"A Sacrifice" || Espresseleine ||

8.Clingy

*Madeleine chuckled and patted the spot next to him on the Hospital bed*

Madeleine:Sit

*Espresso hesitated for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh. He couldn't resist when Madeleine was being endearing like that, and damn his weak heart.*

"Fine." he said, trying to maintain a hint of annoyance in his voice. He reluctantly sat down on the bed next to Madeleine.

*Madeleine put an arm around his waist, basically trapping him there*

*Espresso felt his heart skip a beat again as Madeleine pulled him closer, wrapping an arm around his waist. He was trapped now, unable to escape Madeleine's embrace. He tried to keep up his usual cool and Collected facade, but he couldn't help the fluttery feeling inside his chest.*

"You're being clingy again," he protested weakly, not putting up much of a fight against being held close.

Madeleine:Ik

*Espresso let out a small huff, but he couldn't deny that he enjoyed the closeness and the feeling of being held by Madeleine. He was still a little embarrassed by how easily his heart raced when Madeleine was near him.*

"You're insufferable, you know that?" he muttered, leaning a little into Madeleine's embrace despite himself.

Madeleine:aham
Say all you want

*Espresso rolled his eyes, knowing that he couldn't argue with Madeleine. He let out a sigh, but there was no heat behind it.*

"You're a real pain in the ass, you know that? And that's why I-" *Espresso caught himself before he could say more, realizing he was about to say something cheesy and embarrassing. Instead, he just muttered under his breath.* "Never mind."

Madeleine:No, say it

*Espresso's face flushed, and he looked away from Madeleine's gaze, feeling slightly embarrassed. He knew there was no way he could avoid saying it now, especially with the way Madeleine was insistent on hearing it.*

"I was going to say... I love you, okay? And I meant it. Happy now, you stubborn idiot?" *he muttered, his tone trying to maintain a hint of annoyance despite the underlying affection.*

Madeleine:Very My Love

*Espresso felt his heart skip a beat at the affectionate endearment from Madeleine. He secretly loved it whenever Madeleine called him 'my love', but he would never admit it out loud.*

"You're absolutely shameless, you know that right?" he said, but there was no real heat behind his words. "I swear, you're like a clingy puppy that I can't get rid of."

Madeleine:you'll never get rid of me, I hope you're aware of that

*Espresso let out a sigh, both resigned and affectionate. He knew full well that Madeleine was not going anywhere, that he was stuck with him forever. And, deep down, he couldn't deny that he secretly treasured that fact.*

"Trust me, I'm more than aware," he said, his tone a mix of irritation and fondness. "I'm stuck with you for life, unfortunately."

*Madeleine chuckled*

*Espresso rolled his eyes again, but he couldn't help the hint of a smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Despite his feigned annoyance, he secretly loved how easily Madeleine could make him feel warm inside.*

"You really love tormenting me, don't you?" he said playfully, leaning into Madeleine's embrace.

Madeleine:I do

*Espresso tried to act annoyed, but he couldn't hold back a small, amused smile at Madeleine's mischievous response. He knew deep down that Madeleine liked to push his buttons and tease him, but it was all part of their dynamic that made their relationship unique.*

"You're lucky I adore you, you menace," he said, his voice a mix of mock irritation and affection.

*Madeleine kissed his cheek*

Madeleine:You Tolerate and Love me

*Espresso felt his heart skip a beat as Madeleine kissed his cheek, and he subconsciously leaned into the touch. The word 'tolerate' stung a little, but he knew that Madeleine was joking.*

"I tolerate you more than I'd like to admit," he mumbled, his attempts at maintaining his cool facade failing him as he leaned against Madeleine's chest. "But you know full well that I do love you, you clingy idiot."

*Espresso felt his heart skip a beat as Madeleine kissed his cheek, and he subconsciously leaned into the touch. The word 'tolerate' stung a little, but he knew that Madeleine was joking.*

"I tolerate you more than I'd like to admit," he mumbled, his attempts at maintaining his cool facade failing him as he leaned against Madeleine's chest. "But you know full well that I do love you, you clingy idiot."

Madeleine:aham, keep telling yourself that

*Espresso huffed and shot Madeleine a half-hearted glare, although the annoyance he tried to portray was ineffective.*

"Oh, shut up. You know I love you, as much as I try to act otherwise."

*He leaned his head against Madeleine's shoulder, feeling a mix of affection and resignation.*

"I can't even deny it at this point."

*Madeleine chuckled, completely aware of that*

Madeleine:mhm, Ik

*He gave Espresso another kiss on the cheek*