closed w Elliot

[goldspecktacles]

And so, thanks to an icebreaker, Leo decided to break his own heart.



[And Leo thought that the last Rumor meeting was exhausting. He hated social situations enough already, but this latest meeting topped the charts. Not only that, but walks home with Elliot had never been so miserable. Being teased about having a crush would have been one thing, but Leo knew it wouldn't work out. He was well aware that Elliot was about to go from a teasing best friend to an angry... what? What was going to happen? Leo had already lived a life without Elliot, but the emptiness left behind was still 'his best friend.' The chair was empty not because Elliot chose for it to be, but now...

The thought of Elliot willingly leaving his life made the pain real all over again.

Leo tried to at least enjoy the walk. With a mix of bickering, defensive behavior, and trying to tease Elliot back. It was his last chance to walk with Elliot as an equal and he wanted to enjoy it. As they entered their apartment, Leo felt the warmth evaporate. He became quiet, heart pounding anxiously, and lost the sparks in his eyes.]

Well. Let's get this over with. Take a seat and I'll get the draft.

Comments

[goldspecktacles]

[Separating to walk home would have been a necessary disappointment. Leo would have taken Elliot's hand and tried to lean against his shoulder, but even that wouldn't be the same as their current comfortable state. He feels Elliot begin to move and sighs quietly, reminding himself that this isn't the end but the beginning--

And then his feet are off the ground. Leo yelps in surprise and grabs Elliot's shoulder, instinctively clinging before he fully understands what has happened. It's not until Elliot comments on his weight that it all clicks. Leo can't turn off an embarrassed stutter as he struggles for words-]

E, Elliot! What are you... [It's not actually the worst thing to happen. And Leo knows that if he protests too much, Elliot will probably put his down as a tease. That's not what Leo wants either.

So he swallows his nerves and stubbornly puts his arm around Elliot's neck. If he's going to be embarrassing, then Leo will return the favor! Now they can both die.]

... Drop me and I'm taking you with me.

[rejectedchain]

[Elliot can't help it. When he sees Leo's reaction he laughs, light and unburdened by his old worries. Seeing Leo get so flustered is...it's cute, especially since he can always rely on Leo to have a snarky and eloquent comment prepared. It's very rare to see him stumbling over his words like this, and Elliot feels a bit smug knowing he accomplished that.

Ah...but stupid Leo is also a lot quicker to adapt. He immediately goes quiet as it backfires (only not really). Elliot isn't sure if it's physically possible to blush so much, but here they are and if Leo is going to be stubborn he's going to be equally stubborn.]

Tch. You really think I'd be clumsy enough to drop you?

[Still, now that he's holding Leo he finds he doesn't really want to put him down. Holding onto him, he starts walking back to their apartment.]

[goldspecktacles]

No. I think you'd drop me out of spite!

[Or, well. A stubborn need to win an argument. Leo knows that Elliot wouldn't drop him for a cruel reason like spite. He presses his face against Elliot's shoulder anyway and commits to at least being comfortably humiliated.
The most that Elliot is going to get on the way home is a soft mumble. Other than that, Leo is silent for the walk because he knows he'll say something stupid and hand Elliot an easy victory. That's not how things work between them!]

... I love you, Elliot. Thank you.

[rejectedchain]

You're an idiot!

[Elliot shouts back. It's good the garden is empty by this hour, otherwise the stares they would have attracted may have made Elliot melt into a puddle of embarrassment on the spot.

But Leo is warm and easy to carry, and as they walk in silence Elliot finds it becomes more natural and less awkward, though he still feels feverish. Can love actually make you sick?]

I love you too. ...Don't run away again.

[He holds him a bit closer, whispering the last part and sounding more vulnerable as he does. He goes quiet again for the rest of their trip back home. Their home.]