Sea Glass: Marie and Lauryn

Chapter 46

As they entered the hotel lift, Finn looked down at the duffel bag in his hands.

"I think..." He muttered and then hesitated slightly, "I think I'd like to change into some of this."

Marie looked at him, surprised. Yesterday, he would have refused to touch any of it, and now he wanted to wear it.

"I think that is a very good idea," she said.

Finn huffed through his nose as the lift doors opened onto the correct floor. 

"Ye sound pleased with yerself."

Marie smirked.

"I generally am," Marie replied smoothly.

That startled a short laugh out of him.

They stepped into the suite quietly. Marie's attention flicked instinctively toward the bedroom door first, listening. The door was shut still, but the sound of cartoons drifted faintly through it.

"Does she still watch Disney stuff when she's stressed?" he whispered, obviously hearing the same.

"She does. It calms her."

The answer made something tighten subtly in Finn's expression.

"I used to put them on for 'er when she were panickin'," he said. 

I forget at one time Finn was her safe place.

Marie set her handbag down on the entry table while Finn awkwardly shifted the bag in his grip.

"So...right," he mumbled, looking around slightly, "Should I just—"

"You may continue to use the bathroom out here to change," Marie said, "There are hangers in the wardrobe if you wish to put anything away."

Finn nodded.

But instead of moving immediately, he lingered. Marie looked at him expectantly as he rubbed the back of his neck lightly. 

"Actually..."

"Yes?"

He hesitated, almost embarrassed by what he was about to say.

"I thought maybe I'd go for a walk."

Marie tilted her head slightly.

"A walk?"

"Yeah...thought it might be nice...since I'm all cleaned up now," he said, blushing.

"Sounds lovely," Marie replied calmly.

He shrugged one shoulder. 

"I just...'aven't really felt like meself in a while...and I sort of feel better now..."

Marie's expression softened.

"Well," she said, "more fresh air would likely do you good."

Finn nodded.

"And," she added, "I suspect you will feel rather better walking around in clothes that fit you properly."

That earned another small breath of amusement from him.

"Probably."

Marie reached into her coat pocket then and withdrew one of the hotel key cards, and walking to her handbag, took 20 pounds from her wallet.

Finn blinked slightly as she held both out to him.

"For me?"

"Yes," Marie said, "A key card for when you get back and some money for lunch, if you get hungry."