Re: Courtyard - Clem/Graham
Never said I was real sweet. [The warmth in her smile was like going back years and years, before death had attached itself to him, before he buried his wife, before the warmth of her touch was only in his head and nowhere else. Once, he'd expected Clem's hatred. Oh, he hadn't pulled the trigger on Lorelei, but he might as well have. He put her in danger. He'd failed to protect her. It was as much his fault as it was Constantos', and the hired gun who'd done the job. Sometimes, he still half expected the other shoe to drop. He hoped it wouldn't, but he knew it was what he deserved.
He knew, too, that it might only be a matter of time until Shane said something to Clem. If he chose to, there was nothing Graham could do. He couldn't be around the other man 24/7. And maybe, in hindsight, it would be for the best. But he didn't want to think about that possibility, somewhere down the road and so he pushed it from his mind.] Not like that for everyone. [His voice turned wistful.] Find someone you love, it's different. No words for it. Just is.
[Graham learned real quick that his stiff, awkward shuffle wouldn't bode well. He wasn't used to loosening up, though, and the effort it took to try was painfully clear. After they almost collided once he picked up a faster pace, getting the hang of it, learning to let the world become a blur while he focused on her. Round and round and he was dizzy from her laughter and the way her hair caught the rain as much as the movement, and he didn't even try to pull his hands from hers. He didn't laugh but he smiled, reminiscent of a child discovering some new joy, despite barely managing to stay standing.]