Author note: It has been a while hasn't it... Almost finished with the next chapter of Famous but you guys will probably have to wait untill my exams over. In the meantime, enjoy this chapter I actually love it, one of my favourites :)
Previously...
"Sorry" Shawn apologised.
"It's alright" Henry chuckled. "You must be tired"
"Yeah" Shawn agreed before giving off another yawn and putting his plate on the side with the others, only Henry had yet to finish eating but he put his plate next to Shawn's only seconds later.
"Will I see you tomorrow kid?" Henry asked hopefully and Charlie looked towards Shawn to see what his answer would be.
"Yeah probably. I'll get Gus to ring you. I have a list of things I wanna do before I go back" Shawn yawned and Henry nodded in understanding.
"I'll see you tomorrow then kid" Henry said as Gus escorted Shawn out of the house. If Gus' hadn't, he was certain Shawn would have collapsed from exhaustion, he looked absolutely shattered and dead on his feet, it was a wonder he could walk.
"See you tomorrow Henry. Thanks for everything" Charlie told him smiling.
"No problem" Henry responded as he walked forward with her to the front door and held it open for her. He watched over her shoulder as Gus helped his son into the car and Charlie ran to join them as the rain that was pouring earlier was still coming down really hard. He watched them all drive away in the bright blue car and only shut the door when they were all out of sight. Henry then yawned, he was tired himself after the busyness of the day. Looking back in to the kitchen he quickly tossed the dishes in the sink, vowing to wash them up tomorrow and not to leave them to rot. Then trudging slowly up the stairs he paused at the entrance to his son's old room, saddened by what he had witnessed here only hours before. He went over to his son's old bed and drew up the covers before turning the light off and leaving the door slightly ajar, not wanting to shut that part of himself out. He then turned away and went his own bedroom closing the door behind him. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Shawn had fallen asleep in the car on the way back to Gus' apartment and Charlie had to wake him up in order to climb the stairs. After all, it is hard to carry a grown man up the stairs and no doubt if they used the elevator he would wake and panic. Shawn's eyes were barely open but he managed it up the stairs to Gus' apartment and crashed into Gus' bed. Gus smiled at him and whispered a goodnight to Charlie who nodded, whispered a reply and went into the room that Gus had provided for her. Gus quickly got changed and used the bathroom to clean his teeth and wash his face before climbing on the sofa to go to sleep. He was asleep in a matter of minutes and gentle snores filled the room.
.
.
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When Shawn woke, he found himself alone in the room. Venturing outside he found Gus pouring himself cereal.
"Morning" Gus smiled, "You want some?" he said gesturing to the coco pops in his bowl.
Shawn nodded great fully and Gus got out another bowl.
"Charlie already left" Gus told him as he sat down beside him and was given a spoon. "She told me she got a call late last night that she was needed at West Haven"
"Was something wrong?" Shawn asked nervously, thinking that something was wrong with Jessica or someone was hurt.
"Nah. Two members of staff came down with the flu and were sent away to prevent it from spreading to everyone. Just means it's just us for the day" Gus told him munching, his eyes twinkling as he spotted Shawn's small grin.
Bring Shawn down from that small high, Gus felt like he had to ask. "Do you need to take your pills now?"
Shawn didn't look bothered or ashamed but furrowed his brow in concentration. "Charlie usually like to count them, did she leave them with you?"
Gus' eyes widened and he shook his head. "Do you not have any?"
Shawn shook his head pursing his lips. "She probably left them in her room" he said standing up to go check, as to not worry Gus. Knowing perfectly well that going without them for one day would do no harm what so ever.
Shawn hesitantly opened the door and peaked inside. Truthfully, he had no idea where she kept them. At West Haven, he was usually approached in the morning by one of the orderlies with a small cup with two red pills inside which he had to take. Yesterday he had his pills before he left and he was sedated instead and didn't have his pills that night.
Shawn didn't want to go rooting through her stuff but he looked briefly and couldn't find the bottle with his meds in anywhere.
He reappeared from the room a minute later and returned to his cereal.
"You find them?" Gus asked hopefully.
Shawn shook his head. "I should have had them last night too but I fell asleep too fast."
Shawn took another bite of his cereal and looked up to his friend's anxious face.
"It's fine Gus. You know I'm fine off meds. Ring Charlie if you like, though she's not allowed her phone when she's with people so probably won't get your message till lunch."
Gus nodded and proceeded to call Charlie on his cell phone. As Shawn had predicted, it went straight through to answerphone but Gus left her a message and hoped that she would get it soon.
After finishing up their breakfast they cleared up their bowls and spoons and put them in the dishwasher. Gus reached into the cupboard to get a dishwasher tablet and Shawn rubbed his head trying to wake himself up.
"Headache?" Gus asked as he clicked the button to start the cycle.
"What? No" Shawn removed his hand from his head, "Do you wanna go first?" he said pointing towards the bathroom.
"Yeah, let me just clean my teeth. I showered before you got up" Gus told him smiling and Shawn nodded and watched as Gus headed into the bathroom, leaving the door wide open.
"So what do you wanna do today? You said you had a list" Gus reminded him before putting his toothbrush in his mouth.
"Well I don't actually have a list" Shawn fumbled, "I don't wanna be restricted"
Gus continued brushing his teeth.
"I suppose. I want to go to the zoo again and eat in another restaurant and…. Do you think my dad will take me fishing?"
Gus spit into the sink and wiped his mouth.
"He does still fish doesn't he?" Shawn asked uncertainly.
"I think so, anyway I'm sure he would always rent a boat if you wanted to go"
Shawn let out a small smile believing in Gus' words.
Gus came emerging from the bathroom and paused next to Shawn as he came to a realisation.
"I meant what I said by the way about my parents asking every year if you can come to Christmas dinner"
Shawn frowned, "What does this have to do with-"
"Wanna have Christmas dinner tonight? We'll invite Henry too. I'll have to ring my folks and ask if they are up to cooking but I'm sure my mom won't object. I mean, I know it's not Christmas but-"
Shawn had to raise a hand to stop his tangent and with a grin he responded, "I'd love to. You wanna ring them while I shower?"
Gus was positively beaming and he raced to the phone. "I'll let your father know too"
Shawn entered the bathroom and quickly looked for the towels.
"Towels are in the cupboard, top shelf" Gus called through, "Help yourself to soap and stuff"
"Thanks" Shawn replied back as he closed the door behind him. He opened the cupboard and grabbed the first towel he could see and opened it up to see its size. It was tiny and Shawn delved deeper to find a much larger one. Satisfied, he took off his clothes and stepped into the shower.
The shower was warmer than expected and he had to turn the heat down slightly. It wasn't as if he had fragile skin but the water was scorching him red. Shawn thought Gus must be quite lucky to have that never happen to him.
Shawn stood under the water for a few minutes just thinking. He was allowed 30 minute showers at West Haven before they were interrupted and Shawn was used to day dreaming for the first 29 minutes and frantically washing himself in the last minute. Shawn promised that he wasn't going to take as long this time though.
He found himself worrying about Charlie. What was so bad that they needed her? And why wouldn't she leave his pills for him? Maybe he should just go back to West Haven. He missed Jessica. He blinked out of his day dream and remembered where he was. He was with Gus in his apartment. That was way better than West Haven; he was going out for a meal and going to see Gus' family. He couldn't wait. Screw West Haven for the rest of the week. This week is his.
He stepped out of the shower and quickly dried himself off before he exited the bathroom. Gus was sat at the table with his laptop, he looked up and smiled when he saw Shawn walk through, his hair still wet and lying flat which was unusual to see as Shawn's hair was always perfect, and now it lay like a wet mop on his head.
"Just toss the towel in the machine" Gus informed him lazily, giving him a jerk of the head showing where his washing machine was. Shawn was mildly impressed that he had a washing machine as he was sure that there was a laundry room for all occupants of the building to use on the ground floor. It was easily visible from the stairs when they walked up.
Shawn quickly gave his hair another rub with the towel to dry it before he tossed it in the machine.
"Wanna head over to the zoo then?" Gus asked with a grin on his face, holding up his car keys.
Shawn nodded eagerly and headed over towards the door.
"Hold on" Gus told him before he closed the laptop and ran into the room they were sharing.
Curiosity got the better of Shawn and slowly he went in the room to see Gus fumbling through one of his draws.
"Ah ha!" Gus announced, pulling out a flashy compact little camera. Shawn stared at it. "It's been a while since I used it but there should be some battery left…" Gus trailed off, checking the camera for signs of life.
It beeped suddenly and Shawn blinked.
"Is that a camera?" Shawn confirmed and Gus nodded. "It's tiny" Shawn remarked astonished.
Gus laughed, "Came out a year ago"
Shawn gave a tight smile as Gus handed him the camera.
"Ok let's go" Gus announced.
Gus grabbed his keys off the side along with his wallet and Shawn followed him, down the stairs to his car.
Gus started the engine and glanced at Shawn who was rechecking his own seatbelt to make sure it was secure. Gus drove slowly as quick speeds seemed to upset Shawn. Shawn was enjoying going at thirty miles an hour. This meant he could take in the view around him as he had been stuck with the same familiar view for years.
Arriving at the Zoo was wonderful to Shawn. He remembered the last time he was here with his father, right before he arrived at West Haven.
"Ready to see some animals, son?" Henry asked with a smirk.
Shawn jumped, and then looked around cautiously. His dad wasn't here this time.
The lady was waiting to welcome them both to the Zoo and Gus opened his wallet and gave her the money. Shawn felt bad, but it wasn't as if there was anything he could do. All his money given to him by the government went in a secure bank account until he would be released and only then would papers have to be signed my his guardians to help handle his financial troubles. One day Shawn would pay Gus back. He would. He would get a job and pay back every penny.
The lady didn't need to warn them about the floors. They were not wet this time but Shawn couldn't help picture where the sign was and stopped, stood directly where he fell over as a child.
"Shawn?" Gus stated, putting his wallet away.
Shawn looked up and gave a quick smile and retrieved the camera Gus had given him out of his pocket. Shawn then dragged Gus around all of the exhibits and remembering that his father took pictures last time, frowned, and tried to remember what the pictures were off. Shawn re took all of the pictures with him in the shots. He remembered the exact poses he did when he was a child and asked Gus to take them from very specific angles.
"Does it really matter where I stand? Don't you want the monkey in the back of the shot?" Gus asked, holding the camera in front of him.
Shawn frowned. "Nope. It has to be the same"
This time Gus frowned, "Why?" he agreed before giving a smile as he clicked the camera. "Happy?"
"Yes" Shawn answered with a grin.
Shawn was fascinated of the other people visiting the Zoo. They were new, fresh and unfamiliar and it had been a while since there had been any new faces at West Haven and now he had met so many new people. Gus noticed how he was creeping a few people out but they saw the hospital tag on his wrist and realised that it must not be his fault. That he must have some disease or be mentally ill. It didn't stop the occasional person from coming up to him and complaining. Gus stood up for him though and from then on, Shawn pretended not to notice the other people and didn't scan them in detail. Not all these people were his friends, no matter how much he wanted to be friends with everyone; it seemed that in the outside world, not everyone was friendly. Shawn's spirits drastically raised once he saw the sign for the dolphin exhibit.
As they stood watching the dolphins from the side, only the glass panel separating them, Shawn gazed with fascination.
"You know" Shawn began, "last time I came. I attempted to bypass the security so I could go and swim with the dolphins"
Gus grinned, that was the Shawn he knew from childhood.
"I realise now it was a stupid idea" Shawn told him and Gus smiled.
"A lot of things you did as a child were…" Gus trailed off still smiling.
"Exactly" Shawn finished, not at all offended but grinned remembering the sorts of things that he would try and drag his best mate in to.
"Mainly because at the time, I didn't know how to swim" Shawn eventually continued and Gus stared.
"And yet you wanted to swim with the dolphins? That makes perfect sense."
"Yeah" Shawn laughed, "My dad had great fun explaining it to the guard that caught me"
Gus gave a small laugh.
"Can I have the camera?" Shawn asked and Gus quickly handed it over and watched as Shawn took lots of pictures of the dolphins.
Gus gasped for a moment when one of the dolphins dived right down to eye level and peered through the window. Shawn stared at it for a moment and gave a small grin before raising the camera straight in its face and smiling. The dolphin gave a shrill of annoyance before swimming away; the camera never stopped flashing the entire time.
Shawn turned to face Gus with an eyebrow raised and Gus gave a small chuckle before starting to walk away. Shawn paused hesitantly, wanting to stay with the dolphins for longer but deciding ultimately to follow his best friend before he realised that he was missing.
When the time came to visit the snakes, Shawn couldn't help but remember the last time he was here. It was very strong déjà vu. Shawn resisted the urge to hiss at the snakes at first but then realised that because people were looking at him weirdly anyway because of the tag on his wrist, he had an excuse to hiss at them. Anyway, you never know, they might hiss back. Shawn waited until Gus got distracted by a very attractive woman passing before he bent down to the same level as the snakes and started hissing at them.
"You don't belong in a zoo, you belong with me" Gus said seductively to the woman.
The woman gave a small chuckle before smiling weakly, "Chantelle"
"I couldn't help notice that you are here alone" Gus began and she smiled and cut him off.
"I find it relaxing and I love the animals and oh… Is that man talking to the snakes‽" she chuckled, finding the idea of a grown man pretending to talk to the snakes highly amusing.
"Uh..." Gus turned to see Shawn hissing who seemed completely oblivious to other people's incessant stares. "Yeah, that's-"
"Hilarious!" she burst out laughing and Gus gave her a look that immediately quietened her frantic laughter.
"That's my best friend" Gus stated shortly, causing the woman to stop laughing and her expression turned into an incredulous glare.
"Recently released from the mental asylum?" she asked jokily, expecting the joke to be returned.
"Yes" Gus stated shortly and completely seriously.
"Oh sorry" she replied, though sounding not at all sorry before going in to her handbag and digging out a piece of scrap paper and pen and writing her number on it, added was a few kisses and heart.
"Call me when you're not babysitting" she winked before handing him the piece of paper with her number on it and leaving Gus stood there alone.
Author note: Thanks for reading guys... Leave a comment if you enjoyed it! As always, leave suggestions if you have any ideas!