Hey everyone! Very excited to get a new Fanfic started. After almost a decade of translating instead of writing, I'm taking a stab at a new story.
I immediately fell in love with Patrick, because lets all admit it, he's the perfect boyfriend. During the show I absolutely adore the David and Patrick dynamic, but I'm looking to do something a little different here. What if Patrick didn't always have to be the strong one? What if he found stability somewhere else in Schitt's Creek, and how would that change him?
This is a Patrick x OC fic - with someone built around challenging, embracing and supporting Patrick as he goes through this REALLY HUGE change in his life. I know, I know we aren't fans of OCs but I ask for you to give them, and particularly Leo a chance. I'm playing the long game here, so expect a lot of fluff and love but in bite sized bits as Patrick and Leo get to know one another :) Point of View will be shifting between Patrick & Leo depending on what's going on. I've watched things grow between Leo and Patrick over multiple chapters, have really fallen in love with them and I hope you do too :)
Comments and critique are always encouraged. I'm ahead by about 6 chapters so hoping to update consistently on a weekly basis until its finished.
Leo sat quietly at his grandmother's large country dining table, the morning sun gently creeping into the kitchen as if it was a reminder akin to" get up and get a move on." as his grandmother so lovingly used to put it. He always knew this day would come, but it wasn't until this moment did he realize how blissfully unprepared he was. By sheer force of will he made it through Grandma's funeral mostly unscathed. It was draining in more way than one; not only was Leo organizing the event as the only family member present, but he was greeted by dozens of people from his past that he had not seen for years. As at least several other people mentioned to him during the wake, it would have been so nice to reconnect if under other circumstances.
Leo had only been back to Schitts Creek once in the last decade, instead preferring to fly his grandmother to New York City. He knew she enjoyed the dazzle of it all and welcomed a change of pace from life in Schitt's Creek. Leo had spent most of his high school years living here with his grandmother and genuinely enjoyed the experience of living in a small town. It was filled with hard working and genuinely kind people unlike anywhere he had lived before - and definitely nothing like New York City or Montreal. Yet here he was, surrounded by Grandma Maxine's belongings and a huge laundry list of things to do.
First on this list, Get up and Get a move on.
Leo got up and checked all the cupboards for any remnants of coffee present - he knew this was an effort in futility as Maxine had not had coffee for at least four years. Doctor's orders. In a similar form of desperation, searched 'Starbucks' in his map app. There was a Starbucks in Elmdale, about an hour away. Leo really did consider the thought of driving all the way to Elmdale, but ultimately acquiesced. Leo quickly got dressed, resorting to a simple black v neck T-shirt and jeans. He took a longer look in the mirror than normal...Leo turned 30 this year, and he feared it was beginning to show. His olive complexion seemed slightly paler than usual, small bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and 5:00 shadow began to grow into more of a stubble. He examined his curly brown hair for any traces of grey in a moment of insecurity but quickly moved on. In NYC, land of models the rich and famous Leo never felt comfortable with his appearance, but here in Schitt's Creek he was a solid 7. That would do for a coffee at Cafe Tropical.
It was a short drive before he parked and entered the diner. The sound of clinking silverware and plates with quiet chatter overtook Leo as he examined the interior. Black and white tiled floors, these odd yellow booth seats complete with a tropical mural against one wall. He couldn't help but smile for a brief moment; Leo spent many mornings, days and evenings here growing up. He remembered when his friends would come order a single drink to just sit for hours and chitchat, much to the chagrin of the owners. Leo was unceremoniously interrupted from his reminiscing as her heard a familiar voice "Leo?"
He looked in the direction of a beautiful young woman, shoulder length brown hair and freckles standing behind the bar and smiled. "Hey Twyla." Said Leo
She smiled and walked from behind the bar to bring Leo into a gentle embrace which he took without hesitation. Twyla and Leo had known each other growing up, and while maybe not close friends, had always been friendly. While they were still hugging she said to him "I'm so sorry for your loss Leo. Maxine meant so much to all of us..."
Leo took a brief step back and smiled, as he had gotten very accustomed to doing. "Thanks Twy, I really appreciate it" Leo said, hoping the topic would change soon.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to the service..." Twyla gestured toward the restaurant "I couldn't find anyone to take my shift since everyone went. I thought about closing you know, but in case everyone wanted to come here afterward it just seemed." Twyla added hurriedly.
"Really its not a problem. She would have understood." Leo said has he took a seat in one of the stools at the bar as Twyla followed suit. "My grandma told me you run the place now. That's awesome."
"Oh yea, thanks. It's a lot of work but its been busy, I can barely keep up on mornings like this!" Twyla added, as Leo looked around to see only three tables taken and a gentleman one seat away at the bar. "Can I get you anything by the way?"
"Just a black coffee for now."
"Sure I'll get to you in just a couple minutes. Brewing up a fresh cup now." Twyla affirmed and then quickly went to wait on the other tables.
Leo took this opportunity to pull out his phone and began reading through emails. He put everything on hold when he heard about his grandmother's condition without a second of hesitation. Leo owned and operated one of the most successful Floral Design companies in NYC; it catered to a rich, famous and exceptionally particular clientele. It was his firm's job to make dreams come true...and he was very good at it. To the shock of his partners, Leo announced a temporary sabbatical to return to Schitt's Creek. He was still involved in the creative consultation and overall direction of the firm, but assigned a creative director to own the more day-to-day operations. It was a terrifying prospect, but Leo couldn't help but feel a sense of relief after the deed had been done.
Twyla eventually returned and filled his cup. They exchanged some more pleasantries; she had questions about his life in New York while Leo asked about some of their mutual acquaintances over the years. Amidst discussing life in New York, she revealed some new residents recently arrived from NYC. They were apparently 'a really big deal,' which he quickly dismissed. Just about anyone coming from NYC, or any city for that matter would be considered a 'really big deal' here in Schitt's Creek. Twyla sensed his disinterest in the topic and went back to general upkeep across the restaurant.
sat quietly and looked down at his coffee, steam slowly evaporating into the air. He prepared himself for the worst, despite everyone swearing by diner coffee it had just never been his thing. Bottom's up. Bitter, smokey and dark but not too intense. Maybe it was the sleep deprivation or caffein withdrawal, but it was a damn good cup of coffee. He could feel a smile creeping up on his face as he took it all in, and for the first time in a week felt truly at peace.
"That good, huh?" Leo heard from a masculine voice to his right, causing him to quickly look in that direction. He looked up to find a handsome man, around 5'8 light brown hair with warm brown eyes. He was wearing a button up T-Shirt and khaki's and looking in Leo's direction with a small grin.
Leo flashed him before brashly asking "What?"
A bit taken aback, the man said "Oh, just saw you smiling after the coffee. Hit the spot?"
"Oh." Leo hesitated - quickly forgetting where he was and suddenly feeling apologetic. Attempting an olive branch Leo made sure Twyla was out of earshot before saying "It did, but...Be honest, is it that good or was I just a little desperate?"
The man smirked and responded in an equally hushed tone "Probably a bit of both and then shifted in his seat slightly with a somber change of expression. "Hey...I don't mean to eavesdrop, but I just wanted to say I knew Maxine pretty well. I'm really sorry for your loss…she was a great woman"
That took Leo by surprise, but quickly and graciously thanked him. Leo looked toward the gentleman and asked how he knew Maxine, expecting the most common answer. His grandmother owned and operated the Schitt's Creek general store. In a city with just one general store and the nearest Real Canadian Superstore an hour's drive in Elmdale, most people knew Maxine. She ran that the store on her own for the last 30 years, frequently manning the store from open to close.
"Oh I used to help her out with the store sometimes. Stuff like her taxes and the licenses needed."
His grandmother would talk about this gentleman often who would help her with the shop. Leo had offered multiple times to help hire an accountant or general support to help run her business but she always declined. She used to take care of all that by herself, but over the last two years there was a 'nice young gentleman' who helped her out with all of this. "She would talk about you a lot. I'm sorry though, what's your name? I'm Leo."
"Patrick. I've heard a lot about you. Nice to meet ya." and extended his hand with a warm smile.
Leo took Patrick's hand and shook - it was gentle - and unexpected from a straight white man hailing from a small town, but it was a welcome surprise.
"So when are you heading back to New York?" Leo asked casually as took one of the final bites out of his omelet. Leo paused and gave him an apprehensive look following the question and Patrick clearly clocked his expression "I told you, lots of stories."
Leo laughed "Sorry you had to sit through all that." Even as he said it, Leo could hear the sadness in his voice. He knew his grandma was a chatterbox, but what he wouldn't give to hear another one of her stories. It felt unfair to criticize her. "I'm not sure. There's a ton of stuff to do with the store, and honestly, I'm not really in a rush to go back"
"Really? Didn't expect that. Most people want to just get out of here"
"It's easy to take for granted some of the things here. New York isn't all its cracked up to be. If you had commented about my coffee like that to a New Yorker, "Fuck you" would be probably be the most likely response you'd get."
Patrick laughed and nodded softly "Not really my speed. Was work cool with you heading here for a while? Maxine would always say how busy you were with work."
Although Patrick didn't intend to insult, Leo knew that "too busy with work" was most certainly code for "doesn't call enough." Despite his best efforts, he knew he could have been a better grandson; he was generous with his money but could have been more so with his time. It was clear their weekly calls were not quite enough for her.
"Well, I own the company so they have to be I guess. People weren't thrilled but they'll get over it." Leo said definitively.
"What do you again, event planning?"
"Close. I run a Floral Design company."
"Ah that's right." as Patrick gave Leo a one-over "Huh."
Leo raised one eyebrow and looked toward Patrick. People tended to make wild judgements when they heard of his line of work, and Leo's expression was abundantly clear: Tread Carefully.
Patrick raised both his hands "You just look a little...punk rock? For flowers"
That wasn't the response Leo had expected, he felt oddly flattered, but knew with certainty that he did not look punk rock. Maybe it was the leather bomber he thought to himself, or the fact that hew as wearing something other than plaid. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment."
Patrick nodded and smiled "You should."
The two of them continued to discuss small talk over the next ten minutes as Leo finished his coffee and Patrick worked over the omelet – although the content of their conversation was harmless they were connecting in an unexpected way. Leo noticed the amount of eye contact was peculiar – but it excited him.
Leo gestured toward an empty stool that sat between the two men "Do you mind if I move over? Better than yelling across the room."
Patrick looked toward his empty plate then checked his watch "Oh man, I would but I really need to get to work-"
"Oh. Totally. I get it. Well it was nice meeting you" Leo said, flushed and sat back down suddenly into his seat. He felt a bitter sting or rejection and immediately began to overanalyze the entire dialogue. His request was innocent enough. Sure. He was absurdly single and yes, Patrick was handsome, but Leo had long accepted Schitt's Creek would be the last place he got any action. Did Patrick think Leo was coming onto him?
Patrick nodded warmly, taking a card out of his wallet and sliding it across the bar to Leo. "It was nice meeting you too. If you need help with the store or something, let me know. You might be a bit over your head with everything at the store, working on Maxine's taxes was...and experience."
Leo lifted his head back and muttered to no one but himself "Fuuuuuck."
Patrick laughed "Hope to see you around Leo." Patrick said, before finalizing his bill with Twyla and leaving the cafe.
Leo nodded and watched Patrick leave, assessing intently before coming to a certain judgement. Definitely straight he thought to himself with a deep sigh. Leo cupped the coffee that had began to grow lukewarm in his hands and cracked a small smirk. The brief conversation lifted his mood in an unexpected way and Leo found himself thinking more about Patrick as emotions began to crack at his hardened exterior.
"Hmm.." Leo said with a smile.
"You seem to be in a good mood Leo" Twyla remarked from behind the bar.
Leo nodded, still wearing a small smile "Just a good start to the day."