Meanwhile, outside the store, Bella took a deep breath and spun around to face Leo, hands on her hips like a tiny storm.
"Phew!" she said, her voice high and firm. "Leo, you can't scare people like that. People make mistakes. You need to be more soft sometimes."
He blinked at her, completely unaffected. "Okay."
Bella squinted at him suspiciously. "Okay?"
"Okay," he repeated, his face perfectly expressionless.
She sighed in relief, patting his arm proudly. "Good. That's better."
He nodded lightly, even though his eyes held that same quiet intensity that told her he would absolutely do it again if needed.
Leo softened his voice, touching the top of her head gently. "Let's go buy a dress for you now, alright?"
Bella's mood instantly brightened. She smiled so sweetly that Leo's fingers twitched, wanting to pull her into his arms again.
"Okay!" she chirped.
And while Bella walked ahead, excitedly swinging the bag in her hands, Leo followed behind with his usual blank expression.
