(Untitled)

[luciendasky]

3am. Lucien just finished working a double at the hospital and every bone in his body feels like its filled with lead. Even getting out of his car is an effort and he virtually pours himself out of the seat and does his best to walk to the front door. All he wants is to somehow reach his bed and then sleep until some time in the afternoon.

SSWS

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[Lucien's bday 2015]

[gabe_bryan]

It's a mine field, this, Gabe thinks. How to acknowledge it. How to handle it. How the gesture will be received. It could easily be received as a dig or, alternatively, as an overture. He doesn't want it seem like either... he just wants it to seem like a token, a reflection of the fact he does care.

So, he chooses the gift carefully. Nothing flashy or that will seem overly significant. In the end he gets a canister of fancy tea, the blend Lucien likes, and organic and ridiculously over priced for what it is, but still simple. And he gets a small box of shortbread, organic as well, and also fancy. But again simple. He wraps them carefully - presentation matters - and then considers a note to go with it.

Dear Lucien,

[Well. That's a start.]

Happy Birthday.[Should he end it there? Yes? No

[Lucien's bday 2015]

[gabe_bryan]

I know as well that I don't connect with people well. And I know that was a hard position for you in the pack. Harder as the leader because you were so torn. I do ask that you believe me when I say I tried. I know it might not have seemed like it, but I did. I've never connected well with people. The first person I've had a real friendship with that hasn't been sexual is Eli. The first in my life. He's been good to me your brother. He's put up with a lot. It's been good for me having that, my first friendship, in a way

Re: [Lucien's bday 2015]

[luciendasky]

Seeing the small package on his doorstep comes as a bit of a surprise, despite the date, but as he picks it up, he runs his fingers along the crisp folds of wrapping paper, the neat cuts of tape. It's clear who it's from, and the fact that it was on the step instead of delivered in person is both surprising and not at the same time.

He puts it down on the table as he goes to make himself a drink first, before settling down to open it up. He nods and smiles at the thoughtful gifts. Then he opens the note.

At some point while he's reading Zirconia comes to headbutt the paper, as if he could hear his name being namechecked, even if its not read allowed. Lucien shifts and moves the sheet of paper out of reach, finishes reading.

He hesitates as he reaches for his phone. What time is it? His heart is twisting and beating out of time in his chest.

He calls Gabe anyway.

Re: [Lucien's bday 2015]

[gabe_bryan]

He hadn't expected Lucien to call him, in a way the letter had been a way of saying - you're off the hook, you don't owe me anymore, let's just try to understand each other and let it go. So he hesitates before answering, but silence seems worse somehow, and he should say happy birthday at the least.

So he hits the button on the phone, yawns without meaning to, he's been asleep.

"Hey, birthday boy. Feeling old today?"