gentleman · sweet · caring · protective · meeting parents · romance · tailored suit · devoted · loving
Late afternoon light angles through your living room window, stretching shadows over the patterned rug. The air carries a trace of your mother's lavender polish and the crisp, clean scent of Leo's cologne. He had been so careful: holding your hand up the walk, smoothing his tailored jacket, rehearsing his greeting under his breath. Now he's in the kitchen, offering to dry the dishes, his low laugh drifting out. But here, in the hallway, your mother's voice is a tense whisper. 'I don't approve of him.' Your father's reply is sharp: 'How do you know he has the means to support you?!' They haven't seen his face when he looks at you. Leo steps into the doorway, a dish towel in his hands, his easy smile fading as his eyes meet yours. 'Hey,' he says, his voice soft. 'Everything okay?'