tcnetwork | Leonard Snart

Dinner sounds nice.

I can hand over the casino after eight. Just tell me where. [As long as it's public, as long as they aren't on the Waverider he'll be okay.]

The diner maybe? Does that work?

[Leonard wants to bite out that he shouldn't be handled with kid gloves, that he can handle a night out..

But he doesn't. Because he's put on a facade of being strong and in control most of his life and that day in his office he finally crumbled under the strain.]

That's fine.
I'll meet you there.

[Steve would argue that it's less kid gloves and more trying to make sure Len understands Steve isn't forcing him or trying to coerce him into doing something he doesn't want too. He's trying to get close again, not push him further away. The whole 'I need you to push me' Len had mentioned earlier in their relationship did not apply anymore. Steve needs to rebuild the trust between them first.]

Wonderful! I look forward to it.

[Leonard is a bundle of nerves the rest of the day. Badgering the staff, annoying Mick to the point he's nearly tossed out of the kitchens. He steals Barry's wallet three times. He walks the casino floor and empties his pockets in the lost and found when he's done.

It's like the hours before a heist. Terrifying and exhilarating but he's there exactly on time, dressed in his usual dark blue tones but bypassing his usual work attire for something softer and comfortable.]

[Steve is wearing a pair of blue jeans that hug his ass just right and a navy long sleeved shirt that is stretched rather obscenely across his chest. He looks good and he knows it. He arrives only a few minutes before Len, he's already sitting in a booth. He offers Len a smile and a small wave, relaxing and sitting comfortably when the other man joins him]

Hey, Len. How are you?

[Steve looks good, as always, and it makes a part of him ache to see him like this. But he wants to try, so here he is. This is rebuilding after something terrible had been done to both of them.]

Peachy.
Hungry. Mick tossed me out of the kitchens again.

]Steve raises an eyebrow at that. Mick did what?]

What on earth did you do for him to do that for?

[For a moment it's like nothing changed as Leonard gives him a Look.

What did he do? The same thing he always does. He's a cantankerous cat on a good day and he hasn't had a good day in over a month.] Everything. And nothing.

[Steve actually laughs at that, his right hand coming up to rest over his left pec in a gesture surely most of New Dodge has come to associate with Steve]

I would have liked to see his reaction.

[Oh and how he's missed seeing Steve laugh like this, free and light. It loosens something in his own chest to hear it and to see him so delighted.

He even smiles a little himself.] You've seen me annoy Mick before. You know what he looks like before I get tossed.

True, true. Still. I bet it was funny. [Steve's next comment is interrupted by a waitress coming by to take their orders. Steve orders two cheeseburgers, a chocolate shake, and a basket of fries and mac and cheese bites.]

It was amusing.

[And he orders a half sandwich and soup. Something small but it's telling that he even orders any food. Sparkling water follows and order for coffee.

Leonard takes it as a cue to start telling stories of old heists and ridiculous hijinks.]

[Leonard ordering food makes Steve relax even more. It's unconscious at this point, Len's comfort making Steve more comfortable. He's so afraid he's going to screw up again that he walks on eggshells which he knows Leonard hates with a passion. He listens intently to the stories, asking questions here and there. He regales Len with a few stories about him and Bucky when they were teens in the 30's in Brooklyn.]

I had fun tonight. Thanks. [Steve says after paying the tab for their food if Len will let him.]

Would you maybe wanna come out to the farm for a little while? We could sit in the porch swing...watch the stars come out and talk a little more?

[The stories are almost enough to make him forget what had happened to shatter the peace between them. He relaxes enough to eat and offer up the usual snarky comment as Steve tells him stories about his past.

The farm isn't private, but it isn't exactly public either. Still he gives a nod, not ready to end the night either and they could use some time to talk.] Sure. We can do that.

[The walk is easy and quiet, giving him time to feel a little more comfortable in his skin before they sit together on the swing.]

[Steve has lots of stories to tell, some of the past and some of the future. He tells Len anything and everything as they walk back to the farm. It's quiet but you can still hear people coming and going. Help can come quickly if one of them screams loud enough.

Steve opens the door to let Max out and then sits down on the porch swing leaving plenty of room for Len to decide where he'd like to sit. The swing is big enough for three to four adults to sit very comfortably if they wanted too.]

Has Helen managed to take a few steps yet?

[Max is happy to greet them both before going on his rounds to check on the animals.

He sits on the swing with him. Maybe it was the easy dinner or the lack of tension but he's not as on guard as he's been the past month and it's liberating. He can breathe.]

She's trying, both her and Grace are pulling themselves up, so it won't be long now.

I can't get over how big they've gotten, and I've only known them for about 6 months....crazy.

[Steve's voice is soft as he shakes his head fondly, a smile on his face. A gentle breeze blows over the porch and rustles a few trees and flowers, the smell of the farm familiar now and relaxing for Steve. Max walks over and settles at his feet with a small woof and lays his head on his paws. He's a good dog.

Steve lets the quiet linger and the comfort rise, relaxing more and more as time passes even in silence. He's not even thinking at all as he shifts his arm to settle over the back of the swing, his hand accidentally brushing Len's shoulder. He still instantly, the apology on his tongue almost immediately.]

[The evening is cool and the scents and sounds of the farm are more relaxing than a city kid like Leonard would have imagined. He watches the animals mill in their pens or out in their grazing fields.

He could see himself visiting again.

Then a hand brushes his shoulder, touch a little too close and he flinches back as if he was burned by it. His breath comes in quick and sudden gasps and he can't help his reaction, scrambling backwards and away.

Get away. Get away.]

[Steve doesn't move, he stays exactly where he was hands where they were and eyes wide in shock as Len flails and flinches away from him. He did that...he's the reason that happened...as much as he wants too he can't stop the tears gathering in his eyes.

Max jerks when Len moves quickly and he gives a small woof before moving to Leonard and making sure he's between Steve and the other man using his body to shield him. It's almost like he seems to know]

[ooc:If you don't want Max to act like that feel free to change it up :) ]

[Leonard's eyes are screwed shut against the memories, breath coming in short and shaky pants against a swell of panic. A solid wall of fur presses against him, nose snuffling in to find his face.

Weak.
Pathetic.]

Don't.
Don't..

[Steve has no idea what to do. He knows he can't touch him like he might someone else he loved who was stuck in a panic attack. Touch often grounded him when he was in the throws of one. He opens his TC and calls Barry, the only person he can think of who might know how he can help.]

Barry, Len is having a panic attack...how can I help him without touching him?

[Barry doesn't reply. Instead he's there in a rush of wind, running up to the farm at normal speeds though. He doesn't want to startle Leonard.

He goes to Steve first because Max seems to have things under control.] Hey. Are you okay?

[steve shakes his head and points at Leonard]

Don’t worry about me. Please help him.

I'm here for both of you. [A firm grip to his shoulder before he moves to kneel beside Snart.

Soft words are murmured and gradually Leonard's panicked breathing begins to slow and ease and Barry sits back on his heels, relieved. He pets Max again because damn that's a good dog.]

It's okay. We're all okay.

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