Work Text:
It was hard to sneak anywhere if you were Markus. Insanely famous as the head of the android revolution, someone whose actions made the history books just being written. And it's been not even a year since then.
It was even harder to go unnoticed at the campus of a college that was famous for its degrees in everything android-related. According to Leo, Markus basically had an unofficial fanclub there. So, as he made his ways to the dorms, he had basically his whole face covered. He was already used to walking around in sunglasses and with a hood on, but he threw on a face mask this time, for a good measure. Sure, people were sort of looking at them like he was weird, but better then them looking for the other reason, when he was just here to visit his brother.
He made his way to the dorms, and knocked on Leo's door. It opened in a bit, and his brother was staring back at him with a grin:
„You're here pretty quick. Come in, you can take all that off and tell me whatever you want."
…
„Where should I put all this?" Markus asked, meaning his hoodie and the accessories he took off.
Leo shrugged:
„Wherever. Either of the chairs, on the bed, in my wardrobe - can't say that's too neat, though - seriously don't care, as long as you can find it after."
So, Markus reluctantly put it on Leo's desk chair.
„And where can I sit?"
„Refer to what I said before."
Markus looked annoyed for a second, but plopped down on the bed next to Leo.
Before Markus could even speak, Leo leaned in, curious:
„So, Markus, what was that call you gave me about? I don't think I've ever heard you sounding like that.“
Markus couldn't supress a wide grin - making Leo raise his eyebrows - as he turned to him, and sounding almost a bit shy, started:
„Well - I finally confessed to Simon-“
Leo interruped him, a devilish grin on his face:
„Oh, from your expression I can only imagine it went well?“
Markus nodded.
„Yeah. You were right the whole time, he did like me back! He kissed the top of my hands as he accepted my date proposal and all," he put his hand on his cheek, feeling it warm up - sure, he could stop that protocol, but saw no reason to at the moment, „he just didn't know how to confess and thought I might not want to bother with romance when there's so much else to do," he was saying it all quickly, not because he wanted to be done with it, but because he couldn't really contain the excitement. North and Josh got that from him first hand, being the first people around he really wanted to tell. Once he calmed down a little, Leo was the next person he wanted to tell.
Leo nodded. Not much to say about that. But he liked seeing Markus so cheery and a little flustered. That was a new sight. But, they only really talked since the start of the year anyway, and Markus is still very busy.
Markus continued:
„He was also a bit surprised that I liked him back. Which in turn surprised me - some people assume Simon has self-esteem issues - for some reason, does he feel like that? - but he doesn't, really. He said he just never felt like he gave me any reasons to view him as anything more than a friend. That I wasn't really closer to him than to Josh or North. And maybe not, but that doesn't mean I couldn't feel a special way about him. And he… feels the same.“
„See? Told you,“ Leo grinned, self-satisfied.
„You did. Actually… I'm surprised he feels the same. See - I don't think I've ever told you this, but when we infiltrated Stratford Tower and broadcasted our message, Simon got shot. Because I wanted to remain a pacifist and didn't shoot a man running towards the alarm. If I had just shot him, Simon would've never gotten hurt. But with what happened - Simon couldn't parachute away with us. We discussed killing him so as to not let them find us, but I couldn't. But still, I abandoned him there.“
Leo, up until then watching intently, put his hand on his brother's shoulder:
„Hey, I think he knows you just did what you thought was best. That there was no other way."
„There's always another way," Markus shook his head, „even though he forgave me, I still wouldn't have been surprised if it barred him from wanting a relationship with me.“
„I'd be more surprised if it did. I've never met him, but he seems so loyal to you."
„Never met him - don't you want to come by the android settlement sometime? Just to hang out? One of my four best friends doesn't know two of the other three even though he easily could. We should fix that."
„I mean, I could, but - I'm one of your best friends?“
Markus shrugged with a smile, as if it was nothing.
„I guess. Yeah,“ as Leo smiled back, Markus changed the topic, „Simon really is loyal. I'm thankful for how much he trusts me. I feel like I don't deserve it sometimes."
Leo raised his eyebrows.
„I think you've earned most people's trust months back.“
„I guess, but that doesn't change how I feel about Simon's trust,“ Markus seemed almost shy as he smiled into the ground, eyes sparkling at the thought of a man physically miles away, but ever-present in his mind.
„Damn, I hope someone will smile at the thought of me like this one day," Leo said after a short silence.
At that, Markus started focusing again, and gave Leo a look:
„Ari already does, and has for a while.“
„… I still can't get myself to believe that."
„Everyone sees it, except you. Ari at least tries to hide it when you're looking. I'd say he's not too successful, but if you don't see it, I guess it's working somehow.“
„I dunno. He's got some friends that'd be better partners for him. That aren't a recovering drug addict.“
„Don't hold that against yourself. Even if so, he wants you. And you want him. I confessed to Simon, when are you confessing?“
Leo shrugged, sighed, and then admitted:
„I should, huh? I had this damn crush for a while now... Just worried I'll seem creepy.“
„Why should you?“
Leo smirked sarcastically.
„First friend I make in years that's actually good for me, and I'm in love with him? Isn't that weird?“
„Why should it? Plus, it's the same for him. You're literally the first friend he's made.“
Leo raised his finger.
„What you say works under the presumption that the feelings are mutual.“
„Even if not - shouldn't you find out where you stand already? Don't just look at him from a distance. Even if he doesn't like you back, he won't think any less of you for liking him. That wouldn't be Ari.“
„You're right about that… He wouldn't stop being friends. And I guess I'd like to confess. He should know. Plus, whenever you egged me on about this, I could shoot back at you with your unsaid crush on Simon. I lost that privilege today.“
Markus chuckled, and then put his hand on Leo's shoulder:
„Talk to him. Your judgment about Simon was right. I'd bet I'm right too.“
------
„Ari?“
Ari, just on the way to resume work as Carl was having lunch, was stopped in his tracks by Carl himself.
„Yes?“
„Your work will wait. Come sit down with me. I've been wanting to talk to you about something for a while now.“
And even if Carl couldn't see it, thanks to Ari being turned to him with his back, Ari's eyes widened. He didn't know what Carl could possibly want to talk about, but he sounded serious. Maybe a little too serious.
Ari turned around and sat down at the table.
„Ari. You don't have to look like a pig coming to the slaughter. You've done nothing wrong,“ Carl said.
Which made Ari ease, but just a little. Because his curiosity was still there.
„Well, what did you want to talk about?" Ari asked.
Carl slightly leaned in:
„… For how long have you had feelings for Leo?“
And Ari flinched. He didn't realize Carl would've just noticed like that at all.
Carl smiled at him:
„It's okay, Ari. I don't mind. I've just been noticing the way you act around him for a while.“
He sighed.
„I'm not even sure. Might be since shortly after we started seeing each other more often. But if so, I didn't realize at first. So, March, I think?“
„That's a while.“
Ari smiled and shrugged.
„I suppose.“
„Are you planning to talk to him about it? Because despite you seeming obvious to me, I don't think he's noticed.“
Ari sighed again, resting his head against his palm on the table:
„I'm not sure. I thought it might be inappropriate, asking my employer's son out-“
„You're something like family, Ari. Don't think like that,“ Carl shook his head with a smile.
„Wouldn't that make it worse?" Ari grinned.
Carl raised his eyebrows at him.
„I suppose.. But you know that's not how I meant it."
Ari chuckled. Of course he knew. He had a different relationship to Carl than Markus did. And he definitely didn't view either of Carl's sons as brothers.
Ari returned to the topic:
„I know. But, what if he doesn't like me back? I can imagine he might find it too awkward to stay friends. And I have no reason to think he likes me-“
Carl smiled wistfully:
„Oh, Ari, have you seen the way he talks to you? I haven't talked to him about it, because I don't think he'd appreciate me asking, but I see the little differences in him talking to you, compared to others. Even if it's not not love, he cares an awful lot about you.“
„And I care too. That's why I don't want to lose him.“
„That's the thing - I don't think you could ever lose him. He cares too much to let you go, even if he doesn't like you. Which I think he does.“
Ari smiled to himself, looking aside, seemingly shy.
So Carl said something more:
„Always when I see you talk or think of Leo with this expression, I think to myself - don't you want to take the chance?“
Which wiped the smile off Ari's face. He shook his head.
„I'm not sure, Carl. Not sure you're right. Whether he likes me, whether he'd get over the awkwardness if not… I feel like it's too risky. I'm good with my feelings being one-sided, as long as I don't lose him.“
Carl sighed.
„Just remember - you miss all the shots you don't take.“
Ari nodded with a solemn smile.
„But I'm glad you… Don't disapprove of my feelings for him.“
„Oh no. I'd be happy for the two of you. You play off each other well. And I see the progress Leo made in the effort he puts in the relationship with you.“
„What do you mean?“ Ari tilted his head.
„Oh, just something he mentioned to me, I'm not sure he even realizes he did - he thinks that every time he's struggling emotionally or so, you would know how to help, but he doesn't want to be dependent on you, or burden you too much.“
That made Ari smile.
„I don't think I'd mind, but - that's considerate of him. I also feel like I can talk to him nearly anytime...“
„I think that if you were a couple, not much would change from now. Maybe you just need to make it official.“
„… I'm not sure, Carl. But I'll think about it.“
„Really think? Not just say that you will and then not?“
Ari laughed.
„Yes. Really think.“
„Well… I can't force you. But I'm glad you let me talk to you about it. I'm not sure Leo would,“ for all the improvements in their relationship, this was an intimate topic which Carl wouldn't just try to breach with his older son.
„I'm not sure either,“ Ari shrugged with an awkward smile.
„If you don't know, no one except Leo does,“ Carl shrugged.
Ari nodded, and after a short silence, said:
„… I'm glad I talked about this with you too,“
„Good to know I wasn't too invasive.“
„You could hardly be.“