affection_for_research | Open Post and Meme Overflow

[It's difficult to concentrate on his gift and driving. Other drivers and various traffic laws mean he can't take the direct route that is whispering through his mind. His heart lurches painfully when he recognizes the direction that Noah's headed.

Then he spots someone who looks more solid than Gansey's used to. Slowing the Pig, he pulls to the side of the road, stopping behind Noah. He should have heard the Pig from a block away.]

[It's possible that he had heard the Pig from a block away, however, he's also lost in his own mind. Even once he realizes where exactly he's heading.

So, despite everything... he nearly jumps out of his skin hearing the Camaro behind him before turning, staring.]

Gansey?

[Something is wrong. Very wrong. Noah should have known the Pig was nearby. There's nothing subtle about the Pig and he's lucky that he doesn't get complaints about the noise whenever he's driving late at night.

Getting out of the car, he slowly moves toward Noah as if he's afraid his friend will suddenly disappear. It's a possibility, one that he doesn't want to think about.]

Yes, Noah. It's me. Are you ready to come home?

[Of course something was wrong. He'd been lost. Mentally and physically. Following an energy that he really shouldn't of. Not that he'd been aware that he was following it.

He watches and listens to Gansey, giving a soft smile.]

I'm ready to come home.

[Gansey isn't sure what to categorize this as. Is Noah's behavior the result of almost having a panic attack or is it something like Cabeswater hijacking Adam?

He'll have to ask Adam about it later. Or one of the psychics at Fox Way.]

Then let's go home.

[He doesn't have to, not now that Noah's solid, but he opens the passenger door for him, hoping that Noah's aware enough to get inside the Pig without help.]

[It could be a million different things. Though, he does slip into the Pig and leans back in the seat. He takes a deep breath and lets it back out.

He waits for the door to shut and Gansey to slip into the car.]

Guess we'll have to make it more... livable now.

[There's a million things that he wants to say, but he knows how dangerous his words can be. Instead of speaking, he shuts the door with just the right amount of force, then moves around the Pig to get into the driver's seat.]

It's mostly livable.

[That should be a safe, neutral topic.]

We'll have to get a few things, but the basics are there.

[If Gansey wanted to ask his questions or talk, he should. Noah wouldn't be too off put by it. Though, he does cant his head and look over at Gansey.]

I'd like that.

[The basics didn't always mean livable.]

[He smiles, ignoring the worry that's weighing down his chest. Noah's in shock. He's scared. Once he has time to process everything, he'll be all right. Starting the Camaro, he heads toward Monmouth.]

And you know that if you need anything, you can borrow it from Ronan and me.

[Glancing over at Noah, he tries to think of practical details so he doesn't get caught up in the knowledge that one of his closest friends is alive again.]

I should have some clothes that will fit. Unless you want the all black look that Ronan prefers.

[Honestly? Noah was a little more than scared. He's been dead for what feels like forever and now he's breathing. A part of him is sure he'll forget how to breathe at some point. This was new.]

Do I look like a guy who would wear leather and all black?

[He can't even picture himself wearing all black like Ronan. That didn't exactly appeal to him.]

You might prefer jeans.

[Gansey does own a few pairs, but Ronan might be a better source for them even if they'll be longer.]

Or something that isn't polo shirts and sweaters.

[They both know that he owns more than that but it's a way to distract Noah until they get home.]

I would definitely prefer jeans.

[Just the idea of wearing Ronan's clothes has Noah making a bit of a face, trying not to laugh at the picture in his head of that.]

Sweaters aren't so bad. Polo shirts, however, no thank you.

You can borrow mine until we find you some.

[Noticing Noah's expression, he starts to smile.]

I do own t-shirts. They're usually hidden away so no one knows that I have them.

I'd like that.

[He turns a bit and sees that smile before shaking his head.]

Why would you hide something like that?

People expect me to look a certain way.

[It's more complicated than that. Pausing, he considers how to explain it while Monmouth comes into sight.]

Sometimes it helps if I visually fit that image. It helps keep my mind in order.

You shouldn't care what people expect.

[He does, however, get it though.]

I shouldn't. [It's something easier to admit than a practice to live by.] But the image does help smooth my path occasionally. It adds a layer of respectability that's helped with the search.

[Pulling into the parking lot, he lets the Pig idle for longer than necessary before shutting off the engine. The silence is startling. Looking over at Noah, he waits to see if another panic attack is possible.]

Ronan's at the Barns so we don't have to explain everything to him yet.

[Once the Pig stops, once she's shut off, Noah just sits there in silence. The silence is almost deafening and he doesn't even realize that his hands are shaking slightly. All of this was a lot to take in.

Though, at the mention of Ronan.]

Why didn't you already tell him?

[Reaching over the gear shift, he takes one of Noah's hands, startled that it's warm instead of cool like he's expecting. He holds it between both of his, stilling the trembling and offering what support he can.]

I didn't think you needed to deal with both of us at once. You should get your bearings before the others know.

[He stares down at their hands or rather Gansey's hand over his. The other's hand was actually warm over his own. Something that he wasn't expecting. Then again, he wasn't expecting any of this.]

Ronan's your best friend. You should've at least told him. I... don't want him to get upset with you.

[Or think Gansey's losing it and decide to try and throw him out the window again. Especially when, this time, it would do some damage.]

I'm going to tell him, Noah. After we're inside.

[He doesn't think Ronan would begrudge that time. Noah needs a few minutes to compose himself without questions. He also may need a few minutes to blame Gansey for whatever happened.]

I didn't think you'd want everyone here at once.

Okay.

[Noah just didn't want Ronan to get upset over finding out about him being alive. Would he angry or...]

I don't. But Ronan's not everyone. He's your best friend.

[He takes a deep breath before letting it back out.]

Lets go inside.

[As soon as they're in Monmouth and he knows Noah isn't going to freak out, he'll call Ronan.]

He's your friend too, Noah.

[Giving Noah a reassuring smile, he unbuckles his seat belt, waiting for Noah to do the same.]

It'll be all right. We'll figure this out.

But he's your best friend.

[He had one of those once, look where it got him.]

I know we will.

[He takes another deep breath then lets it out, then unbuckles his seatbelt and slips out of the Pig into the nice fresh air. It was going to be weird being physically in Monmouth.]

He's not going to be angry that we waited.

[Ronan isn't going to begrudge Noah the time it takes to get used to become functional through his shock. If he does... Gansey will deal with it. Noah needs time to breathe, and get used to breathing, before having to function like a normal human being.]

Remember I know a little something about coming back. I needed time to get used to things without everyone around me.

[It's not something he'd ever admitted to the others. They'd been so relieved that their bargain had worked, but Gansey had needed time to feel like he belonged in the world, in his body. He's not going to rush Noah, especially when he'd been about to have a panic attack.

When Noah gets out of the Pig, Gansey locks the Camaro and follows him inside Monmouth.]

Does it look different?

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