Stay
New York — 1:16am
The words settled between them softly.
Not rushed.
Not uncertain.
Just true.
Leah looked at her for a long second without moving.
And Elle realised then that beneath all the confidence and flirting and teasing, Leah was careful.
Careful with people.
Careful with feelings.
Careful with anything that might actually matter.
That somehow made this feel infinitely more intimate.
The bookstore around them faded into background noise completely.
Soft music. Pages turning somewhere near the front counter. Snow falling beyond the windows.
Leah's voice came out quieter than before.
"You sure?"
Elle's heart twisted a little at that.
Because nobody who wanted to hurt you asked questions like that.
Instead of answering immediately, she stepped closer herself this time.
Close enough now that Leah's breath caught slightly.
Close enough to feel warmth through winter coats.
"I've been waiting for you to do it all night," Elle admitted softly.
Something shifted in Leah's expression then.
Like restraint finally snapping.
Her hand lifted slowly, fingers brushing lightly against Elle's jaw first — tentative enough to stop if she wanted.
Elle leaned into the touch immediately.
And that seemed to undo Leah completely.
The kiss happened gently at first.
Careful.
Like both of them were still slightly afraid this might disappear if they moved too quickly.
But the second their mouths met properly, every ounce of tension from the last two months came crashing down all at once.
God.
Elle's fingers instinctively caught in Leah's coat sleeve as Leah kissed her deeper, one hand still resting softly against her face.
Warm.
Slow.
Real.
Leah kissed like she spoke — controlled until suddenly she wasn't.
And the tiny sound she made when Elle pulled her closer nearly destroyed her entirely.
When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Leah rested her forehead lightly against hers and laughed quietly under her breath.
"Right," she murmured. "Now I understand why people write songs."
Elle laughed softly, cheeks flushed warm.
"That good?"
Leah looked at her like the question itself offended her.
"You're joking."
The honesty of it made heat rise instantly in Elle's chest.
Outside, snow continued drifting slowly through New York lights.
Inside, Leah's thumb brushed gently across her cheekbone.
And neither seemed remotely capable of stepping away yet.
"You know what's embarrassing?" Leah admitted after a moment.
"What?"
"I planned being cool about this."
Elle burst out laughing immediately. "Oh my God, absolutely not."
"I did."
"There was never any chance of that happening."
Leah smiled helplessly. "Apparently not."
They stayed like that for another second.
Then another.
Not kissing now.
Just close.
And somehow that felt equally intimate.
Eventually the bookstore owner cleared his throat loudly from the counter.
"We are closing," he announced pointedly.
Elle groaned softly into Leah's shoulder.
Leah laughed quietly beside her.
"That's our cue."
Neither moved immediately though.
Which made the older man sigh dramatically.
"You young people are exhausting."
Elle hid her face against Leah's coat laughing while Leah apologised.
Then finally they stepped back enough to breathe normally again.
Although normal now felt impossible.
Outside, Manhattan had turned white beneath thin falling snow.
The cold hit instantly as they stepped onto the sidewalk, both laughing softly.
Elle wrapped her coat tighter around herself. "Okay, now it actually feels like a movie."
Leah looked over at her, snow catching lightly in blonde hair.
"You know," she said softly, "you're prettier when you're not filtered through a screen."
Elle's stomach flipped again.
"Still flirting."
"Can't help it."
They started walking slowly again, shoulders brushing this time.
Neither seemed eager to say goodbye yet.
"You have things tomorrow?" Elle asked.
"UN meetings in the morning."
"Very important."
"Very boring."
Elle smiled. "Prince William boring?"
Leah groaned. "Don't remind me."
"You're really doing events with actual royalty."
Leah looked sideways at her. "And somehow I was still more nervous meeting you."
That one caught Elle completely off guard.
She looked at Leah properly then.
And realised she meant it.
Every word.
The city blurred around them in silver and gold.
Snowfall softened the streets. Traffic lights reflected against wet pavement. Somewhere nearby Christmas music drifted through an open restaurant door.
And suddenly, standing in the middle of New York after midnight with Leah Williamson smiling at her like she was something precious, Elle felt something terrifying settle quietly into place.
This wasn't casual anymore.
Not even close.
Then Leah stopped walking suddenly.
"What?" Elle asked.
Leah hesitated briefly before speaking.
"I don't really want tonight to end."
The vulnerability in the confession made her chest ache.
Elle stepped closer again instinctively.
"Then don't let it."