𝓛𝓮𝓸𝓷 𝓚𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓭𝔂| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 4

Caring Heart of Gold

AN: This is loosely based on some personal experiences, so I'm really hoping that this imagine is well received since it felt kind of cathartic to write. I know a lot of you are so supportive, and I'm so grateful as always!

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Leon's POV: 

Y/N: Sorry, I won't be able to come watch that new movie with you tonight, something's come up. Is it okay if I come over Friday instead? 

I stare at the text, bags of popcorn glare at me from the coffee table as my brows knit together, this is the third time this month Y/N's had to cancel one of our dates or move it to another time. We haven't been seeing each other long, so I'm not suspicious of anything and I'm pretty sure I can trust her, but it still nags me that there's definetly some reason why she keeps bailing on me. A flicker of annoyance passes over me, but I brush it off within seconds as understanding and worry replaces it. I reply after a minute. 

Me: Yeah, that's absolutely fine. Is everything okay? 

I slump back into the sofa cushions, knee unknowingly bouncing as I wait for her reply. It would be easier to just confront her, or ask Hunnigan to run an extra background check, but that feels too invasive. I've got my fair share of secrets held back, I know how intrusive it can feel for someone to prod and pry at things that are uncomfortable to talk about. I'd rather wait and hope that Y/N trusts me with the truth and explanation in her own time. I wait around fifteen minutes until I finally get a reply. 

Y/N: Yeah, everything's good, sorry for the late reply, I was busy with something. I'll see you Friday, I can't wait!

Feeling less stressed, I send her a thumbs up as well as a love heart before opening the bag of popcorn and putting on a different movie, our date's moved but I can't help but to wonder why...

Y/N's POV:

Guilt gnaws at me for once again letting Leon down, thankfully unlike previous boyfriend's he hasn't gotten angry with me or demanded an explanation, I'm glad for the patience and trust he has within me despite us still being in a fresh relationship, but at the same time I'm also silently pleading for him to ask me the reason why I keep bailing on dates and why I'm so busy despite only having a part time job. I sigh, slipping my phone into my back pocket as I venture back into the bathroom, where my mother leans over the bath ready for me to help her wash her hair. I smile, dismissing her questions of why I look so glum as I gently run my fingers through her strands, careful not to snag any of the knots as I shampoo and rinse. Afterwards, my dad thanks me for helping out as he finishes preparing dinner, the two of us work in tandem as my mother makes her way back to her bedroom to sit down as I begin to then help my father dish up the food. 

Friday night I'm telling Leon everything, he deserves an explanation. 

Our date night rolls around two nights later. As usual Leon greets me at the door, hugging me and pressing a kiss to the side of my head before letting me in and making me feel comfortable and welcome. Leon's a calming presence, his easy going conversation and gentle smiles put me at ease as our evening passes swiftly, we talk about different topics and laugh at recounts of memories and sharing stories, we watch a movie and snuggle up as his lips occasionally find mine, and once the movie ends we both somehow know that we're ready to talk about my odd absences and behaviour. I sit up, clearing my throat as Leon takes a breath as if preparing himself to ask or pry a little, I know he finds it hard since he's got so much he can't tell me about his past, he probably thinks it's selfish for him to demand answers when he can't even tell me about the time he was a police officer. 

"I know you're wondering why I cancelled our date a couple days ago, and last week. I...it's not easy for me to talk about, but you deserve to know, and I want to tell you." I softly begin, wringing my fingers together as Leon sits up straighter, his hands cover my own as his understanding eyes meet mine.