Mood: Joe Goldberg

YOU | 2.03 “What Are Friends For?”

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?”

you've never been so used as I'm using you, abusing you, my little decoy don't look so blue, you should've seen right through  I'm using you, my little decoy

“To survive, I had to stay unfamiliar to myself, neutralized, at arm’s length. Sometimes, I think, all these years later, I’m still hunting the part of myself I exiled.”

Places I’ve Taken My Body; ‘The Broken Country: On Disability and Desire’ by Molly McCully Brown

text; leo ⇄ danny

leo: pour one out for me, buddy, cause I'm so dead

Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind

baby I want something else, I'm not listening when you say good-bye 🎶

text; leo ⇆ ana

Ana: I miss you, Leonardo. I wish I could talk more than I do, I'm thankful you understand why I can't. How've you been?

Leo: Haha, do I understand or am I just forced to accept it to have you?

Leo: I've been fine besides wanting to see you.

Leo: Sorry that I'll never stop asking.

vihanadavis​:

“Leo, my love. I am home.” Vihana lit up with her smile. She giggled at each kiss, each one tickling her skin. When he pulled back, she met his gaze and held it, gently reaching out to stroke some shaggy curls away from his face. He looked so handsome, even when he could do with haircut. His words made her heart clench. “I missed you too, darling. I’m so sorry to have been gone so long. I thought tonight I could make an apology…” 

Hana stepped away, taking his hands and grinning. “All your favourites tonight… Steak and lobster and duchess potatoes, prepared by our favourite, Chef Moreau. Hydrangeas, a lovely whiskey, and I was thinking we could run a bath and share it after dessert. Which… was going to be tarte au citron, but it seems you’ve brought something…” 

Hana went over and picked up the cupcakes. “Where did you get these? They look delightful.” 

-

Leo was about to protest her desire to apologize but was completely taken by her leading him with her hold and smile. He finally looked away from her lavish beauty to her handiwork. He inhaled deeply when she mentioned his favorite meal. Surf and turf. His appetite so greedy that it desired the best of land and sea. His eyes admired the most dramatic of all the flowers in his opinion since hydrangeas chose to drink from their petals than their stems. Stubborn and dramatic just like him. It was so thoughtful and so thorough. There even was even a glass of his worse vice chilled and waiting for him. His hands had laced their fingers with more pressure like he still couldn’t believe she was here. That someone would do all of this for someone like him.

Leo’s widened eyes almost froze when her attention went to the pink box. Seeing how Blake had handed them to him earlier and seeing her hold them had made his compartmentalizing do a double take. He looked down at the little cellophane window that had let her see its’ beautiful contents. The cupcakes were filled and topped with his favorite. Fresh berries and cream on angel cake. He kept his face neutral now as he quickly thought his answer through. It wouldn’t be good to lie in this situation. If he lied about where he got cupcakes, and she had found out, it would be a red flag. He didn’t want to bring Blake into discussion with his wife, but he had no choice. If he was just honest about the baked goods, he should be safe. “It was out of the blue, actually, I got them from the woman who did our wedding cake. I bumped into her today after class.” He kept his story straight and simple. Liars always added too much detail to their lies and he used that knowledge to his advantage. “Had I known you’d be home tonight, I would have opted for our wedding cake flavor.” He said, using his charm to distract her from the topic all together. As well as closing in the space between their bodies to press a soft kiss upon her lips. 

Penn Badgley | EW Photoshoot