• ɧ o η ҽ ӌ • Ϩ ω ҽ ҽ t • (private oneӼone)

[the tango maureen]

Leo didn’t have much of a clue about how these things worked, so when Elliot pushed an outfit into Leo’s hands the baker just went with it. This was far easier than trying to question things. Leo had always had a peculiar fashion sense, one that was usually influenced by his employees and whatever t-shirt and skinny jeans combination that he could manage. He had never seemed to grow out of that vaguely hipster phase and honestly never planned on it.

However, this was a special case, and thus he had to trust Elliot on this much.

It didn’t take too long to get dressed, and he had to admit that he looked nice. He could definitely get used to this. Though there was one slight problem. Leo hadn’t worn a tie in ages, not since high school dances, and maybe not even then, so he found himself a bit stumped as he held the two ends in one hand and his phone open to wikihow in an attempt to figure out what he was doing wrong.

After a moment though he just gave up and slipped out the dressing room door to where Elliot was. “Help me,” he asked holding up the ends of the tie as he asked for assistance, “I promise I’m not normally this inept.” There was a small laugh to his voice, because since when had Leopold had so many problems as today. No clear sense of what to wear for such an event and then not even being able to tie a tie properly.

If there was ever an instance to make a fool of himself than this was most certainly it.

“Other than that, how does it look?”

[planet montressor]

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Elliot allowed himself to take a seat on one of the chairs down the short dressing room hall. He waited patiently for Leo and stood when he heard the latch on the door click and he watched Leo emerge, fully dressed in the outfit and—

Ok. Wow.

Leo looked really, really good, even without the tie. Elliot stared for a few moments before snapping himself out of that stupid little trance to step forward and nod. “Yeah, of course,” he said with a small laugh. “Don’t worry,” he responded with a playful roll of the eyes. The only reason he was practically an expert at tying ties was because his job required one every single day. He used to completely loathe them, but in time, learned to tolerate them.

Elliot focused on the tie as he worked at it and glanced up at Leo’s face when the slightly taller male spoke. “If you couldn’t tell from the way I was sort of um…” he looked back down, “staring, I think you look really nice.” He tightened the tie comfortably around Leo’s neck before buttoning the blazer and stepping back. Elliot then motioned for the other male to take a look in the mirror. “You can wear the blazer unbuttoned, too. It’s all a matter of preference.” He stepped up behind Leo, peeking over his shoulder at the other man’s reflection.

“You look very handsome,” Elliot said, heart fluttering as he spoke. When Leo turned, Elliot reached up to press a small kiss against the other’s mouth. “I need to get a new tie,” he said. “So I’ll meet you over there alright? Then we can have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. My treat.”

--

When they were seated at the restaurant, Elliot received a text message from his mother.

Just a reminder, gala is this Sunday. Do not forget, and bring a date if you like. Dress nicely and make sure she does the same. Same place and same time as always. See you there. Mom.

Elliot rolled his eyes before pocketing his phone and looking back up at Leo. “Have you ever been to a gala?” Elliot asked after the waiter took their drink orders. “It’s very fancy, you know.” There was a sarcastic tilt to his tone. “A lot of lovely, rich people, with their rich daughters and sons and sometimes rich little doggies.” Elliot’s smile softened. “But in all seriousness, are you nervous?” he asked, voice quiet and sincere.




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[the tango maureen]

Leo had never been the type to dress up like this, but now as he looked in the mirror he could certainly see the appeal of it. Of course, if he had looked good like this, then Elliot would probably look to die for the night of the gala. He had seen what the other guy wore to work on a daily basis and it had always left Leo with a bit of a rush, but this was to be something else entirely.

He supposed that was something for him to be looking forward to.

“Thank you,” Leo had said softly before a kiss was pressed against his lips, and he slipped back into the dressing room to rid himself of the suit and put back on his casual clothing. He took good care to gather it all back up together, because if Leopold was going to do this, then he was going to do this right.

After buying his suit, they had moved off to lunch, which was something that Leo was thankful for. His stomach was certainly pleased with the prospect of some sort of less sugary food for him to consume.

He shook his head when Elliot asked if he had been to something like this before. “I’m a bit worried that I’ll stick out like a sore thumb,” Leo admitted as he ran a hand through his brown hair. Ignoring the fact that they would surely stick out enough as it was since they were together.

It wasn’t as if Leo was blind. He may have grown up in a very accepting household, but he knew that not all families were like that. Most people were far more prejudiced than the people that Leopold had grown up around. He had seen them before, with his work, but never had he thought to go to a place where there would be so many people with such disapproving attitudes that would look down upon him.

“I’ll tough it out,” Leo said as he looked over at where Elliot was, it went unspoken that the reason why was sitting there across from him.

[planet montressor]

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Elliot’s expression softened a bit when Leo spoke. He seemed incredibly nervous, yet he was still going through with it for Elliot. They may not have known each other for years, but they had become very close within the last few months. Elliot reached over the table to take Leo’s hand into his own. He brushed his thumb against the back of Leo’s hand in a comforting gesture.

“Don’t over think it,” Elliot spoke. “You’ll be there with me. You’re my date and you don’t have any silly obligation to impress anyone.” Not that he had to try very hard, anyway. Not only was Leo easy on the eyes, he was kind and well spoken, too. “It’ll be fine,” Elliot promised just as the waiter returned with their drinks.

--

Elliot had focused so much on keeping Leo calm that he forgot about himself. He tried not to over think things, though. He tended to do that and psych himself out. Over thinking things led to bad thoughts. Those thoughts lead to Elliot considering backing out on this whole thing, which was not an option. Without even knowing it, Leo brought out the best in him. He managed to open Elliot’s eyes, allowing him to find his true self, as cliché as that sounded.

Elliot had spent his entire life living behind a mask for his parent’s sake. He didn’t “flaunt his homosexuality” (as his father had once put it). That meant dating boys. He kept his gay relationships under wraps and he never talked about them. Elliot’s parents knew about them, they weren’t stupid. But they chose to ignore it. But Elliot wasn’t going to let them ignore Leo.

God, he wasn’t even sure if they were technically boyfriends yet, but Elliot would make that happen. He was sure he could make it happen.

--

Elliot pulled up to the front of Leo’s house Sunday, early afternoon. He turned off the car and leaned his head back as he waited for Leo. With a sigh, Elliot closed his eyes. He barely slept last night and he hoped it wasn’t obvious. He glanced at himself in the rearview mirror just as Leo opened the passenger side door. Elliot greeted him with a smile. “Hey,” he said. “Don’t be nervous,” Elliot assured the other male, though he was mostly saying for himself, “It’s gonna be fine.”

--

By the time Elliot pulled his Mercedes up to the valet, his heart was hammering against his chest and his palms were sweating. He took in a deep breath, holding it for a moment and glancing over at Leo. “Alright,” he breathed as a young man in a suit opened up the door for him.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Bradley,” the young man greeted.

“Hey,” was Elliot’s only response as he stepped around him.

Everything is going to be alright.

Elliot took his place beside Leo as they both walked through the large double doors that lead into the club house.

Everything is going to be fine.

“Thank you for coming with me,” Elliot whispered to Leo for what felt like the hundredth time. He offered the taller male a smile and soon they were among the sea of bodies. Waiters and waitresses weaved around them, expertly balancing trays of food and drinks on their hands.

“Champagne, sir?” one waitress offered.

“Yes, thank you,” Elliot said as he took one for himself and handed Leo the other. He tossed the entire drink down in one go. “Wait, wait,” he said, reaching for the waitress, placing the empty glass down on the tray and grabbing another one as he scanned the room for his parents. So far, they were nowhere to be found.

Yeah. Good. Maybe he wasn’t as ready to do this as he thought.



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