Sunnydale AU: at the corner of your eye

[americas_son]

The problem with Grahame being in LA and Mother spending most of her time in Sacramento is that, for all intents and purposes, the Chandler household has been whittled down from three (from four) to one. That makes less work to go around, and it's getting harder and harder to justify keeping on all the staff. Cal is combing intently through records and other paperwork, trying to find a balance between what's best for the Chandler finances and what will cause the least amount of difficulty for those who depend on the Chandlers for their wages.

Comments

[if_inconvenient]

"It did the same to him—tried on both his parents, in fact, after the Obadiah tactic failed. I think it is limited to stealing the faces of the dead."

He sighs.

"I'm sorry, Cal."

It is very obvious to him just how awful that would have been.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"It didn't even register on the wards," he says, glossing over Sherlock's last few words for the moment. "Peter had no idea anything had happened until I went to talk to him. He wants to put a camera in my room, just in case."

[if_inconvenient]

"Jarvis is making inquiries as we speak to find out what sort of creature it could be. No luck thus far."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal sighs and leans back in his chair to stare up at the ceiling.

"Is Tony okay?"

[if_inconvenient]

"More or less."

By turns murderously angry and close to tears, but not permanently injured in either a physical or an emotional sense.

"Are you?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Cal says.

Then,

"Not really."

The . . . conversation with Peter had helped take his mind off it, but with that distraction gone - maybe he's not okay.

[if_inconvenient]

"Should I visit?"

He could. It wouldn't be much trouble. The hell with going to school tomorrow anyway. And after all, it would be faster than flying to Boston, which he seriously considered when Tony was at his worst.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah."

It would be good for both of them, although Cal does immediately feel a little guilty at the thought of Tony out in Boston alone.

"I should call Tina, too. Warn her something's up."

[if_inconvenient]

"I'll drop by tomorrow afternoon, then."

Perhaps he'll even go to class first. Anything could happen.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"No, it's okay. It'll just be a phone call."

She'll want to come over, he's sure, but this is - it's Sherlock stuff. Not Tina stuff.

[if_inconvenient]

"This evening it is, then."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods, saying,

"See you."

He hangs up, then calls Tina.

[if_inconvenient]

About two and a half hours later, Sherlock rings the doorbell.

There's a first time for everything.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

It's late enough that Cal answers the door himself after a confirmation from Peter that it's Sherlock.

"Hi," he says, standing aside so Sherlock can come in.

[if_inconvenient]

He steps inside.

"I almost broke in out of habit," he confesses, smiling wryly.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I was kinda waiting for you to come in through the window or something," Cal says.

He's not actually kidding.

[if_inconvenient]

"It did eventually occur to me that there was a simpler method."

Some people think of the front door first. Sherlock just isn't like that.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal smiles, more affectionate than he realizes.

"Of course it did. You want any tea or anything?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Tea would be lovely, thank you."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Cal says. "Kitchen's ours this time of night."

He turns and leads Sherlock there, where he fills the kettle and puts it on to boil.

[if_inconvenient]

If it were his kitchen, he'd sit on the counter. He tucks his hands into the pockets of his jeans and leans against the wall instead.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal gets out a mug and a box of tea. (It happens to be the blend Sherlock favors, much like the soda in the Stark kitchen since Tony left happens to be Cal's favorite.)

"- so how you been?" he asks dryly.

[if_inconvenient]

"Oh, I've never had a duller evening," he returns, just as dryly.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Oh, yeah," Cal says. "Nothing going on here, either."

Then he glances over his shoulder, because there are some things you just shouldn't say in Sunnydale.

[if_inconvenient]

"Honestly," Sherlock admits, "I would much rather be attacked by a demon. Demons are straightforward."

Intangible entities preying on the grief and trauma of his loved ones? Not so much.