Fool's Rook [Closed]

[saronym]

Owen subtly braced himself upon the heavy weight of impact that reverberated down his arm and chest when Sairus’ sizable hand landed on his shoulder. He turned his head to stare somewhat in disbelief at the hand that lingered on his shoulder only momentarily. Although the other man's face didn’t match the tenor of the masculine contact, Owen felt that the gesture somehow dissolved the tension in the room.

But he nevertheless hesitated when Sairus offered him something to make him ‘feel better.’ Thus, he found himself alone in Kama’s office gaping and staring around wondering what was occurring.

Was Sairus being … agreeable? What a change since the I thought you were fucking dead greeting. Owen was intrigued.

With curiosity propelling him forward, for the second time that day Owen found himself trailing Sai down the hallway of the hospital. He caught up with the lynx as he was turning away from the front desk with something small hidden in his hand.

When they entered the parking garage, Owen came to a momentary full halt upon observing what Sairus had promised would lift his spirits. Once again Sai surprised the normally unflappable Owen. Betraying Kama’s secrets. The near approving little grin when Owen assaulted his brother-in-law. And now this: his wife’s old car.

An involuntary smile spread over the blonde’s face and even warmed pale eyes as he approached the car. The sight landed upon him like a waking dream. During his visit to their old home Julianna’s remaining personal effects had seemed like ancient relics to him. Dusty old things surviving from another time but serving no better purpose than encouraging fruitless sentimentality. The gleaming car, however, felt like the living, breathing present tense. Or a dollop of honey in bitter tea.

His expression changed to something more contented pensive as he circled the vehicle, tracing his fingers along the shining paint as memories came flooding back. He always knew when Julianna would be home long before she called out to him from the foyer and even before her key rustled in the lock---if only for the roar of the Vette’s engine that could be heard before she even turned on the lengthy driveway leading up to their home.

“She loved this car… I loved this car.” He mused as he bent over to stare at himself in the shining wax on the hood. He rubbed away some barely visible dirt that marred his reflection in the paint. “It’s still in great condition.” Owen added approvingly before straightening. He wasn’t sure if he was complimenting Kama on the upkeep or Sairus. He didn’t much care.

Owen’s eyebrow arched quizzically complimented by his telltale mischievous grin. “So you’re going to let me drive right?”

Nothing like a sports car to get a former corpse looking lively as a little boy on Christmas with the new Hot Wheels set.