be my guest

Leonardo "Leo" Light. 29. 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️ Under a pale blue sky You never felt so cold. Another s l e e p l e s s night, How could you ever let go? How do you recognize The dirty face of gold Behind that crooked line Where you never knew you'd go. Headed for the open door, Tell me what you're waiting for. Look across the great divide, Soon they're gonna hear The sound When we come r u n n i n g.

[leonlights-blog]

ofandcrsson‌:

 “ oh yes! “ anna assured him with a nod of her head. “ it’s just.. the heels. i’m not really used to them. “ in retrospect, she probably shouldn’t have even worn them. but, honestly, she thought that she would have been considered a bit on the more casual side if she hadn’t. the red head girl nodded eagerly as he seemed to survey his outfit. “ you’re welcome. your outfit is definitely one that stands out. i love the gold, “ she responded in all honesty. a blush crept onto her cheeks at his compliment then, “ oh why.. thank you. no, it isn’t. definitely need to enjoy them while we can. “

“Ah—those damned heels. They’ll get you.” Leo nodded gingerly with an expression of concern, though dropped it as she seemed to be doing as well as she could in the heels. “They certainly accentuate your figure, so perhaps they aren’t all so bad, though, I can’t even imagine the sort of pain any heel may hold.” He muttered with a brief grin. “Gold is probably my favorite accent, and for events like these, I have to go all out, or else, when else would I be able to don on something so bold?” He chuckled back as he easily leaned against the bar again. “Can I get you something to drink?”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

“When would I have found time for that?” He’d been working extra hours, at the shop and at home, to make up being able to come to this party in the first place. Olly, although grateful, should have thought this through more before agreeing to wearing this. His eyes looked down at the belt. “I am, it keeps bunching though. It’s all bunched out, tighten it anymore and I’m going to be like one of those woman that can’t breathe because their corset is too tight.”

“I don’t know, but that’s something you make time for, instead of looking like somebody straight off the street.” Leo muttered before rolling his eyes. “Come on, let’s go to the bathroom so I can at least help fold the top in, and make due with what you have.” He started after another moment, gesturing towards the more private area, adding, “I’m not going to make you unable to breathe, I promise. We’re just going to have to do some expert folding, and maybe get a little creative on a fashion statement tonight, huh?”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

The suit he borrowed was too large, having to adjust the pants every few minutes even with the belt he was wearing. It was the only thing he could have worn, debating whether or not this might have been a mistake. “You got a clip or anything? If these pants keep falling, it’s going to drive me crazy.”

“You should’ve had it hemmed. At least at the waist—” Leo stated with a short shake of his head as he looked to the young man. “I don’t have a clip or anything you can use—” He stopped against before adding, “You’re wearing a belt at least, right? Can’t you tighten that up just one more notch?”

[leonlights-blog]

ofandcrsson‌:

  currently, anna was stumbling around like a newborn fawn. most would probably think that she had had a few of the signature cocktails for the birthday boy. but, in fact, she hadn’t had one ounce of alcohol. she was just horrible on her feet when it came to heels. which is why it wasn’t too surprising that she was currently using the bar top as a support to keep herself from tripping in the middle of the party again. “ oh, please don’t mind me. i just need to hang on here for a minute, “ she said, giving the person near her at the bar a sheepish sort of grin. green eyes then took in their appearance and smiled brightly with approval. “ oh! you look just.. amazing, “ she said, “ isn’t this nice? everyone so dressed up? “

“Are you sure?” Leo asked almost immediately as he took the moment to assess the situation, a short grin perking across his lips as the young woman seemed to steady herself. He brought his hands up as he turned towards her to get a better sense of what she was struggling with before her words caught him off guard. He glanced down at his golden laced jacket, one he saved for special black-tie occasions such as this, before a bright head hit his cheeks. “Oh, well—Thank you so very much!” Still offering out his hands, he uttered, “You look beautiful. It isn’t often we have such affairs and events like this it seems.”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

Olly had never done well with asking or taking things from others. Even at a young age he learned to stop asking for things from his mother, noticing a correlation between her giving it to him and the amount of food she ate. “I take advantage of what I can provide for myself,” he stated, the wall he’d built standing tall. Leo might have become a friend, it didn’t mean Olly wanted to let him fully. “Have you started sprouting gray hairs too?” A light chuckled escaped him, the underlying meaning coming undeniable. “You make it sound like I’m trying to kill you. If you don’t like it, I’ll never pick a fight about your amazing taste palette again.” His shoulders shrugged, “I guess we’ll have to wait for Friday for me to find out, and see if we must agree to disagree.”

“Well, maybe you should start taking whatever others give you.” His grin pushed upwards, knowing he had been able to at least become friends with the other, despite what seemed like an uphill battle. He was ultimately glad to have him around. Laughing statically and sarcastically, Leo answered, “The only gray hairs I would have would be there because you put me through so much stress.” It was something a parent would say to their child, but with their friendship, he never really knew what to expect from him. “I didn’t say that, you did. And, it’s not that I won’t like it. I’m just saying, there are probably better places to eat than a greasy hole in the wall.” He easily argued back. “That’s where we always seem to end up. And yet, somehow we’re stuck with each other or something.”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

Olly leaned back in his chair, wondering if the other had ever struggled a day in his life. He doubted it with the way he talked. “Eating can be fulfillment enough sometimes. Especially, when having it can be scarce at times. Affording anything more than necessary is a luxury some don’t have the pleasure of having.” He looked down at himself, “Must be how I’ve kept my slim figure all these years.” Entertaining the thought of educating this guy had crossed his mind, but any thing he could say would only be retaliated. Something he slowly picked up on during this conversation. “Suit yourself, I think you’re missing out though. There’s more adventures out there for you if you actually sought them out.” A grin spread across his face, waiting for the other to finish before speaking again. “You’ll have to wait and see. What I can promise is you won’t forget it.” He chuckled, “My eating habits are just fine. I’m doing this to appease you and to critic this food you think is so amazing.” 

“Well, sure. We don’t want people to go hungry. But when you do have the resources, or the friends with the right resources, you should take advantage of that, especially when they’re offering.” Leo was making things abundantly clear a he emphasized himself being Olly’s friend as he tried to persuade the other of his own lifestyle. Rolling his eyes as the other made light of the conversation, he easily  let it go, trying not to get into another argument with him. “I like to think that adventures seek me out instead. Plus, I’m so busy nowadays, I really don’t have time to act like a child, seeking out adventures all willy-nilly like that.” Raising a brow, Leo added, “God, that sounds mildly frightening. But, I guess I’ll just have to trust you, and the health inspectors approval of wherever it is you take me.” As his words flooded him, Leo only manifested the will to say, “It is amazing, whether you think so or not.”

[leonlights-blog]

s1ngsweet‌:

“Of course. Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday anymore it’s…” Ella paused, tilting her head side-to-side as she tried to think of a word, “…I don’t even know what it is. But it’ll be over soon. And then it’s Christmas,” she grinned. “Oh, she’s so busy, I can’t blame her. And honestly, the pigeons here have no honour. I’m Ella, by the way,” she tipped an imaginary hat, “and you are…?”

Leo couldn’t disagree with the words, despite enjoying his own take on the holiday. This was no Christmas, and that was putting it lightly. “It’s just it’s own unique holiday. I like to usually think of it as Christmas preparation, like weeks in advance so as to remind you that Christmas is the real deal.” He smirked at the conversation. “Well, certainly not blaming anybody. People have their preferences, along with how much time they care to dedicate to anything. I just enjoy being a bit more classy than that. And Ella, how fantastic. I’m Leo.”

[leonlights-blog]

jvsmineae‌:

“If you pass out, then how will you enjoy the most amazing dinner spread? Though getting some rest doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Yasmine arched a brow, smile on her lips. “Well, I’ll take your word for it—haven’t ever really celebrated Thanksigiving since I spent most of my life in London, and then I moved here and well…still haven’t. How high should my standards be for yours?”

“No kidding! I guess that means I’ll just be passing out with my face in the food.” Leo chuckle rather amusedly by the young woman’s words. “Rest is always good, no matter what anybody says. It’s just a part of being human.” Leo certainly had to remind himself to get sleep on more than one occasion, taking his job very seriously sometimes. “Oh? Well I’ll happily walk you through it all, no worries. It’s more about the bonding and food and being thankful rather than the history behind it anyways.” He shrugged, adding sheepishly, “My dinner spreads are beyond compare I assure you. Think of it as a fine dining cuisine experience.”

[leonlights-blog]

s1ngsweet‌:

“Oh, I know. It won’t even be that many people, but we’re still preparing to feed an entire army. A friend of mine’s on cranberry sauce duty and I’m a hundred per-cent sure she’ll just take it from a can,” she laughed. Ella stretched her legs out as she sat on the bench, then stretched her arms up. “If you pass out, I’ll watch over you, don’t worry. Keep the birds from pooping on you. That has happened before, trust me.”

“No kidding. Everything has a place and order and there is law and regulation, not some cheap buffet with the food being out all day.” He chuckled rather carelessly as he leaned back into his seat, before shaking his head. “That’s beyond absurd to me. No good cranberry sauce comes from a can with all those preservatives.” He pulled a face, adding a slight disgust to it. “Oh god, yeah I don’t think I’ll take my chances with that. Definitely not in my cards to have actual bird shit on me.”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

“Of course I do. More so than ever now with how much of said pretentiousness you’re giving off right now.” A smirk played across his lips, “Touche, I’ll give you that. People don’t need to eat your food though. They only need anything that gives them sustenance.” Or maybe that was him, able to eat anything that was put in front of him. He wasn’t picky, food was food. “Being able to handle the unexpected while at work isn’t what I’d call spontaneous. Makes for good management, but is that how you go through life too? Waiting for adventure to come to you seems like a lot of unnecessary waiting.” He craved adventure, more often than not getting into a bit of trouble from time to time. Olly had to think about it, giving in feeling as if he wanted to be impressed by the other somehow. But turning down the invitation felt rude too, Leo only trying to offer him decent food for Thanksgiving. “Okay this time, I’ll go to eat the food. Next time, I choose where we get to eat. Deal?”

“Oh, okay.” Leo rolled his yes at the younger man, letting out a snort of chuckle as he tried to remedy the situation that he started by himself it seemed. “Sustenance can come from any food, sure, but wouldn’t you rather enjoy what you eat, instead of just going through life without any fulfillment.” He pulled a face, adding, “Plus, nutrition also plays a factor in it all too. Just FYI.” He couldn’t help the smug look that continued to pull at his expression as he stared at Olly. “I’m not waiting for anything. I’m living life the way I want, and if spontaneous things happen, then fine. I’m good with it. If not, I’m also content. Makes for a really great time either way.” There was no denying the flexibility he had when it came to different situations, wanting to be able to go more with the flow of things. “That’s...a risky move, on my part. You choose where we eat next time? We could wind up at a sticky diner for all I know—” he paused before nodding slowly. “But fine, I’ll take your deal. But only to see you eat some real food for once.” 

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

Olly rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. “Is that supposed to make it more important? Sounds more like prissy assholes do yours, and people who have actually had to earn where they’ve gotten do mine.” He’d worked at the shop since he was thirteen, sneaking his way in for the owner to teach him after hours, being paid under the table to sweep the floors and keep the place organized. “Maybe you should have a bit of spontaneity in your life. Clearly not this since you’re already planning it.” His eyebrows creased, “Who are you trying to impress? I’d be good with eating a burger from the diner. Some snobby style food isn’t impressive, it’s only food.”

“Well, actually, yes. You do know the difference between blue collar and white collar jobs, right?” Maybe he seemed like more of a pretentious prissy asshole that Olly was talking about, but he also took his job far too seriously for his own good. “They’re both jobs, I’ll give you that. But you can live without a car. You can’t live without food.” He shrugged plainly. “I’m spontaneous. You should see the way some of the people I work with are. If you think I’m rigid, you’d completely lose it with their schedules and everything. I at least have common courtesy to expect the unexpected.” Leo retaliated. “I’ve got guests to impress Olly. We’re not serving lowly diner patrons next to the gas station. We’re serving a 5-course Thanksgiving dinner, complete with more food than you can probably even imagine. If you don’t want to come over for leftovers, then don’t. Have fun at the diner.”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

“Don’t get me started on who’s job is more important. People might actually have to walk places if I didn’t do mine.” Or bike around like he did. “Can we consider it fully impromptu if we’re making plans for it now?” Olly chuckled, finally nodding his head in agreement. “Alright, fine. If it means more good food for me, I’m in.”

“Oh no, walking. I forgot it was everybody’s worst fear.” Leo stated amusedly, feigning a light gasp of horror and shock. “It’s a shame your job is...how do I put this lightly, a blue collar job, while mine is a white collar job.” He uttered, shamelessly. “No, I suppose you’re right. It can’t be fully impromptu, but without proper planning, it certainly will seem a bit sudden and rushed.” An air of haughtiness left his exhale. “You know it’s only the best food. We’ve got it catered by the best of the best, always.”

[leonlights-blog]

ollyhawkins‌:

“I’d have more sympathy if you hadn’t done this to yourself. Plus, not all of us get to enjoy this…extravagant Thanksgiving you’re preparing for.”

“Hey, I’m just doing my job like the rest of us. Except I have some very important guests, so it kind of makes my job more important.” He stated rather lucidly, before looking to Olly. “Valid point, but you know I’m not gonna forget about you. It might not be as extravagant, but there are going to be tons of leftovers. Let’s have an impromptu Black Friday Thanksgiving leftover dinner?”

[leonlights-blog]

“If I pass out here, it’s because I’ve been working nonstop on the most amazing dinner spread anyone’s ever seen and haven’t slept.” Leo admitted shamelessly before leaning back into the chair with ease. “But it’ll all be worth it. The price you pay to put on an extravagant Thanksgiving, you know?”

[rob-pattinson]

ARMIE HAMMER for Esquire Italia (2018), ph. Roberto Patella.