Need A Ride? Who: Nic and Mickey Where: The Roads When: Late Night
Mickey had the shotgun over one shoulder, keeping vigilant ear out for howls, but there were significantly less noises anywhere tonight. The dome itself seemed quiet, which was probably for the best. There was more than enough weird going on at this point, they didn’t need to add to it. Slipping into the traveling in silence, listening but letting his mind drift to not focus on the macabre, was like slipping into old skin. The only difference was that he was alone. Even now though, alone or not, Mickey was comfortable in it. It was easier than everything else clouded in his head.
He hated that he’d hurt Zania without meaning to. His attempts at friend had just sent him down the wrong path and his attempts at more than a friend were leaving him in the dark. Should have just kept your mouth shut. The voice in the back of his head wasn’t helping matters. It kept reminding him of how much of it was his fault.
Nic had spent a good deal of his time helping out at the hospital this evening, glad that there weren’t as many calls for him to make. He was finally heading for home, using the ambulance just in case there were still any wolves out; he usually walked, but walking was proving to be a hazard as of late. When he spotted a guy walking along the road, he slowed down and rolled down his window as he came up beside him. “Need a ride?” he asked, “It’s safer than walking.”
Mickey heard the engine before anything else, glancing at the car with envy. He missed cars. He missed working on them, having his to drive instead of being forced to walk around which wouldn’t have been a problem if his knee worked better. At the offer he frowned, not sure what he’d done to earn a ride in the ambulance. “Not in the back right?” he asked, but he did slow down his pace.
“Not unless you need to go to the hospital,” Nic smiled. “I was offering the passenger seat.” In his past life, he would have never picked up strangers and offered them rides, but that was before the dome. Things were different in here, and these days dangerous in a different way. A guy walking down the street was the least of his worries.
“I’ve been there, not interested in going back.” Of course, it wasn’t lost on him that December might be there, working, but Mickey had promised to give her time and maybe some space, which meant he could wait and not bother her. He studied the guy behind the wheel for a moment then nodded and moved to go around to the passenger side, not bothering with hiding his limp. It wasn’t hurting at the moment, and he was fine with it not starting sometime soon.
Nic leaned across the seat and opened the passenger side door for Mickey. “I could do without taking anyone else in, so we’re good,” he said, waiting while Mickey climbed in. He noticed the limp now, but said nothing. He would have stopped for anyone. “I’m Nic,” he said, offering his hand.
Mickey didn’t take his hand right away, just looking at it with a faint smirk. “The cousin,” he said when he finally shook Nic’s hand. “I’m Mickey.” Which he really hoped didn’t explain things, because he wasn’t sure what Zania might have said about him.
“Cousin?” Nic asked, raising a brow. That meant this guy knew one of two people, though as soon as he gave his name Nic was able to determine which one. “Oh, Zan’s friend,” he smiled. “She said you were there when she, uh, changed.”
Mickey settled himself into the ambulance and nodded, not looking at Nic. “That was me.” And honestly that was better than other things Zania could have said about them, so Mickey would take it. “She said you two were close.”
“We are,” Nic answered, “But I haven’t seen a lot of her lately. Our schedules don’t really mesh and she’s moved out.” Thank God. For once he had a love life and he wouldn’t have wanted Zania in the middle of it. Especially since she would’ve been wide awake when Micah came home with him. “You see her much?”
“I knew she’d moved out,” Mickey said with a nod. “Here and there. Probably not as much as I should.” Things were tense though, if tonight was any indicator. She was still upset with him, and he couldn’t fix it. Nor could he really keep his hands to himself. They’d started their friendship at that level and ratcheting back wasn’t exactly easy.
“What’s that mean?” Nic asked, casting Mickey a glance. He was trying to figure out where Mickey lived, something he was usually good at, but was better at with people he’d met. “You live near the coroner, right?” he asked, remembering where December lived only because he’d seen her at work and sometimes seen her outside her home.
"Next door," Mickey said, pointing in the right direction. "It means I should spend more time with your cousin because we are friends, but she's upset with me so I tend to give her space."
“We spent so much time together that I needed space, so I wasn’t sure,” Nic said with a little laugh as he headed towards Mickey’s house. “What’s she upset with you for?” It could be anything, as far as he knew.
"She said that," Mickey told Nic, glancing at him. He wasn't judging, he just didn't feel the same way. "I'm not available." Because interested wasn't the right word. He would be if he was available.
“She pissed at me?” Nic asked, wondering what else Zania might have said. He thought they were on good terms, but it was possible he’d missed something. “Did you ever tell her you were?” he asked. “She’s bad about getting attached to people. It might not be anything you did.”
Mickey glanced at Nic then shook his head. "No." She was hurt, but she got it. And Mickey understood Nic's side of things. "I didn't tell her I wasn't. Because I'm not entirely unavailable. Just not like she'd want."
“Oh,” Nic said, brow furrowing. He wasn’t all that sure what Mickey meant, not knowing the specifics. In his experience, people were either available or they weren’t. “How are you both not available and not unavailable?”
Mickey kept his eyes on the window. "Just because you feel one way about someone doesn't mean they feel the same."
“So you’re technically single, but emotionally unavailable,” Nic said, drawing his own conclusions. “I’d love to give you some good advice on how to deal with her, but unless you’re a complete douchebag, it’s probably not your fault. She has a knack for falling for guys she shouldn’t.”
Mickey just nodded. "I hadn't really considered much if anything." Which was more than he would normally give, but truthful. "I'm not worried about if it's not my fault or whatever. I feel bad that she got hurt."
“Is there anything you can do about it?” Nic asked, looking over at Mickey. He seemed like a nice enough guy, at least if he was worrying about Zania’s feelings. That was more than some did, which was a disappointing thought.
"Probably not, because she knows I'd be lying." Because he'd gone and told her the truth about himself. Otherwise he could have lied and maybe spared her feelings. Or something close to that.
Nic scrunched up his nose, clearly not liking that idea. “Yeah, don’t lie to her. Even if you think it might help.” The drive wasn’t a long one and he was soon pulling up in front of Mickey’s house. Looking around, there were no wolves in sight. “Try not to worry about it. She’s dealt with worse. She’ll get over it eventually.”
Nic didn't quite get it, but Mickey didn't go into it. It was a different kind of lie considering he was into Zania, just not to the level he was with December. Plus, they were at his house. He reached for his gun again, looking at Nic. "Thanks for the ride. Appreciate it." He held out his hand to shake the other man's again. "Good to meet you."
“You too,” Nic said, shaking Mickey’s hand with a small smile. He couldn’t imagine what Zania saw in Mickey, but he’d been left wondering that on a number of the guys she dated. It probably shouldn’t surprise him that this one wasn’t any different.
Mickey half smiled back before letting go and letting himself out of the car. He waved once more then trudged up towards his house, eyes glancing at December's but that was it.