Homeplot 1/12

[silenttrainbaby]

The rocking of the train felt like it came from inside his bones. Grey knew it by heart. He adjusted easily, he adjusted without thinking anything of it. He moved between the bunks, knowing just where to reach for, what to touch, what bunks to avoid because of splinters, what people didn't like being touched. He stopped at Edgar and Curtis's bunk, peering into both to see if they were there, then if they were awake. He checked Curtis first. Curtis would have answers.

How he came to be here again, he didn't know. How he woke up here when he'd gone to bed with Rat, Grey didn't know. The smells here are harsh on his nose; he'd grown used to being clean. Curtis? Maybe he knew. Maybe they could go together to see Gilliam. His stomach was twisted so tightly it hurt. Gilliam. He'd said goodbye to Gilliam, he'd let him go. He'd let go of this coat, too - it was supposed to be hanging in Yuuko's closet. But he wore it.

Wake up, Curtis. Wake up. They were back on the train.

Comments

[shadowofashadow]

Gilliam is where he's expected, carefully seated behind his makeshift table with his precious few scraps of civilization. A memento here, a book there. All of it becomes secondary when Grey enters.

"I'd wondered where you'd gone," he says warmly, holding up his good hand to beckon him over.

[manwiththeknife]

Before he could think, before he could stop himself, Curtis rested a hand on Grey's shoulder, momentarily keeping him from stepping forward.

His expression was shadowed as he peered at Gilliam from over Grey's shoulder, shrewd and calculating, as if the answers were there, if he only looked carefully enough.

But it was Grey's decision, whether or not he stepped forward, not Curtis'. With a steeling breath, he let his hand fall away. He let Grey go.

[silenttrainbaby]

Curtis's hand had stopped him: Grey had been leaning forward, like a moth to a flame.

He thought he had let Gilliam go: grieved his loss. But here he was and what Curtis said made no sense, not here when Gilliam was looking at him and reaching for him.

With a staggered sigh, he moved, kneeling by Gilliam, taking that hand in his. For all he thought, for all he had learned in the City, it seemed that this would always be home.

[shadowofashadow]

The hesitation troubles Gilliam and he cups Grey's cheek, running fingers slowly into his dark hair. It's thick, dirty, the way everyone's is on the train. But it's Grey and he adores his young protege.

"Curtis. You look as though you've seen ghost."

[manwiththeknife]

Gritting his teeth, Curtis watched as Grey knelt at Gilliam's feet, worshipful as always.

Coughing out a laugh, he said. "No. Not a ghost."

Not yet. But he would be. Gone, just a fucking tainted memory.

Letting the curtain fall shut behind him, Curtis stepped further into the room.

"We're gonna talk. I have some questions that need answers. You're gonna give them to me."

[silenttrainbaby]

Instinct told Grey to protect Gilliam. It was what he had done most of his life. He half-turned to stop Curtis, but caught himself. He could see Rat's face behind his eyelids. So, he sat at Gilliam's feet, staying close, but not touching.

[shadowofashadow]

That mistrust was something that Gilliam hadn't seen before in Curtis. In Edgar's eyes, perhaps, or in MacGregor those four years ago. But in Curtis? In Grey?

"What's wrong, Curtis?"