As Persephone pouted, apologizing to him, Leon immediately felt bad for the way he’d reacted. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like that, it’s just-” He started, delicately brushing her hair behind her ear, looking her in the eyes. “I don’t have the best relationship with my mom at the moment and my name is kind of the strongest connection I have to her. I’ve always preferred Leon, but now, my full name just reminds me of her and I really hate it when people who know me outside of skating use it.” He explained, not wanting to go into detail about what happened between him and his mom because he didn’t want to put a damper on the afternoon he had planned for her.
He smiled as she asked him where he was taking her. “Through that pathway and up the little hill” He answered, pointing to the hill in question. She responded by smiling at him and asking him to race her. Of course, he agreed, smiling back and nodding his head before taking off running. He watched as her dress flowed with the wind that was created by her speed, his hair doing the same as he ran. He pulled back, his steps slowing more than was necessary as he climbed the hill, arriving at the picnic blanket seconds after Persephone, who had already situated herself on top of the picnic blanket he’d set up prior to her arrival. “Not a chance.” He responded when she asked if he let her win. Whether that was true or not was irrelevant.
“Turn around,” He instructed and her reaction when she obliged made him smile immediately. He went beside her and put his arm around her shoulders as she asked him if he did all of this for her. “Yes,” He answered, pulling her closer to him. After she told him everything about how she had been previously treated, Leon knew that he wanted to do something to make her feel special, which is how they ended up where they were, in a situation Leon had only thought possible in the novels he loved so much. “You deserve all of this and more, Persephone, never forget that.” He told her, hoping that he could make her see what he saw in her.
@raviola - Persephone