Chapter 44: Battle Bar: Emotionally F***ed

As soon as Esme's gloves were off, she grabbed the first pizza slice and moaned when the cheesy goodness melted in her mouth. "Jeese woman, if you moan like that, I'm gonna change my mind," Esme opened her eyes and looked at Leo wide-eyed when he smirked, then bit into his own slice of pizza. She swallowed and made sure not to completely stuff her face like a pig with the following three pieces though it was very hard.

He chuckled lightly at her struggle. "It's not a bad thing to like food so much. It's quite refreshing to see a girl who doesn't watch what she eats. Who even likes salads anyway?" He joked, trying to brush off his earlier comment. Esme smiled tight-lipped before continuing to eat her burger. She was sure if her metabolism wasn't so high, then she wouldn't be eating so much, not to say she wouldn't continue to enjoy eating food.

Esme relaxed into her seat after eating a few of the fries on her plate and stared at Leo, picking up where they left off. He seemed to catch onto the change in her mood swiftly and paused, cutting into his steak. "What did you mean by emotionally fucked up, Leo?" She asked, getting straight to the point, and glared at the girls behind her who had looked over after overhearing her comment and leaning in to listen more to their conversation.

The girls gasped after their eyes met Esme's, and with one look from the she-wolf, the girls whispered about how scary she was, trying to joke it off with nervous laughter. But the longer Esme stared, the more uncomfortable they became, shifting in their seats until finally they put some money on the table and slid out of the booth.

Good, they had a bit more privacy now. Nosy bitc-

Leo cleared his throat, gaining Esme's attention again; she looked back at him and waited. He slurped on his straw and took his time dabbing his mouth with a napkin, making Esme's patience start to grow thin. But the change in his usually sunny face made her halt in her rash thoughts and wait for what Leo had to say.

"Look, I don't know what your situation was or is.. But.." He released a long breath as though what he was going to say was not easy. He looked around again, then leaned forwards, his keen observation of the busy diner proving Esme's point that no one else should hear. "Look.. I didn't have the best upbringing.. I was thrown into care when I was six and went to a few foster homes before going back into the system.." He began, his deep voice low as he spoke carefully, his eyes unwavering from hers.

Esme blinked, the words registering in her slightly frazzled mind. She was not expecting this..

It also seemed that was the easier part of what he had to say. Leo dropped his gaze and picked his fork up again, prodding at the egg on his steak. "I.. know you've been through something.. I don't know what.. But I've been around others who have been abused before.. myself included in that statement.." He swallowed loudly, his eyes still on his plate as his grip tightened on his fork.

Esme's eyes widened, "You were abused.." She whispered in shock. Her eyes swept across his body and face as though how he looked now might show any reflection of his past. It did not.

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"That's right.." He avoided her gaze, but what she could see in those honey and dark caramel eyes was a blazing fury that could quieten many. Esme knew not to ask any more questions, it was not a light topic, and she didn't want him to relive those moments like she could see so clearly right now. Her hand automatically started to reach forwards, but she relaxed it, stopping herself from touching his face that seemed so delicate now. Even if it were to comfort him, Esme had to put a line between them, so that he did not think there was any chance of a romantic relationship.

"Anyway, I wanted to bring you somewhere where you can forget about your troubles.." Leo looked up then, a small smile on his face that made him look even younger. A smile that she'd practised in the mirror many times before, just enough to mask the tumbling emotions inside but not quite enough to shield the eyes from any who dared look at them.

Or maybe it was because she knew part of Leo's story now. He was sitting in front of her, barer than she ever expected to see him. She felt her heart-breaking just thinking of a younger version of him covered in bruises or worse; she didn't want to think of such things.

But not all scars can be seen.

Esme reached her hand forward, and he met it in the air, intertwining their fingers together. She squeezed gently, which he returned, the warmth flooding into her chest and feeling like she was not alone. "Thank you for sharing with me, Leo." He squeezed again then pulled his hand back so he could cut into his steak once more.

"I know we haven't known each other long, but I just wanted you to know you can talk to me anytime. Even if it's late into the night, early morning, to help you back to sleep after a nightmare.. I can be your shoulder to cry on.. Or even if you just wanted my company without wanting to talk.. I can do that too.." Leo concluded with a smile. "Minus the relationship stuff!" He added with a point of his knife up the ceiling.

Esme felt tears pooling in her eyes, and she blinked them back into place; if only she could take Leo with her. Even without this sudden connection between them, Leo was someone who always seemed to make her smile or laugh from his antics. Isana sighed loudly in Esme's mind, agreeing with her. "It would be nice. I get sick of it just being us two," Isana snickered at her insult.

Such a funny wolf.. She refrained from rolling her eyes.

"Leo.. I'm not going to use you. But thank you for your kind words. If I do need you, I will reach out," She lied, and she could tell Leo knew it was a lie, but he nodded along like he didn't. He probably believed that one day she would open up to him about her past. Maybe she would if ever she stayed in Chester.

But that was a dream she dared not hope for, just like the charade of a normal, peaceful life.. At least, though, like tonight, she could forget about her worries and enjoy this man's company.

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