The mug is warm in his hands; steam rising up, warming his chin. His head slightly sways from side to side embracing it. There's movement behind him, light whispers. Yet he doesn't turn, just lingers in the warmth of the sweet liquid; eyes closing instantly in bliss, as it passes through lips coating his throat. "What makes it like this?" He asks running his tongue over top lip. His question stops the discussion going on behind him. He hears creaks in the wood, letting him know they're coming his way.
Warmth presses into his back and pressure falls onto his shoulder. He doesn't jump though, it's familiar and safe. They sway from side to side slow. So slow, if you weren't really paying attention you'd miss it.
"Condensed sweet cream and brown sugar" the voice doesn't startle them as it should "the cream comes in a can" he continues, "it's really good… better then milk."
He takes another sip and hums. Hair tickles his cheek and deep breaths enter his ear "you shouldn't drink too much Noah, the caffeine may keep you up."
"Relax boy" their temporary savior says "it's just tea, the cream dilutes it. Besides it looks like your friend could use it."
Casey wraps an arm around Noah's waist, leans his head to the side so chin is resting on shoulder. He watches the content look that falls onto his friends face as he takes another swig "good?" Noah just nods.
"I um" Marcus observes them from the door, he's not going to ask too many questions, doesn't think he needs to. The way they devoured food set in front of them and sat close together at all times, tells him they need each other and what ever happened wasn't pretty and isn't over. "Your clothes are in the wash, they'll be waiting for you in the morning." Casey doesn't move; cheek still pressed into shoulder, arm wrapped in a protective embrace around Noah's waist, hand spread across stomach. Although it gives Casey comfort, it's for the both of them that he does this; it lets them know they still have each other if….
Noah's head turns a little, half of it bathed in the darkness of the room "thank you." Those two little big words spoken so softly it's barely there. He turns back not waiting for a response, eyes focused back on the mug.
Marcus heard it though; he steps backwards out of the room- eyes fixed on them intrigued by the connection. It's so thick in the room, it's almost unbearable "get some sleep" he says before closing the door.
They stand in the middle of the room. They don't talk, just stand and listen to each others breathing; it's so quiet you can hear the swallow every time Noah sips. "Lay down" Noah finally says after a few minutes pass by. He feels the shake on shoulder, knows it's a protest. They don't sleep without each other, it helps when the dreams become too much. "Casey."
The arm just gets tighter, his answer in the squeeze "I'll wait till you're finished." There's no need too argue with him. Noah continues too drink- eyes peeking over cup taking in the room Marcus left them in. There's not much, just a dresser and a twin bed. A photo here and there, nice curtains decorating the only window in the room. "It was nice of him to let us borrow clothes."
"It was nice of him too lets us shower" Noah corrects.
Casey snorts, it's almost a laugh and Noah aches to hear it again. They're so few and far between, it's almost like Christmas when it happens. Noah swallows the last of the liquid gold and pats the hand pressed into his belly, letting him know he can ease up. It drops hesitantly. Noah doesn't say anything, doesn't want to make Casey feel ashamed for needing the contact…he needs it too. Quickly he heads to the bed pulling covers back "come here" he looks up reaching his hand out.
Casey takes it, holds on tight. They simultaneously pull each other into a hug "do you think-"
"Don't" Noah says.
"We have to consider the possibility."
"Know. We don't."
"He only wants Luke….Reid…Reid means nothing to him…he'll."
"They got away Casey, they got away" Noah cuts in because he has to…. he needs to. That thought can't seep in, once it does they're doomed and he can't have that….at least until he's completely sure, until then there's hope. He feels the tremble and knows it could only mean one thing. His arms squeeze tighter around body and he waits quietly. It's not loud and there are no sobs, just wetness on his neck and collar.
Noah's patient and steady; he holds on, rubbing up and down back waiting for it to pass. He wants to let loose too, but right now at least one of them should keep it together. Besides this isn't old Casey, this is new Casey. This is Casey who's seen too much…lost too much and is sick and tired of losing. This is Casey who rarely laughs now and when he does, you want too rejoice.
The episode is soon over. They pull apart, stare at each other and Noah without hesitation wipes at a tear in mid drop from his face. "Lay down" he say's simply- finger tracing where the tear would have dropped. Casey's face seems too register what he just did and a flicker of embarrassment crosses his features "its okay" Noah whispers "it's always okay."
Casey turns away and climbs into bed; he can't give eye contact- not right now, it's too much.
Instead he snuggles deep into the covers waiting and holding his breath. He's hoping, praying he doesn't have to ask for it. When a strong arm comes around his waist pulling his back into chest and a face pushes into the nape of neck. He doesn't know why he was worried.
They stand tall and angry-no trace of fear,but it's there and potent "put down the gun Noah,you can't protect him forever. Soon I'll get him and if you want too live… you'll lower the weapon and leave." Damien's voice is calm and reserved, but they can see the crazy behind it… can see the threat it holds. "Were Lily's cries of pain not enough for you? Did you want too experience it also?" The gun shakes "my,my,my" Damien smiles wickedly,head tilted lazily as if this were a waste of his time.
"Focus Noah,you can't help Lily now."
"Shut up!" Damien seethes, that evil coming through.He directs his eyes at Reid "you know Doctor Oliver,you had your chance to leave… you should have taken it."
They glare at each other as Reid makes his way closer to Noah. "Give me the gun Noah." Noah shakes his head,tears about too fall. "It's okay" he leans in whispering something in his ear.His hand comes up covering over Noah's "take them and leave."
"Reid"
"I'll be there" Noah slowly nods,easing his grip on the gun. Reid takes a hold of it aiming it right at Damien. "Go" he says. Noah doesn't move right away "move Noah, take them and leave."
Noah turns his face watching two people stand side by side hands clasped together in a death grip. He steps away;moving closer to them "Reid" he bites his bottom lip,shaking his head.He's still moving towards the two figures, but he won't turn too actually make it real.
"Noah,trust me….please" the voice is desperate- pleading. Nothing else is said; he just turns around,grabs the nearest hand and high tails it out of there. He's moving and pulling them along so fast, the loud protest of both men in his ear almost drowns out the threat
Damien throws their way.
"When and if you find him,you won't recognize him."
Almost.
The dream shocks Noah out of sleep. He shoots up, back hitting the head board. He so freaked he has too remember where he's at- take in his surroundings. Slowly he comes down, his hand clutching at his chest as he takes steady breaths "another one?" He doesn't even look, he doesn't have to.
"Another one" it's all he has to say.
Casey turns around their eyes connecting "was there a body this time?"
"Nothing this time, we just run leaving him…behind." He turns his face to the window caught up watching as a little breeze hits the curtains. "I don't know why it never ends the way it really happened" he murmurs, still staring at the moving curtains.
They both know though. Noah may not want to consider it, but just because Reid got away once, doesn't mean he'll get away again.
"Are we going to-"
"Yes and we'll wait as long as we can" Casey says nothing just listens "they'll be there; we'll give them a chance. The only way they won't come is if….." Noah closes his eyes bites it back, Adam's apple bobbing as if he could swallow such a thought.
Casey rest his head on Noah's lap, wraps his arm around waist gripping tight for support "we'll wait" is all he says.
Noah looks at his watch- eyes widen instantly "slept almost an hour this time" Casey snorts again for the second time in one day "like Christmas" Noah mumble's.
"What?"
"Nothing"
