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

[if_inconvenient]

"That is a dangerous road to travel, I hope you realize."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

It's true. But Cal isn't in the mood. He rolls his eyes.

"It's a shitty job anyway," he says. "As long as her boss doesn't take it out on her, I don't care."

[if_inconvenient]

He shrugs, unwilling to pursue the point with Tina herself so close at hand.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

He'll think about it later. He has to save what energy (and calm) he's got left for Tina right now.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She comes back into the kitchen, trying to smile.

"Lie two taken care of."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal does smile, reaching up to give her hand a squeeze.

"We'll figure out something more longterm later," he says.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

A real smile is slightly easier for her.

"We'll figure out something. I'm glad I have friends helping me out."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Me too." He's glad to be able to help her, glad she has the help when she needs it.

(One thing about this year that hasn't sucked: Finding out what having real friends can do when everything is falling apart.)

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"So that database... it has good information? Are there a lot of, um, people like me?"

She is still a person, isn't she? Sort of?

[if_inconvenient]

"Yes, it does, and yes, there are." He smiles slightly. "And here is your dinner."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Oh my god, so good," she says, breathing in the delicious smells of the plate. Her stomach growls again and she digs in.

"It's delicious," she manages in between bites.

[if_inconvenient]

"Thank you. I do try."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal picks up his soda and sits back in his chair, giving Tina space to eat.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She has two helpings.

When she finally finishes, she pushes back her chair and sighs.

"I needed that."

What she doesn't need is that weird, twitchy feeling to return, but the afternoon is winding down. She's starting to feel restless.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal's can is empty now; he fiddles with it idly as he smiles at Tina.

"Better?"

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. A lot better."

She smiles back at him. It's easy to forget everything's changed.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal puts the can down, reaching up to run his fingers along the curve of Tina's cheek instead.

"Good."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She closes her eyes and leans into his touch.

They'll have to talk, she guesses, about how they can't-

But not tonight.

"I guess I have a little more time before it happens again. We could, I don't know. Maybe relax and watch a movie? Or something?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"That sounds good."

It sounds normal, which Tina obviously needs right now.

"Jarvis can tell us when it's time for you to get upstairs."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She thinks she'll know, but that's good. Jarvis will know for sure.

"Maybe something funny. Nothing serious."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal is nodding in agreement before she's done talking.

"Yeah," he says, "that sounds good. You can look through and see what looks good." He's pretty sure there are some comedies in the DVD collection here.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Why don't I-" She gestures to the living room.

"I might call my mom real quick, too, just so she knows I'm still okay."

She gets up slowly; her stomach is pleasantly full. She could almost nap again, but she'd rather stay awake and be with people who care about what's going on.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

Cal gets up too, reaching for her plate.

"You go ahead and do that, I'll, uh, help Sherlock clean up."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She is so going to let them do the cleaning up. Usually she'd help! But it's been a really bad day.

"Come find me in a few minutes, okay?" She slips out of the kitchen, trying to think what she can say to stall her mom a little longer.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Cal calls after her.

He puts the plate in the sink.

. . . that's about the extent of his cleaning up skills.