Who: Zayne Vandriel and Thursday Rae (with special guest, Matty Mackey) What: Coffee, healing, secrets When: Sunday, January 7 Where: Thursday/Matty’s house
Thursday was glad to be home. When the group had come to break him out he was beyond relieved. Anything was better than being in that hospital. It had helped that Matty was right by his side the whole time. It had helped tremendously. He still feared what they could or would do to him but at least with Matty there it was less likely or at least he’d have some warning. On top of that he was just comforted by his friend’s presence. Matty was everything to him. Someday he’d find a way to tell Matty what he meant to him and repay him. Someday. Things were extremely difficult and embarrassing though, being home. Zayne had healed him enough that only one arm was in a cast at this point. But he still couldn’t put a lot of pressure on the other arm. That meant there were still very few things Thursday could do for himself. For the most part it didn’t bother him. Matty could help him get dressed and he managed not to burn the house down coming up with meals. But certain bathroom activities were extremely embarrassing when he needed help. But Matty had gone with it in stride and never made him feel bad for it. Normally Thursday would be reading but that didn’t work very well so Matty had gotten him set up on the couch with Netflix and Hulu and at least he could run the remote. Currently he was binge watching The Musketeers and sighing over the beauty that was Aramis. --- Zayne had been worried about Thursday since he saw him the other night. He had wished he had been able to do more for Thursday at the time. Perhaps now that he had gotten some rest and wasn’t drinking coffee like it was water quite a much, he could try again. Or at the very least he wanted to see if Thursday was feeling any better. He made them both coffee, hoping he remembered how Thursday liked it, and went over. He knocked on the door, wondering for a second if he should have called or something first. --- When there was a knock on the door Thursday immediately paused the show on the tv. He started to panic. Who would be coming to their door? Was it someone from the facility coming to take him back? Were they going to haul him off to the hospital, or worse? He closed his eyes then waited for Matty to open the door, praying silently. He prayed more in the last few weeks than he had in a very long time. --- Matty heard the knock and frowned. He scooted to the door, peering out carefully before seeing it was the coffee-guy, the coffee guy who healed Thursday. Win. He opened the door and let the other man in. “Hey! It’s you!” Matty said, for a second blanking on his name. That was terrible. He really needed to remember it, “Oh, did you bring coffee?” Before Zayne had a chance to reply, Matty turned down the hallway, towards the living room and hollered, “Zayne brought coffee! He’s our new hero!” He leaded Zayne down the hall to the living room.
Zayne offered Matty a coffee, holding onto the other two for him and Thursday. At least he wasn’t interrupting anything. He smiled softly to Thursday, not sure where Matty had disappeared to and said, “Hey. I brought you coffee. How are you feeling?” --- Thursday stayed as still and quiet as possible until he heard Matty’s exclamation. He smiled and immediately relaxing knowing that the person at the door was Zayne. He didn’t know Zayne very well but he already liked him. And not just because he helped heal him. Setting the remote down he turned and sat up on the couch so that someone else could sit beside him instead of him taking up the whole couch. When Zayne came in he smiled, seeing him. “Hey. Thanks for coming and I never turn down coffee.” Thursday chuckled softly. “I’m okay. Still really sore but glad to be home. That helps a lot.” He motioned for Zayne to join him on the couch. --- Zayne took a cup from the tray and handed it to Thursday, “I’m hoping I am remembering how you like your coffee.” He took his drink and sat next to Thursday. He frowned slightly, worried about Thursday being sore. He was sure that Thursday would be sore for a while but still, he didn’t like hearing it. He wished he had been able to do more for him. --- Thursday smiled and took a sip of the coffee that was handed to him. “This is perfect. Thank you.” He smiled and motioned for Zayne to sit down next to him. “I didn’t really get a chance to thank you for helping me. It means a lot that you wanted to help and now I can half use this arm. So I appreciate that immensely.” --- Zayne smiled back at Thursday and shook his head, “You don’t need to thank me. It’s the least I can do,” he paused, “I could try again? If you’d like? I mean, I’m not sure what more I can do but maybe something?” Daryn hadn’t accepted his help and in some way, he didn’t blame her. He had no idea what he was doing. He had no idea what worked or what didn’t. He didn’t know if touch was necessary or if singing his own songs were stronger than not or if singing was even necessary but helped. He had no idea. He didn’t blame Thursday if he didn’t want to be his guinea pig. --- Thursday’s eyes widened when Zayne offered to try again. He tilted his head as he looked at him. “Aren’t you exhausted? I mean … after all you did for me? I don’t want to ever take advantage of you. Or anyone else.” He reached over with his casted arm and gently laid a hand over Zayne’s. “You’ve already done a lot just by visiting. I .. we… don’t get a lot of visitors.” Not of the good kind, anyway. “Matty is trying to take care of me and I’m trying to be a good patient.” He smiled at him. --- “You wouldn’t be taking advantage if I’m offering,” Zayne said. He shook his head then paused, “If I were to be honest, yes, I’m a bit tired but it barely did anything for you. If I could do more, I would like to do that.” He turned his hand over and squeezed Thursday’s gently, “Even if you don’t, I don’t mind visiting. I was wondering how you were doing. You haven’t heard anything further from anyone since?” He hoped whoever did this would leave Thursday alone but he was worried. Something had to have triggered this, right? Not just New Year’s Eve bad decisions? --- Thursday chewed on his lip. “I um ...I wouldn’t say no. I mean … this sucks.” He let out a soft laugh and closed his eyes for a moment. “I would appreciate it, immensely. But whether or not it works I’m glad you’re here.” Leaning over he kiss Zayne’s cheek. At his question about hearing from anyone he shook his head. “No. I haven’t heard from anyone. I um … I was a little afraid when there was a knock on the door that it was going to be someone. I was very glad that it was you.” --- Zayne smiled softly at the kiss and he squeezed Thursday’s hand again. He may be able to do only a little but he wanted to do something. Something was better than nothing, especially lately. He could always rest later. Wasn’t that what his mother used to say? One more show, one more thing and they would stop later. Except this? Was radically different from what his mom was talking about. “It’s been a few days. Hopefully they are busy trying to clean up the mess they created,” Zayne said, with a small shake of his head, “We’ll enjoy coffee first? Then we can try? What were you watching?” Maybe something a bit normal first. --- Thursday returned the smile and the squeeze. He thought Zayne was wonderful. He was sweet and gentle. Thursday liked him and he had no reason not to. Remy had said he was good. If Remy could trust him then Thursday did, completely. “Here’s hoping.” Thursday sighed. “I have no idea why I was targeted, outside of the obvious. So I hope they’re going to just brush me under the rug. It’s safer that way.” He nodded when Zayne said coffee first. “That sounds like a great idea.” He smiled. “I’m watching a show called The Musketeers. It’s a BBC show that’s on Hulu. It’s kind of a little bit different twist on the usual. And Aramis is a seriously beautiful creature.” Thursday smiled. --- “I’m hoping there is a better reason than just because you were there. Not that I want there be a reason for attacking people, but at least it wasn’t just senseless violence where no one gets punished for it,” Zayne’s heart ached for Benjamin, “Though I can’t come up with a reason to why it could have happened, not even a little. Especially knowing that you were attacked and Dr. O’Connor and Benjamin… it’s…” Zayne shook his head, not wanting to get upset here. He meant to bring cheer. This wasn’t helping. “I think I’ve seen a part of an episode,” Zayne said, turning the subject onto something easier, “Aramis? Is the one with the fantastic hair?” --- Thursday took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Honestly? Most of the time people don’t need more of a reason for that. I’m … I’m sort of used to it. Granted it’s been a long time. Not since before here, before … prison… before all of that. But … I used to get jumped, beat up just because I was there. I’m just glad they didn’t …” He froze then shook his head. He had said too much. “I’m really sorry hearing about Daryn and Benjamin.” He squeezed Zayne’s hand. “I know you knew him and this has to be hard.” He pressed another kiss to Zayne’s cheek. Talking about the show was much easier. “Oh yeah. That beautiful hair. I just want to run my fingers through it, tug on it a little.” --- “I’m sorry,” Zayne said softly, “I think I grew up very sheltered to want to believe that people usually act in the best interests of themselves and others.” He supposed he knew that people usually just acted in the best interests of themselves, others be damned but it didn’t mean he still didn’t hope for better. Maybe that’s why he wasn’t made out for that world. Zayne was silent for a moment when Thursday gave his condolences. He shook his head slightly and said, “I wish we could do something to make it better.” All he could do was heal people so that is what he was going to try to do. Zayne smiled at the mention of running fingers through hair and said, “Sort of likes yours,” then he realised what he said and quickly added, “I’m sorry! That was completely inappropriate!” --- “I’m glad you grew up that way. I wish that you didn’t have to see otherwise.” Thursday took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He wished no one had to see, to survive what he had. No one deserved this, any of this. He nodded at Zayne’s words. “I understand that feeling. You’ve already done a lot for me. I know its not quite the same but, it still matters to me.” Thursday grinned at Zayne when he made the comment about his hair. “There’s not inappropriate about it. And if I didn’t know you were with Remy I’d lean in and kiss you right now.” --- Zayne put down his coffee and moved over so he could give Thursday a very gentle hug. He didn’t want to cause him more pain. He moved back and said softly, “I’m just going to keep hoping it doesn’t happen again. Especially to you.” Thursday seemed like such a nice guy, he didn’t deserve any badness too him. He did hear Thursday mention prison and he was curious but he decided not to ask right now. If Thursday wanted to share, he would, right? Zayne felt his cheeks warm slightly at Thursday’s comment and said, “I don’t know how to respond to that without getting myself in trouble with, at least, myself. So I’m going to hold up my coffee and go, yay coffee!” --- When Zayne blushed Thursday gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I have a tendency to be quite … blunt.” He grinned. “It was my way of saying I wouldn’t mind at all.” Leaning in he kissed Zayne’s cheek. “Do you like to cuddle? I’m all for cuddling. It doesn’t hurt too bad. And it feels good. Matty and I cuddle all the time. He wraps me up in his wings and its all sorts of snuggly.” --- “No, it’s okay. This is me wanting to say something but not wanting to say something and finding that weird spot in the middle where I don’t know what to say,” Zayne said. Yeah, that didn’t make anymore sense, did it? He put his coffee down again and moved closer to Thursday, “Cuddling is something I love to do. I love spending an afternoon cuddling,” he glanced to Thursday, “Did you say Matty has wings? I know I’ve seen him around the island but not with wings?” --- Thursday frowed. He didn’t follow but he wasn’t going to push either. “You don’t have to hold back with me. You’re not going to offend me or upset me. Just so you know.” Thursday said sincerely. At his comment about cuddling Thursday smiled. “Then we’ll do that for sure. Once we finish coffee.” He grinned when asked about the wings. “Oh yeah. He has big beautiful white feather wings. They’re amazing. And so soft. He’s not allowed to fly. They’ll tranq him and then he crashes and it’s really bad. So he keeps them under wraps most of the time. But when we’re here he can let them out. I like to pet them. It’s lovely.” --- “Okay,” Zayne said, even though he resisted the urge from saying they could cuddle and coffee. Though after coffee, he was serious about wanting to try to heal Thursday again and then, depending how well he did or how hard he pushed, he may fall asleep for a bit. He hoped not. He wanted to appear that he could do this without any repercussions. Zayne gasped softly when Thursday said that they would tranq him for flying. He really shouldn’t be surprised at that but, “He’s not allowed to fly? At all? That’s terrible.” Would they start limiting other abilities too? “They sound beautiful. Think he’d let me see one day?” --- Thursday didn’t think he could do coffee and cuddles with his arms. So he figured it should wait. But he leaned against Zayne, smiling up at him. “I bet you’re a good snuggler.” He said softly then kissed his cheek before laying his head on Zayne’s shoulder. “Nope. They’re afraid that if he flies he’ll leave the island. And no one is allowed to leave the island.” Thursday said softly. “I wish he could leave. Could get away from here.” He sighed softly then smiled. “Oh yeah. He’d definitely let you see them. He likes showing them off and I don’t blame him one bit.” --- Zayne carefully put his arm around Thursday. Wasn’t this sort of cuddling? He shifted so Thursday would still be able to lean against him and have access to his coffee. Maybe healing should have come first so Thursday could have his coffee. He frowned at what Thursday said. He still shouldn’t be surprised that they would tranq him and maybe he should be happy for Matty that they wouldn’t do something worse to his wings so he couldn’t fly. Maybe they wouldn’t. Maybe they weren’t that cruel. “Has he ever tried? To leave?” Zayne asked. He wondered why he was asking. Did it matter? There wasn’t a way off. Zayne wondered where Matty went. It didn’t matter. He could ask later to see them. --- When Zayne put his arm around him Thursday snuggled in closer. It felt good to cuddle up to him like this. He really was too affectionate, but at least Zayne didn’t seem to mind. He relaxed into him and sipped at his coffee just enjoying the moment. It felt good. Thursday shook his head at the question. “No. I um … I don’t think he would ever leave me. We … we promised, before we came here, that we would never voluntarily leave each other. I would keep that promise and I know he would too.” --- Zayne didn’t mind at all. Even though he didn’t know Thursday very well, he liked cuddling and Thursday seemed like a good person and he was someone he wanted to know. Plus he was cute, not that his eyes would stray from Remy, but cute was cute and Zayne couldn’t deny that. “You two knew each other before?” Zayne asked, “Did you come here together?” --- Thursday closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. He had to remind himself that Remy vouched for for Zayne. “Yeah. We um …. I don’t know what you’ve heard.” He spoke softly. “Matty and I met at a facility in Nevada. They um … they collect ….our kind and perform experiments. Both Matty and I were transferred from prison there so we didn’t get any say in the matter. But we met there and we’ve been friends since. Loyal friends. And we vowed then that no matter what we’d protect each other as best we could, and we’d never leave the other.” --- If Thursday had been looking at Zayne, he would have seen him pale at the news. He had to remind himself to breathe and then said, “Wait. They did what? They…” Zayne could not even put together words. They put people on this island and trapped them here. They tagged them with the ID cards. They hurt them, like what happened on New Year’s Eve and what he heard whispers of at the party but there was a place where they experimented on people? They actually experimented on people? That was worse than almost anything and Zayne didn’t know how to process it. Something had to be done. Something needed to be done. Something was being done but it didn’t feel like it was enough. --- When Zayne stopped talking Thursday pulled back and looked at him. He swore at himself under his breath. “Fuck. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you with that. I thought ….most people around here have heard about the experiment.” He sighed softly. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.” --- Zayne shook his head and said, “You don’t need to apologise. I… I’ve only been here for a few months and apparently very good at closing my eyes to things? Or maybe I didn’t want to believe that people could be so cruel and…” he shook his head, “No, I’m sorry. I…” he trailed off. He what? He had no idea what to say. He had no idea what he was supposed to say. This place was cruel and he wanted to do something. Anything. --- “You’re a kind heart, Zayne.” Thursday said softly and gently laid his fingers over Zayne’s heart. “You have no reason to see the evil in people, the cruelty that comes so easily to some. And even more to others when they feel they’re justified.” He sighed softly. “I answered your question with a lot more information that you needed. I kind of have a habit of that when I trust someone.” He spoke softly then looked up at him. --- Maybe that was Zayne’s downfall. How much did he trust Olivia when they were dating only to find out that she was using him? People weren’t always nice, even if he wanted to believe they were. He put his hand over Thursday’s, silent for a moment. “Thank you for trusting me,” Zayne said softly, “I trust you too.” Partly because Remy seemed to know him but also Thursday seemed like a good guy. --- Thursday looked up at him. “Remy said you were safe and he cares about you. That’s enough for me.” He smiled then kissed Zayne’s cheek again. Finishing his coffee he sighed softly. “There needs to be a way for the cup to never empty. Seriously. That would be an awesome power to have.” Thursday smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood a little. --- “Same,” Zayne said. He paused for a moment, “We… I’m not really telling people about the healing ability. No one really knows what ability I have so it seems safer not to let the government know?” He trusted that Thursday wouldn’t tell anyone. Zayne laughed and said, “Why do you think I work at the coffee shop? Closest to never ending coffee I could get without swimming in it.” --- Thursday nodded. “I don’t blame you for that. It’s best to keep them from having a reason to look any closer at you. Your secret is safe with me, I promise.” He kissed his cheek again. The comment about the coffee shop made him smile. “See, that’s pretty brilliant. And probably why I’m in there nearly every day.” --- Zayne didn’t want anyone to look at him too closely for several reasons now. He didn’t like having so many secrets but he wouldn’t complain about them. He smiled softly Thursday and nodded. “Well, I’m hoping to have the shop open again next week. It’s basically ready and everyone is willing to return…” he trailed off for a moment, “It won’t be the same without Benjamin there,” he shook his head and glanced to Thursday, “You’re done your coffee. Do you want to see if I can help anymore?” --- “I’m glad to hear you’re going to reopen the shop. I know a lot of people around here will be glad to see it.” Thursday squeezed Zayne’s hand again. “It won’t but it will be good to remember him and to keep it going in his honor.” He looked back and nodded. “Only if you want to. I don’t want you to feel obligated or hurt yourself.” --- “And we all need coffee,” Zayne said with a small smile. He was going to keep it going and he was going to do it for Benjamin. He may not know the reasons why Benjamin died, if it was because of his involvement with the Faction or other things, but it wasn’t right and Benjamin deserved better. Zayne reached for his coffee and took a long drink. He smiled to Thursday again, “I want to. Do you want me to try the other arm? Or…?” He wasn’t really sure. He could try to completely heal the first arm. At least that would help? He wasn’t sure. --- Thursday looked down at his arms at Zayne’s question. “I don’t know.” He looked over at him. “You would know better than I would about what would be best. Though .. maybe if you could make this one better? Then I’d at least have one really good arm. I can deal with just one much better.” Thursday smiled at Zayne. --- Zayne wasn’t really sure if he knew what would be best. He really had no idea what he was doing. He took a deep breath and shifted so he could face Thursday better. He put his hands on Thursday’s arm. He was curious if he had to touch to heal but he didn’t want to experiment with Thursday. He just wanted to help Thursday feel better. He was also curious as to if different songs helped but again, he was not going to experiment. He thought of one of the songs he used to sing all the time, not even thinking if Thursday would know the song or not, and began to sing. He put his focus on Thursday’s arm, hoping that it would work. --- Thursday closed his eyes and relaxed as Zayne laid his hands on him. He let himself just get a little bit lost in the sound of Zayne’s voice and the warm feeling inside him. It was easy to just relax with Zayne and his voice was heaven. He didn’t even realize when he started to sing along softly. --- Zayne could feel whatever it is that allowed him to do this to work. There was some energy or something that he could feel. As long as he kept singing and kept his focus on Thursday and willing for his arm to heal. He wondered if he would know once it was completely healed or not. Would the energy stop? Or would he just have a sense? He didn’t realise that Thursday was singing along softly with him, he kept focusing on doing what he could for Thursday. --- Thursday wasn’t really thinking. He was just relaxing and somewhat zoned into the feeling and the singing. It felt so comforting and soothing that he could easily just get lost in it. Zayne had a way about him even without this. It was so easy to just be with him and this … this just increased that comfort. He let out a soft moan at one point when things seemed to completely settle in his arm. Looking down he moved his fingers and rotated his wrist to check the arm. --- Zayne could feel it. The energy seemed to whisper to him that it was okay now. Zayne leaned back, feeling a wave of exhaustion hit him. He took a deep breath. He was okay. He looked to Thursday, “How does that feel? Did it work at all?” He reached for his coffee, taking a long drink. He suspected now that the coffee wouldn’t do anything for the tiredness but he was going to try anyway. --- Thursday carefully tested out the arm. He slowly smiled as it felt good. “It feels good. Great, really. I mean .. as good as before.” He smiled then leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to Zayne’s lips. “Thank you.” He said softly. “I .. just thank you. You’re .. amazing.” --- Zayne blushed when Thursday kissed him. He had not expected that at all. He shook his head quickly and said, “You really don’t need to thank me. I’m glad I was able to help. I just wish I was able to do the other,” he paused, thinking about what Daryn said about knowing his limits, “I mean, I could try but then I may crash on your couch for a while and I’m not entirely sure what else would happen?” Though if Thursday insisted, which Zayne did not think he would do, or if it was life or death, Zayne would give everything he had. He would push it. --- Thursday smiled when he saw Zayne blush. He hadn’t meant to do that, it was instinct, but Zayne didn’t look upset so he didn’t apologize. He shook his head at Zayne’s offer to try the other arm. “No. I’m good.” He smiled. “I have one good arm so I can take care of myself. That’s the most important part.” Leaning over he kissed his cheek then looked at him. “I know that song you were singing.” --- “I can always come back later and try the other arm. After I’ve rested some,” Zayne offered. Why didn’t he think of that before? He could come back again and spend time to heal Thursday. It would be gradual but it would be better than weeks that it would take normally. He just made sure he got enough rest in between. He sipped some of his coffee, trying to get some energy from it. “You did?” Zayne said, trying to remember what he sang. Oh, he hadn’t even thought about it. It was probably one of the last singles he had released. Some people speculated that it was Alistair’s hint that something was going to happen. It hadn’t been. Zayne hadn’t even known at the time. Still. He needed to recover from his blunder and he couldn’t think of anything at the moment. --- “I’m sure there are others who can use your help. But I’ll never turn down your company.” Thursday smiled easily. He didn’t want to do anything that could hurt Zayne. He already felt bad for the fatigue that was apparent on his face. Thursday nodded. “Yes. It was one of my favorite songs. I used to sing it a lot.” He looked at Zayne. “But no one could sing it quite like Alistair.” He said it softly as he looked at his new friend. “I was very sad when he disappeared. I hoped it had been his choice and not something bad. He deserved a break.” —- Zayne shrugged and said, “I offered to Dr. O’Connor but she refused, which I can respect. She’s a doctor and has some idea of what she’s doing whereas, I have none and I don’t want to make it worse.” Which he hoped he didn’t make it worse for Thursday. He didn’t think he did. He took another drink of his coffee. He was almost out. Zayne couldn’t help but smile softly. He did always enjoy meeting fans. He liked knowing that his music had meant something. Immediately he reminded himself that Thursday was not a fan. Or at least, he wasn’t his fan. He was Alistair’s fan. Zayne looked down at his coffee cup. “Did you ever watch the Youtube videos he would put out?” Zayne asked softly, “He seemed sad during the last few ones. I hope he’s happy, whatever happened.” Zayne felt bad to be lying to Thursday. He didn’t want to. Could he trust him with that secret too? It wouldn’t be much of a secret if kept telling people. He also really didn’t like lying. --- “Well I don’t think you made it worse.” Thursday lifted his arm and moved it, rotated it. “It feels good.” He smiled at Zayne. Thursday raised an eyebrow when Zayne went from smiling to looking into his cup. “I watched them all. And I really wanted to just hug him.” He spoke softly, a little distractedly. “I always wanted to get to know him better. Just be able to sit down and have a conversation. Tell him how much I liked his music.” He kept his eyes on Zayne. “You have his eyes.” —- “I’m glad,” Zayne said. He argued with himself with what he should say to Thursday. Maybe he ought to just change the subject. He did peek over at Thursday when he said that he wanted to hug him and wanted to have a conversation. Zayne couldn’t deny that it make him feel warm inside. He did hate leaving the fans before. He hated not giving them a reason. He did his best not to google himself. “Were you angry? When he disappeared?” Zayne asked. He really shouldn’t have asked that. He looked to Thursday when he said that he had his eyes. It was one thing he couldn’t really change. His hair, yes. The rest was… well, the rest was more him than trying to hide who he was. --- At the question Thursday tilted his head. “Angry? Not at him. I was angry that he seemed like he was being pushed, being forced to keep doing what he was doing. It seemed like he never got a break and you could see it in his eyes. He was tired. I was worried. Worried that something bad had happened. And hopeful that he was happy. That he found a way to get what he needed.” Thursday shrugged. “I had to live on hope because it was all I had. Hell its mostly all I have now. Though I have people who care about me now. But I hoped for him that he had found that.” —- Zayne shifted quickly and gave Thursday a full hug, careful of his other arm. He hugged him tightly, surprised at how emotional he felt at those words and how it affected him. He was pretty sure that a lot of fans were angry with him. He was pretty sure his parents were angry. Worried, probably, but not as much as upset about losing an asset. Dorothea cared and he would never forget the look on her face when she said goodbye, when they both knew it was the last time they would talk or see each other. He hugged Thursday tightly, realising that this was probably a weird reaction. He could pretend he was a really big fan, right? “I’m sure he does,” Zayne whispered. He did. He had hope again. He had people who he cared about and who cared about him. Was this the life he envisioned when he became Zayne? No but it could be so much worse. --- Thursday hugged him back just as tightly. He didn’t think it was weird. It was the final piece that put it all together for him. When Zayne pulled back he looked at him and brought a hand up to brush fingers over his cheek. “Your secret is safe with me.” He whispered. He didn’t want Zayne to have to say anything out loud. --- Zayne wasn’t very good at keeping secrets. He was really bad at them, apparently. It was surprising that more people didn’t know but he trusted Thursday. Or he wanted to trust Thursday and, sadly, even if everyone knew his secret, it wasn’t like anyone could do anything with him on this island, right? Zayne hesitated when Thursday spoke. He wanted to say something. Deny it or confirm it or something. Instead he said, “Thank you. I…” he paused, “I am too obvious, aren’t I?” --- Thursday chuckled softly. “No, you’re not, actually. Not obvious at all. And if I hadn’t heard you sing I wouldn’t have figured it out.” Thursday took his hand and squeezed it. “I also kind of paid more attention to Alistair than most probably did. The physical attributes I mean.” He gave him a grimace. “And I’m going to completely creep you out if I keep going with that.” --- Zayne squeezed Thursday’s hand back. Maybe that was another reason to keep his power a secret. If healing was stronger with his own songs, he either needed new songs or something not quite so popular. Even though he did really like that one song. Zayne looked to Thursday, a bit confused, “What do you mean? I’m curious now.” Thursday didn’t strike him as the creepy fan who wanted to copy every look and outfit. So what else could he mean? --- Thursday took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I used to be a … prostitute.” He winced as he said it. “I spent a long time doing that. It was … all I had really.” He hated saying it out loud. He wasn’t exactly ashamed. It was more the way other people saw him or treated him. He lost most potential friends once they knew what he had done. He hoped that Zayne wouldn't feel that way but he couldn't blame him if he did. “I um...I often played parts. Most of the time I played younger than I really was. I could pass for pretty young. Which … is disgusting in concept but it paid well and they usually treated me well. But um … I got paid the best when I … well when I played Alistair.” He flushed in embarrassment when he said it. --- Zayne did not let go of Thursday’s hand as he spoke. He squeezed it lightly, his heart going out to Thursday. He did not judge him for what he used to be. He was curious to what brought Thursday there but he wasn’t going to ask. He squeezed Thursday’s hand again when he said he could play younger than he was. It felt very wrong to Zayne; not so much what Thursday did but that others wanted it. His stomach twisted when Thursday said that he played him. Zayne wasn’t stupid. He knew people had fantasies about Alistair but to hear it, it felt very wrong. He also felt guilty, that it payed well to be him. Zayne pulled Thursday into a hug again and whispered, “I’m sorry.” --- Thursday waited for Zayne to respond. He was afraid that Zayne would be so completely disgusted that he would get up and leave and never come back. He didn’t exactly expect the hug but he hugged him back. At his words Thursday shook his head. “Don’t be.” he said softly. “You didn’t do anything. I just … I just don’t want you to hate me. I probably shouldn't have told you.” He bit his lip. --- Zayne pulled back enough to look at Thursday and say, “I don’t hate you. I… I’m surprised you don’t hate me. Or Alistair,” which even if he went by a different name, he was still Alistair, somewhere inside. He still loved music and still missed parts of that life. But look at what parts of that life gave? He shouldn’t say anymore. He hugged Thursday again, “Thank you for telling me. I know that must have been hard.” --- Thursday shook his head. “I have no reason to hate him. I played a part. It wasn’t his choice any more than it was mine to play a fourteen year old boy.” He shrugged. “And in all honesty I loved the music. The two .. didn’t cross for me and that won’t change.” Leaning in he kissed Zayne gently then kissed his cheek. “I … I just don’t want you to look at me differently. That’s all.” --- “I won’t and I don’t look at you any differently,” Zayne promised. He moved in for another quick hug and he smiled softly to Thursday, “You are still Thursday and I still want to get to know you better and be your friend. Besides, you have two of my secrets now. How could I possibly look at you any different?” He was hoping that came out light hearted. --- Thursday hugged him back and smiled. “Thank you. I really want that too.” He smiled and reached up to touch Zayne’s cheek. “You’re still Zayne to me. No matter what.” He grinned then hugged him again. “That works for me.” --- Zayne grinned back, “I’m glad,” he paused for a moment, “If you have any questions about anything, I don’t mind answering. Or I can get up and make us more coffee? If you have any in the kitchen? Or something?” He leaned against Thursday. There was also the option of cuddling, which Zayne would not be opposed to. --- “There is coffee in the kitchen but I’m good for now. As much as I love coffee I have to be careful how much I drink. I get shaky right now.” Thursday gave him an apologetic smile. “Personally I’m game for just cuddling. But if you have someplace to be I’m not going to keep you from that.” --- “I don’t want to give you the shakes,” Zayne said. He nodded and said, “I’m going with cuddling. Just poke me a little if I fall asleep?” He didn’t have anywhere to be and cuddling did sound nice. As long as he didn’t fall asleep. He didn’t want to give into the tiredness he felt. He would learn to deal with that and try to be stronger than that. How old would he grow in his abilities? Maybe. He wasn’t sure if that was the right way to do it. --- “We could go cuddle in my bed so that if you do fall asleep it'll be more comfortable.” Thursday smield. “I don’t mind if you fall asleep. You probably need it.” Thursday leaned in and nuzzled his neck before snuggling in close. “Though if you'd rather be home I can walk home with you.” --- “I don’t want to admit to needing it,” Zayne said. He did like the nuzzle and the cuddle. He did like the idea of getting a nap in and maybe no one would have to know how tired he was feeling. He hesitated for a moment and said, “Cuddle here. Just don’t let me sleep too long.” He also knew that he would probably pass out hard once he did. Maybe he ought to set his alarm. --- Thursday could understand him not wanting to admit to needing someone if. Thursday was much the same way. He smiled when Zayne gave in. “It’s a deal.” He missed his cheek then snuggles in and started the show again. They could both use the relaxing. —-