Leo

[0_0_7]

John had gone off for the weekend with Aaron to do a little exorcism, leaving Leo alone. Bond saw to it that he wasn't alone for long.

He rang the bell and presented Gerold with a bottle and told him to pour a couple for he and Leo while they got to work.

"Good to see you, lad," he said warmly when Leo appeared.

Comments

[leo_rooks]

"Oh, hello James," Leo smiled, coming down the stairs. "I wasn't sure If I should expect you or not."

[0_0_7]

"I've been derelict," he apologized. "But I understand you've had a houseguest."

[leo_rooks]

"Yeah, uh, John's living here now. ...We're dating," Leo added, clearly looking for something like approval.

[0_0_7]

"You're dating...John Constantine," he said flatly. "Leo, lad...you can do better. He doesn't even own a suit."

[leo_rooks]

"He's good to me," Leo said, his smile fading.

[0_0_7]

"He's beneath you, lad. Your family has a certain...station. And Constantine is not on the same level. Don't throw everything away," he cautioned.

[leo_rooks]

"I don't care about my station. He cares about me, James. ...I think he loves me," Leo said, torn between being annoyed and upset.

[0_0_7]

"You think?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

[leo_rooks]

"Yes. ...And I think I love him," Leo confessed softly.

[0_0_7]

"Leo...he's older than I am," Bond said, moving closer. He rested his hand tenderly on the young man's shoulder. "You've been through a lot. Don't be hasty."

[leo_rooks]

Leo pulled away.

"He's kind to me. He treats me well."

[0_0_7]

Bond could see the boy fancied himself in love. He knew from all the years teaching that insisting it was unwise would only assure Leo dug in harder.

So he sighed.

"I don't want to see you hurt, Leo. But if you love him..."

[leo_rooks]

Leo smiled slightly.

"I think I am. I feel so good when I'm with him, you know?"

[0_0_7]

"Then you're doomed," he said in a flat tone that was impossible to tell if he was joking or not.

[leo_rooks]

Leo assumed he was teasing and gently smacked his arm with a smile.

"Don't be mean," he laughed.

[0_0_7]

Bond huffed a soft sigh through his nose.

"Don't let love distract you. Are you prepared for your exams?"

[leo_rooks]

"Of course," Leo replied. "I'm not going to let my grades slip just because I'm finally teetering on the edge of happiness, professor."

[0_0_7]

Bond was about to speak, but then his brow creased and he looked around. Taking a sniff, he looked back at Leo.

"Have you been going through your mother's things?" he asked abruptly.

[leo_rooks]

Leo shook his head.

"No, not yet. Why?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

He inhaled again.

"Your mother wore a particular fragrance. I could swear..."

But whatever he'd smelled, or thought he'd smelled, was gone.

"Hm."

[leo_rooks]

"I know what my mother smelled like," Leo frowned. "She was my mother, after all."

[0_0_7]

"I know, Leo. It's nothing. Memories of old friends, hmm? You'll understand when you're older," he assured him, keeping his digs subtle. For now.

[leo_rooks]

"I'm not a child," Leo replied, sounding even more defensive. "Whatever, let's just get to work."

Since taking up with John, Leo seemed a bit bolder. Less worried about what others thought. Certainly less in need of James' approval, it seemed.

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded and settled at a stack of papers he'd been going through. It was deeply disappointing he'd found nothing of value so far.

"Is Gerold looking after you well?" Bond asked casually.

[leo_rooks]

"He is, though I think he's a bit bored. I'm not exactly hosting the way my parents used to," he replied.