A promise for everything you never found...

"Believing in myself, huh?" Butcher sat down, frowning slightly at the unexpected warmth of his seat. "There's been a shortage of that lately in the Mrotek factory." He laughed at the cornyness of what he'd just said.

Mikey caught his wrist. "I could tell. Why?"

"It's not as bad now that I'm here. I just thought I was the only one for awhile," he looked around the room, still amazed that there were other Avians and he hadn't just imagined the night he was bitten.

"There's more to it than that." Mikey frowned, gently stroking the captured wrist.

Butcher flushed slightly, "How could you tell?"

Mikey smiled. "I've brought a lot of Avians into the world, Andrew. And the ones that don't come with me to begin with are always the same."

"And how would that be?" Butcher asked, trying to shift attention away from himself.

"Don't change the subject." Mikey said softly. "Why do you doubt yourself? You saved me, after all. And I couldn't save Nick."

"Beginner's luck. I'm really nothing special. Why are you wasting your time with me?" Butcher asked bluntly.

"Because I'd prefer you to be with me than against me." Mikey said, answering truthfully. "Carden doesn't know everything about us, but if he had a fully fledged Avian on his side, he soon would."

"At least you're honest," Butcher wondered if that was the reason Mikey offered to share his room.

Mikey shrugged. "Would you prefer I lied?" He asked, a slight arrogant tone to his voice. "Now, answer my question."

Butcher pulled his hand away, "I'm fine."

Mikey raised his hand and slapped the other man. "Answer me!" He growled.

"Hey no need to get violent," Butcher rubbed his cheek. "There's just someone I miss. Talking to him made me feel better, and now I don't know where he is." Or how he feels about me. Or if he's alive. Or if I even want him anymore.

Mikey's face softened. "Someone human?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," Butcher nodded. "But it doesn't matter anymore." He needs to stay away from all of this.

Mikey moved away as their meals came and silently began to eat.

Butcher took a thoughtful bite of his sandwich, trying not to stare at Mikey.

The Avian toyed with his food, not really hungry. He pushed it around his plate with a sigh.

Butcher bit back an 'are you okay?' and instead let one of his other favorite phrases as of late slip out, "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Mikey's red rimmed eyes were fixed on his plate.

Cyzarine walked along, smiling and shaking her head at the cook as she entered. She smiled wider as she spotted Mikey sat at a table with Butcher. She motioned to them for Demyx, before starting over to them. "Mikey!"

Demyx followed her, attempting to smile at Mikey...And failing miserably.

Butcher bit back what he was about to say, "Hi Cyzarine."

» Making good on a promise
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