I Am Noman

[plaguedrat]

He's always preferred to own his books, but his refusal to seek out work and forge any real ties to the city have forced him to budget, to compromise. It's what takes him to the public library today. Signing up for a library card is different, he tries to convince himself. It's not as if it requires money, nor does he have to maintain it. It's different.

It's netted him a thick stack of books that he's negotiating into a bag while he sits on the steps. The acetate-bound copy of The Odyssey rests on his knees, the one he plans to read first.

Perhaps he's like Odysseus, trapped for years on an island and prolonging his foolish journey.

Comments

[plaguedrat]

"You don't have to like everything." That is, Rat admits, the beauty of this place, of its abundance.

[silenttrainbaby]

But he shouldn't dismiss things before he tries them. Grey knows that much. He nods and reaches past his salad to get more bread, more of that oil and he sits back in his chair, eyes still on Rat.

[plaguedrat]

"What?" He feels inspected, like Grey's peering into him. Only it's soft, not cruel or analytical.

[silenttrainbaby]

With a shake of his head and a shrug, Grey just keeps looking. He doesn't know why he's looking, but he does, startled when their entrees arrive. The plates are huge and round and steaming.

Oh.

[plaguedrat]

It's bigger than even Rat had expected. His stomach growls but even he might not be able to finish.

At least it takes Grey's gaze off him for a moment.

[silenttrainbaby]

For a moment, yes, until Grey looks to Rat to see how to eat this porridge type thing. A fork? A spoon? (Utensils, of course, still being new.)

[plaguedrat]

A spoon, probably, but Rat's using his fork to swirl up spaghetti and take big, hungry bites.

[silenttrainbaby]

Which is what Grey tries to do, but it doesn't work at all. Though some does stick and he sticks the fork into his mouth; he takes in the savory flavor and the texture.

Were he a cat, he'd purr. He has no way of knowing that his mother was Italian.

[plaguedrat]

Again, Rat finds himself paying more attention to the expression in Grey's face than his own food. That pleased look wouldn't be out of place on the cat, sort of conftent and very nearly verging on blissed out.

The word "adorable" crosses his mind before Rat can stop himself.

[silenttrainbaby]

Holding the spoon now in his fist, Grey scoops up a dripping biteful and shoves it into his mouth and chews, his cheeks full like a chipmunk's, eyes narrowed in contentment.

[plaguedrat]

That word passes through his head again and Rat tries to keep the grin from his face, watching as Grey devours his food. Rat had guessed right.

[silenttrainbaby]

It doesn't take Grey long to move far past full into very, very full; stuffed even. His meal, though, isn't even half-gone. He has to lean back, patting his distended belly with a big sigh. He will carry this bowl of food to Curtis's, if he has to, to make sure he has more.

[plaguedrat]

It seems to be a regular occurrence, since their waitress comes over with foil bowls and cardboard discs to pack their food away if they like. Rat only made it about a third of the way through his food before putting his fork down.

[silenttrainbaby]

There was a moment when Grey had snatched at his food with a near-growl, before he realized what was going on.

He sits back, eyes wary and a touch penitent. He didn't mean to scare her, but she was taking his food.

[plaguedrat]

The server squeaks a little, hurriedly covering her mouth with the size of her tip in mind. Rat focuses on Grey, noticing his distress.

[silenttrainbaby]

He was raised, trained to be an assassin, a fighter and a killer. On the train, too, the only way someone had anything was if they were willing to fight to keep it.

Grey looks away, down, his jaw working, his hands in his lap.

He ruined things, didn't he?

[plaguedrat]

Rat doesn't see why Grey would think that. He's ruffled enough feathers in his life that he doesn't care. If Grey's worried, Rat knows a big tip goes a long way.

"It's fine."

[silenttrainbaby]

There aren't other people who react like that here. Grey knows that much. He nods, though and he fishes his face paper from his pocket and when the bill comes, he holds it out to Rat.

He's tired, suddenly, and sad.

[plaguedrat]

Rat counts out the money for a good tip and stacks up their carry boxes. It's hard to ignore the troubled look on his companion's face and Rat holds out his hand. "What's wrong?"

[silenttrainbaby]

There 's a moment when Grey looks at the hand, wondering what it meant. Only Gilliam had reached for him on the train. But as he rises, he reaches for it with his bandaged hand. He doesn't fit here.

[plaguedrat]

Rat doesn't see why Grey doesn't, or why it has to be a permanent state of being. He doesn't fit here either.

"Back?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Nodding, Grey keeps his head down, his hand grasping Rat's. When they're outside, he breathes easier, but feels no less dangerous. It's a new feeling, this. It's part of who he is, yes, but where does it slot in here? Where does he slot in? Not in Curtis' bed, not in that restaurant.

These aren't questions he'd ever needed to ponder. He doesn’t know how to.

[plaguedrat]

He's used to touch, casual and intimate alike, and he continues to try to be Grey's anchor.

"Watch others. Observe how they handle things." It's how Rat learned to act, both for the stage and life around him.

[silenttrainbaby]

The suggestion is a good one and one Grey will ponder, wondering if he can act like anyone other than himself , like anything other than a train baby.

He draws Rat's hand up, nuzzling the knuckles. Touch, too, he knows.

[plaguedrat]

He's somewhere between confused and transfixed, unable to look away from he intimate gesture and not sure what to make of it and the warmth swirling in his stomach. Slowly, he opens his hand, still palm to palm with Grey.