thoughtformed

[Sheska would like more than anything to be able to just run over and see what was the matter, but that would be extremely rude, so she's going to leave him an audio note instead.]

Sirius? You're sick? What happened?

Drinking. [He just can't lie to her. Well, no, he can, but he doesn't bother.]

's alright.

[There's a short pause, and a soft sigh that sounds like it might be somewhere between relief and sorrow.]

Oh... Oh I see.

[Another, slightly longer pause, and she'll just lock this, since she's pretty sure he doesn't remember how in this state.]

I know you said you didn't want visitors, but... Is it all right if I come over?

I'm not really very good company today, love. 's not the happy kind of drunk.

[Sirius is relatively good at not slurring his speech to much, as opposed to the texting. He obviously fails there.]

[He'd be able to hear the smile in her voice even if he were near black-out drunk, and she keeps her tone gentle.]

You don't have to be. Just let me be nearby in case you need me. You've been there for me so often... Can't I return the favor?

I'm on the floor, so I think I'm out of things I could need, given I can't fall anymore.

...I shouldn't have said that, eh?

You--? Oh dear. Did you hit your head on the way down? Twist anything?

[Yep, definitely getting her jacket and checking the hall closet for medical supplies.]

No! I'm fine, I didn't fall. At least I can't remember falling.

So I'm perfectly safe.

Do you remember how you wound up on the floor?

[Door closing, rapid walking. Nope, not getting out of this one, Sirius.]

Not really, but I reckon I sat down? Maybe fell.

[That's just logical, clearly.]

[Soft sigh. See, this is why she's coming over.]

Where are you? Upstairs or down?

[Just keep him talking till she can get there. Maybe that'll keep him from moving. Or drinking.]

Downstairs. Not sure why, I think I wanted to lock the door?

I don't think I got around to it. Hm.

Sheska. Hey, hey, Sheska?

[Yyyyep, picking up the pace.]

I'm here, Sirius, I'm on my way. What is it, dear?

Just, when you talk to Rudy...

He doesn't know, alright? The real thing, he doesn't know. So don't... I mean. If he says something, you don't have to think it's true, because it's not. Maybe. Depends on what he says.

"The real thing"? What do you mean? I don't have to... You're not making a lot of sense.

[Her voice hardens, upset on his behalf.]

That was really mean of him, even if it was only a joke! I mean, he probably doesn't know how you react to police, but still! I'll see if I can talk to him, because that just isn't nice.

No, don't! [Yes, that panicked voice is very reassuring.]

Just don't talk to him about me! Alright?

But... You don't think I'd believe something like that, do you? Sirius, honestly, it's all right. It'll be okay. I'm almost there. Five minutes.

I have no idea what you'd believe, but I don't want him telling.

[Ouch. But he's drunk. And... and clearly hurting. He didn't mean it that way.]

You're my best friend. You've always steered me right, and who knows you better than you? I don't know what it is you think he'd be telling me, but whatever it is, your word is the one I'll be trusting. I promise.

Yeah, you don't... That's. Merlin's balls.

I stop talking now.

[Ending the call and everything.]

[Well that's alarming. Sheska breaks into a run, suddenly afraid that he might do something foolish in his current frame of mind, and arrives at the shop out of breath, knocking on the door and trying the handle. Had he actually gotten it locked?]

[He hasn't, mostly because he hasn't bothered trying. He's just sitting on the ground and hating himself, Rudy and himself some more.]

Hey, Sheska.

Sirius...

[She makes sure to close the door behind her and drops to her knees beside him, enfolding him in a gentle hug. He looked so miserable.]

It's alright, love. I'm just drunk. [And a bit awkwardly petting her hair, but what else is new.]

[....Oh he really ought to stop doing that or she'll never want to move. Still, she manages to reluctantly pulls back a little and tips his chin up so she can get a good look at his eyes and check his focusing power. A little crooked smile lightens her worried expression.]

Feel like you can stand? We probably shouldn't leave you in the middle of the floor.

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