John - Post Asylum

[london_spy]

He'd woken up in his own bed. Alone. Safe. Normal. Danny didn't understand why or what that meant. His first instinct was to call Greg, but his phone wasn't working at all. the screen was shattered and when he plugged it in there was no sign of life.

He supposed he'd have to go get a new one.

Coffee in hand he found himself just walking, past the hospital where Greg should be checking in for his shift, past the flat Hex shared with Flynn and the others, then past the hotel where John had been staying. He could have gone into any off those places, but he just wasn't brave enough to see who was there and who remembered him.

He stared at John's hotel a beat longer, then began to walk again.

Comments

[london_spy]

"I was selfish, self centered..." Danny said, trailing off. "He wanted me, and I wanted whoever I was into that week. I was looking to get high and get fucked and he wanted me to be better. Did what he could to look after me."

[petty_dabbler]

"That's Chaz for me," he shared. "I don't know why he keeps me around. All I do is fuck up his life."

And sometimes his death.

[london_spy]

"Who's Chaz?" Danny asked, still coming down as he leaned back against the counter.

[petty_dabbler]

"He's my driver," he said, laughing at his own joke that no one thought was funny but him.

"I met him when he was a kid. He drove a cab and I lodged with him and his mum. Then I saw how it was and, well, she won't bother him anymore, yeah? So I like to tell him he owes me. Our little joke. He's repaid any debt ever, and then some."

[london_spy]

Danny nodded a bit in understanding, then fell silent again as he nursed his coffee.

[petty_dabbler]

"He's who I always wind up back with. Best mate. He's got a wife and a girl now. He doesn't need this mess coming around, though," he said as he gestured to himself.

[london_spy]

"I'm sure he doesn't mind," Danny said, sitting down at the kitchen table.

[petty_dabbler]

"Maybe," he shrugged. "He's one of just a few who'll still take my calls, so that's something."

[london_spy]

Danny nodded, and beside him his new phone chirped. Once, then twice more. Texts from Rich trying to coax him back to the club for some after hours fun.

Danny turned off the sound and turned over the phone.

"He live here in London?" He asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"Not anymore. When he got married they moved out of the city," he said. If he kept on with this he was going to need a drink.

[london_spy]

"Oh," Danny replied, nodding slightly.

[petty_dabbler]

"What about you? You've got to have other mates," he asked, glad to shift the focus off of himself.

[london_spy]

"Not really. Not anymore. There's Hex, and there's Greg... Old roommates, some people from class. Not many that I'd say I'm very close to," Danny said honestly. "What about you?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Right now I've got you," he said, giving Danny a cheeky wink.

[london_spy]

Danny offered a slightly melancholy smile.

"I'm not sure I'm a very good friend to have, if I'm honest."

[petty_dabbler]

"I like you fine," he said. "You feeling up to eating yet?"

[london_spy]

"Yeah," Danny nodded, even though his appetite hadn't returned yet. He knew he needed something on his stomach.

"What do you fancy?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Pizza is always my default," he said. "But I'll eat whatever you like. Broaden my horizons."

[london_spy]

"Pizza's fine," Danny assured him, pulling himself together a bit and picking up his phone to open the app.

[petty_dabbler]

"I need another cup," he announced, walking back into the kitchen as Danny ordered. A little coffee, a little pizza, and he'd make sure Danny was secure in bed. John had all but abandoned the idea of anything happening. Danny seemed like he wasn't in any kind of space for that.

But he could be here. John was the last person anyone would turn to for comfort. He was too blunt, too crass, and too cold. But he couldn't help being empathetic- it was just that usually feelings sent him running. And he knew in his heart he should run from this. He didn't want to be the ruin of Danny's already troubled life.

"Ah, hot cup. Much better," he said when he came back.

[london_spy]

Danny had lost a sock on his way to bed, and he'd turned on the TV, the news playing quietly in the background. He smiled when John joined him, moving over so they could both sit comfortably.

[petty_dabbler]

He put his cup on the table, surely to be forgotten soon. To be polite, John kicked off his shoes.

He nodded to Danny's foot.

"Your toes are going to get cold," he noted.

[london_spy]

Danny looked at his feet and snorted a tired laugh.

"Guess I wasn't paying much mind," he admitted. "My head's elsewhere."

[petty_dabbler]

"I can tell," John nodded. "Doesn't look like you're happy being there, a million miles away."

[london_spy]

"In my head I'm back in that place," Danny admitted. "I can't leave it be."