(Untitled)

[inthetapestry]

Dave knows by now the way that Kim likes her coffee - strong and black, staple of med students everywhere - and he's got it boiling as he waits for her to show up at the apartment.

The cautious way she sounded on the phone, he thinks it might come in handy.

Comments

[bannion_sight]

She hesitates before knocking at his door, her hand raised in midair.

How can-- do I really want to do this?

But she's come too far to turn back now, and so Kim eventually raps on the wood-- once, twice, and three times, in quick succession.

[inthetapestry]

Visitors can always hear Dave coming to open the door long before he reaches it, as his bulk passes over the old and slightly creaky wooden floorboards.

(Which is not to say he can't move quietly. He can. But he needs a reason to do so.)

Finally, the door swings open. "Come on in," he says, with an abrupt gesture.

[bannion_sight]

"Thanks," Kim says, smiling as she moves past him through the door.

"It's good to see you."

[inthetapestry]

"You, too," Dave says, following her.

If he were a natural gallant he'd add 'as always', but he's not. It's true, though.

[bannion_sight]

"How are things going at work?"

She keeps going toward the kitchen, simply to have something to do.

[inthetapestry]

"It's not bad."

Dave shrugs, and moves over towards the pot of boiling coffee. He pours two mugs and then turns around to hand one to Kim.

"You know how it is when you're low in the pecking order. Give it a few months and maybe I'll have something interesting to tell."

[bannion_sight]

She smiles in thanks and wraps her fingers around the mug as if to warm them.

"I'd be surprised if you didn't, honestly."

[inthetapestry]

"I'm not much of a storyteller," Dave says, slightly awkward, and settles himself onto the chair opposite. He doesn't look quite the right size for the furniture.

[bannion_sight]

"Neither am I, right now," Kim says, ruefully. "I wish I was."

[inthetapestry]

"Guess you've got something to tell, at least."

[bannion_sight]

"I guess I do."

Kim looks down at her coffee, unable to meet his eyes.

"I just don't know how to say it."

[inthetapestry]

Dave looks at her.

"I get enough fine print and subtext at the office, Kim. Just lay it out for me."

[bannion_sight]

"I'm, um."

She takes a breath and lets it out slowly, then looks up at him.

"I'm leaving."

[inthetapestry]

Dave's hands, wrapped around his mug, tighten reflexively. He blinks.

"Leaving?"

[bannion_sight]

Kim nods.

"Moving. To England."

[inthetapestry]

"- did you see something?"

Dave's associations with England are - specific.

He leans forward over his mug, brows knit together, and says, more slowly, "Are you going back?"