Tomas Ortega (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bravidiocy) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
promuseboxing2018-09-08 04:22 pm
bravidiocy) wrote in promuseboxing2018-09-08 04:22 pm
(no subject)
In the aftermath of saving Harper from her mother, Marcus suggests they take a break. Not forever, but long enough for them to lick their wounds and steel their hearts for the next trial that awaits them. Maybe he sees the exhaustion nipping at the edges of Tomas’s spirit. Or perhaps it's that Marcus himself is tired of sleeping in the truck as they trade shifts on the long journey to their next destination. Whatever his reasons are he keeps them to himself. Tomas agrees and they find a quiet town with a nice motel that won’t demolish their funds, close enough that they can go to Harper if she needs them.
The town is small, a bit off the beaten path but lovely all the same. Plenty of shops to visit as well as what looks to be an active church congregation going by the festival happening in the park beside the church. For a while, Tomas trails after Marcus as they pick up supplies, half distracted as his eyes keep straying toward the festivities. It reminds him of Saint Anthony's, setting off an aching homesickness that always seems to be waiting to hit him at the least opportune moment. Marcus finally waves him off after they finish putting their bags into the truck, telling him he'll catch up after he investigates the music store they passed. Tomas can already see new cassette tapes in their future.
He finds out as he wanders through, looking at the stalls and stands that the fair is to help raise money for the church's roof which has been in need of repair for several months now. It doesn't take long for Tomas to be drawn to the bake sale table, chatting with a few locals as he tries to decide what to buy. The congregation isn't Catholic but the spirit is familiar enough that Tomas finds himself at ease as he makes his picks. A few chocolate pastries for himself and some jam tarts he's started to recognize as Marcus's favorite.
"What brings you out this way?"
"We were passing through and decided to spend a few days resting. The town is lovely."
"With your wife? You chose a great time to stop in, the weather is amazing this time of year."
"Oh, no. I don't have a wife. I'm traveling with my partner, he ought to be around soon."
"How wonderful!"
The conversation continued on amicably, Tomas asking about local landmarks and restaurants they could visit. Gossip that he has no stake in but listens to anyway, letting the words wash over him like the tide. He tells a few stories from Chicago, editing enough details to keep everything anonymous. When the subject very suddenly turns to a crazy news story about a pair of priests kidnapping a woman just one state over it feels like a bucket of ice water has been dumped over his head. He quietly thanks every saint watching over him that he had left his clerical clothes at the bottom of his bag, that he's dressed in plain clothes that hint at nothing special. The words leave him off-kilter, fumbling to catch up as the conversation continues without him.
When he spots Marcus making his way over there's no disguising the relief on his face. He takes two steps over to meet him, opening his mouth to say they ought to leave when one of the women speaks up, sounding absolutely delighted.
"This must be your husband! I'm sorry-- partner." At Tomas's look of helpless surprise, the woman winks at him. "You don't need to worry, honey. We aren't the sort of folks who care about who a person loves."
The town is small, a bit off the beaten path but lovely all the same. Plenty of shops to visit as well as what looks to be an active church congregation going by the festival happening in the park beside the church. For a while, Tomas trails after Marcus as they pick up supplies, half distracted as his eyes keep straying toward the festivities. It reminds him of Saint Anthony's, setting off an aching homesickness that always seems to be waiting to hit him at the least opportune moment. Marcus finally waves him off after they finish putting their bags into the truck, telling him he'll catch up after he investigates the music store they passed. Tomas can already see new cassette tapes in their future.
He finds out as he wanders through, looking at the stalls and stands that the fair is to help raise money for the church's roof which has been in need of repair for several months now. It doesn't take long for Tomas to be drawn to the bake sale table, chatting with a few locals as he tries to decide what to buy. The congregation isn't Catholic but the spirit is familiar enough that Tomas finds himself at ease as he makes his picks. A few chocolate pastries for himself and some jam tarts he's started to recognize as Marcus's favorite.
"What brings you out this way?"
"We were passing through and decided to spend a few days resting. The town is lovely."
"With your wife? You chose a great time to stop in, the weather is amazing this time of year."
"Oh, no. I don't have a wife. I'm traveling with my partner, he ought to be around soon."
"How wonderful!"
The conversation continued on amicably, Tomas asking about local landmarks and restaurants they could visit. Gossip that he has no stake in but listens to anyway, letting the words wash over him like the tide. He tells a few stories from Chicago, editing enough details to keep everything anonymous. When the subject very suddenly turns to a crazy news story about a pair of priests kidnapping a woman just one state over it feels like a bucket of ice water has been dumped over his head. He quietly thanks every saint watching over him that he had left his clerical clothes at the bottom of his bag, that he's dressed in plain clothes that hint at nothing special. The words leave him off-kilter, fumbling to catch up as the conversation continues without him.
When he spots Marcus making his way over there's no disguising the relief on his face. He takes two steps over to meet him, opening his mouth to say they ought to leave when one of the women speaks up, sounding absolutely delighted.
"This must be your husband! I'm sorry-- partner." At Tomas's look of helpless surprise, the woman winks at him. "You don't need to worry, honey. We aren't the sort of folks who care about who a person loves."