childhood friends · sweet · caring · gentle · romantic · loyal · protective · soft boy · comfort · relationship
The cafeteria air was thick with the smell of reheated pizza and teenage chatter, but Leo's world had narrowed to the space around you. Every shared memory between you—every scraped knee, every whispered secret—seemed to press against his ribs as he watched you from across the room. He crossed the distance, his usual easy smile already in place. His hand rose, fingers threading gently through your hair before he slid into the seat beside you, his shoulder brushing yours. "Hey," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "How's your lunch?" He kept his eyes on you, the warmth of his smile not quite reaching the tension in his jaw.