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[out_of_realm]

It's a nice night on the Island, but these days, most nights are. It's the kind of calm spell that put him on edge, always waiting for the inevitable passage out of the eye of the storm. Maybe it was for that reason that when Tom checked his watch for the fifth time, toes going pruny where they were hanging down into the water, he was less

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[little_moons]

My hand still hurts. Vaguely swollen and purplish red around the knuckles, the joints stiff and aching as I sit there at the table, refilling salt shakers for the tables and grinding my teeth so hard its a miracle they don't break.

I stormed in an hour ago, nearly tearing the place down with all my fury. The only thing that kept me from pulling the whole damn place down with my bare hands was that I started doing inventory and clean-up instead.

So when he walks in, I barely glance up, grumbling out a hello and feeling something twist in my gut. But then I remember. I remember and oh, fuck, how could I be so fucking stupid. Pushing the salt shaker away, I drop my face into my hands, heave out a stuttering sigh and murmur, "Jesus, Tom. I totally fuckin' forgot."

[out_of_realm]

Tom cleared his throat roughly, rubbing the back of his head. "S'okay. I was just...I thought that you might have -"

He trailed off, looking around the empty restaurant and summoned up a tired smile. "I was just worried, that's all. You alright?"

[little_moons]

He thought I might've... I know the rest of that sentence, without him filling in the blanks. It makes my chest ache even more, a dull throb twisting into a sharp wrench and I wince behind the cover of my hands.

Letting them drop to the table, I say, "I'm sorry. I'm so fuckin' sorry, I just... It was a bad day." It's no excuse and I know it. Boy, do I know it.

[out_of_realm]

Tom's face collapsed into concern and he shoved off the doorframe, wandering over with his hands in his pockets.

"Everything okay?" he asked, hurt and anxiety still make his chest tight and coiled.