Eliot

[leo_rooks]

"She's nice, Leo. Just go for dinner with her. My treat..."

Leo had such a hard time saying no to his mother. She was always so sweet, so gentle compared to his father. When she did things like this, it wasn't for appearances, it was because she hated him being alone. She worried, hated seeing him so stressed and unhappy. ...And so he said yes, even though he wasn't really interested.

Maya was nice. She was pretty, and she was funny. Had he not been dealing with the stress of school and whatever it was he was feeling about Eliot, he'd have likely been smitten. As it was though he just felt awkward and unsure, even as he invited her back to the flat for a cup of tea.

"If you can spare the night, I could get us tickets to see it," Maya was offering as they stepped inside. "My father is one of their top doners, so we usually get offered tickets. It looks like it's going to be an amazing production..."

And Leo did sort of want to go. He liked the theater, loved seeing up and coming productions. It just felt a bit wrong to say yes.

"Yeah, if I can get time," he nodded, clicking on the kettle.

Maya wandered over, leaning against the counter and toying with his hair. It felt nice to have her full attention. To have those soft brown eyes focused on him. 

"Do, erm, you like milk in your-"

He was cut off as she leaned in and kissed him softly. Her hair was in perfect tiny braids, and a few fell forward and tapped against his cheek. They smelled amazing. ...She smelled amazing. Like honey and chocolate. ...Or, not chocolate, but something just as sweet and rich.

Comments

[eliot_thespectacular]

"If we're talking about love and not sex, then I... don't think I'd really trust myself to know what I wanted anyway," Eliot said. He hesitated, and then confessed, "I haven't gotten close to anyone since I left New York. I mean... emotionally close. He... the guy who killed Margo, he really did a number on me. So I guess I don't know what I'm looking for either, I just have trouble thinking i could be good for anyone."

He believed Maya when she said that Leo told her he liked him. And it made him feel kind of... warm and fuzzy, but also terrified. Leo was the best stable thing in his life in a long time. What if he fucked it up?

[leo_rooks]

Leo nodded slightly, picking at the hem of his now untucked shirt.

"I'd probably make a dreadful boyfriend at the moment anyway. I'm so focused on school... I'd rarely have time for dates. ...And I'm a bit prude compared to you. I'm not exactly the hooking up in public sort."

He fidgeted a little, then glanced over.

"This is nice though- Being flatmates. Sharing a space. ...Yeah?"

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot should have just said yes. Should have just said, yes this is perfect, let's not ruin a good thing.

But instead he said, looking right in his eyes, "But you wanted to kiss me the other night."

[leo_rooks]

Leo looked away, visibly embarrassed.

"I- I mean, yes, but... You're very sexual, and I'm.... You'd be disappointed, I think."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot didn't look away from him. "You don't like sex?" he asked, the question genuine, as he reached out and slid a finger down Leo's face.

[leo_rooks]

"I like it, I just- Last time I was with another man we'd spent nearly a full month flirting at his father's boathouse before we even kissed. We only had sex the last night we were there," Leo confessed, going still as Eliot touched him. As though unsure what to do. "And that was a fling. That's my version of impulsive."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot's finger slipped down his neck and then he pulled away. "Leo, we've been dancing around sexual tension for months. I might typically be impulsive, but... not with you."

[leo_rooks]

"I just worry I wont be exciting enough," Leo admitted. "That you'll be bored, and things will become awkward. I like you, Eliot. I don't like the idea of you not being in my life anymore."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"That's a lot of worry for something that hasn't even started yet," Eliot said quietly. "I'm not suggesting we get married."

[leo_rooks]

"What are you suggesting then? What is it that you want, Eliot?" Leo asked.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"I don't know," Eliot sighed. "I honestly don't know, except that... I really want to kiss you before I explode."

[leo_rooks]

"I want to kiss you too, but I didn't - Because it's serious for me. I have feelings for you, Eliot, and I don't think I could handle kissing you if it wasn't serious for you too," Leo confessed.

[eliot_thespectacular]

If Eliot was a better person he would stop this now. He could keep from hurting him just by not letting this go any further.

He was not a better person.

"What... what could I promise you, so that I don't hurt you after?" he asked. "I care about you, Leo. I don't want to hurt you."

[leo_rooks]

Leo was quiet for a moment, then wet his lips with a quick and thoughtful flick of his tongue.

"What if we went on a date?" he suggested. "No expectations, just dinner and conversation. Just to see how it feels?"

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot wondered how it was supposed to feel different than all the rest of the time they'd spent together, but somehow... he thought it would.

"Okay," he said with a little smile. ."Tomorrow? You better pick the place though, I continue to not be as good at faking it as I think."

[leo_rooks]

"Two dates in a row is a lot, I really should-"

Leo cut himself off, not wanting to fuck this up.

"...No, um, tomorrow is fine. I'll make a reservation," he said.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot almost told him, no, it was okay, he could study instead... but then realized he appreciated Leo's concession. And also wanted to respect it.

"In that case, we should get some rest tonight, yeah?" he said.

[leo_rooks]

Leo nodded a little, turning off the TV.

"Goodnight, Eliot," he said as he got to his feet.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Goodnight," said Eliot, wavering for a moment, but then walking into his bedroom.

How much he wanted to go sleep in Leo's bed instead probably said something.

[leo_rooks]

Leo barely managed to get out of his clothes before crawling into bed, too tired to stress too much about the day ahead.

He woke early, making a few calls until he managed to book a table, then studying for a bit before heading over to the hospital. He was grateful to not run into Eliot until much later, mentioning what time their reservation was between classes. After lessons were done, he managed to get an hour of study in before he had to get ready. He pulled on a similar outfit to what he'd worn the night before, a nice shirt, smart looking slacks- Nothing flashy, though it obviously wasn't cheap.

"The car's on the way," he said as he stepped out into the living room. "Pied a Terre isn't close, but it's nice."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot stood from where he'd been sitting on the couch. He was also dressed well, a small variation on what he'd worn to Hannibal Lecter's dinner party - vintage designer trousers, waistcoat, gauzy scarf.

"Great," he said with a smile. He assumed Leo was paying, but he didn't ask; it seemed tacky.

[leo_rooks]

"It's French, I should have asked if you like French food..." Leo added, feeling a bit foolish.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"I do," Eliot assured him as he grabbed his keys and wallet off the counter. "I went to a couple of French restaurants with Margo back in New York. But don't be shy about suggesting what I should order."

[leo_rooks]

Leo nodded and offered a little smile.

"I don't think you need me to tell you what to get," he said, hesitating, then offering his arm so they could walk together.

The car waiting outside was not an uber, it was some sort of car service, and the driver was waiting to let them both in the back.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot got in, and once Leo joined him and they started moving, he leaned in a little and said, "You look nice.'