Monochrome: 5

“There’s the sofa,” Finn said, “you can sleep there.”

“Yeah, we’ve met,” Kieran remarked. He threw his backpack onto the sofa.

“Oh, I didn’t even notice you had a bag,” Finn said.

“Yeah, good thing, anyways.”

“Why, what’s in there?”

“Nothing much, just a sketchbook, really.”

“You‘re an artist?” Finn asked. Kieran was heading toward the sofa, and sat down.

“Yeah, why else would I be in the apartment with a studio?”

“The space?” Finn responded. Kieran was going through his bag.

“I’m gonna make some food,” Finn told him, “do you want some?”

“What is it?”

“Pasta, I think.”

“Sure.”

Finn headed out to the kitchen as Kieran withdrew his sketchbook. Finn pried open the cabinets, retrieving a pot and a box of pasta. He set the pasta down, filling the pot with water. He turned the stove on, sliding the pot on top of the burner.

As the water slowly heated, he returned to the cabinets, pulling out containers as he looked for the sauce. He set the glass jar down, and put the rest away. Next came the saucepan, which he sat down on the countertop. He poured the sauce in, and set it on another burner on low. Out of things to do as the water boiled, he checked on Kieran. Kieran was sat on the sofa, sketchbook on his legs, drawing.

“Are you doing anything next week?” Finn asked.

“Hm?”

“Christmas.”

“Oh, no, I don’t really… believe in that, anyways.”

“Still, it’s nice to have something to do.”

“I guess,” Kieran responded, continuing to draw. Finn went to the kitchen to check on the water (even though he knew it wasn’t ready yet), and sat down at the dining room table to wait.

“I’m having some friends over. My parents are away, so we’re going to do something when they’re back,” Finn said, a little louder so Kieran could hear him.

“You could come over, too, if you want,” Finn added.

“I don’t think that would work out so well.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t think I’m the sort of person you usually hang out with. And, let’s face it, I’m not exactly an agreeable person. I will probably just ruin it, really,” Kieran said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Well, then, don’t be an asshole,” Finn stated simply.

“Hah, can’t argue that,” Kieran responded.

“So, will you do it?” Finn asked again.

“Maybe.”

Finn could tell he wasn’t going to get a ‘yes’ out of Kieran. He returned to the stove and continued watching it. It reached boiling, and he dropped in the pasta, stirring the sauce. It was done, soon.

“Food’s ready,” Finn called.

Monochrome: 4

The next few days went by quietly. Finn went to work and came home, all without comment from Kieran. During the first two days, Finn was relieved. However, as the week continued into its end, he noticed he wasn’t seeing Kieran at all. He started to wonder if he was too harsh.

The next day came, and Kieran was sitting in front of his door in the hall. He had his face down in his hands. Finn approached him slowly.

“Hey,” he said.

“…hey,” Kieran responded, removing one of his hands from his face.

“You’re locked out?”

“Yep. Keys are in the door, still.”

“Where’s Grey?”

“She’s visiting her parents. She’s going to mail me a key,” Kieran said, putting down his other hand and sighing.

“Shit.”

“Yeah,” Kieran said with a laugh, staring at the floor. Finn walked over and sat next to him.

“I’m sorry about last week,” Finn said. “I… shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine. You were right,” Kieran answered.

They were both quiet for a moment, as Finn tried to find the right words to say.

But, Kieran got to it first: “Why did you bring me to your apartment, anyways?”

“I guess… it’s because it didn’t seem right to leave you there.”

“I’ve probably spent a few nights on the floor.”

“It didn’t feel secure anymore,” Finn explained. There was another, momentary lull in the conversation. Finn picked it back up.

“Are you… okay?” he asked awkwardly.

“Oh, I’m fine, just locked out of my home,” Kieran responded. He sighed at his own sarcasm and answered more properly, “I don’t know, what do you mean?”

“Well, what happened last week?” Finn specified.

“I… lost my job. Got pissed, went drinking. Then I got mugged on the way back home. It’s like, nope, the job wasn’t enough. Had to get mugged, too. Whatever, I didn’t have much in my wallet, anyways,” Kieran complained, very noticeably aggravated.

“You lost your job?”

“Yeah, I think I said that.”

“No, I mean, what about your apartment?”

“I think I have enough in the bank to pay off this month, then I can’t really push it much further.”

“What about a new job?”

“Gotta find someplace that’s hiring that’ll take me. So far, no luck.”

“Do you have somewhere else to stay?”

“Not… really,” Kieran said, reluctantly.

“Your parents…?” Finn asked.

“…no,” Kieran said, after a pause. Finn decided not to ask about it.

“So, you don’t have anywhere to go tonight then?”

“No, I don’t think so. I’ll… figure something out,” Kieran answered.

“Well,” Finn started, “You could stay at my place until you get the key.”

“Eh… you don’t want me around.”

“I could put up with it for a couple days,” Finn assured him, laughing. He stood up.

“Come on.”

“…alright,” Kieran said.

Monochrome: 3

Kieran awoke to an unfamiliar room. He was lying on a soft couch, staring at a TV. The room was quite clean and tidy, and he could hear someone in the other room. He began to get up to investigate, and his head surged in pain. He winced and grabbed his head.

“Ugh…” he groaned. Fucking hangovers.

After a moment of waiting for his head to calm down, he rounded the corner into the other room. Finn stood in his kitchen, making toast.

“So, uhhh, how did I get here…?” Kieran asked.

“You were passed out in your apartment, last night. The place was wrecked and your door was wide open,” Finn told him without looking up from the counter.

“Oh,” Kieran said, not entirely phased. He stared at the dining table in front of him. Just as neat as the living room. There was a bowl of fruit in the center of the table.

“Care to explain?” Finn asked, sounding somewhat agitated.

“Nope,” Kieran responded, picking up an apple from the bowl.

Finn put down his knife and looked up, clearly annoyed.

“You’re really not going to explain any of that.”

“Nahhh.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why the fuck do you care? It’s none of your goddamn business.”

Finn was angry.

“None of my business? Screw you! I thought you got robbed or attacked or something! But, nope! You’re just an asshole who gets drunk and trashes his apartment!” Finn shouted.

For a moment, neither of them responded.

“Thanks for the apple,” Kieran said, taking a bite and heading out the door.

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The Disaster March

Monochrome: 2

Finn came home in a taxi cab. It wasn’t long past ten at night, and he had gone out with some friends after work. The moon hung still in the sky, half full and glowing on the clouds. It was cold. Finn stuffed his hands in his pocket and headed for the door. The ‘lobby’ (it was really just two sets of doors and stairs) was small, but much warmer than outside.

Finn slowly made his way up the stairs to the third floor, a bit worn out from work. It felt like he was the only one home. He could do with a little peace and quiet.

When he reached the top of the stairs on the third floor, he stopped. Sullivan's apartment door was wide open, and the lights were turned off.

What the hell...?

Finn approached the doorway cautiously and looked inside. He couldn't see much. He felt for the lightswitch on the wall, turning it on.

The apartment was a mess. Chairs toppled, the couch on its side, the rug askew. Sullivan himself was out on the floor, face down. Finn panicked, and ran to check on him. Sullivan reeked of alcohol, but was otherwise fine.

"Did he do this...?" Finn asked himself.

"What the fuck are you doing here..." Sullivan mumbled as he started to wake.

"Your door was open and the lights were out," Finn said. Sullivan seemed to be out again.

Shit. What do I do? This place is a goddamn mess.

Finn stood up and looked around. He seriously wrecked this place.

As much as I hate to say it, it would probably be easier if I just brought him over to my place...

Finn checked Sullivan's pockets to see if he had his keys on him. Good, I don't have to find those. He grabbed Sullivan's arm and picked him up, locking and shutting the door behind him.

I'm gonna hate dealing with this, tomorrow.

Hey look, stuff