Defining Normal | EMBRY CALL

Believing

Time without Seth ticks by as slow as molasses, the little hand on the analogue clock torturously creeping its passage around the face. She's five cups of coffee deep by the time her relief arrives at six-oh-four, late as always. It's still pitch black outside, the surrounds faintly illuminated by the dim glow of the lights on each bowser. As Lex shrugs on her coat she wonders who she'll be meeting today - it's been a revolving cast of characters lately, but there's only one person she really wants to see. And to her delight, it's the dented truck that's waiting for her, parked askew in the customer lot. She'd normally jog over to him, keenly anticipating the toasty warmth of the cab, but after a full day and a half on her feet, she's nothing left to give. The trudge towards the truck is slow, punishing even, the sleet from the early morning rain seeping into her socks through the holes in her boots. Embry, ever the gentleman, wastes no time in pushing the passenger door open for her. Lex wordlessly climbs into the seat, slumping low into the cushy vinyl. She can feel his eyes on her, studying her, but she doesn't care. She's too far gone.

"Hey, you okay? You look like death," he says, wincing. "Not that you look bad. Just tired. Can you say something? You're stressing me out." He reaches his hand out to lightly touch her shoulder, wondering if he needs to floor it to Sue's for a quick work-up. The dark circles under her closed eyes, her ghostly pallor, all point towards something worrying. It's only when she lets out a little disgruntled groan that he relaxes.

"I'm fine, Em. Just exhausted. I've been up since five," she says, sighing.

His eyes dart to the clock radio, then back to her. It certainly explains a lot.

"Christ, Lex, you're going to kill yourself at this rate."

She scoffs. "Tell that to my bills," she says, yawning. Lex turns in the seat to press her face against the seat, scooting towards him slightly. All it takes is one good look at her spent figure before his mind is made.

He runs his tongue across his teeth, considering how best to frame his thoughts. "How about...you want to come over to mine, have a good sleep, and I can make you something to eat. You can get some rest and Kim can catch you up on college stuff later?"

It's a ballsy move, inviting her back to his place, but every cell in his body is singing out to protect her, and he can't do that if she's holed up in her place in Forks.

She frowns, pressing her face further into the seat. "I need to go to college," she murmurs, sounding halfway to sleep.

"You need sleep. Kim can help you later," he urges, studying her face closely.

Lex groans again, softer this time, and nods her head slightly. "Okay. Just a little sleep, though."

"Okay. Just a little sleep," he agrees, putting the truck into gear. Lex is asleep by the time they hit the main road, her soft snores filling the silence that blankets them. Embry takes the drive slow, feeling both elation and trepidation - she's here, letting him look after her, and his place is a tip . Living in a sty was a small concession he'd had to make after moving in with Quil and Jared, but if he'd known she'd even consider coming to his house he'd have made sure it was immaculate first. Embry can only pray that she stays passed out while he brings her into the house, all in the hopes that she doesn't notice the mess. Lex's been on a softer note lately, a little less scathing, so maybe she wouldn't care too much , he thinks, feeling a dash of hope. She stirs a little when he lifts her from the cab, cradling her to his chest with all of the gentleness he can muster. The heat radiating from his body seems to soothe her, though, and she's quickly reduced to snores with minimal effort on his part.

As he climbs the porch steps he pauses to consider his options. He can deposit her on the couch, but it's probably uncomfortable for a human (he's pretty resistant to all sorts of discomfort now) and she'll definitely be awoken by Quil once he wakes. The alternative is tucking her into his bed; it's far more comfortable and quiet, but she may be weirded out by his forwardness. Embry nudges the screen door open with his foot, attempting to hold her steady against his body.