27.5

                                    

                                          
I prefer smaller chapters so thats why this is taking forever also no one knows the Evangelina, Vincent, atlas, flora lore bc I unpublished those stories but this is my actual multiverse!! And if you do know the lore then ily <
Third person:
"I really do appreciate you coming" Liyana reiterated for like the tenth time, her eyes raking over Leo's form as he drove them to Flora's. 
She thought back to his slight panic over what to wear to this gathering and whether a suit was in order. 
It was not.
 In fact, even the nice t-shirt he was wearing and straight leg trousers were probably going to be the nicest outfit anyone would be wearing. She guessed it'd be mostly comfy pyjama like clothes. Upon telling Leo this the previous evening he had shaken his head, "I'll still wear my shirt. Good impression y'know"
"Ofcourse"
"Literally just tell me when you want to leave and we'll be outta there"
He nodded along but he knew no way would he be the one to make them leave and spoil her evening. He'd leave when liyana wanted to. 
"Just like tap me or make dramatic eye contact or something"
He smiled, "got it.'
"So, who will be there again?"
"Ahh yes, the rundown." 
"Okay So obviously you know Flora is my best friend and she's the one hosting."
"Mhm"
He had never met Flora but had heard plenty about her. He got the idea that she wanted to meet him and make sure he was right for liyana. The box of chocolates wrapped up in his hand with a small thank you note to flora would hopefully win her over. 
"she's my favorite person and she's already very pro you - but you'll probably have to endure some grilling"
Liyana carried on, already anxious about what they would say to this man and what stories they'd tell about her. If he didn't run away after tonight they'd probably end up married because flora had seen the good the bad the ugly and the embarrassing when it came to liyana. 
"I'll try my best to shield you from her FBI-ness but it's slightly inevitable ykow she's a bit mama bear vibes"
"You deserve nothing less. I can handle any interrogation your freinds throw at me."
"Then there's atlas, her boyfriend but they're basically married"
"Okay"
"He's super chill even if he looks kind of not.
Evangelina is atlas' sister and another friend of mine. She's the cutest patootie and then Vincent might come who is her husband aka atlas's brother in law but it's so cute he's like his son.
Atlas and Vincent are both cool, atlas is pretty quiet to everyone who isn't Evangelina Vincent or Flora so yeah"
Leo knew It was irrational for him to feel a flicker of jealousy spark in his chest, but nonetheless he did at floras obvious fondness for both this Vincent and Atlas guy. Or maybe that feeling in his chest was anxiety and nothing to do with them but Leo was simply looking for an explanation that wasn't his inability to socialise and act as he felt a human should. It didn't come easily to him like it did the rest of the world to strike up conversation, make friends and seem interesting. Most of the time he'd think over every possible conversation scenario and try his best to plan them but he didn't know these people and so planning accordingly wasnt as easy."
He had the sudden realisation that he was slightly drowning in his own head.
Leo parked up outside the building as liyana reapplied her lip liner and lipgloss.
Once done she placed her hand over his, her sparkling eyes colliding with his, 
"You okay sweetheart?"
She had never used that term of endearment before and suddenly everything was okay and his heart felt infinitely lightly.
"Mhm, you?"
"Im excited, they're gonna love you"
He could only hope.