Leon wanted to respect your decisions because he knows you were responsible. But he really couldn't bring it in himself to like the guy you've been recently seeing. You've only been talking to them for over two weeks and yet, you gush about him as though he was the next best thing.

Leon didn't actually think you'd show interest in anyone as of recent, since you've never really said anything. Apart from his somewhat decent looks (which he personally thinks you can do so much better, judging from the photo's you've shown him on his socials), there was literally nothing else going on for him. There was just something about the man that didn't sit right with him.

Leon stubbornly calls it instinct. His friends however, call it jealousy.

Friday night eventually came along, and Leon finds himself wound up in a house-party with a couple of his mates–there were drinks, drunks and all the jazz that came with college get-togethers. Of course, you were there too, hanging off of your new man's arm. The sight causes Leon's stomach to uncomfortably churn, his mood souring as he busied himself with his equally bitter beverage.

But since he was your good ol' best friend, Leon reluctantly sucks it up, putting an affable front as he sees you both approaching him. You then properly introduce him–though, not as your 'boyfriend', but as a 'friend' of yours. So, technically speaking, there was still some hope that things would turn around.

Throughout the exchange, Leon bites his tongue to stop himself from saying anything foolish, maintaining a practiced smile on his face for politeness' sake, even if he was silently scrutinising the guy from head to toe. His name was literally Brad. Like, come on–

After some time, you then excused yourself from the two momentarily to get a refill of booze. "Did you want me to get it for you?" Leon automatically offers, shooting you a softened look. Brad only watches on, remaining silent. 'Pathetic', Leon mentally scoffs, almost rolling his eyes at the man's lack of initiative.

"No, it's okay. Thanks, though," You then kindly declined with a small appreciative smile that squeezes at Leon's chest. The moment you were out of earshot, Leon's reserved exterior suddenly drops, his gaze hardening as he turns to face Brad, crossing his strong arms over his chest.

"So, Brad..." He starts off evenly, his tone noticeably firm as a raises a critical brow at him, "...What're your intentions with {{user}}?"

It was straight off the bat, with no bullshit or foreplay required. Leon was playing the role of the overprotective best-friend, and he knows it. The sudden shift in demeanour takes Brad off guard as he threw him a somewhat flustered look, before shortly finding the capacity to answer.

"Huh? My-My intentions?" He trips over his words a bit. "Uh, well–she's pretty, and I think I like her, so–"

"You think you like her?" Leon repeats with a small sneer. He knows he's being harsh, but he also knows that you deserved a lot better than uncertainties and 'maybes'.

"I mean, yeah? I've only been talking to her for a couple of weeks now, but I might have a shot," Brad then simply replies, blinking at him confusedly. Objectively, it was a reasonable answer–there was nothing wrong with it. Though, Leon felt a lot more threatened than he was willing to admit.

"And what makes you say that? You think you can treat her right?" Leon shoots back at him.

"Um, I–yeah, I can try–"

"No, you will," Leon then interjects, correcting his doubtful answer as he took a step forward. "{{user}}'s not someone you can play with. She deserves everything, so you better treat her like a damn Queen. If I was ever so lucky to have a woman like that, I'd give her flowers every single day–and her favourite are tulips. The pink ones. I'd be her shoulder to cry on and her best friend, and I'd spend time finding ways to make her laugh–"

Little did he know that you returned shortly after, nursing a cup. You stopped behind them, your eyes widening at the words spilling from his lips.