Dancing Slowly in an Empty Room (Liam/Insight)

926 words

for Lilly Starbroke Pierce

notes: so sadddd. this needs a touch of sunshine.

CRACKED VENEERS

He wasn't a people person. Never had been and he knew that the future didn't look to busy in his social agenda. That lack of a social life meant talking long walks with his dog and no romantic sunsets after busting his ass renovating the house and working at the barn. Yes he lived a very diverse life of sleeping, waking, showering, eating, working - working out and then repeating. He was living the life, what more could he want and hence why he was walking in like a bed-raggled hoodlum into the coffee shop. He'd decided to switch up his new routine and had went for a morning run after waking, much to Riley's enthusiasm. He'd left the golden retriever at home and decided to be bold and drive into town for a morning cup of joe and breakfast. He hadn't bothered to change. Why should he? It wasn't like he had to impress anyone and he was just going to change again as soon as he got home so he hopped into the cab of his truck in his black basketball shorts, white tank and overlaying black jogging vest. He gave himself a sniff as he settled into the cab and having confirmed that he didn't smell like a complete caveman drove into town.

His brown hair was unruly today as he shifted it out of his face and adjusted his sunglasses, driving down the road. Slowly, but surely he was beginning to become more and more familiar with the area and little excursions like these only helped to familiarize him more. He'd noticed a local coffee shop earlier that week and made his mind up to stop there this morning and found his way there in about twenty minutes. He enjoyed living outside of the city, but then it meant his commute time was more. Simply more time to think and process was how he was choosing to look at it and he found his mind racing of today's to-do list. He had to find a trainer to help him, prep for upcoming races, reno the home....He felt a slight throb of a headache begin as he arrived and put the truck into park. He ran his hands over his face, the scratch of his scuff revitalizing and focusing him. He rested his head on the steering wheel collecting his thoughts. "Get your act together here Lee. One step at a time." Breathing in deep, he exited the cab and decided that step one was simply to get caffeine into his system and food into his belly. He opened the door and the warm ambrosia that was coffee greeted his senses and he inhaled it deeply. He walked forward into the line with an easy confidence that was all "Liam". There wasn't much that rattled or intimidated him, but when it just came to making actual friends he always just seemed to be at a retarded loss. He preferred to be alone most times, but being in a whole new city he was beginning to realize that even he couldn't live solely off of his dog's attention. Maybe today you can actually put yourself out there Lee. He teased himself and snorted at his own stupid inner dialogue.

He walked up to the counter and gave the barrista a smile to slay. He could turn the charm on when he desired to and better to practice now if he was gonna have any kind of hope of making friends in this city. She smiled back as he ordered his black coffee and breakfast sandwich. He paid his bill and placed a generous tip as he waited. He took his cup with a grateful smile and sipped the bitter brew with relish and appreciation. He lived off of coffee. It was a good brew and he made a mental note to make this a local haunt for him. He grabbed his sandwich as it came off the press, warm and ready and he tucked in with hunger and enthusiasm. English muffin, egg, ham and cheese. What wasn't to love?! He chewed his first bite and looked about the coffee house. There were people ordering and dashing and some sitting and reading, but one individual caught his immediate attention.

She looked so forlorn, so sad and it tugged at his inward heart strings and before he even realized what he was doing he found his feet walking and his body moving as he paused by the woman's table. She had the appearance of a woman about to cry and he reverted to his natural instinct to prevent that at any cost, even if it meant busting out of his internal shell. "It's the allergies isn't it? Damn pollen in the air makes my eyes water like the dickens. People think I'm walking water works with my emotions on my shoulder." He winked a sympathetic smile at her, letting her in on his lighthearted tease. "Forgive me for being so bold. I'm Liam. New into town and you just looked like someone who could understand my leaking eye plight..." he motioned to the chair that sat across from her, "Do you mind....?" He let the question hang, waiting for her name and noting that there were no other available seats in the shop...His introverted self was screaming on the inside at the bold move on his part. WHAT IF SHE SAID NO? He let himself sweat it out on the inside, but outside was cool, calm with a slight collected smile. Masks were so deceiving.

519 words

for Lilly Starbroke Pierce

notes: chivalry lives!

LOST IN TOWN

Well, he hadn't caused the woman to curse at him, give him the finger or violently assault him so this conversation on a whole was already a win in his book. He saw her break out of her melancholy with a slight smile and then she cracked it a bit with a slight smile. She looked to be a more quiet and demure soul with a story that wouldn't just cause it's owner to tear. He felt himself soften towards the unassuming woman and couldn't stop his own slight smile at her introductory greeting..He smiled at her name and then arched an eyebrow in pique as she continued, "So.. Why'd you want to talk to me? I'm not exactly the best conversationalist just to warn you."

He paused and took a sip of his coffee brew before he spoke, slate grey eyes taking in the woman across the table from him. Why indeed did he want to talk to her, well, best to just be honest about it. "Well, Lilly. I think it might have something to do with the fact that you don't make me want to run and hide. I don't deal with people very well and I honestly think that a woman like yourself shouldn't be sitting her alone in a coffee shop crying." He winked at her and took another sip of his coffee and felt his gentlemanly side kicking into gear. He felt the urge to offer a crying shoulder, hell, he'd even deck a guy if he needed too.

"Meeting people has never been my strong suit, most people say I'm just or tactless, but frankly I just find I usually don't put up with people's drama very well." He gave her an easy smile and nodded his head in her direction. "I know we just met, but if I need to go punch someone to make you feel better just say the word." and he meant it. "Anyone nice enough to let a random stranger sit and talk to them doesn't need to be sitting her on their own." He understood what it was internalize emotions and feelings and if left alone could create a toxic situation. He determined tight then and there to either distract her from her worries or be an open ear.

"Don't laugh at me, but I definitely got lost driving into town today. This place is massive, poor Riley, my dog has had to backtrack over the same places he could probably lead me around town. Not me though. I get as lost as a needle in a haystack. Does it ever get easier to negotiate your way around this town?" He peeked over through the shop window and saw Riley's head hanging out the window and sniffing at every passerby. He smiled and knew he was okay for now. Returning his gaze to Lilly he studied her, so demure and subdued, but he loved the soft spirit to her, it didn't make him want to shut down or run away and he felt himself relax in her presence.