Chapter Text
Nights like these were everything to Rick and Leo.
It was late spring and the leaves were returning, flowers were blooming, and the world had seemed to slow to a sweet, molasses pace that made everything around them seem so much more perfect. The wind outside rustled through the newly sprouted leaves, a gentle, calming conductor to the symphony of night birds and crickets.
The kitchenware had long been abandoned, nestled neatly on the drying rack beside the sink. Somehow the dishes had managed to survive the cleaning process, which in reality had turned into an all-out soapy-water-throwing battle within seconds of Leo getting to the sink. But now, even the wet splashes that had littered their clothing had dried.
The kitchen wasn’t huge, but allowed the pair to move freely about the space, only bumping into each other when they wanted to.
That, of course, happened to be most of the time.
Instead of harsh, fluorescent lighting, candles cast a warm glow through the room. It made everything feel softer, cozier, and just a bit fuzzy around the edges, but in a way that merely served to highlight the gentleness of each man’s features as they gazed at each other.
Deep, blue-green eyes stared into sky blue, gentle, awestruck smiles were plastered upon each of their faces, and the quiet, beautiful humming of an old love song filled the air between them.
Leo sighed as Rick’s soft tune thrummed through him, wrapping him in the very essence of devotion and love while Rick’s hands found their way to his waist. No words were necessary between them as Leo raised his own arms up, winding them around Rick’s shoulders and letting Rick guide him into a gentle swaying motion.
Soon, that gentle sway turned into small steps, the pair slowly dancing around and around the kitchen. Rick’s hum began to crescendo until finally, his rich voice filled the air between them.
Leo melted into Rick the second his voice filled his ears, and Rick merely pulled Leo closer as he continued his song. The candles joined them in their own, flickering dance, seeming to keep beat with them while Leo let his head fall into Rick’s neck. He breathed in deeply, the scent of the warm, spiced cologne he’d given Rick only a few months prior for Christmas filling his nose and making him smile. A thrill ran up his spine and Rick evidently felt it given the soft chuckle that momentarily interrupted his candlelight serenade. Leo, with more intention this time, cut him off when he tried to continue, darting forward, unable to stop himself from stealing a kiss from his dance partner.
Rick smiled into him and met his lips with the same adoring enthusiasm.
For a moment, they were still, simply locked together in the chaste kiss before pulling away with grins spread wide across their faces. Following a pause for the both of them to laugh softly at each other, Rick pulled Leo back in, resting their foreheads together, and began his ballad again, saccharine notes coloring his tone.
Leo couldn’t wipe the smile from his face, cheeks beginning to warm with the flush that rushed up his neck as Rick’s hands traveled up his sides to his cheeks, cupping them and running his thumbs over them. It lasted for a few seconds, then those hands, those big, beautiful hands, returned to Leo’s waist and Rick spun them around gradually in a lazy circle.
“Don’t stop,” Leo whispered as the final few words slipped from Rick’s mouth, “Please, Ricky?”
“Anything for you,” came Rick’s soft reply, punctuated with another kiss.
Together, they danced long into the night. Wrapped around each other, candles slowly burning out, kisses swapped over and over again, they were happy. They were happy.
There was no Navy here. No bases, no carriers, no Tomcats, nor brothers-in-arms.
It was just them.
It was Hollywood and Wolfman, Wolfman and Hollywood.
Rick and Leo, Leo and Rick.
It was everything they ever could have wanted and more.
“Give your heart and soul to me, and life will always be la vie en rose,” Rick’s voice faded upon the last few words, his eyes shining in the candlelight, looking upon Leo with complete and utter adoration, “God, I love you.”
“I love you too, Ricky,” Leo breathed out as Rick’s hand settled on his cheek once more, “I love you too.”