#will 002.

where and when: free spirited bar, alhambra, california + august 6th, 2024

"Thanks for meeting me," X says with a rare sincerity, the man in the booth facing him not one he knew well though he hoped that might change in the future. He appreciates what a strange request it must have been on the tail end of a series of texts of Will politely sharing his condolences with him on the loss of his father -- to meet him at a location he shared when he was back from Houston.

Most folk would decline with the same politeness that he had texted with, X imagines, but he's fast learning that Will Meyers wasn't most folk.

( And good thing too, because it had to take someone special to land Lemie Lewis. )

With a black cap on his head, X wasn't taking any chances with being recognised at the alcohol-free bar he had opted for, the conversation he sought too important to be diluted with looking over his shoulder and having to worry that he would end up on DeuxMoi's Sunday spotted.

where: four leaf pub

With a hand raised, Lucky waved like Will was an oncoming airplane and he was air traffic controller. He had managed to nab a booth near the back so he didn't have to sit on those shitty half stools that made him feel like he was in a dollhouse of sorts and was semi-trapped in it while he remained seated there to not lose it due to a trip to the bar or bathroom.

"Thanks for coming, Wilbert." Despite the name, he did actually appreciate that the man had shown up at his invitation. If it was Lee, he would have left him sitting there for hours without even a text back.

“Never,” he swears, the word jumping to his tongue easily, too easily. He’d be embarrassed, if he had a single ounce of self respect left inside of him, but he can’t find it now. He’s on one knee, for god’s sake, staring up plaintively at Will like she is some divine figure, a queen knighting her loyal and faithful soldier. Is that what he is? Her soldier? He’s certainly loyal, certainly faithful. If she asked him to swear that he would cut his arm off, would he do it? He hates that he doesn’t know. The answer should be no. It is no...isn’t it? This kind of devotion can’t be healthy. But she gave him purpose. She put faith in him. And that is worth everything he is. Everything he will ever be. “I would never leave you, will never leave you,” Leon promises, one hand over his heart, the other draped at the elbow over his knee. These were the conditions. Get your shit together. Don’t lie to me, don’t ever lie to me. And do not leave me. Swear that you will never leave me. She doesn’t even have to dangle a reward in front of him, a promise, an end result. He wonders if she knows. She could demand these things of him and offer him nothing in return, and he would still swear. His eyes are soft, almost sad, as he watches her accept his fealty. He will never leave her. He knows this. No matter what she asks of him, what she requires, what she wants and what she does not, he will always be here.