Look at me

Part 5

Fiat looked at himself in the mirror one last time before heading out.  He was excited for today. He was meeting his friends after a long time for drinks and it felt good. Because of him having to avoid basketball due to physical therapy, he invariably ended up missing out on his friends and their shenanigans and just the general hanging out. Not to mention that he was avoiding Leo which meant that if Fiat suspected that Leo might be somewhere, he would avoid going there, since they had a lot of common friends. It was just his interactions in college that had been the extent of his social life. 

If Fiat was honest, he did miss his previous life but he was glad about what he was doing right now. Other than his regular therapy sessions, his doctor recommended that he read more and start meditating. The doctor also advised him to pick up some hobby to compensate for the time he would have spent playing basketball. For that, Fiat tried his hand at baking but discovered that he needed to stay out of the kitchen if he was to avoid setting it on fire. The next obvious thing to try was gardening. He did buy a plant but found that he didn't really have an interest in it. As of now, he just watered it but was planning to give it to a friend who would take better care of it. Finally, after exhausting all options, Fiat started watching a lot of Netflix. All the shows and movies he had been meaning to catch up on, he finally did. And now he was gonna go out and have a few drinks with his friends and have some fun. 

Fiat took a cab to the bar. He had forgotten to get gas and he would anyway be not driving back as he would be drunk. As he reached, he saw Oaf at the entrance. Looked like he had also just arrived. 

"Oaf, wait for me", called out Fiat as he paid the cab.

"Ai'Fiat, its been so long since you have finally come out.", said Oaf hugging Fiat.

"Yes. I want to get stupid drunk tonight. I will crash at your place.", smiled Fiat.

"About that, I actually forgot to tell you something...", said Oaf, hesitating a bit.

"Hi Fiat."

Fiat knew that voice. He would recognize it anywhere. As he saw Leo walk towards them, in his black shirt and faded jeans, Fiat felt a familiar ache in his chest, something that had not quite left him in all these months. 

"Ai Leo, I thought you would be late.", quipped Oaf.

"Not today dude.", said Leo not removing his eyes from Fiat.

Oaf noticed how Leo's eyes were fixed on Fiat. He coughed," I will go see if the others have arrived." and he quietly left the two of them.

"You look good.", said Leo smiling at Fiat.

"Thanks.", Fiat said. He couldn't bring himself to say more, but couldn't look away from Leo either.

"So, do you want to go inside?", asked Leo.

Fiat hesitated. He wasn't sure if he was ready to spend time with Leo yet. 

Leo noticed the hesitation. He had been prepared for it. He said casually,' I don't think I can stay. I have a lot of work to do back home."

Fiat understood what had just happened. This is what pulled him to Leo always. He smiled and said," We are meeting after a long time. Stay for today. You can do your work tomorrow."

It was Leo's turn to smile. He was happy that Fiat was comfortable. "Alright. If you say so. ", he said and then suddenly in a serious tone said, "Are you sure Fiat? I really don't mind."

Fiat sighed. "You really can't be smooth can you? Let's go inside."

Leo walked with Fiat, a slightly confused frown on his face. At the entrance, somebody knocked into Fiat. Fiat tripped but Leo was quick to catch him and pull him into his chest.

"I am so sorry, I wasn't looking. Are you alright?," asked the guy.

Fiat smiled and nodded. "It's ok, I am fine.", he said.

"Thankgod.", said the guy as he went inside.

It was then that Fiat noticed that Leo was still holding him and there wasn't much distance between the two of them. Leo looked at him intently and for a second, Fiat closed his eyes as he lightly smelled Leo's scent- a mixture of musky cologne and something that was entirely Leo. He opened his eyes to see Leo, a look of longing on his face. Ever so lightly, he moved his face a little bit closer to Fiat.....

"Ai Fiat, Leo, where are you guys," came Oaf's voice. They jumped back as they saw Oaf looking for them. 

"Here,' said Leo.

Oaf looked at them with a quizzical expression for a second and then said," Come in, we are all waiting for you guys."

"Yup, lets go.," said Fiat. He gave an awkward smile to Leo before walking with Oaf. Leo followed them, with a tiny satisfied smile on his face.