lockwoodspecial.

          _{“   DEFINE ‘ ANYTHING. ’   ”    shifting to settle,   head tilts back to rest on the top of the chair,   arms folded across his chest.    it’s not the most comfortable position,   but it allows for easy dialogue.    “   uh  —–  my uncle mason’s back in town,   you remember him?   ”}

❝   you mean your hot _{^{uncle mason ? how could i forget ?   ❞   grin blossoms,  entirely unashamed of the secret she’s about to divulge.   ❝   me and about half of the girls at school have been crushing on him since,  like,  the seventh grade.   ❞}}

lockwoodspecial.

          _{“   SO A QUADRUPLE ORDER of those then?   ”    brows reaching forehead,   he pulls out his phone,   fingers tapping against the screen before it’s held to his ear.    her order repeated  ( with just one of the brownies ),   he places it into his lap.   and finally,   he allows himself to truly look at her.    “   looks like we got half an hour to kill.   ”}

❝   thanks for coming by.  _{^{like i said,  it tends to get pre - tty boring around here.   ❞   she finds the remote,  turning off this week’s episode of the bachelorette.   he should feel honored.   ❝   have i missed anything ?   matt doesn’t really keep me updated.   ❞}}

lockwoodspecial.

          _{“   YOU WANT A PIZZA?   ”    two of those genuine smiles in the span of a few minutes?    next to impossible.    but it eases tension enough so that he moves around the bed,   settling in the chair at her side.    “   yeah,   i’m sure i can pull the ‘ grieving ’ card.    what do you want on it?   ”}

❝   PEPPERONI,  STUFFED CRUST.    ^{make it extra cheesy.   ❞    her smile is warm,   eyes alight and sparkling with content.   ❝   if you’re feeling really terrible you can order a side of those triple chocolate brownies too.   ❞}

lockwoodspecial.

          _{“   YOU DO?   ”    brows pull together in confusion.    she doesn’t immediately deny the blame,   and for once,   he’s grateful.    maybe there’s a part of him that needed that more than he likes to think.    it’s what comes next that prompts surprise.    “   how?   ”}

❝   YOU CAN START BY  ^{ordering us a pizza.  my carb craving is through the roof.              i mean,  they’re bound to deliver to hospitals,  right ?   ❞}

❝   SERIOUSLY ?   ^{you’re hanging with amy now ?                you’re really working your way to the bottom of the trash pile,  aren’t you ?   ❞          /          @lockwoodspecial}

lockwoodspecial.

          _{“   THAT’S GOOD.    that’s really good.   ”    fingers curl around the top of the foot board,   plastic strong despite his firm grip.    he finds it difficult to meet her gaze  ;   even moreso to look away from machines.    lips press into a thin line.    “   yeah,   no i’m fine.    totally fine actually.   ”    mouth opens and closes twice before he forces the words out.    “   look,   caroline  —–  i’m sorry.    you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.   ”}

DESPITE THE TRUTH OF HIS WORDS,   ^{she has never stopped to blame him.   accidents happen.   it isn’t his fault.   what’s important is that they’re both here,  alive.   it could have been worse.   the way she sees it  :  if she isn’t dwelling on it,  neither should he.   ❝   well,  i know how you can make it up to me.   ❞}

lockwoodspecial.

          _{IT’S A RARITY ;   the soft smile that curves lips,   stretching wider as she goes on.    he takes a single step forward,   and another,   until he’s standing at the foot of her bed.    there’s a guilt that eats away at him,   despite the words of comfort from others.    he knows he doesn’t deserve them.    but it’s the mention of his father that causes expression to falter,   head dropping.    topic is avoided almost immediately.    “   yeah,   thanks.    ——-   what about you,   though?    what are the doctors saying,   are you um  –  how are you feeling?   ”}

❝   I’M HEALING PRETTY QUICKLY.   ^{they say i’ll get to leave here in a couple of days,  so thank god for that.  this place is seriously depressing.   ❞    he is a book she doesn’t know how to read.  his solemn exterior does not unfold.  she catches the hint,  opting not to pry.   ❝                 you look like you’re feeling okay.   no life threatening injuries or anything like that.   ❞}

lockwoodspecial.

          _{“   CAROLINE.    HEY,   I UM  —  i mean no,   but i can grab something?    anything.   ”    standing in the doorway,   only one foot in the room,   hand lifts to scratch the back of his neck.    gaze travels from beeping machines,   to iv,   to white sheets,   and back to her.    there’s a hesitation that halts him in place.    voice wavers when he speaks again,   and he’s quick to clear his throat.    “   i —  i didn’t know you’d be up.   ”}

❝   IT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE  ^{to get any sleep in these beds.   and don’t even get me started on the sheets.  do you think you can have a reaction to an overexposure of polyester ?   ❞       lively as ever,   it’s hard to believe that just days ago she had been in a near fatal accident.   her swift recovery is something miraculous.   no one questions it.  they’re all just glad she’s alive.     ❝   by the way,  i heard about your dad.                i’m really sorry.   ❞}