Work Text:
The midnight bus to Sofia was almost empty for once. She played her favourite game. The couple was returning from a honeymoon. The woman behind her clutching a briefcase was a smuggler. And the young man across the aisle...
Not so obvious that one. He was sitting with knees drawn up, arms around them. She thought he was the same age as her grandson, but, no. It was a trick of his clothing. He was very likely closer to her son’s age. She hadn’t realised she was starring at him until he lifted his tired head and watery blue eyes briefly locked with hers. That was enough. It was not the dark bruising around his eyes or his cracked lips terminating in a cupid’s bow that betrayed him. No, it was the hollows he had for cheeks and the slight tremour in his hands. Those were the only things that mattered.
She’d brought a roll to eat during the night. She took it from her bag and leaned over to gently nudge the passenger’s calf. He raised his head slowly again. She smiled. “Ekmek?”
His eyes narrowed and he leaned forward to reach for what she offered. He caught her hand as he did and quickly moved to drop three kisses on it before curling up again to unwrap his bread.