Completely dazzled Knight stiffened at first, but after a second, returned the embrace. “Same to you, Leo.”
Leo leaned back. “Honestly...” Then he shook his head. “Man, and here I was wondering if I had to celebrate alone tonight.”
“Celebrate?”
“Yeah, everything’s worked out and...” Leo faltered and his eyes clouded over for a second. “You know what? Why don’t we have a drink and I tell you? Or do you already have... uhm... plans for the night?”
“What?” Everything seemed to happen a little too fast. “Oh. Oh, no. No, I didn’t have any plans.”
“Good.” Leo rubbed his hands and took Knight’s arm, dragging him along while he leaned a little closer to whisper into his hear. “See, no one will suspect anything when two cousins enter the Gomorrah together. They’ll think we’re in for some drinks and girls.”
Knight blinked. “We’re not?”

Leo laughed, his hearty, good natured laugh that Knight had been thinking about a lot during those last lonely weeks. It felt incredibly good to hear it again. “The drinks, yes. The girls...” He shrugged. “Well. I guess we can find something to... entertain ourselves.” Then he cast a look at Knight from the corner of his eye and winked, and Knight in turn felt his knees turn into jelly and his heart beat pick up speed, as if he was a boy on his first date.

“Man, I was so hoping you’d be on leave here one day”, Leo chattered brightly on as they headed for the large doors of the Gomorrah. “I’ve been keeping my eyes out everywhere for you...”
“Hey”, Knight interrupted him. “Why didn’t you show up in the Outpost anymore if you missed me that much?” It was out before he had a chance to check on his words and suddenly, Knight had the unpleasant feeling that he blushed.
Leo in turn just laughed. “I would’ve, you know. But Jesus, I had so much stuff that needed doing and the Outpost... you know, it isn’t exactly round the corner.” He gave Knight an apologetic look and a shrug. “I was planning to, you know. I was there, as I’m sure you’ve heard. But one thing or another always happened, and...”
“Yeah, yeah. All right”, Knight said and patted Leo’s shoulder. “No need to get all apologetic on me.”
Leo smiled shyly. “Thanks. See... I really...”
“Hey Knight!” One of the soldiers loitering in front of the Gomorrah waved his bottle at them. “See you found your stray cousin!”
“It’s rather he found me!”, Knight yelled back.
“So it’s a family’s night out, ey?”
“The Knights’ night!”, another one jeered, much to the audible amusement of the men around him.
“Hey cousin”, the first one now addressed Leo. “See that he gets some hair down in there. That one is so closed up I swear he’s got a coin slit for an asshole!”
His comrades howled in drunken glee.

With his grin plastered firmly onto his face Leo dragged Knight through the doors and kicked them shut behind them. “What a load of assholes.”
Knight cleared his throat. “They are like that when they’re drunk.”
“I know”, Leo said, his good humour returning to his voice. With a wink, he adjusted his bow tie and hooked his arm through Knight’s. “Come on, let’s find a drink for ourselves.”

They settled down at a table in a corner of the Brimstone bar and Leo insisted on buying the drinks. He came back to their table with two ice-cold beers, the condensation already trickling down the glass in appealing little droplets.
“That hits the spot after walking here from the Outpost”, Knight said with a happy sigh after he had drained half the bottle in a single draught.
“Hell yeah.” Leo grinned. “I know.”
They drank in silence for a while, listening to the whistles of the men around them as one of the hookers started a strip dance on the stage. When Knight put his empty bottle down Leo knocked his own back to empty it and put it beside his, then straightened his jacket and adjusted his bow tie. “So. I fancy trying out my luck tonight.” Leo stood up and made an inviting gesture. “Care to join me?”
Knight got up as well. “What’s the use of being on the Strip without losing a little money?”
They shared a grin and made their way towards the casino, where Leo surprised Knight yet again when he returned from the cashier with a ridiculously large pile of chips and handed him half of it.