In preparation for his arrival, she's set out some coffee and pastries for the both of them. If Leon wanted something else, Bela was more than happy to oblige him.
Upon hearing the bell at the door, she looks up to see Leon walking into the store. He looks good. Hell, he always looked good, but there was just something about him right now. Bela won't deny that she's a little nervous too.
"Hi." She replies with a warm smile, inviting him to sit down. "I made some coffee."
He takes in the small spread she'd set out, smiling to himself. He's not at all surprised, but the thought is still nice and appreciated.
With this being just the two of them and something that might end up being a fairly emotional conversation, he doesn't think twice before flicking the lock behind him. As he makes his way to the table, he sees she's flipped the open sign to closed as well.
"Thanks. Did you make these?" He knows he can't avoid the actual conversation for too much longer, but he is genuinely curious if she'd made the pastries that are set out. He sinks into one of the chairs, pouring a little milk into his coffee before sliding the cup closer.
The closed sign and the locked door will afford them some privacy. She decided that she was going to be open and honest with him because there wasn't much point in pretending otherwise.
"I didn't, no. These are from another supplier in the city." She replies, wishing she could take the credit for them. It's not like Bela hasn't made an attempt before, but they didn't turn out as nice looking as the ones right in front of them.
"So." Bela echoes, holding her cup between her hands. "I've never said those words to anyone before. I suppose I always figured I never would either. I'm sorry again for not saying anything until now. I don't want to jepoardise our friendship, but I can't deny the connection I feel towards you. I still want to spend time with you, see you. Sleep with you."
He nods at her response about the pastries, taking a sip of his coffee instead as he quiets and lets her talk, looking thoughtful as he processes everything.
"You've never told anyone you cared about them before?" He slips one of his hands away from his cup and reaches a little further across the table, turning his hand, a subtle offer for her to take it.
He looks hesitant at first, but when she mentions feeling that connection, he really can't deny it.
"Yeah... I know what you mean," He says before looking contemplative again. Out of nowhere, he exhales a disbelieving half-laugh at how insane all of this is.
"I didn't think I would be either... but somehow... in this stupid city... I've managed to fall for two people," He says.
"I'd like to spend more time with you. Sleep over sometimes. Keep sleeping with you," He smirks a little, trying for a joke to add a bit of levity to the conversation though he's not sure he's succeeded, "Is that... I mean, would you be alright with that?"
"I was a different person when I first arrived here. Also, crappy parents who never showed me how to care for someone else."
Bela purses her lips to keep her emotions in check, noticing the movement of his hand. She doesn't hesitate in taking it in her own, running her thumb over the back of his, giving it a light squeeze. Funny how such a small gesture could make her feel a lot better.
"I think it's the intensity of this place that pushes people together - I mean, we met for the first time under unusual circumstances and you helped me, despite not knowing who I was. You've been through some dark shit, and you've been so warm and kind and a little goofy but I won't hold that against you."
She laughs softly, noticing his smirk. Then Bela nods at his final question, knowing that it's what she wants.
"I would be more than alright with that, Leon. I want to do all of those things and also get to know you better. I want you to get to know me better too."
"Sure, but... no one? At all?" He searches her face, trying to get a clearer idea of where she's coming from. Why she'd never let anyone in... ever.
"I guess it's kinda better than what I did," He admits after a moment with a bittersweet smile, "I mean, you already know, but I think I might've given my trust away too easily and it burnt me almost every time. I dunno if I've gotten any better at that..."
He nods in agreement when it comes to the intensity of this place. He's pretty sure Claire had a term for it... trauma bonding? He's pretty sure that was it. It's definitely fitting.
He smiles softly, running the pad of his thumb over the back of her fingers before giving her hand a light squeeze.
"Good. I want to get to know you better, too. Just... don't trick me into helping you steal things," He half-jokes with a lopsided smile. Because he'll probably forgive her and continue to fall into the same cycle over and over again.
She keeps her hand where it is for now, liking the light touch and the squeeze from him. So much so that Bela gives it another squeeze, stroking her thumb across it.
"Trust me, I've no desire to steal anything nor trick anyone into it assisting me." There's a smile on her face as she says it but the look in Bela's eyes indicates that she is being serious.
"Speaking of trust, I want you to know that you have mine and I want to give it to you in return. We should also be honest with each other - something I have struggled with in the past, but I've been working on it. Probably continue to work on myself in general."
Taking a sip from her cup, she places it down again.
"If you have any burning questions about me and my life, I'll answer it truthfully. "
His expression remains neutral. Part of him thinks he should probably be more skeptical, more guarded, but he's never been good at that. Even with people who had betrayed his trust. Bela already had it. Luckily for him, she'd also never given him any reason to think she didn't deserve it.
"It was more of a joke than anything. You have it," He tells her straightforwardly, "I... You've never given me any reason not to trust you."
He offers her a soft, encouraging smile.
"That's good. Really good. I... shit... I probably have a few things I need to work on," He mumbles. And by that, he means he definitely has some things he needs to work on, dealing with his emotions head-on is a big one but, unlike her, he's just not really ready to confront that.
"Uhh... putting me on the spot, huh? I can't really think of anything. But we could make a game of it sometime? They have some... like, program on the devices that's like that, I think. Questions you're supposed to answer together."
"You know, I think we'll always have things to work on. It's part of being human." Bela replies softly, hoping it would offer him encouragement to work on himself, even a little bit at a time. Change didn't happen over night.
"A program? I wasn't aware there was something like that on the device, but alright. Could be worth a try one day. Somewhere quiet and private where no one else can overhear our answers."
She wonders if it was one of those relationship type quizzes, but Bela decides to leave it until the time they explore that together.
"Then maybe you could ask me something more lighthearted instead."
He looks down at his coffee thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. He doesn't disagree. The problem is he's not even sure where to start and the last thing he wants to do is talk to somebody about any of this.
"Mm. Yeah, there's all sorts of weird shit on there," He says, raising an eyebrow at the 'quiet and private' comment. They are alone in a closed cafe after all.
"Something lighthearted? Alright? Dog person? Cat person? Favorite color?"
"I'm absolutely a cat person. I have one back home in New York - I think about her a lot. She's called Bastet, after the Egyptian Goddess. That doesn't mean I don't like dogs, but I've always been drawn to cats."
Since her job could take her all over the world back home, she found it easier to have someone look after her cat or temporarily place the animal in a pet hotel.
"I'm quite fond of green. Maybe because it matches my eyes. But honestly, I think I look good in almost any colour."
"She sounds great. I like both. But I've never had either. Never had a pet growing up and my lifestyle now... I'm just away for weeks at a time. I can't even keep cactuses alive," He chuckles softly.
"And now I live with a zoo," He scoffs softly.
He nods when she declares green is her favorite color.
"You're gonna be shocked, but blue," He shrugs, "I'm simple like that."
"Yeah, she is." Bela replies softly, looking sad for a moment. "At least you can make up for lost time now in your current living situation. How many animals are there?"
She has debated getting a cat of her own, but she was also worried that she wouldn't find one that would like her or feel at home in her house.
"Nothing wrong with being simple with your choices. Besides, blue does suit your eyes as well. One of my favourite features about you."
"I don't know about that... maybe making up too much," He mutters.
"How many? There's... a horse-sized bird, a shark-dog, this soot creature that steals anything shiny, a magical snake, a giant butterfly... what else?" He hums thoughtfully, "I guess that's it for now. I think."
He smiles almost shyly at the compliment.
"Thanks. I'm glad you like them. Your eyes are beautiful too. They kinda change colors... today they look really green, but sometimes they're kind of amber and gold," He says.
"Ah. So not your typical cat or dog then. You have to handle magical animals." She looks amused for a few moments, trying to picture the animals in her mind.
Bela gives his hand another squeeze for good measure.
"Amber and gold, huh? I don't think I realised that my eyes looked different. Thank you." It's said softly as she blushes, a fluttering feeling curling in her stomach. "I also like that you notice things."
"Yeah, nah. I mean, the house is big, but..." He shrugs slightly with one shoulder, glancing away. Part of him feels like he shouldn't be complaining. It's not exactly his house, not that he can actually have one, but he'd prefer a handful less critters roaming around.
He meets her eyes again at the squeeze to his hand, a brief flicker of a smile twitching the corner of his mouth for a second.
"Yeah. If you're real close you can kinda see little flecks of different colors. They're pretty," He says softly.
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no subject
Upon hearing the bell at the door, she looks up to see Leon walking into the store. He looks good. Hell, he always looked good, but there was just something about him right now. Bela won't deny that she's a little nervous too.
"Hi." She replies with a warm smile, inviting him to sit down. "I made some coffee."
no subject
With this being just the two of them and something that might end up being a fairly emotional conversation, he doesn't think twice before flicking the lock behind him. As he makes his way to the table, he sees she's flipped the open sign to closed as well.
"Thanks. Did you make these?" He knows he can't avoid the actual conversation for too much longer, but he is genuinely curious if she'd made the pastries that are set out. He sinks into one of the chairs, pouring a little milk into his coffee before sliding the cup closer.
"So..."
no subject
"I didn't, no. These are from another supplier in the city." She replies, wishing she could take the credit for them. It's not like Bela hasn't made an attempt before, but they didn't turn out as nice looking as the ones right in front of them.
"So." Bela echoes, holding her cup between her hands. "I've never said those words to anyone before. I suppose I always figured I never would either. I'm sorry again for not saying anything until now. I don't want to jepoardise our friendship, but I can't deny the connection I feel towards you. I still want to spend time with you, see you. Sleep with you."
She takes a moment, releasing a breath.
"What do you think about that?"
no subject
"You've never told anyone you cared about them before?" He slips one of his hands away from his cup and reaches a little further across the table, turning his hand, a subtle offer for her to take it.
He looks hesitant at first, but when she mentions feeling that connection, he really can't deny it.
"Yeah... I know what you mean," He says before looking contemplative again. Out of nowhere, he exhales a disbelieving half-laugh at how insane all of this is.
"I didn't think I would be either... but somehow... in this stupid city... I've managed to fall for two people," He says.
"I'd like to spend more time with you. Sleep over sometimes. Keep sleeping with you," He smirks a little, trying for a joke to add a bit of levity to the conversation though he's not sure he's succeeded, "Is that... I mean, would you be alright with that?"
no subject
Bela purses her lips to keep her emotions in check, noticing the movement of his hand. She doesn't hesitate in taking it in her own, running her thumb over the back of his, giving it a light squeeze. Funny how such a small gesture could make her feel a lot better.
"I think it's the intensity of this place that pushes people together - I mean, we met for the first time under unusual circumstances and you helped me, despite not knowing who I was. You've been through some dark shit, and you've been so warm and kind and a little goofy but I won't hold that against you."
She laughs softly, noticing his smirk. Then Bela nods at his final question, knowing that it's what she wants.
"I would be more than alright with that, Leon. I want to do all of those things and also get to know you better. I want you to get to know me better too."
no subject
"I guess it's kinda better than what I did," He admits after a moment with a bittersweet smile, "I mean, you already know, but I think I might've given my trust away too easily and it burnt me almost every time. I dunno if I've gotten any better at that..."
He nods in agreement when it comes to the intensity of this place. He's pretty sure Claire had a term for it... trauma bonding? He's pretty sure that was it. It's definitely fitting.
He smiles softly, running the pad of his thumb over the back of her fingers before giving her hand a light squeeze.
"Good. I want to get to know you better, too. Just... don't trick me into helping you steal things," He half-jokes with a lopsided smile. Because he'll probably forgive her and continue to fall into the same cycle over and over again.
no subject
"Trust me, I've no desire to steal anything nor trick anyone into it assisting me." There's a smile on her face as she says it but the look in Bela's eyes indicates that she is being serious.
"Speaking of trust, I want you to know that you have mine and I want to give it to you in return. We should also be honest with each other - something I have struggled with in the past, but I've been working on it. Probably continue to work on myself in general."
Taking a sip from her cup, she places it down again.
"If you have any burning questions about me and my life, I'll answer it truthfully. "
no subject
"It was more of a joke than anything. You have it," He tells her straightforwardly, "I... You've never given me any reason not to trust you."
He offers her a soft, encouraging smile.
"That's good. Really good. I... shit... I probably have a few things I need to work on," He mumbles. And by that, he means he definitely has some things he needs to work on, dealing with his emotions head-on is a big one but, unlike her, he's just not really ready to confront that.
"Uhh... putting me on the spot, huh? I can't really think of anything. But we could make a game of it sometime? They have some... like, program on the devices that's like that, I think. Questions you're supposed to answer together."
no subject
"A program? I wasn't aware there was something like that on the device, but alright. Could be worth a try one day. Somewhere quiet and private where no one else can overhear our answers."
She wonders if it was one of those relationship type quizzes, but Bela decides to leave it until the time they explore that together.
"Then maybe you could ask me something more lighthearted instead."
no subject
"Mm. Yeah, there's all sorts of weird shit on there," He says, raising an eyebrow at the 'quiet and private' comment. They are alone in a closed cafe after all.
"Something lighthearted? Alright? Dog person? Cat person? Favorite color?"
no subject
Since her job could take her all over the world back home, she found it easier to have someone look after her cat or temporarily place the animal in a pet hotel.
"I'm quite fond of green. Maybe because it matches my eyes. But honestly, I think I look good in almost any colour."
There's a smirk before it shifts into a smile.
"I'll put the same questions to you, Leon."
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"She sounds great. I like both. But I've never had either. Never had a pet growing up and my lifestyle now... I'm just away for weeks at a time. I can't even keep cactuses alive," He chuckles softly.
"And now I live with a zoo," He scoffs softly.
He nods when she declares green is her favorite color.
"You're gonna be shocked, but blue," He shrugs, "I'm simple like that."
no subject
She has debated getting a cat of her own, but she was also worried that she wouldn't find one that would like her or feel at home in her house.
"Nothing wrong with being simple with your choices. Besides, blue does suit your eyes as well. One of my favourite features about you."
no subject
"How many? There's... a horse-sized bird, a shark-dog, this soot creature that steals anything shiny, a magical snake, a giant butterfly... what else?" He hums thoughtfully, "I guess that's it for now. I think."
He smiles almost shyly at the compliment.
"Thanks. I'm glad you like them. Your eyes are beautiful too. They kinda change colors... today they look really green, but sometimes they're kind of amber and gold," He says.
no subject
Bela gives his hand another squeeze for good measure.
"Amber and gold, huh? I don't think I realised that my eyes looked different. Thank you." It's said softly as she blushes, a fluttering feeling curling in her stomach. "I also like that you notice things."
no subject
He meets her eyes again at the squeeze to his hand, a brief flicker of a smile twitching the corner of his mouth for a second.
"Yeah. If you're real close you can kinda see little flecks of different colors. They're pretty," He says softly.