Leigh

I let out a contented sigh once the candy melted away in my mouth, the laughter fading out as Zoe politely excused herself to go work. Although, even after she was gone, a pleasant buzz filled the air. The corners of my mouth felt sore from smiling so much as I absentmindedly pulled my knees up to my chest. I wanted the fight earlier today to bother me more, but at the same time I couldn’t bring myself back to that dark place I was in.

Clearly, the people here are doing their job... I thought to myself and glanced off to the side, my smile dissipating slightly as I recalled that today this joy would be short lived.

“Alright Leigh, I don’t want to keep you. I think you should get some rest as soon as possible.” As if on cue, Vaughn piped up after he had been shuffling through his drawers. I took this time to run my eyes over him once more, inwardly chuckling at how odd he looked being dressed so casually. It was odd, yes, but not necessarily bad. I hope he’ll dress down more often...

“-igh? Leigh.”

“Hm?” I jolted a bit, my eyes widening as I looked up to face the man. 

“I’m here.”

“...Are you really?” Vaughn answered with a small smirk, his arms folded loosely on the desk.

“I was paying attention.”

“Sure you were.”

I raised a challenging eyebrow at him, mirroring the smirk on his face.

“You dare doubt me?”

“Of course not.” The dark haired man uttered sarcastically before tilting his head. He then pressed his fingers together in a dubious position. “So, are you going to let me have it or not?”

“I... uh-- yes.” I stumbled over my words, caught off guard by his question. I wracked my brain for any recollection of what he said in the past few minutes, the other continuing to gaze at me with a Cheshire cat smile.

Damn it, I wasn’t intending to tune him out! What the hell did he ask? ‘Something something, my name’ God, why was I so busy looking at his dumb nicely fitted shirt and leather jacket?!

I tapped my foot in frustration and my eyes found their way to the ceiling as I tried my best to remember. Astonishingly, several moments of silence passed with the other waiting before I mumbled out a reply.

“Were you... asking for my phone number?”

“Heh, no.” He responded smugly before outstretching his arm towards me.

“If I needed that then I could just ask your father for it, give your notebook here.”

“Tsk.” I rolled my eyes at the superior tone he used as I grabbed my backpack and propped it up on my lap. 

How rude, he could at least make it seem like I had a choice in the matter... I’m sure he has his other patients private numbers too, yet he goes through my dad’s phone line to get to me. Just makes me seem more and more like a kid to him!

I could feel my brow twitch in irritation as I unzipped my bag far more aggressively than need be. 

I bet none of his other clients have homework as well, all he cares about is this dumb journ—

Halfway through pulling the notebook out of the bag, a horrible revelation washed over me.

I didn’t tear out that page I wrote! Fuck, if I do it now then he’ll definitely want an explanation!

A panicked gasp escaped my lips as I swiftly tucked the journal under the couch cushion, I then lifted my head to address the other.

“I... don't have it today."

Vaughn gazed back at me, his brow furrowed as if awaiting the punchline to a joke.

“I literally just saw you hide it."

"You saw nothing!" I declared half jokingly and half desperately, hoping that he’d take the hint. Unfortunately for me, my therapist was a little on the serious side and looked more unamused than anything.

“Leigh, just let me have a look.” He murmured and got up, coaxing me gently.

I debated how bad it would be to let him just read it. Most of the entry was normal except for the last part... 

I actually wrote ‘I kind of like him’ after all— Agh! No, there’s no way I can let him read that.

My cheeks suddenly felt flush, and I sheepishly muttered my reply. 

“No...”

“No?” He repeated, looking genuinely perplexed at my response. “I don’t understand, did you not write anything?”

“...I did.” I confessed hesitantly, much to the other’s confusion. 

“You can’t read it though.”

The older male seemed to pout at this, and I found my will wavering at his expression which was almost childlike.

“But why—“ Vaughn began once more and took another step towards me. In response, I hastily laid flat on the cushion which hid the coveted notebook.

If all else fails, I’ll protect it with my body to the death!

“No way! It’s embarrassing!” I declared adamantly.

"Leigh!" He scowled at my admittedly excessive protection, making a grab for the pillow as I shoved it further into the crevice of the couch.

"Asshole! This is a gross violation of privacy!" I growled, hoping my face wouldn’t get any redder.

"Priva— it’s a SHARING journal!” He replied in exasperation.

“I gave it to you with the intentions of it being shared between us! You know I read what you’ve written after every session, I shouldn’t have to fight you for it!” He made another dive for the book, though as he attempted to reach under me, my eyes widened. After kicking up a fuss, my shirt and hoodie accidentally bunched up and exposed my stomach. This overwhelmed me when his warm hands slid against my bare skin, feeling as if he intended to wrap his arm around my waist and hold me.

I couldn’t help it.

Letting out a panicked yelp at the skin-to-skin contact, I blushed furiously and instinctively bit down on his arm.

In that instant the older male recoiled, mouthing the word ‘ow!’ before rubbing the angry red mark forming on his skin. I huffed as I tried to hold in the myriad of emotions I was feeling, although for the most part I was so embarrassed I could die.

“Did you really?” Vaughn asked more in horror at the fact that I bit him than in anger like I thought he would.

“You really left teeth marks in my arm... look, I can clearly see a whole diagram of your mouth.”

In that moment I wanted to be upset, I really did. However, I just laughed unapologetically at how bewildered he was.

“You deserved it... for not respecting my answer!” I chuckled in a cathartic release as I watched him playfully roll his eyes.

“Fine fine, you got me there.... but how could I expect that my client would react by biting me like an angry chihuahua? You better not have rabies.” He joked.

“Ugh, shut up!” I snickered, elbowing him in the side and receiving a satisfying hiss of pain.

“Y’know you act all mature and authoritative but really, you’re just a big kid.” I accused matter-of-factly, expecting him to just laugh it off as well. Although, much to my surprise, Vaughn’s face burned red. Even the tips of his ears tinted crimson in mortification.

Had I struck a chord within him? I've never seen him react like this. 

I sort of gaped at him after that and it must've made him uncomfortable. I didn't realize I was staring until his silvery-grey eyes averted once he noticed me and he quickly rose to his feet.

I watched as he cleared his throat before speaking in a quiet voice, “I mean... aren’t all  adults just children that were forced to ‘grow up.’ Just because we get older, taller, or more experienced... it doesn’t mean that we have to change at our very core, y’know.”

I merely smiled at his response in an all-knowing fashion. He was playing coy now, but this was definitely not the first time I’ve seen a glimpse of the true Vaughn Ackerman. Perhaps what i’m saying is.... maybe i’m somewhat interested in finding out what’s in that ‘core’ of his.