An anniversary
Mar. 25th, 2008 08:58 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
x-roulette.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
xp_logsSome days are harder than others.
Cain had finished sweeping the back patio hours ago, and had enjoyed just leaning on the railing, staring out over the north woods and listening to the first chirps of the crickets, finally making an appearance after the bitterly cold winter. Nights like this, he could almost remember when the railing was chest-high instead of coming up to his waist, seeing his new home for the first time.
Glancing down at his watch, he gave a small nod, hung the pushbroom up on a set of hooks, and walked back into the mansion through the kitchen doors.
Even at Xavier's, the late hour would not deter any visitors to the kitchen. Usually for a late night snack. But the lone occupant sitting at the kitchen table was merely stopping on the way to somewhere else. The dark-haired girl sat at the kitchen table, with her head in her hands. She just needed to rest and make the world stop spinning before she tried to go upstairs. This night out, on this anniversary, she hadn't even bothered with social niceties at the bar. Just eight shots of whiskey. Straight, neat.
When the light flicked on, Jennie looked up. Her eyes were red, though it was impossible to tell if it was from the whiskey.
Or the tears.
Cain's brow furrowed, a lecture forming behind his lips. Then slowly, his expression changed. Silently, he walked across the kitchen, picking up the carafe of coffee and pouring two mugs, black. Without another word, he stopped and placed one in front of Jennie.
Briefly, he set one large hand on her shoulder and just gave a subtle nod. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Mine too."
Jennie nodded, lower lip trembling. She swiped at her eyes, and weaved a little. She reached for the mug in front of her, wrapping her thin fingers around the ceramic, and let the warmth chase away some of the ice in her hands. When she looked up at Cain, she gave him the tiniest ghost of a smile.
One day, it would stop hurting. Or she would be strong enough to take the pain. But tonight, it was okay to let herself be weak. Just a little. Tomorrow would be another day.
Cain had finished sweeping the back patio hours ago, and had enjoyed just leaning on the railing, staring out over the north woods and listening to the first chirps of the crickets, finally making an appearance after the bitterly cold winter. Nights like this, he could almost remember when the railing was chest-high instead of coming up to his waist, seeing his new home for the first time.
Glancing down at his watch, he gave a small nod, hung the pushbroom up on a set of hooks, and walked back into the mansion through the kitchen doors.
Even at Xavier's, the late hour would not deter any visitors to the kitchen. Usually for a late night snack. But the lone occupant sitting at the kitchen table was merely stopping on the way to somewhere else. The dark-haired girl sat at the kitchen table, with her head in her hands. She just needed to rest and make the world stop spinning before she tried to go upstairs. This night out, on this anniversary, she hadn't even bothered with social niceties at the bar. Just eight shots of whiskey. Straight, neat.
When the light flicked on, Jennie looked up. Her eyes were red, though it was impossible to tell if it was from the whiskey.
Or the tears.
Cain's brow furrowed, a lecture forming behind his lips. Then slowly, his expression changed. Silently, he walked across the kitchen, picking up the carafe of coffee and pouring two mugs, black. Without another word, he stopped and placed one in front of Jennie.
Briefly, he set one large hand on her shoulder and just gave a subtle nod. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Mine too."
Jennie nodded, lower lip trembling. She swiped at her eyes, and weaved a little. She reached for the mug in front of her, wrapping her thin fingers around the ceramic, and let the warmth chase away some of the ice in her hands. When she looked up at Cain, she gave him the tiniest ghost of a smile.
One day, it would stop hurting. Or she would be strong enough to take the pain. But tonight, it was okay to let herself be weak. Just a little. Tomorrow would be another day.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}