Lean On Me

[Vincent Meian]

((Backdated to December 2014))


Vincent handled his cellular phone with indecision. He'd made a promise to at least attempt to call a number of people back in Pilot Ridge, though given the timing of events, perhaps it was better for him to wait until a better date. The holidays were almost upon everyone, and given how festive the small town was, the likelihood of the recipient of his next call being out was fairly high.

Still, a promise was a promise, and it'd been almost a month since he'd settled into this little town. It was time.

Taking a deep breath, the tall man tapped through his contacts list on the (very old) device and pressed the green "Call" button. One moment of hesitation as the call connected, then up to his ear it went.

When the other man's baritone came through, a weak smile slipped over Vincent's face. He almost laughed, but instead stated, "Good evening, Sean. I hope I am not disturbing your evening."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Hammel had begun its winter recess, which led to Sean spending the entire day at home or otherwise tending to errands or volunteering at the LGBT Youth Center due to the vacation period on his hands. Chanukah had begun as well, which always became such a production in the Neville-Bernstein home, due to Josh’s aversion to Christmas and resulting frenzy to counteract its decoration and cheer by adorning everything he could in white, blue, and silver.

Sean didn’t mind. He enjoyed spending seeing his partner happy, and he had spent so many years celebrating Jewish holidays with the Bernsteins, even before their reconciliation, but it was second nature. He didn’t miss any of the religious aspects of Christmas, and he always had his fill of the secular aspects between the Campbell Christmas celebration that they attended and the mistletoe and baking that he had convinced Josh to share with him. One could never underestimate the power of kissing or baked good to win over another person.

Josh hadn’t yet come home from work, and the telepath looked forward to the court recess and the two-weeks of break that his partner would take starting that weekend. He had plans.

Yet his thoughts were interrupted by his cellphone, and, pulling it out, he saw it was Vincent. This was the call he had been waiting for. He answered, and the younger man quickly moved past basic identification into pleasantries.

“You aren’t. I haven’t begun supper yet.” That could wait. “How are you settling in?”

[Vincent Meian]

"Well enough," Vincent replied, glancing to the shaded window of his bedroom briefly. "Considering the past few weeks, I am more accommodated than I expected."

There had been a room for rent in town right around when he arrived, and the homeowner hadn't needed much. Someone quiet who was willing to interact pleasantly but otherwise kept to himself had been a perfect fit, even if his reasons for being in town were not exactly normal.

"How is Josh? He will be on recess for the holidays soon, will he not?"

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean took note of the non-descript “well enough” but let it slide for now without exploring further. The other man had only recently settled in, and given the abrupt nature of his departure and the underlying event and cause. They would have plenty of time to discuss his emotional state in more detail; for now, they could focus on pleasantries.

Such as the upcoming holiday break from the court system, and Campbell Christmas, and Chanukah that was already underway.

“Josh is fine,” he assured Vincent, and the telepath smiled to himself at the thought of his partner. “He will be. The court system shuts down for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and he takes off the week before as well.” As Josh had explained to him multiple times, the judges and clerks would not offer appearances during that week, and so it was best to take off and enjoy a full break. The telepath couldn’t argue about that, since he was on recess from Hammel for a month, and, this way, they could enjoy one another’s company at home or take a few days to travel.

“He’s already begun his annual Christmas protest.” The telepath might find the vehemence somewhat excessive, but he supported Josh in his endeavor.