Leon knew this was a big risk to take. He let Olivia trample all over his heart and feelings once before, and there was no proper certainty that it could never happen again. But he trusted her word when she promised him that it would never happen again – and now he knew she had never done it because of a lack of feelings, but only because of awful circumstances. Because she blamed herself for what they lost, and didn’t want to share the pain with him. He understood that, no matter how often she said she didn’t understand it herself. He had to understand it, because it was the reason he’d been looking for all these years. A reason that wasn’t her falling out of love with him, or finding someone new. No, instead they found back together, and he couldn’t imagine anything better than that. He hadn’t felt this happy in years, so even if any bystander wouldn’t think this to be a good idea, he didn’t care. To him, it was what he’d been waiting for for so long now, everything he ever dreamt of. “I promise you, I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here with you. Like I said, you’re stuck with me. I’m not going to leave you.” Leon understood her fear of losing him. While he had turned his back on his parents on purpose, she’d lost plenty of people in her life without wanting it. Just the thought of losing his sisters had his heart ache, so he could relate. And he wasn’t about to add to the list of her losses. He intended to stay with her forever, and this time for real. No more misunderstandings or tough situations pulling them apart – he wanted those to push them even closer together. “You’ve always deserved me,” he breathed out against her lips, feeling the need to make her see that he never stopped loving her, and that he always wanted her, no matter what she thought. In a way, Leon always figured he didn’t deserve her. He’d always been the quiet one, the odd one out, the one who was scarred by his parents – he had never seen himself as worthy of her love, but he also never complained. Because her love was the best thing that ever happened to him. The kiss they shared after her confession was passionate, sealing the promises they’d given one another. His hold on her tightened further, if possible at all, leaving no space between them as they kissed. “I’m so happy to have you back,” he muttered against her lips, half caught up in the kiss, half feeling the need to clarify just how happy he was in this moment.
It was crazy to think she was so willing to jump into this when still to this day, she had a huge fear of losing those she loved. It happened far too frequently for her to not be scared or hesitant. And while curses were obviously not real, that’s what it felt like. Everyone in her family had lost so many people they loved and cared for, so it was difficult to look past the explanation of them just never ending up happy. But she was so caught up in the intoxication of his life that Olivia was able to push aside her fears and just let go. She had lived one too many years without him by her side and she was done living that way. Done depriving her of the one thing she wanted most out of life and that one thing was him. His promise to her made her heart skip a beat and while she was nervous to accept it, she couldn’t help but do just that. She’d be an idiot to walk away from this now. Especially considering this sort of love was something people dreamt about. The chance to finally be with what people consider a soulmate and grow happily in love. That sort of thing didn’t happen often in this world anymore, so like hell was she gonna let it get away from her now. “ I like the idea of a lifetime spent kissing you.” She whispered, her body finding comfort while wrapped up against his own. Olivia never understood the word presence until they were together. Leon had taken up so much of her heart and mind that when they were finally together, it was like the world faded to black and it was just the two of them. She felt so strongly for him and it was crazy to think that after all this time, they had finally found their way back home. As he told her she deserved him, Olivia remained quiet. Her smile growing wide despite not fully believing it. But the moment was too pure and perfect for her to fight back or disagree. All she wanted right now was to just enjoy this with him. “Me too. I’m happy to be home.” Because truth be told, he was her home. Had been since they were kids and still was now. Neither of them had the best of family life at their actual homes, so instead, they made one together. As she then spoke, she continued to mock his movements by pressing her lips roughly to his. The intensity was more powerful than any of their past kisses before. This time it was fueled by so much more. By love, happiness, assurance, and desire. It was the solidifying factor that this was real and that despite everything, they were doing this again... and this time, this time it was going to work. “I love you, Leon,” she managed to push out in between breaths. Her voice husky and labored, all because she was now getting lost in the feeling of them coming together as one but she couldn’t help herself in saying those three words. Like an anthem, she now had on repeat and never wanted to stop saying.