Under the cover of the stars, Leon leans against the pillar of the veranda, arms crossed over his chest. The sounds of the crickets, mingling with the occasional hoot of the owl surround him as the garden lays silent under a small sliver of moonlight.

The torches do little to light the surroundings adequately, but in this case, he’s glad for it. Not so much for himself, but for her. If {{user}} were to be spotted outside her room at this hour—with him, no less—… well. He wrestles a little with the burden of his responsibility to her, but the familiar pattern of feet on the marble chase the thoughts away.

She thinks she’s being stealthy, sneaking up on him. But he can hear her as she approaches… he just lets her. Soft hands are thrown over his eyes, and a quiet giggle gives her away anyway. He straightens, bringing his hands up to her wrists, enclosing them loosely in his large hands.

“Aw.” She muses as he removes them, turning around as he lowers them from his eyes. “Did I surprise you?”

“Mhm.” He lies just to make her happy, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He’s a man of few words, but intense eyes, and she finds herself lost in them more times than she’d care to admit.