tramitem_net | You're my only hope

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You're my only hope

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

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Ach, ge' on wi' ye. [he runs a hand through his hair]

But tell me about her. Yer girl. I always said you'd get a knockout

Will you put the bloody suitcase down!

[there is a loud thump and a rattle and a silence which seems somewhat disturbing]

Two of a pair, they are

Well... she is a...

[ The noise was so distracting that Anthony craned his neck to try and see what was going on over there as if he could look past his Uncle. ]

White haired, pleasantly plump he with a Mona Lisa smile... Shouldn't you see what that was?

She sounds great, lad. Just great.

[sweat beads his temples as he looks over his shoulder at the closed door]

I'm not going in there. Tell your Mum to let us know when the dinner is and er... maybe we should catch a drink sometime.

[before much else can be said the door opens behind him and Irene comes out, face like a storm cloud]

I wash my hands of him. If he wants to be pitiful, let him. He's a grown man [this she spits at Alistair who glowers at her. She turns her attention the phone]

It's nice to see you, Anthy dear. I hope we get to meet your lovely fiancee--

Her name's Lisa

--soon. [then to her ex] I'm going back to the hotel. Give Alec his phone back and let him rest in peace

[Alistair's face goes red again]

Don't tell me what to do, woman!

Oh I forgot how allergic you were to any advice no matter how small.

See you later on then, Anthy.

[he opens the door and sets the phone on an endtable before slamming it shut behind him. Alec is still lying on the sofa, hands pressed against his eyes and from the other side of the door, Alistair snaps]

Oh fine, just walk away! That's what yer good at!

[ Anthony watches the bouncing screen, trying not to grow seasick as he was bounced from one room to the other. He waited, wondering if calm and quiet might reassert themselves if everyone but his Uncle had indeed just left. ]

So I told him about Fell, that went well... He's now waiting to meet Lisa.

How're you holding up? I caught some of that, mum wants you to go home to the UK?

[fortunately he's alone in the quiet now. But he's exhausted from all that. It's only been four hours and already he's regretting leaving the hospital.]

She does. Now she doesn't.

[and he isn't going.]

Did they miss out on hearing about that whole 'no stress' thing?

I mean if you need a rescue...

[ He waved his hand to his own mum who was cooking away in the kitchen and singing a happy tune. She wasn't shouting at least. ]

She would make you eat a salad or something, between filling my fridge and freeze to the top with home cooked meals.

[he curled up on his side. He was tempted to say that he was fine, but really he was tired. And with Aunt Evie they would at least behave themselves]

...I don't want to be in the way.

[he swallowed]

And you'll have to help me downstairs.

[ Blasted damn elevator. At least they were going down the stairs and not up. Gravity would be on their side. ]

I'm a master at helping people downstairs.

And actually you would be the opposite of in the way. Going to pick you up is an excuse mum couldn't possibly object to.

Alright, alright. [he sighed, and if the sound was a bit shaky, be decent for once and pretend not to notice]

I'll be here.

[though he might just pass out in waiting so Anthony will have to let himself in.]

[ He pouted as he noticed how much worse Alec sounded than when he was in hospital. Family really could take it out of a person and his cousin didn't have so much energy left in the first place... ]

I'll be there soon.

[ It actually took a few hours to get across town as the wreck of the century had plugged up large portions of Manhattan. Then there were the stairs... Anthony was huffing and puffing when he went to blow the door down to enter Alec's flat.
He picked up the discarded hospital provisions bag on the way by, tossing the previously worn clothing into what he hoped was a hamper so it could be filled up again with new fresh things. ]

Oi, Alec. Want to pack your own bag this time?

Wha--? [he blinked blearily at Anthony, wondering why the hell he was here. Then remembered.

He barely felt capable of moving but...]

Yeh. Give me a sec--

[he hoisted himself into an upright position and then... remained where he was to gather the energy to stand]

Take your time.

[ Anthony just got a head start on things by grabbing up those same bathroom items he had collected the first time. No one should go anywhere without a toothbrush. ]

Are they all gone then? Likely to return?

Don't know. [after a time he gets to his feet. Only to stumble across the room far enough to sit in a chair, head rolling back]

Probably.

Though hopefully one at a bloody time.

[Christ, he just wanted a nap]

[ His voice was low and sympathetic after Alec's samba across the floor to the nearest chair. ]

Maybe I should do the packing. It's fine to sit this one out.

[ Literally. ]

Is there anything you absolutely must take with you? Book you are reading? Favorite shirt?

[he'll let you have this one]

Few books. One on the nightstand. Don't care about the clothes so long as they're clean.

[he let Anthony go about it for a moment and then]

How long do you think it'll take to get rid of them?

[ Shirts, pants, handfuls of drawers... socks! Gotta get socks. Anthony waited until these things were packed before settling the books on top were they wouldn't be squished or bent along the way. ]

I'd like to say a week but... I have no idea. Most family visits back home lasted a week.

[ But this was medical. There was his mental breakdown and Alec's bad ticker. ]

Afraid they will stay longer?

Yeah...

[he picks at a small hole in the arm of the chair]

And what if they're... What if the Bureau gets to them too?

[ Anthony didn't want to make it worse but he had caught himself recently saying, 'being Different does seem to run in the family'. ]

Never going to happen.

Why would they? I doubt they are going to give two figs about a group of old grumpy people. Besides...

[ He smiled back over his shoulder as the luggage bag was zipped up. ]

... your mum would break a vase over their head.

[a gruff chuckle]

I want to break a vase over their head.

[he's not reassured, but for Anthony's sake he'll pretend he is. He hears the zip and gets to his feet, holding onto the back of the chair lightly for support]

Your demonic powers don't come with teleportation do they? [a joke. for the love of god, don't take him seriously]

Wish they did.

[ Not that he had powers at all. It was an unexpressed worry that so many people he knew were indeed claiming to get them. ]

I was considering 'magical piggyback ride'.

Down those stairs? You're out of your bloody mind.

[one trip and it will be over for both of them]

I'll be fine going down [he hoped] I just need a shoulder.

It's what I've been told.

[ The luggage was picked up by it's handle as both it and it's owner were escorted from the apartment. ]

We'll just take it slow and stop at every landing.

[ Hey, he wanted to catch his breath on the way down too. ]

I'm not that old. [he grumbled this as they went down]

Next you'll be putting me in a care home. [a concept of which he wasn't sure he was comforted or horrified by the idea of.]

No, but your suitcase is that heavy.

[ Anthony matched Alec's grumble with one of his own. ]

And that old... you've had this one, what? Thirty years? The duct tape on the corners is an interesting customization.

[ It was so much easier to complain about the suitcase than it was to dive into care home talk. He didn't want to even think about that. He wanted Alec to get better, to meddle and make his life a living Hell. Retiring to some care home was not an option. ]

Shut up.

[is the only thing he can manage.

Slow as they go down the stairs, it still takes some time, and by the time they reach the bottom, Alec has to lean against the wall-- He lets out a breath and closes his eyes]

Maybe the care home wouldn't be such a bad idea...

[he's not entirely serious but he's willing to take even the worst of care homes so long as it has peace and quiet and a bed]

You're my only hope

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