#i do have a couple drabbles set in the leverage au which i might release into the wild

[desertsportshipping]

Welcome to an AU that came to me in a vision during my annual Leverage rewatch called "The Leverage AU."

I don't know if I'll ever touch it again (although I am hosting a Leverage watch party so maybe) but just in case I'm putting my brain dump under the cut.

After Rui leaves Orre, she goes to the law enforcement to try and get protection for Wes, especially as they just left the region with a giant power vacuum.

Meanwhile Chief Anabel at Interpol is at her wits end. She has a case file of suspected criminals, who she knows is are the masterminds and/or leaders of various evil Teams, but with no evidence to arrest them.

Looker presents her with the case files of various criminals in custody (plus Wes) and presents an idea: a task force of criminals under the control and direction of Rui, and by extension Interpol.

Given that she has no other options, Chief Anabel signs off on the newly created Alternative Evidence and Legal Dispute Unit, or AELDU for short.

As far as technical expertise (ie. crime knowledge) goes, Wes is the linchpin holding the whole operation together. You need a wallet lifted? Wes can do it. You need someone to silently break into a building through the air ducts? Wes can do it. You need someone to beat the shit out of four grunts? Wes can do it.

On the other side of the coin, N is the grifter of the group. He can play any role you need him to. He can be a long lost Galarian Duke, a savvy up and coming business owner, a flirty one night stand, etc. He grew up learning all the manipulation tactics and cons in the books, and he's glad to be able to use his knowledge for good instead.

Penny is obviously the hacker.

Gladion is honestly really bad at crime. He got caught graffitting a cop car. However, he's really passionate and eager to learn, and while N doesn't think the kids (Penny and Gladion) should be getting involved in crime, even if it's for a good cause. Wes is working on getting Gladion's lockpicking time under 5 seconds and his punches into form.

Rui was initially just there to keep everyone in line, be the moral compass of the team. However, Rui is the granddaughter of Ace Trainer Eagun, who had the reputation of being a master of strategy. Rui is the one who puts together the full plans for the team to follow, and she picks up some manipulation skills from N and ass kicking skills from Wes.

Wes can do a little bit of grifting, but his skills only extend to "however long it takes for him to get out of whatever shit he got himself in." If you've seen the show, think Parker level grifting: he can be a fake waiter for the two minutes it takes him to get to the back.

Wes becomes the older brother figure to Rui, Penny and Gladion against his will. To be clear, he is a terrible role model. He is trying his best anyways.

Meanwhile, N takes it upon himself to be an older brother figure for Wes. Wes also hates this.

Rui hides Plusle in her jacket and uses the Pokemon as a taser.

N is an excellent actor when it comes to swindling and every day situations. You put him on a stage or in front of a camera? He's the worst actor you've ever seen. Rui is very gently trying dissuade N's dreams of an acting career.

Wes's jacket even has a role in the team! Wes has so much random shit in his pockets that he's snagged that he never thought would come in handy until now.

When they put Wes into a role (ie. fake caterer, fake baseball player, fake country star, etc), he gets WAY to into his role. Sorry gang, Wes can't search the house for the safe, he's too busy chopping onions for the appetizers.

Leon sometimes orbited in the vicinity of the gang's marks, as the only full time Champion and pretty much a celebrity. One time, Wes (undercover as a waiter) got caught kicking the ass of some Macro Cosmos agents. He was completely unprepared for the response from Leon being like "that was so cool!"

Later, Rui and N have to coach Wes on how to go on a date.