Look at me

Part 6

Leo and Fiat were sitting next to each other at the table. Fiat would have preferred to sit somewhere else but his friends had occupied the rest of the seats. His friends knew that something was up and that Fiat and Leo had not spoken for a while and they were really baffled by it. It had always been very obvious to them that both Leo and Fiat were in love and they face-palmed everytime the two of them denied the other person's feelings. But lately, they had stopped being friends too and while they had tried asking them what was up, both of them had been vague and changed the topic. While Fiat had largely withdrawn from them due to his physical therapy, he would still stay in touch whereas Leo had become something of a recluse. He would just show up for classes and submissions. He had taken a break from the basketball team as well, and upon being asked why, he had choked up and said that he just didn't want to. The reason was obvious and his friends left it at that. 

The get-together was a gentle attempt at getting the two to reconcile with each other or to at least, find out what happened.

Leo always liked how Fiat smelled. The only word he could come up with to describe that was 'fresh'. That is also how Leo had perceived Fiat. A fresh pixie boy running around playfully bringing life to his otherwise sombre surroundings. Now however, Leo saw a somewhat subdued version of that boy. While Fiat engaged with his friends, he was not as sprightly as before and this bothered Leo. He was careful though, to not push Fiat. He wanted Fiat to take the initiative to talk to him, at Fiat's own comfort. 

Fiat could sense Leo's closeness to him. It was impossible not to. And while Fiat was not ready to have a conversation with him, it surprised him how much he did not want to throw himself at Leo since that had always been his first impulse whenever he saw Leo, though he never quite acted on it. Maybe if he had things would be different now. And that bought his mind to whether he wanted them to be different? While he would prefer not to have to go through what he did and staying away from Leo was hard, but Fiat had never been this self-assured and he was only realising this now. 

'Fiat, there's a guy to your right. He's been staring at you for a while now.', nudged Tent in a whisper loud enough to reach Leo's ears. 

'What', Fiat exclaimed and instinctively looked to his right. He saw a tall guy with a 5'o'clock shadow looking at him and when Fiat saw him, he smiled and raised his glass. Fiat smiled back at him awkwardly before turning away. 'What the hell. I'm smoother than that.' though Fiat. He was in no mood to be flirting with others and he wouldn't have done it as well anyway, but he had could have done a better rejection.

As he turned to his table he caught a moment of Leo clenching and unclenching his fist. Fiat saw that and looked at Leo and saw Leo looking at him. They were steely eyes and Fiat couldn't understand what Leo was thinking.

'Ai Fiat, I'm going to the washroom. Do you wanna come?', asked Oaf.

Fiat looked at Oaf who was already half-drunk and decided to go with him. He did not wish to think about Leo. 

In the washroom, as they were washing their hands, Oaf said,' Fiat, you know you are one of my best friends right?'

Fiat stiffened up. He knew what was coming.

'It's ok if you don't want to talk about it right now or ever at all, but please don't push us away the way Leo has. We all miss you.', he slurred in his half-drunk state.

Fiat smiled as his shoulders relaxed. 'Don't get all sentimental on me now Oaf. Let my leg become alright and we'll all plan a trip together soemwhere.'

'Cooooooolllllllllllll', slurred Oaf when Tent stepped into the washroom.

'What are you guys doing?', he asked.

'Nothing. Oaf is getting a little senti. Take care of him na, I'll step outside for some air.', said Fiat.

'Wahahaahhaaa i can take care of myself', slurred Oaf as he tripped and fell on his face.

'Shit. Stupid dumbhead.', exclaimed Tent as he and Fiat lifted up Oaf,' Take care of him Fiat. I'll go to the loo and then we will take him back to the table.'

'Ok, but hurry up. Oaf is heavy.', groaned Fiat.

As Fiat waited, he saw somebody come in. It was that guy from earlier and he looked surprised to see Fiat here as well. 

'Hey. my name is Dib', he said as he washed his hands.

"Hi. I'm here with my friends.", said Fiat.

'I saw. Is that your friend right there?', he asked Fiat.

'Yes. He's quite passed out.', chuckled Fiat. he could tell that Dib had taken the hint and was not going to flirt with Fiat so he eased up.

'Well, have a good night then.', he smiled as he left the washroom.

As Fiat saw him leave, he saw a tall figure in the doorway. It was Leo looking at him intensely.

Tent came out of the loo and saw Leo and said,' Damn, we are all here. Net must be alone at the table.

'Yes, you two should go back to him. Fiat, I need to talk to you. Come outside with me.,' said Leo quietly.

Fiat hesitated. 'Tell me here.'

Leo took a few steps towards Fiat. 'Tent, take care of Oaf.' and with that he caught Fiat's hand and pulled him outside.

Fiat was shocked. He did not like this and he pulled back.

'Leo...'

'Fiat please, come with me', said Leo in a quiet voice his eyes pleading.

Fiat was still hesitating but then he made up his mind. 'Ok, lets go.'

Leo had not let go of Fiat's hand this whole time. He held it formly and lead him out of the club onto its terrace which was totally empty.

'Leo..'

Fiat did not get a chance to speak as Leo pulled him in for a tight hug. Fiat was surprised and he found himself relaxing despite his will as the familiar smell of Leo surrounded him.

Leo kissed Fiat's forehead and whispered,' I ahve missed you Fiat'.

Fiat's breath stopped and it was with some difficulty that he spoke,' Leo....'

The next update will be coming in a day or two. What did you think of this chapter?

Also, I have been thinking of writing a chapter or two on PokTong from Gen Y. Would you be interested in reading it? Let me know. Thankyou.