wait, they don't love you like i love you {DORIAN}

[LEO KELLY]

There weren't many people who had noticed the sudden departure of Leo Kelly from school for the past three or four weeks - but then again, that was sort of the way the man worked. He had few friends and fewer confidantes; since his return last week to campus, anyone who was curious had been forced to simply settle on the conclusion that something had come up.

Asking him might seem like the most logical response to such curiosity, but people seemed to have already discovered that such a task did not usually bear much fruit. So far, Leo had yet to divulge anything except a distracted, "Jus' was a away for a little bit".

At any rate, he was back now and since he'd been back, he had heard some startling and unsettling news. Leo wasn't usually one to listen to gossip, but a little bird had told him shortly after he'd arrived back that Dorian Moore had broken up with his longterm douche-bag boyfriend.

This was cause for some concern - not because Leo wasn't glad, but because Leo knew that Dorian had loved Marcus, and Marcus' love had hurt, and now Dorian was probably hurting even more without it.

So, in a move that was typical to the blunt young man, Leo had decided the second day he'd gotten back that he needed to check in with the small, delicate man-killer he had fallen so ardently in love with. He supposed he ought to have called or tried to set up a date or something, but that wasn't really his style.

Instead he just took a seat outside of Dorian's 8:15 AM class, one of his textbooks propped open on his knee, and waited. He trusted Dorian had gone to class, he trusted that he would see him, and he trusted also that Dorian would probably try very hard to hide all of his feelings and put on a brave, beautiful face.

He knew this because he knew Dorian, and the more he thought about the boy, the more the wistful ache in his chest grew more prominent. It had been four weeks.

Leo had missed him. Terribly.

He blew out a sigh, glancing up at the clock hanging over the lecture hall doors, and then slumped back against the wall. Nothing to do but wait.

[DORIAN MOORE]

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Dorian hadn't taken being broken up with well. Of course he hadn't let it show, he had dressed just as smartly, with just as much make-up - if not more. He had carried himself higher, made sure his posture was always perfect and he had refused to slump in his chair when he was in class.

But at home, things were a very different story.

Even George had worried that Dorian was ill, or at least very out of sorts. The small blonde had locked himself away in his room, banning George and any of the other staff from entering. His room was a mess, his clothes weren't neatly put away but strewn over the floor. His bed was unmade and his mirrors dirty. Which made things worse. He would change into his sweatpants, curl up into bed and try and get some sleep. But he felt like he hadn't slept in weeks.

He sighed, sitting in his art class, trying to pull himself together. They had been drawing portraits and although Dorian had started the project drawing Marcus, he had changed to Joey - but even drawing Joey wasn't as fun as he thought it would be.

He bit his lip, not really paying attention until he realised everyone else had packed away. Slowly he gathered how own things, taking his time, he didn't want to be around anyone. He tucked his sketchbook in his arms and walked gracefully out of the room, almost tripping over Leo Kelly in the process.

Oh Shit, Sorry I did-oh...it's you, he said cooly, looking the boy over. Where have you been? he asked, beginning to walk down the corridor, knowing that Leo would follow him.

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Dory ain't happy with you sir.notes

[LEO KELLY]

Unsurprisingly, and to his character, Leo Kelly followed.

If he noticed Dorian's cool attitude he didn't remark, merely standing with smooth, detached grace and following after the smaller, huffier blonde with only a small little smile as his greeting. He could see the signs of insomnia in the downward turn of Dorian's mouth, and he asked immediately out of concern, "How are you?" Yes, the petite male seemed irritated at his presence, but honestly, when had that ever stopped him? If Dorian didn't want to talk to him, that was fine; Leo just had no qualms asking even if it was presumptuous of him after four weeks of prolonged absence.

He really just wanted to know - he didn't like to think that Dorian wasn't getting enough sleep.

He shrugged at the question. "I had to go home, for a little while," he said in his slow, steady way, watching the back of Dorian's head and the slender lines of his shoulders with calm devotion. "I heard what happened. I wanted to see if you were alright." Blunt honesty; that was the only way Leo operated.

[DORIAN MOORE]

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Dorian paused halfway down the corridor, as if collecting his thoughts. He waited until Leo was level with him before he began walking again. He tried to ignore the first question, it didn't matter how he was. No one cared. He bit his lip, nodding when Leo revealed he'd had to go home. Dorian wished he could do the same. He wanted to go back to England, he didn't think America was really ready for him. Was everything alright? he asked, referring to Leo's trip. The other was always so secretive about his life that Dorian had only just realised he knew almost nothing about Leo.

He turned down one of the corridors towards the textiles room - he didn't have any classes there, but it was just a nice place to relax and think without anyone walking in in you. Dorian was usually the only one there at this time of the day. He paused just before reaching out and opening the door. I'm fine. he said, through gritted teeth as he opened the door and almost threw his belongings at his bench - that had been personalised with photographs and bits of material. I'm over it, it's in the past - I've moved on.

Yeah. Sure you have.

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[LEO KELLY]

Leo looked down into Dorian's face as the smaller boy slowed to let him catch up, examining the small, porcelain face peering back at him, taking note of the subtle signs of irritation he'd learned from simply hanging around the blond long enough. He sighed gently, his deep gray gaze sliding to the left in something like dismay. Dorian was miserable, and Leo, by the transitive property, was also.

He shrugged dismissively when Dorian asked him how the trip home had been; "'s fine," he said simply. "Just hadta' take care of my brother for a bit." He offered no more of an explanation and he hesitated when he came to the textile room, peering inside with some curiosity. He'd never been in this classroom before, and he lingered in the doorway, watching Dorian toss his bag, expression almost neutral but for the little frown wrinkling his brow.

"That's not true," he observed simply, tilting his head, watching the other boy carefully. "Ya' don't look like you've been sleepin' regular." He tsked lightly under his breath, breaching the threshold of the door to come over and gently take Dorian's chin between his fingers. He tilted the boy's head back, looking at him critically. No, definitely not getting enough sleep, he could tell.

"'m sorry I wasn't here," he offered after a moment of contemplative silence, his usually bland voice taking on a note of sincerity that never seemed to be there except when he was addressing Dorian.

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[DORIAN MOORE]

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Dorian didn't ask about Leo's brother, if the boy had wanted Dorian to know he would have said. He looked up when he felt Leo's fingers on his chin, the backs of his eyes beginning to prickle slightly. No, he wouldn't cry. Not in front of anyone. He couldn't ruin his reputation that way. But...it was only Leo, and no one was around. He bit his lip and pressed his hand into the other boy's, moving Leo's fingers from his face. He looked down, taking a deep breath. It's...it's fine, you had other things to do. he said, his voice cracking somewhere in the middle with the threat of tears.

I-I just wasn't expec-cting it. he began, sniffing slightly and covering his mouth with his sleeve. He didn't want Leo to see him cry. I suppose I should have been...he never really wanted me around, Dorian admitted sadly, shrugging his shoulder and perching on the edge of his desk. I just keep having nightmares, that's all, nothing to worry about, he said softly, running his hand up Leo's chest and over the soft material of his shirt. It was so soft, so warm, Dorian could have just fallen asleep on Leo's chest and been content. His eyes drooped slightly, fingers clutching onto Leo to stop him falling. But you're here now, s'all that matters.

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[LEO KELLY]

Leo frowned. That uncomfortable feeling in his chest was being sorely exacerbated by the way Dorian was slowly but surely falling apart in front of him. He ignored the pang of disappointment when he felt the boy's small, careful fingers push his hand away and slid both into his pockets as a result. He was silent for a while, just watching Dorian, waiting for the facade to finally slip away so he could take the wounded little thing into his arms like he wanted to.

He shrugged away the excuse Dorian made for him, saying bluntly, "Shoulda' been here. My brother coulda' waited."

And then Dorian was obviously struggling not to cry and reaching out towards Leo with trembling fingers, and so Leo figured to hell with it, Dorian could yell at him for showing affection later when he didn't look like he was on the verge of shattering completely. Leo reached out, shifting so he was sitting on the edge of the desk and scooping up the small blond with efficient ease. He settled Dorian comfortably in his lap, arms curled protectively around him, chin resting dolefully on top of his head.

"You call me the next time you have a nightmare," he reasoned decisively. "I c'n help you fall asleep." He made no remark about Dorian's relationship with Marcus - Dorian know doubt how Leo felt about his ex-boyfriend, and Leo figured he probably didn't want to be reminded at the present time. For now, simply his presence would have to do.

Leo'd never really been good at talking, anyway.

He did duck his head down and mumble near Dorian's ear, "'m here now, s'alright. It'll be alright, promise," though, nudging the boy's temple with his nose in an affectionate, comforting manner.

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[DORIAN MOORE]

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It had been a long time since Dorian had cried in front of anyone, it felt weird. But being curled up on Leo's lap just brought on more and more tears, he was sure he had left a wet patch on Leo's shirt. S-sorry, he sobbed, tried to bite back the tears, but instead just made his lip sore. But he just couldn't stop, even when he buried his face against Leo, not wanting the other to look at him when he was in such a state.

After what seemed like an hour, Dorian had calmed himself down, taken a few deep breaths and wiped his nose on a tissue that had been in bag. He didn't want to look in a mirror to fix his make-up, he could tell his eyes were red and puffy with black shadows from the eye-liner and mascara he had worn. His lipstick had smudged slightly and the tears had washed away streaks of foundation. He blushed, hiding his face away from Leo with his hands. B-but what if you're busy? he asked Leo, referring back to the nightmares. I d-don't want to cause any p-problems, he said, his breath hitching in his throat. This was why he didn't want to break down in public.

But he didn't move from Leo's lap, instead he curled more into he other, for more protection and closed his eyes again, trying not to fall asleep. But Leo was so warm. Dorian coughed and held his head, groaning slightly at the on-coming headache from crying. You'll stay with me, won't you? I don't want to leave yet...unless you have a class or something. Dorian said, surprised at the slight beg in his voice. Oh who cared? He just wanted to stay close to someone who didn't hate him.

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[LEO KELLY]

In some ways, Leo felt a little helpless. He had never really had much exposure to tears, and when confronted with Dorian's, he felt at a certain loss as to what to do. He held the small boy close to him, frowning over the top of his blond head, brooding on how to fix it and coming up with no real solution. He rubbed a hand up and down Dorian's back, holding him half like he expected someone to burst through the door and snatch him away. "'s alright," he said gruffly when Dorian tried to apologize. "Ya never have to be sorry t'me, s'okay."

He frowned when the smaller boy tried to meekly protest, shaking his head. "Just call me," he insisted simply, pressing their foreheads together for a brief, intimate moment. "I wanna' be the one to help ya' get t'sleep."

Leo just shook his head, lifting a hand to push some flyaway blond hair from Dorian's tear-streaked face. "I'm done with class for the day," he said simply. "I'll stay as long as you want me." Simple and true on more than one level.

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[DORIAN MOORE]

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Dorian brushed his cheeks roughly with the back of his hand, smearing more of his make-up before finally rubbing it all away. He sniffled once before looking up at Leo, a smile finally breaking on his face. Thank you, he said softly, pressing his small hands against the other's chest. Leaning up against Leo he kissed the underside of the boy's chin.

Slowly he settled down in Leo's lap again, closing his eyes for a moment and just listening to the sound of the other's heart beat. It was soothing and just...nice to be in the other's arms. He sighed, looking up at Leo again, I'm sorry I'm always short with you, I don't mean to be...I just...do you really like me? he asked, all of his words coming out so fast he hoped he wouldn't be asked to repeat himself.

Sitting up straight he looked away from Leo for a moment, fingers running through his hair as he tied it up in a loose bun, keeping it out of his eyes. You can stay if you want...I mean...it would be nice if yo-I want you to stay, he admitted finally, smiling at Leo and wrapping his arms around the other boy.

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[LEO KELLY]

Leo huffed a little, as if he thought Dorian was silly for thinking he had to thank him. This was, as far as the tall, quiet boy was concerned, what he was there for. Dorian was beautiful and fragile and neglected or mistreated by everyone who knew him. Leo was determined to be the one thing in his life - as unimportant or minuscule as he might be to the blond - that gave a damn. That's what love was. He gathered the thin boy closer to his chest in a gruffly protective and awkwardly affectionate way, burying his face briefly in Dorian's sweetly smelling hair.

"'course I do," he mumbled, pulling back enough to give Dorian a stern look. "Been followin' you 'round long enough, haven't I?" His expression softened as it seemed like to do whenever he was dealing with the fair haired pixie currently curled up brokenly in his lap. He blew out a little sigh, tilting his head and quirking an eyebrow. "I love you, that's all." Stupid-honest, that seemed to be Leo's policy.

He nodded, looking pleased when Dorian finally admitted he wanted him to stay. "Then I'll stay," he replied simply, shifting them both and leaning back against the wall behind them so he could sit more comfortably with Dorian against his chest. "Ya' know I'd do whatever ya' wanted me to." And he'd probably be fairly happy to do it, too.

Dorian was his prince, after all.

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[DORIAN MOORE]

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I...loveyoutoo Dorian mumbled, burying his face against Leo's chest for a moment before taking a deep breath and slipping off the other boy's lap. He played with the ends of his hair for a moment, his back to Leo. Taking a deep breath, he ran both of his manicured hands over his face, brushing any make-up from his face that hadn't been washed away by his tears. Catching a glimpse of himself in on of the mirrors the smile that started to appear on his face dropped once more. He looked hideous, all plain and boring...horrible. He looked away from his reflection and back to Leo, the only boy in the world who didn't care what Dorian looked like, and still loved him.

Dorian walked up to the other boy, standing between the other's legs, hands reaching up and running through Leo's hair slowly, feeling the soft hairs between his fingers. The smile began to return to his face, he wanted to kiss Leo, but it seemed inappropriate. Like he was using the other boy to make him feel better about himself. He didn't want to do that, not to Leo - though he had done it to many other boys before. Instead he pulled his hair out of the bun and then put it back up again, distracting himself before he began to talk.

Are you going to go to that Halloween party? Joey asked me to go with him...I just wondered if you'd be there... he said, his voice dropping at the end. He probably shouldn't have mentioned Joey - did Leo even know who he was? But Dorian has made a concious decision with himself to always be honest with Leo - even if it meant the worst. I mean, I'm not saying you have to go...because I'm going...I was just wondering, he said, pulling up a stool and sitting in front of Leo, his thin legs crossed at the knee, hands folded in his lap.

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[LEO KELLY]

Leo's eyebrows rose at Dorian's... 'sort of' confession, and he considered the boy for a few long, silent moments. Then he smiled, simply, and leaned his head back against the wall, eyes lidding with something like quiet satisfaction. He was not a complicated man; did it matter if Dorian understood or reciprocated the depth of his feelings for him? Not really. Leo felt it, and that was enough; he would take anything and everything he got.

"'s no need to be embarrassed," he said, watching the boy try to hide his makeup stained face. His hands itched to draw the blond back into an embrace but he refrained, waiting for Dorian to come to him. He leaned into the fingers drawing slowly through his hair, eyes closing in lazy pleasure. He opened his eyes when Dorian brought up the party, looking briefly confused.

Usually parties were the last place Dorian wanted to see him, Leo imagined because they were... well, in public and the blond had a reputation to uphold after all.

But then again, this was not exactly the usual situation. Leo took it in stride.

He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the edge of the desk, an enigmatic smile curling slowly on his lips. "Sure I'll come," he said with a small shrug. "'s not usually my scene, but 've been away for a while." He reached out, playing with a few strands of the other's blond hair. "You'll see me there," he promised simply.

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