[ there's very little time between glimpsing elliot's face around the corner and then suddenly having elliot's full weight upon him, almost knocking all the breath out of his lungs. leo manages to fist his fingers into the shirt on elliot's back, gripping him tightly like elliot would disappear somehow if he didn't.
the sound of elliot's sobbing stuns him even more. leo had no perception of time passing while he was asleep. for all he knows, it could have been a few days, or just a few hours. he couldn't be sure. he couldn't take a good enough look at elliot to tell how much time has passed, but from the way elliot is reacting, it probably has been a while. ]
... Are you crying?
[ he's smiling a little into elliot's shoulder, hands rubbing slow circles on his back. teasing him a little should be fine. teasing him should help elliot get himself together, probably. ]
[He's crying. He's definitely crying, not that he'll ever admit it. God, if only he could get his shit together but the amount of relief he feels at the sight of Leo and the ability to hold him in his arms...it's unparalleled.
There's an undignified sniff as he pulls his face away, rubbing his eyes immediately with the back of a hand, the other firmly still hooked onto the fabric of Leo's shirt. He'll be damned if he lets go just yet.]
If you ever nag me for oversleeping again I'll remind you of this.
[ this is a new side of elliot leo has honestly never seen before. half of him wants to tease elliot for years about this, but the other half doesn't have the heart to with elliot looking so pathetic. ]
Just how long have I been oversleeping? Where is my master? Who is this sniveling mess?
[ it's barely noticeable behind his hair, but leo's eyes are wide and staring. it doesn't feel like five months. it feels like he's had too good of a night's sleep where you feel tired and even sleepier afterward. five months... elliot has had to live without him for five months.
[He knows it isn't really Leo's fault and the apology doesn't really make the fact that these past few months have been difficult any less so...but he'll accept it, because it's coming from him. He knows he's being genuine, after all.]
It's the Natha's fault, not yours. I'm just glad you're here again.
[Because as time dragged on it was becoming increasingly difficult to move forward.]
[He is making a face, but it's going to change to one a little lighter in a moment as he snorts at Leo's next comment.]
You wish. Gilbert's been cooking for me. I'm just as pathetic as I was when you decided to take a nap, Sleeping Beauty.
[And then, because he's not sure if it's okay, his hand hovers near Leo's for a brief moment, before he decides fuck it and takes his hand fully into his own, intent on dragging him toward the cafeteria.]
Doesn't mean I can't get you something to eat though.
[ for a moment, elliot's hand around him feels perfectly normal, natural. it takes leo a minute after as they walk down the hall of the space station to remember that it's different now. that elliot is dating him. that elliot asked for this. that they're no longer holding hands like best friends. that this is more than simple friendship.
leo is glad that elliot is walking ahead of him. it's easier to hide the hint of color that shows on his face. he curls his fingers around elliot's for a little firmer grip, and smiles to himself. ]
You should have learned something from him in five months. What have you been doing, then?
Trying to live, mostly. A lot of stupid shit has happened while you were sleeping Leo. Every time I thought things were finally settling down and I could do something with myself another crisis was thrown our way.
[He sighs, squeezing Leo's hand when he feels his grip tighten. Leo's not the only one with pink cheeks.]
It's been a lot, Leo. I don't even know if Nessy's alive.
Some asshole decided to resurrect some undead angry dragon and tried to destroy everything. It's why we're all up here right now. She ran away at the beginning of all the chaos...
I'd much rather go through it with you than sleep all that time away.
[ it's not his fault, but leo feels guilty anyway. there's nothing to do about it now, so he drops the topic and instead readily pokes his head around the corner when the familiar sight of the cafeteria rolls around. the last time he was here... someone was making a meal out of blood?
while he would normally wonder if that guy would be here again, leo actually doesn't feel like seeing blood right now. ]
Did Gilbert not teach you to make anything? Not even a sandwich?
[It's so...natural to have his fingers laced between Leo's. Sure, his hand was smaller, but in a way he's glad for it. It fits nice, like it was made to be held by his. There's a snort at the sandwich remark. Really?]
Do you think Gilbert would let me near the kitchen if he was around?
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the sound of elliot's sobbing stuns him even more. leo had no perception of time passing while he was asleep. for all he knows, it could have been a few days, or just a few hours. he couldn't be sure. he couldn't take a good enough look at elliot to tell how much time has passed, but from the way elliot is reacting, it probably has been a while. ]
... Are you crying?
[ he's smiling a little into elliot's shoulder, hands rubbing slow circles on his back. teasing him a little should be fine. teasing him should help elliot get himself together, probably. ]
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[He's crying. He's definitely crying, not that he'll ever admit it. God, if only he could get his shit together but the amount of relief he feels at the sight of Leo and the ability to hold him in his arms...it's unparalleled.
There's an undignified sniff as he pulls his face away, rubbing his eyes immediately with the back of a hand, the other firmly still hooked onto the fabric of Leo's shirt. He'll be damned if he lets go just yet.]
If you ever nag me for oversleeping again I'll remind you of this.
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Just how long have I been oversleeping? Where is my master? Who is this sniveling mess?
[ okay maybe teasing is always possible. ]
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[Ah, at least he has some bite left in him.]
Leo it's been months...almost five.
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[ it's barely noticeable behind his hair, but leo's eyes are wide and staring. it doesn't feel like five months. it feels like he's had too good of a night's sleep where you feel tired and even sleepier afterward. five months... elliot has had to live without him for five months.
it's no wonder he's a sniveling mess right now. ]
I'm sorry.
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It's the Natha's fault, not yours. I'm just glad you're here again.
[Because as time dragged on it was becoming increasingly difficult to move forward.]
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[ elliot's face was the best thing leo could ask to see upon waking up, but he would much rather elliot wear that stupid smile on his face. ]
I hope you've gotten better at cooking in the past five months. I'm starving.
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[He is making a face, but it's going to change to one a little lighter in a moment as he snorts at Leo's next comment.]
You wish. Gilbert's been cooking for me. I'm just as pathetic as I was when you decided to take a nap, Sleeping Beauty.
[And then, because he's not sure if it's okay, his hand hovers near Leo's for a brief moment, before he decides fuck it and takes his hand fully into his own, intent on dragging him toward the cafeteria.]
Doesn't mean I can't get you something to eat though.
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leo is glad that elliot is walking ahead of him. it's easier to hide the hint of color that shows on his face. he curls his fingers around elliot's for a little firmer grip, and smiles to himself. ]
You should have learned something from him in five months. What have you been doing, then?
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[He sighs, squeezing Leo's hand when he feels his grip tighten. Leo's not the only one with pink cheeks.]
It's been a lot, Leo. I don't even know if Nessy's alive.
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... I didn't pay too much attention, but I think she must still be there in the pod. Aren't they all just sleeping?
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[ how could he forget... the cat... ]
Why don't you know if she's alive? Where are you staying now? What happened?
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Some asshole decided to resurrect some undead angry dragon and tried to destroy everything. It's why we're all up here right now. She ran away at the beginning of all the chaos...
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That sounds horrible.
Sorry I wasn't there to help... Is Gilbert with you?
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[And as for his brother...]
He's resting. He used Raven down there and so he's tired.
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[ ... he squeezes elliot's hand. ]
I'm glad you're safe.
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I'm glad that you didn't have to experience it.
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[ it's not his fault, but leo feels guilty anyway. there's nothing to do about it now, so he drops the topic and instead readily pokes his head around the corner when the familiar sight of the cafeteria rolls around. the last time he was here... someone was making a meal out of blood?
while he would normally wonder if that guy would be here again, leo actually doesn't feel like seeing blood right now. ]
Did Gilbert not teach you to make anything? Not even a sandwich?
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Do you think Gilbert would let me near the kitchen if he was around?
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[ i mean. those are not unfounded worries. ]
Do you know how to boil an egg?
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[Annoying!! Brother!! Gilbert Nightray!!]
Actually I do, thank you very much! I can make a very good hard boiled egg, Leo.
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Did Gilbert actually let you go near a stove?
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[Which means he didn't know that Elliot could boil an egg. Incredible, secret knowledge.]
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Why were you boiling eggs away from home, then?
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