Starter For: @martinanselmo​ Where: Martin’s Casa 

Penn Badgley as Rex Here Today (2021), dir. Billy Crystal

text; leo ⇄ xav

xav: OH MY GOD BLAKES BABY IS YOURS?!

xav: WHAT

xav: TF

xav: wow i was not prepared for that

xav: hows your wife feel about that daddy

leo: if you're in any way smiling or laughing, I will get you

leo: I haven't told her

leo: thankfully work is keeping her busy so I'm just processing

He’s toxic. His smile will poison you. His boyish charm dangerous. The glint in his eyes as he challenges you to do something devious is lethal.

(via hellothisistruth)

text; leo ⇄ danny

danny: How could I forget the hot baker

danny: Did u do some fucked up kinky shit with food bc I do not want to hear about it

leo: and that's a story I'll never tell

leo: well, remember how she was pregnant and she told me that the baby wasn't mine?

...

leo: it's mine

vale-x​:

closed starter to @le0davis​ location: the dive bar on 9th street — manhattan

     SOMETIMES HE just needed to get away from the high life. Especially with how many stressors had been piling up on him lately, Lucifer had been turning to cheap thrills to escape the things that had been waking him up in the middle of the night. Those thrills were found easily at his nightclub, but there was only so much disco trap music he could tolerate before it just started giving him a headache. Some dingy, nobody bar far away from the Upper East Side was a suitable alternative. At least it was today. The man wanted nothing to do with appearances today. He wanted to blend into the background, and find peace in doing so. 

     Get Lucifer Vale drunk or high enough and the limits of what trouble he would get up to became non-existent. Tonight, apparently, that was atrociously slurring through NSYNC lyrics with another patron, arm slung lazily around the other man’s shoulder as they swayed in very non-rhythm to the music.  “Every little thing I do! Never seems enough for you!” he bellowed, as if the lyrics really meant something to him in that moment. He tapered off, pausing to try to peak at the lyrics scrolling at the screen, because he forgot them, and then quickly chimed back in, off-key and laughing. “Guess what! It’s gonna BE ME!” 

-

 Leo, Leo, Leo. The man had had so much on his plate, yet it was due to his own gluttony. He fed himself full of the sin: lust. This caused there to be only room for his other vice. Alcohol and lots of it. he may have met a boundary he hadn’t pushed before tonight. going with the flow with a new face in the bar. now here he was drunk singing and dancing with the devil of New York. “You got no choice BABE, but to move on, and you know, there ain’t no time to waaaste...” Leo did the run and said the lyrics without having to look at the monitor. Turns out even blasted, his inner love for throwbacks still had him on key. Did he believe he was carrying this song like J.C. did back in the year 2000? maybe. though he was slurring as much as his duet partner. “....baby when you finally, get to love somebody, guess what! it’s gonna BE MAY!” he sang out, feeling like he was some real stage and not some dinky small platform. he happily continue swaying to the snythnized beat that was begging for better choreography than what the two were giving. which was just two men huddled under each other’s arms. 

but it suddenly wasn’t enough for Leo, who was feeling more and more like the little boy who had first seen the music video at one of his foster homes. leo over confidently flipped his wrists down with his arms up, micmicking a marionette. he took two steps to the right, away from his partner, to only fall off of the platform entirely. the echoing thud of the mic hitting the ground followed by the blump of leo’s body falling onto the carperted floor. then came leo’s wheezing laughter as he was met with a sudden view of the dive bar’s ceiling. he lulled his head to side to find the blurry face he shared the stage with. 

nate-jones​:

In a way, Nate expected to be punched, shoved, or have soemthing else done to him. It was New York, where people were always on a high alert, and being defensive was no surprise. After all, this was on him; he was a complete stranger following someone home, it was almost as if he was begging for something to happen. To his surprise, however, the man actually seemed worried, and at his request, he nodded along, taking a deep breath- and a step back, to give the other the privacy he had been depraved of.

“Oh yeah. I probably should have called you, right?” Funnily enough, the idea of calling the man never even came to Nate’s mind. It would have been so much smarter to do that, but then again, would he have gotten anything out of it? Would he had just ended the call once he had heard that Nate had no money to pay for the classes? “Sorry about that. I just assumed it’s easier this way, you know? But now that I really think about it, this is creepy. I mean, I kind of wanted to approach you after class, rather than follow you, but-” But he was ranting once more, and, smiling sheepishly, Nate shut up, instead taking another deep breath as he held onto his backpack.

“I’m sorry.” He repeated once more, knowing that he had to start all over again, and, most likely, be really, really quick about it. How long could he keep the man waiting like that before the other lost his patience? Not that Nate expected it from him, but he simply understood; he understood how frustrating it must have been to have a complete stranger follow you like that. “I know you’re an absolutely fantastic acting coach, and I’ve been  trying to branch myself out. I’m a dancer- I’m a ballet dancer at NYCB- and I know how limited that sounds, but I’ve done a lot when it comes to different styles of dancing, and just choreography in general. I also know how to fight. But I really, really want to learn how to act, or even get some tips on how to do it, how to start.” By no means was he anywhere close to being good at that. And right now, he was struggling to even attempt to sell himself. “The thing is, I only have enough money for what’s probably one lesson, at best. But I’m willing to do whatever you need- if you need anything!“ He probably had plenty of contacts  everywhere, but it didn’t hurt to try. Probably.

-

“Yeah you should have called me,” leo couldn’t help but repeat the kid’s words like he was making a joke. it would have saved leo the surprise. he hated surprises unless he was the one to cause them. he listened to the kid’s explanation and apology once more. though leo waved off the apology, he wanted him to get to the point. leo’s eyes squinted and his brows moved up and down as he took the guy’s verbal resume that was tumbling onto to leo’s ears. he blinked when the boy was finished and lips pursed wondering how he could even respond to all of that.

“A ballet dancer?” Leo sized him up, not hiding it in his eyes that he was surprised. “Look, kid, charity work is probably good and all, but I don’t have time for it.” He said, a reflex reaction to being asked to do something for free. Though Leo had been on the other side many of times. He still wasn’t completely sure if he should help the boy out. Leo continued to look at him, still evaluating everything he had learned from other’s ranting. But if he had the dedication to be a ballet dancer in New York and be able to make it into the NYCB... Leo could practically taste the potential. and passion was easy to see in the kid’s kind eyes. Plus having someone owing you a favor in the city was always a good thing to possess. 

“Tell you what, kid, you pay for the first lesson, and I’ll decide if you even have the chops to continue trying to act. If you do, then I’m sure we could figure out something out.” He said and with an open palm patted the kid on the back once. “Just do not ever follow me, again.” He glared down his nose as a warning, but in the same instance took out his wallet. Leo plucked a business card from one of the slits and offered it to the boy. “These are my contacts, use them.” He said, amused with himself. “Now do you have a name, sport?”

renfarber​:

who: @le0davis​ where: ren’s apartment, early morning

They’d still been awake when the sun rose this morning. Ren had no idea how long ago that was now. Just after Leo had fallen asleep, she’d texted her boss to say she wasn’t coming in today, and then she’d joined him, sharing her pillow as they slept together - literally, this time. The sun was peeking in now, through the gaps in the curtains, making the remnants of sweat glimmer on their skin. She could feel his breath on her forehead. She wanted to stay here forever. Even if a tiny voice in the back of her head kept telling her that he’d leave, now that he’d got what he wanted from her.

-

“Serenity,” he murmured, his eyes barely opening up a squint before shutting again. His eyelids were heavy from the lack of sleep. He had really exhausted himself. Every single one of his muscles had tensed and relaxed repeatedly throughout the duration of their night together. He couldn’t believe the night to be true even as he was laying on her bed with her scent engulfing him with her skin upon his. He opened his eyes fighting against the fatigue to glance down and see that her eyes were already open. He shut his own again but in favor of losing a sense in order to focus on the way her skin felt on his lips as he kissed her forehead a couple of times. “Why are you up? What time is it?” He asked inbetween peppering kisses.

closed starter: @blakemadden​ where: blake and reece’s apartment

Leonardo Anthony Davis has had the craziest week of his life, and it wasn’t yet through. This was not an event that he would soon forget like a drunken night at the dive bar on the ninth. No, this event will stick to him for life. It’s taken the foundations of the earth beneath him and what once felt like cement was now sand. He was in this forever. He was now a father.  A part of him will now survive in this world with or without him. 

“One pappardelle with arrabiata and burrata for Leo.” His order being read outloud to him for clarification went in one ear and out the other. He looked at the woman blankly, his head still lost in the thought that he was about to go see the mother of his child and his child while his wife was at work. “Are you okay?” The blonde woman asked. Leo shook his head and then did that charming thing where he smiled and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I spaced out for a second. But yes, I’m Leo and that is my order.” He watched as the woman’s attitude towards him warmed up and she handed him the bag with his order. “You have a good night, Leo.” She said with more than polite smile. Leo smiled back and nodded a silent thanks before leaving The Soleil. 

But once back on his walk to Blake and Reece’s apartment, his thoughts came back again. This time they were centered around Serenity. He hadn’t seen her since Mira was welcomed into the world. Ah, then there was Mira, his little miracle--she’s the reason why nothing has been said because once Leo and Blake were in a room with her all they could do was dote on her. Crazy to think the new mom and dad hadn’t had a real conversation for days. But all that had to change. He took a breath before knocking on the door with his free hand. 

renfarber​:

She hadn’t realized how nervous she’d been until she saw him smile. This apartment was her, all over, just the essence of who she was splashed all over the walls. It was her, and it was Max, and so it mattered to Ren if Leo liked it. If he liked them. She didn’t know how to feel about that mattering to her, so… she just pushed it down with all the other feelings she had right now. They could come back out after some whiskey untangled them.

She dragged a chair over to the counter so she could reach the top shelf of the cabinet. She wasn’t entirely sure why she kept the liquor up here - it wasn’t as though Max could get into it at seven months old - but it was always good to make things like that hard to reach. For emergencies only. And this definitely counted. On her way down, Leo handed her one of Max’s toys, and she smirked. “Thank you.”

“Max is with my mom,” she said, getting ice out of the freezer. “I should text her, actually. She should probably keep him overnight.” Her eyes flicked up to him, knowing how he’d take that. She held up a finger. “Because we’re drinking. And we need to talk without a crying baby. You stay two feet away from me,” she smirked. She shouldn’t be joking about this, not when he had a wife, not when he had a baby with her best friend… it just… came so easily. 

She poured two drinks and passed one over, sitting at the table and sending a quick text to her mom. Seconds later, her phone beeped, and she rolled her eyes, texting again and then turning off her phone. 

“Mom says hi,” she smirked. Gloria had always loved Leo. Even now, after Ren had cried on her shoulder about the mess they were in. It was disloyal, honestly. But Ren supposed it was only fair, since she didn’t hate Leo either. She sighed, pulling her braids over one shoulder, and looking at Leo. “So… how’d you meet your wife?”

-

Leo’s brows immediately quirked up at Ren’s words, taking them just as suggestively as she assumed he would. He couldn’t help but break into a small laughter at the finger she had held up. He held his hands up and sat at the table at the furthest one from where she was currently. “Two feet it is.” He agreed though he did find it funny how she needed the physical distance from him. Like he had a pull. Though he felt the same way about her lips. 

He watched as she poured the drinks. His eyes admiring the caramel hue a bit too closely. It had been a minute since he was able to indulge. It was getting a lot harder to sneak away. His hand couldn’t help but tap on the counter till the drink was passed over to him. From there he had taken a well measured first sip while she was distracted with her phone.

“Tell Gloria, I said hey,” he smiled that shit eating grin that was just a permanent reaction to when his ego was stroked. Though that grin had immediately left his lips at the mention of his wife. His forehead wrinkled as he pulled his brows together, he laughed once before replying, “You don’t wanna talk about that.” He said openly refusing to answer. “We have other things to talk about.” He said quite solemnly as he brought his drink to his lips. 

blakemadden​:

Blake swallowed as it became obvious the man was once again sliding down the slippery slope of anger. Why had she poked the bear? Sometimes she could be so thoughtless, the baker chastised herself silently, still pale from the entire confrontation they were currently experiencing. “I didn’t know it was something I was obligated to share with anyone…” She had tried to sound confidant but it ended up coming out as a fearful statement made in a slightly shaking voice. Had they been going through a loud part of the tunnel at the time it may well have been swallowed up in the noise entirely. Eyes flicking down to his finger pointed at his own chest then up to meet his gaze again, she had no idea what was going to happen. Thank god they were in public. “I’m…I never said I didn’t have a hand in it too I was just…” She trailed off, feeling like she was on the brink of tears for multiple reasons. Fear, guilt, hormones…all were applicable right now. “I know I was part of it too…I know…” She whispered, looking down at the ground with shame.

-

 “I didn’t know I was just anyone.” Leo’s lips pursed, he felt so entitled to be involved in her personal life to know about her pregnancy. To him, they had a tale of raw intimacy between them. He had lived out every lustful thought while being another’s. But Blake had been the only one he broke all his vows for. He watched her stumble upon her words. He could just see that he had struck a nerve that he had aimed for. But seeing the result for pettiness made him feel smaller rather than bigger. 

“I don’t regret any moment of it. Of us.” He declared as his arms finally relaxed beside him. He looked away from her, biting his lip, he didn’t know how to console her when he was clearly the problem. “Regardless of my reaction, I’m happy for you and your new partner. I wish you well.” He said dipping his head as he said this before turning and attempting to take a cowardly exit.