“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald

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@leon-talbot
“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald
Coffee good…
Always so beautiful, Dee- Chicago Coffee Shop, August 1922.
I had the strangest dream last night…
It’s always darkest before the dawn…
Something To Write About | Leon & Frank
“I’ll give you the information I have when I think you’re ready.” Frank knew that Leon wouldn’t like it, but the boy had been gone for weeks. Sure he’d dug up the old informant, but he’d also led those trying to keep him silent to him as well.
Downing his drink, Frank put the glass down and looked at the boy seriously. “There’s so much more to this story that our collective information doesn’t have. I feel it in my bones.” He huffed, not sure if she should mention then next thing.
“Cal is working on another angle to the Capones as well. I have a feeling that in the end, everything will finally fall into place. As long as we all keep everything quiet…”
Words and sentences passed him by as the disappoint ate him, it was only after he heard a familiar name, a name synonymous to asshole did Leon's attention went back to his editor.
'Cal is working on another angle to the Capones as well. I have a feeling that in the end, everything will finally fall into place. As long as we all keep everything quiet…'
'...Cal is working on another angle to the Capones as well.'
'...Cal is working on another angle.'
'...Cal.'
Working on an angle? Let me guess, the angle of Eliza Capone's legs. Leon narrowed his eyes as he reached for his glass, emptying the contents in annoyance. Frank knew how annoyed he was with the resident 'star reporter', but something about the boy and how he never ever accepted covering stories outside Montford did not sit well with him.
"Sure," he managed to say, his tone as pleasant as he could muster, "With two of us working on the same case, who knows what we can dig up."
Nothing Inbetween | Leon & Emily
With every single kiss, with his tongue inside her mouth, Emily was forgetting everything. The place was perfect, in the middle of the dark she can forget who she is. With Leon she experimented a little freedom. Is supposed she wasn’t to be with him, with a young men, but something in him made for her powerful. Was an ideal situation she never dared to dream and now, was happening.
When Leon stopped and he stroked her cheek, she could see his eyes with the light of the moon, and she was conscious what was happening. She desired that, really, but also, she has enough experience to know that could be the worst mistake she can do. When he began to kiss her neck, she needed to take a deep breath for the next she has to do, because she doesn’t want to do it, but was necessary.
“Leon…” Emily’s voice was so deep, immersed in the pleasure she was feeling. But she continued. “Leon, stop.” And she separated him with a hand in his chest. She could feel his heart, the speed beat. “I like what is happening here but,” the next phrase has a deep meaning, and she expected he understands what she will tell. “You only know about me I am the master operator. And I know you are a journalist.” She stared to him. “That is superficial if you really want to know me inside, not only outside.”
'Leon...', he heard her say breathlessly and he answered with a murmur oh 'hmm?' as he continued to delight in her neck,
'...Leon, stop,' and the young reporter did as he was told. Slightly taken aback, he took hold of the hand on his chest as he furrowed his brows in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
'I like what is happening here but,'
"But?"
'You only know about me I am the master operator. And I know you are a journalist.'
He knew what she meant; he knew nothing of the woman aside from what the papers published; her family background, her business, the social gatherings she hosted, the trivial things. Nodding in understanding, Leon cupped her face and planted a soft kiss on her lips before leaning on the tree and wrapping an arm around her to keep her warm.
His heart was still racing and oh how he wanted to kiss her again, but she had said no and he respected her decision. As he calmed his desires down, Leon reached for the bottle to find something else to do with his mouth; he could still taste her as he drank from the bottle and it made him smile.
"I suppose, it's alright for me to see you form time to time?"
Nothing Inbetween | Leon & Emily
His arm on her waist and Leon’s body close to her made she didn’t feel cold anymore. What he was doing was so gentle, and at the same time a little protective. Or was only her imagination? She let her go in the kiss, still with her hand in his hair she began to roam with her fingers, touching softly.
When he began to kiss her and use his tongue, that tickling, what she felt first in her back, and after in her stomach, was sliding softly in her legs. She corresponded let him enter his tongue in his mouth, receiving what he was doing and, all the time with her eyes closed, with the other hand, trying to capture the softness of his skin. She has so many thoughts in her mind, but the only what predominated was she wants continue kissing, feeling his chest so close to her heart, feeling his hands for her back, touching his neck… what was exactly what she was doing in that moment with her fingertips.
Rough, awkward and inexperienced, that was how he had felt while kissing Emilia in the darkness of the night. With every movement of her lips Leon made aware of the gap, how refined she was compared to his brash, juvenile attempts of charming her, how she had probably found him mildly entertaining thus all the attention she had given so far.
Personal reasons aside, the young reporter enjoyed swirling his tongue inside her mouth, tasting her and knowing her on an intimate level. He loved the way her hands combed through his hair and how he caressed the back of his neck, soothing him and at the same time urging him to go on.
He was still unsure with her but was more than willing to test how far he could go. So, breaking the kiss, Leon's hand cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek as his lips traveled to the side, planting kisses near her ear and trailing down to the side of her neck.
Starve a Fever || Irene & Leon
From squinting up at the figure by the bedside, Irene’s eyes widened in surprise to see Leon. “Oh, it’s Tally…” she laughed croakily, closing her eyes at the comfort of the cool towel over her forehead. Between asking what he came for and thanking him for helping her out…not to mention who had let him in, she settled with saving it for later when she’s able to form coherent questions.
Irene frowned at the question, attempting to gather her thoughts on what happened. She could remember being cooped up in the last three days, vacillating between sickness and convalescence, which began with her missing the male auction for which she vaguely promised buying Leon with his own money to escape all the hassles of dates and extra-gentlemanly gestures.
“Sorry I missed the auction.”
Leon watched as Irene stayed in bed and cooed like a child as the towel touched her forehead. She seemed to be slipping in and out of consciousness and as the reporter leaned on one of the bed posts, Irene muttered about missing the auction.
"Oh," the young man answered casually, "It, well, it turned out alright I think."
A soft blush graced the reporter's cheek as he recalled the night with Emilia. He thought about seeing her again, maybe before Christmas arrives.
"You just rest, alright?" He patted her foot that was under the heavy blanket, "And don't talk so much."
Something To Write About | Leon & Frank
Frank watched Leon, and as the younger man spoke, his resolve disappeared. This information was too precious and he wasn’t sure if he could trust Leon with it. The boy had done a good job so far in digging and now Frank was curious to see just how far his skills could take him. If Leon wanted this story, the boy was going to have to keep going it alone.
It might not have been the best choice, but Frank wanted to push his reporters, not hand them stories on a silver platter. He had to fight tooth and nail when he was younger to get to where he was now and he wouldn’t expect anything less from his staff.
“Look, Leon.” Frank started out. “I want you to keep digging first. I gave up on this story so long ago, but I think there’s something out there we’ve all missed. You might just be the right person to find it.”
Yet again another door closed.
As Frank went about trying to ease to the young reporter that no, he wasn't just going to give the information he needed so easily, Leon stared blankly at the pile of papers in front of him. He no longer processed what the older man was saying, what he wanted for him to do, why he was doing it, he knew that Frank Willow couldn't be counted on for help.
He was on his own now, despite Cosmo holding a possible important piece of information, Dierdra's diary, Leon decided to take him out of the equation. He would do all means possible to obtain what he wanted, all on his own.
"I understand," he answered finally, his hands reaching for the pile of papers on his editor's desk, "I'll keep searching."
Almost| Leon & Laurel
Laurel soaked up the sweet comments that showered upon her like a cactus soaks up rain in a desert, preserving it for when droughts come, or in her case Leon disappears again. They’d been dating for a while now, and, though the “honeymoon phase” of constant I-love-you’s was over, Leon still did his best to reassure Laurel’s insecurities with sweet words and random acts of kindness. Her insecurities had grown while Leon had been away this time, with all of the yelling and insults from her drunken mother.
Where’s your mother? I have something for her too.
Laurel became fascinated with the ground. She couldn’t look at Leon as she told him of the events that transpired in his absence. “She’s… gone. There was this thing one night, and she made too much noise, and a cop showed up, and she hit me, and he took her away…”
Laurel’s explanation was scattered at best, but her emotions were getting the better of her as she recalled that night. She still couldn’t believe her mom had struck her; she’d never done that before, not matter how drunk she’d been. “She’s been in custody for a little while now.”
Still looking at the floor, she thought of the lonely nights she’d spent reading herself to sleep. “It’s just me now…”
Leon tried his best to grasp what had happened in his absence, but it was when Laurel mentioned being hit that got the young man feeling guilty.
"Oh..darling," and he pulled her in a protective embrace, "I'm so sorry, I truly am so, so sorry."
No matter how he repeatedly apologized, the guilt of leaving her defenseless when he knew that Laurel's mother was unstable gnawed on his conscience. He could reason out that going back home was unexpected, that he had a perfectly valid excuse, but deep down Leon knew that he had not been treating the girl the way she deserves, the way he promised, even before he left for London.
"I am so sorry," he said one last time as if repeating the words would will the pain and trauma away, "I'm here now, I'll take care of you, I won't leave you, I'm here," he cupped her face and covered her in kisses; her lips, her forehead, her nose, he kissed her cheeks and eyelids before wrapping her again in his arms and smoothing the top of her head.
In that moment, Leon saw her as a child, soothed her like a child and did what any responsible adult would do,
"Stay with me so you won't be alone. I'll take care of you."
Starve a Fever || Irene & Leon
The pingpong beat went on until it changed to taps, like the tapping of shoes on creaky floors round and round about her. The gradual trip back to consciousness was a blessing on the senses that when Irene opened her eyes, she had realized that she was no longer on the living sofa but back in her bedroom…rather, her parents’ old bedroom with the bulky four poster which she had recently cleaned up in case they were staying in Montford for Christmas.
She thought it funny that it turned into some sort of sickbed, but before Irene could start wondering how she got there, movement across the room made her start. “Mrs. Gibson?” she called out croakily.
Emerging from outside the bedroom, Leon carried with him the blankets and basin left from down stairs. It seemed that she had been on the sofa the whole time and possibly crawled her way to open the door for him.
"Not really." He answered as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Dipping a towel in the basin with the cold water, Leon placed it on Irene's forehead to coll her down. He wondered if it was her actual bedroom because it was too old-fashioned and was not at all the way he imagined her room to look like.
"What happened to you, pet? Been playing in the snow or something?"
Nothing Inbetween | Leon & Emily
When Leon laughed, Emily felt a little dumb: what a scene she just did! But when he stopped to laugh and took the bottle, she knew her words caused the effect desired. She knew what she said in the end could to encourage him to close to Emily. When he touched her hair, she realized he will do it, and she didn’t know what expect about that.
In the first moment, she let to Leon touch his lips with hers. She wanted to feel his touch first, know him through what he was doing. He was so careful and at the same time she could feel a passion, not exactly for her, is more the youth, the situation. In the moment when she passed her hand for his face, she began to answer him, first kissing his lower lip, and breathing the air together. Maybe he did it for a game in the beginning, amused for the situation, but now she was really kissing him, with the other hand in his hair, trying to make him feel that she only could assume a little while before: she really likes Leon.
He had a habit of closing his eyes when leaning in for a kiss, a habit that may cause him to not see a slap coming. Fortunately, he had only been slapped once.
It was when Emilia had started to return the kiss, when she sucked on his lower lip did Leon open his eyes to check. Kissing her with more fervor now, the young reporter enclosed Emilia in an embrace, his arm trailing down her lower back as he pushed her body closer in a subconscious reflection of his physical need.
She tasted sweet with a hint of whiskey, and as he pried her mouth open with his tongue, Leon found himself wanting more.
Starve a Fever || Irene & Leon
There was a dull thud from one of the upper rooms that went unheeded when Irene was trying to untangle herself from her bundle of blankets. The combination of high temperature, colds and a migraine that was about to attack left the woman near unable to tell which was which from all the fabric that surrounded her.
Freeing her person, it was with difficulty that she made to crawl on all fours towards the front door which she dreamed there was knocking like a pingpong beat and wanted to see who made such an amusing little piece. Slowly but surely she made her way, until she reached the doorway and curled into a sitting position enough to reach for the knob and turn it.
It wasn’t even locked.
Irene pulled, but having used up all her strength, her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell on the floor in a faint, the front door swinging open and letting in the December chill.
Leon warily got up, rubbed his crown and looked around. It was an empty bedroom and seemed to be Irene's. He saw the basin of water by the bedside table and the reporter called out for his co-worker's name.
There was no answer.
Making his way downstairs, the reporter found what he was looking for all curled up in a ball by the open doorway. Leon ran towards Irene and gently lifted her up, noting how hot her temperature was.
"What the hell were you doing, Irene?" he asked, before suddenly remembering he was just knocking on the door moments earlier. Leon then scooped the unconscious woman up and brought her back upstairs to make her lie down on the bed, but not before closing her front door.
Nothing Inbetween | Leon & Emily
I was just thinking about kissing you.
With the answer Emily felt how slowly her body reacted. First the ticking in her back moved to her stomach and after, she felt how the blood went directly to her face. With her hands sweating, she felt overwhelmed. She didn’t feel something like that since was in college, or maybe the first kiss with her fiance. But her mouth was more fast what other parts of her body.
“Would be a tragedy to kiss me?” Wait, what she felt in the beginning turning in a little annoying. “Why? Because I am not enough for a kiss from your lips Mr. Talbot?” She took the bottle of his hands. “Maybe the bottle can appreciate my lips better!” And she drank, making the alcohol warm her lungs. She doesn’t understand to Leon. Why he bring her to this place? And why he told he thought in kissing her? And after that?
She gave a look on him and focused in one particular part of his body: his lips. But other thing appeared in her mind: Emily was disappointed because Leon doesn’t have the courage for kissing her.
'Would be a tragedy to kiss me?'
The words rang in his ears as he looked at Emily, trying to read what was going on with her. She looked annoyed and it seemed it was because of what he said. But which part?
'Why? Because I am not enough for a kiss from your lips Mr. Talbot?'
The next string of words provided enough explanation for the young man and he was left both amused and slightly embarrassed at the turn of events. His mouth hung slightly open as he continued to look at her in disbelief while attempting not to laugh, and when she had mentioned about kissing the bottle instead, Leon cracked up.
He laughed as Emily stole the bottle from his grasp, laughed as she took a drink from it and her cheeks had turned into a deeper shade of red from the alcohol.
As he gently pried the bottle away from her fingers, Leon took a swig to finally stop himself from laughing in amusement. Putting it down on the grass and away from her reach. the reporter smiled and ran his fingers through her hair as his face got nearer to hers.
Cupping her face gently with both hands, Leon pressed his lips against hers, no longer caring if she would kiss him back or slap him.