what legacy do you want people to remember about you after you're gone?
"That I did what I wanted. I didn't ever hold back on what I was feeling or what I wanted to do. I lived my life. That or I'm a great fuck would work for me."
renfarberâ:
She couldnât help it - she was moved by some otherworldly force that was probably just the ghost of who sheâd been nine years ago; some version of herself that existed now as nothing more than a feeling in her gut made her reach out to take Leoâs hand. She was barely aware of her thumbs on his palm as she listened to him speak, but that made sense; it was a motion sheâd done so many times when they were together that she could literally do it in her sleep. Whenever he felt tense, sheâd reach for him in some small way, like this, and he would unravel just a bit.
He looked up at her, eyes locked on hers, and he told her he wasnât a good guy. As though that was supposed to be news to her. As though that might put some wall up between them, like she might run from whatever monster he considered himself to be. But sheâd always known him - for a thousand lifetimes - and she wasnât about to run now.Â
âOkay, so youâre a fuck-up,â she smirked, with a soft shrug of her shoulders, âso am I. We always have been. You fucked around and you hurt people but you got a daughter out of it. And all of my mistakes resulted in Max. It doesnât make up for any of the pain weâve caused, but⊠good things come from bad things all the time.â
It was only then that she noticed she was holding his hand. She didnât let go.
ââŠI punished myself for about eight years for what I did to you. I didnât think I deserved happiness so I kicked it in the face whenever it came too close. I only stopped because I got pregnant and my focus shifted, and I just⊠I donât want you to waste your life like that. I donât want you to punish yourself. I want⊠I donât know what would make you happy, but I think you should go after it. I think you should let it in.â
-
Unlike Ren, Leo was completely aware of her fingertips touching his skin. His hand even threatened to shake as her hold on him had became more confident and firmer. It was like he had completely forgotten what he was upset about or if he was even upset at all. He even set his glass down without taking a sip he had meant to take. His entire mind became wrapped around the fact that she was touching him. How did she manage to do this to him? Create peace in a mind that was plagued with demons? Even her words had made him feel better. Mira and Max were the best things to ever come out of their unique paths. Even if unexpected, Leo couldnât see it any differently now.
But Leo was confused by her advice. Because instead of advice that would keep him from going with his reckless instincts; they were encouraging them. And with that justification, he was let loose. âI know what would make me happy right now, and I want to go after it.â He said so sure of what he wanted and who he wanted to let in. He swallowed nervously, and his eyes stole a glance at her full pink lips, âItâs you - and your kiss.â He confessed, his eyes determined to hold her gaze as he said this. His free hand abandoned his chilled glass in favor of cupping the side of her neck and his thumb caressed her jawline. His hand in hers hand shifted so their fingers became intertwined. At that same moment, he had leaned in closing that silly amount of space Ren had wanted between them. He didnât waste another second to fully press his lips upon hers. His eyes instantly closed as he relished in their softness, an explicit sound emitted from the back of his throat. The truth they were alone tonight hung in the air. No children or another person would be able to part them for hours. The kiss could become so much more. And of course, he had the desire of it being much more than a kiss. It made him part his lips to suck on her bottom one to ask for entrance so he could fully taste her. The hand on her neck became more possessive, clutching with the want to bring her closer.
annalisechambersxâ:
Annie knew she could be a lot. that was justâŠwho she was. She liked to speak to people and just mingle with society. It was fun. Plus, you never knew when you would make a great new friend just by meeting someone randomly in a bar. Sure, this in front of her seemed a little put off by the sudden appearance of her (which she understood), but she was going to try her best to make a friend tonight.
She smiled softly as the other spoke, nodding her head, âMost bar food is pretty subpar, you know? But thereâs just something about this place. I donât know what it is.â She giggled and shrugged, âWould you want some of the wings?â She asked, her eyes lighting up a bit, âI could never eat a full batch by myself.â She paused and waved her hand, âTheyâre on me, I promise. I donât want a penny.â
Leaning over the bar, Annalise tapped the top a few times and soon enough, the bartender was wandering over and he was ordering an order of mild wings and a beer for the gentleman as well. Holding her drink tightly, she turned back towards him with a smile, âIâm Annalise, by the way. But you can call me Annie if you like. Itâs a bit quicker.â She giggled, âI hope Iâm notâŠinterrupting you or anything. Or if you were waiting for a friend or something. Oh, Iâm sorry I am!â
-
The dive bar on the ninth was arguably Leoâs current favorite place in the city. So she wasnât wrong about there being an essence to it. But he kept see-sawing in his mind if wanted to keep up with this conversation. It wasnât her at all. Her sunny disposition and energy is what he should be striving towards. He was just far too stubborn to. Heâd put a damper to her night, if this interaction continued. He didnât deem himself as a particularly nice person unless it was useful to him. Add alcohol to that equation, and you got a more than chaotic Leo. But the light in her eyes, and her continuous graciousness kept him responding. âI could have some wings.â He said, accepting the free food. He might as well eat something so he could drink even more without getting sick. Good plan.Â
He stayed quiet as he watched her place in her order. When she ordered a beer, specifically for him, he couldnât help but cringe. Even though it was a completely nice gesture. Leo detested beer like itâs whole existence offended him. Carbonated, fermented hops and yeast juice? That beer? Fuck, no. He wasnât planning on pretending he was a fan of it either. âIâm Leo, and no, Iâm alone.â He informed her and then he tilted his head at her. âAnnie, did you know youâre so overtly happy?â He questioned with a lifted brow.Â
The sound of a glass mug being placed in front of him, took his attention. It was the beer, ice cold, with fragrant foam head. He swallowed and pushed it towards her space on the bar top as he held his breath. âI canât drink that. Itâs gonna taste like beer and I hate that.â He said, not hiding his dismay one bit.
renfarberâ:
Oh, this was dangerous. He shouldnât be looking at her like this. And she shouldnât be looking at him like this. They were grown ass adults now, and they should know better, and they had responsibilities, and theyâd broken up for a reason, because sheâd done something horrible, and then heâd said some horrible things, and enough time had passed now that there shouldnât be any feelings left of any kind, but⊠there were. She could tell from his eyes that there were. And anyway, Ren had always rather liked danger.
He smiled at the mention of her mother, and he joked about her ridiculous old friends, and she laughed at his dumb jokes and his smug smile and his popcorn-throwing, and what had felt dangerous a moment ago, now felt familiar and safe. Safe enough that she felt comfortable reaching up to fix some stray curls that had fallen over Leoâs eyes.
âDo you remember the night we met?â she smirked. She wouldnât blame him if he didnât, honestly. They were at work, and it was a particularly slow night, and nothing of interest really happened except for Ren meeting the only man sheâd ever fall in love with. Theyâd spent the whole shift talking and laughing (and getting yelled at for talking and laughing), and sneaking booze from behind the bar. âI told you I felt like Iâd known you in another life. And that nothing you could say would ever surprise me because of it. âŠI was a fucking weirdo back then,â she laughed, âbut I still kind of believe that.â
-
The way she looked at him was almost becoming unbearable. Did she realize that she was looking at him the way she use to? Was he giving her the same adoring look that he had reserved for her all those years ago? Would the desire to stop wanting to reach towards her subside? How could he even approach her in such a way when she knew she was married and very clearly had honored that sanction far more than he did? No matter the answers, he had to behave, he had to.Â
 Leo didnât flinch or back away when Renâs hand came to his obstructed view. He actually kind of welcomed not seeing her so clearly. It offered a bit of a shield, but she had brushed his shaggy curls away, giving him a sharp view of her stunning features once again. Heâd never get over just how ethereal she appeared. And just like that, the urge to just move closer, grab her face and just kiss her took hold of him again. But thankfully she had given him another distraction.
He looked at the cute smirk upon her face as he took her question. The night they met. Arguably one of the best nights of his twenties. He would never tell her, but he even knew what phase the moon was in the sky that night; a crescent moon. He also regrettably even knew what the special was that night; a honey roasted duck. Which now he realized was probably the reason for the slow night. He kept his gaze on her as he recalled the rest of the details, the more important ones. Like how when their eyes first met, he became a stoic fool, melting into a strangerâs eyes. But then how quickly he had warmed up to her because of her charming demeanor, one that he matched up with his own. He definitely chose humour to captivate her, and he was smitten with her honesty no matter how eccentric it was. As he listened to her recalling their conversation about other lifetimes, his face had softened and there was smile shining from his eyes as well as his lips. âI think I remember it a lot better.â He gloated, of course, needing a spotlight on him being right once again. He leaned in closely, his elbow completely taking her arm rest as he did so. âBecause you said, you felt like youâve known me in a thousand other lifetimes.â The glint in his eyes still shown as he reminded her of that detail, the lighting of the movieâs glow helped ignite it brighter. âI asked if I were rich and successful in any of them and you said yes. And then like a lameass trying to shoot my shot, I asked if I got to see you naked in any of them.â His voice lowered an octave as if to keep that part intimately between them than it already was. Leoâs gaze, however, dropped down to the exposed skin at her collarbone before he forced it back up. His clutch on the popcorn bucket was unfortunately becoming obvious with the crinkling of the cardboard.Â
miavxgaâ:
When Mia has asked someone random, she wasnât expecting him to be so good looking. For a split second, she had forgotten why she approached him in the first place. Mia was grateful that he didnât reject her request. If she had to go to someone else, it wouldâve been obvious that she was trying to stay away and it couldâve gone worse.âMaybe.â her eyes never left his when his arm wrapped around her. Her own free hand grazing up his arm and resting on the back of his neck. Her fingers, gently brushing the ends of his hair.Â
At his question, her eyes shifted to the male that continued to watch. It was clear he was getting upset that she was now in the arms of someone else but he wasnât budging. âStill watching.â Her eyes flickered back to Leo for a moment. âI think this might make it believable. Sorry about this.â she murmured, as her eyes then fell to his lips and leans in to press hers against his.
-
Picking up chemistry with his unexpected co-star was such an simple feat. The longer she was in his arms, the more comfortable he was in the role. It also scratched his ego in the same way her fingers did at the nape of his neck. This was completely fine. He was doing such a good deed and a free drink to act? It was much more than any audition would give him nowadays.
They were putting on a good show for the audience of one, a scorn drunk man who couldnât take the hint. Or at least, Leo thought they were doing enough, but apparently intimate gazes and touches werenât doing it. Her apology had barely registered in his ears when he felt the soft caress of her lips upon his. He didnât flinch or hesistate, completely commiting to the scene. His eyes closed, and his face relaxed. Though in his head he was reeling over how his flesh was so easily manipulated to kiss another woman who neither had his name or his heart. His lips moved upon hers, being firm yet gentle, but closed. An on-screen kiss. His arms, however, completely wrapped around her warm waist. He held her closer to his body as the kiss lingered on.Â
Leo pulled away with the softest of sighs, his nose touching hers before completely pulling away. His eyes opened, and it was clear that he was in a bit of a shock. The whites in eyes widening around blown pupils as he looked back at his quote unquote love interest. He cleared his throat though his voice still came out raspy, still in shock, âOkay, now that better have worked.â He cleared his throat again. âOr else, Iâm gonna need more than one drink for second base.â He joked, hiding behind humor to get over the unique experience. He was completely sober in this intance and he began to really feel the guilt of his actions. His left hand dropping from her waist as his wedding band felt heavy around his finger.Â
YOU | 2.03 âWhat Are Friends For?â
renfarberâ:
âI donât know,â she said honestly. There was no why. There was no reason. Sheâd had nine years to think of it (and many nights therein during which she thought of nothing else), and a couple of therapists thrown in, and all sheâd learned was that sheâd been scared. Of love, of being loved, of failure, of success⊠sheâd just been terrified and overwhelmed by of all of it.Â
âWe were so young, Leo. And everyone was telling us that we couldnât possibly be as sure about each other as we said we were. But I was sure. Even looking back now, I donât see myself as some stupid kid who didnât know what love was. I knew what it was, because we had it. It was real, and that was scary. Iâve never seen love work out well for anyone, so I guess I just⊠fucked it up. I wish I hadnât.â
She winced slightly at his last words, as though physically struck by them, and was quiet for a moment. âI didnâtâŠÂ decide to hurt you, that was never what I wanted. I know that I did, though, and I havenât forgiven myself, so I canât expect you to forgive me either. But⊠even if you hate me, we need to try to get along, right?â
-
He was completely enthralled by hearing the story of them from her perspective. Again an insight he never expected to have. She spoke of their love like some tangible and strong element. He had felt the same way. He was so sure of their love because he had been raised without it. Nothing had ever felt so potent or as sweet as his first taste of love with Serenity. He tried. Leo actively tried to fall in love like that again. He looked for the little things that made up Ren in other people. Vihana was actually someone he hadnât expected. She was beautiful, kind, and took care of him. It was easy and simple because he never really was himself. Even now, she had no idea who he was.Â
He groaned with a roll of his eyes. It wasnât directed towards her. It was energy that he needed to push out. The whole situation they were in now compared to where they were years or even months ago was nothing like he had ever fantasized. He didnât have the right to be tired of the ride that dipped and derailed from his choices. But he was. There was never a break unless he had numbed himself with his vices. He brought his elbows up on the table, he held his hands together and proceeded to tap his forehead on them. âSerenity,â he said, his eyes closed as he rested on his hands. âI donât hate you. I canât ever hate you. I just hate what you did. But I canât exactly talk now, can I?â He questioned, lifting his head up to look at her once again. âI didnât exactly get into the situation I am in now by being a good guy.â He said with the glint of calmed chaos in his dark eyes. He didnât where his mood was going. The alcohol made his veins sting and his attention jump around. Though the weight of his problems just kept trying to follow behind him. He grabbed his glass again to get rid of it. âIâll play nice if you will.â He said swirling the remaining contents in his glass.
blakemaddenâ:
Blake looked at him with a confused if still fearful expression on her face, because he was obviously still angry. Sheâd seen what he was capable of - to some degree, and didnât feel like finding out anymore. Still the woman couldnât help but ask the first question that came to her mind. âAnd what would grabbing me have changed if it was your baby? Hmm? It wouldnât have changed anything.â âIt would kill my wifeâ those words were crystal clear evidence of what side of the fence he stood regardless of his cheating because at no point had he shown any concern for her or the baby. Before or after finding out the supposed paternity of it. If anything he had shown concern for himself ahead of anyone else, even if he claimed it was for his wife. Maybe it was a good thing that sheâd not told him earlier in her pregnancy because of her fear he would reject their child because heâd done that before heâd even known if he was the dad. âNo, I can imagine if she knew that would make things very difficult for you.â The woman muttered.
-
âIâm sorry, but If you hadnât kept your condition a secret then, I wouldnât have drawn to conclusions.â He said with his voice deepening with icy inflictions. He even pointed at his chest. Leo would always blame someone else for his faults. Especially, if his reactions werenât warranted. No, only when his actions were praised would he ever own up to himself. But he was truly scared. Being caught was his worst fear because he knew what it meant. Knew what he had to lose and he was happy just right where he was. He listened to her, her words forming a mirror in which he could see his selfishness. But that wasnât new to the Brooklyn orphan. âImagine what you want, Blake, but donât act like you didnât have a hand in it too.â His voice dropped and but his gaze on her face was impassioned. So many times he had used his body to please hers, and not a single protest or worry over his wife were made during those times.
PENN BADGLEY as Joe Goldberg YOU (2018 -) | 2.06 Farewell, My Bunny
Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg YOU | 1.05 Living With The Enemy