Up in the shadows where the skeletons hide

[mishaloganovich]

With everything happening, Misha almost forgot a promise he made, and one made in return. He could use a real break for a few hours.

'Hana, it's Misha. Did you still want to see a movie tomorrow? Give me a call when you have a chance.'

Comments

[shadeblossom]

Hana had missed a day of classes and an entire weekend while she hid out at her Aunt's place. On Monday, she returned to Xavier's and attempted to quietly slip back into her routine. It sort of worked. At least if she kept quiet, she got talked to less. Asked fewer questions.

It was a surprise to find a message waiting for her a few days later when she checked her phone. She smiled a little at the voice on the message, although he sounded weary to her ears.

She pressed the button to return the call and counted the rings as she waited.

[mishaloganovich]

He'd gone to sleep that morning with the phone under his pillow. It was set on both vibrate and at the highest audio level, with the alarm set for 6pm so he would be up and moving before Dean hit the streets.

When it rang, he fumbled sleepily for it with his eyes closed. It took several tries to open it. "Yeah?" he asked without looking at the display. "Whaddaya want?"

[shadeblossom]

She was torn between mild amusement at his grouchy tone and feeling really bad that she woke him up. The amusement lost. As tired as he'd sounded in his message, she figured he needed the sleep.

"Hi, it's Hana. I'm sorry I woke you. I was just... I got your message." She hesitated for a second. Well, since he was still half asleep, she should probably clarify. "About the movie?"

[mishaloganovich]

At the sound of her voice, his eyes opened. In the next second, he had a name and a face to go with it.

"S'okay, honey. Hold on a second?"

[mishaloganovich]

Misha arrived at the mansion early enough to shower and change clothes. He opened his Mom Closet, then closed it. This afternoon called for Misha, not Mikhail. Mikhail was a fraud.

He made it down to the garage with time to spare, and time to be nagged as Darlene voiced her opinions as he ran a damp cloth over the interior and cleaned the windows and headlamps. It was soothing work, even with the audio track of Anya-isms coming from the speakers. Missing his sister was never so strong as it was when he was puttering around his car.

[shadeblossom]

There was time between classes to shower, which she did in the shortest possible amount of time, with every lock on the door in place, and a wall of shadows between her and the door. Showering used to be so soothing. Now it was something she wanted done as soon as humanly possible.

What to wear stumped her. When she spoke to him at Dean's party he said it wasn't a date. When she spoke to him on the phone, he'd called it a date. In the end, she decided that she wanted to look nice regardless. So, she opted for her favorite, green broomstick skirt and a lacy, open backed blouse.

She walked into the garage at 4:30 exactly and a smile worked its way onto her face as she heard Darlene nagging at Misha.

"I guess she missed you."

[mishaloganovich]

"I guess that's one way to look at it."

Misha straightened from wiping down the back window. He peered at her framed in the garage opening with sun backlighting her and creating a halo effect. His preparations extended to clean jeans and a red button down shirt opened at the throat. "You look great."

[shadeblossom]

"I've been told I have unique thought processes." She chuckled and walked farther in, stopping at the front of the car and patting the hood gently. "Hi, Darlene."

She smiled at his compliment, blushing just a little. "You do, too."

[shadeblossom]

After she pulled herself together, she held the crumpled tissue in her hand. She gave him a soft smile and was glad she didn't wear a lot of makeup. She'd look like a clown right now, otherwise.

"That sounds really good. I can't remember the last time I had a really good hamburger." She reached over and squeezed his hand again lightly. "It's a good choice."

[mishaloganovich]

"Hope you're still hungry after all that popcorn. These are big burgers."

[shadeblossom]

"I'm still hungry. I might require assistance with the french fries, though."

She hoped she hadn't ruined the date with her little breakdown. He might be glad to be rid of her when he dropped her off later.

[mishaloganovich]

"You're in luck. I have never met a french fry I didn't like."

Tears didn't bother him. Whatever happened obviously upset her. He'd be a poor friend if he couldn't handle a breakdown. With that thought, he made a mental note to check on Becky and Sara.