these streets will make you feel brand new (for Cal, Niko)

[godhasheard]

Sam doesn't say much for the rest of the ride to New York. They drive the whole way through without stopping, Cal asleep in the back the entire time. Sam spends most of his time staring out the window at the scenery, very pointedly not falling asleep.

Eventually they're inside the city limits, and Sam isn't surprised at all when they turn towards

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[ninjaleandros]

"We will figure something out," Niko says as he pulls up in front of the apartment. He has a feeling Cal will have a strong opinion on that subject.

He turns around, flicking his brother's knee. "Wake up, Cal. We're back."

[halfanauphe]

"Nuh," says Cal, articulately, and lifts his head to give Niko a bleary eyed, faintly disappointed look. "Already?" He shakes it off, though, and sits up. "Hey, thanks for the ride. Next time I end up in Oklahoma accidentally, least I know who to call."

[ninjaleandros]

Niko gives his brother an unimpressed look before turning to Sam. "The elevators in our building have been out of order recently, and our apartment is on the third floor. Will you be able to make it up the stairs?"

[godhasheard]

Sam's tired grin looks much more like a grimace. "Only one way to find out." He drags himself out of the car, getting somewhat shakily to his feet. "More painkillers would not be unwelcome before the attempt, though."

[halfanauphe]

"Wuss," says Cal, without any sincerity at all. "Are you going to throw them at me again if I get them for you?" Stretching out in the back seat and putting his feet between the two front seats, because he can and to bug Niko. Because if he knows Niko he knows he will have been...a little bit freaked out. However little he'd show it, which is not at all, because Niko.

[godhasheard]

"I won't throw them at you if you don't throw them at me." Sam is unsurprised by the sudden appearance of feet in his space. He recognizes little-brother-style reassurance when he sees it.

[ninjaleandros]

"There will be no throwing of pills," Niko says calmly, shoving Cal's feet back. He appreciates the reassurance, but that's no reason to let Cal get away with it. He took the liberty of putting the pills in his pocket earlier to prevent any more bottle-throwing-wars.

[halfanauphe]

"You just want to take all of the joy out of my life," Cal grouses, and pushes himself up out of the car to lean on the roof of it. "Hey, Nik, why don't we have one of these?"

[ninjaleandros]

"I didn't realize you had a secret store of funds with which to buy one." Niko gets out of the car and passes the keys off to Robin, handing Sam the pills over the roof of the car. "There is also nothing wrong with my car."

[halfanauphe]

"There is everything wrong with your car," Cal says. "It's the car other cars are embarrassed to be seen with. It's a car only...actually, only you could love, and that's saying something." Cal is back to watching Sam, even while running his mouth on automatic. "Tada! Home sweet home. You're going to be missing that motel," he says, in that direction.

At least they've still got a coffee table.

[godhasheard]

"I find that hard to believe." Sam is snarking on automatic as he downs pain pills, trying to steel himself for the climb. It's not going to be a fun time for him, no matter what, and he's hoping to let the painkillers kick in before he has to attempt it. "I hope your apartment is at least roomier than that tiny room."

[halfanauphe]

"I dunno, Nik, what do you think?" He asks, lounging against the car. And takes a deep breath in. "Ah, home sweet home. Sweet fragrance of trash and human waste. Gotta love it."

[ninjaleandros]

"There will be room for all of us, at least," Niko says. He doesn't know how big the hotel room Cal landed in was, but he'd guess on the small side. "We also actually have a kitchen, which I'm sure your old room did not. You'll have to deal with my brother's fondness for disgusting foods, though."

[halfanauphe]

"I was going to say the same thing, actually," Cal says, to Sam, and then starts toward the front door. "Good drive?"

[godhasheard]

"You looked like you were having a nice nap," Sam says, because deflection is always a good thing. Cal is being a little too perceptive for his mental health. He still doesn't really want to talk, not about anything serious.

[halfanauphe]

Cal is being perceptive in that sidelong not actually talking about things sort of way. "Oh, god, yes," Cal says. "Needed it, man, apparently traveling the short way to Oklahoma takes it out of you. Who knew?"