LOG: In Need of Assistance

[depthlesslock]

What: Meeting up and seeking help
Where: Common Ground coffee shop
When: 10/4 Noon
Warnings: None

York would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised that Delta had called him so soon to arrange to meet up again. That's three times in the last two weeks the man has called for company despite his insistence that he's a busy guy. Not that York's complaining, he enjoys Delta's company more each time they see each other, but he is surprised.

He's on time. Well, Delta seems to be making the effort, the least he can do is return the favor. Once he's inside, he removes his helmet and looks around. Common Ground is a good place, he's enjoyed it's coffee and food a fair few times, and of course it has the delicious, rich scent that comes with any good coffee shop.

Spotting Delta, he weaves through the tables towards him and sits down in the chair on the other side of the table, smiling. 'Hey there.'

Comments

[protective_logic]

"Hello," Delta greets the other man. His boyfriend. God that term is hard to wrap his head around, but he accepts it. "I..."

God how was he even supposed to approach this conversation? How did you explain that you were, effectively, running away from home?

It took more effort than he cared to admit to keep his eyes from going to the duffel bag sitting at his feet. "I have a problem."

[depthlesslock]

Well that seemed... flat. Is everything okay? The sudden thought that Delta has called him here to break up with him sends a surge of something stronger than worry through him. Maybe he's decided his family is too much of a priority. But then wouldn't he just call and not waste time meeting up?

He's jumping to conclusions and reels himself back in before he says anything dumb.

'What's wrong?'

[protective_logic]

"I have no way to answer that succinctly," Delta laughs, shaking his head. "I suppose, if one desired to make a long story short, I need your help."

More than his help. His support.

[depthlesslock]

Okay, so not a break up. That's a relief, but there's still a million other things it could be. At least it looks like they'll be together in it and not against each other.

'In what way?' he asks.

[protective_logic]

"Can..."

Delta cuts himself off. Why would he ask York to keep it quiet? York doesn't know his family, except for Sigma in passing. And if York does help him, then he knows his boyfriend will keep the secret. So, shyly, staring down at his drink, Delta just asks.

"I need help finding a place for me to live."

[depthlesslock]

York blinks. That... was not at all what he was expecting. Of all the possibilities that had run through his head since ruling out a breakup, this had not been one of them. Nor had there been one close to it.

'I... What do you mean?' He's at a loss. Is Delta moving out? What about his family? He said "I" not "we".

[protective_logic]

"I mean I'm moving out," Delta answers plainly. "That I need to find a place to stay. And perhaps a job if you have one you could recommend."

[protective_logic]

It takes them a while to get there, and with a bag of treats, and that doesn't mean he's ready. Delta stands a bit behind York, and reaches for his hand. This makes it real. This is happening.

"Is this it?" he asks quietly.

[depthlesslock]

York twines their fingers together and squeezes them reassuringly. 'Yeah, this is it,' he says, leading them up to the house. It's pretty nondescript, which is the whole point.

[protective_logic]

Oh, what's this? Delta freezes and just stares at their hands. Oh. Oh dear. It's so warm.

"S-show me?"

[depthlesslock]

He's going to need his hand back to get the lock open, but he puts it off for as long as he can, then gently extracts his hand and manipulates the lock in a familiar pattern he could almost manage with his eyes closed. Once it flashes green and the door starts opening, he takes Delta's hand again and leads him inside.

[protective_logic]

Delta lets himself be led forward and tries to stop smiling stupidly. He's here, he's safe, and he's holding York's hand.

"This place is nice."

[depthlesslock]

'Thanks.' He takes his helmet off once they're through the airlock and sets it on the stand by the door. There's enough room for a couple more, he and Wash have escaped to this place a couple of times. 'I don't use it much, but I don't like my places to feel empty.'

[protective_logic]

He wakes up nearly an hour later, the sleep being blinked from his eyes. And then, blushing, he jerks awake when he realizes where he is and that he was sleeping. Dammit. He fell asleep on York's couch, with York right there. Oh dear. What was he thinking?

[depthlesslock]

York, trapped by Delta and not wanting to wake him, had turned the TV on, but put it on mute and just watched some random cooking show to pass the time. When Delta stirs, he looks down and smiles at him. Honestly, he was expecting the guy to sleep for longer.

'Hey there,' he says softly. 'How're you doing?'

[protective_logic]

"Worn," Delta admits softly. "Scared. Freaked. Did... God, am I actually here doing this?"

It wasn't a dream though. He shakes his head and reaches for his discarded glasses, shoving them into place. "Never mind. I... I don't really know what to do with myself anymore to be honest."

[depthlesslock]

'Looks like it,' he says, giving the man a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 'You're gonna be okay, D.'

He shifts on the couch, getting a bit more comfy. 'Just take it a step at a time,' he advises. 'If you think about all of it, it's way more daunting than just the next bit.'

[protective_logic]

"I... you're probably right," Delta says very softly, but he still sounds a bit nervous. He knows he is. God, why is he so out of it? Probably because he should be. "I guess... I should ask you to actually show me around now."

[depthlesslock]

'If you're awake enough for it, then sure,' he agrees. Walking around might help wake him up anyway, or at least distract him a bit. Poor guy.

[depthlesslock]

York is as quick as he can be, grabbing what he needs and hurrying back to the safehouse. He's got all the ingredients for stir fry, including some carrots to replace the ones recently thrown out.

He has every reason to trust the security of his safehouse and is almost certain that Delta wouldn't try to leave while he was out, yet he gets two waves of relief from seeing the lock and house untouched and then seeing Delta's old helmet on he charging pad. He smiles as he adds his own next to it after making a reminder on the HUD notes to sort the lock out so Delta will be able to get back in once he's gone out.

'Hey, Delta!' he calls. 'I'm back.'

[protective_logic]

"Welcome back," Delta smiles as he moves to meet York and take the groceries from him. "I missed you while you were gone."

Those words are a lot softer, a whisper, as if he's not ready to admit that.

[depthlesslock]

York smiles at the sight of his boyfriend and his fingers linger on his for a moment as he passes the groceries over to him. He doesn't say anything to the missed you comment. It seemed like something to be heard rather than respond to.

'Did you have a good shower?' he asks instead.

[protective_logic]

"Wonderful,"Delta grins. His hair is still dripping wet but he looks dry, and he's dressed up in his pajamas.

"So, you going to watch me cook?"

[depthlesslock]

'Good to hear.' He uses long showers to bring him back after a long jobs. Hopefully they gave Delta a similar release.

'Unless you get incredibly uncomfortable with me staring, yes.' They can talk while Delta becomes the official best cook in the safehouse.

[protective_logic]

"I think I wouldn't mind the company," Delta smiles and moves to the kitchen with the stuff. "Do you have a wok, or must I use a skillet?"