Dream a little dream of me

The Meeting

Hob has the same routine everyday, he wakes up, gets ready and heads down to the cafe close to his flat, grabbing himself a cup of coffee as he clings onto the strap of his bag which lays across his chest before he rushes off to the University, he works in(he teaches english.) getting stopped by Mr March as he enters the corrode filled entirely with locks and teenagers who are trying to organise themselves as well as figure out their future's. he remembers being their age- well instead of studying he was collecting coins off the street making sure his family had food for the night..yer not the best of days but it what it was. he remembered worrying about his own future but now he lives a long one funny that, yet, no sign of- never mind.

"Morning Gadling!" Mr March said as he walked along side Hob who was balancing both his coffee and shoving pieces of sheets he'd written all last night into his bag, for the lecture this morning.

"Uh- Hello March, how's the wife?" Hob asked, forcing a struggled smile as he struggled by himself.

"Oh she's well, she's well, Ather has just gone on to secondary school!"

"Oh that's great! they grow up fast then!" Hob chuckled, he felt sad as he remembered the loss of his son, Robin. that effected him greatly.

"they do they do!" March chuckled. "Well I'll let you get your class ready then!" He laughed as he pat Hob's back before he walked off.

"see yo-" Hob tripped and luckily managed to balance himself before he walked to his classroom, he waved and smiled at students before pushing the door open and going to his desk, placing his drink down and his bag before he flopped down in his seat letting out a massive sigh. he was exhausted and it didn't stop, he had marking after this and to run his pub, it wasn't his but he worked in it part time and lived upstairs renting, he liked it there...it had memories he wanted to hold onto. at that, thought of his stranger came to mind...he still hadn't gotten a name but not like he got many answers only two, one being in a past meeting and the other being their last one. he still hadn't gotten over the cold gaze of the other's eye's and the clench of the other's jaw, anyone would think Hob had spat in his drink or something to get such look but the look only came from a offer of friendship.

if he'd had know this reaction is what he'd get then maybe he'd never had spoken of their relationship at all. Maybe then the other would have show up for the last meeting but no sign of the stranger ever wanting to get back in contact with him.
____

The bell rang as Hob finished writing on the board, he looked over as his students rushed off out.

"Don't forget to study for your test next Wednesday!" Hob yelled out as the rushed out, he put down the chalk and put his stuff in his bag. he  jumped a little once he heard tapping at his window, he glanced over to see a raven stood, tapping at the window before tilting it's head to the side. he raised a eyebrow but shrugged it off, he grabbed his bag and headed off to the pub.

Once he'd finally finished his shift he sat down at a table hidden away, getting out his papers. marking time, hooray! not but it had to be done though he was almost falling asleep.

half a hour went by and morning sun had now disappeared. most people had left the bar by now and a few had stayed and a few more came in for a drink and a chat with both staff and friends of their's.

Hob had been so focused on his papers and sipping on his beer to notice the bell ring as someone stepped in and over to Hob's table. the other only noticed as a shadow towered over him.

"can I help you-" Hob looked up and his eye's widened in suprise. "it's- You're late.." he got out more as a whisper.

The stranger stood, looking back at Hob with a little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "My apologies." he said with no hit of anything just the smoothness of his deep, cool voice. "I heard its rude to keep one's friend waiting." he said before pulling out the chair across from Hob and setting himself down.

Hob couldn't help but smile at the word 'friend.' after all this time, he had considered the offer and accepted. he decided not to push anything more just incase this backfired like last time.

"How have you been, Hob Gadling?" The stranger asked, looking at the other before it glanced down at the papers infront of Hob.

"Oh- Uh well I don't know where to start!" Hob laughed and leaned back in his chair, placing his pen down on the table. "Well I teach now and I work here part time and live upstairs."

The other just hummed and nodded slowly, meeting Hob's eyes. "What do you teach?" He asked.

"Oh- pff- well I tried history but it's such a pain!" Hob whined and let his fall back as he let out a groan before he sat up straight. "they rewrite it all and then act like that's what happened and believe me, I know what happened! I lived it!" He tried to fight back a laugh as he looked at the other but failed, bursting out with laughter, earning him a little amused snot from his stranger. 

"Uh but now I teach English and I prefer it so." Hob said shrugging. The stranger just nodded and silence filled their space before Hob broke it. "uh- where have you been then?" He asked, shrugging it off like it didn't matter but the look in his eye's said otherwise.

The stranger kept his eye's on Hob, not fazed by the question. "I was imprisoned by a man named Roderick Burgess, he was trying to summon death but instead summoned and imprisoned me." He said with a calm, cool tone.

Hob nearly choked on his beer at what his now friend had said. "Shit- I mean I heard rumours about something demonic living in that basement of his but shit- I had no- what a fucking asshole!" He snapped, getting angry for the imprisonment of his friend.

The stranger looked unfazed. "It was taken care of my friend." He reassured. "his son now sleeps a unwakeable slumber."

Hob frowned at his words. "I had no idea- if I did I would have-" the stranger leaned forward a little and cut him off. "What? you would have come and saved me? it was too dangerous plus it is not your burden to feel bad for, you didn't know. how would you?" He shrugged.

"Maybe but- I could have done something maybe if I'd have known..." Hob sighed and silence filled the space again. "would you like a drink? we can go to my room, if you'd like?" He asked, grinning a tad bit as he looked at his stranger.

The stranger had a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. "That would be nice." He said simply before rising out of his seat along after Hob did.