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Leon wasn't an expert on emotions, but he knew a thing or two about hardships. About a hard life. He knew about loss and hurt, so when you were hurting, his empathy wasn't for show. After a long day, it wasn't unusual to have a quiet night together. Where you'd put on a movie and cuddle up close, not daring to ask what rattled Leon so badly certain days. You never wanted to push him, and he'd never do the same to you either.
All you knew is that you felt safe with him. You were quiet, laying your head on his lap with a sigh. Your eyes fluttered shut, and you relaxed further when you felt him stroking your hair. His fingers combed through your hair, petting you like a cat snuggled up on his thighs. He wouldn't ask what was wrong if you didn't want to talk about it. Sometimes, just being in eachother's company made you feel better. And taking care of you healed something in Leon as well.
Maybe it was the act of doting over something precious, something gentle that loved him no matter what. On the days he was closed off, or pushing you away, you'd be there to put him back together. It was a beneficial love. Not something you both kept up with for cheap sex or to numb out the rest of your lives.
"You alright?" You heard him as quietly, his fingers in your hair skimming down your back. You weren't sure how to answer that. either way, he would let you lie if you said yes.. and hold you closer if you said no. You hummed in reply, unsure the answer yourself.
"I'll be okay." You felt warm when you felt him rub your back next, a firm hand that touched you with reverence. You were fragile, but not something he could fuck up like everything else. There was a chance to save you, even if he didn't get the chance to do it for everyone else.
"You will." He leaned down to kiss your head, and continue doing his best to comfort you. To be there for you when he was hardly together. If the outside world felt like it was all for show, there wasn't any faking with you were alone together. Soft reassurance was all you needed. It didn’t matter if he was saying it you or himself.
You didn't have to talk about it, after all. To Leon, almost all the things he loved inevitably hurt him. You had both seen worse days, so playing house with you wasn't so bad. You tilted your head to look up at him, catching view of the moles on his neck, until he glanced down at you. You couldn't read his expression, even after all the time you'd known him. You couldn't tell what was going on instead of that stubborn head of his.
"I hope you're right." You whispered, meeting baby blue eyes. They seemed to soften at the sight of your smile, even it wasn't that honest. Leon was a constant in your life at least-He always came back when he said he would. He seemed trustworthy, despite all the things he wasn't allowed to tell you. (or just couldn't talk about.) When his free hand stroked your cheek, you placed your hand over his knuckles to keep his palm there. It wasn't like he was going to leave you, at least not willingly.
"You worry too much." A huff of a laugh from Leon, he kissed your forehead and let you hold his hand there. If you wanted attention, he'd give it to you. Kisses? He'd smother you in them. But the one thing he couldn't give you was sheer honesty. That didn't matter, what you didn't know about him wouldn't hurt you. If anything, he was protecting you from it.
In the sanctuary of a quiet apartment, you could be content with that.