I…oh my gods I said I crush on you out loud, didn’t I?
Literally almost dies from embarrassment, before whispering.
What if it is a tactic to convince you to keep coming back..? Would that make you stop coming here?
Here’s the thing though…you could never disappoint me. I don’t know why but my head is wired so that I can only ever disappoint myself and I don’t get disappointed by others…
Whispers again under my breath, a little worried, but still audible as I get closer.
W-would it be ok if I just kissed your cheek..? Nothing more, and I won’t ask for anything else, and if you don’t want to, t-that’s completely fine too! I just hope this doesn’t scare you off…
And…I can’t help it. I care…and that’s why the door is always wide open to you. I just…I understand you’re nervous…but…I hope that you can consider the fact you deserve good. You have somewhere to come home to that isn’t crawling in danger…and
-the anon girlie that likes to bake and make fresh sweets (aka your baker anon)
Leon looked at her for a long moment, the softness in his expression never wavering. Before she could second guess herself again, he stepped close enough to gently brush a thumb beneath her eye, smiling when he noticed the stubborn brownie crumbs.
...You've got a little something.
He wiped them away with the pad of his thumb before letting his hand linger against her cheek for just a second.
Leon was quiet for a long moment.
His voice was softer than usual.
The part where everyone else gets grace... but you don't. Where every mistake you make feels permanent, and every good thing you do somehow doesn't count. I know it.
He looked at her steadily.
But I'm going to tell you something, and I need you to listen to me.
You are not a disappointment.
I don't care how convincing your own mind can be. Mine's lied to me before too. It gets loud. It tells you that you're the exception; that everyone deserves kindness except you.
It isn't telling you the truth.
At her hesitant question, Leon's smile turned impossibly gentle.
He leaned in first, giving her forehead a soft kiss instead before resting his forehead against hers for a heartbeat.
You don't have to earn affection from me by asking perfectly. And you don't have to worry about chasing me away.
His expression softened, though there was something almost painfully vulnerable behind his eyes.
And... what you said about me having somewhere good to come home to...
He glanced away for just a second.
...That scares me a little.
A quiet laugh escaped him, more nervous than amused.
Not because of you. Because... I've spent a long time believing that if I let myself rely on something good, I'll lose it.
His fingers rubbed absently at the back of his neck.
So hearing someone say they want to be that place for me... it means more than I know how to explain.
He looked back at her, giving her a small, earnest smile.
...Just... don't sell yourself short while you're trying to convince me I deserve better.
He smiled, but there was something fragile behind it. His hand slipped from hers a little too soon, fingers curling into the sleeve of his jacket as if putting a little distance between them might steady his heartbeat.