Karaoke Soul: Part Two
Aug. 5th, 2012 05:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
walkwithheroesName: Nichole
Story: Surely Someday
Piece Title: Karaoke Soul: Part Two
Colors: Tardis Blue:22. The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.;Faded Blue: 29. Though I dream in vain, in my heart it always will remain; Heart Gold: 10. Where there is love there is life. - Gandhi
Supplies and Materials: Novelty Beads: fromclare_dragonfly Amazing Eyes by Good OldWar
Word Count: 2,562
Rating: PG
Warnings: Possible trigger: talk of sedating Maggie. If you see anything that you believe could be a trigger, please let me know.
Summary: Warren finds Maggie after her "go away" state, and the two bond. Andrews tells Simon about his idea for a family vacation
Author's Note: Part One Comments are lovely and I'm always grateful for them.
Thanks toisana for the beta!
Maggie sat in the middle of her attic, knees tucked under her chin. She kept her eyes firmly on the doorway, willing anyone to come. She had “gone away” again – back to her Charlie. Maggie felt as if someone had hollowed her out. She felt tired, but as always, she couldn’t sleep.
Sparing a glance to her knees, Maggie took in her long pink lacy dress. It had been a gift from Douglas; he was always buying dresses from vintage and online shops,dressing her like a doll or a child. He was treating her like a child more and more. He wanted her to be something, though she wasn’t sure what he wanted her to be. Frankly, Maggie wasn’t sure she could do it.
There was a soft sound at the door, and Maggie realized that Warren was there. He was staring at her with warmth in his brown eyes that she hadn’t seen from him before, his black hair messy, and falling into his face. Looking closely, it appeared Warren had been crying. He came up to her shyly and sat down on the cold attic floor.
“Are you sad, Warren?” Maggie asked softly.
“I’m a little sad,” Warren admitted, his voice equally as soft. “I think.” Awkward and a little unsure, he placed his arm around Maggie’s shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m more worried about you, though. You okay?”
Warren’s body was cold, and yet he felt comfortable. Maggie snuggled up against one broad shoulder. “I went away today.”
“Did you bring me something back?” There was a smile in his voice, which made Maggie happy. “Did you bring me a postcard or an ugly knickknack for my room? It’s bare; I could use more than a mattress in there.”
Maggie giggled despite herself. “I can’t go outside, you know that.”
It was true that Maggie couldn’t go outside the house. Warren was still a bit foggy on the details, but it had something to do with the way Maggie saw non-supernatural and “specials” (specials being people with gifts or some such). She saw everything normal people had done, or, more specifically, every bad thing they had done and every sin they had yet to commit. Just having the door open was enough to cause her unbearable pain. The idea that Maggie had spent over three hundred years indoors and had known so few people was enough to anger Warren beyond the point of rage. He felt sorry for her; he wanted to help her.
“You know,” Warren pulled her closer, “I don’t think that’s true. Someday you’ll go outside. On that day, I’ll bring you anywhere you want to go.”
“Even if it’s just to the university where Douglas and Simon work?”
Warren nodded. “Even if it’s just to the university.”
*
It was half past five o’clock, according to Simon’s wristwatch. All day Simon had cleaned the university campus without Andrews’ help. Simon had only seen Andrews once the whole day, when he was leaving a parking lot with lovely Henry Harker.
Alone in the office, Simon wondered just what was going on between those two. Andrews was Andrews. How could any woman find him attractive? It was mind blowing, especially as Simon wasn’t getting any ‘I like you’ vibes from any women in the area.
“Forever alone,” Simon sighed.
“Don’t be so emotional, Simon. This isn’t a teenage drama.” Andrews stood in the doorway, a smile on his face. “You aren’t alone.”
Simon folded his arms over his chest, scowling. “And just where have you been all day, young man?” he asked, leaning back against Andrews’ desk. “I had to do everything today and you went off with Henry Harker.”
“Simon, don’t ruin this for me.” Andrews’ smile was getting bigger and bigger.
A hideous idea suddenly popped into Simon’s head. “Oh, don’t tell me. Did you have sex with Henry? That’s just disgusting!”
“We did not – get your mind clean before you think about Henry again. I’m happy because I believe I’ve figured out a way to get Maggie out of the house.”
The idea of getting Maggie outside was certainly worth being happy about. Simon grinned, standing straighter. “Maggie in the sunlight: now, that’s something I want to see. So, how are we going to do it?”
Andrews stepped deeper into the office, closing the door behind him. This was a private matter. “I’ve borrowed some sedatives from the biology department.”
Not quite believing his ears, Simon was only able to manage an angry: “You’re going to drug Maggie?”
“Technically, yes.” Andrews stated. “I’ll give Maggie just enough to get her to the countryside. She can’t look at people, but if she’s sedated, we can move her to the backseat of the car with little issue. I thought we all needed a holiday away from the city. I’d like to live there, but it’s too far from what we need.”
Maybe it was too far for a full time living arrangement; however, it was perfect for a small getaway. Already Simon was imagining Maggie outside. What would she think of trees and grass? How would her delicate and pale skin fare against the sun? For that matter, how would her eyes? She would be able to experience so much: it made a tiny part of Simon want to weep in joy.
“I can’t wait to tell Mag that she’s leaving the house,” Simon laughed to himself. “I’m going to teach her about nature.”
“You hate nature,” Andrews reminded Simon as the two left the office.
“I also hate people. However, I make exceptions for a few, Maggie being number one on that list.”
*
Warren stared up at the celling of Maggie’s attic, lying flat on his back. Beside him, Maggie lay very still. They had been lying together closely without touching for over thirty minutes. She had told him about her “go away” episodes, but hadn’t yet spoken about her latest one.
Warren turned his head to see Maggie clearly, hearing her sigh. She had turned to look at him, looking more vulnerable than ever. Her hair was falling into her face, and slowly Warren reached up to push a curly strand out of her eyes.
“Thank you, Warren,” Maggie whispered. “When I went away today, I went somewhere sad. I went to my Charlie.” She paused, trying to recall things she knew she wouldn’t remember. “He was my third Keeper; the first to treat me like a person and not a thing. I don’t remember what was happening, I never completely remember what I see when I go away. I just remember my Charlie was in bed and I felt very sad.”
“Was Charlie ill?”
Maggie stiffened. No, he hadn’t been ill. He had just died after twenty-five years, just as all her Keepers did. “He just died. They all do after a while.”
Warren didn’t notice the chill forming in Maggie’s voice. He said softly, “It still hurts to lose them. It’s perfectly all right if the memory still makes you sad.” He seemed much more human than he had since they had met.
Maggie looked up at the celling. “I remember more than I want to. Before the box, my mind is blank, yet I remember every second of all one hundred years in that stone prison. I remember all the experiments Richard did and all the torture John performed. I remember how lovely Charlie and Tom were and how kind George was. But, I can’t remember all of what I see when I go away or the words Douglas tells me in the mornings.” She glanced over at Warren, who was looking at her with the warmest eyes she had seen in years. “Sometimes I wish I could forget some of my memories.”
He laughed; actually laughed at her words. “You and I seem to have more and more in common. I went to see some vampires today. I asked them if vampires were going after werewolves – they told me no. I also asked about you,” he quickly went on, not wanting Maggie to say anything before he could get it all out. He didn’t want to lose his courage. “And you’re a legend. A vampire legend called ‘The Magdalena’. They say a vampire drank from you; he never had to drink blood again, however he went completely mad and walked into a burning building. I still hold sway over them. So, I told them to ignore the legend and move on to more adult things.”
“Oh,” Maggie said. She was apparently beginning to understand Warren’s troubles. She also seemed unsure about what else to say about his visit to the vampires.
“Oh, what?” Warren asked.
“Just oh,” Maggie answered with a shrug. “Oh is a noncommittal, encouraging noise. People are supposed to say it in conversations: it lets people know that you are listening and that you understand them.” A slow smile spread across her lips. “I learned that in one of those self-help books I gave you.”
The two laughed. They sat up; Warren dusted off his jeans. A quick glance let him know that Maggie’s hair was falling in her face again. Gently, he pushed it out of her face. He wanted to stroke her hair, but held back.
“We are all broken, but I think we are healing. You, Douglas, Simon, and I are all healing one another. I like being a family with the three of you,” Maggie said.
“Oh, yeah?” Warren questioned. “I don’t,” he snorted. “I don’t really believe in family.”
That didn’t seem to surprise Maggie. “I do. I believe in family so very much. I like that Simon and Douglas are my family. I want . . . I think, no I know I want you to be a part of that. I really like you, Warren; even if you are recovering from your addictions and even if Douglas doesn’t like you.”
“Oh,” Warren said.
The flatness in his voice surprised Maggie. She had been certain that he would have been happy about her liking him and her wanting him to be a part of her family. Maggie looked at him closely. He really was rather handsome. She had noticed that the night he had brought Simon home. Handsome, in a dark and rakish sort of way.
“Oh as in a noncommittal, encouraging noise, or oh as in you don’t want to be in my family?”
“You’re not who I thought you would be. Still, I don’t want . . . I look at you and I really just want to be around you.” He sounded happy and sad all at the same time.
Maggie’s eyes grew soft. “I can’t be your replacement for blood, Warren. But, I like you very, very much. Douglas is my bestest friend and Simon is my best friend. You, though . . . you’re. . .I don’t want you to be my friend. Or just my friend.” She smiled. And Warren knew, for the first time, that Maggie saw him as a person and not as a monster.
He leaned toward her. She closed her eyes and parted her rosy lips slightly. His lips were almost touching hers when a loud sound echoed from downstairs. Maggie’s eyes flew open and she quickly jumped to her feet.
“Douglas and Simon are home.”
Warren let out an exasperated sigh. They had been so close and now it was over, and Warren wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to recreate and recapture the moment. Maggie was already rushing down the stairs. Warren stood up, thinking how close he had been to heaven, before following her down.
*
Simon and Andrews were in the parlor, piling boxes onto the sofa. Warren counted several boxes, each marked ‘sedatives’. Maggie had moved behind the two men and was curiously watching them.
“Douglas, are we going to open a hospital?” she asked seriously.
Before Andrews could answer, Simon grabbed Maggie and held her in a tight bear hug. “You’re going outside, Mags.”
Pulling away from him, Maggie searched Simon and Douglas’ faces. “Outside? I can’t go outside.”
“Yes, you can. Sedatives. We’re going to dope you up,” Simon explained with a grin, “and take you out to the country.”
“Sounds like a bad horror film,” Warren muttered from his spot in the doorway.
Ignoring the others, Andrews cleared his throat in a business-like manner. “Ms. Maggie Quinn, science has come a long way in the last few hundred years. These,” he waved a hand to at the boxes, “are bottles of sedatives used by the biology department to put cows and horses to sleep. I’ve been thinking about it for some time and I truly believe that we can sedate you long enough to put you in a car and drive out of the city.”
To go outside, not in a coffin, but actually – physically – outside. To see things up close. It was such a wonderful dream that Maggie had always been so sure would never come true, and yet it was. Sedatives would help get her to the country and away from normal people. She wanted to cry, jump up and down, and hug everyone in the room.
Before Maggie could do anything, Simon gently punched her in the upper right arm. “A family holiday in the country. It’s like we’re in a sitcom.” He pretended to sniff back tears. “Just no group hugs.”
“Simon,” Andrews gave the younger man a side-ways look, “don’t be rude.” He opened his arms, and Maggie moved into them. Finally Andrews was actually helping Maggie be free.
*
Andrews found Maggie waiting for him in his bedroom. She was quietly fixing up his blue bed sheets. “And what are you doing, Maggie?”
“I sort of missed most of my schedule today. Warren and I spent a lot of time talking, and I completely forgot to do this favor,” Maggie confessed.
Warren? Something about the idea of Warren and Maggie spending quality time together made Andrews angry. Hadn’t they looked at his rules? Andrews took a deep breath, knowing he couldn’t ruin this happy day with petty jealousies.
“It’s fine,” he said, and waved a dismissive hand. “I’m really not in a rush. By the way, where’s Simon?”
“He and Warren went out for drinks,” Maggie stated absentmindly, as she ran a hand over the sheets. “All finished.”
Simon and Warren had been out for drinks nine times in the last two weeks. Maggie and Warren had apparently had a talk that very afternoon. Andrews realized that Warren was getting closer and closer to the two most important people in his life. Warren was getting inside, becoming cozy and accepted, and made Andrews nervous and uncomfortable.
“Well, that’s. . .nice, I suppose. Um, I think I’d like a bit of time alone. I feel like reading.” Andrews quickly climbed into his bed and grabbed the book off of his side table.
With a nod, Maggie headed straight for the door. She only turned back when she was nearly in the hallway. “Douglas, you are my bestest friend.”
Despite his annoyance at everything, Andrews smiled. “Maggie, would you make me some tea?”
“Always.” Maggie returned the smile, before heading back downstairs; leaving Andrews alone with his book, the nagging thoughts of Warren taking his place, and of Maggie seeming different than she had the night before.
Story: Surely Someday
Piece Title: Karaoke Soul: Part Two
Colors: Tardis Blue:22. The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.;Faded Blue: 29. Though I dream in vain, in my heart it always will remain; Heart Gold: 10. Where there is love there is life. - Gandhi
Supplies and Materials: Novelty Beads: from
clare_dragonfly Amazing Eyes by Good OldWarWord Count: 2,562
Rating: PG
Warnings: Possible trigger: talk of sedating Maggie. If you see anything that you believe could be a trigger, please let me know.
Summary: Warren finds Maggie after her "go away" state, and the two bond. Andrews tells Simon about his idea for a family vacation
Author's Note: Part One Comments are lovely and I'm always grateful for them.
Thanks to
isana for the beta!Maggie sat in the middle of her attic, knees tucked under her chin. She kept her eyes firmly on the doorway, willing anyone to come. She had “gone away” again – back to her Charlie. Maggie felt as if someone had hollowed her out. She felt tired, but as always, she couldn’t sleep.
Sparing a glance to her knees, Maggie took in her long pink lacy dress. It had been a gift from Douglas; he was always buying dresses from vintage and online shops,dressing her like a doll or a child. He was treating her like a child more and more. He wanted her to be something, though she wasn’t sure what he wanted her to be. Frankly, Maggie wasn’t sure she could do it.
There was a soft sound at the door, and Maggie realized that Warren was there. He was staring at her with warmth in his brown eyes that she hadn’t seen from him before, his black hair messy, and falling into his face. Looking closely, it appeared Warren had been crying. He came up to her shyly and sat down on the cold attic floor.
“Are you sad, Warren?” Maggie asked softly.
“I’m a little sad,” Warren admitted, his voice equally as soft. “I think.” Awkward and a little unsure, he placed his arm around Maggie’s shoulders and pulled her close. “I’m more worried about you, though. You okay?”
Warren’s body was cold, and yet he felt comfortable. Maggie snuggled up against one broad shoulder. “I went away today.”
“Did you bring me something back?” There was a smile in his voice, which made Maggie happy. “Did you bring me a postcard or an ugly knickknack for my room? It’s bare; I could use more than a mattress in there.”
Maggie giggled despite herself. “I can’t go outside, you know that.”
It was true that Maggie couldn’t go outside the house. Warren was still a bit foggy on the details, but it had something to do with the way Maggie saw non-supernatural and “specials” (specials being people with gifts or some such). She saw everything normal people had done, or, more specifically, every bad thing they had done and every sin they had yet to commit. Just having the door open was enough to cause her unbearable pain. The idea that Maggie had spent over three hundred years indoors and had known so few people was enough to anger Warren beyond the point of rage. He felt sorry for her; he wanted to help her.
“You know,” Warren pulled her closer, “I don’t think that’s true. Someday you’ll go outside. On that day, I’ll bring you anywhere you want to go.”
“Even if it’s just to the university where Douglas and Simon work?”
Warren nodded. “Even if it’s just to the university.”
*
It was half past five o’clock, according to Simon’s wristwatch. All day Simon had cleaned the university campus without Andrews’ help. Simon had only seen Andrews once the whole day, when he was leaving a parking lot with lovely Henry Harker.
Alone in the office, Simon wondered just what was going on between those two. Andrews was Andrews. How could any woman find him attractive? It was mind blowing, especially as Simon wasn’t getting any ‘I like you’ vibes from any women in the area.
“Forever alone,” Simon sighed.
“Don’t be so emotional, Simon. This isn’t a teenage drama.” Andrews stood in the doorway, a smile on his face. “You aren’t alone.”
Simon folded his arms over his chest, scowling. “And just where have you been all day, young man?” he asked, leaning back against Andrews’ desk. “I had to do everything today and you went off with Henry Harker.”
“Simon, don’t ruin this for me.” Andrews’ smile was getting bigger and bigger.
A hideous idea suddenly popped into Simon’s head. “Oh, don’t tell me. Did you have sex with Henry? That’s just disgusting!”
“We did not – get your mind clean before you think about Henry again. I’m happy because I believe I’ve figured out a way to get Maggie out of the house.”
The idea of getting Maggie outside was certainly worth being happy about. Simon grinned, standing straighter. “Maggie in the sunlight: now, that’s something I want to see. So, how are we going to do it?”
Andrews stepped deeper into the office, closing the door behind him. This was a private matter. “I’ve borrowed some sedatives from the biology department.”
Not quite believing his ears, Simon was only able to manage an angry: “You’re going to drug Maggie?”
“Technically, yes.” Andrews stated. “I’ll give Maggie just enough to get her to the countryside. She can’t look at people, but if she’s sedated, we can move her to the backseat of the car with little issue. I thought we all needed a holiday away from the city. I’d like to live there, but it’s too far from what we need.”
Maybe it was too far for a full time living arrangement; however, it was perfect for a small getaway. Already Simon was imagining Maggie outside. What would she think of trees and grass? How would her delicate and pale skin fare against the sun? For that matter, how would her eyes? She would be able to experience so much: it made a tiny part of Simon want to weep in joy.
“I can’t wait to tell Mag that she’s leaving the house,” Simon laughed to himself. “I’m going to teach her about nature.”
“You hate nature,” Andrews reminded Simon as the two left the office.
“I also hate people. However, I make exceptions for a few, Maggie being number one on that list.”
*
Warren stared up at the celling of Maggie’s attic, lying flat on his back. Beside him, Maggie lay very still. They had been lying together closely without touching for over thirty minutes. She had told him about her “go away” episodes, but hadn’t yet spoken about her latest one.
Warren turned his head to see Maggie clearly, hearing her sigh. She had turned to look at him, looking more vulnerable than ever. Her hair was falling into her face, and slowly Warren reached up to push a curly strand out of her eyes.
“Thank you, Warren,” Maggie whispered. “When I went away today, I went somewhere sad. I went to my Charlie.” She paused, trying to recall things she knew she wouldn’t remember. “He was my third Keeper; the first to treat me like a person and not a thing. I don’t remember what was happening, I never completely remember what I see when I go away. I just remember my Charlie was in bed and I felt very sad.”
“Was Charlie ill?”
Maggie stiffened. No, he hadn’t been ill. He had just died after twenty-five years, just as all her Keepers did. “He just died. They all do after a while.”
Warren didn’t notice the chill forming in Maggie’s voice. He said softly, “It still hurts to lose them. It’s perfectly all right if the memory still makes you sad.” He seemed much more human than he had since they had met.
Maggie looked up at the celling. “I remember more than I want to. Before the box, my mind is blank, yet I remember every second of all one hundred years in that stone prison. I remember all the experiments Richard did and all the torture John performed. I remember how lovely Charlie and Tom were and how kind George was. But, I can’t remember all of what I see when I go away or the words Douglas tells me in the mornings.” She glanced over at Warren, who was looking at her with the warmest eyes she had seen in years. “Sometimes I wish I could forget some of my memories.”
He laughed; actually laughed at her words. “You and I seem to have more and more in common. I went to see some vampires today. I asked them if vampires were going after werewolves – they told me no. I also asked about you,” he quickly went on, not wanting Maggie to say anything before he could get it all out. He didn’t want to lose his courage. “And you’re a legend. A vampire legend called ‘The Magdalena’. They say a vampire drank from you; he never had to drink blood again, however he went completely mad and walked into a burning building. I still hold sway over them. So, I told them to ignore the legend and move on to more adult things.”
“Oh,” Maggie said. She was apparently beginning to understand Warren’s troubles. She also seemed unsure about what else to say about his visit to the vampires.
“Oh, what?” Warren asked.
“Just oh,” Maggie answered with a shrug. “Oh is a noncommittal, encouraging noise. People are supposed to say it in conversations: it lets people know that you are listening and that you understand them.” A slow smile spread across her lips. “I learned that in one of those self-help books I gave you.”
The two laughed. They sat up; Warren dusted off his jeans. A quick glance let him know that Maggie’s hair was falling in her face again. Gently, he pushed it out of her face. He wanted to stroke her hair, but held back.
“We are all broken, but I think we are healing. You, Douglas, Simon, and I are all healing one another. I like being a family with the three of you,” Maggie said.
“Oh, yeah?” Warren questioned. “I don’t,” he snorted. “I don’t really believe in family.”
That didn’t seem to surprise Maggie. “I do. I believe in family so very much. I like that Simon and Douglas are my family. I want . . . I think, no I know I want you to be a part of that. I really like you, Warren; even if you are recovering from your addictions and even if Douglas doesn’t like you.”
“Oh,” Warren said.
The flatness in his voice surprised Maggie. She had been certain that he would have been happy about her liking him and her wanting him to be a part of her family. Maggie looked at him closely. He really was rather handsome. She had noticed that the night he had brought Simon home. Handsome, in a dark and rakish sort of way.
“Oh as in a noncommittal, encouraging noise, or oh as in you don’t want to be in my family?”
“You’re not who I thought you would be. Still, I don’t want . . . I look at you and I really just want to be around you.” He sounded happy and sad all at the same time.
Maggie’s eyes grew soft. “I can’t be your replacement for blood, Warren. But, I like you very, very much. Douglas is my bestest friend and Simon is my best friend. You, though . . . you’re. . .I don’t want you to be my friend. Or just my friend.” She smiled. And Warren knew, for the first time, that Maggie saw him as a person and not as a monster.
He leaned toward her. She closed her eyes and parted her rosy lips slightly. His lips were almost touching hers when a loud sound echoed from downstairs. Maggie’s eyes flew open and she quickly jumped to her feet.
“Douglas and Simon are home.”
Warren let out an exasperated sigh. They had been so close and now it was over, and Warren wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to recreate and recapture the moment. Maggie was already rushing down the stairs. Warren stood up, thinking how close he had been to heaven, before following her down.
*
Simon and Andrews were in the parlor, piling boxes onto the sofa. Warren counted several boxes, each marked ‘sedatives’. Maggie had moved behind the two men and was curiously watching them.
“Douglas, are we going to open a hospital?” she asked seriously.
Before Andrews could answer, Simon grabbed Maggie and held her in a tight bear hug. “You’re going outside, Mags.”
Pulling away from him, Maggie searched Simon and Douglas’ faces. “Outside? I can’t go outside.”
“Yes, you can. Sedatives. We’re going to dope you up,” Simon explained with a grin, “and take you out to the country.”
“Sounds like a bad horror film,” Warren muttered from his spot in the doorway.
Ignoring the others, Andrews cleared his throat in a business-like manner. “Ms. Maggie Quinn, science has come a long way in the last few hundred years. These,” he waved a hand to at the boxes, “are bottles of sedatives used by the biology department to put cows and horses to sleep. I’ve been thinking about it for some time and I truly believe that we can sedate you long enough to put you in a car and drive out of the city.”
To go outside, not in a coffin, but actually – physically – outside. To see things up close. It was such a wonderful dream that Maggie had always been so sure would never come true, and yet it was. Sedatives would help get her to the country and away from normal people. She wanted to cry, jump up and down, and hug everyone in the room.
Before Maggie could do anything, Simon gently punched her in the upper right arm. “A family holiday in the country. It’s like we’re in a sitcom.” He pretended to sniff back tears. “Just no group hugs.”
“Simon,” Andrews gave the younger man a side-ways look, “don’t be rude.” He opened his arms, and Maggie moved into them. Finally Andrews was actually helping Maggie be free.
*
Andrews found Maggie waiting for him in his bedroom. She was quietly fixing up his blue bed sheets. “And what are you doing, Maggie?”
“I sort of missed most of my schedule today. Warren and I spent a lot of time talking, and I completely forgot to do this favor,” Maggie confessed.
Warren? Something about the idea of Warren and Maggie spending quality time together made Andrews angry. Hadn’t they looked at his rules? Andrews took a deep breath, knowing he couldn’t ruin this happy day with petty jealousies.
“It’s fine,” he said, and waved a dismissive hand. “I’m really not in a rush. By the way, where’s Simon?”
“He and Warren went out for drinks,” Maggie stated absentmindly, as she ran a hand over the sheets. “All finished.”
Simon and Warren had been out for drinks nine times in the last two weeks. Maggie and Warren had apparently had a talk that very afternoon. Andrews realized that Warren was getting closer and closer to the two most important people in his life. Warren was getting inside, becoming cozy and accepted, and made Andrews nervous and uncomfortable.
“Well, that’s. . .nice, I suppose. Um, I think I’d like a bit of time alone. I feel like reading.” Andrews quickly climbed into his bed and grabbed the book off of his side table.
With a nod, Maggie headed straight for the door. She only turned back when she was nearly in the hallway. “Douglas, you are my bestest friend.”
Despite his annoyance at everything, Andrews smiled. “Maggie, would you make me some tea?”
“Always.” Maggie returned the smile, before heading back downstairs; leaving Andrews alone with his book, the nagging thoughts of Warren taking his place, and of Maggie seeming different than she had the night before.
