Dedicating (for Rat)

[silenttrainbaby]

[[continued directly after Jax helps Grey get a new tattoo]]

Having only stopped by Curtis's apartment to pick up the cat, Grey holds the animal to his chest as he continues to run. He doesn't need to run, of course. There isn't a hurry. Except there feels like there is. He needs to get to Rat's place as soon as he can. He can feel the pull of the tape on his skin; the bandage that covers his new word. He has the instructions for caring for that in his pocket.

He tries the doorknob of the apartment, then knocks, tapping his fingertips on Rat's door. He's got something important and he didn't intend to be gone as long as he was, even, though it's still under an hour.

Comments

[plaguedrat]

"You get sidetracked?" Rat asks, curious rather than concerned or angry. There's already a can of food open on the floor for the cat that Rat pretends not to like.

"I started making food."

[silenttrainbaby]

The cat immediately squirms free, all but running over to the food (not that he starves at Curtis's, but he's, perhaps, like Grey in that way - food is always welcome).

His hands free, Grey reaches for Rat's wrist, keeping him from groing too far. Wait. He just almost smiles.

[plaguedrat]

Somehow, it seems kind of important, so Rat stops. Asking a question without words, he raises his eyebrows. "Something happen?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Grey pulls down the zipper of his sweat jacket and from there, Rat can see the bandage. He takes Rat's hand again and presses it over the gauze.

[plaguedrat]

"A new tattoo? What's it of?" It probably hasn't been enough time that Grey can show him, but he knows Grey well enough to understand if he tells him.

[silenttrainbaby]

His hand covering Rat's, Grey taps his fingers, feeling the tendons of his boyfriend's hand. It's of him. Well, his name, but still.

[plaguedrat]

Not quite understanding, or maybe just not believing it, Rat points toward himself. "For me?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Nearly snickering, Grey pulls back a corner of the tape, just a little, enough for Rat to see the three letters that are new to his skin.

[plaguedrat]

Rat glances between Grey's face and the tattoo, a heavy feeling settling int his stomach. Somehow, he's become important enough to someone that he's marked his name onto his skin.

"Wow."

[silenttrainbaby]

His brows drawing together, Grey watches. Does Rat not like it? When he got Gilliam's name on his chest, Grey remembered how his lover wanted him to be sure. He was sure of this one too.

[plaguedrat]

Rat leans forward and smooths the side of his thumb over the bandage, letting it flatten so Grey can keep healing.

"Thank you."

[silenttrainbaby]

The fingers are drawn to Grey's mouth so he can kiss them. Too, he can mouth the words against Rat's skin: I love you.

[plaguedrat]

Holding him carefully so as not to put pressure on the tattoo, Rat pulls Grey against him. "Thank you," he says again. "I didn't think anyone would ever do something like that."

[silenttrainbaby]

To Grey, it makes complete sense. Those who impact him on the inside show themselves on the outside of his body. He hugs Rat tight to him.

[plaguedrat]

Rat leans against him, relaxing in the safe harbor of Grey's arms. He sighs against him, trying to puzzle out what's changed so much this time, why he's found peace with Grey that he couldn't before.

"I'm making bread," he mumbles, making no move to leave the embrace.

[silenttrainbaby]

Things like that - Rat knowing how much Grey loves bread - show Grey that Rat loves him, too. He makes no move to let go either. He even cards his fingers through Rat's hair.

[plaguedrat]

"It needs to proof a second time. It won't be ready for a while," he explains, hoping Grey doesn't mind waiting.

[silenttrainbaby]

No, Grey doesn't mind. He takes Rat's hand and urges him toward the sofa where they can sit, legs entwined.

[plaguedrat]

Rat's more than happy to curl up with him, still sort of mesmerized that he'd made enough of an impression that Grey had put his name on his chest. He wonders if he would have discouraged it, if he'd known. Maybe, but now that he sees it...there's something powerful about that.

[silenttrainbaby]

Grey wants to look at it again, too. But he pulls out the instructions from his pocket and spreads out the piece of paper for Rat to see, too.

If Rat had tried to tell him not to do it, he would hesitated, perhaps, but he still would have done it.

[plaguedrat]

"Leave it alone for four to six hours," Rat reads. "Then remove bandage and clean with unscented soap and water...Easy enough. Lukewarm water, clean hand, pat dry. Apply aquaphor or lotion afterward."

Simple and clinical, with tools that are easily available here and would have been a goddamn miracle in either of their home worlds.

[silenttrainbaby]

That Grey never got infected on the train was probably something like a miracle. Another few hours and he could take off the bandage. He finds Rat's fingers again to trace them.

[plaguedrat]

"It's good, being able to take care of it the right way," Rat says, knowing it's a privilege many take for granted.

[silenttrainbaby]

Showers are much more common too. Grey likes them with Rat. He nods, though. It is good.

Having finished the food, the cat wanders over, then, jumping on to the sofa and climbing on to their laps.

[plaguedrat]

"Yeah, yeah, fine," Rat says, picking up the cat around his middle and settling him properly between the two of them. "I don't hate you."