Title : The Results of His Labors
Author : peaceful_sands
Fandom : Leverage
Character : Eliot Spencer
Rating : PG-13
Word Count : 280 approx
Prompt : Leverage, Eliot, gardening
Disclaimer :All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.
The Results of His Labors
It's a large, open space, the air is clean and he's already well underway with his preparations. It's not like it was when he was younger, he doesn't get the chance to be outside as much. He's not going to get the chance to be at home on a ranch with horses for some time to come and so in the meantime this is what he makes do with.
He can trust the quality of the food, know exactly how good it is. He enjoys the physicality of it as well. It's productive, makes him feel better. This is a good expression of his energy, no one's being hurt, no one's being saved. He doesn't need to deal with emotion, they're just a bunch of plants. But he takes pride in his work nonetheless.
In the weeding, the feeding, the watering. He watches them grow, proud of each green shoot, each blossoming flower, each ripe fruit, perfect vegetable. He can lose himself in this simplicity, focus and let the stress of the world leave him for a time.
He can work for hours, good honest labor, digging and turning the ground for his next crop and feel proud of his achievement.
And at the end of it all, he can serve up his food as a meal for his friends, his team, his family. He can listen to the compliment the taste as flavors burst onto their paletes. He can smile as they think it's just because he knows how to cook well, and now that half the secret is in the ingredients.