Work Text:
A kid appeared a few days ago. A kid who introduced himself as Elliot. He was 15, just a kid. He said he had been closing up his family restaurant when something happened. He woke up in this strange place, and he'd been so horrified to find out that meant he was dead. He'd sobbed so loudly, it reminded of Leo of his darling daughter whom he left behind with his even dearest wife. He hoped to see Daisy and Charlotte again some day by some miracle of life. Elliot was a skittish kid, although he was very cheerful, the look in his eyes.. It was a look that could only tell of trauma no child should have to bare.
What trauma exactly? Well, that wasn't for Leo to know. If the kid chose to share that story, that was on him. Leo can't force him to say anything. Leo didn't pry either, Elliot was just a kid after all. His story was still being told, or well, was told. By being in the realm, it meant he was dead. That meant his story was over with if it were true. Everyone was dead, everyone but Chance and Matt Dusekkar. By some miracle those two are living.
Elliot was just a kid. A very fucked up kid. Leo saw how his smile faltered sometimes. The way he hugged himself when he thought he was by himself. He'd heard him cry and sob for his dad and little sister when the killers got a hold of him. It hurt to see someone so young facing such a thing, to cry tears that he didn't want others to see. Leo did everything he could to make Elliot feel safe around him, to know that he'd never hurt Elliot in any way. Elliot always smiled and nodded, but he was telling a lie surely. Leo couldn't force trust, that'd just make the kid self destruct even more. Leo just did everything he could to make Elliot feel safe. Maybe he'd made him feel too safe..
The rounds were brutal. They were stressful and blood boiling. Leo, known as Guest 1337 when he was in the military, was affected the worst. The combat, it reminded him of his time in the war. Sometimes, depending on the killer, he'd have flashbacks. Flashbacks so intense that Leo would not be able to handle the next few rounds. He felt useless. He hated feeling useless, but what more could he do besides huddle the corner of the lobby and panic. It's all he could handle to do in the moment. He had people to protect though. What a shame.
Leo was huddled in a corner of the lobby, hands clutching at his hair. His chest felt tight, his breathing harsh and quick. He felt like such a failure. His teammates needed him, and here he was. Cowering in the corner like a scared child. He wanted to help, but what help could Leo be when he was having a panic attack. He wished he wasn't like this. He could hear the timer ticking down, and then spiking when someone died. He saw the red uniform, and he had to look away. Red was one of those colors he struggled with when he was like that. He remembered seeing the blood of his fellow soldiers on his own hands. He remembered holding the hands of comrades as they died. Red was a color he just couldn't handle.
Elliot looked at him, he could feel those soft blue eyes staring. Elliot took gentle steps towards Leo, kneeling down in front of him. "Leo? Are you.. do you..." His words were soft, trailing off his words because he just didn't know what to do. When someone was suffering in Elliot's eyes, he'd help. Whether a customer or his own father. His dad liked when he helped him feel better. Maybe Elliot should do that. Then Leo would feel better!
Elliot scooted closer to Leo, a look of conflict and confidence on his face. Lithe hands reached forward between Leo's legs, and tugged at his belt. Leo reacted immediately. He slapped Elliot's hands away. "What are you doing?!" Leo raised his voice, eyes wide and brown furrowed.
Elliot flinched back, a sound of surprise leaving him as he pulled his hands back to himself. "I... I- I was... I just wanted to help." His voice was so small. He was trying to help, why was Leo mad at him? His dad was never loud and angry with him when he did this. Did Leo not want his help? Why wouldn't he? He was always asking Elliot for pizza within rounds when he was hurt, so why wouldn't he let him help this way?
"Helping? By what? Assaulting me?" Leo's tone was harsh, harsher than Elliot had ever heard. He could see the tears forming in Elliot's eyes. Was he being too hard? This was a kid after all, not even 17. Why was he doing this? No kid should see someone in distress and immediately assume trying to do sexual things would fix the situation.
"No! I- I just- M-my dad, he-" Elliot's words were beginning to blend together as he babbled, trying so hard not to cry. God, what was wrong with him. Why couldn't he be good? Why couldn't he be the strong son that his dad wanted. He'd be better as a daughter. That's what his dad always said. That all he could be was a cute daughter who did everything she was told. "My dad always liked when I did this when he was upset. I- I just thought it'd help you t-to, si- since you remind me of my dad."
Leo felt revulsion rise in his very core. Elliot's father liked this sort of thing? That explained so much. While Elliot tried to distance himself from Leo, he always found the kid right by his side through everything. Leo reminded the kid of his dad, and that was disgusting in this context. If his father was OK with Elliot doing sexual acts upon him, then Elliot was better off being dead than with that man. It was a morbid thought, but it was true. Abuse was no joke, Leo knew that.
"Your dad? Kid, was he.. doing things to you? Elliot, that's not good." Leo said, his voice softening as he placed his hands on Elliot's shoulders. "Kid, I'm not mad at you. I just... You can't do these things. Not with me, not with your dad, not with anyone. Especially not without an explicit 'yes' from them."
Elliot couldn't stop the tears as he leaned forward, pressing his head against Leo's chest. "I'm sorry. I'm s-sorry." He said over and over again as Leo pulled him into a hug. He never thought his dad was a bad person. Sure, sometimes he'd wondered when his dad had forced him under his desk for the entire work day. But his dad was, well, his dad! He'd never think his dad was hurting him.
"It's OK, kid. I've got you. I'll..." Leo thought for a few moments. This kid had just tried something on him, and yet he took the kid so welcomingly into his arms. Leo really just couldn't ignore someone in need, "I'll help you." He pulled Elliot back for a moment, lifting his dog tags off his neck. "Here, take these."
Elliot took the dog tags into his hands, staring at them through weary eyes. He looked from the tags to Leo and then back to the tags. Leo tapped one of them, "When you need a moment, or are stressing, squeeze 'em. I know it sounds stupid, but I used to do it before every battle my troop faced, and it gave me the comfort I needed to win."
It was definitely a him sort of thing, but he had to give the kid something to find comfort that wasn't endangering himself. He had to protect this kid. He just had to. Knowing that someone close to Elliot had hurt him so much, for who knows how long, boiled Leo's blood. He took the dog tags from Elliot's hands, place the chain over his head and gently onto his neck. Elliot sniffled, swallowing hard as Leo pulled Elliot into a tight hug. A sort of hug Elliot hadn't had in years. Elliot clung to Leo as he cried.
"Shhh, shhhh.. I've got you. I'll protect you."