Harry Dresden (dresdensluck) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-05-03 01:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, harry dresden, thomas raith |
Who: Harry D and Thomas R
Where: Their place
What: talking, food
When: Saturday afternoon, 04/27
Warnings/Rating: PG-13, mentions of character death, depression
Status complete
Harry was feeling like the world was particularly insane this week. His brother’s girlfriend was dead, he had a daughter, and his daughter was a Dreamer, and life, in general, was going a little odd. And he just wanted to make sure things were okay with Thomas, as okay as they could be, anyway. So he had the grill out today and was making steaks and potatoes for them, with beers in the cooler as he smiled, waiting for Thomas to come out.
If he would.
Thomas felt like a wreck. Things had been going so well with Neena, and then suddenly everything went sideways. Evidently there was more to their relationship than sex, and the news of her death had come like a blow that ripped his belly open and tore something vital out from behind his ribcage. Of course, his chest was as perfect as ever, but that didn’t stop him feeling hollow inside.
He was angry. He was Hungry. But it was better to eat his feelings than to eat someone else’, so he dragged himself out to where Harry had lain out a tailgater’s feast.
Harry smiled a little at his brother, worried, unsure, and hopeful, all at the same time. “Hey. hungry at all? I managed to lay my hands on those beers you like, and got some prime steaks almost done here.” He figured, if nothing else, he could give Thomas something normal and mindless to do.
“I’m always hungry,” Thomas said, rolling his eyes a little. Apparently, an increased metabolism will do that to you. He ate like he was bulking up for an action role.
He smiled a little. “It does smell amazing, bro. Thanks.”
“Well, we’ll take care of that.” Harry nodded. “You’re welcome. I just needed to draw you out of the cave. We all need a little air sometimes.” He chuckled.
Thomas took a deep breath, exhaling it in a sigh. He didn’t really know what to say, at least for himself, but he wasn’t the only one going through life changes. “So how are you? How’s fatherhood treating you?”
That deep breath was a good sign to Harry. So he smiled, relaxing a touch. “Amazing, and crazy, and mindboggling and terrifying.” He sighed. “Get this. In addition to being a father to Corazon, she’s also a Dreamer.” He sighed. “I hope I can help Elaine make this easier for her.”
“Wow.” Thomas sat down, letting out a chuff of laughter under his breath as he processed the news. “It never rains but it pours, eh?” He shook his head, and offered his brother an encouraging smile. “Ever since you met Elaine, Harry, you wanted to give her the world. And here you are.”
Thomas’ chest ached with the happiness that rolled off of Harry when he thought about Elaine and Corazon; bittersweet, for Thomas, but in the best sense that he could imagine. It was a good pain, the kind that would heal.
“You can do it, Harry,” he said, “I believe in you. You and Elaine both.” And he’d do his damnedest to watch his brother’s back so that Harry could be there for those girls, no matter what.
Harry smiled to Thomas. “And I believe in you. We’ll make it better, you’ll see.” Even if he had to storm hell itself. He’d done worse in the dreams, he thought.
Thomas smiled back, even if only faintly, and nodded his head. Harry was an investigator, after all. Maybe they could do some digging, find out who was behind the fire--though Thomas was pretty sure he could already name the prime suspect--but not on an empty stomach. “So...when do we eat?”
“Almost ready. Grab the plates over there?” He chuckled, waving a hand at the close by table with plates ready to go. “Eating first, then we can hang out, drink beer, and watch stupid movies.”
Something to keep the mind a little busy.
“I am all for that.” Thomas stood and gathered the plates, glad for something mundane to focus on, even for a little while. One foot in front of the other. He’d get through.
FIN.