Safe Place (Remington Leith)

2

It's Saturday, and normally on the weekends the pretty boy spends a lot more time to the bar than during the week, not that Andy is complaining, he just doesn't understand why. As he reminds himself that it's none of his business, from the front door, the younger man enter the bar glancing quickly in his direction. He has never done this, Andy has never looked him in the eyes and, even if he doesn't want to admit it, his heart skips a beat. Once the boy sits down Emerson precedes Andy and goes to him to take his order. Remington did not aspect that, he doesn't know the guy, he doesn't want to speak and, in a moment of panic, he rises his gaze and search around desperately for the familiar man. Not quite knowing why, Andy feels that something is wrong and rushes to the table pushing Emerson away. <<Eme, it's fine, I'll take care of this...alright?>> Seeing the worried look in his eyes, the smallest boy just nods his head and turns to go do something else, leaving the two alone. Remington wants to say thanks, he really wants to but can't bring himself to speak out loud, and he feels so stupid for it. <<I am going to get you the usual okay? -No need to answer.>> Andy adds at the end seeing the boy was getting anxious. Making him uncomfortable is the last thing he wants right now. Since he entered the bar he could tell something was bothering him.

After a few minutes, more like ten or fifteen, the time to let the brunette calm down, the older man takes the tray and, as always, sets everything on the table paying even more attention not to scare him in any way. Before going back to the counter, even though he already turned his back to the boy, Andy sighs and puts down the tray on a close table before walking again to the guy. <<Hey, I am so sorry to bother you, I can tell you don't like company but... Can I sit?>> He waits, hoping for an answer, a nod or even just for him to raise his eyes, but nothing happens. After a little too much time Andy turns around again but <<Wait.>> He hears and instantly he's one more time at the boy's table. <<Can I sit?>> He asks anew, keeping his voice low. Andy receives a nod in agreement and so he takes a seat in front of him. He stays in silence, watching as the younger one eats slowly without looking at him, but that is okay, he has let him sit with him, it's already something. However, after a while, he isn't capable of maintaining the silence anymore so he just says the first thing to start a normal conversation without sounding creepy. <<May I know your name?>> Andy can see the way he tenses up at first and stops eating. His hands fall off the table and he takes a deep breath. <<Remington Leith>> He says softly and oh so shyly and Andy can swear he has never heard a voice more beautiful than his. It is warm, low and innocent.
Innocent that's exactly the word Andy would use to describe Remington. <<My name is Andy Biersak, it's nice to finally know your name since you come here everyday.>> He smiles. Maybe he's talking too much or he said something wrong because the boy now looks like he is going to break down. Little does he know that Remington is just worried the man is fed up of him coming here to buy a coffee and remain for hours not letting actual clients take his place. <<I am... I am sorry>> Remington says as quiet as possible and looking anywhere but at him. Andy decides is better to not keep up this topic because he doesn't understand why he is apologising and doesn't dare to ask. Actually there are lots of things he is not understanding, everything of the young boy screams "help": from the way he sits with his back hunched, to the little constant shaking of his hands and, well, his teary eyes. <<Listen, Remington->> Andy speaks up looking straight at him even if the look's not returned. <<Is everything okay? Are you okay? Is something happening?>> No one talks anymore. There is silence at the table for a few minutes.
Andy understands then that something is really wrong because either Remington's thinking about what words to use or he doesn't want to talk, in any case, if he was fine, he would have told him right away. <<You don't know me but I wanna help, for real, you don't need to be scared.>> He hopes the boy believes him because he is telling the truth, he does want to be helpful and deep down Andy just wants to see what he looks like when he smiles because if he's this beautiful when clearly in pain he has to be handsome when happy.
Remington wants to believe him and in his heart, somehow, he trusts the blue eyed man but something in his mind tells him to run away from that place, from him because no one can be this kind, not with someone like Remington anyway, he does not deserve it, that's the only truth and he believes that more than he could ever believe Andy.