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so the sun, it can shine on me, and the clouds they can roll away (open to all)
Davin missed a lot of things while he was being held in that warehouse, but coffee was up high on the list. By the second day, he was feeling the lack of caffeine and the added headache wasn't doing him any favors. The first few days back, he didn't want to leave his apartment. James or Mira would bring him coffee from Quill, or he'd fire up his little coffeemaker in his kitchen. He was allowed a few days of being lazy, he thought. Or fear disguised as laziness, if he's honest with himself.
But he needs to get back into in the swing of things. He hasn't really seen anyone aside from James, Mira, and Raleigh, and he doesn't really have any idea of what happened while he and Spencer were gone. He just knows that he needs to get back to his real life. He needs to put the kidnapping and the torture and all that behind him, and needs to keep moving forward.
He can start by going to get his own coffee. He takes a shower and puts himself together as much as he can, wrinkling his nose at his reflection in the mirror. His face is still bruised, and he has stitches above one cheekbone and a small line of them at his temple, where he was initially knocked out with the wrench. His right hand is in a cast and he walks stiffly, thanks to his cracked ribs, but he goes outside anyway.
It's a nice day and the sun is shining, and that's something that Davin will never take advantage of again. He went days without seeing the sun, or feeling any sort of warmth, and now he smiles when he feels it on his skin, and feels the soft breeze ruffling his hair. It's a short walk to Quill, but he takes his time. He feels stiff from all his healing injuries and inactivity, and he just wants to enjoy the sun for a little longer.
People are staring at him, whispering to each other as they pass, and Davin knows that word got around town. There are people who will see he and Spencer as victims, and he supposes they are, but they're so much more than that. They're survivors, and they're strong, no matter what. So Davin keeps his chin up, and he keeps walking.
But he needs to get back into in the swing of things. He hasn't really seen anyone aside from James, Mira, and Raleigh, and he doesn't really have any idea of what happened while he and Spencer were gone. He just knows that he needs to get back to his real life. He needs to put the kidnapping and the torture and all that behind him, and needs to keep moving forward.
He can start by going to get his own coffee. He takes a shower and puts himself together as much as he can, wrinkling his nose at his reflection in the mirror. His face is still bruised, and he has stitches above one cheekbone and a small line of them at his temple, where he was initially knocked out with the wrench. His right hand is in a cast and he walks stiffly, thanks to his cracked ribs, but he goes outside anyway.
It's a nice day and the sun is shining, and that's something that Davin will never take advantage of again. He went days without seeing the sun, or feeling any sort of warmth, and now he smiles when he feels it on his skin, and feels the soft breeze ruffling his hair. It's a short walk to Quill, but he takes his time. He feels stiff from all his healing injuries and inactivity, and he just wants to enjoy the sun for a little longer.
People are staring at him, whispering to each other as they pass, and Davin knows that word got around town. There are people who will see he and Spencer as victims, and he supposes they are, but they're so much more than that. They're survivors, and they're strong, no matter what. So Davin keeps his chin up, and he keeps walking.
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It's better than staying in Mira's guest room all day, uncertain of what to do with people who are so kind and yet so completely counter his beliefs. The extent of their generosity feels so undeserved and Gabe tries everything he can do to be as unobtrusive as possible by leaving during the day.
He hasn't really let himself visit Quill but today he feels nervous and antsy and he shuffles in.
When he sees Davin, Gabe doesn't know if he should look up or away and freezes there instead.
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"Hi, Gabe," he says with a small smile, stepping up closer to him. "Still can't relax 'round me, huh?"
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What does he say to that? An apology? Condolences? Ask if he's okay? Gabe can't imagine being okay after that
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Davin frowns a little at that, because last he heard, Gabe had been staying with Mira's family, so he assumed Gabe would have heard that Davin was missing. Maybe he really is just keeping his head down.
"Yeah, I was," Davin says thickly, giving him a shaky smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "But I'm gonna be okay."
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"It's good you're safe," he finally says.
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He almost protests Gabe paying, but Mira mentioned that he had a job now. So while Gabe may be struggling a bit, Davin has been there and he knows how important it is to need to feel in control, and capable. A cup of coffee won't break him in any case, so Davin just smiles. "Thanks, I appreciate it."
The girl behind the counter smiles at Davin, telling him how good it is to see him, and Davin awkwardly thanks her before ordering a hot, triple-shot latte. He needs the warmth, and the caffeine, and he looks over at Gabe with a soft smile.
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"I bus tables at the pub? Finn's place?" he explains, talking more to the contents of his wallet. "And I wash dishes." The noise of the pub keeps him from thinking and walking around tires him out to the same effect. It helps, until Finn insist he leave.
When he orders, it's a hazelnut coffee with milk, requested so quietly that the barista has to ask him twice.
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"Sit," Davin tells him, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Tell me how ya have been settlin' in."
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But he takes a seat and stirs sugar into his coffee, finding something reassuring in the way that the liquid funnels like a little, coffee-colored cyclone. "I met him at the church and he took me to the pub for breakfast. Said I could wash the dishes to pay for it and I just kept washing them..."
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"Well, that's good. I don't know the guy personally, but I'm glad he gave ya a job." Really, he thinks it can only be good for Gabe to work in a pub. He'll get to see people from all walks of life, and hopefully it will help him come out of his shell a bit. "How's stayin' with Mira? She's my best friend, y'know."
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"I try not to be a burden."
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"They're...so generous." He doesn't want to abuse that generosity.
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"They are. I know it's a little hard t'get used to. Trust me," Davin says with a soft smile. "Y'know, you're not all that different from how I was when I was a teenager."
It's not exactly true. Davin was never religious himself, so he never thought he personally was damned, or whatever, but his parents did. Davin is gay and a witch. If his parents are to believe, there's already a room in hell with his name on it. But he was emotionally abused, like Gabe. He was confused and stunned by every act of generosity and affection, and it took awhile to get used to it. Years later, he still isn't quite sure how to handle things like that, but he's getting better.
"Just let 'em be nice t'ya, 'cause they wouldn't if ya weren't deservin' of it," Davin assures him. "I know it's hard, but it's okay t'just let yourself be happy."
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"I still wish I could find a way to show them how grateful I am...but I'm not good for much besides singing and washing dishes."
Before Davin can yell at him, Gab flashes a thin smile. "But I should probably be asking if you're doing all right and everything.'
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He smiles when Gabe asks how he is, and he waves his cast around a bit and wrinkles his nose. "I'm alright. I just want things t'get back t'normal."
Davin doesn't really want to talk about what he went through, so he gives Gabe a flirty smile and props his chin on his good hand. "You can sing, huh? Ya should let me hear it sometime."
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"I-I only know hymns. You probably don't want to hear those. A-Anyway..."