#leoxarthur

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: 033, a plane during a bout of turbulencearthur & leo.

The truck couldn’t handle another long trip to Indiana from Tennessee. Honestly, it was almost time they considered getting rid of it… trading it for something at least a little newer. As sad as it made them both to admit, the thing was begging for death at this point. It wouldn’t have been safe to drive, probably wouldn’t have even made it across the state. Flying was their only option, which wouldn’t have been possible, either, if it hadn’t been for whoever the hell Arthur found to forge a legitimate looking license.

“You’ve never flown before?” Her hand slips into his, giving a little squeeze as the plane rocks a bit roughly while going through a storm. “I used to fly all the time, it’s not-“ She pauses as the plane bounces so hard it nearly tosses her out of her seat. “… we’re safe. I promise.” Said with all the confidence in the world, even as the color leeches from her face.

Pulling her hand away, she fumbles in her pocket for the little can of zyns she'd bought for Arthur before they left, since he couldn't smoke to calm his nerves. A little pouch is presented like a prize as she's jostled around again. She's never seen him afraid of anything before - but all xyr protests against flying makes sense now.

"Here, baby." She's legitimately concerned, then, when their hands join back together and he's squeezing the fucking life out of her. "Hey- hey, babe, it's okay. I promise."

[gollldrush]

“Arthur- slow down. Arthur. ARTHUR!” Leo is screaming, pleading. Her hands grip into the handle on the passenger door the faster he goes. Her breathing dissolves into full-blown hyperventilation as the car swerves and weaves in and out of the lane.

There’s a bang! and the sound of metal crunching, tires squealing. Leo’s head rebounds off the window just as the airbags explode and send her rocking backwards into the seat. She’s in shock, unmoving – just staring out of the windshield, eyes wide and afraid. There’s a small cut somewhere on her face, bleeding from the impact.

“Arthur…?” Her voice is a meek whisper; her hand reaches slowly for him, blinking rapidly – a bit dizzy.

A knock comes at the window – a younger man, squinting through the glass. He’s asking if they’re okay, but all she can think of is the old man on the side of the road, the smell of his breath, the feeling of his hands. Whimpering, she recoils into Arthur, but is still careful not to jostle him too much in case he’s broken something.

“Wake up.” The blare of sirens can be heard in the distance; cars pulled over on the side of the road, standing and staring at them through the webbed glass. Gently, she cradles their face, sniffling and wincing at the pain in her head. “Arthur!” Her voice is a bit more stern this time, fingers prodding into xyr skin to wake them up.

Her begging falls on deaf ears, foot pressing down on the gas all the harder. They’re flying down the winding road, struggling to stay in one lane. When she yells, he flinches, grip twisting the wheel sharply again. A heaving breath, tears streaking down his face even as she tries to force some sense into him.

Your sister loves you. 

A flash of her face in his mind sends him reeling, choked sobs bubbling up past his throat. The blood on her neck, her mouth…His mother—who she looked so much like—bleeding on the floor.

You’re still my golden boy.

Panic, xyr mind far from the present moment. The flashbacks are making it hard to focus on the road and xe starts to drift to the other lane. As a semi comes riding the opposite direction, they lay on the horn, snapping Arthur back to the present. Xyr breath catches, quickly snapping the wheel out of the way of the truck only to lose control in an instant. They’re swerving down the road, screams ripping through the truck as Arthur takes xyr foot off the pedal. 

A rough bang against the driver’s side, the mirror there instantly bending, cracking, falling off in the road. The airbags go off as the door bends inward, the truck rolling to a halt only as the metal drags against the rail lining the side of the road…

Finally, they’ve stopped. Arthur slumped over the seat, knocked out from the force of the airbag and the startle of the wreck. Blood drips slowly down xyr temple…

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: [ bloody ] sender arrives at receiver's doorstep bleeding and injured arthur & leo.

Her days no longer revolved around the obsessive thought of Arthur coming back. They had never been gone this long before; never ceased communication like this. He had broken her heart. Fractured it into tiny pieces that sliced away at her every time she thought of them. Although time had made it somewhat easier, it still hurt – right at her very core.

Any trace of them had been scrubbed from that dingy apartment. Pictures, clothes – all folded away in boxes and locked behind a closet door. Any drawing of him had also been hidden where she couldn’t immediately see it. These disappearances were torturous for her. Never knowing where he was, if he was even alive. Jazzi had no information to give either… or, at least, none that she would own up to.

She had tried to move on. It took a while, but eventually, she invited another man into her bed. It all felt so empty. As if it were nothing more than a formality, a steppingstone to getting the fuck over it. It doesn’t work – if anything it makes her feel worse. Makes her question if Arthur is somewhere out there doing the exact same thing. Not a fair feeling for her to have. He didn’t love her.

This boy is nice enough. A year older than her, much taller; conventionally attractive, but she also doesn’t care. He’s there to fill a void and nothing more. A random swipe on tinder or whatever app she had found him on. It’s one in the morning when he leaves and she stares, deadpan, as he leans in to kiss her goodbye, some empty promise of I’ll call you tomorrow.

A knock comes some time later, and briefly she wonders if he’s forgotten something. Looking through the peephole, all she can see is a head full of curly hair. Arthur. Standing there, looking down at his feet. Leo’s mouth twitches. Her whole body twitches, actually. Both in a fit of relief and rage. The door swings ajar only slightly, just enough for her to peek out at him.

“What do you-" Her sentence is cut short the wider the door swings. He's covered in blood - so much of it that the pungent smell makes her cringe. Leo just stares at him, her mouth slightly ajar. Wordlessly she steps aside to allow him in.

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: [ fears ] sender talks to receiver about their fears & [ blood ] sender notices that receiver is bleeding | arthur and leo.

The gentle waves lap at the shore, sand cold beneath her body as she stares at the stars. One hand is twined with Arthur’s, both engulfed in silence. The only light trickles down from the moon, reflecting hauntingly across the water. Behind them, the dune grasses dance in a soft breeze.

She had been to the beach plenty of times, both as a child and as an adult. Summers spent on yachts, trolling boardwalks, and getting kicked out of bars for being underage. A completely different life than the one she was living now. This life where she had somehow found peace even if on the surface it was more chaotic than the previous.

Her hand releases from theirs as she props herself up on her elbows. She looks at them once, then back out across the sea – back again, except,

They’ve become taller. Their curly hair replaced with a short, side-swept style – no longer Arthur at all, in fact. Eric rolls on his side, a wicked smile on his face. His hand closes around her neck so quick there’s little time to react. He drags her under him, choking, choking, choking –

Leo wakes up gasping for air and hideously clawing at invisible hands on her throat, catapulting herself backwards and off the bed. A few kicks have landed against Arthur’s skin – a terrified scream peels from her mouth as she hurriedly shoves herself into a corner. She flails against the wall, hitting a nail head that’s jutting out and ripping her skin. She doesn’t notice the blood – only thinks she sees Eric when her eyes pop open and Arthur is in front of her.

“No, no, no, NO!” She kicks at them, terrified – trapped in the throes of her nightmare. “Don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me.” Eyes are wide and wild, feral almost. “Eric I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony arthur & leo

“Oh my god, here we go again!” Leo whips around to him from her position at the sink – flinging dishwater and soap as she tosses up her hands. “Please do not start on this bullshit with me!”

It was always the same old mess. The same lame excuses, the ramblings – the self-pitying bullshit and right now wasn’t the time. She flings her hands again, wipes them clean on the thighs of her jeans then crosses her arms. Stares at them with anger burning in her eyes.

“You- you – fuck, Arthur! I’m so sick of it. ‘I’m too old for you.’ Who fucking cares?” Her damp hands lift and push through her hair, tugging through knots. “I don’t care! You don’t care until you get into your fucking head!” For a moment, she thinks she could strangle them. "So what - what's the matter now? What fucking happened this time?"

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: "What if I'm someone I don't want around?" arthur & leo.

“Don’t say that.” Her tone is soft, fingers brushing though xyr curls as xe lays in her lap. “Please don’t say that, baby.”

Leo isn’t looking at him – her head is craned back, eyes pinned to the ceiling. It felt easier to hold back tears that way, keep herself composed as long as possible. So many uncertainties but at least for now, with their head in her lap, she knows he’s safe. That both of them are safe.

“I wish I knew how to help you.” There it is, the warbling of her voice – the choked sound at the end. “I just want you to be happy.”

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: "where’s your first - aid kit ?" arthur & leo.

The knock at the door is drowned out a bit by the music blaring in her ears. She was in the middle of cooking with headphones in, badly dancing around the kitchen as water boiled on the stove. After a minute she hears the sudden banging and yelps, a splash of soy sauce flying out of the open jar she’s holding and splattering across her shirt.

“Damnit!” She groans, grabbing a rag and trying to dab the mess off her shirt as she heads to the door. Opening it, she sees Arthur and nearly rolls her eyes. “Oh my god you scared the absolute sh-“

Where’s your first-aid kit?

“Uh.” Her eyes fall to his wrapped up hand, watching blood drip off his fingers. The color drains from her face and she swallows, stepping aside and shakily answering: “It’s… in the bathroom.” She turns slowly, half jogging towards the end of the hallway to set it on the counter. “Here – I… um. What happened to you?”

[gollldrush]

cute thing @exquisitexagony didn't ask for arthur & leo.

Stolen blankets and pillows litter the truck bed, a makeshift sleeping area arranged for the two of them. It was too hot to sleep in the truck itself, and they didn’t have the gas to turn it on and off again to let the ac run for a bit. It’s not so bad outside, especially with the breeze reaching them easier out here.

She’s not quite sure where Arthur’s gone for the moment. But she’s laying back, staring up at the stars through the wispy branches of the trees. The moon’s hung high, illuminating the area just a little bit, but not by much. They’d gone off the beaten path, pulled the truck over into an abandoned campsite. Just the two of them in the wild. Her favorite thing in the world.

“Hey.” Leo grins when she hears xem approaching and scoots over in case they want to settle next to her. “I tried my best but it’s not very comfy.” Not that it mattered, she knew Arthur could and would fall asleep anywhere. She nudges him gently, grinning, mocking his accent a bit as she says, “it ain’t no motel six.”

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony random cute stuff leo & arthur.

“You look fine.” Her hand smooths down the lapels of his suit jacket, narrowing her eyes on something. “I promise.” Except, she’s undoing the tie and redoing it for the fifth time in a row. At this point, it’s just repetitive to calm her own nerves. “Edie is being a bridezilla.” Leo mumbles, listening as her mother rants and raves about something on the other side of the door. “Thank God you’re with Peter.” Leaning in, she kisses xyr cheek before walking a few steps backwards to inspect xem.

Leo feels just as out of place. A pair of heels that she’s sort of wobbling in, like she’d forgotten how to walk in them over the years. A rust-colored satin bridesmaid gown with a slit up the leg that makes her feel too exposed. It was all Edie’s idea, and she knew better than to tell her mother no. Especially now.

“You look really handsome.” A big smile on her face and she bites her bottom lip. Had she been sitting down, she’d be kicking her feet like a school girl. “Never, ever in my life did I think I’d ever see you in anything other than dirty jeans.”

[gollldrush]

continued with @exquisitexagony from here

“No!” Leo squeals, holding her hand out to keep him away. She is red in the face, can’t stop smiling, and she hates it. Every time she tries to plan a surprise she can never play it off. “No, no!” She covers her face and spins away from xem. “I’m not… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Even busying herself with something meaningless, like folding and unfolding the same damn towel on the counter, isn’t making her smile fade. If anything, it’s getting wider, making her cheeks start to ache.

“You don’t even… there is no surprise. And if there was, I wouldn’t tell you to begin with.” Twirling around again, she kisses their cheek before scooting around them and playfully swatting xem on the ass. “So stop trying to accuse me of such!” Before xe can retaliate, she takes off sprinting down the hall.

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: "Are you wearing antlers?" arthur & leo.

“Are you seriously surprised right now?” Brows quirk as she points at him with a candy cane, that looks dangerously close to a weapon at the moment. “Oh! Maybe you’re jealous, do you want a pair?” She’s hopping (tumbling) over boxes, kicking a small cluster of ornaments out of the way to wrestle a Santa hat over xyr curls before xe can object too much. (Yes, she kept one close, because she just knew xe would make a comment about her festive appearance).

She grins wide and bright, stepping back to admire her handiwork as she fluffs and fixes xyr curls into place. Edie is behind her trying not to laugh.

“Cutie.” She beams, pinching xyr cheek.

[gollldrush]

random cute leo & arthur thing for @exquisitexagony because why not

It had taken some doing (more like begging) to convince Pete to look through Arthur’s paperwork to figure out his birthday. Much to her delight it wasn’t too far away. It gave her enough time to plan something, giddy as hell about the chance to celebrate something for once. She picks a day – not the day – to surprise him.

“You and me, 7 o’clock, movie night.” Leo slams down a 6 pack of beer on the counter, her face lit up with a grin. “Dooon’t even bother trying to get out of it, I already talked to Pete and he said you can take off early. And if you don’t show up just know I know where you work.” She points at him, sliding the beer off the counter and walking swiftly to the door before he can utter a word of protest.

The apartment isn’t overly decorated but still enough to be considered cheesy. A ‘happy birthday’ banner hangs in the doorway of the kitchen, colorful balloons scattered about the living room. On the dining room table is a cake that she had baked and (hideously) decorated herself, sat next to two small boxes delicately and perfectly wrapped with bows on top. Two party hats – one of which she would force them to wear – and their favorite type of beer chilled in the fridge.

And now she waits. She hovers anxiously by the door, a grin so wide on her face that it hurts. A little bounce of excitement each time she hears someone draw near, only to be disappointed when it ends up being a neighbor. She shifts her weight from side to side, beginning to pace.

6:57.

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: [ BREAKDOWN ] for one muse to ask the other if they’re okay prompting them to finally stop bottling things up. arthur & leo.

It’s dark in the room, Leo barely able to see Arthur in the dark. She’d been awake for a while, just listening to them breathe. Her hand growing numb from tracing patterns down their back as they slept. His nightmares had clustered together, leaving them both exhausted. Even Bandit has been on edge, choosing to sleep out on the couch rather than in the room with them.

Just as she begins to drift off, she can hear the change in their breathing. The panicked twitching movements, the soft groaning. She moves closer, wrapping her arms around their frail frame and holding them. She quietly shushes him, pressing a kiss to his face, his forehead. Softly stroking his hair. Letting him know he’s safe.

“Baby…” She murmurs, gently trying to wake them without scaring them too much. “It’s alright, Arthur.” She pulls back enough to stroke his cheek and waits a moment for him to open his eyes. After a minute she flips over and turns on the lamp before returning her focus to them. “Are you okay?” Once again her hand is on their face, smoothing over scars – both new and old.

[gollldrush]

a house without power or running water . - flesh!leo & arthur

It’s not much, but at least it’s something. Whoever had owned it must’ve only abandoned it a few months ago. A thick layer of dust doesn’t stop her from tossing her shit on the counters or peeling through cabinets in search of something that might still be edible. She doesn’t dare open the fridge… not with whatever liquid is already seeping through the seal.

A few canned goods are pulled out and shoved into her backpack. Every now and again she’s tossing glances to try to see where Arthur might have gone in the house. It’s dark; a little creepy, honestly. For all that she is, she’s not yet immune to her childish fears. The flashlight she’s holding is shaking in her grip as she tries to turn on the sink. No luck.

More and more cabinets are dug through, kind of lost in her own little world as she searches for candles and matches. Arthur’s got a lighter on xem, but she’s not about to go chasing xem down for it. They’re far enough away from other houses that a little glow in the kitchen isn’t going to get them noticed unless it’s other people doing the same thing they are.

“Find anything good?"

[gollldrush]

“i'm freezing” - arthur & leo cos more cute things tehe

It’s a shared statement; Leo’s also shivering, curled up as tightly to xem as she could get. They’d picked a terrible time to go camping at the Indiana Dunes, and they’d chosen to leave Bandit with Edie for the weekend, so they couldn’t count on his added warmth. A huffing sigh and she pulls another layer of covers over the two of them. At least they’d rented a little cabin…

“It’s not that bad.” She murmurs, face burying into their neck with no apology about how cold the tip of her nose might feel. “Plus, think of all the fun ways we can warm each other up.” Her laugh is muffled against their skin. She’s just joking, much too tired and cold to act on it. “Think we can get a fire going?”

[gollldrush]

@exquisitexagony sent: I used to tell the truth, you know. leo and arthur.

She’s playing with stones on the bank of the river, her toes just barely dipped into the water. The sun’s warmth is enough to make her knees and arms begin to burn, but she doesn’t mind it too much. She’s lost in her thoughts until Arthur says something, causing her to blink a few times.

“What?” Peeking over, she tosses a stone their way – watching it skip twice before it sinks. “Do you mean about what we are?” A moment of pause. “I don’t think I’d tell anyone… not unless I had to.”

She curls her legs inward, head resting on her knees. Content to just watch them for a moment.

“So, why’d you stop?”