#th.leo

he hadn’t bothered to tell her he was coming, an earned reprieve between jobs allowing leo to catch a red eye from somewhere in south america to the city he called home. it was home in the shallowest of terms, a half empty apartment with no photos and plants long dead from neglect. it was however one of the only places he could drop the mask, the other being where he was headed now. his truck pulling into the parking lot of the unassuming warehouse, eyes scanning the surrounding cars until he found the one he knew was hers. there was a chance she would be occupied with another client, but luck in these instances always seemed to be on his side and crossing the broken down cement his feet carried him up the two flights of stairs until he reached the door. this was always when the nerves hit, excitement that rarely existed anymore in his life surging through his abdomen until it tickled the back of his throat. a finger presses the buzzer to be let in, head tilting so that his features are visible to the camera positioned just out of reach. 

the crushed pieces flutter from his hand to the pavement. with a quiet sigh he carefully straightens what remains, doing his best to make the bouquet look like he hasn’t been strangling it for the last ten minutes. he actually made an effort tonight. the usual faded jeans and worn flannel are traded for tailored black slacks and a matching button down. the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms and the top button left undone. he even managed to avoid coming home from his last job with any fresh cuts or bruises worth explaining. a minor miracle in itself. taking one last steadying breath, he steps toward the door. one knock. then another. he immediately takes a half step back, rubbing a suddenly damp palm against his slacks. the door opens. a small, almost sheepish smile tugs at his lips as he holds out the surviving tulips. his eyes settle on hers, saying far more than words ever could. “hey, beautiful.” his voice comes out low and rough, softened by an unmistakable hint of nerves. “ready for tonight?”

now they were back at her place and he was done behaving. had practically threw her over his shoulder but as always the control shifted and he liked it. craved it when she told him what she wanted. brought out the handcuffs and something about it stirred something hot in his belly. he had gotten painfully hard just from eating her out and swiping his tongue over his bottom lip his eyes watched as she guided his wrist above his head. locking them in place. “you never take it easy on me do you?” he was grinning as he spoke. wanted to kiss her but she was too far away. hips rising to meet hers as she slid down, taking him fully. the sensation causing his head to tip back. “come closer. i wanna kiss you.” panting his voice was rough, soft.

Before he could think to slip off into an alley, they spun around. wide, frightened eyes locked onto his. his cover had been blown.

leo had never celebrated valentine’s day. the holiday required having someone to care about and in return cared about you. his life was spent too much on the move for shitty dinners and cheap chocolates and maybe that was how even now the day had slipped his mind. work had kept him out late, arriving home with red stained hands and clothes that needed burning. he usually could slip in without them noticing, shed the stink of whatever he had committed before climbing into bed. they knew enough to know his job wasn’t normal, wasn’t easy but he had kept the gruesome parts away until now. his feet stopping short as he spotted them sitting at the dining room table. the smell of extinguished candles still lingering in the air. “what are you doing awake?” his voice is hoarse from being silent for so long, eyes shifting from them to the cold plates of food.