Comforting Conversations 4.1
Title: Comforting Conversations
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Airwaves 4.1
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: 4 Soothing coclaim100
Word Count: 1962
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Alan arrives home and misses Robert terribly.
Author's Notes:
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here
Order of the story is here
Previous Part:
Ache
The cab dropped him off a few blocks from his flat, an old habit to try to protect a little of his privacy. Too early for the tube, the cab was a nice ride from the airport. The cold morning air passing through the open window was crisp, but did nothing to wake Alan up. He started to feel a little better upon seeing the familiar streets. He really liked the neighborhood, even more so in the early, early morning when people and traffic were light. He was bone tired, never able to really sleep on plane, too many other people mucking about for any real sleep. Dragging his luggage down the uneven sidewalk, he finally was home. Today, however, he didn’t feel the same sense of elation that coming home always instilled in him. Everything was a little off, not quite right.
Opening the door, he smelled the familiar scent of home. Setting down his bag, he leaned against the door for a few minutes, overwhelmed at how much had changed in four days. The flat looked no worse for being abandoned the few days ago; the plants needed watering, the fridge probably needed a few things tossed. Mentally, Alan started to go through all the steps necessary to bring his home back to life.
He hung his jacket up next to the sweater he wore to the fruit and veg markets on the weekends to keep him warm during the chilly mornings. He smiled, thinking of how Robert might look in the oversized sweater and how the dark colors would bring out the velvet of his eyes.
Walking around and assessing the flat, he turned on a few lights, trying to make it feel lived in, but really it just did not feel right, things still felt off. Everything seemed darker here, even with the lights on, in contrast to the lightness in NY. He wanted to be beneath the white sheets and fluffy comforter with Robert.
Alan flopped down in his club chair and scrubbed his hands across his face, trying to shake this malaise that was rapidly settling around him. The blinking light on his answering machine was flashing behind him. He had noticed it as he sat down and figured it must be his dad; no one else left messages on his home phone. Reaching back his arm and getting a shot of Robert’s scent off the t-shirt, he closed his eyes, taking a second to enjoy it before pressing the button to listen to his message.
He was right. His father had called to remind him that he had a family gathering next week, but the last thing Alan wanted to do at this moment was try to be happy or social.
Alan closed his eyes once more before standing and walking over to his jacket. Retrieving his cell, he took it off flight-mode and switched it back to regular service. Watching the phone search for a network, he smiled when the familiar Orange appeared on the screen. Before he could talk himself out of it, he searched his phonebook and dialed Robert.
Somewhere in New York, a phone rang. Robert glanced past the clock-11:03-and to the ringing telephone. He set the book that he wasn’t reading down next to him on the bed and reached for the phone. “Hello?”
Just hearing the one word made Alan feel 100 times better. “Hey stranger.”
“Alan! So this means you made it home safely?”
“No, I am currently floating in the Atlantic and thought I would call you with the last of my cell battery.”
Robert laughed, sitting himself up into a more comfortable position. “Welcome home.”
“It somehow feels less like home.”
“What’s wrong?” Robert had noticed the mood change in Alan’s voice.
“Robert, I’m fine…”
“No, something else is wrong, what is it?”
“How can you… never mind. I guess I am just worried.”
“It’s a little early to worry. Only been one day.”
“Bugger me, how did you do it? Before?”
“Do what? The distance? Well that had never been an issue.”
“Really? I have been here in London for only a few hours, and …”
“Alan, I know. You don’t have to say anything,” Robert interrupted, not needing any explanation.
“So, how did you?”
“We didn’t. Sure I kinda missed her when we were apart and wanted her around, but mostly because I didn’t know how to be alone. After a while, the cavern that had separated us emotionally was masked by distance when I started working in LA. I guess we both forgot that a relationship is work. Well, honestly, I forgot. And after a while, I stopped listening to her, calling her, and finally she stopped caring as well.”
“I find that hard to believe.” Alan settled back into his chair, turning off the light and pressing the phone closer to his ear. How could anyone just stop caring about someone like Robert?
“No, I have to be honest. Have to be truthful.”
“And now? Us?”
“I like what we have, I want to, I really want us to… work.” Robert twisted the phone cord around his finger, and it reminded him of Alan’s curls and how they clung to his fingers late at night when Alan was sleeping, not knowing he was being watched.
“But no promises.” Alan reminded him in a non-committal voice.
“No, but life has no guarantees.”
“It’s nice to think that there could be.”
“I guess you are a romantic at heart Alan.”
“You sound surprised,” Alan chuckled.
“Actually, after the surprise visit, I have a whole new opinion on romantics.”
“Ha! That is not the general opinion of press and ex-partners.”
Robert allowed his smile to fade. “No it’s not. So is this all an act?”
“It would be easier if it was.” Alan sighed, leaning his head back against the chair. “No you are different, I wish …”
“You could label this? Understand? Rationalize?”
“Yeah, I will take all three. So, when do you fly back to LA?”
“Nice change of subject. I leave tomorrow. They called today and wanted to see if I could show up a few days early. They want to run through the end of the season character development.”
“Looking forward to getting back to it?”
Robert let himself relax and tucked an arm under his head. “Looking forward to June more.”
“So am I. What do you want to see? You haven’t been to London in a long time.”
“You remembered. Yeah it’s been a while, would love to see a few shows.”
“Certainly! We can pick them out and I can see about tickets.”
“What else will you show me?”
“Robert, are you flirting?” Alan inquired with a broad smile on his face.
“What? well yes and no…” Robert stammered to a stop, face reddening.
Alan, hearing the blush in Robert’s voice, returned to safer subjects. “So, if you only work two or three days a week, what do you do to stay out of trouble?”
“Not, much. I will head out and drive around sometimes. Spend a good deal of time at the Getty.”
“The Getty?”
“Oh, the John Paul Getty Museum. It is perched up on a cliff, and is well laid out so you can take your time and hang out, read a book, look at art. It always is peaceful there.”
“You should write.” Alan blurted out.
“Where did that come from? I read enough, and I never tire of it. I enjoy getting lost in the prose.”
“Writing would help beat the boredom, give you something to do when you are stuck, unable to go anywhere because of the show.”
“I am not a writer, I’m not that creative.”
“I find that hard to believe, you are way too critical of your talents.”
“No, realistic.”
“Ever tried?” Alan stifled a yawn. As he sunk deeper in to the chair, he started to relax and get drowsy.
“You are tired.”
“And you are changing the subject again.”
“I’m surprised you noticed, you must be exhausted after your flight.”
“Talking is nice, I can put off sleep.”
“Alan, you will make yourself sick.”
“And you, Robert, are worrying too much.”
“It’s nearly 5 am in London, and traveling is always exhausting, you need your rest.”
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll be fine if I stay up late a few nights.”
“I know, but you start shooting next week, and it would suck to be sick.”
“Yes, mom.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Robert decided to be kind and let Alan off the hook.
“Actually just stay in. Maybe do some work on a new stand up routine, go to the shops for fruit and vegs; the pantry is empty.”
“Sounds nice, I will doing that once I land in LA, there are some nice farmer’s markets.”
“It will be weird not talking tomorrow.”
“It will, but I think we will survive.”
“Survive, yes, but not be happy about it.”
“The eight hour difference will be tough.” Robert heard Alan yawn again. “You should go to bed.”
“You’re right. But sing me to sleep first. Please?” Alan asked in a pouty voice.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Not even if I ask nicely?”
Robert laughed, “Well, you might be able to persuade me. Eventually.”
“Now, I need to develop a scheme to get you to sing.”
Robert laughed again. “I will look forward to that, but tonight my sweet, you need sleep.”
“Couple more minutes. Let me get ready for bed.” Alan stood and dug around his bag for his toothbrush and stumbled into the bathroom. “Brushing teeth, be back in a jiffy.”
Robert heard Alan set the phone down gently and the tap turn on. He smiled at the simple routine, neither of them willing to part just yet.
The tap turned off and Alan picked up the phone. “I’m back.”
“And minty fresh. Heading to bed now?”
“I think so,” Alan yawned loudly, this time not holding it back. “I miss you, honestly. This is going to be a long five months.”
“I know, but I’ll still be here tomorrow.”
Alan took off his jeans, phone pressed to his ear, and laid them across the chair in the corner. His voice grew quiet, “But you won’t be here.”
“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.
And if "ifs" and "ands"
Were pots and pans,
There'd be no work for tinkers!”
Alan laid down on the clean cool sheets, his head gently resting on the pillow, and a smile filled his face at the old English Nursery Rhyme. “You never cease to amaze me. Call me when you make it to LA, so I know you are safe.”
“I will, sleep well and pleasant dreams.”
“Good night, Love.” Alan hung up and set down the phone on the nightstand. The edges of his mouth turned up in a small smile and he dreamed of what was and what could be.
Robert hung up and rested the phone on his stomach. He smiled and shook his head slightly, amazed at the way one conversation with Alan could set his world spinning. He finally rolled over to set the phone back on its stand. Next, he closed the book still laying next to him, not caring that he had lost his place, and set it next to the phone, lastly setting his glasses on top of it. He turned off the bedside lamp and snuggled under the covers, trying real hard not to notice how big and empty the bed felt when sleeping alone. His last thoughts were of the stars above and a blanket of kisses, then he fell into a restful sleep.
A Renewed Resolve:
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Airwaves 4.1
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: 4 Soothing coclaim100
Word Count: 1962
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Alan arrives home and misses Robert terribly.
Author's Notes:
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here
Order of the story is here
Previous Part:
Ache
The cab dropped him off a few blocks from his flat, an old habit to try to protect a little of his privacy. Too early for the tube, the cab was a nice ride from the airport. The cold morning air passing through the open window was crisp, but did nothing to wake Alan up. He started to feel a little better upon seeing the familiar streets. He really liked the neighborhood, even more so in the early, early morning when people and traffic were light. He was bone tired, never able to really sleep on plane, too many other people mucking about for any real sleep. Dragging his luggage down the uneven sidewalk, he finally was home. Today, however, he didn’t feel the same sense of elation that coming home always instilled in him. Everything was a little off, not quite right.
Opening the door, he smelled the familiar scent of home. Setting down his bag, he leaned against the door for a few minutes, overwhelmed at how much had changed in four days. The flat looked no worse for being abandoned the few days ago; the plants needed watering, the fridge probably needed a few things tossed. Mentally, Alan started to go through all the steps necessary to bring his home back to life.
He hung his jacket up next to the sweater he wore to the fruit and veg markets on the weekends to keep him warm during the chilly mornings. He smiled, thinking of how Robert might look in the oversized sweater and how the dark colors would bring out the velvet of his eyes.
Walking around and assessing the flat, he turned on a few lights, trying to make it feel lived in, but really it just did not feel right, things still felt off. Everything seemed darker here, even with the lights on, in contrast to the lightness in NY. He wanted to be beneath the white sheets and fluffy comforter with Robert.
Alan flopped down in his club chair and scrubbed his hands across his face, trying to shake this malaise that was rapidly settling around him. The blinking light on his answering machine was flashing behind him. He had noticed it as he sat down and figured it must be his dad; no one else left messages on his home phone. Reaching back his arm and getting a shot of Robert’s scent off the t-shirt, he closed his eyes, taking a second to enjoy it before pressing the button to listen to his message.
He was right. His father had called to remind him that he had a family gathering next week, but the last thing Alan wanted to do at this moment was try to be happy or social.
Alan closed his eyes once more before standing and walking over to his jacket. Retrieving his cell, he took it off flight-mode and switched it back to regular service. Watching the phone search for a network, he smiled when the familiar Orange appeared on the screen. Before he could talk himself out of it, he searched his phonebook and dialed Robert.
Somewhere in New York, a phone rang. Robert glanced past the clock-11:03-and to the ringing telephone. He set the book that he wasn’t reading down next to him on the bed and reached for the phone. “Hello?”
Just hearing the one word made Alan feel 100 times better. “Hey stranger.”
“Alan! So this means you made it home safely?”
“No, I am currently floating in the Atlantic and thought I would call you with the last of my cell battery.”
Robert laughed, sitting himself up into a more comfortable position. “Welcome home.”
“It somehow feels less like home.”
“What’s wrong?” Robert had noticed the mood change in Alan’s voice.
“Robert, I’m fine…”
“No, something else is wrong, what is it?”
“How can you… never mind. I guess I am just worried.”
“It’s a little early to worry. Only been one day.”
“Bugger me, how did you do it? Before?”
“Do what? The distance? Well that had never been an issue.”
“Really? I have been here in London for only a few hours, and …”
“Alan, I know. You don’t have to say anything,” Robert interrupted, not needing any explanation.
“So, how did you?”
“We didn’t. Sure I kinda missed her when we were apart and wanted her around, but mostly because I didn’t know how to be alone. After a while, the cavern that had separated us emotionally was masked by distance when I started working in LA. I guess we both forgot that a relationship is work. Well, honestly, I forgot. And after a while, I stopped listening to her, calling her, and finally she stopped caring as well.”
“I find that hard to believe.” Alan settled back into his chair, turning off the light and pressing the phone closer to his ear. How could anyone just stop caring about someone like Robert?
“No, I have to be honest. Have to be truthful.”
“And now? Us?”
“I like what we have, I want to, I really want us to… work.” Robert twisted the phone cord around his finger, and it reminded him of Alan’s curls and how they clung to his fingers late at night when Alan was sleeping, not knowing he was being watched.
“But no promises.” Alan reminded him in a non-committal voice.
“No, but life has no guarantees.”
“It’s nice to think that there could be.”
“I guess you are a romantic at heart Alan.”
“You sound surprised,” Alan chuckled.
“Actually, after the surprise visit, I have a whole new opinion on romantics.”
“Ha! That is not the general opinion of press and ex-partners.”
Robert allowed his smile to fade. “No it’s not. So is this all an act?”
“It would be easier if it was.” Alan sighed, leaning his head back against the chair. “No you are different, I wish …”
“You could label this? Understand? Rationalize?”
“Yeah, I will take all three. So, when do you fly back to LA?”
“Nice change of subject. I leave tomorrow. They called today and wanted to see if I could show up a few days early. They want to run through the end of the season character development.”
“Looking forward to getting back to it?”
Robert let himself relax and tucked an arm under his head. “Looking forward to June more.”
“So am I. What do you want to see? You haven’t been to London in a long time.”
“You remembered. Yeah it’s been a while, would love to see a few shows.”
“Certainly! We can pick them out and I can see about tickets.”
“What else will you show me?”
“Robert, are you flirting?” Alan inquired with a broad smile on his face.
“What? well yes and no…” Robert stammered to a stop, face reddening.
Alan, hearing the blush in Robert’s voice, returned to safer subjects. “So, if you only work two or three days a week, what do you do to stay out of trouble?”
“Not, much. I will head out and drive around sometimes. Spend a good deal of time at the Getty.”
“The Getty?”
“Oh, the John Paul Getty Museum. It is perched up on a cliff, and is well laid out so you can take your time and hang out, read a book, look at art. It always is peaceful there.”
“You should write.” Alan blurted out.
“Where did that come from? I read enough, and I never tire of it. I enjoy getting lost in the prose.”
“Writing would help beat the boredom, give you something to do when you are stuck, unable to go anywhere because of the show.”
“I am not a writer, I’m not that creative.”
“I find that hard to believe, you are way too critical of your talents.”
“No, realistic.”
“Ever tried?” Alan stifled a yawn. As he sunk deeper in to the chair, he started to relax and get drowsy.
“You are tired.”
“And you are changing the subject again.”
“I’m surprised you noticed, you must be exhausted after your flight.”
“Talking is nice, I can put off sleep.”
“Alan, you will make yourself sick.”
“And you, Robert, are worrying too much.”
“It’s nearly 5 am in London, and traveling is always exhausting, you need your rest.”
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll be fine if I stay up late a few nights.”
“I know, but you start shooting next week, and it would suck to be sick.”
“Yes, mom.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Robert decided to be kind and let Alan off the hook.
“Actually just stay in. Maybe do some work on a new stand up routine, go to the shops for fruit and vegs; the pantry is empty.”
“Sounds nice, I will doing that once I land in LA, there are some nice farmer’s markets.”
“It will be weird not talking tomorrow.”
“It will, but I think we will survive.”
“Survive, yes, but not be happy about it.”
“The eight hour difference will be tough.” Robert heard Alan yawn again. “You should go to bed.”
“You’re right. But sing me to sleep first. Please?” Alan asked in a pouty voice.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Not even if I ask nicely?”
Robert laughed, “Well, you might be able to persuade me. Eventually.”
“Now, I need to develop a scheme to get you to sing.”
Robert laughed again. “I will look forward to that, but tonight my sweet, you need sleep.”
“Couple more minutes. Let me get ready for bed.” Alan stood and dug around his bag for his toothbrush and stumbled into the bathroom. “Brushing teeth, be back in a jiffy.”
Robert heard Alan set the phone down gently and the tap turn on. He smiled at the simple routine, neither of them willing to part just yet.
The tap turned off and Alan picked up the phone. “I’m back.”
“And minty fresh. Heading to bed now?”
“I think so,” Alan yawned loudly, this time not holding it back. “I miss you, honestly. This is going to be a long five months.”
“I know, but I’ll still be here tomorrow.”
Alan took off his jeans, phone pressed to his ear, and laid them across the chair in the corner. His voice grew quiet, “But you won’t be here.”
“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.
And if "ifs" and "ands"
Were pots and pans,
There'd be no work for tinkers!”
Alan laid down on the clean cool sheets, his head gently resting on the pillow, and a smile filled his face at the old English Nursery Rhyme. “You never cease to amaze me. Call me when you make it to LA, so I know you are safe.”
“I will, sleep well and pleasant dreams.”
“Good night, Love.” Alan hung up and set down the phone on the nightstand. The edges of his mouth turned up in a small smile and he dreamed of what was and what could be.
Robert hung up and rested the phone on his stomach. He smiled and shook his head slightly, amazed at the way one conversation with Alan could set his world spinning. He finally rolled over to set the phone back on its stand. Next, he closed the book still laying next to him, not caring that he had lost his place, and set it next to the phone, lastly setting his glasses on top of it. He turned off the bedside lamp and snuggled under the covers, trying real hard not to notice how big and empty the bed felt when sleeping alone. His last thoughts were of the stars above and a blanket of kisses, then he fell into a restful sleep.
A Renewed Resolve: