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]

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.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

He supposes that should be obvious; the windows are impenetrable, and the doors are heavy even though they move easily on their hinges.

Still. He just needed to check.

"I know which room you can use," he suggests, a bit dryly.

[poeticterms]

"You can move out any of the furniture you would not like Miss McCoy to feel responsible for destroying," Jarvis suggests.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods. He hadn't thought of that, but it's definitely one more thing Tina doesn't need on her list of things to be upset about.

"That's a good idea."

[if_inconvenient]

"I'd be happy to." He looks at Cal. "Would you like to help?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Cal says immediately.

He gets up and takes his dish to the sink.

[if_inconvenient]

"Then let us go and move some furniture."