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Leona wasn’t the most observant person in the world…but he noticed the things that mattered. Especially when it comes to you. He knew all your tells, when you were getting overwhelmed, stressed, or even just excited about something quietly. But he did always seem to know just when you were slipping into your little space. While it was practically unnoticeable to those around you, he always knew. He even did research about little space, not that he’d ever tell you that. He just cared for you, and wanted to know more about you whenever he could.
Today was one of those days he could tell you were slipping. But not just that. You were exhausted. The classes seemed to drone on, and you even gave a wrong answer a few times in class because you either couldn’t pay attention, or were slipping into a smaller mindset…or perhaps even a mixture of both. Leona would glance over at you, something subtle and just out of the corner of his eye. No one else seemed to notice, only making a slight laugh simmer in the classroom.
When it was finally time for your classes to be over for the day, he pulled you aside when everyone else had left the classroom. Sometimes he just looked at you as if he knew everything, and it worked well most of the time. It made you blabber, not wanting to indulge in awkward silence in many capacities. But you were trying to figure out what to say, opening your mouth before closing it again. The words weren’t coming out, even as he leaned a bit closer as if to study your expression.
After several moments of you staying in silence, he sighed. “What’s my name?” He spoke like he knew exactly what you were gonna say, but still asked to confirm. It made you squirm in place, trying to look away from him. He tilted your chin up to look at him, and the corners of his mouth twitched just slightly on his otherwise stern face. “Come on. Say what you call me. What’s my name?” His voice was soft, but he knew one thing for certain…
Your shoulders raised, and your eyes gleamed with a mixture of emotions. You knew it, too. But you couldn’t say anything. Even with how hard you were trying to, the words weren’t forming. You’d been trying to hold off your little space all day, and it was clear that he knew it too. You wanted to say his name, call him Leona like you did when you were big. But it felt…wrong. Like it wasn’t truly what you wanted to call him right now.
He shook his head, saying softly, “It’s okay. I know you’re tired. And I know you’re trying to put up a brave face, but it’s just us now, okay? No one is here to see or make fun of you.” He scratched on top of your head, leaning forward and giving you an expression that showed his underlying tenderness towards you and you alone. “So say it. What’s my name?”
You tried to hide away, but it was clear he wasn’t about to let that happen. You wanted to fight it off, you really did. It was just the two of you, though. And after a long day of holding it back, you knew you couldn’t anymore. The word came out soft, shy even. “Papa…” It was barely audible, but it made him give you a soft “I knew it” smile, and made you pout briefly at him.
“Yeah. I figured.” He chuckled, and picked up your school bag along with his own
before gently guiding you out of the classroom by the small of your back. He glanced over at you repeatedly, noting how you were nibbling on the sleeve of your shirt idly. It made him smile, but he turned his head just enough to the side so that you couldn’t see it. It always warmed his heart to see you like this, and knew you were only so quiet because of how draining the day was.
Often you’d run around his room, playing and dancing while you begged him to play with you. He’d never be caught dead playing with toys for children, but for you? He’d do it in a heartbeat. Even if he wasn’t as good as you were about the pretending aspects of it all. With you being as quiet as you were, he knew you were probably just as tired as he was…and that said a lot.
Your classes for the day ended relatively early in the day today, so there would be plenty of time for a nap before he got you both dinner. He let out a soft chuckle as you glanced over at him, wondering where he was taking you. You’d walked past the door to head to your own dorm, so it left you wondering if he was gonna bring you to his dorm house this time. The expression on your face was too cute, and he took his hand away from your back to poke your cheek.
“Yeah, yeah. You think I’d leave you alone in that dorm with Grim when you’re like this? That little sh-uh…cat will just make things worse. I know you like to play with him, but you’re with me for the day, alright?” He sighed, barely catching himself from saying something you definitely shouldn’t be hearing. You didn’t seem to notice it, and left him relieved while mentally scolding himself for nearly saying that in front of you when you were small like this.
Even your voice sounded tired when you replied. “Papa’s room!” It was breathy, and you immediately yawned after finishing those two words that seemed to exhaust you just like that. Still, you shook your head and tried to think of what you would play when you reached the room. It was exciting, but you just couldn’t focus for some reason. It had you scrunching your nose and pouting slightly until you reached his room.
“Alright,” He said, tossing the bags down by the door before locking it. “It’s nap time. Now.” He knew exactly what your response would be, and had to struggle to keep his smile contained when he saw the baffled look on your face.
“No! Play time! Papa time!” You whined, shrugging his hand off you before trying to make a run for your toys in the corner.
Your papa knew exactly what to expect when he said that. And before you could take even a single step away from his side, he wrapped his arm around your middle and lifted you into his arms. “Nope. Papa’s tired. We can play when we wake up.” He teased lightly, “It would make Papa happy if you’d cuddle with him while he slept.” He raised an eyebrow, knowing while you “didn’t like sleep,” you did love cuddles. Besides, he knew the second you laid down you’d be practically passed out.
You pouted as he carried you, but nodded. You did want Papa to be happy…even if you didn’t wanna sleep. But cuddles always sounded nice…though you tried to keep the pout on your face in protest even as he laid down beside you.
He wrapped his arm around your shoulders, and eased you on your side to rest a hand on his chest. You poked his chest a few times, wanting to play but wanted to make him happy even more. “I’m not gonna sleep. But Papa can sleep.” You huffed, yawning against his shoulder as your eyes fluttered closed. It was hard to justify how tired you were, especially with how badly you wanted to play.
Before you knew it, both of you were sound asleep on the bed. Cuddles usually ended this way, with both of you sleeping in each other’s arms. He knew you’d wanna play when you woke up, so for now he’ll enjoy the peaceful moment of his favorite person close to him. Besides…he did promise to play, didn’t he?