leo_rooks | Eliot

"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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

eliot_thespectacular

Eliot quirked a smile. "I believe you. And in that case I feel guilty and flattered." He held up his wine glass. "Cheers."

From:

leo_rooks

Leo quirked a tiny smile, clinking their glasses together.

"Who do you think you'll do your last rotation with?" he asked.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

Eliot took a drink. "I'm hoping that the peds A&E will open up in time for me to do it there actually," he said. "Dr. Bond said there might be a spot for me."

From:

leo_rooks

Leo nodded a bit. "I've heard he's tough, but he's a good man."

At least he'd always been good to Leo.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

"Yeah he is," Eliot said. "He uh, helped me out with a problem with my old apartment not long ago. Said he'd rather see me focusing on my job than spending my energy fighting with my landlord. It was really nice of him." Pause. "Does he know that I moved in with you?"

From:

leo_rooks

"I told him I'd probably have a flatmate, I didn't think to say who," he admitted.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

"Well... I could mention it to him," Eliot said. "Unless you'd rather him not know."

From:

leo_rooks

"...Okay," Leo shrugged. "I mean, if you think he needs to know, but I can tell him next time I see him if you like."

From:

eliot_thespectacular

"Oh it doesn't really matter," said Eliot with a shrug. "I suppose whoever has a chance first."

Though this reminder also had him thinking of how objectively stupid it was for him to get romantically involved with Leo. If it went sideways, if Eliot fucked it up as was likely, then he'd probably have to move out.

So it probably said a lot that he genuinely lthought it was worth the risk.

From:

leo_rooks

"I mean, we don't have to tell him at all," Leo said, kind of pleased by that. For once he had some real freedom.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

"I mean... sure, if you don't want to," Eliot said. "But is there a reason? I mean, like I said he helped me out so I'd rather not lie if he asks me how I'm doing in my flat or whatever."

From:

leo_rooks

"Why do you care so much if he knows or not?" Leo frowned. "Tell him whatever you like, I don't care."

From:

eliot_thespectacular

Eliot held up his hands. "Look, all I said is I'd rather not lie to him if it came up. I don't care if he knows or not."

From:

leo_rooks

"Fine, I said I don't care," Leo replied, rolling his eyes. "Why are we even talking about Bond on a date? I can't think of anything less romantic than- You know, a teacher."

Or potential father figure, which was how Leo was starting to view the man.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

Eliot found the strength of his reaction to talking about Bond to be a bit strange, but it didn't seem negative exactly, so he decided not to push on it.

"We were talking about our next rotations," he said pleasantly in answer to his question, then teased, "Shall we talk about Dr. House instead?"

From:

leo_rooks

"Ew," Leo replied, pulling a face. "The man's brilliant, but- No. Let's not. ....We should talk about- Fuck, I don't know."

He looked relieved when the server returned with their meals. This wasn't exactly going how he'd hoped- Not that Leo was even certain what it was he was hoping for other than to spend more time with Eliot.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

Eliot wondered what he'd thought they were about to talk about in relation House, but... then their food arrived and he decided to drop it.

And change the subject.

"I still need to bake for you," he offered, and then thanked the waiter as he refilled their wine glasses before leaving."Muffins, maybe? Nothing fancy, easy to grab when you've forgotten to eat breakfast..."

From:

leo_rooks

"Where did you learn to bake?" Leo asked, sipping his wine before taking a bite of his food.

Oh, yes, he'd forgotten how good the food was here.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

"YouTube," said Eliot with a grin, and then took a bite of the chicken and groaned. "Oh fuck me, that's good."

From:

leo_rooks

"Wait until you try the desserts here. You'll never want to eat anything else ever again," Leo grinned.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

"Oh my god I can't wait," said Eliot with a grin. "You pick... two desserts to try and we can share."

From:

leo_rooks

"Alright," Leo agreed, a shy little smile on his lips as he continued to eat.

From:

eliot_thespectacular

Eliot found that terribly adorable. He ate for a moment, looking enthralled by the food, and then said lightly, "I suspect mybaking will not compare."