Brody Levi; Forensic Pathology

Brody Levi, 38, Queens

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

>> text: brody🧸💖<< Oh! And the room service is a fuckin’ joke >> text: brody🧸💖<< Only call if you can convince them to let me leave before Tuesday >> text: brody🧸💖<< I’m fine, Ma fell asleep in the chair, and I hate bein in a hospital bed >> text: brody🧸💖<< What’s new?

>> text : tom cat 😻💖 << damn >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << we gotta give them a shit review when you leave >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i’ll do my best tbh i’m a very good and attentive doctor >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << what about monday? >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i know it’s not super early but.  >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << hi pam. >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << you wanna see what i’m working on?  >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << super illegal too btw but it might give you something to look at >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i’m going to stop by the library on my way out of work

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

>> text: brody🧸💖<< I’m giving this hotel a 1 start rating >> text: brody🧸💖<< The staff keep coming in and waking me up >> text: brody🧸💖<< And I’m not allowed to get out of bed on my own or I’ll “pop my sutures” >> text: brody🧸💖<< 🙄🙄

>> text : tom cat 😻💖 << oh no! i’m sorry babe! i forgot to put the do not disturb sign up >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << want me to call down there and bother them a little? >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << can’t expect you to heal up if they keep waking you up all the time.  >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << how you doing? you need my netflix logins and stuff? >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i’m gonna try and leave early

[brodylevime]

JER​:

>> text: dr. levi 🔬 << Are you doing alright? >> text: dr. levi 🔬 << Was he scared? >> text: dr. levi 🔬 << I wish I had something better to offer than my thoughts are with you and he’s in good hands!! >> text: dr. levi 🔬 << It’s good, actually! Everyone’s really nice and they play good music!

>> text : dr. lodge 💉 << he put on a brave face but i think he’s worried. >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << i’ll be okay. >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << i know he’s in good hands but i’m thinking about why i didn’t go into cardiology right about now i could be doing it myself. >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << i guess then if something happened i’d never get over it  >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << i don’t think i could get over it if anything happened regardless but it’d be worse if it was my fault.  >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << that sounds fun! i’m glad you’re having fun, or at least that everyone’s nice and the music is good.  >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << probably isn’t the same as talking to dead bodies hahah but i’m glad you’ve got something going on. 

[brodylevime]

@jeremiahlodge

>> text : dr. lodge 💉 << we’re at the hospital 🤞 >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << it’s been years since i had to do something like this >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << they just took him back there to get worked on. >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << i have a lot of anxiety. >> text : dr. lodge 💉 << how’s work?

[brodylevime]

@tcmmykane​ location: brody’s apartment after work

            “Okay, babe,” Brody says as he pulls his notebook from his work bag and flips to the most recent page. “I’ve got a checklist. Let’s see where we’re at. Do we need to swing by your apartment and pick up a few things?” Brody’s already made his boss aware that he might be skipping out early, work load permitting, for the next few weeks. He’s got food bought, blankets, space made in his drawers for Tommy’s things. “How are we doing? We on track for your surgery?” He asks rather earnestly, finally fixing Tommy with stare after marking off one of the tasks he’s made for himself. 

[brodylevime]

CECE​:

“I didn’t say that—“ Cece backpedaled, though relaxed once she realized he wasn’t actually offended. “I just hated to take some of your drink is all. At least if you’re offering me something you’ve had, I know it’s safe and not laced or anything.” Her eyes crinkled as she cracked another smile. “I do like lemon though. It does sound as if we do! My friend Jenny got me to try a lemon drop and it was one of the best drinks I’ve ever had.” Cecelia warmly nodded, loving the sound of this little game. “Sure, I’m up for that!” Waving the bartender over, she quickly ordered one of what her new companion was having. “I’m Cece, by the way.”

              “Hey, we’re all about making sure people are safe here!” Brody’s smiling as he made a little extra room at the counter for her. “I like a good lemon drop. I feel like as I’ve gotten older I gotta tone down the sweetness though.” Which is why bourbon sours are where it’s at when it comes to Brody’s drink of choice. Lemony. Less sweet. He extends a hand as a way of introducing himself as well, “Brody. Nice to meet you Cece. You having a good night out?” Small talk. Brody’s perhaps the least prepared for that kind of thing. He hasn’t had to do that for a long time. Making small talk to corpses just wasn’t the same. Brody feels like he’s walking around with a big ‘I don’t go out much’ sign attached to his forehead. But that’s okay. Right?

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy has poured a lot of himself into this gift and this letter. It’s not super long, his small lettering taking up just most of one sheet of lined paper, but he’s said exactly what he means. Including how much he loves Brody, how grateful he is that the universe has brought them together, and how much better he thinks his future can be now that he’s certain to have Brody in it.

He can’t tear his eyes away from Brody, like he’s holding his breath while he waits for a reaction. Everyone around them is busy unwrapping their gifts, too, but it seems like there’s an odd quiet as Brody examines what Tommy has given him – Tommy thinks, perhaps, he’s imagining it, but in actuality his mother and two of his sisters are watching in silence, waiting for Brody’s reaction seemingly as much as Tommy is.

He watches the tears prick up first, and that tugs at Tommy’s heart strings as he steps just a little closer. By the end of it, Brody’s crying, and a few tears have leaked down Tommy’s cheeks, too, though he’s been quick enough to swipe most of them away before they’re in each other’s arms. He laughs a little at the kisses he receives, pressing his lips to Brody’s ears when they’re fully embracing each other. “You’re welcome. I love you.” He says, and it’s nice and quiet and just for Brody, just like the rest of the gift had been. Tommy manages to catch Pamela’s eyes, and they’re gleaming with tears, too.

Tommy scrubs his hands over his face, as if to erase any evidence that he’d cried, too, and stands with the other man, nodding his head as he follows Brody, their fingers linked together. “You know, I’m going to love it, but it’s way too much, Brody.” It’s almost a whine as he hesitates toward the back door. “And, if I look at it, I’m gonna want to keep it. Brody, you spent way too much money.”

            Brody’s not sure he’ll ever recover. Not fully. Not from a gift like this. From a man like Tommy. Who means everything to him, really. Brody’s already thinking about how much better his days are going to be, being able to look at that picture on his desk every day he’s at work. Thinking about how much time and effort Tommy put into making this gift for him. It was a bit of Tommy’s heart. And it’s all his. A reminder of the road they’ve walked.                A lot of that time has been spent apart but... That letter. All of this. Being Tommy’s partner, in more than just the friendly sense of the word, in the way of everything... It’s worth that time apart. Maybe he was right. About some things needing to die to give them this. Brody doesn’t want to think that his failed relationship with Claire made him a better partner, but hadn’t it? He’s ready for this. All the hard parts. He’s done hard before. He’s ready for the hard parts and the easy parts, and everything in between. They deserve it.                Brody hopes they get a little peace. For a little while, anyway.                The doctor eases open the back door out onto the tiny lot that serves as Pam and Tom’s backyard. There, in the snow, parked and beautiful and gleaming bright cherry red in the Christmas morning sun, Tommy’s new Ducati. Brody gives Tommy’s hand a squeeze. “I want you to keep it. It’s used, so I spent less on it-- - I deserve to spoil you a little bit, okay? I can do that. Just... Look at it, okay?” Brody leans over to press a kiss to Tommy’s temple, clutching his picture frame to his chest again.                As far as Brody’s concerned, Tommy deserves it. If he can do this kind of thing for him, shouldn’t he? He wants to, anyway. It’s a thank you. Of sorts. For the mural in their bedroom (which Brody still paid for regardless), for letting him back in his life, for being patient, or not patient. For simply existing, really. Being the best part of Brody’s life. “Merry Christmas,” he says, pressing his lips to Tommy’s ear just gently, “I love you too.”

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:​

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy’s arm is slung nicely around Brody’s shoulders so that they’re both draped over each other, definitely no question that they’ve come here together as more than just friends – even if that’s what they’re supposed to be right now. Just friends. “I dunno, man, Ma can be pretty funny when she wants ta be.” He arches an eyebrow in Brody’s direction, “I think if you stuffed Olive’s stocking with a vibrator and told her to loosen up, she might get a good laugh.”

Tommy scrunches up his face and looks at Brody, “Do I?” He asks, but then he laughs, and it’s perfectly obvious that he does, indeed, like even Brody’s  most annoying qualities. “This fuckin’ music sucks, man.” He says, wincing as Mariah Carey’s shrill voice blasts through the speakers. “I could go the rest of my life without havin’ to hear this ever again.”

He steers Brody toward the escalator, people waking toward it and away from it in droves. There are more people here than there usually are, but that’s to be expected. It’s peak season for any retailer. On the escalator, he feels Brody’s hand on his back and he smiles a little, facing forward. “You don’t have to be serious doctor every day of the week. It’s a holiday, have a little fun.” He laughs as they step off and he reaches for Brody’s hand, pulling him along to Spencer’s, which is less full than some other places but still pretty tightly packed with people browsing. “There’re like ten people looking at pajamas.” He groans, but it doesn’t deter them, he just pushes through a small, loosely grouped pack of people and reaches for the shelf. “Look at these.”

             Brody can’t help the snort. Pamela can be pretty funny, actually. Somehow he feels like she wouldn’t be too mad if he did do something like that. Especially if he shrouded it in the guise that he’s just trying to make sure she’s doing alright because she’s been a real bitch recently and he’s pretty sure she needs to blow off some steam or something.               It’s clear that Brody’s considering it now as they stand side by side on the escalator. He rummages around in his jacket pocket with his free hand for a moment to produce his air pods, which he holds out to Tommy with a grin. “Can’t take it all away but it’ll help a little.” He’s right, of course, the music fucking sucks. And Brody will be happy when they can get the hell out of here. But it’s... Nice. Doing it with Tommy. Better than doing it alone.                 Tommy takes his hand and Brody’s grinning as they step off and towards Spencer’s. He’s right. He doesn’t have to be serious doctor all the time. Brody squeezes Tommy’s hand just lightly as they make their way into the packed store (definitely less packed than say Lush across the way, of course, but still). “Pajamas are like the laziest, best gift you can give someone, Tom Cat.” Important to have. “We probably shoulda done this a while ago.”                Brody leans close, curiously. “Maybe I’ll stick some anal beads in Olive’s stocking. That’d be fucking hilarious, right?” He examines the pajamas, a sharp laugh leaving his lips. “Oh my god. You wanna wear these to brunch?” ‘I put out for Santa.’ Black fleece pants with multi color lights. The matching shirt? ‘Santa.’  With matching pants. Fancy script. Soft. He feels the fabric thoughtfully for a moment. “I’ll say yes to this if we also get hats.” And if he gets to be Santa, but they’ll discuss that later. 

[diomedrian]

ORESTES: I never meant to drag you in. PYLADES: Drag me, Orestes. Drag me. I’m in it with you.

Charles L. Mee, from Orestes 2.0.  (via diomedrian)

[brodylevime]

JER​:

𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔟𝔬𝔶~

Jer’s literally so excited that Brody’s coming over that he can hardly contain himself. He vacuums the carpet three times before the man arrives, and arranges the presents in front of his meticulously put together Christmas tree that is adorned with more than its share of nerdy ornaments. Underneath it are a few gifts for Brody, some practical and some indulgent. Jer just loves giving gifts, and he can’t wait to have a little hangout with Brody in his own space – introduce the guy to his pets.

The knock makes him jerk, and Dmitri barks softly because he’s a good boy. Jer shushes him, reassuring the pit bull with a pet before walking over to the door and flinging it open with a bright grin and a face flushed from all the effort he’s gone through. There are freshly baked cookies on the counter – he’s good with chemistry, and baking’s chemistry. “Hey!” He exclaims, and Dmitri’s ears go back, he’s prancing on the spot waiting for Brody to pay attention to him, his tail wagging like a whip in the air.

“C’mon in, I have cookies and coffee and gifts! I’m so excited, hey!” He moves out of the way, grabbing Dmitri by the collar so that Brody can enter his apartment and make himself comfortable. “Sorry, he really likes people.”

            Honestly, Brody’s face lights right up as soon as Jer opens the door. Obviously he was expecting him to be there, but it never really feels the same as seeing him. He goes in for a hug before he can stop himself, nice and firm, a few pats to his back before he lets himself inside. The dog, of course, has his full attention as soon as he gets his eyes on him.                Brody enters the apartment, slow, and stoops to give the dog some scratches behind his ears. “Hi, baby!” Brody’s not even a little bit ashamed about the way his voice pitches up. It smells good in here. Like cookies and warmth and coffee and Brody’s so glad that he managed to make time to come around.                When he finally straightens he holds his neatly wrapped gifts out to Jer so he can take his jacket off and get really comfortable. “Thanks, man. I’m excited too! You mind if I take a second to get settled?” He wants to take in Jer’s apartment. See all the nerdy things that he knows Jer knows he’ll appreciate. “Who’s this, huh?” he asks as a wet nose bumps against his palm. 

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy nods. He knows that they’re on the same page, but it feels good to hear it all the same. He likes making Brody say exactly what he means instead of beating around the bush, talking in riddles in case Tommy doesn’t feel the same way. He thinks they both know that they both feel the same way about each other, it’s about navigating that course now, through a tumultuous sea. He thinks Brody’s a pretty good sailor to be partnered up with, though.

“I mean, are you that far outta the game that you think a letter opener is going to work or were you just being lazy and offering me the closest thing on hand?” He arches a brow at Brody, a playful smile on his face – it had been judgmental, but only in a teasing way. He crumbles up the buds with his fingers, rubbing his fingers on his thumb to get the sticky bits off because Brody, apparently, has really good weed. “Where’d you get this shit?” Dispensary, he bets.

He looks up and over at Brody, smiling at him affectionately for a moment as a flood of firsts Brody had been run through his mind, like a slideshow played on fast forward. He nods, then looks back down at the crumbled up weed. They have more than enough for a bowl or two, so he stops and fills the bowl part of the bong, handing the thing over to Brody for the first hit along with the lighter from his pocket. “I’m designer? Wow, never would’a thought I’d hear someone say that about me, but… thanks. I’m glad I’m high quality.” He leans back, kicking his leg up, careful to avoid the weed. “I know I’m probably the best fuck you ever had, at least.”

            Brody laughs, nice and goofy like he knows Tommy likes. He’s grateful that he does, because Brody can’t change it. Not when the laughter he’s giving is honest and genuine. Like this one. “Okay maybe it’s a little bit of both.” He’s comfortable here. With Tommy. Why should he get up and get the grinder? Or something more suitable, for that matter? He’d rather be here. With Tommy.                He grins as he moves to help break the weed up with his hands as well, just enough for a bowl or two between the two of them. “You askin’ ‘cause it’s good shit?” Sometimes he thinks about growing himself. As a hobby. Because he could handle that. A hobby. But then he’s not sure if he’s able to do something just lightly and he’s not about to become an actual grower. “Dispensary.” He could probably get a medical card if he wanted to. Currently though, he doesn’t need it. This is just fine.                With the bong back in his arms, Brody preps and takes a nice long pull. He blows all the smoke up towards the ceiling before he hands the bong back over. “Mmhn. Yeah. No competition there. I think we put everyone else at a disadvantage.” They learned how to fuck on each other. Learned what both of them like best. Tommy definitely ruined it for everyone else, as far as Tommy’s concerned. He leans back against the couch.              “I’m gonna tell you something but you have to promise that it doesn’t leave this room.” He has no doubt that Tommy’ll keep this under wraps. Who’s he gonna tell anyway? “The only time Claire ever pegged me,” he let out a sigh, lacing his fingers together over his chest before he continues, “I literally moaned your name, man. You fucked me up. She never pegged my ass again.” Yeah. Tommy was the best fuck Brody ever had. And the best person that ever fucked him as far as he was concerned. “Gonna have to let me fuck you extra good to make up for that embarrassing shit, Tommy.” That’s a joke, obviously. As far as he’s concerned, they have a very healthy sex life at the moment and they’re not even officially together. Fifty fifty. Give and take in equal parts. And it’s always fun. Not that sex with Claire hadn’t been fun. This was different though. Like they were figuring each other out again.

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy laughs, nodding his head in agreement. He does think that Brody is devilishly handsome and more than a little interesting. “Dunno if I’m doomed, I’d say I’m lucky, but, hey, to each his own.” He says, winking as he squeezes Brody’s hand, leaning in just a little closer to brush his lips against the smooth skin at Brody’s cheek. He thinks it’s been a long time coming, them ending up like this – more than twenty years. He feels a little surge of relief, even if it’s uncomfortably mixed with some new feelings he knows they’ll have to navigate together. He’s grateful he’s not alone. It’s the first time in a long time he hasn’t felt completely isolated.

“A little more serious about what?” Tommy asks, arching an eyebrow. He and Gabe haven’t done much aside from party and hang out. Gabe’s working hard trying to get his life back, that’s not easy, and Tommy’s work schedule is sporadic. He’s spent a lot more of his time with Brody than he has with Gabe, and he feels a little guilty about that, but Brody is where he feels like he belongs. It feels like, with Brody, his roots can grow deeper. Things won’t be so stagnant.

Tommy laughs loudly when Brody asks him which terminology he prefers. He thinks it’s cute that Brody’s worried about something like this – something Tommy would’ve never given a second thought if Brody hadn’t brought it up. He doesn’t get a chance to speak before Brody’s pulling him by the fabric of his shirt. He hums contentedly, lifting a hand to cup the other man’s face as they share this kiss. Their noses bump together at the end of it, and he takes that moment to respond. “Honestly? I don’t care. You could call me whatever you want, whatever you think fits. Partner, boyfriend, significant other, lover, suitor, beloved, and so on.” He laughs again, the brightness of it lighting up his whole face. This is easy, and it should be, and Brody’s being fucking adorable, which makes it all the more enjoyable to Tommy.

Yeah, this was a good idea.

He goes back in for another kiss, liking the taste of Brody’s mouth even more now that he knows no one else is going to be kissing him. This feels like a win for him, and his chest feels swollen with so many emotions.

I want you to know I wasn’t pretending. Not even a little bit.

It makes Tommy smile, his expression soft and endeared to Brody as he runs his fingers through those curls that are getting longer by the day. He brushes Brody’s hair back, scratches at his scalp with his fingertips, and nods his head. “I know.” That was part of what made it so easy to go forward with this, making it official. Brody loved him. He loved him unconditionally; he’d sacrificed his own convictions and feelings to take care of Tommy. It was always going to be Brody, at the end of the day, he thinks. It’s just the way it’s supposed to be.

“Tonight?” He asks, shaking his head. He’s finding it hard to pull himself away from Brody, that hand still tangled up in his hair, fingertips still moving against his scalp as they look at each other adoringly. He’s sure the sight is something he’d have scoffed at only a few months ago, but here he is. And it feels damn good. “I’m all yours. All night.” And forever, really, but he doesn’t say that, doesn’t feel like he needs to. “What’re our plans?”

              Tommy says he’s lucky and Brody thinks that maybe if his heart were capable of melting even more, it probably would have. Lucky. To be with him. What a thought. There’d been a time where Brody’d thought that he was lucky to even consider Tommy his best friend. And now it’s more than that. And Tommy says he’s the lucky one. Brody’s smile no doubt reflects that, the way he’s smitten damn near entirely with Tommy, the way that this is more than he could have ever hoped for. And if his smile doesn’t do it, the gentle, near reverent way he touches at Tommy’s jaw just might.                “I don’t know-- - Than just. Best friends or. Something. I guess I thought that maybe you two were each other’s main partners or something.” Sure he knew that Tommy had plenty of people to warm his bed. Maybe he just thought that Gabe was the one that warmed it the most. It didn’t matter so much anyway. It’s not about that.                  It’s the two of them again. Just the two of them.                  Brody laughs, quiet but sweet. “Beloved~” Honestly he liked that one. Boyfriend is probably going to be the one he goes with most often, but... It’s nice to have options. Even if Tommy doesn’t care. “I like suitor too.” Though he felt like anything he could call Tommy won’t quite beat the way he’ll call him mine in the depths of his chest, warm and full and thrumming with the potential for the life they’ve got laid out in front of them.                  Tommy’s got his fingers in Brody’s hair and Brody’s piling their plates with sushi. And when he’s done he drops a hand to Tommy’s thigh. And for a moment the two of them simply admire each other. And they deserve it, the ease that comes with this, at least for now. The roads won’t all be freshly paved and easy to navigate, he knows that. But for now? For now it’s perfect. And they deserve a little bit of perfect. A little bit of easy. Brody grins and it’s all dimples and he leans forward and steals himself a nice kiss, squeezing Tommy’s thigh just gently.                “I can think of a few things.” He pulls back and kisses at the corner of his lips before turning most of his attention to his sushi. “First order being clearing out a few drawers. Going to have to anyway so you can keep your stuff here while you’re staying.” Watch something on tv. Maybe fall asleep in each other’s arms a little bit. Distract the fuck out of him. There’s a lot of things the two of them will be doing together. Fucking with all the passion that they have been, with the added sparkle of a label. Karaoke and movie nights with popcorn and tangled legs and sharing cigarettes on the balcony. Getting high and watching bad movies together. Laughing. Maybe the two of them will break out the instruments again. Play a little bit together. Not all tonight, obviously, but Brody’s really just planning on taking up the rest of Tommy’s life.                  Somehow he thinks Tommy’s okay with that. 

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

“Gonna turn me into a master chef yet, huh?” Tommy asks, one eyebrow quirked upward and just the beginnings of a smile on his lips. He’d like to learn how to cook a few things, at least, just so he can say he can take care of himself beyond microwaving a burrito. He has a feeling he’s going to get spoiled while he’s recovering, though, and that he might have a hard time giving that up.

Tommy laughs when Brody says he feels fabulous, his fingers rubbing at the fabric at Brody’s hip, working a little deeper against his flesh. “You’re the most fabulous. Nerd.” It’s said so affectionately and he leans forward a little to look at Brody’s face, grinning all lopsided. “I don’t know if I’d call you the picture of fashion, but you do alright.” Truth is, Brody dresses very well, but Tommy likes to poke a little fun at him sometimes, not let his ego get too inflated. The same can’t really be said in reverse; seems almost like Brody worships him, and Tommy hopes he’s not too high up on the pedestal that the fall breaks his neck.

“You think New York’s a place of healing?” He asks, and the r is completely absent from ‘York’. He snorts, shaking his head, “Well, good luck to her, only thing I can say is this place is fuckin’ huge, hopefully youse guys won’t bump into each other again.” For all three of their sakes, honestly. It’s another hill to climb, but Tommy thinks that they’ll get over it with ease, maybe come sliding down the other side. They seem to do pretty well together, at least when they’re getting along. When Tommy’s not being an asshole.

“I think so!” Tommy replies emphatically. He fully trusts Brody’s healing capabilities, and capabilities as a doctor. Brody graduating in the top of his class from an Ivy league university is nothing to sneeze at. Tommy’s incredibly proud of the man, that’s why there’d been no other option for his recovery in his mind. He’d even asked Brody before telling Pamela about it. Which puts her into Tommy’s mind, “Oh, I haven’t told Ma yet. But I wanted to make sure that things were good, that you were for sure gonna take care of me, before I broke the news to her. Every other time, I’ve been under her care. I think she’ll trust ya with this one, though.” He winks at the other man with a little smile.

When Brody turns in his arms and loops his arms around Tommy’s neck, Tommy bumps his forehead against the other man’s, laughing lightly at the suggestion that he should move in, even if it’s shrouded in a tease, Tommy knows Brody means it. “I guess we’ll see how we feel about that in February. Or March.”

                 Brody chuckles, amused, “Mmhmn. Gonna try anyway. It’s a good skill to have. You don’t like it we’ll switch to baking. We’ll find something you like.” Not that he’d force anything on Tommy, not even if he wanted to. He just liked the idea of finding him something he liked like Brody did. At least in this realm. Brody is well aware that Tommy has many many hobbies and things that he’s good at that Brody couldn’t ever hope to be on the same level as him.                    He laughs as he dumps the potatoes into the boiling water, small enough that they’ll cook in just a few minutes. The asparagus meets the steak skillet though. To cook a little. “Nerd’s my thing, Tommy. You like it just fine.” There’s a tease in there because yeah, he’s not the pinnacle of fashion. But Tommy likes him, and isn’t that what matters?                   “I mean. It healed me right up, but I feel like you probably had a lot to do with that.” Just being back in Tommy’s life in any capacity had helped him feel less... Hollow. Like maybe there’s something in him that’s worth being looked at or held gently or-- - Something. Something stupid. “But yeah-- - Yeah I hope we don’t run into each other again. I mean I wanted to be friendly. With everything, but. I... I absolutely ruined her life, so.” Why should she want to be friendly with him? Brody wouldn’t.                    Their foreheads bump together and Brody melts just a little. “You better mean it.” Because Brody’s been meaning it. And yeah, there’s lots of logistics. And yeah, Brody worries about Gabe a little bit because he does feel like he came into all of this with an unfair advantage and they haven’t talked but the once and he’s still reeling from that. “Ma’s gonna be alright with all’a this. She likes me. And she knows I’m gonna take good care of you. Because he loves him. And even if he didn’t, that was his job before it was cutting up dead people.                    He’s going to take care of him. Always.                    Brody gives him a firm kiss, and then one to his nose before he pulls back to get back into the business of making their dinner. “Here’s a question. Do you want me to make up the guest room or are you okay sharing my bed with me?” It’s a tease, but there’s a bit of honest curiosity in there. Tommy will be hurting. They shouldn’t get nasty for a while after his surgery. And if he does make up the guest bedroom, Brody will be sleeping in it. His mattress is much better than the one he’s got stowed away in the closet since it’s not being used. 

[brodylevime]

DOTTY​:

❀

It was, Dotty mused, entirely unfair that anyone that looked that exhausted remained one of the more handsome faces she had seen over the course of her day here. It was equally as unfair, she decided, that she was entirely too old for her. The audacity of the world never ceased to amaze her, but Dotty believed she could detect a small glimmer of approval as he looked around the café and that was enough for the time being. 

He didn’t seem like the kind of person used to being called out, though, and if that smile wasn’t so amusing, Dotty might have felt bad for causing it.

“It’s great to meet you too,” she chirped, trying her best to follow the hazy memories on customer service from when she started here. That Vogue article had been far more interesting at the time, and certainly more applicable, especially since she already had half the articles straight from the designer’s already sitting in her closet. 

That wasn’t the best habit, not for her beloved planet though, and most of the newest arrivals to her closet were from last season. The sacrifices one must make for the planet… Perhaps one day she’d cut out designer clothing all-together and then that would truly be a day to remember.

“I’ve always liked a mocha,” Dotty mused, “but you can’t go wrong with a latte. Especially one of ours! In our efforts to bring you the best ingredients at the lowest possible harm to our planet, both are a bit more expensive than other shops in the neighborhood, but the compost out back won’t exactly make itself!”

                He lifted an eyebrow at the word ‘mocha’ and considered her, the menu, and the quaintness of the place for a moment. Brody almost asked what kind of chocolate they used, but he knew he’d likely be faced with a syrup bottle full of hershey’s chocolate. Which is fine. Especially if that’s what he’s expecting. Lowest harm sounds better than overly fancy chocolate though so Brody supposes he can contribute a little.                    Save the planet a little.                    Have a good coffee. “Mmhn. Mocha sounds good... I don’t mind shelling out for a good cause.” Brody does that a lot. Shells out for a good cause. Donates money to causes he thinks are good, companies he cares about, things to change the world. Nice and quiet. He has the money for it, why not apply it where it counts?                    Brody was quiet for a moment before he offered a soft little smile, dimples just barely making an appearance. “Can I get like two extra shots of espresso?” He’ll need it if he wants to be anywhere close to the kind of peppy that she is. “Long day ahead.” There’s at least two bodies in the freezer for him. Jer’ll be helping, so-- - “Can you make that two? I gotta get one for my colleague...” He hoped Jer liked chocolate.                    Taking his wallet out of his pocket, Brody made sure to tuck a tenner in the tip jar too. Just doing his part after all, right?

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy doesn’t have that much disposable income. He’d really had to break the bank just to get something for everyone in his family, but he figured that some of them would be impressed with what he could make. He had a couple of Broadway tickets so he and Brody could go see a show, but the more important gift was the one he had crafted.

Tom had given Tommy access to the garage and all its tools, and Tommy used his artistic mind to do the rest. It’s a hinged frame that he’d carved into and lacquered, set with two photographs; one is of them when they were very young, from when they’d first met in kindergarten, and the other is very recent. He also has a really nice handwritten note to go along with it folded in the middle of the frame. He knows what he’s gotten Brody won’t compare to whatever it is the other man is going to give him, but he exchanges the gifts at the same time anyway. “Merry Christmas.” He says, leaning in to kiss Brody’s cheek before sitting back to open the small box.

The only thing I ask is that you take me out on it. That has Tommy raising his brows, and he opens the box looking down at the keys then back up at Brody. “Where is it?” He says, his heart beating really quickly. He wants to look at it before he even tries to tell Brody it’s too much.

               Tommy might think that this gift, because it doesn’t carry a hefty price tag, is somehow less. Somehow. But it’s not. As Brody unwraps the frame, already he feels something tugging in his chest. They’ve made it official. They’re not pretending anymore. Even if they had been Brody’s pretty sure this gift would have his eyes prickling. When he opens the frame to look the pictures over, he’s sniffling.                  Not because the gift is bad.                  Far from it, actually. Brody feels like somehow Tommy’s out done him in the gift department. His fingers are careful as they move over the metal frame, bottom lip wobbling. The picture of them as much younger, across from the one of them more recently is damn near enough to have him weeping because he knows they’ve worked hard to get this back.                  Brody falls quiet to read the note. He doesn’t even finish before he’s crying. And it’s not cute. It’s snotty and wet. It’ll look very nice on his desk. And it’ll make him smile. Every time he looks at it. When he’s finished, Brody carefully folds the frame closed. After a moment to wipe his cheeks and sniff, Brody throws his arms around Tommy and peppers his cheeks with kisses before he pulls him in for a hug. And it’s tight and full of everything he couldn’t put into words. “Thank you. I love it.” And he does. He’ll cherish the frame and the letter with Tommy’s doodling and his overly sappy poetic wording and that promise that they’re in this together.                  He stands up and moves to pull Tommy up with him. “Motorcycle’s out back. C’mon. I’ll show you.” Brody clutches the frame to his chest with his free hand, fingers linking with Tommy’s affectionately. “I think you’ll like it.” 

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

You’re going to break my heart. Tommy’s brow furrows, curving together toward the center of his forehead, “God, I hope not.” It’s more an exhalation than spoken words, and he rubs his palms on his knees – nervous habit. He’s never been in this position before, he’d always thought he wasn’t the type of guy to be tied down or in a relationship, but the truth is that he was just meant for one person. Brody’s been gone for a long time, but it hasn’t taken much time for him to slide himself back into that hole in Tommy’s heart that’s always been just his size.

“I mean, obviously, I’m pretty fuckin’ gay for you, man.” He replies, laughing lightly as he gestures to a page in the notebook about how Brody’s eyes disappear sometimes when he’s extra happy. All these professions of a teenager in love. “There’s just somethin’ about you, clearly. Consider yourself lucky, no one’s ever been able to tame this Mustang.” He laughs a little at his joke, leans in a little closer to Brody before taking another sip of that tea.

When Brody had first come back, and they seemed to be falling into old patterns, Tommy convinced himself that it couldn’t last – too many years had passed, too much had changed between them and to them individually. But he’s found he’s been proven wrong. Being with Brody feels as good and as right as it always has. And it fills his heart up with just as much affection and adoration, hell, maybe even more.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re welcome.” Tommy says, waving it off, as if he’s done Brody some sort of favor. Another joke, which is how Tommy always deals with things he doesn’t quite now how to handle otherwise. He snorts into his tea at the question, “Yes, you can say I’m your boyfriend, you fuckin’ weirdo.” Tommy shakes his head, but he’s grinning affectionately at Brody all the same. He likes these little things about the doctor – including needing more validation and reassurance than necessary. He sips the tea slowly as Brody continues. Stumbling usually means something bad, and that’s unfortunate because Tommy had wanted this to go so nicely.

“Gabe? I haven’t talked to him about it, no, we didn’t have a sleepover and paint each other’s nails before I decided to do this.” He laughs again, but he’s a little nervous about it – doesn’t really know how Gabe’s going to react, honestly, but it is his life, after all, and Brody’s had that hook in Tommy’s heart since before he ever met Gabe. “I don’t get to see him a lot, you know? Like… it’s strange, I don’t know. I guess between his schedule, my schedule, and what I do with you on the side, we’re not seein’ a lot of each other these days. But I’ll talk to him, if you’re worried about it or somethin’? I mean, I’ll tell him anyway, ‘cuz it ain’t like it’s gonna be a secret.” He reaches up with his hand warmed by the mug of tea and cups Brody’s face, “Anything else?”

             Truthfully, he hopes that Tommy doesn’t break his heart too. But Brody knows that the time they have together is limited and they spent a lot of it apart. And he knows that he’ll outlive Tommy unless there’s some kind of freak accident. So he’s prepared for that. At least a little. And it’ll suck. But Brody’s content with taking what he can get now. Forever, actually. As long as it’s with Tommy.                Brody laughs, a hand moving to settle over Tommy’s hand, a comforting squeeze. “Mmhn. I’m just devilishly handsome, and weird. You like both those things. You were doomed.” No, he doesn’t know why he’s the one that gets to be so lucky that he has Tommy feeling like he’s ready for what Brody wants. But he’s not going to complain about it. He wants it. He wants everything. A serious relationship with Tommy. A chance to be more than just casual fuck buddies and best friends. A chance to give Tommy everything he deserves.                What he couldn’t give him if he hadn’t gone away.                Maybe he thinks about what could have been too often. Brody’s trying to focus more on what will be. Because they have that now. And thinking about the what-ifs isn’t going to change the past. Or the present. And he should be focused on what he has now. He hadn’t thought that he’d get this. He’d thought that whatever they’d been able to get back when he first got back, however rickety and uncomfortable it might be, would be fine. And that would be all he can get.                But it’s not. And they’ve fallen back into step so easily that Brody worries that there’s something on the horizon that’ll throw a wrench in everything. They’ve weathered every storm so far, though. He’s confident that this is meant to be. Somehow. Somewhere.                Tommy says that he hasn’t talked to Gabe yet, and his explanation is fair enough. It’s hard. “I just thought that maybe you were a little more serious...” And if they’re not, that’s perfectly fine. He’ll never not feel a little bit shitty about coming in twenty years later and sweeping Tommy off his feet even if his own feelings about Gabe are complicated and unpleasant. He’s not completely heartless.                  His hand is warm as it cups his cheek and Brody processes everything just a little slower. Brody shakes his head. Nope. He’s good. He gets to be Tommy’s boyfriend. They can work out what exactly that means later, if they need to. Or if they’ll just be falling right into step like they used to be. That’s fine too. “Well. Just one thing. Do you prefer boyfriend or partner?” He’s flexible. The wording doesn’t change the priority that Tommy holds in his life. Hell, even putting a label on things doesn’t change where Tommy falls in his life. The top. The very top.                Brody doesn’t wait for an answer though. He just bunches his fingers in Tommy’s shirt and pulls him in for a kiss. And it’s needy and just this side of relieved. He bumps his nose against Tommy’s when they finally part and offers him wide grin, all dimples and teeth. “I want you to know I wasn’t pretending. Not even a little bit.” Thanksgiving isn’t the easiest topic, even now, what with that glaring black hole of what had happened in the bathroom. But he hadn’t been pretending. Brody’s never been pretending.                Already he’s got plans to completely monopolize the rest of Tommy’s night. “You working?” He asks, hope very clear on his face, “I wanna take up the rest of your evening if you’re not.” Brody’s dishing out the sushi. Fuel in the tank. 

[brodylevime]

TOMMY​:

𝕥𝕜~

“What? Underneath your clothes?” Tommy teases, lifting up the edge of Brody’s shirt just a little with a sneaky little smile on his lips. “Yeah, I like all of you. Even what you got lurking under the shell.” Maybe especially those soft, sensitive, easily broken bits, Tommy thinks. And he thinks Brody likes those soft parts of him, too, the ones most other people don’t get to see. Their secret sides. “Anything for you.” Tommy replies, as if he wasn’t going to grow a beard anyway.

For a long, long time, Tommy had seen his life as nothing but a path he would walk with Brody by his side. He’s spent twenty years trying to navigate a different path, alone and in darkness, but he feels like things are brighter with Brody’s return. He feels like things are more natural, more exciting, and less going through the motions. All he can hope for is that neither of them fuck up so badly that they end up in a place that’s no longer comfortable or symbiotic.

“You were a lotta firsts for me.” He says, brows high as he looks at Brody, but there’s a little smile on his lips, too, something that says he absolutely doesn’t regret it. He reaches forward to pull the coffee table closer, dumps some of the buds from his little baggie onto the table, then turns to look at Brody, almost laughing. “A letter opener? What the fuck am I gonna do? Chop the weed up? Naw. C’mere.” He reaches over, pulls Brody up by his arm, their legs are still pressed together. “Just help me break it up, four hands are better than two.”

            “Yeah. And under all that too.” Brody chuckles, clearly amused. They both have these gooey bits. These fragile bits. Brody likes to think they keep them safe for each other. He hums, running his fingers along Tommy’s jaw again as if attempting to imagine the way it’ll look properly covered in hair. Smart, he thinks, to grow a beard during the winter. Brody will never be able to do that but that’s what scarves are for, right?                Brody spares the menorah a glance, two bright lights, the helper and the one they’ve just lit and it brings a smile to his face, the kind that makes it a whole face affair, crinkling up the corners of his eyes, dimpling his cheeks. Brody is trying not to think about how this is probably as fragile as the shielded bits inside them. That this easy, naturalness will have to stop at some point because nothing is easy and it’s been twenty years and both of them are different people even if they’re pretending for now that they’re not.                He laughed, offering a shrug as he moved to put the bong in the center of the coffee table to help break up some of the buds. “I’m not sure I’m into that judgmental tone there, Tommy.” but there hadn’t been one. Brody takes great care in selecting a few buds to break between his fingers. “You were a lotta firsts for me too.” All of the important ones, anyway. That’s a hard thing to shake. “But you’re so high quality everything else falls short. Kinda like with some of the designer shit I got...” It’s a joke. But it isn’t. Not really.