The Dresden Files / Bob / #25. Roam
Title: Parting Ways
Author: Cyloran
Fandom: The Dresden Files (tv-verse)
Character: Bob, Harry
Prompt: 25. Roam
Word Count: 866
Rating: G
Summary: Harry is off to see the world.
Disclaimer: The Dresden Files do not belong to me; just passing through.
Table: Here There be Ghosts
"So," said Bob.
"So," agreed Harry.
"You're off to Europe."
"And Asia. China. South America."
"Asia and China are the same, Harry."
"Oh, right. I knew that," he said sheepishly. "I guess I'm a little nervous. See, I'm going by myself this time."
"Oh?" That was a surprise. "Your uncle will not be accompanying you?"
Harry shook his head. "He's sitting this one out. Too much stuff to take care of, he said." He lifted his hands in a what-can-you-do shrug. "You know how Uncle Justin is when he's got his head in some kind of business venture."
"I do." Entirely too well. Bob fervently hoped that Harry never had occasion to learn exactly what some of Justin Morningway's 'business ventures' entailed. "How long will you be abroad?"
"I dunno. Six months?"
"That long?"
"Uncle Justin said to take my time. I got his favorite 'good learning experience' and 'build character' speech all wrapped up into one."
"I imagine in that respect he is correct," Bob grudgingly admitted. "The time away will do you good. To be on your own in a foreign land-"
"-will build character and be an excellent learning experience that I can fall back on in later years," said Harry as if by rote, punctuating it with an exaggerated roll of his brown eyes. "I know, I know. Sheesh. Do you and Uncle Justin rehearse this stuff?"
"Hardly," sniffed Bob, the tiniest bit hurt by the comparison. At least the boy had not likened him to his uncle in other ways.
No, not a 'boy', he had to remind himself. Harry Dresden was no child nor had he been for some years. He was a handsome, earnest, good natured young man ready to venture forth on his own and see the world. Still, it was painfully hard for Bob to let go of the mental image of the little boy he had doted on for so many years.
"You will enjoy Europe," he said.
"I think so. I hope so." Harry gave the familiar study an all inclusive nod. "But I'm going to miss this old place." He shifted a bit awkwardly then suddenly blurted, "Hell, that's not true. What I meant to say was, I'm going miss you." He offered the old ghost a cheeky grin. "I mean, who's gonna tell me I'm holding my tea cup wrong or what side of the road to drive on?"
"You do not drink tea," said Bob archly, being deliberately obtuse. "And the first time you run someone off of the road in one of those infernal combustion-powered contraptions - hopefully without injury -- I imagine you'll have reason to remember on which side of the thoroughfare you should be traveling."
Before Harry could offer a retort, the grandfather clock in the corner began to chime the hour.
"Oh shit! Is that the time? I've got to go! I've got a cab waiting to take me to the airport." He snatched up the valise he'd set down.
"Enjoy yourself," said Bob as he accompanied him as far as the study door. The placement of his skull would not permit him to go much further than a few steps beyond. "Take the time to savor all that you see and experience. Enjoy the world, Harry." For I have no doubt that it will delight in meeting you.
"You can count on it." Harry paused in the doorway, suddenly an echo of the awkward, shy little boy he'd once been. He didn't know when he'd see the beloved old spook again. For a moment he actually thought about trying to hug Bob goodbye. He even went so far as to lift his hand before, embarrassed, he quickly lowered it. A hug wouldn't be comfortable for either one of them, would it? (Practical. Why, then, did heart ache at his decision?) "You, um, take care of yourself, okay?"
Bob's expression softened in understanding. He, too, wished that he could have embraced Harry farewell. An impossibility, of course. And if Justin Morningway were to witness such an exchange… No. It was better this way. Better for Harry.
"Be well."
"I will." He raised his hand in a wave of farewell, acutely aware of how lame that was compared to what he wished he could have done. "You know, I'll be in England for a while. If there's anything you want me to bring back or, you know, someone you want me to visit for you…?"
"I am grateful for the offer," replied Bob quietly, "But there is nothing left for me there." He lifted his gaze to briefly meet Harry's. "All that I desire is your safe return."
"I'll work on that."
"Good."
"I'll send lots of postcards."
"I look forward to reading them."
"And if you change your mind about England…um…well, you know…"
"I do." Bob smiled sadly, charmed and deeply touched by Harry's reluctance to leave. Not wishing to delay him any longer, Bob offered a bow of farewell. "Goodbye, Harry," he said and swiftly vanished back into his skull.
They would not encounter each other again for more than a year.
It would be the longest year of Bob's damned, eternal existence.
Author: Cyloran
Fandom: The Dresden Files (tv-verse)
Character: Bob, Harry
Prompt: 25. Roam
Word Count: 866
Rating: G
Summary: Harry is off to see the world.
Disclaimer: The Dresden Files do not belong to me; just passing through.
Table: Here There be Ghosts
"So," said Bob.
"So," agreed Harry.
"You're off to Europe."
"And Asia. China. South America."
"Asia and China are the same, Harry."
"Oh, right. I knew that," he said sheepishly. "I guess I'm a little nervous. See, I'm going by myself this time."
"Oh?" That was a surprise. "Your uncle will not be accompanying you?"
Harry shook his head. "He's sitting this one out. Too much stuff to take care of, he said." He lifted his hands in a what-can-you-do shrug. "You know how Uncle Justin is when he's got his head in some kind of business venture."
"I do." Entirely too well. Bob fervently hoped that Harry never had occasion to learn exactly what some of Justin Morningway's 'business ventures' entailed. "How long will you be abroad?"
"I dunno. Six months?"
"That long?"
"Uncle Justin said to take my time. I got his favorite 'good learning experience' and 'build character' speech all wrapped up into one."
"I imagine in that respect he is correct," Bob grudgingly admitted. "The time away will do you good. To be on your own in a foreign land-"
"-will build character and be an excellent learning experience that I can fall back on in later years," said Harry as if by rote, punctuating it with an exaggerated roll of his brown eyes. "I know, I know. Sheesh. Do you and Uncle Justin rehearse this stuff?"
"Hardly," sniffed Bob, the tiniest bit hurt by the comparison. At least the boy had not likened him to his uncle in other ways.
No, not a 'boy', he had to remind himself. Harry Dresden was no child nor had he been for some years. He was a handsome, earnest, good natured young man ready to venture forth on his own and see the world. Still, it was painfully hard for Bob to let go of the mental image of the little boy he had doted on for so many years.
"You will enjoy Europe," he said.
"I think so. I hope so." Harry gave the familiar study an all inclusive nod. "But I'm going to miss this old place." He shifted a bit awkwardly then suddenly blurted, "Hell, that's not true. What I meant to say was, I'm going miss you." He offered the old ghost a cheeky grin. "I mean, who's gonna tell me I'm holding my tea cup wrong or what side of the road to drive on?"
"You do not drink tea," said Bob archly, being deliberately obtuse. "And the first time you run someone off of the road in one of those infernal combustion-powered contraptions - hopefully without injury -- I imagine you'll have reason to remember on which side of the thoroughfare you should be traveling."
Before Harry could offer a retort, the grandfather clock in the corner began to chime the hour.
"Oh shit! Is that the time? I've got to go! I've got a cab waiting to take me to the airport." He snatched up the valise he'd set down.
"Enjoy yourself," said Bob as he accompanied him as far as the study door. The placement of his skull would not permit him to go much further than a few steps beyond. "Take the time to savor all that you see and experience. Enjoy the world, Harry." For I have no doubt that it will delight in meeting you.
"You can count on it." Harry paused in the doorway, suddenly an echo of the awkward, shy little boy he'd once been. He didn't know when he'd see the beloved old spook again. For a moment he actually thought about trying to hug Bob goodbye. He even went so far as to lift his hand before, embarrassed, he quickly lowered it. A hug wouldn't be comfortable for either one of them, would it? (Practical. Why, then, did heart ache at his decision?) "You, um, take care of yourself, okay?"
Bob's expression softened in understanding. He, too, wished that he could have embraced Harry farewell. An impossibility, of course. And if Justin Morningway were to witness such an exchange… No. It was better this way. Better for Harry.
"Be well."
"I will." He raised his hand in a wave of farewell, acutely aware of how lame that was compared to what he wished he could have done. "You know, I'll be in England for a while. If there's anything you want me to bring back or, you know, someone you want me to visit for you…?"
"I am grateful for the offer," replied Bob quietly, "But there is nothing left for me there." He lifted his gaze to briefly meet Harry's. "All that I desire is your safe return."
"I'll work on that."
"Good."
"I'll send lots of postcards."
"I look forward to reading them."
"And if you change your mind about England…um…well, you know…"
"I do." Bob smiled sadly, charmed and deeply touched by Harry's reluctance to leave. Not wishing to delay him any longer, Bob offered a bow of farewell. "Goodbye, Harry," he said and swiftly vanished back into his skull.
They would not encounter each other again for more than a year.
It would be the longest year of Bob's damned, eternal existence.