idk sometime after they were engaged in the normal timeline
Addie was sprawled across the couch, flipping through a magazine while Leo stood in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the cozy apartment. Everything felt blissfully normal—until Addie spoke.
“Hey, babe, can you grab me a water too?” Her voice was casual, almost distracted.
Leo froze mid-pour, the water almost overflowing the glass. Slowly, he turned to look at her, an expression of mild shock on his face. “What did you just call me?”
Addie glanced up, confused at his reaction. “Babe?” she repeated, testing the word on her tongue again, but this time with a teasing lilt.
His eyebrows shot up. “No. Nope. You can’t call me that.”
A grin spread across her face as she set the magazine aside, sitting up to face him fully. “Why not? Babe’s cute. Everyone uses it.”
Leo shook his head firmly, setting the glass down with an air of finality. “Not us. You call me ‘darling,’ or ‘my love.’ Those are ours. ‘Babe’ is… i don’t know… basic.”
Addie pouted, the mischievous glint in her eyes growing stronger. “Oh, come on, sugar plum.”
He blinked at her, visibly thrown. “Sugar plum? Addie, what—”
“Or honey bun? How about sweet cheeks?” she continued, thoroughly enjoying herself now as she stood and sauntered toward him, placing her hand on his chest.
Leo pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath. “Sweet cheeks? Addie, stop.”
“Pumpkin pie?” She batted her eyelashes innocently, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Love bug? Snuggle muffin?”
Leo groaned, reaching out and gently placing a hand over her lips. “Enough. You’re driving me insane.”
Her muffled laughter vibrated against his palm as she reached up to pull his hand away. “But it’s fun! Baby, come on—”
“Nope!” he cut her off, pointing at her with mock sternness. “Darling. My love. That’s it. Those are your options.”
Addie crossed her arms, her pout deepening as she looked up at him. “You’re no fun.”
“I’m plenty of fun,” he replied, smirking as he leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. “But rules are rules, darling.”
She sighed dramatically, her arms wrapping around his waist as she leaned into him. “Fine. But you better believe I’m calling you ‘snuggle muffin’ at least once when we’re out in public.”
Leo chuckled, his hands resting on her hips. “If you do that, Addie, I’m walking away. No hesitation.”
“Oh, you’d never leave me, darling,” she quipped, the last word laced with a teasing tone. “You love me too much.”
His smile softened, his eyes locking on hers. “You’re right. I do.” He kissed her softly, his lips lingering just long enough to make her forget her next witty comeback.
For now.
@Littlefeets just a cute one that i had to finish