darker_london | The Room (Flynn, Quinn, Abby) (Reply)

Flynn had spent the last several days holed up in his room. It had been nearly a week, come to think of it, and he didn't want to end the silence any time soon. It was soothing. Here, with Quinn, he didn't have to pretend to be okay. He could just be himself. He could cry while Quinn was asleep, and while Quinn was awake, he was too busy taking care of him to think about anything else. Flynn ate when his housemates brought him food, and he sat there in their presence, listening to them talk to each other and try to keep him involved. And when they left, he went right back to fussing over Quinn or reading a book in the corner because it was easier to read out loud to Quinn if he'd seen the text before.

Flynn probably would have been content to spend the rest of his life in this room. He would take care of Quinn and never have to be anything else for anyone. That would suit him just fine.

Abby entered the room on Wednesday afternoon and she gave Flynn a smile he didn't return, though his expression was pleasant enough. "How are you doing, Flynn?" Abby asked, walking over to place a companionable hand on his shoulder.

"Fine."

"Did you need anything? I can get you something if you need it." Abby said, trying to search his eyes for a sign of...anything, really.

"Nah."

"Okay..." Abby bit her lip and then she walked over to Quinn. "I just wanted to check up on him quickly. Is that okay?"

Flynn shrugged. "Sure."

"Hi, Quinn." Abby said fondly, laying her hand on Quinn's arm. Quinn turned to look at her, and then his gaze travelled over to Flynn, as if searching for him to make sure everything was okay. For an instant, his expression was frantic, but when he saw Flynn in the corner, he relaxed. "You're his safe haven, you know?" Abby said, turning to Flynn.

"Hmm?"

"He understands that you're safe. That you wouldn't hurt him. He looks to you for reassurance." Abby reached up to brush Quinn's hair out of his eye. "He knows if you're here, everything is okay."

"Good." Flynn did smile at that, though it was hardly a beaming grin. "I want him to know."

"Sweetheart, you know you can come sit with us and have dinner or something, right?" Abby asked, as she went about checking Quinn's vital signs.

"Mmm."

"Flynn, you shouldn't isolate yourself. It's not healthy. I...I'm worried about you."

Flynn curled up in his chair, feeling incredibly defensive. "I'm fine." He stressed. "Just fine."

Abby sighed and she nodded. There was no way to force him out of the room really. If he wanted to be in here, he had every right. "Just...if you need something, yell out, okay?"

"'Kay." Flynn agreed. "Is he okay?"

"He's healing up well." Abby said softly. "His ribs are looking better. And his broken arms are healing. I think he'll be able to stand being taken around in the wheelchair soon. I'll make sure the chairlift for the stairs is ready by then."

Flynn looked up at Abby and he resolved to say something nice to her. She was trying and he appreicated that. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. So...I suppose I'll go then."

"Bye."

Abby cleared her throat and she shuffled her feet a little. "Uhm...goodbyw, Flynn." She hesitated a moment longer and then she left him alone in there, but she didn't like it. She feared he was going to hole himself up and never come out.