Chapter Text
He was drunk and that’s the story he was sticking with to explain himself.
That’s how Leonard could rationalize sitting so close to Mick so their knees pressed together and their shoulders brushed. How Leonard could allow Mick to throw an arm over his shoulders and laugh together even though Leonard would break the arm of anyone else who tried. How Leonard could let Mick whisper into his ear, plans for the future whether it was tomorrow morning or fifty years from now, calling him Lenny and partner.
It was why Leonard didn’t protest when they walked home (to Mick’s shitty apartment) that Mick kept his arm around Leonard, hand brushing up and down his arm. Why Leonard didn’t stop Mick from dragging him off the main road to the dark alcove. Why Leonard allowed Mick’s lips to brush against his, as he was pressed back against the brick wall.
“Is this okay?” Mick murmured, sounding more sober than he had all night, his sweaty forehead pressed lightly against Leonard’s. Leonard could feel Mick’s hands were shaking with nerves which was good because then Mick couldn’t feel how much Leonard was shaking with a want of six years from when they first met in the real world after juvie, sixteen and eighteen respectively.
It was the reason Leonard said yes and yanked Mick’s lips back against his.