[Open for business | Leo and Aydin | Next Round]

[fluctuationfeels]

[Four months. Four months they had been doing this and it was starting to get easier. Leo was didn't like that. He didn't want it to be hard, but the fact it was starting to feel normal frightened him. Were they ever going to be able to live normal lives after this? After 'Smokey Joe' had burnt him twice. After Ayden was cut and fucked around with around with by the prissy jerk Cameron? After they had made friends who were just as messed up as they were? How were they supposed to move forward?

It was all so painfully normal it made him feel old thinking about it. He wanted to go home with Aydin and get some youth back into his heart, but they were once again short on rent and the days were passing fast.]

Comments

[fluctuationfeels]

Right... [Leo nodded, following even though his stomach was twisting with nerves.]

Yeah I guess. I mean... We'd need more information. I'd have to talk to my friend.

[He forced a slight smile to joke through the awkwardness.] You got a brochure or something?

[professional_johns]

Eh, in America these things cause problems. [Jakob shrugged.] We can talk another time eh? All together. You come as package, eh? Peas in the pod? You are the right look for Europe, but he looks nice too. Variety is good.

[He drank his coffee, draining the cup easily.] You have phone yes? All Americans have a phone. Or you work the same place hmm? I will come by again.

[fluctuationfeels]

Yeah... Thanks. [He wasn't sure how he felt about any of these comments. The guy wasn't being mean or pushy. He was business like. Reasonable.]

I always work the same spot, unless the cops come by. So... Yeah if you wanna find me, you can come by whenever. If I'm not there I'm with er... Yunno.

I mean, I do have a phone, but I dunno about giving you my number, sorry.

[professional_johns]

Oh yes. You worry I will send you the uh... What is it? Dick snaps eh? [Jakob grinned that amused look again, reaching into his pocket and removing another smooth, slim case. He pulled a card out of it and offered it forward.]

That is my number eh? But I will come back around. There is no need to make quick decisions. We will all eat, eh? I pay for your time, I pay for meal. Is no problem.

[fluctuationfeels]

[Leo let a laugh pass his lips, feeling self conscious about his teeth for a moment. He was amused though, because he could imagine Reese saying something like that.]

No problem. [Leo nodded. Was this really it? He was getting a hundred dollars for doing sweet fuck all? This day just got better.] Thanks again. [He went back to his food and drink, enjoying the intense flavors of it all. He was gonna be so jacked on sugar.]

Can I have one of those? [He nodded toward the cigarette case.] All out.

[professional_johns]

Yeah, yeah. Nie ma problemu [Jakob held out the case, flipping open the top so Leo could take one.] They don't let you smoke it in here though. You remember this? You American, so I suppose you know.

Ah. But yes. Your friend, he is called what? [Jakob flipped his case back closed.] And you are both eighteen?

[fluctuationfeels]

We're... Not. [Leo sighed. If that was a problem like it usually was, then he might have an easy out here.]

We're fifteen. [He slipped the cigarette behind his ear, hidden between flesh and tufts of dry white blonde. He neglected to mention Aydin's name for now. He felt protective over it for some reason.]

[professional_johns]

Fifteen? [Jakob sounded disbelieving. It was the first time his tone had moved from friendly. He looked at Leo carefully.] Is young, eh? Not right. We don't go for so young. [He rubbed his chin thoughtfully a moment.

[Then he shrugged, moving out from the booth.] Well, will take months to get passports eh? Will be seventeen or so before we know it.

[fluctuationfeels]

[... It was kind of "nice" that being fifteen was a problem. He hadn't figured it would be an issue at all considering what he'd heard about this kind of thing, but some situations were nothing but surprising.]

Thanks again, but... I think we'll have jobs by then. Like I said, this is just a temporary thing.

I mean, thanks for the offer and all. [He finished the sandwhich.]

[professional_johns]

Is good you're earning enough, eh? [Jakob smiled, getting his cigarette ready to get out of the Starbucks and get back to his smoking.] Positive attitude eh? Gets you everything.

Sometimes temporarily lasts a bit longer though, eh? May as well plan for every eventuality. We'll eat eh? Or not. Well. We will all eat for sure. Maybe together. [He laughed.]

[fluctuationfeels]

Right. [Leo couldn't help but laugh again. The way this guy talked...

He sure didn't take no for an answer.]

Yeah, we'll talk again. I can discuss it with Ay... Er, with my friend. Yunno? So... [He finished his drink and licked his lips.] We out of here?

[professional_johns]

Yes, yes. We are out, we are done. [He nodded back towards Leo's ear] Enjoy the smoke, hm? Do widzenia. Until we meet again.

[He lit his cigarette as he took himself down the street the opposite direction to Leo's corner with Aydin.]

[fluctuationfeels]

[Leo watched him leave with a mixture of confusion and satisfaction. He'd had strokes of good luck before landing him easy money, but this had to be the easiest.]

We are totally eating dinner tonight. [He grinned to himself.]