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

[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.'

[leo_rooks]

"Thanks, so do you," he said, glancing over, and offering a little smile. "I like your scarf."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Thank you," Eliot said happily. "Second hand shop in Soho. We are going to be the hottest couple in this restaurant. Heads will turn, darling."

[leo_rooks]

Leo nearly said he hoped not- But he wasn't so awkward he didn't know how that sounded. He didn't want Eliot to think he didn't want to be seen with him- It was more Leo didn't want to be seen at all. He didn't want his father's thoughts on his love life if word got back to him.

He just smiled, shrugging one shoulder.

"Pretty sure they'll all just be looking at you."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"That's because I ooze attention whore," Eliot said. "But I think it's cute that you're shy. Don't worry, I won't do anything to draw attention to us."

[leo_rooks]

Leo smiled again, settling in just a bit closer as they drove on.

The restaurant wasn't especially busy that night, but it was definitely a desirable spot, and Leo was glad he'd made a reservation. It was always nice to just walk right in and be seated at a good table. As much as his father upset him, he couldn't pretend there weren't perks to the Rooks name.

"Can I get you a bottle of wine?" their server offered.

Leo glanced at Eliot, nodding at the menu. "Get whatever you think's best. You know I've no taste when it comes to drinking."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot took the menu and scanned it, then asked for a bottle of sauvignon blanc - not the most expensive on the menu but certainly more than he would typically spend on a bottle of wine.

"I like the ambiance,' he said to Leo when the waiter left. "The lighting is good. I tended bar in a place kind of like this for a while. not quite this nice."

[leo_rooks]

"I imagine you made out well working at a bar. I know I'm shallow enough to tip better when the server is good looking," Leo admitted.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eilot chuckled. "Yeah, I did well. Worked at a gay bar for a while too... did even better there. i also think it's fun... fast paced, lots to remember."

[leo_rooks]

"Probably less stressful than having life in your hands," Leo noted. "That weighs on me sometimes. Knowing the stress will always be there."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Yeah..." said Eliot. "Yeah. I mean, it's going to happen eventually, to both of us. Make a mistake, hurt someone. That's a hard thing to know. And it has nothing to do with grades, none of that will matter. We're all human."

[leo_rooks]

"I can't stand the idea of making errors," Leo admitted.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot might have said that perhaps he was going into the wrong profession altogether, but instead he pointed out, "There are specialties where the stakes aren't quite as high as others. But that do just as much good."

[leo_rooks]

Leo shrugged. "I know- It's part of the reason I'd like to be a private GP. Sniffles, patients I already know well... It sounds better for me. ...But at the same time- I mean, I told you Dr. House is willing to let me do a rotation with him. That seems like too good an opportunity to waste. Might make my father back off as well. Even he'd be impressed by that."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot still didn't really understand why he wanted to graduate top of his class if he wasn't trying to get into some cutthroat specialization, but... no, well maybe he did. Maybe it was just about his dad.

"Well doing a rotation with him doesn't mean you have to work for him after," Eliot pointed out.

[leo_rooks]

"No, but it opens the door to the possibility," Leo replied. "If he offered me a job, I'd be a moron not to take it."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Well, I mean... if that's what you wanted to do," Eliot said. "If someone offered me a cardiology residency I wouldn't take it."

[leo_rooks]

"Yeah, but- It's Dr. House," Leo said. "You work for him, you can basically pick your next job."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot shrugged. "Maybe. And hey, if you want to you totally should. I just don't think I could handle working for him. I've heard him yell at them enough."

[leo_rooks]

"I can handle yelling," Leo assured him, shrugging one shoulder. "It doesn't get to me."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Well... who knows, maybe you'll enjoy the rotation," Eliot said. "I think he's even been nicer lately. Maybe he's getting laid."

[leo_rooks]

Leo pulled a face, not wanting to think about the doctor's sex life.

"Do you know what you'd like to order?" he asked, nodding at the menu and changing the topic.