Closing the Distance

Juliet didn't waste any time relaxing back on the sofa and reading her comic again. She didn't even look up when I left but I'm kind of glad I got out of there when I did.

She seems awfully nice but she's rather intimidating to talk to. It was pretty clear that conversation made her uncomfortable but I don't really know why.

“Where are the others?” a quiet voice mutters next to my ear, nearly causing my to jump out of my skin.

Whirling around, I can feel myself relax as I see a much-needed face after that strange encounter. He just looks on as I regain my composure, thankfully not commenting on what he saw.

"Whoa! You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry," He replies, "I was trying to keep quiet to not alert the kids. I managed to sneak away."

Despite having just been swarmed by what seemed to be over a dozen children, he doesn't look very fazed at all. Not even a single drop of sweat or crinkle on his outfit in sight.

"How did everything go with the kids?"

He tries to hide it but there's a small tinge of sadness that hides in his features and he refuses to meet my eyes.

"Great." He mutters. "They're little shits but they're good kids. "

If the room wasn't so quiet, there's a chance I might not have heard him. I don't even think he realizes that he's doing it.

"I missed them."

"Sounds like they missed you too," I reply, unable to keep myself from smiling. It's rare to see Leigh so vulnerable like this and seeing how much he genuinely cares for these children is enough to make anyone grin.

He doesn't immediately comment, only staring at me for several seconds as he digests those words.

When he finally does respond, it isn't the reaction I'd been hoping to get. He starts to rub his neck and breaks eye contact with me, looking more conflicted than he did moments ago.

"I..." He falters, "should have visited them more. A lot of them don't live here anymore."

"That's good though, right?"

"Of course!" He says, recovering from his short emotional dip with a wave of his hand, dismissing the concept that it might be a bad thing. "I'm proud of them."

He reaches out his hand to pat my head but hesitates, stopping right before it makes contact as a conflicted look clouds his features.

"What's wrong?" I ask, confused at his sudden aversion to something he's been repeatedly doing since we met.

He changes course and places his hand on my shoulder, pulling me against him with a grunt. He doesn't even bother turning it into a hug, we're just pressed against each other.

"It's nothing."

"What's this all about?" is all I'm able to ask as the blood starts to rush to my heat, my face feeling nearly as hot as the chest I'm being pressed against.

"I didn't want to treat you like a kid but I didn't really know what to do," He replies, his chest rumbling against my cheek with each word. "So I tried this."

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