Chapter Text
Fabian stops in the middle of the sidewalk.
He looks around, suddenly feeling disoriented, and he has to take a moment to… collect himself. Backtrack for a moment. Where is he? …he’s downtown, outside the Black Pit. What is he doing? He was… walking, after school. The Hangman hasn’t been feeling well, so he’s staying at the Thistlesprings’ for a few days as Gorgug tries to help him get over whatever sickness this is.
Was he going to see Hangman? No. He’s been talking to him through their mental link just fine, and Hangman has nearly begged for Fabian to leave him alone, not wanting his master to see him in ‘such a sorry state’. Not that Fabian would ever be upset at him for being ill, of course, he’s not like-
He wasn’t going to see the Hangman. So what was he doing?
He just remembers wanting to go home after Bloodrush. He… was dreading it, for some… reason? The memory feels blurry, now, something about it wrong. Why would he dread going home? He doesn’t-
Fabian wants to go home. He’s going to go home. It doesn’t matter why he’s here, he can just go home. Home is-
Home is across town. He must have been distracted or something. Maybe he zoned out and wandered towards Gorgug’s anyway, or Riz’s place, but- whatever it was, he’s just going to turn around.
It’s a longer trek, now, and he feels ridiculous for getting so distracted he went the wrong direction. He ends up stopping at Basrar’s, getting a quick treat to make the rest of his walk easier, even if his mom might get annoyed at him for it- what was she making for dinner tonight? She should have mentioned it at breakfast, right? Was he not paying attention there, either?
Ugh. Fabian’s just tired. Junior year is difficult, and practice was harsh today. He’ll feel better after getting some sleep.
Adaine’s behind the counter. “Adaine!” he greets her, leaning on the counter.
“What are you doing here?” she sighs, which is such a rude thing to say to one of your best friends. “You said in the group chat you were going home.”
Fabian waves a hand dismissively. “I got a little… distracted, I suppose. I’m absolutely lost without the Hangman.”
Adaine laughs, and starts getting his usual without him even having to place his order. When her back is turned, he drops a few pieces of gold in the tip jar- why is his wallet so full today? That’s weird, too- and looks incredibly innocent when she looks back at him. He pays for his order as she slides it over, and drops a smaller, more reasonable tip in the jar. Adaine narrows her eyes at the contents as he takes his first bite, but- “You owed me for helping clean up after the party, anyway.”
Which… what?
He’s heavily confused for a moment. A- party? When was- no, there was a party, but-
“Brain freeze?” she asks, and-
“Yeah,” Fabian winces, though he’s not sure that’s it. At least he remembers, now. There was a party at home. Adaine helped clean up his room after it became a mess. Truly worthy of a few gold, considering it was already a mess beforehand. “Speaking of, I need to get home. See you tonight,” he says, already halfway out the door.
At least from here it’s not much further of a walk. As soon as he gets close to the house, he can hear how busy it is inside, and he grins to himself as he hops the steps on the porch. When he’s inside, he tosses his bag by the door- it’s fine, he’ll grab it later, he won’t forget this time- and idly searches around to see who’s doing what.
Mordred Manor is always so busy, after all.
“Oh, hey, Fabian,” Jawbone says, the first person he spots. He seems surprised, for some reason, but his expression quickly eases back to his normal warmth as he leans back on the couch. “What’s going on? Looking for somebody?”
“No, no, just seeing what everyone’s up to.” He glances around, but the living room is otherwise empty. “I know Adaine is still at work…”
“Kristen’s out in the chapel, as far as I know. Fig… that I’m not sure about.”
“I’m sure I’ll see her,” Fabian says, passing through the room. Jawbone lets out a hum, but something about his expression still seems off. It’s- fine. Maybe today is just strange for everyone.
Sandra Lynn isn’t back from work yet, it seems. The kitchen is still a bit of a mess, dishes soaking from breakfast, and Fabian really should help clean up- is it his turn this week? Maybe? He doesn’t remember- but he did just get back from practice. He’s tired! He opens the fridge, looking through it. None of his takeout is here.
…of course it isn’t. What takeout? Whenever they order delivery, it all gets eaten by somebody. There’s almost never leftovers. Fabian shakes his head, trying to clear it. Maybe he needs a nap.
He steps into the main hall, heading up the stairs. He can hear Lydia’s wheelchair squeaking as he passes her room, but decides against popping his head in to say hi- he’ll see her at dinner, anyway, and he’s so out of it right now. He just goes to his room inste-
This isn’t his room. This isn’t his-
Why is it so empty-
His room isn’t-
Fabian blinks rapidly, and finds that he’s leaning hard against the doorway to his room. He’s- he’s so out of it. Of course this isn’t his room. It’s one of the guest bedrooms that Jawbone’s left set up, in case any friends of the Bad Kids need somewhere to stay for a night. His room is… down the hall. But he’s- he clearly needs that nap. He just shuts the door behind him, kicks off his shoes, and collapses face down on the bed.
His head hurts. This will help.