Sunnydale AU: careful of the curse

[americas_son]

Tina is finally asleep. Richard has been and gone, leaving a mild sedative so she can sleep between transformations. Cal closes the guestroom door quietly behind him, trying to think through his own physical and emotional exhaustion (and low blood sugar, and nicotine withdrawal) to decide exactly where Sherlock will be.

Comments

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I skipped breakfast."

This is the first time all day he's even thought about food.

[if_inconvenient]

"I can see that, now you mention it. Shall I produce dinner?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal smiles faintly.

"That'd be great."

[if_inconvenient]

"In that case, I will."

He extinguishes his half-finished cigarette on the ground and steps back inside.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal finishes his own cigarette, staring up at the sky.

When he's done, he puts it out and goes back inside, stopping by the bathroom before he heads into the kitchen.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock is cooking, as promised. Pasta.

"Have a seat," he invites without turning away from the stove.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal grabs a soda from the fridge first. Caffeine. Might as well have some before he starts feeling the effects of that withdrawal, too.

He takes a seat at the table, cracking the can open.

"Thanks."

[if_inconvenient]

"It's no trouble."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal smiles a little against the rim of the can.

"Still."

(The fact that Sherlock doesn't consider it any trouble is kind of the point.)

[if_inconvenient]

He glances up and quirks an eyebrow.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Whatever," Cal says, because if he digs any deeper right now he's going to lose it and he'd rather save that until after lunch, "I think we've established how great you are."

[if_inconvenient]

"Of course we have."

But he grins, pleased.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal smiles again, and takes a swallow of soda.

A few seconds after it hits his stomach, he realizes just how hungry he is.

[if_inconvenient]

"Ah. Rediscovered the digestive system, have we?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"It wasn't really what I was thinking about before," Cal says.

[if_inconvenient]

"I have some experience neglecting mine. I am aware of the cycle."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah."

Cal drinks his soda, watching Sherlock cook.

[if_inconvenient]

"And there we are."

He turns off the stove, drains the pot into the sink, and fetches a plate.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal eats quickly, his attention focused on the plate in front him. He should go slower - eating so fast when he's this hungry makes him a little sick - but he still feels a lot better when he's done.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock does not caution him about going too fast.

"Better?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal sits back with a sigh.

"Yeah."

That's that taken care of. The only other thing left to do, physically, is sleep, and he's not - he doesn't think he could do that right now.

[if_inconvenient]

He takes a seat at the table.

"Good. Jarvis, how is Tony doing?"

[poeticterms]

"Scribbling on whiteboards and muttering about structural integrity," he reports. "He says he ought to have an acceptable temporary housing by tomorrow if necessary and something more permanent by next month. For now, I am afraid we will have to sacrifice a guest room."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal takes a slow breath, forcing his thoughts to the matter at hand.

"Will that be strong enough?"

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes, of course," he says absently.