Clutching his chest in thanks that Leela sought the stars instead of the sidewalk, Mayfield could only shuffle behind and watch as she bowed her head and gripped the bannister. Could only palm the wall, his head shaking to hear and witness those memories flood her brain and out her eye duct in real time.
Even before she gazed back through a crinkled face, they'd been crashing out in great waves…
"How come did I play the hero, kid?"
Seeing her cripple and imploded had Mayfield open his arms, chest rising before he suddenly got pulled into her own embrace, never a more sorrowful squall of tears to wet his shoulder.
Could do nothing but hold tight, not a word spoken as it all began to replay in his mind.
"All those years of confusion, condemnation, struggles, realities and long odds; only for family…"
From complex chats over coffee & cake, to sweet games via board, backyard or big screens, he ALWAYS had that absolute rock to fall back on. Though things went to hell since the disappearance, he fought through his new future BECAUSE of those wonderful yesteryears.
Daresay the hopes that he'd get to live them again.
For the woman in his arms, she literally HAD no-one above ground to care, in both that makeshift children's prison AND everything before Planet Express. Only found such friendship—arguably family—in both Fry & Bender. Couldn't imagine the comics or TV shows they could create…
In all the revelations had, Mayfield had a soft, unsure voice leave him.
"After your story, who better to stand for the weak than you? For twice the eyes I've never been so blinded. For twice the complaints, been such a self-centred bastard. For such ancient minds, a complete idiot. I'm so sorry…"
Soon his tears began to flow, as the scattered stars sparkled or shot over their heads, as near-eternities of corked grief had finally come to release. Mentally for Leela, and those countless episodes against the ones who cared, or literally for Mayfield's lost dozen of lifetimes, to blink past in a probable blackout.
In such memories to age them beyond their late 20s, of time taken to understand, they soon felt spirits bubble and bodies loosen in that loneliness together.
"Leela, I don't know if I can, but I'll promise you this… To my final gasp, I'll do anything in my power to discover your friends, bring them back where possible. You deserve the closure, if nothing else."
"Thanks Thomas, but for your sake, don't get your hopes up."
As they dusted themselves off, as Mayfield wiped both their tears away, they had some great sighs of contentment.
"So now what? I've got nothing planned, you reckon you might head home yourself or…"
"Had thought about my monthly meal marathon, but like hell now! Been having drinks and dances, and you've bonned my Jovi somewhat… We're halfway there, wouldn't you say?"
"A fan of that era huh? Think I could accommodate, just hope my dancing won't disappoint… Symphod, please give us a shuffle of your finest 80s music, 5% slower, shift the pitch."
Their party began through Beat It's gritty street synth, grungy guitar work, and thumping drums; as they and The King kicked in one-by-one, the two began to cut loose on their makeshift dancefloor. Indeed, the fire-starting solo of Eddie Van Halen had Leela demand a rewind, a Captain's challenge of an air guitar solo. One that had her win handily through a whip of the ponytail, a flex of those four fingers, and moves to set the roof aflame.
Through music, a chance to smile for the classics, groan at the duds, and laugh while the clock faded into oblivion. A real chance to know each other while they danced, drank and dripped sweat throughout the night.
Even for his giggly self, Mayfield could only stare bewildered at Leela's tolerance; one to go through half a dozen 'D&Ts' and still pass off for stone-cold sober.
"Oh man, and I thought her eating the steak was a fluke."
Hours upon hours with nary a break, which had one taking breaths, and the other gripping a counter for dear life.
"Almost midnight Thomas, how shall we close the show?"
"All night long we've hurt so good, hardened our hearts, felt eyes of the tiger, and had the time of our lives, so good question lass… What else could there be?"
"All that confessing might've been a careless whisper between ourselves, wouldn't you say?"
A slap of the head: "Of course, how could I forget? Say no more, I've got you."
Soon, a slow dance to the classic combo of smooth sax riffs and symphonic vocals, swept away to this happiness however rare it was. Though Mayfield—so he'd been told—could make an octopus look good, they'd been too busy enjoying themselves to really care.
As those final strains were blown, the two of them would begin to yawn, stretch and grin.
"So Leela, how 'bout a little bet? Quick games of rock, paper, scissors; first to three. Winner gets the bed, loser gets the couch. You in?"
"You'd best enjoy your couch then, 'cause I'm gonna cut you down, cover you up and smash you to bits."
Backed her words quicker than spoke them, leaving Mayfield to grouse as he propped his cushions. Still, as he nestled in and got comfy, he doubted that he could really complain.
"Goodnight Captain, and hey… Just like the old days, eh?"
"Oh can it kid, you know I'm off-duty. And what old days, it's only been a few weeks! Pleasant dreams now."
¸.·ˆ¯)¸.·ˆ¯)¸.·ˆ¯)¸.·ˆ¯)¸.·ˆ¯)¸.·ˆ¯)
Before the dawn's early light broke the horizon, one could've thought of stripping the place clean for how silent it'd been inside. No murmurs, mutters or mumbles, as Mayfield woke to his blues getting blasted. Moved to his sink, a skip in the step, to splash some ice-cold water and look through his breakfast options.
On one finger, toast. On another, eggs & bacon. Yet another still, maybe an apple. Could've kept counting up, at least before his eye caught the cereal box of Archduke Chocula.
For flakes being coated in chocolate and mixed with mini-mallows, it looked bad enough, but the real kicker came from the carton of 'Third & Third & Third' he bought just for curiosity's sake. A milk, cream and sugar combo that, upon a taste, had him drown his bowl and shovel it in.
For an on-the-go coffee lover, a perfect convenience. For anything else, well…
"Oh Lord, kid. That's a heart attack waiting to happen!" Though they couldn't help but smile.
"If I die the happiest fat-boy alive, so be it." Mayfield mumbled before he gulped. "Otherwise, how'd ya sleep, Cap?"
"Rarely happens that I can say I'm fine and MEAN it… I'll be damned, but this is such a time."
Could've almost choked the kid for her laugh, one to light the room before she began her own search & scavenge. The slab of bacon seemed normal enough, but what really got his attention was the ostrich egg. Bigger than his head, and he felt quite sure he'd never bought it.
"How the hell did she pull that out?"
Soon shrugged for remembering her words about the 'impossible', and a sudden squirm of nerves for perhaps a realisation of sorts.
"You know Leela, to earn such trust as to hear your full story, it really gladdens me. If I didn't make it clear before, then costume or no, might I say that you're a damn hero in my eyes?"
"Oh stop. I do my best, but you don't mean that…" A red tinge, her hair brushed back. "Do you?"
"Our past made me quite doubtful, I don't deny that, but now it's clear as crystal. For all those awful situations you fought through, and still do, you've got twice the courage, brains, strength and love of any being—regardless of their eyes—that I could ever meet. No wonder why Fry loved you the way he did."
Scooping a very full pan of scrambled eggs, and rashers of crispy sizzling bacon onto separate plates, Leela covered his hand with hers and shared a gaze.
"Thank you. Seriously, thank you. Last night aside, that's made my weekend, and…"
"Sorry to interrupt, but a thought or two occurred to me as I slept on your words. First of all, how ever did you find me in this wide world?"
"Friends from the deep, if you could believe it. From a wet, soothing tentacle over my head, one I almost blasted clean off, they turned out to be dear friends, ones to listen to my whole story, prove just as eager to help."
"Fair play, I never knew. So as I understand it, those friends gave you immediate favours without requiring one in return, and you bear a heart of gold to go against everything you'd have learned while growing up. Would I be correct?"
"I guess I was just lucky like that, what's your point?"
"A theory of sorts, now think back and try to remember… Did events happen that even now, you could never explain? And they happened often enough to not be a coincidence?"
"Now that you mention it, yeah, there were such events. Taking baby crawls towards stairs, I'd be scooped up and turned from harm. I study as a child in my room, a tin box of delicious cookies appear on my desk. Every July 29, I'd always have a gift waiting somewhere, even when everyone else never remembered… What made you ask that?"
"Because though I couldn't answer your questions back at the diner, I've a funny feeling that by where, and who, those 'friends' are to you, they're much closer than you realise."
"A conversation I'd all but forgotten, and yet one to explain so much... I won't get ahead of myself yet, but thanks for remembering kid."
"You bet. Hey, once we finish up here, why don't we race for the terminal?"
"I could've collected a pension by the time you reached your floor. You really think you're going to beat me this time?"
"You caught me unprepared last night. This time, I've got a good feeling. Let me get dressed first."
Rising up, he slipped from view, shut his door, and rummaged through his secret stash, as Leela kept working through her champion's breakfast. A clear 75 degrees according to her wrist-a-majig; perfect for a casual run as half an hour later, they met outside the front door.
"How 'bout we make it a little more interesting, Thomas? We put a Gore each into the pot, winner-take-all. I mean, if you're so confident that you can beat me."
"Risk-free I'd be right there, but money's rather tight. I don't know, you've proven enough that I can't win against you on equal terms."
"Don't tell me after all that man-to-woman talk that you're no longer a man?" she teased.
"Alright Gods damn you, you're on. I'm sure I had a few bills gathering dust anyway."
They met in the middle of the road, got into a sprinter's position. The two eyed each other off, brand new fires to burn within. After a call of ready, the kid began the countdown.
"One for the money, two for the show, three to make ready, and four to…"
All Leela could yell was "Hey!" as she saw him vanish in a blink. Took off sprinting, found herself there within five minutes as she saw him standing there, wide smirk on his face.
"Go."
"Why, you cheating little…"
"You didn't think I lied about the equal terms thing, did ya?"
A beckoning finger as Leela coughed the money up, grouchy for losing but soon grinning for the idea in mind.
"Okay you devious bastard, I'll give you that one. But now that I can't afford the bus, and seeing that you're already powered up, how 'bout you drop me off at my apartment?"
"I've got another idea, maybe something that oughta prepare you for next time…"
Searching in his pockets he soon tossed three full tubes of his secret weapon into Leela's hands, and if her reaction to losing wasn't priceless enough… Her sudden streak of gulps and noises could've burst his tummy in mirth.
"Okay, time-out, whoa! What is it with you and finding these damned creams again?!"
"Who said anything about finding them?" he chuckled as she rubbed down. "When Monday comes you'll know, and until then, you've got me. Sound good?"
That breath to signify her power-up: "I'll hold you to it, but in the meantime… Thanks again kid, for everything."
A salute and smile in response as Leela flashed down the road and across the Hudson, leaving big skips of water in her wake. Even for that crisp new payday, Mayfield could've fist-pumped to the skies for how they'd helped each other—Planet Express by extension—that night.
Such open confessions and soothing embraces, topped off by wild drinks and wilder dances; he'd be damned if he could remember a better Friday.
Couldn't believe he'd say it, but through his journey of space, work and city life, and all the blessed and broken tears for the beauty & fondness, for the horror & hatred… Perhaps since he tasted the Big Big Apple's soil and dirt, he had finally found his home.
If only such homes could've remained so peaceful, in the days and weeks to come…