[oopfsb / darkest timeline] Curtis

[stilljustandrew]

It's not that he hasn't been eating. It's that he hasn't been able to muster the energy to do much more than unwrap a granola bar or a stick of beef jerky or open a packet of chips, once or twice a day. And even at that rate, he's run out.

He made himself take a shower yesterday, which means his clothes have only been slept in once, so he can probably make it through the bar without attracting too much attention. There's a baseball cap to hide his bedhead, and obscure his face a little. If he's lucky, maybe he won't run into anyone he knows.

Down the stairs, one step at a time, and towards Bar.

Comments

[2goodarms]

Soon after, Curtis emerges with a water glass in hand.

"Here," he murmurs as he holds it out to Andrew.

[stilljustandrew]

"Thanks," he says, taking it.

It isn't until the first sip soothes his throat that he realizes how tight and painful it's been.

[2goodarms]

"Welcome."

He stuffs his hand into the pocket of his jacket, leaning against the wall.

[stilljustandrew]

He drinks about two-thirds of the glass in one series of swallows, stopping only to breathe.

... possibly he hasn't been drinking enough, over the past however many days.

Another few drinks and it's empty. He gets to his feet and offers the glass back to Curtis.

"I should get going," he says. "Thanks again. For listening."

[2goodarms]

"Any time." Another quirk of a half-smile, as he accepts the glass. "Door's always open."

Even if Andrew never takes him up on the offer again? It's important to look out for the people who need it.

[stilljustandrew]

He hesitates on the threshold.

"Listen," he says, "if -- if you ever need anything, while you're here -- let me know, okay?"

[2goodarms]

Curtis didn't expect to hear that. The instinctual wariness he still can't shake -- you're not from the tail; what's the catch? -- rears up before he can push it flat.

Andrew's not from the tail. But neither of them are in the tail, either. They're not even on the train.

"I will," he says. "Thanks, man."