Leo Stark’s Love Life Implodes in Days on Days of Our Lives

JAVI JUST LEFT TOWN AND DIMITRI IS ALREADY CIRCLING LEO STARK LIKE A WELL-DRESSED VULTURE

TL;DR: Leo Stark watches Javi leave Salem for his father’s surgery while Dimitri lurks in the background on Days of Our Lives. Instead of telling his ex to back off, Leo is “confused” about his feelings. Someone get this man a therapist and a backbone.

The Almost-Wedding That Fell Apart

Let’s recap how spectacularly Leo Stark’s love life has imploded in the span of approximately one week.

Leo had just walked away from saying his vows with Javi Hernandez on New Year’s Eve when his supposedly gone forever ex-boyfriend Dimitri von Leuschner waltzed back into Salem. And into the reception. Not only did Dimitri crash the reception, ruin the wedding night – as the newlyweds each went their separate ways – he doubled down by proceeded to KISS Leo a couple days later, even though the man had just married someone else. Boundaries, Dimitri?

And what did Leo do? Did he tell Dimitri to take his fabulous cheekbones back to Alamania? Did he immediately reassure Javi, who is one filed paper away from being his lawfully-wedding husband, that their relationship was solid? He did not. Instead, Leo became “confused” and relied on the help of two dear friends – “Chadwick” DiMera and Jose Cuervo – to soothe his ravaged soul.

Javi watched it all transpire, or heard about it, thanks to Dimitri, who gleefully told Javi he’d kissed Leo, who responded “passionately”. We think it was more shell-shocked and frozen, but Javi wasn’t there, and when Leo found out Dimitri had spilled the beans, he didn’t exactly reassure his beloved. So Javi decided the court papers should remain in Marlena Evans’ desk drawer. Then fate intervened further. Javi’s father needed quadruple bypass surgery. His son had to rush to his side. As Javi got on the plane, he said goodbye to Leo, perhaps for good.

Think Leo should chase Javi to Texas or stay in Salem with Dimitri? Write to our editor at amber@soapoperamagazine.com with your hot takes!

Dimitri Is Playing the Long Game

Here’s what makes this situation even messier. Dimitri didn’t just randomly show up in Salem because he missed the four seasons. Gwen brought him back, allegedly as part of some revenge scheme, but Dimitri has his own agenda.

That agenda appears to be getting Leo back by any means.

According to Days of Our Lives spoilers, Dimitri will continue pursuing Leo aggressively in the coming weeks. With Javi miles away, Dimitri has a clear runway to work his magic.

The worst part? Leo Stark seems genuinely torn. He’s not shutting Dimitri down. He’s not blocking his number. He’s not establishing any boundaries. Instead, Leo is wandering around Salem trying to “get Dimitri off his mind” even as Dimitri continues conveniently showing up.

Yo, Leo! You can’t get someone off your mind while they’re standing directly in front of you making romantic overtures.

Javi Basically Pushed Leo Back Into Dimitri’s Arms

Let’s talk about Javi’s role in this disaster.

Instead of fighting for his relationship, Javi essentially handed Leo to Dimitri on a silver platter. He told Leo to “figure out” his feelings for his ex and returned his wedding ring. And then he LEFT TOWN knowing Dimitri would be circling like a shark who smells blood.

The really wild part is that Javi is being RECAST. Actor Al Calderon has left the show, which means when Javi eventually returns from Texas, he’ll be played by someone completely different. Behold the gift of Texas sunshine.

Leo Needs an Intervention

At this point, someone in Salem needs to sit Leo down and have a serious conversation about his romantic choices. Marlena is RIGHT THERE. She has helped countless Salemites work through their relationship issues.

Leo Stark has a pattern of falling for complicated men who bring more drama to his life. Dimitri literally disappeared and let Leo believe their relationship was over. He sent a breakup letter that may or may not have actually been written by Gwen. And now he’s back acting like nothing happened.

Meanwhile, Javi offered stability and genuine affection, and Leo’s response to that was to stand frozen when his ex kissed him.

This is not confusion. This is self-sabotage with excellent fashion sense.

The Fallout Is Just Beginning

Greg Rikaart told Soaps.com that Leo is going through “a whole lot of confusion” right now, which feels like an understatement of epic proportions.

Gwen and Dimitri are both seeking revenge, and there will be “fallout and collateral damage.” Leo is positioned to BE that collateral damage if he doesn’t get his act together.

Javi deserved better than being left by a man who couldn’t commit. And Leo deserves better than pining over an ex who abandoned him. Until someone forces Leo to actually make a choice, this triangle is going to keep spinning in increasingly messy circles. Geometry gone wrong! Let’s just hope he doesn’t start sleeping with Jose Cuervo.

Who should Leo choose: Javi or Dimitri? Drop your verdict in the comments!

WATCH THIS: My heart is breaking for Leo

@soapoperamag Leo is very literally breaking my heart… Will they ever let Leo find true love and keep it? Does he not deserve happiness? DO WE NOT DESERVE NICE THINGS? #DAYS ♬ original sound – Soap Opera Magazine