#no tag list for this nonsense and i won't be shamed into adding it

[hold-him-down]

@themerrywhumpofmay day 2: Eye Contact

TW: rich people doing rich people things.

Notes: Just a little drabble. This will not make any sense out of context, so if you’re not following along with the story at least partly, well. Still read it, because I want you to so badly. But like, it’s gonna be a rough follow. Takes place a few weeks before Bring Me the Collar, or approximately 7 months in. 

Table of Contents

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Leo sits silently at the large table, his shirt collar constricting his neck just on the edge of uncomfortably. Next to him, Luke talks enthusiastically with another senator. 

It’s all wealthy people at this event. It’s black tie exclusive, Leo’s first time feeling so put together since his time with West. Luke hadn’t pressured him to come, but he had made it clear there was an open invitation. In a moment of, perhaps unearned, confidence, Leo had agreed.

Now, he sits quietly, watching Luke talk business. Leo has done well tonight, he thinks. He’s earned a break from conversations with strangers, from warm smiles and handshakes. He takes a slow bite off of his plate, feeling oddly anxious. Luke is right next to him, but feels so far away. 

He watches the people in this hall. All so well dressed, all so… he wouldn’t call them happy. But they all have very picturesque masks of happiness. He wonders if Luke enjoys this, or if it’s just part of the job.

“You okay?” Luke asks suddenly, startling Leo, if just a little.

He smiles and nods, taking another bite. 

“Is it good?” Luke’s voice is soft and warm. He’s been so happy since the contract went through. Like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Things have been… they’ve felt easier. 

“It’s good,” Leo agrees, nodding. He takes another bite, as if to punctuate the point.

“You feeling up to staying a little bit longer? I think if we hang out for another twenty minutes or so we can sneak out the back and no one will be the wiser. Once people start finishing up their meals, things will start moving.”

Leo shakes his head. “I’m okay to stay as long as you want to.” A moment passes, and then, more seriously, and much more softly, he whispers, “Am I doing okay?”

Luke smiles in earnest, his eyes crinkling and a maybe kind of exasperated laughy-breath escapes him. “You’re doing great, Leo. Couple more minutes, alright?”

Luke goes back to talking with the senator, and Leo goes back to scanning the room. All sparkly dresses, black tuxedos. All smiles and laughter. 

In an instant, though, his eyes land on young couple across the room, and the air is sucked from his lungs. His grip on his fork tightens, but he doesn’t more. 

He can only see the back of the man’s head, but he’d recognize it anywhere. 

“Luke,” Leo whispers, almost frantically. Luke doesn’t hear him; he doesn’t turn around. But the man does. As if physically drawn to him, the man turns his head and immediately zeroes in on Leo.

Their eyes lock, and time stands still. Leo can’t make himself look away. He sets his fork down, and he does not look away. Distantly, he hears someone calling his name, but he can’t… he can’t stop looking. From across the room, the man smiles, and Leo thinks his face does something in return, but couldn’t say what.

“Leo?” he hears more loudly, snapping his attention back to the present. To Luke. Who currently owns his contract. Who he is here with. Who doesn’t hurt him. Who doesn’t touch him. Who will protect him, no matter what. His heart hammers in his chest.

“Yes?” His voice is weak.

“You look… What’s going on?”

Leo shakes his head, swallowing. His eyes dart back to the spot where he’d seen him, just seconds before, but he’s gone now. 

“I… I thought I saw someone. I thought–” Leo swallows, and he can feel tears forming in his eyes. “I thought… I th… I saw Parker.”

“Parker Destin?” Luke asks, his voice immediately losing all traces of lightness. “Where?” 

“I don’t… he was over there, but he’s gone. Maybe–” Maybe it was in my head, he starts to say–

–but at the same time, Luke’s attention is drawn away. “Senator Bennett,” Parker says warmly, just feet away from them. Leo can’t breathe. He can’t think. He sits, stone still, waiting for this moment to pass. “It’s great to finally meet you.”

#the fighter #no tag list for this nonsense and i won't be shamed into adding it #this is a drabble #it'll preceed a bigger piece eventually #themerrywhumpofmay #the merry whump of may #eye contact #next up: may 4th one #skipping may 3rd prob #unless i'm gonna go that hard but i am so sleepy just thinking about it :) #idek FOR SURE if this is going on the masterlist