leonardo has to laugh at gabriel’s reaction , fighting against his attempts to shove him off for a moment before letting himself be removed . it was always so pleasant to watch gabriel’s mood drop , it was his guiltiest pleasure . “ too familiar ? ” leo asks , cocking his head to the side and miming confusion . “ gabe , we’re basically in-laws . i think some physical intimacy is called for . ” he presents his open palms to gabriel in an overdramatic shrugging motion , “ i’m just trying to have an intellectual conversation . perhaps i picked the wrong person , but i’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt , gabe . ” he pouts , tilting his head to the side and furrowing his brow , performing confusion and pity . “ no , ” leonardo assures , reaching out for the other man , “ well , i may not think that , ” which he did , he really did , it was the one thing leonardo had , “ but maybe you do . hey , if you need a picture book to explain the illusion of time , there’s nothing wrong with that . ”
* 𝐥𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨’𝐬 laugh cuts through the air like a 𝒌𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒆, causing the creases in gabriel’s frown to sink even deeper; & at the dreaded aforementioned phrase in-laws, his jaw clenches & unclenches. sucking his teeth, his nostrils flare slightly as his eyes roll as far back as they can, a “ qué cabrón, ” hissing out from underneath his breath. he can’t make sense of how he’s allowed someone so . . . seemingly inconsequential get under his skin-- it indeed goes beyond the fundamentals of the rivalry his parents’ have hammered into him--- either way, gabriel’s never been a particularly violent, antagonistic, or jealous person; & yet, everything about leonardo seems to evoke such fiery, visceral feelings he can just 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑦 control; feelings that would otherwise remain 𝖇𝖚𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖉 had they never been forced to cross paths in such a fashion. ruled by his own emotional intensity, there’s always been something of an untapped rage hidden deep inside of gabriel, but in this moment, leonardo’s 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 aura of assurance threatens to 𝖆𝖜𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖓 it, especially with this incessant patronizing. another scowl contorting his features fleetingly, he pushes his way past the other male. “ do you ever shut up ? do you know how ? ” he retorts, “ how about that million dollar fucking question, wise guy ? ” snorting, gabriel leans against the railing of the neighboring gazebo. “ the hell you even here for ? val’s not in. maybe she wisened up & is avoiding you, ” he concludes smugly as he retrieves his vape pen from his pocket, sticking it in between parted lips for a puff of thc to calm his ass down. “ if my parents see you on our property, they’ll likely force me to throw your ass out on the street; nothing’s fuckin’ changed around here. ” his head tilts, “ well, ” a half-hearted shrug & a hint of a smirk plays at his lips, “ your mug does kinda get uglier every year. you’re aging terribly; just look at you. ” he blows out a puff of smoke as he jerks his chin at him.