mad, so endeared. “That’s adorable. Maybe you can teach me how to bake?” he asked with a small smile. “It’s really nice, isn’t it? The seeds have a slight crunch that I really like.”
Nina picked off another piece of muffin and grinned at him. "Do you even know how to cook?" she asked playfully. "Do you do your own laundry? What about dishes?" she teased. She shrugged a little bit, her smile staying in place. "I mean, I guess I could try. I'm no expert. I'm mostly good at the stirring and making up songs," she laughed. "We'll figure it out." She took another piece of his muffin and then sat back to sip her tea. "I was just thinking I loved the crunch!"
Leo narrowed his eyes a bit as he thought and then laughed a little. “I mean, some things. Like, I can make an egg,” he laughed. “I know how to boil water for pasta. I don’t really do much cooking, though,” he admitted. “I don’t really do my own laundry, no. I do my own dishes at home usually, but if I go to the palace, then no,” he said honestly. He shrugged a bit. “Maybe your mum can teach me,” he teased. He grinned and nodded. “It’s really good!” he exclaimed.
Nina couldn't help but start laughing again. "You can make an egg and boil water? Wow, you really are hopeless, aren't you?" she teased. "I can't believe it. An egg and boiled water. What would you do if you ended up trapped somewhere? Starve?" she laughed again. He was funny. "Oh no, you are not learning from my mum. You'd try and charm her and it would work and then she'd like you better than me which is unacceptable. I'll teach you," she insisted. She took a sip of her tea to hide her smile.
Leo laughed when she did, shaking his head. “I mean, that’s not all! But I don’t cook much!” he said with a laugh. “Am I trapped somewhere with a kitchen? Or am I trapped like in the woods? Because while I technically know how to hunt, I don’t think I’d want to eat anything I could catch myself, or even know how to,” he said, laughing some more. He gave her a look, pretending to be offended. “I would not! And she would not!” he said, grinning at her.
Nina laughed again, this time louder. "I'm so sure. You can probably make toast too, huh?" she teased. "Somewhere with a kitchen, of course! I doubt you'd survive very long in the woods. Then again, I'd probably make it an hour and I'd be crying," she admitted with a grin. "Plus, I can't hunt so I'd probably end up eating poisonous berries and dying." She wouldn't survive that was for sure. She rolled her eyes with another laugh. "Oh yeah, like I believe that. You'd turn on your charm and give her one of those smiles and she'd be delighted. I'd never hear the end of it."
Leo grinned a little, trying to hold in his laughter. She was so amused, it was really fun. “Yeah, I sure can,” he said, laughing finally. “I’d survive! I can figure it out, I’m sure. See, you wouldn’t make it in the woods either! You have to be one of those end of the world preppers to be prepared for that,” he said with a laugh. “If we were together in the woods, we’d probably make it. Sounds like we have opposing skills,” he said with a smile. He let out a loud laugh at that. “I would not! She’d never like me more than you, anyway, even if I did.”
Nina had to laugh a little louder when he joined in. "Hopeless. You're hopeless," she told him. Toast and eggs. She really had to teach him something else. "I certainly wouldn't and I have no idea why you think I have any skills to help you survive if we were together! I'd be crying and trying to eat poisoned plants. You'd have to babysit me," she teased. Her smile widened at the way he laughed. She needed to get a hold of herself but she was enjoying herself too much. "She would! She'd be too blinded by your charms!"
Leo shrugged casually, smiling at her. “I do my best,” he said honestly. He laughed at that and nudged her foot under the table. “Why, you’re no better than me in this scenario, then, huh?” he teased. “I figured you’d be better at the cooking, after I did the hunting. Clearly, I was wrong,” he teased. He took a sip of his tea and shrugged. “Your mum would never like me over you. Even if she was blinded by my charms.”
Nina shook her head, still rather delighted by him. She had to pull herself together, though. Especially when he nudged her foot like that. "Okay, if you're hunting the animals we're going to eat then you have to skin them because I'm not doing it. Then I can cook it, I guess," she decided. "Let's just try to not be stranded alone in the woods. I mean, who's to say you'd even have a hunting weapon!" she insisted with a laugh. She shrugged back at him. "I don't know, she was pretty charmed by Philip and you're way more charming than he is," she said without really thinking.
Leo made a face at that. “See, the thing is, I’ve never actually skinned an animal before. I could try, but I feel like that isn’t like cooking. I can’t just figure it out,” he laughed. He nodded a bit, grinning at her. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. That’s a really good point! We probably wouldn’t even have any tools if we’re stranded,” he said with a laugh. He smiled a bit as she went on, shrugging a little. “I don’t think I’m any more charming than Philip is.”
Nina rolled her eyes playfully. "Great, so now neither of us know what to do with the dead animal we'd need to eat. This is a real disaster," she said with a laugh. It was pretty funny how into the scenario they'd gone, though. "I know. We wouldn't last long at all. It'd be a lot of crying," she joked. She made the tiniest of faces and then coughed slightly. "Yeah, but every time Philip is around he's just sending wistful looks to Audrey. That's all I meant."
Leo shook his head, still laughing. “I guess it’s a good thing this scenario seems highly unlikely, then, huh?” he teased, laughing some more. “Lots of crying seems very likely,” he said with another laugh. He didn’t really think that was true, but Philip was rather enamored with Audrey, that he couldn’t deny. “Are you telling me Philip ignored your mum to gaze at Audrey? Because that’s shameful.”
Nina nodded a bit. "Uh yeah. A very good thing," she laughed. "It'd be really awful. We definitely don't want to be trapped together. It'd be a mess." She took another bite of her muffin and laughed again. "He didn't ignore her but you know, he gets all wrapped up in those pining looks he gives Audrey. It's like she's the only one around. I feel like the cutest dog in the world couldn't take his attention off of her," she said with a laugh.
Leo shrugged a bit, smiling at her. “I don’t think that it’s the together part that makes this sound like it’ll be a tragedy. It’s more the trapped part,” he said, laughing softly. He couldn’t help but laugh at that. “He owes her an apology, I’d say,” he teased. He knew the feeling, that he had to admit. “I have been around in those moments, though. He is sort of hard to break out of his daze. It’s cute.” He really thought it was a shame that they weren’t together, especially since it felt like they had gotten so close.
Nina had a lot of feelings bubbling inside of her. It was stressful to like him so much. Especially when she wasn't allowed to. It sort of broke her heart. "I mean, no, because we'd at least have each other and wouldn't die alone. You gotta let me die first, though," she added playfully. She laughed a bit and nodded. "I doubt she wants one. She just wants them together. She's a romantic, somehow, after everything. I mean you should see the way she pushes me to, uh, you know," she broke off quickly. She tried to jump topics fast. "I wrote that song. The one for them for my show. Um, you wanted to hear it right? You don't have to. Just, you know, I could play it." She sounded nervous. He had to knoe.
Leo grinned a little and nodded. “It could be worse,” he agreed. He laughed a bit as she carried on. “Alright. I’ll be a gentleman and let you die first, that way you won’t die alone,” he decided, as if this were an actual thing that was going to happen. He laughed, shaking his head. “So you’re telling me everyone you both know is just waiting for them to get together? We should start taking bets on when they actually make it official,” he teased. He ignored the way she stumbled. If she’d wanted to tell him, she would’ve. He raised his eyebrows in piqued interest. “I’d love to hear it!” he exclaimed.
Nina pretended to be relieved by that. "Oh, good. Thank you for dying first. I'd hate to have to cry over your dead body and then be alone to die. It'd be like some sappy movie. I can't go out like that. I have to have some dignity. I gotta go out like a strong woman, comforting you as you cry over me," she teased. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Please, even the people at the cafe know they're in love. We're all waiting on it. What would you even bet?" she wondered. She was grateful he'd ignored her mishap. That was kind of him. "Yeah? I'll play it now, we can do the paperwork after. Hang on. Come with me," she stood, waving for him to follow. "It's totally a piano song but since I just have the keyboard in my room I guess I'll allow you in my space," she joked. She led him to her room and sat behind the keys. "Okay, here goes." She started playing the notes before joining in with her voice.
Leo laughed at her response. “I’m glad to hear that the reason you have to die first is so you can have some dignity in death,” he teased. He had no problem being a sobbing mess about death. He was fine with it. He laughed, shaking his head. “Everyone knows then, huh? We’d be betting on when they get together finally, duh,” he teased. “I don’t know when, though. I don’t see it happening anytime soon, unfortunately,” he said. He nodded. “Yeah, the paperwork isn’t fun, anyway,” he said playfully. He got up and followed her, standing back so as not to intrude. “Sorry to get in your space, then,” he teased. “I have a piano you could play on sometime, by the way,” he noted. He stood, listening as she played.
Nina waved a hand innocently. "Plus I'd get to see you cry over me. Imagine the beautiful goodbye speech you'd give me. And then I'd die in your arms and you could do that dramatic wail," she joked. She nodded. If anyone denied they were in love, they were blind. It was just so obvious. "Well, we have to try harder to get them together. More elevator traps. Or locking them in a closet. Oh my god, a drinking game. Leo, that's it!" she said excitedly. She wasn't enthused about the paperwork but the song, however, she was excited to share. And nervous. She'd never sang alone to him before. It made her a little shy, honestly. She felt heat on her cheeks as she played the notes. She looked up at him and laughed. "My god, Leo, sit on the bed. I'm not going to bite your head off for it. I'm not that rude that I'd make you stand." The thought of playing his piano felt intimate for some reason so she simply smiled and nodded. She launched into the song easily, playing it from memory. It felt Like she was Audrey singing to Philip and not Nina singing to Leo. Though, in a way, she could be.
Leo laughed loudly at that. “I’m pretty sure I’m not going to have any kind of magnificent speech, but I will do the dramatic wail. I can promise you that,” he said with a grin. He nodded a bit. He’d be down for a drinking game. He had no qualms about drinking or spilling details about his life with people he trusted. “That is a good idea,” he agreed. “Well, that’s your bed. It feels rude to just sit down on it, but okay,” he said with a small laugh and a grin. He sat down, leaning back a bit. He listened, tapping his foot a little as she played. It was beautiful. She was so talented. He didn’t really realize how much they cared about each other. “Wow, that was. That was really gorgeous.”
Nina made a face at him. "Excuse me, if I'm dying in your arms I better get the speech of a lifetime. It better be tearful and poetic and romantic as shit," she laughed at him. "Then I want the wail when I'm dead." He thought they could do a pretty decent drinking game to trick them. She had ideas already. "Just sit. You don't have to be so damn proper. It's just me," she laughed. She played through the song and then let the piano fade out softly at the end. "Yeah? I thought it kind of fit how she said goodbye to him. It's just one of a few new ones I've written lately. Do you think it fits?" she asked nervously.
Leo shook his head insistently. “No, because see, if we’re both close to death, I’m going to be too weak and devastated to form a lot of words,” he teased back. “Oh, there will be a wail. I can guarantee that,” he said with a grin. He laughed a bit. He thought that was exactly why he did have to be so proper, but he wasn’t going to argue. He nodded. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. Really heartfelt, too. I think it fits. I bet at least one of them cries,” he said with a laugh. “Do you have any other new ones you’d like to play for me maybe?” he asked curiously.
Nina rolled her eyes with a laugh. "I need a good speech. Something about how painful it is to lose me and how wonderful I am and what a loss it is that the world is losing my light," she teased. "I'm a little sad I'll never hear this painful wail of you realizing you've lost me," she joked. She kept playing notes on the keys even after she finished, just a random melody. "I figured I'd write it from the perspective of her saying goodbye to him and how painful it was for her. If they don't realize that they're hopelessly in love from that song, I don't know what to do." She looked up at him, cheeks flushing a little at the question. "I don't know. I did just write this other one. It's still a little rough," she admitted shyly. She started playing, keeping her eyes on the keys instead of him. The song was for him anyway. She wondered if he knew. She chanced a glance up at him but it only made her blush more and she had to look away again.
Leo laughed and rolled his eyes. “Settle down. You’re not even dying,” he teased. “I’ll show you before you die, how about that?” he said playfully. He let out a breath and nodded. “Yeah, it’s heavy stuff. It feels pretty obvious to me, too. I’m sure it’ll hit them both, even if just a little,” he said honestly. “I’d like to hear it if you’d like to share it with me,” he said with a shrug and a soft smile. This song felt different, but he liked it a lot. He wondered if this one was supposed to be about Philip and Audrey. Some of it seemed like them, but some didn’t. Not the way the last one did. He smiled at her encouragingly when she turned to glance at him.
Nina grinned at him. She was starting to love his laugh more and more. She was in too deep. She needed to escape her bedroom. It wasn't safe with him in here. "I feel faint. Oh no, my heart, it's giving out. Leo, I'm dying," she joked, placing a hand to her chest. She smiled when he said it felt obvious and heavy. That was what she was going for. She just hoped that it didn't hurt either of them. "I hope Audrey doesn't get mad at me." She played through the next song softer, her voice a little more tender. She felt a twinge in her heart when he smiled at her and something in her was begging for him to pick up the clues. She loved him. She just couldn't tell him. She let the song fade out and played the last few notes softly. Her fingers fidgeted on the keys and she tucked them into her lap to hide her nerves. "I just wrote that one. Yesterday, actually."
Leo gave her a look and shook his head. “Save the dying for another day! I want to listen to your piano music today,” he teased. He shook his head and frowned a little. “I don’t know how anyone could get made at you writing a beautiful song like that for them,” he said honestly. He really felt like this song came off very differently than the last. It had to have a different meaning for her. It couldn’t just be about Audrey and Philip. If she’d wanted to tell him, though, she would have. Regardless, it was gorgeous. “It’s beautiful. It’s really, really, stunningly, hauntingly, beautiful. You’re so talented.”
Nina laughed loudly again, the kind of laugh she only saved for him. "Fine. So bossy. If you weren't heir to the throne I wouldn't have to listen to you, you know. This power dynamic, tsk," she joked. She shrugged slightly. "It's Audrey's personal pain and I wrote it out. I don't want that to upset her." She felt a little rush at his compliments and part of her was demanding she look anywhere but him but she couldn't tear her eyes from him. "Do you really like it?" she asked, more timid than she'd been around him. She could feel something in the air but it was likely all in her mind. He'd stopped flirting with her. He was being a friend. And she missed it. "What do you like about it?" she asked quietly, finally looking away from him.
Leo rolled his eyes at her playfully. “Yeah, as if you listen to me at all or do anything because I’m the heir,” he scoffed. He nodded. That was fair. It could be upsetting to know someone had put something out like that that had been yours to hold in. But he thought it would be good. And she couldn’t prove it was about her and Philip anyway. He nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I love it. It’s beautiful. Like I said, you’re so talented,” he said with a grin. He laughed a little. “Looking for more praise, are we?” he teased. “Everything. The words are beautiful, the music is so soothing, and you have a lovely voice.”
Nina grinned innocently at him. "I mean, fair. I don't really listen to you at all. What're you gonna do, throw me in the London Tower?" she joked. She felt a little vulnerable just sitting in her room with him like this. There were all these confusing thoughts in her mind like joining him on the bed and kissing him or smacking him with a book for having the audacity to be so cute. "Well, thank you," she said softly. She reached behind her to grab a small stuffed turtle off her dresser and tossed it at his head. "I'm not looking for more praise! I just, you're the first to hear it. I wanted your opinion. It matters me that you like it. You're insufferable." She could barely hear the compliments because she was too overwhelmed by him. "Can't even ask for some honest feedback," she huffed playfully.
Leo couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head at her. “Yeah, that was my plan,” he teased. He smiled sweetly at her and nodded. “You’re welcome,” he returned. He laughed, moving his hands to block his face. “And yet you invited me into your room to sit on your bed while you play music!” he teased. “Hey, I gave you the feedback,” he said with a grin. “Wanna go back out there? I didn’t get to finish my muffin,” he teased her lightly.
Nina rolled her eyes with a grin. "You'd miss me way too much," she teased back. She huffed at him a little before laughing. "You're insufferable," she enunciated each syllable. "I'm not even dignifying you with more of a response," she decided. She stood up and picked the stuffed turtle back up and set it back on the desk. "Yeah, yeah. We should probably actually start on that paperwork anyway. Oh no, the tea is probably cold!" she realized.
Leo smiled and nodded, raising his eyebrows and putting his hands up for a moment. “You got me there. I would miss you too much,” he agreed. He laughed at that. “Sounds like you don’t have a good response,” he teased. He stood up and stretched. “Thank you for playing those songs for me,” he said with a smile. “I don’t mind cold tea. We could always get new cups, though,” he said with a grin. He walked out with her, sitting back at the table.
Nina knew that he would. He was always making up excuses to talk to her. He'd get lonely if he couldn't bother her. Not that it really bothered her anymore but. "Who else would put up with you?" she teased. "I do, I'm just too classy like. I'm being the bigger person here," she insisted. She smiled back at him and nodded a bit. "I certainly mind cold tea. Exactly how British are you?" she joked as she led the way back out. "I'll make some more."
Leo frowned a bit in thought and then shrugged, grinning at her. “I mean, I’m pretty sure a lot of people would, actually. But would it be as much fun? Probably not,” he said with a grin. He laughed loudly, shaking his head. He didn’t believe that for a minute. He laughed again. “Cold tea can be good! But if you’re going to make more, I’ll take a fresh cup,” he said with a grin. He picked up his cup, taking it to dump it out in the sink, and then went back to sit. “I’ll start getting this set up for you,” he suggested.
Nina rolled her eyes playfully. "Fun for you, maybe. I'm not so sure I'd agree with the sentiment," she teased with a laugh. She smiled a bit too much at his laugh but hoped he couldn't see. "Cold tea isn't good when it's just grown cold from sitting out. Honestly, that's a crime. I should leak this scandal to the press. Prince Leopold enjoys lukewarm tea," she joked. She dumped out her cup as well and got two fresh tea bags. Luckily the water was still hot in the kettle so she simply had to pour it in. "Oh, thanks. I really appreciate you bringing the paperwork over, by the way. Saves me a trip out of the flat," she teased as she rejoined him.
Leo laughed, nudging her gently. “You certainly seem like you’re having fun to me,” he teased. He thought that was a fair point. He just didn’t like throwing tea out! “Well, I’ll have you know, I don’t typically let my tea get cold,” he said, emphasizing the word ‘get’. “Go for it! I bet you can get a couple bucks for it,” he teased. He followed her back to the table, sitting down and smiling a little. “Yeah, it’s no trouble. I really am happy to help, and I feel so bad that you had to experience this whole thing at all.”
Nina nudged him back. "I am having a terrible time," she insisted with a laugh. She scoffed at him, pretending to be offended. "See if I ever try to share something with you again. You could have brought your tea, anyway. It's not like you had to do much but sit still and be quiet for once in your life," she teased him. "Well, it's not fun if I have your approval to do it," she joked. She sat down next to him, setting the cups back down. "It's not your fault. You don't have to apologize for it. You didn't do anything."
Leo didn’t believe her for a minute. She was too smily and happy to be possibly having a bad time. In fact, he thought this was maybe the happiest he’d seen her. He supposed he hadn’t really seen her in a lot of situations, but she really did seem to be enjoying her time. “If this is you having a terrible time, I’d love to see you having a great time,” he smiled. He laughed loudly and shook his head. “I didn’t know I was supposed to! My point was that I’m so British, I drink my tea quickly. Leave me alone,” he laughed, though he was still grinning at her. “Oh, sorry. Don’t do it,” he teased. “I know. But I feel bad that you had to experience that.”
Nina shot him a playful look. She should be more annoyed that he was catching onto her but really, it was her fault. She just kept lowering her guard around him. He just made it so easy. "And you will never see it. I refuse to have a great time around you," she teased. She laughed when he did, liking the way the sound filled the room. "Yeah, 'cause slamming tea as quick as you can and not appreciating a good cup is so British," she said playfully. She waved a hand a bit. "There was nothing you could do. Honestly, that cow was pretty stupid about how she tried to insult us anyway. She went from almost being believable to sounding absolutely mad."
Leo rolled his eyes, a fond smile still on his lips. She was so ridiculous. She fought so hard against him, and he didn’t know why, he really didn’t. She sure seemed like she enjoyed being around him sometimes, but it also felt like she was forcing herself not to like being around him other times. “Okay,” he teased. He laughed and shook his head. “I don’t slam my tea. Nothing I say is good enough for you, huh?” he teased. He nodded a bit. It was hard to not feel guilty knowing that she’d only had to put up with that abuse because of who he was.
Nina laughed at how easily he seemed to give up. She was so amused by him. He was right in thinking that she always had the best times around him. No one ever made her laugh this much or this loud. "Of course it's not. I have to tease you. It's the only reason I hang out with you," she said playfully. She touched his hand gently, turning serious for a moment. "Really, Leo. It's okay. Some people just can't stand to see other people happy. They feel like they should have it. It's a selfish thing. But you shouldn't feel bad about what she said. I mean, she would have probably found some other reason to be awful to someone."
Leo shook his head, giving her a look. She was so ridiculous. Did she even believe her words? “You know, you might find that being nice to me is actually quite enjoyable, too,” he teased. He nodded a bit as she spoke, smiling up at her a little. “I just, I want you to feel safe. I want you to feel like you can be yourself and you can be happy and enjoy things, even when you’re in public, and even when people are around. And I especially don’t want you to not have that because you’re friends with me and Philip,” he explained. “I don’t want something like that to ruin your life.”
Nina shrugged it off with a grin. She was pretty sure he'd just make fun of her if she was nice to him. It'd bring them right back to this exact type of banter. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that," she teased back. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting him to say but it wasn't that. She felt her breath catch slightly. Her hand squeezed his a bit tighter. She loved him. She truly, truly did. And when he said things like that it was hard to not kiss him. So she settled for the next best thing and leaned in for a hug. "You don't have to worry about me, Leo. But... it's sweet that you do," she smiled against his shoulder.
Leo laughed and grinned. She was so cute and funny. He didn’t know why she was so determined to fight him so hard. “I will,” he teased. He squeezed her hand back, smiling at her softly. He moved his arms, hugging her back gently. “I suppose I don’t. I do think you can handle things. I just don’t like the idea that your life might be affected in a negative way because of me, even if you can handle it,” he said honestly, rubbing her back a little. He didn’t know if it was really all that sweet, but he’d take it.
Nina was glad he wasn't teasing her about the hug. She felt like they were never serious. If he had rebuked her attempt at it, she probably would have been too embarrassed to hang out with him again. She hugged him a little tighter when he hugged her back. "I know, but I don't like the idea that you're feeling guilty or responsible for what someone else said. It's not your fault. You can't control how other people act, you know? It's just life." She paused, considering. "And you know, it helps that I know I can talk to you about it."
Leo returned the increased tightness of the hug. “I suppose it’s less guilt, and more, awareness. It’s a mix of being aware that it happens, and wanting to do everything I can to keep it from happening,” he explained. He pulled back and gave her a smile, patting her hand softly before moving back into his own space a bit more. “You can always talk to me. And when you want to talk about something seriously, I’ll be here for that,” he promised.
Nina thought this was really nice. It was the closest she'd ever felt to him. Maybe that was why she tried not to take herself seriously around him. "Yeah, I get that. There's nothing you can do, though." She pulled back when he did and smiled back at him. She watched him move his hand and then suddenly they weren't touching at all anymore. "Just being able to do that is enough for me," she smiled. "I may joke around a lot but you are a good person to have around."
Leo didn’t really think that was true. He could do things like this; help her call out people who thought it was funny to throw abusive words at her and Audrey. He never wanted to just sit back and let people hurt the people he cared about. “I can try to do something,” he corrected with a smile. “I’m glad I can help,” he said with a smile. He laughed a bit. “I’m surprised you didn’t stroke out saying that out loud,” he teased. “I’ve always liked having you around.”
Nina didn't want him to be disappointed when things he tried didn't work. People would continue to say hurtful things, the way people always had. That was just the way things were. She didn't want to point that out and dash his hopes, though, so she let it slide. "You can try," she agreed instead. "You really helped with this," she promised. She smiled at the sound of his laugh and then rolled her eyes dramatically. "Okay, rude. I'm a nice person. I'm trying to pay you a compliment," she laughed. "Yeah, that was obvious."
Leo was glad he’d helped with this. He thought, if nothing else, it made a statement. He would make sure it was public that their lawyers were helping the girls. He wanted everyone to know that they couldn’t just treat someone like shit and get away with it. He grinned when she rolled her eyes, noticing the smile on her face. She wasn’t really that mad. “I appreciate the compliment. I just can’t believe you actually gave it to me,” he teased. “Good. I’m glad it is.”
Nina felt like there was a bit of a shift in their relationship after that. She wouldn't admit it out loud; she didn't even want to think about it really. Things were good the way they were. She didn't think they needed to change. "And now I won't be giving you another one!" she told him with a laugh. She tried not to let her fondness shine through too much. "Yeah, okay. You're such a flirt. Just show me where to sign this," she said with another laugh.
Leo let out a small laugh and licked his lips. “That’s okay. I can hold onto that one until you’re ready to give me another one,” he said with a playful wink. He laughed again and shook his head. He really wasn’t a flirt. Flirting with her was different than being a flirt. “You’ll sign here, and here, and here,” he said, pointing and flipping over the pages. “I’ll clean up a bit while you read over and sign those papers,” he said with a smile, standing up.
Nina shook her head fondly. She had to be extra careful around him. Pretty soon he'd figure out she liked him so much. "Oh, it'll never happen," she teased. She looked at the places he pointed out and nodded a bit as she picked up the pen. "Alright. That's a lot," she said with a laugh. "Oh, you don't have to clean up. I can do it later," she told him as she started to read. It seemed like a lot of legal jargon but she'd manage.
Leo laughed and shrugged. Only time would tell, and he was certain she would pay him another compliment in due time. “I mean, you don’t have to read it word for word. You can just skim, you know, to make sure you’re okay with what’s in there,” he said with a shrug. “Honestly, I usually let someone summarize it to me,” he laughed. He waved a hand to dismiss it, already picking things up to take them to the kitchen.
Nina shrugged a little bit. "I'll read some. I mean, I trust that you're not making me sign some crazy document that is going to like, legally bind me into friendship with you or something," she joked. She looked up, watching as he picked things up. He was so nice. And so handsome. She realized she was staring and immediately looked back at the document. She signed her name to the spots indicated, not even bothering to read it all.
Leo laughed and shook his head. “If I was going to do that, I would’ve been a lot more subtle,” he teased. He wouldn’t even need to do that, though, because he was quite positive she was going to be his friend by choice. He put some things away and washed a few others things and then came back to sit with her. “Did you get everything signed?” he asked. He wasn’t sure what else they could really do today, but maybe he could invite her out for lunch or something some time soon.
Nina rolled her eyes playfully, letting it slide. She finished signing everything and then went back to double check some of the information. "I did, actually. There wasn't as much as I thought. This was super easy," she admitted. She'd thought it would be a little more work than it was. "Thanks again for coming all the way over here with this. I really appreciate it," she told him with a smile.
Leo sat down next to her, giving her a smile. “I’m glad. I tried to make it as painless as possible,” he said with a grin. “If Audrey decides to sign, just let me know when she has and I’ll come get them. Or, let me know if she doesn’t, and I’ll come get them.” he said. He nodded, smiling at her. “Yeah, it was no problem. I’m really happy to help,” he promised. “If I can do anything else, just let me know,” he said. He’d be there for her in anyway possible.
Nina smiled back at him. "You did a good job. This wasn't bad at all. Usually law documents are a real process," she laughed. She nodded a bit. "Noted. I'll ask her when she gets home." Which would probably be any minute now. She smiled at him again before straightening out the papers. "Well, thanks," she said again. She always felt so awkward when it came time to say goodbye to him. "You'll be the first to know," she promised. "Audrey will probably be home soon, so, should I walk you out?"
Leo nodded in agreement and laughed. Legal paperwork was one of the biggest pains he ever had to deal with. “Agreed! It’s actually rough,” he smiled. He smiled and gave her a little nod, standing up. “You’re welcome,” he returned. He stretched a little. “If you’d like to,” he smiled. He could make it out himself if she didn’t want to. He knew it was likely just her being polite and trying to hint that it was time for him to head on out.
Nina almost didn't want him to leave. That's how she knew that he absolutely had to. She didn't trust herself to allow him to stick around. "Yeah, of course. I don't mind," she said as she stood as well. She stretched a little bit and glanced around. "I keep wanting to thank you again but it feels like overkill at this point," she admitted with a laugh. She rocked on her heels a bit, unsure. "You're still coming to my show, right?"
Leo thought that was nice and funny of her. Here she was acting like she couldn’t stand being around him for even a second, and yet she was willing to walk him out when he was capable of it himself. She really didn’t hate him the way she pretended she did. He laughed a little. “I understand. It’s a natural response,” he said with a smile. He headed toward the door with her. “Yeah, of course. How could I miss seeing their reaction to your song about them?” he said with a grin.
Nina laughed a little bit. "Yeah, okay, fair enough. You'll have to tell me all of their reactions," she told him. She walked him to the door with a smile. "I'll need a play by play of all of it. It's what I deserve," she said playfully. She paused before she opened the door, stepping closer to him instead so she could give him a quick hug. "I guess I'll see you at work before then," she said with a laugh.
Leo laughed and nodded. “I can do that. No problem,” he said with a smile. “I could even take notes,” he said playfully. He gave her a quick hug, surprised that she’d initiated it, honestly. “I’ll see you at work. Maybe we can plan more over lunch,” he suggested with a grin. They needed to get those two together sooner rather than later, or he thought someone would likely lose it, and it would probably be him.
Nina grinned at him. "Yeah, cause that wouldn't be weird. Audrey would be so suspicious if you were writing notes," she laughed. She felt a little weird about the hug but there was nothing she could do about it now. "Only if we go back to that cafe. I want all the soup," she said with a laugh. "Thanks again for all the help today. I know I said it a hundred times but, yeah," she trailed off as she got the door.
Leo laughed. “I know. It was a joke, Nina,” he teased. He knew she was teasing, too, but he liked being playful with her. He hummed, pretending to think about that. He shrugged a shoulder. “I guess we could go to that cafe,” he said. “They do have great soup,” he agreed. He smiled and nodded. “It was my pleasure,” he promised. “I should go now. I’ll see you at work,” he smiled, stepping outside and going down the stairs.
