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 Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:06 pm
Anthony Darrow had not been having a great week, but that hardly seemed strange these days. He did his best to hide things, though the ugly bruises he had been sporting, which were starting to fade nicely, and the cracked ribs, burns, and other various injuries he had brought home with him from that dream realm had put a damper on his day to day life. He didn't much enjoy spending time each day just to make sure he was still in one piece, his bandages were clean, or whatever else his doctor had recommended and he felt obligated to listen to.
On top of that, and actually being in pain while being exhausted from a complete lack of sleep, his son was being even more insufferable than normal. It was like he was constantly striving to out do his last bout of miserable attitude and vexing behaviors.
The boy as gone at all hours now, and when Tony did have the misfortune of crossing paths with him, Nathan was angry at everything and nothing at once. They yelled at each other constantly, and Tony was almost made to feel that Nathan was angry at him for getting hurt. He wasn't interested in being helpful or supportive, and Tony no longer asked him to.
Tony was certain that Nate hated him, and would never feel any differently, and he was beginning to wonder if it was rubbing off.
He was sitting at his desk at work now, a safe haven, and they were very near closing. Tony loved it, because he didn't have to keep working and straining himself, but he also hated it because there was a chance of running into Nate when he went home. He really wanted to just camp on the sofa, like he used to do before Nate crashed in, here at the library when he was working too late.
Instead, he had accidentally leaned back in his chair at his desk and was in the middle of dozing, Dogby curled in his lap.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:01 pm
Ever was probably both a blessing and a curse. He was available to do tasks Tony didn't want to take on -- shelving books, prowling to make sure no one was doing anything untoward out of view of the front desk, check-ins and check-outs when Tony went to lunch -- but that didn't make him an ideal employee. He was chronically late. He disappeared into the stacks for hours with tasks that should have taken him half the time. And he pissed off a startling number of people.
He was trying, though. At least it was clear he was trying.
Today he'd been distracted and uncomfortable, kept looking to the door and the clock and dropping things. He looked tired and unhappy, bruised around the eyes. But then, when wasn't he a little bruised around the eyes...?
As closing time approached, his stomach flopped. Like Tony, he didn't really want to leave the imagined safety of the library to set foot in the real world, get trapped by real responsibilities, ones he couldn't skip out on any time. Unnecessary death threats, snarling teenagers, angry wanna-be white-knights...
Ever leaned against wall near Tony, considering the quiet doze for a moment before he reached a foot out to nudge his chair gently, see if it'd jar him awake.
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:13 pm
Tony would be glad to have Ever around at the library, or at least would utilize him when he had him. He was fairly patient with people who helped out, as they often had their own schedules first. Usually they were students, anyway, and often had their school work. Or used it as excuses to get out of working that day.
Either way.
It was lucky, then, that Tony had a wealth of patience when it came to the library, then.
"I'm awake," Tony said suddenly, when he felt the chain under him move. He cleared his throat, looking around blearily, confirming absolutely that he had not, in fact, been awake. He cleared his throat a second time, lifting his hand to rub his eyes before his gaze settled on Ever and he offered the other a knowing smirk.
"I think it might be time to close up and head home."
Dogby looked up at the duo, yawning and stretching her little legs as she repositioned herself. She didn't get up, instead wanting to just curl right back up and go to sleep again. Tony didn't blame her.
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:02 am
"Um." Ever leaned against the wall still, though, instead of straightening and getting ready to leave. No. He watched Tony, his own mouth pulling into a teasing sort of smile as he shrugged at the librarian.
"Not sleeping much at home?" He wiggled both eyebrows as he said it and finally straightened, patting down his hair and stepping sideways to poke at the computer. He had a sheet that explained how to shut it down at night. It'd take him a few moments to get through everything.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:55 am
Tony looked at Ever, embarrassed. He stretched a bit, sitting up and looking down at Dogby. He didn't want to disrupt her napping. It seemed the both of them were in the same boat, as neither had gotten any sleep recently. He imagined Dogby didn't sleep because he didn't, wanting to stay awake because her master was and she felt compelled to offer him company.
He nodded his head.
"It's been a bit rough," he admitted, laughing, "I think sleep is a precious commodity these days. I'm certainly not basking in it. Who knew you could take a regular body function, necessary for survival, for granted? Oh... wait, did you mean...? Oh good lord."
He blushed furiously, shaking his head and wishing he had noticed the double meaning just a bit sooner. He watched as Ever made to shut down the computer, then carefully put Dogby on the floor so he could get up and stretch a bit more. He sighed, looking around with a familiar expression for anyone who worked with him a lot. He was looking for an excuse to stay, not wanting to go home just yet.
What was at home? A grumpy teenager and no sleep. He might as well just spend his time being productive. Or something quite the opposite.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:17 pm
"Is that a 'no', then? Not the good kind of not-sleeping?" Totally inappropriate as an employee to employer but -- well, Ever didn't think like that. He flicked a look up at Tony, a brief grin, before focusing back onto the computer, going through the steps on his checklist in a laborious way. Every one. Didn't skip a beat. He'd get the hang of it eventually.
"...me neither." That was lower, meant more for himself than Tony. Ever scraped hair out of his face as he watched the machine power down.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:48 pm
Tony looked at Ever and sighed, feeling a bit trapped in that one. He shook his head.
"No, not the good kind," he sighed, not minding the question so much, since he had essentially, as far as he was aware, walked into it. He ran a hand through his hair, leaning back on his desk now that he was standing and half wishing he had remained in his seat.
He watched Ever and nodded his head approvingly as he made sure to go through every step on the list. He was a good employee, despite some minor bad habits that Tony was getting used to.
"Neither of us are sleeping, and neither in the good way," he summed up, sighing, "well that's a miserable place to be in. Honestly, I don't feel like going home just to not sleep some more."
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:41 pm
"Me neither." Especially since Ever wouldn't go home, instead he'd go out hunting for someone solo and -- he made a small noise, turning to grab his coat, and froze with his hand on it. His eyes lit up some as he looked up to Tony, considering his options with his head tipped to one side.
"...hum. Want to stay here?" An idea, a glimmer of a thought, something that made him smile again -- like he couldn't help it. Ever raised his shoulders in one quick shrug.
"I could go grab uh. Something to eat."From Ever, that probably meantcheap burgers, or pizza. "And maybe drinks."
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:31 pm
Tony looked at Ever, suspicious.
It wasn't like the younger man to ask for extra work, so he immediately know Ever's offer wasn't related to staying and actually getting work done. Which was fine, as Tony was obviously tired and frustrated, and though he would force himself to do work he wouldn't particularly enjoy it. Duty, not a way to relax.
"Eat?" His stomach growled at the idea. Had he missed lunch again? He grinned, nodding his head. "Well, I don't suppose it would hurt. It's not like anyone can complain at us about breaking the food and drink rules around here." He chuckled at that, knowing he could sometimes be a stickler about it.
But the rules were different behind the front counter, anyway. Patrons were the ones not allowed to have food or water.
"Ah, here," he reached for his wallet, "what are you thinking of?" he asked, so he might know how much to hand him. He took some bills out anyway, offering what was likely too much.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:06 am
Oh. Even better. Ever'd actually been planning to pay, but he didn't protest -- he just reached out to pluck the bills out of Tony's fingers and then hesitated. What had he been thinking of?
"Uh. I was thinking pizza and a really big bottle of, um." Pause. What did he think Tony might drink? He had to really consider that, and knew he was fishing. Tony wouldn't go for the things his dad would have, he didn't think, but...
"...gin?" Very open to another suggestion, though. He smiled brightly at the librarian.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:16 pm
Tony nodded his head at the idea of pizza, his stomach growling its support of the plan as well, then looked at ever expectantly as he paused.
He didn't offer any help to fill in the blank.
"Sounds good to me," he said on a sigh, shaking his head. He was past tired and beyond caring about his normal code of conduct. He would not condone getting drunk in the library, usually, but with how things had been around the city and with Nathan recently, why not get drunk in a place that was, at least, safe?
And anyway, he could just have a little: there was no reason to think he was going to get pissed.
"Man, relaxing sounds like such a good idea," he said, running a hand through his hair. "You sure you don't need company? I guess it might be... odd. Ah. I'll stay here." Anyway, Dogby needed to be watched.
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:54 am
The brightness to Ever's expression at the idea might have been a warning that yes, he was going to get pissed -- as was the fact that Ever was still twenty-one, young enough that alcohol still held a certain allure. He flashed Tony a grin and waved off any concerns, ducking back to grab his coat and swing it on all in a rush.
"I can manage. I know the city pretty well, and if I'm not dead yet..." Well, he'd been out alone in much worse parts of the city than this. And, at the moment, he was the terror that lurked in the night. Or something. The idea made his expression go more somber.
"Twenty minutes, anyway. Don't you abandon me." He said it as he backed up toward the door, holding up both hands to Tony as if they could keep him sitting right there.
It'd take him more like twenty-five, though, before he came back with a rather large plastic bag full of booze and a small cheese pizza tucked under his arm, juggling them as he fought with the door.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 6:20 pm
Tony nodded his head, smiling. He still looked concerned, but he couldn't help it. Ever wasn't just an employee, as technically he was a volunteer Tony was finding a way to pay so nothing had to be official and he could keep things flexible in his effort to help, he was also a friend. Tony liked the young man, and the last thing he wanted was to see him hurt.
But he knew there were senshi around this area, or there were whenever he got in a mess, so if anything did happen...
"Twenty minutes, then. If you're gone for thirty I'll have to come out looking for you. I'll assume you robbed me, and will only be searching for my money, or sufficient food and drink." He teased, waving his hand tiredly. He couldn't baby everyone, after all, and Ever seemed to get along just find on his own. A short trip to the store would be fine.
He sat back down at his desk and tried to doze, but instead played a lazy, at least on his end, game of fetch with Dogby. She was relentless for the game, and would play for hours if she were so allowed. Or if Tony's arm didn't get tired first. He heard the door and got up to go and help, laughing.
"That looks promising," he nodded, locking the door behind them so no one got the idea that it was an open party. Dogby hurried right over, looking up at the source of the food smell she had caught wind of, whining eagerly.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:55 pm
"Take, uh -- " Ever hesitated, still fighting with his double armful of things, his eyes flashing down to Tony's injured leg. After a moment, he offered the booze over: it had a handle, would require less juggling, and seemed like a wiser offer.
"Take that for a bit." And in the meanwhile he ducked fully inside, holding the pizza box well up out of Dogby's reach and working very hard not to fall over the over-eager, panting and shoving beast. "Are there cups? I think I saw cups..."
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:11 pm
Tony didn't seem to notice Ever taking note of his leg. He took the booze when offered, gladly, examining the choices and shaking his head. His streak of rule breaking was flaring up again, it seemed. He grinned.
Everyone once in a while, Tony needed to remind himself that he was alive. That he had been a very reckless and fairly devilish young man and had lived an action packed life. Homeless, for some of it, drugs, sex and rock and roll, as the saying went. He had broken the law, was a deviant of all kinds. Now he had control and focus, a life he loved and a job he devoted himself to. He had things to worry about, and people to take care of. But sometimes, sometimes, he stole a car to drive around a block and remember how it felt. He'd break into a store to see if he could still do it.
He'd get drunk and use the library as his personal hotel.
"There's cups in the back. I can get them." He nodded, putting the alcohol on the counter and then shooing Dogby away from Ever so he didn't trip on the corgi. She was gone for about three seconds before she came back over and whined some more, bouncing at Ever's legs while Tony went to get the cups and some plates and napkins, just in case.
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