Disclaimer: Don't own it.
A/N: No, I have not abandoned it; I just happen to have extremely erratic posting times. Whatever…anyway, it's AU, don't forget. Just read and digest, please.
Meryl is sure that she will have long-term back problems if she continues to hunch like this while reading her book, but it is one of the few perks that naturally comes along with riding a subway, particularly if your trip takes more than twenty minutes. The harsh, interior light casts a sickly pallor on her skin as she notices how thin her fingers have become. Sighing, she shakes her head and turns a page.
The floor abruptly creaks, and the train halts to a screeching stop. The cool, female voice announces the station, and Meryl ignores her completely. People file past her, slowly filling up the relatively empty seats and available wall space while the lights above flicker on and off wearily. Post-work rush has officially begun.
The doors slide close; Meryl holds on to a pole as the subway groans its way to the next stop. Settling in again, she opens her book and finds her place. Aahh.
"Can I sit next to you?"
Meryl looks up, absently chewing her lip. "What?"
A man looks down at her, gesturing towards the seat where her bag is currently occupying. He smiles cheerfully. "Do you mind?"
Something is awfully familiar about him. Lanky figure. Rather tall. …Ah. Recognition dawned on her face. "Oh…no, uh, here." She moves the bag away and sets it beside her feet.
He sits down ungracefully and has a brief stretch, joints popping and cracking eerily. Meryl looks at him, oddly fascinated. The man notices her staring and shrugs sheepishly. "Eheh, sorry." As if needing an excuse, he adds, "Long day."
Suppressing a chuckle, she nods. "Understood."
There is nothing else to say, so they stay quiet and waste their own time. Meryl is halfway through her book when the voice drones that they have arrived in Promontory. With another sigh, she picks up her bag and stands up, her eyes now slightly sore from such concentrated reading. He turns towards her.
"Hey, I've met you before."
Remembering something else, she begins rummaging through her bag. "Oh yeah, I still have your handkerchief."
The doors slide open, and people wander in and out. The man looks outside anxiously and back at her. "It's okay, just give it to me later. We're about to move again."
Meryl snaps her bag shut and shrugs helplessly. "Alright. I guess I will see you later."
Nearly tripping on the way out, she turns around to face him just as the doors begin closing. She can barely hear the automated voice warning that the doors are closing. Of course they will not reopen. He waves goodbye to her, and Meryl raises both eyebrows. She unexpectedly waves back.
Guys, you all know what to do!