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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
...
And for the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly where it was supposed to be.
Dinner lingered longer than either of them expected.
Not because the service was slow.
Not because they were tired.
But because neither of them felt any urgency to leave.
The restaurant around them carried that soft, late-evening rhythm with low conversations, quiet laughter, the occasional clink of glasses. Outside the window, the lights of Champs-Élysées stretched endlessly, glowing like a river of gold cutting through the city.
Leah traced the rim of her glass absentmindedly, her eyes drifting between the street outside and Francesco across from her.
"You realize," she said softly, "we did a full day in Paris and it didn't feel rushed once."
Francesco leaned back slightly in his chair, his posture relaxed in a way that would've been unthinkable just days ago.
"Because we didn't rush," he replied.
She smiled.
"Yeah."
There was a pause.
Not awkward.
Just full.
The kind of silence that carried everything they didn't need to say.
Leah let out a small breath and glanced at the table.
"Okay," she said, almost reluctantly. "I think I'm officially full."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"Took you long enough."
She shot him a look.
"I regret nothing."
He chuckled quietly.
"Of course you don't."
She leaned back, stretching her legs slightly under the table.
"What about you?"
"I'm good," he said. "Perfect, actually."
She nodded once.
"Same."
Another small pause.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
"Should we head back?"
Francesco followed her gaze briefly out the window.
The city was still alive.
Still inviting.
Still moving.
But there was something about going back now that felt right too.
"Yeah," he said. "Let's go."
They stepped out of the restaurant together, the cool Parisian night wrapping around them instantly.
The air had changed.
Softer.
Cooler.
Carrying that faint mix of city life from food, movement, distant music.
Leah instinctively moved a little closer to him as they stepped onto the sidewalk.
Not because she needed to.
But because she wanted to.
"Do we walk or grab a cab?" she asked.
Francesco glanced down the avenue.
"We can walk for a bit."
She smiled.
"Good answer."
They didn't rush.
Again.
That seemed to be the theme of the entire day.
They walked side by side along the glowing stretch of Champs-Élysées, their pace slow, unhurried, matching the rhythm of the city around them.
The lights reflected off polished storefronts.
Cars passed in a steady flow.
Somewhere nearby, a street musician played something soft that just enough to blend into the atmosphere without demanding attention.
Leah slipped her hand lightly into his.
It wasn't a big gesture.
Not dramatic.
Just natural.
Francesco glanced down for a split second.
Then back ahead.
His fingers closed gently around hers.
Neither of them commented on it.
They didn't need to.
At one point, Leah slowed slightly, her eyes lifting toward the distance.
"Wait…" she said quietly.
Francesco followed her gaze.
And there it was.
Far off.
But unmistakable.
The silhouette of the Eiffel Tower rising into the night sky, illuminated in soft golden light.
Leah's steps almost stopped completely.
"Okay…" she breathed.
Francesco smiled faintly.
"First time seeing it like this?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
The tower shimmered subtly against the dark sky, standing above everything else like it belonged to a different world entirely.
Leah squeezed his hand slightly.
"It's even better at night."
Francesco glanced at her.
"Told you."
She smiled, but her eyes stayed on the tower for a few seconds longer before she finally looked away.
"Alright," she said. "Now I'm really okay going back."
He laughed quietly.
"Good."
Eventually, they hailed a cab.
The ride back to the Four Seasons Hotel George V was quiet in the best way.
Leah leaned back into her seat, her head resting lightly against the cushion, her fingers still loosely intertwined with his.
"You know what's funny?" she murmured.
"What?"
"I thought today would feel overwhelming."
Francesco glanced at her.
"And?"
"It didn't," she said. "Not once."
He nodded.
"Because you didn't overthink it."
She smiled faintly.
"Maybe I'm learning."
"Careful," he said. "Wouldn't want you getting too wise."
She nudged him lightly.
"Shut up."
When the cab pulled up in front of the Four Seasons Hotel George V, everything felt familiar again.
The entrance.
The soft lighting.
The quiet elegance.
The driver stepped out, opening the door smoothly.
"Here we are."
Francesco nodded, stepping out first before offering a hand to Leah.
She took it without hesitation.
"Thank you," she said softly as she stepped onto the pavement.
The bell staff greeted them again with polite smiles, but there was no need for luggage this time.
Just a quiet return.
A continuation of the day.
Inside, the lobby felt calmer than before.
Late enough that the earlier movement had softened into something quieter.
More intimate.
They walked through it side by side, their footsteps muted against the polished floor.
Leah glanced around again, but this time, there was no wide-eyed amazement.
Just appreciation.
Familiarity.
They reached the elevator.
The doors opened.
They stepped inside.
And for a moment, it was just them again.
Leah leaned lightly against the wall, exhaling.
"I'm tired," she admitted.
Francesco glanced at her.
"Good tired?"
She nodded.
"The best kind."
He smiled.
"Same."
The elevator doors opened onto their floor.
The hallway was quiet.
Still.
Almost untouched by time.
They walked to their suite, Francesco pulling out the key card.
A soft beep.
The door opened.
And they stepped back inside.
The suite greeted them with the same quiet elegance as before.
But now, it felt different.
Lived in.
Familiar.
The lights were soft.
The city beyond the windows had transformed completely into a sea of glowing gold and shadow.
Leah slipped off her shoes near the entrance almost immediately.
"Okay…" she sighed. "I needed that."
Francesco set his jacket aside.
"Long day."
She smiled.
"Perfect day."
There was a brief pause.
Then Leah turned toward the bathroom.
"I'm going first," she said.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Again?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation. "No arguments."
He laughed quietly.
"Go ahead."
The sound of running water filled the suite again, echoing softly through the space.
Francesco moved toward the balcony doors, pushing them open slightly.
Cool night air drifted in immediately.
Different from the street.
Quieter.
Higher.
He stepped out onto the balcony.
And there it was again.
The Eiffel Tower.
Closer now.
Clearer.
Standing tall against the night, glowing like something unreal.
He rested his hands lightly against the railing, just watching.
No thoughts.
No pressure.
Just the view.
When Leah stepped out of the bathroom, her hair slightly damp again, wrapped in the hotel robe, she immediately noticed where he was.
She walked toward the balcony quietly.
Then stepped outside beside him.
For a moment, she didn't say anything.
She just followed his gaze.
And smiled.
"That view…" she whispered.
Francesco glanced at her.
"Not bad."
She laughed softly.
"You really need new vocabulary."
He smirked.
"Working on it."
She leaned lightly against the railing beside him, her shoulder brushing his.
They stood there for a while.
Not speaking.
Just watching the tower glow against the Paris night.
Eventually, Francesco stepped back inside.
"Alright," he said. "My turn."
Leah nodded.
"Don't take forever."
"No promises."
She rolled her eyes as he disappeared into the bathroom.
By the time he came back out, the room had shifted again.
Leah was curled slightly on the sofa, the TV playing softly in the background.
Some late-night show.
Nothing too loud.
Nothing too demanding.
Just noise.
Comfortable noise.
She glanced up at him.
"Finally."
He smirked.
"Miss me?"
"Obviously," she replied dryly.
He dropped down beside her on the sofa, leaning back comfortably.
For a while, they just watched.
Not really paying attention.
Just letting the sound fill the room.
Leah rested her head lightly against his shoulder again, her body relaxing completely.
"Today was… a lot," she murmured.
"Yeah," he said.
"But in a good way."
He nodded.
"In the best way."
After a while, Leah shifted slightly.
"Come on," she said. "One more thing."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What now?"
She stood, reaching for his hand.
"Balcony."
They stepped out together again.
This time, slower.
More deliberate.
The city stretched endlessly around them.
Lights in every direction.
And at the center of it all.
The Eiffel Tower.
Still glowing.
Still impossible to ignore.
Leah leaned against the railing again, her eyes fixed on it.
"I don't think I'm ever getting used to that," she said softly.
Francesco stood beside her.
"You don't have to."
She smiled faintly.
"Good."
A soft breeze passed through, lifting her hair slightly.
The city below continued to move.
Cars.
People.
Life.
But up here?
Everything felt still.
Quiet.
Safe.
Leah turned her head slightly toward him.
"Thank you," she said.
Francesco looked at her.
"For what?"
She gestured lightly around them.
"All of this."
He shook his head slightly.
"You chose it."
"Yeah," she said. "But you made it happen."
He didn't answer immediately.
Then, quietly.
"We both did."
She smiled.
And this time, she didn't look back at the city.
She looked at him.
They stayed out there longer than they planned.
Minutes blending into each other.
The night deepening.
The lights never fading.
Eventually, Leah let out a soft yawn.
"Okay…" she said. "Now I'm really done."
Francesco chuckled.
"Finally."
They stepped back inside, closing the balcony doors behind them.
The suite felt warm again.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
Leah moved toward the bedroom first, already half-exhausted.
Francesco followed, turning off the lights behind them one by one.
The TV faded into silence.
The city remained outside.
As they settled into bed, the last thing visible through the window.
Was the faint glow of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Leah shifted slightly under the blanket, her voice soft, almost drifting.
"Good first day."
Francesco lay back, staring up at the ceiling for a moment.
Then closed his eyes.
"Yeah."
There was nothing waiting for tomorrow.
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just another day in Paris.
And sleep came easy.
Morning in Paris didn't arrive loudly.
It didn't rush in or demand attention the way mornings sometimes did back in London, where alarms, schedules, and obligations seemed to start calling before the sun had even fully risen.
Here, it was different.
The light came first.
Soft.
Golden.
Slipping quietly through the curtains of their suite at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, stretching slowly across the floor like it had nowhere else to be.
It touched the edge of the bed.
The sheets.
The quiet stillness of the room.
And eventually, Francesco stirred.
Not abruptly.
Not like he was waking up for training or a match.
Just naturally.
His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light, his body still heavy with the kind of rest he hadn't had in a long time.
For a moment, he didn't move.
Didn't reach for his phone.
Didn't think about anything.
He just lay there.
Listening.
The faint hum of the city below.
Distant, softened by height and glass.
The quiet rhythm of breathing beside him.
He turned his head slightly.
Leah was still asleep.
Curled slightly under the blanket, her hair falling loosely across the pillow, her expression completely relaxed.
No tension.
No worry.
Just rest.
And something about that made him pause for a second longer.
There was no rush to wake her.
No reason to break the quiet.
But eventually, Leah stirred too.
A small shift.
A faint breath.
Then her eyes opened slowly, blinking against the morning light.
"What time is it…" she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.
Francesco glanced toward the bedside table where his phone rested.
"Just after nine."
She groaned softly, rolling slightly onto her back.
"That's early."
He smirked faintly.
"You're on vacation."
"Exactly," she said, closing her eyes again for a second. "That's why it's early."
He chuckled quietly.
She stayed like that for a moment.
Then exhaled and opened her eyes again, turning her head toward him.
There was a small smile there.
Soft.
Unforced.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning," he replied.
A pause.
Then she stretched her arms above her head, letting out a small breath as her body fully woke up.
"Okay…" she said. "I feel good."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"That fast?"
She nodded.
"Yeah."
Then she glanced toward the window.
The light had grown brighter now, illuminating the room in full.
"Today's going to be nice," she added.
He followed her gaze.
"Yeah."
There was something about Paris mornings.
Even from inside the room, you could feel it.
A quiet promise.
A slower pace.
A different kind of energy.
Leah pushed the blanket aside and sat up.
"Alright," she said. "Shower first?"
Francesco smirked.
"Again, you're deciding that?"
She pointed at him without hesitation.
"Yes."
He laughed softly.
"Go ahead."
She slid off the bed, grabbing what she needed before heading toward the bathroom.
"Don't fall asleep again," she called over her shoulder.
"No promises."
A second later, the sound of running water filled the suite once more.
Francesco eventually got up too, moving toward the window.
He pulled the curtain aside slightly.
And there it was again.
Paris.
Different now.
Daylight revealing details that the night had hidden.
The streets below.
The rooftops stretching endlessly.
The movement of people already starting their day.
It wasn't quiet.
But it wasn't chaotic either.
Just alive.
He leaned one hand lightly against the glass, watching.
And for once, there was no thought of what came next beyond this.
No schedule.
No pressure.
Just the day.
When Leah stepped out of the bathroom, she looked even more refreshed than before.
Hair slightly damp.
Dressed casually but effortlessly.
She glanced at him by the window.
"Your turn."
He nodded.
"Don't use all the hot water."
She smirked.
"No promises."
The routine repeated itself.
Simple.
Comfortable.
He showered.
Changed.
Stepped back into the room feeling lighter.
And by the time he came out, Leah was already near the door, slipping on her shoes.
"Ready?" she asked.
He glanced at her.
"You're excited."
"Obviously," she said.
He smiled.
"Let's go."
The elevator ride down felt even more relaxed than the night before.
No anticipation this time.
Just continuation.
The lobby greeted them with the same elegance, but now it carried the soft energy of morning.
Guests moving calmly.
Staff working quietly.
Sunlight filtering through the tall windows.
Leah glanced around, then toward him.
"Breakfast?"
"Definitely," he said.
The hotel restaurant was just as refined as everything else in the Four Seasons Hotel George V.
Soft music in the background.
Tables set with quiet precision.
Large windows letting in the morning light.
They were seated quickly, guided to a table near the window.
Leah sat down first, taking in the space with a small nod.
"Okay… this is a good start."
Francesco sat across from her.
"Let's see if the food lives up to it."
Menus were handed to them.
But it didn't take long.
Leah glanced through it quickly before closing it.
"I already know what I want."
He raised an eyebrow.
"That fast?"
"Yeah," she said. "I'm hungry."
He chuckled.
"Fair enough."
They placed their order.
Coffee.
Juices.
Breakfast dishes that felt just right for the moment.
And when the food arrived, it was exactly what they needed.
Warm.
Fresh.
Simple but done perfectly.
Leah took her first bite and immediately nodded.
"Okay… yeah."
Francesco watched her reaction.
"Good?"
"Very," she said.
He took a bite of his own food.
And nodded once.
"Yeah. Not bad."
She pointed at him.
"There it is again."
He smirked.
"Consistency."
They ate slowly.
Not dragging it out.
But not rushing either.
Leah occasionally glanced out the window, watching people pass by outside.
The city already moving.
Already alive.
Then she looked back at him.
"So…" she said.
Francesco looked up.
"So?"
He already knew what was coming.
She smiled.
"Where are we going today?"
He leaned back slightly, taking a sip of his coffee.
"You're the planner."
She nodded.
"Right."
She paused for a second, thinking.
Then her eyes lit up slightly.
"Okay."
He watched her.
"That look again."
She ignored that.
"First," she said, holding up one finger, "we're going to the Eiffel Tower."
Francesco nodded slowly.
"Finally up close."
"Yes," she said. "Not just from a distance this time."
He smiled.
"Good choice."
She held up a second finger.
"Then… we go to Canal de l'Ourcq."
Francesco tilted his head slightly.
"That's a different one."
She nodded.
"Less touristy," she explained. "More local. I read about it."
He smirked.
"You've been doing research."
"Of course I have."
He nodded.
"I like it."
Then she held up a third finger.
"And at night…"
She paused for effect.
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"Let me guess."
She smiled.
"Belleville."
He leaned back slightly.
"Alright, now that's interesting."
She grinned.
"I told you. We're doing this properly."
He studied her for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "That sounds perfect."
She relaxed back into her chair, clearly satisfied.
"I know."
There was a small pause as they continued eating.
Then Leah leaned forward slightly.
"I want to see the Eiffel Tower during the day," she said. "Like… really see it."
"You will," Francesco replied.
"And I want to walk around it, not just take pictures."
"Done."
"And maybe go up if there's time."
He nodded.
"We'll see how busy it is."
She smiled.
"Okay."
The conversation drifted after that.
Smaller things.
Jokes.
Observations.
But the plan was set.
Simple.
Perfect.
Balanced.
Just like yesterday.
Eventually, plates emptied again.
Coffee finished.
The morning fully settled in.
Leah leaned back slightly, exhaling.
"Okay… I'm ready."
Francesco stood first.
"Let's go, then."
She smiled as she stood up beside him.
"Paris, day two."
He glanced at her.
"Let's see if it tops the first."
She smirked.
"Oh, it will."
And together, they stepped out of the restaurant, back into the city.
The moment they stepped out of the hotel, Paris greeted them differently than it had the day before.
Not louder.
Not faster.
Just brighter.
Morning had fully settled into late morning now, the light stronger but still soft enough to feel welcoming rather than harsh. The streets carried that steady rhythm again from people walking, cafés alive with quiet conversation, the distant hum of traffic blending into something almost soothing.
Leah adjusted her sunglasses slightly as they stepped onto the sidewalk, her energy already a step ahead of the moment.
"Okay," she said, turning to him with a small grin. "Now it starts."
Francesco slipped his hands into his pockets, glancing around.
"Pretty sure it already started yesterday."
She shook her head.
"No, that was the warm-up."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Warm-up?"
She nodded confidently.
"This is day two. That's where things get serious."
He laughed under his breath.
"Alright, coach."
She pointed ahead.
"Let's go."
The ride toward the Eiffel Tower didn't take long, but the closer they got, the more noticeable the shift became.
The streets widened.
The buildings opened up.
And gradually, between the spaces.
There it was.
At first, just a glimpse.
A piece of iron structure rising above everything else.
Then more.
Then all of it.
Leah went quiet for a second.
Not because she didn't have anything to say.
But because sometimes, the moment just took that from you.
"Okay…" she breathed.
Francesco glanced at her, then followed her gaze.
Even in daylight, it didn't lose anything.
If anything, it gained something different.
Less dramatic than the night before.
More… real.
More detailed.
The iron lattice stood out clearly now, every line, every curve visible against the sky.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
The car slowed as they reached the area, eventually stopping at a point where they could continue on foot.
And that's when it hit fully.
The crowd.
Tourists everywhere.
Groups moving in different directions.
Voices in multiple languages blending into a constant buzz.
Cameras already out.
Phones raised.
People laughing, pointing, reacting.
Leah stepped out first, immediately taking it all in.
"Okay... you were right," she said.
Francesco stepped beside her.
"About?"
"This being busy."
He smirked.
"Told you."
But there was no hesitation in her movement.
No second-guessing.
She stepped forward, weaving through the crowd with purpose, her excitement cutting cleanly through everything else.
"Come on," she said, grabbing his hand lightly and pulling him along.
Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower was a completely different experience.
Up close, it felt massive.
Not just tall, but present.
Dominant.
Like it owned the sky above it.
Leah tilted her head back, trying to take it all in.
"Okay… this is insane."
Francesco glanced up as well.
"You said that yesterday."
She didn't even look at him.
"This is different."
He couldn't argue with that.
"Alright," she said suddenly, already reaching for her phone. "Pictures."
Francesco sighed quietly.
"Of course."
She turned to him, already stepping back to frame the shot.
"No, no, stand there."
He looked behind him.
"Here?"
"Yes," she said. "That's perfect."
He adjusted slightly, hands settling casually at his sides.
Leah crouched just a little, tilting her phone, shifting angles.
"Wait… no… okay, hold on."
Francesco stayed still, watching her with a faint smirk.
"You done yet?"
"Don't rush art," she shot back.
He chuckled under his breath.
Click.
She checked the photo.
"…Hmm."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She stepped closer, analyzing it.
"It's good."
He crossed his arms slightly.
"That's it?"
"But…" she added.
He sighed.
"Here we go."
"I can do better."
"Of course you can."
She ignored him completely, stepping back again.
"Okay, one more."
Click.
Another.
Click.
Another.
Francesco shifted slightly.
"Leah—"
"Just one more."
He laughed.
"You said that three times ago."
"Shh."
Eventually, she lowered her phone, studying the result carefully.
"…Okay."
He waited.
"This one's good."
He smirked.
"Finally."
She pointed at him.
"Don't get used to it."
"Your turn," he said.
She raised an eyebrow.
"You taking pictures?"
"Yeah."
She stepped into position, adjusting her posture instinctively.
"Okay… wait."
She turned slightly.
"No, this side's better."
Francesco watched her with quiet amusement.
"You're worse than me."
"Excuse me?" she said, half-laughing.
"I'm just saying."
She shook her head, smiling.
"Just take the picture."
He did.
Click.
She walked over immediately.
"Let me see."
He handed her the phone.
She looked at it.
"…It's good."
He nodded.
"Yeah."
"But…"
He laughed instantly.
"I knew it."
"I can do better," she said.
He raised his hands slightly.
"Go ahead."
And just like that, it turned into the same process.
Angles.
Adjustments.
Lighting.
Small shifts.
More photos.
And every time Francesco thought, yeah, that one's good.
She wasn't fully satisfied.
At one point, he leaned closer, glancing at the screen.
"That's a great photo."
She squinted at it.
"…Almost."
He shook his head, smiling.
"Impossible."
She laughed.
Eventually, they settled.
Not because she found perfection.
But because the moment itself was enough.
"Okay," she said. "Now both of us."
Francesco looked around.
"Need help."
She nodded.
"Yeah."
They spotted a nearby couple, tourists like them.
Leah stepped forward politely.
"Hi, would you mind taking a picture for us?"
The woman smiled immediately.
"Of course!"
Francesco handed over the phone.
They stepped into place together.
This time, it felt different.
Less staged.
More natural.
Leah stood close to him, her shoulder lightly brushing his.
"Ready?" the woman called.
"Yeah," Leah said.
Click.
Another.
Click.
"Perfect," the woman said, handing the phone back.
"Thank you," Francesco said.
"Thank you so much," Leah added.
But as they did, the man looked a little closer at Francesco.
Then again.
Recognition flickered.
"Wait… are you… Francesco Lee?"
Francesco gave a small, familiar smile.
"Yeah."
That was enough.
The couple's expressions lit up immediately.
"No way, we're huge fans," the man said. "Arsenal fans."
Leah stepped slightly to the side, smiling.
"Of course you are."
"Can we take a picture with you?" the woman asked.
Francesco nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah, sure."
They stood together, another photo taken.
Quick.
Easy.
Genuine.
"Thank you so much," the man said. "Good luck this season."
Francesco nodded.
"Thank you."
They exchanged a few more words before parting ways.
Leah stepped back beside him.
"You can't escape it," she said lightly.
He shrugged.
"Not really."
She smiled.
"Good thing you handle it well."
He glanced at her.
"Part of the job."
"More than that," she said quietly.
He didn't respond.
But he heard it.
After a while, they stepped away from the tower, the crowd slowly fading behind them as they moved toward their next destination.
The shift to the Canal de l'Ourcq was immediate.
It felt like a different version of Paris.
Quieter.
More local.
Less polished in a way that made it feel more real.
The water stretched calmly through the area, reflecting the sky and surrounding buildings with soft movement.
People sat along the edges.
Some talking.
Some reading.
Some doing nothing at all.
Leah exhaled softly.
"Okay… I like this."
Francesco nodded.
"Different."
"In a good way," she said.
He agreed.
They walked along the canal for a bit before spotting a small rental stand.
Leah looked at it.
Then at him.
"Kayak?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
She grinned.
"Come on."
He hesitated for half a second.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
A few minutes later, they were out on the water.
The kayak moved gently beneath them, the surface calm enough to feel safe but alive enough to keep it interesting.
Leah laughed as she adjusted her balance slightly.
"Okay, this is actually fun."
Francesco smirked.
"Told you."
"You didn't tell me," she said.
"I implied it."
She shook her head, smiling.
They moved slowly along the canal, taking in everything from a different angle now.
The city felt quieter from here.
More distant.
More peaceful.
Leah pulled out her phone carefully.
"Don't tip us over."
"No promises."
She laughed, snapping a few photos.
Of the water.
Of the view.
Of him.
"Hey," he said.
"What?"
"You're doing it again."
She grinned.
"Of course I am."
After a while, they returned the kayak, stepping back onto solid ground.
Leah stretched slightly.
"That was worth it."
"Definitely," Francesco said.
They found a nearby café, small and relaxed, perfectly fitting the atmosphere of the Canal de l'Ourcq.
They sat outside.
Ordered something light.
And just… stayed.
Leah leaned back in her chair, watching the water.
"This is my favorite part so far," she said.
Francesco glanced around.
"Yeah?"
She nodded.
"It's calm."
He smiled faintly.
"I get that."
They ate slowly, talking between bites, occasionally falling into comfortable silence.
The kind that didn't need fixing.
As the afternoon stretched on, the light began to shift again.
Softening.
Cooling.
Leah checked the time.
"Okay," she said. "Last stop."
Francesco looked at her.
"Belleville."
She nodded.
"Exactly."
By the time they reached Belleville, the city had changed again.
Night had settled.
But this part of Paris felt different from the others.
More vibrant.
More raw.
Street art on walls.
Music drifting from corners.
A mix of cultures, languages, energy.
Leah's eyes lit up instantly.
"Okay, this is cool."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
They walked through the streets, taking it all in.
This wasn't polished Paris.
This was lived-in Paris.
Real.
Alive.
Eventually, they found a restaurant.
Not overly flashy.
But elegant in its own way.
Warm lighting.
A quiet hum of conversation.
They were seated near a window again.
Leah glanced around.
"Perfect."
Francesco leaned back slightly.
"You said that yesterday too."
She smiled.
"I have good taste."
He chuckled.
"I'll give you that."
Dinner came.
Drinks.
Food.
Laughter.
And conversation that flowed just as easily as it had the night before.
Leah rested her chin lightly on her hand at one point, looking at him.
"Today was better."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Better than yesterday?"
She nodded.
"Different, but yeah."
He considered it.
Then smiled.
"Yeah," he said. "I think so too."
Outside, Belleville continued to move.
While Inside, they stayed right where they were, exactly where they were supposed to be.
______________________________________________
Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 18 (2016)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : 2014/2015 Premier League, 2014/2015 FA Cup, 2015/2016 Community Shield, 2016/2017 Premier League, 2015/2016 Champions League, Euro 2016, Premier League Champion 2016/2017, and 2016/2017 Champions League.
Season 16/17 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 55
Goal: 87
Assist: 5
MOTM: 14
POTM: 1
England:
Match: 1
Goal: 1
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 15/16 stats:
Arsenal:
Match Played: 60
Goal: 82
Assist: 10
MOTM: 9
POTM: 1
England:
Match Played: 2
Goal: 4
Assist: 0
Euro 2016
Match Played: 6
Goal: 13
Assist: 4
MOTM: 6
Season 14/15 stats:
Match Played: 35
Goal: 45
Assist: 12
MOTM: 9