Detroit: To Become Human, To Find Love.

Leo x Markus // Part 35 // A Plant In The Wrong Place!

this was an evening spent like every other. Leo and Markus were out in the gardens, Mark was painting at a canvas and Leo was bored of picking weeds from the ground (count sticks too) from the gardens making a deal with Mark. The deal was if Leo fixed up the garden without a complaint then Mark can lend him some money, Mark knows what Leo might do with the money but that is why Mark has put Leo under his wing and started to teach him literature and art, like Carl, did with his android son. they've been outside for two hours and only birds filled in their silent gaps, the two lovers didn't say much. Markus was nearly done with his painting and Leo was not even finished pulling out weeds, being slack and smoking.

"Leo, did you finish that book I gave you?" Mark had finally spoken, breaking their long silence. Leo had looked up, his back pressed against the wall, he was smoking and Mark didn't know. The substance of the smoke is unknown for now.

"Uhm, which one?" Leo asks having no idea, Markus had gave him a lot of old books to read and he's only read two but only going in a few pages.

"War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. " Mark had grinned, smiling broadly, especially as an indication that he's feeling pleasure. Pleasure for what? Carl perhaps and remembering the time that the father figure gave him that book and teaching him about art, painting and literature, music and quotes it was confusing at first but now Markus wish he could live in that moment and not just looking back at memory banks and replaying each memory he had of him. "Sorry again for the inconvenience with the author's name, but I only wanted you to read it because it's such a classic and your father, Carl. He liked it"

"No. I haven't finished it" Leo had mumbled quietly, he looks away and his mind goes deeper and seeps into the memory that Carl died, Leo couldn't forgive himself, he could never. He sighs quietly and huffed on his cigarette feeling numb and broken. Mark heard the sigh and slightly frowns. He dabs the paint brush in some green paint and stroked the canvas with it, he makes a field, with soft green grass, there are two figures in the distant, on the hill, the grass wasn't just a grassy green it was lush like, the sky is filled with smoke, electro colours of a war in the sky, the lower bottom where the grass is changing and it was now a masterpiece of something else, multiple colours ranging from grey the bright. Each shape having there own meaning. Leo was watching and saw how creatively Mark was painting, the android had waited now for the painting to dry so that he may paint a face unfamiliar face in between the war. A face that was lost in a world of violence. It went to something normal-plain to something out of this worlds, you couldn't even see the grey-green field, only dots, shapes, lines, splatter and colour perhaps the red meant blood on the battlefield to represent unwanted war but Leo didn't know and he wanted to know. He watched as Mark placed down the brush, he watched as he walked away from the painting, to Leo himself where he gave Leo a small smile, was Mark surprised to see Leo do nothing? A little but that was Leo, he was arrogant and Mark didn't mind because he saw beauty in that and he knows he can fix that up for him. all it takes is some determination. Mark wasn't really surprised because he knows that he's dealing with Leo. but what was more shocking to Mark was that Leo agreed to live with him in Carl's house, Leo agreed to be under Mark's wing and the two somehow managed to form a romantic relationship, I suppose it would start when Leo was high on red ice or some other form of drug and had sneaked into Mark's room, Mark was seeing what all the fuss was about with sleeping so he was trying that out while Leo climbed on top of him and made out with him, undress him but having some difficulties, Mark had to awaken and I suppose you can use your creative minds for what they were up to, they just developed into a romantic sexual couple. Both of them having to share top and bottom but again there were no cares given. Leo had looked away from Mark's different colored eyes. Leo was confused about Mark, he didn't understand him he never did but he loved him. Mark had approached Leo and crouched down in front of him, he takes the smoke from Leo's hand and places it away. He holds Leo's hand softly.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." "Can you remember who quoted that?" Mark had asked softly as he waits patiently for Leo's answer he had held Leo's hand with his real skin, they couldn't exchange anything but Mark just felt more love for the squishy human, he wanted to be close to Leo and removing his skin was the only way. He remembered one time Leo had literally kicked Markus of the bed after waking up to a skinless android. It wasn't fun the reason why is because Leo had a little 'fright' and was angry and refused that Mark could sleep in the same bed as him, Mark laid on the floor and watched him as best he could, for the reason why Mark was skinless was unknown, perhaps he felt being closer to Leo as much as possible. you could say Leo hadn't changed and as Leo thought about that quote, he sighs in defeat, looking away. Leo's mind hurried in thought and tried to remember who that quote was from, he looks back to Mark and they lock eyes.

"Albert Einstein? Right?" Leo had quietly asked, Mark smiled and nodded.

"Yes, that's right" "You have been listening" Mark had beamed, standing up and lifting Leo up with him. "Can you guess this quote?" "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Mark had quoted, Leo instant knew this and remembered the lesson he had.

"Einstein again, look Mark I'm not an idiot-"

"So tell me, I am lighter than air but a hundred people cannot lift me. Careful, I am fragile what am I?" Mark had asked, giving Leo a simple riddle to think about. Leo frowns and pulls away from Mark, crossing his arms.

"I don't know. why are you giving me a dumbass riddle for?" Leo asked, irritated. Mark smiled and gave Leo space.

"Because it helps shape the brain, it helps you think and improve your thinking skills, go on, give it a go" Mark had advised gently, he waits patiently for Leo's answer, Leo looked out to the garden. it smelt nice, it was cold and chilly in Detroit. Birds were singing their little song, flying around the garden. There was a pile of weeds on the floor which Leo pulled out. The taste of the thin cold air mixed with lingering torn grass, you could taste it when you inhale, taste it on your tongue with your taste buds. Leo had a minute or two to think and he looks back at Mark with a careless shrug.

"I don't know... a stupid bubble?" Leo asked, glancing Mark with confusion, anger, sadness with the longing of wanting attention. His face was dull and tired like, hiding all emotions. Mark although was smirking, giving off the answer but his lover's face remained the same.

"Well, not a stupid bubble but a bubble will do, yes" Mark had admitted, Leo sighs trying to let out some annoyance. Mark put a hand on Leo's shoulder and then pulled him in for a hug.

"Its ok to be annoyed Leo, it's ok to feel the way you are... let it out" Mark had comforted, Leo starts to shake, he tightly shut his eyes and tried not to sob. "Take in long breathes through the nose and exhale deeply, feel your lungs expand against your ribcage, feel your heavy body and take in all the noises around you and let them in, let them in and except them..." Mark wisely encouraged, Leo tries taking in a deep breath but only sobs out as pictures and memories of his father popped up and lingered like Weeds, his voice and the last time he saw his father started to eat up what was left of him. Only Mark was left, it was only him. His only family. Leo couldn't stop shaking couldn't stop moving around and sobbing. Mark had sat him down on the floor, patting Leo's head as Mark's soul and heart start to slowly break off, seeing his beloved like this was painful. Hearing him scream out was the worst.

"I killed him!" "I did this! It's all my fault!" "I ruined everything! I'm such a worthless piece of shit I can't do anything right!!" "I ruined the family! I can't do it anymore- I-I want to die!" "I feel so trapped Markus!"

Of course, Markus would say No to all of this and he would say that all those things aren't true and he would tell Leo he did matter, Mark would say anything for Leo to stop crying, anything at all. But Mark couldn't baby him, he had to let Leo think about what he said, Leo had to face his demons. It was hard trying to help Leo because he was just a broken toy lost in a world that makes no sense a world that doesn't care to fix broken toys. But Mark was here for his Leo, always. Mark didn't mind juggling Jericho, CyberLife and Leo. as long as Leo was well and alive Mark did not care what the bumpy road leads to. He just hopes that.