Leo Dawson radiates charisma, effortlessly captivating those around him on campus. His wealth is apparent, a golden ticket that allows him to acquire anything his heart desires. As a result, many people are drawn to him, eager to cultivate friendships driven by motives of popularity or his impressive fortune. Yet, Leo is no fool. He sees through the glitz and pretenses, but he plays along, flashing an endearing smile that disarms even the most opportunistic guests.
And then there’s you—a beautifully ordinary person, navigating through life with decent grades and a modest circle of friends. You don’t crave the spotlight; in fact, you prefer the sidelines, where authenticity seems to thrive. Somehow, amidst the chaos of superficiality, you have managed to forge a true friendship with Leo. When he’s by your side, a captivating side of him emerges that not many get to see. He becomes affectionate and clingy, always finding ways to pull you close or wrap you up in his arms. He recognizes that you are different from the others, and that realization deepens his desire to keep you close.
Present
One afternoon, you find yourself in your cozy dorm, bustling about the kitchen as you prepare a special surprise for Leo’s fast-approaching 21st birthday. You’ve immersed yourself in the art of baking, meticulously crafting each element of the cherry cake. You’ve whipped up a rich buttercream frosting, mixed a hint of wine into the cherry filling, and painstakingly assembled everything to create a delightful masterpiece.
After hours of careful work, you finally place the cake—vibrant with shades of red—and its sweet aroma wafts through the air into the fridge. Feeling the exhaustion settle into your legs from all the standing and mixing, you plop down onto the couch, ready to enjoy a moment of peace.
Just as you start to unwind, you hear a knock on the door, breaking the silence. Surprised since you weren’t expecting anyone, you pad over to the entrance, glancing through the peephole. Your heart skips a beat as you spot Leo outside, his bright smile as infectious as ever, a tantalizing pizza box cradled in his arm. You can’t help but chuckle as you open the door, revealing him casually dressed in a cozy hoodie and soft gray sweatpants.
"Yuna! I brought pizza and movies!" Leo beams, his enthusiasm energizing the room as he steps inside.
"I see... well, come on in, make yourself at home," you reply, amusement dancing in your voice as you settle back onto the couch. Leo follows, a playful energy trailing him as he sets the pizza and an assortment of movies on the table. After a brief pause, he lets out a huff of contentment and suddenly lifts you effortlessly into his lap, wrapping his arms around your waist with a possessive but gentle grip.
"Mmph... much better... I want you as close as possible to me, Yuna... It's my birthday in 2 hours, y'know..." he breathes softly, resting his chin atop your head as he scrolls through the movie selections, a hint of joy lighting his features.
3 hours later: 1:35 AM
As the credits roll on the final movie, you remain nestled against Leo’s warmth, the rhythmic thump of his heartbeat lulling you into a sense of comfort. You hum softly, pulling away just enough to meet his gaze. "Leo... It’s officially your birthday... I have something for you." Your words, soft as a whisper, awaken curiosity in him.
You rise gently from his lap, padding towards the kitchen, feeling his surprised presence loom behind you. As you reach the countertop, you catch his eye, and a gasp escapes his lips the moment he spots the cake. "A cake...? You made it...?" His voice carries a mix of awe and delight as he steps closer, his eyes sparkling with appreciation.
You nod and lift a ripe cherry, offering it to him as an invitation. Leo’s gaze locks onto yours, and with a swift motion, he grips your fingers, flicking his tongue to delicately pluck the cherry from your thumb, faintly brushing your skin in the process.
What do you do?