Connor/Daniel

[choosetoforget]

Daniel's finally settled into the sort of life he always wanted. Jon's London flat, cozy and more than everything he needs. His sister, healthier and comfortable. Daniel with enough money to get by but job prospects in spades thanks to some very forged documentation. All in all, post-2000 seems to suit him. He takes books out to cafes. He goes out with friends he's made. He settles into a very nice life that he never dreamed possible for himself.

Of course, there are times when he feels lonely. Those same friends he goes out and discusses politics and history with have never been on the Barge. They don't know the horrors he faced there and afterward. They don't know the sort of person Daniel is. Not even his sister has that privilege; he would never burden her with that. She has the most sanitized version of the truth.

So it was only a bit of trepidation that he asked Jon, whose deal was the ability to move between worlds and move people between words, to bring Connor for a visit. If he wanted to. It's been so long that he's not certain Connor would even want to see him.

He sends his sister out with her friends, people he trusts to take care of her, and waits. Makes tea. Forgets it. Heats it up when it gets cold. Forgets it again. Makes a new batch, then starts a film.

Trying not to look at the door more than he has to.

Comments

[brutallyefficient]

The pensive feeling is mutual. He's aware of how much time has likely passed on the Barge, but there was no way for him to return. His communicator had stopped working, there were no portals or ships passing by, and all other communication had been lost. For the first time in a long time, he felt alone and adrift even though he had left with the intent of seeing others that he cared for.

Days turn into months and all he could do is look up at the stars overhead and wonder: Would The Barge arrive soon to take him away again?

Eventually, it does. The chance to return to that familiar ship is met with a mixture of excitement and dread. Undoubtedly, Daniel has moved on and other familiar faces have gone. But Daniel had always been his friend before all else and he would treat this as though he were going to see a long-lost friend.

Sometime later, Connor arrives at the familiar cabin door with a small giftbox in hand. The door looks different than it had before - there was no forgetting - but he knocks anyway. Hopefully, he's here.