Chapter 162 Leopold Special (1) You...

Leopold was not gay.

Until tonight, Leopold Mitchell, a 22-year-old graduating senior from Bludhaven University, had been adamant that he was not gay.

First, he was religious; second, he had never thought about this issue; third, he could even swear that there was absolutely nothing between him and Elio!

Elliot Smith was his roommate—he was definitely not gay, to repeat, everything between them couldn't be more innocent—although Elliot was handsome and had a good figure (Leopold's note: this was just an objective evaluation), and had a gentle personality (no one would disagree), Leopold would not fall in love with him for such superficial things.

Leopold's first twenty-two years were a smooth journey. His father, Chairman Mitchell, had only him as his successor and had spared no effort in nurturing him to this day. It was certainly not to discover that his son suddenly became gay on the eve of graduation. He had been rotating through the company's grassroots ranks since high school and even interned in mid-level management during college. Leopold could see his bright future even if he closed his eyes:

He was about to enter the company's senior management, most likely taking the position of Vice President of Mitchell, and from there, under his father's hand-in-hand guidance, he would rise all the way to Chairman...

But when Leopold opened his eyes, he saw Elio.

Elio didn't like to talk. Rather than making noise and attracting attention, Elio preferred to quietly observe and think. When he encountered something he couldn't understand, he would frown, concentrating on it, his eyebrows forming a lovely peak where they met. When he was embarrassed, he would rub his nose, scratch his face, or casually ruffle his black hair, trying to make the unruly curls hide his expression, but he was always unsuccessful because Leopold was watching him so closely...

When he thought he was alone, Elio would reveal a cold expression. He would concentrate on a difficult problem, subconsciously playing with the objects at hand, like a cat playing with a ball of yarn on the table; he would observe everyone and everything, occasionally raising the corner of his mouth in a sarcastic sneer; the more annoyed he became, the calmer he became, and only those gem-like green eyes would light up with a faint, dangerous light.

Leopold was definitely not in love with him.

Leopold believed that he saw a promising future for Elio and had discovered all the qualities necessary for success in this orphan from Gotham. He believed that one day, Elio would never forget his friend who had strongly supported and helped him.

Favors are investments.

That's how Leopold had convinced himself until tonight. They bought some brightly colored drinks and base liquor, and Elio volunteered to mix the drinks, pushing out a bunch of strong drinks that he wouldn't dare drink alone when he was working at the bar. The result was, of course, that none of the four people in the dormitory could remain sober. Cas and Jerde both collapsed to the floor, mumbling something on the carpet. Leopold could only pray they didn't vomit there, because he also had a terrible headache and didn't have the energy to help them back to their room.

"Leo," Elio called to him, "Are you still awake?"

A shadow fell, as if Elio were checking on him. Leopold half-slumped over the armrest of the sofa, trying to say he was awake, but all that came out was a series of mumbles he couldn't even understand. Elio laughed from close to his face. "You sound like a mermaid blowing bubbles."

"Nonsense!" Leopold retorted weakly. "You're the one who..."

He vaguely saw Elio beside him. Leopold reached out, instinctively trying to grab Elio. Then, in a frantic grope, he grabbed Elio by the collar and pulled him closer. Leopold could only explain what happened next by saying he was drunk.

He saw Elio's face clearly. He saw Elio's wide green eyes, and his own reflection in them. They were so close, in fact, that Elio's forehead was touching his.

Leopold shuddered and finally came to his senses.

He saw Elio looking at him in shock, as if stunned by him. He saw his fingers clutching Elio's collar, the knuckles of his index and middle fingers still clasped inside Elio's clothes. He could hear the throbbing of Elio's collarbone—it felt warm and soft. Leopold subconsciously loosened his grip, but only loosened Elio's collar, and groped upwards...

Elio subconsciously raised his face, only to have his green eyes roll down and stare at Leopold motionlessly. Leopold held his neck with one hand, content to feel Elio's pulse beating warmly there.

Did they just kiss? Leopold couldn't help but wonder.

Is Elio awake? Leopold wondered again.

But no one moved, and no one spoke first. They just stared at each other, lost in thought, like two entwined Greek statues.

Elio's face was flushed, but that could have been from being drunk. He himself said he'd never drunk anything so strong. The alcohol was taking its toll again, leaving Leopold feeling dizzy. The Templar, reclining on the sofa, regarded the future Assassin with a hazy gaze, dazzled by Elio's swaying pupils and the way his lips seemed to part, as if about to kiss him.

"...Kiss me..." Leopold thought, half lost in thought, not even knowing if he had said it out loud. "Please..."

Kiss me, please, tonight!

Leopold opened his lips slightly. He looked as if he wanted to speak, or as if he wanted a kiss. But just then, they heard Jerde mutter something from the carpet, and then, "Brothers, what are you doing?"

Leopold's hands trembled and he immediately pushed Elio away.

It was a completely knee-jerk reaction, and he was drunk. If he were sober, he would have come up with a better way to deal with it, but he was drunk. As soon as Leopold pushed Elio away, he realized he shouldn't have done that, but he was drunk!

He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to pass out. A faint voice seemed to reach him, and Elio's voice came over. "Go to sleep. We're all drunk."

Leopold weakly raised an arm and covered his eyes. He quietly opened his eyes from underneath and didn't see Gerd standing up or anything. He thought he was still drunk and felt relieved. But he looked around carefully and didn't see Elio either. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air. His heart tightened again and he wanted to sit up.

But a hand suddenly pressed down on his shoulder, pushing Leopold down firmly, and he fell back on the sofa. Leopold's arm slid down, and he was shocked and powerless to find that Elio was standing at the other end of the sofa, with one hand behind his back, smiling down at him.

That smile!

Leopold's heart immediately started to ring with alarm, "Elio, I..."

He wanted to apologize, but Elio stopped him.

"You're really drunk, Leo," Elio said gently. "Just lie down and let me sober you up."

"etc……"

Then Elio pulled out an ice bucket from his back and poured it on Leopold's face. Leopold was so cold that he jumped up from the sofa and frantically slapped his hair and the ice and water that had gotten into his collar. He wanted to reprimand Elio, but he was too guilty to even look at him. He only heard Elio snort, pick up the bottle on the table, and go to his room.

"Wow," said Cass from the ground, "What the hell are you guys doing?"

"Go to sleep!" Leopold said angrily. He slapped the ice while trying to pull himself out of the pile of bottles on the ground, looking at Elio's back, "Elio, wait..."

Elio, who had already opened the bedroom door, turned around and smiled at him again. Leopold's neck shrank as he saw Elio raise his middle finger at him, then walked into the bedroom without saying anything and slammed the door.

Leopold's memories of that night ended here.

It was as if nothing had happened between Elio and him. The next day, everyone woke up complaining about terrible headaches. Elio even suspected that there was something wrong with his eyes. He saw double and needed to go to the hospital immediately. Leopold originally wanted to go with him, but Elio waved his hand indifferently, indicating that he could go alone.

It was as if he had completely forgotten what happened that night. As he frowned, obviously unable to see clearly, and groped around, Leopold immediately turned away from his roommate who was closer, rushed over to support Elio, and spoke in his ear.

But Elio didn't shy away, nor did he blush. His eyes seemed to sometimes see Leo, sometimes not see him, just as Leo sometimes felt that he loved him, and sometimes could not feel Elio's mood.

"It's okay, Leo," Elio told him nicely, "I can actually still see."

Leopold wanted to go with him. Of course, Leopold should go with him. Leopold should also find a chance to talk to him about what happened last night, should apologize to him; maybe this time they could start with a confession, then hold hands, go on a date, and carefully kiss each other with their eyes closed...

But things at the company interrupted Leopold's plan. Leopold had to let go of Elio with regret, thinking that maybe he could wait until Elio came back after seeing the doctor.

…

[From Leopold at 1:02 PM]: Is your case over? What did the doctor say?

[From Leopold at 13:03 PM]: (Type in progress...)

Maybe he should have been more forthright. That way Elio wouldn't have to pretend it hadn't happened. But Leopold held his phone distractedly, staring at the unread screen for a moment until the screen automatically turned off, and then he let out a long sigh.

Maybe he should have been more cautious. Maybe Elio thought they were still just "friends." Maybe they really hadn't kissed last night. Maybe... this was what Elio wanted. Maybe he wasn't gay.

Leopold closed his eyes for a moment. Then he began typing rapidly.

[From Leopold at 1:05 PM]: I'm sorry I couldn't go with you, my friend. But you know, something unexpected happened at my father's company, and he called me over. Are you okay? I'm done here. I'm on my way back.

But Elio's profile picture was off. He never responded to Leopold's message again.

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Author's Note: Leopold never knew if he kissed W that night because he was drunk. Oreo drank heavily, got drunk, turned off his phone, and then completely forgot about it.

Then in Oreo's memory: We are good friends

Bobo: Did we kiss?

As for Oreo not replying to Bobo’s message, it was because his phone kept breaking down… and he kept changing his phone number…