Leonardo was satisfied in his life before now, with his inventions and his work, and with his genuine friendships. While a part of him knew he lacked something extra that might have made him happy, he decided years ago that it was something he could live without, because he had to. It was a closed door. He didn't expect it to swing open again. He didn't expect a giant dragon fighter to walk through it and sweep him off his feet. It was the type of romantic fairytale in a book, not in real life. He was very lucky.

"I will do much more than put up with you, mio caro." Leonardo flashed a smile full of light and joy, chuckling. "I will keep the flowers alive as long as I can and press the petals after, I will laugh at all the jokes I understand." He would too. He was a very sentimental person, but romance was going to be new and exciting to him to experience. He was throwing himself head first into something spectacular, and he was less terrified every moment they stayed in this warm embrace.

"Your smile is more beautiful than that sunset," he murmured. He wanted to keep giving Alistair reasons to make it. Leonardo ran his tongue over his lips and bit the bottom one for a moment, enraptured by that smile. "So we are agreed. We are ...." He paused, uncertain of the word. "Dating?" That was what she said. Speed dating.