Heading out...

[killingsoftly]

It was Saturday. He'd spent all day Friday packing, just to be ready. Of course, he'd been ready Wednesday night, but for Warren and Alma's sake, he'd curbed his impatience. But the principal's accusations still rang in his ears. The idea that he'd done something to Warren hurt, not entirely because he'd been unable to, even to prove a point. But he wouldn't ever have put them into this situation, even if he could and the fact that she thought he was strong enough to still hadn't registered under the hurt that she thought he could. That he would. It was likely that even if the thought did register, he'd dismiss it as putting on a good show. All show, no substance.

But they were going on tour and so, really, that didn't matter. He could play the game well enough, and had enough natural musical talent, that tour would give him what he needed. What he loved and craved and maybe the hurts would be soothed and insecurities at what he couldn't do be eased. He hoped so, at least. It...felt broken somehow that he didn't know how to fix. Didn't know how to fix himself and...

He pushed the thought away as he started carrying things downstairs to the van. If he got his in and done, they'd have less to do together with Warren's.

He bounced at that thought. They were going on tour. Just him and Warren and the people who thought they were wonderful. The show and the music and the lights and the make up. The groupies and the fans and the energy. And then just the road, and them. Hotel rooms and wide open spaces and something new to see every day. Something new to show Warren, to experience with him for the first time.

He was ready.

Comments

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin grinned at her, then him, and presented the box to Warren.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Warren was careful to sit down with it fairly quickly, looking rather stunned.

"This way you have no excuse for not keeping in contact. You can e-mail, send pictures, tell me everything about what's going on with you two on tour." She grinned back at Devin, casting a look of fond amusement at her son.

Who still was sort of fish-mouthing.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin bounced. "That's good, yeah, 'cause mine isn't the best for pictures."

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Warren was still sort of making faces. "Mom...!" he said finally, worrying a little. Did they really have the money for this?

Well, if he wasn't going to high school this year. But. Still.

"... thanks.." he added finally, belatedly, blushing a little. "I mean, you didn't have to... Thanks."

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin grinned at him, seeing how happy he was.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

She pointed a finger at Warren and smiled. "I expect you to become a brilliant rock star, in exchange."

It was bothering her, more than a little, to let him go. To be alone in a rattling apartment, to have him running off all over the country, Godknowswhere. But at the same time, everything that was bothering her, she knew, were the little things. The things that she couldn't help and that she would think of if he was going off to college. Eating right, sleeping enough, safe and healthy and happy. She'd done all she could do, and it was time to let him go.

None of which stopped her from giving him an embarrassingly motherly hug.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin fidgeted, not wanting to intrude, and not really sure what it was he'd be intruding on, anyway. He slipped out to let them have a moment together just them, perching on the balcony at the top of the stairs and lighting a cigarette.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

They exchanged the usual words, the usual quiet whispers and, you'll take care of yourself, right?

When things were a little less mushy he went up and slid a hand along Devin's back, between his shoulders. "Ready to finish packing, get out of here?"

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin crushed out the rest of his cigarette and hopped down.

"Yeah."

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Warren hugged him lightly around the waist and kept his arm there as they walked back.

They'd gotten the laptop all packed up in its shiny new case. He'd check it out when they got to Boston.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin gave Alma a smile, looking around to make sure they had all their stuff.

"Thanks..."

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Everything that wasn't the laptop had already been taken down to the van. They'd talked some along the way.

"Anytime." Alma smiled. And then, though still smiling, more seriously: "Take care of him for me.."

Which got an embarrassed looking away from Warren and a quiet "Mom..."

She made a face at him.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin nodded, just as serious. "I will..."

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

"I know..." She nodded.

There was a slightly awkward moment before Warren picked up the laptop, with a small smile. "See you in a few months."

His fingers curled around Devin and held tight as they headed out of the apartment.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin gave Alma one last smile and then followed Warren with a bit more of a bounce in his step than had been there in a while.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Warren was quiet for the most part, not holding back or pulling back, but thoughtful. Thinking about all he was leaving behind.

And, too, thinking about all he was heading towards.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin kept quiet, too, letting him think as he started the car and headed them out of town. He tried not to bounce too much, but he was radiating relief to be on the road again.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Warren glanced over at him and smiled a bit, after he'd thought his way through to at least a temporary equilibrium.

"Any more bouncing like that and you're going to bounce right out of the seat.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin flushed. "'M not bouncing."

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

"You so are," Warren grinned. "You're glowing. I thought I was supposed to make you glow like that."

But he was teasing, entirely, and happy to be out on the road with him.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

"You do," Devin said simply.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Warren smiled shyly, flushing a bit and settling.

"I'm glad."

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin beamed at him and tried not to bounce quite so much.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Not that Warren minded the bouncing, happy that Devin was happy and relieved to be out and on the road for that, if nothing else.

[killingsoftly.livejournal.com]

Devin slipped a CD in so he at least had something to bounce to.